Pastoral Care

From the Assistant Principal Pastoral Care

• Pastoral Care and Social Justice July Expedition
• House Vice Captains
• Old Boys Gala Match Trophies
• Vale Daphne Dunne
• Old Boys News

Pastoral Care and Social Justice July Expedition

St Pius X College Coonabarabran, Walgett and Bourke Pastoral Care and Social Justice July Expedition

Preparations continue for the July Pastoral Care Expedition when a team of our students will consolidate our links and connections with the schools and partnerships we have developed in rural, remote and indigenous Australia.

The expedition will take place on the first week of our (Saturday Sport Playing Schools) July holidays when the Schools we will visit are still in term time. We aim to depart Chatswood very early (5.30am) on Sunday 30 June and return mid afternoon on Saturday 6 July .

Given the rich learning, social justice, and cultural activities planned on this expedition, Community Involvement (CIP) Hours required by Year 10 and 11 students who participate will be completed on the expedition. 

The evolving itinerary includes:

• A tour of Siding Springs Observatory Australian Astronomical Telescope Coonabarabran;
• A guided tour of the Piliga Scrubs Sandstone Caves, Dandry George Archaeological sites, Sculptures in the Scrub Reconciliation artwork, and Baradine Local Area Land Council Centre and NPWS Discovery Centre;
• A visit to Coonabarabran High and St Lawrence’s Catholic Primary School to take reading, literacy and numeracy group lessons;
• Walking the Warrumbungles iconic Grand High Tops hike, taking in the Breadknife Igneous Rock Structure and Warrumbungles NPWS Visitors Centre;
• A visit to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Walgett to take reading, literacy and numeracy group lessons and sports afternoon;
• A guided tour of Brewarina Fish Traps which is reportedly one of the oldest in situ archeologic structures in the world;
•  A visit to St Ignatius’ Catholic Primary School Bourke to take reading, literacy and numeracy group lessons and sports day;
• Outdoor Mass in the desert;
• A visit and bike ride around Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.

High school students, especially those in Years 10 and 11, are welcome to register an Expression of Interest this term with Mr Brannan, Mr Mulheron, Mr Balboa, Mr Quinn or Ms Spanyik.   Permissions and confirmations will be required in mid Term 2.

House Vice Captains

At last Friday Sports Assembly the recently appointed House Vice Captains were presented to their House Captains and Mr Couani.

Congratulations to this group of House Leaders who have been recognised by their peers and staff of the College and charged with the responsibility of representing and leading their House Teams in diverse activities including those contributing to the House Cup competition administered by College Vice Captains, Nic McLachan and Luke Forwood.

Members of this group will represent us at the upcoming ANZAC Day commemoration ceremonies including:

• RSL and Schools Remember Commemoration, ANZAC Memorial Hyde Park Tuesday 9 April at 11.00am.
• ANZAC Day Dawn Service at 5.00am Chatswood Garden of Remembrance and 7.00am at Club Willoughby, Crabbes St Willoughby. Members of the wider school community are encouraged to attend these local ceremonies if practical.
• Indigenous Service Men and Women's Commemoration Ceremony Friday 31 May at ANZAC Memorial Hyde Park at 11.00am.

Old Boys Gala Match Trophies

The culmination of the Old Boys vs Senior students matches completed last weekend were celebrated at last Friday's sports assembly. Mr Quilty’s 1st XI were presented with the much coveted 1st XI Trophy after defeating the star-studded Old Boy’s XI 5-3 on penalties after an exciting 3-3 draw in regulation time.

With the Touch drawn 10 – 10 and Basketball going to the Old Boys V earlier in the Term, the aggregate shield was shared and presented to someone who has taught a great percentage of Old Boys in recent history:  Year 5 Teaching stalwart Mr Terry Patterson! 

Vale Daphne Dunne

The St Pius X College Community was saddened to hear this week of the passing of Mrs Daphne Dunne who we regularly connected with at ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day Commemorations at the Chatswood Garden of Remembrance.

Mrs Dunne’s husband was a local Willoughby boy, Lt Albert Chowne VC MM, who was posthumously awarded the highest Australian Military award for valour, the Victoria Cross, for his actions on March 25 1945 in Papua New Guinea. The Hall at Willoughby Park is named in his honour.

Mrs Dunne also served in World War II and was a big fan of the Royal Family, and particularly Prince Harry who often spoke with her on his Royal visits to Sydney where her wearing of the Victoria Cross medal drew his attention.

Aged 99 Mrs Dunne is survived by her family, including her daughter who often photographed our students chatting with Mrs Dunne after the local commemoration ceremonies. Sadly this hardened but compassionate generation of Australians, who survived both the Great Depression and Wars, are slowly passing from our communities, Daphne Dunne being one of the last remaining. We keep her and her family in our prayers as we reflect on their selfless sacrifices and contributions with profound respect and gratitude.

Lest we forget.

Old Boys' News

The Old Boys' Dinner will be held on Friday 13 September.  The AGM is upcoming soon with details to be confirmed.

Please feel free to assist on the Old Boys' BBQ any given Saturday, and stay tuned for our Orchard Tavern get together in Term 4.

Fide et Labore

Mr Sean Brannan - Assistant Principal Pastoral Care