From the Principal

• Reflection 
• Edmund Rice Beyond Borders (EREBB) Congress
• Thank you and farewell Mr Mulheron
• Staffing News
• Year 11 Reports
• Mother's Day Liturgy (belated thank you)
• 2025 Enrolment Interviews

Reflection

The Easter period concludes with the celebration of The Ascension of our Lord (last Sunday) and Pentecost Sunday.  We spend significant time commemorating before Easter but as soon as Easter Sunday is over, we revert to our normal lives without truly reflecting on the whole Easter period.  Saint Augustine shares his perspective about this time when he states: 

'The season before Easter signifies the troubles in which we live here and now, while the time after Easter which we are celebrating at present 

signifies the happiness that will be ours in the future. 

What we commemorate before Easter is what we experience in this life; 

what we celebrate after Easter points to something we do not yet possess.' 

This period after the resurrection should be filled with the Holy Spirit and the hope that the Spirit brings.  It is a hope that transcends our current situation, filling the vacuum that exists within our lives, looking for the hope of something better. St Maximus of Turin in the 5th Century wrote, “His Holy Spirit has unlocked the doors of heaven.” The Holy Spirit is our advocate.  We need to allow the Spirit room in our lives so that we can renew our HOPE, as we seek happiness and peace in a world that can be challenging.

During the month of May, we are reminded of the life of Mary, our heavenly mother.  Mary was challenged to remain a faithful witness to the message of Christ, and it was her faith in Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit, that inspired her to proclaim the good news.  Let us live Jesus in our hearts as we follow in the footsteps of Mary, our Divine mother.

The Feast of Mary Help of Christians became as special feast day for the Christian Brothers who were encouraged by Blessed Edmund Rice in 1816 'to offer special prayers to Mary Help of Christians'.  Since this time Mary has been a significant figure in the lives of the Christian Brothers.  Let us pray to Mary Help of Christians to help and guide us during times of need. 

Feast of Mary Help of Christians

Mary Help of Christians patroness of Australia  (Feast Day: 24 May)

Almighty God, deepen in our hearts our love of Mary Help of Christians. 

Through her prayers and under her protection, 

may the light of Christ shine over our land. 

May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace. 

Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens. 

Bless especially the men and women of the Australian Defence Force and their families. 

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.  

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us

Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us

St Pius X - Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!

Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders (EREBB) Congress

Over the past three weeks, I have been blessed with the opportunity to experience some amazing encounters with people from all over the world and walk in the footsteps of Edmund Rice.  In next week's edition of Woodchatta I will share elements of these experiences with the community.

I would like to thank to Mr Sean Brannan and Mr Wayne Wheatley for taking on additional responsibilities in the leadership of the College.  A special thanks to Mr Mark Casey for his leadership of the College during my absence. It was reassuring to know that these excellent leaders were leading our great College.

I look forward to sharing with the community my experience of the EREBB Congress and my visit to Lourdes and the United Nations in Geneva next week.

Thank you and Farewell Mr Mulheron

Mr Nathan Mulheron, Assistant Principal Mission and Identity, has accepted a leadership position at One School Global.  Mr Mulheron has been a member of the College for the past 4 years and during this time he has been instrumental in the development of our identity as an Edmund Rice school and in the spiritual and faith formation of both staff and students. 

His generosity, care, commitment and dedication to the staff and students has been remarkable.  Mr Mulheron has been inspirational in supporting not only the students and their families, but also all the staff who rely on his expertise in promoting the spiritual and faith dimension of the College. 

Mr Mulheron has also been a dedicated supporter of the College’s cocurricular programme where he has guided numerous teams throughout his time at the College.  On behalf of the College, I would like to sincerely thank Mr Mulheron for being a loyal and faithful servant of St Pius X College.  May God protect and guide Mr Mulheron and his family in his future endeavour.

Staffing News

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Anthony Tassone to the College.  Mr Tassone will be teaching in the HSIE department.  May his time at the College be fruitful and filled with great memories. 

Year 11 Reports

This afternoon, the Year 11 Reports are being issued to acknowledge, reward and provide encouragement for the important studies of our Year 11 students. The coming Year 11 Parent/Teacher/Students Interviews, online from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm next Monday 29 May, will provide great feedback and help in the ongoing studies of our Year 11 students. A reminder that the Year 11 students will be departing from the College at the end of Period 5, (at 2:22 pm) next Monday to enable them to be home in time for their interviews online.

Mother’s Day Liturgy – belated thank you

Just a note of thanks to everyone who supported Mr Casey and Mr Mulheron in celebrating Mother’s Day.  The reports back to me have been extremely complimentary. I am very disappointed that I missed this celebration, but I look forward to celebrating many more such celebrations with the community.  I hope all mothers and grandmothers had a great day.

2025 Enrolment Interviews

Over the next two weeks, members of the College staff will interview applicants for 2025.  Letters of offer will be emailed to all the successful applicants by the end of the term.  Unfortunately, the number of applicants exceeds the number of offers possible therefore several families will be placed on a waiting list.  Thank you to all families who have applied and we look forward to our future partnership with the successful applicants.

Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever

Mr Michael Ronchetti - Principal