St Pius X College
Encyclopedia
St Pius X College is a Roman Catholic, non-selective, independent high school
for boys, located in Chatswood
, a North Shore
suburb of Sydney, Australia.
Located in the heart of the Chatswood central business district, the school is relatively close to Westfield Shopping Centre and Chatswood railway station. It is operated under the auspices of the Trustees of the Christian Brothers
and is situated within the borders of the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay
which is under the leadership of Bishop David Walker. The College was ranked 101st in the State for the 2005 Higher School Certificate marks, up from 108th the previous year. More recently, in 2007, the school again improved its rank to 100th with a credit percentage of 11.79%. It is a member of the Independent Schools Association (ISA).
The College operates as two separate schools: "The Junior School" catering for boys in Years 5 and 6, "The Senior School" catering for boys in Years 7 to 12.
A major improvement in the 1990s was the development of Oxford Falls as an educational complex. Named the Treacy Centre, the facility comprises a variety of sports fields and venues as well as a number of meeting places and classrooms.
In the late 1990s the College undertook extensive renovations and rebuilding.
"Fide et Labore" is written on the shield. This is Latin
for "By Faith and Labour"
The current principal is Mr John Couani, the first non-Brother to be principal.
who had retained the trophy for the previous five years.
In cricket, the 1st XI team finished as runners up in the 2005/2006 season, attempting to defend their 2004/2005 Premiership.
The 1st XI for football also finished runners up in the final to St Patrick's College, Strathfield
, in 2006, after winning the minor premiership.
In 2007 the SPX 1st won the ISA Football Premiership outright by 6 points. They were unbeaten during the season only drawing one match with Oakhill College 2–2. Highlights of the season included two victories in 6 days over rivals St Patrick's College by 6–2 and 2–1. The 1st XI also won the Southern Skies Bowl in Brisbane and were beaten finalists in the St Andrew's Cup going down to Trinity Grammar. The SPX 2nd XI made it 3 Premierships in a row by also taking out the outright ISA title. In addition to rugby and cricket, squash and football have recently become popular sports within the College.
The St Pius X 2nd XI soccer team furthered the school's sporting tradition. Winning back-to-back premierships, the team won an undefeated season in 2005, culminating with a 2–1 Golden Goal victory over St Patrick's College, in the final, and then again in 2006 successfully defending their title, defeating Oakhill 1–0 in the final.
St Pius X was able to once again show their dominance in football with 2009 being one of the most successful seasons Pius has ever had with six teams being able to make the football finals with the 16A's, 2nd XI and 1st XI all being victories against rivals St. Patrick's at Christie Park.
The school is also quite notable for athletics, with some students participating in national athletics competitions in which some students have placed in the top ten of Australia. The athletics season generally begins with a sports carnival (St Pius X College only) in which participants in the school championship races who come first are selected for the school athletics team. The athletics team will then participate in numerous carnivals involving other schools and then will select participants to represent St Pius X College at the ISA Carnival. Placing in the top two of the ISA Carnival for any event allows entry to the CIS Carnival. Placing well in the CIS Carnival then allows entry to the All Schools Carnival, which likewise, by placing well, allows entry to the Australian Nationals.
St. Pius X College also have one of Sydney's finest sporting grounds (Oxford Falls). With rugby and football teams such as the Wallabies, Manly Sea Eagles and Australia's U.21 Olyroos using the grounds for training.
For the past 6 years, the school has participated in the NSW Schools Titration competition and has achieved reasonably well each year. In 2004, a St Pius team reached the semi-finals and gained an overall place of 4th in the state.
Although irrelevant to the public speaking participation by students in competitions, the College also holds an annual Edmund Rice Oratory Competition, in where students are selected for outstanding participation for public speeches performed in English Classes. Students speak about a given topic (free choice for years 5 and 6) for a set amount of time. Judging is usually done by English Teachers or School Counsellers.
In order to gain entry to any band, a student must audition. In order to gain access to the Senior Jazz Band and Senior Concert Band, generally a high level of skill is required in the instrument of which a student plays.
The bands and choir often play for the school as well at the Twilight Concert held every term. The twilight concert generally begins with the choir. After the choir have performed, the ensembles usually play next and after which, the Jazz and Concert Bands begin to play. The concert is usually held under Baby Brother (the junior school playground), however, if the weather is unfavourable, the concert takes place in the school gym.
The club consists of members from years five through to twelve. Acceptance is usually granted through the robotics lessons held in class during year five, however, entry to the club in later years can also be granted through applying directly to the robotics coordinator.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
for boys, located in Chatswood
Chatswood, New South Wales
Chatswood is a suburb on the North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Chatswood is located 10 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of the City of Willoughby. Chatswood West is a separate suburb...
, a North Shore
North Shore (Sydney)
The North Shore is an informal term used to describe the primarily residential area of northern metropolitan Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The term usually refers to the suburbs located on the north shore of Sydney Harbour between Middle Harbour and the Lane Cove River, up to...
suburb of Sydney, Australia.
Located in the heart of the Chatswood central business district, the school is relatively close to Westfield Shopping Centre and Chatswood railway station. It is operated under the auspices of the Trustees of the Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
and is situated within the borders of the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay
Roman Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay is a suffragan Latin rite diocese of the Archdiocese of Sydney, covering the North Shore and Northern Beaches of greater metropolitan Sydney, and the Broken Bay and Central Coast regions of New South Wales, Australia....
which is under the leadership of Bishop David Walker. The College was ranked 101st in the State for the 2005 Higher School Certificate marks, up from 108th the previous year. More recently, in 2007, the school again improved its rank to 100th with a credit percentage of 11.79%. It is a member of the Independent Schools Association (ISA).
The College operates as two separate schools: "The Junior School" catering for boys in Years 5 and 6, "The Senior School" catering for boys in Years 7 to 12.
History
St Pius X College started in 1937 as Christian Brothers Chatswood, initially going to the Beginner level, with the first Leaving Certificate class graduating in 1941.A major improvement in the 1990s was the development of Oxford Falls as an educational complex. Named the Treacy Centre, the facility comprises a variety of sports fields and venues as well as a number of meeting places and classrooms.
In the late 1990s the College undertook extensive renovations and rebuilding.
"Fide et Labore" is written on the shield. This is Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for "By Faith and Labour"
The current principal is Mr John Couani, the first non-Brother to be principal.
Sport
The school participates in rugby, cricket, football, basketball, tennis, softball, squash and athletics. In 2006, the St Pius 1st V Basketball team won the ISA Championship, taking the trophy from Oakhill CollegeOakhill College
Oakhill College is a Catholic, co-educational, secondary, day school, located in Castle Hill, New South Wales, a suburb in the Hills District of the Greater Western region of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
who had retained the trophy for the previous five years.
In cricket, the 1st XI team finished as runners up in the 2005/2006 season, attempting to defend their 2004/2005 Premiership.
The 1st XI for football also finished runners up in the final to St Patrick's College, Strathfield
St Patrick's College, Strathfield
St Patrick's College is an independent, Roman Catholic, day school for boys, located in Strathfield in the inner west of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
, in 2006, after winning the minor premiership.
In 2007 the SPX 1st won the ISA Football Premiership outright by 6 points. They were unbeaten during the season only drawing one match with Oakhill College 2–2. Highlights of the season included two victories in 6 days over rivals St Patrick's College by 6–2 and 2–1. The 1st XI also won the Southern Skies Bowl in Brisbane and were beaten finalists in the St Andrew's Cup going down to Trinity Grammar. The SPX 2nd XI made it 3 Premierships in a row by also taking out the outright ISA title. In addition to rugby and cricket, squash and football have recently become popular sports within the College.
The St Pius X 2nd XI soccer team furthered the school's sporting tradition. Winning back-to-back premierships, the team won an undefeated season in 2005, culminating with a 2–1 Golden Goal victory over St Patrick's College, in the final, and then again in 2006 successfully defending their title, defeating Oakhill 1–0 in the final.
St Pius X was able to once again show their dominance in football with 2009 being one of the most successful seasons Pius has ever had with six teams being able to make the football finals with the 16A's, 2nd XI and 1st XI all being victories against rivals St. Patrick's at Christie Park.
The school is also quite notable for athletics, with some students participating in national athletics competitions in which some students have placed in the top ten of Australia. The athletics season generally begins with a sports carnival (St Pius X College only) in which participants in the school championship races who come first are selected for the school athletics team. The athletics team will then participate in numerous carnivals involving other schools and then will select participants to represent St Pius X College at the ISA Carnival. Placing in the top two of the ISA Carnival for any event allows entry to the CIS Carnival. Placing well in the CIS Carnival then allows entry to the All Schools Carnival, which likewise, by placing well, allows entry to the Australian Nationals.
St. Pius X College also have one of Sydney's finest sporting grounds (Oxford Falls). With rugby and football teams such as the Wallabies, Manly Sea Eagles and Australia's U.21 Olyroos using the grounds for training.
Debating and public speaking
The College also participates in debating and public speaking. In 1999, 2000 and 2007, the respective senior Year 12 teams won the Catholic Schools Debating Association Metropolitan and State competitions.For the past 6 years, the school has participated in the NSW Schools Titration competition and has achieved reasonably well each year. In 2004, a St Pius team reached the semi-finals and gained an overall place of 4th in the state.
Although irrelevant to the public speaking participation by students in competitions, the College also holds an annual Edmund Rice Oratory Competition, in where students are selected for outstanding participation for public speeches performed in English Classes. Students speak about a given topic (free choice for years 5 and 6) for a set amount of time. Judging is usually done by English Teachers or School Counsellers.
Music
Music has also always been a large part of extracurricular involvement at St Pius. The various bands include concert bands, jazz bands and guitar ensembles and flaming dragon band. A majority of these bands (concert and jazz and flamin dragons) take part in the Yamaha band festival, with the Senior Jazz Band involved in the "f" grade event, which they received a silver award in for 2007.In order to gain entry to any band, a student must audition. In order to gain access to the Senior Jazz Band and Senior Concert Band, generally a high level of skill is required in the instrument of which a student plays.
The bands and choir often play for the school as well at the Twilight Concert held every term. The twilight concert generally begins with the choir. After the choir have performed, the ensembles usually play next and after which, the Jazz and Concert Bands begin to play. The concert is usually held under Baby Brother (the junior school playground), however, if the weather is unfavourable, the concert takes place in the school gym.
Robotics
The school also takes part in robotics competitions in which students from the robotics club participate in. The two major annual competitions are the RoboCup and First Lego League (FLL). The robotics club itself is held every Thursday, starting at 3:30 pm and ending at 5:00 pm. The club is notable for participation from individual teams of the club in the National RoboCup and National FLL, in where many groups placed first in certain subsections.The club consists of members from years five through to twelve. Acceptance is usually granted through the robotics lessons held in class during year five, however, entry to the club in later years can also be granted through applying directly to the robotics coordinator.
Notable former pupils
- Robert Fitzgerald – Commissioner of Community Services Commission, New South Wales
- Peter Fricker – CEO Australian Institute of Sport
- Hon. John WatkinsJohn Watkins (Australian politician)John Arthur Watkins is a former Deputy Premier of New South Wales, serving between 2005 until his resignation from Parliament in 2008...
– Former Deputy Premier of New South WalesDeputy Premier of New South WalesThe Deputy Premier of New South Wales is the second-most senior officer in the Government of New South Wales. The Deputy Premiership has been a ministerial portfolio since 1932, and the Deputy Premier is appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Premier....
, Minister for Transport and Minister for Finance. - Peter Ingham – Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney 1993–2001; Bishop of Wollongong 2001–present
- Michael Malone – Bishop of the Diocese of MaitlandMaitland, New South WalesMaitland is a city in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia and the seat of Maitland City Council, situated on the Hunter River approximately by road north of Sydney and north-west of Newcastle...
; Chair of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference Commission - Peter ThompsonPeter Thompson (broadcaster)Peter Thompson , Australian broadcast journalist and educator, is the presenter of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Talking Heads, a weekly biographical television program about the lives of prominent Australians, which began on ABC1 in 2005. Peter is also a Fellow of the Australia and...
– ABC TV presenter - Ben FordhamBen FordhamBen Fordham is an Australian journalist and radio presenter.Fordham is currently a sport presenter on the Nine Network's Today and drive presenter on 2GB.-Career:...
- Journalist and broadcaster, Nine NetworkNine NetworkThe Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
and 2GB2GB2GB is a commercial radio station in Sydney, Australia broadcasting on 873 kHz, AM. It is one of Australia's most popular talk-back radio stations, and is the number one station in Sydney.-History:The station commenced broadcasting in August 1926... - Des HaslerDes HaslerDes Hasler is an Australian former professional rugby league player and current head coach of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. He played in 309 matches in a first-grade career spanning 16 seasons. Most of his career was spent with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, with whom he won two premierships...
(staff) – Former NRL player and current head coach of the Manly-Warringah Sea EaglesManly-Warringah Sea EaglesThe Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia... - Luke Jones – contract with Super15 side the Melbourne Rebels. Part of Junior World Championships [under 20s] side, came off the bench for the Baby Wallabies vs Baby All Blacks, Junior World Championship Grand Final, in Argentina. Junior World Championships 2011 in Italy.
- Mike Hooper – contract with Super15 side the ACT Brumbies, replaced George Smith in his debut. Junior World Championships 2011 in Italy.
- Houtan Delfi - Professional Football player currently playing for FK Proleter Novi SadFK Proleter Novi SadFudbalski klub Proleter Novi Sad is a professional football club based in Slana Bara, Novi Sad, Serbia...
in SerbiaSerbiaSerbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...