Pastoral Care and Old Boys News
- COVID-19 Health Orders - Reminder
- College Uniform and Presentation Checks
- Mission Australia Youth Survey
- Unplugged Psychologist, Brad Marshall
- Olympics Unleashed
- Student Reconciliation Action Plan Team
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders
- Student Leadership Team Elect 2023
- Oliver Costain
- GPs in Schools
- Old Boys News
COVID-19 Health Orders - Reminder
Parents and students are reminded that in accordance with NSW Health Orders, masks remain mandatory on all public transport and are required on our transport to and from school, excursions and also travelling to and from afternoon sport. There have been a number of recent complaints which raise concerns that some students may not be complying with their social responsibilities. Our College’s reputation for enhancing the wellbeing of our community is something we take great pride in.
College Uniform and Presentation Checks
Over the past several weeks homeroom checks by the College Leadership Team have confirmed the positive way in which the overwhelming majority of our students
- present themselves well in their uniform, with blazers, polished shoes and presentable haircuts
- use their diary to support their learning by listing a learning outcome achieved each lesson
- keep their locker and learning equipment in good order
In the context of the recent Celebration of Learning, Trial HSC Examinations, and upcoming Year 11 Examinations it is timely to remind all students of their responsibilities to optimise the learning environment of the school and organise themselves to engage in what EREA Ambassador Miriam Rose Ungunmerr Baumann describes as “Dadirri” or deep listening and engagement for rich learning!
Mission Australia Youth Survey
Students from Year 9 to 11 are being encouraged in Year groups to engage with this important yardstick tool to inform the allocation of resources and priorities for young peoples’ health and wellbeing. The survey takes about 20mins to complete and is de-identified except in cases where responses raise concerns for wellbeing. We look forward to the Mission Australia Survey Report which will support and inform our Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Programs during 2023.
Unplugged Psychologist Brad Marshall Managing Screens for Teens Seminar
With thanks to our Counselling Team and psychologist Mrs Joe McCarthy, we look forward to the seminar from Screens and Gaming specialist psychologist Brad Marshall who presents to our Year 7 and 8 cohorts today, and parents tonight, 10 August. The strategies for managing the contemporary issues around screen overuse and gaming addictions are highly regarded and sought after. Trybooking tickets close today at 3.00 pm but there are several pull outs so please contact Mr Brannan sbrannan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au if you would like to attend.
Olympics Unleashed
With thanks to Year 9 Coordinator Mr Martin Gillogly, we were excited to welcome Rohan Chapman-Davies Australian PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympian who spoke with our Year 9 students during Period 3 today. Our students were inspired by Rohan’s story andaccomplishments.
Student Reconciliation Action Plan Team
Our student Reconciliation Action Plan team were pleased today to welcome EREA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Officer Andrew Kirkpatrick who hails from our Townsville Ignatius Park school. The Student Reconciliation Action Plan Team outlined the symbols and actions of Reconciliation evident in our school including reports from our recent Red Dirt and 1st XV NAIDOC Week Ambassadors of Reconciliation Tour to Queensland.
Mr Kirkpatrick then helped us convene our RAP Meeting using advice from Professor Dennis Foley, Cammeraygal Elder who visited us earlier in May, to develop our Reconciliation Action Plan.
Acknowledgement of Country
Our Student RAP team have been invited to acknowledge country at a meeting of the EREA Liberating Education Team Meeting at St Mary MacKillop Place on Thursday morning as they prepare for the imminent launch of the EREA Learning Statement later this Term.
EREBB
As a lead school in Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders, St Pius X College has been partnered with St Dominic’s (CBC) Welkom in South Africa and we look forward to our Year 9 RE students zooming in to share learning with this school in September and October online meetings.
Year 9 students Lachie Staber, Rob Oner, Jason Jarrett, Orlando Domenici, Jake English, Dylan Murphy, Jeremy Saraceno, Oliver Jurd and Ryan Horan will lead this initiative.
Student Leadership Team Elect 2023
With the announcement of our 2023 Student Leadership Team elect last week preparations now begin for their training an induction camp on 24 – 26 August at Workul Koo where they will develop their Strategic Leadership Plan, and include a visit to St Edmund's Wahroonga or St Edward's Gosford to enhance their understanding of our EREA family.
Over upcoming Friday afternoons the team will engage with the SPX Old Boys' Association Sponsored Speechcraft Presentation Course in preparation for the Student Leadership Investiture on 24 October and include in their schedules a Zoom meeting with St Dominic’s, Welkom, South Africa Student leadership Team in the holidays, at 4.00 pm Wednesday 5 October (8.00 am Welkon time). A meeting with the outgoing Student Leadership Team 2022 will take place on Thursday in Week 7. It is an exciting time for our school and student leaders.
Oliver Costain
Congratulations to Oliver Costain of Year 8 who witnessed an elderly gentleman with a walking frame struggling to negotiate crossing the road on a busy Wednesday morning in the Chatswood CBD. Thoughtfully acting above and beyond the call of duty, Oliver came to the man's assistance and supported him safely through the area. Well done and thank you to the students who supported Oliver in this significant act of kindness which gives us great cause for hope!
GPs in Schools Program
Last but not least I must commend Mr Pawlak and Year 10 students for the way in which they interacted with the GPs in Schools Program last Friday afternoon. The Year 10 students found the program an invaluable learning experience, while the 12 GP’s who interacted with them were so positive and enthused by the way in which the students entered into the program. The feedback and debrief to Mr Couani from Program Facilitator James Carrington was highly complimentary of the College and in particular noted the exceptional esteem in which our Counselling Team, Mr Rick Russo, Pastoral Care Teams and student-led interactive Pastoral Care Programs and anti-bullying interventions are held.
Fide et Labore
Mr Sean Brannan - Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
Old Boys News
Old Boys' Association Annual Dinner
A reminder that the SPX Old Boys Association Annual Dinner will be held on Friday 9 September at the Chatswood Business Club. There are some free seats available for the classes of 2020 and 2021 who missed the previous Dinner, but on a limited basis so please register wherever possible to avoid disappointment.
A Mass or Liturgy in the Christian Brothers Chapel will precede the Dinner for those who would like to join a ceremony of thanksgiving for the 85 Years of the College and the great contributions of retiring staff including Principal Mr John Couani and Business Manager Mr Nick Carson.
Ben John
Thank you to Ben John ( College Dux, class of 2015) who gave the Occasional Address at the College’s Celebration of Learning, Semester 1 Awards, held in Chatswood Concourse Concert Hall today.
It was a fitting celebration of the outstanding learning outcomes achieved by a huge number of students across Years 7-10.
Ben John, who after graduating from Law, worked as an Associate to Justice Fabian Gleeson on the NSW Court of Appeal, and now works with Allens Linklaters Law Firm.
Ben, 2015 recipient of the Old Boys' All Rounder Award, as an outstanding student, sportsman (1st XI Football Captain) and musician, outlined his seven most important lessons from being a student at SPX, to the benefit of the students, parents and school community in attendance. The audience appreciated Ben's message both in person, and online via livestream.
A great day of celebration and learning for the college community!
Dominic Panozzo
Congratulations to Dom Panozzo (Class of '21) who represented Australia in the U/20s World Athletics Championships last week.
It is a great honour to represent Australia and Dom learned much from the invaluable and amazing experience in Columbia!
Vale Roma Marie Cahill
Our condolences to the Cahill family on the passing of Mrs Roma Marie Cahill, mother of Jim, Anthony and Paul all of whom attended St Pius X College in the 1970s. The Cahill family were a part of the lifeblood of the College and Our Lady of Dolours Parish, hailing and supporting its Castle Cove Church and representing the College in so many ways both on and off the Rugby and Cricket fields.
Flynn and Pavely Families
Commiserations to the extended Flynn and Paveley families, and particularly Mrs Trish Pavely and Mr Peter Flynn, who hold the funeral service for their Father / Grandfather this Thursday. Their loss and sadness was tempered slightly by the families' pride in the way in which the boys honour their Grandfather, a stalwart of the family and the “Forest” area. Zach and Will were announced as Rice and Purton House Captains elect this week while Ben, Flynn, and Oliver and Sam (Class of 21) continue to learn, grow and represent their family, and the College, with great distinction.
The College will be represented at the funeral service by Vice Captain Elect 2023, Mitchell McGrath who will lead the students in attendance in school uniform.
Vale Mr Flynn!
Fide et Labore
Mr Sean Brannan - Old Boys Association