St Pius X College Newsletter

Pastoral Care 

  • Chatswood RSL Garden of Remembrance Commemoration
  • Buddies Beachwalk
  • Year 7 2023 Orientation Day
  • Year 9 Ceroc Dance Workshop
  • Year 7 Handball Competition
  • St Anthony's in the Fields 60th Anniversary

Chatswood RSL Garden of Remembrance Day Commemoration

We continue to receive incredibly positive feedback on the Remembrance Day Occasional Address given by Year 5 student Rory Rapa in the Chatswood Rose Garden of Remembrance at 11.00 am last Friday. Rory recounted the story of Kokoda Hero Lt Col Ralph Honner whose son John commissioned our SPX Kokoda Track Expedition and Immersion when he visited St Pius in 2016.

Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor, State MP Tim James, RSL Sub Branch President Barney Flanagan, Chatswood RSL President Garry Owen and Deputy Craig Murray, Fr David Ranson, Mercy Principal Mrs Brenda Timp and the many members of the gathered community were effusive in their admiration of Rory’s address. MC Craig Murray announced to the crowd. “Our future is in great hands!”

Mayor Taylor wrote: "Young Rory, a Year 5 student from local school St Pius X College Chatswood, delivered an amazing speech reflecting on the life and service of Lieutenant Colonel Hyacinth Ralph Honner, a distinguished Australian soldier who served during the Second World War. Rory’s address was so beautifully executed - both in prose and delivery. We are safe in the hands of young leaders such as Rory who will continue to express gratitude and respect for those who have served." 

Thank you to Prefect Xander Buckingham and Year 5 students Jack Munro, Charlie Wilcox and Harry Surplice who proudly represented the College in laying the wreath at this important Commemoration Service. 

Later in the day, after attending our College Remembrance Day Ceremony, Year 5 were visited by Mrs Maria Barrett (nee De Sisto), the sole surviving sister of 1937 Old Boy Jacob de Sisto KIA on Bougainville on 18 December 1944 while attacking a Japanese machine gun post. Mrs Barrett was deeply moved by Jack Munro’s (Year 5) account of her brother and family and expressed her appreciation of the way in which the College commemorates the story and sacrifice made by her brother and Australian family of Italian descent under the shadow of the tragedy of war.

Lest we forget. 

We will remember them.

Buddies Beachwalk for Year 5, 6, 7 and 10 and 11 Peer Mentors - Friday 25 November

After the conclusion of the Annual Founder's Day Festival at Oxford Falls on Friday 25 November, our Peer Mentor Program participants will travel with their buddies straight from Oxford Falls to Long Reef Beach and walk the length of Dee Why Beach before afternoon tea and a swim at Dee Why Surf Club. Please link up with your buddy and collect a note from Mr Brannan, Mr Russo, Mr Stollery or Mr Ticli next week to get your permission form in ASAP. 

Year 7 2023 Orientation Day 

It was a great occasion for the College to welcome our 40 new students into Year 7 next year, along with our existing Year 6 students at the Chatswood Campus yesterday.

We look forward to meeting all Year 7 2023 parents in a Microsoft Teams Meeting 7.00 pm – 7.45 pm next Tuesday, 22 November, to welcome and support everyone in their transition to Year 7. Our aim is to let you know where you can find what you need to support your son next year. If you are not confident we have your correct email to send the link to, please contact Mrs Jennings or Mrs King in our Registrar’s Office.

Year 9 Ceroc Dance Workshop with Brigidine College Friday 18 November

All of Year 9 are reminded that they are to wear FULL sports uniform (and only that) and bring Recess and Lunch this Friday when the Annual Ceroc Dance Workshop with Brigidine Year 9 takes place. Buses will depart Chatswood after Assembly and return at approximately 2.30 pm for normal transport routes. To avoid being left at school on community service duties, please make sure you are on time and in correct sports uniform. It is our opportunity to live up to our expectations and in keeping with our journey and theme as Respectful Men of Honour.

Year 7 Handball Competition 

Congratulations to our Year 7 Convenors Cameron Gartner and Noah Tops who ran the Year 7 World Championship Rules Handball Competition. For the record the House Cup Points, Merit Certificates and Zooper Doopers were accrued by the Handball Champions as follows:

1st:  Charlie Chippendale & Zac Rapa

2nd:  Sam Worthington & Oliver Hartry

3rd: Michael Woo & Kamran Nadeem

We look forward to a renewal of competition in the Year 7 yard this Thursday under Cameron and Noah’s watchful leadership.

Well done to all involved.

Terrey Hills St Anthony In the Fields 60th Anniversary Feast Day  

Our rehabilitation of Kieran’s Creek traditional pathway between the Cammeraygal Northern Beaches and Cowan and Darkinjung peoples of the Deerubbin – Hawkesbury and Central Coast continued last Sunday after celebrating Frenchs Forest Parish St Anthony in the Fields Church Terrey Hills 60th Anniversary Mass.

As a component of our RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) and Laudato Si care for our environment the College was proudly represented by Aidan Parsons and Andre Mury of Year 10 who joined their Monte Saint Angelo counterparts in planting and rehabilitation weeding work along the creek line.

 

Fide et Labore

Mr Sean Brannan - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity