Department News

Senior Resource Centre

Write-a-Book-in-a-Day

Term 2 concluded with the Senior Resource Centre scene to a national writing challenge.  Seven teams from Years 7 to 11 took part in the challenge of ‘writing a book in a day” for children with cancer.

All the teams were given some story-defying parameters for inclusion in their 4000 thousand word books.  Just imagine having to include this:

The characters:  a carpenter, a barista and an orang-utan

The setting:  a tunnel

The issue:  an unwanted gift

This was Year 9’s challenge. And they produced a dramatic action piece, “Tunnel Vision.”  The team’s writers were well supported by intriguing graphics from the talent of Hamish Alexander and the editorial skills of Jacob Hassan.

Front and Back Covers:

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 creative and critical thinking and the new whiteboard tables and whiteboards proved essential tools for story boarding and planning.

The SRC is grateful to the P & F for funding this event and providing students with the opportunity to extend their learning outside the classroom. The writing challenged provided the platform to practice the 4 C's of:

• critical thinking
• creative thinking
• communicating and
• collaborating.

These “4C’s of 21st Century Learning” are embedded in the new Australian Curriculum as essential requisites for success in future workplaces.

The day seemed to run itself as students were totally engrossed in their story writing. Feedback from participants has been so overwhelmingly positive that SRC aims to continue this initiative as an annual event, allowing many more students to benefit.

Please click below to see the full photo gallery.

Ms K Keighery - Senior Teacher Librarian

Languages

Bon Voyage!

A very successful Language and Cultural Trip to New Caledonia was enjoyed by 16 students from Years 9, 10 and 12, along with Miss Sumner, Ms Grove and Mr Olson during the recent holiday period. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities to put their language skills to use in real-world situations and explore the beautiful tropical landscape. They have created memories that will last a lifetime and are still raving about their experiences along the way.

Please click below to see all photos.

Stay tuned for more information and recounts of the trip in next week’s edition of Woodchatta.

Miss S Sumner -French Teacher

Performing Arts

Year 12 Drama Performance Night

On Wednesday 27th July (Week 2) commencing at 5.30pm in the Sarto Centre, the Year 12 Drama students will be assessed for the final time on their individual and group performances prior to the HSC in Week 6. Parents, relatives, friends and the wider College community are warmly invited to attend this showcase of the students work, to support and encourage the boys and their teacher Mrs Sarah Fernando during this significant and crucial time of HSC preparation.

PAPA Meeting

Parents of students who participate in Music and Drama at the College are invited to attend the next meeting of the Performing Arts Parents Association on Wednesday 3rd August (Week 3)  commencing at 7.00pm in the Core Music Room. Parking is available in the Junior School yard.

Eisteddfod Results

Congratulations to Ronan Apcar (Year 10) on being awarded Highly Commended in both the “Australian Piano 19 and under” and “Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Piano 16 and Over” events during the recent Sydney Eisteddfod. Ronan was particularly praised for his evocative, sensitive and expressive playing of the two works he performed.

Music Passes

All students who undertake instrumental or vocal tuition at the College are reminded that they require a Music Pass to present to their class teacher, in order to leave and attend lessons. New passes can be obtained from Ms Bates in the Performing Arts Staffroom from the start of next week (Wk 2).

Concert Band Rehearsals

On Thursday 21st and 28th July the Intermediate Concert Band will be rehearsing NOT the Senior Concert Band. Senior Concert Band rehearsals will resume as normal in Week 3.

Ms T Bates - Performing Arts Coordinator

MindMatters for Families

Child and Adolescent Parenting Courses

Please see the flyers below:

Mr R Russo - College Counsellor

Science

'A Spectacular Night Under The Sydney Sky'

Please click on the flyer below for details.

Ms J Black - Science Coordinator

Debating

Year 8 Debaters – Quarterfinals

On the first day of the holidays, the 8A debating team participated in the Quarterfinals of the CSDA Competition at Marist College Eastwood. The team were presented with the challenging topic: That Australia should do more for human rights. As the affirmative team, Ethan Tat, Willem Falzon and Daniel Halverson demonstrated their empathetic understanding of the current challenges facing humanity around the world, the role Australia currently plays in world order and the additional help we as a country should provide to the most vulnerable. The team worked seamlessly in their preparation, articulation of arguments and rebuttals. A special mention must go to Jude Boyle who had prepped to act as third speaker and Daniel Halverson’s mum in getting Daniel to the debate in a timely manner. As always supporters from Year 8 Team A provided important moral support for their fellow debaters. Their commitment to their teammate’s wellbeing reflects the selfless spirit of the Year 8 team.

Year 12 Debaters – Quarterfinals

Mr Camilleri’s Year 12 B debaters (winning 6 from 7 debates) lost their CSDA Quarterfinals debate on Friday 24th June at Marist College, Eastwood.  The Year 12 A debaters (undefeated) were victorious in their debate and move through to the Semi Final this Friday at Santa Sabina College, Strathfield.  Students will be organising training and travel to the venue with Mr Camilleri and Mrs Waterson.

SDN Debating Competition

Round 1, Week 1 Term 3:  Friday 22nd July

This Friday 22nd July St Pius X College  is hosting Roseville College for the Round 1 of the Schools’ Debating Network.  The debates commence as follows:

• Primary /Year 7 /Year 8:  5.30pm Prep for 6.30pm Debate
• Year 9 / Year 10 / Y ear 11 / Year 12:  6.30pm Prep for 7.30pm Debate

Students have met with coaches and know who will be debating this Friday.  ALL students need to attend training from 3.15 – 5pm.  Year 7 and Year 8 will finish training at 4.30pm in order to go over to Westfield to buy their dinner.  They will need to be back in the Blue Room by 5.15pm for the 5.30 coin toss.  Our topic area for this week is:  Sport.

A quick meeting was held this morning on the verandah to ensure that all debaters (CSDA and SDN) are aware of their role this Friday and for Term 3.

Mrs M Waterson -  Debating & Public Speaking Convenor

RoboCup

Junior Sydney Regional Competition

Once again RoboCup is upon us. As part of our STEM initiatives, St Pius X College will be hosting the Sydney Regional Competition at the Chatswood campus on Saturday the 30th of July.

24 of our students will be competing on the day so come along and support our teams. Entry for the public is free and competition runs 10.30 – 4.30 pm. All are welcome. If you have family members who are interested in robotics then this is a great opportunity to see some robots in action. Divisions being run include Dance, Rescue and Soccer.

Mr P de Silva - RoboCup Convenor