Parent & Student Matters 

• Science Club
• Morning Study
• From the Diverse Learning Department
• Year 10 History Incursion
• Performing Arts Festival Concerts
• Maths Drop-In

Science Club

Last week during Science Club, we took some time to do some planning and brainstorming about future activities for Science Club.  We now have some fun activities planned for the rest of the year and next year.

Next fortnight, on Thursday 27 October, we will be having a Halloween-themed Science Club for any boys interested.  All boys in Years 7 - 11 are welcome to join us.  

Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator

Morning Study

Open to all students in Years 5 -12, Morning Study will resume for this term on Tuesday 25 October (Week 3 of Term 4) from 7.30 am in the Diverse Learning Office.

Morning Study is part of the official Co-curricular Program for St Pius X College. Please consider this opportunity to consolidate learning, especially in the lead up to Term 4 exams for all subjects.

From the Diverse Learning Department

Staff Update

We farewell Mr Olson, from the Diverse Learning Department.  Mr Olson is enjoying long service leave for Term 4. He has worked mainly with Year 9 and 10 students for the last couple of years on a part time basis and will return in 2023 to continue managing the College archives. His long association with St Pius X College is invaluable.

Mr Michael Dalton joined Diverse Learning in Term 2 and we thank him for his commitment to Diverse Learning. We also welcome Ms Carolyn Scott who joins us in Term 4. We can all be found in the Diverse Learning Office.

Diverse Learning Teachers 

Mrs Annabel Gunns, Mrs Antonella Schiller, Ms Carolyn Scott

Diverse Learning Teacher’s Aides

Ms Meredith Leedham and Mr Michael Dalton

Diverse Learning Office 

Level 1

Administration Building

Opposite the Boardroom

(Upstairs from the Principal's office and turn right!)

Our focus is to work with students through in-class support, small groups or one to one. In-class support is targeted for students across all areas of the curriculum. We also teach Year 7 and 11 English and Year 5, 6 and 9 Literacy and are available from 7.00 am Monday to Friday.

Exam and Assessment Provisions Year 5-12

Thank you to all students, teaching staff and administration staff who enabled us to offer Provisions to students who needed a small group setting for Year 11 exams or Year 5-10 assessments during Term 3. We were also able to support students with unexpected injuries. Thanks to everyone for the flexibility and commitment given to caring for our students’ needs.

A special thank you to those parents who are providing the reader or writer role for our HSC students which commenced last week.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Commonwealth Government Report August 2022 – July 2023

The new reporting period for NCCD 2023 has commenced. Please follow the link below for further information.

https://www.nccd.edu.au/sites/default/files/nccd_parent_fact_sheet_english_0.pdf

Letter for parents attached below explains student data which is collected and how the Commonwealth Government applies the data for decision making.

Students with a Disability at St Pius X College

St Pius X College ensures that students with disabilities are provided an inclusive educational experience and provided with the opportunity to participate in the full range of College activities. The term ‘disability’ may refer to a physical, sensory, cognitive, or social/emotional matter which presents as a barrier to learning.

Please do not hesitate to contact Diverse Learning (Annabel Gunns agunns@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au) if you would like further understanding of disability and its relationship with primary and secondary education as well as with transitioning to post-school options.

Mrs Annabel Gunns - Diverse Learning Coordinator

Year 10 History Incursion

On Tuesday, the three Year 10 Mandatory History classes were the audience for a special incursion in the Sarto Centre. Glen Phillips from Starss Production presented his Rights and Freedoms performance which focused on the history of indigenous rights in Australia. Using a multi-media approach that included footage of Prime Ministers Hawke and Albanese’s speeches about the topic, his own singing of political songs from Midnight Oil, Goanna and Yothu Yindi, Glen was able to run through some major events from the arrival of Captain Cook through to the Frontier Wars, the Stolen Generations, the Freedom Rides and the 1967 Referendum. Using primary sources from key historical figures such as Charles Perkins and Faith Bandler, the story of the struggles and successes was brought to life. This performance provided excellent support for the students who are studying this topic which was brought right up the present day with the proposed referendum on the Voice to Parliament.

Mr Pat Rodgers - History/Legal Studies Coordinator

Performing Arts Festival Concerts

The annual St Pius X College Performing Arts Festival will commence in the coming weeks. Each tutor will stage a concert involving their students. We are pleased that this can again take place with a live audience. Below is a schedule of the various concerts:

Parents and families are invited to attend.

Mr Stephen Cummins - Music Tuition Program Coordinator

Maths Drop-In

Maths Drop-In Years 7-12

Maths drop-in sessions run each Tuesday and Thursday morning 7.40 am – 8.30 am in C1.

Sessions have commenced for the term.

This is the ideal place where students can come and feel comfortable to ask questions, take time to study or nut out some challenging problems. Rewards are given, laughs are heard and words of encouragement are shared. Come along and be a part of the team in C1.

Maths Drop-In Years 5-6

Junior Maths Drop-In sessions will run on Friday mornings from 7.40 am - 8.30 am in The Learning Enrichment Room in the Junior School.

This is an ideal place for extra revision or taking the time to get support if needed. Come along and be part of the team.

Mrs Amanda Fileman - Junior School Teacher