Pastoral Care
Year 8 Students enjoying their camp
- Health and Well being of our Community
- Student or Family Illness Reporting
- Year 8 Camp
- Harmony Day / National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence has been postponed
- St Pius X vs Old Boys' Gala Day has been postponed
- Counselling Team
- Boxercise excursion to Balmoral has been cancelled
- After-school study
Student Well-being Anecdotes from the Diary
" Act as though what you do makes a difference. It does."
William James
"The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you."
B B King
Health and Well being of our Community
As we approach Holy Week with an uncertain timeline for the completion of Term 1 classes and the increasing likelihood of online learning taking precedence, the health and well being of every member of our community remains our priority.
To this end we promote the advice laid out in the College’s Off-Campus Learning and Emergency Response Plans informed by advice provided by the government and health authorities in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. In this endeavour we are deeply appreciative of the support of the parent community in managing the developing situation in a calm and considered manner.
In the event of online learning being directed for students, please continue to supervise your son’s learning and wellbeing in communication and cooperation with the College and teachers. Encouraging regular breaks from screen time, positive interactions with others, and some form of exercise and physical activity outlets, without the breaching of isolation directives, should be maintained. Students are not to congregate in groups.
Each individual will react differently to the uncertainty of current events, and may experience feelings of uncertainty, concern and maybe anxious in different ways.
To support your son, you may wish to refer to the Headspace link below which outlines ways in which we can holistically support our young people’s physical and emotional health at this time:
The College Counselling and Wellbeing Teams including Year Coordinators, Pastoral Care and Support Staff are also available to support your sons at this time, both in person and online should the need arise.
No doubt there will be challenging times ahead and it is important that we both support one another, as well as reach out and / or refer others for help when required.
Our Well being team consists of Counsellors: Joe McCarthy, Judy Gill, Rick Russo, Year Coordinators Donna Janes, Paul Ticli, Mark Pawlak, Denise Ramsey, Phil Stollery, Greg Virgona and Senior Studies Coordinator Bernard Batchelor, Year 12 Student Empowerment Team Leader Veronica Bamber and Pastoral Care teachers.
Student or Family Illness Reporting
Please continue to communicate any student illness or absences from the learning environment by contacting the College Student Management Office: studentmanagement@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au. In this vein also please feel free to communicate concerns among close contacts around your son and family, so that we can continue to keep the context and well being of your son and the community at large in mind.
Year 8 Camp
Congratulations to our Year 8 cohort and their Pastoral Care staff led by Mr Phil Stollery who participated enthusiastically in the Great Aussie Bush camp at Karuah - Tea Gardens last week. The Thursday Adventurous Journey featuring a bush walk from Hawks Nest Ocean Beach to the Myall River Campsite and return canoe trip down the Myall River was the highlight followed closely by Spotlight and the High Ropes course.
I commend in particular our three ISA Swimming representatives Nicholas Gladen, Bohan Johnson and Spencer Anderson who competed with distinction at Wednesday's carnival before travelling to catch up with the Year group.
I thank also the staff: Mr Stollery, Ms Doyle, Ms Casamento, Ms Fryar, Mr Cogan, Mr Anderson, Mr Lynch Mr D Quilty, Mr Gibson and Mr Kennedy who facilitated this invaluable experience in the students’ pastoral development.
Harmony Day - National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence Assembly
Unfortunately with the directives not to hold large assemblies of people at this time our Assembly Celebration this Friday has been postponed. While our Student leaders; Wellbeing and Cultural Prefects and Year 11 Student Wellbeing Empowerment Team are planning some smaller group activities to raise awareness and celebrate these themes, certainly our guests, Mindy Gibbs Aboriginal Education Officer from Goodooga Central School, Thelma Parker AEO for EREA and Sofie Tobin Mercy College Vice Captain will be unable to join Boxercise leader Harry Morton and Year 7 student Liam Gallagher in the Assembly panel which was to discuss the important ideals and concepts behind maintaining a flourishing, respectful harmonious community.
St Pius Students vs Old Boys Gala Day
Due to the directives not to hold events such as this, our St Pius vs Old Boys Gala day has been postponed until further notice.
Fide et Labore
Mr Sean Brannan - Assistant Principal Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
Counselling Team
The Counselling Team is available to provide confidential emotional and social support and guidance for your son and family throughout the year. The College Counselling team consists of:
Mr Rick Russo
Counsellor (Full time Monday to Friday) working with students across all year groups.
Email: rrusso@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414-4359
Ms Joe McCarthy
Psychologist (2 days per week: Tuesday and Thursday) working with students across all year groups.
Email: jmccarthy@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414-4322
Mrs Judy Gill
Psychologist (2 days per week: Monday and Wednesday) working with student across all year groups.
Email: jgill@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414-4315
Boxercise
CANCELLED: Rescheduled Annual Celebration for Boxercise participants
Unfortunately we have had to cancel the Boxercise excursion to Balmoral. We are looking at rescheduling it again in Term 4.
Mr Rick Russo - Counsellor
After School Study
After school study is currently cancelled for Years 5 to 11. Year 12 Senior Study groups will continue after school.