From the Head of the Junior School
Junior School Sport
From the Junior Resource Centre

From the Head of the Junior School

WOODCHAT – for busy readers who just want the essentials!

WOODCHATTA – for readers who want all the details and more!

CHRISTMAS TWILIGHT CONCERT

Last Friday evening, Junior School students participated in a magical Christmas Twilight Concert, which brought festive cheer to our community. Congratulations to those students who showcased their musical talents and filled the air with holiday spirit.

Thank you to all the performers, teachers, and families who made this event such a memorable success. We look forward to more wonderful performances in the future!

YEAR 6 GRADUATION LITURGY

On Monday, Year 6 students participated in a meaningful morning where they reflected on their time in primary school. This was followed by a spectacular and memorable Graduation ceremony where students walked across the symbolic docks of Waterford representing their journey from primary to secondary school. Thank you to Mr Petrie – Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity for the hours of work he put into creating the incredible sacred space for us on Monday and to the Performing Arts Department for what they always bring to our celebrations. Special thank you also to Mr Clulow for stepping in to present our inaugural Parent Reflection.

Please see the link to the graduation photos below:

Year 6 Graduation photos

JUNIOR SCHOOL ACADEMIC AND COCURRICULAR AWARDS

Yesterday, we celebrated the academic and cocurricular achievements of students in the Junior School. Congratulations to those students who have excelled in their subjects, in the sporting arena or in the cocurricular program. Next Wednesday, at the whole school academic awards at Oxford Falls, we will continue to celebrate with students in the Junior School who have received a Gold award or 3 awards in total, being presented. We will also present our Scholarship winners. Parents of recipients will be advised by email. If you have any questions about these awards, please contact Mr Morris

amorris@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

As we come to the end of a very busy term and an eventful year in the Junior School, we want to extend our gratitude to you – our parents. Your support, humour, and the many kind emails we have received throughout the year have meant so much to us.

It is a privilege and honour to spend six and a half hours a day with your sons. Watching their growth, both academically and socially, is an immensely rewarding experience and it’s why we do what we do.

Thank you for entrusting us with their education and for being such an important part of our school community.

We wish you a joyful and restful Christmas season and as always, thank you for your continued support of the Junior School.

Thank you for your continued support of the Junior School.

Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of Junior School

Junior School Sport

Thursday Sport

Our swim/surf program concluded today with the fourth and final session during Thursday Sport. I hope that the boys at both programs are not only feeling more confident but also have developed a greater appreciation and respect for the water. Whilst swimming pools have their own inherent risks, it is the surf and changing nature of it that can pose many more challenges. Thankfully our Year 6 young men were able to experience different sets of conditions each week. The application of surf specific skills to paddle, catch waves, body surf and wade increased each week. Whilst on the sand waiting for their turn to get in the water, students were able to take part run relays, sit ups and other sand based activities.

Cocurricular Awards Ceremony

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who attended this yesterday’s Cocurricular Awards Ceremony. Your presence made the event all the more special, and your ongoing support for your sons’ involvement in the many sports and activities throughout the year has been invaluable.

Yesterday’s ceremony was a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of nearly a hundred students who were honoured for their outstanding contributions to their chosen sports. However, in my eyes, every student who actively participates in the co-curricular program is a winner. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and teamwork exemplify the spirit of St Pius X College.

It was also a fitting moment to reflect on the incredible talent within our Junior School and the growth these boys have shown under the guidance of our exceptional coaches, teachers, and support staff. Their expertise and commitment have been instrumental in nurturing both skills and character in our young athletes. Congratulations to all award recipients!

Please see photos of the awards ceremony in the link attached.

JS Awards Ceremony Photos

Saturday Sport

Return of SPX loan uniforms

Thank you to all those who handed in their basketball or touch football tops in the last couple of weeks. A gentle reminder that there is only a handful of students yet to return their respective tops and it is important these are returned before the last day of Term 4.

Students can either hand their singlet to me or leave with their class teacher if I am not in my office. Distribution of tops/singlets will then again take place prior to Round 1 in 2025.

It is also a timely reminder for all students who have been involved in any of the activities below to return their SPX loan uniform. These include:

Touch Football singlets
Athletics singlets
Cross Country singlets
AFL jerseys and shorts
Basketball singlets
Basketball shorts

Any items unaccounted for at the conclusion of the term will be charged to individual students, as replacements will need to be arranged in time for the 2025 seasons. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Results from IPSHA Round 12

Junior Basketball

The final round of Junior School Basketball for the season was a fitting celebration of teamwork, growth, and enthusiasm. It has been a fantastic journey watching the students develop their skills and game sense, culminating in a strong finish to the year.

A huge thank you to our parents for their incredible support throughout the season, especially those who helped manage the bench each week. Your time and commitment ensured everything ran smoothly and contributed significantly to the players’ experience.

The students’ efforts during training sessions truly paid off, as they demonstrated improved teamwork, strategy, and individual skill on the court. It’s inspiring to see their dedication and passion for the game, and it’s clear that basketball at St Pius X has a bright future with these emerging stars.

Congratulations to all players for their hard work and commitment this season. Your progress has been remarkable, and we’re excited to see where your journey in basketball will take you in the years to come. Well done!

Mr James Bourke - Basketball Convenor

Softball

The final game of the Junior School Softball season took place last Saturday, marking a historic milestone for St Pius X as we fielded two teams for the first time. This achievement is a testament to the growing enthusiasm for softball among our students and their dedication throughout the season.

Both teams displayed incredible determination and sportsmanship in their matches, with each player contributing to their team’s effort. It has been inspiring to witness the growth and development of our players, from their skills on the field to their understanding of the game and teamwork.

A heartfelt thank you to the parents for your unwavering support this season, whether it was helping with early morning logistics or cheering from the sidelines. Your encouragement has played a crucial role in making this season such a success.

To the students, congratulations on a fantastic season. You’ve set a strong foundation for Junior School Softball and demonstrated what can be achieved through hard work and collaboration. We are incredibly proud of all you have accomplished and look forward to seeing this program continue to thrive in the years to come.

Report from SPX Gold Team

Last Saturday St Pius X Gold Team played their final game for the season against Grammar St Ives. The players all arrived promptly and ready for a competitive game. During our warm-up, tactics were discussed as the early morning start presented dew on the pitch.

St Pius X went into bat first. It was very exciting as we made 6 runs in the first innings. Grammar’s run rate was close behind at 4 runs. It was a close contest in the beginning, then St Pius X took a further lead in the run rate and never looked back. St Pius X won 15-9.

Grammar St Ives showed great sportsmanship, and it was a wonderful way to wrap up the season.

Mrs Jennifer Williams and Ms Lana Shaba - Softball Coaches

Junior Touch Football

Last Saturday marked the conclusion of a fantastic season of Touch Football for St Pius X. Our teams showcased exceptional teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship in their final matches, with each group putting forward their best efforts to end the season on a high note.

Across the board, there were standout moments of skill and resilience, with players applying strategies developed throughout the year and supporting one another both on and off the field. It was wonderful to see the progress made by all teams, highlighting the dedication and commitment of our players and coaches.

A special thank you to all the parents, guardians, and officials who have supported the program this year. Your contributions, whether through cheering from the sidelines or helping with logistics, have been invaluable in making the season a success.

We look forward to another exciting year of sport in 2025!

Mr Matthew Buda and Mr Callum Montgomerie - Touch Football Coaches

The Armidale School Rugby Carnival

Thank you to Mr Morris and Mr Montgomerie for conducting a meeting with current Year 5 students who are interested in attending The Armidale School Rugby Carnival in 2025. The following link answers some questions you may have about the carnival FAQs and is worth reading over.

The link below is to register your interest in your son attending the carnival in 2025. It is a tremendous opportunity for our young rugby players to be involved in.

https://forms.office.com/TASRC Expression of Interest

Sport Choice 2025

Please note that draws and schedules of fixtures for Basketball, Touch Football, and Softball, have now been established for IPSHA Saturday sport competitions in Term 1, 2025. The number of teams we have entered was based on expression of interest sport choices you had entered for your son via the online form you were sent some time ago. Families will be notified when the formal Clipboard registration opens, allowing families to confirm the intention for their son.

Thank you

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to each parent, carer, family member, and friend who has cheered, encouraged, and supported their sons and teams throughout 2024. It has been both an honour and a privilege to lead your sons, witnessing their growth in confidence, ability, and character as players and teammates.

Your unwavering dedication to the College’s Sport and Co-Curricular programs has been invaluable. Whether celebrating victories or offering comfort in defeat, your support has been instrumental in fostering a positive and enriching environment. This commitment is deeply appreciated not only by me but also by the SPX teaching staff, support team, and external coaches, to whom you have entrusted your sons.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and encouragement—it has been a cornerstone of our collective success this year.

"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." – Pelé

Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sport Coordinator

Summer Tennis

A perfect day for the spectators last Saturday, but a hot day out on the courts for all players. Ethan Heng and Connor Huynh SPX 19 played amazing singles matches to secure the win against SPX 20. Aren Mamigonian, James Hanna and Jayden Beltran SPX 27 played some great tennis to take the win over SPX 25. Luca Hellmich SPX 22 and Ethan Roman SPX 21 showed their skills in their singles matches to win 6-2 and 6-1 respectively.

The 10:00 am games were all heated, in more ways than one. Aiden Chan and Alex Dal Molin SPX3 showed their strength in their singles both winning 6-0 securing their place in the finals next week. SPX 7 v Reddam 2 drew in games sadly, Pius lost in sets 1-2. Noah Safarian and Alfred Hu SPX 6 made a great team winning their doubles 6-3 but Justin Lee SPX 5 showed his strength in the singles winning 6-5.

NSTA REMINDERS

We have one more match to go this weekend where ALL boys will take part in either a finals match or a play off. The draw should be released by Wednesday so please make sure that you check where you are playing and who you are playing against next week:

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

GREEN BALL

Thomas Shoudra continued to shine in his singles match winning 6-1. William Graham and Nicholas Keung proved to be an excellent doubles team, winning their match 6-1. Nicholas Halim and Logan Schweinsberg paired for the first time today and together they dominated the court winning all three sets.

Don’t forget that this Saturday is the last week for this term before we resume in Term 1. Game time has been changed for next Saturday to 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

Below is the draw for the weekend.

Mrs Samantha Iwatani - Summ

Mrs Samantha Iwatani - Summer Tennis Convenor

From the Junior Resource Centre

Highlights:

As we approach the end of the School Term, I ask that you please start returning your library books. If you could please drop your books into the return chute in the JRC, I would really appreciate it.

Summer Reading 2024

Exams have come to an end, excitement builds because we know what is coming ….IT’S TIME FOR SUMMER READING! The JRC has put together a brilliant selection of new releases, most popular titles, and great authors for you to prepare for your summer holiday reading.

The anticipated list is here:

The Midwatch by Judith Rossell
Laughter is the Best Thing by Maryam Master
Small Acts by Kate Foster and Kate Gordon
The History of Information by Chris Haughton
Secrets of A Christmas Elf by Ben Miller
Afloat by Kirli Saunders
He Sugar Cane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold
Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderham
Landovel By Emily Rodda

New Books in the JRC with a Sporting Theme! Great Christmas reads!

2024 PRC Certificates

Gold and Platinum certificates will be handed out at Assembly.

5 Gold PRC Winners 2024

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail: All I want for Christmas is Rain by Cori Brooke, Illustrated by Megan Forward.

An Australian Christmas is threatened when drought takes hold. A little girl has only one wish - for rain. Will her wish come true?

Dedicated to Aussie farmers, and an antidote to the commercialism of Christmas, All I Want For Christmas is Rain is an uplifting story about one girl's selfless desire to ease the strain on her family and community at this special time of the year. #MrsMartinsBooktrail2024

Mrs Elena Martin – Teacher Librarian

Careers