From the Principal

• Reflection
• Year 8 Annual Ski Trip
• Celebrating NAIDOC Week 
• Term 3 Staffing
• Seeking Success in Semester 2
• Staying Motivated
• Winter Cocuricular Program
• Dates for your diary

Reflection 

'The Garden of the Heart'

An elderly gardener spent years tending a beautiful garden. One spring, his grandson asked why some plants flourished while others struggled.

The gardener handed the boy a bag of seeds and said, 'Plant these wherever you like.'

The boy scattered some seeds on the footpath where people walked. Birds quickly ate them. He tossed some onto shallow, rocky ground. They sprouted quickly but soon withered under the hot sun. Other seeds landed among weeds and thorns. The plants began to grow but were soon choked by the surrounding growth.

Finally, some seeds fell into rich, prepared soil. These plants grew strong, producing flowers and fruit beyond expectation.

When autumn arrived, the gardener and his grandson walked through the garden.

'Why didn't all the seeds grow?' the boy asked.

'The seeds were all good,' the gardener replied. 'The difference was the ground that received them.'

The grandfather paused and then gently touched the boy's chest.

'Our hearts are like that garden. Every day, God plants seeds of truth, kindness, love, and faith. Sometimes our hearts are hard like the path because of hurt or pride. Sometimes they are shallow, excited for a moment but unwilling to grow deeper. Sometimes worries, ambitions, and distractions crowd out what God is trying to nurture. But when we open our hearts, remove the weeds, and let God's word take root, something beautiful grows.'

The boy looked across the flourishing section of the garden and understood.

The gardener smiled. 'The question is never whether God is sowing. The question is what kind of soil we are becoming.'

Over the past four weeks, the Gospel readings have focused on different parables that Jesus shared with his disciples and followers. Jesus used parables not merely to tell stories, but to transform hearts. They revealed God's truth to those willing to listen, hear, think, and respond in faith, while exposing the spiritual condition of those who rejected His message. 

The Parable of the Sower itself demonstrates why Jesus used parables. The story appears to be about farming, but its real message concerns the condition of the human heart. Different people hear the same Word of God, yet, respond differently depending on whether their hearts are hard, shallow, distracted, or receptive.

Therefore, the I would you respond to the following questions:

1. What 'weeds' of worry, busyness, or distraction might be choking spiritual growth in my life?

2. Have I allowed difficult experiences to make my heart hard like the path?

3. Am I nurturing deep roots through prayer, faith, and reflection?

4. What steps can I take to become good soil that bears fruit for others?

I hope and pray that all members of the St Pius X community is open to accepting the invitation by Jesus to let God’s grace grow the wheat in our own lives.

Prayer:

Lord, 

prepare the soil of my heart. 

Remove whatever prevents Your word from taking root. 

Help me to grow deep in faith, steadfast in trials, and fruitful in love, so that my life may reflect Your goodness. 

Amen.

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Year 8 Annual Ski Trip

We wish all our Year 8 students every success, enjoyment, and adventure as they embark on their annual ski trip. We hope the mountains are covered in plenty of snow, providing wonderful opportunities for skiers and snowboarders of all experience levels to make the most of this special experience.

A heartfelt thank you to the staff who are generously giving their time to support and guide our students throughout the trip. Your dedication and commitment make these memorable experiences possible.

We look forward to hearing the wonderful stories and seeing the lasting memories created as our students enjoy the beauty of the alpine environment, challenge themselves, and share this unique experience with their peers.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week (5 – 12 July)

At the College assembly this week, we acknowledged NADOC Week.  NAIDOC Week provides an important opportunity for all Australians to celebrate the rich histories, cultures, achievements, and continuing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a time to listen, learn, and reflect on the enduring strength of First Nations communities and their deep connection to Country, culture, and community.

A powerful message from the official NAIDOC website reminds us:

'For five decades, NAIDOC Week has celebrated the voices of our communities, steady, unapologetic, and proud.' [naidoc.org.au], [larrakia.com]

This message highlights the resilience, courage, and cultural pride that have sustained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across generations. NAIDOC Week encourages all Australians to recognise the importance of truth-telling, respect the wisdom of Elders, celebrate the richness of First Nations cultures, and support a future built on understanding and reconciliation. 

Looking ahead, the 2026 NAIDOC Week theme, '50 Years of Deadly,' marks a significant milestone, celebrating 50 years of amplifying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices. The theme honours the Elders, leaders, artists, activists, and communities who have helped shape the NAIDOC movement and continue to inspire positive change today. It recognises that NAIDOC is more than a week of celebrations; it is a platform for cultural pride, truth-telling, leadership, and community strength. As the official theme statement notes, it is a chance to reflect on how far we have come, celebrate who we are today, and look with confidence towards the next fifty years.

Together, let us continue to celebrate, learn, and walk forward with respect, ensuring that the stories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations peoples remain at the heart of our shared future.

Term 3 Staffing

As we commence Term 3, I would like to welcome the staff who are commencing their journey with St Pius X College:

Farewell Mr Pat Rodgers:  It is with mixed emotions that I inform the College community that Mr Pat Rodgers will be leaving St Pius X College at the end of Term 3 Week 3 to take up an exciting new position as Head of Cricket at St Joseph’s Catholic College, Hunters Hill.

While we are saddened to see him leave, we are delighted that Mr Rodgers has been presented with an opportunity that so closely aligns with his passion and expertise. Cricket has long been a significant part of his life, reflected not only in his coaching achievements but also in his extensive contribution to the sport as the author of several cricket publications. This appointment is a fitting recognition of his knowledge, experience and commitment to the game.

Since joining St Pius X College in April 2016, Mr Rodgers has made an outstanding contribution to the academic and cocurricular life of the College. As Leader of Learning for History and Legal Studies, he has been a highly respected educator and leader, fostering a love of learning in his students and supporting colleagues in the continual development of teaching and learning within these key subject areas. His passion for history, engaging teaching style and genuine care for students have made him a much-loved teacher whose classes are consistently valued and enjoyed by those fortunate enough to be taught by him.

Beyond the classroom, Mr Rodgers has been an integral part of the College’s sporting program, particularly in cricket. For the past ten years he has served as First XI Coach, dedicating countless hours to the development of our students both as cricketers and as young men of character. His leadership, encouragement and commitment played a crucial role in the success of our 2025/26 ISA Premiership-winning First XI, a highlight in the proud history of cricket at St Pius X College.

Mr Rodgers’s contribution to our community extends far beyond his formal roles. He has exemplified professionalism, generosity and enthusiasm in all that he has undertaken, earning the admiration and respect of students, staff and families alike.

On behalf of the entire St Pius X College community, I thank Mr Rodgers for his dedicated service and the significant impact he has made over the past decade. We wish him every success and happiness in his new role at St Joseph’s Catholic College and look forward to following his future achievements. He leaves with our deepest gratitude and best wishes.

It is great pleasure that we welcome Ms Teri Shin to the College.  Ms Shin will be teaching in the Visual Arts Department from Week 1 – Week 7 in support of Ms Sorbey and Mr Lee during their respective leave.  I look forward to Ms Shin’s valued contribution to the Visual Arts Department.

We are delighted to welcome Mr de Silva, Mrs Williams and Mr Buda back to St Pius X College following their respective periods of leave. We hope they have enjoyed the opportunity to rest, recharge and spend valuable time with family and friends. 

Their return brings a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and dedication back to our community, and we know that both students and staff will greatly appreciate their presence and contribution. 

We thank them for their ongoing commitment to the College and look forward to the positive impact they will continue to have in classrooms, cocurricular activities and the wider life of the College throughout the remainder of the year.

Seeking success in Semester 2

As we commence Semester 2, the Semester One Reports provides an important opportunity for students to reflect on their progress, celebrate their achievements, and set clear goals for the months ahead.

Taking time to reassess priorities and identify areas for growth helps students develop greater ownership of their learning. I encourage all students to make use of the goal-setting section in their diaries for Term 3, using it as a guide to stay focused, motivated, and purposeful throughout the semester.

A special acknowledgment goes to our Year 12 students who have been working diligently in preparation for their upcoming Trial HSC Examinations. This is a significant milestone in their HSC journey, and we commend them for their dedication and perseverance. A range of targeted holiday workshops supported students with revision, exam strategies, and subject-specific assistance as they continue their preparation.

We also recognise our Year 11 students as they approach the completion of their Preliminary Course at the end of this term. Finishing strongly and establishing effective study habits will provide a solid foundation as they transition into their HSC studies.

As a school community, we remain committed to supporting every student to achieve their personal best. Semester 2 offers many opportunities for growth, achievement, and success, and we look forward to working together to make the most of them.

We wish all students and families every success for the semester ahead.

Staying Motivated

Students are most motivated when they have a clear sense of purpose, achievable goals, and confidence that their efforts will make a difference. As we begin Semester 2, motivation can be strengthened by:

1. Setting specific and realistic goals for the term and breaking larger goals into smaller, achievable steps.

2. Establishing consistent routines for study, homework, and revision to build positive habits.

3. Celebrating small successes, recognising that progress is made through consistent effort over time.

4. Seeking support when needed from teachers, mentors, peers, or family members.

5. Maintaining a healthy balance between study, extracurricular activities, rest, and wellbeing.

6. Focusing on personal improvement, rather than comparing themselves to others.

Importantly, motivation is not something students need to feel every day. Success often comes from persistence, discipline, and commitment, particularly during challenging periods. By staying focused on their goals and taking small steps forward each day, students can build momentum and confidence throughout the semester.

For our Year 12 students preparing for the Trial HSC Examinations and our Year 11 students completing their Preliminary Courses, now is the time to remain purposeful, trust in the work you have done, and embrace the opportunities ahead. Consistent effort, coupled with a positive mindset, will be the key to achieving your personal best.

Winter Cocurricular Program

As we return to competition this weekend, we wish all of our teams the very best in their respective matches. With the final rounds before the semi-finals fast approaching, some teams have already secured their place in the next stage, while others will be looking to finish the season strongly and earn their spot.

This weekend also provides an opportunity to recognise and celebrate a new initiative led by our College Student Leaders, The Mental Muscle Initiative. The initiative promotes the importance of mental wellbeing, resilience, and supporting one another both on and off the sporting field.

We encourage all members of our College community to show their support by wearing something green at this weekend’s fixtures. In recognition of the initiative, all players will also be wearing a green armband as a visible reminder of the importance of looking after our mental health and supporting those around us.  Congratulations to Sean O’Donnell (College Captain), Luke Austin and Brayzen Sargent (College Vice-Captains) for the advocacy of this initiative.

Regardless of results or ladder positions, we hope every player has the opportunity to showcase their skills, embrace the challenge, and enjoy the experience. Sport provides valuable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and personal growth. While winning is always enjoyable, the friendships formed, the lessons learned, and the memories created are what truly matter.

Good luck to all teams competing this weekend. 

Dates for your diary

Week 2

Mon 27/7 Year 8 ski trip - 31/7

Tues 28/7 Chapel Mass (Mercy)

Wed 29/7 Year 9 - 11 Drama Excursion / Year 9 incursion - Brent Saunders 

Thur 30/7 Concert Club Music Excursion 7:00 pm

Fri 31/7 Year 10 Formation Day

Sat 1/8 ISA & IPSHA R9

Fide et Labore

By Faith and Hard work

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal