What's Happening in the College?

• Chess
• Performing Arts
• Public Speaking & Debating
• Science - Reports from the National Youth Science Forum

Chess

Chess Training will begin next Monday 11 February in D block, from 3.30-4.30pm, and will continue each Monday for the duration of Terms 1 and 2.  The competition rounds are on Friday and begin in Term 2.  Anyone is welcome to attend the first two training afternoons as a trial to determine if they would like to play Chess for their extra curricula activity.  If you are intending to play chess you need to commit to the training sessions.

Ms Denise Ramsey and Ms Janelle Dempsey

Performing Arts

“All the World’s A Stage…”   W. Shakespeare

OnSTAGE Here We Come!  Next Tuesday 14 February our Years 10, 11 and 12 Drama students will visit the Seymour Centre to watch OnSTAGE, NESA's showcase of exemplary HSC drama works. OnSTAGE provides insights on how our students might build their own individual and group projects for HSC Drama. Our huge thanks to Ms Penny Lindley for organising this theatre experience for Stage 6.

“Music Empowers Children Spectacularly.”   R. Gill

Year 7 Start With a Bang!  While Chinese New Year was being celebrated on the streets of Chatswood, inside the College Year 7 students were busy creating their own lively rhythms and improvised beats.  Special thanks to our Percussion Specialist, Mr Ian Talati, for his energetic and highly engaging workshops with Stage 4 students.

PHOTOS:   Mr Primrose-Heaney’s Year 7 Class Exploring the World of Percussion

with the Doctor of Rhythm, Mr Ian Talati

Behind Every Song is a Story:  That old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child”, certainly rings true for St Pius.  Our 2019 College motto is Unity in Community, and haven’t we got the best community?  Our Performing Arts Parents’ Association, led by Mrs Odette Shahady, Ms Ute Appenzeller and Mrs Veronica Osborne, is one of the hardest working parent bodies you could ever meet. Through their tireless efforts they have led many social justice initiatives, including fundraising for families suffering the trauma of drought and education sponsorships for children in third world communities. This year they have sprinkled their magic on the children of St Pius. In addition to significant funding for Drama Workshops, we now have 66 guitars being played by boys across Years 5 to 12. Every song mastered and every theatre activity experienced will leave a fingerprint on many boys’ hearts and minds. Thank you PAPA.

PHOTOS:  New musical instruments are delivered to the College,

and 33 guitars are unpacked, tuned and ready to go!

Year 12 Music 2 Students complete Performance and Composition Workshops over the Christmas Holidays:  Congratulations to our Year 12 Music 2 students who gave up holiday times to sharpen their performance and composition at our five recent HSC Music Holiday Workshops. Our sincere thanks to Mrs Stella Talati and Mr Stephen Cummins for sharing their passion and expertise for composition. While still in early draft form, we look forward to sharing the boys’ major works once complete.

PHOTOS - YEAR 12 AT WORK  

Instrumental Specialist and Composer, Mrs Stella Talati, discussing harmony with Year 12 Music students; Digital Music Specialist, Mr Stephen Cummins, helping Daniel to notate his music composition with Sibelius Software;  Nick mastering his piano repertoire.

Lachlan Donlevy Represents St Pius X College at the National Choral School & Gondwana Choirs - Festival of Summer Voices Gala Concert:  During the summer holidays, Lachlan Donlevy (Year 12) attended the National Choral School and performed in the Gondwana Choirs Festival of Voices Gala Performance. Over the past three years, Lachlan has progressed through this Choral Program and the results of his commitment were heard in the magnificent Gala Performance and live broadcast. Highlights for Lachlan included, “working closely with Australia’s finest composers and conductors, and the opportunity to deliver Music Therapy activities for children through the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Westmead Children’s Hospital.” Gondwana Choirs are recruiting now.  To enquire for your son please visit www.gondwana.org.au 

PHOTO:  Lachlan and his family at the Gondwana Choirs

Festival of Voices Gala Concert

Please read more about Lachlan’s exciting choral adventure below.

Year 12 student Oliver Osborne attends the Sydney Youth Orchestra Summer Camp at Santa Sabina College and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.  Open to all Primary and Secondary students in NSW, Oliver Osborne was privileged to attend the Sydney Youth Orchestra Summer Camp where he met like-minded musicians from the Blue Mountains, Newcastle and Dubbo. As an experienced trumpet player, Oliver was selected to play in the Tchaikovsky Orchestra, conducted by guest Conductor Max McBride, Chief Conductor of Sydney Youth Orchestras and former Sydney Symphony Double Bass player. “The camp is a nourishing experience for any aspiring musician or anyone who has a keen interest in music. I strongly recommend the SYO Summer Camp to other students at Pius. It is a great opportunity to improve your performance skills at an individual or orchestral level.”

PHOTO: Year 12 Music 2 Students Miguel and Oliver

Term 1 Performing Arts Dates for Your Diary

How Do I Enrol My Son In Private Music Lessons at the College?  To enrol your son into Private Instrumental, Singing, Composition, Digital Music, Musicianship or Dance Lessons, please complete the application form below and email to Pwaters@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

PHOTO:   Year 9 student Cody playing the Violin

Which Performing Arts Ensemble Should My Son Join? Choose from 32 Music, Drama and Dance Ensembles!  Please read through the attached 2019 Ensemble Rehearsal.  To register your son’s interest or ask for advice, please contact Pwaters@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Get Busy Living!

Ms Pip Waters - Acting Performing Arts Coordinator

Public Speaking & Debating

Mrs Michele Waterson - Debating and Public Speaking Convener

Science News:  National Youth Science Forum

Two Year 11 2018 students, Daniel Scipioni and Ruairi O'Kane, participated in the National Youth Science Forum over the Christmas holiday break.  Below are some reflections on their experience.

Ruairi O'Kane​:  The 2019 National Youth Science Forum was a great experience. I have really enjoyed my trip to Canberra. It has opened my eyes to many other scientific fields and has made me more sure of a career in physics. I have made many new friends and have been able to network and talk to distinguished scientists and professors from many different fields. They have given me advice on what I should prioritize and what to expect of a career in science.

We visited many labs around Australian National University and the CSIRO. My two favorite trips where to ANU's particle accelerator and the radio telescope. These visits were really inspiring and opened my eyes to other career options in science. The NYSF is a fantastic way to meet new people and to explore your interest in science.  I really look forward to the remainder of the program throughout 2019.

Daniel Scipioni:  Over the Christmas break, Ruairi and I were privileged to take part in the National Youth Science Forum at the Australian National University in Canberra. Here we got to live on campus for 12 days with roughly 200 other like-minded students from right across the country. For the program, we got to elect an interest area – which would form the basis for many of the STEM visits and specialist lectures that we attended. ​

Please click below to read Daniel's full report.

Ms J Schuster - Science Coordinator