Parent & Student Matters
- Year 9 2024 Subject Selection Evening - Change of Date
- Lights Camera Pius!
- Science
- Design and Technology
- Language and Drama
- Senior Resource Centre
- Free Online Workshop
- Maths Drop-In
Year 9 2024 Subject Selection Evening - Change of Date
Please note that the Year 9 2024 Subject Selection Evening has been changed to Wednesday 9 August, commencing at 5:00 pm. It will conclude by 7:00 pm.
Mr Alex Damo - Assistant Principal, Teaching and Learning
Lights Camera Pius!
Exciting news for the 2023 Lights Camera Pius! Film Festival!
This year the festival will be screened at Hoyts Cinemas – a fabulous opportunity for our young filmmakers to see their work on the big screen. Entries close on Friday 25 August. All boys are encouraged to make and enter films. The films could be ones made for school projects or films made outside school. Films should be no more than 2 - 3 minutes and can be in any genre – action, thriller, documentary, comedy, romance, animation etc. Films should be PG rated. There will be prizes for different age groups. The Film Festival has now become quite a tradition at the College. It is organised by the boys and is another great creative opportunity open to all.
Ms Frances Doyle - Visual Arts Coordinator
Science
ATTN: Yr 11 Science students
National Youth Science Forum Year 12 Program 2024
The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Year 12 Program is designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and to encourage continued studies in these fields.
The NYSF Year 12 Program runs two summer sessions :
- The Australian National University, Canberra (5-13 January 2024)
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane (12-20 January 2024).
Participants stay at university colleges and are immersed in science and technology, and have the opportunity to:
- participate in tours of science and technology facilities,
- learn about cutting-edge research,
- engage with industry partners and research providers,
- learn about university, training and STEM career pathways,
- mix with other like-minded students from all over Australia,
- participate in social and team building activities, and
- network with former NYSF participants.
The NYSF Year 12 Program application process includes an online application and a Selection Event in August.
Click apply now to start your online application. You can start today and save your progress. Applications close 31 July 2023.
For more information, please visit https://www.nysf.edu.au/ or speak to Mrs Schuster.
Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator
Design and Technology
During the end of the first semester the Year 9 Design and Technology classes designed, constructed, and raced their Co2 Race cars. With two main categories consisting of aesthetics and function, the students researched the various design factors that they needed to consider in their own design. This data gathering resulted in designs being formulated and evaluated. A final design was selected and shaping of their balsa wood blocks began in unison. Its was pleasant to see the students drawing on their competitive nature during the race day, but it was equally pleasing to see how well they worked productively in the workshop environment to ensure everyone’s car made it to the start line. Congratulations to Isaac Birchall-Molloy who took the top spot on the podium for 2023. His #8 red flyer was definitely the benchmark in terms of speed. Special mention to Joshua Sebastien who produced an outstanding depiction of the Batmobile. Well done gentleman on another enjoyable unit in Design and Technology.
Mr Fernando Mendez and Mr Michael Simpson - Design and Technology Teachers
Language and Drama Excursion
On Wednesday 21 June, students studying Chinese in Year 9 and 10, along with Ms Lindley and her Year 9 Drama class went to the Sydney Opera House to watch a play – Yong. The play told the story of a young Chinese boy who travelled across the land and seas from China to Australia during the Australian Goldrush in 1857 and his journey with personal identity and cultural differences. This play allowed students to develop a better understanding of the Chinese culture whilst comparing it to the Australian culture.
The boys then walked along Chinatown in the heart of the Sydney CBD to witness firsthand, the presence and establishment of the Chinese community in modern day Australia. They then had the opportunity to order food in Mandarin at a variety of Chinese restaurants, providing students with excellent real-life experience and putting their language learning into practice.
Overall, it was a successful and enjoyable end to Term 2. Our students are to be commended on their outstanding behaviour and representation of our school.
Mrs Leanne Lee - Languages Coordinator
Senior Resource Centre News
A Fresh Face
This Semester, Mr Nicholas Westhoff joins us as a Library and English teacher to boost library programs and services. His assistance and expertise are appreciated as Ms Mak, our Library Assistant embarks on long service leave. Mr Westhoff has been warmly welcomed by our students in wide-reading classes and he has been impressed by the culture of reading at the college.
Senior Resource Centre hours
The Senior Resource Centre is now open from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm to provide students with a range of library services as well as the professional support of a teacher librarian for research and reading.
Premier’s Reading Challenge ends 18 August
This term, a focus of the library’s wide reading program for Years 7 – 9 is for each student to achieve their Premier’s Reading Challenge “personal best”. The clock is ticking as students have less than a month to achieve the PRC goal of reading 20 books with the challenge concluding on 18 August. Reading 20 books is a highly recommended strategy for building reading skills as well as an opportunity for each student to independently direct their academic achievement to this end. For students wondering what to read to achieve their PRC, our Hottest 100 offers plenty of choice.
Mrs Karen Keighery - Library and Information Services Coordinator
Free Online Workshop - tonight
Gamble Aware are presenting a free online workshop on Gambling and Young People on Wed, 19 July (6:30 pm - 8:00 pm) - tonight. The presentation is designed for parents and carers of young people to gain essential tools, knowledge, and guidance to navigate the complex world of gambling influences on today's youth.
For more information and registrations please visit
https://gamblingandyoungpeople.eventbrite.com.au/
Maths Drop-In
MATHS DROP-IN YEARS 7 - 12
TUESDAY AND THURSDAY MORNINGS 7:40 am - 8:30 am
Maths Drop-In continues 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 to 5 Gold 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.
Mrs Amanda Fileman - Mathematics Teacher