Junior School News 

• From the Head of the Junior School
• Junior School Sport
• From the Junior Resource Centre
• Junior School Chess

From the Head of the Junior School 

It’s hard to believe that as I write this on Tuesday evening, we are only midway through Week 3.  We’ve had three days of sport trials, our Welcome evening, the first Peer Support session with our Year 11 buddies, the Commencement Mass at Oxford Falls, and started our first round of IPSHA sport.  By the time you read this, we will have also enjoyed a day out at our swimming carnival.  Meanwhile in class, students have started units of work in every Key Learning Area, and I’m thrilled to share some of what they’ve already done below.

TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mandarin

In Term 1, Year 6 students are exploring Chinese culture, with a special focus on celebrating Chinese New Year. One exciting element of their studies is a Chinese New Year Workshop on Wednesday 28 February. In this workshop, students will engage in a Lion Dance experience hosted by Lion Dance Kids, where they will learn to play cymbals and enjoy the beats of this festive tradition. Find out more here:  https://www.liondancekids.com.au/ 

5 Gold

Year 5 narrative writers have been looking at 'Story Mountains'.  A story mountain, or writing mountain, is a way of visually planning the plot and structure of a story, by separating the plot and structure into clear stages or sections.

5 Gold - Science

In Science this term, Year 5 are studying adaptations.  Did you know that early humans developed thumbs to help them grasp branches and climb trees?  Scientists believe that opposable thumbs are an important human adaptation. 5 Gold tested this theory. They concluded that humans need their thumbs because everything they did without using their thumbs was difficult and much slower than when they were able to use their thumbs. 

5 Red

In 5 Red English studies, students have been learning about establishing a setting and what makes an engaging orientation. After studying the novel 'The Wild Robot', students used descriptive language and the "Engage the Senses" writing strategy to produce some amazing writing which Mr Makhoul has displayed in the classroom.

Perhaps your son can show you which one is his?

SPORT UNIFORM

Students in the Junior School have been given permission to trial wearing their sport uniform on the day they have PE (rather than having to change in and out of their full uniform). Other than 6 Green who have PE on a Thursday, this means that students can now wear their sport uniform on three days in the 10-day cycle:  Thursdays and the days they have PE.  This applies only to students in the Junior School, and we will review at the end of Term 1.

DIARIES

I’ve been asked to clarify how the student diary is used in the Junior School.  There are a number of ways that the diary is used is both Years 5 and 6 including, but not limited to:

• Signing the ICT Contract p. 15-16
• Developing Goals p. 33
• Pastoral Care
• Recording homework due dates 
• Notifications of coming events
• Notification of detentions
• Recording bathroom visits (as a duty of care)
• Notes to parents from specialists and tutors
• Recording student timetables
• Recording usernames and passwords

The diary also used to be used as the main method of communication between teachers and parents and would be signed by both parties weekly.  Email has now become a more effective way to communicate, however, some teachers – particularly the specialist teachers and tutors – may still communicate via the diary.  The diary is still a rich resource of information for our students, and its use in the Junior School prepares students for its more regular use in the senior school.  Parents are asked to check and sign the diary each week.

On Tuesday morning, Mr Bourke and I presented the following students with their House Captain badges:

CLASS CAPTAINS

On Tuesday morning during homeroom, classroom teachers led students through the nomination and election process for Class Captain. Nominations were due yesterday, voting will take place tomorrow and Class Captains will be presented to the Junior School on Monday morning.

JUNIOR SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

This year, we are pleased to introduce a Leadership Program for our Junior School leaders.  Thank you to Mr Buda who will coordinate this program.  Our Sport and Class Captains will lead Junior School assemblies, have a role at sporting events, engage in a Leadership workshop fortnightly on Tuesdays, and engage in initiatives that promote the values of service in the Junior School.  The Leadership Program will begin during lunch on Tuesday in Week 4 in the 6 Blue classroom and continue fortnightly.

EDMUND RICE EDUCATION AUSTRALIA (EREA) STUDENTS LEADERS FORUM

On Monday 26 February (Week 5), our eight Class Captains will spend the day at Oxford Falls with a number of other school leaders as part of the EREA Student Leaders Forum. This is a fantastic opportunity for our young student leaders to meet student leaders from schools across the state.

YEAR 6 EXCURSION TO CANBERRA

Thank you to everyone for completing the Medical/Dietary information form for the Year 6 Canberra Tour.  More details will be made available as we get closer to departure.

YEAR 5 CAMP TO BROKEN BAY

Preparations continue in the lead up to our much-anticipated Year 5 Camp to Broken Bay. Mrs Iwatani has started to allocate rooms and to organise the boys into activity teams.  Further details will be provided closer to departure.

UNIFORM

The boys are doing a fantastic job of arriving at school with their shirts tucked in, ties on, and socks pulled up. It is clear to see that they are taking great pride in the St Pius X uniform.

Thank you to those parents who have purchased white socks that cover the ankle for sport days.  Please ensure your son is not wearing the low-cut socks (anklets) that barely peak out of the top of his sports shoes. 

We sincerely appreciate your support of the College’s uniform regulations.

SATURDAY SPORT

I was thrilled to be able to showcase our magnificent Oxford Falls to our visiting Waverley and St Patrick families on Saturday – they were very impressed by our facilities, and we certainly never take them for granted.

My thanks to Mr Bourke and the team of coaches and teachers who worked so hard over the three trial dates to sort our students into the wide variety of teams we offer.  We had a range of wins and losses over the weekend, and everyone played in the Pius spirit:  win humbly, lose gracefully.  Thank you to those parents who were kind enough to send emails acknowledging the amount of work that goes into coordinating our teams and thanking our staff for giving up their Saturday mornings to coach.

I’d like to make a special mention of Tom McSweeney who – along with his Mum – was up early, dressed in his uniform – and up at Oxford Falls in time to support his touch footy team even though he was on crutches and unable to play.  A massive effort from both Tom and Mum, Michelle.

‘GETTING TO KNOW YOU’ MEETINGS

Teachers in the Junior School have enjoyed getting to know your sons over the last few weeks.  On Monday or Tuesday of next week, you are invited to meet with your son’s teacher (online) to pass on any information you feel is important to know to assist us to best support your son and his learning.  These meetings will go for 5 minutes and are different to the Parent/Teacher meetings towards the end of Semester 1 where you will get feedback related to your son’s academic progress. 

Details of how to make a booking were emailed on Tuesday. 

Bookings are made using the following link and event code: 

Link:               https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au

Event Code: c6vv4

Bookings for meetings will remain open until tomorrow (Friday) at 4:00 pm. 

If you need help with booking, please contact lsutton@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or your classroom teacher.

Parents of students in 5 Blue have the opportunity to meet with me (use the booking link and choose my name) or to wait until a new teacher has been appointed.

HOMEWORK HELP | TUESDAY LUNCHTIME

Mrs Barrett’s Homework Help is available every Tuesday lunchtime in the 6 Green classroom.  Please encourage your son to come along if he would like some extra help or just some additional time, to complete homework.

MR MAKHOUL’S MATHS MEGAMINDS | WEDNESDAYS LUNCHTIME

Students who are interested in being challenged by complex mathematical concepts, are keen to develop flexibility in problem-solving and who would like to participate in the Maths Olympiad competition are welcome to join Mr Makhoul’s Maths Megaminds group on Wednesdays from 12:45 pm – 1:15 pm in the 5 Red classroom.

MRS GREENWOOD’S CREATIVE QUILLS WRITING SKILLS GROUPS

Students who have shown an aptitude for writing at a high level will be invited to join my Creative Quills Writing Skills groups.  A Year 5 and a Year 6 group will meet once a week during English lessons.

MS SHABA & MRS GREENWOOD’S DEBATING TEAMS

Monday 26 February              Year 5 Debating team trials (Ms Shaba)

Monday 4 March                     Year 6 Debating team trials (Ms Shaba)

BOXERCISE

Thursdays from 7:30 am.  As our students are already in their sports uniforms, it’s a perfect way to start their day.  All equipment is supplied – just turn up!

PARENT RESOURCES

'How Was Your Day?'

Someone once told me that there was no point asking my sons any questions after school until they’d had something to eat. You’ve no doubt also heard that the best time to chat to boys and young men is when you're in the car.  If you’re finding that the answer to 'How was your day?' is somewhat lacking in detail, you might like to try some of these conversation starters instead:

What made you smile today?

Can you tell me an example of kindness you saw/showed?

What did you do that was creative?

What was the best thing that happened today?

Did you help anyone today?

Did you thank anybody today?

Who did you sit with at lunch?

Wast there something that was taught that you didn’t understand?

Who inspired you today?

Tell me something you know today that you didn’t know yesterday.

How were you brave today?

What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

If you could change one thing about your day, what would it be?

What made you feel proud?

If you switched places with your teacher tomorrow, what would you teach the class?

BUILDING RESILIENCE

Clinical psychologist, author and speak Andrew Fuller presents 10 hints for creating resilient families:  ten resilience hints (licdn.com)

DATES FOR THE DIARY:

Owen H's uncle and Isaiah B's dad are on the Honour board

CLASS PARENTS

Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to be a Class Parent.  We are still looking for a few more class parents, especially for 6 Blue and 6 Red.

If you are interested, please email Mrs Fromager hfromager@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au. 

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School.

Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School

Junior School Sport

Fixtures

SPX App 

If you haven’t already, please download and familiarise yourself with the SPX App.  

Clipboard App 

All Saturday Sports Information will be posted via this platform. This includes, fixtures, times, venue, etc. Each Thursday evening the Saturday Fixture will be confirmed and a notification will be sent to all parents. All Weather updates and changes to fixtures will be posted when required. 

Saturday Sport 

If your son is not able to make a Saturday Fixture due to sickness or injury there is an option on your Clipboard Calendar page to (Log an Absence). Any other absence outside sickness or injury needs to be communicated to Mr Bourke for approval prior to the Fixture. Jbourke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au. For any normal school day absence please continue to use the normal process. 

Swimming Carnival

Our Junior School House Carnival took place yesterday, 14 February at Macquarie University Aquatic Centre.  Our parental support and assistance was greatly appreciated. A breakdown of the day will be included in next week’s Woodchatta.

Thursday Sport

The Armidale School Rugby Carnival (TASRC) 2023

The Armidale School Rugby Carnival is open to Year 6 students. It is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of up to 45 teams competing across various divisions. The dates of this tour are, departing Sydney Friday 12 April, returning on the afternoon of Sunday 14 April. Further information will be distributed within the fortnight. Further information will be shared from Mr Morris. 

Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sports Coordinator

NSTA Tennis

We are almost ready to begin the season, hopefully you all have your uniform sorted and have been busy working on your tennis skills in preparation. By now you should have received an email from me with the team list and an information letter. As I write this the draw is still being created, hopefully by the time the Woodchatta is released it should also be ready. Please check: https://www.xpointsports.com/region/325/currentEvents to see where you are playing and who you are playing against. After clicking the link, scroll down until you find the Saturday morning Schools competition. You will need to check the team list to see whether you are in the 8:00 am - 10:00 am group or the 10:00 am - 12:00 pm group. Don’t forget about the tennis meetings tomorrow morning and I look forward to seeing you all out on the courts. 

Mrs Samantha Iwatani - NSTA Convenor

From the Junior Resource Centre

You may know February 14 as Valentine’s Day, but here in library land, it’s Library Lovers’ Day! Join us as we celebrate everything books, libraries, literature, and of course, librarians! This special day is all about appreciating the wonderful role libraries play in our lives, whether you’re a proud bookworm, a curious learner, a rambunctious toddler or a tech savvy senior.

Library Lovers’ Day is a chance for everyone to connect with the library and share the library love. Do you love the library? Visit today and pick up a ‘Blind Date ‘book.  Make a date with your friendly librarian Mrs Martin to help find that special book to read or help with resources for your homework. Cast your eyes over some beautiful love letters.

#librarylove#LibraryLoversDay2024

Ludwig Van Beethoven to his ‘Immortal Beloved’

Letter 1

Good Morning on July 7

My thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved 

I can live only wholly with you or not at all –

Be calm my life, my all. Only by calm consideration of

Our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together

Oh continue to love me, never misjudge the most faithful

Heart of your beloved.

Ever thine

Ever mine 

Ever ours.

Blind Date with A Book in the JRC.

Premier’s Reading Challenge – Opens Monday 26 February. Your son’s username and password will be e-mailed to them shortly.

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – Garden Like a Nonno by Jaclyn Crupi

There is nothing better than havinga Nonno, I am very lucky, my boys have one. My dad (Nonno Antonio) is no – nonsense, hardworking and cheeky. So if you want to learn how to grow your own food and cultivate your green thumb, then you need only look to the Nonnos  and their gardening knowledge contained in this book. Practical and hardworking natures will jump off the page and come to full scale Nonno life in your garden. Happy Birthday Nonno Antonio, it’s time now to Garden like a Nonno#MrsMartinsBooktrail2024

Ms Elena Martin - Teacher Librarian

Junior School Chess

The NSW Junior Chess Competition is pleased to invite Junior School students to take part in the 2024 Primary Schools Chess Teams Competition. 

WHY CHESS? There are tremendous benefits for children involved in the competition – new outlook, new friends, intellectual stimulation, improved concentration, a new reason to develop self-esteem. Registration closes Monday 19 February. 

Attached is a Chess Newsletter with all the relevant information.  If your son is interested in order to POSSIBLY REPRESENT the school in the New South Wales Junior Chess League Competition please complete the form on the letter, detach and hand it to Ms Martin by Week 4, Monday 19 February. 

Ms Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor

Junior School Rehearsal Schedule