Junior School News
From the Head of the Junior School
WOODCHAT – for busy families who just want the facts, fast!
REMINDERS
- Please label all clothing (especially blazers and tracksuit tops)
Please purchase a (preferably navy) raincoat for your son to wear to and from school and to and from the WLC. Examples below:
Kmart https://www.kmart.com.au/product/spray-jacket-s167332/
Target https://www.target.com.au/p/school-microfibre-spray-jacket/67936120
DATES FOR THE DIARY
WOODCHATTA
Fizzics Education Incursion
Our Year 6 students had a fantastic time on Monday during a hands-on Science incursion led by the team from Fizzics Education. The interactive workshop explored the fascinating world of electrical circuits, guiding students through the differences between series and parallel circuits, the role of resistors and diodes, and how to power buzzers, sirens, motors, and more.
Starting with the basics of open and closed circuits, the session gradually introduced more complex concepts, giving students the opportunity to explore and build up to 180 different circuit combinations. With safe, battery-powered components and an open-ended format, students were free to experiment, problem-solve, and deepen their understanding of how electricity works, all while having a lot of fun!
YEAR 5 READING
Students in Year 5 are currently reading The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. Everyone was very excited on Monday when we arrived at school to find that Roz has taken up residence in the Junior School garden!
TOUCHSTONE AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to these students who were awarded a Touchstone award this week:
MATHS OLYMPIAD OUTSTANDING RESULTS!
Congratulations to these Maths Megaminds who were able to solve 5 out of the 5 very complex Maths questions in the Maths Olympiad this week:
PUPIL FREE DAY
Please note that Friday 6 June will be a pupil free day while staff participate in a Formation event.
Thank you for your continued support of the Junior School.
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of Junior School
Fixtures
Junior School Sport
Despite some wet and chilly conditions over the weekend, it was great to see our students out on the fields representing St Pius X in Football, Rugby, and AFL. A big thank you to the families who braved the early starts and continued to support our cocurricular program, it makes a real difference. With those brisk mornings in mind, don’t forget that SPX supporter's gear is available via the Canteen at Oxford Falls. Whether it’s a beanie, scarf, jacket or puffer, it’s a great way to stay warm and proudly show your colours.
Thank you also to all who supported last weekend’s Rugby Supporter's Day, your presence was truly appreciated. Details about the upcoming Rugby Gala Dinner are included below.
There will also further information shared next week regarding the Dance program commencing in Week 6 and our Junior School Athletics Carnival, we will again be looking for parent helpers on the day.
Finally, a big thank you to the families who have returned summer sports singlets. Invoices have now been processed and added to school fees. If you still have a Basketball or Touch Football singlet at home, it’s not too late to return it, we’d love to get them back.
Term 2 Weekly Sport Calendar
Winter Results
SPX Junior Football – Round 3 Wrap
With all teams playing away over the weekend, it was a tough round of results across the board. Despite this, the students showed real signs of growth, particularly in the areas of shape and structure, our key training focus last week. Coaches were pleased to see the boys holding their positions more confidently and working together to build from the back.
This week, our focus shifts to movement off the ball, encouraging players to stay active after making a pass and work hard to get the ball back in play. It’s all about supporting teammates and creating space.
Mr James Bourke - Junior School Football Convenor
SPX Junior AFL – Round 1 Wrap-Up
A dominant team performance in Round 2 saw the team notch up a big win over the weekend, scoring 10+ goals in an impressive display. Every player lifted from the last match and contributed across the field. The boys made smart use of hand balling in the wet conditions, showing great composure and teamwork. Standout players: Alex B, Samuel N, and Jono.
Mr Stuart Mackinlay - Junior School AFL Coach
SPX Junior Rugby First Round Report
Round 2 of the Junior Rugby season saw the Prep 1st XV kick off Supporter's Round, taking on Newington Wyvern. The game was tightly contested and was dictated by the breakdown. Although the result didn't go our way, it was pleasing to see continued improvement from all members of the squad, with standout performances coming from Ronan, who carried hard all game and supported the play throughout the game, and Darcy, who was a menace at the breakdown, securing multiple turnovers.
The Year 5 rugby squad all tried their hand at 7's over the weekend, with some great results seeing the squad go undefeated. Standout performances were (Blake W, Ted B, Xander M).
To top off the weekend, all Junior Rugby students were given the privilege to run out with the 1st XV, continuing to strengthen our rugby connection with the Senior School. Thank you to all students (and parents) who attended and participated in this terrific opportunity; your continued support of SPX rugby is greatly appreciated.
Upcoming rugby events:
🎉 SPX Rugby Club – Rugby Gala Dinner
📅 Saturday, 14 June
📍 Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf
🕡 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm
This special evening brings together the entire SPX rugby community - from Year 5 to Year 12 - to celebrate, connect, and support our players. It’s a highlight on the rugby calendar and not to be missed.
🎟️ TICKET SALES NOW OPEN 👉 BUY TICKETS HERE
To keep in touch with our rugby community, we invite you to 👉 Join the 2025 Rugby WhatsApp Group
Mr Callum Montgomerie - Junior School Rugby Convenor
Rugby and Football training tops
We are pleased to announce that the SPX Rugby and Football Supporter's Clubs have purchased a training top for each student enrolled in their respective sport.
Following are the guidelines for when and where students can wear these tops.
Rugby and Football training tops guidelines 2025
Training tops should be worn:
during SPX Cocurricular training sessions on Thursdays at Oxford Falls and any additional training sessions
to and from SPX Cocurricular fixtures (acceptable as a mode of dress when attending Saturday fixtures)
as a match day warm up top and for reserve bench duties
Please note:
Training tops must not be worn to and from school OR during regular school days for PDHPE
They are for training sessions and match days only
Table Tennis
Bronze Medal Success for Morrie Hao in Table Tennis
Congratulations to Year 6 student Morrie Hao, who competed in a full day of high-level table tennis competition last Sunday, training and playing from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Morrie’s commitment and hard work paid off as he earned a Bronze medal in a large field of 41 players across all age groups, an outstanding achievement that reflects his dedication and perseverance.
We commend Morrie for his effort and look forward to hearing about his future successes.
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.
Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sport Coordinator
From the Junior Resource Centre
World Book Online
This week Year 5 and 6 explored using World Book Online. World Book Student puts the world at your fingertips. Search our digital library to learn about everything from history and geography to pop culture. What will you learn with World Book? Get ready for an adventure that's 'Out Of This World!' Start exploring today!
Literature Promotion in the JRC
Year 5 students read and discussed the picture book Midnight by Mark Greenwood, illustrated by Frane Lessac, the true tale of a World War I cavalry soldier and his heroic horse, Midnight.
PRC – ID = 5873
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail:
Melissa-Jane Fogarty's TUBOWGULE reveals the indigenous history
beneath the Sydney Opera House. (Image: Supplied)
TUBOWGULE, the first book in an Indigenous history series about Australia’s most iconic landmarks from Melissa-Jane Fogarty, illustrated by Dylan Finney.
Mununjali woman, Melissa-Jane Fogarty's new book, TUBOWGULE: A Sydney Opera House History, offers a rich and inclusive exploration of the land beneath one of Australia's most famous landmarks.
Illustrated by Dylan Finney, the book blends engaging storytelling with historical insights, using sidebars and additional information on each page to deepen the reader's understanding.
The book traces the history of Tubowgule (tube-uh-gahlee), a Darug word meaning 'where the knowledge waters meet'.
A striking moment in the book is a recreation of when actor and Bennelong descendant Ben Blakeney stood atop the Sydney Opera House and said the following;
'I am Bennelong, and my spirit, and the spirit of my people lives. And their dance, their music, and their drama and their laughter also remains.'
I am looking forward to unpacking this book next week with Year 5 and 6.
Ben Blakeney addresses the crowd atop the Sydney Opera House, 1988 (Image: Getty)
.#mrsmartinsbooktrail2025
Mrs Elena Martin - Junior Chess Convenor
Junior School Chess
Thank you to all the students who attended Chess training on Tuesday 13 May in the JRC.
A reminder that the NSW Junior Chess Competition continues this Friday 16 May.
Home games will be held in the SPX Junior School Waterford Learning Centre (WLC):
Cnr Wattle Ln and Anderson Street, CHATSWOOD
All teams will be playing at HOME this week - in the WLC.
Division LN1 - Team A BYE
Division LN2 – Team B v’s C
Division LN2 – Team C v’s B
Thank you to Miss Boyle for supervising the competition on Friday.
All fixtures are now on Clipboard.
Mrs Elena Martin - Junior Chess Convenor