From the Head of the Junior School
Junior School Sport
From the Junior Resource Centre
Junior Debating

From the Head of the Junior School

As we approach the end of Week 5, students in the Junior School continue to be engaged in, and challenged by, rich learning experiences.

Last Wednesday evening, we were joined by over 100 of our new families for our 2024 Information Evening. Thank you to Mrs Keeler (Felix, Year 5) for her wonderful reflection on life as a new Pius student and parent, and to Cristiano C for reading the Acknowledgement of Country.

On Friday evening, I enjoyed watching our young actors perform at the Sarto Centre and on Saturday Touch and Softball were able to get underway as the rain held off. Game results can be found in Mr Ryan’s Junior School Sport section below.

JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTS AWARDS

We will be celebrating our Junior School students' 2023 sporting achievements on Tuesday 21 November at our Junior School Sports Awards Ceremony at 11:00 am in the College gym.

To RSVP please use the Trybooking link below.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION LITURGY AND AFTERNOON TEA

Our Year 6 families are warmly invited to celebrate the end of students' primary years at the inaugural Junior School Graduation Liturgy and afternoon tea at Oxford Falls on Monday 27 November. The liturgy will commence at 12:45 pm, followed by an afternoon tea.

Could you please RSVP for attendance and afternoon tea purposes on the following form. Please note that Year 6 students are already included in attendance numbers for this event. Please only advise on this form the number of non-student guests attending.

Could I please ask that you upload a Kindergarten (or first year of school) photo via this link: https://forms.gle/BRrAtgnBm6EiqEvT7 for use during the liturgy.

If any Year 5 parents are available to assist with the Year 6 afternoon tea would you please email Ms Fromager at hfromager@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

OOBLECK by Zach D and Ash H

Last Friday, Year 5 made Oobleck. We mixed cornstarch and water in a tub to make a wonderful gloopy sludge. When we put our hands into the Oobleck it was sticky, but ran down our hands without trouble. However, when we punched or put pressure on the Oobleck, it was as hard as a rubber. When we made it, we used roughly 1200g of cornstarch and 900ml of water. It was a great experience and we think others would enjoy it too!

YEAR 6

In Year 6, students are continuing to impress their teachers with entertaining drama performances. In Geography, they have been finalising and presenting what they have learnt about their chosen Asian country.

SURF/SWIM PROGRAM

The four-week Surf Education and Swim programs kicked off last Thursday with enjoyable days at both the beach and the pool.

Thank you everyone for your continued support of the Junior School.

Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School

P&F End of Year Celebrations

Junior School Sport

Fixtures 11 November 2023

Please note Tennis fixtures are found below - in the NSTA Tennis section below.

Thursday Sport:

Our swim/surf program continues this week during Thursday Sport. Hopefully your son came home last week not only having learnt various aspects of swim stroke development, but also with an appreciation of how to handle a board in the surf. A reminder of some key details:

Boys are to arrive at school with their swimmers/speedos already on (underneath their PE uniform); it is preferable that time is not spent having to get changed at either venue. After their session, they can dry off as best as possible and put their PE shorts back on over their swimmers for the journey home.
Hats are compulsory and sunscreen will also be provided by the College.
In a small bag, boys can also bring their towel, water and lunch, as no food may be purchased at either venue.
It is recommended that all boys wear skins or speedos, as boardshorts can make it difficult to swim
Year 5 students will also need goggles and a rashie (compulsory)
Year 6 students will be provided with a rashie, but are welcome to bring their own

Boys will be bussed back to school for dismissal at normal time or alternatively, may be collected from the pool/beach by 2:10 pm. Boys not collected will return to school on the bus. Parents will need to contact their son’s teacher prior to the day to make the appropriate arrangements. For further details on each program, please refer to the letter distributed earlier this month.

The Armidale School Rugby Carnival (Year 6 Rugby 2024):

Save the date – 13 and 14 April 2024. More details to come…

Results from Round 10

Basketball A Team: Victorious over St Patrick's

Softball vs St Patrick's

Student Speak Sports: It has been sometime since I included the insights of students’ perspectives on sport related matters. However, this week I was able to engage with Henry Gardner (6 Red) and hear his thoughts on sport and in particular cricket.

We look forward to watching Henry progress across a number of sports in the years ahead and wish him and his team well for the remainder of the cricket season.

Swimming Squad Training – Term 4, 2023:

Training continues this week, here are the details:

7:10 am at Fitness First, Chatswood (24 Endeavour St, Chatswood)

Suitable swimwear, goggles and swim cap are all essential (no cap, no swim)
Students wear PE/ Pius Sports Uniform to the sessions. At 8:15 am the boys are walked back to school by staff. They then change into school uniform. A snack/breakfast is also recommended at this point.
Training days/dates:

Please also note there is the possibility of several boys in the 12/13yrs competing in an upcoming carnival. Details will be shared as they become available.

Sport Awards:

A reminder that we celebrate a mammoth year of sport in the Junior School on 21 November during Periods 3 and 4. It is sure to be a joyous occasion where the junior school community can acknowledge the efforts of all and applaud those who will be recognised across a variety of sport and co-curricular activities. Please see Mrs Greenwood's article above for further information and RSVP.

Mr Ben Ryan - Junior School Sports Coordinator

Tennis

Fixtures 11 November 2023

Players at the 10:00 am games were forced to run for cover several times with the rain. At midday, it was fortunate than only one match was unfinished as the skies opened with torrential rain.

This week, I had the pleasure of umpiring a Green Ball match and was impressed by the calibre of play and sportsmanship. Luca Helmich combined strategic thinking and skill in outmanoeuvring his opponents with some un-gettable ball placements. Nicholas Halim was competitive with his focus and agility enabling him to return every point. Javian Foo and Harry Wortley’s pluck and perseverance delivered both some satisfying winning shots.

With three rounds remaining, check out your place on the competition ladder to tap into your competitive spirit:

8:00 am teams, here

10:00 am teams, here

I am pleased to report that leading the Division One ladder is Boston Bannister (Year 8) and Jake Yu (Year 7) who have 14 out 15 possible points, losing only 1 set.

Mrs Karen Keighery - NSTA Tennis Convenor

From the Junior Resource Centre

This week’s Highlights:

Congratulations to the following boys, winners of the Guess That Villain competition: Ashworth Hilton, Nicholas Halim and Ryan De Fina.

Halloween Writing Competition

Congratulations to the winners of the Halloween Writing Competition. So many spooky stories to read and review.

Matteo Borova, Henry Mirabelli, Ben Daza, Isaac Cheng, Archie Arnold, Oliver Pile, Harry Surplice, Lucas Ma, Patrick Butler, Hugh Slack-Smith, Josh Hollier, Charlie Southan, Lukas Gazey, Michael Capra, Christopher Van Katwyk, Matthew Krizan, Ben Costain, Ashworth Hilton.

PowerPoint Winners: Angus Rands, Alex Houghton, James Whitby, Benjamin Costain, Brandon Abram, Liam Ball, Sebastian Dal Molin.

Pop into the JRC to receive your prize.

Author and Illustrator visit – Year 6

Country Town by Isolde Martyn, Robyn Ridgeway and Louise Hogan.

I love this new picture book! 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, and I have organised a special author visit with the illustrator Louise Hogan.

The Author presentation will be held in the Junior School Library on 14 November at 11:00 am. This will occur during Year 6 Reading.

‘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

New Books in the JRC

What’s better than one new book stack? Two new book stacks in the JRC ready for the boys to borrow.

Mrs Martins Book Trail: Silver Linings by Katrina Nannestad

Just released, one of my favourite authors Katrina Nannestad. A new middle grade fiction novel. Silver Linings is a family story – think Seven Little Australians meets Little Women but in 1950s Australia.

‘Nettie Sweeney has a dad, three big sisters, a farm full of cows and a cat called Mittens. But it’s not enough. She longs for a mother. One with a gentle touch and sparkles in her eyes. Instead, she has Aunty Edith with slappy hands, a sharp tongue and the disturbing belief that peas are proper food. When dad marries Ace, all Nettie’s dreams come true. The Sweeney home overflows with laughter, love and, in time, a baby brother. Billy. The light of Nettie’s life. Then tragedy strikes. The Sweeney family crumbles. Nettie tries to make things right, but has she made everything so much worse?’

Katrina has also written ‘We Are Wolves’ and Mrs Martin’s reading group is really enjoying the novel. #mrsmartinsbooktrail2023

Mrs Elena Martin - JRC Teacher Librarian

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