Department News

• History
• Performing Arts
• Public Speaking & Debating

History

Last week we celebrated NSW History Week. The theme was Life and Death and many students entered into the daily History Quiz which was “non- googleable”.  The winners - Samuel Smith(Year 12), Matthew Murphy (Year 12), Zachary Bull (Year 10) and Salvadore Alfaro (Year 8) - gave the first correct answers and have received a voucher to the canteen.

A large History Kahoot was run in the gymnasium at lunchtime and it was pleasing to see over 60 students participate. The winner was Daniel Mooney (Year 11), runner up was James Spencer (Year 12) and third place-getter was William Licquorice (Year 8). These boys have received a Dymocks voucher. Many thanks to Mrs Gripton for organising these competitions.

On Thursday Mr Rodgers presented a talk on the incredible story of the 1868 aboriginal cricket tour to England. The 150th anniversary of this trip has been very sensitively commemorated this year. Thanks to the students who attended this and to Mrs Keighery for hosting in the library.

Finally, on Friday Ms Allington’s class created huge Japanese history timelines in the playground as an introduction to the topic, Japan under the Shoguns. These can be seen in the photographs below.

Mr P Rodgers - History/Legal Studies Coordinator

Performing Arts

YEAR 11 MUSIC PERFORMANCE NIGHT:  Year 11 Elective Music students will be performing TONIGHT in the Band Room from 5.00pm. Parents and friends are warmly invited to attend.

YEAR 9 MUSIC PERFORMANCE NIGHT:  Year 9 Elective Music students will be performing NEXT Tuesday night at 5.00pm in the Band Room.

SPLINTERS, SPLASHES SOUND AND STAGE:  Thank you and well done to our Year 12 Drama and Music students for the highly polished monologues and instrumental performances which were presented last Thursday night. Many hours have been spent practicing and rehearsing to achieve this very high calibre of work and the audience was certainly appreciative of your efforts and talents. Thank you also to the Senior String Quartet who also performed downstairs, adding to the festive atmosphere.

TWILIGHT CONCERT:  Well done to all students and Ensemble Directors on a very enjoyable evening of music on Friday. Thank you to the Year 12 musicians and Drama students for your contribution to our co-curricular program and we wish you well in your future endeavours. Thank you also to the PAPA for running the canteen and keeping all audience members comfortable with food and drinks. Along with raffle ticket sales, any additional funds raised will be donated to the drought relief.

PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL TERM 4:  This annual event on the College calendar will be held in Week 3 of next term. All students who undertake instrumental/vocal tuition at the College are required to perform. This is organised by the College tutors. Students who learn outside the College are also warmly invited to participate. Please email full name, instrument, name of work to be performed and composer to TBates@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au BEFORE the end of Term 3. No entries will be accepted at the start of Term 4.

• Monday 29 October: Orchestral Strings and Voice: Talati S and Goodwin: BMR
• Monday 29 October: Woodwind: Andrews and Dollin: Gym
• Tuesday 30 October: Percussion: Lewandowski and Talati I: BMR
• Tuesday 30 October: Brass: Power, Sismey, Blunt, Talati S:, Gym
• Wednesday 31 October: Music Production: Cummins: BMR
• Thursday 1 November: Piano: Gan, Waddington: BMR
• Thursday 1 November: Guitar: Cranney, Cummins, Talati S: Gym
• Friday 2 November: Drama: Lindley: Sarto Centre

Ms T Bates - Performing Arts Coordinator

DRAMA

Year 9 & 10 Elective Drama Excursion to the Pop Up Globe

Last night the Year 9 and 10 Elective Drama classes went to the Pop-Up Globe Theatre in Moore Park to see Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. In  Year 9  Drama we are currently studying Shakespeare and this work in particular, so it was great for us to have this opportunity to really delve into the play in a very thrilling and interesting way.

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is an extremely entertaining and engaging play and it was an amazing experience to see it acted so well. We were watching in the open yard as ‘groundlings’. This gave us an authentic audience experience that felt like being over at the real Globe in London. The play was very clever and witty in their use of special effects, music and great performances as well as audience participation. ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was quite modernized, yet it still very much felt like a Shakespearean production.

It was a fantastic night out and sincere thanks to Ms Lindley and Mr Brannan who escorted us, as it was highly enjoyed by everyone.

Alec Ramsbottom and Ashley Johnson - Year 9 Elective Drama

Public Speaking & Debating

SDN Debating Competition Term 3, Round 7:  St Pius X hosted SCEGGS Redlands

On our final week of SDN Debating we hosted Redlands.  This was also our Twilight Concert Night and many of our wonderful debaters came running through the Blue Room from their final musical performance with heads back, arms pumping, yelling….”Running to my prep room nooowwww missssss….” and ended up with just 5-10 minutes of prep before their debate.  Our wonderful Year 9 debaters and Year 11 debaters did just have 5 minutes to prep for their debates and our Year 11s won on the night!  Bravo to you boys!

On Monday 10th September, our Year 11 students received their Silver Colour Awards.  Silver Award recipients have been involved with the coaching of Junior debate teams and public speakers and have encouraged and mentored the entire St Pius X debating community throughout 2018.

Moving into the role of Senior St Pius X debaters all of our Year 11s (some have received Blue Colour Awards earlier in the term) will be following the example set by the current Year 12 debaters:  excellent role models always presenting as reliable leaders in Debating.  They have shown full commitment to their teams and support for their coaches throughout the season.  Without their support we could not host up to 200 people on our debate nights.  They are invaluable guides and mentors when we are travelling to venues on wintry Friday nights.  It is an honour have our 2019 Debate season in such capable hands.

A very quick thank you to all of our supporters during the 2018 CSDA and SDN Debating seasons. We could not run our events without our amazing coaches:  Mrs Sarah McCormack, Dr Katie Meale, Ms Suzanne Pence, Mr Andrew Jackson, Mr Keenan Smith, Mr Patrick McKenzie and Mr Daniel Butler.  Also our wonderful adjudicators are an essential aspect of our CSDA Debating Competition.  A massive thank you to all for your efforts on our often cold, seemingly endless Friday nights.  These two debating competitions provide a wonderful experience for our students and our increasing participation numbers is an indicator of the importance that Debating has for our students.

I look forward to seeing you all next year.

Mrs Michele Waterson - Debating & Public Speaking Convenor