From the Principal

Reflection
Year 11 2027 Subject Selection Information Evening
Reminder: Staff Formation Day Friday 5 June - Pupil Free Day
The merger of EREA NSW Colleges with EREA Colleges
2026 Education Perfect International Languages Championships
2028 Year 7 First Round offers to be sent out on Friday 5 June
Success at the Sydney Eisteddfod
Cocurricular Program
Key Dates

Reflection

Reflection for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity invites us into one of the deepest mysteries of our faith: God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit three Persons, yet one God. For many, especially young people today, this can feel abstract or difficult to grasp. But at its heart, the Trinity is not a puzzle to be solved; it is a relationship to be lived.

The Trinity reveals that God is not alone, but a community of perfect love. The Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, and this love is so real and powerful that it is the Holy Spirit. This means that at the centre of everything of creation, of our lives, is love itself.

For young people navigating a world of constant connection yet often deep loneliness, the Trinity reminds us that we were created for relationship. We are made in the image of a God who is communion. Every genuine friendship, every act of care, every moment of belonging reflects something of God’s own life.

In our digital age, technology offers us many ways to connect - messages, social media, and endless streams of content. These tools can be helpful and even meaningful, but they cannot replace the deep, life-giving relationship we are called to have with God. No algorithm can love us unconditionally. No number of likes or followers can fill the longing in our hearts for true belonging. The relationship of the Trinity is not virtual or distant, it is real, personal, and rooted in self-giving love. God invites us beyond screens into authentic connection: with Him and with one another.

The Trinity also calls us to move beyond self-centredness. In God, each Person gives completely to the others. There is no competition, no ego only self-giving love. In a culture that can sometimes focus on performance, comparison, or self-promotion, the Trinity invites us into a different way: a life centred on generosity, humility, and love.

Finally, the Trinity is not distant. Through Jesus, we come to know the Father, and through the Holy Spirit, God lives within us. This means we are never alone. Even in confusion, pressure, or uncertainty, God is present guiding, comforting, and drawing us into deeper unity.

On this feast, we are reminded that faith is not only about belief, but about entering into the life of God. The more we love, the more we forgive, the more we reach out to others, the more we reflect the Trinity in our world.

As we reflect on the Holy Trinity, let us consider the following questions:

Where in my life do I experience genuine community and love and how might God be present there?
In what ways can I grow in self-giving love, rather than focusing only on myself?
How can I invite God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit more deeply into my daily life and relationships?

May we seek true belonging in God, grow in self-giving love beyond ourselves, and open our hearts each day to a deeper relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reflected in how we live and love.

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Year 11 2027 Subject Selection Information Evening

It was wonderful to see so many parents accompanying their sons at the Year 11 (2027) Subject Selection Information Evening. This important occasion provided valuable opportunities for families to seek guidance and ask questions of our Leaders of Learning as students begin making significant decisions about their final two years of schooling.

Choosing the right subjects is a critical step, and I stressed the importance of selecting courses that students will both enjoy and find appropriately challenging, while remaining achievable. These decisions should not be made lightly; they require careful thought, honest reflection, and a clear understanding of each student’s strengths, interests, and future aspirations. Having a sense of what they may wish to pursue beyond Year 12 can play a vital role in guiding these choices.

We encourage all students to approach this process thoughtfully and responsibly, ensuring their decisions open pathways to success and personal growth. By making informed and well-considered subject selections, our students place themselves in the best possible position to thrive, allowing us as a community to celebrate their achievements in the years ahead.

Reminder: Staff Formation Day Friday 5 June - Pupil Free Day, but a great time to study!

A friendly reminder that there will be no classes tomorrow. While students are not required on campus, this provides an excellent opportunity particularly for those with upcoming assessments to study with focus and sustained effort.

Year 12 students are especially encouraged to use this time to review their notes in preparation for the Trial HSC Examinations, which begin in Week 3 of Term 3.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”

Robert Collier

The merger of EREA NSW Colleges with EREA Colleges

We wish to keep our parent community informed of recent developments regarding the merger between EREA NSW Colleges and EREA Colleges.

This merger represents a positive step forward, bringing together resources and expertise across a broader national network of Edmund Rice schools. The aim is to strengthen the stewardship of the Edmund Rice charism, enhance collaboration between schools, and ensure long-term sustainability while continuing to provide high-quality education for our students.

As part of this transition, the current Directors of EREA Colleges have now been appointed as Directors of EREA NSW Colleges, ensuring continuity and alignment as planning progresses. In addition, Mr Chris Woolley, current CEO of EREA Colleges, has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer of EREA NSW Colleges. He will lead the transition process and work closely with schools and communities in the coming months.

To support stability during this period, it has also been confirmed that an Interim Director of Education (NSW) will be appointed to provide leadership across key educational and operational areas for the remainder of 2026. It has been confirmed that Mr John Couani (former Principal of St Pius X College) will take on this important role in support of all EREA schools in NSW.

We also take this opportunity to thank Ms Maura Manning for her leadership and contribution to EREA NSW Colleges. Ms Manning will conclude her role in early July, and we are grateful for her commitment to improving outcomes for students across our schools.

While these developments mark a significant change, it is important to reassure families that our focus remains firmly on the day-to-day life of the College supporting our students, maintaining continuity, and delivering a high standard of education.

We will continue to keep our community informed as the transition progresses.

2026 Education Perfect International Languages Championships

The College celebrates the outstanding achievements of our students in the 2026 Education Perfect International Languages Championships, held from 5–12 May. This year, more than 609 students from Years 5–10 participated, demonstrating tremendous enthusiasm and commitment to their language studies.

Competing against 1,622 schools worldwide, St Pius X College achieved an impressive 56th place globally after a week of dedicated learning. A particular highlight was our exceptional performance at a state level, with the College ranked 1st in NSW for Chinese and 9th in NSW for French an outstanding reflection of both student effort and the strength of our language programs.

Several students also achieved remarkable individual success. Michael Capra, Ryan De-Fina, and Mason Tay were awarded Emerald Certificates for earning over 5,000 points. Nathan Hon achieved a Gold Award with more than 3,000 points, while Shinnosuke Yamamoto, Dhananjay Krishna, and George Tchaprazian received Silver Awards for accumulating over 2,000 points.

These achievements were proudly acknowledged at a recent College assembly, where we celebrated the dedication and success of our Language students in front of the wider school community. It was a fitting opportunity to recognise their hard work and to highlight the importance of languages within our curriculum.

We extend our sincere thanks to Ms Manga, Ms Lee and Ms Matthews for their dedication and support of these students, whose guidance has contributed significantly to these outstanding results.

We congratulate all the participating students in this year’s competition. Their collective effort, perseverance, and enthusiasm have contributed to these impressive results and reflect great credit on both themselves and the College.

2028 Year 7 First Round offers to be sent out on Friday 5 June

This Friday, 5 June, the College will release its Round 1 Enrolment Offers for Year 7 2028.

This is an exciting milestone for many young men who have applied to join the St Pius X College community. We also acknowledge that this time may bring disappointment for those who do not receive a first-round offer, and we thank all applicants for their interest and for taking the time to apply.

To all applicants, we encourage you to remain positive and confident every pathway offers opportunities for growth, and success is shaped not by a single moment, but by the commitment and character you bring to your journey.

We look forwarded to welcoming our future graduates in 2028.

Success at the Sydney Eisteddfod

Last week, I was pleased to share news of the outstanding performances by our Concert Bands. Building on this success, our Jazz Bands delivered exceptional results on Friday at the Chatswood Concourse:

Junior Jazz – 3rd

Intermediate Jazz – 2nd

Senior Jazz – 2nd

We extend our sincere thanks to their conductors - Ms Laura Power (Junior and Intermediate), and Mr Geoff Power (Senior) - whose passion and dedication continue to inspire our students in their musical pursuits.

We also thank Ms Westhoff and Mr Saar for their outstanding leadership and ongoing support of our band program.

As a community let us all congratulate these outstanding results.

Cocurricular Program

Our Cocurricular program takes a break this week (except for our squash players) for the King’s Birthday long weekend. This gives our students an opportunity to refreshen as they prepare for the following weeks games.

Outstanding success

We are proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Leo Barnett, who has been selected to represent New South Wales at the upcoming AFL School Sport Australia National Championships in Melbourne this July.

This selection is a significant honour and a testament to Leo’s dedication, skill, and commitment to his sport. Competing at a national level provides an outstanding opportunity to showcase his talent against some of the best young footballers in the country.

Adding to this success, Leo was a key member of the CIS team, which delivered an impressive performance to finish second overall - a fantastic achievement at such a competitive level.

We congratulate Leo on these outstanding accomplishments and wish him every success as he prepares to represent NSW on the national stage

CIS Cup Semi-Final for the First XI Football

Next Wednesday, the First XI Football will play against St Augustine's in the semi-final of the CIS Cup, kicking off at 6:00 pm. The team has been playing exceptionally well since their disappointing loss to St Patrick’s a few weeks ago but their form in the CIS Cup has been highly commendable.

Students attending the match are reminded that they MUST be wearing their full College Winter uniform. Year 12 students may wear their Year 12 jersey over their uniform. All students are requested to sit together at the designated area under the supervision of our staff.

Driving to Valentine Park can be challenging at times, so students driving to the venue are reminded to use caution and drive safely.

Go the Blue and Gold!