Junior School News
- From the Acting Head of the Junior School
- IPSHA Debating
- Junior School Sport
- From the Junior Resource Centre
- Junior School Chess
From the Acting Head of the Junior School
CLASS CAPTAINS
I am delighted to announce the new class captains for Semester 2, 2024. What an honour to be selected by your peers to represent your class. We know that they will do their best to fulfil their responsibilities and will set a fine example for others.
6 Blue: Charlie Southan and Noah Menezes
6 Gold: Ryan De-Fina and Noah Solomon
6 Green: Sam Martinez and Nate Loughman
6 Red: Owen Hood and Sebastian Clark
5 Gold: Rafael Fogolin and Emilio Calcarao
5 Green: Nico Satterthwaite and Isaiah Byak
5 Blue: Samuel Nunes and Daniel Tully
5 Red: Charlie Swete and Jacob Wilson
IMPORTANT DATES
OLYMPIC FEVER IN 6 RED
Olympic fever has grown significantly in 6 Red over the past fortnight. Prior to the beginning of the Games, I asked the students to predict which countries they thought would win different types of events. This generated a lot of discussion amongst the many sports fans in the class. I then launched our official 2024 Summer Olympics Raffle. Each student was given the opportunity to draw 6 countries or territories from the pool. These selections were colour-coded according to teams’ successes during previous Olympic campaigns. We then used a digital spinner to see which medal tally rankings we would be closely tracking throughout the Games. The students have enjoyed creating infographics to inform their peers about their randomly drawn teams. The class has also continued refining their ability to summarise audio-visual media, using daily Olympics highlights footage. Doing this activity intermittently throughout the first few weeks of term has encouraged the boys to broaden their awareness of the range of global sports available at the highest level of competition. It has been a thrilling Games thus far, full of surprise results.
Lana Shaba – Class Teacher
CONGRATULATIONS CUBA!
Cuba Nicholas Year 5 recently participated in the Kids Golf World Championships for golfers ages 5-12 at the championship golf course at Pinehurst in America.
Cuba competed in the 11-year-old group. Due to a severe storm play was abandoned during Day 3. Cuba was on track on the third day to shoot a 76. After nervous start Cuba shot a 84 and bounced back on Day 2 to shoot 75! Of the boys who played two full rounds Cuba came 9th in his division. We could not be prouder of Cuba!
JUNIOR SCHOOL WALKATHON & GRANDPARENTS' DAY LITURGY (Oxford Falls)
Thank you to those families who have already started collecting the donations, there is still plenty of time to share this event with family and friends. All contributions go towards helping many people. In the past, your generous contributions have supported vital nutrition programs at our partner schools, St Joseph’s Walgett and St Mary’s Bowraville. For many students, these programs provide their only meal of the day. Additionally, our donations benefit Gloria and her community in Zambia through our partnership with World Vision. Thank you for your continued support! To help us reach even more supporters, please share the donation link with your family and friends:
https://www.trybooking.com/au/donate/jnrschoolwalkathon
It is great to see the photos of your sons and their grandparents coming in, there is still time to upload your photos for us to use in our liturgy. Please drop your photos into this folder: Grandparents Day
Don’t forget to also let us know how many people will be attending the liturgy, this will help us with catering for morning tea. https://forms.office.com/r/Pauw10QtrH
BOOK WEEK PARADE
This year's Book Week theme is "Reading is Magic," and we can't wait to celebrate with you! Join us for a spectacular celebration where each class will showcase their creativity in a costume parade. Students will transform into wizards, mythical creatures, and characters from their favourite books. This enchanting event promises to be a highlight of our Book Week festivities.
Don't miss out! The parade will begin at 1:30 pm in the College Gym. Come and enjoy the magic with us!
FATHER AND SON SPORTS DAY & LITURGY (Oxford Falls)
Please note in your dairies that on Thursday 29 August. Our dads are warmly invited to join us for a special liturgy (at 10:45 am) in the Christian Brothers Centre at Oxford Falls before putting on the sports gear for a fun day of sport with their son. Keep an eye out for an invitation.
Mrs Samantha Iwatani - Acting Head of the Junior School
IPSHA Debating
Last Friday, the debaters were pleased to host Mosman Prep in the JRC for the 4th round of the IPSHA competition. The topic was ‘that teachers should have to wear school uniforms’. Our Year 6 team were affirmative and our Year 5 team were negative. The students continue to go from strength to strength, refining their ability to dissect arguments presented by opposing debaters. A difficult proposition to argue for the affirmative teams, evident in the fact that both negative sides won their respective debates. Our upcoming debate this Friday will be against Newington College, Lindfield. We wish the boys all the best as they enter the latter stages of this competition.
Ms Lana Shaba - Junior Debating Convenor
Junior School Sport
Fixtures
Thursday Sport: Our final Winter Sport training session for Australian Rules Football, Football and Rugby will occur this Thursday.
Term 3 Schedule:
CIS Softball Trials:
On Wednesday 7 August, Dominik Playle trialled for the CIS Primary Softball Team. He has successfully been selected into the CIS team for the second year. Dominik is a keen sportsman, who has amassed a spectacular CV in Softball in a limited space of time. He represented the Broken Bay Diocese Softball team in 2024, which became the national champions earlier this year. We wish Dominik the best of luck with the State Championships later this year.
Round 9 Results
Junior AFL
The undefeated Pius lads turned up to Acron Oval full of energy to keep the dominant season going. Our opponents for the day being Riverview. With Riverview short players, Pius offered to lend them 2 players for each quarter so as to make a game of it. The 8 boys that were chosen to assist the opposition should be congratulated on their sportsmanship in doing so. They gave their all when playing for them – something that their coach commended them for!
After an inaccurate first quarter a goal was finally registered and the boys were away. What has been pleasing to see over the season is the boys willingness to share the ball around their teammates when a better option is present. This has improved the ball movement of the team and the buy in from each player. Alongside great team play, there was also some individual brilliance shown, whether be in attach or defence. The Pius boys really have gelled well as a team.
Outstanding performances from Owen and Alex – who both had their best games. Strong in defence and just did not give the opposition an inch!
With 1 game to go in the season – the Pius AFL team will be looking to remain UNDEFEATED for the 2nd season in a row!
GO PIUS AFL!
Scott Costain & Stuart MacKinlay
Junior Football
Last Oxford Falls BBQ & Coffee Cart of the season
Firstly, thank you to everyone who contributed the amazing baked goods for last week's final bake sale. You are an awesome football community! This week we will have the last BBQ & coffee cart for the last week of home games - please come on down, say hi and grab something to eat and drink as we all make the day as fun as the last 2 weeks have been.
SPX Football Social Night, 14 September - Save the Date!!
We’re excited to welcome ex-Socceroo legends Robbie Slater and Dave Mitchell to our annual football club social night! Join us to hear these remarkable athletes share their captivating stories and experiences from football local and abroad.
Tickets are now available by scanning the QR code below.
Come along to an evening of engaging conversations and unforgettable moments. It’s a fantastic opportunity to mingle, enjoy great company, and support the SPX football program.
SPX Football Supporters' Committee
Athletics - 1500m Event: Anyone wishing to join the athletics squad in the 1500m event can attend training next week where a time trial will be held. Please consider the following minimum standards used for qualifying:
10’s: 5m37s
11’s: 5m22s
12’s: 5m14s
Upcoming Invitational Carnivals: Further details will be distributed next week including those who are required to attend.
- Barker Invitational @ Barker College –17 August (7:45 am - 11:30 am)
- Shore/Newington Invitational @ SOPAC Warm-Up Track – 24 August (8:00 am – 11:45 am)
- Riverview Invitational @ Riverview – 23 August (9:00 am – 2:30 pm)
Final Round Junior Winter Season 2024
As we wrap up our final round of winter sports, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has played a part this season. Whether you were a coach, supporter, driver, consoler, player, official, or volunteer, your contributions have been invaluable. I am truly impressed by how our players have conducted themselves, regardless of the outcome. Like me, I hope you cherish the wonderful memories our young men have created throughout the season. As we head into the weekend, remember: 'Success isn't just about winning, it's about learning, growing, and giving your best.' Wishing everyone the best of luck this weekend!
Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sport Coordinator
Junior Rugby
In an eventful Round 9 of the IPSHA Rugby competition, only one game took place. The 11A's match against Cranbrook was unfortunately cancelled due to ground closures. The Prep Firsts made history by securing their first-ever victory wearing the St Pius X jersey, triumphing over Redfield College 32 - 29 in front of a cheering home crowd. This incredible moment was marked by tears of joy and jubilant celebrations. It was a thrilling game of rugby that came down to the final seconds. Congratulations to the boys on this unforgettable achievement; may they cherish it for years to come.
As we approach the final fixtures, the 11A's will face Trinity Grammar at Oxford Falls at 8:00 am. The Prep Firsts will travel to Moss Vale to play their final game against Tudor House, with kick-off at 9:00 am. I wish everyone a safe journey down south.
Best of luck for the final games of 2024.
Mr Antonio Morris - Junior School Rugby Convenor
Summer Tennis - Registrations
Registrations for the Summer Tennis for Term 4, 2024/Term 1, 2025 season will take place on Clipboard. The enrolments window is now open. All Junior and Senior students must enrol via Clipboard. Please note that enrolments will close on Friday 16 August at 5:00 pm.
Please note the changes to the competition and training below:
Enrolment in tennis means that you will be available to:
- play all matches
- attend all training sessions
- attend the grading session
YEAR 5 STUDENTS – you will be enrolling for only the Term 4, 2024 competition and Thursday trainings. If these students wish to continue playing tennis for the College in Term 1, 2025 they will need to re-enrol at a later date.
YEAR 6 - 12 STUDENTS – you will be enrolling for BOTH Term 4, 2024 and Term 1, 2025.
COMPETITION TIMES: Please note also that from Term 4, the GREEN BALL competition will take place on Saturdays at the Queenwood Tennis Centre from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. All other games will either be played at 8:00 am – 10:00 am or 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, depending on which team your son is placed. These matches will be played at various North Shore locations.
GRADING DAY FOR SENIOR STUDENTS: For the SENIOR STUDENTS you MUST be available to attend the grading day being held on 31 August at Queenwood Tennis Centre, Oxford Falls. The students in the lower levels will be graded in the first session and those in the upper levels will be graded in the second session. If any of the students do very well in the early group - they could stay on and trial with the stronger second group.
Group 1 : 8:00 am - 10:30 am
Group 2 : 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
TRAINING FOR SENIOR STUDENTS: Starting from Week 1, Term 4, all SENIOR SCHOOL SUMMER TENNIS players will be required to attend training one afternoon a week, either a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, this will be dependent on your level of play. The training will take place at Queenwood Tennis Centre and a bus will be provided there and back to the College.
Mrs Samantha Iwatani - Summer Tennis Convenor
Cricket - Registrations
Mr Ryan Balboa - MWJCA Cricket Convenor
From the Junior Resource Centre
This week’s Highlights are:
CBCA Younger Readers Shortlist
This week we have been reading and exploring the CBCA Younger Readers Shortlist. Which book do you think will win? I have my favourite!
SAVE THE DATE – Book Week 2024 – SAVE THE DATE BOOK WEEK PARADE WEDNESDAY 21 August.
Guessing Competitions for Book Week 2024
Book Week is coming! I’ve planned the ‘Most Awesome-est Book Week Costumes Ever’. Can you guess who I am?
Clue Number 1 for Monday’s Character: I am the spirit of the forest.
Prizes for the student who can guess who I am!
BOOK IN A JAR COMPETITION
Part of Book Week celebrations will include a guessing competition – BOOK IN A JAR! Inside this jar there is an actual book (damaged one) that has been torn up and squashed inside this jar. There are many clues within the text that can be seen for a keen book sleuth to discover the title. Pop into the JRC, take a guess and the winner will get an awesome prize during our Book Week activities. Don’t spoil the fun if you can guess.
Book Worms Guessing Competition
Our most popular guessing competition will be in the JRC from Week 4.
Check out the Jar of Book Worms, work out how many are in the jar. The prize is the jar of book worms! Maximum of 2 guesses per student. Winner will be announced at the Book Week Character Parade.
NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge
Have you checked out the new books added to the NSW PRC booklist? Don’t forget to finish your student reading record before 23 August.
https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html
Year 5 Author Talk – Friday 16 August
Solli Raphael
Solli Raphael is Australia’s youngest ever slam poet champion. His first anthology, Limelight is a unique collection of slam poetry paired with inspirational writing techniques. With over 30 original poems in different forms, the book features the viral video sensation 'Australian Air', which has been viewed 3.5 million times via Facebook. Following on from the success of Limelight, this new collection of poetry Spotlight illuminates the social interests of Solli's generation Solli's work tackles current social concerns for his generation, such as sustainability and social equality, all the while amplifying his uplifting message of hope.
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail: Real Pigeons by Andrew Macdonald and Illustrated by Ben Wood.
Real Pigeons Flap Out has been shortlisted for the CBCA Younger Readers Book of the Year in 2024! This fantastic black and white beginner’s graphic novel is jam packed with problem-solving pigeons who have special pigeon powers. What can’t these feathery crime fighters do?!
#MrsMartinsbooktrail2024
Mrs Elena Martin - Teacher Librarian
Junior School Chess
The Chess Competition has concluded for this Term 3. A big thank you to all the Chess participants for their amazing efforts this term. A big shout out to all parents for their help with transportation during the season. Thank you to the Canteen for providing afternoon tea for the students at their home games and to Ms Boyle for supervising the Friday Chess games.
Mrs Elena Martin - Chess Convenor