Junior School News 

• From the Head of the Junior School
• Junior School Sport
• Tennis
• Swimming
• From the Junior Resource Centre

From the Head of the Junior School

TEACHING AND LEARNING

YEAR 6

Year 6 students are enjoying watching the film 'Spirited Away'.  It is filled with fantastical creatures and mysterious adventures. The students are busy planning, drafting, and publishing their film reviews. 

YEAR 5

In Geography, Year 5 students are delving into the study of natural disasters. Their focus extends to exploring the far-reaching effects of phenomena such as bushfires and floods. This exploration goes beyond mere observation, as the students actively investigate the diverse strategies communities employ in response to these impactful natural events.

Throughout this semester in Drama, Year 5 students have been immersed in the enchanting world of Fractured Fairytales. They have skilfully reimagined classic tales, crafting alternative endings that breathe new life into familiar narratives. Notably, the Gingerbread Man traded running for baking, the Three Little Pigs cleverly outwitted the butcher, and Jack opted for a fishing adventure instead of climbing the beanstalk. The culmination of 5 Gold’s creative endeavours unfolded in well-prepared performances, complete with carefully crafted scripts and charming costumes, all showcased in the immersive setting of the Drama room.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

Congratulations to Hunter B, Hunter A, Alex S, James U and Michael K on their spectacular and professional performance in percussion last Wednesday evening.  Thank you to Ms Boyle for supporting these students on the night. 

KOKODA WALKWAY EXCURSION

Today, Year 5 have enjoyed a very special excursion to the Kokoda Walkway in Concord West. Students visited the Ralph Honner Kokoda Education Centre where they learnt about the Pacific War leading up to the Kokoda campaign.  They attended a wreath laying service at the Memorial Centrepiece and visited some of the Walkway’s 22 stations representing a major Kokoda battle or location.  Thank you to the Year 5 staff, Mr Brannan, Mr Reay, and Mr Cummins for giving the students this unique opportunity.

SURF/SWIM PROGRAM

We are half-way through our four-week Surf Education and Swim programs.  Please ensure your son has everything he needs for the day – hat, drink bottle, lunch, sunscreen, goggles and a rashie.

MATHS OLYMPIAD

The Junior School continues to produce quality Mathematicians, and last week we celebrated their efforts and abilities with the presentation of Maths Olympiad awards. Thank you to Mr Cummins for his support and guidance of this exceptional group of students.

Congratulations to all the students for their participation and special congratulations to Rory R for his perfect score of 20/20 and to Cameron C for his exceptional score of 19/20.

MERIT AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to those students who impressed those around them last week!

SATURDAY SPORT UNIFORM 

St Pius X has an enviable reputation for the standards we expect from our students.  We are always thrilled when we receive feedback from members of the public about our students and they positive way in which they represent the College.

One area in which Pius excels when it comes to standards is the wearing of the College uniforms. 

To ensure that we maintain the standards for which we are known, can I please ask that you check you son’s Saturday Sport uniform for the following issues I noticed last week at Oxford Falls:

• Shorts should match the sport (eg Touch players should not be wearing Basketball shorts and vice versa).  If you are unsure as to which shorts your son should be wearing, please contact Mr Ryan or the Uniform Shop.
• The College sport sock is white.  Black and coloured socks are not Pius uniform.
• Students are to wear sports shoes to Oxford Falls.  Crocs, slides, and thongs are never an acceptable part of the Pius uniform.

Your support in assisting to uphold the uniform standards at St Pius X is appreciated.

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 gymnasium.  If your son is receiving an award you would have received an email from me on Monday 13 November.

Thank you to the Junior Concert Band members who will be performing.

To RSVP please use the Trybooking link below before Friday 17 November.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION LITURGY AND AFTERNOON TEA

Only twelve more sleeps until the inaugural Junior School Graduation Liturgy and Afternoon Tea.  Thank you to those of you who have indicated your attendance.  If you are yet to do so, please use this link which will be closed on Tuesday 21 November:

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

We are still looking for Year 5 mums and dads to volunteer to help with serving afternoon tea.  If you are willing and able, please contact Ms Fromager at hfromager@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible.

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 18 November 2023:

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

Touch Football: 

Please note the change to fixture for C-Blue v C-Gold for Round 12. This fixture has moved to Saturday 18 November at Oxford Falls, Chaplin #1 commencing at 7:30 am. This is due to the Swim/Surf program taking place on Thursdays.

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.

Saturday Sport:

This weekend is the final round of IPSHA Saturday fixtures and I must thank all those involved in ensuring this Term’s sporting participation has been outstanding. Since it is the final round please take note of the following in relation to the collection of Pius sport apparel that has been loaned to the boys.

Basketball, Softball, and Touch Football Tops:

• At the conclusion of your son’s game, please would he give his singlet/top he has used during the season to the coach and sign off his name on the sheet provided.
• Distribution of tops/singlets will then again take place prior to Round 1 in 2024.

Code of Conduct:

Our young men continue to display positive levels of sportsmanship. However, it is important that the following message is reinforced. A message from IPSHA for all schools regarding code of conduct:

• Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat
• Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of another player.

In addition, coaches will, as required, implement what are known as mercy strategies. These are to alleviate the potential lopsidedness of games. I thank all those involved in junior sport for their continued support and adherence to the IPSHA code of conduct, such that our young men can continue to flourish across all sports and activities.

Junior School Sport Awards:

We are very much looking forward to acknowledging and celebrating the boys receiving sporting, chess, and debating awards on Tuesday 21 November in the Chatswood Campus gym. Invitations to families of those receiving awards would have been received by now so please ensure you are able to RSVP at your earliest convenience. Whilst we celebrate individual achievement, the greater celebration is for the time, energy, and unwavering support your son and his family have given throughout the course of 2023.

Results from Round 11

Basketball:

I am always grateful to get my coach’s hat on when the opportunity arises, simply because I love sport and witnessing all the micro moments that make up a game between two dedicated teams. Last weekend I had that opportunity to do as such at Oxford Falls, caretaking the E and F Basketball teams for coach, Mr Mitch Princi. Whilst the F team took a little while to get going, it was late in the first half that the boys really hit back and got within range of a well drilled Scot’s side. The boys were absolutely pumped to get out for the second half and try as they might could just not get into striking range. Effort could not be faulted and there were impressive spells from Francesco and Nathan. Nonetheless, they were valiant until the end and held their heads high following a clean game.

The E Team came on and I had heard there was a real spark about their attitude and commitment to each other. The lead flipped and flopped on numerous occasions and the quality of the game was incredible. There was literally nothing between the sides and between Carter’s strong rebounding and powerful drives into the basket, coupled with the finesse of Dylan’s numerous lay ups, I was beginning to think we might just get a win over a school that has across their Juniors, 22 teams. This gives an indication as to the depth of their program. With Hugo making consecutive charges and Christian bamboozling defenders with crafty up court dribbling, it really came down to the final 10 seconds to separate the sides. It was a final basket in the dying seconds that secured a win for Scots, 47-46. Without exaggeration, it will go down as one of my top 5 experiences in close to 25 years of coaching school sport. Well done to all on an incredible display of basketball.

Cricket:

Each week I am briefed on the progress of our junior cricketers and the one word that comes to mind for the 12 Golds is ‘resilience’. The team is made up of some seriously competitive cricketers who are students of the game. With a number of games not playing out as they had planned or hoped for, however, I am pleased to say that they had a win against Wakehurst Black last week. As Mr Balboa, Team Manager, exclaimed; ‘a good win for the boys with everything starting to come together!’ We wish this team and all SPX cricketers a successful weekend in a few days’ time.

Blake Sobey 2/9, Oscar Clubbe 2/18, with Henry Gardner 36* (ret not out) starring in the Batting Innings. 

SPX Gold (4/87, 19.3) beat Wakehurst Black (86)

The Armidale School Rugby Carnival 2024:

In the next week, I intend to host a meeting with boys who have played Rugby this year in Year 5 to gauge interest in attending the carnival in the first weekend of Term 1 2024 holidays.

Swimming: 

Thank you and well done to the boys who committed to the trainings each week during Term 4. Training will resume in the new year when details are shared. 

Last Friday the following boys joined the Senior Swim Squad at Ryde Aquatic for the St Patrick’s Strathfield invitational for the U12 and U13 age groups:

Sean Goaley (5 Red)

Liam Gallery (5 Red)

Dominik Playle (5 Red)

Patrick Connell (6 Green)

Congratulations to these boys for their efforts in the senior team.

Mr Ben Ryan - Junior School Sports Coordinator

Swimming

Swimming training has now finished for 2023 and will begin again early in Term 1.

Last Friday evening the St Pius X Senior Swimming squad competed at the annual St Patrick’s College Invitational Carnival at Ryde Aquatic Centre. Out of 8 schools the Pius team came 5th which is a fantastic effort. Nicholas Gladen broke the 50m Backstroke record by 2 seconds and also broke the 50m Freestyle but came second. There were many PB’s achieved  throughout the team. They gave it their best for the first carnival of the season.

A special mention goes to Aaron Lau (Year 12 and 2022/2023 Captain) who turned up after he has finished his schooling at the College and assisted with  managing the team.  He was there after everyone’s race to greet the boys after each of their swims.

Another special mention goes to Sean Goaley (Year 5), Liam Gallery (Year 5), Dominik Playle (Year 5) and Patrick Connell (Year 6) who swam with the Senior Squad on Friday evening to fulfill the lower age groups of U12 and U13. The older boys took them under their wings and gave them more of an insight to the Senior School and to Senior Swimming. Thank you to these four boys and their parents for bringing them along to the carnival. They were full of smiles, personal bests in the pool and a real lot of energy added to the Senior Squad. 

Ms Leisa Proc - Swimming Convenor

Tennis

Fixtures 18 November 2023

Results 11 November 2023

I’ve tabled Round 4 results for both 8:00 am (Blue) and 10:00 am (Tan) teams as well as each team’s points and position on the leaderboard. As you can see, it was a successful day on court with 21 of 32 teams recording a win. As well, a quick analysis of the leaderboard shows that we have 7 teams leading their division and 9 teams in second place which is a terrific effort. I’d like to draw on Mr Casey’s words on Monday’s Assembly about our players putting in the extra effort into playing their best for their team with only 2 weeks remaining. However, sometimes the scorecards don’t always tell the story of the effort that goes into hard-fought matches that could have gone either way. This was the case, for Oscar Roberts, last week and Micah Chan, Lucas Korth, Maximus Boliaris and Linus Magyla (doubles) this week. 

Year 10s, Lucas Youngman and Aiden Seifert deserve a special mention for kindly volunteering to mentor and umpire our younger players in the 8:00 am Green Ball Division. Their help is an invaluable for the smooth running of the competition. In addition, Lucas and Aiden, as well as the other Year 10 volunteers, are such fine young men who are outstanding role models for our younger students. 

Mrs Karen Keighery - NSTA Tennis Convenor 

From the Junior Resource Centre

This week’s Highlights: 

Author and Illustrator Visit 

Year 6 were very fortunate yesterday to spend the morning in the cool library with Isolde Martyn and Louise Hogan. Both Author and Illustrator shared their knowledge of working together in collaboration to produce this amazing picture book – Country Town. A great resource to be used with Stage 3 English.

 Remembrance Day in the JRC

The boys have been reflecting and learning about Remembrance Day. They discussed the poem, In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, explored the Junior School Libguides page, and discussed books in our library.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail: The UNWANTEDS By Lisa McMann

I have been busy reading lots of Middle Grade books, and when I saw that a review for this one said 'Hunger Games meets Harry Potter', I was ALL in!

And – WOW! Yes! I absolutely loved this story and the whole dystopian, fantasy world that was created. The characters are all wonderful and unique, and the setting is so magical.

A Harry Potter-type place – children with creative talents learn to hone their skills, learn magic, and train for battle. The ‘Hunger Games' connection – the children were the 'Unwanteds' - cast aside because they were too artistic or didn’t follow the ‘rules’ of the Quill society. They must fight against the people who cast them out, and change the future of Quill and Artime… This is book one in the series. #mrsmartinsbooktrail2023

Mrs Elena Martin - JRC Teacher Librarian