Junior School News 

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

From the Head of the Junior School 

A Prayer for the Beginning of Term

Lord God, at the beginning of this new term 

teach us to be your hands and feet where we are, 

At the beginning of this new term teach us to love as you love us

At the beginning of this new term teach us to pray for those in need

So that You are honoured and glorified.

Amen

Welcome back to Term 2.  The boys are now in their winter uniforms and they look very impressive. If you haven’t done so it is good to get a photo of them especially in their first year at the school in the Winter uniform. 

I did notice that some boys need to apply some boot polish to their shoes.

NAPLAN Online 2021

It would be good for the boys to continue to practice their online typing.  Other than that, NAPLAN is just a snapshot in time of how your son is progressing so there shouldn’t be any pressure.  It is simply about the boys doing their best and let God do the rest!

Year 5 Camp

When you read this, we will be on camp at the Broken Bay and having a great time.  The weather forecast looks great.   We will be returning to Brooklyn at 1.15 pm on Friday and back to the College by 2.30 pm.  I will ask Mr McBrearty to post any changes to this schedule on the App.  Otherwise the times are as stated here and in previous correspondence. 

IPSHA Cross Country Carnival

Congratulations to all the boys who participated in the IPSHA Cross Country Carnival today at The Kings School.  They all ran well and did their best.  The Year 5 boys will head up to camp this afternoon after the event.

STOP PRESS!

Congratulations to Harry Arnold and Antonio Calcarao of Year 6 who came 5th and 9th respectively in their Cross Country race today.  Both Harry and Antonio will be heading off to the next level of competition.   

Congratulations also to Noah Beuchat (Year 6), who came a very creditable 17th.  What an amazing effort when you are running against elite runners. Well done boys!

THE UPCOMING WEEK 

Wednesday 21 – 23 April – Year 5 Camp / IPSHA Cross Country – The Kings School.

Thursday 22 April – Yr 6 Sport – Winter Trials - pack your gear - shin pads for Football, mouthguards and a jersey or old t-shirt for Rugby. Boots for AFL, Rugby and Football.

Saturday 24 April – IPSHA Sport Round 1 - PLEASE READ the Junior Sport Section below for venues and times.

Sunday 25 April – ANZAC Day -  If your son participates in any way please send through a photo.  Lest We Forget!

Monday 26 April – Anzac Day Assembly/ PAPA Meeting 7.00 pm refer to Performing Arts section.

Save the Date

Friday 7 May - Mother’s Day Liturgy and Mass – Grandmothers are mothers too!

MOTHER'S DAY STALL

Every year we have a Mother's Day Stall where we sell products made by the ladies in Candela, Peru.  All money goes back to the ladies.  Information about the Mother's Day Stall is below.  I love it because it is a present that gives twice.  Once to Mum or Grandma and then to the ladies in Peru. Please read on about our Mother's Day Stall. 

SISTERS OF MERCY MISSION in CANDELA PERU

Mother's Day Stall

Almost twenty years ago Sister Jacquie Ford (ex-Principal of Mercy College), Sister Patricia McDermott and Sister Joan Doyle founded a mission in the shanty town of Candela on the outskirts of Lima.

During that time so much has been done to help the women as they struggle to provide for their families.

A preschool and medical centre have been built and also the Catherine McAuley Women's House which provides a safe place where new skills such as sewing, crocheting, dressmaking, cooking and hairdressing are taught.  The women are also encouraged to attend classes in health, nutrition and family safety.

The women have made beautiful handicrafts that will be sold at school leading up to Mother's Day.

The students will have the opportunity to buy a unique gift for their mothers, grandmothers and other significant women in their lives and at the same time will be providing the women in Candela with a source of income. There will be items from $2.00, $5.00, $10.00 and beautiful handmade bags for $20.00.

COVID has struck with devastating effect in Candela over the past year. Everyone has lost loved ones as the health system crumbles and the cost of oxygen that the families have had to pay for has risen to unaffordable levels. Life in developing countries such as Peru is very difficult in times of crises.

Your support of the Mother's Day stall is greatly appreciated.

All money raised goes straight to the women. They are most grateful for any assistance that can be provided.

A photo of a section of Candela, Peru

A THOUGHT TO PONDER

In honour of ANZAC day

Lest we forget.

Thanking you for your support.

Mr Tim Long - Head of the Junior School 

Junior School Sport

Thursday Sport: The first round of IPSHA winter fixtures starts this weekend. Please see below for specific details relating to you.

AFL

Rugby

Mr Benn McBrearty - Junior School Sports Master

Junior Football

Welcome everyone, our season gets under way this weekend. Please be at the ground half an hour before the scheduled kick-off. 

Just a friendly reminder that there are no competition points or ladder in the IPSHA competitions. The focus is on participation and enjoyment and representing the College. We hope that all boys have a great time representing the College, playing with their friends and making new friends. All boys are expected to attend in the St Pius X playing kit and tracksuit (if needed). Boys should also have shin pads and boots for each game. 

If you would like to take some action or team photos, I will publish a couple each week in the Woodchatta. They will also be used at the end of season Football Presentation. Send them as attachments to pcummins@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

If your son is unavailable for the game could you, please let myself and Mr McBrearty know. 

I look forward to a great season of SPX Football. 

Mr Paul Cummins - Junior Football Convenor

From the Football Supporters Club

SPX Football Supporters Club - Save the Date – Saturday 8 May 2021, 7.00 pm to Late

SPX Football Parents, please save the date and join in for the SPX Football Supporters Club social at Lindfield Football Club at 76A Highfield Road, Lindfield from 7.00 pm to late.  

Club meals or pizza dinner with drinks over the bar on offer.  Catch up with other SPX Football Parents from your son’s team and across the SPX Football community.  

The A-League game will be shown on the big screen.  Trybooking details to follow shortly.

Mrs Cathy Thomson - SPX Football Club

From the Junior Resource Centre

Literature Promotion in the JRC

This term in Literature Promotion we will be discovering new ​PICTURE BOOKS based on the theme of WWI and the ANZACs. 

The JRC has an engaging display for the students to help them understand and commemorate ANZAC Day. #anzacday2021 #lestweforget

New Arrivals

Now that is a stack of books! This exciting pile of new books has landed in the #JRC ready for staff and students to borrow for this term.

The Premier's Reading Challenge

The Premier's Reading Challenge is well under way. Great to see the boys updating their reading logs over the School holiday break.

Click on the following link to the PRC Website.

Premier’s Reading Challenge 2021

Exciting Events happening this week: William Shakespeare’s Birthday – Friday 23 April

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, in April 1564. The exact date of his birth is not recorded, but it is most often celebrated around the world on 23 April.

Come in and explore the collection of books we have on display in the JRC.

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail:  

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Reader’s Edition) by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer – is huge with middle grade readers. It is an ideal nonfiction read with Stem links for Senior Primary and Lower Secondary readers. An awesome story.

Mrs Elena Martin – Teacher Librarian

JUNIOR SCHOOL CHESS CLUB

Junior School Chess training resumed for Term Two on Tuesday 20 April, 2021 at 7:30 am, in the Junior Resource Centre. The Competition begins on Friday 30 April, 2021.  It will be a Home Game. More information will follow.

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor