Senior School Cocurricular Program 

• Fixtures
• From the Assistant Principal, Cocurricular
• Basketball
• Chess
• Cricket
• Cross Country
• Football
• ISA Tennis
• Rugby Committee News

Fixtures

Please see attached this week's fixtures.

From the Assistant Principal, Cocurricular

Senior School Swimming Carnival

Parents will be receiving an email shortly with all details regarding next week's Senior School Swimming Carnival which is being held on Thursday 13 February at Macquarie University Aquatic Centre.

Please note that this day is a compulsory whole-school event, and as such, all students must attend.

Whilst this not a traditionally a spectator event, you would, of course, be welcome to attend, however an entry fee will be applied by the centre.

Clipboard

Clipboard registrations have now opened for all Term 1, 2 and 3 cocurricular activities. Please assist us by registering your sons for their chosen activities at your earliest convenience, noting that Football registration closes on Wednesday 12 February to allow data to be sent to Coerver for grading purposes prior to Sunday's grading day.

Details regarding Football grading can be found in the Football section below.

We include, for your convenience below, the Clipboard guides sent out to new parents and also posted last week in Woodchatta.

Upcoming Events

Saturday 8 February: ISA summer season recommences 

Thursday 13 February:  Senior School Swimming Carnival

Friday 14 February:  Junior School Swimming Carnival

Saturday 15 February:  NSTA Tennis season recommences

Friday 28 February: Christian Brothers Swimming Carnival

We are still waiting on confirmation for the start of the NSW Pennants Squash season.

Mr Matthew Stearn - Assistant Principal, Cocurricular

Basketball

SPX Basketball Round-up

Our A teams had the chance to complete their Round 6 fixtures against St Augustine’s, a school known for setting a high standard on the court. It was up to us to rise to the challenge. Despite coming off a long summer break, all teams performed admirably but were unable to secure a win on this occasion. This experience provided valuable insight into the level we need to reach as we prepare for finals. Well done to all players for their effort and determination.

Training and Game Attendance Expectations

We appreciate families proactively logging absences via Clipboard and notifying us by email. However, some teams this week had only 4 players, putting unnecessary strain on players and coaches. Please continue to log absences in advance to help coaches adjust their training plans. The same goes for Saturday fixtures, as we need to ensure all teams are appropriately numbered. Thank you for supporting the success of the season.

Uniform Expectations

A reminder that full SPX branded attire must be worn on game days, including travelling to and from matches. Non-uniform items like Crocs, white t-shirts, hoodies, or track pants are not permitted. Let's maintain high standards and represent the College with pride.

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.

Round 7 Fixtures 

Fixture details are in Clipboard and are now confirmed, for the development Squads, the Junior Development (Years 8 and 9) have a bye this week. 

Development Opportunity: Luminate Sports

We are excited to share that Luminate Sports is offering a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their basketball skills. Sessions are available across multiple locations with an option for a free trial in the first week. The term cost is $198 for nine weeks.

• Tuesdays at Ryde Aquatic Centre: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm  (ages 6-11), 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm (ages 12-17)

• Thursdays at Mowbray Public School: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm (ages 12 & under)

• Fridays at Shore School Grant Centre: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm (ages 6-11), 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm (ages 12-17)

• Sundays at Willoughby Leisure Centre: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (ages 6-11), 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (ages 12-17)

Register for the free trial or enrol for the term.

Quote of the Week

"Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out. Start strong, set the tone, and trust the work you've put in."

Mr James Bourke - Basketball Convenor

Chess

Attention all students wishing to participate in Chess for 2025.

Chess helps develop higher-order thinking skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking, and planning.  

St Pius X college participates in the Sydney Metropolitan Secondary Schools Chess competition, which takes place on Friday afternoons from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, during Term 2. 

Students compete in the North Shore Zone and as such are required to travel in their teams to various schools within this zone. Students are also required to attend training provided by Sydney Academy of Chess on a Monday afternoon, throughout Term 1 and 2.

Clipboard is now open for all students wishing to register their interest in playing Chess in 2025.

Students play in the following levels:

Seniors                   Years 11 & 12

Intermediates       Years 9 & 10

Juniors                     Year 7 & 8

Training commences Monday 10 February in the Blue Room 

• Time: 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
• Afternoon tea will be provided

Ms Denise Ramsey and Ms Janelle Dempsey - Chess Convenors

Cricket

ISA Cricket

Green with envy!

Renowned as one of the world’s premier U16 club competitions, the AW Green Shield has been a launchpad for many of NSW and Australian cricket’s finest players. The College 1st XI Cricket is in the envious position; having eight players participate in this summer.

Alexander Burke (Mosman CC)

Rohan Chang (Mosman CC) 

Charlie Chippendale (Gordon CC)

Jared Fernandes (Northern Districts CC)

Oliver Freeman (Mosman CC)

Lucas Gleeson (Manly Warringah CC)

Darcy Horstead (Manly Warringah CC)

Zachary Rapa (Northern Districts CC)

Congratulations to all players but especially Jared and Zachary who were part of the premiership winning Northern Districts team.

Let’s not forget 1st XI Cricketer Luke Austin (North Sydney CC), who only a year out of AW Green Shield himself, represented in the U21 equivalent Poidevin-Gray Shield competition.

ISA representation

The ISA cricket trial was played at Scots All Saints in Bathurst last Saturday after which the ISA representative team was selected. Oliver Freeman was chosen in the XI which will play matches against CAS and GPS teams. Luke Austin was selected as a shadow player. Well done to both players and to Flynn Mansbridge and Lucas Gleeson who also trialled.

Saturday 8 February 2025 

1st XI v St Patrick’s College @ Breen Oval, Strathfield (10:00 am start)

2nd XI v St Patrick’s College @ Oxford Falls #1 (10:00 am start)

Mr David Reay - ISA Cricket Convenor

MWJCA Pink Stumps Day - supporting the Jane McGrath Foundation

Following the ongoing success of the SCG Pink Test, Manly Warringah Junior Cricket Association are excited to launch a month-long fundraising effort in support of the Jane McGrath Foundation culminating in Pink Stumps Day on 15 February, an initiative proudly supported by the College. Tickets can be purchased via the QR Code on the left below.  If you would like to make a donation you can also do that via the QR code on the right below. 

Match Reports

Mr Ryan Balboa - MWJCA Cricket Convenor

Cross Country

Cross Country training commences in Week 4 - Monday, 17 February. Join us for fun, varied and challenging sessions. 

When: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings

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. 

Please email Mr Scott Steinman ssteinman@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or Ms Leanne Lee llee@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au to sign up or simply turn up in the morning.

2025 Run2Cure Fun Run

The college will be participating in the Run2Cure Fun Run in support of Neuroblastoma Research on Sunday 9 April.

Please see the attached document for further information.

Ms Leanne Lee – Cross Country and Athletics Convenor 

Football

Football (soccer) grading trials for all Year 7 to 12 students will be held on Sunday 16 February 2025 at Oxford Falls Campus. Students must attend grading day at their allocated time (see below).  If you have any issues with this please contact Mr Simon Yue, Senior Football Convenor syue@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

The 2025 SPX Football Program includes the Winter ISA Football competition and the SPX Internal Football Development Program. All students wishing to play SPX football for the 2025 season will be graded in an SPX football team. 

There are limited ISA teams, typically 2 or 3 per age group.  All students who do not make an ISA side are able to partake in our internal competition run by COERVER Football.

There is an expectation that students who participate in Football at SPX attend trainings on both Monday and Wednesday afternoons as well as the Saturday game.

All students wishing to participate in the 2025 football season, must be electronically registered via Clipboard link by Wednesday 12 February 2025. The Clipboard registration assists the grading process run by the COERVER professional football coaches. 

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.

Grading times for Sunday 16 February 2025 at Oxford Falls Campus, Dreadnought Road, Oxford Falls: 

Year Registration Desk Check in Time Grading Time Oxford Falls Sporting Grounds:

• U13 (Y7) Arrival: 7:45 am, on field 8:00 am - 9:15 am 

• U14 (Y8) Arrival: 9:15 am, on field 9:30 am - 10:45 am 

• U15 (Y9) Arrival: 10:45 am, on field 11:00 am - 12:15 pm 

• U16 (Y10) Arrival: 12:15 pm, on field 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm 

• Opens (Y11 + Y12) Arrival: 1:45 pm, on field 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (Students must be collected promptly by 3:00pm)

What to wear and bring to be able to play football at the SPX grading day 

It is compulsory to wear sports clothes, football shin pads and football boots. Please also bring a water bottle. Any wet weather notifications are notified on the SPX College App. Please download the SPX College App and you can check any wet weather notifications by tapping on the sports icon. 

We are looking forward seeing everyone at SPX Football Grading Day 2025 

Football Information Evening and AGM

All are welcome to attend the Football Information Evening and AGM which is being held on 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 

Mr Simon Yue - Senior Football Convenor

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

Rugby Committee News

Save the dates

The Rugby Committee has been hard at work planning the year ahead already.

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

The tentative 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.

Annual Rugby Gala Dinner - Saturday 14 June 

We have secured the Dockside Darling Harbour again for the 2025 Rugby Gala Dinner. We are delighted that the Principal Michael Ronchetti has accepted our invite to attend. It is the best night on the St Pius X rugby calendar!

Rugby Golf Day Friday 17 October 

Mr  Ronchetti has also committed to the date and until further notice, the Committee anticipates the golf day will be returning to Northbridge Golf Club for a morning or early afternoon start to an Abrose style competition followed by a lunch or dinner.

Mr Ted Webster - SPX Rugby Club President