Junior School News 

• From the Head of the Junior School
• Junior School Sport

From the Head of the Junior School

BIG EVENTS IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

We have three big events coming up in the Junior School over the next few weeks:

EVENT #1:           TOMORROW (THURSDAY 10 AUGUST) - GRANDPARENT LITURGY AND WALK-A-THON

We are thrilled that over 170 grandparents have registered to attend our inaugural Grandparent Liturgy, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Oxford Falls.  Please remind our special guests to bring a folding chair if they’d prefer not to sit in the grandstands.  Please note that students will be permitted to go home with their grandparents, but they must check-in with their classroom teacher before leaving Oxford Falls.

10.45am               Liturgy

11.30am              Morning Tea (provided) 

12.00pm              Walk-a-thon 

1.30pm                 Lunch (BYO picnic lunch) 

EVENT #2  WEEK 6 (FRIDAY 25 AUGUST) – BOOK WEEK PARADE

Starting at 1:30 pm in the College Gymnasium (next to the Canteen). Please RSVP so that we know how many chairs to set out.

EVENT #3             WEEK 7 (THURSDAY 31 AUGUST) – FATHER’S DAY LITURGY AND FATHER & SON SPORTS DAY

Start warming up those hamstrings and stocking up on Dencorub for one of the biggest days in the Junior School calendar.  This year, we begin our day with a liturgy at 9:45 am in the Christian Brothers Centre at Oxford Falls.

9:45 am                Father’s Day Liturgy 

10:30 am              Morning Tea (provided) 

11:00 am              Father & Son Sport Activity Session 1 

12:00 pm              BBQ Lunch (provided) 

1:00 pm                Father & Son Sport Activity Session 2 

2:30 pm                Departure

We are putting together a display for the Junior School Father's Day Liturgy.  If you would like to upload a photo for inclusion, please use the link below:

Please RSVP for catering purposes:

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Students in 5 Blue were very excited to tell me all they were learning about Saint Mary MacKillop today and to share the prayer they had learnt in class:

Ever-generous God,

You inspired St Mary MacKillop to live her life faithful 

to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

and constant in bringing hope

and encouragement

to those who were disheartened, lonely, or needy.

With confidence in your generous providence

we ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too,

like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage,

trust, and openness.

Ever-generous God, hear our prayer.

We ask this through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

6 Green have been integrating Science, Mathematics, and Visual Arts to create an artwork titled “Earthquake in the City”.  In Science, students are studying natural disasters and are focused on the effect of earthquakes and tsunamis. I’m sure you’ll agree that the results so far are impressive! 

Continuing their understanding of natural disasters in Science, 6 Blue did a fantastic job with creating their own simulated seismographs. They discussed how seismometers allow us to detect and measure earthquakes by converting vibrations into signals. Students were resourceful in suspending cups with a marker inside a cardboard box, with a piece of running paper underneath - to replicate the revolving drum recorder in a seismogram. 

In 6 Blue's Reading lesson this week, they combined Drama with their understanding of the novel 'Hotaka' by John Heffernan. Students worked in small groups to act out portions of the book that discuss the earthquake and ensuing tsunami that occurred in Japan in 2011. We discussed how to freeze in positions that convey emotions from our body language. 

YEAR 6 EXCURSION TO CHINATOWN

We wish our Year 6s a pleasant trip with good weather when they head into Chinatown to immerse themselves in the culture for the day on Friday.  Look out for an email from Mr Morris today with more details.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

• Thursday 10 August | Grandparent's Day Liturgy & Walk-a-thon
• Friday 11 August | Year 6 Chinatown Excursion 
• Friday 25 August | Book Week Parade 
• Monday 28 August | St Pius X Feast Day holiday (Pupil- and Staff-free day)
• Thursday 31 August | Fathers’ Day Liturgy and Sports Day at Oxford Falls 
• Friday 15 September | P&F Trivia Night (Please note change of date)

Thank you for your continued support of the Junior School.

Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School

MATHS DROP-IN AND HOMEWORK HELP FOR YEARS 5 - 6 

FRIDAYS 8:00 am – 8:40 am 

Drop-in to 5 Gold for help with difficult mathematics concepts or general homework.  This is an ideal place where students can come and feel comfortable to ask questions. Students are encouraged to bring along specific queries, tasks, assessments, homework, general revision and problems to work on, with Mrs Fileman on hand, ready to help.

Mrs Amanda Fileman - Mathematics Teacher

Junior School Sport

Thursday Sport: 

Upcoming events:

Thursday 10 August - Grandparent Liturgy and Walk-a-thon

The weather is shaping up to be postcard perfect for those attending and we look forward to connecting with our young students' grandparents on this day. Thank you to all those who have so generously donated their time and money.

WEEK 7 (Thursday 31 August) – Junior School Father’s Day Liturgy and Father & Son Sports Day

A reminder to compete the form via the link below if you have yet to do so. Thank you in advance for completing the form, as the information it provides is essential in planning the event.

It is a day where sport will be the winner and competition will take a supporting role. I am very much looking forward to witnessing the dads and lads coming together for an important community building event following on from the Liturgy that will commence promptly at 9:45 am.

9:45 am               Liturgy 

10:30 am             Morning Tea (provided) 

11:00 am             Sport Activity Session 1 

12:00 pm             BBQ Lunch (provided) 

1:00 pm               Sport Activity Session 2 

2:30 pm               Departure

SSA Australian Rules Football: Patrick Butler (6 Blue) is currently competing for NSWPSSA in the School Sport Australia Primary Australian Rules championships. Following a recent training camp, Patrick has made his way to Lavington, where the games are being played. Whilst unfortunately they have lost their first 2 pool matches; they did have a win on Tuesday against the Northern Territory side. It has so far been a rewarding experience for Patrick, and we thank him for representing St Pius X College and his state with distinction.

CIS Football: Next week Ryan Volpato (5 Red) will be heading to Nelson Bay as a member of the CIS Football team to take part in the NSWPSSA Primary Boys Football Championships. Held from 15 - 18 August, the competition draws players from across the many regions of NSW.

CIS Softball: 

Following on from last week’s trial, I am pleased to announce that Dominik Playle (5 Red) has been selected to represent CIS in the upcoming NSWPSSA Primary Boys Softball Championships to be held at Woolooware from 12-14 September. We wish Dominik well as he prepares for this competition, which will see the future stars of softball in action.

Round 9 Results

Australian Rules Football:

I would like to pay special mention to this team as they have managed to remain undefeated throughout the competition. It is a rare feat and against plenty of serious opposition the young boys navigated several close matches. I thank Mr Carroll (college staff and coach) and the parent support of the team throughout the season.

Football:

From the Football Supporters Club

This week, our Coaches and Football Staff have each received a bottle of wine and a thank you note from our football supporter community. The wines were generously donated for this purpose by the Graham Family.

Thank you to Mr Ronchetti, Mr Stearn, Mr Ryan, Mr Yue and all of our football coaches for your efforts to provide our football players with a quality football program this year. The time you all spent planning the football season and getting out on the field to train, encourage and coach our boys, is very much appreciated.

Thank you also for all the support and assistance you have given to the Football Supporters Club. We have enjoyed supporting the continued development of the football program alongside you.

Good luck to all teams playing in semi-finals this week!

Athletics Invitationals:

12 August – Barker Carnival: Our first carnival is this Saturday at Barker College. All relevant information has been emailed to those involved and will also be made available on the SPX App.

17 August – SHORE Carnival: Narrabeen (3:30 pm – 7:00 pm) – No field events.

19 August – Combined Co-Ed Carnival: Narrabeen (details to come)

25 August – Riverview Carnival: Riverview – Friday 25 August (9:00 am – 2:00 pm)

IPSHA Athletics – 30 August (SOPAC) – details to come for those selected (8:00 am – 2:30 pm approx.)

Athletics – Training: Training continues this week for all athletes, taking place on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at Rotary Athletics Field, Mowbray Rd West, Lane Cove. After school dismissal, the College will transport the students to the venue by private bus, and the sessions will run until 4:55 pm where a bus will return the students to Chatswood. If you wish to collect your son from the venue, please be there no later than 4:50 pm. 

Return of singlets: Thank you to everyone for confirming their Term 4 Sports choices. If your son played Basketball or Touch Football in Term 1 and is playing a different sport in Term 4, can you please return your singlets to Mr Ryan asap. Hand them back in person is ideal so that we can accurately record that your son has returned his singlet. If we have any singlets outstanding at the end of the year, a replacement fee will be charged to individual students. Students continuing with Basketball and Touch Football will return their singlets at the end of the season in Term 4.

Mr Ben Ryan - Junior School Sports Coordinator

Junior Rugby:

The final games for the 2023 Rugby season were played on the weekend and there was a lot to celebrate. The Prep Firsts continued their fine form and secured a win in their final game to finish with an undefeated season. Well done to all U12 players who have contributed to a successful season. The 11As finished their season with some positives. Mr Ure reported that the boys played very well against a strong Knox squad. The Rugby 7s team played well in their final games and have had a very successful season overall.  

Thank you to everyone who has made this Rugby season possible. Thank you to the coaches for your hard work. Thank you to all the boys for putting in the effort at training and game day. A big thank you to all the parents for your support each week. 

We always love to hear good news stories about students and their achievements outside of the Pius sporting world. Please read the following report sent through by Mr Onslow: 

'On Wednesday evening 2 August, Hornsby Junior Rugby was invited to play in a gala rugby event hosted by Lindfield Junior Rugby Club, featuring the Kawanishi Rugby School from Japan. 

The evening started with the players linking arms for the National Anthems and concluded with medal presentations. 

5 lads from St Pius X College play for Hornsby Junior Rugby and relished the opportunity to play on the mid-week game. 

• Tom Millar aka the Wombat was at his brilliant best at the breakdown and even managed a cameo on the wing. 
• Martin Joy was strong at the breakdown & his pick & go carries made meters every charge. 
• Eddy Onslow seagull on the wing and scored an amazing try from a cross field kick, he was awarded player of the match vs Lindfield.
• Ronan King was devastating with every touch and was awarded player of the match vs Kawanishi. 
• Harry Dennis played amazing across both games and was awarded best forward by both Kawanishi & Lindfield for his bullocking runs and strong defence.' 

Mr Antonio Morris - Junior School Rugby Convenor

NSTA TENNIS

About NSTA, Enrolments for NSTA Tennis for the Junior School & Grading

About

The Northern Suburbs Tennis Competition provides an excellent opportunity for our students to engage in a team sport, develop their tennis skills, exercise their passion for tennis and to proudly represent our College. 

Enrolments

For Junior School tennis players who are participating in tennis training as part of their Thursday Sport, you are invited to enrol your son for the NSTA Tennis season, TERM 4, 2023 and TERM 1, 2024 NSTA by completing this TRYBOOKING FORM by THIS Friday, 11 AUGUST. No late enrolments will be taken.

Grading 

The Junior School Grading is on 17 August during the usual Thursday Sport session.

If you have any questions about the competition, please contact me. 

Mrs Karen Keighery - NSTA Tennis Convenor