Parent & Student Matters
- From the Assistant Principal, Teaching and Learning
- Science
- History
- Visual Arts
- Maths Drop In
From the Assistant Principal, Teaching and Learning
Academic Annexe
A reminder to parents that the Academic Annexe continues in Term 2 after school in the Senior Resource Centre every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 3:20 pm - 5:20 pm.
All students in Year 5-12 are welcome to attend.
Stay, Study, Succeed!
The following St Pius X oldboys are available to assist with any questions that students have:
Monday: Ryan Battley, Joshua Bewley – Subject strengths include History, Mathematics, Business Studies, Commerce, Religion, Economics, Math Ext 1, Math Ext 2, Chemistry, Physics.
Tuesday: Antony Di Mauro, Darcy Keenlyside – Subject strengths include History, Mathematics and PDHPE, Chemistry.
Wednesday: Jake Ormsby – Subject strengths include History, Mathematics and PDHPE.
Thursday: Jarred Lam – Subject strengths include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Music.
This is a great opportunity to complete study notes, homework and/or receive additional support from some of previous High Achievers. All tutors are happy to assist with any subject.
Students will be required to sign in to the SRC upon arrival so that the College can monitor student numbers to ensure we have adequate supervision in place.
As we come towards a busy assessment period, the Academic Annexe can be a great help!
Streamlining College communication
Commencing in 2024, St Pius X College now has three management systems to assist with enrolment, teaching and learning, and cocurricular activities. The College has put together the following information to ensure that parents' and students' experience with these systems is as easy as possible.
Canvas is the learning management system. Sentral is the student management system. Clipboard is the cocurricular management system. Further information is provided on each of these systems below.
Additionally, the College has adjusted the St Pius X App home screen (shown below) so that access to these systems is centralised for parents and is as easy as possible. The middle row now allows quick access to the Canvas, Sentral and Clipboard sites.
Please therefore ensure that you update the College App to access these latest changes. Further information to update the app is provided in the following document.
Please note, invitations for Sentral access have been emailed to parents. Parents can email the College if they require invitations to be resent. Logins to Sentral will be particularly important when parents require parent/teacher interview bookings.
The purpose of the College’s management systems are as follows:
To add an explanation for your son's absence from school, please log into the Sentral Parent portal and navigate to the Absence tab. (This is not used for absences from cocurricular training or game fixtures - please use Clipboard for these absences.)
- Click on the absence you want to send an explanation for
- Enter the absence reason in the text box provided
- Please note this will only be available for 7 days from the absence
Please only use the Clipboard system to advise absences from cocurricular training, activities or game fixtures - not absence from school.
I look forward to working with parents, students and staff as we continue to adjust to these systems.
Mr Stephen Davidson - Assistant Principal, Teaching and Learning
Science
Year 10 Science
Our Year 10 Science classes are learning about DNA and Genetics at the moment. Some of the classes have been making models of DNA. Mrs Schuster’s class made some models last week which are pictured below.
The Science Experience 2024/2025
The Science Experience is a 1, 2 or 3 day STEM program of hands-on science and is open to all current Year 9 and 10 students. The programs include hands-on activities in laboratories, short interactive lectures, and many programs include a visit to a local scientific site. All programs provide information on future study and possible careers. There is no selection process and all students with an interest in this area are welcome to attend.
The program dates for NSW are
University of New England (Armidale): July 9 - 11
University of Technology (Sydney): September 24 - 26
Macquarie University (Sydney): October 9 - 11
For further information please email admin@scienceexperience.com.au,
visit: www.scienceexperience.com.au or call (03) 9756 7534.
Mrs Joanne Schuster - Leader of Learning, Science
History
Ancient History Excursion
During Term 1, our Year 12 Ancient Historians studying for the HSC and those Year 9 students involved in History Elective were taken by Mrs Casamento and Mr Hartnett to the Chau Chak Wing Museum at Sydney University and Ramses Exhibition at the Australian Museum.
As a part of the HSC course, the study of an ancient society is required, and the Rameses exhibition was of great relevance to our students who are studying New Kingdom Egypt during the Ramesside period.
Our Year 9 students doing History Elective also found the exhibition on Roman, Greek, and Egyptian artefacts at the Chau Chak Wing Museum very interesting. It certainly inspired them with their major assessment work in building a model from the period of Ancient Rome and Ancient Egypt.
In senior Ancient History and History Elective in Year 9, key features of ancient societies are examined through the window of a range of archaeological and written sources. Students develop a range of historical concepts and skills in research, analysis, organisation, self-management and reasoning.
Those who choose to continue to study History learn to develop arguments effectively, and more often than not move into the careers of law, business, education, and the media to name a few. The study of History continues to flourish at St Pius X College.
A special thank you goes to Mrs Casamento and Mr Rodgers who organised the excursion and ensured the smooth operation and success of the day.
Inspired!
Year 9 History Elective displaying their models for their major assessment task in Term 1. These formed a library display designed by Mrs Keighery, our Library and Information Services Coordinator.
Mr Jim Hartnett - History Teacher
Visual Arts
Willoughby Council photography competition
Please click on the link for further information: https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Canopy-of-Life-Tree-Festival/High-school-photo-competition
Ms Frances Doyle - Leader of Learning, Visual Arts
Maths Drop In
All Year 7 - 12 students are welcome to come along, to get assistance with Mathematics homework, assignments or study for assessments. Come along, we are here to help.
Where: C1
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 7:40 am - 8:30 am
I'm very much looking forward to seeing many students unlock their mathematical potential.
Mrs Amanda Fileman - Mathematics Teacher