Performing Arts

Music Matters

Comedy Night:

Thank you to our incredible PAPA team, especially the Comedy Night sub-committee members, Sylvia Ulevik, Jana Gibson, Simon Kennedy, John Moran and Sandra Quan who put together another wonderful night of fun-filled entertainment and even ensured the weather behaved! It was wonderful to see the fundraising vision of our resident comedian and parent, Simon Kennedy, being embraced wholeheartedly. Thank you so much to everyone who came to support this venture. Now in its third year, we smashed our previous ticket sales by 50 tickets! I would like to also especially thank Year 12 parent, Jana Gibson for her enthusiastic work on the PAPA committee over the past few years. 

Performing Arts Festival

Our Performing Arts Festival commences this afternoon, showcasing solo performances by some of our talented piano and brass students. Please see the details below.

Parking is available on College grounds via Kirk Street. Students should wear their summer uniform, although sports uniform is acceptable for those returning from training.

I wish all our performers the very best of luck (or ‘break a leg!’, as we say in showbiz!). Unfortunately, my HSC Music marking commitments over the next 2 weeks will prevent me from attending, but I look forward to hearing about the wonderful performances and celebrating our students’ achievements!

School gates will be open for parking, with entry via Kirk Street. Gates automatically open upon exit.

New Cocurricular and Performing Arts Administrative Assistant 

We are delighted to welcome Mrs Haroula Panos to the Cocurricular and Performing Arts administration team. Mrs Panos hpanos@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au has considerable school administrative experience and will be working part-time alongside Ms Merryn Dodd. 

Composition Competition Reminder - entries close Friday 6 November 2026.

Compose the fanfare for the St Pius X College 2027 Commencement Mass 90th anniversary celebrations to be premiered at St Mary’s Cathedral! 

Current students, staff and Old Boys are invited to submit an original fanfare for performance at one of the College’s most significant events.

Composition criteria – submitted works must be:

• an original composition for B♭ trumpet consort/ensemble (not composed using AI)

• written in concert F major (G major for B♭ trumpets)

• approximately 2 minutes' duration

• composed in a traditional, ceremonial fanfare style for 2 - 3 parts (trumpets only)

Ideally, the closing bars should provide a seamless transition into Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, in concert F major.

Prizes:  The winning composer will receive a prize valued at $500, provided by PAPA – the Performing Arts Parents’ Association; a runner-up prize of $250 will also be awarded.

Submission information - Entries close: Friday 6 November 2026.

Entries must be submitted as a PDF score and MP3 recording and include the piece title and composer’s name. Old Boys must also include graduation year. Submit works and enquiries to: awesthoff@tpiusx.nsw.edu.au 

By entering the competition, composers grant the College permission to perform and use their submitted composition at future College events. Copyright and authorship of the work remain with the composer.

Investiture Ceremony

We look forward to our Intermediate Jazz Band providing music at next Monday’s Investiture Ceremony at The Concourse. Several of our talented Year 11 musicians will also perform individual musical items throughout the ceremony, showcasing their talents and adding a special touch to this significant occasion in the College calendar.

Junior School on Show!

Our Junior School students are preparing to shine on stage, showcasing their creativity, enthusiasm and passion for the Performing Arts in two special celebrations this November.

The festivities begin on Friday 6 November with the Junior School Concert, commencing at 1:30 pm in the College Gym. 

All students in Years 5 and 6 will take part, presenting a wide range of repertoire reflecting their classroom music learning and achievements throughout the semester. Audiences will also be treated to performances by our Junior Concert Band, Junior Chorale and Junior Guitar Ensemble, promising an entertaining afternoon of music, talent and lots of school spirit.

Christmas Twilight Concert – Friday 20 November, 5:00 pm

It’s hard to believe it’s only one month until our end of year spectacle, the Christmas Twilight Concert, where all our ensembles will perform and the audience joins with us in singing Christmas Carols. Be sure to keep the date free and invite your family!

The spotlight then turns to our budding young actors, as the Junior School Drama Ensemble takes to the stage in the Sarto Centre on Friday 13 November with their production of The Missing Masterpiece. The students will perform twice for their Junior School peers and teachers, with parents warmly invited to attend either the 2:00 pm (Year 5) or 2:30 pm (Year 6) show. This afternoon will give our young drama students a chance to showcase their creativity, teamwork, and growing confidence as performers. Further details will be emailed to families of the students involved shortly.

We warmly invite families and friends to join us in celebrating the creativity, dedication and achievements of our young performers. These Junior School events promise to be a wonderful way to celebrate another exciting and successful year in the Performing Arts at the College!

Year 10 Music student, singer PJ Keledjian, releases second single!

‘Chasing The Horizon’, composed by PJ and his classmate, Jackson Byak, who also produced the song, was officially released on 16 October.

Listen to 'Chasing The Horizon': https://linktr.ee/pjkeledjian

Follow PJ’s Journey: https://linktr.ee/pjkeledjian

Notes from the artist: ‘Chasing the Horizon’ is a song about holding on to the people and memories that matter, even as life continues to change around you. It reflects on how people can come and go, while certain connections, memories and feelings remain constant. The song explores moving forward without letting go of what has shaped you, finding hope in change, and trusting that the people who truly matter will remain by your side along the way.

We hope you enjoy it!

Private Tuition Reminders

Students currently undertaking private instrumental or vocal tuition at the College do not need to reapply for lessons in 2027, as enrolments will automatically roll over.

If your son will not be continuing with his tutor next year, please ensure that 3 weeks’ written notice is provided to the tutor before the end of term, in accordance with College policy and to assist with 2027 planning.

Clipboard will open in the coming weeks for new lesson applications for 2027.

For any private tuition enquiries, please contact your son’s tutor directly or Mr Stephen Cummins, Coordinator of Private Tuition, at scummins@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

Students using hired instruments are reminded to return them to their tutor or the Music Office after their final lesson or ensemble rehearsal for the term.

For all other enquiries, please contact Ms Merryn Dodd, Performing Arts Administration Assistant, at sperformingarts@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Important Performing Arts Dates for Term 4

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

Treasure Island

We had an excellent start to our rehearsals last week with Mr Saar teaching the whole cast some of the songs they will be performing in the play. For upcoming rehearsals please see the schedule below: 

Please ensure your son attends all rehearsals they are called for (unless they are ill). We will be creating a Clipboard group so you can let us know if they are sick. If not please email me, or Jenna Ryan (Producer) at the school. 

Students involved in the crew have been emailed their rehearsal schedule. They may come to any other rehearsals they wish to. Please let Mr Ben Serone know as he is in charge of the schedule. 

If you are sick, please email either myself  PLindley@stpiusx.com.au or Ms Ryan JRyan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Drama Elective Showcase: Friday 23 October from 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm

Please join us for the annual Drama Elective Showcase where students from Years 9, 10 and 11 will present some of their assessment performances from 2026. All welcome!

Students performing or helping with the crew will stay at school and rehearse in the Sarto for this event. They will be provided with a snack thanks to the PAPA association. 

Key Dates:

• Intermediate Drama Ensemble begins this week
• Drama Elective Showcase this Friday 23 October
• Treasure Island Photo Shoot Friday 6 November. We will let you know what your son should be wearing for this event. 

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama

From PAPA

Thank you for the laughs! 🎤😂

A huge thank you to the more than 130 people who attended and/or donated to our 3rd annual PAPA Comedy Night and helped make it such a success.

A very special thank you to our brilliant comedians Tommy Dean, Fiona Cox and Bruce Griffiths, and our very own SPX parent and MC, Simon Kennedy, for bringing the laughs and making the night so memorable.

To our incredible volunteers, supporters, organisers and everyone who worked behind the scenes, thank you for your time, energy and generosity. It truly takes a village to bring a night like this together, and we’re so grateful to everyone who played a part.

Special thanks to:

❤️ Mrs Annabel Westhoff, Mr Matt Stearn, Mr Michael Ronchetti, Ms Penny Lindley, Mrs Merryn Dodd, Mr Stephen Cummins, Mr Brendan Jones, Ms Felicity Barrett, the Maintenance Team and Mrs Janelle Arena at the school.

❤️ Tom’s Cellars at West Pymble, an SPX family business.

❤️ Our PAPA Comedy Night team: Ms Jana Gibson, Mr Simon Kennedy, Mr John Moran and Ms Sandra Quan.

❤️ And, of course, the PAPA Committee for their continued support.

What a wonderful SPX community. Thank you!