Senior School Cocurricular Program 

• From the Assistant Principal, Cocurricular
• Fixtures 10 February
• Basketball
• Cricket
• Cross Country
• Senior Chess
• Senior Football
• Squash
• ISA Tennis
• NSTA Tennis

From the Assistant Principal, Cocurricular

Senior Swimming Carnival

We will post a full rundown on the Senior Swimming Carnival next week.  Thank you to everyone who helped to make the day a very successful event.

Christian Brothers Swimming Carnival - Saturday 24 February.  7:00 pm Warm Up 

Ryde Aquatic Leisure 

Following today’s Senior Swimming Carnival our swimmers will be selected to the College Swim Squad to compete at the 39th Annual Christian Brothers Swimming Carnival to be held a Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre.  This year the College has the honour of hosting the carnival.  We need all swimmers on deck filling events and assisting with the running of the event.  Warm Up will start at 7:00 pm with the Carnival concluding around 10:00 pm.

The Christian Brothers Carnival will be the last chance to impress before selection is finalised for the College Swim Team to attend the ISA Swimming Carnival held on 13 March.

Thanks must go to Ms Joe McCarthy and Mr Wayne Wheatley who are assisting with squad organisation in the absence of Ms Leisa Proc who is on leave.

Clipboard

Thank you to all who have adopted and adapted to the new Clipboard platform in registering your sons for all their cocurricular activities.  Whilst winter sports registrations have been reopened until Friday 16 February, Football registration is closed following the grading day last Sunday.  The college is not accepting any further Football registrations.

Rugby registration will remain open this week.  All boys intending to play Rugby must register at their earliest opportunity.

Rugby

The College is in the process of finalising the position of Rugby Convenor for 2024.  We thank Mr Martin Gillogly for his oversight of this area over the past 2 seasons.  We will inform the community once this process is complete. 

Football grading

I congratulate all boys who attended last Sunday's college Football grading day at our Oxford Falls campus.  I thank Mr Simon Yue, along with the Football Supporter's Club for their efforts in creating a fantastic community feel on the day.

Oxford Falls Ovals

I would like to congratulate and thank our Oxford Falls ground staff for the amazing work they are doing in presenting the Oxford Falls campus as one of the best school sport facilities in Sydney. We also thank Ground Logo Media (GLM) for their work in marking Chaplin Oval. It looked incredible on the weekend.

Mr Matt Stearn - Assistant Principal, Cocurricular

Fixtures 17 February

Basketball

Last Saturday was a much better day for SPX basketball teams with 16 teams coming away with a win… including the Blue and Yellow Teams in the Blue League and the Blue Team in the Gold League. 

Our A teams travelled to Strathfield to play against St Patrick's, in what was an exciting day of basketball. Our 17As and 15As both won their matches, while our 14As came away with a draw after a buzzer-beating putback from Kalan McNeilly.

Despite a strong defensive performance from our 1st V5, the boys were unable to come away with a win. An impressive debut from Henry Hecimovic, and an efficient scoring performance from Alfie Wragge highlighted the low scoring affair.

At this stage there are possibly 10 teams that may make the semi-finals, so good luck to all teams over the next 2 rounds.

Note: U13 = Yr 8; U14 = Yr 9; U15 = Yr 10; U17 = Yr 11, Opens = Yr 12

Year 7 2024 Basketball

The Year 7 Term 1 basketball program will be commencing on Saturday 2 March and will run for 3 weeks. Only students who registered to play for Term 1 are eligible for this program. Initial grading for all players will commence next Tuesday 20 February at lunchtime and continue on Wednesday and Thursday that week. Teams will be posted to players the following week along with fixtures. Teams will be playing St Augustine’s teams most weeks. Players are to wear their navy PE shorts and will be provided with a singlet each Saturday.

Grading Information for Year 7 basketball

Mr Danny Garrett - Basketball Convenor &

Mrs Joanne Schuster - Assistant Basketball Convenor

Cricket

Training

Monday – ISA (1st and 2nd XI) Squad.Tuesday – U13 (Senior School) and U14.

Wednesday – ISA (1st and 2nd XI) Squad. Thursday – Junior School during sport. U15 and U17.

Bus departs OLD Church at 3:20 pm and returns to Anderson Street at approximately 5:30 pm. Players are to be attired in correct sport/cricket uniform. Training is compulsory and part of a cocurricular commitment. 

All training is facilitated by Cricket Appeal.   

ISA Round 8 – 1st XI v Oakhill College at Oakhill 

1st XI 118 (Rohan Chang 25, Luke Mooney 24) lost to Oakhill 2-119 (Luke Austin 1-13, Lachlan Jurcevic 1-14). The 1st XI team travelled to Castle Hill for Round 8 of the ISA competition. A long rain delay resulted in a reduced overs match in which SPX batted first. A solid start was made by the openers Toby Moran and Luke Mooney who were followed by a positive innings from Rohan Chang. A steady stream of wickets fell which saw the innings closed at 118. Knowing that early wickets were needed the bowlers pushed hard but had little go their way against some quite aggressive Oakhill batting. The target was reached in the 36th over.

1st XI v I’Zingari                 

1st XI 7 for 123 (Luke Mooney 44, Patrick Frost 19, Rohan Chang 17, Ollie Freeman 17) lost to I’Zingari 7 for 134 (Andrew May 2-21).

On Monday afternoon, Oxford Falls hosted a 25 over a side match against the I Zingari Cricket Club which was founded in 1888 in Australia having begun in the 1840s in the UK. Bowling first, the Pius attack was led by Andrew May who bowled with speed and took a brilliant catch in the outfield. In reply Luke Mooney continued his good form with some splendid shots through and over the field. Despite some other useful contributions, the chase fell just short. The College thanks I Zingari whom we have played against twice now in what is becoming an enjoyable annual fixture played in tremendous spirit.

ISA v GPS representative cricket

On Sunday the combined ISA representative team played the Combined GPS side at Oxford Falls which looked a picture thanks to Trent Willoughby and our ground staff. SPX was represented by Andrew May and Darcy Aylmer who despite suffering an injury bowled a probing 10 over spell to finish with the fine figures of 3 for 38 against a strong opposition batting line up. Well done to Andrew and Darcy on their selections.

ISA Round 8 – 2nd XI v Oakhill at Oxford Falls

2nd XI 7-179 (Darcy Horstead 40, Charlie Chippendale 35, Tom Lough 29) defeated Oakhill College 10/101 (Max Lynn 4-13, Tom Lough 2-17)

The 2nd XI lost the toss and were sent in to bat against Oakhill at Oxford Falls. After an early wicket, Charlie Chippendale (35) and Tom Lough (29) put on a strong 62-run partnership to have the score at 2-70. Darcy Horstead then put on a very well made run a ball 40 in a 40-run partnership with Oliver Costain (10). Alex Burke was then forced to retire hurt on 12* after being struck in the ribs by a throw when taking a quick single but contributions from Chris Mander (10) and Darcy Mills (14*) helped bring the total to 7-179.

Max Lynn (4-13) once again started off the bowling well taking a wicket in his opening spell. Charlie Chippendale came on to bowl another very economical spell taking 1 wicket for only 8 runs from 5 overs. The wickets were shared around with Tom Roche (1-9), Oliver Costain (1-11) and Jack English (1-13) all contributing. In the absence of Alex Burke, Tom Lough stepped up, taking 2-17 to have the game well and truly in Pius’ hands. Max Lynn then cleaned up the tail to have Oakhill all bowled out for 101, the 2nd XI winning by 78 runs.

Alessio Spillane

U13 Black            

SPX Black had an awesome game against St Augustine’s. Sent in on a wet morning with a slow outfield, we battled hard to get to 3/41 after 15 overs and set a foundation. From there Ben Costain (44* retired) and Eddie Harkin (20*) built a fantastic partnership to get us close to 100, before Eddie Harkin teamed up with Freddie Gosling to put on a quick fire 27 at the end & get us to 6/131. A great effort but the outfield was starting to quicken up as the skies cleared.

St Augustine’s started well & were cruising at 1/80 just before the 15 over break, before Will Tully (2/7) knocked over the set batsman. A few tight overs, and a great run out from Eddie Harkin made it 4/109, making the equation 23 to win with 4 wickets in hand and 8 overs remaining. They were still ahead but we had a sniff. Some great death bowling from Cameron Cheah (1/8), Eddie Harkin (1/10) and Will Tully, combined with outstanding fielding, including 2 catches from Felix Keeler, got it to 7 runs with 2 wickets in hand & 4 overs to go. An over later it became 2 runs or 1 wicket to win. Parent hearts were in mouths but the boys were switched on & full of energy. Cameron bowled a lovely ball on a length just outside off. The batsmen defended it to cover and set off but hesitated. Ice arm Eddie Harkin didn’t, swooping in & throwing down the strikers stumps with a direct hit. Pius win by 1 run! 

It was an outstanding game played in great spirits from both sides, with all our boys contributing. 

Mr David Reay - Cricket Convenor

Cross Country

Cross Country training begins this week. Join us for fun, varied and challenging sessions.

When: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings

Where: Beauchamp Park, Chatswood 

Time: 7:15 am – 8:15 am 

Who: All Senior and Junior School students welcome

Meet at the Beauchamp Oval Grandstand in comfortable running gear and with a water bottle. Bring your school uniform to change into afterwards back at The College.  All students are encouraged to join training, whether it is to prepare for the IPSHA Cross Country Competition in April, the ISA Cross Country competition in Term 2 or to simply improve your general well-being. Please email Mr Scott Steinman ssteinman@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or Ms Leanne Lee llee@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au to sign up or simply turn up in the morning.

Ms Leanne Lee - Cross Country and Athletics Convenor

Senior Chess

Chess training continues on Mondays in D Block from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm.

All students in Year 7 - 12 are welcome.

Term 1 – Training Monday afternoons with chess coaches

Term 2 – Training Monday afternoons and interschool competition Friday afternoons

Please ensure that you have registered your child via Clipboard prior to them attending training.

Here are some other benefits of learning chess:

• Improves cognitive skills (including concentration, pattern recognition, decision making, algebraic and geometric thinking, problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and critical thinking)
• Improves self-confidence and self-worth
• Increases attention span
• Increases memory capacity
• Offers a logical pattern and critical-thinking system
• Provides competition, fostering interest and promoting mental alertness
• Teaches good sportsmanship

Ms Janelle Dempsey & Ms Denise Ramsey - Senior Chess Convenors

Senior Football

Congratulations to the 300 students who trialled last Sunday.  Teams will be announced in coming weeks once the grading data has been processed.  At that time students will receive confirmation of whether they have made an ISA team or if they are in the internal development squad.

Thank you to all the parents who volunteered their time to assist in the running of the bbq.

Mr Simon Yue - Senior Football Convenor

Squash

The squash fixtures have not yet been published on SportyHQ as yet.  Students should see SportyHQ for their games and times.

Mr Joseph Madani - Squash Convenor

ISA Tennis

ISA Tennis is a senior school sport for boys in Years 7 to 12. 

Currently, our ISA Tennis program has reached its student capacity, and a waitlist has been established via Clipboard. If you're interested in trialling for the team, please sign up on the waitlist using: Clipboard Registration.

All students on the waitlist will have the opportunity to trial during the grading period with students who have finished their registration. Selection for the team will be communicated by Week 10 of Term 1.

For the 2024 season, all students intending to participate must attend the allocated grading sessions, which will run in Term 1, Weeks 7 to 10 at Queenwood Tennis and Sporting Centre (Oxford Falls). 

The College provides transportation to and from training. Buses depart the College at 3:20 pm and return at 5:45 pm.

Students will receive information regarding their required attendance on either Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons once registrations close at the end of this week (Friday, 16 February).

For enrolment details, please refer to the ISA Tennis Enrolment Information document linked below: 

ISA Tennis Enrolment Information.docx

Mrs Veronica Bamber - ISA Tennis Convenor

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. 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