Pastoral Care and Old Boys' News
- Year 7 Camp
- National Day of Action Against Violence and Bullying / Harmony Day / St Patrick's Day
- Harm Minimisation Presentation
- Upcoming IFTAR, ANZAC Day, Shoah Commemorations and Brigidine Social Justice Promotions
- Peer Mentoring Activities
- Gaming, Vaping and Contemporary Societal Challenges
- NAPLAN
- Old Boys' News
Year 7 Camp
Mrs Loughman and our Year 7 Pastoral Care team are completing preparations for the Year 7 Camp at Tea Gardens departing next Wednesday 22 March at normal school time (8:42 am, assemble at the podium in Homerooms with bag and day pack). We request that any supplementary communication regarding medical and dietary requirements be provided as a matter of priority through to Student Reception so that school duty of care records can be updated.
Our Year 7 campers are looking forward to an inclusive Pastoral Care Camp with some great activities and shared experiences to develop a growth mindset.
National Day of Action Against Violence and Bullying, Harmony Day and St Patrick’s Day
This Friday at Assembly our Student Leaders will highlight and celebrate the themes surrounding these important days of inclusion in our school community. At Assembly students are invited to wear Orange (NDAABV), White (Harmony Day – Everyone Belongs) and Green for St Patrick’s Day!
We are all connected to Ireland in some respect!
Harm Minimisation Presentation
This afternoon our Year 9 and 10 students received a drama presentation on Minimising Lifelong Harm from Alcohol Misuse. Any feedback from the presentation of conversations or observations following it are welcomed.
Upcoming IFTAR, ANZAC Day, Shoah Commemorations and Brigidine Social Justice Promotions
Expressions of interest or requests for details of how students can be engaged and represent us at these upcoming events can be directed to Mr Brannan. There are many opportunities to be involved and make a positive difference in action or awareness raising.
Peer Mentoring
Similarly we are planning upcoming Peer Mentoring events including Rockclimbing and Paddle Boarding so please stay tuned and see Mr Russo and Mr Brannan for details.
Gaming, Vaping and Contemporary Societal Challenges
As an educational institution St Pius X College regularly sources constructive and informative input to present to our young men and wider community, to inform possibilities addressing and managing contemporary issues concerning our society.
As such I commend to you many of the recent ABC programs, which can be sourced from ABC Iview, including ABC News and Australian Story : “Game Changer” which addresses the effects of problem online gaming on the adolescent brain.
Similarly, the Health Concerns around vaping have drawn much recent review and are currently very much of public health concern as an issue with the potential to negatively impact the health and wellbeing of our young people. There is considerable research and investigation currently underway, and in our Pastoral Care programs and curriculum St Pius X College will continue to promote our principle values, rules, code of conduct, and health and wellbeing strategies which we trust will be supported by your interactions with your sons.
Recently highlighted is the considerable concern in our community about the effects of social media upon our young men and women, not least of which is the phenomena of celebrity. Our Pastoral Care and Wellbeing, Counselling, and PDHPE Teams are continually working at both student and staff levels to enhance positive education, our Pastoral Care programs, healthy, respectful behaviours, and learning in our community.
Rather than give oxygen to the distractions of antisocial commentators, we choose to stand by the ideals and values of our families, faith, and community and celebrate the achievements and growth of our students and staff. In that context I commend you to listen to a recent Radio National program which may give perspective, voice and rational integrity to a conversation you might choose to have in your household.
The “Man Cave” is an organisation referred to in this interview, used by some of our Melbourne schools, with links to the boys' education programs employed at Pius through our Year 9 Camps and other initiatives over time.
All of these issues are components of a much wider conversation which we need to be having and reinforcing with our young men, around healthy respect for themselves and others. Our Police Youth Engagement Officer, the Office of eSafety and other guests and staff are invaluable supports in promoting our values, opportunities and ideals for our young men.
NAPLAN
Finally best wishes to all our Year 5, 7 and 9 students completing NAPLAN this week. It is opportunity to show what you know and what you can do as what you are developing the capacity to do better in the future.
Old Boys' News
Ben Sheehy
Congratulations to St Pius X College Old Boy Class of 2016 Ben Sheehy.
Ben studied Music 2 to the HSC and is one of the final 8 contestants in the 2023 Australian Idol competition. He greatly appreciates the support of the St Pius X College community.
What a great ambassador of our Music program and community of whom we are immensely proud.
Our College has a great tradition in Musical performance featuring artists such as Mental As Anything lead guitarist Martin Plaza (nee Murphy) and Conservatorium Jazz Pianist Kevin Hunt, to name a few.
Also on the topic of Musical Performance we celebrate our Music tutor Mr Stephen Cummins who met up with former SPX Performing Arts Coordinator Mrs Pip Waters while he performed Dixie with the NSW Police Band in Bathurst this weekend!
We can celebrate the excellence of our performing arts community. Pictured below are Ben Sheehy and his OLGC teacher and great friend of the College, Mrs Sarah Webster, at a recent Australian Idol function.
Best wishes from all the St Pius X Community Ben!
Fide et Labore
Mr Sean Brannan - Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care and Wellbeing