From the Principal
- Reflection
- Key Messages to the Community
- Welcome to New Staff
- Welcome Mass, P&F BBQ and Information Evenings
- Improvements to the College – refurbishment of the ‘old’ Junior School area
- The Waterford Learning Centre
- Tuition Fees 2025
- Key Dates Week 3
Reflection
Last Monday, the College welcomed Year 5, 6 and 7 (both new and current) students and families to the College. We commenced with Mass in Our Lady of Dolours Church followed by a P&F BBQ and then our information evenings. It was a wonderful start for our students and their families. Fr David Ranson blessed us with his presence as our celebrant at Mass. He has graciously provided his homily that truly welcomed our students and families to 2025.
WELCOME MASS
Pius X College
3 February 2025
Fr David Ranson
There is a magic in every beginning, wrote the German philosopher Herman Hesse. How true this is when we experience the birth of our children, when we hold a newborn baby in our arms, when we delight in the pure wonder and sense of play evidence in young children, as we observe our children growing so quickly. When we start a new school! It is a moment of wonder. The future opens to us with promise and possibility. It comes to greet us with invitation. Yes, there is anxiety and uncertainty. And yet these, too, are part of every new beginning. Beginnings take time to unfold and we should not place on ourselves an expectation that the beginning, the journey, and the destination all become one. Taking one step at a time, step by step, is all part of both the marvel and the discipline of new beginnings.
We have begun our time at Pius focussing on the symbolism of the light of a candle. The lighting of candles seems a natural thing for us to do when we wish to express deeper meanings in life. The glowing candle becomes a symbol of our hope and our prayer.
Each year at Easter, the greatest of all Christian feasts, we light one particular candle which has for us the most important significance: the Paschal Candle, the main symbol of the risen Christ dispelling all darkness. Towards the end of every ceremony of baptism the priest takes a light from this Easter Candle and gives it to the newly baptised person, or to their godparents, saying, 'You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as children of the light and keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts.'
We carry that flame in our hearts: a flame which needs protecting and fanning just us any flame provided by a candle itself. One of the ancient writers, Gregory of Nyssa used to refer to the heart aflame with love and desire becoming a living torch of fire. It is a powerful image of the power of our witness in the world, and of what we are called to be – always bearers of light.
Each of us is called, then, to be a living candle in our world. We are called to be light in the darkness; to be a sign of hope in a time of uncertainty and despair; to be a sign of festivity in a time of gloom. This does not mean that we live and act in a way that does not take seriously what is happening. It means that we are those who look to shed light rather than to deepen the darkness. We are to ask in the face of any situation with which we are confronted, “Are we spreading light or are we deepening the darkness?” And the answer will always be known in the outcome of our actions or in the conclusion of our thoughts: if the outcome or conclusion is fear, anxiety, suspicion, or exclusion then the light we have been given to bear has been snuffed out. If the conclusion or outcome is openness, receptivity, hospitality, engagement and participation the flame of faith continues to burn within us.
As we reflect on the simple candle as an image of our life, we might also recognise that the flame of a candle is generated only as it feeds off the candle. The candle sacrifices itself so there may be light and hope and festivity. Candles die in order to give light. The candle gives of itself in order that there may be light. Therefore, like the candle, we too are called to give of something so that there may be light for others. This demands the involvement of our whole self, and not just part of our selves. If the candle were to say, “This much and no more,” the flame would simply die. So it is with us. The whole of ourselves has to be involved in the project of discipleship and faith, if our lives are to become bearers of Christ’s light in the world. Without the involvement of the whole candle, the flame cannot burn as it could. Without the whole of ourselves involved, the flame of faith cannot burn in our own hearts as it could.
This year the theme chosen by our Year 12 students is “United in Hope, Igniting hearts with God’s love”. We are being called to give of ourselves so that others might grow. It often strikes me that even though the light of a candle is fragile, all the darkness of the world cannot extinguish it. When we light many candles then we discover a courage and a hope that redeems the darkness. The darkness loses its power.
Let us take seriously the light that each one of us brings to our College Community. And let us delight in the possibility that the light of many candles brings us. May each of you shine forth through this year and throughout your time at Pius X College.
As we embrace the words of Fr David, let us shine brightly in 2025.
Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us
St Pius X - Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!
Key messages to the community
As we conclude the first week of the school year, I am delighted to see that most of our students have returned with a growth mindset, ready to give their personal best in 2025.
Throughout my interactions with various year groups, I have consistently reinforced to staff, students, and parents (at our Information Evenings) that by returning to the College in 2025, we are reaffirming our commitment to the College’s Mission and Vision statements:
Mission Statement
St Pius X College is to provide Catholic education for boys in the Edmund Rice tradition for the whole person. The College community strives to promote the spiritual, intellectual, social, cultural and physical growth of each person.
Vision Statement
The Vision of the College is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ through quality Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition to make a positive difference in our world
Not only do we reaffirm our commitment to these statements, but we also commit to the four core values of St Pius X College Faith, Excellence, Respect and Opportunity that are embedded in the Touchstones of The Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice tradition.
Throughout the week, I have also stressed the importance of remaining committed to our shared vision of:
Maintaining high standards
Maintaining high expectations
Supporting a contemporary and positive learning environment
Faithfully remaining Catholic
Providing a authentic experience for all
Therefore, 2025 provides our sons the opportunity to grow and transform into the person they aspire to be so that they can reach their true potential.
I provided the community with the analogy of a ‘blank’ canvas.
At the start of each year, we are presented with a blank canvas—an opportunity to leave the past behind and embrace growth, transformation, and new possibilities. This blank canvas allows us to shape our journey as individuals, learners, and members of the St Pius X community. How we choose to develop it is entirely up to us. As John Spence reminds us, "What you do today determines who you will be tomorrow."
So, as you begin this school year, ask yourself—what will your canvas look like by the end of 2025?
It is through the College Theme ‘Unite to Ignite’ that we are united in the common mission to instruments of hope, seeking to ignite the light within each of us so that we journey in 2025 with hope, faith and love making our world a better place.
I look forward to working with you in partnership, in the development and formation of our sons.
Welcome to the New Staff
It is with great delight that I introduce and welcome the newest members of our staff to the St Pius X family! These talented individuals bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm, and dedication to our students and school community.
As we continue to foster a supportive and dynamic learning environment, we are confident that our new staff will make a positive impact on our students' growth and success. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to them as they embark on this exciting journey with us!
We look forward to a fantastic year ahead, filled with learning, collaboration, and community spirit.
Back Row: Daniel Burton, Jay Lane, Christopher Nouragas
Middle Row: Steven Callow, JP Dumas, Ben Teasdale, Dominic McGeekie
Front Row: Leisa O'Connor, Marielle Flores, Sophie Parkes, Tayla Bird
Absent: Rebecca Matthews, Thomas Cummins, Georgia Mutch.
Welcome Mass, P&F BBQ and Information Evenings
Monday's Welcome Mass, BBQ and information evening was an outstanding success. Beginning with the beautiful Mass, moving on to the P&F BBQ and finally to the information evenings I truly believe that our community welcomed those new to the College and those returning to the College in Year 7. Thank you to Eoin Geaney and the P&F committee for their wonderful hosting of the BBQ. It was greatly appreciated by all.
Improvements to the College – refurbishment of the ‘old’ Junior School area
During the holiday period, the 'old' Junior School area underwent a significant refurbishment, transforming it to align with the modern style of the A Wing classrooms. This exciting upgrade will provide our Year 12 students with refreshed homerooms and dedicated learning spaces. Additionally, the enhanced facilities will offer a quiet and suitable environment for examinations, particularly the HSC. We anticipate these rooms will be available for use within the next week or so.
The Waterford Learning Centre
The Waterford Learning Centrehas provided a great learning environment for our Junior School.
It is with great pride that I visited the Waterford Learning Centre and witnessed the vibrant colours and engaging activities that define Stage 3 learning. The staff and students have quickly embraced the WLC as their own, as reflected in the many creative displays throughout the classrooms.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the Junior School staff for their dedication in setting up this wonderful learning space and for supporting our students in their transition to such an inspiring environment. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Greenwood for her vision and thoughtful planning of the WLC.
Tuition Fees 2025
In 2025, St Pius X College will finalise the migration of the Sentral student management system, including integrating the accounting function. This transition will enhance data integration and streamline billing and fee management for the college and parents.
This migration has delayed the generation and distribution of fees. While the exact date has yet to be confirmed, the process is expected to be completed during February. We will let you know once the fees are finalised and give you details of any changes.
In the meantime, as communicated to the college community in 2024, the current fee schedule is available on the college website for your reference.
Key Dates
Week 3
Tuesday 11 February: Year 7 Formation Day / PAPA Information Evening and AGM
Wednesday 12 February: Commencement Mass
Thursday 13 February: Senior School Swimming Carnival
Friday 14 February: Junior School Swimming Carnival
Saturday 15 February: ISA, NSTA and IPSHA sport commences
Sunday 16 February: Senior School Football grading day
Fide et Labore
By Faith and hard work
Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever
Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal