What's happening in the College?
St Pius X College Sandwich Soiree Series
- English: ICAS English Assessment High Distinction Awards
- Performing Arts News
- From the SRC: Edmund Rice Readers' Cup
ICAS English Assessment - High Distinction Awards
For over 30 years the University of NSW Global Assessments has conducted the ICAS Assessment in Australia with over one million entries annually from over 6,300 schools in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, students from over 20 countries including Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and the USA participate in ICAS each year.
This year almost one million entries were received and only the top 1% of these students receive a High Distinction for their participation in the Assessment. At Monday's Assembly Mr Couani presented the seven St Pius X College students who received this prestigious award with their High Distinction Certificates.
Year 10 Charles Cullen
Year 9 Thomas Hopkins
Monte Tanfield
Year 8 Max Leo
Ben O'Reilly
Charles Crowe-Maxwell
Benjamin Cullen
Performing Arts
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Congratulations to the following students from St Pius and Mercy Colleges on successfully auditioning for the 2019 production of Great Expectations. Rehearsals have now started in earnest and all cast members need to carefully read and follow the rehearsal schedule that has been issued.
SANDWICH SOIREE SERIES
Success starts one small bite at a time…
The Performing Arts Department has recently implemented a Sandwich Soiree Concert Program. This initiative creates an opportunity for any student in the College to perform solo and/or small ensemble pieces in front of a live audience. As staff and students eat their lunch in the music room they are serenaded by stars! This week’s feast included presentations from the Year 10 Elective Music Class; a riveting Jazz saxophone number by Daniel Hoy, an Italian aria on a French Horn by James Shelton, Scott Joplin’s Clarinet Ragtime by Braiden Gunaratnam, a gorgeous guitar reflection by Kieran Zucconi and a heart achingly beautiful rendition by William Turner of Stars from Les Miserables. Let’s just say tissues were provided and used! Our sincere thanks to Ms Gan for accompanying the boys and staff for supporting this concert. This soiree also helped the students prepare for their final performance assessments performed in front of family and friends, the following evening.
If your son would like to perform or act in our next Sandwich Soiree concert, please email PWaters@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Ms P Waters - Music Teacher
PERFORMING ARTS CAPTAIN AND VICE CAPTAINS: Congratulations to Lachlan Donlevy, John-Paul Shahady and Oliver Osborne who were presented to the College community at last Friday’s Sports Assembly in recognition of their appointments as Performing Arts Captain and joint Vice Captains respectively.
PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL: The annual Performing Arts Festival is in full swing and we have already had two nights of wonderful music provided by our Orchestral String, Voice, Woodwind, Percussion and Brass students. Tonight will feature the original compositions by students who learn Digital Music and tomorrow night piano and guitar. The Festival will finish in fine style and with good humour on Friday evening with the Junior and Senior Drama Ensembles who will be performing scenes from Monty Python and Fawlty Towers in the Sarto Centre.
PAPA AGM: Thank-you to the parents who attended this meeting last Thursday night. The out-going committee was unanimously re-elected to their positions: President Mrs Odette Shahady; Vice-President Mrs Kate Shelton; Treasurer Mrs Ute Appenzeller and Secretary Mrs Veronica Osborne.
SENIOR STRING ENSEMBLE/COLLEGE ORCHESTRA WORKSHOP: The Senior String Ensemble and College Orchestra will be workshopping this coming Sunday 4 November. Strings only will run from 10.30 – 11.30am and the FULL Orchestra from 11.45am – 1.30pm. All students are required to attend.
CHRISTMAS TWILIGHT CONCERT: The final Twilight Concert for the year will take place on Friday 30 November at 5.00pm in the Junior School yard. The program will be announced in coming weeks. There will be a raffle on the night where in the spirit of giving back which has been the theme for the Performing Arts this year, proceeds will go to the Edmund Rice Centre and the Drought Relief Appeal.
ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS 2019: Auditions for new enrolments to the College will take place on Saturday 17 and 24 November between 9.00am – 4.00pm in the Band Room. Entry to the College will be via the Kirk Street drive way. Any current student who would like to audition (to move to a higher ensemble) is more than welcome. Audition times can be booked by going to: https://www.trybooking.com/419641 The site is now live and will close on Monday 12 November. Year 6 students who are in the Primary Concert Band DO NOT need to audition. They will automatically be placed in the Junior Concert Band.
MUSIC TUITION APPLICATIONS 2019: To apply for lessons for next year please go to https://www.trybooking.com/420635 The site is now live and will close on Monday 12 November. Places are limited and there can be no guarantee of availability, should students wait until the beginning of 2019. Students who are currently having tuition and are continuing in 2019 DO NOT need to re-apply. Parents do need to notify the relevant tutor IN WRITING if a student is discontinuing no later than Friday 16 November, if they wish to avoid paying the three week late fee.
AMEB RESULTS: Congratulations to Ben Giles (Year 9) who recently attained Honours in his 6th Grade Piano for Leisure examination. Well done Ben!
Ms T Bates - Performing Arts Coordinator
From the SRC: Edmund Rice Readers' Cup
RICE wins the 2018 Edmund Rice Readers’ Cup
Rice House Captain, Hayden Robertson proudly accepted the Edmund Rice Readers’ Cup on behalf of Rice at the Year 10 assembly. Hayden praised this year’s Champion Reader, Lucas Wareham for securing the Edmund Rice Readers’ Cup.
Lucas read over 120 books to earn his House bonus points and secure their victory. Hayden thanked all Rice readers, saying, “There has long been speculation about how Rice wins the House Cup. I believe it’s our strong academic performance and, in this case, our reading that gives us the edge”.
Hayden believes that the school’s House System is more than a sporting competition but a way of including every student. The 2018 Cup was revamped offering more House points and individual prizes for Top Readers.
The reading challenge encourages students to read and gain from its benefits:
· Reading aids academic success - better reading and writing skills with an increase in your
vocabulary and knowledge
· Reading enhances your mood and reduces stress
· Reading is entertaining and stimulates your mind
· Reading improves your memory
· Reading develops your creativity
· Reading develops your sense of justice
Deputy Principal, Mr Casey, shared his enthusiasm for reading as he presented the trophy to Rice and he took this photo of our top readers: Jonathan Hall, Lucas Wareham, Ethan Tat, Braiden Gunaratnam and Keegan Aikin.
Ms K Keighery - Senior Teacher Librarian