Department News

• Performing Arts
• Public Speaking & Debating
• Science

Performing Arts  

THEATRE SPORTS

Congratulations to our team of Nicholas Cowie, Lachlan Donlevy, Corben Jubian, Nicholas McKenzie and John-Paul Shahady who competed in the Intermediate Division of the regional heat of the annual Theatre Sports challenge at Monte St Angelo Mercy College last Thursday. The competition was fierce and the boys acquitted themselves admirably. Thank you to Ms Fernando for her hard work in preparing the students for this challenge.

80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TICKETS: ONLY EIGHT MORE SLEEPS!

Tickets are selling fast! They can be purchased at the Concourse Box Office during business hours, via the Concourse website or by clicking on the following link:

http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=NIGHTFUL17  It is going to be an amazing night featuring the talents of current and past students, instrumental tutors and teaching staff. We look forward to seeing you there!

80th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT NOTE

A note was emailed to the parents of all performers in Week 1 detailing arrangements for the evening of the 18th May. It can also be found in the attachment below. A reminder to Junior School parents that the students who are performing in the Concert will NOT be going to Oxford Falls on this day. They will remain at school and be supervised by Junior School staff, so they can attend rehearsals. On the afternoon of the Concert ALL performers will be required in the College gym no later than 5.45pm.

FINAL COMBINED REHEARSAL FOR THE 80th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

This last rehearsal is next Tuesday 16th May, commencing at 4.15pm in the College Gym. Only the following ensemble are required; Senior Concert Band, Senior Guitar Ensemble, Senior Percussion Ensemble, Senior String Ensemble, Senior Choir and Junior Choir. The full schedule is on the Performing Arts Noticeboard.

Ms T Bates - Performing Arts Coordinator

Public Speaking and Debating

DEBATING

Last Friday St Pius X College visited Patrick’s College Strathfield for our debate.  We had just three wins on the night - Year 10B, Year 9A and Year 8B.  I know some teams were quite disappointed with the results on the night.  It is always important to discuss any issues with your coach and/or with Mrs Waterson.  We cannot change the result on the night but we can record issues and if an adjudicator seems to be having some problems with their results and feedback we can support the CSDA to work with that adjudicator to build their skill set.

This week St Pius X College is hosting Marist College North Sydney and Holy Cross College Ryde.  We hope for a coin toss at approximately 6.15pm so that our debates can commence around 7.15pm.  Students will train from 3.30pm to 5.00pm and then will be allowed to travel to Westfield for their dinner.  Debaters are required to be back in the gym by 5.45pm.

ALL debaters are required to attend EVERY debate.  Just like every other co-curricular activity, if you are not ‘playing’ on the day you are required to be at the event.  All non-debaters will have a role of chairman or timekeeper on the night.  Parents can collect their son after rooms have been reset and the roles for each year group have been completed.  All students MUST sign out with their coach before they leave the school site.  Thank you to our wonderful parents—your support is valued by us all. Please note below the date changes for the Elimination Round through to the Grand Final.

The topic this week is ‘Leadership’.   

• In Week 4 Round 4 St Pius X College is travelling to Riverview
• In Week 5 Round 5 St Pius X College is hosting Rosebank
• In Week 6 Round 6 St Pius X College is travelling to Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta.

2017 TOPIC AREAS:  YEARS 7-10

Round 3    Leadership

Round 4    Australian economy

Round 5    Sport

Round 6    Environment

The NSW Plain English Speaking Award

On Monday 15th May Mrs Waterson is travelling to Ryde College with Jasper Choi (Year 11) and Andrew Jackson (Year 12) who will be competing in the above speaking competition.

Mrs M Waterson - Debating and Public Speaking Convener

Science

Chemistry Enrichment Day

Macquarie University will be holding a Higher School Certificate (HSC) Enrichment Program to assist high school students in preparing for their HSC Chemistry exams.  

USYD Gifted and Talented Science Program

In November last year 26 Science students from Years 8 and 9 sat for The University of Sydney Gifted and Talented Science Qualifying Examination.  The examination was very challenging, requiring students to draw on their knowledge of Science as well as to think creatively.

I am pleased to announce that the following students have each been offered a place in the second round of offers in The Science Gifted and Talented Science Discovery Program to be conducted during the July school holidays at The University of Sydney: 

From Year 9: Jonathan Dellagiacoma and Jude Boyle.  These boys are joining the six other students previously offered a place in the program.

From Year 10: Cameron Lorking, Jeremiah Cuachon and Jason Sacre.

From Year 9: Keegan Aikin, Cameron Fernandopulle and Caelen Hearne.

Congratulations and well done to all participants.

Ms J Schuster - Assistant Science Coordinator