Pastoral Care & Old Boys' News
- Year 5 Kokoda Walkway Excursion
- Year 11 Student Leadership Team Speechcraft Graduation
- Student Diary Feedback
- Buddies Beachwalk
- St Anthony in the Fields 'Weeding with a Will'
- Year 9 Ceroc Dance Workshop
- Old Boys' News
Year 5 Kokoda Walkway Excursion
After researching the histories of our Servicemen and Servicewomen, Year 5 students attended the Concord Hospital Kokoda Memorial on Tuesday. Hearing the accounts of Kokoda veterans such as Reg Chard, who is a 99 year old veteran of the 55th Battalion, who was seconded by Maj Gen “Tubby Allen” to the 2/33rd Bn was truly inspirational for our students. After we hiked the Track in 2014, 2016 and 2018, 2/33rd Bn has lent their motto “Strike Hard” and Griffin symbol to our Cricket program, with our 1st XI Best and Fairest player receiving the “Strike Hard” award.
In the Ralph Honner Education Centre, Year 5 students: Rory Rapa, Charlie Wilcox and Jack Munro recounted the stories of veterans Ralph Honner, Bede Tongs and Jacob de Sisto who they had researched for the benefit of the students and veterans in attendance. While our class captains, led by 5 Red’s Javien Foo, laid the wreaths at the memorial cenotaph. With the 80th Anniversary of Kokoda Day commemorated just last week on 3 November, it was a timely and rich learning experience for all involved.
We look forward to Rory Rapa representing the College through his powerful address at the Chatswood RSL Garden of Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, Jack Munro and Charlie Wilcox will lay the wreath with our Vice Captains, and then to Year 5 interviewing and listening to story from Mrs Maria Barrett during Period 4. Mrs Barrett is the sole surviving sister of Jacob de Sisto, Old Boy of the College KIA on Bougainville on 18 December 1944!
Lest we forget.
Year 11 Student Leadership Team Speechcraft Graduation
Monday evening saw the celebration dinner for our Student Leadership Team who practised their Speechcraft Presentation skills in front of a tough dinner audience of their parents, Mr Couani, Mr Ticli, Speechcraft Facilitator, Ms Valerie Holland, and Old Boys' Association representatives of President Mr Jeff Clarke (Class of '86) and Mr David Bullard (Class of '82). The Old Boys' Association has sponsored the 3 month long Speechcraft Course presented by Ms Holland. It was great to gather the Student Leadership Team and their parents together to demonstrate their learning and practice for the lifelong tenure of community leadership ahead of them.
Student Diary Feedback
At this stage of Term 4, progress is well underway in development of the 2023 Student Diaries and any final suggestions from students, staff and parents are invited for consideration. A recent EREA audit has requested that both our student Code of Conduct, and Acceptable Use of IT protocols, continue to be included and signed off by students and parents. Equally we would like to ensure student voice, efficacy and representation are evident in the diary so please take this opportunity to suggest how student learning can be better supported using the diary to: sbrannan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Buddies Peer Mentoring Beachwalk Friday 25 November
Please note for your information that our Annual Buddies Beachwalk will take place following the Founder's Day Festival. Please contact Mr Brannan, Mr Ticli, Mr Stollery, Ms Gill, Ms McCarthy or Mr Russo for further information regarding transport from Oxford Falls to Long Reef Headland for the walk to Dee Why Beach and good company, games and/or supervised swim in the flags there.
Terrey Hills, St Anthony in the Fields, Frenchs Forest Parish “Weeding with a Will” this Sunday 13/11
The clean up of Kieran’s Creek Northern Beaches Cammeraygal pathway to the Cowan continues this Sunday, 13 November, with the St Anthony’s Social Justice “Laudato Si” group inviting students from Brigidine, Mater Maria, Monte and St Pius to consolidate their work from earlier in the year. The session follows Parish Mass and will take place from 11.00 am – 1.00 pm followed by a BBQ. See Mr Brannan for details, to RSVP for catering purposes and to join Andre Mury and his team this Sunday at 46 Myoora Rd Terrey Hills.
Year 9 Ceroc Dance Workshop with Brigidine College Friday 18 November
Year 9 students will be receiving information over the next week but will wear full correct sports uniform, and bring their lunch and recess for the day (No canteen facilities available) as we host Brigidine College at Oxford Falls. See Mr Brannan if you would like to be included in the welcoming, prayer, acknowledgement of country and compliance responsibilities and duties.
Old Boys' News
Congratulations to Ex Student, Matt Connellan, Class of 2008
Congratulations to former student Matt Connellan (Class of '08) who is a reporter for SBS. He has been appointed SBS’ reporter on location in Doha for the channel’s coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Matt was an excellent footballer in his time at the College, playing for the 2nd XI Football Team. He has visited the College on many occasions, the last being in 2020 when he interviewed Year 12 students for an SBS story on University fees. Congratulations Matt, we look forward to your reports as the competition unfolds in November.
Fide et Labore
Mr Sean Brannan - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity