Junior School News
From the Head of the Junior School
WOODCHAT
For busy families who just want the facts!
Spray jacket and/or raincoat to school every day
Monday 10 March | Summer sport photo day
Wednesday 12 March | NAPLAN Writing assessment
Friday 14 March | NAPLAN Reading assessment
Tuesday 18 March | NAPLAN Conventions of Language assessment
Wednesday 19 March | NAPLAN Numeracy assessment
Friday 21 March | NAPLAN Catch-up assessment
Woodchatta contents:
Camp update
Settling into Junior School life
Inappropriate behaviour vs Bullying - Understanding the difference
Team Spirit
Altar Service
Creative Quills update
SATURDAY SPORT PHOTOS (OXFORD FALLS)
WOODCHATTA
CAMP
As this edition of Woodchatta is published, our Year 6 students will be heading to the Atomic Café for dinner before gearing up for an exciting evening of hands-on discovery at Questacon - always a standout experience on our Canberra tour.
Meanwhile, Year 5 students will have just wrapped up an adventurous afternoon of archery, canoeing, orienteering, or rock climbing (depending on their activity group). With dinner and evening activities on the horizon, the excitement continues at Point Wolstoncroft.
SETTLING INTO JUNIOR SCHOOL LIFE
As the term progresses, it has been wonderful to see students settling into the rhythm of Junior School life. New friendships have formed, routines are now familiar, and students are embracing all the opportunities the college has to offer. The initial busyness of a new school year is easing, and it’s great to see students feeling confident and engaged in their learning and daily activities.
INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR VS BULLYING - UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE
At St Pius X, we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all students. A key part of this is addressing concerns appropriately, including instances of student conflict or misbehaviour.
In recent years, the term bullying has been used more frequently to describe a wide range of interactions between students. While it’s important to acknowledge when a child is upset by another’s actions, it’s equally important to distinguish between bullying and age-appropriate, yet sometimes inappropriate, behaviour.
Bullying is deliberate, repeated, and targeted behaviour intended to harm, intimidate, or exclude another person. It involves a power imbalance and a pattern of mistreatment over time. In contrast, many of the issues that arise in primary school - such as disagreements, unkind words, rough play, or one-off incidents - are more accurately described as inappropriate behaviour, conflicts, or misunderstandings rather than bullying.
Young children are still developing their social and emotional skills, including how to manage their emotions, resolve conflicts, and interact respectfully with others. Sometimes they make poor choices, speak impulsively, or struggle to regulate their actions. These moments provide valuable learning opportunities, and our teachers and pastoral staff work closely with students to guide them in developing empathy, kindness, and positive peer relationships.
We understand that it can be distressing if your son comes home upset about something that happened at school. However, it’s important for parents to remember that children see situations from their own perspective and may not always have the full picture. Teachers, who work with students every day and observe their interactions in different contexts, are best placed to assess and address concerns. We ask parents to trust the professional judgment of our staff and to communicate any worries with an open mind.
If I have concerns, how do I let the College know?
If you have concerns about your son’s interactions with their peers, we encourage you to speak with their classroom teacher in the first instance. If the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction, the next step is to speak with the Leader of Learning – Mr Montgomerie for Year 5 or Mr Nouragas for Year 6. Should further support be needed, you are welcome to make an appointment to meet with me to discuss the issue in more detail. By working together, we can support students in developing positive relationships and ensuring they feel safe, valued, and heard.
My son has mentioned some incidents, but doesn’t want me to say anything
We encourage all parents to report - or support their sons to report - any inappropriate behaviour as soon as it occurs. Our staff are highly experienced in managing these situations discreetly and effectively, ensuring that students who speak up are not targeted or labelled as ‘snitches.’ Addressing small issues early prevents them from escalating into bigger problems, creating a safer and more positive environment for everyone. If your son experiences or witnesses concerning behaviour, please remind them to speak with their teacher or a trusted staff member so that we can take appropriate action promptly.
TRUE TEAM SPIRIT: SUPPORTING FROM THE SIDELINES
Shoutout to basketballer Louis Khamis for his outstanding team spirit last Saturday. Despite being sidelined due to recent knee surgery, Louis still made the effort to get up early and be there to cheer on his teammates. His commitment to the team and to St Pius X is truly commendable. Well done, Louis - your support and dedication is appreciated!
ALTAR SERVICE
Congratulations to Xander Playle (5 Gold) on his commissioning as an altar server at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church last weekend. Xander was honoured with a special St Stephen medal and will be assisting at masses throughout the year at OLGC.
CREATIVE QUILLS WRITING SKILLS WORKSHOP
On Tuesday, 28 enthusiastic students joined me for the first session of our Creative Quills Writing Skills workshops. We began by discussing the program's goals and exploring the first of two competitions we will be entering. Next, we focused on a key writing technique: crafting vivid descriptions using the five senses. Students were challenged to describe a place special to them, incorporating at least three senses—and the results were nothing short of extraordinary!
The deafening waves crashed against the golden-brown sand while the eucalyptus leaves masked the salty smell of the ocean with a sweet scent. The sand beneath his feet felt rich and grainy. Jim smiled to himself. This was his happy place.
by Cian Sullivan (6 Red)
The stars seemed to fall along the shoreline with the moon behind merely a vague figure amongst the array of buildings blanketing the white circle with light.
by Josh Wroblewski (5 Green)
I can feel the calm vibe of Saint Tropez as if I am a man with a cuppa’ tea on a Sunday morning with a lovely book.
by Hugo Farmer (5 Red)
OPEN DAY VOLUNTEERS AND CAKE STALL
Open Day at the college is fast approaching. We are seeking volunteer tour guides to assist visitors to the college. There are various times throughout the day to choose from, and students can volunteer at either our Chatswood or Oxford Falls campuses. Any help is greatly appreciated. Please click on the link below to submit your son's availability.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of Junior School
Summer sport photos
On Monday 10 March, the College will be taking summer sport photos. The sports involved are swimming, squash (summer), NSTA tennis (summer), touch football, cross country (Junior School), softball, basketball and cricket (ISA and MWJCA). All students must wear their full summer school uniform to school and get changed before their photo.
Uniforms required:
Squash – squash uniform
Swimming – summer school uniform
Softball – softball uniform
Cross Country (Junior) – cross country singlet, PE shorts and runners
Touch Football – touch uniform
NSTA Tennis - tennis uniform
Basketball – basketball uniform
Cricket – cricket whites and sports shoes
1st and 2nd XI Cricket – cricket cap and college blazer over their whites
Please see the schedule of photos attached. The schedule will also be posted to the students through CANVAS.
Junior School Sport
Fixtures
Thursday Sport
Sport Choice 2025:
Winter Sport is Open and will close Friday 7 March, 9:00 am. The sports include Football, AFL, Rugby.
If you need assistance with Clipboard please reach out to myself,
jbourke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or Merryn Dodd mdodd@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Commitment to Summer Sport Participation
Over the first three weeks of fixtures, we have experienced a significant number of player absences. While some absences have been communicated, the majority have not, leaving teams short on players, sometimes even below the required number to take the field.
Each team has been allocated sufficient numbers to remain competitive and ensure all players get valuable game time. However, when multiple players are absent, it severely impacts the team’s ability to compete effectively and enjoy the game.
If your son has committed to a summer sport or is also planning to participate in a winter sport, please understand that this is a full-season commitment. We acknowledge that occasional absences may arise, but if you have upcoming family holidays or external sporting commitments that may clash with school sport, we ask that you advise in advance. This will allow us to discuss potential conflicts and assess their impact on the team.
If your son is unable to attend training or a fixture, please use the information below to log the absence. Your cooperation ensures that all teams have the best opportunity to perform and enjoy the season.
Thank you for your support.
Logging an Absence for Cocurricular and weekend activities
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 Swimming
This week, several Junior School swimmers competed at the IPSHA Carnival at SOPAC, putting in a fantastic effort against some highly competitive swimming schools. Their determination and skill were on full display, and we are incredibly proud of their performances.
A special congratulations to Harry Kerr (butterfly) and Andrew He (breaststroke), who both won their heats, as well as Harrison Ng, who placed second in butterfly and fourth in his freestyle heat. Well done to all the students for their outstanding performances and the hard work they have put into training!
Swimming Squad Training – Term 1, 2025:
Swim squads are still on next week and it would be great to see as many students there for these final sessions.
Training details:
Week 7
| Tuesday | 11/3 |
| Thursday | 13/3 |
Junior School Cross Country
In preparation for the IPSHA Carnival on the 2nd of April, all students that have qualified are encouraged to be at training each week. Details below:
When: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings
Where: Beauchamp Park, Chatswood
Time: 7:15 am – 8:15 am
Who: All Senior and Junior School students are welcome
Note: Meet at the Beauchamp Oval Grandstand in comfortable running gear and with a water bottle. Bring your school uniform to change into afterwards back at The College.
You don’t have to aspire to run in the IPSHA Carnival - all students and abilities are welcome.
If you son plans to join the sessions, please send me an email.
Sydney Grammar Cup – Expression of Interest
Thank you to all families that have expressed interest. Based on the number we will be running the trial at Oxford Falls next Thursday. A reminder that there will be only one team of 10 players, so selection will be based on skill, game awareness, teamwork, and attitude.
Trial Details:
Thursday, 13 March
Oxford Falls (during sport)
Players must bring football boots and shin pads
If selected, there will be a player fee of $50.00 per player to cover tournament entry costs
Coaches: Mr Buda & Mr Bourke
While we would love to include all players, this is a high-level tournament with limited places. We encourage all interested students to sign up via the link below:
https://forms.office.com/GrammarFootballCup
Holiday Rugby Clinic
The holiday rugby clinic is an opportunity to prepare players to ensure a safe and confident commencement or return to rugby.
Football
Basketball
Touch Football
Softball
Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sport Coordinator
NSTA Tennis
It is great to see the lower divisions really enjoying themselves out on the courts. Although it is only Week 3, improvements in all players can be seen. Kai Stephen and Sam Lam, SPX 31, and two of our newer Junior School players, played a great doubles match, winning 6-4 to Year 8 students. Andrew He, the third member of SPX 31, then went on to win his singles 6-2. Aren Mamigonian and James Hanna, SPX 7 both played very well in their singles matches, both taking out the win against SPX 8. Xavier Korkor and Samuel Nunes, SPX 25 both Junior School players had very close singles games against Year 8 students from Reddam both losing by only one game each. Hugo Hasanoglu and Ethan Roman were also up against Reddam East in their doubles and came out with the win 6-3.
Nick Kwan and Andrew Buskens, SPX 9 continued to show their strength and won all 3 sets with a very close doubles win, 6-5. The match of the day was SPX 7 v SPX 6 with both teams winning 12 games a piece. SPX 6, Noah Safarian and Patrick Hu just got the overall win taking out 2 sets. Ben Crichton, SPX 10 was also on a roll, taking out his singles 6-2 to Reddam East. Lachlan Chan and Linas Magyla, SPX 5 fought a tough battle in the tie-break in their doubles match, securing the win 6-5.
NSTA TRAINING TEAMS
The cloud cover had passed, and these students had some very hot weather for their games. This did not stop them from giving their all; each student came off the court with a smile. It was great to see them encouraging each other and supporting each team member during their games. Coby and Archer (Team 7) continued their winning streak, taking all 3 sets. Yannick in Team 6 showed his strength in the singles winning all 6 games. Team 1, has only lost one game so far and last weekend was no exception, where they secured all 3 sets.
Allocation of points: One point will be awarded for each set won, half a point for each set unplayed or unfinished and 2 points for the winning team.
Mrs Samantha Iwatani - NSTA Covenor