From the Principal

• Prayer 
• ANZAC Day Assembly
• Welcome Back for Term 2
• Term 2 Staffing Changes
• Holiday Break Activities
• COVID-19 Bulletin 
• Student Absences and Leave Passes
• Easter Oratorio
• Old Boy, Lucas Wareham, represents Australia
• Class of 1971 Reunion

Prayer 

God of love and liberty, we bring our thanks this day for the peace and security we enjoy, which was won for us through the courage and devotion of those who served and those who gave their lives in time of war. We pray that their labour and sacrifice may not be in vain, but that their spirit may live on in us and in generations to come. That the freedoms and justice which they sought to preserve may be seen and known in all the nations upon earth. This we pray in the name of the one who gave his life for the sake of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessed Edmund Rice – Pray for Us

St Pius X – Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts – Forever

ANZAC Day Assembly

The College held a moving ceremony yesterday to commemorate ANZAC Day. Due to the poor weather the Assembly was held online for students to watch. Anthony Elliott's wonderful rendition of The Last Post and Reveille along with the Senior Concert Band providing accompaniment for the National Anthem added to the solemnity of the occasion.  The  link to watch the ceremony is below.

Welcome Back for Term 2

Welcome back to Term 2.  This term is an important term in the College, with many events and activities occurring. 

Every student will receive important feedback with full reporting being completed for every student. This is then followed up with our Parent/ Teacher/ Student Interviews. This is a very positive experience, acknowledging excellence in efforts as well encouraging re-direction and re-setting of goals to ensure the desired improvement.

Rehearsals are well underway as we will recognise our 85th Anniversary year with a Performing Arts Concert at the Concourse on the evening of Tuesday 17 May.  Ticketing information will be available next week.

Camps and excursions will continue again this term.  These events are wonderful opportunities for students to build relationships with other students and staff, while also learning in a different setting to the classroom.

Term 2 is now the time to embrace again our College values of Respect for all, Excellence in giving your best, Faith in living our gospel values and morals in all we do, embracing every Opportunity to achieve this in the classroom, in the Performing Arts, in all our sports and co-curricula activities and in all we do. This can only ensure the satisfaction that you know you have given your best.

Staffing Changes for Term 2

We welcome a number of well-known staff who are assisting taking classes for staff on leave during Term 2.  We welcome Mr George Catchpoole (Science), Mrs Jennifer Tran (Mathematics), Mr Phil O'Sullivan (Mathematics), Mrs Ann Clough (English) and Ms Adeline Wang (Geography).

Activities during the Holiday Break

I do hope you were able to enjoy some down time with your family over Easter and the Term Break. It certainly was a chance for rejuvenating with plenty of opportunity still for our young men.

The holidays commenced with our Junior School Rugby Tournament in Armidale.

Oxford Falls was busy with a Rugby Clinic attracting large numbers of our students.

The 1st XI Football team enjoyed a very successful EREA National Tournament in Brisbane where they won the Plate final, which placed them third in this event.  The 1st XI also played in a round-robin competition with 6 schools last week and finished second. Well done to the boys. A huge thanks also go to to Mr Steve Quilty, Mr Simon Yue, Ms Leisa Proc and Mr Richard Lacey for their holiday commitment to these Football players and also to the students for continuing our Edmund Rice Beyond Borders connections.

During the break over 30 of our Year 10 & 11 students volunteered for service work at Centacare at Belmore which was an outstanding experience in assisting with the employees of this important workshop.

Monday's ANZAC Day saw several students attend the Dawn Service at the Chatswood Garden of Remembrance and also Club Willoughby's ANZAC Commemoration Service.

I give a huge thanks to the staff and families for providing these great opportunities for our young men.

COVID-19 Bulletin Update 

I have sent a COVID-19 Bulletin to parents today which details the changes to isolation rules around COVID-19 close contacts.  I also advised students yesterday at Assembly that the government rules have now changed, which will hopefully allow for more students to attend at school even while household members are isolating. I advised that if this is the case, they need to test each day and also wear a mask indoors.  Please see a copy of the Bulletin below.

Student Absences and Leave Passes

I am pleased to report a significant reduction in student absences this week.  In the closing weeks of Term 1, rates of COVID-19 cases in the student body and staff were high, but we seem to have passed the peak.  Let's hope now that our learning returns with greater continuity.

Parents are reminded to:

• Notify the College via studentmanagement@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or phone: 9411 4733 (Option 1) to advise your son has tested positive and register on the NSW Service App.
• Notify the College via studentmanagement@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or phone: 9411 4733 (Option 1) to advise your son is a close contact of a household member who has tested positive.
• Notify the College via studentmanagement@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or phone: 9411 4733 (Option 1) to advise of your son's absence on any day.
• Please note that Leave Passes must be requested the day before required through studentmanagement@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or phone 9411 4733 (Option 1).

Easter Oratorio

During Palm Sunday, SPX Performing Arts students from Years 11 and 12 had the opportunity to watch Bach’s Easter Oratorio, performed by the renowned Sydney-based ensemble, the Bach Akademie. The College was represented by Max Leo, Justin Park, Andrew McKinnon (Year 12) and Henrik Hogg and Eamon Boyle (Year 11).  

Anthony Elliott shares his reflections on the performance:

This Palm Sunday senior students attended Bach’s Oratorio held in Our Lady of Dolours Church. The program directed by Madeline Easton and supported by a small orchestra and choir gave students a unique opportunity to receive Bach’s interpretation of the Easter story. The two cantatas followed by Bach’s final Easter Oratorio ultimately set the reverent ambience of this period in the Church’s liturgical year, and its significance for Bach himself. Telling the story of Jesus’ passion and resurrection, and sung in Bach’s native German, the performers in the beautiful space gave the music voice resonating with each listener, a valuable opportunity for students to experience Bach’s exceptional repertoire. Thank you to Bach Akademie for providing a wonderful concert and to the College and Parish for providing such an occasion. 

Old Boy, Lucas Wareham, Represents Australia

We are very pleased to hear that Lucas Wareham from the Class of 2020 was selected to represent Australia at the ISU World Short Track Skating Championships which were held two weeks ago.

In late 2021 Lucas left Australia to train in Korea to further his training.  Earlier this year he also competed in the 2022 World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Poland. We wish Lucas well with his continued training and competitions in this very exciting sport.

Pictured with Lucas (left) are fellow Australian team mates, Hyojin Kim and Brendan Corey (2022 Winter Olympian).

Class of 1971 Reunion

The Class of 1971 held a reunion on Friday 8 April. The evening started with a tour of the school before a larger gathering at the Great Northern Hotel. There were many happy reconnections which included people who had gone on to careers in law, medicine, engineering, building, education and the armed forces. It was wonderful to catch up.

Mr Tony Cunneen (SPX 1971)

Mr John Couani - Principal