From the Principal
- Reflection
- Blessing of the Waterford Learning Centre and Consecration of the new altar for the College Chapel
- 2025 Annual Improvement Plan
- NAPLAN testing for Year 5, 7 and 9
- Leadership during my long service leave - Monday 17 March till Monday 7 April
- Junior School – Successful Camp and visit to Canberra
- P & F Cocktail Evening - an outstanding success!
- Open Day
- Open Day Volunteers
- Enrolments Now Open
- Cocurricular
- Key Dates Week 8
- 2025 Fee Payments and Direct Debit Information
Reflection
The season of Lent
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate
Our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness,
that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel
insecure around you.
We are born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we
consciously give other people permission
to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our
presence automatically liberates others.
1994 Inaugural Speech of Nelson Mandela
As we complete the first week of Lent, we are encouraged by Nelson Mandela’s Inauguration speech by opening our hearts more fully and allowing our light to shine so that the light of others can also shine. Let us liberate our fears this lent so that we can manifest the glory of God that is within us.
Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us
St Pius X - Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!
Blessing of the Waterford Learning Centre and Consecration of the new altar for the College Chapel
The Blessing of the Waterford Learning Centre and the Consecration of the new altar in the College Chapel mark two significant and sacred moments in the life of our College community.
The Waterford Learning Centre, named in honour of Blessed Edmund Rice’s birthplace in Ireland, symbolises our commitment to academic excellence, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. This space is designed to foster collaboration, curiosity, and a love for knowledge, reflecting the values of our educational mission. Its blessing is a moment of gratitude and dedication, recognising the importance of learning in shaping the hearts and minds of Junior School students.
The consecration of the new altar in the College Chapel is a deeply spiritual occasion, signifying the heart of our faith community. The altar is not just a physical structure but a sacred place where we gather for prayer, reflection, and the celebration of the Eucharist. Its consecration reaffirms our commitment to nurturing the spiritual growth of our students and staff, ensuring that the chapel remains a place of peace, guidance, and connection with God.
Together, these events remind us of the foundations of our College - faith, learning, and community. They serve as milestones in our ongoing journey of providing a holistic and faith-filled education in the tradition of Blessed Edmund Rice.
We are blessed to have Bishop Anthony Randazzo celebrate Mass on Tuesday 8 April to bless the Waterford Learning Centre and the consecration of the new chapel altar. We will also welcome back Mr Couani, Mr Casey and other dignitaries who were instrumental in the design and construction of both the WLC and the altar.
2025 Annual Improvement Plan
At the start of each year, the College develops an Annual Improvement Plan (AIP) that aligns with key elements of our Strategic Plan. This plan serves as a roadmap for growth, guiding our efforts to enhance the learning environment, student wellbeing, and overall, College experience.
Informed by the valuable insights gathered from the 2024 MMG survey (the results of which will be shared in next week’s Woodchatta), the College Leadership Team has carefully reviewed feedback from students, parents, and staff. Based on this, we have identified 11 Strategic Intents that will shape our ongoing improvement strategy, ensuring we continue to meet the evolving needs of our community.
We invite you to explore the 2025 Annual Improvement Plan through the link below, which outlines our key focus areas for the year ahead:
NAPLAN testing for Year 5, 7 and 9
Wishing all our Year 5, 7 and 9 students the very best as they commence their NAPLAN exams this week. This is an opportunity to showcase their learning and efforts, and we encourage all our students to approach each exam with confidence and focus. Remember to do your best, stay positive, and trust in your abilities. We are proud of you and support you every step of the way!
Leadership during my long service leave - Monday 17 March till Monday 7 April
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I will be taking long service leave from Monday 17 March to Monday 7 April. During this time, Ms Watson will assume the role of Acting Principal, leading the College with her experience, dedication, and commitment to our school community.
Following a rigorous selection process conducted by EREA, Mr Wheatley has been appointed as the Acting Deputy Principal. With a strong background in educational leadership and a deep understanding of our College values, he will play a vital role in ensuring continuity and stability during this period.
Both Ms Watson and Mr Wheatley bring a wealth of experience in school leadership, and I have full confidence in their ability to guide the College seamlessly in my absence. I am certain that our students, staff, and community will offer them their full support throughout this time.
Junior School – Successful Camp and visit to Canberra
The Year 5 Camp and the Year 6 excursion to Canberra were both tremendous successes. Junior School staff have been overwhelmingly positive in their praise of the students and their enthusiastic participation in the planned activities. A special thank you to Mrs Greenwood and all the staff for their dedication and support during these overnight experiences. Their generosity in giving their time, often at the expense of their own family commitments, ensures that St Pius X continues to provide these enriching opportunities for our students.
P & F Cocktail Evening - an outstanding success!
It was great to see so many parents supporting the P&F Cocktail evening. The atmosphere within the gym was so exciting and positive as people engaged with new and old friends. Thank you to Eoin Geaney and the P&F committee for their exceptional organisation and hosting of this annual event. A fantastic evening was had by all. Thanks to all the parents who attended the event and I look forward to seeing many more families at the next P&F activity.
Open Day 22 March
With a little over a week before the College OPEN DAY, all is in readiness to welcome over 1,200 people to the College. I have been overly impressed by the vast number of students who are giving of their time on a Saturday to promote the College and share with those attending their experience of life at St Pius X.
I encourage all students to assist the College and play a role in showcasing what makes our school such a special place. Whether it's assisting with tours, participating in activities, or simply welcoming visitors with a smile, your involvement makes a huge difference in promoting our inclusive community.
This is a great opportunity for students to show their pride in our College and help prospective students and their families feel at home. Your support will ensure we create a warm, engaging, and memorable experience for all who visit.
Thank you in advance for your enthusiasm and participation—we couldn’t do it without you!
Applications for enrolments for Year 5 & 7 in 2027 are now open for families to complete. See below for more information.
Open Day Student Volunteers
Student Volunteers are needed to assist with Open Day on Saturday 22 March 2025 at both Chatswood and Oxford Falls.
There are a number of time selections for you to choose from.
We need tour guides, helpers setting up and also help cleaning up at the end of the day.
Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
Please click on the link below to submit your availability.
Enrolments for Year 5 & 7 2027 Now Open
Enrolments for Year 5 & 7 2027 are now open and close on Friday 2 May. Please visit the college website for further information:
Cocurricular
Congratulations to Our Grand Finalists!
A huge congratulations to all our basketball teams who have made it to the grand finals this weekend! This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to your hard work, dedication, and teamwork throughout the season.
As you step onto the court, play with passion, sportsmanship, and pride in representing the College. Regardless of the outcome, reaching this stage is an incredible accomplishment.
Best of luck to all teams - go out there and give it your all!
Learning from the disappointment. While it is disappointing not to come away with a win in the semi-finals, we are incredibly proud of the dedication, effort, and sportsmanship shown by our basketball and cricket teams. Reaching this stage of the competition is an outstanding achievement in itself and you should be proud of the hard work and commitment displayed throughout the season. Though the result may not have been what we hoped for, the lessons learned, the friendships built, and the experiences gained will be just as valuable. Hold your heads high and take pride in all you have accomplished - your efforts have represented the College with honour.
A heartfelt thank you to all our coaches for their incredible commitment, dedication, and support throughout the season. Your guidance, encouragement, and leadership have been invaluable in helping our teams grow, both in skill and in character. The time and effort you invest - often going above and beyond - make a lasting impact on our students, fostering teamwork, resilience, and a love for the game. We truly appreciate all that you do in shaping and inspiring our athletes.
As we enter the final few weeks of the term, we extend our support and encouragement to our NSTA (Tennis), squash, district cricket, and Junior School sports teams. Your dedication, hard work, and commitment throughout the season have brought you to this moment, and we are incredibly proud of your efforts.
Play with passion, sportsmanship, and teamwork, knowing that your College community is behind you every step of the way. Regardless of the outcome, reaching this stage is a fantastic achievement - enjoy the experience and give it your best!
Good luck to all teams - Go the Blue and Gold!
Key Dates
Week 8
Mon 17/3 NAPLAN
Tues 18/3 Chapel Mass (Pius) / ISA Swimming Carnival
Wed 19/3 Staff Meeting (students finish at 2:30 pm)
Fri 21/3 Harmony Day Assembly
Sat 22/3 Open Day
Fide et Labore
By Faith and hard work
Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever
Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal
2025 Fee Payments and Direct Debit Information
Thank you for your patience while we finalised the 2025 fees. The deployment process took longer than expected, and we appreciate your understanding.
Payment & Direct Debit Options
Families already on a credit card direct debit in 2024 will continue with this arrangement. The first monthly payment will be deducted on 15 March or 1 April.
Families who opted for per-term direct debit payments will have their Term 1, 2025 payment processed on Monday, 25 March.
If you are new to St Pius X or would like to set up a direct debit, please complete the Automated Payment Card Authority form via the link below:
https://www.spx.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/payments/
Once completed, please return the form to SPXfees@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.
Your information will be securely uploaded to our banking platform, and the hard copy will be destroyed. St Pius X does not retain any payment details once processing is complete.
For any further queries, please contact SPXfees@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Mr Lachlan Skeen - Business Manager