Pastoral Care and Old Boys News
- St Anthony's Parish Planting with a Purpose Day
- 80th Anniversary Celebration of HMAS Penguin Royal Australian Naval Base
- Red Dirt Expedition
- 1st XV Rugby Tour to Queensland
- Old Boys News
St Anthony Parish Planting with a Purpose Day Eddie Rice Hours Community project
Sunday 24 July at 46 Myoora Rd Terrey Hills 11.00 am – 1.00 pm followed by a BBQ
As part of our ongoing Reconciliation Action Plan, we are committed to supporting Frenchs Forest Parish regeneration of Kierans Creek Terrey Hills by replanting native plants in the grounds of St Anthony’s Catholic Church Terrey Hills. This Sunday we join the students from Brigidine St Ives and Mater Maria Warriewood in this project. Students from the Recent Red Dirt Expedition and others interested in joining our student RAP Team are encouraged to see Mr Brannan for an information / Permission note which must be returned ASAP to confirm your attendance on Sunday. Eddie Rice Community Service hours can be accrued from this activity:
Students from Years 8 – 11 are invited to join Mr Brannan and Niall Jaffrey of Year 8 this Sunday from 11.00 am - 1.00 pm at 46 Myoora Rd Terrey Hills, followed by a BBQ with the Brigidine girls. RSVP and permission required for catering purposes. Transport maybe available from Kirk St at 10.30 am or Forestville at 10.45 am. See Mr Brannan to confirm.
80th Anniversary Celebration of HMAS Penguin Royal Australian Naval Base, Submarine and Underwater Medicine Unit (SUMU), and Navy Clearance Diver School
It was a privilege last Thursday 14 July to represent the College at the 80th Birthday celebration of HMAS Penguin Royal Australian Navy Base. HMAS Penguin has a positive relationship with the College through our Year 9 – 12 Sport and Human Performance Science studies, Old Boys who have served, and ex-students such as Tim Abbott who recently graduated as an Officer and engineer.
We joined Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan, Retired Artillery Officer Mr John Platt of Manly SLSC, who recently coordinated the Service of Remembrance for the May 31, 1942 Japanese Midget Submarine attack on Sydney Harbour, which preceded the Kokoda Track campaign, and Frenchs Forest Parish Councillor and Forestville RSL Sub Branch President Mr Bob Lunnon. Despite Executive Officers historic speech and Navy traditions and Defence’s occupation of the Middle Head precinct the Naval sword on hand was not used to cut the decorative cake!
Royal Australian Navy HMAS Penguin based Medical Officers Irene Favelle-Wilson and Russel Skol were among the esteemed Naval Officers in attendance. Mrs Wilson, mother of Aiden in Year 12, and her team led the COVID response in Melbourne in 2020 after conducting Parent/Teacher interviews from Richmond Air base enroute!
We are grateful to Penguin Base Commander Nippers, Lt Cmdr Dr Rebecca Byrne: Head of SUMU, Cmdr Darren McDevitt: Head of the Clearance Diver Training School, and Lt Caldwell who recently facilitated our Year 9 Sports Science Excursion and support our educational connection with the Royal Australian Navy and Defence Forces.
Photo of RAN Medical Officers Irene Favelle-Wilson, Russel Skol and Sean Brannan
Red Dirt Expedition
The College continues to receive generous accolades for the conduct of the 55 students & staff who travelled to outback NSW during the holidays to engage with rural and Aboriginal communities, schools and cultural sites including:
The Warrumbungles Coonabarabran; Sculptures in the Pilliga Scrub, Dandry Gorge, Baradine; Siding Springs Aust Astronomical Telescope, Grand High Tops & Breadknife walk; Baradine NPWS Discovery Centre Local Area Land Council; Brewarrina Fish Traps and Aboriginal Cultural Centre; Bourke PCYC, Gundabooka NP, Port of Bourke Hotel, Wharf and Fred Hollows Grave Memorial.
Schools including St John’s Baradine and Baradine Central School; St Lawrence’s and Coonabarabran High; St Brigid’s and Coonamble High; St Josephs Walgett; St Patrick’s Brewarrina and St Ignatius Bourke.
We thank Jill Norton NPWS, Lloyd and Joyce Sutherland, Margaret McKinnon, Kim Tym, Ben Yacht, Natasha Milford, Drew Inman, Mary Doolan, Donna Fiechtner, JB, George Dickson Bourke PCYC Manager, Amber Brannan, and Brad Hardy of Bree Fish Traps, as well as all the communities of western NSW who were so hospitable and engaging of us.
And last but not least thank you to the Staff who gave generously of their holiday break: Sam Di Sano, Phil Stollery, Veronica Bamber, Dan Quilty, Jonathan Dobb, David Chant and Kate Ryder (nee Brannan).
This was a great, informative, and significant growth experience “on country” for us all and one from which we will all continue a growth mindset of learning with ongoing reflection. There will be a meeting for all participants at lunchtime in Week 3 of Term and meanwhile all are encouraged to attend the St Anthony's Terrey Hills Land Care project this Sunday in support of our RAP! (Refer earlier this page).
We have received glowing reports of the manner in which this group interacted with the wonderful communities and culture to which we were privileged to immerse ourselves in and we are grateful to all those who made this trip possible including the SPX Leadership Team, Staff, Parents, Old Boys Association and P & F.
The Expedition learnings will be used to inform our Reconciliation Action Plan and initiatives into the future along with insights we learned from our work with Cammeraygal Leader Dennis Foley earlier in Term 2.
Get up
Stand up
Show up. NAIDOC Week 2022
St Pius X College 1st XV Rugby Squad Tour to Queensland and NAIDOC inspired Training Camp
During the recent holidays, St Pius X College 1st XV Rugby travelled to Queensland on a NAIDOC week inspired training camp on the Gold Coast preparing to join St Joseph's Gregory Terrace and Nudgee Open XVs for Reconciliation fixtures on the Thursday and Saturday.
Tour highlights featured joining Papua New Guinea’s Hunters Rugby League team in a training session, congratulating them on their win over Fiji last week, as well as PNG National Captain David Mead on his successful career.
Sharing this time allowed our students to reflect on the resilience and dedication of our closest national neighbours, (just 150km across the Torres Strait from Cape York!) and the fact that through the Christian Brothers we are dedicated to improving disability education in PNG. Further the grave of our much revered Old Boy Jacob de Sisto RIP in Bomana War Cemetery has been visited by SPX Kokoda Track Expeditions in 2014, 2016 and 2018 before Covid curtailed our plans in 2020 and 2022!
Thank you to St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace Principal Dr Michael Carroll, Sports Coordinator Tyron Mandrusiak, Dean of Identity Mr Terry Henderson and Campus Minister Nikita Bedwell. Nudgee Principal Mr Peter Fullagar and Opens Rugby Coach Kareem Sedour, PNG Hunters Coach Matt Church, David Mead, S&C coach Moses and the PNG Hunters Coaching staff
Playing St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace two days later in a Reconciliation match we were grateful to Principal Dr Michael Carroll, Dean of Admin Charles Brauer, Dean of Students Damien Cuddihy, Dean of Identity Terry Thompson, and Head of Rugby Tyron Mandrusiak. St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace was one of the original Schools founded by Br Ambrose Treacy who founded 30 schools in as many years across Australia and New Zealand! Terrace celebrate their 150 years in 2025!
Both teams wore their schools’ Reconciliation artwork jerseys and dedicated the match to acknowledging the need for reconciliation with our First Nations peoples, culture and history.
After an appropriate NAIDOC week acknowledgement of country led by Year 8 Terrace student and Campus Minister Nikita Bedwell with SPX 1st XV Captain Ollie Aylmer and honoured guest and friend from our partner school St Mary’s Bowraville : Gumbaynggirr Education officer Mark Smith. Our 1st XV prevailed in a match played in great spirit of connection to country as well as our EREA brothers!
Our Squad concluded their NAIDOC Week training tour/camp in Queensland as playing guests of St Josephs College Nudgee on their Trial matches vs rivals Terrace.
The inclusive hospitality of both EREA schools was fantastic through Nudgee PDHPE teacher Mr Karim Sedour, Sportsmaster Mr Sean Graham and Principal Mr Peter Fullagar. Mr Fullagar generously provided us with a tour of the amazing school, sports and rugby museum.
SPX 1st XV Captain Ollie Aylmer presented Mr Fullagar with an SPX Old Boys tie and 1st XV Ambassador of Reconciliation Jersey, explaining its deeper symbolism, in gratitude.
Mr Fullagar fondly remembers travelling to Sydney as a member of St Lawrence’s Brisbane 1st XV to play St Pius in good spirits during the 1970s! More recently Peter joined SPX Old Boy Peter Milligan as Principal - Deputy of St Edmund's College Canberra.
Simultaneously SPX 1st XV half back Tom Marren thanked retired SPX Principal Br Pat White for attending and supporting the match. Tom’s mum Kate is the youngest of the Munday clan who were stalwarts of the College and OLD Parish community during Pat’s tenure!
For the record Nudgee prevailed 17-22 in a hard fought match before declaring it likely to be the toughest match they play in great spirits this season! An excellent training tour, training with the PNG Hunters, a good win and close loss against strong opposition proving wonderful learning experiences for SPX 1st XV.
It is great for St Pius X students to understand they are a significant part of a bigger story and narrative as they invariably rise to the occasion, standing up for our highest ideals and Touchstones in the best traditions of Edmund Rice education.
Get up
Stand up
Show up for Reconciliation
Thank you to the touring staff who facilitated this experience during their holidays: Sportsmaster Mr Matthew Stearn, 1st XV Coach Mr Mike Cross, 2nd XV Coach Jack Kovacic, PDHPE Coordinator Mr Greg Virgona, ER Ministries Mr Adrian Brannan, St Mary’s Bowraville Language and Culture leader Mr Mark Smith and Sean Brannan.
And thank you to the SPX Old Boys Association and P & F who support this invaluable learning experience for the students and great name of the College.
Fide et Labore
Mr Sean Brannan - Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
Old Boys News
Vale Mrs (Janice) Jenny Sayer nee Tipping
The College was saddened to hear of the passing of Mrs Jenny Sayer whose funeral service was held last Wednesday 13 July in Our Lady of Dolours Church. Mrs Sayer, born and bred in Trangie and Dubbo, was a stalwart of the Parish working tirelessly as a Catechist in local schools for over 30 years and leading the Antioch Youth Group in the 80s and 90s. Survived by her husband Max who is a veteran of Bronte Swimming Club, and many SPX - Mercy Snowy and Budawang hikes of the 1980s. Their son John is an Old Boy (Class of 86) and four daughters Carmel. Jodie, Kylie and Elizabeth attended Mercy CGHS at a time when legendary Christian “Brother Mac” taught Art in the SPX Yard WWII Style Huts for both schools’ senior students as well as contemporaries such as 2004 Archbold Prize Winner Craig Ruddy (also class of ’86) .
RIP Mrs Jenny Sayer
Fide et Labore
Mr Sean Brannan - Old Boys Association