Parent & Student Matters
- Lunchbox Jams - For Year 7 students
- English
- History/Legal Studies
- Drama
- Visual Arts
- Science
- Languages
- Peer Support
- Diverse Learning
- Maths Drop In and Homework Help
Lunchbox Jams - for Year 7 students
The Year 11 Student Empowerment Team (SET) seeks to welcome any year 7 student to join in ‘Lunchbox Jams’- a social music program held each Monday lunchtime in music Room 1. No musical experience necessary. Come along to meet new friends, strengthen connections, and feel good!
Mrs Joe McCarthy - College Counsellor
English
Year 7 Guest Visit
A familiar face dropped by St Pius X College this week, as 2022 College Captain William Staber visited a group of Year 7 students to discuss his approach to public speaking. Students in Year 7 have been studying William’s graduation speech as a text in their “Have Your Say” unit in English. William generously gave up his time to speak with students and impart some wisdom about public speaking and being a St Pius X College student. It was great to see William giving back to the school and the English Faculty are most grateful.
Mr Daniel Quilty, English Coordinator
Year 10 Guerrilla Poetry
Year 10 have been learning about Protest Poetry relating to war and other topics of personal interest. The aim of the unit is for students to understand what it means to have a voice. The students used Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s quote “The pen is mightier than the sword” as a stimulus and inspiration to write a poem using emotive language and imagery. They also used the strategy of Guerrilla Poetry to publish their works in an unconventional way by placing their poems around the College in various locations to spark interest and discussion with other students. The boys really embraced the challenge, and their voices were heard and images noted. Impressive writing boys.
Ms Bettina Spanyik, English Teacher
History/Legal Studies
Last night Saint Pius X College’s 2022 Dux Benjamin Cullen attended the NSW Legal Studies Association Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Sydney Masonic Centre.
This event recognises the top 20 students from the 2022 HSC Legal Studies course. Benjamin collected his Certificate for being placed 18th in the State from a total of 15,220 students who studied the subject last year.
When receiving his award, Benjamin was interviewed by the a LSA Committee Member Mr Brian Elliot. Each top ranked student who attended the event was asked a number of questions based on the Legal Studies Syllabus, HSC Exam, what they gained most about studying Legal Studies, what they are doing in their lives post HSC and what were their strengths that led to their success in the course. Benjamin emphasised knowing the syllabus dot points, engaging with the news regularly and extra early morning lessons with his teacher and class for analysis of HSC questions as keys to his success.
Benjamin recognised St Pius X College for supporting his various endeavours over the years and also thanked his teacher, Ms Colefax who was in attendance at the event alongside Benjamin and his father. The night not only recognised the hard work, determination and commitment of these young people to Legal Studies but also the support of their teachers and families. Ms Colefax said that it was a great honour to see Benjamin collect his award for his hard work and to see him strive in a subject that he has a great passion for; this is even more evident in his studies at the University of Sydney where Benjamin is studying a Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Arts.
Congratulations to Benjamin on his tremendous achievement.
Mr Pat Rodgers, History/Legal Studies Coordinator
Drama
Drama Production - Save the Date
See the Performing Arts Page for more information on this great production!
Visual Arts
'Exploring the WoW Factor', Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts Excursion
Last Wednesday, our Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts classes visited the Art Express Exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW. We also visited the latest building housing contemporary art at the gallery, the Sydney Modern. We were amazed by the immersive Oil Tank installation, the Vertigo Mirror artwork, and spent time exploring the suspended miniature houses of Isabel and Alfredo Alquilian's artwork, 'From this place'. The installation inspired most boys about what htye could do for their bodies of work and what techniques they could use.
Later, we visited the MCA and were impressed by Do Ho Suh's 'Staircase III', which replicates the artist's New York apartment stairway, using polyester and stainless steel. Suh's work inspired us to think about personal space and the use of intangible and metaphorical concepts in art. We also admired Suh's mixed-media installation, the 'Rubbing/Loving Project', which featured a series of objects from his past, recreated by rubbing charcoal on paper. Overall, the exhibition was a fantastic experience that left us feeling inspired and eager to create our own works of art for the HSC.
Henrik Hogg (Year 12 Visual Arts student)
Science
Science Club
Science Club is on this Thursday in S2 at 1.00 pm.
We will be making lava lamps.
Why not come and join us? Years 7 - 12 students
Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator
Languages
On Thursday 23 March, the Junior School celebrated Chinese New Year during their Thursday morning assembly. The joyous occasion commenced with selected Year 6 boys presenting about Chinese New Year, followed by Year 5 singing the Gong Xi Gong Xi song to staff and students. The celebration concluded with Year 6 boys parading through the Junior School classrooms in their Chinese lion costume, making loud noises with the drums and tambourines to repel evil spirits according to Chinese customs.
It was truly a fun-filled and positive way to start the day.
A special thanks to Ms Beryl Li for hosting this event, Mr Stephen Cummins for the sound support and Mr Tony Cunneen for the wonderful photography.
Mrs Leanne Lee - Languages Coordinator
Peer Support
This week in Peer Support, the groups continued to work through their programs, Year 5, Keeping Friends – focusing on relationships, and Year 7, Rethinking Challenges – a focus on resilience.
Year 5
Types of friends was the focus of Peer Support this week. The Year 5’s explored what encourages them to form friendships with different people (common interests, admirable qualities, etc). Through various activities, they identified that their friends could fall into the categories of ‘best friends,’ ‘friends,’ and ‘people we know.’ The groups also discussed the fact that friendships can change over time for various reasons.
Year 7
Understanding how influential our thoughts are in responding to challenges is crucial. This week the Year 7 students recognised their choice to respond with open or limiting thoughts.
A difficult or new situation may require hard work, perseverance, courage, or support from others.
Open thoughts allow us to make the most of any situation by feeling optimistic about the possible outcomes. Limiting thoughts still allow us to work through challenges. However, they prevent us from stretching our abilities and exploring positive outcomes to bring about change.
Ms Janelle Dempsey and Ms Veronica Bamber - Peer Support Leaders
Diverse Learning
World Hearing Day
3 March is World Hearing Day
World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world.
Hearing is vital for people’s communication abilities, quality of life, social participation, and health. These of course have an impact in the education setting for a young person.
The prevalence of hearing loss will rise considerably in coming decades due to changing population demographics, increasing exposure to risk factors such as recreational noise, and persistence of untreated ear conditions such as otitis media.
Teachers at St Pius X College discretely adjust delivery of content to any students with hearing loss.
Australian Inclusive Schooling Conference
Diverse Learning staff are looking forward to engage in a workshop at the conference, Inclusive Lesson Design run by Katie Novak. Katie is the author of UDL Now! (2022) which is a powerful guide for educators on topics including,
- Universal Design for learning (UDL) in the service of equity
- Recruiting and engaging learners as UDL partners
- The role of choice and voice
- What learning expertise really means
- Dealing with standardise assessments the UDL way.
The 2023 Australian Inclusive Schooling Conference aims to provide an exciting, and inspiring experience for our attendees. The event will bring together Australian and international leaders in the field of inclusive education to share informative and engaging presentations on the philosophy, research and practice of inclusive education.
The conference has proven to be the standout professional development opportunity for those looking to deepen their understanding of inclusive education, be challenged to think bigger about the potential of students with disabilities, and be inspired to work towards even greater outcomes for all.
Mrs Annabel Gunns - Diverse Learning Coordinator
Maths Drop-In
MATHS DROP-IN YEARS 7 - 12
TUESDAY AND THURSDAY MORNINGS 7.40 am - 8.30 am
Maths Drop-In has commenced. The sessions run each Tuesday and Thursday morning 7.40 am – 8.30 am in C1.
These sessions are open to all students from Years 7-12 and are an ideal way to receive extra help, to do additional study or to complete homework. It is a great way to study with a friend and get ahead. Just simply turn up with your Maths books. Come along and be a part of the team in C1.
MATHS DROP-IN AND HOMEWORK HELP FOR YEARS 5 - 6
FRIDAYS 8.00 am – 8.40 am
Drop-in for help with difficult mathematics concepts or general homework. This is an ideal place where students can come and feel comfortable to ask questions. Students are encouraged to bring along specific queries, tasks, assessments, homework, general revision and problems to work on, with Mrs Fileman on hand, ready to help.
Starting Friday 17 February, with Mrs Fileman in 5 Gold.
Mrs Amanda Fileman - Mathematics Teacher