Learning Support

& Enrichment

• Thank you and Farewell Mrs Leonardi
• Open Letter to Parents and Carers about the NCCD
• Attention Year 8, parents and students!
• -  Did you know there are two new Year 9 elective subject choices for 2019?
• Information for Parents and Carers 
• Junior Maths Drop-in Centre
• 7-9 Maths Drop-in Centre
• 7-9 Enrichment Club ​
• After-School Study Program 

Thank you and Farewell Mrs Leonardi

Our huge and heartfelt thanks and good wishes go to Mrs Carla Leonardi for her fine and committed work with students, parents and staff of St Pius X, not only through her part-time role in the LSE Department for the last 3 years, but also for the many years prior, since beginning at the College in August 1995, when Mrs Leonardi worked full-time across English, Languages such as Italian and French, Literacy and Numeracy Support, ESL Support, and other subjects - all of which have meant that Carla has brought to her more recent role in Learning Support a great capacity for quality assistance to students needing academic support and guidance across a range of subjects. Carla’s flexibility in being able to work effectively with all year groups 5-12, and in always being available to ensure our boys receive their appropriate exam and assessment provisions, has been so appreciated by the LSE team and the boys themselves.

Carla has had special responsibility, as IP Convener, to case manage learning issues for Year 9 in 2017-18. She has worked collaboratively with the Counselling team, has provided in-class literacy, numeracy and learning support to boys, given good advice to parents, and has helped the LSE team strengthen our LSE policies and practices. This has led to improvement of LSE learning profiles, better ways to set out our IPs so that they meet all the compliance requirements of our CEC regional office, but at the same time remain readable and accessible to staff, meaningful for parents, and impactful for the students themselves.

Mrs Leonardi, you are a woman of experience and knowledge, and the staff and students you have worked with in and through LSE, have greatly appreciated your good advice, and your targeted support, the fact that you are “good on the ground” and adaptable to student and staff needs, your ‘do what works” approach, your insightful discussions, your ‘no-fuss’ attitude, and your good sense of humour which has kept us seeing the lighter side of life, these past few years.

We will miss you as you head into retirement, but we thank you and wish you the very best for a wonderful future of travel, rest and family time.

"Words of thanks from the LSE team"

Open Letter to Parents and Carers about the NCCD

Please find attached an Open Letter from the College Principal, along with a fact sheet about the NCCD, in readiness for the upcoming Census in August 2018.

Attention Year 8, parents and students!

Did you know there are two new Year 9 elective subject choices for 2019?

At this time of year, our Year 8 students are making selections for 2019 elective subjects. There are two new subjects offered in Stage 5, through the LSE Department, both of which have successfully run in 2018 for the first time at SPX and which will again be offered as 100 hour courses for Year 9 2019. The two courses are Applied Philosophy and Applied Literacy.  For your interest, see the outlines below for each of these subjects.

Information for Parents and Carers 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please note that all of the co-curricular LSE-run activities which are listed on this page, and held either before school, at lunchtime, or after-school, operate each week of term from Week 2 onwards EXCEPT where there are teacher absences, or where other school-based events (including staff meetings) cause clashes or late changes.

The College apologises for this, and asks that you please remain mindful of the events which are listed on page 1 of Woodchatta, where you have direct access to the Upcoming Events section, as well as the full College Calendar.  This will assist you and your son, should alternate plans be required.

For late or unscheduled changes that affect the After-School Study program in the Senior Library, a cancellation notice is placed on the glass doors of the Library at 2.45pm or earlier, for students to check on the relevant afternoon. We also suggest that you discuss any back-up contact and travel plans with your son, should any such changes affect his regular passage home.

Junior Maths Drop-in Centre

The Junior Maths Drop-in Centre will run each Friday morning from 8:10 – 8:45am. Boys may choose to bring along their maths questions, problems or homework. Alternatively boys can simply attend and work on set tasks provided by the teacher.

All Junior School boys are welcome to attend, on a regular or occasional basis, as it operates from Week 2 of each term. Please meet Mrs Barrett outside the Junior School Learning Enrichment Room at 8:10am on Friday mornings. Parents are encouraged to motivate your sons to attend and make good use of this resource.

For any queries about Junior Maths Drop-in, please contact Mrs Barrett at BBarrett@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

7-9 Maths Drop-in Centre

7-9 Enrichment Club

For all interested Year 7, 8 and 9 –  Day 10 Friday Lunchtime in LC1

7-9 Enrichment Club is on each Day 10 Friday lunchtime in LC1. Its aims are to promote opportunities for interested students who want to extend their thinking skills, enjoy learning and research challenges, and making new mates in other classes and year groups, as they engage in trivia quizzes, games, drama, online activities and more.

This is an informal and open club that will provide opportunities for students to practise up on creative thinking, problem-solving strategies and coding skills. Boys are encouraged to develop critical thinking, general knowledge and leadership skills through bringing in ideas and running projects or activities, in an area of personal strength or skill, and many activities will be geared to skilling boys up for competition entry opportunities (optional), including the annual Da Vinci Decathlon Competition. These may include vocabulary games, maths problems, lateral thinking puzzles, catchphrases, as well as self-generated research questions or sharing of topics of interest.

There is no cost for joining or attending at Enrichment Club, except for any solo competition entry fees which selected students may choose to participate in, and students will be well advised about these and parent permission notes sent home before time, whenever these opportunities arise.

If interested, just bring along your lunch and your imagination each Day 10 Friday Lunchtime in LC1. Ms Raheb-Mol looks forward to seeing you there. For further information or queries, please see or contact Ms Raheb-Mol at JRahebMol@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

After-School Study Program

Ms J Raheb-Mol - Coordinator, Learning Support and Enrichment