Junior School News & Sport

• Junior School News and Information
• Learning Enrichment Notices​
• Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
• Junior School Chess Club
• Junior School Sport

PRAYER:  As it is St Valentine’s Day tomorrow I thought I would explain who St Valentine was and then choose an appropriate reading from the bible.

St Valentine, a priest, married couples under Roman jurisdiction during the reign of Emperor Claudius 11.  The emperor made a law that soldiers could not marry with the theory that this made them better in war.  The Romans encouraged polygamy, especially with their soldiers.  But many of the soldiers had realised the truth of the Christian faith and found marriage to be a sacrament (sacred), as believed by their faith.  Fr Valentine was arrested, for he was secretly marrying these soldiers of the faith.

After his arrest he had even prayed and cured the blindness of the daughter of the judge who had sentenced him to jail, causing the judge to find his faith in the Christian way.  But the sacredness of marriage was such for St Valentine that he was willing to accept his fate of punishment and martyrdom to include beating, stoning and then decapitation given for performing these weddings.  He was executed on the 14th February. That is why St Valentine became the patron saint of love.

MAY YOUR VALENTINES DAY BE FILLED WITH ABUNDANT BLESSINGS.

*  *  *

Brothers and sisters: Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.

But I shall show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love,

I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.

And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;

if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love,

I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated,

it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,

it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease;

if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.

For we know partially and we prophesy partially,

but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child;

when I became a man, I put aside childish things.

At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face.

At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.

So faith, hope, love remain, these three;

but the greatest of these is love.

*  *  *

Junior School Swimming Carnival:  It was a great day of participation and sportsmanship.  The boys were fantastic and participated well, and it was an excellent day if you were in Barron.  Thank you to the parents who assisted and to the many parents who attended and supported the boys.  Well done to Mr Virgona and the teachers on the smooth running of an excellent carnival.  They say a picture tells 1000 words, so here are a few thousand words!

SATURDAY SPORT:  It was great to see so many boys competing for the college on Saturday.  Great sportsmanship and some handy skills were displayed.  I particularly loved the basketball game where they took the lead for the first time and won in the last minute - it was very exciting. Better than watching the Kings!  Thank you to Mr Virgona for his organisation and to all the parent taxis on Saturday. 

Softball this week is at Tudor House, Moss Vale.  It is a lovely drive with plenty of interesting cafes, shops and attractions such as the Bradman Museum, Illawarra Fly or Fitzroy Falls, if you make a day of it.  Thanks in anticipation.

P&F WELCOME MASS & SOCIAL:  Next Saturday at 5.30 pm we have the P & F Commencement Mass and Social. You can park in the senior half of the playground. It is a great way to meet other parents and join in a community event.  There is Unity in Community so get amongst it!  We have a supper/BBQ afterwards with adult drinks and children drinks! Better still it is free! Your children can eat and then play in the junior school playground. For catering purposes the P&F would appreciate you replying  on this link!  Full details on the P&F page of this newsletter.  I hope to see you there.

Volunteers are welcome to assist with setting up and the BBQ - please see the link below with time slots if you would like to assist.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Tl8uRztIdcl9Pmds0xwUyqRaN-4lm2XWZR7_p-gnldc/edit?usp=sharing

ANTI-BULLY PLAY:  Tomorrow we are at Oxford Falls for a full day - please remember that your son will need both morning tea and lunch.  For the first part of the day the boys will watch a play about Bullying.  This is a great way for us as educators (both parents and teachers) to have a chat about bullying so please use this opportunity for a dinner time conversation.   Below is some information about the play. 

JUNIOR SCHOOL PARENT / TEACHER INTERVIEWS:  If you haven’t completed the questionnaire and had a chat with your son about his goals could you please do so and return the questionnaire to your son’s teacher.  You may wish to use the diary to assist you with your discussions.  From Page 28 onwards there is a lot of stimulus about strengths and emotions that could assist with a discussion about a goal.  A lot of this information is from the VIA (Values in Action) Institute.  Hopefully you have booked a time to discuss the questionnaire with your son’s teacher.

UPCOMING EVENTS

WEEK3:

• Thursday 14 February:   Sports day - whole day at Oxford Falls.  We have a play about Bullying and then sport as normal.  Boys wear colour house sports uniform and bring morning tea and lunch, drink bottle and hat.
• Saturday 16 February:  IPSHA  Round 2.   P & F Commencement Mass and Social begins at 5.30pm at Our Lady of Dolours Church (OLD) in Archer Street.  Parking is available in the school playground. Supper is supplied and it's a great way to meet other people while the children have fun in playground. Catholic means universal – all are welcome!  Please see the invitation below for full details, and to help the P&F to organise the catering please RVSP by clicking on this link

• Sunday 17 February:  Please note that the F

Learning Enrichment Notices

COMPASS CLUB

What is Compass Club?  Compass Club offers a range of competitions and is open to any boy wishing to register for a competition they are interested in. At Compass Club you can find out if you are eligible to register or enter competitions, obtain an entry form, seek assistance with your entry or work on your entry. Most competitions require you to submit your entry during Compass Club sessions.

When is Compass Club?  Compass Club is held Wednesday lunchtimes beginning in Week 3.

Where is Compass Club held?  Compass Club is held in the JSR (room off the Junior School yard).

Do I attend every week?  Attend Compass Club if you are interested in participating in a particular competition. You can choose to work on your entry during Wednesday lunch or work on your entry at home and submit it when you have finished.

Who can I see about joining Compass Club?  If you have any questions about Compass Club please see Mrs Spanyik.

COMPETITION REMINDERS

• Say No to Bullying Poster Competition: draw a picture of how you could help someone who is being bullied. Entries close 11 March.  https://www.interrelate.org.au/get-involved/2019-poster-competition
• Da Vinci Decathlon Competition  -  enrich, excite, challenge.  Held at Knox Grammar School on Thursday 30 May.  NB compulsory training sessions in Compass Club.      This competition is aimed at students celebrating their academic gifts.  (Registrations of interest- Week 4 & 6)

Entry into this competition is based on demonstrated academic ability and an ability test. The competition will be run in Term 2 with compulsory training beginning Week 1 Term 2 on Wednesday lunchtimes during Compass Club.  Further details will be given at the next Junior School Assembly and link: http://www.davincidecathlon.com/davinci/index

JUNIOR SCHOOL DEBATING – SELECTION TRIALS​

Boys in the Junior School have the opportunity to become involved in Debating. The College enters two teams in the IPSHA Debating Competition. Twelve boys from the Junior School form the two teams and these are selected to compete. The teams debate fortnightly on a Friday afternoon (during school hours Periods 4-6) during Terms 2, 3 and 4 on a rotational basis. The emphasis is on learning the skills of debating and workshops will be held during lunchtimes leading up to the competitions. Training begins every Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes beginning Week 9 Term 1.

Boys are invited to present a short two minute speech to assist in selection of these teams. These speeches are to be presented during the set trial sessions on Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes:

The topic for the speech is 'WHICH IS BETTER - TELEVISION OR BOOKS?'  Further details will be given to the boys at the Junior School assembly. 

Mrs Bettina Spanyik - Learning Enrichment Teacher

News from the Junior Resource Centre

Love Your Library On February 14:  Move over St Valentine because 14 February 2019 is also Library Lover’s Day and we are celebrating.

Library Lover’s Day is a chance for everyone to connect with the library and share the library love. Do you love the library? Visit today and pick up a ‘Blind Date ‘book.  Make a date with your friendly librarian Mrs Martin to help find that special book to read, or help with resources for your homework. Cast your eyes over some beautiful Love Letters. #librarylove

* * *

Ludwig Van Beethoven to his ‘Immortal Beloved’:  Letter 1

Good Morning on July 7

My thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved  

I can live only wholly with you or not at all –

  Be calm my life, my all. Only by calm consideration of

Our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together

Oh continue to love me, never misjudge the most faithful

Heart of your beloved.

Ever thine

Ever mine

Ever ours.

UNITY IN COMMUNITY - ‘GET AMONGST IT’

#LibraryLoversDay #LibraryLoveStories

* * *

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – Bushfire by Sally Murphy is a new title in the My Australian Story series. Focusing on the events of the bush fires of Black Saturday in Victoria which took place 10 years ago. The story revolves around Amy and her family who are trapped by the fires in Marysville and are forced to deal with tragedy as the fires burn out of control. #MrsMartinsBooktrail2019

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior Librarian

Junior School Chess Club

The NSW Junior Chess Competition is pleased to invite the SPX Junior School to take part in the 2019 Primary Schools Chess Teams Competition.

WHY CHESS? There are tremendous benefits for children involved in the competition – new outlook, new friends, intellectual stimulation, improved concentration and a new reason to develop self-esteem. Registration closes Friday 22 February 2019.

Attached below is a Chess Newsletter with all the relevant information.  If your son is interested please complete the form, detach and hand it to Mrs Martin by Week 4, Friday 22 February 2019. Training begins in Week 8, Tuesday 19 March 2019 at 7.30am in the Junior Resource Centre.

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convener 

Junior Sport

Thursday Sport: There is an anti-bullying incursion this Thursday and so we again depart for Oxford Falls early. Please note the need for a full packed lunch.

School App: If you have not already done so please download the St Pius X College App on your phone. Go to Settings-Subscriptions to tag the sports you wish to receive notices for. Also, tag the ‘General’ sports notices option so as you receive the notices pertinent to all students.

Twitter / Wet Weather Procedure: Follow @SPXJuniorSport for instant updates regarding late sporting changes, cancellations etc. Full details here.

Junior Swimming Carnival - Champion House BARRON

We were blessed with a perfect day for the annual House Swimming Carnival, the first opportunity for our boys to represent their College in the sporting arena. The boys competed with vigour and determination in the water, many at the edge of their comfort zone in pursuit of a ribbon and valuable points. It was so pleasing to see the number of boys entering the 50m races in each stroke, certainly more displaying confidence in their ability and a hunger to compete in the top events. The competition was healthy in the water and the support for those swimmers from the pool deck was magnificent. I was also extremely pleased with the courage displayed by some of our weaker swimmers who took to the water despite being extremely nervous about doing so, thus gaining confidence and overcoming fears, valuable learning experiences for anyone.

I particularly acknowledge the newly appointed House Captains who, in their first assignment for 2019, did a sterling job leading their troops, ensuring high participation levels, organising relays and showing the way in the pool. Our boys are our best advertisement for the College and I was extremely impressed with the way this new group has settled into the sporting fabric of the school – they listen, follow directions and effortlessly give of their best.

In the end Barron’s strong individual performances in the top events proved the difference, comfortably outpointing Purton for the overall win. Rice competed valiantly all day to round out the podium. Congratulations to Dominic D’Souza (C) and Hamish Tooher (VC) for leading Barron to victory. The highlight of the day was Barron’s record breaking swim in the U12 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay -  Congratulations! 

A big thank-you to the staff, senior students and parental volunteers who ran the carnival so smoothly. Thanks also to the many parents and relatives who supported their boys on the day. The following Age Champions and runners-up deserve mention for their superb individual performances in their respective fields. The U11 and open Age Champions have been selected in the swimming squad and are joined by: Toby Moran (U11’s) and Jonathon Board (U12’s). Our swim squad have already begun preparations for their upcoming selection carnival. We wish them the best of luck.

Please see a selection of photos in Mr Long's section above.

Basketball: Well done to all players on the manner in which they began their season on Saturday. Whilst there was much success on the court I was more impressed by the enthusiasm, mateship and school spirit on display. The boys are certainly taking ownership of their life at the College and representing the school with pride.

Rugby: Trials for the upcoming Armidale Rugby Tour will take place on Thur 14 Febrary as part of sport. Yr 6 students playing Rugby for the College are invited to trial. The tour takes place from 12–14 April in Armidale, NSW. All tour management, including accommodation, coaching and meals are organised by The College. Players make their own way to Armidale and return by their own means – parents drop them to SPX staff at the school boarding accommodation on Friday afternoon. Whilst most parent/s attend in support, transport can also be arranging via car-pooling with another player. Accommodation books out very early but the Rugby Club has secured several rooms on behalf of St Pius parents – more info to follow after team selections are complete.

Touch Football: The St Pius A and B Touch Football sides were hit with two tough matches on Saturday against Trinity Grammar. Many tries were scored with great running and end to end football. Great passing from Archie Harris and Bailey Yu with awesome running and stepping from Louis Forbes. We look forward to taking on Newington College this weekend.

Mr Greg Virgona - Junior School Sportsmaster

Softball - Round 1 Report:  It was a terrific game to kick off the softball season. Our opponent was Trinity, Strathfield. Both teams were nervous as it was their first game. Ben Shoudra, our captain, won the ‘bat toss’ and chose to field first. In the first innings, Trinity had 4 runners home. For Pius, Matthew Yee was one of our first runners to make the home plate. At this stage we were one run behind.

In the second innings, our base defenders, Luca Cheal and Martin Chan, were focused and ready to catch or tag a player out. Confident pitching by Matthew Sissons and Joshua Floridia, (who also took a great catch), provided many tense moments to keep the spectators involved with the play.

The outfielders Nicholas Kwan, Christian Fiore, Kayden Foo, Ben Haskew and Jack Morabito were fantastic at stopping the balls getting past them and keeping the opposing team’s run rate low. Unfortunately we lost our first game by 4 runs.  Well done boys on your sportsmanship and keeping your cool under pressure.

Thank you to Mr Haskew for keeping score, Ms Cregan and Mr Yee for taking photos.

Saturday 16 February:  A reminder to parents to bring a chair as there is no seating at the venue.

Please click below for additional photos.

Mrs Jennifer Williams - Softball Convenor

NSTA Tennis:  The teams have now been finalised and a copy of the teams can be found below.  I am still waiting on the draw to come through and will email the details to all players and parents as soon as I have them. Please ensure that your son has the correct uniform, including a school cap for the game this weekend.

Mrs Sam Iwatani - NSTA Convenor