Student & Parent Matters

• NAPLAN Information:  Letter from the Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning
• From the Senior Studies Coordinator
• -  Year 11 Study Day
• -   Study Skills / Independent Learning
• From the Head of Student Services
• -   House Vice Captains for Semester 1, 2018
• -   Student Volunteers required for Open Day on Saturday 17th March  
• -   Vale Fr Peter McGrath CP
• College Open Day Saturday 17th March - PARENT HELPERS REQUIRED
• Public Speaking & Debating
• Kokoda Track Expedition Training Hike

NAPLAN:  Letter to Parents

Mr A Damo - Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning

From the Senior Studies Coordinator

Year 11 Study Day

Last Friday the Year 11 students had their first Study Day for 2018 at Oxford Falls. Various sessions and activities were specifically designed and delivered to maximise the students effective management of their study habits. Students were challenged to consider their approach to learning and develop a balanced study routine. Mr Russo joined us in the afternoon and lead the boys through some MindMatters activities. The students are encouraged to act upon the activities and the advice that was offered throughout the day.

Study Skills - Independent Learning

One component of independent learning in high school is making your own study notes or summaries. You can learn more about how to make study notes in the unit ‘Summarising’ on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au

Our school’s subscription details are:  Username – spx  and  Password – 25success

 Please see the information in the document below for further details.

Ms D Janes - Senior Studies Coordinator

From the Head of Student Services

House Vice Captains

As House Vice Captains from Years 7-11 are elected and appointed over the coming weeks we remind all students of the opportunity to demonstrate leadership and represent the College at the many upcoming school events such as Open Day, MindMatters Buddies events, National Day of Action Against Violence and Bullying, ANZAC Day Ceremonies, Lenten and Easter Ceremonies, Project Compassion, Edmund Rice Founders Day Celebrations, Summer and Winter Sport fixtures, House Cup Competition events and the Term 2 Athletics Carnival.

Congratulations to the following Year 8 Students who were recently appointed as House Vice Captains for Semester 1 2018.

• Jake Thompson (Barron)
• Salvador Alfaro (Purton)
• Ryan Yun (Rice)
• Braith Boccanfuso (Treacy)

The intention is for our House Captains, Year 12 students Thomas Courney (Barron), Ryan Kelleher (Purton), Darcy Gyzen (Rice) and Thomas Findlay (Treacy), to present them to the College, with their badges, at Sports Assembly on Friday 23rd March.

I look forward to working with these students, and indeed all our students, in the capacity of Leaders of their Peer Group and the College.

​

Open Day - Student Volunteers

All students are invited to represent the College on Open Day with volunteers required to not only guide visitors around the College but also to showcase, demonstrate and explain the many aspects of College life such as our Sporting and Co-Curricular Endeavours, Music, Science, Outdoor Education and general classroom learning activities.

Please see Ms Jennings at the front office or Mr Brannan to offer your services and be allocated responsibilities on what is an important opportunity for us to build our community on the day.

Vale Fr Peter McGrath CP

The College was saddened to hear of the passing, last Saturday, of a charismatic recent Church Leader in our local area. As a Priest of the Passionist Order, Fr Peter McGrath founded and led the Family Group Movement from St Anthony in the Fields Parish in Terrey Hills which was then an extension of the Order’s St Ives Monastery and now forms part of Frenchs Forest Parish.

A die-hard Parramatta supporter, deeply entrenched in North Sydney Bears and Many Warringah Sea Eagles territory, Fr Peter was a fixture in the lives of many of our students from the 1980s on who came from “the Forest” with his energetic and passionate community leadership. A strong advocate for social justice beginning at home, Fr Peter championed the cause for those at the margins, beginning the Christmas Hamper Mass Movement and extending his Family Group Movement to other Dioceses and Parishes throughout Australia, and the World, even extending the Movement to become active in some prisons around the globe. His message focused on how the Church and Christianity grew from its genesis, by small inclusive faith communities gathering to share their lives and gifts, celebrating the true message of the Gospel. Fr Peter was also a great advocate for Justice for All and Solidarity, very much in keeping with our EREA Touchstone Values. 

A ceremony will be held tonight at the Passionist’s Sydney Monastery at St Brigids, Marrickville, while his funeral will be held at 11.00am on Thursday morning at St Anthony’s Church, Terrey Hills. While our prime responsibility and need this Thursday will be on commemoration of the life and gifts of Lachlan Ridley at his Funeral, we give thanks also for the great contribution of past leaders such as Fr Peter McGrath to our community.

Rest In Peace Fr Peter McGrath, Congregation of the Passion

Rest In Peace Lachlan Ridley, St Pius X College, Class of 2017

Let perpetual Light Shine Upon them oh Lord, and Live Jesus in our Heats Forever.

Fide et Labore

Mr S Brannan - Head of Student Services.

College Open Day Saturday 17th March 

Parent Helpers Required

Helpers Required:  The P&F are calling for helpers to assist with the BBQ or in the Canteen on Open Day.  If you can spare an hour or more please fill in the appropriate time slots on the document below.  You can fill in as many time slots as you like - your help will be greatly appreciated. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ByUxzngvvYV_hvYixKrgcsOheAhe7dbpB8hVg_CzktQ/edit#gid=0

Public Speaking & Debating

Information from Ms Waterson can be found in the document below.

Mrs M Waterson - Debating and Public Speaking Convener

Kokoda Track Expedition Training Hike

Sunday was a beautiful day for walking and 24 of our College community hiked from Cowan to Berowra as part of their training for the Kokoda Track expedition later this year. Sunshine, cool breeze, low humidity are only some of those things that are wished for on the Kokoda Track.

Much discussion was had around equipment, personal training, water treatment and what to expect on the track. The three requirements for training are hills, more hills and even more hills.  Many thanks to the participants who treated this as a training hike and also to the members of the College community who joined us for a bit of exercise and a casual chat. 

Thank you also to Mr S Brannan and Mr Long for their assistance with the hike and a reminder that all of our College Community are welcome to attend these hikes.  The dates for the next training hikes are:

5.           Sunday 8th April 2018 (date change due to Easter)

6.           Sunday 6th May 2018

7.           Sunday 3rd June 2018

Mr P de Silva - Outdoor Education Coordinator