Junior School News & Sport
Year 6
- Junior School News
- Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
- Junior School Sport
PRAYER/REFLECTION: Families are the first educators of their children and they continue to influence their children’s learning and development during the school years and long afterwards. Schools have an important responsibility in helping to nurture and teach future generations and families trust schools to provide educational foundations for their children’s future. At the same time, schools need to recognise the primary role of the family in education. This is why it is important for families and schools to work together in partnership.
We live in a busy and sometimes complex world, and as parents it is not always easy to find or make the time to be present in our children’s lives. I love the holidays because they are always a chance for my daughter and I to spend some time just hanging out together. I hope that over the break you too will all have a chance to spend some quality family time with your children.
A Prayer for Family
Heavenly Father,
Please shine your light upon my family.
Give us strength to overcome all of the
difficulties that we are dealing with now
and protect us against any and all problems
we may encounter in the future.
O Lord, please bring us together as we
are meant to be. May the love that binds
us only grow stronger as we fulfil the destiny
you have laid out for us.
Grant my family forgiveness for any sins we
have committed. May we also forgive one
another Lord, as it is sometimes difficult to do.
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Although it is the end of the term, the learning that is happening in the Junior School is still very evident. Year 6 have been very busy over the last few weeks preparing for the extravaganza that they call, The Science Fair. If you have the chance to pop in on Friday afternoon prepare to be wowed by the Year 6 boys as they share with you what they have learnt about their natural disasters/phenomena.
Over the last couple of weeks all the boys in the Junior School have had a uniform check. It must be noted that there are still a few boys who need to put a little polish on their shoes and it may also be a timely reminder to make sure that any haircuts that happen in the holidays are in line with the College grooming policy.
I would like to take this opportunity to also congratulate all the Year 12 students who, this week, will graduate from the College. Many of these students started at St Pius back in Year 5 and I have had the privilege of seeing them grow and develop.
As the term draws to a close I would also like to wish both Mr Simpson and Mr Carroll a very restful break as they begin their Long Service Leave. We look forward to seeing them both back for the start of 2019.
Photo: Members of 5 Red who led Monday morning's Assembly.
UNIFORM AND STATIONERY CHECK
Please note that all boys return to the College in their summer uniform next term. Could I please ask all parents to check that all parts of your sons’ uniforms are labelled clearly with their names. Last Thursday at Oxford Falls we had two tracksuit tops, a pair of tracksuit pants, six raincoats, a couple of lunchboxes and a few hats left in the stands when the boys had lined up. Unfortunately there were some items without names and no students claimed them, so they are now in Lost Property.
In preparation for Term 4 could I also please ask that you check in with your son to ensure that he still has the following stationery items. If not, could you please ensure that he has them for the beginning of the term with his name on them:
2 black, blue and red pens
2 lead pencils
An eraser
A ruler (not metal and at least 15cm in length)
A protractor
A compass
A calculator
Scissors
Glue
ALTAR SERVERS COURSE
An Altar Servers training course will be held on the 23rd October for any boys in Years 5 and 6 who may be interested in taking on this role at school liturgies. Any boys who is already an Altar Server in their parish are also welcome to attend the course. Applications can be collected from Mrs Cummins and returned to her by the end of week one next term.
WALKATHON
Thank you to the parents who have helped their sons collect and return the money for the Walkathon. At present we have collected over $11,000, an outstanding effort that will go towards helping our recipient schools and organisations. If your son hasn’t returned the money, could you please ensure that this is done by the end of the week.
YEAR 6 SCIENCE FAIR INVITATION
P&F NEWS & EVENTS: Please see the P&F page of this newsletter for all news and events, including those for Years 5 and 6.
UPCOMING EVENTS - TERM 4 JUNIOR SCHOOL CALENDAR
A THOUGHT TO PONDER
Mrs S Iwatani - Acting Head of Junior School
Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
Term 3 Holiday Workshops
Term 3 holidays are only a few days away. Looking for something creative for the boys to do? Book now for some great writing and illustration activities at the Children’s Bookshop in Beecroft with brilliant authors and illustrators.
You can email staff@thechildrensbookshop.com.au for full details.
Year 6 Literacy Class 1 and 2 Visit the State Library.
Students in Mrs Spanyik and Mrs Martin’s Literacy groups visited the State Library, where they participated in the ‘Seeking Shakespeare Program’. Here the students discovered one of the greatest writers of all time. They uncovered the little known, unexplored treasures in their extensive collection.
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – High Five to the Boys: A Celebration of Australian Men (2018) Various Contributors.
High Five to the Boys is a selection of short, one page biographies of some of Australia’s greatest male achievers. Not limited to the usual statesmen and sporting heroes, High Five to the Boys includes lesser known achievers such as magician Cosentino who overcame shyness and learning difficulties to build a career as an illusionist and David Walsh, who made a fortune using a mathematical model to win at the casino, then used his fortune to build MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art near Hobart.
All boys, and many girls are sure to find someone they can identify with in its pages, someone to inspire them. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Smith Family.
HAPPY READING!
Mrs E Martin - Junior Librarian
Junior School Sport
Thursday Sport: at Oxford Falls. Trials/training continues for Basketball, Cricket, Softball and Tennis.
Year 5 Parents: At this stage I need to plan for Saturday Sport in 2019. I require all Yr 5 boys to complete their Online Sport Preference Form for 2019. Relevant information is on the St Pius X School App. The online form can also be accessed directly by clicking this link: Sports Preference Form 2019
Basketball Camps: * Apologies for the earlier misprint. Camp days are now correct and the Monday Public Holiday session initially advertised has been moved to the Thursday. Spring holiday sessions are running through the break under the direction of our professional external coaching team. A great opportunity to up-skill prior to the season re-commencing in Term 4.
Students from Years 5-9 can book any or all of the 6 days available (9am – 3pm) @ $50 per day:
Week 1: Tuesday 2nd, Wednesday 3rd, Thursday 4th October
Week 2: Monday 8th, Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th October.
All sessions are at Chatswood Campus and boys bring their own lunch. Places on each day will be limited. Follow this link to enrol: https://www.trybooking.com/428113
Basketball: Grading has been completed though teams are subject to change as we continue training and commence games next term. Team lists, a season draw and information letter are all available via the App. The first game of season is on Saturday 20th October.
NSTA Tennis: Grading for the new Term 4 Season has been completed. The season begins on 20th October and relevant information including team lists and a draw will be disseminated to players after the grading meeting. Please see the Senior Sports page for further details.
Softball: Information for the approaching season is available on the App. The first game of the Term 4 season is on Saturday 20th October.
Swimming: Our Thursday Sport Swim Program begins in November - see the Information Letter below. Please return the Grading Form (Year 5 students) and SEA Australia Waiver (Year 6 students).
Winter Sport/Co-curricular Photos: Our Winter Sport/Co-curricular photo order forms are due back by the end of this term (to the office). A PDF form is also attached should you require it.
Mr G Virgona - Junior School Sportsmaster
From the Rugby Club
Save the Date: Wednesday, 12th December 2018 – Inaugural SPX Rugby Club Golf Day at Roseville Golf Club from 1pm - ‘Ambrose Shotgun Start’. Further details to be provided in coming weeks and bookings will open shortly. Lady golfers most welcome and encouraged to play.
(Please note the date has now been moved from initially notified date of 28th November).
Paul O'Neill - President SPX Rugby Club