St Pius X College Newsletter

Pastoral Care and Old Boys' News

  • Study Skills
  • Cancer Council Fundraising
  • GPs in School
  • Year 11 Student Leadership Discernment Process
  • Rotary Youth Driver Awareness Course
  • You Choose
  • Year 9 PDHPE and PASS Enriched Learning Day
  • Year 10 Talk
  • Red Dirt Expedition Immersion
  • District Rugby Representatives

Study Skills

Year 7-12 Study Skills with Dr Prue Salter of Enhanced Learning

 

All  Year 7 families, and others from Years 8 - 11 who can benefit, are encouraged to attend the Dr Prue Salter Enhanced Learning Seminar next Monday 19 June from 6:30 pm in the College Gym.

 

Dr Salter is a highly acclaimed expert in the field of organisation and facilitation of improved study, revision and learning habits which has proven invaluable for countless students in their journey of learning.

 

She works with our Year 11 students as they begin the HSC and this year ran a session for our Year 12 students as well. This is an intensive session in which parents should sit alongside their son in the gym to share an honest review of how small changes can improve the effectiveness of study, learning and academic performance. Bring a pen, positive attitude and clipboard or backing board to write on. The session will start promptly at 6.30pm. Please use the trybooking link below so that we can organise seating in the gym. 

https://www.trybooking.com/1072742

 

It may also be beneficial to preview or follow up using Dr Salter’s website to which we subcribe through the support of our P&F and Old Boys Association.  

www.studyskillshandbook.com.au

Username:  spx

Password:  25success

Cancer Council Fundraising

Congratulations to our Year 12 students who combined their recent Trivia Evening with Mercy College Year 12 with a fundraiser for the NSW Cancer Council in deference to all those families adversely affected by Cancer and in support of Cancer Treatment and Research. Year 12 have been great leaders and advocates for wellbeing across our school and the amount raised:  $461.30

 

Is a small example of the empathy and concern for others which our young men exhibit in spades within this cohort. The Trivia night itself was a huge success and a credit to College Captain Eamon Boyle and the students leadership team and body which he has the distinction of leading.

GPs in School Year 10 Tuesday 20th June

Next Tuesday our Year 10 students will engage with the GPs in Schools Program run by the Sydney North Health Network and supported by NSW Health. This is a rich learning opportunity which our students and families have found invaluable in then past in educating students as to the practicalities of accessing health information, support, and systemic advice from expert health professionals. The session will take place next Tuesday 9:00 am - 11:30 am before the students attend Oxford Falls as part of their PDHPE curriculum.

 

If you have any questions regarding this program please direct them to sbrannan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

 

We are grateful to the parents, staff and families who have advocated and facilitated this program to the great benefit of our students and community. 

Year 11 Student Leadership Discernment Process

As our Year 12 students move inevitably towards their HSC and the conclusion of their tenure of leadership of the College with upcoming Trial HSC Examinations, Retreats and Graduation priorities. To that end we continue the process of discerning and developing the leadership capacities and skills of our Year 11 students. Over the coming weeks Year 11 Coordinator Ms Donna Janes will invite expressions of interest and commitment from our Year 11 students culminating with the development of a new Student Leadership Team, Leadership Camp mid Term 3 and participation in our Speechcraft Course and Leadership Presentation course. It is an exciting time for the students and College, and we look forward to our Year 11 students stepping up to the mantle of leadership of our student body and school for the 2023 – 2024 school year.     

Rotary Youth Driver Awareness Course

An important component of our Road Safety Responsibilities and Health Education program takes place this Thursday with Year 11 attending the HART Road Training facility at St Ives to participate in learning activities including Road Laws, Insurance, Finance and Registration, Accident Victim and Police accounts, vehicle stopping distances and effects, among other activities.

 

This an important and timely intervention in the learning of our young men and calls upon them to develop a mature approach to the responsibilities and privileges they must assume as informed road users.  

 

Thank you to Ms Janes, Ms Dempsey and the Year 11 Pastoral Care Team for facilitating this important learning experience which is supported by Rotary community organisations.

You Choose – Responsibility based Road User Education Intervention and Initiative

 

Year 12 students will next Monday have opportunity to hear from Mrs Melissa McGuiness who is an educator with a very sobering and thought provoking account and call to action for our students to consider the ways in which their, and others’ choices affect others on the Road and in the community.

 

This activity has run for a number of years at St Pius and never ceases to have a positive impact and effective learning outcomes for our young men who are beginning to reach a stage in their lives in which they are over represented in road trauma statistics and risk taking behaviours. This intervention challenges and considers the detrimental effects they can have on others. 

 

I thank Mr Ticli and the Year 12 Pastoral Care Team for the guidance of our Year 12 students through these important learnings and rites of passage.

 

We acknowledge that some students may find aspects of the content confronting, however, we believe that it is important to introduce students to real-life lessons, and to a mission for change that they can take immediate personal accountability for.

Please find here a link introducing Melissa McGuiness and her You Choose program:  www.youchooseyrs.org.au

Year 9 Pastoral Care PDHPE and PASS Enriched Learning Day - Wednesday 14th June 2023

Year 9 students took the opportunity on Wednesday 14th June to engage in rich learning activities with our Physical Activity and Sport Science students attending HMAS Penguin Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver Training and School of Underwater Medicine Units. The students learned about the exercise physiological demands, training methods, medicine and technology for navy clearance divers and other personnel in enhancing human and weapons performance.

 

The remainder of Year 9 engaged with their Year Coordinator Mr Steinman in a Pastoral Care Day learning cultural games including American Gridiron at Oxford Falls.

 

Photos of our enhanced learning day and focus on human performance will be available over the coming week.

Year 10 Talk 

On Tuesday our Year 10 Cohort were treated to a presentation from Black Dog Mental Health Advocate and Australian Water Polo Olympian Elizabeth Sims who was honest and forthcoming about the role of mental strength and wellbeing in pursuing our goals and attaining optimal performance and endeavours through life, work, and sport. It was great to see Jasper Ghannoum, Ned Bacic and Eugene Kim having the courage to participate in her presentation and all the other students who had the courage to listen deeply and trust in Elizabeth’s story of strength and presentation in the spirit of Dadirri.

Red Dirt Expedition Immersion

Preparations are culminating for our Red Dirt Expedition Immersion with students bringing in their main bags to pack in the trailers next Wednesday for our imminent 5:00 am departure on Sunday 25 June. We are in positive communication with the communities in Baradine, Coonabarabran, Walgett, Brewarrina and Bourke who are excited to host us. Linking with Christian Brothers Lewisham, Brigidine College, and Mater Maria our Immersion team is almost 80 strong so we will spread out across the schools, communities and cultural sites we visit to learn as much as we can from our journey and interactions. Our RAP Team has already prepared lessons and interaction activities practiced within our Primary classes for the adventures ahead.

Rugby Representatives

Finally congratulations to our District Rugby Representatives who participated in the State Championships over the long weekend with honourable mentions to our U13 Gordon representatives who braved the cool conditions in Orange: Saxon Cook and Cooper Hill.

 

While those in the U16 Gordon Team including Dylan Tait, James Griffith, Kobi Mendel and Nikolai Dimantha prevailed to win the title in Port Macquarie.

 

Fide et Labore

Mr Sean Brannan - Assistant Principal Pastoral Care