Parent & Student Matters
- School Back in Action
- Science Club is Back!
- EP Brain Bee Challenge
- Smart Expressions Exhibition Opening
- Book Breakfast - Author Interview and Book Signing
- Diverse Learning Morning Study
- Maths Drop-In
School Back in Action
While there has been much disruption to school life, a visitor to the College early on Friday morning would have found a vibrant, busy environment. Despite rain and train-related issues it was easy to see and hear a school in action: the melodies of the Junior Jazz Ensemble, the smack and scuffle of Boxercise then the excited creativity of the Junior Drama Ensemble rehearsing and workshopping under the supervision of former student from the Class of 2019 and budding actor, Sam Schyvens.
Science Club is Back!
SPX Science Club will be back this Thursday and every fortnight on Day 4 in S2 at 1.00 pm.
Science Club is for any student with a passion for Science who would like to join other like-minded students to talk about Science, do a variety of scientific activities and pursue other scientific and STEM interests.
Science Club would love to welcome/ welcome back:
- any of our Year 10 founding members or new members
- any Year 11 or 12 Science students wanting to help lead the group
- any Year 8 and 9 regular or new members
- any Year 7 students wishing to join us.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator
EP Brain Bee Challenge
Over the next month, some of our Year 10 Science students will be competing in the Education Perfect Brain Bee Challenge.
The Brain Bee Challenge is a free competition for all Year 10 Australian students and Year 11 students in New Zealand to learn about the brain and its functions, explore developments in neuroscience research, find out about careers in neuroscience and to dispel misconceptions about neurological and mental illnesses.
Round 1 of the Brain Bee Challenge is held from 1 March 2022 to 9 April, 2022, and over Brain Awareness Week. Students study specific units through Education Perfect, then complete an online assessment to determine their knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of the brain. Students who complete Round 1 with a high score may be selected by the Brain Bee Regional Coordinators to take part in Round 2, which will involve further study materials on Education Perfect and a second online assessment moderated by the Regional Coordinator. We wish these students all the best.
Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator
Smart Expressions Exhibition Opening
St Pius X College was well represented by Mitchell Hayes, Tom Cooper and David Mooney at Smart Expressions at Art Space on the Concourse, an exhibition of 2021 Year 12 Visual Arts artworks from local Willoughby schools at Art Space on the Concourse exhibition space and the entrance to the library. The exhibition was opened last Thursday evening by the Mayor of Willougby, Tanya Taylor, who spoke about the stresses on the 2021 HSC students and her own observations of the difficulties as her daughter was a student at Willougby Girls High School. She praised their resilience and the stunning works produced under pressure. The exhibition is open until 20 March on Wednesdays to Fridays 11.00 am – 5.00 pm and Saturdays and Sundays 11.00 am - 4.00 pm.
Many of the artworks from different schools examined the impact of the pandemic from a personal perspective. Mitchell’s artwork Covid Cartouche began with his interest in experimental photography and using photographic emulsion on different surfaces.
During lockdown last year I started to notice how many discarded face masks were left in the streets and, putting all these ideas together, I began printing images of my friends on masks. I then extended my ideas by combining these ideas with ceramics and etching processes, pressing face masks into surfaces, and even dipping masks into clay slip. My artworks are like relics which in the future will be like a time capsule of life during Covid: separation, protection, fragility.
Mitch is currently studying visual arts at the National Art School, a prestigious Sydney art college.
David Mooney’s drawings Unmasked investigated family relationships:
The individual person expresses a dual personality; the one that everyone sees and the one you hide deep within. My work ‘Fragmented: Personality Personified’ reflects the perception of both external and internal personalities. I have reflected this concept through my family, portraying them with physical expressions which define their characteristics on the outside, whilst the fragmented and crumpled nature goes on to reflect what each individual person hides. The fragments break down the divided and broken nature of each family member’s personality, reflecting personal traits and who they truly are as people.
Tom Cooper’s reduction linocut prints Copper Coated and Live Wires is an investigation of constructed forms and natural forms in suburban landscapes:
Inspired by the works of Australian lino artists Mabel Pye and Ethel Spowers, I aimed to depict the unique forms and stark linear line of telegraph poles against the organic structures of the local canopy line. Akin to the works of the aforementioned artists I focused on utilising layers of colour to demonstrate light values and form, rather than intricate details that would merge together at a distance. The telegraph poles are an ideal subject to portray in reduction printmaking, as they are identifiable in monochromatic depictions due to their contrasting silhouette of vertical poles and conglomerate of horizontal straight lines. Symbolic of suburbia I chose to capture the unique arrangements of each telegraph poles from different perspectives and feature the colours of the flourishing surrounds in my series of prints.
Ms Frances Doyle - Visual Arts Coordinator
For Fathers & Sons, Mothers, Cricketers & History buffs: A Date for the Diary
Author Interview, Book signing and Breakfast
Join us on Thursday 17 March to celebrate Pat Rodgers’ new book The Perplexing and Tragic Life of Jack Cuffe. Cuffe (1880 - 1931) was an Australian Cricketer who played for NSW but made his mark in English cricket.
Mr Pat Rodgers has been a History teacher and cricket coach for 30 years, teaching at St Pius X College for the past 6 years. He played Grade cricket for Sydney Uni and currently coaches our First XI. Cricket is in our DNA, it’s something specialist cricketing publishing house, Cricket Press’ Ronald Cardwell, knows too well. Ron will interview Pat about Cuffe’s professional cricket career and what his historian’s eye uncovered about Jack Cuffe’s life. You’ll learn how Pat combines his passion for cricket and history to tell a story that’s engaging, truly perplexing but ultimately tragic.
It is an excellent read, part cricketing and part detective story… Pat Rodgers has written a truly memorable book.
UK Cricket Society
An amazing story - 4 stars
David Frith
The Perplexing and Tragic Life of Jack Cuffe is a fascinating study, and I certainly hope it will be the first of a number of such books from Pat Rodgers.
Martin Chandler, Cricketweb.net
A continental breakfast will precede the interview with a book signing to complete this St Patrick’s Day event. Limited seats available - don’t miss out.
Mrs Karen Keighery - Library and Information Services Coordinator
Diverse Learning Morning Study
All students are very welcome to use the quiet space and seek guidance on their studies. Morning study will continue until Week 9 this term and runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7.30 am - 8.30 am.
Mrs Annabel Gunns - Diverse Learning Coordinator
Maths Drop-In
Maths Drop-In Years 7-12
Maths drop-in sessions run each Tuesday and Thursday morning 7.40 am – 8.40 am in C1.
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 from 8.00 am - 8.40 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 need. Come along and be part of the team.
Mrs Amanda Fileman - Classroom Teacher