Pastoral Care
- Wellbeing Anecdote from the Student Diary
- ANZAC Day Commemorative Services
- Year 12 Reach Incursion
- Year 9 Brainstorms Production
- Year 10 Visit by Refugee Advocate
- Upcoming Events
Wellbeing Anecdote from the Student Diary
“When given the choice between being right and being kind – choose kind”
– from Wonder.
ANZAC Day Commemorative Services
The College was well represented in 2021 ANZAC Commemorations in our return from the 2020 driveway and online commemorations which were a feature of last year.
The Chatswood RSL Garden of Remembrance Dawn Service featured an eloquent and thoughtful address from our Year 11 student Elliot Cook who joined Willoughby Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney in reflecting on the meaning of ANZAC in our world. Elliot duly acknowledged the Cammeraygal people and warriors who first went forth from this land, along with local war hero Albert Chowne MM VC (posthumous) who hailed from Chatswood/Willoughby.
On the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force, Elliot reflected on the service and sacrifice of our own ex student Flt Sgt Anthony Gillespie who lost his life over Germany in early 1945. The College’s links to the 2/33rd Infantry Bn, in whose footsteps we walk the Kokoda Track, were dedicated through a plaque telling some of their story, which we will proudly display at Oxford Falls. And finally, on a personal note Elliot reflected on the service of his Great Grandfather, whose medals he proudly wore, who missed the birth of his son, Elliot’s Grandfather in Gunnedah, while serving in Papua New Guinea. A full transcript of Elliot’s address can be found below.
Our Monday morning College Assembly Commemorative Ceremony honoured those who served and was led by College Vice Captain Nick Ward supported by the Student Leadership Team along with Daniel Down, Oscar Roberts, Riley Atkinson and Charlie O'Donnell from Mr Simpson’s Year 6 class, and 1st XI Cricket representatives.
The wreaths were laid by by Darcy Horstead of Year 6 Green whose Uncle was an RAF Fighter pilot in WWII, and whose Great Grandfather fought as an ANZAC at Gallipoli, and Elliot Cook, in honour of his Grandfather who served in WWII in Papua New Guinea.
LEST WE FORGET.
Mr Sean Brannan - Acting Deputy Principal
Year 12 Reach Incursion
On Wednesday 21 April the Year 12 cohort had an excellent session presented by the Reach organisation on “Meaning and Purpose”. The young men were split into two smaller groups and were encouraged to reflect on their direction after they leave the College. Of particular note was a session where they were encouraged to imagine themselves as a 25 year-old adult looking back on themselves as they are now. It helped them reflect on their self-esteem and whether they feel they are on the right track in life as they move through their adolescence. Thank you to the excellent presenters from Reach and to Joe Lynch (Acting Year 12 Coordinator) who organised the event.
Year 9 Brainstorms Production
Brainstorm Productions performed their CYBERIA session for our Year 9 cohort on Tuesday 27 April. This session led into an important discussion on anxiety, bullying, impulse control, isolation, gaming and privacy. As we know, our young men are immersed in the online world with its many benefits and pitfalls, and we believe this type of education is vital in helping them navigate the online world they live in. Its an ongoing and evolving situation and Mr Stollery and his Pastoral Care team of teachers are engaging the students in this and many other areas as part of their Pastoral Care Program for Year 9.
Visit by Refugee Advocate
As part of the Year 10 Pastoral Care program, the College was pleased to host a talk to Year 10 students today from Refugee Advocate, Zaki Haidari.
Zaki Haidari is a refugee from Afghanistan. After his father disappeared the Taliban then targeted Zaki to be killed. In 2013, when he was 17 years old, he escaped from Afghanistan and came to Australia by boat.
When Zaki first came to Australia, he studied English and has since thrived in his studies. Zaki is a passionate human rights advocate, sharing his experience with schools and the wider community. He dreams of one day being able to provide education and assistance to people in less developed countries, the way he was given this opportunity in Australia.
Zaki Haidari is a Human Rights Hero of 2020 and winner of the 2015 NSW International Student of the Year Award in the vocational education and training category. He is currently working part time at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and at the Edmund Rice Centre. He is also an Ambassador for the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS).
Upcoming Events
Mothers Day Breakfast Friday 7 May.
On Friday 7 May we will celebrate Mother's Day with breakfast at 7.30 am here at the College followed by a liturgy in the College gym at 8.00 am. All mothers are welcome to attend. At 10.30 am, the Junior School will celebrate a Mothers and Grandmother’s Mass at Our Lady of Dolours Church, followed by morning tea. We hope you can make it.
In addition we are creating space for some students, who we are aware, may find this day difficult for a variety of reasons. This will be a separate celebration and reflection including morning tea, sensitive to their needs. We will also have our College counsellors on hand for these students. Please feel free to contact me at the College: pticli@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au if you would like your son to be invited to this initiative.
St Pius X College acknowledges our First Nations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and particularly the Cammeraygal people,
whose interconnection with this land sustained and
fulfilled them mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually,
over thousands of years.
May we learn from their wisdom.
Fide et Labore
Mr Paul Ticli - Acting Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care