St Pius X College Newsletter

Junior School News 

From the Head of the Junior School

WOODCHAT | For busy families who just want the facts, fast!

  • Monday 7 April – Junior School students finishing at normal time (Senior students finishing at 2:30 pm)
  • Tuesday 8 April – Blessing of the new Junior School by Bishop Anthony – students to wear full summer uniform / Class captains to wear full winter uniform (long grey pants and blazer).

WOODCHATTA

 

MONDAY 7 APRIL

Senior students will be leaving at 2:30 pm on Monday to allow time to set up the main campus for Mass on Tuesday.  Junior School students will finish at the normal time.

 

BISHOP TO OFFICIALLY OPEN WATERFORD LEARNING CENTRE

The Junior School has been eagerly preparing for a special occasion as we welcome Bishop Anthony to officially open and bless the new Waterford Learning Centre on Tuesday. This exciting event will mark the beginning of a new chapter in our school’s journey, celebrating a space designed to inspire collaboration, innovation, and learning.

 

CREATIVE QUILLS

This week, our writing sessions were buzzing with creativity as approximately 30 students dedicated their lunchtime to starting or refining their pieces for upcoming writing competitions. It was fantastic to see so many young writers eager to develop their craft!

Our skill focus for the week was 'How to Write a Strong Beginning – Hooking Your Reader in the First Few Lines.' Students explored different techniques to captivate their audience right from the start. Each week, a new writing skill is introduced, giving students the opportunity to strengthen their work and apply fresh techniques to their writing.

 

ARMIDALE RUGBY TOUR

Next weekend, some of our talented young rugby players will be heading to Armidale to compete in the annual TAS competition. We wish them a safe and successful trip and know they will represent our school with great determination and sportsmanship.

Thank you to Mr Bourke and Mr Montgomerie for generously dedicating their time during the holiday break to provide our students with this fantastic opportunity. We look forward to cheering on our team from the sidelines. 

 

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School

Mrs Jill Greenwood -  Head of Junior School 

Junior School Sport

Term 1 Weekly Sport

Looking Ahead

 

People to contact during the winter season

Term 2 Weekly Sport Calendar

IPSHA Winter Season – Commitment & Attendance

The IPSHA Winter Sport season begins next term, and students are committing to a full season of competition. To ensure each game is competitive and that all teams are well-supported, we kindly ask families to avoid booking holidays on the following game dates:

 

Season Dates:

  • Round 1: 3 May

  • Round 2: 10 May

  • Round 3: 17 May

  • Round 4: 24 May

  • Round 5: 31 May

  • Round 6: 14 June

  • Round 7: 21 June

  • Round 8: 26 July

  • Round 9: 2 August

  • Round 10: 9 August

Once teams are finalised fixtures will appear on Clipboard in a draft format. Game times and venues will be confirmed by the Thursday prior to the Saturday fixture. 

 

If a student is unable to attend a game due to injury or illness, this must be logged in Clipboard, and an email sent to Mr Bourke jbourke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au. For any other absences, families must submit a request as early as possible to ensure we have sufficient numbers each week. This will help us avoid the player shortages experienced during the summer season and ensure a competitive and enjoyable experience for all teams.

 

Winter Sports Uniform Requirements:

To ensure students are ready for the season, families are encouraged to arrange the purchase of the required Winter Sports Uniform from the College Uniform Shop:

  • Football – SPX jersey, SPX shorts, football socks

  • Rugby – SPX jersey, SPX shorts, rugby socks

  • AFL – The College provides a loaned uniform (singlet and shorts), but students will need to purchase football socks

Additional Requirements:

  • Mouthguards are compulsory for both Rugby and AFL. Headgear is encouraged. 

  • Shin Pads are required for Football. 

  • Players should also check that they have appropriate footwear (football boots).

Sydney Swans Visit – Monday, 31 March

It was unfortunate that we had to postpone the Swans visit due to the weather. We will look to find alternative dates for next term. Watch this space…

 

Cross Country

This week, our Cross Squad competed in the highly anticipated IPSHA Cross Country at The King’s School in Western Sydney. Despite the wet conditions in the lead-up to the event, our runners arrived ready to perform, rain or shine. We were pleased to have great conditions on the day, which allowed for some fast times.  

 

As a squad, we achieved significantly higher placings compared to last year, a fantastic sign as we head into the Athletics season. Notable performances included Tommy Kay (11s), who finished 19th, Cristian Fajardo (12s), who placed 22nd, and an outstanding run from Emilio Calcarao (11s), securing 8th place and earning qualification for the CIS Championships. Congratulations to all our runners on a fantastic effort!

Celebrating Student Success. 

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the achievements of two of our Junior School athletes, Jack Cross and Tommy Kay, who last month reached the State Level competition in Little Athletics. This milestone is not just about the result, but about the countless hours of training, dedication and determination that have gone into their journey. 

In athletics, every small gain counts, whether it's shaving off a fraction of a second or adding a few inches to a throw. Both Jack and Tommy have shown immense resilience and focus in striving for those tiny, yet crucial, improvements that make all the difference at the highest level of competition.

Tommy’s journey, culminating in a silver medal in shot put, and finishing the season with an overall rank of 3rd for his age group in discus. This is a reflection of his commitment to refining his technique and pushing himself each time he competes. 

Jack has worked tirelessly to reach State level, particularly for his favourite event of hurdles. Every major carnival he has attended recently has helped him gain a first-hand understanding that even the smallest adjustments can change the outcome on the day.

The road to State is filled with both challenges and triumphs, and Tommy and Jack's progress is a testament to their persistence and passion for their sport. This journey, with its focus on continuous improvement, is what truly defines them as athletes. We look forward to seeing how their dedication will continue to pay off in the SPX Junior School House Carnival during Term 2. 

 

Congratulations, Jack and Tommy. 

 

Accessing Fixture 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 in to Clipboard - A Guide for Parents and Guardians.pdf

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:

  1. Log in to Clipboard using your parent account.

  2. Navigate to the Calendar page.

  3. 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. 

 

SPX Football Season Launch – This weekend!

Join us this Saturday, 6 April from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm for the SPX Football Season Launch! This is a great opportunity to connect with players, families, and supporters in a relaxed atmosphere. There will be plenty of space to kick a ball around and get into the football spirit.

A highlight of the event will be the 1st XI jersey presentation, where our senior players will receive their Firsts jerseys.

 

Holiday Football Clinic

ST PIUS X APRIL HOLIDAY CAMPS – THE PERFECT PRE-SEASON PREPARATION!

Looking to sharpen your skills before the season kicks off? The St Pius X April Holiday Camps, in partnership with Coerver Coaching, offer an exciting and structured program designed to develop technical ability, confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship—all while having a blast!

 

📅 Dates: Monday 14 – Thursday 17 April⏰ Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon daily

🎟️ Options: 2, 3, or 4-day participation⚽ New Feature: 5v5 Tournament running each day!

Who can attend?

Students from Year 3 to Year 10.

Transport:

A bus is available for the first 60 players registered, departing from Chatswood Campus at 8:30 am and returning at 12:40 pm.

What to Expect:

✅ Technical Skill Development – Using the Coerver® Method to enhance ball mastery and tactical play.

✅ Confidence Building – Encouraging creativity, risk-taking, and success in a fun, challenging environment.

✅ Teamwork & Sportsmanship – Learning key principles of attack and defense while fostering respect and effort.

✅ Loads of Footballing Fun!

This is the perfect opportunity to fine-tune your skills before the season, meet new teammates, and enjoy fast-paced football action. Don’t miss out!

🔗 For more details and to register, click here: Coerver course | Coerver Coaching

Holiday Rugby Clinic

Get Ready for the SPX Rugby Season at Our Easter Holiday Rugby Clinic

 

Give your son the best start to the rugby season with our April School Holiday Rugby Clinic! This is the perfect opportunity for players to sharpen their skills, boost their confidence, and get game-ready for ISA season.

When: Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 April

Where: Oxford Falls Campus - 1 Dreadnought Rd, Oxford Falls 

 

Why Sign Up?

✅ Expert coaching from Trytime coaches & special guest coaches

✅ Position-specific training + team play development

✅ A great way to build confidence & prepare for the season

✅ Trial Games on Thursday Afternoon! (from 12:00 noon)👉 Face off against Redfield College in Years 5, 6, 7, 8 & Opens

Don’t miss out on this exciting pre-season opportunity! Register now via Clipboard:

🔗 https://portal.clipboard.app/stpiusx

Secure your spot today and get ready to hit the ground running!

St Pius Rugby Clinic 2025.pdf

Mr James Bourke - Junior School Sport Coordinator

From the Junior Resource Centre

This week’s Highlights are:

International Children’s Book Day – Wednesday 2 April 

Read. Read. Read.      

International Children's Book Day is aimed at promoting children's books and encouraging a love of reading among children worldwide. It is observed each year on 2 April, the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen, a famous Danish author of children's stories. The theme for 2025 is: 'The Freedom of Imagination'.

 

 

Read. Read. Read. 

National School Librarian Day – 4 April – All are welcome in the library.

National School Library Month and School Librarian Day...Being a School Librarian is not just about the books but how the library becomes a part of the school and what it can bring to its school community! What a year it has been so far ... growing professionally at ASLA webinars and at School Library Association NSW. I would not change my career for the world!

 

What is the School Library?

The school library is a refuge, a haven, an escape. It’s where you’ll find your fantasy or your reality, an adventure or a mystery. A place where animals roam the shelves, and mythological creatures flap their wings or swish their tails. Where people of both past and present sit on shelves and wait to tell you stories of their lives so that you may make better sense of your own. It’s where you’ll discover books in the shape of you, it’s here that, perhaps for the first time, you’ll find people like you do exist, and you can see more clearly that people different from you are more like you than you ever imagined. It’s a place to get lost or a place to find yourself. A place to learn and unlearn. It’s where truths about the world are unveiled, even the ones they don’t want you to know, the ones they want to hide from you are here on the shelves of the school library, because this is where we protect the truth, where we preserve the stories of people - all people - so that you may always have access to the world - its beauty and its ugly, its joy and its pain. So that you may move forward through the world armed with both knowledge and empathy, so that you may understand and act with power and grace in this life - in this story - of your own.

                                                                                     The Book Wrangler

 

Big Foot vs Yeti by James Foley

Big Foot vs Yeti, the phenomenal new picture book for young and old was welcomed into the Year 5 library lessons this week. A great focus for visual literacy, the movement from monochromatic to colour and the shift in illustration style and, provided excellent points for conversation.

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – Bigfoot vs Yeti  - A Love Story by James Foley

Aussie children’s book creator James Foley is one of our greatest talents and his latest picture book is amazing!  Bigfoot vs Yeti is a fable that will connect, a tale that sadly resonates in our current times. This is also a great focus for visual literacy, the movement from monochromatic to colour and the shift in illustration style and more providing excellent points for conversations with kids. The love story between Bigfoot and Yeti is heartwarming (and the ending is so cute). 

‘The clans have been enemies for as long as anyone can remember. The Bigfoots say it started when a Yeti threw a snowball across the rift. The Yetis say it started when a Bigfoot threw some fruit across the rift. Who could say for sure? One night, a young Bigfoot and Yeti decide to find the end of the rift so they can finish the feud – once and for all.’

#MrsMartinsBooktrail2025

Ms Elena Martin – Teacher Librarian

Junior School Chess

Thank you to all the students who attended chess training on Tuesday 1 April in the JRC. Training and trials continue next Tuesday 8 April 2025 at 7:30 am in the JRC. 

 

Here are a few holiday coaching programs that could be of interest.

16/04/2025 Holiday Coaching Clinic by NSW Junior Chess League

      Sydney Academy of Chess Online Workshops

Ms Elena Martin - Junior Chess Convenor