Junior School News & Sport

• Junior School News
• Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
• Junior School Sport

Junior School News

PRAYER/REFLECTION:  The Feast Day of St Pius X was last week on Tuesday 21st August.  We will be celebrating this with a Patron's Day holiday next Monday 3rd September.  St Pius X is a worthy patron challenging us to blend faith, learning and culture and for the College to produce young men who respect themselves and others.  In honour of our Patron Saint  we pray:

Glorious Pope of the Eucharist, Saint Pius X, you sought "to restore all things in Christ."

Assist us to follow the teachings of Christ. 

When we turn away from Jesus, help us to remember that he walks with us.  

By your love for Mary, mother and queen of all, inflame my heart with tender devotion to her.

Dispel confusion and hatred and anxiety, and incline our hearts to peace and concord.

Saint Pius X, pray for me.

LONG SERVICE LEAVE:  Please note that I (Mr Long) will be going on long service leave at the conclusion of this week.  Mrs Iwatani will be acting in my role for the remainder of the Term (19 days).  We are fortunate to have the services of Mrs Yulanie Harris (an ex-Deputy Principal) for 6 Blue for this time.  As always, please contact your son’s teacher as the first point of contact if there are any queries.  For a larger issue please contact Mrs Iwatani for the last 4 weeks of the term.  I wish you all the best for the remainder of the term.

TERM 4 LONG SERVICE LEAVE:  Please note that Mr Carroll and Mr Simpson will both be taking long service for Term 4.  With some creative timetabling we have been very fortunate in being able to use Mrs Amanda Fileman for 6 Green and Mrs Mary Doheny for 5 Blue. We have also gained the services of Mrs Mary Ryan (another ex-Deputy Principal) for two days a week to allow for this creative timetabling.  All is in readiness and planned for Term 4.

UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES

• Grandfather, Father and Son sporting afternoon and Barbeque:  Tomorrow we will have a sporting afternoon where the granddads and dads or significant male figure (uncle etc), come along and play some sport with the boys and then we have a barbeque.  In order to organise catering and the sport we ask that you complete the form in this link:   https://bit.ly/2MNcoAD    If any more mums would like to assist with the BBQ that would be appreciated.

There will be an opportunity to contribute to the College's 'Treat the Land' Drought Appeal at this event.

P&F Fathers' Day breakfast:  - 7.00-8.30am Friday 31st August  (See P&F page for details)

• 'Treat the Land' Drought Relief Appeal
• Please see the Principal's Page of this newsletter for details.

• St Pius X Feast Day holiday next Monday, 3rd September:  There is no school on this day.
• Winter sports photos:   Wednesday 5th September - boys need to have their gear for the photos including their boots (no mouth guards!)
• Football presentation night:   Wednesday 5th September
• NAPLAN results:  will now be coming to parents in mid September.

TRANSPORT NEWS:  From Sunday 30 September 2018 the rail line between Epping and Chatswood will be closed to allow for major upgrades, including testing and installation of new signalling, electrical, fire and life safety systems.  During this time there will be seven Station Link bus routes that will replace train services for around seven months.

Ahead of Station Link services starting on 30 September, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) will be upgrading street furniture, removing trees, installing signs and tactiles, adjusting pedestrian ramps and relocating the taxi zone to Brown Street for the duration of Station Link.

CHINATOWN EXCURSION:  By M Salama, M Krizan and S Tutaan

So what do 128 boys do after completing a gruelling walkathon? They go for a stroll around China Town to stop those tired muscles from tightening up. On Friday Year Six and their teachers boarded the buses and headed into Sydney’s China Town. The reason for this excursion was that in our Geography unit we are looking at our links with the world but specifically Asia. We are looking at our similarities and differences and how we can come together. The day started off when we met the Rangers. No not the Power Rangers but Ranger Jamie and his crew. They told us what we would be doing. First, we went down the main part of China Town and learnt about dragons, colours and lanterns and what they symbolise for the Chinese. Before our second activity, we went to a very old building. There we experienced the haunted elevator. It was hair raising. The second part of our excursion we learnt how to tell people we love them in Chinese calligraphy. Our third activity saw us tour and learn about the beautiful Chinese Gardens. It was a gift from China to Australia. Our last activity involved a bit of fun. We had relays but we had to find the right answer to the question we were being asked. We also had to do the rice challenge. After a very full day we headed home exhausted but wiser.

WALKATHON:  Last Thursday we held the annual Walkathon for Charity.  The boys were enthusiastic and many ran the course.  I believe 19 laps was the longest distance.  All money goes to people less fortunate than ourselves. 

Thank you to Mrs Williams for her organisation of this event.  We would like to have the money finalised before the end of the term. Please encourage your son to bring the sponsorship money in as soon as possible.

BEBRAS COMPUTATIONAL THINKING CHALLENGE

PLEASE COMPLETE PARENTAL PERMISSION SLIP BELOW BEFORE THE END OR THE MONTH 

It is coming time for the annual Computational Thinking Challenge run by Bebras International & CSIRO in Australia.  It is part of an international initiative whose goal is to promote Computational Thinking amongst students.  We would like all the boys to participate in the challenge.  Last year the results were very positive but we do need a parental permission slip completed and sent back to your son’s classroom teacher for collation. Please ensure you return the permission slip so that your son can participate as Computational thinking is a skill that will stand them in good stead in the future. Bebras is aligned with and supports the new Australian Digital Technologies Curriculum.

The Challenge is FREE to take part and is delivered online and it will most likely be held during the Computing Class times strictly between the following dates 3rd – 14th September 2018.   Once started, there is a 50 minute countdown timer that permits students to enter answers once they start the competition.  This is a one-off chance so must be completed in Class time.

Prior to the running of the competition, the Consent/permission Form below must be completed by parents/guardians.

The Bebras Australia Computational Thinking Challenge started in Australia in 2014 through the CSIRO Education & Outreach program, Digital Careers.  More information may be found on the Bebras website:  https://www.bebras.edu.au/

GIFTED AND TALENTED EVENING - NEXT MONDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER:  

Please find below a flyer advertising an evening (6:30-7:30pm on Monday 3rd September) at Knox Grammar Prep School organised by The Northside Gifted and Talented Network for parent

Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre

Source:  The Australian 2018

Australian Slam Poetry Champion, Solli Raphael:  On Tuesday 4th September Solli Raphael, a young spoken word/slam poet (aged 13), will be visiting the St Pius X Junior School.  He is brilliant!!!!  His poetry is great for Stage 3 - lots about sustainability, Aussie Identity and issues that relate to young people (and old!)

Have a look at Solli - Australian Poetry Champion!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3C-DO9FyEo

Book Week Celebrations:  Book Week continues with classes visiting Willoughby Library this week to participate in their Book Week activities. A big thank you to Br Carl Sherrin and Mrs Andrena Brewer for being the judges for our Book Week Parade. Looking forward to seeing you again next year!

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – 'Limelight' by Solli Raphael:  Solli Raphael is Australia’s youngest ever slam poet champion.  His first anthology, Limelight, is a unique collection of slam poetry paired with inspirational writing techniques. With over 30 original poems in different forms, the book features the viral video sensation 'Australian Air', which has been viewed 3.5 million times via Facebook. Solli's work tackles current social concerns for his generation, such as sustainability and social equality, all the while amplifying his uplifting message of hope.

The students may be interested in purchasing Limelight to add to their book collection at home. For your convenience an order form can be found below.  Please return to Mrs Martin by Friday 3rd September 2018.

Premier’s Reading Challenge 2018:  A reminder that the PRC finishes Friday 31st August 2018 at midnight.  A 'Movie and Popcorn Party' is on offer for the class which completes the challenge first!  

Happy Reading!  There are words to be spelled, nerves to be overcome and a champion to be found!

Mrs E Martin - Junior Librarian

Junior School Sport

Thursday Sport:  at Oxford Falls. Our Father & Son Sports Day takes place in lieu of regular Sport.

Father and Son Sports Day:  On Thursday 30th August we will hold our annual Father and Son Sports Day at Oxford Falls. We look forward to welcoming dads, grand-dads and male relations to this fantastic wider school community event.  Arrival is 11.30am for an 11.45am start time. A BBQ lunch will follow at 1.15pm. Students require normal PE clothes and will be active irrespective of their father’s participation. We also require mums/non-participants to assist with feeding such a large, ravenous horde. To register as an attending Father/Grandfather or helping mum please click on this link and complete the relevant form here.

Winter Sport/Co-curricular Photos: Our Winter Sport/Co-curricular photos will be taken on Wednesday 5th Sept. Hard-copy order forms will be given to students on the day and are due back by the end of this term (to the office). A PDF form will also be in Woodchatta should you require it.

Cricket: All players wishing to play for the College this summer must register online through Trybooking.  Follow this link to register for the season - https://www.trybooking.com/405015

Training resumes on 6th September. Players can bring their own gear (the school does provide most items as training kit if required).

Rugby Presentation Evening:  Thanks to all who attended this recognition evening. Congratulations to all players and award recipients, especially our major awardee:  Junior Rugby Player of the Year – Riley O’Neill.

Football Presentation Night takes place for all players on Wednesday 5th September from 5.30pm to 6.50pm in the Sarto Centre (allowing parents to attend the Senior Football Presentation in the Gym from 7.00pm).  Boys will be required to wear school uniform. All players will be acknowledged on stage for their season’s efforts and major award winners will be presented.

Mr G Virgona - Junior School Sportsmaster

From the Rugby Club 

Save the Date:  Wednesday, 12th December 2018 – Inaugural SPX Rugby Club Golf Day at Roseville Golf Club  from 1pm - ‘Ambrose Shotgun Start’.  Further details to be provided in coming weeks – bookings opening shortly.

(Please note the date has now been moved from initially notified date of 28th November).

Paul O'Neill - President SPX Rugby Club