Junior School News
From the Head of the Junior School
WOODCHAT (for busy families who just want the facts, fast!)
Friday 11 April – Last day of Term 1 / Armidale Rugby Tour departs
Monday 28 April – Staff Development Day (no school today)
Tuesday 29 April – Students return for Term 2
NEW LATE SIGN-IN PROCEDURES FROM TERM 2 - Further information below
JUNIOR SCHOOL STUDENTS SHINE IN A BUSY AND BRILLIANT TERM 1
As Term 1 draws to a close, I want to celebrate the incredible efforts of all our Junior School students. In what has been an exciting and eventful start to the year in our new Junior School, the students have shown great adaptability, enthusiasm, and perseverance.
A very special mention must go to our new Year 5s, who have taken to life at St Pius X like the proverbial duck to water. Despite coming from a wide range of schools across the city, this group has gelled in a way that is really special. Their energy, kindness, and willingness to embrace new challenges have already made a positive mark on our community. It is a privilege for our staff to teach and learn alongside them each day.
We are so proud of all our students and the way they’ve thrown themselves into school life this term. We look forward to what Term 2 will bring!
BISHOP ANTHONY VISIT
We were thrilled to welcome Bishop Anthony to the College on Tuesday for a special celebration. He led our community in Mass and consecrated the new College Chapel altar. It was wonderful to see so many Junior School students taking part in the liturgy in a variety of roles. They approached their responsibilities with respect and maturity.
Following Mass, Bishop Anthony officially blessed and opened the Waterford Learning Centre (Junior School). Our class captains represented their peers with confidence and helped welcome our special guests and dignitaries to the occasion.
ARMIDALE RUGBY TOUR
Excitement is building as our tour team and their families prepare to hit the road for an unforgettable rugby tour to Armidale at the end of this week. This highly anticipated trip will see our players take on teams from QLD and NSW at The Armidale School - a prestigious college known not only for its strong sporting culture but also its stunning campus nestled in the heart of New England.
On Wednesday, Mr Bourke and Mr Montgomerie presented players with their touring polo and Year 12 students who had previously toured Armidale spoke to the students about the privilege and representing the college.
Beyond the matches, this tour is about more than just rugby. It’s a chance for students to grow in confidence, learn from each other, and immerse themselves in the values of sportsmanship, resilience, and teamwork.
Mr Bourke, Mr Montgomerie and I are incredibly proud of our players and we look forward to watching them from the sidelines as they represent the school with great enthusiasm and respect, both on and off the field.
FROM PICTURE BOOKS TO PARACHUTES: A TERM OF DISCOVERY
6 Blue have been hard at work this term, extending their learning in English and Science with great enthusiasm.
In English, students thoroughly enjoyed exploring the ecological significance of The Coorong and how it connects to their novella study, Storm Boy. As part of a broader unit on persuasive texts, students took turns analysing and presenting their favourite picture books to the class. This activity not only sparked rich discussions but also helped refine their persuasive techniques, as they encouraged peers to see from different viewpoints.
In Science, 6 Blue embraced hands-on learning through a variety of experiments focused on the concept of forces. While the paper plane challenge sparked excitement, the standout experience was undoubtedly the parachute egg drop. Congratulations to all students whose eggs survived the dramatic three-storey descent!
NEW LATE SIGN-IN PROCEDURES FROM TERM 2
The College has introduced a self-managed sign-in process for late students that will make signing-in more efficient. Students are required to have their Student ID card on them at all times, and late students are now required to sign in electronically between 8:35 am and 8:45 am.
A sign-in kiosk for Junior School students is located in the foyer of the Waterford Learning Centre.
Sign-in kiosks for senior students are located on the verandah outside Student Reception. Any Junior School student arriving after 8:45 am should go straight to the Waterford Learning Centre to sign in appropriately.
Any senior school student arriving after 8:45 am will need to speak to Student Reception to sign in as previously.
Please see below for easy instructions on how to sign in when a student is late.
WISHING OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY A JOYFUL EASTER AND HOLIDAY BREAK
As the term comes to an end, we would like to wish all our students, families, and staff a safe and happy holiday. Easter is a time of reflection, renewal, and celebration, and we hope you have the opportunity to enjoy special moments with loved ones.
Whether you're spending time with family, traveling, or simply relaxing, may this break bring rest and joy. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another exciting term of learning. Happy Easter and best wishes for a wonderful holiday!
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of Junior School
Junior School Sport
There has been a tremendous amount of dedication shown by your sons throughout Term 1 Sport. I want to sincerely thank them and you, as parents, for the support, commitment, and transport that made their participation in trainings and games possible.
While results are often seen as the main measure of success in a season, I place far greater value on each student’s reflection: how much they have grown, how involved they were in their activity, and the attitude they brought to training, Thursday sport, and Saturday games.
As I look back on a full and rewarding term, two key themes stand out:
St Pius X students win with humility and lose with grace, and
There is a genuine sense of mateship that our students develop for one another.
Looking ahead to the winter season, my challenge to the Junior School is to maintain that focus and to continue building their ability to work as a team across all their chosen activities.
Please see below information regarding the Preseason Holiday Camps. It would be great to see any many students there to continue sharping their skills in the lead up to our winter season.
Thank you once again for your continued support. I wish you and your families a safe, restful, and joy-filled Easter break.
Armidale Rugby Tour
A group of excited and committed SPX Junior Rugby players will travel to Armidale tomorrow to take part in the TAS Rugby Carnival (TASRC), one of the premier junior school rugby events in the country. Hosted by The Armidale School (TAS), this three-day tournament brings together teams and schools from across NSW and beyond, celebrating sportsmanship, teamwork, and the joy of rugby. Our students have been training hard throughout the term, showing fantastic dedication, resilience, and enthusiasm in preparation. The tour is not only a great opportunity to test their skills against quality opposition, but also a memorable experience where lasting friendships and team spirit are forged. We wish the players and Mr Montgomerie all the very best for an enjoyable and successful carnival!
Looking Ahead….
People to contact during the winter season.
- Chess Convenor: Mrs Elena Martin emartin@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
- Chess Coach: Raelene Boyle rboyle@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
- Rugby Convenor: Callum Montgomerie cmontgomerie@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
- Admin Cocurricular- Merryn Dodd: Mdodd@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
- Football Convenor and Junior Sport Coordinator: James Bourke jbourke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Term 2 Weekly Sport Calendar
IPSHA Winter Season – Commitment & Attendance
The IPSHA winter sport season begins next term, and students are committing to a full season of competition. To ensure each game is competitive and that all teams are well-supported, we kindly ask families to avoid booking holidays on the following game dates:
Season Dates:
Round 1: 3 May
Round 2: 10 May
Round 3: 17 May
Round 4: 24 May
Round 5: 31 May
Round 6: 14 June
Round 7: 21 June
Round 8: 26 July
Round 9: 2 August
Round 10: 9 August
Once teams are finalised fixtures will appear on Clipboard in a draft format. Game times and venues will be confirmed by the Thursday prior to the Saturday fixture.
If a student is unable to attend a game due to injury or illness, this must be logged in Clipboard, and an email sent to Mr Bourke jbourke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au. For any other absences, families must submit a request as early as possible to ensure we have sufficient numbers each week. This will help us avoid the player shortages experienced during the summer season and ensure a competitive and enjoyable experience for all teams.
Winter Sports Uniform Requirements:
To ensure students are ready for the season, families are encouraged to arrange the purchase of the required Winter Sports Uniform from the College Uniform Shop:
Football – SPX jersey, SPX shorts, football socks
Rugby – SPX jersey, SPX shorts, rugby socks
AFL – The College provides a loaned uniform (singlet and shorts), but students will need to purchase football socks
Additional Requirements:
Mouthguards are compulsory for both Rugby and AFL. Headgear is encouraged.
Shin Pads are required for Football.
Players should also check that they have appropriate footwear (football boots).
Celebrating Student Success.
CIS AFL
This week, Oliver Mackinlay attended the CIS AFL trials and for the second year in a row, he earned selection. An outstanding achievement!
Oliver will go on to compete at the NSWPSSA AFL Championships in Blacktown next term, representing CIS in the 22-man squad. We wish him the very best as he steps up to the next level in mid-May.
Karate
Congratulations to Emile Roth who has achieved a significant milestone after years of dedication, earning his Junior Black Belt with Australia’s Youth Self Defence Karate. Emile has been training consistently since kindergarten. This year, he has taken on extra classes to master the skills required for his black belt test and has also spent the past 12 months assisting with junior classes as he trains to become a Sensei. He is one of the first-ever black belts to graduate from the St Ives dojo. A wonderful achievement — well done, Emile!
Accessing Fixture Information via Clipboard
To stay up-to-date with training schedules and game fixtures, please ensure you regularly check the Clipboard app. Training and fixtures are accessible directly within the app, and any changes will be updated there as well.
Important Reminder:
To receive timely updates and notifications regarding changes to fixtures or training sessions, please ensure:
Notifications are enabled both within the Clipboard app settings and on your mobile device. The have the option to receive push notifications and/or email prompts.
Please regularly review the app for any schedule updates.
Fixtures will be initially entered as UNCONFIRMED, by Thursday each week they will be CONFIRMED by opposition schools and a notification will be sent to families.
Please check clipboard regularly for any changes to the schedule.
Some fixtures are subject to weather, on occasion this can lead to cancellations. This will occur via the Clipboard app, you should receive a notification if a fixture is cancelled, but please check the app on the morning before leave to ensure you are up to date with any changes.
Logging an Absence
If your son is unable to attend a Saturday fixture due to sickness or injury, you can log his absence directly through Clipboard by following these steps:
Log in to Clipboard using your parent account.
Navigate to the Calendar page.
Click on 'Log an Absence' and follow the prompts to submit.
As a courtesy, please email Mr Bourke at Jbourke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au prior to the fixture, if possible, by Thursday. For all other absences a request needs to be sent to Mr Bourke for approval.
For normal school day absences, please continue to follow the standard school process.
SPX App
If you haven’t already, please download and familiarise yourself with the SPX App.
SPX Football Season Launch & Social
What a fantastic day to kick off the season!
Many thanks to the staff, parents, boys and committee members that came along and made it such a great day.
Have a great term & Easter break and can’t wait to see you at the football in Term 2.
SPX Football Supporters Committee
Holiday Football Clinic
Final Spots Remaining! Don’t Miss Out on the Ultimate Pre-Season Kickstart!
In partnership with Coerver Coaching
Looking to hit the ground running this season? Our St Pius X April Holiday Football Camp is the perfect way to sharpen your skills, build confidence, and have a whole lot of fun — all before Round 1 kicks off!
📅 Dates: Monday 14 – Thursday 17 April
⏰ Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon daily
🎟️ Options: 2, 3, or 4-day participation
⚽ New Feature: 5v5 Tournament running each day!
Open to students in Years 3 to 10, this camp delivers expert coaching using the renowned Coerver® Method — perfect for developing ball mastery, tactical awareness, and creativity on the pitch.
BONUS: A return bus from Chatswood Campus is available for the first 60 players registered. Departing 8:30 am | Returning 12:40 pm.
Why join?
✅ Technical development to prepare you for the season
✅ A confidence boost in a fun, supportive environment
✅ Build friendships and team chemistry early
✅ Daily football fun – with competitive mini-matches!
Spots are almost gone – secure your place today and start the season with a bang!
🔗 For more details and to register, click here: Coerver course | Coerver Coaching
Holiday Rugby Clinic
Final Call! Kick Off the Rugby Season Strong at the SPX Easter Holiday Clinic
Get Game-Ready. Build Confidence. Play with Pride.
The countdown to the ISA season is on — and there’s no better way to prepare than the SPX Easter Holiday Rugby Clinic!
When: Wednesday 16 & Thursday 17 April
Where: Oxford Falls Campus – 1 Dreadnought Rd, Oxford Falls NSW 2099
Whether your son is new to the game or looking to fine-tune his performance, this two-day clinic is packed with skill development, game understanding, and team building — all in a fun and focused environment.
What’s On Offer:
✅ Expert coaching from Trytime Rugby and special guest coaches
✅ Position-specific training to elevate individual performance
✅ Team play development to build connection and game IQ
✅ Trial games on Thursday afternoon vs Redfield College (Years 5 - 8 & Opens)
💥 It’s the perfect chance to shake off the rust, test your skills, and kickstart the season with confidence!
📲 Register now via Clipboard:🔗 https://portal.clipboard.app/stpiusx
Places are limited — don’t miss out! Let’s hit the ground running together.
Secure your spot today and get ready to hit the ground running
Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sport Coordinator
From the Junior Resource Centre
This week’s Highlights are:
Autumn and Easter Reads –
A great week to come and browse and borrow for the School Autumn Easter Holidays. Lots of surprises in the JRC.
Mrs Martin's picks for the Easter Holiday. All new, and very exciting. Graphic novels, sport and adventure.
Winners of the Bigfoot vs Yeti Competition.
Dav Pilkey
Year 5 and 6 enjoyed a library lesson discussing the author Dav Pilkey. Reading is crucial for personal growth, academic success, and overall well-being, offering benefits including expanded knowledge, vocabulary enhancement, improved critical thinking, and stress reduction. If you are stuck on what to read next, Mrs Martin is more than happy to recommend something to sink your teeth into.
Note to self – All Dav Pilkey books borrowed for the holidays, may need to order more!
GO-TO AUTHOR – Katherine Rundell
Do you have a go-to-author? An author whose new book you would read immediately or whose book you recommend all the time? For me this week it is Katherine Rundell. Katherine is one of the best writers for young readers. Her books are beautiful and adventurous with wonderful characters and language. She is an author whose books I recommend constantly. They make wonderful bedtime read-alouds for kids of all ages. If you haven’t discovered Katherine Rundell yet, get on it! Charlie Doran in Year 6 has taken up the challenge.
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire by LM Wilkinson, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu.
A thrilling and heartwarming sequel, Bravepaw and the Clawstone of Rotwood Mire delivers another enchanting adventure filled with courage, loyalty, and mystery. The story masterfully explores the power of friendship and bravery as Bravepaw faces new challenges in the eerie depths of Rotwood Mire. The beautifully interwoven illustrations bring the world to life, making every page a delight to explore. Perfect for young readers who love daring quests with fantastical woodland creatures.
Fun, fast-paced and exciting… get this series into the hands of young readers in your life ASAP. #MrsMartinsBooktrail2025
Ms Elena Martin – Teacher Librarian
Junior School Chess
Thank you to all the students who attended Chess training on Tuesday. See you all again in Term 2 on Tuesday 29 April at 7:30 am in the Junior Resource Centre. We are excited to announce that we have 3 teams entering the NSW Junior Chess League Competition for 2025.
Looking for something extra or chess? Chess Squad Academy is an exciting new chess program where children can play together, do lessons and solve challenges. Chess Squad Academy has been created by Sydney Academy of Chess and Skoolbo.
Click on the link below to find out more information and to join up.
Ms Elena Martin - Junior Chess Convenor