Learning Support

& Enrichment

• Thank you and Farewell, Anna Orchard, OT
• ‘Head to Health’ - A New Government Mental Health initiative​
• Enrichment Club ​
• Junior Maths Drop-in Centre
• After-school Study Program
• Maths Drop-in Centre

Thank you and Farewell, Anna Orchard, OT

A big thank you and our very best wishes go to Mrs Anna Orchard, Occupational Therapist, who has been running practical and fun touch typing and handwriting skills courses each afternoon (Mondays to Thursdays) at SPX for the last two and a half years, since term 1 2016. Anna now wishes to take a break from her therapy work, to follow through on other career-related goals and likely travel plans, and to spend more time with her family. Over her time with us at Pius, she has fostered and enjoyed good relations with many in the SPX community, but particularly with all the boys she has taught, many of whom have been eager to take on more than one of her courses, and for more than just one term. Not only has Anna worked hard to  improve what are vital skills for success at school: handwriting and touch typing, but she has also been extremely generous with her time, her resources, her advice to families and staff, and her assistance to the LSE team with our work in supporting and recommending affordable external services to support identified students with their learning and enrichment needs. We appreciate the way that Anna incorporated school topics and texts into her courses, and provided access for her students to brain-training games and kinaesthetic activities throughout her therapy-based courses.

Students across Years 5-10 have benefitted greatly from Anna’s contribution to learning at SPX, and this included her expertise and efficiency in providing quality explicit instruction, not to mention her caring nature, her deep understanding of how boys learn best, and her friendly and communicative manner. Students and parents have commented on her engaging and consistent approach with the boys, as reported through the positive feedback, regularly received by LSE staff. One parent, of a student currently undertaking Touch Typing, shared this feedback with the school: “Ben’s typing speed has improved out of sight and he is seeing the benefit of this already for his school work and assignments, so thank you so much for all of your hard work. Touch typing is such a great skill for him to have now at school and in his future work (whatever that may be), we really feel like your classes have been worth every cent!”(Mrs Jane Purcell).

On behalf of the boys and SPX community, we can’t thank you enough Anna, and we wish you all the very best with all your future endeavours!

‘Head to Health’ - A New Government Mental Health initiative

What is Head to Health?

It is a new website called Head to Health, may be of interest to all our parents and carers: www.headtohealth.gov.au

Head to Health is a new Australian Digital Mental Health Resource. It helps to find useful information, resources, and services that most suit your needs. Whether you want to improve your child’s (or your own) overall sense of wellbeing, this site is ideal — as Head to Health can point you in the right direction for great online mental health resources compiled from over 370 mental health services and resources funded by the Australian Government.

This one-stop shop site will give you access to FREE or low-cost apps, online support communities, parent courses and resources for parents, carers, friends and relatives.

Enrichment Club

All Year 7-10 welcome –  Day 10 Friday Lunchtime in LC1

Enrichment Club is on each Day 10 Friday lunchtime in LC1. Its aims are to promote opportunities for interested students who want to extend their thinking skills, enjoy learning and research challenges, and making new mates in other classes and year groups, as they engage in trivia quizzes, games, drama, online activities and more.

This is an open Club will provide opportunities for students to practice up on creative thinking, problem-solving strategies and coding skills in readiness for the annual Da Vinci Decathlon Competition. Boys are encouraged to develop critical thinking, general knowledge and leadership skills through bringing in ideas and running projects or activities, in an area of personal strength or skill. These may include vocabulary games, maths problems, lateral thinking puzzles, catchphrases, competition entry opportunities (optional) – some requiring pre-selection and trialling, as well as self-generated research questions and topics of interest.

There is no cost for joining or attending at Enrichment Club, except for any solo competition entry fees which selected students may choose to participate in, and students will be well advised about these and parent permission notes sent home before time, whenever these opportunities arise.

If interested, just bring your lunch and come along on any or every Day 10 Friday. Ms Raheb-Mol looks forward to seeing you there.

For further information or queries, please see or contact Ms Raheb-Mol at JRahebMol@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Junior Maths Drop-in Centre

There will be no Junior Maths Drop-in this Friday morning 28th June (last day of term)

The Junior Maths Drop-in Centre will run each Friday morning from 8:10 – 8:45am. Boys may choose to bring along their maths questions, problems or homework. Alternatively boys can simply attend and work on set tasks provided by the teacher.

All Junior School boys are welcome to attend, on a regular or occasional basis, as it operates from Week 2 of each term. Please meet Mrs Barrett outside the Junior School Learning Enrichment Room at 8:10am on Friday mornings. Parents are encouraged to motivate your sons to attend and make good use of this resource.

For any queries about Junior Maths Drop-in, please contact Mrs Barrett at BBarrett@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

Information for Parents and Carers

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please note that all of the co-curricular LSE-run activities which are listed on this page, and held either before school, at lunchtime, or after-school, operate each week of term from Week 2 onwards EXCEPT where there are teacher absences, or where other school-based events (including staff meetings) cause clashes or late changes.

The College apologises for this, and asks that you please remain mindful of the events which are listed on page 1 of Woodchatta, where you have direct access to the Upcoming Events section, as well as the full College Calendar.  This will assist you and your son, should alternate plans be required.

For late or unscheduled changes that affect the After-School Study program in the Senior Library, a cancellation notice is placed on the glass doors of the Library at 2.45pm or earlier, for students to check on the relevant afternoon. We also suggest that you discuss any back-up contact and travel plans with your son, should any such changes affect his regular passage home.

After-school Study Program

Maths Drop-in Centre

Ms J Raheb-Mol - Coordinator, Learning Support and Enrichment