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 

PRAYER

“Anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant.”   Matthew 20:26

In today’s Gospel, the disciples are told that if they want to be great and powerful, they need to be humble. They need to serve others. This is counter-intuitive. 

We are sold the story in our world today that everything is a competition. That in order to get ahead we must be better than all the rest, that we deserve the best of everything, and that if we somehow don’t achieve all this then we have failed. 

And yet, does this really bring us happiness?  

So many of us instead are constantly striving. Whenever we achieve something, the next milestone comes into focus beyond it. We do not reach our own fulfilment, and in our struggle we also hold back others from reaching their own goals. 

So, perhaps we need to make a change. Rather than trying to be the best, or get the next new thing, we can step out of the race.  

By reaching out to help others, by putting ourselves in service to God and to our neighbour instead, perhaps we will find true happiness and fulfilment.  

As Pope Francis says, “Each day we have to decide whether to be Good Samaritans or indifferent bystanders.” (Fratelli Tutti, #69). 

What choice will you make today? 

Lent prayer

God of joy, lead me to serve you and my neighbours in whatever way I can. In this service may I find true happiness and enable others to do the same. Amen. 

Act

Think about how you could serve others in your local community and throughout the world this Lent. 

SWIMMING

We have had representative carnivals which I have been told were great experiences for the boys. Last Friday, the boys swam at the Brothers Swimming Carnival which relates back to the brother/priest run schools that have a Junior School.  On Tuesday the boys swam at the IPSHA Swimming Carnival at Homebush.  This is where the boys have the opportunity to be selected for higher representative teams. 

P & F MEETING 

We had a very interesting and informing meeting on Monday.  It did go for longer than usual but it was the first, so don’t be put off and please attend again.  At the meeting I did say that we are planning for a Mother's Day liturgy on May 7 and a Father's Day sporting afternoon on 2 September which are in the diary and on the blue calendar. Please mark these dates in your diary. I also mentioned that we will have a Mother's Day stall where you can purchase items made by the ladies of Candela, Peru and all the money goes back to these ladies through the Mercy Sisters. I believe this is important and I would like to include a part of an email I received early this week regarding this Mother's Day Stall and the people in Peru.

“As you can imagine COVID has run havoc through most of Peru and small towns like Candela were particularly affected. Without government assistance it has had tragic consequences. We have heard of many families that lost loved ones because they couldn't afford the oxygen that the government was selling. At the beginning of last year, the cylinders were selling for about $70AUD but now they are selling for $700AUD and people line up all night just to get one!"

We must be one of the luckiest countries on the planet.

Food for thought.  Please encourage your sons to raise some money maybe by doing jobs around the house and then donating it to Caritas during this time of Lent.

Bully Play -  Year 6

We had a very interesting presentation on bullying.  The boys learnt some interesting strategies and a tactic called ‘fogging,’ which is a way of deflecting the bullying and not allowing them to win.

 A website you may be interested in is below:

https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/

PARENT WEBINAR 'IT TAKES A VILLAGE' PRESENTATION (webinar)

This presentation is by the ‘Bully Zero’ group that talked to your son’s last week.  There will be a webinar for parents with the title ‘It takes a village.’  The details for the Webinar are:- 

Webinar 7.00 pm 4/3/21 complementing presentation to Year 6 and 7, P3 and 4, Friday 26/2/21 

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.  

When: Mar 4, 2021 7:00 pm Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney  

Topic: St Pius X College - It Takes a Village (LP) 

Register in advance for this webinar: 

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-w8g5M14TTCQeEqRUALcUA 

YEAR 5 HOMEWORK

NAPLAN and typing.com

NAPLAN  this year will be online so it is very important that the boys are practicing their typing skills.  The website is typing.com and it is an important part of the homework. Boys need to be used to typing for the test.  In the NAPLAN Writing test the boys will have 42 minutes to type their piece of writing so we want to maximise their chances to do well.

CAMPS

All the necessary information for you to begin planning has been sent.  Year 5 please remember to register your son online via the link. Year 6 should have returned their forms by now.

We are hoping to have a 40 - 65% Corporate Discount through Kathmandu.  Further information will be provided in next week's Woodchatta.

MESSAGE FROM ASSEMBLY LAST WEEK - SAFETY

Last week I spoke about how the boys must stay on their public transport till they get to the correct stop. Some boys have been getting off the train at Lindfield and going to the shops, then getting a later train.  The boys were reminded to go straight home.  The boys have been warned so if I hear of it happening again detentions will be given.

I also spoke about road safety and waiting at the lights and then looking even after the walk sign has turned green.  I caught 2 boys this morning crossing on a red light. Please have the conversation with your son.  I told them about the boy in my teaching career who was hit and flew through the air and was fortunate to survive.  Studies show that children can’t correctly judge the speed of an approaching car and the time it takes them to cross a road until at least 14 years of age.

MERIT AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to our Merit Award Winners from Fridays Assembly!  Well done gentlemen.

Reminder : AFTER SCHOOL STUDY

All Year 5 - 11 students are invited to After School Study from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm in the enrichment classroom in the Junior School (the one at the end of the corridor- opposite 6 red). During Term 1 this opportunity is available on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and concludes on Thursday 25 March. Students must sign in on arrival and have sufficient work or reading material for an hour. Students are not permitted mobile phones or food in the study space. Individual guidance with tasks is provided by Mrs Gunns.

Reminder : MATHS DROP IN EVERY FRIDAY MORNING FROM 8.00 AM

Maths drop in is for any boy in Years 5 or 6 who:

• has a question about something covered in class
• needs assistance with homework
• needs guidance with studying for an upcoming maths test

I have been encouraging my students to attend and work through concepts they are unsure off, work they have missed when absent and to revise.

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THE UPCOMING WEEK 

Thursday 4 March – Sport Under 12 Cross Country and Sport/ Parent webinar "It takes a Village"

Saturday 6 March - Sport  - Check Woodchatta for any late changes

Monday 8 March - College Mass 8.00 am /  Yr 5 Peer support Period 4

Tuesday 9 March – Junior School Bible liturgy Period 3 (11.05 am) in OLD Church. Parents are welcome.  Due to COVID, numbers will be limited to a maximum of 50.  If you wish to attend, please email Mr Long at tlong@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.  In your email please state your name, your son's name and class and your phone number.

A THOUGHT TO PONDER

Thanking you for your support.

Mr Tim Long - Head of the Junior School 

Junior School Sport

Thursday Sport: Saturday fixtures for this weekend are listed below. 

Summer Sports Photos:

The Summer Sports Photos will be held on Tuesday 16 March during Period 1 – 3. The sports being photographed will be Squash, Swimming, Softball, Tennis, Touch Football, Junior and Senior Basketball and Cricket. A running sheet will be included in the next Woodchatta. Most teams will be photographed in their playing kits and will need to bring it to school with them. 

Bus Protocol:

Whilst on Chartered buses all boys MUST always wear a face mask. Please ensure your son has one to comply with this.

Oxford Falls Pick-up between 2.10 pm - 2.20 pm:

• Location: Outside the Caretakers House as you pull into the car park on the left-hand side. Please join the queue or if first one here please stop outside and start a queue.
• Please remain in your car at all times.
• As you approach the front of the queue, the teacher on duty will identify you and your son will be dismissed.
• Any boy not picked up by 2.20 pm will be available for collection from Chatswood at 3.00 pm.

Basketball:

Cross-Country:

Congratulations to all who participated in the 10 & 11 age group Cross Country at Oxford Falls last week. 

Congratulations to the following boys who finished in the top 6 and have made the Squad to compete at IPSHA Cross Country on 27 March. 

10’s: 1. Flynn Clulow 2. Archie Wragge 3. Oliver Pavely 4. Mason Dabile 5. Leo Hecimovic and reserve: 6. Patrick Cornes

11’s: 1. Jenson Whitby 2. Benjamin Fogale 3. William McKechnie 4. Jonas Satterthwaite 5. Farid Chammaa

Cross Country Training:

Join our Senior leaders and top athletes, Matthew North and Dominic Panozzo, alongside our distance coach, Izzy Thornton-Bott for fun, varied and challenging sessions.

Beauchamp Park, Chatswood from 7.30 am – 8.15 am on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

Meet at the Grandstand in comfortable running gear and with a water bottle. You don’t have to aspire to run in the IPSHA Carnival - all students and abilities welcome.

Rugby:

With the Rugby season just around the corner there is a 2 day Holiday Clinic being run in the upcoming school holidays.  Please use the link below to sign up for the clinic (no need to register for the season, just sign up to the holiday clinic).

Swimming:

Congratulations to the Swim squad who competed at the Brothers Invitational Carnival at Riverview on Friday 26 February and the IPSHA Carnival on Tuesday 2 March. All boys competed in multiple races and in total took home 9 First places. 

Touch Football: 

 Mr Benn McBrearty - Junior School Sports Master

Softball

We played our first game last Saturday against Trinity Strathfield. This was our first game of the season and so we were all a bit nervous. The weather for our training sessions had been interrupted by rain, so each player was learning about the game as we played. 

We were lucky to have three of our old players return from last season, Logan van Katwyk (Captain), Benjamin Meares and Michael Yee. They assisted the new players with understanding the game.

St Pius X began enthusiastically; Michael Yee and Luca Della Franca came up to the plate ready to bat with determination. They did a great job, and both made runs home.

When St Pius X were fielding, Aaron Klarich, Lachlan McGrath, Marc Floridia, Owen Gleeson, Liam Spatola, Aidan Floridia and Christopher Yastreboff fielded with great determination. They chased everything that the opposition offered. Well done boys, it was a difficult game.

In our second innings, Logan van Katwyk was our only player to make it home.

Alex Arena and Luca Della Franca were our pitchers and did a fine job. Lachlan McGrath tried to catch a few fly balls with purpose, however because it was wet, he could not complete the catch. Good effort Lachlan.

The game was fun and entertaining, St Pius X showed grit and I am looking forward to our next game.

Thank you to Mrs Meares for keeping score in the drizzling rain and Mr Yee for the action shots.

All Players please remember to bring:  helmet, school hat, water bottle, mouth guard, shin pads and to eat breakfast before arriving.

Parents, please bring a chair as many venues do not have seating.

Mrs Jennifer Williams - Softball Convenor

NSTA Tennis

Despite the chance of rain, the boys headed onto the courts for another exciting week of tennis. It was great to see 4 Senior boys volunteer to help out. Jamie Leong, Alex Vaccher, Aiden Parsons and Richard Gauci’s presence on the courts helped our younger players learn how to umpire as well as some valuable skills to help them play their matches. 

Our yellow ball matches at 8.00 am were also full of excitement and excellent play by our SPX teams. Riley Seeto and Adam Fitrzyk (SPX 16) played an amazing match against Redlands 22, winning 3 sets to 0. It was an exciting match between SPX 20 and SPX 19 with Samuel Lodge and Jonathon Webster (SPX 19) winning 2 sets to 1. Despite the rain starting, a light sprinkle at 8:30 am, all teams continued and all matches were able to be played.

Then the 10.00 am games began and again Pius vs Pius games were the ones to watch. Lucas Durey and Christian Wong (SPX 12) played well against Alex Higgins and Marco Akdagcik (SPX 11) with both teams drawing with 12 games by SPX 12 winning 2 sets to 1. Boston Bannister and Jake Yu (SPX 9) proved that size was not an issue when these two Junior boys were faced with 2 Senior boys, winning all 3 sets. 

Make sure that you log into Xpoint this week to check that your scores have been entered correctly and also to check where you are playing next Saturday. You can access this information on Xpoint:

https://www.xpointsports.com/region/325/currentEvents

Don’t forget to send in your scoresheets to either your coach or Mrs Iwatani if you are playing an away game.

Mrs Samantha Iwatani - NSTA Convenor

From the Junior Resource Centre

The Premier’s Reading Challenge 2021

And we are off again!  The #nswprc has officially started for 2021. Come into the JRC and look out for the PRC stickers on the spines… Keep your eyes out for new PRC books being added to the collection soon. Last year we had a record number of students participate, but this year we are hoping to make it even better. Let’s get reading!!

LUNCH TIMES IN THE JRC 

What a hub of activity, from strategic chess games to drawing, producing new book trailers and just plain reading! The JRC is the place to be!

Hot Off the Press!

Check out these new books in the JRC – “Everything You Need to Ace, Maths, History, Science and English in One Big Fat Notebook” These books only just arrived and they are extremely popular. If you are interested pop into the JRC and put one on hold or alternatively ask Mrs Martin to put one on hold for you.

Dr Seuss’s Birthday – March 2nd, 2021 

  “Today you are you! That is truer than true! 

There is no one alive who is you-er than you!”

March 2 is the birthday of Theodore Seuss Geisel, an American author who, under the pen name Dr Seuss, wrote and illustrated some of the world’s most iconic children’s books. His sales eventually topped 600 million. Geisel’s first book, “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” came out in 1937. “Green Eggs and Ham”, “Horton Hears a Who”, and “The Cat in the Hat” would soon follow. He passed away in 1991 at the age of 87. Celebrations are happening in the JRC this week.

Happy Birthday Ronald Bilius Weasley

Ron – a literary character from the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, is better known as Harry’s best friend. Ron had the knowledge of the wizarding world that Harry lacked and was a true friend throughout the good and bad times. Reacquaint yourself with Ron or meet him for the first time by reading the books (if you have only seen the movies you probably don’t really know him!) Find them in the Fantasy section of the JRC.

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – Nerd Herd by Nathan Luff. Get your, get your nerd on! Another goofy read for Dennis the Chicken, Nerd Herd is a fabulous funny series. Check it out in the JRC today! #MrsMartinsBooktrail2021 #juniorresourcecentre

Mrs Elena Martin – Teacher Librarian

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 Junior 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 WHICH IS BETTER TELEVISION OR BOOKS?  Further details will be given to the boys at the Junior School Assembly. 

Mrs Bettina Spanyik - Learning Enrichment Teacher

JUNIOR SCHOOL CHESS CLUB

Training begins Week 8, Tuesday 16 March, 2021 at 7.30 am in the Junior Resource Centre.

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor