Parent & Student Matters  

What's happening in the College? 

• Robotics First Lego League Competition – Macquarie University
• 2019 REACH assessment for Mathematics
• Year 10 Students Teaching Maths to Our Lady of Dolours Primary School Students
• Business Mentors Needed
• Remembrance Day Preparations
• 'Meet the Scientists' at Macquarie University
• Year 8 (2020) Science Students:  Forensic Science Camp at The Armidale School
• Willoughby Library:  Manga Mayhem!

Robotics First Lego League Competition – Macquarie University

On Saturday 2 November, ten Year 6 students from the College Robotics Club attended the NSW First Lego League competition at Macquarie University. The students competed against 27 other teams from around the state. Challenges required programming an autonomous robot to complete a series of tasks in order to gain points. In addition, students had to present an Innovation Project to a panel of judges.

It was a successful day; however, unfortunately the team didn’t make it to the winner's podium due to the strong competition. A great time was had by all!

Mr Chris ten Seldam

2019 REACH assessment for Mathematics

Last Monday was a very special occasion for many of our best and brightest Mathematics students across Years 5 to 10. Our school assembly was a perfect opportunity to celebrate the College’s achievements in the 2019 REACH assessment for Mathematics. This national competition took place back in August and we were delighted to present 16 of our 60 special award winners on stage with Mr Couani. The 60 special awards this year included 56 ‘Outstanding’ Awards, otherwise known as ‘Distinctions’ (top 10% across Australia) and 4 ‘Exemplary’ Awards, also known as ‘High Distinctions’ (top 1% across Australia).

Boys presented on stage included the following:

Year 6:  Sid Rana, Aidan Seifert, Bryan Shon, Christopher Tai and Lucas Youngman

Year 7:  Maxwell Forbes, Fergus Fung and Lucas Spinetti

Year 8:    Manas Bansal

Year 9:    Justin Park

Year 10:  James Bellenger, Thomas Hopkins, Matt Kachel and Luka Krizan

We were also very proud to announce and present two special Principal’s awards for two remarkable achievements in Year 7.  Both Cooper Anderson and Spencer Anderson were recognised for the College’s most outstanding achievement, namely their ‘Exemplary’ performance in the 2019 Year 7 REACH assessment for Mathematics. Both scored an impressive 34 out of 35, placing them in the top 1% across Australia. This also means they finished equal 10th in Australia across all Year 7 participants.

An exceptional achievement for these two Pius boys!  Well done Cooper and Spencer.

Mr Matthew Wall - Mathematics Coordinator

Year 10 Students Teaching Maths to Our Lady of Dolours Primary School Students

Fifteen of our Year 10 students have spent the last three Friday mornings before school assisting students from Our Lady of Dolours Primary School with their Maths by playing Maths-based games with them. An enjoyable learning experience for all.

Thank you to Ms Meredith Leedham for taking the Pius boys to Our Lady of Dolours.

Mr Mark Pawlak - Year 10 Coordinator

Business Mentors Needed

St Pius X College is holding an 'Australian Business Week' for our Year 10 students in November as part of their Term 5 activities.

On Monday 25 November we need assistance with Business Mentors who will come and work with our students for several hours here at the College between  9.30-11.30. If you are interested please contact Mr Steven Quilty  via squilty@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Mr Steven Quilty - EBGC Coordinator

Remembrance Day Preparations

Preparations are well underway for our Remembrance Day Ceremony, to be held next Monday 11 November. Every attempt in the planning phase has been about maximising the amount of shade for students. This year the ceremony in the Junior School Playground will be re-orientated, as well as shade gazebos installed to ensure that the most amount of students can be accommodated undercover. In saying this, all students should attempt to have their school hat with them on Monday.  Sunscreen will be available so that they are suitably protected from the sun for the ceremony.

A special thankyou to Mr Sean Brannan who ensured that we have a guest presenter for the ceremony.

Mr Nathan Mulheron - Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

'Meet the Scientists' at Macquarie University

We invite high school students, parents and teachers to attend our Meet a Scientist evening at the ANSTO User Meeting at Macquarie University.

• When: Monday 2 December, 5.15pm-7pm
• Where: Macquarie University – MUSE, 18 Wally’s Walk, Macquarie Park
• Cost: Free

Program:

• Arrive at 5.15pm for a 5.30pm start.
• 5.30pm: Presentation - Introduction to ANSTO
• 5.50pm: Q&A session with a panel of scientists
• 6.20pm: Students, parents and teachers invited to join the poster session and speak with science ambassadors about their research.
• Register: https://meetthescientistsansto.eventbrite.com.au

You'll have the opportunity to talk with scientists about research they've done using some of ANSTO's landmark infrastructure and capabilities. Many scientists are expected to attend to showcase their recent research accomplishments. This is the first time students and teachers have had access to such a large number of ANSTO scientists and collaborators.

Themes include:

• Advanced materials
• Engineering, industry and innovation
• Chemistry and crystallography
• Nanomaterials and nanotechnology
• Structural biology
• Food, pharmaceuticals and radiotherapy
• Surface science and thin films
• Earth, interstellar and extreme environments
• Imaging (material, medical, cultural, heritage and history)
• Spectroscopy (Electronic, vibrational and magnetic spectra)
• Technique development (X-ray, neutrons and ion beams)
• Emergent physics (magnetism and electronic structure)

Come and see scientists present their research at a large scientific conference!

For any enquiries, please call the ANSTO Discovery Centre on (02) 9717 3090 or email tours@ansto.gov.au.

Mrs J Schuster - Science Coordinator

Year 8 (2020) Science Students:  Forensic Science Camp at The Armidale School

The 2020 Talented Students' Forensic Science Camp which will be held at The Armidale School from Tuesday 7 July to Saturday 11 July 2020 is open to Year 8 (2020) students.  For details please see the flyer below.

Mrs J Schuster - Science Coordinator

Willoughby Library:  Manga Mayhem!

Create, share, inspire and be inspired in the interactive fortnightly Manga Meet.

See the flyer below for details.

Mrs K Keighery - Senior Teacher Librarian