Department News

• Mock Trial
• Performing Arts
• Science
• Duke of Edinburgh:  Bronze Adventurous Journey
• Debating

Mock Trial

Have you ever thought about where you look when you’re walking? You may want to! In our first foray into the Elimination Round of Mock Trial, we were a Council defending itself against a breach of duty of care claim by an elderly man who wasn’t looking where he was going and tripped on a raised paver. We had a tricky case, winding our way through potholes, pavers, vexatious complainers, and frankly, lazy council workers! We also had the challenge of training up some last minute substitutes who turned out to be fantastic on the day, but alas, were beaten by the formidable German International School team.

We are really proud of the progress we have made this year, and we lost out by a tiny 6 points – a fantastic effort! Well done to Daniel Butler, Sam John, Hunter Clarke, Ronan Apcar, Connor Foung and Nikita Papastamatis.

Ms A Gripton - Mock Trial Convenor

Performing Arts

New Timpani Purchase

On behalf of all students involved in the Ensemble Program at the College, I would like to sincerely thank the Performing Arts Parents Association for so generously assisting in the purchase of our new timpani. There was great excitement in the Band Room last Thursday as they were unpacked and admired. A master class which was held on Friday saw a select group of Senior and Junior percussion students learn how to tune and also play the timpani to achieve their maximum tone and dynamic potential. We look forward to sharing our new purchase with parents and friends at the next Twilight Concert on Friday 2nd September.

Band Room on Friday

There will be no access to the Band Room THIS Friday, 12th August from 9.00am – 12.30pm, due to the Year 12 Trial HSC Performance Examinations. Students who have instrumental tuition on Friday should keep their instrument with them until lunchtime. The following tutors will also be teaching in different rooms: Mr Talati will be in Studio 1 (near the Art Rooms) and Mr Cummins will be in the Digital Music Studio (opposite the Uniform Shop in the Junior School).

College Orchestra Workshop and Recording Day

Will take place THIS Sunday 14th August commencing at 10.30am in the Band Room. An email has been sent to all parents with details

Studio Concert 

Students who undertake vocal tuition with Mr Richardson will be holding a studio concert in the Band Room NEXT Monday 15th August commencing at 5.00pm. Everyone is welcome.

IPSHA Performing Arts Festival

Best wishes to Miss Whelan, Miss Tu, Ms Gan and the Junior School Choir as they represent the College at this important event NEXT Tuesday at the Sydney Town Hall. The boys have been rehearsing well and recently endured a long bus trip in cold conditions to attend a combined rehearsal with other schools at Blue Mountains Grammar. A note has been sent home to parents with all the final details regarding the final rehearsal during the day and the night time performance.

Meet the Music

Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 Elective Music students will attend the third concert in this series NEXT Wednesday 17th August (Week 5), 6.30pm at the Opera House. The concert concludes at approximately 8.30pm. Students must be neatly attired and be in their seats no later than 6.20pm. Tickets have been given to all students concerned.

Science

Science Week Theme: ‘Drones, Droids and Robots’

This year Science Week at SPX will have a STEM focus. It runs from Wed 17 August to Wednesday 24 August. Events include STEMania! a theatrical production for Years 6, 7, 8 & 9; Robotics demonstration; Chemistry demonstrations; the making of Crystal radios; and a Kahoot! Science trivia quiz.

Australian Schools Science Competition 2016 - Years 7 to 10

Please click below to see the results:

Duke of Edinburgh

Bronze Adventurous Journey

An Adventurous Journey is being organised for the weekend of the 10th- 11st of September and will take place in the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. For a number of our Year 9 students this will provide an opportunity for them to complete their Adventurous Journey commitments for the Bronze Award. Our Year 10 students are also welcome to attend.

A reminder that any student that is part of the Duke of Edinburgh program and wishes to attend school organised Adventurous Journeys will need to complete the Skills Development sessions currently held on Monday afternoons from 3.30 to 4.30pm. Students are also expected to attend the Day 9 lunchtime administration meetings where any questions or paperwork can be addressed.

If a student wishes to be considered for these hikes and is unable to attend these meetings, an alternative time may be organised after consultation with Mr de Silva. A student must complete Skills Development prior to undertaking any Adventurous Journey with the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

For more information on this hike please see Mr de Silva.

Mr P de Silva - Duke of Edinburgh Convenor

Debating

Dr Meale will be presenting the Year 8 Debaters (CSDA Finalists) to the School Assembly this Friday. The Year 12 Debaters will be presented when they return from retreats.

SDN Debating Competition – Round 4, Week 4: Friday 12th August

This Friday 12th August, Wenona have had to forfeit and so there will be no debating this Friday night and no training this Friday afternoon.  The SDN Round 5, Friday 19th August, will be held at St Pius X College and we will be hosting Monte Sant Angelo Mercy College, North Sydney.

Last Friday night St Pius X College hosted Riverview for Round 3 of the Schools’ Debating Network.  The topic area was ‘General’ which was a little difficult to prepare for in training as there was no precedent. I think that it is timely to remember that the schools in the SDN competition compete in several debating competitions which means that they are debating all year round and are exposed to fairly rigorous levels of competition. 

The schools in the SDN compete in the GPS, CSDA, ISDA, SDN and Rotary debating competitions and some run debating competitions within their schools.  St Pius X College has competed in the CSDA for decades but only one year in the SDN. We were invited to join the SDN competition in 2015.  The coaches and I can only be proud of the St Pius X debaters as they are always so gracious and generous towards their opposition teams.  This week I have heard accounts from several year groups detailing how effective the Riverview debaters were last Friday night (Riverview were the winners on the night).  I don’t know many other schools where the winning opposition would be praised so authentically. It is vital to also remember that we do not put up our ‘best’ debaters each week but rather run on a roster.  (Last week’s Year 12 had a Year 11 and a wonderful Year 12 student who has never debated before!  Profound courage!) 

The SDN presents specific ‘should’ topics that require models in debates: this is not the standard in the CSDA.  With all of the above in mind St Pius X was only 2 points behind the next school at the end of the 2015 SDN season, and this was without two primary school teams.  On several levels St Pius X debaters are ‘punching above their weight’ but it is wonderful that we have the opportunity to compete against the terrific schools in the SDN. 

Again, the coaches and I are extremely proud of our debaters, they are gracious, elegant, considered young men and they enjoy what they do.  We could not ask for more.

The Rotary Club of Chatswood have invited me to adjudicate for them on Monday night, 15th August - who knows where this may lead?  

Mrs M Waterson - Convenor