Junior School News
From the Head of Junior School
WOODCHAT - for busy readers who just want facts, fast!
YEAR 6 GRADUATION
Last Friday, our Year 6 students gathered for a reflective and heartfelt morning, taking time to look back on their primary school journey and the friendships and experiences that have shaped them. This was followed by a moving and memorable Graduation ceremony, where students crossed the symbolic Waterford docks to mark their transition into the next exciting chapter of secondary school.
Our sincere thanks go to Mr Petrie and his team for the immense effort that went into crafting such a meaningful sacred space for our community. We are also grateful to the Music Department for the richness they bring to every celebration. A special thank you to Mrs Cashel for delivering our Parent Reflection, and to Dario Leotta for speaking so confidently on behalf of the Year 6 students.
Photos of the day can be found here: Year 6 Graduation NOV2025
CHRISTMAS TWILIGHT CONCERT
To conclude a big day, our Junior School students gathered last Friday evening for a Christmas Twilight Concert that lit up the campus with festive warmth. Congratulations to all the students who shared their musical gifts and helped create such a joyful atmosphere.
Our sincere thanks to Mrs Westhoff and her team for the work they do to support and develop our students’ musical talents.
YEAR 5 SCIENCE
Year 5 have put their Science knowledge into action this week, exploring the properties of solids and liquids by making their own slime. Students enjoyed working with this Non-Newtonian Fluid and experimented with different materials to change the consistency of their slime.
GARDEN CLUB
A huge thank you to Mrs Doheny, Mr Makhoul and Mrs Gill for their wonderful support and encouragement of our green thumbs throughout the year. On Tuesday, I was lucky enough to join the group for their end-of-year lunch, where I enjoyed a delicious hamburger made with fresh ingredients grown in the Junior School’s very own garden!
STAFFING
We are delighted to share that our wonderful Junior School staff will all be returning in 2026, with one exception. Ms Bird (5 Blue) will be returning home to South Africa, where she and her fiancé, Tian, will begin planning their wedding.
While we are excited for this next chapter in her life, we will miss Ms Bird enormously. In her year with us, she has made a remarkable impact with her calm, patient teaching style and warm rapport with students. Her thoughtful contributions to our staff community have been deeply valued.
We wish Ms Bird every happiness as she begins this exciting new adventure.
Thank you for your continued support of the Junior School.
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of Junior School
Junior School Sport
As we wrap up the final games of the season, we reflect on what has truly been a massive year of sport at St Pius X. From cricket pitches to basketball courts, tennis nets to football and rugby fields, our students have shown incredible commitment, resilience, and passion.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our players, parents, coaches, and referees; your energy and support have made this season not only successful but deeply rewarding. Whether it was cheering from the sidelines, guiding teams through training, or ensuring fair play, every contribution mattered.
This year wasn’t just about results; it was about growth on and off the field. Skills were sharpened, confidence soared, and countless memories were created. Friendships were forged that will last well beyond the season, and the spirit of teamwork has never been stronger.
Best of luck to our Year 6 students as they move into the Senior Program next year. We know they will continue to shine and lead with the same enthusiasm and sportsmanship. At the same time, we look forward to welcoming our new Year 5 cohort in 2026, ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead.
As we look ahead to 2026, SPX Sport stands in a strong and positive position. With exciting opportunities on the horizon, tours, tournaments, and development programs, we are ready to build on this momentum and continue fostering a culture of excellence, camaraderie, and enjoyment.
Thank you once again for being part of this journey. Here’s to an even bigger and better year ahead!
Summer Sport Grading – Thursday, 29 January (First Day Back)
We’re excited to kick off Term 1 with Summer Sport Grading on Thursday, 29 January 2026. Students are asked to wear their PE uniform as we head to Oxford Falls for grading sessions.
Summer Sports for Term 1 include:
Basketball
Touch Football
Tennis
Cricket
Softball
Important Registration Details:
Clipboard will open next week for families to finalise the payment for their sport selection based on the expressions of interest submitted earlier this term.
Clipboard Registrations close Tuesday, 27 January to allow us time to finalise team lists ahead of grading day.
Sports & Academic Awards – Tuesday 2 December
We are delighted to invite all parents and families to join us for the Sports and Academic Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, 2 December.
Time: 11:30 am in the School Gym at Chatswood.
This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements and successes of our students, both in the classroom and on the sporting field. Your presence will make this occasion even more special as we acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and talent of our young men.
We look forward to seeing you there as we come together to recognise and applaud their efforts!
SPX Pride on the National Stage!
This week, two of our talented Year 5 students, Tommy Kay and Jack Cross, proudly represented SPX and PSSA at the Primary National Athletics Championships in Canberra.
Jack competed in Long Jump, showcasing his speed and technique.
Tommy took on Discus and Shot Put, demonstrating strength and precision.
We eagerly await their official results, but one thing is certain, they have already done SPX proud! To reach this level of competition in just their first year at the College is nothing short of exceptional.
Congratulations, Jack and Tommy! Your dedication and hard work inspire us all, and we can’t wait to see where your athletics journey takes you in the years ahead. We are behind you every step of the way!
Armidale Rugby Tour 2026
We have now closed the expression of interest for our Year 6 families 2026, and will now be opening to our Year 5 families for 2026 as we have fallen short of the required numbers. Further information on costs, accommodation and logistics will be shared to all families that have completed the expression of interest.
SPX Junior School Football Tour 2026
We’re thrilled to announce that plans are underway for the 2026 Junior School Football Tour to Queensland. This exciting event will form part of the EREA Football Championships, giving our players the opportunity to compete against schools from across the country.
The tour is currently open to all Year 6 students in 2026. If your son is interested and would like to learn more, please complete the Expression of Interest form using the link below.
We will be taking one Year 6 team, and if required, trials will be held during the first two weeks of Term 1, 2026.
The event will take place from the 12 -14 April 2026.
The Junior School Football Tour 2026 - Expressions of Interest – Fill out form
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity for your son to represent SPX, build friendships, and create lifelong memories!
Junior School Basketball Holiday Camps – Save the Date!
We’re excited to announce upcoming Basketball Holiday Camps for our Junior School players. These sessions are a fantastic opportunity to develop skills under the guidance of our 1st V coach, Jack Garrett.
Camp Dates:
Tuesday, 10 December – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Tuesday, 17 December – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Tuesday, 21 January – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
Why join?
Our Holiday Camp is the perfect chance to:
Sharpen skills and improve technique
Build confidence and teamwork
Gain valuable match experience
Make new friends and enjoy the holiday spirit
Clipboard will be open from Friday 28 Nov, to secure you spot for any or all of the available days.
Whether you’re preparing for the season in Term 1 or simply love basketball, these camps are designed to help every player grow both on and off the court.
Summer Sport Results
Here are a selection of photos of our summer sports teams.
Basketball
Touch Football
Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sport Coordinator
Softball
We finished our season with a hard-fought game, showing solid teamwork and effort from first pitch to last. Our defence tightened up as the game went on, making key plays to keep us in it. At the plate, we created scoring chances and kept pressure on their fielders throughout. Even though we didn’t get the win, the team showed real improvement and resilience to close out the season.
Mrs Jennifer Williams - Softball Coach
Tennis
Despite the rain, our final game of the 2025 season went ahead. What a fantastic season it has been!
Congratulations to all our St Pius X students for showing spirit, enthusiasm, and outstanding teamwork throughout the season. An extended thank you goes to parents for your ongoing support and for ensuring students arrived on time each week. Your collaboration and commitment is greatly appreciated.
Finals Results
We commend every team for their tremendous effort and dedication. It is my pleasure to announce the winners and runners-up for the 2025 season:
On behalf of all the St Pius X tennis staff, we are incredibly proud of the effort, sportsmanship, and resilience you have demonstrated each week. Thank you for making this season such a success.
We wish you a restful break and a joyful Christmas with your families. I look forward to seeing you back on the courts for another exciting season in 2026!
Mr Christopher Nouragas - NSTA Tennis Convenor