Junior School News 

• From the Head of the Junior School
• Junior School Sport
• From the Junior Resource Centre 
• Junior Chess

From the Head of the Junior School

TEACHING AND LEARNING

We’re midway through Week 4 and the boys seem to have settled well into the routine of life in the Junior School. We are into Week 4 of our Teaching and Learning programs with Mathematics and Reading groups now in place.

In Year 5, students are continuing their work on Persuasive texts.  This week they learnt to identify the difference between rhetorical questions and regular questions. They also practiced using rhetorical questions to help them persuade others. 

In History lessons, students are learning about life in the Australian colonies and the challenges that the Aboriginal People faced when the Europeans arrived in Australia. Year 5 are also exploring changes that have occurred to the environment, as well as differences in flora and fauna since European settlement. 

In Mathematics, students have been revising addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Times tables are a challenge for some and may be something that could be revised at home as this will help with both multiplication and division. 

Year 6 are also working towards creating a Persuasive speech. 6 Red have been busy looking at how they can change and improve the local community. In preparation for their upcoming Canberra trip, each class has joined/is joining an online session with a guide from the Parliamentary Education Centre. In the session, the boys hear all about parliament – a preview of what they are going to see and experience on their trip. The boys also took part in a Q&A session where many were interested in the salaries of the parliamentarians! 

In Mathematics, Year 6 students have been identifying the place value of numerals in numbers in the millions. They have also been building on their algorithm skills using larger numbers.

MERIT AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to last week’s Merit Award winners.  Once boys receive 5 yellow Merit awards, they receive a Blue Merit Award.  Once you receive 5 Blue merit awards, you receive a Principal's Award, presented by Mr Ronchetti, in front of the whole-school assembly on a Monday morning.

YEAR 5 CAMP TO MILSON ISLAND

Thank you to Mrs Iwatani for organising the Year 5 Camp to Milson Island.  Further details about camp, including what to bring, will be sent out early next week.

YEAR 6 CAMP TO CANBERRA

Room allocations have now been completed and I’m afraid I can’t accommodate any more requests.  There are only three students to a room and if I change one now, it throws out the very complex algorithm that was needed to satisfy as many of the requests as possible.

Details of camp can be found in the document link below.  If you have any further questions regarding camp, please contact your classroom teacher.

TENNIS TALENT

Congratulations to Lucas Korth and Lachlan Yu who were selected to play in the IPSHA Tennis Trials at Pymble Ladies College last Friday.  Both boys played well and just as importantly, were fantastic ambassadors for the College.

CRICKET STAR 

I’m thrilled to share the news that James Sykes has been selected to play with the CIS Primary Boys Cricket Team at a tournament in Ballina in a few weeks’ time.  It means he’ll miss the Canberra trip, however, selection in the CIS Cricket team is no small feat and we couldn’t be more proud.  James will join boys from The King’s School, Trinity Anglican College, St Pat's, Riverview, Newington College, Northholm Grammar School and Northern Beaches Christian School to form the CIS team.  We hope he enjoys the experience and look forward to hearing all about it when he returns.

CIS CELEBRATIONS

Cristiano Calcarao’s achievements in Cross Country and Athletics in 2022 were acknowledged at the annual NSW CIS Awards Ceremony last Saturday evening at Abbottsleigh College.  Last year, Cristiano’s biggest achievement was his performance at the National Cross Country event held in Adelaide, where he represented NSW (after placing first at the PSSA carnival while representing CIS). Cristiano crossed the finish line in first place at the National Carnival, recording a time of 10.38 making him the U11 Cross Country Champion in Australia for 2022. 

SATURDAY SPORT

Another glorious day for SPX sport last Saturday.  Thank you, parents, for getting your son to the right venue, at the right time, in the right uniform!  All the results can be found in Mr Ryan’s Junior School Sport report below.

“GETTING TO KNOW YOU” MEETINGS

Thank you to those parents who were able to attend the Getting to Know You meetings this week. It was wonderful to see so many of you online and for teachers to have the opportunity to gain a fuller understanding of your son.

Our aim is to work together to help your child achieve their full potential, and the meetings were an important step in achieving that goal. We appreciate your involvement and support, and we look forward to continuing our partnership throughout the school year.

With the introduction of online meetings, it is important to know that you are welcome to organise face-to-face meetings with your son’s teacher at any time throughout the year.  If you would like to meet with your son’s teacher for any reason, please email your teacher to organise an appointment.

ROBOTICS

The Year 6 Robotics Program starts on Tuesday 28 February. Students will be collected from the Junior School playground for a 3.30 pm start.  Students can be picked up or make their way home from 4.50 pm.

Over five weeks in Term 4, Year 5 students will be invited to participate in An Intro to Robotics which will prepare them for Robotics in Year 6.

MATHS AND HOMEWORK HELP | FRIDAYS 8.00 am – 8.40 am 

In the Learning Support and Enrichment Room in the Junior School.  Encourage your son to come along if he would like some extra help with any mathematical concepts, topics, or homework.   

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School.

Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School

Junior School Sport

Thursday Sport: 

SPX App 

If you haven’t already, please download and familiarise yourself with the SPX App. All Wet Weather announcements, updated fixtures and squad lists are conveniently found on this app. 

Trybooking for Sport

Please be aware that a trybooking link will be forthcoming for you to attend to in relation to the sports activities your son has chosen. Any queries please get in touch at

bryan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au. 

House Captains

Congratulations to the following students who will lead each of the Houses in our carnivals this year.

Swimming Carnival

Our House Carnival took place on Wednesday 15 February at Macquarie University Aquatic Centre. A tremendous day of participation, competition, and fun. The House Spirit on display ensured that all boys, and particularly those new to the College left the pool knowing that they were part of a rich tradition at St Pius X. Thank you to all staff involved, and a warm thank you to the parent helpers and supporters on the day.  

Age Champions

10yrs Equal 1st – Brandon Abram, Maximus Boliaris

11yrs Ben Crichton

12yrs Patrick Connell

Overall House Champions – TREACY House

IPSHA Swimming Carnival – 1st March (8.15 am – 3.00 pm)

We wish those boys selected in the IPSHA carnival the best of luck as they compete at the next level on Wednesday 1st March at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Further information will be distributed to these boys and their families.

CIS Cricket

Congratulations to James Sykes on his selection in the CIS Cricket Squad. From all accounts, a very handy bowler. We wish James well as he progresses to the next level.

IPSHA Basketball

Congratulations to Cristiano Calcarao for his inclusion to the CIS Junior Basketball squad. A fantastic achievement. This selection came from a large number of boys representing IPSHA schools at the trials held at our Oxford Falls Campus.

Water polo

Jack Treder represented Sydney Northern Beaches Breakers water polo team at the 12s Narwhal Cup in Woy Woy last weekend. We congratulate Jack as he and the team secured the runner up position.

Sailing

Hamish Cameron (as crew) won the Flying 11s NSW State Championship on novices last weekend. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement.

Swimming Squad Training 2022

Meet at 7.10 am at Fitness First, Chatswood (24 Endeavour St, Chatswood) 

Requirements:

• Suitable swimwear, goggles and swim cap
• Students wear PE/ Pius Sports Uniform to the sessions. At 8.15 am the boys are walked back to school by staff. They then change into school uniform. 

Cross-Country Training:

When: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.  Join our coaches Matthew North and Dominic Panozzo for fun, varied and challenging sessions.

Where: Beauchamp Park, Chatswood 

Time: 7.15 am – 8.15 am 

Who: All Senior and Junior School students in Yrs 5 - 12

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.

With our Junior School Cross Country coming up (23 February at Oxford Falls) these sessions serve as a good opportunity to build up endurance. However, you don’t have to aspire to run in the IPSHA Carnival - all students and abilities are welcome. 

And around the grounds...

Basketball:

Touch Football:

Softball:

Thursday Sport:

Mr Ben Ryan - Junior School Sports Coordinator

NSTA Tennis

With blue skies, a very slight breeze but hot sun, we began the day. Thank you to Rory Cooper, Ryan Fong, Izaac Tan and Lucas Halim for umpiring and mentoring the Junior players. It is great to hear the senior boys say they really enjoy helping out and watching our younger players. I know that the younger boys appreciate the help from the older boys too. The doubles match between SPX 32 (Lucas Ma and James Ulevik) and SPX 29 (Ethan Roman and Oliver Williams) was a very close one with SPX 32 winning the match 7-6. Isaac Cheng and Kayden Foo’s singles also came down to the wire with Kayden coming out on top. Thank you to Sebastian Dal Molin for playing for Team 22, his opposition. 

Our 10.00 am games started with a bang and the heat ramped up. The boys fought hard in all matches and excellent sportsmanship was shown by all players. Our top 2 teams went head to head, with Izaac Tan and Lucas Halim – SPX 1 winning 3 sets to 0. Jake Yu, Boston Bannister and Adrian Yip blitzed their match winning 6-1, 6-1, 6-2. The Higgins brothers – SPX 11 were also a formidable team on the court winning 2-3. 

A quick reminder to all parents to make sure that you are at the end of your son’s match for pick up to ensure that the convenors can also leave in a timely fashion.

Mrs Sam Iwatani - NSTA Convenor

Rugby Registration NOW OPEN

All Year 5 - 12 students wishing to play rugby are required to be registered to be included in a team, allowing the school rugby administrators & coaches to best prepare for the coming season, plus allow your P&F Rugby Club to best support and communicate with you! There are no trials or grading days, all students of different shapes, sizes and abilities can find a home within the SPX Rugby Program.

You have three options when registering:

1. 2023 Rugby Season Registration + Two Day April School Holiday Clinic: $280 (cost includes season registration & access to rugby specific physio during the season + specialist coaching, transport and lunch at the April Holiday clinic held on 19 and 20 April).
2. 2023 Rugby Season Registration Only: $180 (cost includes season registration & access to rugby specific physio during the season)
3. Clinic only - The third option for holiday clinic only is for junior school students.

To register simply follow the trybooking link below: https://www.trybooking.com/1017694

Term 1 Rugby Dates for the Diary:

• Thursday 14 March – Rugby Training Commences at Oxford Falls for all students Year 7-12
• Friday 24 March – Sunday 26 March - Opens Rugby Camp and TRIAL VS CCGS – Central Coast.
• Saturday 1 April – SPX vs ST ALOYISIUS – HOME- TBC
• Wednesday 19 & Thursday 20 April - School Holiday Clinic – Oxford Falls – TRYTIME RUGBY

NSW Waratahs: Game 1 - 24 February vs the Brumbies at the amazing new Allianz Stadium, which we want to be full of our Rugby community cheering the 'Tahs on!  Please see the flyer for information or click on the link below to purchase your tickets.

Mr Martin Gillogly - Rugby Convenor

Rugby Club 2023 Golf Day

For Bookings please use the QR Code attached or go to:

Contact St Pius X Rugby Supporters' Committee:

From the Junior Resource Centre

This week's highlights:  What Literary adventures will you embark on this year?

Premier’s Reading Challenge – Encouraging everyone to read, read more, and read more widely, the Premier's Reading Challenge opens for this year on Monday 27 February. Your son’s username and password will be e-mailed to him shortly.

Library Monitors for 2023

Congratulations to the following boys who are joining the wonderful team of Library Monitors for 2023: 

• Liam O’Donnell
• Vinn Buckingham
• Matthew Higgins
• Javien Foo
• Harry Staber 
• Connor Koruga
• Massimo Musumeci
• James Ulevik

Year 5 Author visit – Kate Foster, Wednesday 1 March

Author Kate Foster, will visit Year 5 students on Wednesday 1 March. Kate Foster is one of my favourite middle grade authors. Kate will discuss her latest book The Bravest Word.   She is also a fellow lover of dogs! 

It’s the story of Year 7 student, Matt, who’s grappling with overwhelming emotions. One day on a bush walk he comes across an abandoned dog. A powerful story about depression, anxiety and saving someone in need ensues.

Students can order signed copies of Kate Foster’s books on the following link:

https://www.thechildrensbookshopspeakersagency.com.au/person/kate-foster/

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail:  Tilda by Sue Whiting

A realistic historic fiction book for younger readers. Set in the 1900s; a little girl, Matilda, left in the care of a convent orphanage, while her father goes off to the Boer War. The terrible things she has to endure, but the determination and resilience she empowers to all around her, keeps you cheering her on and encouraging her to continue and to listen to her heart. Recommended for students aged 10 and up.

  #MrsMartinsBooktrail2023

Ms Elena Martin - Teacher Librarian

Junior Chess

Thank you to all the students who have returned the Junior School Chess registration forms. We will announce the teams in the coming week. Training begins in Week 8 in the JRC.

We look forward to seeing all the boys playing and practicing their chess moves at lunch time in the JRC.

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor