From the Principal

• Reflection
• Assessment time for Years 7 - 10
• National Reconciliation Week Assembly
• 2028 Enrolment Interviews and Outstanding Student Ambassadors
• The Power of Feedback: Learning Beyond the Mark
• Success at the Sydney Eisteddfod
• Cocurricular Program
• Key Dates 

Reflection 

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ

This week, the Catholic community celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ known as Corpus Christi. This important feast invites us to reflect on the gift of the Eucharist and the presence of Jesus at the heart of our lives.

For our students, Corpus Christi is a meaningful reminder that the Eucharist is more than a ritual we participate in, it is a real encounter with Christ. It deepens their understanding of the Mass and encourages them to recognise Jesus in both the sacred moments of liturgy and in their everyday experiences.

As a school community, this celebration strengthens our sense of belonging. We are reminded that we are one body in Christ, called to live with kindness, respect, and unity. In sharing the Eucharist, we are also called to be Christ for others through acts of compassion, service, and justice in our school and beyond.

Corpus Christi also provides an opportunity for prayer and reflection. In the busyness of school life, it invites us to pause, give thanks, and grow in our relationship with God.

At St Pius X, moments like these reinforce who we are as a Catholic community: people of faith, gathered in Christ, and committed to living the Gospel each day.

Let us continue to encourage our students to carry the meaning of this feast into their actions being a presence of Christ in the world through care, generosity, and love.

A reminder to all our students that every Tuesday morning, they are invited to Chapel Mass to celebrate in the Eucharist.

Amen.

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Assessment Time for Years 7–10: Supporting Organisation and Wellbeing

As we approach the end of the term, students in Years 7–10 are completing their final assessment tasks for Semester 1. This period can be challenging, with increased demands on students’ time and energy.

To support them during this busy time, it is important that students stay organised and plan ahead. We encourage families to work with their sons to develop a practical time management plan, particularly for those balancing cocurricular commitments alongside their studies.

We also remind students of the support available through the Academic Annexe in the Senior Resource Centre. This valuable service, staffed by our ex-students, offers guidance and assistance with assessment tasks. All students are encouraged to make the most of this resource and seek help when needed.

National Reconciliation Week Assembly

This week, St Pius X College came together to acknowledge and celebrate National Reconciliation Week at our annual College assembly. Despite the rain requiring us to modify our usual format, the significance of the occasion was not diminished. Students from Years 5, 6, and 12 gathered in the College Gymnasium for the assembly, led with great respect and pride by our College Leaders and representatives from the Junior School. The assembly was live-streamed into classrooms across the College, allowing our entire community to participate and stand united in recognising this important week.

We extend our sincere thanks to Uncle Gumaroy Newman a proud Gamilaroi and Wakka Wakka man and his cousin Lisa Lawrence, who generously shared their rich Aboriginal heritage with us through a moving smoking ceremony, as well as traditional dance, song, and storytelling. Their presence provided a meaningful and authentic connection to the world’s oldest continuous living culture. We are also grateful to the students who volunteered to take part in the dancing, demonstrating both courage and respect in embracing this cultural experience.

National Reconciliation Week is an important time for us as a school community. It invites us to reflect on our shared history, to recognise the injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to commit ourselves to building a more just, inclusive, and respectful future. For our students, it is an opportunity to grow in understanding, empathy, and appreciation of First Nations cultures, and to consider how they can contribute to reconciliation in their own lives.

As a Catholic school, the values of dignity, respect, and justice are central to who we are. Reconciliation calls us to live out these values by fostering genuine relationships, listening with open hearts, and striving for unity within diversity.

We also wish to acknowledge and thank Ms Scanlon and Mr Bourke for their leadership and organisation of this significant assembly. Their work ensured that, even with necessary changes to format, the spirit and importance of the occasion were experienced by all.

Together, as a St Pius X community, we continue the journey of reconciliation one built on understanding, respect, and hope for the future.

2028 Enrolment Interviews and Outstanding Student Ambassadors

The 2028 Enrolment Interviews have progressed over the past two weeks.  Throughout the enrolment interview process, we have been consistently impressed by the high calibre of students who have nominated St Pius X as their school of choice. Just as significantly, many families have shared how influential our student volunteers were during Open Day in helping them make their decision to enrol their sons.

Parents spoke very highly of the outstanding impression our students made highlighting their confidence, warmth, and genuine pride in their school. The way our students conducted themselves, engaged with families, and spoke so positively about their experiences at St Pius X truly reflected the strong sense of community and belonging we value. They are to be commended for being such authentic and inspiring ambassadors of the College.

The interview process will conclude this week, with letters of offer to be sent to families in early June.  

Round 1 applications for enrolment will close tomorrow.  Any further applications will be placed on a waiting list.

The Power of Feedback: Learning Beyond the Mark

As our students continue through their assessment tasks, it is natural for attention to focus on marks and grades. While these can provide a snapshot of achievement, educational research particularly from John Hattie reminds us that it is feedback, not the mark itself, that has the greatest impact on student learning and growth.

Recently, our Year 11 and Year 12 students participated in their Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews. These conversations provided valuable opportunities to reflect on progress and, importantly, to engage with teacher feedback that can guide future improvement. We look forward to similar opportunities later in the year when our Year 5–10 students and families take part in their Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews, continuing this important partnership in learning.

Feedback is one of the most powerful influences on achievement. It helps students understand not just how they performed, but more importantly, how they can improve. A mark tells a student where they are; feedback shows them where to go next.

At St Pius X, we encourage students to look closely at the comments and advice provided by their teachers. These insights are carefully designed to guide improvement whether that means refining writing skills, strengthening understanding of key concepts, or developing better study habits.

For parents, we ask your support in reinforcing this message at home. When discussing assessment results, consider asking questions such as:

What did your teacher suggest you improve?

What will you do differently next time?

What did you learn from this task?

Shifting the conversation in this way helps students to see learning as an ongoing process, rather than something defined by a single result.

Valuing feedback over marks encourages a growth mindset. It builds resilience, promotes reflection, and empowers students to take ownership of their learning. Ultimately, this approach helps our young men not only achieve success in their studies but also develop the skills they need for lifelong learning.

St Pius X remains committed to fostering a culture where feedback is welcomed, understood, and acted upon because improvement, not just performance, is what truly matters.

Success at the Sydney Eisteddfod

We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our College Bands at this year’s Sydney Eisteddfod. Our students represented St Pius X with great pride, demonstrating musical excellence throughout their performance.

The results were a testament to their hard work and dedication:

• Junior Concert Band – 3rd place

• Intermediate Concert Band – 2nd place

• Senior Concert Band – Commended

All three bands showcased their incredible talents and were exemplary ambassadors for the College. Just as impressive as their musical performances was the way in which they conducted themselves displaying respect, teamwork, and a positive spirit at all times.

We extend our sincere thanks to their conductors, Mr David Sismey (Junior Band), Ms Laura Power (Intermediate Band), and Mr Geoff Power (Senior Band), whose passion and commitment continue to guide and inspire our students in their musical journeys. Special thanks to Mr Saar for his outstanding leadership of the ensemble program and Ms Westhoff for her leadership of the Performing Arts.  The leadership of all our staff members has played a significant role in nurturing the talents of our budding musicians.

We look forward to recognising and celebrating these students at an upcoming assembly. Congratulations to all involved on this fantastic achievement. 

Cocurricular Program

Building Community and Showing Respect

As we gather for another weekend of cocurricular fixtures I remind everyone of the importance of respectful sportsmanship. One of the best ways we can demonstrate this is through positive encouragement, cheering enthusiastically for our players while ensuring that all chants and comments remain supportive and respectful of our opposition.  All students are also reminded that they must wear College crested uniform or their College uniform when attending fixtures.  If wearing the sports uniform, students should wear their College Polo instead of their House shirt.

Let us continue to model the values we hold as a College community, creating an atmosphere that is inclusive, encouraging, and reflective of the St Pius X spirit.

Best wishes to all our young men who are representing the College this week. Remember to play fairly and with great sportsmanship.

Go the Blue and Gold!

Key Dates

Week 7

Mon 1/6 College Advisory Council Meeting 

Tues 2/6 Chapel Mass (Pius) / Microfiction Final 

Wed 3/6 Year 11 2027 Subject Selection Evening (College Gym) 5:30 pm

Fri 5/6 Staff Formation Day - PUPIL FREE DAY 

Fide et Labore

By Faith and Hard work

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal