Junior School News
WOODCHAT (For busy families who just want the facts, fast!)
ONLINE SAFETY
Recent conversations with students have provided a timely reminder of the challenges young people can face when navigating the online world. While the new social media restrictions for children under 16 provide an additional layer of protection, they do not remove the need for ongoing conversations at home and at school about safe, respectful, and responsible online behaviour.
The eSafety Commissioner provides an excellent range of resources to support parents in having these conversations with their children. Topics include parental controls, cyberbullying, respectful online relationships, inappropriate and harmful content, online gaming, privacy, and the impact of digital technologies on wellbeing.
Some resources were developed prior to the introduction of the under-16 social media restrictions; however, the advice remains highly relevant and practical for families.
Parents are encouraged to explore the resources available through the eSafety Commissioner’s Parent Resources.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources
GRANDPARENTS DAY / DANCE SHOWCASE
Today we were proud to present our Dance Showcase to Grandparents and Special Friends.
A video of the performance and photos from the day will be forwarded to the Junior School community in the coming days.
FATHER AND SON SPORT DAY
Next Thursday, we look forward to one of our biggest events of the year – the Father and Son Sport Day. Please ensure you have RSVP’d using this link:
If there are any mums who are keen to help out at the BBQ, we are still looking for helpers. Please contact Mrs Hawthorne if you can spare a few hours.
AUTHOR VISIT – FELICE ARENA
What an absolute treat it was to welcome acclaimed Australian author Felice Arena to the Junior School this week!
Felice was incredible. From the moment he began speaking, he had our students completely engaged. With enormous energy, humour and enthusiasm, he shared stories about his life as an author, where his ideas come from and the process of turning those ideas into books that young people genuinely want to read.
There was plenty of laughter along the way, but also some wonderful messages about creativity, persistence and having the confidence to give things a go. Felice reminded our students that writing does not simply appear perfectly on the page - it involves imagination, experimentation, revision and sometimes starting all over again.
As the author of much-loved books including the Specky Magee series, The Besties, The Boy and the Spy and A Great Escape, Felice certainly knows how to connect with young readers. It was particularly lovely to see the excitement of students who already knew and loved his books - and the number who left determined to read one!
A huge thank you to Felice Arena for such an entertaining, inspiring and memorable visit. Experiences like these are a wonderful way to bring books and writing to life and to continue building a culture in which reading is something to be enjoyed, shared and celebrated.
SCIENCE WEEK
Thank you to Mrs Schuster and the Senior School Science faculty for hosting our Junior School students during Science Week this week. On Monday, students created their own cress-heads – little characters that grow real ‘hair’ made of cress. On Tuesday, students looked at a variety of seeds under the microscope while on Wednesday, students made their own seed bombs – small balls made of clay, soil and seeds that can be planted by simply tossing them on the ground.
MINECRAFT EDUCATION
Students in Year 5 have started exploring the properties of 3D shapes. In Mr Makhoul’s class, students used Minecraft Education and concrete blocks to create the front, side and aerial views of different objects. This was an engaging way to connect mathematical concepts with real life experiences.
ASX SHARE MARKET GAME
Yesterday, I was discussing the performance of my ASX Stock Market Game portfolio with a student in Year 5 and I asked him about his investment strategy and how he decided when to buy or sell a particular share. His response:
'I’m going to wait until I see their 2nd quarter reported earnings and then make a decision.'
Not a bad response from a 10-year-old!
This is exactly why the ASX Share Market Game is such a valuable learning experience.
While there is certainly plenty of excitement in watching portfolios rise and fall, behind the competition our students are developing an understanding of how markets work, researching companies, following financial news and learning that good investment decisions should be based on evidence rather than guesswork.
There have already been plenty of discussions about share prices, dividends, risk, diversification and when to hold your nerve rather than sell. Perhaps most importantly, students are discovering that the world of finance is much more interesting when you have a (virtual) $50,000 riding on it!
Thank you again to Mr Makhoul for organising our participation in the program this year.
FATHER'S DAY MASS AND BREAKFAST BBQ - CLOSING DATE TO RSVP AND UPLOAD PHOTO - TUESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
We’re seeking mothers from our wonderful SPX Community to help with cooking and serving at the Father’s Day BBQ in Chatswood on Friday, 4 September.
There are three one-hour shifts available, starting from 7:00 am through to 10:00 am.
If you’re able to assist, please add your name to the spreadsheet below.
PAPA COMEDY NIGHT
Buy your ticket today – https://events.humanitix.com/spx-papa-comedy-night-2026
PLEASE NOTE – This event is for attendees aged 18+ and current SPX students are not eligible to attend.
Thank you for your continuing support of the Junior School.
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of Junior School
Junior School Sport News
Term 4 Summer Sport Intentions Survey
Summer Sport registrations via Clipboard is OPEN.
Please refer to the information below regarding registration requirements for each sport.
IPSHA Basketball, Softball and Touch Football: If your son participated in any of these sports in Term 1, his registration will automatically carry over to Term 4 and no further action is required. If your son is joining one of these sports for the first time in Term 4, you will need to register via Clipboard. If your son is transferring between Basketball, Softball and Touch Football, we will process this change in Clipboard using the information provided in the Summer Sport Survey. No further action is required.
NSTA Tennis and MWJCA Cricket: These sports are commencing a new season in Term 4, 2026, which will continue through to Term 1, 2027. As a result, all students wishing to participate must complete a new registration via Clipboard.
Mixed Sport: There is no registration required for students not participating in summer sport. Students will take part in mixed sport activities during our Oxford Falls Thursday sessions.
Clipboard registrations will close Friday 4 September - Week 7
Please refer to Clipboard for more sport specific information.
Summer Sport Grading
Summer Sport grading sessions will take place across Weeks 8, 9 and 10. These sessions are an important part of the team selection process and provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills ahead of the season.
Further information, including grading and details on what students will need to bring, will be shared with families next week. We thank everyone for their patience as final arrangements are confirmed.
Dance Showcase
Our annual Dance Showcase was held today and was a wonderful celebration of the talent, creativity and hard work of our students. Thank you to all performers, staff and families who supported the event.
A full report and photos from the event will be shared with the Junior School community next week.
Father & Son Sports Day
Our Father & Son Sports Day is fast approaching in Week 7. If you have not yet responded, please complete the registration form by Friday 28 August, so final planning and catering arrangements can be confirmed.
We look forward to welcoming fathers, grandfathers and special father figures to what promises to be a fantastic day at Oxford Falls. Please see the poster below for further details and the registration link.
Father and Son Sport Day2026 – Fill out form
Athletics Update
It has been a busy and successful week for our Athletics Squad, with students representing the College at both the BPSSA Carnival at Riverview last Friday and the IPSHA Invitational Carnival on Saturday.
The students performed exceptionally well across both events, collecting numerous ribbons on the track and in the field. One of the highlights was our Senior Relay Team, who successfully defended their title with back-to-back victories. This result places them in a strong position heading into the official IPSHA Championships relay event.
On Wednesday 26 August, selected students competed at the IPSHA Athletics Championships at SOPAC after qualifying through earlier carnivals. We congratulate all athletes on their efforts and the outstanding manner in which they represented the College.
Details of results, including those who have qualified for the CIS Championships on 4 September, will be shared with families next week.
Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sport Coordinator
NSWPSSA Rugby Championships
Last weekend, three students represented St Pius X and CIS at the NSWPSSA Rugby Championships at Mudgee. Congratulations to Nate, Noah and Lachie for their performances over the weekend, which resulted in CIS winning the championship in a thrilling come-from-behind final. They are outstanding ambassadors for the College and our Rugby program, and should be proud of their dedication and effort to St Pius X and rugby.
Mr Callum Montgomerie - Junior School Rugby Convenor
Saturday 29 August, 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Chatswood RSL - Yogi's Sports Bar
Full details and tickets can be found here - https://events.humanitix.com/2026-st-pius-x-football-end-of-season-event
Dress Code: Casual
Note: This is an adults-only event for parents, carers and SPX staff.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Mr Matt Zanello - SPX Football Supporters' Club President
Rugby Golf Day
