Junior School News
From the Head of Junior School
WOODCHAT
Whole College Mass
On a very warm Wednesday, the whole college came together to celebrate the start of our new school year with our Commencement Mass at Oxford Falls. Thank you, mums and dads for remembering to send in recess! At the conclusion of Mass, Mr Ronchetti paid tribute to our Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity, Mr Petrie who has had an enormous impact on the liturgical life of the Junior School. Mr Petrie is heading to the Parramatta Diocese to continue his wonderful work, and staff and students of the Junior School wish him every blessing in his new adventure.
Junior School Swimming Carnival
As Woodchatta hits your inboxes this afternoon, we will most likely still be churning through the laps at Macquarie Aquatic Centre! Look out for Mr Bourke’s full report in next week’s Woodchatta.
P&F Cocktail Party
I look forward to meeting or reconnecting with those of you who will be joining us at the SPX P&F Cocktail party tomorrow night.
Saturday Sport starts
Please refer to Mr Bourke’s Junior School Sport section below for all you need to know about Saturday Sport which begins this Saturday. If you’re not sure where to be and what time to be there – please start by asking your son (he may know!), check the Clipboard App and if you are still in the dark then please email Mr Bourke on jbourke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au .
Celebrating Our 2026 Student Leaders
This week our Junior School community celebrated an important moment in our leadership calendar. Following a thoughtful nomination and voting process, our four House Captains were announced on Tuesday and presented to the Junior School and Mr Ronchetti.
Congratulations to Jack C (Treacy), James R (Purton), Tom S (Rice) and Tommy K (Barron) on their election to these significant leadership roles. Each of these students has already shown enthusiasm, responsibility and a strong commitment to contributing positively to our school.
Their leadership journey now continues through our strengthened Junior School Leadership Program, which I will be leading throughout the year. This fortnightly, lunchtime program is designed to help students develop confidence, communication skills and a deeper understanding of what it means to lead with integrity and purpose. House Captains will be joined by the Year 5 and Year 6 Class Captains, who will be elected later this week.
I look forward to working with these young leaders and supporting them as they grow, collaborate and make a meaningful impact across our school community.
NEW BEGINNINGS AND NEW FRIENDSHIPS IN 5 BLUE by Mrs Anderson
5 Blue students have made a wonderful start to their time at St Pius X Chatswood, settling in with enthusiasm and a growing sense of belonging. They are getting to know one another with genuine interest and forming new friendships, that are already adding to the spirit of their cohort. Their participation in Peer Support with the Year 11 Leaders is helping them to feel welcomed and supported as they navigate their new environment. They are embracing their chosen Summer Sport at Oxford Falls, showing great energy, teamwork and enthusiasm. As they learn the new routines and expectations of the College, they are demonstrating maturity, curiosity, and a willingness to give everything their best effort. Overall, their transition has been marked by positivity, connection, and a readiness to thrive in their new school community.
ENRICHMENT MATHEMATICS CLASSES
The Junior School is extremely proud of the achievements of its Enrichment Mathematics students in 2025 and is pleased to invite students who have demonstrated a strong aptitude for Mathematics to join the program in 2026, beginning in Week 4.
Mr Makhoul (Year 5) and Ms Shaba (Year 6) will deliver a program designed to extend and challenge high-achieving students, providing them with opportunities to explore complex mathematical concepts, develop advanced problem-solving skills, and engage in deeper mathematical reasoning. The enrichment classes will foster a stimulating learning environment where students can collaborate, think critically, and apply their mathematical understanding to real-world contexts.
Students in the Enrichment Mathematics classes have been selected based on an analysis of AAS (Year 5) and Essential Assessment (Year 5 and Year 6) results and will move to Mr Makhoul and Ms Shaba’s classrooms for Mathematics lessons. Students in 6 Blue and 5 Red who are not participating in the Enrichment classes will be allocated to an alternate Mathematics classroom. You will be advised of these changes. Students in the other Mathematics classes will be mixed ability (ie not ‘streamed’) and will continue to receive instruction and content that is differentiated to meet the diverse learning needs of the students in those classes.
Please contact your son’s classroom teacher if you have any questions.
YEAR 5 CAMP
With Year 5 Camp to Point Wolstoncroft now just three weeks away, excitement is already building!
Set on the shores of Lake Macquarie and surrounded by beautiful bushland, Point Wolstoncroft provides the perfect backdrop for a week of adventure, challenge and growth. For many of the boys, this will be their first extended time away from home, a significant milestone and one they are more than ready for.
The program is packed with engaging outdoor activities designed to build confidence, resilience and teamwork. The boys will tackle the rock-climbing wall, pushing themselves to reach new heights (literally!) while enjoying the encouragement of their mates below. They will spend time on the lake, explore the natural surroundings, and embrace the simple joys of outdoor living including the always-popular damper cooking experience. There is something very special about gathering together, cooking over an open fire and enjoying the results.
Beyond the activities themselves, camp is where we see remarkable growth. Friendships deepen, new connections are formed, and the boys learn more about themselves. They organise their own gear, manage their time, support one another and discover a growing sense of independence. It is wonderful to watch them step up, look out for their mates and take pride in their achievements.
Parents can feel very confident about the experience. Point Wolstoncroft is a well-established, professionally run camp with experienced staff who prioritise safety and care at every step. Our teachers are, of course, there throughout the camp, ensuring the boys are supported, encouraged and very well looked after.
A gentle word to our wonderful mums (and dads): sometimes the lead-up to camp can feel bigger for parents than for the boys! It is completely natural to feel a little anxious about that first time away. However, our boys take their cues from us. When they sense calm confidence and excitement from home, they head off feeling ready and capable.
If past years are anything to go by, homesickness is rare and short-lived, there is simply too much fun to be had. The boys return tired, happy, a little dusty, and full of stories. Most importantly, they return just that little bit more independent and self-assured.
We look forward to seeing our Year 5 students embrace every moment of this special experience at Point Wolstoncroft. The countdown is on!
Thank you for your support of the Junior School.
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of Junior School
Junior School Sport News
Fixtures
Thursday Sport Term 1
Term 1 Summer Season Dates
- Round 1: 14 February
- Round 2: 21 February
- Round 3: 28 February
- Round 4: 7 March
- Round 5: 14 March
- Round 6: 21 March
Summer Sports
Team Movement
To ensure all teams are balanced and have enough players each week, there may be some movement of students across Basketball and Touch Football teams over the next few rounds. These adjustments help us manage injuries, absences, and team numbers. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we work to provide the best experience for all players.
Uniform Expectations
Students must wear their SPX sport uniform and/or playing uniform to and from Saturday fixtures. This helps us represent the College with pride and ensures students are properly equipped for their games.
The following items are not permitted at Saturday sport:
- Crocs
- Casual clothes
Hoodies
Students must also wear enclosed shoes.
Arrival Time
Players are required to arrive 20 minutes before their scheduled game. This allows time for a proper warm‑up and helps families secure parking at away venues, where parking may be limited.
Information for Families New to SPX Sport
Communication & Fixtures
– All weekly fixtures, venues, and any late changes are published in the Clipboard app. Woodchatta will also contain a fixtures card each week as a point of reference.
– Please ensure notifications are enabled so you do not miss updates.
– Fixtures appear as UNCONFIRMED early in the week and will be updated to CONFIRMED once opposition schools finalise details. This can be as late as Thursday.
Absences
If your son is unable to attend a Saturday fixture due to illness or injury, please log the absence through Clipboard and email Mr Bourke as a courtesy by Thursday where possible.
Equipment & Preparation
– Students should bring a labelled drink bottle, hat (where relevant), and their playing gear.
– Please ensure all items are named, our lost property grows quickly during sport season. – A healthy breakfast on Saturday mornings makes a noticeable difference to performance and wellbeing.
Sportsmanship & Expectations
SPX places strong emphasis on respectful behaviour, effort, and teamwork. We encourage families to support positively from the sidelines and model good sportsmanship at all venues
Winter Sport Registration
In Week 4, Clipboard will open the Winter Sport Activity Selection portal for all families. This portal will remain open until Week 7, after which registrations will close in preparation for our Winter Sport Grading in Week 9.
Summer Sports Uniform
Basketball
Students are issued an SPX basketball singlet to use for the season.
Basketball shorts can be purchased from the College Shop.
Touch Football
Students are provided with a Touch Football singlet for the season.
Players wear their PE shorts with the singlet.
Softball
Mrs Williams provides the playing shirt to students.
Students wear their PE shorts.
SPX long socks can be purchased from the College Shop.
Tennis
Students are required to purchase the official SPX Tennis playing shirt from the College Shop.
Students wear their PE shorts.
Accessing Fixture Information via Clipboard
To stay up to date with training schedules and game fixtures, please ensure you regularly check the Clipboard app. 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.
You 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.
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. Holidays are not a reason to be missing games.
For normal school day absences, please continue to follow the standard school process via Sentral.
SPX App
If you haven’t already, please download and familiarise yourself with the SPX App.
Chess – Junior School Update
We are excited to begin preparations for the upcoming Junior School Chess season. Chess continues to be one of our most popular cocurricular activities, offering students a fantastic opportunity to build strategic thinking, concentration, and problem‑solving skills in a supportive and enjoyable environment.
Further information regarding Chess - including training schedules, trial dates (if required), and competition details - will be shared with families shortly. Clipboard registrations will open soon, and families will receive a notification once the activity is live.
Please stay tuned for more updates as we finalise arrangements for the 2026 season.
Swimming Squad Training – Term 1, 2026:
This week our Swimming Squad Training kicked off as we prepare for both our upcoming Junior School Swimming Carnival and IPSHA selections.
Why join Swimming Squad?
The squad is designed for students who enjoy swimming and want to build confidence, improve technique, increase fitness, and prepare for competitive opportunities.
Squad training also supports students aiming to qualify for the IPSHA Swimming Carnival later this term.
Who should attend?
Any keen swimmer in the Junior School is welcome. Students who wish to trial for IPSHA selection are strongly encouraged to attend regularly.
After the Junior School Swimming Carnival, selected students will receive invitations to continue preparing for the IPSHA event.
Training Details
Start Time: Training begins tomorrow at 7:00 am
Days: Every Tuesday and Thursday morning
Location: Fitness First, Chatswood
Supervision: Students meet Ms Proc (Senior Swimming Coordinator) or Mr Bourke (Junior School Sport Coordinator).
Equipment:
Suitable swimwear
Goggles
Swim cap (required – no cap, no swim)
Uniform: Students attend in PE / Pius Sports Uniform, and at 8:00 am are walked back to school by staff, where they change into school uniform. A snack or breakfast afterwards is recommended.
Training Dates – Term 1
Week 3
Tue 10/2
Thu 12/2 (not recommended for junior students to attend)
Week 4
Tue 17/2
Thu 19/2
Week 5
Tue 24/2
Thu 26/2
For anyone that would like to join the squad. Please email Mr Bourke.
Cross Country Update – Week 4
Weather permitting, we will run our Junior School Cross Country at Oxford Falls next Thursday (Week 4). This event forms an important part of our selection process for the IPSHA Championships in April.
From this race, a group of students will be invited to join the Junior School Cross Country Training Squad in the lead‑up to the IPSHA Cross Country Carnival. Please see the training information below for full details.
Cross Country Training
Cross Country training will commence in Week 4 and will run every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We are pleased to welcome back our coaches Chris Zilifian and Ethan Li, who are keen to work with our students this season.
This year, we plan to participate in two 5k fun runs - Run2Cure and the Sydney10 - giving students the opportunity to support worthwhile causes while preparing for the upcoming ISA competition (for those selected).
Training Details
Where: Beauchamp Oval (meet at the grandstand)
When: 7:10 am – 8:10 am
Who: Open to all students in Years 5–12
What to wear: PE uniform or SPX athletics singlet, with appropriate running shoes
After training: Students are to return to school to change into their regular school uniform
What to bring: Water bottle
Run2Cure 5k Fun Run
The Run2Cure Fun Run, in support of neuroblastoma cancer research, will take place on Sunday, 29 March 2026.
An early bird discount of 25% on registration fees is currently available and closes on 13 February. We encourage families to take advantage of this offer.
Please note that registrations completed by 10 March will also receive free bib postage.
Join our SPX Runners team upon registration:
https://sydney.run2cure.org.au/signup?parentId=spx-runners
Pricing details can be found here:
https://sydney.run2cure.org.au/event-info#sydneyeventpricing
Further information will be shared closer to the event. Please notify me via email once you have registered.
We look forward to seeing you all and kicking off a great season together!
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 of 2025. A reminder that there is only a handful of students yet to return their respective tops and it is important these are returned by Friday 13 February.
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 2026.
It is also a timely reminder for all students who have been involved in any of the activities below return their SPX loan uniform. These include:
- Touch Football singlets
- Athletics singlets
- Cross Country singlets
- AFL jerseys and shorts
- Basketball singlets
- Basketball shorts
Junior School Tours
Last week we held trials for our Football and Rugby Tours taking place in April this year. Further details and team selections will be shared with families and students directly involved in this process. Please note that ongoing conversations around selections are continuing, and we are doing our best to make the trip as cost‑effective as possible for all involved. Please stay tuned for a further update shortly.
Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sport Coordinator
NSTA Tennis
Round 1 Recap
What a wonderful start to the season! Despite the warm weather, it was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm on court. A sincere thank you to all parents for ensuring students arrived on time and ready to play!
Rounds 2-3 have been uploaded to Clipboard. Please make sure to check this regularly for updates on match times and locations.
Green Ball
It has been wonderful to see such strong numbers in our Green Ball competition this term. With so many players involved, the courts have been buzzing with energy, encouragement, and tennis skills being strengthened. Well done to all our Green Ball players! I am excited to see your confidence continue to grow each week!
Teams
As I have been finalising teams this week, a few minor adjustments have been made. These changes should be reflected on Clipboard. Thank you for your understanding and patience as I wor to ensure balanced and enjoyable teams for all players.
Arrival Time & Warm-Up
To support prompt starts and allow for a proper warm-up, we kindly ask all players to arrive 15–30 minutes before their scheduled match. This time is important for helping students prepare for their games.
Submitting Scores
A friendly reminder to all students: please report your scores to me immediately after each match. This allows me to enter results into Xpoint accurately, with signatures from both teams.
Order of Play
Teams of 2: Each player will play one doubles and one singles match.
Teams of 3: Players will rotate each week to ensure equal game time. Each round will include one doubles and two singles matches, with a rotation system in place to balance participation. See below for the rotation structure:
Wishing all players the very best for Round 2. I’m looking forward to another great day of tennis!
Mr Christopher Nouragas - NSTA Tennis Convenor