St Pius X College Newsletter

From the Principal

  • Prayer
  • Nominations for OnStage
  • Year 11 HSC Preliminary Examinations
  • SPX Football Club Social Evening 
  • The importance of staying hydrated and getting enough sleep
  • Key Dates
  • Cocurricular

Prayer

The Trouble Tree

Author Unknown

The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tyre made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.

 

On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

 

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

 

'Oh, that's my trouble tree,' he replied. 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So, I just hang them on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again.'

 

He paused. 'Funny thing is,' he smiled, 'when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.'

 

As we prepare to bid farewell to Year 12, I hope and pray that St Pius X College has been a place where every student has found happiness and where each soul has felt the freedom to sing, dance, and bask in the sunlight. May they carry these experiences with them as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

 

I hope Year 12 take time to reflect on the journey they’ve travelled—the challenges faced, the joys experienced, and the wisdom gained in their formation as Pius graduates. They would have realised early on that there are no shortcuts to success; instead, they had to fully embrace the College motto, fide et labore, to achieve it. Through faith and hard work, we can truly call ourselves sons of St Pius X College. As teachers and parents, we have lifted them up time and again, helping them discover their true potential. Now, it is time to let them fly free and live their lives as young men shaped by the St Pius X way. Please keep all our Year 12 graduating students in your prayers as they conclude their time with the College and walk through its gates for the last time next Wednesday.

 

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Nominations for OnStage

During the week, the College received wonderful news about the nomination of two drama students Michael Krizan and Blake Markulin to OnSTAGE.  This is an outstanding achievement as it reflects the amazing performance talent of both Michael and Blake.  OnSTAGE is an annual event in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, that showcases outstanding performances and projects by students who have completed the Higher School Certificate (HSC) Drama course. It features a selection of exemplary group and individual performances, as well as design and critical analysis projects, from students who excelled in their final HSC Drama exams.

OnSTAGE provides an opportunity for top HSC Drama students to share their talents with a broader audience, including peers, teachers, family, and the public.  We hope that Blake and Michael’s performance will be showcased at OnSTAGE, serving as a true testament to their incredible talent. 

Year 11 HSC Preliminary Examinations

Please keep all in your prayers our Year 11 students, who commenced their HSC Preliminary Examinations this week.  These important examinations will provide significant guidance for our students as they consider their HSC course of study.  May God guide all Year 11 throughout these examinations and the discernment about their future program of study.

SPX Football Club Social Evening – A wonderful evening

Thank you to all the SPX football supporters who attended the social evening last Saturday. We were entertained by Robbie Slater, former Socceroo and TV/radio personality, who shared insights into his football career and offered valuable advice to parents on supporting their sons. A heartfelt thank you to Matt Zanello, Club President, and the SPX Football Committee for organising such an enjoyable evening and for their outstanding support of football at the College. It was wonderful to see parents and coaches mingling, reflecting on a successful football season. I was asked to share some season highlights, and the one that stood out most to me was the players’ engagement during training and games. It’s important that our sons enjoy what they’re doing, learning and developing their skills along the way. If this encourages them to return next year, then it’s been a truly successful season.

The importance of staying hydrated and getting enough sleep

As Year 12 prepare for their final examinations and Year 11 are currently engaged in their Preliminary Examinations I would like to share the importance of hydration and sleep.  Staying hydrated and getting enough sleep are crucial for young people, especially as they prepare for their final exams, because these factors directly impact their cognitive function, focus, and overall well-being:

 

Cognitive Performance: Adequate hydration helps maintain mental clarity, concentration, and memory, all of which are essential for studying and performing well on exams. Dehydration, even mild, can lead to headaches, fatigue, and reduced attention span, making it harder to focus on complex tasks.

Memory and Learning: Sleep plays a vital role in consolidating memory and processing new information. During sleep, the brain organises and stores the knowledge learned throughout the day. Without enough sleep, it’s harder to retain information, recall facts, and problem-solve effectively during exams.

Emotional Balance: Both hydration and sleep are important for managing stress. Lack of sleep can increase anxiety and irritability, while staying well-hydrated supports the body’s natural stress response. Together, these factors help students feel more balanced and emotionally prepared for the challenges of exam time.

Physical Health and Energy: Proper hydration and sleep also ensure that the body has enough energy to function optimally. Fatigue from lack of sleep or dehydration can cause sluggishness, lower stamina, and impact endurance, all of which are necessary to maintain focus during long study sessions or exams.

In conclusion, staying hydrated and getting enough sleep are key to maintaining mental clarity, emotional strength, and physical endurance—vital for success during final exams. I sincerely hope that all our students prioritise hydration and rest to perform at their best during this period.

Key Dates

Cocurricular

ISA Athletics Carnival

The ISA Athletics Carnival offered a wonderful opportunity for our athletes, who have trained tirelessly over the past five weeks, to achieve their personal bests against strong ISA competition. While we didn’t claim the overall victory, I was deeply impressed by the determination and commitment of every athlete. Their efforts were truly inspiring as they each performed to the best of their abilities, fully embodying the St Pius X spirit. Special thanks to our coaches, Mr Steinman, Mr Ritchie, and Mr Bourke, for their dedication and expertise. I’d also like to acknowledge our senior relay team for their outstanding performance, winning their race with ease—a fantastic way to conclude the carnival.

 

Fide et Labore

By Faith and hard work

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal