From the Principal

• Reflection 
• Time to review Term 1
• The 39 Steps - Our talented students on show
• Staffing News
• Cocurricular Program
• Save the Date - Mother's Day Liturgy
• Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders (EREBB) Congress
• Enrolments CLOSE THIS FRIDAY

Reflection

The Easter period continues for six weeks after Easter Sunday. I encourage families to continue with the Easter message of hope throughout this time.  Below is a short reflection of the readings from Mass over the period since Easter Sunday

Believing without witnessing

Over the past two weeks since Easter the Gospel readings on a Sunday described ways in which Christ presented himself to different witnesses and their encounter with Him. Firstly, doubting Thomas who 'Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.' And then to sharing a meal with the disciples after encounter Jesus on the way to Emmaus.  In all the Gospel readings, we are challenged to follow Christ without requiring the evidence of touching the wounds.  We are encouraged to find those moments that we encounter Jesus in our daily lives and how we respond to his call to be his disciples.

Faith in the Word of the Lord is central to these readings.  How many times have we lacked faith? How many times have we doubted the Lord?  How many times have we not forgiven those who have harmed us? Regardless of our responses to these questions, let us always remember that Jesus is alive, and we need to awaken our spirit so that we can experience His hope for a better world.

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Time to review Term 1

Welcome back.  As I reflect upon my first term at St Pius X College, I am reminded how blessed I am to be to Principal of this great College.  Throughout the term, I have been pleased with the engagement the students have had in their learning journey.  From the outset, I have encouraged all students to take control of their own learning and continue to be the best version of themselves. As we commence a new term, students are encouraged to review their interim reports or their last assessment tasks and consider how to best approach the term. Students may need to reconsider their goals so that these goals reflect their current learning and the way forward in Term 2.

ANZAC Day Commemoration

The College commemorated ANZAC Day as community, to remind us that we do not celebrate ANZAC Day, as war is not a theatre that we should celebrate, but rather we remember (commemorate) all those who have served, and currently serve, our country for the better good of all.  We especially remember those who have paid the ultimate price of war.  It is also a time to reflect upon the positive Australian values that are exemplified on ANZAC Day.  Values such as self-giving, resilience, courage, generosity, love, care and mercy but to name a few.  We have been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring these values are maintained in our current society so that the lives of so many fine young men and women did not die in vain.  As Christians, ANZAC is sacred because human life is sacred.  Every human is precious in God’s sight.  The life and fate of each solider who died at Gallipoli and other wars matters to God. Lest we forget.  I would like to thank Mr Mulheron and our student leadership team who assisted the College in commemorating ANZAC Day.  I pray that all the ordinary men of St Pius X can achieve extraordinary feats in their lives.  May all our sons demonstrate the values that exemplify the ANZACs throughout this term, and indeed the whole of the year.

Let us live Jesus in our hearts as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

‘The 39 Steps’ - our talented students on show 

Congratulations once again to the all the staff members who supported the successful production ‘The 39 Steps’.  As I mentioned after the first show, it was a truly amazing experience.  The Final show on the Holy Thursday maintained, if not exceeded, the high standards from the first show.  The students seem to truly grow into their characters.  They were outstanding.

Special Congratulations to Ms Penny Lindley (Director); Mrs Emma Fryar (Producer and Wardrobe); Mr Stephen Cummins (Musical Director); Mr Brendan Jones (Sound Operator) and Mrs Annabel Westhoff (Coordinator for the Performing Arts).  Thanks, must also go to all the front of house and backstage staff who helped with hair, make-up, supervision, props and bumping in and out.  Special thanks to the parents from PAPA (Performing Arts Parents Association), in particular to Gabe and James Donlevy.  The support of all the parents and their families was remarkable.

Looking forward to our next production.

Staffing News

As we commence Term 2, I would like to take this opportunity to provide the community with staffing update:

• Best wishes to Mr Jack Kovacic as he leads Year 10 in the absence of Mr Mark Pawlak who is on long service leave for the term.
• Welcome to Mr Michael Auer who will be replacing Mr Paul Formosa for the first five weeks of term.

Cocurricular Programme

Over the holidays two sporting groups proudly represented the College.  The First XI Football team competed in the annual EREA Football Tournament at Nudge College, Brisbane while the Junior School participated in the Junior Rugby Tournament in Armidale.  Reports from coaches and managers from both tournaments were very positive with the St Pius X spirit on show for all to witness.  Congratulations to all the players for representing the College with pride and honour.

I was able to support the First XI Footballers as they endured three games a day in 29 degree heat over the three days of the tournament.  This was extremely taxing on the players, and it unfortunately made a difference in the end.  The team played some exceptional football, but injuries and fatigue eventually took its toll.  I was very proud of the players and the staff for their professionalism and their sportsmanship.  Well done.

Special thanks to Mr Lacey, Mr Yue, Ms Proc, Mr Quilty and Mr Brannan for supporting the First XI football and Mrs Greenwood, Mr Morris, Mr Ure and Mr Ryan for their commitment to Junior rugby.

Save the Date – Mother’s Day Liturgy 

On Friday 12 May, the College will celebrate Mother’s Day in the College Gym as a whole school.  Year 5 to Year 12 mothers, grandmothers or significant person are welcome to join us in this celebration.  All women who attend will receive a flower from their sons or grandsons to recognise the role they play in the lives of our young people.  Please ensure you rsvp as this will be a significant event in the College’s calendar.  To rsvp please click on either the button or image below:

Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders (EREBB) Congress

As indicated last term, I will be attending the EREBB in Dublin, Ireland, 13-19 May, 2023. Prior to this I will be visiting Lourdes in France and attending the Edmund Rice International Centre in Geneva.  During my leave throughout Weeks 2, 3 & 4 the following leadership arrangements will take effect:

Acting Principal – Mr Mark Casey

Acting Deputy Principal – Mr Sean Brannan

Acting Assistant Principal – Pastoral Care and Wellbeing – Mr Wayne Wheatley

I look forward to sharing with the community my experience of the EREBB Congress and my visit to Lourdes and Geneva upon my return.

Enrolments for Years 5, 6 & 7 2025 CLOSE this Friday

Enrolment application forms for St Pius X College are now open.  Please see the College website or visit the following link for details.  

The closing date for lodgement of 2025 applications is Friday 28 April 2023.

Live Jesus in our Hearts

Mr Michael Ronchetti - Principal