From the Principal

• Reflection
• The Edmund Rice Icon
• The Importance of the Edmund Rice Icon for our community
• College Advisory Council
• Acknowledging the students who achieved an 'Outstanding' average from their 2025 Semester 2 reports (Years 7-10 2025)
• A reminder of our finishing time on Monday 23 February
• Open Day - Saturday 14 March
• P&F Meeting - Monday 23 February
• Cocurricular Program
• Key Dates 

Reflection

The season of Lent

We begin the season of Lent with ashes on our foreheads.  Why this smudging? To put on ashes, to sit in ashes, is to say publicly and to yourself that you are reflective, in a remorseful mode… that you are grieving some of the things you have done or lost, that some important work is going on silently inside you. You are, metaphorically and really, in the cinders of a dead fire, waiting for a fuller day in your life.

All of this has deep roots.  There is something innate to the human soul that knows that, every so often, one must make a journey of descent, be smudged, lose one’s lustre, and wait while the ashes do their work.  All ancient traditions abound with stories of having to sit in the ashes before one can be transformed. 

We all know, for example, the story of Cinderella.  This is a centuries-old, wisdom-tale that speaks about the value of ashes.  The name, Cinderella, itself already says most of it.  Literally it means: ‘the young girl who sits in the cinders'.  Moreover, as the tale makes plain, before the glass slipper is placed on her foot, before the beautiful gown, ball, dance, and marriage, there must first be a period of being humbled.  In the story of Cinderella, there is a theology of Lent.

The Church taps into this deep well of wisdom when it puts ashes on our foreheads at the beginning of Lent.  Lent is a season for each of us to sit in the ashes, waiting while some silent growth takes place within us, and simply being still so that the ashes can do their work in us.

God give us strength.

Strength to hold on and strength to let go.

Amen.

(Adapted from: 'Daybreaks – Daily Reflections for Lent and Easter Week' 

by Ron Rolheiser, OMI,  pp. 3-4)

A special thank you to all our students who were very reverent during our liturgies on Wednesday 18 February.  Thank you to Mr Di Sano, Mrs Scanlon, Mr Callow, Mr Balboa and Miss Zanko for providing our community with a meaningful experience of a significant season with the Catholic Church.

During the season of Lent, the canteen will not sell meat on Fridays.  The canteen has organised a menu that will be able to serve all our community during this period.

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

The Edmund Rice Icon 

‘Give to the poor in handfuls’

The Edmund Rice Icon holds deep significance as a powerful representation of the life, mission, and values of Blessed Edmund Rice, the founder of the Christian Brothers and the inspiration behind Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA). It serves as a visual reminder of his dedication to faith, education, and justice, particularly his commitment to serving the marginalised and empowering young people through learning. The Icon not only reflects the rich heritage of the Edmund Rice tradition but also challenges and inspires communities to live out his values of compassion, inclusivity, and service in today’s world. It stands as a sacred symbol of our collective responsibility to uphold his vision in our schools and beyond.

The icon by Irish artist Desmond Kyne, depicts the various aspects of Edmund’s life and plays an important role in retelling the story of Edmund while maintaining his legacy.

The original is about the size of a household door. Kyne uses the principles of Byzantine and Celtic iconography. He has devised, through modern technology, a unique process whereby light, falling onto a laser-ruled metal backing, is brilliantly reflected through glass in front, on which the Icon is painted. The Icon literally glows and sparkles in different ways depending on the angle of viewing it.

Desmond Kyne's artistic portrayal of Edmund's life in the kinetic glass medium has played a remarkable part in making Edmund's life known.

So, the Icon of Edmund Rice celebrates through symbolic pictures the holiness of Edmund and holds him up as someone we can imitate.

The Importance of the Edmund Rice Icon for our Community

The Edmund Rice Icon is a powerful symbol of who we are and who we aspire to be as a community. It doesn’t simply honour the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice, it illuminates the values we hold at the centre of our school. His life reminds us that education is most transformative when it is grounded in dignity, compassion, inclusion, and justice.

As we gather each day in learning, in relationships, and in prayer, the icon serves as a visual anchor for our shared values. Blessed Edmund’s example calls us to show respect in the way we acknowledge the inherent worth of every person. It challenges us to act with compassion, to recognise need and respond with hearts open to others. It inspires our sense of responsibility, urging us to use our gifts with purpose and integrity. And it encourages us to pursue excellence, not only in achievement but in the way we contribute to the wellbeing of our community and the world beyond it.

Most importantly, the icon invites us into the great story we continue to write together. Just as Blessed Edmund Rice sought to stand with the marginalised and bring hope to those on the edges, we are called to live out our values in concrete and courageous ways. In this way, the icon becomes more than a symbol it is a daily reminder of our mission, our identity, and the vibrant, faith‑filled community we are striving to become.

College Advisory Council

As we commence the new school year, I would like to introduce the members of the St Pius X College Advisory Council:

Chris O’Donnell (Council Chair)

Evan Griffith (Council Vice-Chair)

Michael Ronchetti

Mark Sullivan

Braelen Zwart

Nicholas Carson

Melinda Zanello

Lisa Sutton (Council Secretary)

The St Pius X College Advisory Council plays an important advisory role and is directly accountable to EREA NSW Colleges, the governing authority for Edmund Rice Education Australia schools in the state. The Council’s work is strengthened by two key committees - Finance and Property Committee, and Governance, Risk & Strategy Committee, each supported by members who bring valuable expertise and insight. I offer my sincere appreciation to all advisory council members for their time, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the ongoing governance and success of our College.

Acknowledging the students who achieved an ‘Outstanding’ average from their 2025 Semester Two Reports (Year 7 – 10 2025)

On Tuesday 17 February, the College recognised students who achieved an ‘Outstanding’ average across the Learning Attributes in their Semester Two Reports. These students demonstrated exceptional commitment, effort, and engagement in their learning throughout the second half of last year.

We celebrated their achievements with a special morning tea, where each student was congratulated for their hard work and encouraged to continue building on this positive momentum in 2026. I also invited them to consider supporting and motivating one of their peers to strive for an Outstanding average in the first reporting cycle of this year, strengthening both individual excellence and our collective learning culture.

Year 8

Nicholas Belov, Michael Capra, Ashworth Hilton, Krish Jayakrishnan, Vihaan Kadam, Charles Southan

Year 9

Cameron Cheah, Aiden Fok, Brendan Fok, Daniel Haddad, Rory Rapa, Charles Wilcox, Lachlan Yu

Year 10

Cruz Arapoc, Jackson Byak

Year 11

Marco Akdagcik, Ilan Avila, Elijah De-Fina, Simon Ellis, Oliver Hartry, Zachary Rapa, Liam Spatola

A reminder of our finishing time on Monday 23 February

The College will hold its first staff professional learning afternoon meeting of the year on Monday, 23 February. Beginning in 2025, these professional learning afternoons will take place on days when staff meetings are scheduled. A 2:30 pm finishing time will allow staff to engage effectively in ongoing professional development and the College’s learning agenda.

Open Day - Saturday 14 March

The College OPEN DAY is on Saturday, 14 March.  The Chatswood campus will be open for tours from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.  The Oxford Falls Campus will be open from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.  

That time of year is fast approaching - Open Day! This event is a significant moment in the life of our College, offering a welcoming and immersive experience for prospective students and their families. It provides us with a chance to highlight our dynamic learning environment, the dedication of our staff, and the wide range of academic, cultural, and sporting opportunities available at St Pius X College.

More than simply a showcase, Open Day helps future students picture themselves as part of our community, sparking a sense of belonging and excitement about the educational journey that awaits them. By opening our doors, we share not only our facilities and programs but also our values, our mission, and the strong community spirit that defines us.

I encourage you to invite any friends or family who may be considering a Pius education to join us on the day. They will be most welcome.

Tour bookings are essential. 

Book here to secure a tour of the Chatswood Campus

Book here to secure a tour of the Oxford Falls Campus

Information requesting student helpers will be communicated in the coming weeks.

Enrolments for Year 5 and 7, 2028 open on 1 March 2026, please see College website for enrolment application information. 

P&F Association Meeting – Monday 23 February

Following a very successful P&F Cocktail Evening last Friday, the upcoming P&F Association meeting offers a wonderful opportunity for new members to become part of an important and active group within the College. The first meeting will be held next Monday, 23 February, in Room SPX 2.06. Visitors are welcome to park within the college grounds for the evening. SPX 2.06 is located on the top floor of the Administration Block. I look forward to welcoming many new members at next week’s meeting.

If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, it will also be live-streamed.  To join the meeting, please click below:

Cocurricular Program

As we charge into the final round of the ISA basketball and ISA cricket seasons, the excitement is building! Many of our teams have already locked in their place in the finals, while others are set for a thrilling weekend as they push for a spot. I wish all our teams the very best - play hard, play fair, and enjoy every moment. With a bit of luck and a lot of determination, we’ll be celebrating a wave of teams advancing to the finals next week. 

Congratulations to the First XI Football team on their impressive victory over St Joseph’s, Hunter’s Hill. Despite the challenging wet conditions, the players displayed outstanding teamwork and strong College spirit in their opening round of the CIS Cup. Well done to all involved!

Go the Blue and Gold!

Key Dates

Week 5

Mon 23/2 Staff Meeting (early finish for students) / P&F Meeting

Tues 24/2 Chapel Mass (Pius)

Wed 25/2 Chinese New Year Assembly / Year 12 You Choose presentation

Thur 26/2 Year 7 Study Skills Evening / CSDA Public Speaking R1

Sat 28/2 ISA Semi-finals / IPSHA R3 / NSTA / squash

Sun 1/2 Year 7 second football grading day 

Fide et Labore

By Faith and Hard work

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal