Parent & Student
Matters

Our Year 12 Geographers visited the Hunter Valley last Thursday to observe the processes at work in Viticulture and Wine Production.

What's happening in the College?

A Showcase of 2019 HSC Works in Visual Arts, Music and Drama
Summer Uniform
From the History Department
Year 12 Geography Field Trip
Year 8 French - 'You've got mail!'
Year 11 Form Meeting - Managing HSC Stress
Year 10 Reflection Day
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Snowy Hike Training
Kokoda Track Expedition 2020: 1st Training Hike Invite
College Film Festival - Lights Camera Pius! Friday 13 September
Debating Information
Jesuit Mission Annual Indian Bazaar at Riverview Saturday 14 September
Chatswood Street Fair - Saturday 7 September
Welcome to Willoughby Picnic - Meet your Community on Saturday 12 October

A Showcase of 2019 HSC Works in Visual Arts, Music & Drama

Thursday 5 September
from 6pm - 8pm

at Chatswood Campus.

Digital image by Joshua Matar (Detail)

Summer Uniform

Students return to school in Term 4 in full Summer Uniform. Items are available for sale in the Uniform Shop.

Mrs D Muirhuead - Uniform Shop Coordinator

From the History Department

Last Tuesday at lunch time our HSC History Extension students presented their Major Projects to an appreciative audience in the Senior Library. A wide variety of topics were chosen by the students again this year. From Ned Kelly at Stringybark Creek to the role of history podcasts in today’s world to the expulsion of the Muslims from Spain to the Treaty of Waitangi to the Romulus and Remus story to the invasion of Iraq, all projects looked at the differing interpretations of their topics.

The 2500 word essay that was produced by each of the boys was the final creation of a long process of research, consultation and drafting. They all spoke of what they had learned about History, the challenges and what they enjoyed about this experience. Thanks to the students and staff who gave the Extension class such a good audience. Special thanks to Mrs Karen Keighery for promoting and hosting this event. For those Year 11 historians who are considering taking up this course next term, Mr Rodgers will be coming to your class to give some information and answer questions about this in the next few weeks. Well done to the 2019 class for presenting such interesting research on their chosen question.

Mr Pat Rodgers - History/Legal Studies Coordinator

Year 12 Geography Field Trip

Our Year 12 Geographers visited the Hunter Valley last Thursday to observe the processes at work in Viticulture and Wine Production. During the day our Geographers were given tours of the Audrey Wilkinson and Bimbadgen Wineries. Hopefully the information gained during the field trip will be of valuable assistance as our Year 12 Geographers move towards the Higher School Certificate Examinations.

Mr Mark Pawlak - Geography Teacher and Year 10 Coordinator

Year 8 French - 'You've got mail!'

Our Year 8 French students have been participating in a pen-pal exchange program with the Year 8 French students from Mercy College. Our boys received their first letter 2 weeks ago and have been busy drafting and writing their reply letters. They have introduced themselves and covered topics such as family, pets, hobbies and likes and dislikes. This has been an excellent opportunity, not only for students to extend their writing skills, but also to appreciate the art of letter writing with other French-speaking peers. We look forward to exchanging more letters back and forth this year.

Mrs Sarah McCormack - French Teacher

Year 11 Form Meeting - Managing HSC Stress

In the lead up to the Year 11 Examinations in Weeks 9 and 10, it was fitting that the students had a presentation by Louise Remond from The Kidman Centre (UTS) on how to manage and deal with the stress and pressure of study.

Students were given lots of practical advice on staying healthy, managing sleep and study routines and being aware of the side effects of stressful situations. Students have been given access to a guide on How to Manage the Stress of the HSC via email. Students were also made aware of the many services available to them if they need extra assistance.

Ms D Janes - Year 11 Coordinator

Year 10 Reflection Day

Our Year 10 students attended their final Reflection Day for the year last Friday. The guest presenter was Glen Gerreyn, founder of the Hope Institute. Glen is a very highly regarded inspirational speaker and during the day Glen challenged the boys to chase their dreams and in the chase to inspire others. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the day and two of the students commented:

“… Reflection Day last Friday was a huge success. The speaker for the day, Glen Gerreyn, was the best speaker I have ever listened to… everyone in the room, regardless of academic level, sporting ability or social status was listening intently and taking in every message he had to present. He was a great speaker and I would absolutely listen to him again….” Nick Ward

“…Last Friday on our Reflection Day we experienced an inspirational speaker Glen Gerreyn who motivated and inspired us to chase our dreams ….. so we can make a difference in our lives and the lives of others…. it was a day we will never forget and something we will keep with us forever….”

Riley Kennedy

Mr Mark Pawlak - Year 10 Coordinator

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

With the upcoming Term 3 break only a month away, this would be the perfect time to complete a DoE Hike. If you are unable to attend a school-organised hike, you may like to join an Outward Bound DoE Hike. Please click on the link below to see information about the upcoming Outward Bound events that you can participate in.

https://mailchi.mp/outwardbound/complete-adventurous-journey-1353881?e=4cba4cc0cb

If you decide to do one of these hikes, you must meet with Mrs Manga to ensure that the Hike is set up on your Online Record Book (ORB), PRIOR to participating.

Mrs Kara Manga - DoE Coordinator

Snowy Hike Training

A reminder to parents and potential participants attending this year’s Snowy Hike that students must attend one of the following qualification hikes and the practice hike and mandatory training at Oxford Falls.

Qualification Hike – participants MUST attend at least one of the initial qualification hikes below. Students require a daypack with water/snacks, suitable clothing and hiking boots if available.

- Thursday 5 September: 10km circuitous route from Chatswood 3.30-6.30pm. Boys to

depart from Blue Room at 3.30pm.

Practice Hike/Mandatory Training – participants MUST attend this afternoon practice hike after school. Students must carry their full backpack and wear the hiking boots they will use on the Snowy Hike. Students will then be bused to Oxford Falls campus for mandatory training and overnight stay. These sessions will cover necessary training around mountaineering / hiking (eg. safety, first aid, menu plan/cooking, low impact bushwalking, tent construction, packing, hypothermia etc. Equipment will be issued during this training.
Students will then remain at Oxford Falls for their Study Day.
- Thursday 31st October 3.30pm – Friday 1st November 9.00 am

Mr Paul de Silva - Outdoor Education Coordinator

Kokoda Track Expedition 2020

1st Training Hike Invite

Expedition dates: Monday 29 June – Thursday 9 July 2020

The Kokoda Track Expedition training is about to begin. We will be walking from Brooklyn to Cowan, 13.4km (1 big hill). This is an opportunity for all prospective participants to meet, prepare and to discuss all aspects of the Kokoda Track Expedition 2020.

When: Sunday 8 September 2019
Meet: Cowan train station 7.20am (Train to Hawkesbury River train station/Brooklyn 7.40am;
arrive 7.49am
Finish: Cowan train station 1.00pm (approx.) Trains every 60 minutes to Hornsby
Need: 3 litres of water (no water on route), hat, sunscreen, snacks, sense of humour

If you have expressed an interest in attending the expedition and have not received a payment timeline email or if you are interested in being included in this expedition then please contact Mr P. de Silva via email: pdesilva@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

All members of the College Community are welcome to attend these training hikes (good level of fitness required).

Next Hikes for 2019 – To Be Confirmed

2. Sunday 6 October 2019

3. Sunday 3 November 2019

4. Sunday 1 December 2019

Mr Paul de Silva - Outdoor Education Coordinator

College Film Festival - Lights Camera Pius!

Friday 13 September - at lunchtime in the College Gym

Just a reminder to all budding St Pius filmmakers to enter their films into the upcoming College Film Festival - Lights Camera Pius!

We’d love to see you enter your short films (maximum of 3 minutes) that you have made this year. From thrillers to documentaries, all genres are accepted as long as they are rated PG or below. All submissions must be entered by the end of Week 7, at the box in the School’s Front Office. We have lots of entries already, so be sure to get your films in quickly! If you are more interested in watching the films, be sure to join us in the Gym during lunch-time on 13 September in Week 8.

There will be prizes given out to the most well-composed and engaging films, chosen by a judging panel of teachers. We’ve seen some great films from the young men of St Pius in previous years and can’t wait to see what you have in store for us in 2019.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask Ms Bryant, Ms Doyle or any of the boys from the Film Festival Committee. Hope to see you there!

Ben Marino - Year 10

Poster by Oliver Robson - Year 10