Junior School News

• From the Head of the Junior School
• Junior School Sport
• Junior Resource Centre News

From the Head of the Junior School

PRAYER

Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

1910 – 1997

September 5 – Patron Saint of Calcutta, India

She equals in holiness and generosity the great ‘Teresas’ she chose to emulate

Agnes was a tiny Albanian woman  born into a devout family in present-day Macedonia. 

Her family was prosperous and regularly helped the poor and abandoned. 

Little Agnes benefited from the then recent reforms of Pope Saint Pius X lowering the age of First Holy Communion and thus received the Eucharist for the first time at the very young age of five and a half.  

Feeling the call to serve Christ and the Church, Agnes decided to become a nun with the Loretto Sisters who were based in Dublin, Ireland. 

She sailed on the long voyage to India, arriving in Calcutta in January 1929. India would be her home for the rest of her life. 

Everyone loved her, especially her students, and Mother Teresa was a contented nun doing important work for the Church. 

Jesus told her, by mysterious means, that He desired her to serve Him in the poorest of the poor, who were so ignorant of Him and of His love. She must start a religious order. 

Two years of organizing passed until, in August 1948, Mother Teresa donned her famous white and blue sari for the first time. 

She left the comfort and predictability of the Loretto Convent School for a hard life on the streets among the slums of the poorest, hungriest, and dirtiest people in Calcutta. 

Her order, the Missionaries of Charity, was formally established in 1950 and by the time of her death in 1997, the Missionaries of Charity had over four thousand sisters. 

Mother Teresa became internationally famous, an icon of charity and peace, for all the right reasons.  She was constructed of steel, in perpetual motion, and operated on almost no food or sleep.

She was canonized by Pope Francis in 2016. 

We Pray

Saint Mother Teresa, your generosity to the poor and destitute inspired millions. 

Your life of dedication to prayer, to the Church, 

and to the dignity of all life inspires us still. 

May we emulate your life of total service and total love by loving God first.

THIS WEEK IN THE CLASSROOMS

Last Friday many of the Year 6 Literacy groups listened to Rupert McCall, an Australian poet who discussed effective delivery and performing techniques.  The three major points he spoke about were engaging the audience, take them for a ride and leave them with a message.

You can listen to the end of the speech where Rupert McCall recited one of his poems.  The clip can be found here https://youtu.be/cHJOUCmP3g8

Thanks to Mr Chris Ure for organising this learning experience. 

In fact, Benji Tan, in 6 Red, has written a very thought-provoking poem about prejudice.  Please take the time to read it.

Prejudice ,what does it mean?

Pre - Before

Judice – to judge

But why judge

Perhaps their holding a grudge 

For something that happened years ago 

Even though they know

That was a different time where they were at a different place 

But it was the same religion and the same race

This is not some to take lightly

And the fact most cant see it is a little disquieting

And some live in denial 

While others face trial 

Because they’re being racially  profiled 

For something they didn’t do 

And what they’re saying is true 

So wake up

Don’t stand by while innocents cry because they are being judged on their religion 

And because we don’t have permission

To be racist

To be sexist

To be homophobic

To be transphobic 

And those are just a few 

Because if you knew how many ways people can be discriminated 

Your political views would be debated 

We dream for a brand new start 

But we dream in the dark for the most part

So that’s why I envision 

a world where those around us aren’t judged by their religion

And no we can’t walk away from this because this is our only chance

To take a stand against prejudice

Last week in 6 Blue was a busy one. We decided to see who has the greenest thumb, so we planted tomato seeds. We have already had a couple of disasters with a couple of the pots being knocked to the ground from the ledge, not to worry though, more seeds were planted straight away. After planting the seeds some boys said that they were going to be better than the guys on Better Homes & Gardens! Pretty big call, we will see. We have decided to have a competition to see who has the biggest tomato plant after the holidays. Stay tuned for updates.

On Monday of this week it was great to hear the wonderful poems that the boys presented for their speaking task. There was a lot of effort that went into the preparation of the poems with many of the boys learning them off by heart! What was even more impressive was that some boys decided to write their own poems, we were very impressed with their talent. 

THURSDAY - Summer Sports Trials - 

Due to Summer Sport Trials and training which comprises a 3 way rotation, the pick up time needs to be moved back to 2.10 pm - 2.20 pm.  It will still be in front of the Christian Brothers Centre and we will endeavour to have the buses stop earlier in the car park.  If your son isn't collected by 2.20 pm, he will be on the last bus that leaves Oxford Falls.

WALKATHON

A huge thank you to everybody involved from the boys to Mrs Williams, to all the families who supported this social justice initiative.  We raised $8,810.15.  Give yourselves a pat on the back!  I’m sure our partner organisations will be very pleased.

UNIFORM

We have two and a half weeks to go for this term so now is the time to check the Summer Uniform as you might be surprised at how much your little boy has grown.  The Summer Uniform is a short sleeve shirt, royal blue shorts, long college socks and you may wish to purchase some garters ($6 a pair) to hold them up. A College tie and a belt are required.  The Uniform Shop is open 8.00 am till 1.30 pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays so you have 6 shopping days left before the end of the term.

LEAVE

I will be on Long Service Leave for the last two weeks of this term.  The boys will be in good hands with their teachers and Mrs Iwatani in charge.  My classes will be taught by Mr Proudfoot.  Therefore, I will have to write you an early safe holiday wish. Take care and don’t bruise any bumper bars.

FUTURE EVENTS

The "Lights, Camera, Pius!” Film Festival is being held this Friday, 11 September.  This will be an online festival.

The 11/9 is also RUOK day. A great initiative where we should all ask a simple question to check in on people. RUOK day – the boys may bring a jersey to school and wear it while at school (not to and from school)  They may wish to bring their favourite Football, Rugby or League jersey. 

Term 3 concludes on Friday 25 September and Term 4 commences on Monday 12 October.

THOUGHT TO PONDER

In honour of Roald Dahl Day on September 13.

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: 

Junior School Sport News:

We have been placed in the IPSHA “North” Zone for the upcoming Term 4 Summer season. Draws will be finalised and published in next week’s edition of Woodchatta and uploaded to The College App. 

Thursday Sport: 

Training and Trials for Basketball, Cricket, Tennis, Touch and Softball. Please note new pick-up time from Oxford Falls of 2.10 pm - 2.20 pm. 

Cricket: 

Registration is open for Season 2020/2021.  Please see the attached Welcome to SPX Cricket 2020 and SPX Cricket Registration Flyer 2020.

Mr Benn McBrearty - Junior School Sports Master

Junior Resource Centre News

This week's Highlights: 

Nature Book Week

Books help to inspire the next generation to be custodians of nature through creative writing and captivating illustration; Nature Book Week is a celebration of some of Australia's finest storytellers.

Nature Book Week commences on Threatened Species Day on 7 September and marks the day the Thylacine became extinct in 1936. We have a great collection of books in our library. Pop in and have a look.

The Dream of the Thylacine written by Margaret Wild; illustrated by Ron Brooks.

One Tree written by Christopher Cheng; illustrated by Bruce Whatley.

One Tree by Christopher Cheng and Bruce Whatley is shortlisted for the 2020 Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature.

This beautiful illustration by Sarah Allen shows just some of Australia's threatened species. 

#sarahallenillustration

Roald Dahl Day - September 13 2020

"A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men." - Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.

Get your old copies of 'Matilda' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' out to celebrate Roald Dahl Day 2020.

This week is a perfect time to celebrate the famous children’s author and his classic books.

So, what’s planned for the big day and how can you get involved?

There are a number of ways to mark the occasion, including dressing up as one of his famous characters or getting stuck into one of the author's famous books.

Year 5 and 6 this week will be getting stuck into one of their favourite Roald Dahl books by exploring the Roald Dahl Power Point and completing the Quizzes. Prizes on offer.

Despite most of his work being designed for children, the insightful quality of Roald Dahl's writing means both children and grown-ups can relate to the themes.

Whatever you do on September 13 have a flushbunkingly gloriumptious time!

#roalddahlday2020

Library Monitor’s Book Reviews.

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie: the complete book of nautical codes by Sara Gillingham.

The book Alpha, Bravo, Charlie is about different types of nautical codes. These codes include the phonetic alphabet (a system where every letter is matched up with an English word). Other codes are Morse Code, Sophomore and Flags. Each page of this book has a letter along with the flag and its meaning. Each page also holds the codes used for the letter. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes ships, codes or even just information.

Reviewed by Liam in Year 5.

Year 5 Virtual Author Visit – Remy Lai. 

When? – Tuesday 15 September, 2020.

In this moving and hilarious illustrated novel from the critically-acclaimed author of Pie in the Sky, a twelve-year-old boy goes on a (forbidden) solo journey halfway around the world to prove his independence to his overprotective family. Henry Khoo's family treats him like a baby. He’s not allowed to go anywhere without his sister/chaperone/bodyguard. His (former) best friend knows to expect his family’s mafia-style interrogation when Henry’s actually allowed to hang out at her house. And he definitely CAN’T take a journey halfway around the world all by himself! Determined to prove his independence and avoid punishment for his crimes, Henry embarks on the greatest adventure ever . . . hoping it won’t turn into the greatest disaster ever.

Interested in purchasing the book? Please see the attached form.

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail: Brain Freeze by Oliver Phommavanh 

A crazy selection of funny short stories from the wacky mind of bestselling Thai-riffic! author, Oliver Phommavanh, featuring characters who are all trying to step up and  be brave.

#mrsmartinsbooktrail2020

Mrs Elena Martin - Teacher Librarian, Junior Resource Centre