From the Principal

• Reflection
• Blessed Edmund Rice Icon
• Celebration of Learning Assembly
• When should you attend university open days?
• Year 12 HSC Trial Examinations - Week 2
• The Feast of the Assumption celebrations
• Best wishes to the football teams competing in the semi-finals
• P&F Trivia Night rescheduled

Reflection

During the month of August, there are several celebrations related to the Catholic Church such as the Transfiguration of our Lord, Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, and the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.  It is important that we acknowledge these as we, as a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, have become an important voice for the church and its mission.  This week we celebrate the canonisation of Mary MacKillop.

Feast Day of Saint Mary MacKillop – 8 August

Australia's first saint.

'Patience and God will reward you all the more in the end.' 

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop 4.8.1874

Mary MacKillop Prayers

Ever generous God,You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop

To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

and constant in bringing hope and encouragement

to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.

With confidence in your generous providence

and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop

We ask that you grant our request……………….

We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit

so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness.

Ever generous God hear our prayer.

We ask this through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

The feast day of Australia's first saint on 8 August lets us reflect on why St Mary MacKillop was so highly regarded as a person dedicated to her faith and her God.  St Mary dedicated most of her life to educating the poor children of society. She was prepared to challenge the authorities of the time to ensure that those at the margins were cared for in a loving manner.  Mary’s legacy has gone well and truly beyond the humble beginnings in Penola. Sisters of St Joseph today are a robust group of women working in Australia, New Zealand, East Timor, Ireland, Peru and Brazil and follow in Mary’s footsteps doing a wide variety of works, revealing to all the hospitable heart of God.

Saint Mary MacKillop

Pray for Us

Blessed Edmund Rice Icon

The Icon provides all Edmund Rice communities an insight into the person who was Blessed Edmund Rice.

Men of Holiness and Wisdom

Here is the father figure of the monk missionaries - Colmcille, saint, scholar, poet and artist, the island of Iona nestling in a seascape, the spiral repeated once again, and the dove of the Spirit overshadowing him.

Blessed Edmund Rice saying:

‘Give to the poor in handfuls’

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Celebration of Learning

On Thursday 3 August, the College acknowledged the outstanding academic achievements of many of our young men at the annual Celebration of Learning Assembly for Semester One.  Our Keynote address by Mr Billy Johnson, College Captain 2013, provided our Year 7 – 10 students an insight as to how St Pius X College influenced his life and how our community was able to support him through adversity. Special thanks to Billy for sharing his story.

In my address to the Year 7 – Year 10 students, I introduced them to the ABCD for improvement. 

• A for Attitude – can do attitude
• B for Behaviour – that reflects good learning
• C for Commitment – to doing the extra
• D for Dedication – to improving yourself

If students are able to follow the ABCD, I am confident that they will be able to pursue their unique personal growth and hopefully achieve the extraordinary. St Pius X College provides the environment for all students to learn, but it relies on the willingness of each student to liberate their hearts and minds to the boundless learning opportunities offered by the College.  It is in partnership with the teachers, that students can truly achieve their personal best.  Congratulations to all our award recipients (attached below) and let us continue in our pursuit of our individual academic excellence, whatever and however that may look.

When should you attend University Open Days?

Currently, universities across NSW are opening their gates to prospective students.  This provides students the opportunity to explore courses, facilities and so much more. Open Days offer valuable information about a range of things such as fees, careers, support services, accommodation, scholarships, and financial assistance.  Most students and their parents wait until Year 12 before they commence their Open Day journey.  Currently, there is a strong case for students as young as Year 9 to discover what universities have to offer and the study areas that may interest them.  I encourage parents, older siblings, or friends to visit Open Days with our sons so that you can find the university that best fits, and the courses that you will hope to study.  Start your journey now by visiting the university open day websites.

Year 12 Trial HSC Examinations – second week

The Trial HSC Examinations have continued into their second week.  With Mathematics and English completed, students can now focus on their other courses. 

Please continue to pray the prayer below for all our HSC students as they complete these important examinations. 

Prayer for Year 12 Students

Dear Lord, we ask for your blessing for our students

undertaking Trial HSC Examinations over the next two weeks.

Grant them the confidence they deserve from their years of diligent study.

Grant them the ability to comprehend questions and effectively plan

and articulate their responses.

May they be enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit – 

Wisdom, Understanding, Fortitude and Knowledge.

May their faith and piety give them the strength to face these examinations and the satisfaction of achieving their personal best.

We ask these things through Christ Our Lord, 

Amen.

The Feast of the Assumption celebration

A reminder to all parents and families that on Tuesday 15 August the College will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption.  

All are welcome to join us on this day of obligation.  

Mass times for each year group:

9:00 am            Year 5-6 St Pius X College and Years 3-6 from OLD Primary School

10:15 am          Years 8 & 10 St Pius X College

1:45 pm            Years 7, 9 & 11 St Pius X College

Best wishes to the football teams competing in the semi-finals

Congratulations to all Football teams who have reached either the Grand Final or the semi-final.  Our Senior teams, the 3rd XI (coached by Mr Damo) and 4th XI (coached by Mr Simpson) progress directly to the Grand Final in two weeks while our 1st  XI (coached by Mr Lacey and Mr Yue), 2nd XI (coached by Mr O’Byrne), 16A’s (coached by Mr Quilty), 14A’s and 14B’s (coached by Mr Conor Lo) and the 14C’s (coached by Mr Stollery) will compete in the semi-final’s this weekend. 

AFL is alive and well in the Junior School

I had the pleasure of attending and watch our undefeated U12 AFL team last Saturday. What a great experience!  The support by the parents was fantastic.  Congratulations and thank you to Mr Glen Carroll and MScott Costain (parent) for developing a wonderful culture amongst the boys and their families.

P&F Trivia Night - Rescheduled

Please see the P&F page of today's Woodchatta for more information on the rescheduled P&F Trivia Night.

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - Principal