Junior School News
From the Head of the Junior School
MOTHER'S DAY MASS
All special women in our sons' lives are invited to attend the Mother's Day Mass at Oxford Falls on Wednesday 7 May.
RSVP's will close on Friday 2 May at 3:00 pm.
Click on the image to go to the rsvp.
If you are going to the Mother’s Day Mass – you need to go directly to Oxford Falls WITH YOUR SON.
If you indicated on the RSVP that your son will return to the college by bus, he will be returned to Chatswood after the event. If you have not indicated that he will return by bus, parents will return their son to Chatswood after the event.
WOODCHAT - for busy families who just want the facts, fast!
WELCOME BACK TO TERM 2
It is a pleasure to welcome all our students and families back to the Junior School for Term 2. I hope the break provided everyone with a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy time together. We are excited for the term ahead, filled with new learning opportunities, creative projects, and community events. I look forward to seeing the energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm our students bring to every day as we continue to grow and learn together.
It was lovely to see the students arriving at school on Tuesday, resplendent - and looking very grownup - in their winter uniform and blazers. Wonderful also to see so many students complying with the College’s hair policy. Our hair and uniform guidelines aid in cultivating a culture of discipline, respect and pride so thank you for supporting the high standards of the College.
THE WATERFORD LEARNING CENTRE
In Term 1, the Junior School smoothly transitioned to the Waterford Learning Centre. Both students and staff quickly adapted to the new routines and are making good use of the building's indoor and outdoor spaces. The students appreciate their new environment, which includes light-filled classrooms and inviting learning areas. A notable addition has been the Garden Club, which has become popular among the students. It has been wonderful to see the Waterford Learning Centre become an active and engaging place for our Junior School students.
CHANGES TO BELL TIMES
In Term 2, we are trialling a revised daily schedule aimed at supporting student wellbeing and improving the overall flow of the school day.
There are two key changes:
30:30 Break Model
We are moving from the current 20-minute recess and 40-minute lunch to two balanced 30-minute breaks. This adjustment is designed to improve student wellbeing, reduce pastoral concerns, and create a more structured break routine.
Earlier Finish – 3:05 pm
To help ease congestion on local transport routes, the school day will finish at 3:05 pm. This decision follows consultation with Willoughby Council, local schools, Chatswood Interchange, and NSW Police, all of whom support staggering finish times in the transport precinct. We will make up this time by reducing Homeroom by 5 minutes.
TEACHING AND LEARNING IN TERM 2
Year 5
This term, Year 5 students will embark on a 'Mission to Mars' as they explore space engineering challenges through a STEM approach in Science and Technology. In English, they will dive into the world of narrative and characterisation by studying The Wild Robot and the animation Origins, before creating their own science-fiction stories.
In History, students will continue to investigate significant people, groups, places, and events that shaped Australia’s development, while PDH will focus on nutrition and healthy lifestyles. In Mathematics, students will build on key concepts such as Representing Numbers, Addition and Subtraction, 2D Shapes, and Chance.
Through Creative Arts, Year 5 will be getting to know the instruments of the orchestra, they will explore pattern and cultural symbolism by studying artist Teho Ropeyarn and creating patterned prints and ceramic vessels inspired by the environment around them. In Religious Education, students will engage with stories from the Bible, learn about different aspects of Religion, and explore the liturgical calendar.
Year 6
In Term 2, Year 6 students will investigate electricity, circuits, and energy transformation in Science, while Geography will see them explore Australia's global connections through trade, migration, and tourism.
In English, they will study Scar Town by Tristan Bancks, examining themes of resilience and justice while developing comprehension and analytical skills. Mathematics will focus on revising fractions, exploring area and length, and developing multiplicative thinking. In PDH, students will prioritise mental health and well-being.
Through Creative Arts, Year 6 will extend their understanding of music notation through composition and performance activities. They will transform observations of transport into futuristic artworks, drawing inspiration from artists like John Brack, Gianluca Gimini, and the designs of the Mad Max movies.
In Religious Education, students will be able to describe why the Bible is important to the Christian Community and explain the significance of the people, events and stories of the Bible.
OLIVER TWIST
The Junior School students had a fantastic time watching the dress rehearsal of Oliver Twist at the Zenith Theatre on Wednesday. The performance was a delightful experience for students, with some saying it was the first time they’d been to the theatre. The students were captivated by the engaging storyline and impressive acting and singing. It is hoped that the opportunity to witness a live theatrical production was both entertaining and educational, leaving the students with fond memories and a deeper appreciation for the arts.
STATIONERY SUPPLIES
If you didn’t get a chance over the holidays, can you please speak with your son and ask if he needs to replenish any of the following:
Glue Stick
Sharpener
Ruler
Pencils
Eraser
Pens
RAIN COAT OR RAIN JACKET
Please purchase a simple raincoat for your son to wear over his uniform on his way to and from school or to and from the main campus.
A REMINDER ABOUT WALKING SAFELY TO TRANSPORT
We continue to observe students – and receive complaints about students - running through Chatswood to catch buses and trains, despite repeated reminders to walk. Please help us reinforce the importance of safety by encouraging your child to take their time, even if it means waiting for the next service. It's far better to arrive a little later than to risk injury to themselves or others. Thank you for taking the time to have this conversation with your son if he catches public transport.
EXCITING NEWS FROM 5 BLUE!
We’re thrilled to share some happy news from the Junior School community—Ms Bird (5 Blue) is engaged! Over the holidays, Ms Bird travelled back to South Africa to visit Tian and her family, and in a wonderful surprise, Tian proposed.
We’re so happy for Ms Bird and Tian, and we look forward to celebrating this special time with her. Wishing them both every happiness for the future!
IPSHA WINTER SPORT | ROUND 1 THIS SATURDAY 3 MAY
Everyone is looking forward to the start of the winter sport season this Saturday. We wish our AFL, Rugby and Football teams all the very best for an enjoyable and successful season. More details – including some sporting success stories - in Mr Bourke’s Sport section below. Please ensure you check it each week and if you have any queries, please check Clipboard first before contacting Mr Bourke at jbourke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.
ARMIDALE RUGBY TOUR
On the first weekend of the holidays, our rugby team headed to Armidale to compete in the annual Armidale Rugby Tour. The tournament took place at the picturesque campus of The Armidale School (TAS), which was, as always at this time of year, bathed in the stunning colours of autumn.
For all the details, see Mr Bourke’s report in Sport.
MATHS OLYMPIAD
Congratulations to the 70+ students who have put their hand up to compete in this year’s Maths Olympiad competition. The Junior Division Olympiad (Division J) is an inter-school competition that has been specifically designed to stimulate and challenge high potential and high achieving students in Years 5 and 6.
It provides an opportunity for students from around Australia and New Zealand to compete as part of a team while striving for individual excellence. It is a prestigious and highly regarded competition that has been running in Australia since 1987.
The main aims of the competition are to:
Provide teachers with an ongoing, high quality and well recognised enrichment and extension opportunity for their high potential or gifted students.
Provide teachers with a means to evaluate and benchmark their students’ progress compared to thousands of other students competing in the competition.
Develop increased creativity and flexibility in problem solving and mathematical reasoning.
Stimulate students' enthusiasm for, and enjoyment of, Mathematics.
Allow high achieving students to showcase their skills and abilities and be recognised for their efforts and achievement.
Thank you to Mr Makhoul for supporting our students throughout the competition.
DATES FOR THE DIARY IN TERM 2
DEBATING DATES:
ROUND 1 FRIDAY 2 MAY at Oxford Falls Grammar at 1pm
ROUND 2 FRIDAY 16 MAY at Mosman Prep
ROUND 3 FRIDAY 30 MAY at St Pius X in the Junior Library
ROUND 4 FRIDAY 25 JULY at St Pius X in the Junior Library
ROUND 5 FRIDAY 8 AUGUST at St PiusX in the Junior Library
ROUND 6 FRIDAY 22 AUGUST at St Pius in the Junior Library
GALA DAY MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER at Pymble Ladies College
ROUND 7 FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER at St Pius x in the Junior Library
FOUNDER'S DAY
We are looking forward to next week's Founder's Week, which will hold events for students as we recognise and celebrate the Feast Day of Edmund Rice.
Friday next week will see all the school travelling to Oxford Falls for our annual Founder's Day. This is a compulsory whole-school event.
Students should come to Chatswood first to have their name marked on the roll, and then will travel to Oxford Falls by chartered bus.
Students are to wear sport uniform should bring a water bottle and hat.
Students will receive a muffin morning tea on arrival and are asked to bring something to share for lunch, keeping in mind possible allergens of other students. Please do not send your son with his normal school bag on this day, but rather, a small bag containing the food to share and a water bottle.
Students will commence returning to Chatswood by bus from 2:00 pm. If you wish to collect your son from Oxford Falls they can be picked up from 2:00 pm. Please provide a note to your son's homeroom teacher if you wish to collect him from Oxford Falls.
Upon arrival at Chatswood, students will be immediately dismissed.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of Junior School
Fixtures
Junior School Sport
Armidale Rugby Tour 2025
From 11 to 13 April, our Prep Firsts rugby squad embarked on an exciting journey to compete in the largest U12 rugby tournament in Australia. With over 60 teams from across the country, the competition was fierce, but our students rose to the challenge with remarkable spirit and sportsmanship.
More than just a showcase of rugby skills, the tournament emphasised the 'Spirit of Rugby' with values like sportsmanship, camaraderie, and support. Throughout the weekend, our students exemplified these qualities both on and off the field, demonstrating perseverance, sportsmanship, and unwavering effort.
Their actions and words reflected the essence of rugby, earning recognition from the competition organisers for their respectful and positive behaviour. Representing St Pius X with pride, our students left a lasting impression, showcasing the best of our school community.
This tour was not only a success but also a memorable experience for everyone involved – students, staff, and parents alike. It serves as a positive sign for the upcoming rugby season, filled with promise and excitement.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Mr Bourke, Mrs Greenwood and all of the parents for their dedication and support throughout the weekend. Without their efforts, this journey wouldn't have been possible.
As we reflect on this unforgettable experience, let us carry the lessons learned and the camaraderie shared into our future endeavours, both on and off the field.
Mr Callum Montgomerie - Rugby Convenor (Junior School)
Celebrating Student Success
Congratulations to the following Junior School students on their representative rugby selections: Billy Cashel has been selected in the Warringah Rats U12 Development Squad, while Hudson Bacic and Angus Webb have been named in the Gordon Highlanders U12s. Well done – a fantastic achievement and a great reflection of your hard work and commitment to the game!
Congratulations also goes to Joshua, who represented Manly at the NSW State Championships in the Little League Major Competition over the holidays. Held in Blacktown across five days, the tournament brought together top teams from regions across NSW. Joshua and his teammates performed admirably, recording both wins and losses, and proudly represented Manly throughout the event. Well done, Joshua!
IPSHA Winter Season – Commitment & Attendance
Round 1 of the IPSHA Winter Season kicks off this Saturday, 3 May. This is off the back of the winter trials held late last term. I want to assure families that coaches and managers will continue to monitor team selections throughout the season and any changes will be made in a fair and considered manner.
A reminder, to ensure each game is competitive and that all teams are well-supported, we kindly ask families to avoid booking holidays on the following game dates:
Season Dates
Round 1: 3 May
Round 2: 10 May
Round 3: 17 May
Round 4: 24 May
Round 5: 31 May
Round 6: 14 June
Round 7: 21 June
Round 8: 26 July
Round 9: 2 August
Round 10: 9 August
Teams for Round 1 have been finalised today and all fixtures are now confirmed in Clipboard. If you are not able to see a fixture for your son, please let me know.
If a student is unable to attend a game due to injury or illness, this must be logged in Clipboard, and an email sent to Mr Bourke jbourke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au. For any other absences, families must submit a request as early as possible to ensure we have sufficient numbers each week. This will help us avoid the player shortages experienced during the summer season and ensure a competitive and enjoyable experience for all teams.
Winter Sports Uniform Requirements
To ensure students are ready for the season, families are encouraged to arrange the purchase of the required Winter Sports Uniform from the College Uniform Shop:
Football – SPX jersey, SPX shorts, football socks
Rugby – SPX jersey, SPX shorts, rugby socks
AFL – The College provides a loaned uniform (singlet and shorts), but students will need to purchase football socks
Additional Requirements
Mouthguards are compulsory for both Rugby and AFL. Headgear is encouraged.
Shin Pads are required for Football.
Players should also check that they have appropriate footwear (football boots).
People to contact during the Winter season
- Chess Convenor: Mrs Elena Martin emartin@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
- Chess Coach: Raelene Boyle rboyle@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
- Rugby Convenor: Callum Montgomerie cmontgomerie@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
- Admin Cocurricular- Merryn Dodd: Mdodd@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
- Football Convenor and Junior Sport Coordinator: James Bourke jbourke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Wet Weather
In the case that weather impacts Junior School fixtures, a notification will be posted via Clipboard and/or the College App. Please ensure you are checking for updated information on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Updates could include venue changes, times changes or cancellations.
Term 2 Weekly Sport Calendar
Information via Clipboard
To stay up-to-date with training schedules and game fixtures, please ensure you regularly check the Clipboard app. Training and fixtures are accessible directly within the app, and any changes will be updated there as well.
Important Reminder
To receive timely updates and notifications regarding changes to fixtures or training sessions, please ensure:
Notifications are enabled both within the Clipboard app settings and on your mobile device. The have the option to receive push notifications and/or email prompts.
Please regularly review the app for any schedule updates.
Fixtures will be initially entered as UNCONFIRMED, by Thursday each week they will be CONFIRMED by opposition schools and a notification will be sent to families.
Please check clipboard regularly for any changes to the schedule.
Some fixtures are subject to weather, on occasion this can lead to cancellations. This will occur via the Clipboard app, you should receive a notification if a fixture is cancelled, but please check the app on the morning before leave to ensure you are up to date with any changes.
Logging an Absence
If your son is unable to attend a Saturday fixture due to sickness or injury, you can log his absence directly through Clipboard by following these steps:
Log in to Clipboard using your parent account.
Navigate to the Calendar page.
Click on 'Log an Absence' and follow the prompts to submit.
As a courtesy, please email Mr Bourke at Jbourke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au prior to the fixture, if possible, by Thursday. For all other absences a request needs to be sent to Mr Bourke for approval.
For normal school day absences, please continue to follow the standard school process.
SPX App
If you haven’t already, please download and familiarise yourself with the SPX App.
SPX Rugby Club – Rugby Gala Dinner
🗓 Saturday, 14 June
📍 Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf
⏰ 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm
The SPX Rugby Committee is excited to invite you to a special evening that brings together the broader rugby community. All SPX parents are warmly welcome to join us in celebration and support.
🎟️ TICKET SALES NOW OPEN
$150 per person – includes a three-course meal and drinks package.
We’re delighted to welcome Owen Finegan, Wallabies legend and Rugby World Cup champion, as our keynote speaker for the evening.
Enjoy live music from Dow Jones and the All Ordinaries and take part in our raffles and auctions—all contributing to fundraising efforts that help us continue delivering quality rugby programs and opportunities for our players.
Your attendance makes a difference. Let’s come together for a memorable night of connection, celebration, and support.
Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sport Coordinator
From the Junior Resource Centre
This week’s Highlights are:
Literature Promotion in the JRC
In this term's 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. #anzacday2025 #lestweforget
I was delighted to read and discuss the story of The Little Stowaway with Year 5 and 6 this week, remembering ANZAC Day. It began in France, during the Winter of 1918. The First World War is over. A brave and determined little French orphan, Honore, wanders through the snow, cold and hungry and lost. When he stumbles on the Australian Flying Corps and meets airman, Tim Tovell, his life is changed forever. This is a story of a remarkable little stowaway and his journey to his new home in Australia.
The Little Stowaway by Vicki Bennett and Tull Suwannakit.
Exciting Events happening this week:
Friday 2 May is International Harry Potter Day 2025
Why is 2 May International Harry Potter Day?
It was commonly mistaken that the date falls on Harry Potter's birthday. However, a true Potterhead knows the real reason – on 2 May, the great Battle of Hogwarts was fought and Lord Voldemort – Harry Potter's nemesis – was defeated.
MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU! In a galaxy far far away... the force is very strong in the Junior Resource Centre!
So on Sunday, dust off the plastic lightsabers from your childhood and May the Fourth be with you! On Star Wars Day, watch the movies and feel free to argue over which movie is the best! (spoiler: it's The Empire Strikes Back)
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail: Fluff – Mess Up by Matt Stanton
Do you know a child who will smile at the thought of having a giant rabbit as a best friend and laugh at the chaos that would cause? Will they enjoy exploring some of the challenging aspects of kid-life (bullies, chores, winning & losing) with playful thoughtfulness?
Explore the second book in the hilarious and unmissable new series about Gilbert, a boy whose best friend is an imaginary giant fluffy bunny called Fluff, from the creator of The Odds, Funny Kid and Bored.
#Mrs Martinsbooktrail2025
Ms Elena Martin – Teacher Librarian
Junior School Chess
Thank you to all the students who attended chess training on Tuesday 29 April in the JRC. We were in the throes of a chess obsession where the boys can be found engrossed in the noble game.
See you all on Tuesday 6 May at 7:30 am in the Junior Resource Centre.
NSW Junior Chess League Primary Schools Competition: The draws for all zones held in weekly home-and-away format are now available. https://www.nswjcl.org.au/
Our first game will be on Friday 9 May 2025. This will be a HOME game for all teams. Teams have been posted on clipboard.
Ms Elena Martin - Junior Chess Convenor