Junior School News 

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

From the Head of the Junior School 

Last Sunday was the Feast of Pentecost, followed by the Feast Day for one of the Patron Saints of Australia, Mary Help of Christians.  And so we pray:

The Week that was

We had another perfect day for sport on Saturday.  Please remember that we are playing for enjoyment and to work on improving our skills. It is important that we learn to win or lose gracefully. It is also important that we as spectators set a good example for the boys.  Later in the sporting section is the IPSHA Code of Conduct for spectators which I would encourage you to peruse.

Last Monday, on the Feast of Mary Help of Christians, we celebrated 200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia. In fact, every Catholic school in Australia celebrated on this day.  The boys were very reverent with the live streaming of the Mass from OLD Church and they could choose to receive Communion or a blessing from their classroom.

A very significant part of these 200 years was the Goulburn walkout where an inspector was going to close down a Catholic School because the toilets weren’t satisfactory.  The bishop closed the schools and all the children walked down to the public schools which could not cope.  This was the beginning of state funding, up until then all the school were run by Religious orders and a few lay people.  It is probably pertinent to say here that Catholic schools and other school systems actually save the Government money which is often not how it is reported in the media.  Below is a picture of a piece of metal work commemorating 200 years of Catholic education which was made by Mr Darbin, our Head of Maintenance, which has most suitably been mounted on the outside of the C Block toilets.

National Reconciliation Week is celebrated each year from 27 May to 3 June. The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey - the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the Mabo decision.  We were the second country in the world to give women the vote and one of the last, if not the last, to give our indigenous people the vote.

The theme for this year is 

MORE THAN A WORD. RECONCILIATION TAKES ACTION

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of the journey are relationships. On 31 May we will have a whole College Reconciliation Assembly at 11.00 am where the Junior School will become an amphitheatre. It could make for a good dinner table conversation with your son.

THE UPCOMING WEEK 

Thursday  27/5 - Oxford Falls – Dance Session 1-  no need to bring Saturday sporting gear.

Monday 31/5  - Reconciliation Assembly – Period 3 

Dance Program

Please note on 3 June and 10 June boys do both Dance and Sport.  On 10 June the boys have a whole day at Oxford Falls so they need recess and lunch.

A date to save

Wednesday 9/6 – Junior Athletics Carnival - Homebush.  

You are most welcome to come along and support. As always, I have to mention, this will go ahead as long as COVID protocols still allow this to happen.

Friday 11 June - Year and group photos. 

Make sure their hair is neat, the shoes shined and look out for more details closer to the day.

Thursday 17/6  - Dance finale.

It will be in the CBC Centre at Oxford Falls and will commence at approximately 12.45 pm till 1.20 pm. After the finale we will be awarding blue certificates for effort.

A THOUGHT TO PONDER

Thanking you for your support.

Mr Tim Long - Head of the Junior School 

Year 6 - Save the Dates 

Year 6 Class Parents

Junior School Sport

Junior School Sport News:  At the halfway point of the winter season it is a good time to remind everyone of the IPSHA Code of Conduct. 

IPSHA Spectators Code of Behaviour: 

• Children play organised sports for fun. They are not playing for the entertainment of spectators only, nor are they miniature professionals.
• Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language, harassing players, coaches or officials.
• Applaud good performances and efforts from each team. Congratulate all participants upon their performance regardless of the game’s outcome.
• Respect the officials’ decision.
• Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a competition.
• Positive comments are motivational and encourage continued effort.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, officials or players.
• Show respect for your team’s opponents. Without them there would be no game.
• Encourage players to follow the rules and the officials’ decisions.
• Comments should not interfere with the running of the game.
• Focus on the efforts and performance of the children rather than the result.

If ever you have something you’d like to discuss I am always available. Please respect the fact that our coaches and officials are doing their absolute best to give your son a positive sporting experience. 

Thursday Sport: This week we start our Dance Program that runs until the end of the term. Week 6 is Dance only, no need to bring sport equipment. 

AFL

The AFL community was treated to another glorious morning out at ELS Hall on Saturday. The Sherrins were shiny and the sleeves were short. Our game against St Pats started competitively, with both sides barely giving an inch and playing like seasoned contenders would at ‘The G’. At the first break, we were up by a single behind and felt confident.

Despite the great start, the 2nd quarter proved difficult for us, as St Pats turned in a vintage quarter to blow our lads off the park. Before we knew it, we let in 4 unanswered goals, a swag of behinds and were trailing badly on the scoresheet. 

From there, the road ahead looked bleak for our boys. But to their credit, they switched back on and brought St Pats back down to Earth, playing out an evenly matched final two quarters. While we weren’t able to reel St Pat’s in, the first, third and fourth quarter scores had us tied on equal points – something we can take out of the game.

There were a number of great moments in the game, including some strong shepherds that we worked on at training earlier in the week. Most pleasing though, was seeing some new names on the score sheet. Boston and Xavier both nailed brilliant 6 pointers. A special mention goes to Sam Ford who scored his first ever AFL goal, backing it up shortly after with his second! Surely a memory Sam will treasure for years to come.

Great effort lads – next time we will be ready for St Pat’s and their deadly 2nd Quarter!

Rugby

11 As Rugby team

Mr Benn McBrearty - Junior School Sports Master

Junior Football

Round 5 Results and Round 6 Fixtures

A tough round of games last week against some very strong opposition. There was some great football and lots of goals and all boys are trying hard to use the skills they are learning on Thursdays, in the games. Well done to our Prep C’s who enjoyed the only win of the round, and our 11 Fs who remain undefeated with a 5 all draw.

Mr Paul Cummins - Junior Football Convenor

From the Junior Resource Centre

This Week's Highlights are:

 RECONCILIATION WEEK 2021

Reconciliation Week is an opportunity to learn about our shared histories and cultures and to establish a relationship with each other based on truth. It is a week about having challenging conversations and taking the time to listen. In support of this important week the JRC is shining a spotlight on some of our favourite Indigenous authors and stories, beginning with ‘Took the Children Away’ by Archie Roach and illustrated by Ruby Hunter, ‘Welcome to Country' by Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy and ‘Young Dark Emu’ by Bruce Pascoe. Using simpler language, clear explanations and gorgeous illustrations, Bruce Pascoe uncovers the truer history of Aboriginal Australia. Recommended for ages 10+ but it is sure to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Year 5 and 6 studied the 2021 National Reconciliation theme ‘More Than a Word. Reconciliation Takes Action.’ by unpacking the 2021 NRW Poster. The art work designed by Jessica Johnson, is the story of the land and the community sharing the united call for action on reconciliation.

http://www.schoolsreconciliationchallenge.org.au/about/

Books in our Library

The Stolen Generation texts and a small collection of our Indigenous Collection are centre stage this week as we prepare to confirm our need for Reconciliation to move forward together as one with our First Nations People. These are starting points for the vital discussions and acknowledgment of past wrongs and truth telling in our history.

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail

Skulduggery Pleasant Dead or Alive by Derek Landy.

Word is out that this latest in the Skulduggery Pleasant series brings new meaning to the word CLIFFHANGER! In this penultimate (that means there’s one more, right ??!?!) release in the Skulduggery series, Valkyrie and Omen face their most epic test yet, teaming with Skulduggery Pleasant in a desperate search for the child of the Faceless Ones. Strap yourselves in for one hell of a ride!

#MrsMartinsbooktrail2021

Mrs Elena Martin – Teacher Librarian

IPSHA Junior Debating News

Round 2 of the IPSHA competition was hosted by St Luke’s Grammar, Dee Why last Friday, 21 May. The debate was on a current challenging topic “That technology is harmful to our friendships.”  For many it was only their second time debating in new speaking positions. Congratulations to the Negative side on their win and the Affirmative team were narrowly defeated. The adjudicator commented on both teams' polished performance especially their manner and clever use of examples to support their arguments. He also gave the boys valuable feedback and tips for future debates. Well done boys on another successful debating round.

The next round we host against Oxford Falls Grammar School on Friday 4 June at 1.00 pm in the Sarto Centre.

Mrs Bettina Spanyik - Learning Enrichment Teacher

JUNIOR SCHOOL CHESS CLUB

Junior School Chess Competition continues this week, Friday 28 May 2021. All teams will be AWAY this week. Please check the updated draw for more details. 

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor