Mission & Identity

• Year 12 Retreats
• Year 8 - Daffodil Day
• SPX says Thank You to Willowood
• Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass - Sunday 22 September

Year 12 Retreats

The idea of a retreat is born from the need to remove oneself from their everyday surroundings for the opportunity to reflect, regroup and revitalise. It was the perfect opportunity for our Year 12 students, given that they had just finished the rigors of the Trial HSC and are close to the end of their secondary schooling here at St Pius X College.

Our young men had the opportunity to select the retreat experience that best suited their needs and personality, from a bush retreat at Tallows Beach to a beach side retreat at Terrigal, or a more traditional retreat on the outskirts of Sydney at Mulgoa. Each retreat gave Year 12 ample time to be with friends, reflect upon their time at the College, including their own faith journey, as well as consider their lives as St Pius X College Old Boys and where they see themselves making a difference in the world.

Mulgoa Retreat  

The Year 12 Retreat at Mulgoa gave the students a real connection to the Christian Brothers, given that it is the site used for the novitiate of the brothers here in Australia. It is now the home of many retired brothers, including former staff of St. Pius. As stated above, the retreat was designed to allow for student reflection, as well as a time to regroup and reassess their lives after the Trial HSC. There was plenty of down time over a friendly game of: pool, table tennis, basketball or tennis. The more formal activities gave students an insight into listening to others as well as themselves. Year 12 reflected upon their learning in the area of Social Justice in their time at St. Pius, they heard of the many wonderful works that St. Pius Old Boys complete given the values instilled in them at the time at the College as well as had time to consider how they in their chosen field could use their abilities to make a difference guided by: compassion, kindness and mercy.

The retreat culminated in a closing communion service where the students were commissioned, just as the disciples, to go out into the world to be the best versions of themselves. A special thankyou to the staff including Ms Donna Janes, Mr Adrian Brannan, Mr Ross Masters, Mr Alex Listo, Mrs Lisa Guerrera, Mrs Joanne Schuster and Mr Bernard Batchelor.

Mr Nathan Mulheron

Tallow Beach Retreat

The Tallow Beach bush retreat is an alternative remote location retreat that is offered to our Year 12 students. Tallow Beach is located in Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast and this year marked the 30th anniversary of this retreat being on the College calendar.

Three staff members and 22 students were transported to Palm Beach and then caught the ferry to Wagstaff.  From Wagstaff they walked into Tallow Beach where they set up camp for the next three days. Bushwalking, beach activities, quiet time, meditation and self-reflection were all incorporated into the retreat program. Cooking of meals were also a group activity as was the making of two cheesecakes, a highlight on the first night.

Father Jim joined the group on the first day and stayed for the whole experience. Father offered his own insights and shared his experiences with the boys. He offered Reconciliation and led a Bush Mass with the echo of ancient words and the College Song resonating through the bush.

A very big thank you to Father Jim for his time and spiritual presence, the staff - Ms Kugananthan, Mr Stearn and Mr de Silva - and to the boys for their enthusiasm, involvement and active participation.

Mr Paul de Silva

Terrigal Retreat

Fantastic weather, big ocean swells and fresh winter breezes set the scene for our annual Year 12 retreat at “Workul Koo” (One God). The two nights and three days were well utilised by the two separate groups of 25 Year 12 students, allowing the young men some rest and reflection time to consider their future in the spiritual domain and how they might apply the Edmund Rice Touchstones in their life beyond school.

The boys were reflective and reserved after their Trial HSC and kept open minds for the regular sessions we had on “Key issues facing young men” and becoming a good man for others.  Whole group plenary sessions, small group work and moments for private contemplation allowed the boys to work through the  various topics of our theme, Go Make A Difference, and plenty of reflective time on personal character strengths plus time with friends seemed to refresh the boys' spirits. Fr Paul Finnucane, well known to the College, celebrated Eucharist with the two groups and the Mass was a wonderful way to finish the three days.

It was judged by all involved as enjoyable and significant. Thank you to staff members Mr Quilty, Mr Casey, Mr S Brannan, Mr Mendez, Mr Ticli and Mr Olson.

Mr Paul Ticli and Mr Jim Olson

Year 8 - Daffodil Day

On Friday 23 September Mr Ticli’s Year 8 Religion class represented the College at Chatswood Mall, acting as volunteer ambassadors for Daffodil Day. Run by the Cancer Council in commemoration of World Cancer Awareness Day, the event gave the students a chance to showcase their entrepreneurial skills, spruiking and selling fresh daffodils and other merchandise. Thank you to Mr Adrian Brannan for his behind-the-scenes work in organising the event.

SPX says Thank You to Willowood

Last Monday, James Baldock of Year 10 addressed the School Assembly and shared his experiences on volunteering at the Willowood Centre as part of the SPX Community Involvement Program. This also gave our Willowood volunteers an opportunity to thank the nursing home’s residents, who hosted our students in celebration of the International Day of the Youth.

Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass

Sunday 22 September

The next Student Mass is on Sunday 22 September at 5.30pm, followed by a BBQ and Social Activities from 6:30 – 8:00pm.

This Mass will be dedicated to our HSC students and we will be praying for the peace of mind and success of our senior students.

If you would like to be involved see Mr Adrian Brannan - the Parish would love to welcome you and help you participate in and celebrate your faith with your mates.

Mr Adrian Brannan - Youth Ministry Coordinator

Phone:  0414 826 326 or email: abrannan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au