Pastoral Care
- Reconciliation Week Celebration of Music
- Year 12 Social Event with Brigidine
- Year 12 Form Meeting
- PCYC North Sydney
- Year 7 Study Skills Evening
- Red Dirt Expedition
- North Shore Area Police and Principals' Forum
- Brother's Rugby Club
Reconciliation Week Celebration of Music and connection to First Nations people
This week we marked Reconciliation Week with National Sorry Day on the 26 May anniversary of the 1967 National Referendum through to the anniversary of the Mabo decision on 3 June, commemorating the significant landmarks and work being done in the road towards Truth, Healing and Reconciliation with our shared history.
The College was proudly represented at St Anthony in the Fields Terry Hills Church – Frenchs Forest Parish Reconciliation Week concert celebration of contemporary First Nations musicians: Singing Up Country last Sunday evening.
The concert was preceded by a reflective walk on country learning about the cultural and ceremonial significance of the traditional pathway between the Darkinjung and Cowan reaches of the Hawkesbury River, and Northern Beaches and Cammeraygal country on which our school stands.
Year 10 Reconciliation Action Plan Team representatives: Patrick Frost and Dominic Mitchell and Year 11 RAP student leaders Tom Cleary and Eamon Boyle joined Guwara AECG Leader Clarence Bruinsma, Aunty Lois Birk and Michael Birk in a smoking and ochre ceremony.
Notably the inspirational showman and headline act of the evening Mr John Nichol, was backed by highly regarded Conservatorium of Music Jazz Piano teacher and SPX Old Boy (Class of ’78) Kevin Hunt. Kevin’s brother John was a former Chair of the College Board. Their show stopping performance of talent reinforced the great legacy of St Pius X College in musicians as well as respect and connection to First Nations people and country.
We are reminded also of the legacy of SPX Old Boy (’86) Archibald Prize winning artist Craig Ruddy who passed away earlier this year. Craig’s award winning charcoal portrait featured actor David Gulpilil of Walkabout, Storm Boy fame. At Craig’s remembrance service in the bush setting upriver from Roseville Bridge, Bruce Pascoe, Cathy Freeman, and recently elected cabinet member Linda Burney provided touching personal condolences of appreciation for Craig’s support and connection to them.
Always was, always will be …….
Year 12 Social Event with Brigidine
Year 12 are reminded that the after school social event with Brigidine St Ives we are hosting at Oxford Falls on Friday afternoon 10 June approaches. Please indicate your attendance and transport arrangements to Ms Janes on the online form provided to students.
Year 12 Form Meeting
Last week’s Year 12 Form Meeting featured presentations from Police Youth Engagement Officers Snr Constables Lynda Hart and Jenni Brown who guided the students on their responsibilities and security in public, social and online realms.
The important messages were to show respect, courtesy and consideration for others, ask for help when you need it and reach out to support each other as they approach important rites of passage including their 18th birthdays, the HSC and life beyond schooling.
PCYC North Sydney
Snr Constable Jenni Brown is keen to develop a place for young people to exercise and connect to the benefit of their social, emotional, physical and mental health at North Sydney PCYC. To that end students are invited to attend a 7.00 am Physical Training workout followed by breakfast before heading off to school.
Enhanced Study Skills Year 7 Study Skills Evening Monday 20th June
Parents and students of Year 7 are reminded of the invitation to attend the Year 7 Study Skills Evening presentation at 6.30 pm - 8.00 pm on Monday 20 June in the College Gym. In past years this presentation by study guru, Dr Prue Salter, has been incredibly well received and highly valued for the insights it gives students and parents in supporting their learning and effective study journey.
Given the circumstances in recent years, Dr Salter has kindly offered to accommodate students from Year 8 or 9 who may have missed their presentations. Students should bring their College Diary, a pen, and sit with their parent at the event. As per all school-related events, students need to come to the evening in their full winter school uniform.
Parents are encouraged to review the handout from the session with students and discuss the main areas identified where changes need to be made. Parents can also find extra study skills tips on the following website: http://studyskillstoptipsparents.com/.
All secondary students and parents at our school have access to a great study skills website to help students develop their skills. Go to www.studyskillshandbook.com.au and enter the username: spx and the password: 25success. There are lots of useful handouts on the THINGS TO PRINT page on this site and students can work through the units where they need additional help.
Please use the Trybooking link below to register to attend. Please note that when booking, you simply need to select 1 ticket for a family. That will allow you to add both parent and student name in the Ticket Holder Information page. Limited parking will be available in the school yard.
Red Dirt Expedition
As preparations ramp up for our Red Dirt Expedition and our hosts in Baradine, Warrumbungles, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Walgett and Bourke prepare for our visit, students are reminded we have a briefing this Thursday at lunchtime in D3 to consider equipment and packing as well as to prepare for the food orders throughout the trip.
Tent, Bus and Food groups are being developed so make sure you are in attendance and understand what you need to do to prepare for our 5.00 am Sunday 26 June departure to visit the rural, remote and indigenous communities of north western NSW.
North Shore Area Police and Principals Forum
Tuesday’s North Shore Area Police and Principals' forum focused on topical concerns of both police and local schools. It featured Child Psychologist and Screens and Gaming expert Mr Brad Marshall whose insights our Counsellor Ms Joe McCarthy and P&F President Mrs Sarah Gillard hope to share with Year 7 and 8 students and SPX parent groups on Wednesday 10 August. Watch this space.
The other topic of concern was the prevalence of e-cigarettes and vaping and their negative effects upon young peoples’ health, which was addressed by Ms Melissa Palermo of NSW Health.
Melissa pointed out resources available on the NSW Health website to inform health decisions and young people and their supporters.
Coincidentally recent old Boy Francis Phillips (Class of ’15) has made an approach to the school for young people, particularly in Years 9 and 10, to be included in research around young peoples attitude to vaping and associated preventative campaigns.
Please contact Mr Brannan and / or stay tuned to provide informed consent to be involved in this important research, study and learning.
Brothers - Christian Brothers Old Boys Rugby Club
Brothers Rugby Club has a Colts U/21 Rugby Team for the first time in several years. Currently it has a significant number of Waverley ex students linked to SPX Old Boy Rodger Shanahan. If you would like to have a run and make some new mates in a very social sporting environment contact Levi Zaarour (’21), Club Coaches Nathan Timberell and Justin Gates, Club Captain Karl Houghton, or Adrian or Sean Brannan. The Club is sponsoring free membership and kit for Colts players!
Fide et Labore
Mr Sean Brannan - Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care and Wellbeing