From the Principal
- Reflection
- Movember campaign launched for 2024
- 2025 College Student Leadership Investiture and Year 12 Commissioning
- HSC Examinations continue into Week 3
- Spring 2024 - Pius In Profile
- P&F AGM
- Cocurricular program continues this week
- Key Dates
Reflection
All Saints' Day – Friday 1 November
All Saints' Day, the day on which Catholics celebrate all the saints, known and unknown, is a surprisingly old feast. It arose out of the Christian tradition of celebrating the martyrdom of saints on the anniversary of their martyrdom. When martyrdoms increased during the persecutions of the late Roman Empire, local dioceses instituted a common feast day in order to ensure that all martyrs, known and unknown, were properly honoured.
Question: Is All Saints' Day a Holy Day of Obligation?
Answer: All Saints' Day is a Holy Day of Obligation. However, when it falls on a Saturday or a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated (temporarily waived).
All Souls' Day – Saturday 2 November
Blessed Edmund Rice - pray for Us
St Pius X - pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!
Movember campaign launched for 2024
The Movember campaign was launched at our assembly on Wednesday 30 October. Movember is an annual event held every November to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, including mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. During Movember, men are encouraged to grow a moustache or get involved in other fundraising activities as a visible way to spark conversations about these critical health topics.
In 2023, the College raised $4,649 for this most worthy campaign. As we commence our 2024 campaign, let us be mindful of men’s health and look to better last year’s total. To support our cause, Year 11 students are permitted to grow a mo but they must register with Ms Bamber and donate at least $10.
The following url https://movember.com/t/2024-st-pius-x-college?mc=1 is where you can donate to the St Pius X page.
Thank you to all the staff and Year 11 students who will be growing a moustache in support of this great cause.
2025 College Student Leadership Investiture and Year 12 commissioning
On Monday 28 October at the 2025 College Student Leadership Investiture and Year 12 Commissioning, we formally acknowledged and celebrated the appointment of our new student leaders and the commissioning of the Class of 2025. This assembly holds a special place in the College calendar, as it officially marks the beginning of our most senior class's leadership journey. Below is an excerpt from my address to the community, highlighting the important role Year 12 plays in upholding the values, traditions, and history of the College.
The investiture of our Senior class and the College Prefects is one of the most important days in the College calendar. Today, we are acknowledging our Year 12 cohort and the appointment of our new Year 12 student leaders, recognising their commitment to serve the school community, and celebrating their roles as role models and ambassadors of the College’s values for the next 12 months.
As I mentioned at the Year 12 Graduation last term - a defining quality of St Pius X College, is the willingness of all students to remain true to the College motto ‘Fide et Labore’ - where young men remain committed to their faith and work hard, allowing the Lord’s light to shine brightly in everything that they do. I am confident that this group of gentlemen will strive to let the Lord’s light shine through them as they lead our College throughout 2024 and 2025.
As we commission Year 12 and their leaders, I remind all students of the three significant symbols that guide us in our leadership and provide us with a connection to the history and traditions of the College, our affiliation to Edmund Rice Education and our of course faith.
The Gospel, the College Banner and the College Candle symbolise our evolving history; our relationship to the wider Edmund Rice community and the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice; they represent our commitment to a life of growth and development, of learning, of challenges; they symbolise that St Pius X College is a place where students are nurtured to illuminate the world with Jesus by our side.
These symbols will now, and always, represent who we are and what we stand for. And we must never forget this.
The College candle, banner, and the Gospel now become the responsibility of Anthony, Lachlan, Charlie, the elected Prefects, and all Year 12 students. They take up the mantle as custodians of all that St Pius X represents, embodying what it truly means to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ and Blessed Edmund Rice.
In a very short time, the 2025 Prefect group has shown remarkable potential, embracing their various portfolios with enthusiasm and determination. Their vision for each area, which they will soon share with the community, highlights their commitment to doing their very best for the community. I wish each Prefect great success in meeting the responsibilities and expectations of their role, and I pray that they become strong advocates for student voice…
Year 12, I challenge all of you to demonstrate your leadership, as leadership isn’t about titles or positions; it’s about influence and responsibility. You all need to lead with integrity and authenticity, and let your actions inspire others. Remember, each decision you make reflects on both you and the entire College community. Each and every one of you is encouraged to take up this mantle and continue to make this a great College where all are welcomed, where all are invited and where all are encouraged to be the best version of themselves.
So Year 12:
• Embrace your role and responsibilities with integrity
• Serve others with humility
• Persevere through challenges
• Be a positive role model
• Work together and support each other
• Focus on your legacy (how do what to be remembered)
• Stay grounded and balanced
• Believe in your potential
Therefore, Year 12, seek to ignite your 2025 journey, as the year will pass quickly. Take time to celebrate your achievements, both big and small. Every success, no matter how minor it may seem, is a step toward a bigger goal. Appreciate the journey and all the memories you’re creating along the way.
Year 12, best wishes for the year ahead and let’s make 2025 a remarkable year in the history of St Pius X College.
Live Jesus in Our Hearts – forever.
HSC Examinations continue into Week 3
It is difficult to believe that we are in the third week of the HSC Examinations and after Wednesday’s Studies of Religion examination, many students would have completed their examinations. Our prayers remain with our Year 12 students in the hope their remain motivated and committed to their studies.
2024 Spring Pius in Profile
The eldest student in each family received the printed copy of the 2024 Spring Pius in Profile today.
If you wish to view it online via our website, please use the following link:
P&F AGM
A gentle reminder of the P&F Association Annual General Meeting on Monday 11 November 2024. Please join us at the AGM.
Cocurricular program continues this week –
Thank you for supporting the high standards surrounding our College sport and playing uniform.
Thank you to all students and parents for supporting our sporting uniform standards last week at our Oxford Falls campus. It was fantastic to see students competing with enthusiasm and demonstrating our respect for the uniform.
I’m reminded of the phrase, ‘The standard we walk past is the standard we accept.’ Let’s commit to not walking past any standard we don’t uphold together.
Whether playing at home or away, best wishes to all our teams this week. Continue to strive for your personal best and represent the College with pride.
Key Dates
Fide et Labore
By Faith and hard work
Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever
Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal