Parent & Student Matters 

What's happening in the College? 

• Two Gifted Musicians Showcase their talents
• 2021 Music & Co-curricular Photo Order Form
• Year 9 Science
• Science Club
• HSC HTA Study Day
• Write a Book in a Day

Two Gifted Musicians Showcase their Talents to members of their English Class

These guys weren’t just jamming around, they played to a packed classroom in the last lesson of the day, which happened to be English (of course)! Though each of the boys chose very difficult solemn pieces to play, they engaged their peers with music that only passionate professionals could deliver.  The English classroom hummed with an unmistakable febrile energy, as those who attended were aware that this was an auspicious opportunity to see the future of the greatness in music in the flesh.

Justin Park in Year 11 recently participated in the Rotary Club of Roseville Chatswood Music Scholarship.  The scholarship is extended to different schools around the area. Justin competed against seven other schools in the local area. He played magnificently and he did well.  There were no place-getters with the actual winner being a pianist from Chatswood High school, who was of a very high standard. There were also two cellists, a trumpet player, a flautist, a clarinettist and a vocalist from Mercy College.  It was a very rarefied atmosphere and Justin did himself proud and the College by competing in this extremely competitive event.

Anthony Elliott is as a trumpet player from Year 11 as well and he's most known for his “Last Post” renditions. Anthony recently competed in the Sydney Metropolitan Bands Group - Solo Competition in two sections. He was fortunate enough to be named 1st place in the Under 19  Trumpet Section and he received 3rd place in the Slow Melody Section. This is a real credit to Anthony's passion and professional commitment to his music.

Mr Alex Listo - Assistant English Coordinator

2021 Music and Co-curricular Photo Order Form

As the Music and Co-curricular photos were taken last week, we have extended the time in which to place your photo orders.  Orders need to be completed and handed in by the end of Week 1 in Term 3 (16 July).  Please find attached the Order Form for those who require one.

Mr Antony Horan - Acting General Coordinator

Year 9 Science 

Year 9 Science students are currently learning about Plate Tectonics and some of the associated disasters. Some classes have been challenged with a STEM activity to build a typhoon/ earthquake-proof tower (inspired by the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan) using only a limited number of cardboard straws and sticky tape. There have been many interesting engineering ideas used by the boys to try to make the tallest and strongest tower able to support the largest mass and still have it be typhoon/earthquake-proof. Some of the initial designs are shown in the pictures, along with some Year 9 students in Mrs Schuster’s class.

Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator

Science Club

Science Club permission notes for the Term 3 Skeleton Activity are available at the Science Office.  These completed / signed notes should be returned before the first Thursday of Term 3 (next Science Club meeting).

Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator

HSC HTA History Study Day

Last Saturday, the Year 12 Modern History, Ancient History and History Extension classes attended the Sydney University History Teachers’ Association’s lectures in preparation for our upcoming HSC Trials. The day consisted of a series of seminars on how to craft our essay responses and strengthen our understanding of our respective courses with respect to the important talking points that HSC markers are looking for. Specifically, the History Extension lecture emphasised the importance of history in NSW education as a means of not only interpreting the past but also encouraging students to engage in active and informed citizenship. Further, the Modern History lecture on Stalin’s Russia was invaluable for our assessment revision just as the Ancient History seminars also focused on key skills to decode the HSC exam and ensure the cohesion of HSC essay responses. Therefore, on behalf of all of us who attended, I would like to express our many thanks to Mr Rodgers, Mrs Casamento, Mr Hartnett and Mr Brannan who organised our attendance at the event to ensure that we all benefited from the sessions and the great insights of the presenters that will place us in good stead as we prepare for our assessments and develop our skills for the HSC. 

Joshua Jones - Year 12 History Student

Write a Book in a Day:  Creativity Unleashed!

This year’s WABIAD began with a rousing speech by Vice Captain, Nick Ward. There were also some helpful hints from Alec Ramsbottom. Both College Leaders were fierce competitors in this National team-writing competition and their speeches positively energised the five teams taking part in the challenge of ‘writing a book in a day' for children with cancer.

All the teams received some story-defying parameters for inclusion in their 3,500 – 4,000 word books. Just imagine having to include these:

The characters:  a botantist, an accountant and an eagle.

The setting: a bush dance.

The issue: renovating the house. 

This was Year 8’s challenge. The team’s inventive inclusion of all the parameters in equal measure resulted in ‘Restoring Hope’. This literary tour de force is complimented by an eye-catching graphic cover by the talented Lachlan Donlevy.

For many students, the challenge created by the story ingredients paled in comparison to the need of productively working in a team of ten. Their collaborative skills were tested just as much as their creativity and problem solving. The day ran its course beginning with students enthusiastically plotting their story arc and ended with the writing-weary teams proudly posing with their books. My reading of all five books left me in no doubt that creativity is thriving at St Pius. 

Thank you to the Senior Leadership Team for their continued support of this event. Our participating teams were delighted by the special interest shown by Mr Casey, Mr Damo, Mr Brannan and Ms Black. 

Year 7’s Dora and the Explorers with their book, ‘Stranded in Supermarket’ a wacky urbane fantasy. 

Year 8’s Carpe Partum Mundos and their book ‘Restoring Hope’.

Year 8’s Special Word Agents ‘Circus Shenanigans’ upbeat romp includes a chapter in the Masterchef Kitchen!

The well-named Year 9 team: Combined Brain Cells, did exactly this to create a sci-fi adventure, ‘Chasing Freedom’.

The Year 10 collective, Proud Pius Men produced ‘Perfection in an imperfect world’ featuring arboreal wombats.

Mrs Karen Keighery - Teacher Librarian, SRC