Senior School Cocurricular Program 

• Fixtures
• From the Assistant Principal, Cocurricular
• Basketball
• Chess
• Cricket
• Cross Country
• Debating and Public Speaking
• Football
• Rugby
• ISA Tennis
• NSTA Tennis
• Senior Swimming

Fixtures

Please see attached this week's fixtures.

From the Assistant Principal, Cocurricular

As we progress through the final rounds of ISA summer sport and towards finals, I remind everyone that our conduct, both on and off the sporting fields and arenas, reflects on everyone. 

To this end, I have included both the ISA and IPSHA Codes of Conduct that players, coaches and spectators are expected to abide by.  Please familiarise yourselves with these codes of conduct to ensure your sons' weekend activities are a positive experience.

I would like to acknowledge and congratulate the spectators of our 17As basketball team at last Saturday's game.  The respect shown to the opposition under difficult circumstances was a great example of the positive behaviour expected during a thrilling end to the game.

Debating and Public Speaking

I would like to congratulate Ms Lesley Gissane who has taken over the helm as our Debating and Public Speaking Convenor for this year.

Registration for Public Speaking closes today and registered students will be given the topics and times. 

Registration for Debating is now open on Clipboard and will close next Friday, 28 February at 3:30 pm.  Students interested in debating should seek information from Ms Gissane. For more information, please see the  Debating and Public Speaking section below. 

Mr Matthew Stearn - Assistant Principal, Cocurricular

Basketball

SPX Basketball Round-Up

With just two weeks left in the regular season, it's clear that the teams consistently showing up to training each week in strong numbers are the ones finding success on the court. Congratulations to all teams that managed a win and special mention to the 14Cs, 15Cs, and 15Es, who all secured strong wins over Redlands and Oakhill College. The 1st V 2nd V also put in outstanding performances to claim wins over St Stanislaus’ and St Patrick’s College.

Mr Ronchetti presented this week to staff how impressed he was with several of our teams who faced some tough opposition presence from the sidelines during last week's matches. The SPX players were fantastic representatives of the College and continued to uphold the ISA and St Pius X values. I would like to extend my thanks to all the players and their families even in some passionate situations. 

With finals fast approaching, it's great to see the commitment and effort paying off. Keep up the strong performances, and let’s finish the season strong!

ISA Trials

A number of 1st V players attended the ISA trials this week and represented the College Basketball program with great pride. Although they were not selected for the team on this occasion, the experience provided an opportunity to showcase their skills at a high level and compete alongside the best players in the ISA. By all accounts, they put in a strong effort and should be proud of their performance. Well done.

Clipboard Reminder

Remember to use Clipboard for training schedules, Saturday fixtures, absences, and important updates. Regularly checking this platform ensures you stay informed about updates and changes to the schedule.

Development Opportunity: Luminate Sports

The Junior Development Team Luminate session will take place this week, with 13/14 Development teams required to arrive at 12:00 pm. The session will focus on skill development, game-play drills, and will conclude with shortened 5v5 fixtures.

Students will have the opportunity to train under the guidance of highly qualified coaches, focusing on skill refinement, game play, and shooting.

Following the session, any feedback from parents would be greatly appreciated. 

Quote of the Week

'Wear the SPX jersey with pride, not just for how you play, but for how you represent. True success is measured by the values you uphold, both on and off the court.'

Fide et Labore – Faith and Hard Work!

Mr James Bourke - Basketball Convenor

Chess

Due to the scheduled staff meeting Chess training will NOT take place on Monday 24 February. Training will resume as normal, on Monday 3 March from 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm and continue each Monday in Term 1 and 2.

Ms Denise Ramsey and Ms Janelle Dempsey - Chess Convenors

Cricket

ISA Cricket

Saturday 15 February 2025 ISA Division 1 Round 8

Oakhill College 10/181 (Alex Burke 3-27, Luke Austin 3-37, Flynn Mansbridge 2-30) defeated 1st XI 10/175 (Charlie Chippendale 45, Rohan Chang 42, Darcy Horstead 41, Ollie Freeman 20)

Round 8 of the ISA competition turned into a thrilling match at Oakhill. Chasing 182 for victory, the 1st XI’s fortunes were restored by a run a ball 72 run partnership from Darcy Horstead and Charlie Chippendale. Unfortunately, the tail could not quite finish the job, and a narrow loss entailed.

Earlier Alex Burke bowled an excellent two spells of left arm unorthodox spin to keep 1st XI in the game. Flynn Mansbridge provided good support and Luke Austin captured three wickets in four balls including a stunning caught and bowled in the final over of the innings. Rohan Chang batted elegantly at the top of the order and partnerships with Toby Moran, Ollie Freeman and Darcy Horstead chipped away at the target. Good cricket followed as loose balls were dealt with and the running between the wickets became urgent, but it was not enough on the day.

ISA Division 2 Round 8 

2nd XI 6/153 (Alessio Spillane 34, Archie Wragge 32, Miles Moran 23) defeated Oakhill College 10/85 (Thomas Costain 4/19, Jack English 2/21)

Monday 17 February 2025 1st XI v I’Zingari Australia at Oxford Falls #1       

I’Zingari Australia 9/89 defeated by 1st XI 8/90.  The annual 1st XI T25 I’Zingari Australia was a tightly contested match starting at 4:00 pm on a teriffic evening for cricket at Oxford Falls. Early wickets to the 1st XI saw I’Zingari on the back-foot. However, some late partnerships pushed to a competitive total. The 1st XI started well against the seam bowlers but were slowed by the experienced slow bowlers losing valuable wickets. In the end a period of sharp running between the wickets saw the 1st XI home with one over spare.

I’Zingari Cricket Club Australia was founded in 1888 and play series of competitive friendly matches against a variety of teams over the summer. SPX Cricket welcomes I’Zingari to Oxford Falls and looks forward to our next encounter.

ISA Round 9 – Saturday 22 February 2025 

1st XI v St Patrick’s College @ Oxford Falls #1 (10:00 am start)

2nd XI v St Stanislaus’ College @ St Stanislaus’ College Main Oval, Bathurst (10:00 am start)

Mr David Reay - ISA Cricket Convenor

Match Reports

Mr Ryan Balboa - MWJCA Cricket Convenor

Cross Country

All communication regarding cross country will take place via Clipboard.  Parents and students should ensure they have notifications turned on for Clipboard and their device.

Cross Country training continues every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Join us for fun, varied and challenging sessions. 

Where: Beauchamp Park, Chatswood 

Time: 7:15 am – 8:15 am 

Who: All Senior and Junior School students welcome

Meet at the Beauchamp Oval Grandstand in comfortable running gear and with a water bottle. Bring your school uniform to change into afterwards back at The College.  All students are encouraged to join training, whether it is to prepare for the IPSHA Cross Country Competition, the ISA Cross Country competition in Term 2 or to simply improve your general well-being. 

Simply turn up to join.

2025 Run2Cure Fun Run

The college will be participating in the Run2Cure Fun Run in support of Neuroblastoma Research on Sunday 6 April.

Please see the attached document for further information.

Ms Leanne Lee – Cross Country and Athletics Convenor 

Debating and Public Speaking

CSDA Public Speaking 

 The CSDA Public Speaking Competition runs on the following Friday evenings:

28 February          Public Speaking Round 1

7 March                 Public Speaking Zone Finals

14 March               Public Speaking Finals

Registrations close 20 February. Registered students will be given the speaking topics and times. Round 1 will be hosted by Marist Sisters’ College Woolwich.

CSDA Debating Competition 

Registration is now open on Clipboard. The closing date is 28 February. The CSDA Debating Competition runs through Terms 1 and 2.  There will be training sessions for the 2025 Debating season on the following dates:

Week 7 – training Wednesday 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Week 8 – training Wednesday 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Debating competition dates:

o Round 1: Wednesday 2 April (Term 1, Week 9)

o Round 2: Wednesday 9 April (Term 1, Week 10)

o Round 3: Wednesday 30 April (Term 2, Week 1)

o Round 4: Wednesday 7 May (Term 2, Week 2)

o Round 5: Wednesday 14 May (Term 2, Week 3)

o Round 6: Wednesday 21 May (Term 2, Week 4)

o Conference Eliminations: Wednesday 28 May (Term 2, Week 5)

o Conference Eliminations (if needed): Wednesday 4 June (Term 2, Week 6)

o Quarter Final: Friday 13 June (Term 2, Week 6)

o Semi Final: Friday 20 June (Term 2, Week 7)

o Grand Final Friday 27 June (Term 2, Week 8)

For those involved in debating, it is essential that you meet at the clock after our Sports Assembly every Friday, attend all training and the first six rounds. If your team makes it through to the Elimination round (and beyond) you also need to keep the above dates free.  

Parents and students also need to complete the yellow registration form AND sign the CSDA ‘Code of Conduct’ form and return it to the Student Reception Office. Students can obtain a form after this Friday’s assembly, otherwise they can collect another copy from the Student Office.

Ms Lesley Gissane - Debating and Public Speaking Convenor

Football

Thank you to the over 300 players who attended grading day on Sunday.  A big thank you to the Football Supporters club for running the BBQ.  Students will be notified of grading in the next few weeks.  Students are encouraged to listen out to announcements about when pre season training will commence later this term.

Mr Simon Yue - Senior Football Convenor

Sydney FC and St Pius X Partnership

St Pius X College has entered into a partnership with Sydney FC. Sydney FC, our local A League club, happen to be the most successful team in the history of the A-League Mens competition, winning four Premierships and five Championships.

St Pius X is building on the already strong connection it has with Sydney FC. Nick Susko former Old Boy of St Pius X was the Junior Academy Manager at Sydney FC for many years and was instrumental in facilitating the partnership. We currently have Reef Farias from the graduation class of 2024 playing for Sydney FC in their NPL team.

The partnership will help to develop the SPX football program and establish a link with Sydney FC in order to:

• Offer morning football coaching at Gore Hill Oval (Starts on 4 March - sign-up through Clipboard)

• Provide coaching for Senior PDHPE at Oxford Falls and Junior Sport

• Support the delivery of Football PASS and offer excursions

• Provide opportunities for game day tickets

• Please view the attached Sydney FC flyer for further details. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Mr Richard Lacey - SPX Football Development

Football Information Evening and AGM

All are welcome to attend the Football Information Evening and AGM which is being held tonight - Thursday 20 February.

Information will be provided regarding the ISA season, the new Sydney FC development program, the UK Tour for U15 and U16s.

The AGM will follow the information evening.

Start Time:  6:00 pm

Venue:  Sarto Centre 

Rugby

Rugby Registration will continue to be OPEN. 

All Year 5-12 students wishing to play rugby are required to be registered via Clipboard. This allows the school rugby administrators and coaches to best prepare for the coming season, plus allows your SPX Rugby Club to best support and communicate with you! There are no trials or grading days, all students are encouraged to get involved. 

The following link will direct you to clipboard: https://portal.clipboard.app/stpiusx. Please note that payment for the season will be made upon registration

If you have any issues pleases contact Mr Justin Gates, Senior Rugby Convenor jgates@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Year 7 Rugby Taster Program 

The College along with Mr Mike Cross and the Rugby Committee are offering 4 free fun after school coaching sessions to all of Year 7 before the rugby season starts. If you are interested, please enrol your son via Clipboard. 

The sessions will be conducted on the 11, 13, 18 and 20 March.  

SPX Rugby Club 

Orange Away Game Weekend - Friday 24 May - Saturday 25 May 

The Rugby fixtures are out and the games at Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange are scheduled for Saturday 25 May. Traditionally many families travel to Orange on the Friday before and get together for a St Pius X rugby family dinner. Please pencil Friday 24 - Saturday 25 May in your diaries. We will provide more details about the Orange weekend and Friday night dinner once the fixtures are finalised.

Rugby Gala Dinner 2025

Save the Date.  The date and the venue are now locked in!  Mark your calendar for Saturday, 14 June at Dockside.  The Rugby Committee are excited to once again be hosting a fun filled evening. 

Stay tuned for further details, and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to spxrugby@gmail.com

Term 1 Rugby Dates for the Diary:

• Sunday 9 March - Old Boys Gala Day – Oxford Fall (9:30 am kick off for a game of touch)

• 12, 14, 18 and 20 March - Year 7 Rugby Taster & Opens Training at Oxford Falls

• Thursday 27 March - Rugby Training Commences at Oxford Falls for all students Year 7-12

• Saturday 5 April - SPX vs ST ALOYISIUS 

• 16 and 17 April – Rugby Holiday Clinic 

ISA Tennis

Applications for ISA Winter Tennis are now open!

ISA Tennis is a senior school sport for students in Years 7 to 12. St Pius X teams compete against other ISA schools on Saturday mornings. If boys are selected and commit themselves to a team, they must be available for all weeks of the competition and to travel regularly for games. 

This competition runs through Terms 2 & 3 with four grading sessions late in Term 1.

All students intending to play in the 2025 season must attend all allocated grading/training afternoons, running in Term 1, Weeks 7, 8, 9 with Queenwood Tennis and Sporting Centre (Oxford Falls).

Students will be advised whether they are required to attend the Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon sessions once registrations are closed.

Please click here for more information regarding ISA Tennis: ISA Tennis Enrolment information. Should you have any queries, please contact Ms Bamber - vbamber@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

Mrs Veronica Bamber - ISA Tennis Convenor

NSTA Tennis

It was great to see so many new faces at tennis this weekend. There are over 100 young men representing the College in tennis this term, which is the biggest cohort we have ever had. There are a few new schools in the competition this term so the first week was not without its teething problems, but we got there in the end. 

The 8:00 am games were a buzz of excitement! Andrew He, one of our newest Junior School members stepped up and volunteered to play for Team 32, and came away with a win 6-4, this was a great start for him! Kai Stephens and Samuel Lam Team 31 played an excellent doubles match against Andy Wang and Mark d’Mello also scoring a win 6-4. James Hanna, Aren Mamagonian and Jayden Beltran, Team 28 displayed some excellent skills in their match against Reddam East, winning all 3 sets. Eric Park and Nathan Hon, Team 24 also showcased impressive skills in their match against Reddam East, securing victory in all three sets.

Justin Lee at 10:00 am had an exciting match against his opposition from Redlands winning 7-5. Lucas Korth, Henry Bourke and Bryce Davis, SPX 7, showed their strength as a team winning all 3 sets against SPX 9. 

NSTA TRAINING TEAMS

We are lucky to be able to have a venue to host our training teams, and have some great coaching staff on site as well to help out and give a few pointers during the matches. Coby Ching and Archer Austin, Team 7 played an exciting doubles match against Kennith Kee and Wiliam Yong which ended in a nail-biting tie breaker. Despite the best efforts of both teams, Team 7 came out victorious. Yannick Amith, Team 6 was out to impress in his singles match winning 6-1. Well done to all players on their first match of the season, especially to the many new Junior School players we had join our competition. 

Allocation of points: One point will be awarded for each set won, half a point for each set unplayed or unfinished and 2 points for the winning team.

Mrs Samantha Iwatani - NSTA Convenor

Senior Swimming

Next Friday night, 28 February, the Senior Swimming Squad will be competing at the Annual Christian Brothers Carnival held at Cranbrook Aquatic Centre, commencing at 6:30 pm. All swimmers who will be competing at this carnival will have received a letter outlining their commitment to the College Swimming Squad. 

There are three carnivals throughout the year that our squad are expected to attend. As we swim as a team, each student must be available to swim at each carnival as attendance is paramount to fielding a fast and competitive team.

Swimmers must wear their swimming shirt to the pool and swim with the College cap. These can be purchased from the Uniform Shop. Year 11 and 12 students must wear their school uniform to the pool and get changed at the venue. All students to wear closed-toed shoes. Students can wear their own costumes as long as they are not fluorescent in colour. College swimming costumes can also be purchased from the Uniform shop.

The team events list will be up on the student noticeboard by Friday. More details will be given to the squad at our Friday morning meeting after the Sports Assembly.

Ms Leisa Proc – Swimming Convenor