Parent & Student Matters  

What's happening in the College? 

Year 10 Art Excursion

From the Language Department:  

French Working Lunch with Mercy College Students

Spend Your Summer Break Living Abroad:  Student Exchange Program - Scholarships Available

Year 10 Reflection Day

Kokoda Track Information Night

• Debating
• Science:  The ConocoPhillips Science Experience - STEM Outreach Program for Students
• Information from Transport NSW
• Re-opening of the Epping to Chatswood rail link and the extended Metro line.
• Visual Arts Workshops in the July Holidays

Year 10 Art Excursion

Last Thursday our Year 10 Visual Arts class went on an excursion to the Art Gallery of New South Wales as well as a sculpture walk through the city. At the gallery we had a guided tour of various works in the gallery including the early Australian Art, Aboriginal Art and the National exhibitions. We walked down to Australia Square and on the way, we saw Alexander Calder’s ‘Crossed Blades’ and Bert Flugelman’s ‘Pyramid Tower’.  It was a great experience collectively enjoyed by the whole class and one to definitely do again. Thanks to Miss Janes for organizing the excursion and guiding us through the city sculpture walk, providing us with great information and facts on the sculptures that we saw.

Nathan Byrne and James Byrnes – Year 10

From the Language Department

Merci, Mercy!   

On Wednesday 1 May our Year 12 French class of four students played host to the Mercy College Year 12 French class of four students. Parfait! The purpose of this working lunch was for the students to build connections with other French speakers and to practise their speaking skills in preparation for their upcoming HSC Oral Examinations in August. The students all found the experience to be both an enjoyable social activity, as well as a worthwhile learning activity. We are already planning our next speaking session together! Below are some of their reflections on the experience:

“The session involved discussing in French a number of day-to-day topics such as tourism, family, the environment etc. It was a fun method for practising speaking to new people and understanding new accents. Overall it resulted in being an enjoyable social gathering for everyone to meet other people and help advance our ability in practising the language.”    (Bertram Johnston)

“Listening to the way other people spoke French broadening my vocabulary in the process. It was also useful to practice responding to information on the spot in a conversation style. The overall experience was a wonderful way to improve my French speaking, vocabulary, listening and responding skills and I would enjoy working with the ladies of Mercy college in the near future.”   (Jonathan Galarce)

“The speaking practice with the students from Mercy College was highly beneficial in building confidence in our language abilities. It offered an opportunity to challenge ourselves in a range of conversation topics, from family to the environment, all of which will be assessed later in our HSC. Being able to practice with other students of our age and ability, made the whole process less daunting and created an open, low-pressure environment. I greatly enjoyed the time and hope we can host a similar event again.”   (Jacob Hassan)

Sarah McCormack, French Teacher

Spend your summer break living abroad! 

Experience your world with Student Exchange - Scholarships Available

Please click on the flyer below for details and see Ms Manga if you are interested.

Mrs Kara Manga - Teacher in Charge LOTE

Year 10 Reflection Day

Our Year 10 students will be participating in their second Reflection Day at Oxford Falls next Wednesday 15 May. The theme for the day is ‘Journey’ and our guest presenter is singer/songwriter Brett Hunt. The boys are to wear casual clothes and enclosed footwear.  Lunch will be provided.

Mr Mark Pawlak - Year 10 Coordinator

Kokoda Track Information Night - Tuesday 14 May

The Kokoda Track Expedition occurs every two years at the College. We are at the point of taking Expressions of Interest for participation in our 2020 Expedition and anticipate training to begin later in the year. The dates for the Expedition are Monday 29 June 2020 – Thursday 9 July 2020.  The Expedition is open to all students who will be in Years 9 to 11 in 2020 and their families.  In the past we have had fathers and sons, mothers and sons, uncles and brothers and sons, sisters and brothers and fathers, Old Boys and fathers - in other words, a St Pius student and a significant adult in their lives.

An information night will be held next Tuesday 14 May starting at 6.00pm in the Sarto Centre and will go for approximately one hour.  Parking will be available in the College grounds.  For more information please contact Mr Paul de Silva pdesilva@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Mr Paul de Silva - Outdoor Education Coordinator

Debating

Please see the information from Ms Waterson below.

Ms M Waterson - Public Speaking & Debating Convenor

STEM Outreach Program for Students

Please click on the flyer below for details or see Mrs Schuster for further information.

Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator

Information from Transport NSW

Please see the information below regarding the re-opening of the Epping to Chatswood rail link as well as the extended Metro line.

Mr Mark Casey - Deputy Principal

Visual Arts Workshops in the July Holidays

The llustration Hub offers workshops in Cartooning, Clay Modelling, Manga Art, Oil Pastels, Painting, Canvas Painting, Sand Art, Plaster Painting, Science, Biscuit/Cookie Decorating, Craft, Mask/Baseball Cap/Apron/Pencil Case and Bag Design.   

 All the artists have Working with Children Checks.  No previous skills required and all art materials are provided for the workshops.  Please visit the website: www.illustration-hub.com for further details.