From the Principal
- Reflection
- Sacred Milestone for the College
- Term 1 time for reflection and reset
- Oliver Twist - don't miss out
- Mother's Day Mass and morning tea - save the date
- My sincere gratitude
- Open Day - wonderful success
- Cocurricular Program
- Enrolments for Years 5 & 7 2027
- Key Dates
Reflection
Holy Week
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem. He was welcomed by crowds waving palm branches and shouting 'Hosanna,' recognising Him as the Messiah. This fulfilled Old Testament prophecy and symbolised peace and salvation. Palm Sunday is significant as it begins the journey toward Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. The palm branches represent victory and eternal life. We celebrate with processions and the blessing of palms, encouraging believers to reflect on Christ’s humility and sacrifice, and to prepare their hearts for the events of Good Friday and the joy of Easter.
The Easter Triduum is one celebration of its nature in the Church’s Liturgical Year. The sign of the cross is made at the beginning of the mass of the Last Supper and no blessings until the final blessing at the Vigil Mass of the Resurrection.
Holy Thursday begins a tense moment. We celebrate Jesus’s institution of two sacraments – Holy Orders and Holy Eucharist. In washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus commissioned them to a life of service. In instituting the Eucharist, He commissioned them to make these mysteries continually present. During the mass of oils in the Cathedral, the priests renew their vows to their bishop and the mass of the Last Supper celebrated in parishes.
After supper, Jesus goes to the garden of Olives for intense prayer. Jesus invites us to spend a moment with Him in prayer. It is here that Judas finds and betrays Him with a kiss, meant to be a love gesture. The arrest follows.
Good Friday is ‘good’ because it holds the Hour for which Jesus came. The crown that exalted His entry in Jerusalem now screaming out, 'crucify Him!' Jesus submits to the torture because He knows how much debt our sins have caused in God’s love. We draw this memory in the Stations of the Cross and the celebration of the Lord’s Passion at the ninth hour (3 o’clock).
Holy Saturday is a low tone day, waiting for the vigil celebrations. As we mourn and try to comprehend the reality of Jesus’s death, we join with the entire Church in prayer – Divine Office.
Easter Vigil is the night in which light and life dawns. Light emerges out of darkness, life out of the barrow of death. Victory over sin and death giving us new hope of eternal life. Jesus emerges as a Saviour and Lord in the glory of the Resurrection. Let us all celebrate these events with renewed and invigorated hearts.
Each year we are reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus and that it was His love for us that is be celebrated on Easter Sunday. Jesus is not just a memory but rather He lives within us and amongst us.
May His love for all of us be experienced during this Easter period and may He live amongst you and your family now and forever.
Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us
St Pius X - Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!
A Sacred Milestone for Our College Community
We are pleased to share the wonderful news of the blessing of the Waterford Learning Centre and the consecration of the new College altar, a truly reverent and uplifting celebration that brought our community together in faith and gratitude.
The ceremony marked a significant spiritual moment in the life of our College, symbolising our commitment to creating a sacred space for worship, reflection, and unity.
I would like to commend our students for the outstanding reverence they displayed throughout the event. Their respectful presence and heartfelt participation deeply enriched the occasion and were a testament to the values we cherish as a faith-filled community.
As we continue our journey together, may this new altar serve as a lasting symbol of hope, peace, and spiritual growth.
‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.’
— Matthew 18:20
During my speech to the community, I made mention of two significant leaders and reason behind the naming of the new facility. Also our gratitude to the Most Rev Bishop Anthony Randazzo. Here is an extract of my speech:
‘… A very special thank you and heartfelt acknowledgment to the Most Reverend Bishop Anthony Randazzo, for celebrating the Eucharist with us today and for honouring the College with his presence on this most significant occasion.
We are deeply grateful for your leadership, your spiritual guidance, and the blessing you have brought to our community through the celebration of the eucharist and the consecration of our new College Altar. Your presence has made this day even more meaningful, and we thank you for sharing in this important milestone in the life of St Pius X College.
… At this point, we would like to offer our sincere thanks and acknowledgement to two significant individuals whose contributions have been instrumental in bringing the Waterford Learning Centre to life.
Firstly, to Br Michael Hoffman (Principal of St Pius X College from 2004 to 2010) whose foresight and dedication were key in the acquisition of the land on which this remarkable new facility now stands. His efforts laid the foundation - both literally and symbolically - for what we celebrate today.
Secondly, to Mr John Couani (Principal of St Pius X College from 2011 to 2022), whose visionary leadership guided the planning and development of the Waterford Learning Centre. His commitment to creating a space that meets the evolving needs of our students has resulted in a building that will inspire learning, innovation, and collaboration for generations to come.
… The naming of the Waterford Learning Centre holds deep symbolic and historical significance, as it pays tribute to the birthplace of Blessed Edmund Rice, the founder of the Christian Brothers and the inspiration behind Edmund Rice Education.
Waterford, a city in Ireland, is where Edmund Rice first began his mission of providing education to the poor and marginalised. It was there, in the early 19th century, that he established his first school and laid the foundations for a global movement committed to faith, education, and justice. By naming our new learning facility after Waterford, we honour not only his legacy but also the enduring values of compassion, service, and commitment to the transformative power of education.
When we considered naming the new facility, it was obvious that the name, The Waterford Learning Centre, would serve as a daily reminder to all our community of Edmund Rice’s courage, vision, and deep faith. The name calls us to continue his mission - creating a vibrant, inclusive, and faith-filled learning environment where every student is known, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential…’
Term 1 - time for reflection and reset
As we come into the end of the term, it’s the perfect time for students to reflect on their academic journey so far. Whether the start of the year brought success or challenges, now is the ideal moment to either reset goals or continue building on strong foundations.
For some, this may mean refining study habits, setting new academic targets, or seeking support when needed. For others, it’s about maintaining the high levels of commitment, focus, and perseverance already demonstrated.
Whatever the path, we encourage every student to remain motivated, embrace growth, and strive for their personal best. It’s important to take the school holidays as a time rest, reflect and prepare for Term 2. Let’s make Term 2 a time of renewed purpose and positive progress.
Support our Oliver Twist drama production
As Term 2 begins, the College is eagerly looking forward to the upcoming drama production of 'Oliver!' Our talented students and dedicated staff have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this beloved musical to life, and they are excited to share the results of their hard work with the wider community.
This production is a wonderful opportunity for all students and families to show their support for the performing arts at our College. A limited number of tickets remain available, so don’t miss the chance to be part of this special event—come along and cheer on our performers!
Save the date – Wednesday 7 May - Mother’s Day Mass and morning tea
You're invited to our special Mother’s Day Mass and Morning Tea, a heartfelt celebration honouring the incredible mothers and mother figures in our community. Join us for this beautiful occasion filled with gratitude, reflection, and connection. We look forward to sharing this meaningful morning with you. All are welcome!
The link to RSVP to attend the Mother's Day Mass and Morning Tea will be forwarded soon. Please RSVP by Thursday 1 May.
You can also make a donation to the Biggest Morning Tea using the link below.
My sincere gratitude
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Ms Watson, Mr Wheatley and Mr Reay for their leadership of the College during my recent absence. Their commitment, care, and professionalism ensured that the College community remained strong, supported, and well-led throughout. It is wonderful to know that the College has these great leaders who can step into any role and perform at the highest level.
A Wonderful Success – College Open Day
Though I was on leave, I was delighted to hear of the resounding success of our recent College Open Day, a significant and uplifting event in our calendar. The day was a vibrant celebration of who we are as a community - welcoming, passionate, and proud of all we have to offer.
Families, prospective students, and visitors were warmly received and given the opportunity to explore our facilities, meet staff and students, and experience firsthand the spirit and values that make our College so special.
The success of the day is a testament to the collective effort of our staff, students, and families. From the beautifully prepared learning spaces to the warm hospitality extended throughout the day, every contribution played a vital role in making a lasting impression on our guests.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved, in particular Mrs Jennings (Registrar) along with all the staff, for your dedication, preparation, and presence. Your efforts truly made this a memorable and inspiring day for all who attended.
Cocurricular Program
The Winter Sports Program kicked off last week with great energy and enthusiasm, marked by our annual game day against St Aloysius' College. It was a fantastic day of competition, camaraderie, and school spirit as teams took to the field for the first fixtures of the season.
Our rugby teams delivered strong performances, setting a confident tone for the weeks ahead, while our football teams experienced a mix of results, offering valuable insights and opportunities for growth. Regardless of the scores, the day was a wonderful celebration of sport and teamwork, and it provided a warm welcome to the winter season. Thank you to all players, coaches, and supporters who contributed to such a successful and enjoyable day. We look forward to an exciting season ahead filled with development, determination, and College pride.
During the upcoming holidays we have two teams that will be representing the College. The First XI Football will be participating in a new competition on the Gold Coast (13 April – 17 April) while some of our students from our Junior School will be attending the annual Armidale Rugby Tour. We wish both teams every success and I know they will have our support at both their tournaments.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff who give of their time for our students to have these wonderful experiences.
Go the Blue and Gold!
Interim Reports
Interim Reports for students in Year 5 - 10 were released to the Sentral portal yesterday afternoon. The purpose of the Interim Report is to provide an initial indication of how your son has settled into his learning for each of his subjects.
Teachers in Years 7 - 10 will report if the student is Outstanding, Commendable, Satisfactory, Working Towards, or if Improvement is needed against the following criteria:
Self management
Application
Independent learning
Home studies and
Cooperative behaviour
Year 5 and 6 interim reports will not contain all of the above criteria in each subject as their curriculum is different from the senior school.
Please do not hesitate to contact any of your son’s teachers regarding his progress. Please also regularly check your son’s diary to see if there are any notes from his teachers
Key Dates
Term 2
Week 1
Mon 28/4 Staff Professional Learning Day (pupil free day)
Tues 29/4 Term 2 commences for students / Chapel Mass 8:00 am (Pius)
Wed 30/4 ANZAC Day Assembly / Oliver Twist Performance 1 (7:00 pm) / CSDA Debating R3
Thur 1/5 Oliver Twist Performance 2 (7:00 pm)
Fri 2/5 Oliver Twist Performance 3 (7:00 pm) / IPSHA Debating
Sat 3/5 ISA Football & Tennis R1 / ISA Rugby vs St Stanislaus' (H) / IPSHA R1
Week 2 - Founder's Week
Mon 5/5 Edmund Rice Feast Day / Advisory Council Meeting
Tues 6/5 Chapel Mass 8:00 am (Mercy)
Wed 7/5 Mother's Day Mass (Oxford Falls) 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Fri 9/5 Founder's Day
Fide et Labore
By Faith and hard work
Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever
Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal