From the Principal

• Prayer 
• A Great Start to the Year
• St Pius X College Welcomes all new Students
• Welcome to our New Staff
• "C Block is Fantastic"
• New Website and App
• Senior School Swimming Carnival - Purton are the champions for 2020!
• Junior School Swimming Carnival - Barron are the champions for 2020!
• You are Invited - P&F Welcome Mass
• Coronavirus Update
• Major Upcoming Events in Term 1
• Tuition Statements for Term 1, 2020

Prayer: 

Strength Through Support

We open hearts and minds, through quality teaching and learning experiences so that through critical reflection and engagement each person is hope-filled and free to build a better world for all.

The statement above is from the EREA Touchstone for Liberating Education and expresses our prayer that all at our College are learners and we pray that 2020 is full of growth, development and learning.

A Great Start to the Year

My congratulations and appreciation to students and staff for the excellent start to the school year. The boys are quickly into routine and they are positive about their learning. I would particularly like to thank all parents for preparing their son for the start of the school year. A good start makes for a great year ahead.

Already within the first week of school we have enjoyed so many educational experiences and activities:

• Induction days at Oxford Falls for all students in Years 5, 6 and 7
• Classes in full operation
• Individual photos for the whole school
• Junior and Senior school swimming carnivals
• Full round of ISA Saturday sports
• Parent Information evenings for Year 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11
• Board and College Leadership Team meeting
• Professional Learning and development for staff in Literacy, Gifted and Talented education and also in Coaching and Mentoring.

It certainly looks like a wonderful year ahead.

St Pius X College welcomes all new students

The first day of school was full of excitement and the energy and enthusiasm of our new students gave a brilliant beginning for the whole school.  I share with you a few snaps from the first days.

Welcome to our New Staff

As mentioned last week, we welcome our new staff members and also congratulate staff who have taken new leadership roles within the College.

Support staff

Mrs Janelle Arena – Canteen Manager (with Mrs Anna Coombs)

Mr Richard Camilleri – Science Laboratory Assistant

Mrs Lisa Sutton – Student Reception (with Mrs Hunt and Mrs Panozzo)

Teaching Staff

Mr Sam Di Sano – RE and History

Mrs Emma Fryar – English

Mr Jim Hartnett – RE and History

Mr Daniel Quilty – English

Ms Leigha Zervakos - RE and HSIE

Mr Paul Taylor - Performing Arts

We also welcome back Mr Lacey and Mr Spedding following leave for all of last year.

New Positions of Responsibility

Mrs Denise Ramsey – Year 9 Coordinator

Mr Greg Virgona – Year 7 Coordinator

Mr Paul Ticli – Year 11 Coordinator

Mr Benn McBrearty – Junior School Sports Master

Mr Simon Yue – Coordinator of Economics, Business Studies, Geography and Commerce

Mr Nate Primrose-Heaney – Ensemble Coordinator

Mr Stephen Cummins – Music Tuition Coordinator

Mr Anthony Timmins – Performing Arts Coordinator (commencing Week 5)

"C Block Is Fantastic!"- Your Building Fund in Action

I have been delighted to receive such positive and appreciative comments from students and staff for the major upgrade of C Block.  I think this will set the standard for all our future school improvements.  Congratulations to the College Board, Mr David Reay (College Facilities Coordinator) and Mr Nick Carson (College Business Manager) and sincere appreciation to the College Maintenance Team.

There were also other significant improvements in the TAS workshops, and painting and scheduled maintenance was carried out throughout the school over the break.

New Website and App

As a part of the College’s commitment to improving communications it has invested in upgrading both the College website and APP for 2020. The new website is now available and provides easier navigation, improved functionality and greater security. The website can be viewed at https://www.spx.nsw.edu.au/

The new APP will be available next week to download via Apple or Google and directions and links will be provided in next week’s Woodchatta.

Senior School Swimming Carnival goes to Purton

Congratulations to Captain Duncan Dingley and all Senior students in Purton House for a stunning carnival yesterday. The lead changed between the Houses through the day and I especially congratulate Year 12 on their leadership of the wonderful participation rate in all events.

Please see the Senior Sports section for more details.

Junior School Swimming Carnival - Stop Press

The Junior School Swimming Carnival was another great day.  Barron are the champions for this year.  Congratulations to all involved and also to the House Captains.

You are Invited!

The Novel Coronavirus

There has been minimal impact on the return of students to school from our recommendations last week regarding the Novel Coronavirus.  There have been no quarantine issues.

If you have any concerns or wish to discuss this further, please contact the Deputy Principal, Mr Mark Casey mcasey@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or call the school on 9411 4733.

Major Upcoming Events in Term 1, 2020

• Junior School Parent/Teacher Meetings Monday 17 February
• Opening School Mass Tuesday 18 February
• P & F Commencement Mass 5.30 pm Saturday 22 February
• Ash Wednesday 26 March
• First P & F Meeting Monday 2 March

Please refer to the 'Upcoming Events' page of this Newsletter for the 2020 College Calendar and Term Dates. 

Mr John Couani - Principal

Tuition Statements for Term 1, 2020

Tuition Statements for Term 1, 2020 were emailed to all families in December.  If you did not receive your statement, please contact the Finance Office urgently at fees@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

Unless you have a payment arrangement in place with the College, payment of Term 1 fees were due Thursday, 30 January.

Mr Nick Carson - Business Manager