Junior School News
Year 6 boys heading off to Oxford Falls
- From the Head of the Junior School
- Junior School Sport
- Junior Resource Centre News
From the Head of the Junior School
PRAYER
THE UPCOMING WEEK
Next Tuesday 8.00 am Mass will re-commence. Unfortunately, no parents can attend or students from OLD or Mercy. It will be only open to SPX students and staff.
We are continuing with our altered recess and lunch times. Please remember that the boys require an extra snack for the ‘crunch and sip’ sessions in the longer morning block. Boys must bring a water bottle at school.
REPORTS AND INTERVIEWS
The Junior School Reports will be posted online next Wednesday after 3.15 pm. Interviews will occur on the last day of this term and the first day of Term 3. The interviews will be in an online format and run from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Information on how to log in is in the Parent & Student Matters page of this Woodchatta. Please note there is a limit of three computer attendees at each interview (this does not include the teacher). Each person at a different computer will require the access link emailed by School Interviews upon booking.
The Junior School interviews will go for 8 minutes with a 2 minute break to log into the next interview. A one subject interview such as Literacy or Mathematics might only go for 5 minutes as they do in the Senior School. You will be able to book your interviews in 10 minute segments. This system only works if we stay to the times. In the vast majority of cases this should be long enough. If it isn’t then arrange for a future interview with the teacher.
As Mrs Doheny and myself share Maths classes, if you wish to talk to us about Mathematics, you book the interview with Mrs Doheny and I will join the Mathematics interview. I will not appear on the booking sheet. However, if you do wish to speak to me about something else unrelated to the Maths classes then please email me and maybe suggest 3 available time slots.
THURSDAY
This Thursday (Week 8, 18 June) we will all be going down to Oxford Falls for the whole day to do dance and sport. Therefore, both Years 5 and 6 have the opportunity to be dropped off at Oxford Falls from 8.30 am - 9.15 am. A teacher will be on duty on the top oval area. There is no need to get out of your car. Boys will require their sporting gear as we are doing sport and dance. They will require morning tea and lunch. The boys arriving at school on the morning will be bussed from school to Oxford Falls at 9.00 am. Pick up will be from 1.30 pm - 1.45 pm - outside the Christian Brothers Centre. (The new blue gym). If the boys aren’t picked up they will be bussed back to the college for a normal Thursday dismissal.
Next week, on Thursday (Week 9, 25 June) only Year 6 will have the opportunity to be dropped off at Oxford Falls from 8.30 am - 9.15 am. Year 6 will be bussed down at 9.00 am and Year 5 at 10.45 am. This will be the grand finale of the dance competition which is for House points. In previous years we have had an audience and afternoon tea but unfortunately, due to Covid-19 this won't be possible. Alternatively, we are investigating a way to record the event. The boys in Colour House groups (approx. 60) will be in the centre of the gym and videoed from up higher in the mezzanine level. If you don't wish for your son to be videoed, please contact Mr Long before the event and he can sit out the grand finale. We are looking at sharing the video using a link only, in the same fashion as we do for whole school assemblies.
The pick up on this last day of the term will be at 1.40 pm - 1.55 pm outside the Christian Brothers Centre. If the boys aren’t picked up they will be bussed back to the college for a normal Thursday dismissal.
COVID-19 TESTING IN YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY
If someone in your immediate family (anyone living in your house) has been tested and is waiting for results of COVID-19 testing, we request that your son remains at home until a clear result has been given. Please remember to advise the school if your son is away from school for any reason.
THOUGHT TO PONDER
Stay Safe as we are all in this together.
Thanking you for your support,
Mr Tim Long - Head of Junior School
Junior School Sport
News: After school Rugby Training has begun, please see the details for next week below.
Thursday Sport: All boys will be participating in both Dance and Winter Sport Training this week. Please ensure all gear and equipment needed is on hand.
For Thursday Sport to run smoothly can all boys please:
- Travel to Oxford Falls in Pius PE Uniform
- Get Changed into appropriate gear for training at Oxford Falls (doesn’t need to be Pius gear- Boots, mouthguard, shin pads, head gear etc.
- Change into PE Uniform to travel back to school/ home
Rugby: Boys will be available for pick up both days no later than 4.35 pm at the Kirk St Gates.
After school Rugby Training details 3.00 pm - 4.35 pm:
Week 9:
- Tuesday 23 June: All Year 6 players
- Wednesday 24 June: All Year 5 players
Mr Benn McBrearty - Junior School Sports Master
Rugby Clinics in the School Holidays
While clinics and holiday training session are not compulsory, I believe some activity during the break is necessary given we are playing matches on the first weekend of Term 3. Below are the opportunities on over the break at Oxford Falls:
Thursday 2 July – SPX exclusive TryTime Rugby Clinic DAY 1 (Mike Cross and Trytime Coaches) user pays via trybooking. All ages groups.
Friday 3 July – SPX Exclusive Trytime Rugby Clinic DAY 2 (Mike Cross and Trytime Coaches) user pays via trybooking. All age groups.
Tuesday 14 July – Holiday Rugby Clinic – Day 1 (postponed from April) cost paid at registration.
Wednesday 15 July – Holiday Rugby Clinic – Day 2 (Opens Rugby vs Redfield College, 3.00 pm).
The clinics on Thursday 2 July and Friday 3 July are additional clinics provided by Head of Coaching Mike Cross and through TryTime Rugby. To books these clinics use the link below and see the flyer for more details.
http://www.trytimerugby.com/camps
The Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 clinics are have been moved from the April School holidays. More details will appear in Woodchatta next week including a link to sign up.
Mr Joe Lynch - Rugby Convenor
From the Football Supporters Club
SPX Football Training Returns
Great to see all SPX Senior and Junior School Football boys commenced football training in the past week. A huge thank you from the SPX Football Supporters Club to the SPX Leadership Team and also Simon Yue, Richard Lacey and Paul Cummins for getting the boys back training on the pitch in these challenging Covid-safe times.
SPX Football Holiday Camp
Pack away your technology and improve your football skills ahead of the Term 3 football season. Have fun with our highly qualified external football coaching team of Richard Lacey, Chris Semaan and Troy Halpin with others for cost effective football training in the holidays. The sessions are conducted in age-based squads and include skills and game-play.
Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/UPLP
When: Monday 6 July to Wednesday 8 July, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
Where: SPX Oxford Falls Campus
Transport: Parents to drop off and pick up boys from Oxford Falls per Covid-safe
guidelines (please stay in your car)
Bus transport available from SPX Chatswood Campus:
- 8.15 am drop off at Kirk Street, boys walked to bus by Mr Lacey on Archer Street
- Bus to depart 8.30 am sharp
- 1.10 pm depart from Oxford Falls, arrive at SPX Chatswood Campus at 1.30 pm subject to traffic conditions
Cost: $50 per day (single or multi-day tickets available)
Bring: Football boots, shin pads, football training clothes (SPX sports uniform
not required)
Water bottle with name clearly marked per Covid-safe guidelines
Sunscreen, cap and rain gear and sneakers (for indoor football play for
wet weather)
Food for snacks and lunch
For this camp, the traditional pizza lunch cannot be provided due to
Covid-safe guidelines
Mrs Cathy Thomson - SPX Football Supporters Club
Junior Resource Centre News
This week's Highlights:
This week is Refugee Week, celebrating The Year of Welcome and all the amazing contributions refugees have made to Australian society.
This week provides us the opportunity to reflect, experience and celebrate the rich diversity of refugee communities.
We're reminded of the words from the inspiring song by The Seekers, 'I am Australian' - a song that symbolises Australia and its people. The lyrics describe a nation whose people, history, culture and landscape are deeply connected and while it is a patriotic song, it celebrates Australia's diversity and its unity - something we can all do with right now.
Some books in our library to promote Refugee awareness
Year 5 colouring Refugee Week wristbands to promote Refugee awareness.
Tristan Bancks is virtually launching the new edition of Nitboy at SPX Junior School!
It’ll make you laugh. It’ll make you cry. It’ll make you itch.
Meet Lewis Snow. He has the worst case of nits in world history. Everyone wants him to shave his head. But Lewis thinks of his nits as pets. He’s determined to keep his hair and his nits, whatever it takes.
Ned lives on Lewis’s head. He’s the first-ever jumping nit. His dad wants Ned to help nits take over the world. But Ned likes it on Lewis’s head. Ned’s vegan and hates the taste of human blood.
And you thought you had problems.
This new edition contains two Nit Boy stories in one book!
Please visit https://www.thechildrensbookshopspeakersagency.com.au/person/bancks-tristan-speaker/ if you would like to purchase a signed copy of Nitboy for your child. The book will be delivered to your child’s school.
A bit about Tristan
Tristan Bancks is a children’s and teen author with a background in acting and filmmaking. His books include the Tom Weekly series, Mac Slater, Two Wolves, The Fall and Detention. His latest book is the new edition of Nitboy. Tristan is a writer-ambassador for world-changing literacy charity Room to Read. He is excited by the future of storytelling and inspiring others to create.
I hope your child enjoys the virtual launch of Nitboy.
Mrs Martin's Virtual Library
There are four Hogwarts Houses, each with very different aspects and looks. They are called Griffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Hufflepuff.
This week Mrs Martin's Virtual Library visits Slytherin.
Events happening at Willoughby City Library
Little “Late” Lunch trivia party
Friday, 19 June 2020 | 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Organised by Chatswood Library
Do you love the Little Lunch series? Do you love a quiz?
Watch Little Lunch on Kanopy https://willoughby.kanopy.com/video/little-lunch
Then register to join in online for Little Lunch games and trivia.
Episodes 1,2 & 3 – will be quizzed. Prizes to be won.
Suitable for children aged 8 to 11 years.
Details at https://libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Events-Programs/Little-Late-Lunch-Trivia-Party
Mrs Martin's Book Trail: Strangers on Country by David Hartley. Perspective is a truly essential component of history. I started reading this new book Strangers on Country. A book that writes from both the Indigenous and European perspectives. These are stories based on historical events, about Europeans being taken in by the indigenous people. A must read for all humans big and small.#mrsmartinsbooktrail2020
Mrs Elena Martin - Teacher Librarian, Junior Resource Centre