Junior School News & Sport

  • Junior School News and Information
  • Learning Enrichment Notices
  • Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
  • Junior School Chess Club
  • Junior School Sport

PRAYER:   Next Monday we will celebrate Edmund Rice’s Feast Day at our morning assembly.  Later in Term 3, after the winter sporting season we will have an Edmund Rice Feast Day holiday (2nd September)- you may wish to think about who will look after your son if you are both working.  In honour of Edmund's feast day I have included a Blessed Edmund Rice prayer.

 

O God we thank you for the life of Blessed Edmund Rice.

He opened his heart to Christ present in those oppressed by poverty and injustice.

May we follow his example of faith and generosity.

Grant us the courage and compassion of Blessed Edmund 

as we seek to live lives of love and service.

Amen.

WELCOME BACK TO TERM 2:  It is a short and therefore busy term.  I spoke to the boys on Monday morning about working hard, staying focused and doing their best. On the last day of term we will have the parent, son and teacher meetings after we have published their Semester 1 report to the portal.  Please ensure you know how to get onto the parent portal.

The boys have commenced well and look very smart in their winter uniforms.  Please remember the College Hair Policy - the hair should be of an even grade. 

I trust you had a good Easter break and now we are in the Easter season until Pentecost which is approximately 50 days. On the last day of Term 1 we had a prayerful paraliturgy in the church with the Passion of Jesus being portrayed by the senior boys and girls from our school and Mercy College.  They did a wonderful job.

In the holidays The Prep 1st Rugby Squad toured to Armidale and from all accounts the boys did exceptionally well.  They won their side of the draw and then played the final against the team that had won the other side of the draw.  We scored an equal number of tries but lost by 2 points in an exciting final to a team that hadn’t been beaten in four years.  Well done gents!

We started this term with an ANZAC ceremony which was very solemn and all the college students were excellent. 

On Tuesday morning at 8.00am we have a fortnightly Chapel Mass at the College - taking place every 'odd' week this term.  Parents are most welcome to attend.  The mass is completed within half an hour.

 

NEXT 10 DAYS:

Year 5 Excursion:  This Friday 3 May Year 5 will be going on an excursion to The Rocks where we will be going to the Big Dig to learn about archaeological digs and life at The Rocks in the past.  We will also be attending the Observatory to learn about space.  This is always a very interesting excursion.  However, it is imperative that the boys have a Youth Opal Card so they can get to and from the city.  If they have a free School Opal Card this won’t work.  Last year one boy had 79 cents on his opal card - they will need at least $5 on the card. Thank you to Mrs Williams for her organisation of this event. All this information and what to wear in included in a letter you should have received via email.  If not the letter is attached here.

 

Mother’s Day:  Next Week we have two Mother’s Day celebrations in the College. 

  • On Friday morning 10 May all Mothers, Grandmothers and Carers are invited with their sons to an early morning liturgy in the School Gymnasium followed by a morning tea.  Refreshments will be available from 7.30am and the liturgy commences at 8.00am.  For catering purposes please RSVP via  https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=132872&
  • At 10.30 am on this day there will also be a Mother’s Day Mass in Our Lady of Dolours (OLD) church for all the Junior School Mothers and Grandmothers.  After this service we will have a late morning tea in the playground and we will have a very special Mother’s Day stall if your son wishes to buy something for you, or you could purchase it together (which might be a safer option).  If you are coming to the Junior School Mother’s Day Mass could you please RSVP via this link for catering purposes:  https://www.trybooking.com/499576

Mother’s Day Stall:  Next Monday, Mrs Rajca, an ex-parent of the College who now works for the Mercy Sisters, will come to the school and tell the boys about a shanty town in Peru called Candela.  The Mercy nuns set up a craft work shop to assist the ladies of this shanty town, which is situated on the side of a garbage dump.  On Friday after the Mass we will be selling the craft work from the ladies at our Mothers’ Day stall.  I think I have bought one of everything they have made.  The beauty of this is that ALL the money raised goes back to these women to assist them in improving their lives. It fits in well with the Edmund Rice Mission. 

 

TERM 2 CALENDAR:

 

P & F NEWS:   Please see the P&F page of this newsletter for all P&F information, including events for Years 5 and 6 parents and students. 

 

BIRTHDAYS:  Congratulations to the following boys who celebrate or celebrated their birthdays in April:

John Badger-Rahme, Harry Blanchfield, Reilly Bois, Kayden Foo, Enzo Gambino, Daniel Harper, Benjamin Haskew, Connor Jory, Nicholas Kachel, Aiden Lindsay, Jack Livy, Finley Lonsdale, Lachlan Melloy, Kobi Mendel, Jordan Moore, Dylan Murphy, Liam Robinson, Frederick Shelton, Patrick Thomson, Oliver Yuen, Mr Patterson, Mr Carroll and Mr Long.

Enjoy!

 

 

A THOUGHT TO PONDER  

I am currently doing an online course entitled, ‘Edmund Rice Education beyond borders.’   It is very interesting to see the global connection of  Edmund Rice organisations.  I have seen this quote before but this time it was from a South American site as you should be able to tell ...

Edmund Rice Education beyond Borders (EREBB) is an International network of

Catholic schools educating young people from many different faiths and cultures. 

In over 20 countries we endeavour to promote global solidarity and offer a

transformational education for justice and liberation.

Learning Enrichment Notices

Compass Club Term 2:  Compass Club has started again for Term 2 with many new competitions to enter. You can join Compass Club at any time if you are interested in submitting an entry for a competition or participating in any of the events held this term.

Don’t forget the following due dates for competitions. Remember you can attend Compass Club when you are interested in participating in a particular competition.

            https://www.mosman.nsw.gov.au/news/2019/02/22/youth-awards-in-literature/

 

Da Vinci Decathlon training begins Wednesday of Week 2, 8 May, at lunchtime in the JSR leading up to the competition on Thursday 30 May. Good luck boys in your preparation.

Junior School Debating:  Well done to the boys on their enthusiasm as training as begun for the season. These sessions are every Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes in the JSR. Our first debate is on Friday 11 May at Wahroonga Preparatory School at 1.00pm - parents are most welcome to attend.

Mrs Bettina Spanyik - Learning Enrichment Teacher

 

 

  • Due Friday 28 June - 

Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre

Literature Promotion in the JRC:  This term in literature promotion we will be discovering new PICTURE BOOKS based on the theme of WW1 and ANZACS.  The JRC has an engaging display for the students to help them understand and commemorate ANZAC Day.   #anzacday2019 #lestweforget

 

 

The Premier's Reading Challenge is well under way. Great to see the boys updating their reading logs over the School holiday break.  Click on this link to the PRC Website:Premier’s Reading Challenge 2019

 

 

Exciting Events happening this week

  • International Harry Potter Day 2019 on Thursday 2 May
  • MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU!   In a galaxy far far away ... the force is very strong in the Junior Resource Centre!

 

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail:  Catch a Falling Star by Meg McKinlay

Multiple-award-winning author Meg McKinlay’s latest middle grade novel places the reader at that tricky intersection where logic and science meet magic and hope, a place where many of us find ourselves when dealing with loss, change and having to let go.  A stunning coming of age novel - this is one to look out for.   For ages 11+

“A witty and tender story mapping the marvels of science and the human heart.” Anna Fienberg.    #Mrs Martinsbooktrail2019

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior Librarian

Junior School Chess Club

Junior School Chess training continues every Tuesday morning at 7:30am in the Junior Resource Centre. The teams will be announced this week.

Primary Schools Competition begins on Friday 10 May and the draw will be emailed to parents this week. It can also be found on the New South Wales Junior Chess League website:  NSW Junior Chess League

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convener 

Junior Sport

Thursday Sport: at Oxford Falls. Winter training continues for Football and Rugby. Players require full training gear (does not have to be St Pius gear), including socks, boots and protective gear (mouthguards, shin-pads etc).  Players wear their PE uniform to school and change on arrival at Oxford Falls.

Cross-Country:  Apologies, I neglected to publish the overall results from our internal House Cross-Country in Term 1. After the two days of racing at Oxford Falls it was Treacy who claimed their first win for 2019 – Well Done team!

Rugby:  Rd 1 of the IPSHA Competition commences this Saturday 4 May:

Rugby Tour:  Congratulations to the Prep 1st Squad who toured to the TAS tournament in Armidale over the break, contesting the Division 2 competition in the 5 tier tournament. The team gelled superbly and played an exciting brand of rugby, getting through four games on Day 1 against QLD sides undefeated in Pool B. In a tough final against the top team from Pool A, Surfers Rugby Club, we fell behind several times before rallying to hit back. In the end, and at 4 tries apiece, a conversion separated the two teams and we were Runners Up 24-26. Importantly, the players were great tourists and ambassadors off the field, completing a valuable learning experience and strengthening peer bonds.

Mr G Virgona - Junior School Sportsmaster

 

Football:  Our season gets under way this weekend. Please be at the ground half an hour before the scheduled kick-off.

Mr Paul Cummins - Junior Football Convenor

FOOTBALL CLUB NEWS

SPX Football Committee Meeting - 6 May 2019 at the Sarto Centre at 6.30pm.  To all SPX Football families, please come join our meeting to support our SPX Football boys.  The Committee is run by parent volunteers and the roles required for the Committee in 2019 are Communication Manager, Events Manager, Shadow Treasurer and Shadow BBQ Manager.

SPX Football Event:  SAVE the Date - 18 or 19 May 2019.  Calling all SPX Football families and sports fans, join us for the A-League Grand Final at the Penshurst Room at the Willoughby Hotel.  The date and time for this event depends on the results of the A-League final season and further event details will provided in Woodchatta during early Term 2 2019.  The SPX Football Committee are offering lucky door and best dressed supporter prizes for a $5 donation to support our SPX Football boys.  Due to licensing requirements, all persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Come join us and cheer with the SPX Football Community!!

Ms Christeen Berte - Football Club President