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
CYBERSAFETY POLICE VISIT
Officers John and Amy from Chatswood police visited last week to speak to Junior School students about staying safe online. Students were asked to put up their hands if they had managed to find a way around parental control measures – you might be surprised to hear that about 80% of students admitted that they had found a way around controls that parents had put in place at home to restrict their online access. About 90% of students also said that they had a social media account even though the minimum age for most social media apps is 13 years. Many students also said that they had been inadvertently exposed to inappropriate content online.
For information on how to keep your children safe online, please visit the eSafety website: https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids
EREA SCHOOL REVIEW
Last week, senior executives from Edmund Rice Education Australia interviewed students, staff, and parents as part of the college’s five-year accreditation review. Thank you to William Aldons, Zac Bower, Michael Capra, Owen Hood, Connor Koruga, Nicholas Lindsell, Lachlan Quinnell, Xander Ruf who gave voice to the Junior School as part of the review.
YEAR 5 BROKEN BAY CAMP
I would like to thank all our students for their participation and enthusiasm on the Broken Bay camp as well as thanking our staff members who worked tirelessly to ensure the trip was a great success. Thank you to those parents who took the time to send in their thanks to our teachers – we may not be able to respond to every email, but please know that we saw them and appreciate them. Special thanks to Mrs Williams who attended both the Year 5 and Year 6 trips away.
SATURDAY SPORT
Unfortunately, there has been an increase in inappropriate parent behaviour at IPSHA Saturday morning sport. As a result, IPSHA have requested that all Heads of Junior School re-publish the Spectator Code of Behaviour.
IPSHA SPECTATORS’ CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
- Children play organised sports for fun. They are not playing for the entertainment of spectators only, nor are they miniature professionals.
- Applaud good performances and efforts from each team. Congratulate all participants upon their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.
- Respect the officials’ decision.
- Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a competition.
- Positive comments are motivational and encourage continued effort.
- Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
- Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game.
- Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.
- Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language, harassing players, coaches or officials.
- Comments should not interfere with the running of the game.
- Focus on the efforts and performance of the children rather than the result.
- Praise is encouraged at all levels.
- Complaints concerning the conduct of games should not be made during or after the game and should be referred to one’s Head of Sport and any action should be left to his/her discretion.
- UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should parents contact schools directly.
- All grounds must be kept clean - litter must be placed in the bins provided.
STUDENT SAFETY
Unfortunately, Junior School students, despite repeated reminders, are continuing to run through the Victoria Avenue Mall and up Endeavour and Help Streets. We regularly remind students of the safest path to take to the bus and train stations, instruct the students to walk, not run, and plead with them to stay off their phones as they cross the roads. As you can imagine, when they run in groups, they can be a danger to themselves and others. If they have a mobile phone, almost without exception, they are engrossed in their phones as they walk/run. Can you please discuss this with your son/s and if you are aware that they are catching a train or bus before 3:10 pm, you would be right to assume they are running to catch it. Thank you for your support in keeping your son/s safe.
DATES FOR THE DIARY:
JUNIOR SCHOOL BIBLE LITURGY
Please note that the Junior School Bible Liturgy has been moved to Tuesday 9 April (Week 11).
SUMMER SPORT PHOTOS
Please note that the Summer Sport photos have been moved to Thursday 11 April (Week 11).
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School.
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School
PAPA Comedy Night
Tickets for our upcoming fundraiser “Stand Up Comedy Stars” on Saturday, May the 4th, are now available!
Please use the link or QR code below to get your tickets and join us for a night of laughter to raise funds that will support our boys in their performing arts endeavours.
Seat numbers are strictly limited, so get in quickly!!!
This event is open to all adult members of the SPX community (not just families of students in Performing Arts).
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Junior School Sport
Armidale Tour
I am pleased to say that the touring party have had their jersey fit out in preparation for the tour in the last weekend of the Term 1 school holidays. There is a strong sense of excitement and anticipation as the organisers finalise draws and matches. Touring party will be announced in our final Woodchatta for Term 1.
Winter Season
Please note that the Junior School Winter Season commences with Round 1 on 4 May, Term 2. The final round of competition is Saturday 10 August.
It is an expectation that all students involved in a winter sport have the appropriate safety equipment. Football requires shinpads and football boots. Rugby and AFL require a mouthguard, rugby boots. Headgear is optional.
The winter season uniform purchase can be made through the SPX Uniform Shop. Items for rugby and football include the St Pius X jersey, shorts and socks.
Thursday Sport
Winter sports trials for Rugby Union, Football and AFL commenced last week and will continue this week, Week 10 and Week 11.
Please ensure that your son has the correct safety equipment organised and ready e.g. mouth guards, football boots, shinpads, etc. Students without the correct safety gear will not be able to fully participate in the trials.
CIS Football:
We wish Ryan Volpato and Ethan Suleman the best of luck as they compete at the CIS selection championships as a member of the IPSHA team on 4 April.
IPSHA Touch Football
Well done to the following students who were nominated to attend the IPSHA Touch Football Trial earlier this week: Jake Bauer, Lukas Gazey, Benjamin Patten and Mason Mattar.
On Tuesday 26 March the four students trialled for IPSHA as part of the pre CIS trial next term. Whilst all the students gave a good account of themselves, there was strong competition from the 54 nominated students across all ISPHA schools. I am pleased to announce that Lukas Gazey was selected to attend the CIS Trial. We wish Lukas all the best as he competes in this next phase.
IPSHA Cross-Country
There have been consistently well-attended training sessions by the Junior School squad over the last few weeks. Supported by the coaches, staff, and senior school young men, the cross-country squad have developed a strong team spirit. We anticipate watching the boys compete on Saturday 6 April and look forward to providing a summary of the results in Woodchatta in Week 11.
Rugby Holiday Clinic
With the Junior Rugby Season just around the corner, the annual Easter Holiday rugby clinic will take place on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 April - April School Holiday Clinic. 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 during trials. Coaching staff will be age group coordinators, 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.
The bus will depart Archer Street, outside O.L.D. Church at 9:00 am and return to Anderson Street Chatswood by 3:15 pm. The clinic will start at 9:30 am for those heading direct to Oxford Falls.
To register for the clinic please use the link below.
https://events.humanitix.com/st-pius-holiday-rugby-clinic
Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sports Coordinator
COERVER Football Camps
In preparation for the Football season, the College is offering St Pius X student only COERVER Camps.
ST PIUS X APRIL HOLIDAY CAMPS
Monday 15 - Thursday 18 April
9:00 am - 12:00 noon each day
Bus transport to and from is available, with details provided in link prior to registration.
Active Kids Vouchers accepted.
Age : 9 - 16
Coerver Coaching holiday camps offer a fun-filled soccer experience for children aged 9-16 years. Each day will include Coerver® SKILLS competitions and challenges, Ball Mastery, Coaching sessions focusing on developing effective use of skill, small sided Coerver® Games, and mini Coerver Cup Tournament to keep players active.
TECHNIQUE
The cornerstone of our curriculum is technical development. We utilize the Coerver® Method of ball mastery and graduated pressure to build technical competence and play carefully selected games to build functional success.
PLAYER CONFIDENCE
We foster creativity by providing the players technical building blocks & encouraging creative actions in developmentally appropriate games. Our games are designed to be fun, challenging and to reward success and risk-taking.
TEAMWORK
Small group tactics and principles of play are taught in attack and defence by utilizing the structure of the many small sided games, which have made the Coerver® Curriculum so unique and recognised as the world’s leading technical football program.
SPORTSMANSHIP
We value winning but not more than character and effort. We encourage paying respect to players, parents, coaches and referees. Sportsmanship is emphasized to develop the whole person and not just the player.
With 2, 3 and 4 day options available, this is the perfect pre and early season preparation for St Pius X students looking towards a successful season. It is also a huge amount of footballing fun!
Bookings can be made using the following link: Coerver course | Coerver Coaching
Mr Simon Yue - Senior Football Convenor
NSTA Tennis
What an amazing day we had for the finals last weekend, perfect weather for tennis. As usual, the St Pius teams did the College proud with their great sportsmanship throughout the day. A special congratulations must go to the following teams who played in the finals:
Grand Final Winners
Thank you of course to all of the senior boys who have umpired throughout the term but especially to Matthew Liang, Daniel Lenehan, Isaac Ip and Jake Yu for umpiring last weekend.
A very big thank you goes to Mrs Keighery, Mrs Fileman and Mr Petrie for their assistance during the season.
Of course, it is with great sadness that we also say goodbye to our Year 12 boys who played their last tennis match for the College: Cooper Anderson, Spencer Anderson and Ethan Li. We wish you all the best for your future.
Mrs Samantha Iwatani - NSTA Convenor
From the Junior Resource Centre
This Week’s Highlights:
DRUM ROLL!!!!!!!!! Super excited to view the 2024 CBCA Book of The Year Shortlist. Find out more on who made the list @ https://cbca.org.au/shortlist-2024
Country Town by Isolde Martyn, Robyn Ridgeway and Louise Hogan
I love this new picture book! It has been announced on the CBCA 2024 shortlist this year for the Eve Pownall category. A sure winner. An absolute stand out. So many lessons across the new curriculum. We are very fortunate to have Isolde Martyn’s grandson here at St Pius X, Zach Pereira, we had a special visit last year and we are looking forward to organising another visit.
Country Town could be anywhere in Australia and this beautiful book tracks 200 years throughout its history. First Nations teacher Robyn Ridgeway has not only provided an in-depth Indigenous perspective but has also encouraged the reader to reflect on what they have learnt by promoting discussions throughout the book.
Isolde’s extensive historical research and Louise’s absolute stunning illustrations also make this a truly special book.’ @gleebooks_kids
Mrs Martin's Book Trail: Huda Was Here by H Hayek
Having met Huda and her family in the 2022 CBCA shortlisted book, Huda and Me, they are back in this brand-new book. This time when their dad loses his job and has to work interstate, Huda will go to great lengths to make sure her family is reunited. Just like its predecessor, this hilarious tale is full of all the hijinks, adventure, cheekiness and courage we have come to love from Huda. A great middle grade read for older primary school aged and younger secondary school aged readers. Full of fun, mischief and an insight into family life and a culture that they may not already be familiar with. #mrsmartinsbooktrail2024
Mrs Elena Martin - Teacher Librarian
Junior School Chess Club
Thank you to all the students who attended Chess training on Tuesday 26 March. We were in the throes of a chess obsession where the boys can be found engrossed in the noble game. A reminder that Chess training continues next Week10, 2 April at 7:30 am in the JRC with Mrs Martin.
Mrs Elena Martin and Ms Raelene Boyle - Junior Chess Convenors