St Pius X College Newsletter

From the Principal

  • Reflection
  • Christmas message from the EREA NSW Board and CEO
  • Movember campaign update
  • Annual Awards Ceremony - Wednesday 4 December
  • Staffing Update
  • Farewell and thank you to Mr Michael Simpson
  • Last week for cocurricular program for 2024
  • Key Dates
  • Fees

Reflection

The season of Advent

As the Advent season commences this week, it is timely that we reflect on the meaning behind Advent and the candles that are part of the advent wreath.

 

The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which means a coming, approach, or arrival. In the Catholic Church, it refers to the period encompassing the four Sundays prior to Christmas. Like Lent, it is a time of penance, of turning away from sin.  However, Advent is a hopeful, joyous preparation for the coming Jesus Christ, our Saviour.  This is what make Advent so special, as it recognises that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’s coming into our world, today.  The question then becomes: How does he come into the world today?

 

It is by eating the Eucharist, the waters of Baptsim, the oil of Confirmation and so on that the followers of Jesus become part of the Church (the living Body of Christ) in our world today.  For Catholics, then, every celebration of the Eucharist and the other sacraments is like a little Christmas. During Advent, Catholics (Christians) prepare for the coming of Christ like the Israelites waited for the coming of the Messiah, and by looking forward to the final coming of Christ at the end of time. You will hear both themes reflected in the Church’s readings during Advent

 

The Four Advent Candles

Jesus is the light of the world…and he calls us to bring his light to the world. During Advent, the coldest and darkest time of the year, Catholics use a special Advent wreath with four candles to represent the light of Jesus in our hearts and homes. 

As Francis of Assisi said, 'All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.'

 

Advent wreaths traditionally hold four candles (three are purple and one is pink). The candles represent Jesus coming as a light in the darkness. One candle is lit each Sunday until all four candles are lit. As Christmas draws nearer, each candle brings a little more light into the darkness. Sometimes a white candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to symbolise that Jesus is with us. This can be referred to as the "Christ candle."

 

Each of the candles lit before Christmas represent hope, peace, joy and love, as we prepare during the season of Advent for the birth of Christ.

 

Prayer for Advent

Almighty God, we begin this Advent Season as an ‘Advent People’ – people of hope, ready to do your will. Let your blessing come upon us as we light our Advent wreath. May it turn our hearts to you in the days ahead. Grant us the peace and joy we long for, as we await the coming of your Son with patient hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 

Come, Lord Jesus,

Come, Lord Jesus,

Come, Lord Jesus!

Amen

 

Blessed Edmund Rice - pray for Us

St Pius X - pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Christmas message from the EREA NSW Board and CEO

Please find attached a Christmas message from  the EREA NSW Board and CEO.

EREA NSW Christmas Message.pdf

Movember campaign update

As 2024 Movember campaign comes to close I would like to thank all those who have so generously contributed to our team.  The link will remain open until Monday 2 December, so please, if you have not yet contributed to great cause you still have time. I would like to thank congratulate all the young men in Year 12 and all the staff who supported Movember by growing a moustache and bonding together for men’s health.

Please continue to donate via myMo Space, https://movember.com/t/2024-st-pius-x-college?mc=1 is where you can donate to the St Pius X page – for all the dads, brothers, sons and mates in your life. 

Thanksgiving Mass and Annual Awards Ceremony – Wednesday 4 December

Please find a link to the correspondence that was emailed recently regarding the Thanksgiving Mass and Annual Awards Ceremony.  This is the final day for students.  Please note that there will be no supervision once the students return to the College, therefore all students will be required to leave the premises upon their return.

community communication re Mass and Awards Ceremony.pdf

Staffing update

Over the past term, several acting leadership positions were finalised and other positions were confirmed.

Following extensive recruitment processes, I would like to congratulate the following staff members on the appointment to significant roles within the College:

  • Mr Dennis Lee was the successful applicant for the Curriculum Coordinator position.  Dennis was acting in the role for most of 2024 and demonstrated great knowledge of the role and we look forward to his strategic approach to curriculum in the future.
  • Mr James Bourke was successful in his application as the Junior School Sports Coordinator.  Though only arriving at the College in 2024, Mr Bourke has quickly cemented himself in the culture of the College.  We also look forward to Mr Bourke’s ongoing contribution to the College.
  • Mr Sam Di Sano accepted the acting Leader of Learning Religious Education for 2024.  It is with great pleasure to confirm his permanent appointment to the role for 2025 and beyond.  Mr Di Sano also brings a wealth of experience, and I know that he has a passion to continually improve the Religious Education curriculum with the College.
  • Mr Callum Montgomerie has accepted the position of Year 5 Leader of Learning. Mr Montgomerie has demonstrated a real passion for learning in his first year at the College and we look forward to his ongoing leadership of the curriculum in Year 5.
  • In 2025, the College will introduce a new and exciting role, that of Wellbeing Coordinator.  This position will support the Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care in the development of wellbeing initiatives that will support both staff and students.  It is with great pleasure that following our recent interviews, Mr Martin Gillogly will lead this area of the College.  We look forward to Mr Gillogly’s leadership of this area and how we can continue to make St Pius X College a safe and welcoming community.

Thank you and farewell

I would like to thank and farewell the following staff members:

  • Mr Antonio Morris has been a member of our Junior School since 2022.  Mr Morris has accepted a leadership position at St Patrick’s College, Strathfield.  We would like to thank Mr Morris for his invaluable contribution to the St Pius X and wish him all success in his new role.
  • Miss Emma Coughlan has been with the College throughout 2024.  Miss Coughlan has been teaching in the HSIE and RE faculty. Miss Coughlan will be returning home to Ireland.  The College would like to thank and wish Miss Coughlan well for her future. 
  • Ms Samantha van Jaarsveld only arrived at the College this term but has made a significant impact on the Junior School.  Unfortunately, Ms van Jaarsveld has a passion for teaching Stage 2 students therefore has tended her resignation.  We wish her all the success in her future endeavours. 
  • Mr David Menton has recently secured a new position at St Vincent’s College, Potts Point.  On behalf of the College I would like to thank Mr Menton for his support of our students and wish him all the success at his new school.
  • Ms Anne-Marie Polidano, one of our college counsellors, will be relocating to the North Coast to be closer to family and has resigned from her position.  We thank Ms Polidano for all her work with the students and staff at the college during her time here.
  • Mr Ben Ryan has accepted a position at Penrith Anglican College as Director of Operations (P-12).   Mr Ryan has held several positions at the college during his time here and we appreciate his work with students both in the Junior School and Senior School.
  • Our French language teacher, Ms Lucie Fernandez, will be ending her time at the college at the end of the year.  We sincerely thank Lucie for her contribution to the Languages Department and our community as a whole. We wish her every success.
  • Mrs Jennifer Walsh, our Canvas Coordinator, has accepted a position as manager for a company which provides tools to support educators and course designers to enhance Canvas courses.  We thank Ms Walsh for her invaluable contribution to the college over the past two years and wish her all the very best in this exciting new chapter of her career. 

Farewell and thank you for your service to St Pius X College Mr Michael Simpson

It is with heartfelt sadness that we bid farewell to Mr Michael Simpson at the conclusion of the 2024 school year. Since joining the College in 2003, Mr Simpson has served in numerous roles, leaving a lasting impact on our community. After a remarkable teaching career, he has decided it is time to retire and embrace the well-earned joys of this new chapter. A cherished and respected member of our College, Mr Simpson will be greatly missed, and we wish him every happiness in his retirement.

Last week for our cocurricular program for 2024

With the final week of the cocurricular program upon us, I would like to thank all the coaches and players for the wonderful spirit they bring to all the games/matches.  It is always great to see the joy and happiness on our students faces when they represent the college.  Best wishes to all participate this weekend.  Go the Blue and the Gold.

Key Dates

Fide et Labore

By Faith and hard work

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal

College Fees

Please be advised that all fees related to the 2024 academic year are due by 30 November 2024.

If you wish to discuss your fee statement or are experiencing difficulties in meeting the payment, kindly contact the Finance Office via email at spxfees@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

If the College already holds your credit card authority, no further action is required.

Business Manager - Mr Lachlan Skeen