From the Principal

- Reflection
- The Importance of Term 3
- Blessed Edmund Rice Icon
- Red Dirt Immersion
- Senior Rugby Tour to Brisbane
- P&F Thank You Breakfast
- Term 3 Staffing
- Rugby Club Dinner
- Football Club Annual Cocktail Evening
- Celebrating NAIDOC Week
- Positions Vacant - Canteen Assistant and Maintenance Officer
Reflection
The Parable of the Sower
Mt 13: 3-9
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Listen anyone who has ears.”
The Gospel reading from last Sunday’s mass, reflects on the Parable of the Sower. In the above shorten version, we do not receive the fuller meaning of the parable. But if you read the extended version, Jesus helps explain the parable to his disciples.
The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heartsand turn, and I would heal them.’
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
So, the questions remain for us: Do you really listen when the word of God is proclaimed at Mass? Do we allow the word of God to take root in our own hearts and yield a rich harvest? If we become more authentic listeners at Mass, we will learn to listen also to the many voices that cry out in the midst of our busy lives – the voices of children, of our parents, of our spouses, of those who truly need us to hear them.
The importance of Term 3
Upon students' return yesterday, I shared with staff and students the importance of realigning individual goals for Term 3 so that each individual can have a successful term. But how will a person’s success be measured? I believe that by being the best version of oneself in all aspects of College life through their academic endeavours; their relationships with their parents, their teachers, their peers or just being a genuinely good person, each individual can measure their own success. It is the responsibility of everyone to continue with their academic, spiritual and personal growth. The College is committed to supporting each student but they need to be the committed to their own improvement and therefore their own success. I pray that all our students find their success throughout Term 3.
Blessed Edmund Rice Icon
The icon provides all Edmund Rice communities an insight into the person who was Blessed Edmund Rice.
The Gallows
During the early nineteenth century, prisons were miserable and crowded and the death sentence was frequently handed down for relatively trivial offences. It became the established practice for Christian Brothers to visit prisoners in Waterford, and later in Dublin and other centres, and to accompany the condemned to the gallows. Here, a young man, his hands fettered behind his back, is being comforted, as he is about to mount the steps to the gallows. (It might be one of Edmund’s former pupils.) There is a prison building and a river flowing, as it were, into the sky.
Blessed Edmund Rice saying: ‘Give to the poor in handfuls’
Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us
St Pius X - Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!
Red Dirt Immersion
On Sunday 25 June, 40 young people from St Pus X College set out on a very cold Sunday morning for an immersion experience to Coonabarabran, Baradine, Coonamble, Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke and Dubbo. Throughout this wonderful immersion the students shared their experiences with students from Mater Maria, Christian Brothers High School Lewisham and Brigidine Catholic College, St Ives. From all reports the experience was truly amazing for all participants. Thanks must go to our wonderful staff Mr Phil Stollery, Mr Fernando Mendez, Mr Paul Cummins and Mr Anesh Naidoo who gave of their time to support our students experience the beautiful First Nations communities of Northwest New South Wales. Special thanks must go to Mr Sean Brannan who continually supports the college's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) by providing these engaging and meaningful experiences. A heartfelt thank you to all our staff and students.
Senior Rugby Tour to Brisbane
During the middle week of the holidays (July 3 – 8) The Senior Rugby Team travelled to Brisbane for the annual Rugby Tour. The team played two games against fellow Edmund Rice Schools – St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace on Tuesday 6 July winning 38 -12 followed by a 7 – 7 draw with Nudge College on Saturday 8 July.
The comments from Mr Stearn and all teachers who attended were highly complimentary of all the players. The boys played with great intensity while always respecting the opposition, even under some difficult circumstances. Congratulations to all the young men who advocated the values of the College through their interaction with the opposition and the staff.
I am positive that there were many highlights, such as the MasterChef evening lead by Mr Gates, cultural artwork, and day at Byron Bay, but I truly believe that the opportunity to wear the indigenous jersey would definitely be a highlight for the touring team.
I would like to thank Mr Matt Stearn for his organisation and commitment to the tour and to the development of our young men not only in the sporting domain but also in becoming responsible citizens within our community. Thank you also to Mr Sean Brannan, Mr Justin Gates, Mr Mark Smith (Indigenous Officer) and Mr Adrian Brannan for supporting Mr Stearn and all the players in this wonderful experience.
P&F Thank You Breakfast
Early on Monday morning the staff were treated to a wonderful breakfast of cereals, muffins and hot food along with a coffee cart prepared by the P&F. The breakfast is a yearly tradition and is an opportunity for the parent community to thank the staff for their continued hard work and dedication.
On behalf of the Pius staff I would like to thank the P&F for this event. Comments from staff during the morning were glowing.
Term 3 Staffing
As we commence Term 3, I would like to welcome the staff who are commencing their journey with St Pius X College:
- Mr Daniel Petrie, Assistant Principal: Mission and Identity
- Mr Darian Johns, our new Music teacher
- Mr Rob McEnallay joins the PDHPE department
- Mr Nicholas Westhoff joins our Library staff as well as our English Department
- Mx Luke Fromager, Apprentice Greenkeeper at Oxford Falls
- Ms Danielle Winning, Senior Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Mr Lucas Lung, Casual Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Mr Brett Kaplan, Casual Strength & Conditioning Coach
On behalf of the College community, I would like to wish the following staff every success in their new positions:
- Ms Stefania Taddio (Baguley), Acting Assistant English Coordinator
- Mr Jack Kovacic, Year 7 Pastoral Coordinator for Semester 2 (Commencing from Week 3)
- Mr Ben Ryan will be acting for Mr Kovacic for Weeks 1 and 2
The College would also like to welcome back Mr Mark Pawlak from his Long Service Leave. Mr Pawlak looks well refreshed and looking forward to re-engaging with the Year 10 cohort.
Rugby Club Gala Dinner
On Saturday 22 July, the Rugby Club will hold their annual dinner. I am looking forward to an evening of fun and hopefully we can raise significant money for our rugby program. Thank you to the Rugby Club committee for their organisation of this fundraising event. Ticket sales close today for this event. For more information and to purchase tickets please see the Senior School sports page or the Junior School News page of this Woodchatta.
Football Club Annual Social Cocktail Night
I also look forward to joining our Football Club for their Annual Social Cocktail Night on Saturday 29 July at the Greengate Hotel.
For more information and to purchase tickets please see the Senior School sports page or the Junior School News page of this Woodchatta.
Celebrating NADOIC Week (2 – 9 July)
During the holidays, the wider community celebrated NADOIC WEEK. The theme for 2023 was For the Elders. Below is an extract from the NADOIC Week website explaining the theme:
“Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones.
Our loved ones who pick us up in our low moments and celebrate us in our high ones. Who cook us a feed to comfort us and pull us into line, when we need them too. They guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths we can take today. Guidance, not only through generations of advocacy and activism, but in everyday life and how to place ourselves in the world.
We draw strength from their knowledge and experience, in everything from land management, cultural knowledge to justice and human rights. Across multiple sectors like health, education, the arts, politics and everything in between, they have set the many courses we follow.
The struggles of our Elders help to move us forward today. The equality we continue to fight for is found in their fight. Their tenacity and strength has carried the survival of our people.
It is their influence and through their learnings that we must ensure that when it comes to future decision making for our people, there is nothing about us - without us.
We pay our respects to the Elders we’ve lost and to those who continue fighting for us across all our Nations and we pay homage to them”.
Let us pray for our Aboriginal brothers and sisters, asking God to bless our Indigenous races with new hope ...
Father of all, You gave our Aboriginal People the Dreaming
You have spoken to them through their beliefs,
You then made your love clear to them in the person of Jesus.
We thank you for your care of these people.
You own them. You are their hope.
Make them strong as they face the problems of change
We ask you to help us, the people of Australia,
To listen to them and respect their culture.
Make the knowledge of you grow strong in all people
So that you can be at home in all of us,
And so that we can make a home for everyone in our land.
Amen
Positions Vacant – Maintenance Officer and Canteen Assistant
The College is currently looking to recruit to the positions of Maintenance Officer and Canteen Assistant. Please see further details below.
Position: Canteen Assistant – Monday to Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Reporting to: Canteen Manager
Commencing: As soon as possible
The College requires a Canteen Assistant. This position involves general assistance in the canteen four days per week (Monday – Thursday) working between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Please see the role description for more information.
Please apply by completing the online application form
https://spxchatswood.formstack.com/forms/administration_ict_finance_canteen_maintenance_and_grounds_staff_application and providing the following information by upload as soon as possible.
- Letter of application
- CV
- Copies of qualifications
- The names and contact details of 3 Referees
Please direct any enquiries to:
Mrs Janelle Arena or Mrs Anna Coombs
T: (02) 9411 4733
E: canteen.team@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Position: Maintenance Officer – full time or part time position
Reporting to: Head of Maintenance
Commencing: As soon as possible
The College requires a Maintenance Officer to join its Maintenance team. This position involves general maintenance including the overall maintenance and repair of equipment, rooms and grounds, ensuring that equipment is functional and adhering to WHS guidelines.
Experience in property maintenance and ground keeping are essential. Good communication skills are also required. WHS qualifications, a current CPR/First Aid Certificate, a Heavy Rigid Vehicle driver’s licence and trade qualifications (specifically plumbing) are advantageous. Start date is negotiable.
Please apply by completing the online application form
https://spxchatswood.formstack.com/forms/administration_ict_finance_maintenance_and_grounds_staff_application and providing the following information by upload as soon as possible
- Letter of application
- CV
- Copies of qualifications
- The names and contact details of 3 Referees
Please direct any enquiries to:
Mr David Reay (Facilities and Resources Coordinator)
T: (02) 9411 4733
Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever
Mr Michael Ronchetti - Principal