Junior School News & Sport
- Junior School News and Information
- Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
- Learning Enrichment Notices
- Junior School Sport
Prayer/Reflection:
Next week the parents and carers will meet the teachers to inform us about your son. As a parent you are the prime educator of your child. With this in mind I have included the beatitudes for parents.
Blessed are the parents who make their peace with spilled milk and with mud, for of such is the kingdom of childhood.
- Blessed is the parent, who engages not in comparison of his child with others, for precious unto each is the rhythm of his own individuality and growth.
- Blessed are the fathers and mothers who have learned laughter, for it is the music of the child’s world.
- Blessed and mature are they, who without anger can say ‘No”, for comforting to the child is the security of firm decisions.
- Blessed is the gift of consistency, for it is heart’s ease in childhood.
- Blessed are they who can accept awkwardness of growth, for they are aware of the constant perilous choice between marred furnishings and marred personalities.
- Blessed and wise are those parents, who understand the passage of time, for they make it not a sword that kills growth, but a shield to protect the growing one.
- Blessed are the teachable, for knowledge brings understanding, and understanding brings love.
- Blessed are the men and women, who in the midst of everyday routine give love, for they bestow the greatest of all gifts, to each other, to their children and ever – widening to their fellow human beings.
Amen
Year 5 and 6 Camp
By now you should have received an information letter regarding your son’s camp. The letter can also be found on the portal for Year 5 or Year 6. If you haven’t done so please complete the medical/dietary form. For Year 5 this involves clicking on a link. For Year 6 it is a paper copy. If your son hasn’t slept away from home before I would recommend a sleepover at a friend’s house before camp. Also, if your son is taking a sleeping bag can you ensure that he can repack the bag after sleeping in it so that at the end of the camp we don’t have 96 sleeping bags to pack! He needs to know if he stuffs it in or rolls it.
Once everybody has completed the medical forms, everything will be in readiness and we just have to pray for some good weather. We can run the camps in inclement weather but it is just more pleasant when there is sunshine.
Parent Teacher interviews
You should have received an email(s) regarding the parent teacher interviews next week. The online booking form for time slots has opened and will close at 1 pm on Sunday. Please take time to sit down with your son and devise goals for the semester. Please ensure at least one goal is academic. As the parent/carer of your son you are the prime educator and this is an opportunity for you to inform the teacher about your son. It is a chance to build a partnership and to ensure that the teacher is aware of your son’s needs and goals.
THE WEEK THAT WAS:
It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm that was evident at the swimming carnival. It always amazes me how quickly the boys get involved in their team and the College. We want to engender a sense of belonging in our students. We also want to harness that enthusiasm and direct it towards the students learning. Congratulations to Barron.
A picture tells a thousand words so here is a several thousand words!
Thank you to all the parents who supported the boys on the day and a special thank you to the parents who assisted at the recording table. Thanks also to Mr Couani for attending and supporting the boys. I think he may have a future career as a race caller! Well done to all the staff and to Mr McBrearty for his first carnival as Junior School Sports Master.
Mr McBrearty has had a baptism of fire with heatwaves and rain to start his tenure. It was rather ‘damp’ last weekend and some houses are still with out power. I know many teachers have asked any boys who don’t have power to bring in their charger for their PLD and to charge them before school.
THIS COMING WEEK:-
Tomorrow, Thursday, 13/2 we hope to be at Oxford Falls from 11.00am. The ‘anti bullying’ play at Oxford Falls in the morning has been postponed. Boys wear colour house sports uniform. If your son orders a lunch order, he must ensure he has it before we leave for Oxford Falls.
Friday 14/2 – St Valentines Day! Year 5 commence Peer Support groups with Year 11. This could be a good conversation starter for the dinner table.
Saturday 15/2 is Round 2 of IPSHA sport and NSTA tennis commences. Please arrive in time for team warm up.
Sunday 16/2 – Please note that the Football grading is only for senior boys.
Monday 17/2 or Tuesday 18/2 – Parent teacher interviews
Tuesday 18/2 is the Commencement Mass. The church will be absolutely packed by the boys and staff - (The Junior School boys sit on the sanctuary). I would recommend coming to the P & F Mass on Saturday 22/2.
Thursday 20/2 – Sports day – We will now move towards the normal sports time where the boys leave after recess. They need their lunch and if they order it, they must ensure they have it before leaving after recess.
Saturday 22/2 – IPSHA Sport Round 2. P &F Commencement Mass and Social – 5.30 pm at Our Lady of Dolours (O.L.D.) church – Archer Street – parking available in school playground. Supper supplied – a great way to meet other people – children have fun in playground and you can take them home fed and watered. Catholic means universal – all welcome!
Maths drop in
Mrs Barrett holds a Maths drop in service every Friday from 8.10 am onwards where your son can come and seek extra assistance and clarification regarding his Mathematics. The location is the LSE room at the end of the corridor on the left, opposite Mr Carroll’s 6 Red classroom.
P & F EVENTS
Please see the P&F page for upcoming P&F events.
TERM 1 DATES
I attach the calendar for this term below.
A THOUGHT TO PONDER
"No one ever hurt their eyesight by looking at the bright side of life." Anon.
Thanking you for your support.
Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
Love Your Library on February 14
EVERYONE loves Valentine’s Day especially when you combine it with LIBRARY LOVERS DAY. The broad theme for 2020 is ‘Uncover Something New’.
Check out some of the Authors and illustrators who also LOVE SCHOOL LIBRARIES
https://studentsneedschoollibraries.org.au/testimonials/
What do you LOVE about your library? Visit today and pick up a ‘Blind Date’ Book. Make a date with your friendly librarian Mrs Martin to help find that special book to read. Cast your eyes over some beautiful love letters.#librarylove
Excerpts from A Famous Love Letter –
George Gordon Lord Byron
"In that word, beautiful in all languages, but most so in yours -
Amor mio – is comprised my existence here and hereafter."
I feel I exist here, and I feel I shall exist hereafter; to what purpose;
My destiny rests with you, ...
But I more than love you, and cannot cease to love you.
Think of me, sometimes, when the Alps and ocean divide us,
- but they never will, unless you wish it."
- #LibraryLoversDay #LibraryLoveStories
Jigsaw Puzzles have arrived in the JRC
Pop into the JRC at lunchtime and immerse yourself in a new jigsaw puzzle. We have the BFG, The Twits and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Are you in Year 5 or 6?
Are you responsible, helpful and like putting things in order?
Express your interest in this this exciting position by letter to the JRC.
Applications close Friday 14 February
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – Our House is On Fire: Greta Thunberg’s Call to Save The Planet. Fires burn out of control. Greta's word cannot be repeated enough right now! This is an inspiring story of a Swedish teen standing up for what she believes in. The time is now.
#MrsMartinsBooktrail2020 #juniorresourcecentre
Australian Children's Laureate for 2020/21
Congratulations to Ursula Dubosarsky for being appointed the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2020-2021. Brilliant!
Dubosarsky is the author of over 60 books for children and young adults, and her work has been translated into 14 languages. She has won national prizes including the NSW, Victorian, South Australian and Queensland Premiers’ Literary Awards, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards, and she has been nominated for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the world’s richest prize for children’s literature.
The theme of Dubosarsky’s two-year term will be ‘Read for your life’.
Ursula will be promoting the importance of libraries and all things books and reading.
Mrs Elena Martin - Junior Librarian
Learning Enrichment Notices
Competition Reminders
da Vinci Decathlon Competition - enrich, excite, challenge – held at Knox Grammar School on Thursday 28 May. NB compulsory training sessions are held during Compass Club. This competition is aimed at students celebrating their academic gifts. (Register your interest - Weeks 4 & 6 - see below).
Entry into this competition is based on demonstrated academic ability and an ability test. The competition will be run in Term 2 with compulsory training beginning Week 1, Term 2 on Wednesday lunchtimes during Compass Club. Further details will be given at the next Junior School Assembly and link: http://www.davincidecathlon.com/davinci/index
IPSHA Junior School Debating – Selection Trials
Boys in the Junior School have the opportunity to become involved in Debating. The College enters two teams in the IPSHA Debating Competition. Twelve boys from the Junior School form the two teams and these are selected to compete. The teams debate fortnightly on a Friday afternoon (during school hours Periods 4-6) during Terms 2, 3 and 4 on a rotational basis. The emphasis is on learning the skills of debating and workshops will be held during lunchtimes leading up to the competitions. Training begins every Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes beginning Week 10 Term 1.
Boys are invited to present a short two minute speech to assist in selection of these teams. These speeches are to be presented during the set trial sessions on Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes:
The topic for the speech is "THAT PETS ARE A PEST". Further details will be given to the boys at the Junior School assembly.
Mrs Bettina Spanyik - Learning Enrichment Teacher
Junior Sport
Thursday Sport: There is an anti-bullying incursion this Thursday and so we again depart for Oxford Falls early. Please note the need for a full packed lunch.
School App: If you have not already done so please download the St Pius X College App on your phone. Go to Settings-Subscriptions to tag the sports you wish to receive notices for. Also, tag the ‘General’ sports notices option so as you receive the notices pertinent to all students.
Twitter / Wet Weather Procedure: Follow @SPXJuniorSport for instant updates regarding late sporting changes, cancellations etc. Full details here.
Junior Swim Carnival:
We were blessed with a perfect day for the Annual House Carnival, the first opportunity this year for our boys to represent their House in the sporting arena. The boys competed with enthusiasm and determination in the water, many at the edge of their comfort zone in pursuit of a ribbon and valuable points. It was so pleasing to see the number of boys entering the 50m races in each stroke, certainly more displaying confidence in their ability and a hunger to compete in the top events. The competition was healthy in the water and the support for those swimmers from the pool deck was magnificent. I was also extremely pleased with the courage displayed by some of our less confident swimmers who took to the water despite being extremely nervous about doing so, thus gaining confidence and overcoming fears, valuable learning experiences for anyone.
I particularly acknowledge the newly appointed House Captains who, in their first assignment for 2020, did a sterling job leading their troops, ensuring high participation levels, organising relays and showing the way in the pool. Our boys are the best advertisement for the College, and I was extremely impressed with the way this new group has settled into the sporting fabric of the school – they listen, follow directions and give their best.
In the end Barron’s strong individual performances in the top events proved the difference, comfortably outscoring Purton for the overall win. Rice competed valiantly all day to round out the podium. Congratulations to Oliver Yuen (C) and Louis Forbes (VC) for leading Barron to victory. The highlight of the day was Barron’s record-breaking swim in the U11 4 x 50m medley Relay - Congratulations!
A big thank-you to the staff, senior students and parent volunteers who ran the carnival so smoothly. Thanks also to the many parents and relatives who supported their boys on the day. The following Age Champions and runners-up deserve mention for their superb individual performances in their respective fields. The top 3 from U11 and Open Age Championship have been selected in the swimming squad and are joined by: Alexander Burke (U11’s) and Angus Gibson (U12’s). Our swim squad have already begun preparations for their upcoming selection carnival. We wish them the best of luck.
Champion House: BARRON
Basketball: Well done to those players in the A’s-F’s on the way they began their season on Saturday. I was more impressed by the enthusiasm, mateship and school spirit on display. I am sure all other players will be excited to start their season after the rain spoiled things for you last weekend. The boys are certainly taking ownership of their life at the College and representing the school with pride.
NSTA Tennis: Please check under NSTA Tennis in the Senior School Sport and Co-curricular section for future correspondence.
IPSHA Tennis:
Unfortunately the rain put a dampener on the start of the competition this term. Our first game, will be this weekend, round 2. Please ensure that your sons are wearing the correct uniform: blue College sports shirt, white shorts, College cap. This week both teams will be at Talus St, Naremburn. Please ensure that you arrive 15 minutes before the start of your games.
Samantha Iwatani, IPSHA Tennis Convenor
Rugby: Trials for the upcoming Armidale Rugby Tour will take place on Thur 13 Feb as part of sport. Year 6 students playing Rugby for the College are invited to trial. The tour takes place from 17 – 19 April in Armidale, NSW. All tour management, including accommodation, coaching and meals are organised by The College. Players make their own way to Armidale and return by their own means – parents drop them to SPX staff at the school boarding accommodation on Friday afternoon. Whilst most parent/s attend in support, transport can also be arranging via car-pooling with another player. Accommodation books out very early but the Rugby Club has secured several rooms on behalf of St Pius parents – more info to follow, after team selections are complete.
Touch Football: Unfortunately, due to the weather over the weekend, no touch matches took place. Next week presents a chance for the 3 of our 4 teams to show their skills and represent the College, many of whom for the first time.
Mr Benn McBrearty - Junior School Sports Master
NSTA Tennis
Please see the Senior School Sport and Co-curricular section for information on NSTA Tennis.
Mrs Samantha Iwatani - Tennis Convenor
Junior School Chess Club
The NSW Junior Chess Competition is pleased to invite the SPX Junior School to take part in the 2020 Primary Schools Chess Teams Competition.
WHY CHESS? There are tremendous benefits for children involved in the competition – new outlook, new friends, intellectual stimulation, improved concentration, a new reason to develop self-esteem. Registration closes Friday 21 February, 2020. Attached is a Chess Newsletter with all the relevant information if your son is interested please complete the form, detach and hand it to Mrs Martin by Week 4, Friday 21 February, 2020. Training begins Week 8, Tuesday 17 March, 2020 at 7.30 am in the Junior Resource Centre.
Mrs. Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor