Pastoral Care 

• Kokoda Day Memorial at Rhodes Park
• Movember
• Year 7 2025 Orientation Day

Kokoda Day Memorial at Rhodes Park

The Kokoda Day Memorial Service, held last Sunday, is in remembrance of the heroic victories and sacrifices on the Kokoda Trail at Papua New Guinea during World War II. The service commemorated the full-scale attack by the Japanese on the Australian 39th Militia Battalion on 29 July 1942 - the three long months of battle and push-back of Australian troops to their last line of defence on Imita Ridge - and the eventual victory and capture of Kokoda on 2 November 1942. The bravery and sacrifice of Australian soldiers, including three veterans present on the day who served on the Kokoda trail, as well as the selfless acts of native carriers, titled the 'Fuzzy-Wuzzy Angels' who were crucial in the victory at Kokoda, through their valiant acts of guiding and carrying Australian soldiers to safety during and after.

The memorial service began with an official welcome and a prologue of the Kokoda Campaign delivered by Major Charlie Lynn, a Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway board member. A touching Hymn – Our God, Our Help in Ages Past – and scripture reading – John 15:9-17 – set the theme of the brotherhood, comradery and devotion of the soldiers who served in Kokoda. The 'Brothers At Arms’, A Tribute to 'The Fuzzy-Wuzzy Angels' picture montage moved the audience that filled rows and rows of tightly packed chairs. The video depicted photographs of cheerful and sombre Papua New Guinean carriers, in brotherhood and in service with Australian servicemen. The representatives and ministers including the Pius students were asked to lay a wreath in remembrance of the men who gave their lives in service of our nation. The service concluded with Strathfield North Public School choir singing the Papua New Guinea and Australian Anthems, and a birthday celebration (including cake) of one of the revered veterans there who served in World War II!

by Adam Fitrzyk (Year 12 student)

Movember 

Since 2003, Movember has been a leading charity changing the face of men’s mental health, funding over 1,000 projects around the world and raised over $1.3 billion dollars since its inception.

Movember is about changing the narrative that men keep silent about mental health issues. It’s about recognising that strength comes from being honest and vulnerable. It’s about knowing that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. Whether you’re battling physical illness or struggling with mental health, reaching out is never a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of courage.

Some facts about Movember:

• Leading charity changing the face of men’s mental health 
• Since 2003, Movember has funded 1,250 men mental health projects around the world 
• Men are dying on average 4.5 years earlier than women 
• Movember is uniquely placed to address this crisis on a global scale 
• Mow is a symbol representing healthier men and a healthier world 
• 60 men commit suicide every hour or 1 every minute and to take part you must walk or run 60km over Movember 
• Making a difference in mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer 
• Improving overall mental health and helping men build stronger social connections can reduce the risk of suicide.

The following link will take you to the myMo Space St Pius X College Movember donation page:

To find out more, visit the Movember website. 

James, Ryan and Jack (Wellbeing Prefects)

Year 7 2025 Orientation Day

The Year 7 Orientation Day was a great day for the prefects to get together with our 2025 new Year 7 students and have great conversations. The prefects all arrived nice and early, eager to welcome the new Year 7s. The prefects took photos of families whilst also helped those who will be transferring from a different school, by making them feel welcome. It was a time for the new Year 7s to get to know the different prefects. Lunchtime was spent at Beauchamp Oval where they played a variety of sports.  This was a great opportunity for the prefects and new students to create more connections. After lunch, they headed back to school and were split into homerooms, and prefects had the opportunity to present the college’s expectations around behaviour and pres. The day ended with a tour around the school and the Year 7s were dismissed.

Mr Martin Gillogly - Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care