Pastoral Care and Old Boys' News
- Year 9 St Pius/Mercy Respectful Relationships Workshops
- 2023 Student Leadership Team Transition
- Sports Colour Awards - Tuesday 6 September
- SPX Hosted Athletics Carnival
- Old Boys' News
Year 9 St Pius/Mercy Respectful Relationships Workshops Wednesday 7 September
We look forward to our combined Respectful Relationship Workshop next Wednesday at Oxford Falls where the students will hear from Living Works wellbeing presenters, former SPX parent and Mercy Nuns advocate, Mary Rajca, on the work of the nuns in developing the Women's Shelter in Candela Peru, and good friend of the College and Afghani Refugee and Anesty International Advocate Zaki Hadari on Respect across our societies.
Our Year 9 Student Empowerment Team's Rob Oner will lead a meeting of students from the two schools this Wednesday to plan for the incursion.
Student Leadership Team Transition 2022- 2023
Congratulations to our Student Leadership Team elect who attended their Leadership Camp at Workul Koo Wamberal last week. The camp included a visit to St Edmund's College Wahroonga, a school for students living with mild to moderate intellectual disability. Under the guidance of Mr Paul Ticli and Mr Sam Di Sano, our 2023 College Captain Eamon Boyle’s team, including Vice Captains Josh Bewley and Mitch McGrath developed their themes and priorities for 2023.
The current Student Leadership Team will conduct a handover and sharing of wisdom and ongoing priorities with their 2023 counterparts at lunchtime this Thursday in the Junior School class rooms.
Other Student Leadership developmental activities and shared responsibilities over the coming months include:
- Support of the Fathers’ Day Liturgy and BBQ this Friday morning 2 September
- Officiating at The SPX hosted Athletics Carnival at Homebush this Saturday 3 September
- Support of the SPX hosting Our Lady of Dolours Youth Mass 5.30 pm Saturday 3 September
- Old Boys Association sponsored Speechcraft and Presentation Sessions
- Student Leaders' Investiture for all Year 11 before the College body at the Concourse. Monday 24 October from 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm
- Speechcraft Graduation Dinner
Sports Colour Awards - Tuesday 6 September
Students and parents are reminded that during Periods 3 and 4 next Tuesday our Sports Colour Awards Ceremony will be held in the Concourse.
This is very much a whole senior school (Year 7-12) formal occasion in preparation for our upcoming Year 12 Graduation Ceremonies. Full winter uniform including blazer and polished shoes are required along with appropriate haircut and respectful conduct.
We look forward to celebrating these important occasions in the life of the College and the journey of our students in the best manner possible. We know our students will rise to the occasion and expect nothing less.
SPX Hosted Athletics Carnival Homebush SOPAC Athletic Stadium
Students and staff supporting our Athletics Team this Saturday will be running the Field Events at Homebush Stadium. There is a team of our new student leaders and student volunteers who will support staff.
There will be a van departing Chatswood at 7.00 am out to Homebush. See Mr Brannan to arrange transport.
Old Boys' News
Art Space Display tribute to Craig Ruddy – Archibald Prize winner 2004 and Old Boy Class of ‘86
On Thursday evening the College celebrated Splinters Splashes Sounds and Stage the showcase display of Major Works in Visual Art, Design & Technology, Industrial Technology Woodwork, Performing Arts of Drama and Music to be HSC Marked over the coming weeks. The students' work, supported by our great teaching staff, is nothing short of inspirational.
In this inspirational context we have placed in our Art Room Display Space a tribute to Archibald Prizewinning Artist Craig Ruddy (Class of ’86), and his Art teacher mentors Br Coll McDonald “Mac” and Mr Greg Moore. Sadly, Craig passed away in January of COVID-related complications to his pre-existing lung condition. Craig’s main Archibald Portrait subject: revered Aboriginal Actor David Gulpilil, (of Walkabout, Storm Boy, and Crocodile Dundee fame), passed away last year! RIP.
We contacted Greg Moore (Class of ’77), last week to meet up online with Craig’s parents Caroline and John, who also hail from Forestville, to launch the Art Display. Greg confirmed he is now REC & Class Teacher at Christ the King School, at Djarindjin-Lombadina, 200km North of Broome! Further examples of SPX alumni being good men for others in the best traditions of Edmund Rice Education and doing great diverse work in upholding the ideals of the College through a colourful career!
Sadly we also learned this week of the passing of a great friend of the College, our Kokoda Track Head Guide and Headman of Abuari Village in Papua New Guinea, Naden Lovei. This news was passed on by Kokoda 2014 Hiker NSW Police Supt Sam Crisafulli and confirmed by Bill James (Class of ’68) who was a great friend of Naden. A steadfast and great spirited mate, Naden, complete with machete over his shoulder, led our first Mother/Father/Son SPX Kokoda Trek in 2014. He was a great support and celebrated the close connection between our two “Villages”. We pass on our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to Naden’s wife Esther, daughter Rovena, brother Isaac, and indeed all Naden’s extended family, village and friends. Vale Naden Lovei RIP.
Old Boys Mass and Dinner Friday 9 September
At our Old Boys' Chapel Mass and Dinner on Friday 9 September we will commemorate 85 years of the College and remember Tom Van Dijk (Class of 2021), Liam Vinci (Class of 2020), Lachlan Ridley (Class of 2017), Journalist, Author and great friend of the College Greg Growden who participated in the 2016 SPX Kokoda Expedition with his son, Angus, (Class of 2020), Craig Ruddy, Br Mac and Naden Lovei.
As well as celebrating their contributions we will celebrate those of our much revered first lay Principal of 12 years, Mr John Couani, and Business Manager Mr Nick Carson (Class of 82) who retire this year. Mass will be celebrated by Fr Paul Roberts (College Captain ’79) in the Brothers' Chapel from 4.15 pm.
Please contact Sean Brannan to RSVP to attend the Christian Brothers' Chapel Mass or book on the Old Boys' Website to attend the 6.00 pm Old Boys' Dinner! All welcome and particularly our students of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 who are subsidised to attend!
Fide et Labore
Mr Sean Brannan - Acting Deputy Principal