Junior School News
Debaters at IPSHA Debating
- From the Head of the Junior School
- Junior School Sport
- From the Junior Resource Centre
- Junior Debating
- Junior Chess
From the Head of the Junior School
Edmund Rice opened his heart to Christ. With this in mind we pray
God of love,
You lead us on life’s journey.
As we gather here in Your name,
Open our minds to know Your voice.
Open our hands to do Your work.
And open our hearts to hold Your Spirit. Amen
The Week that was
On Wednesday we had a Founders Day Assembly and Brother Carl spoke very well about Edmund Rice but also about how the Edmund Rice Charism is at work today. Unfortunately we had to postpone the Mother’s Day celebrations but fortunately Mrs Rajca could run the Mother’s Day Stall which was a wonderful success.
Mother's Day Celebrations - Cancelled
(From the Acting Principal's page)
Unfortunately, we must cancel our Mother's Day celebrations this Friday. Due to the COVID restrictions around groups remaining in place this week, we are unable to hold a gathering of this size and nature. I thank the organisers of these events and celebrations for their energy and preparations which we will unfortunately not be able to enjoy. We truly hope all our mothers, grandmothers and other mother figures in our lives had a beautiful day last Sunday.
We had planned for the boys to present a gift to their mums at the end of Mass. Any mother that was not at Mass would have received a gift as well. The boys will be coming home with a gift this afternoon and explain to you why you are so special to them.
Please note: Chocolate given with love has no calories!
Thank you from Candela, Peru
Thank you so much for your generous support of the Sisters of Mercy Mission in Candela, Peru. Over $3155 was raised from the sale of the beautiful handicrafts. What a wonderful result!
This money has been sent to the Mission so they can continue to provide food, clothing, medicine and education for their children.
During this time of COVID the poor and vulnerable living in places such as Candela find life a difficult challenge. The pandemic has caused increased pressure on the below standard health system and the government does not support those who are the most at risk from catching the virus. Your support is most appreciated.
A soup kitchen has been set up to provide meals for those in need.
NAPLAN Online 2021
The tests begin in Period 1 and most will be finished early in Period 2.
The timetable for NAPLAN online in the Junior School will be
Friday 14 May – Conventions of Language – 45 minutes
Monday 17 May – Numeracy – 50 minutes
Catch up for online tests are available till 21 May.
Remember:- a charged PLD and pair of headphones plus a willing spirit to have a go are required!
As with everything nowadays, I will say that this is subject to no adverse COVID rules being put in place later in the week.
Morning Study Class (Replacing After School Study)
A new opportunity is being offered this term where a study class is being held each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 7.30 am to 8.30 am. This opportunity, for Years 5 to 11, will be held in C5 and will be conducted by Mrs Gunns. This study class is being trialled this term in place of After School Study.
THE UPCOMING WEEK
Yr 5 NAPLAN continues
IPSHA Rd 4
Year 6 play in the park
CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR TWEENS - Learning boundaries and developing Safe Relationships
The following is on behalf of North Shore Health. I have heard Justin Coulson but not on this topic. It is aimed at parents of 8 to 13 year olds.
This parenting seminar, presented by Dr Justin Coulson will help us as we proactively develop tools to assist your child to navigate peer relationships and boundaries, growing stronger and more resilient relationships.
Date: Wednesday 12 May
Time: 7.00 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: Online- Zoom
For: Parents and caregivers of children in upper primary school
Cost: FREE
Registration: https://www.trybooking.com/BQWGH
RSVP: Tuesday 11th May, 3pm
A THOUGHT TO PONDER
Thanking you for your support.
Mr Tim Long - Head of the Junior School
Junior School Sport
Junior School Sport News: Please ensure you arrive at your venue 30 min prior to kick off on Saturday to ensure that your coach can prepare the team to start on time.
Thursday Sport: Training for AFL, Football, Rugby and Mixed sport.
AFL
Rugby
Mr Benn McBrearty - Junior School Sports Master
Junior Football
Rd 3 Results and Rd 4 Fixtures
A great round of football last weekend with most of our teams enjoying a victory against Barker. The boys are working really hard at Oxford Falls each Thursday and are beginning to develop greater teamwork as well as their individual skills. The boys are lucky to have some fantastic coaches and a great venue.
Please look carefully at the times for this Saturday, especially Preps.
Mr Paul Cummins - Junior Football Convenor
From the Junior Resource Centre
This Week's Highlights are:
Literature Promotion in the JRC
This week Year 5 read and discussed the picture book Midnight by Mark Greenwood, Illustrated by Frane Lessac.
The story of Lieutenant Guy Haydon and his beloved mare, is beautifully told in the story Midnight. The tale of the Australian Light Horse regiments that took part in ‘one of the last great cavalry charges in history’.
This book was inspired by the folklore of the Haydon family from “Bloomfield”, in the Hunter Valley, NSW. PRC = 5873
Year 6 Read and discussed ANZAC Girl: The War Diaries of Alice Ross-King by Kate Simpson Illustrated by Jess Racklyeft.
Using extracts from Alice’s actual diaries kept in the Australian War Memorial, this true story captures the danger, the heartache and the history of the young nurse who would one day become the most decorated woman in Australia. An excellent picture book that captures the ANZAC spirit. PRC = 660747
Both books are on the Premier’s Reading Challenge. PRC ID codes have been provided.
Major Alice Ross Appleford (nee King), Australian Army Medical Women's Service, 1944: courtesy of AWM, 080772
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail:
Holocaust: A Chronicle of History and Hope by Hugh Dolan and Adrian Barbu.
A brilliant narrative non-fiction graphic novel for Senior Primary and Secondary students. ‘This extraordinary graphic novel traces the story of the rise of Nazism and Hitler’s persecution of the Jews, merging historical imagery and documents with the haunting tale of David and his family. A story of fear, resilience and compassion, and a legacy of love and hope’. #mrsmartinsbooktrail2021
Mrs Elena Martin – Teacher Librarian
DA VINCI DECATHLON
Well done to the boys who competed with genuine enthusiasm in da Vinci Decathlon 2021. They can be proud of their teamwork and efforts against tough opposition there were a total of 145 teams competing online over the day.
Year 5 Team: Jackson Byak, Adrian Yap, Oscar Kwiatkowski, Zach Fourie, Nate Riley, Harrison Zanello, Harry Thomas and James Hocking.
Year 6 Team: Zac Rapa, Ollie Reiner, Charles Garnys, Jake Desertine, Logan Van Katwyk, Ethan Willet, Graham Halgreen and James Borg.
JUNIOR DEBATING
Congratulations to our debaters on a successful Round 1. We hosted against Masada College St Ives. Well done to the boys on their efforts in both debates. The debate was on the excellent opening topic of: “Books are better than TV.” Both affirmative and negative teams were very well prepared, presented very convincing caselines with well researched arguments and engaged the audience. Well done on your efforts boys on both debates and the commitment to debating training sessions. The next debate we will be travelling to St Luke’s Dee Why on Friday 21st May, the debate begins at 1.00pm (TBC), parents are most welcome to attend pending St Luke’s COVID-Safe Plan.
Mrs Bettina Spanyik - Learning Enrichment Teacher
JUNIOR SCHOOL CHESS CLUB
When life checks you, make sure you bounce back with a checkmate!
Junior School Chess Competition continues this week, Friday 14 May 2021. Well done St Pius X! Team A will play AWAY this week, Teams B and C are at HOME. Please check the updated draw for more details.
Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor