St Pius X College Newsletter

Parent & Student Matters 

  • Duke of Edinburgh Program
  • Science Club
  • EDSTART Achievement Award

Duke of Edinburgh Program

Outward Bound Australia is an external provider that offers opportunities for students to complete the Adventurous Journey Component of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, when they have not been able to do so through the College’s Outdoor Education program. If you are interested, you must discuss this with Mrs Manga to have the AJ set up and approved on your Online record book, prior to any activity.

Outward Bound Australia currently have some limited open-enrolment places remaining in the following Award sections over the December/January period.

  • Adventurous Journey
    • 6-day Gold Practice & Qualifying combination journey
      • This utilises the provision for the Gold Practice AJ to be reduced to 2-days/1-night, followed by the standard 4-day/3-night Qualifying AJ. 
      • Location: Thornleigh to Wondabyne, Great North Walk NSW
      • Date: Sunday 11 – Friday 16 December 2022
        • This is the final date we will be offering this specific journey, in line with the Award’s COVID provisions ending on 31 December 2022. 
    • 4-day Gold Adventurous Journey
      • Suitable for either the Gold Practice OR Qualifying AJ, but cannot be used for both
      • Location: Hornsby to Wondabyne, Great North Walk NSW
      • Dates:
        • Monday 16 – Thursday 19 January
        • Sunday 22 – Wednesday 25 January
    • 3-day Silver Adventurous Journey
      • Suitable for either the Silver Practice OR Qualifying AJ, but cannot be used for both
      • Location: Roseville to Ku-ring-gai, Great North Walk NSW
      • Dates:
        • Monday 16 – Wednesday 18 January
        • Monday 23 – Wednesday 25 January
    • Bronze Practice AJ
      • Location: Heathcote loop via Waterfall, Heathcote & Royal National Parks NSW
      • Dates: Wednesday 18 – Thursday 19 January
    • Bronze Qualifying AJ
      • Location: Engadine to Waterfall, Royal National Park NSW
      • Dates: Monday 23 – Tuesday 24 January
  • Gold Residential Project
    • Our young adult 5-day program Outward Bound: Leadership, while not excusive to Award Participants, has been created with the requirements of this section in mind. 
      • 5-days / 4-nights
      • Age range: 16-24 years
      • Location: Tharwa ACT, our National Base. Shuttle between Canberra Airport is available. 
      • Dates: Monday 16 – Friday 20 January 
      • Outcomes: Personal initiative and group collaboration developed through adventure-based-learning. Cabin-based (3-nights) with one-night camp-out. 

Open Award Centre

Like yourselves, Outward Bound Australia is proud to deliver the Award to participants in ACT, NSW and VIC who do not have a local option to pursue the program. Many of our Participants began their Award at school but did not get to complete all three Levels before graduating or leaving the school where they began their Award. If you are an (ex) student who may find themselves in this position, Outward Bound may be able to assist you to complete the Award.

Mrs Kara Manga - Duke of Edinburgh Award Coordinator

Science Club

As we are getting closer to the Christmas season, we decided to make candle carousels for Science Club this week. The boys decorated the turbines for the carousels and investigated the number of candles necessary to make it spin. They discussed how the heat from the flames changed the air density, which causes the turbine to spin. 

It was lovely to welcome some new students and to have our faithful Year 11 leaders present to help.

All students are welcome to join us next week for our last Science Club for the year. We will be making Christmas-themed food and other activities.

Mrs Joanne Schuster - Science Coordinator

EDSTART Achievement Award

Congratulations to Ethan Li of Year 10 who was a finalist in the EDSTART Achievement Awards Program.

The EDSTART Achievement Awards is a national competition which receives entries from all Australian states and territories.

It is an opportunity for students to be recognised for their contributions and ambitions in an area they are passionate about.

Ethan made the national finals in Technology and Innovation and was the only finalist from NSW.

In his entry, Ethan outlined his past STEM based projects and love of technology.  Last year he built an amazing water rocket for STEM with an automatic parachute release.  This year he built a prosthesis and it is in this area that he wishes to further develop as it will make a difference to the quality of life for others.

Congratulations Ethan!

Mr Alex Damo - Assistant Principal, Teaching and Learning