Music Matters

Performing Arts Captains:

We have had an overwhelming response from Year 11 students aspiring to leadership roles within the Performing Arts. Mr Saar joined me in conducting the interviews (in Ms Lindley’s absence while undertaking HSC Drama marking) and were extremely impressed by the students’ preparation, enthusiasm and thoughtful responses. Each spoke passionately about their vision for Performing Arts at St Pius X College, the contribution they hope to make, and their commitment to supporting and strengthening our Performing Arts community. It was wonderful to see such genuine enthusiasm and initiative from so many students, and it is clear that the future of Performing Arts at the College is in very good hands!

We are delighted to announce the following positions:

Performing Arts Captain: Noah Watson

Performing Arts Vice-Captain (Drama): Harry Moran

Performing Arts Vice-Captain (Music): Ethan Parsons

These students were presented at yesterday’s assembly. We know that their peers in the Year 11 Performing Arts cohort will continue to support and work collaboratively with the leaders in providing new and exciting opportunities for the wider PA community.

Congratulations: NSW State Band Championships

We are thrilled to announce that our Intermediate and Senior Concert Bands performed superbly at the NSW State Band Championships in Penrith last Sunday, achieving outstanding results in their respective divisions:

Intermediate Concert Band – 3rd overall
Senior Concert Band – 2nd overall

This was an especially significant achievement for our Senior Concert Band, marking its first appearance at the Championships in more than 20 years. To return to this level of competition and achieve second place was a remarkable result!

Competing at the State Band Championships is akin to reaching a grand final, with more than 78 bands competing across the weekend. Our students represented the College with great musicianship, commitment and professionalism, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.

Special thanks must go to their ensemble directors, Ms Laura Power (Intermediate Concert Band) and Mr Geoff Power (Senior Concert Band), for their dedication, passion, exceptional musicianship and expertise they bring to their roles as ensemble directors.

We also extend our sincere gratitude to the parents and families whose support made it possible for the students to participate in this event, and for their ongoing commitment to our Performing Arts program.

Congratulations to all involved on an outstanding achievement!

HSC Showcase

We hope you are able to join us from 6:00 pm in the Band Room tonight, as our Year 12 Music students perform selections from their HSC repertoire with their accompanists ahead of their upcoming practical examinations.

This evening has a more relaxed format than our usual concerts, with audience members welcome to come and go between performances, allowing plenty of opportunity to also view the outstanding Major Works from other subjects. For our musicians, it provides another valuable opportunity to perform their repertoire in an intimate and supportive setting as they make their final preparations for their HSC examinations.

Father's Day Mass

Junior and Senior Chorales are to meet at 7:00 am on Friday 4 September, outside MR1 before walking to the Church to warm up for Mass at 7:30 am. Special thanks to Antony Autore (Year 12) for cantoring the Psalm and to Marko Fry (Year 11) for his Pipe Organ instrumental during offertory, which will help to make this Mass an even more special one.

Junior, Intermediate and Senior Guitar Ensembles will be providing entertainment for the Father’s Day breakfast following the mass. Students have been emailed details by their ensemble director, Mr Cranney.

Twilight Concert – Farewell to Seniors

Friday 4 September, 5:00 pm | College Gym

We warmly invite families and members of our College community to join us for our Twilight Concert – Farewell to Seniors, a much-loved event on the Performing Arts calendar.

Featuring performances from across our ensemble program, the concert will also showcase several of our talented Year 12 HSC Music students as soloists, providing a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their musicianship and achievements.

A particularly special part of the evening is PAPA’s farewell to our graduating Year 12 students, recognising their commitment and contribution to Music and the Performing Arts throughout their time at the College. We look forward to celebrating these students and thanking them for the important role they have played in Performing Arts at SPX.

Please note that not all our ensembles perform at this event.

Performing ensembles include:

Rock Ensemble
Intermediate Concert Band
Senior Chorale
Brass Quintet
String Ensemble
Intermediate Jazz Ensemble
String Quartet
Senior Percussion Ensemble
Senior Concert Band
Senior Jazz Ensemble
Year 12 soloists

PAPA will generously provide a complimentary BBQ for all performers, with food also available for purchase by families and friends prior to the concert. Card payments only.

Families who are able to assist PAPA with the BBQ are warmly encouraged to sign up here:: https://shorturl.at/GxBfc

Parking will be available on the College grounds.

We hope you can join us for this special evening as we farewell our senior musicians and celebrate another wonderful year of Performing Arts at SPX.

Student Music Spotlight: PJ Keledjian

Year 10 student PJ Keledjian is excited to announce the release of his debut original single, Dreaming, on 28 August 2026.

Written by PJ, Dreaming is an uplifting song about believing in your dreams and never giving up on them, no matter your age or circumstances. It encourages listeners to stay hopeful, work towards their goals, and keep believing in themselves, even when faced with challenges. The song reminds us that dreams never expire and that persistence and determination can turn them into reality.

💫 Pre-save Dreaming: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/pjkeledjian/dreaming

🎤 Follow PJ's music journey: https://linktr.ee/pjkeledjian

Concert Club #3 reminder: September 3, 2026 – Sydney Opera House

Free tickets, generously provided by PAPA, are now available via Clipboard for interested Performing Arts students in Years 9–12 to attend our final Concert Club event of the year on Thursday 3 September.

The program features an exciting Concerto for Two Pianos, alongside Italian composer Ottorino Respighi’s magnificent orchestral work, The Pines of Rome. This promises to be a wonderful evening of live orchestral music and a fitting finale to our 2026 Concert Club series.

https://www.sydneysymphony.com/events/lucas-and-arthur-jussen-perform-poulenc

Students are to meet Ms Matthews and Mr McGeekie outside the cloakroom of the Concert Hall on Level 1 at 6:30 pm (for a 7:00 pm start) and must make their own way to and from the Opera House.

NOTE: the duration of this concert is only 60 minutes so will conclude at 8:00 pm. Students are asked to avoid bringing backpacks wherever possible. Smart casual attire or school uniform is acceptable.

HSC Music Practical dates announced:

Music 1 – Friday 11 September

Music 2 and Extension – Thursday 17 September

Performance exams will take place with accompanists in the Band Room. Note: there will be no access to the Band Room on these days; students will need to put their instruments in the Music Office on these days.

HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS:

If your son loves music and/or drama, check out these fun holiday activities on offer at some of our country’s most prestigious performing arts institutions:

Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Songlab – Songwriting:

Workshops and Festivals - Conservatorium Open Academy

National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA)

Holiday Workshops include acting for screen, acting boot camps and musical theatre boot camps:

Sydney Dance Company:

Term 3 Performing Arts dates

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

Cocurricular Showcase

More photos from our excellent Cocurricular Showcase. All students really excelled in their acting and stage craft.

Treasure Island News!

It is with great excitement I inform the community of our new teacher recruits to help with Treasure Island. Ms Jenna Ryan will take on the role of Admin Producer & Mr Ben Serone will join us as Art Director. They will both be working closely with the team and with the students themselves. A very big welcome to them both!

Upcoming DRAMA events for Term 3:

(Week 8) Wednesday 9th September 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Extra Treasure Island audition (if needed). Students will be given their roles in Treasure Island in Week 8.

(Week 9) Wednesday 16 September 10:00 am: Elective Drama students go to Belvoir Street Theatre to see The Book of Everything.

(Week 10) Monday 21 September 3:20 pm - 5:00 pm: Treasure Island cast meet up, workshop and costume measurements taken.

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama

PAPA news

Farewell to Seniors Twilight Concert – Friday 4 September – We need your help!

Call for 13 wonderful volunteers to help set up, cook and pack up the BBQ to feed our performers at Friday 4 September's Farewell to Seniors Twilight Concert.

Sign up here and support our PA boys - https://shorturl.at/GxBfc

Comedy Night is back!

🎤 Get ready for a fantastic night of laughter and entertainment – all while supporting Performing Arts at SPX!

Now in its third year, the Performing Arts Parents’ Association (PAPA) Comedy Night returns with another brilliant line-up featuring some of the sharpest – and funniest – comedic talent on the scene.

On the mic:

🙌 Tommy Dean

🙌 Fiona Cox

🙌 Bruce Griffiths

🙌 And our very own Simon Kennedy!

Funds raised from the evening will help PAPA complete important sound and stage upgrades, directly enhancing Music and Drama opportunities and experiences for our students.

Tickets are $50, including one complimentary drink. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, along with snacks, will also be available for purchase throughout the evening. Donations are also warmly welcomed.

Gather your friends and join us for a fabulous night of comedy, community and fun – all in support of Performing Arts at SPX!

Buy your ticket today – https://events.humanitix.com/spx-papa-comedy-night-2026

PLEASE NOTE – This is an 18+ event, and current SPX students are not eligible to attend.

Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President - papaparents@pandf.spx.nsw.edu.au

From the Deputy Principal

Staff Meeting - Monday 7 September