Junior School News 

From the Head of Junior School

WOODCHAT

For busy families who want the facts, fast!

CHINESE NEW YEAR

We are grateful to the Languages Department for the efforts they go to every year to bring the colour and culture of Chinese New Year to St Pius X.  This year was no exception, with our Year 5s enthralled with the performance and the chance to meet the characters up close.

MERIT AWARDS

An unprecedented number of Merit Awards were given out at the Junior School assembly last week!  Congratulations to those students who received an award from their classroom teacher or myself.

HIGH ACHIEVERS MORNING TEA

Current Year 6 and 7 students who received ‘Outstanding’ results across all student learning behaviours in Semester 2, 2025 reports were welcomed to the Principal’s courtyard for a very special morning tea on Monday.  Congratulations to the following Junior School students for their outstanding performances last year:

Yannick A, Oscar B, Lachlan B, Jack C, Toby H, Felix H, Tommy K, Owen K, Xander P, Emile, R, Kent So, Kai S, Lachlan S, Aedan T, Liam T, Nathan W, Blake W, Josh W.

YEAR 5 CAMP 

As this edition hits your inboxes, your Year 5 sons will be finishing their second day of camp and preparing for their second night away from home.  More details and photos to follow in the coming days.

YEAR 6 CANBERRA TOUR 

Students in Year 6 have spent the day at Parliament House, where some lucky groups joined our Prime Minister and his wife, and were VIP guests of a VIP visitor – the Prime Minister of Canada!  This is the second time we have been lucky enough to be at Parliament House at the right time for a VIP experience.  

Tonight, everyone is off to Questacon for a night of entertainment followed by dinner at the Atomic Café.  Tomorrow, the tour finishes with a visit to the Museum of Australian Democracy before heading back to Sydney with an expected arrival time of 3:30 pm.  An update to this time will provided via the Pius App once the coaches are on the road.

FLAG BEARERS

The Junior School would like to thank Ethan Parsons (Year 11) for including our Junior School students in the morning flag raising ritual.  Ethan did a wonderful job of explaining the ritual to our students and they are thrilled to be included in this daily event.

The College OPEN DAY is on Saturday, 14 March.  The Chatswood campus will be open for tours from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.  The Oxford Falls Campus will be open from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.  

This event is a significant moment in the life of our College, offering a welcoming and immersive experience for prospective students and their families. It provides us with a chance to highlight our dynamic learning environment, the dedication of our staff, and the wide range of academic, cultural, and sporting opportunities available at St Pius X College.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Junior School students are warmly invited to volunteer an hour or two to welcome new families to the Junior School at the College Open Day on Saturday 14 March. Please volunteer by clicking the image above.

OPEN DAY CAKE STALL

We warmly invite families to bake or cook something for the day - cakes, slices, brownies, biscuits, or any homemade treats are most welcome.

Boxes will be sent home in the week of 9 March for those who register. Please ensure all items are clearly labelled with ingredients.

Your support makes this special tradition possible. Please Register here if you would like to contribute to the cake stall and we will send a box home with your son.

Your treats can be sent to school on the Friday 13 March - please leave at Student Reception. If delivering on the day, please go straight to the Cake stall.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Christine Jennings - cjennings@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au 

Thank you for your support of the Junior School.

Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of Junior School

Junior School Sport News

Fixtures

Around the Grounds

IPSHA Swimming Championships

Congratulations to our SPX swimming team on a fantastic showing at the IPSHA Swimming Championships! Our squad performed brilliantly on the day, bringing home plenty of ribbons across a wide range of events and showcasing the depth, talent, and determination within our Junior School program.

A special shoutout goes to Andrew He, who delivered an outstanding swim in the 50m Breaststroke, earning qualification to represent IPSHA at the CIS Swimming Carnival. This is an exceptional achievement and a testament to Andrew’s dedication and strong work ethic in training.

We are incredibly proud of every swimmer who competed. Their enthusiasm, team spirit, and commitment reflect the hard work they have put in through morning squads and at our recent school carnival. Our SPX representatives have done the College proud.

Junior School Age Champions will be announced at an upcoming Assembly later this term.

IPSHA Basketball Trials

We had a number of SPX students nominated for the IPSHA Basketball Trials held last week at Oxford Falls. It was an excellent opportunity for all involved, and these students gained valuable experience participating in what was a very high‑level and competitive session.

A special congratulations to Year 6 student Marc Lafontaine, who was successful in being selected for the IPSHA Basketball Team. Marc will now compete at the CIS event this Friday, 6 March, and we wish him all the very best as he represents both IPSHA and SPX with pride.

Chess – Junior School Update

Chess registrations are now open and will remain available until next Monday, 9 March. We have a maximum of 20 places, and at this stage there are still a few spots remaining.

No prior experience is required. All players benefit from the expertise of professional coaches from the Sydney Chess School, who work with the students each week throughout the season to develop their skills and confidence.

Matches are held on Friday afternoons, directly after school, across Term 2.

If registrations exceed capacity, a short grading process will take place to ensure selections are made fairly and transparently. We encourage families to register promptly to avoid missing out.

Thursday Sport Term 1

Term 1 Summer Season Dates

• Round 4: 7 March
• Round 5: 14 March
• Round 6: 21 March

Summer Sport Results

Basketball

Our SPX Junior B team delivered one of the most exciting finishes of the season to-date, securing a nail‑biting 31–29 victory over Riverview. The team showed outstanding determination, composure, and teamwork from start to finish, rising to the challenge in a tightly contested match.

SPX pushed the pace early, moving the ball well and creating strong scoring opportunities through unselfish play. Riverview responded with equal intensity, and the scoreboard remained close all game. With the pressure on in the final minutes, our boys held firm in defence, communicated brilliantly, and made smart decisions with the ball.

A clutch basket in the dying moments sealed the win, capping off a performance that showcased the team’s grit, resilience, and growing confidence. This was a fantastic example of the team trusting each other, sticking to their structures, and staying composed under pressure.

Well done to all players on a hard‑fought and well‑deserved victory!

Touch Football

A huge congratulations to our SPX Touch Football Gold team on a 7–4 triumph over Redlands! This was a performance built on sharp teamwork, fast ball movement, and smart decision‑making in key moments.

From the opening whistle, SPX looked switched on, linking up beautifully through the middle, creating overlaps out wide, and showing great discipline in defence. The students controlled the tempo, executed their structures with confidence, and capitalised on their chances with well‑constructed tries.

Redlands kept the pressure on throughout, but our players responded with calm heads, clean passes, and impressive organisation across the park. It was a display of collective effort, trust, and growing maturity in the way the team attacked and defended.

A well‑earned win and a great reflection of the progress the team is making each week. Fantastic job!

Softball 

This week we came up short with an 8–5 loss, but the scoreboard doesn’t tell the whole story. The team showed great energy and hustle from start to finish.

Defensively, we had a few tough breaks with some dropped catches that extended innings and allowed extra runs to score. While those moments stung, the team kept their heads up and continued to battle.

At the plate, we made solid contact throughout the game. Unfortunately, several well-hit balls went straight to first base, leading to a few easy outs. Sometimes that’s just how the game goes — right idea, just not the right placement.

On the bright side, we put five runs on the board and never stopped competing. The effort, teamwork, and positive attitudes were all there, and that’s something to be proud of. We’ll take what we learned, tighten up our defence, work on placing our hits, and come back even stronger next game.

Mrs Jennifer Williams - Softball Coach

Team Movement

To ensure all teams remain balanced and have adequate numbers each week, there may continue to be some movement of students across Basketball and Touch Football teams. These adjustments follow two weeks of training and games and reflect a range of factors, including team dynamics, player combinations, and the positive leadership many students have shown.

For a player to move up a team, there will naturally be a corresponding movement down. This is not a reflection of poor performance; rather, it ensures all students are placed in environments where they can succeed, grow in confidence, and enjoy their sport.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these changes.

Uniform Expectations

Students must wear their SPX sport uniform and/or playing uniform to and from Saturday fixtures. This helps us represent the College with pride and ensures students are properly equipped for their games.

The following items are not permitted at Saturday sport:

• Crocs

• Casual clothes

• Hoodies

Students must also wear enclosed shoes.

Winter Sport Registration

Clipboard is now open for families to access the Winter Sport Activity Selection portal, allowing them to complete the registrations for the nominated sport as indicated in the Sport Survey last year. The portal will remain available until Week 8, after which registrations will close so we can prepare for Winter Sport Grading in Week 9.

Football Club Announcement

The 2026 Football Season Launch & Social is only a few weeks away . . .

Tickets are selling for the Football Season Launch & Social - an afternoon for parents/carers, students and staff to have some fun at the Willoughby Bowling Club. Come and join us on Sunday afternoon 29 March. It's a great way to get to know everyone and watch the presentation of jerseys to the First XI.

Word to the wise... last year's Season Launch & Social was a sell-out so please get your tickets early using the link or QR code below. Further details are included in the link -

https://events.humanitix.com/2026-st-pius-x-football-season-launch

For families that would like to opt in for updates regarding SPX Football please complete the following link. https://spxchatswood.formstack.com/forms/2026_football_club_opt_in 

All the best and look forward to seeing everyone soon,

Matt Zanello - SPX Football Supporters Club President

Holiday Rugby Clinic

The annual Easter Holiday rugby clinic will take place on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 April. This is a great opportunity for the students to make sure they’re well and truly prepared for the season and will help them put their best foot forward for ISA season. 

Coaching staff will be Trytime coaches and special guest coaches. Position specific coaching will be given as well as team play. It will be a great chance for students to work on their skills and confidence before the season.  

Please register via Clipboard https://portal.clipboard.app/stpiusx. 

2026 U/15s & 16s Fiji Rugby Tour

Community Donations  

We are thrilled to announce that our U/15s & 16s Rugby squads will be embarking on an exciting tour to Fiji during the April school holidays in 2026! This trip is more than just rugby as it provides students with cultural exchange, community engagement, and also creating unforgettable memories. 

As part of this initiative, we are reaching out to the St Pius X community for support. We are collecting donations of any old technology (such as laptops, tablets, or phones) and sports clothing that can be repurposed and shared with local communities in Fiji. Your generosity will help make a real difference. 

How to Donate: Please drop off your items in the morning at Student Reception.

SPX Rugby Club

Rugby Gala Dinner 2026

Save the Date.  The date and the venue are now locked in!  Mark your calendar for Saturday 1 August at Dockside.  The Rugby Committee are excited to once again be hosting a fun filled evening. 

Stay tuned for further details, and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to spxrugby@gmail.com

Term 1 Rugby Dates for the Diary:

• Sunday 8 March - Old Boys Gala Day – Oxford Falls (9:30 am kick off for a game of touch)

• 10, 12, 17 and 19 March - Year 7 Rugby Taster & Opens Training at Oxford Falls

• Thursday 24 March - Rugby Training Commences at Oxford Falls for all students Year 7-12

• Thursday 26 March – Fiji Rugby Tour predeparture meeting

• Saturday 28 March - SPX vs ST ALOYISIUS'

• 15 and 16 April – Rugby Holiday Clinic

   

ST PIUS X APRIL HOLIDAY SOCCER CAMP

Our April Holiday Soccer Camp is back from Tuesday 7 – Friday 10 April (no session Easter Monday), running 9:00 am – 12:00 noon each day, with 2, 3, and 4‑day options available.

This is the perfect pre‑season preparation for any keen footballer, all abilities and experience levels are welcome. Each session is delivered by Coerver Coaching, the world‑renowned development program, and includes skills challenges, ball‑mastery training, small‑sided games, and a daily 5v5 tournament. It’s fast‑paced, fun, and a fantastic way to build confidence before the winter season begins.

A bus will be available for the first 60 registered players, departing Chatswood Campus at 8:30 am and returning at 12:40 pm.

For more information and to register please click here: Coerver course | Coerver Coaching

Whether your son is new to the game or looking to sharpen his skills, this is a camp he won’t want to miss.

Cross Country Squad Training

Training Details

• Where: Beauchamp Oval (meet at the grandstand) 

• When: 7:10 am – 8:10 am (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday)

• Who: Open to all students in Years 5–12

• What to wear: PE uniform or SPX athletics singlet, with appropriate running shoes

• After training: Students are to return to school to change into their regular school uniform

• What to bring: Water bottle

Swimming Squad Training – Term 1, 2026: 

Training Details

• Start Time: Training begins tomorrow at 7:00 am

• Days: Every Tuesday and Thursday morning 

• Location: Fitness First, Chatswood

• Supervision: Students meet Ms Proc (Senior Swimming Coordinator) or Mr Bourke (Junior School Sport Coordinator)

• Equipment:

  • Suitable swimwear

  • Goggles

  • Swim cap (required – no cap, no swim) 

• Uniform: Students attend in PE / Pius Sports Uniform, and at 8:00 am are walked back to school by staff, where they change into school uniform. A snack or breakfast afterwards is recommended. 

Training Dates – Term 1

• Tues 10/3
• Thu 12/3

Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sport Coordinator