Senior School Sport  & Extra-Curricula Activities 

• From the Senior School Sports Master
• NSTA Tennis
• Basketball
• Cricket
• Football
• Strength and Conditioning Sessions
• Senior Swimming Squad
• Senior Chess
• CSDA Debating and Public Speaking
• Cross Country
• ISA Tennis

From the Senior School Sports Master

Many thanks to you all for your cooperation and efforts in getting our summer season competition underway last weekend.  It really was fantastic to see our boys representing the College with pride and passion.  

This weekend may well be impacted by a slight increase in COVID-19 isolations.  Boys in all teams should be prepared to back-up in order to allow games to continue as scheduled.  It will not be possible to forewarn individuals and we would ask for your assistance on Saturday in managing team absences. 

COVID-19 spectator protocols specific to each venue.  

• If you are playing basketball at Oakhill College there is a one-parent spectator limit.  
• If you are at St Patrick's College basketball venues, there is a two spectator limit.  
• For St Patrick's cricket parents and siblings may attend as spectators.
• If you are playing Redlands at NBISC a one-parent / spectator limit applies and a QR Code sign-in is required.
• For our home venues parents and siblings are welcome to spectate.

Masks must be worn at all indoor venues.

Protocols for each venue are attached below.

Senior Swimming Carnival - Thursday 24 February

We are all looking forward to our rescheduled Senior School Swimming Carnival next week at Macquarie University Aquatic Centre.  Full details for this event, including COVID-19 protocols, will be sent to your email on Tuesday 22 February.  Boys will be informed of details in Assembly on Friday.  

Please note, the carnival is a compulsory whole-school event, however boys should not attend if unwell or isolating.

Mr Matt Stearn - Senior School Sports Master

NSTA Tennis

The overcast skies did not dampen the spirits of the boys for the start of the second half of the NSTA Tennis season. Unfortunately, COVID-19 stopped our Term 4 competition but Term 1 started with a bang. It was great to see so many new Junior School boys join us for tennis. Thanks to Mrs Keighery, who, as usual, was busy out on the courts with our new green ball players. Thanks also to Riley Seeto, Ethan Li, Richard Gauci and Venedict Valerio who helped umpire the 8.00 am games. The help and guidance that these boys provide is invaluable. We only lost 6 of the 8 games played at 8.00 am, well done to the younger SPX players!

The 10.00 am games were a bit more of a challenge, however, SPX teams still won 3 of the 7 games played. With the current climate it has made it difficult for some teams to play due to illness so sadly for SPX13 their first game was a forfeit. Adrian Yip and Antony Autore played a smashing doubles with a 6-0 win. These boys continued to practice even after they had completed the competition games playing against each other. Luke Mortimer SPX6 played a close match against his Reddam opponent that came down to a tie-breaker, unfortunately, Luke lost but it wasn’t for want of trying. 

Thanks to everyone for a great weekend and the excellent sportsmanship that was shown. Just a reminder that it is important that everyone arrive at least 15 minutes before their match to warm up.

Mrs Samantha Iwatani - NSTA Convenor

Basketball

ISA Representation: A huge congratulations to our successful triallists who were selected to represent the ISA in their upcoming games against CHS, CAS, GPS. Stefan Senicic made the ISA 1st V. Bailey Perkins and James Shahinian were selected in the 2nd V and Chris Zilifian was named as a shadow player. We wish them the best of luck in their representative duties.

Season Draw: Below is a draft copy of the remaining season draw – *subject to change*. This should assist with your forward planning.

Fixtures: The ISA Season continues this Saturday with Rd 3.  

NB. Age Groups remain the same as last year as Term 1 is part of the same season. Therefore for most players:  13’s = Yr 8,  14’s =Yr 9, 15’s = Yr 10,  17’s = Yr 11, 

Opens = Yr 12 

Teams: Please use this link to see the team lists for this Saturday.

Uniform for games: Boys require a St Pius X Basketball singlet and basketball shorts. These are available for purchase from the uniform shop.

Training: The training timetable has now been set for the duration of this season.

For Oxford Falls sessions boys will be bussed to and from the venue. The buses should return to Chatswood around 5.30 pm.

Mr Greg Virgona - Basketball Convenor

Cricket

MWJCA Fixtures – Saturday 19 February 2022

U12 SPX Blue v Collaroy Plateau Energy @ Oxford Falls #2

U13 Gold v Beacon Hill Vipers @ Cromer Park

U13 Black v Harbord Huntsman @ Oxford Falls #2

U14 Green v Harbord Grasshoppers @ Kierle Park #1

U14 Red v Wakehurst Green @ Tania Park #2

U15 Orange v Peninsula Kingfishers @ Tania Park #1

U15 Yellow v Wakehurst Red @ Nolans Reserve #1

U17 Purple v BYE

Please note: fixtures are as listed on myCricket at time of publication, Coaches/Managers are requested to check for any late amendments.

ISA Fixtures – Saturday 19 February 2022

2nd XI v St Augustine’s College @ Oxford Falls #1 (10.00 am start)

1st XI v St Patrick’s College @ Breen Oval (10.00 am start)

1st XI v St Gregory’s College – ISA Round 1, Saturday 12 February 2022

SPX 0 for 53 (Joel Austin 27 not out, Logan Nicey 18 not out) defeated St Gregory’s 52 (Logan Nicey 2-3, Manas Bansal 2-6, Oscar MacDonald 2-16)

SPX hosted St Gregory’s at Oxford Falls. After a half hour late start, the opposition was sent in to bat. Early wickets to Harrison O’Brien and Jesse Mansbridge set the tone as the 1st XI bowlers attempted to bowl as straight as possible; Oscar MacDonald dismissed two batsmen with this approach. The 1st XI’s two off-spinners, Logan Nicey and Manas Bansal cleaned up the tail with run outs from Keelan Mendel and Joel Austin completing the ten wickets. Openers Austin and Nicey were keen to reach the target without losing wickets and their positive intent saw the victory achieved in the 9th over. The 1st XI players are aware a much sterner test faces them this week at Breen Oval against St Pat’s.

Playing Shirts – ALL players are to be correctly attired in the new blue SPX Cricket shirt; available from the Uniform Shop.

Training 

Mondays (4.00 pm - 5.30 pm)      – ISA Squad (1st & 2nd XI)

Tuesday (4.00 pm - 5.00 pm)        – U13 (Senior School) and U14

Wednesday (4.00 pm - 5.30 pm) – ISA Squad (1st & 2nd XI) 

Thursday (4.00 pm - 5.00 pm) – U12 and U13 (Junior School) during Junior School PE                                                               – U15 and U17

All training is at Oxford Falls.

Players are to correctly attired in PE uniform or ISA uniform.

Bus transport departs form in front of OLD Church at 3:20 pm and returns to Anderson St.

Training conducted by Cricket Appeal professional coaches.

Match Summary

MWJCA Round 8 – 12 February 2022 

SPX Match Summary 

Round 9 – 12 February 2022

Match Reports

Mr David Reay - Cricket Convenor

Squash

The first week of the Junior Summer Pennant saw seven teams representing St Pius X last Saturday. Five teams played at home, one played at Knox Grammar and one at Thornleigh.

For many of the players it was their first time playing competition squash and some of the players had only picked up a racquet for the very first time last Wednesday. As such, it was a humbling learning experience for most of the teams and even some of the more experienced players really need to get back into a rhythm of regular training and practice to get back to their best. 

A special mention must be made about Emilio Righli-Clayton who is playing squash for the first time. Even though he lost his fixture he managed to win his first game of squash 15-11. Well done to St Pius X Team 3 for their clean sweep against BRIARS Sports Club, winning their fixture three matches to nil.

TEAM

St Pius 1 Loss 2-1 

St Pius 2 Loss 2-1 

St Pius 3 Win 3-0

St Pius 4 Loss 3-0

St Pius 5 Loss 3-0

St Pius 6 Loss 3-0

St Pius 7 Loss 3-0 

Mr Joe Madani - Squash Convenor

Football

Thank you to all the players and parents for your attendance at Sunday’s grading day.  A big thank you to the SPX Football club volunteers who assisted on the day. Results for grading will be published at school in the coming weeks. Students should listen for announcements and read Woodchatta for updates.

Preseason training will commence later in the Term with an exact date to be finalised.

Mr Simon Yue - Senior Football Convenor

Strength and Conditioning Sessions at the Sarto Gym

A reminder due to COVID-19 restrictions, until further notice, the Strength and Conditioning training sessions in the Sarto Gym will be provided to the year groups as below;

Monday: Years 10 - 12

Tuesday: Years 7 - 9

Wednesday:  Years 7 - 9

Thursday: Years 10 - 12

Friday: Years 10 - 12

The morning Strength and Conditioning session starts at 7.15 am sharp and concludes at 8.10 am (this allows students ample time to change into full school uniform). The afternoon session starts at 3.30 pm and concludes at 4.30 pm. 

A reminder students must book their training time slot through the Mind Body App which can be found on the school's Intranet page.

Please contact Ms Coombe for any further information.

Ms Laura Coombe - Strength and Conditioning Coach

Senior Swimming Squad

Training continues Monday, Tuesdays and Fridays from 7.15 am – 8.15 am at Fitness First Chatswood. All swimmers must wear a cap whilst training. Students are expected to train two mornings per week unless they train 3 or more times for a club.

Ms Leisa Proc - Swimming Convenor

Senior Chess

Chess training continues on Monday afternoons in D1-4 “the Blue Room” at 3.30 pm - 4.30 pm. All students who are interested in playing Chess as their extracurricular activity are encouraged to attend. 

Ms Denise Ramsey and Ms Janelle Dempsey - Chess Convenors

CSDA Public Speaking

The CSDA Public Speaking Competition runs on the following Friday evenings in Term 1:

Friday 25 February:  Public Speaking Round 1

Friday 4 March:  Public Speaking Zone Finals

Friday 11 March:  Public Speaking Finals

All Public Speakers have received information regarding this year’s topics as well as the required structure of their speech.  First drafts should be plotted out before our group session this Thursday, 17 February, at lunch time in B10. Bring your lunch and your ideas. 

CSDA Debating Competition 

The CSDA Debating Competition runs through Term 2 on the following evenings. YELLOW CSDA Debating ONLY Registration forms will be available from the Student Office from Monday 14 February (Week 3).

The 2022 Debating season kicks off this term with:

Week 7 Training:  Friday 18 March 3.30 pm - 5.30 pm

Week 8 Training:  Friday 25 March 3.30 pm - 5.30 pm

Week 9 Training & Pre-season 'Friendly' debate:  Date to be confirmed, 3.30 pm - 6.00 pm.

If you want to be part of the terrific St Pius X College debating community it is essential that you attend ALL of the first six rounds.  If your team makes it through to the Elimination round (and beyond) you also need to keep the above dates free.

Our senior students act as coaches/supporters for our junior teams.  We are also lucky enough to have ex-students to work with the junior teams as the younger students really enjoy contact with our ex-debating “champions”.

The fee for the CSDA extra-curricular activity is $150.00 which will be included in your Term Two school fees. We keep our fees as low as possible and receive funding from the St Pius X College P & F to subsidise the costs of running debating at SPX.  

Mrs Michele Waterson - Debating and Public Speaking Convenor

Cross Country

Cross Country training continues each week for all of Term 1 and into Term 2.  Join our newly appointed coaches, Matthew North and Dominic Panozzo, for fun, varied and challenging sessions.  It was great to see healthy numbers in attendance this week, getting fit and honing their race skills.

When: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings

Where: Beauchamp Park, Chatswood 

Time: 7.15 am – 8.15 am 

Who: All Senior and Junior School students welcome

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.

You don’t have to aspire to run in the ISA or IPSHA Carnivals - all students and abilities welcome.

Mr Greg Virgona - Cross Country Convenor

ISA Tennis

Applications for ISA Winter Tennis are now open!

ISA Tennis is a senior school sport for boys in Years 7 to 12. St Pius X teams compete against other ISA schools on Saturday mornings. If boys are selected and commit themselves to a team, they must be available for all weeks of the competition and to travel regularly for games. 

This competition runs through Term 2 & 3 with four grading sessions late in Term 1.

All students intending to play in the 2022 season must attend all allocated grading/training afternoons, running in Term 1, Weeks 7, 8, 9 and 10 with Evolve Tennis Academy, Roseville.

Students will be advised whether they are required to attend the Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon sessions.

Please click here for more information regarding ISA Tennis: ISA Tennis Enrolment information

Please click here to apply for ISA Tennis: 2022 ISA Tennis Application

Applications close Friday 4 March, 3:30 pm. Should you have any queries, please contact Ms Bamber - vbamber@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Ms Veronica Bamber - ISA Tennis Convenor