Parent & Student Matters
What's happening in the College?
- From the Science Department
- Year 12 Study Day #3
- Year 7 & 8 Study Skills Evening
- Sydney Writer's Festival Excursion
- From the Diverse Learning Department
- Maths Drop In
- Free online workshop for those teaching Learner Drivers
From the Science Department
Year 11 Biology Field trip
On Tuesday 11 May, on a day that was forecast for heavy showers, Yr 11 Biology bravely ventured out to Sydney Olympic Park Homebush to examine the ecosystem dynamics of the Intertidal Wetlands. Fortunately, the sun came out and it was in fact a perfect day for fieldwork.
The time was divided between two main practical activities: investigating the crab population in the mangroves and investigating the impact of salt levels on vegetation type. The students also learnt about the history of the area. The Wangal tribes of Bennelong and Barangaroo were the first inhabitants who lived sustainably for around 25 thousand years in this area. During the twentieth century the land, which was high in clay content, was used for brick making at the State Brickworks (This pit is now an adopted home of the Green and Golden Bell Frog and a feature of the parklands). An abattoir was also established and only closed in June of 1988. In order to host the 2000 Olympic games, the area was remediated and repurposed. Through the fieldwork conducted the students gained a deeper understanding of the need to conserve and maintain the Intertidal Wetlands and of the impact of anthropogenic changes on biodiversity.
The field trip supported the HSC Biology syllabus Module 4 : Ecosystem Dynamics and was an invaluable experience.
Mrs Denise Ramsey - Biology Teacher
Science Club
Last Thursday our Science Club members explored the world of centrifuges. We attempted to make a ‘paperfuge’ or more correctly a ‘DVDfuge’. We tried to make the centrifuge with a DVD, string and a button, but the string was too thick to pass through the holes. So we tried again with fishing line, but it became apparent that the centrifuge moved too much as the fishing line was too thin. So, we managed to force the thicker string through and make one centrifuge and then ran out of time to complete it. So next fortnight at Science Club, we will aim to complete the 'DVDfuge' and see if we can use it to separate a mixture of tomato sauce and water. To be continued...
Year 7 Science
Some Year 7 Science classes have been doing fish dissections last week as part of their completion of their topic on Classification. Pictured are some of Mrs Schuster’s students performing this dissection. Many students commented that this was the best Science lesson of the year!
National Youth Science Forum 2022
The NYSF Year 12 Program to be held in January 2022 offers an exciting range of in-person and digital science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experiences for participants across Australia. In 2022, the NYSF will deliver a 12-day program from 10-25 January via a combination of in-person and digital STEM experiences. 2022 participants will experience everything the NYSF is famous for, including keynote speakers, lectures, hands-on workshops, debates, expos and enriching social activities. In-person STEM visit days and events will be held over a week of the program at major city hubs across the country, enabling students to meet each other and network with like-minded peers. A continuous program of digital events will run alongside the in-person events meaning the program is accessible to all. This option also means the NYSF experience is still accessible and stimulating should there be a COVID-19 hotspot emerge.
For more information, please go to: https://www.nysf.edu.au/programs/year-12-program/
Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator
Year 12 Study Day #3
Last Friday, 21 May, all the Year 12 students attended our 3rd Study Day at Oxford Falls.
We benefited greatly from engaging in a panel discussion with nine Old Boys from the Class of 2020 along with Mr James Quinn about their experiences so far at university and a within large variety of career pathways. Their advice was of great value to the whole cohort, emphasising the importance of harnessing a strong sense of inherent motivation regarding career pathways to excel in Year 12. However, notably, the speakers also stressed the importance of maintaining a strong support network to deal with the challenges and pressures that are synonymous with the HSC. Thus, their advice came at a very relevant time in the HSC year, with Year 12 currently preparing for the third round of internal HSC assessments.
The day also involved a series of lectures from Elevate Education which provided each of the Year 12 Homerooms with insight regarding study skills and strategies for the HSC. Like the Old Boys, these lecturers reiterated the importance of working both collaboratively and efficiently in Year 12 in order to manage time pressures and develop a strong network upon which success can be shared and thus strengthened further.
The final session was run by Mrs Bamber and Mr Madani who facilitated time for the boys to work through a careers workshop booklet to further develop our interests in what pathways we may choose for next year. The experience was a great motivator for all of us involved.
On behalf of Year 12, I would like to thank Mrs Bamber, Mr Lynch, Mr Madani and all the Pastoral Care teachers who helped facilitate the Study Day.
Joshua Jones on behalf of the Year 12 Academic Prefects
Year 7 and 8 Study Skills Evening with Dr Prue Salter
This invaluable learning activity is open to students and parents from Year 7 and 8. Please book on the Trybooking site provided so that we can monitor attendee numbers and other considerations for our COVID-safe plan.
It will be held on Monday 7 June from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm. This is a free event.
This is a highly recommended evening which should be attended by parent/s with their son. In lieu of the cancellation last year due to COVID-19 we are inviting both Year 7 and Year 8 families, and parents are asked to book. The event will be held in the gym and parking will be available in the school yard.
Please use the following Trybooking link to book: https://www.trybooking.com/758453
Sydney Writer's Festival Year 11 Excursion
On Monday 3 May 2021, a group of Year 11 students were fortunate enough to attend the Sydney Writer’s Festival Secondary Schools Day for 2021.
Every year since its founding in 1997, the Sydney Writer’s Festival has brought together some of the greatest literary minds in the Southern Hemisphere. It has been a place of imagination and creativity, inspiring the hundreds of hopeful writers who attend its events each year, and facilitating the expression of a vast array of ideas, identities and voices. Through a diverse program of varying cultural and social perspectives, the festival seeks not only to showcase the work and efforts of emerging contemporary Australian authors, but to empower an eager community through radical dialogue and respectful debate. If anything, Monday’s event exemplified this.
The first presenter of the day was Leanne Hall, a passionate crime and fantasy writer and author of “The Gaps”.
Next, we were entertained by the accomplished Zana Fraillon. Ms Fraillon captivated all with her satirical and witty presentation that involved the drawing of several ‘scribble monsters’, and a deep discussion about identity and how our sense-of-self can be expressed through the characters we develop in our work.
A break for lunch was then followed by a compelling presentation from emerging Aboriginal author Gary Lonesborough. Aptly named, ‘Finding Courage’, Mr Lonesborough’s presentation centered on the importance of finding oneself and embracing one’s culture, heritage and all aspects of one’s identity.
Finally, we heard from the critically acclaimed Michael Pryor, a fantasy author who has written and published almost forty books.
The Sydney Writer’s Festival was a unique opportunity, and one that rarely presents itself. Perhaps the words of William Wordsworth encapsulate Monday’s excursion best; “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” A sentiment that I hope will stay with us for many years to come.
Ben Cullen - Year 11 Student
External Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Providers Suitable for Running the Adventurous Journey Component
There are times when some of the students enrolled in the College’s DoE Program are unable to participate in the Hikes run by Mr de Silva (Outdoor Education). If your son has missed a hike, but does want to progress on with an Adventurous Journey (AJ), there is the option to discuss setting up a AJ using Camp Somerset and/or Outward Bound. Both of these organisations run regular AJ’s for Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. Below is the latest offering from Somerset.
Somerset has been running school camps and Duke of Ed expeditions since 1981.
We offer fun, safe and affordable Duke of Ed expeditions across all 3 levels.
Term 2, Term 3 and Term 4 Holiday Expeditions
- Our July still have some spots remaining
- Our September/October expeditions are online and accepting registrations now!
- December Dates – will be online at the beginning of Term 3
- And also January - will be online at the beginning of Term 3
- https://www.campsomerset.com.au/event
Duke of Ed Concessions
- For our Open expeditions we will continue to embrace the concessions that the Duke of Ed is offering/highlighting by running the shorter Practice expeditions, etc
- Our decision in this regard has been reached taking into account a number of reasonings … re-scheduled or postponed bookings, affordability, savings of both time and money, meeting parent/carer and schools expectations, matching other providers, etc. We will, of course, review this as we go along and see the ‘lay-of-the-land’, etc
- For concessions allowing the Silver Practice to also count as the Bronze Qualifier, etc ... we are referring the students and parents/carers to you, as the Award Leader, to decide if these concessions are suitable and appropriate for the student(s)
- Please call with any question or suggestion you may have in regards to this
What we provide as part of our Costs
- Group Leader supervision, mentoring, etc for the entire expedition (‘24/7’)
- Prep lessons and checks – route planning, food check, gear check & repacking, etc
- Field note templates & maps and compasses
- Cookers, pots & fuel, group utensils kit
- Ability to hire tents and rucksacks, sleeping bags/mats
- Information and advice on gear, meals and all other queries about the expedition(s)
- Reading, assessment and sign-off of AJs and Reports
Safety First
Did you know?
- Our Leaders accompany and supervise the group for the entirety of the expedition
- We have at least 2 groups travelling in parallel and camping together to ensure the close assistance of a 2nd adult if required
- Our Basecamp lies in the heart of our program area, as such, all comms, backup, coordination, etc are onsite and on-hand
- A private VHF radio network that covers our program area (also spots and phones for backup/redundancy)
- We have comprehensive Safety Management, Bushfire Management, Critical Incident, etc plans
- Standard operating procedures
- Decades of experience
Silver AJ Qualifying Hike
Mr de Silva is currently organising a Silver hike for the 4-6 June. Students have been requested to return permission slips to him directly.
For students wanting to be involved, you must have returned the Permission slip to him to be added into the Journey on the DoE Online Record Book (ORB).
Don’t miss your chance to finish off your Hike requirements this year.
Mrs Kara Manga - Duke of Edinburgh Convenor
From the Diverse Learning Department
Morning Study Class Years 5-11
Three Mornings per week any student in Year 5 to 11 is welcome to attend the Morning Study Class in C5 from 7:30 am. This is available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Please take advantage of this opportunity to have help with any coursework or homework.
Assessments and Unexpected Injuries
If your son has an injury which limits his ability to write for an assessment task please notify Diverse Learning as we will be able to provide a scribe, rest breaks or extra time to write. Please contact Annabel Gunns at agunns@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.
Mrs Annabel Gunns – Diverse Learning Coordinator
Super 6 Comprehension
- Making Connections
- Predicting
- Questioning
- Monitoring
- Visualising
- Summarising
Last week we highlighted the second strategy “Predicting”. This week the focus is on “Questioning”. This strategy allows students to engage with the text by asking questions to wonder, justify, clarify inquire and understand. This can be simply achieved through asking why, how, when, where, who and where questions.
Mrs Petah Jamieson – Diverse Learning Year 7 and 8
Maths Drop-In
A reminder that all students in Years 7 - 12 are welcome to Maths Drop-in. The sessions are run each Tuesday & Thursday morning 7.30 am - 8.30 am in C1.
Mrs Amanda Fileman - Teacher
Workshop for Parents & Supervisors of Learner Drivers
Hunter's Hill and Lane Cove Councils are presenting a free online workshop for those teaching learner drivers.
Thursday 3 June, 6.00 pm - 7.15 pm
For more information please visit www.helpinglearnerdrivers.eventbrite.com.au