From the Principal

• Reflection
• The Importance of Regular School Attendance
• Year 12 Retreats 
• Book Week Parade
• P & F Trivia Night
• Advance Notice: HSC Showcase - Splinters, Splashes, Sounds, Snaps, Stage and Stories
• SAVE the DATE: Father's Day & Jersey Day Friday 4 September
• Three Teams Through to the Grand Final!
• 90th Anniversary: Save the Date
• Dates for your diary

Reflection 

ST PIUS X FEAST DAY

            Memorial 21 August

Celebrating Our Patron Saint: St Pius X

As a community proudly bearing the name of St Pius X, it is fitting that we reflect on the remarkable life and enduring legacy of the saint who inspires our mission and values.

Known as the 'Pope of the Eucharist,' St Pius X had a profound love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. One of his most significant contributions to the Church was lowering the age for First Holy Communion to around seven years of age, recognising that children should be welcomed to receive the Eucharist as soon as they reach the age of reason. His belief in the transformative power of the Eucharist continues to inspire Catholic education today, reminding us of the central place of faith in our lives.

Born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto in 1835 in a small village in northern Italy, St Pius X came from humble beginnings. The son of a postman, he grew up in a modest family that valued faith, hard work, and service. Through dedication and a deep commitment to God, he eventually became Pope in 1903, demonstrating that greatness is grounded not in status or privilege, but in character and purpose.

Despite becoming the leader of the Catholic Church, St Pius X remained known for his simplicity, humility, and accessibility. He never lost sight of his roots and sought to live a life of service rather than prestige. These qualities of humility and authenticity remain powerful examples for all members of our College community.

St Pius X was also deeply committed to education and the formation of young people in the faith. He believed that every Catholic should have a strong understanding of Church teaching and worked tirelessly to improve religious education. His efforts to strengthen catechesis and deepen faith formation continue to influence Catholic schools around the world.

A man of great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Pius X encouraged the faithful to pray the Rosary and entrusted the Church to Mary's maternal care. His spirituality was centred on drawing people closer to Christ through prayer, worship, and service.

His papal motto, 'Instaurare Omnia in Christo', (To Restore All Things in Christ), remains a powerful challenge for us today. It calls each of us to place Christ at the centre of our lives and to use our gifts in service of others, helping to build a community marked by faith, learning, compassion, and hope.

When St Pius X was canonised in 1954, he became the first pope in over two centuries to be declared a saint, a recognition of the profound impact he had on the Church and the countless lives he touched.

As we celebrate our patron saint, may we continue to be inspired by his steadfast faith, humble service, commitment to learning, and love of Christ. May the example of St Pius X encourage every member of our College community to strive for excellence, live with integrity, and seek always to 'restore all things in Christ.'

From humble beginnings, Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto rose to the position of Pope, not through grandeur, but through his deep faith and simple lifestyle. The fact that he was canonised so soon after his death is a testament to the profound impact he had on the Church during his papacy.

In 2024, I was fortunate to visit Lourdes, where within the precinct lies an underground Basilica dedicated to St Pius X. This beautiful place of worship stands as a fitting tribute to the man and devout believer that was St Pius X.

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Every Day Counts: The Importance of School Attendance

At our College, we believe that every day matters. Regular attendance is one of the strongest indicators of a student's academic success, wellbeing, and sense of belonging within the school community. While an occasional absence due to illness or unforeseen circumstances is understandable, frequent absences can have a significant impact on a child's learning and development over time.

Research consistently shows that students who attend school regularly achieve better academic outcomes, develop stronger social connections, and are more engaged in their learning. Every lesson builds upon previous learning experiences, and when students miss school, they miss valuable opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, confidence, and relationships.

The Hidden Impact of Missing School

A day here and there may not seem significant, but the effect quickly accumulates.

According to the NSW Department of Education: Missing one day per fortnight equates to approximately four weeks of school each year.

Over the course of a student's schooling, this can add up to more than one full year of learning missed.  Missing one day every week results in approximately eight weeks of missed learning each year.  Across a student's school life, this represents more than two and a half years of schooling missed.  When viewed over the long term, even seemingly minor attendance patterns can have a substantial impact on educational progress.

Why Attendance Matters

Regular attendance supports students to:

• Build strong literacy and numeracy foundations

• Develop positive routines and organisational skills

• Strengthen friendships and social connections

• Participate fully in classroom discussions, projects, and collaborative learning

• Maintain confidence and engagement in their studies

• Develop resilience and a sense of belonging within the school community

Students who attend regularly are also less likely to experience anxiety about falling behind or finding it difficult to reconnect with learning after extended absences.

Working Together

We recognise that families sometimes face challenges that affect attendance. Our goal is to work in partnership with parents and carers to ensure every child has the best opportunity to succeed.

Parents and carers can support attendance by:

• Establishing consistent morning and evening routines

• Scheduling appointments outside school hours whenever possible

• Encouraging children to attend school unless they are genuinely unwell

• Communicating with the school when attendance concerns arise

• Seeking support early if there are barriers affecting regular attendance

• A shared commitment

Every school day provides opportunities for growth, learning, friendship, and achievement. By prioritising regular attendance, we help ensure that every student can make the most of the opportunities available to them and reach their full potential.

Together, let us continue to send a clear message to our sons: everyday counts, every lesson matters, and every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

Year 12 Retreats – a time for growth and formation

The Year 12 Retreats provide a valuable opportunity for our senior students to pause, reflect on their personal growth, and prepare for life beyond St Pius X College. While each of the three retreat experiences is unique, all share a common purpose: to encourage students to contemplate their journey, recognise the experiences that have shaped them, and appreciate the relationships and values developed throughout their time at the College.

It is my hope and prayer that our students embrace this opportunity to deepen their understanding of themselves, reflect on their faith, and strengthen their connection with God as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.

I would like to sincerely thank all staff who contributed to making these retreats such meaningful and memorable experiences. Their dedication and support play an important role in this significant rite of passage for our Year 12 students.

Winbourne Retreat Centre, Mulgoa:  Mr Balboa, Mr Callow, Mr Wheatley, Miss Zanko, Mrs Scanlon, Mr Corcio, Mr Reay and Mrs Schuster.

Tallow Beach:   Mr de Silva, Mr Stearn and Mrs Gunns.

Workul Koo: Mr Di Sano, Ms Manga, Mr Cummins, Ms Dempsey, Mr Naidoo and Ms Alston.

Special thanks and appreciation to Mrs Scanlon, Assistant Principal Mission and Identity, for her organisation of these formation opportunities and to Mr Quilty for his pastoral support of our students. 

Book Week Parade Inspires a Love of Reading

The Junior School Book Week Parade was a wonderful celebration of literature, imagination and creativity, bringing to life a fantastic array of characters from much-loved books. This year's festivities reflected the spirit of the 2026 CBCA Book Week theme, 'Symphony of Stories,' which celebrates the rich collection of voices, characters and experiences that books bring into our lives.

Students proudly showcased their costumes, demonstrating remarkable creativity and enthusiasm, while also highlighting the important role that reading plays in fostering imagination, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. The support and effort of families in helping to create these outstanding costumes was evident and greatly appreciated.

The standard of costumes was exceptionally high, making the judging process no easy task. Each student should be congratulated for embracing the joy of reading and storytelling with such energy and commitment.

A sincere thank you to Mrs Greenwood and the Junior School staff for their organisation of this wonderful event, and to all students and families for their enthusiastic participation. The parade was a vibrant reminder of how books can inspire, connect and enrich our lives through a true symphony of stories.

P & F Trivia Night

The P&F Trivia Night was a wonderful evening of fun, laughter, and friendly competition. It was fantastic to see so many parents, friends, and members of our College community come together and enjoy the occasion.

I would like to sincerely thank the P&F Committee for their outstanding organisation and dedication in making the event such a success. Their hard work and attention to detail created a memorable evening that was enjoyed by all in attendance.

While the teachers' team was unable to claim the title this year, they certainly acquitted themselves admirably and remained highly competitive throughout the night!

A special thank you also to the staff team of Ms Watson, Mrs Greenwood,  Mrs Arena, Mrs Masters, Mr Corcio and Mr Stearn for their generous support and contribution to the evening.

Events such as these are a wonderful reminder of the strength of our St Pius X community. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to what was truly a great night enjoyed by all.

Advance Notice: HSC Showcase - Splinters, Splashes, Sounds, Snaps, Stage and Stories

We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our talented HSC students at the HSC Showcase - Splinters, Splashes, Sounds, Snaps, Stage and Stories.

On Thursday, 27 August, our HSC students will showcase their major works in a special exhibition throughout the College, commencing at 6:00 pm.

We warmly invite our community to attend and enjoy the diverse range of presentations on display, including Visual Arts works, Industrial Technology projects, Drama and Music performances, and History and English speeches.

This exhibition represents the culmination of years of dedication, creativity and learning. We congratulate all participating students on their hard work and commitment and look forward to celebrating their achievements with family, friends and the wider College community.

SAVE the DATE:        Father's Day & Jersey Day Friday 4 September

One of the highlights of last year's Father's Day celebrations was seeing so many fathers and sons proudly wearing their favourite sporting jerseys in support of Jersey Day, a meaningful initiative that raises awareness of organ and tissue donation in Australia.

We are delighted to continue this tradition in 2026 as part of our Father's Day celebrations across both campuses.

The Junior School Father's Day Liturgy and Sports Day will be held at Oxford Falls on Thursday 3 September, providing an opportunity for families to come together in celebration and community spirit.

The College Father's Day Celebration will take place on Friday 4 September, beginning with Mass at 7:30 am at Our Lady of Dolours Church. Following Mass, fathers, grandfathers, and special guests are warmly invited to join their sons for breakfast at the Chatswood campus.

In support of Jersey Day and its important message, fathers, grandfathers, and students are encouraged to wear their favourite sporting jersey to Mass and throughout the school day. By participating, our community helps raise awareness of the life-changing impact of organ and tissue donation and honours those whose generosity has given others a second chance at life.

Students are reminded that they must wear their full winter uniform when travelling to and from school.

Further information, including event details and RSVP instructions, can be found on the Mission and Identity page.

We look forward to welcoming families as we celebrate Father's Day together and support this worthy cause.

Three Teams Through to the Grand Final!

Congratulations to our 5ths, 16A and 16B football teams on their outstanding performances in the semi-finals, securing their places in this weekend's Grand Finals.

Reaching a grand final is a significant achievement and a testament to the hard work, commitment and determination shown by each player throughout the season. These teams have consistently demonstrated resilience, teamwork and a willingness to support one another, qualities that have been instrumental in their success.

Their progression to the final match of the season is not only a reward for their efforts on the field but also reflects the dedication of their coaches, managers and families who have supported them every step of the way.

We also acknowledge the efforts of our 1st XI, 15A and 14A teams, whose seasons came to an end in the semi-finals. While the disappointment of not progressing to a grand final is understandable, each team should be immensely proud of what they have achieved. Competing at the pointy end of the season is a reflection of the talent, commitment and perseverance they have demonstrated throughout the year. The character they showed in both victory and defeat exemplifies the values of St Pius X College, and they have represented the College with distinction.

As a College community, we are immensely proud of all 6 teams for their achievements this season. Their efforts reflect the strength of our sporting program and the dedication of the students, coaches and families who contribute so much to their success.

We wish the players and coaches of our 5ths, 16As and 16Bs the very best for their grand finals and look forward to cheering them on as they strive for premiership success.

Congratulations to all our semi-finalists on a wonderful season, and best wishes to our grand final teams this weekend. Go Pius!

90th Anniversary - Save the Date

Dates for your diary

Week 6 SPX Science Week

Mon 24/8 SPX Science Week lunchtime activities

Tues 25/8 Chapel Mass (Mercy) / SPX Science Week lunchtime activities / 2027 Senior Student Leaders' Retreat - 27/8

Wed 26/8 ICAS Maths Test / SPX Science Week lunchtime activities / IPSHA Athletics Carnival 

Thur 27/8 HSC Major Works Showcase / Grandparents' Day / Snowy Hike Practice Hike #1

Fri 28/8 Cocurricular Photos (incl Year 12 form photo / Year 11 Peer Support photo) / Wear it Purple Day

Sat 29/8 Senior Invitational Athletics Carnival

Fide et Labore

By Faith and Hard work

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal