St Pius X College Newsletter

From the Principal

  • Reflection
  • Nominations for HSC Showcase - SHAPE
  • Staffing News
  • Thank you for the term and reassess your goals
  • Key Dates
  • Cocurricular

Reflection

Year 12 Graduation

The graduation of Year 12 is a truly memorable occasion, not only for the College but also for each of our graduates. On Tuesday, 24 September, we had the privilege of acknowledging all Year 12 students during the College Farewell assembly as they were formally presented to the community. As each student stepped forward, I was deeply impressed by their respectful demeanour as I congratulated them on graduating.  They were a testament to their families and to the College.

 

In between homeroom presentations, 4 talented Year 12 students showcased their exceptional musical abilities. Special thanks to Eliot Sanders, Senior Jazz Band featuring Max Lenton and Fergus Fung, Darcy Forster and the Intermediate Jazz Band for sharing their creative gifts with us.

 

Following the homeroom presentations, we recognised the recipients of the Major Awards. Listening to the wonderful citations, it was impossible not to be impressed by the achievements of the outstanding young gentlemen graduating this year. Congratulations to all award recipients!

 

During my address to the community, I made references to many aspects of College life and the importance of this milestone. I would like to share a short extract of my speech:

 

Graduation Day is a day of celebration - a day that marks the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and personal growth. As we gather here, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride in every Year 12 student. You’ve navigated challenges, embraced new opportunities, and grown into the remarkable young gentlemen we see before us today. This moment, your graduation, is more than just the end of your school journey. It’s a gateway to the exciting new chapter that lies ahead. So, Year 12, take a moment; reflect on how far you have come; what have been the highlights of your time at St Pius X College; who has supported you along the journey and what are you looking forward to as you embark on the next stage of your extraordinary journey.

 

A defining quality of St Pius X  is the willingness and commitment of all students to remain true to the College motto 'Fide et Labore'. Our motto teaches us that success is built on two essential pillars: faith and hard work. Faith means placing trust not only in yourself and your abilities but also in God’s plan for you. It’s about believing that, even in difficult times, there is a higher purpose guiding your efforts. However, faith must be accompanied by hard work - putting in consistent effort, staying focused, and persevering through challenges. This combination of faith in God and dedication to your work is what transforms dreams into reality. As you step into the next phase of life, remember that these two virtues - faith and hard work - will guide you to success. Trust in God, stay committed, and continue to work diligently, knowing that God is with you every step of the way…

 

Year 12, embark on this new chapter of your life as gentlemen educated in the spirit of St Pius X, grounded in the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice, with Christ ever by your side. Continue to walk the path less travelled, toward your own unique destiny, always looking forward and not back. You have grown into gentlemen of substance, well-equipped with the tools needed for the journey ahead. As you move forward, hold the values and traditions of St Pius X College close to your heart, let the College motto shine through you, and strive to become the extraordinary gentlemen we know you are capable of becoming.

 

Good bye, God bless and remember you will always be sons of St Pius X College'.

After the assembly, Year 12 began their march back to the schoolyard, led by our drum line, where they were greeted with enthusiasm by our junior students, who formed a guard of honour. Year 12 then proudly led the school in the war cry - a fitting and memorable way to conclude the day and their time at the College.

On Wednesday, 25 September, the Graduation celebrations continued with a beautiful Mass, followed by the reception at Miramare Gardens. The Mass was a truly memorable experience, with students participating in the touching Ceremony of Light, surrounding the congregation with their candles. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Fr David for leading such a meaningful service. Every aspect of the Mass enriched the spiritual well-being of the congregation. Fr David, your presence is a continual blessing, and the College is truly fortunate to have you as our spiritual leader.

The Graduation reception offered the College a chance to once again recognise the Year 12 cohort and award recipients, this time in front of their families. The atmosphere was filled with positivity, truly reflecting the exceptional character of the graduating class. Highlights of the evening included the heartfelt gesture of students presenting letters to their parents and the symbolic changing of their senior ties to the Old Boys' tie. It was a memorable and fitting way to conclude the celebrations for Year 12.

In my final address to the Year 12 students, I reflected on the College motto, and how it has influenced our graduating class. Here is a short extract from the address:

 

The ‘Fide et Labore’, through faith and hard work, that you have engaged in and that we have shared with you over the last eight or so years of secondary schooling at St Pius X College, has helped make you what and who you are; your education has given you tools and shaped your qualities and given you directions which will steer you on a path for the rest of your life.

 

But, it is the end which crowns the work; it is the way you use the values you have cultivated here at the College that will prove their ultimate worth, that will shed light on them, cap them off, give them significance.

 

If you can take away from here, along with some of the facts you have learned, a hope in the future, a hope that you can make a better world, that what you do can make a difference, then the hard work has been worthwhile. 

 

If you, can take away from here qualities of leadership, which will make you effective in your workplace and in your family, then the Lord’s light has shined.

 

If you can go away from here, believing in the importance of working for justice in a world of inequality, sharing your talents so that you leave all you encounter, richer people, and spreading the wealth so that all have a chance to live happily, then the end will have truly been blessed with your faith.

 

And, if your God is at the centre of your work, your faith will flourish even more strongly.

 

You, young gentlemen of St Pius X College 2024, have the example of 87 years of students who have gone before you; you have even richer opportunities than most who have sat at our table; you have been offered much to help you become fuller human beings. 

 

This has been your ‘Fide et Labore’, your faith and hard work. It is your hands – with a dose of help from above – to provide light for your own good life, to bring happiness to your work. 

 

What you have been given is your faith; what you are charged with is to keep it.  And if you do, you can be confident that you will deserve to bear the motto ‘Fide et Labore’.  You can be sure, at the end, that the work has been crowned with all the goodness that God has planted in and expects from his human creation.  You can do no more.

 

Our graduates of 2024 were farewelled in a most fitting manner by both the College and their families. The graduation ceremonies were the culmination of a tremendous amount of work and goodwill from so many teachers and staff members. Special thanks go to the graduation committee, which met weekly since the end of Term 2 to organise an extraordinary Farewell Assembly, a reflective liturgy, and a vibrant graduation luncheon and awards presentation. Heartfelt thanks to Ms J Dempsey, Mr A Tassone, Mrs A Brady, Mrs S Cheney, Ms E Watson, Mr M Gillogly, Mr S Davidson, Mrs A Westhoff, Mr D Petrie, Mr S Di Sano, Mrs Bamber and Mr M Stearn. Thanks also to our invaluable support staff, whose efforts, while not always publicly noticed are always hugely appreciated by all.

 

It truly takes a community to support our students, and I sincerely thank every staff member who contributed to ensuring the College gave the graduating class of 2024 a well-deserved and memorable farewell.

 

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Nominations for HSC Showcase SHAPE

Following on from our OnSTAGE nominations from last week, we have been notified that 3 of our Industrial Technology – Timber students have been nominated for possible inclusion in the HSC Showcase - SHAPE. Congratulations to Daniel Formosa, Oscar Kalcher and Andrew May for being nominated to this most prestigious event.

The HSC Showcase SHAPE is an annual exhibition that showcases outstanding projects from students who have completed their Higher School Certificate in Design and Technology, Industrial Technology, and Textiles and Design. SHAPE is organised by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and highlights the creativity, innovation, and technical skills of students in these subjects.

SHAPE provides a platform for students to present their work to a broader audience, including educators, industry professionals, and the general public. It serves as inspiration for current and future students, illustrating the possibilities within the fields of design and technology. Congratulations once again to Daniel, Oscar and Andrew for this wonderful acknowledgement of their HSC major work.

 Staffing News 

Today, the College farewelled two valued members of our community. To Mrs Iwatani and Mr Ortega, we hope you have had a frutiful and enjoyable time at the College and we hope that the future is filled with great happiness and opportunities especially as you continue to journey without St Pius X College by your side.  We offer our blessings to them both. 

Thank you for the term – reassess your goals

As we conclude the term, I would like to thank our staff and our students for their contribution to the teaching and learning environment of the College.  This is a good time for students to reassess their goals and plan for a successful Term 4. A reminder that Term 4 will commence on Tuesday 15 October following the pupil free day on Monday 14 October.

Key Dates

Fide et Labore

By Faith and hard work

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - College Principal