Pastoral Care

From the Assistant Principal Pastoral Care

• EREA National Wellbeing Conference
• House Vice Captains
• ANZAC Day Preparations
• Youth Mass
• Chapel Mass
• 'Buddies not Bullies' Peer Mentoring Bushwalk
• Year 8 Mercy Dance
• Old Boys vs 1st XI Football Students Gala Match Last Sunday
• Old Boys' News

EREA National Wellbeing Conference

Last Wednesday to Friday saw a gathering of over 70 Pastoral Care / Wellbeing Leaders from the 44 EREA Colleges, schools and education centres across the country. We were represented by our Year 11 Coordinator Ms Donna Janes, iconic Counsellor Mr Rick Russo, and myself. The conference was held at St Patrick’s in Ballarat, and featured addresses by EREA ex-student and CEO of Headspace Jason Trethowan, advocating our Mindmatters evolution to the “Be You” whole school community framework approach to mental health. WA Resilience in Educational Behavioural pedagogy advocate, Greg Mitchell added his momentum to the need for positive education spruiked also by wellbeing expert and ex AFL champion Mark Bunn. Sessions addressing contemporary online gaming, social media and gambling concerns also provided some invaluable insights to best practice in boys' education.

During breaks in the program St Patrick’s Principal Mr John Crowley and ex St Pius X College Business Manager, Mr Andrew Ballesty showed us around the Ballarat town and campus. The students of many EREA schools are taking the St Pius lead integrating student voice and leadership in their wellbeing programs and initiatives and adopting the “Mindmatters – Be You” whole school framework for enhancing student and community wellbeing.

The reputation and exploits of our students in this contemporary paradigm of leading innovation in wellbeing and wellness, underpinning achievement and endeavour in all other areas of our community and lives, is something we can be truly proud of and a great tribute to our staff and students and staff over many years. We have a lot to be grateful for.

House Vice Captains

With election and appointment of our new Year 7 students, our House Vice Captains elect for Semester 1 will be presented to their House Captains and Mr Couani at Friday sports assembly this week. They will represent the College at upcoming ANZAC Day commemorations including the Hyde Park RSL and Schools Remember (Tuesday 9 April), Indigenous Service Commemoration (Friday 31 May), and the ANZAC Day Dawn Service (5.20am at Chatswood Garden of Remembrance) and Club Willoughby Obelisk Commemoration (7am Crabbes Street, Willoughby). Please contact Mr Brannan if you have an interest in joining our representatives at these services.

ANZAC Day Preparations

In a throwback to last century, Chatswood RSL have requested that St Pius X College Cadets perform duties as the Catafalque and Flag bearing parties at the ANZAC Day Services listed above. Training will be held on 9/4 and 23/4 at the Chatswood Garden of Remembrance ad Club Willoughby at 2pm and 3pm respectively. Please see Mr Brannan if you are able to assist and are not required to attend your Cadet Unit’s ceremony.

Youth Mass

It was pleasing to see our senior students and senior leaders particularly represented in great numbers at the Youth Mass at 5.30pm last Sunday evening, celebrated in Our Lady of Dolours Church by Father Jim McKeon.

Readings by Performing Arts Prefect Hamish Alexander, House Captain Tim McLachlan and an eloquent account of St Pius X College’s current and recent social justice initiatives by College Captain Oliver Tysoe informed the Parish of our culture, while numerous students performed Minister of the Eucharist responsibilities. A sausage sizzle and brief games session with our Mercy college counterparts followed Mass.

We would like to have a strong student representation at the Easter Liturgies so stay tuned to Woodchatta or ask Mission and Identity Prefects - Max Fazzino, Tom Jamieson or David Ko - for more details and come along.

Chapel Mass

Last week the Mercy/St Pius X alternating Chapel Mass was moved to the new Mercy Modular Classrooms which share the Our Lady of Dolours Parish Meeting Room space in Kirk Street. The Liturgy, led by Fr Jim McKeon, included a blessing of the new Mercy teaching and learning spaces.  Thanks go to Tom Connaghan of Year 8 who represented St Pius at the Mass.

A reminder that the Chapel Mass commences at 8.00am on Tuesday and all are welcome to attend.

'Buddies not Bullies' Peer Mentoring Bushwalk

This Blue Mountains bushwalk will take place on Sunday 7 April 2019.  We will be leaving the College at 8.00am and returning at approximately 4.30pm.  Permission notes are now being collected by Mr Russo and Mr Brannan to confirm numbers and transport. Please see or contact Mr Russo if you require another note.  Permission notes need to be returned to Mr Russo by this Friday 29 March.

Year 8 Mercy Dance

Mercy Catholic College have kindly extended an invitation for some of our Year 8 students to attend their social dance in May. Tickets will be available on Mr Ticli’s instruction and any students planning to attend will need to set a high standard of conduct and cooperate positively with the students from a number of schools in attendance.

The Mercy staff and students are well aware of the high level of conduct expected of St Pius students, and have great confidence in our ability to contribute positively and responsibly to their event.

Old Boys vs 1st XI Football Students Gala Match Last Sunday

In a final Chapter to our Old Boys vs Senior Students Gala Matches, Mr Quilty’s 1st XI Football took on a star-studded Old Boys XI last Sunday at Oxford Falls. Last month’s matches saw the Old Boys Basketball narrowly defeat the 1st V (67-66) while (Father of College Captain, Oliver) Mr Chris Tysoe’s Touch team drew with Purton Captain Luke Psaila’s men, 10 -10.

Mr Quilty’s 1st XI featured a Year 10 goalkeeper in Paddy Moore, providing a generational contrast to Sevan Hanimyan’s team.  In spite of the contrasts a proud Old Boys outfit managed to stay with and equalise with a polished 1st XI 3- 3 taking the fixture to penalties where the students finally prevailed 6–5, thanks to some great penalty pressure training for the students.

Net result: the 1st XI silverware goes to the students while the aggregate trophy is shared for 2019. However, more importantly, the connections between Old Boys and students which we hope will extend through University studies, careers and recreational links over our lifetimes, were reinforced by shared experience and pride in programs such as Mr Quilty’s football and so many other pastoral and wellbeing initiatives of the school which go well beyond the classroom and curriculum.

On that note I thank Mr Quilty, Mr Yue, and Old Boy Presidents Mr Jeff Clarke (Class of 86) and Mr David Bullard (Class of 82) who made this particular event possible.

Old Boys' News

The Old Boys' Dinner will be held on Friday 13 September.  The AGM is upcoming soon with details to be confirmed.

Please feel free to assist on the Old Boys' BBQ any given Saturday, and stay tuned for our Orchard Tavern get together in Term 4.

Fide et Labore

Mr Sean Brannan - Assistant Principal Pastoral Care