Parent & Student Matters  

What's happening in the College? 

• Year 11 Reflection Day #1
• Richard Glover visits the SRC
• Public Speaking & Debating Information
• Chess News
• Science:  National Youth Science Forum 202
• Old Boys Gala Day Final Matches AND Old Boys News

Year 11 Reflection Day #1

On Monday 18 March Year 11 travelled to Oxford Falls for our first Reflection Day for the year. A large part of Year 11 is coming to terms with the leadership required of a senior student at St Pius, especially in Term 4 when the year group takes the mantle of the seniors of the entire College. It was for this reason that the day was set aside to look at leadership, including: qualities leaders possess, what makes good leadership, who are leaders that we have seen in society and what to expect as the leaders of St Pius.

To add a different perspective to the day, Ms Janes organised for Nathan Hindmarsh, an ex NRL player for Parramatta, NSW and Australia to speak to the year group about his experiences of leadership throughout his career. In a relaxed atmosphere, Nathan spoke very admirably of the leadership Nathan Cayless provided during his tenure as captain of the Parramatta Eels. Furthermore there was ample time for the year group to ask Nathan Hindmarsh questions, ranging from the player he most wanted to tackle through to the player with the largest ego. Nathan also presented to the young men the idea of looking out for each other and not being too scared to either ask friends if they were alright or to seek assistance if needed. He spoke very candidly of his own personal battles, ranging from gambling to retiring from the NRL.

After lunch a group from the cohort delivered a powerful message about what they saw leadership to be and examples of what they believed to be good leadership. Examples from political and sporting arenas were used to show their peers qualities that others possess, and qualities that they as a group could develop. The day ended with a presentation based upon the legacy of leaders. The group was challenged as to what legacy they will leave with St Pius once the Class of 2020 graduates. It will be this theme that commences our next Reflection Day.

Mr Nathan Mulheron - Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Richard Glover visits the SRC

Richard Glover Debunks Myth of the Backward-Looking Utopia

Richard Glover discussed his latest book ‘The Land Before Avocado’ at our first Books and Blokes Breakfast of the year. Backed by his painstaking research, he left the 60 plus attendees in no doubt that the ‘good ol’ days’ of the 60s weren’t actually that good. In many ways life today is much, much better.

In the 60’s jobs ads were listed ‘men’ or ‘ladies’, road deaths from drink driving were common, we ate fish mousse and had to buy olive oil at the chemist. Richard’s account of the 60s was animated and hilarious but our reactions were mixed. For example, Richard’s re-naming of the incinerator for weekly burn-offs as the ‘Home Entertainment Centre’ struck a chord with the Baby Boomers whilst Millennials looked-on in disbelief.

For the many adoring fans (including the Loughs - pictured in the photo gallery below), it was chance to come face to face with this radio star of 20 years. Grandsons Nicholas and Thomas, with their grandmother in the car, are regular listeners on school pick-ups. It wasn’t just dads and sons but mothers, brothers and teachers who joined in this celebration of books and reading with this entertaining author. Jasper Choi (Class of 2018) accompanied his brother Cody; he and Richard (also pictured) discovered they had something in common; both topped the State in their HSC Modern History course.

Thank you to all attendees for making this event such a success. I am incredibly grateful to Richard Glover for his generosity and effort to make his presentation so engaging and entertaining. Special thanks must also go to:

• Callum MacDonald (Class of 2012) from the Children’s Bookshop, Beecroft for supplying Richard’s books.
• Elena Martin for asking Richard to speak to us and for the many emails to make the event happen!
• Amanda Fileman for her expertise and help in catering.
• Tony Cunneen for his coverage of this event - his terrific photographs feature below.

Mrs Karen Keighery - Senior Teacher Librarian

Public Speaking & Debating

Information from Mrs Waterson can be found below.

Mrs Michele Waterson - Public Speaking & Debating Convenor

Chess News

The Inter school Chess tournaments begin in Term 2. As such we need to finalise numbers for teams. Any student who would like to consider chess as their extracurricular must attend training or see Ms Ramsey or Ms Dempsey to indicate their intention.

Ms Denise Ramsey - Convenor

Science: National Youth Science Forum 2020

Attention Year 11 Science Students:  National Youth Science Forum 2020

Do you love science, or technology, or have a drive to find solutions to problems and fix things? Are you constantly asking Why? How? Why not? Do you see yourself working in a science-related field and would like to know more about science initiated study and career paths?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you should think about applying to attend the NYSF Year 12 Program.

Eligibility:  To apply for the NYSF Year 12 program, you must:

• be in year 11 in the year you apply, to attend the following January,
• be an Australian citizen or resident, and/or studying full-time in an Australian high school, and
• be considering pursuing a university degree at an Australian university to study science, engineering, technology, or a related discipline.

For more information about the application process please follow this link.

https://www.nysf.edu.au/what-we-do/how-to-apply/

Please see Mrs Schuster if you are considering this.

Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator

Old Boys Gala Day Final Fixtures & Old Boys News

Next Sunday the final fixture in our festival of Old Boys vs Senior students Gala matched takes place when Mr Quilty’s 1st XI Football host an Old Boys team star studded with past 1st XI Captains and outstanding players, at Walsh Oval, Oxford Falls.

Kick off will be 9 for 9.30am with a BBQ following at the Old Boys BBQ at 11am. It is a great way for recent Old Boys who maybe in University or developing their professional careers to connect with the College and share insights which may help our senior students with their transition to Tertiary studies and the work force.

Please contact Mr Brannan if you are able to attend for BBQ catering purposes at sbrannan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Please note also that the SPX Old Boys Association AGM is upcoming, the Annual Dinner will be the second Friday in September. We are also particularly looking at ways to support Liam Knight and Greg Wade in their ongoing recovery this year, and any interest in support for the Old Boys Committee in running the old Boys BBQ for an hour or two at Winter Sports fixtures is always warmly welcomed. Please contact Jeff Clarke (class of 86) for further details on the Old Boys website or through the College office.

Mr Sean Brannan - Assistant Principal Pastoral Care