Curriculum and Learning

Years 5 to 10 Reports and Years 5 to 11 Optional Parent/Teacher Interviews

By the end of Week 7, Years 5 to 10 student reports will be posted on the TASS Parent Lounge and as per the College Calendar, Optional Parent/Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday 4 December in two sessions, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM and then 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM. The interviews shall take place in the College Gymnasium for Years 7 to 11 interviews and in the Junior School classrooms for Years 5 and 6.

The interview booking facility in TASS will be open to parents/carers at 9:00 AM on Friday 22 November and will close at 12:00 noon on Tuesday 3 December. Thereafter, any parental request to change an interview time must be made by mutual agreement with the teacher via email.

More details regarding student reports and Optional Parent/Teacher Interviews to follow in due course.

Speech Night 2024

As stated in the Wednesday 16 October issue of the Especean, the College’s Annual Speech Night will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Quaycentre, Homebush on Tuesday 3 December commencing, at 6:30 PM with an estimated finish time around 8:30 PM – 8.45 PM. Parking for the Quaycentre will be available in Sydney Olympic Park P3 on Sarah Durack Avenue. Please refer to the map below.

Attendance is compulsory for all students from Years 5 to 11. All students from Years 5 to 10 are to be in attendance in full College Summer uniform. All Year 11 students, all prize winners and some performers will be required to wear their blazers, and they will be informed separately in due course.

Entry doors to the venue’s Main Arena are scheduled to open at 5:45 PM. Parents, carers and guests are to enter via Door 2. College students and staff will enter via Door 5. Invited VIPs will enter via Reception.

Outside purchased food or drink are not allowed inside the venue. Students are not allowed to chew gum nor have water/drink bottles on the Main Arena floor.

All students will be required to report to their homeroom teacher on arrival in the Main Area to have their names marked off and they will be shown where to sit.

Please note that the upper concourse level kiosks will be trading for snacks and refreshments from 5:45 PM but will close at 8:00 PM. Parents/carers cannot deliver food nor drink to their sons on the Main Arena floor once inside the venue, that includes before, during or after official proceedings.

It is also important to note that full student attendance at the College is compulsory and expected on each school day up to the last day of term, i.e., up to 3:10 PM on Tuesday 3 December at school followed by Speech Night in the evening.

Michael Cutrupi 

Director of Curriculum

Student Achievement in Science Olympiads 2024

The Australian Science Olympiads (ASO) is a staged science enrichment program for highly motivated students in Australian high schools. The program covers four separate disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, and Physics.

The program allows schools to test student abilities against the national cohort; provides opportunities for teachers to challenge and extend their very best students; and allows students to build their skills, experience, knowledge and connection.

2024 Science Olympiads have once again showcased the incredible talent and dedication of our Year 11 Science students. Congratulations to all the participants and winners on their outstanding results.

Un Aperitivo con Marco Polo – The Marco Polo Award Celebration

On Saturday, November 9, Ms. Macolino and I had the honor of accompanying two exceptional students, Elio Alessi (Year 9) and Valentino Romeo (Year 11) to An Aperitivo with Marco Polo. This event was held at the Marconi Club in Bossley Park and was part of a larger celebration recognising the Year of Italian Roots in the World, where both young men were celebrated as winners of the prestigious Marco Polo Award for Excellence in Italian Language and Culture.

This award is presented to students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the Italian language and a strong connection to their cultural heritage. Elio and Valentino were recognised for their remarkable achievements and enthusiasm for their studies. Nominated by their teacher, the boys reinforced their nominations with statements about their passion for Italian language and culture, that reflected the personal significance their heritage holds for them.

The ceremony was a celebration of Italian culture and history, where we were treated to musical performances by a string trio followed by an Italian-inspired lunch that brought guests together, allowing the awardees, their families, and teachers to connect over their shared appreciation for Italian cuisine and culture. Professor Alessandro Cinquegrani delivered an engaging lecture focused on the legacy of Marco Polo and the writings of Italo Calvino. This presentation explored the importance of cultural exchange and the power of storytelling, insights into the historical and literary significance of Italy’s cultural icons.

Ms Macolino and I were proud to witness our students recognised for their dedication and diligence in their study of the language. Congratulations to Elio and Valentino for their dedication and hard work in Italian studies. Their accomplishments are a reminder of the importance of embracing and celebrating our heritage, especially in a multicultural setting like ours.

Stephanie D'Arcangeli

Head of Languages