Junior School News & Sport

• From the Head of Junior School
• Special Prayers
• Swimming & Surf Safety Programs
• Year 5 'Conversation Starter'
• 'Our Local Wildlife' - Short Story Competition
• Junior Sport

Junior School News

It is great to be back and receive all the lovely welcomes from the boys.   I spoke to them about concentrating and working hard for the rest of the year and reminded them of the school motto, Fide et Labore.  It is important that they finish the year well and that should be a focus.   We want them to do their best and let God do the rest.

SPECIAL PRAYERS

In November we remember all the people who have gone before us.  The month starts with All Saints Day and then All Souls Day.  It is a month we say prayers for these people.  Please especially remember Ronan Crispe (Year 6) and his brother Quinton (Year 4) and their family in your prayers.  The funeral of his father, Phillip, will be held today.  He had a long fight with cancer.

                                            Eternal rest grant unto him , O Lord,

                                          And let perpetual light shine upon him.

                                                   May he rest in peace. Amen.

SWIMMING AND SURF SAFETY PROGRAMS

For the next four weeks the boys will be involved in a Swimming Program (Year 5 at Macquarie Uni) and a Surf Safety Program (Year 6 - usually at Dee Why).  The boys will need to have a pair of swimmers as well as dry underwear!!!  We will supply sunscreen but for Year 5 it is wise to have a rash vest/sunvest.  Year 6 can also bring one but the surf school do supply them.

IF YOU WISH FOR YOUR SON TO BE COLLECTED BY ANOTHER BOY’S PARENT WE MUST HAVE A NOTE SAYING THAT YOU ARE GRANTING PERMISSION FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.  The note can be written once for the whole four weeks but please assist us by arranging to get a note to the teacher before the event.

YEAR 5 CONVERSATION STARTER

The Year 5 boys had an incursion today entitled Kadul which which relates to the Dreamtime Unit they are currently doing in English.  Ryka Ali, the presenter, is a very proud ambassador for Australia’s Indigenous youth and has performed previously at the College.  This is a good conversation starter for the dinner table.

Mr T Long - Head of Junior School

‘OUR LOCAL WILDLIFE’ - SHORT STORY COMPETITION

Students from all over Willoughby have been busy learning, drawing and writing about the threatened wildlife they might see around their homes and schools.

Last Thursday four talented students from St Pius X College received a prize, presented by The Mayor of Willoughby, for their impressive entries. Their stories were published in a compilation book which is to be held at school and local libraries. The boys all received a certificate and platypus.

Justin Fitzroy was awarded Best Illustration; Justin Boustani won a prize for his impressive James Bond inspired artwork; Romy Koziol Best Story and Illustration; and Joshua Monico Best Story and Illustration.

I was lucky enough to join them at Chatswood Library in The Concourse to honour their amazing work.

Ms J Offer - Learning Support & Enrichment

Junior Sport

THURSDAY SPORT

Our swim program begins as per below. Please remind your sons about the importance of sun protection. Rash shirts will be provided for the Year 6 Surf Skills Program at Dee Why but not for the Year 5 pool-based program.

TERM 4 SWIM PROGRAM

Year 5 attend Macquarie Uni Aquatic Centre for a pool-based program and Year 6 attend Dee Why Beach for a surf skills program. The information letter and Waiver can also be found under Junior Swimming on the College website: http://bit.ly/1uGgCM0

BASKETBALL

Mr G Virgona  - Junior School Sportsmaster

SOFTBALL

Softball Report Round 10:  This week we played Trinity Juniors at our home ground. St Pius X fielded first and produced a great innings. The SPX team were on their game and ready for a win. Frank Houlihan, one of our pitchers, caught a hard fly ball and dismissed Trinity’s first runner. Thomas Wilkins and Cody Choi were our catchers and caught two great foul balls. St Pius X only allowed three Trinity runners home in the first innings. Ethan Rossetto hit a wonderful ball and Patrick Hall, Andrew Bradford and Rowan Roomie used this to their advantage and made it home.

Trinity was looking deflated; however, the 2nd innings was very different. Trinity fought back and dismissed our three runners, not allowing any home. The competition had now begun. Alex Vaccher on third base did a brilliant tag and sent their runner off the field. Jhon Evans, David Casey and Issac Elms fielded fantastically, covering their areas and throwing the balls back as quickly as they could. It was such an enjoyable game to watch and SPX were the ultimate victors.

Thank you to Mrs Vaccher for keeping score and Mr Hall for writing up game information.

Ms J Williams - Softball Convenor