From the Acting Principal

• Mass Celebrating 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia
• Pentecost
• St Pius X College Annual Survey
• Year 11 Parent Teacher Student Interviews
• ISA Cross Country
• Reconciliation Assembly
• The Collegian 2020

Mass celebrating 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia

The Feast Day of Our Lady Help of Christians in Australia was on 24 May. Catholic Australia remains faithful to Mary, and as a nation was the first to choose her under the title Help of Christians, as our principal Patroness. Therefore, it was most fitting that all Schools across Australia in every Diocese and Parish, celebrated Mass to commemorate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia on this day. 

At St Pius X College, our Year 12 students joined with the Year 12 students of Mercy College and Years 5 & 6 from Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Primary School in our Parish Church, while it was also live streamed into every class room of the three schools in this Parish to ensure we had a congregation of over 2,000 to celebrate this occasion. 

It was a very fitting church celebration bringing together all our staff and students in celebration of the founders of Catholic education across the many religious orders, including Brother Ambrose Treacy, who commenced our Edmund Rice Schools in Australia in 1869.  Following on from this St Pius X College was established in 1937. We now proudly, as EREA, continue to carry the lantern of Catholic education in the Edmund Rice Tradition.

The 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia Prayer was recited by every school at the Celebration Mass as thanks and hope as we pray for our future: 

Almighty and all-loving God,

with gratitude for the endeavours of Catholic education in the past,

with confidence in our Catholic pre-schools, schools and universities today,

and with faith in their contribution in the future

we celebrate 200 years of Catholic education in this Great South Land.

As our Heavenly Father,

we thank you for your providential care for your children in this land

in inspiring priests, religious and lay people

to found and staff our schools in ages past.

Through them the Good News of your Son was brought to the young,

even in colonial times – and ever since.

As Christ the Teacher,

you grace the staff and leaders of Catholic education today

as they build on the achievements of their predecessors.

Direct them in their present efforts 

to ensure that every young Australian has the opportunity

for an excellent education and formation in faith.

As your Inspiring Spirit,

you lead us into the future.

In the century ahead grant those teaching and learning in our schools,

those planning and learning and the families and community that entrust

their young people to us,

a love of learning and a willingness to be the Face of Christ

in the world of tomorrow.

Pour out your abundant blessings upon all involved in 

the ministry of Catholic education.

Amen

Our Lady of the Southern Cross – pray for us

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Patron of Catholic Education in Australia – pray for us

Live Jesus in our Hearts – forever.

Our Head of Maintenance, Mr Andy Darbin, constructed a commemorative ironwork artwork which was unveiled at Assembly on Monday and is now proudly displayed in our playground. We thank Mr Darbin for his hard work to prepare this piece.  It is a fitting tribute to our celebrations of 200 years of Catholic education in Australia.

Pentecost

In speaking of our celebration of 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia at Assembly on Monday, I highlighted to our young men the significance of Pentecost being the birthday of our Church. We celebrate this through our Catholic values as taught to us by Jesus’ examples of our Catholic belief and faith. Values of compassion, care, love of each other, forgiveness, kindness and respect. We know that God is always with us through the Holy Spirit as we live out our gospel values and put our faith into action.

I share with you from our Parish Priest of Our Lady of Dolours Church, Fr David Ranson, his Pentecostal letter.

St Pius X College Annual Survey

The Annual surveys will again be conducted in 2021.  

Survey opens on Monday 31 May and will close on Friday 11 June.  

I ask all parents, students and staff to complete these surveys that will be emailed to you. As you will have observed, we have acted every year to positively respond to the feedback we receive, and the College Advisory Council’s Governance and Strategy Committee will review the responses and we always make available the results and overall feedback to everyone.  

Thank you for your attention to this as it makes us a stronger school and community.

Year 11 Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

Our Year 11 cohort had their Parent/Teacher/Student interviews online on Monday. It is a perfect time to reflect on the hard work they have been putting in over the past months as they commence their HSC journey.  It is also an opportunity for our young men to ensure their focus is directed on the right path. In chatting with our Year 11 students on Tuesday they were very appreciative of the feedback with commendations and clear directives given in helping to advance their learning. Thank you to all staff and parents for your support of our young men.

ISA Cross Country

St Pius X College had a highly successful day at the ISA Cross Country today.  Simon Magner won his age division and Cross Country Captain Matthew North won the OPEN Division and led the Senior Team to victory bringing home the ISA Senior Shield.

Well done to the Year 11 students who officiated on the day with high praise for their organisation and presentation.  Well done.

Reconciliation Assembly

Next week sees Reconciliation Week, a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

As a College, St Pius X supports National Reconciliation Week and on Monday 31 May we will gather for a Reconciliation Assembly, where we will learn more about Indigenous culture and commemorate this important week in Australia’s reconciliation journey.  We look forward to welcoming local Aboriginal man, Phillip Goods and also our partners from The Glen Centre on the Central Coast.

The Collegian 2020

The Collegian for 2020 is ready for distribution next week to each family. It is an outstanding record of a unique year. I sincerely thank, Mr Tony Cunneen, Head of Publications and his team, Ms Tracey Bradley and Ms Linda Gregor for this outstanding publication.

Next Tuesday, the oldest student in each family will receive The Collegian to bring home. 

Mr Mark Casey - Acting Principal