What's been happening?

• 2018 Sydney Chinese Language Spectacular
• Debating
• History
• Performing Arts

2018 Sydney Chinese Language Spectacular

On the 24th of September, seventeen St Pius X boys from Years 7 to 10 participated in the annual “Sydney Chinese Language Spectacular”  which took place in the Town Hall. This event was a great opportunity for students all over Sydney to showcase their talents and knowledge of the Chinese language and culture. It allowed students to further develop their skills in Chinese, as well as learn new skills from each other.  Prior to the performance, the boys enjoyed Chinese food in the Mr Stonepot restaurant in Lemon Grove, Chatswood.  

A huge congratulations to Christian Moore, Alex Vaccher, Alexandre Birchall, Andrew Guerrera, William Licquorice, Thomas Fong, Marion Tidon, Charlie Dwyer, Andrew McKinnon, Ethan Griffin, Lachlan Miles, Alec Ramsbottom, Douglas Daniels, James Baldock, Tyson McCallum, Samuel Walters, and Austin Lowick for their outstanding efforts in representing our school.

A special thanks to Mr Couani for attending the performance and to Ms Manga for organising lunch and accompanying the boys and myself to this event.

Ms L Ho – Language Teacher

Debating

SDN Debating Competition Finals:  Last Friday 21st September St Pius X College hosted the SDN Finals.

A massive THANKYOU to James Baldock and Joshua Jones who volunteered to stay on the night to chair for the two debating sessions.  They stayed back at school until 8.45pm working brilliantly with staff, parents, adjudicators and debaters from Abbotsleigh, Roseville, Wenona, Stella Maris, Riverview and Redlands.  I am so grateful to James and Josh!  Thank you for your help on the night and your wonderful smiling faces in a sea of quite anxious students, staff and parents.

This is DEFINITELY my over and out for the year.  I look forward to seeing you all next year.

Mrs Michele Waterson - Debating & Public Speaking Convenor

History

On Tuesday afternoon in the Senior Library, Year 10 History students were privileged to hear from Tom Fleming. Tom is the grandfather of Oliver (Year 7) and Christian Robson (Year 9) and this was his third presentation at St Pius X College. His testimony as a child survivor of the Holocaust is a remarkable one.

As a six year old he was captured with his mother and sent to Terezin camp in Czechoslovakia in 1944. Out of the 16000 children at the camp, Tom was one of only 123 who survived. His story is incredible and is retold in his book Lolli’s Apple, copies of which are in our library. The Year 10s have studied the Holocaust this term and this provided them with a fascinating, first hand insight into the experiences of one person.

Thanks again to Tom and his daughter, Sarah, for coming to the College and to Mrs Keighery for hosting the event.

Mr P Rodgers - History/Legal Studies Coordinator

Performing Arts

PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL:  This annual event on the College calendar will be held in Week 3 of next term.  Each night starts at 5.30pm and all students who undertake instrumental/vocal tuition at the College are required to perform. This festival is organised by the College tutors. Students who learn outside the College are also warmly invited to participate.  Please email full name, instrument, name of work to be performed and composer to TBates@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au BEFORE the end of Term 3.  No entries will be accepted at the start of Term 4.

• Monday 29 October: Orchestral Strings and Voice: Talati S and Goodwin: BMR
• Monday 29 October: Woodwind: Andrews and Dollin: Gym
• Tuesday 30 October: Percussion: Lewandowski and Talati I: BMR
• Tuesday 30 October: Brass: Power, Sismey, Blunt, Talati S:, Gym
• Wednesday 31 October: Music Production: Cummins: BMR
• Thursday 1 November: Piano: Gan, Waddington: BMR
• Thursday 1 November: Guitar: Cranney, Cummins, Talati S: Gym
• Friday 2 November: Drama (Junior and Senior Ensembles): Lindley: Sarto Centre

“CANDIDE”:  Best wishes to Liaam Rao, viola (Year 12) who will be performing with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Sydney Youth Orchestra at the Opera House this coming weekend in Leonard Bernstein’s humorous musical comedy “Candide”.

YEAR 10 MUSIC PERFORMANCE NIGHT:  Students in the Year 10 Music class will present their final performances for the year on Wednesday 24th October commencing at 5pm in the Band Room. Parents and friends are warmly invited to support the boys.

PAPA AGM:  The Annual General Meeting of the Performing Arts Parents Association (PAPA) will take place on Thursday 25th October commencing at 7.00pm in the Music Performance Room. Light refreshments will be served and parking is available in the Junior School yard. Any questions regarding the positions of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary may be directed to TBates@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

2019 DRAMA PRODUCTION AUDITIONS – “GREAT EXPECTATIONS”

“A terrifying encounter with an escaped convict forever changes the life of the orphaned Pip. Turning his back on his humble beginnings as a blacksmith’s apprentice, he strives to better himself and become a gentleman, unaware of the hidden dangers that await him. The play tackles big questions of identity while mustering a cast of unforgettable characters.”

Planning is well underway for our 2019 Drama Production, “Great Expectations”. Students from Years 8 to 11 will be eligible to audition. Students who are interested in finding out more about the play and the commitment required should attend an information session on Friday 19/10 (end of Week 1) 3.30 – 4.00pm in the Drama Room. Auditions will take place on Monday 22/10 (start of Week 2) 3.30 – 5.30pm in the Sarto Centre.

AMEB RESULTS:  Congratulations to Jarred Lam (Year 8) who recently attained Honours in his Grade 6 Violin examination. Well done Jarred!

SENIOR CHOIR AND COLLEGE ORCHESTRA WEEK 1 TERM 4:  There will be no rehearsals for these groups in the first week of next term.

TERM 4 EXCURSION AND PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

Ms T Bates - Performing Arts Coordinator

SANDWICH SOIRÉE PROGRAM BRIGHTENS UP OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF:  On Wednesday the Music Department held its inaugural Sandwich Soirée.  This lunchtime concert program is designed to enhance solo and chamber music performance across the College. Today staff were entertained by Years 8 and 9 Musicians.

Many thanks to all involved and to Ms Pence for providing the high tea treats. We look forward to hosting further Sandwich Soirées in Term 4. 

“If Music be the food of love, play on.”

Ms P Waters - Music Teacher

DRAMA EXCURSION TO THE SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY

Last Wednesday students from Years 8, 9 and 10 travelled to the Sydney Opera House to see an all-star all-female cast perform the side-splitting comedy satire about power and corruption, Dario Fo’s “Accidental Death of an Anarchist”. The play was of interest to the students as many had studied and performed scenes in Senior Drama Ensemble earlier this year.

This production certainly did not disappoint and had an extra layer of humour with the all-female cast playing the male roles; lampooning the brutish and vulgar behaviour of each and every character with vigour. The students thoroughly enjoyed the day and were perfect in their manners and behaviour. 

Ms P Lindley - Drama Teacher