From the Junior School
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From the Junior School

REFLECTION

As we near the end of the school year, we give thanks to God for all his gifts throughout 2022 …

PRAYER FOR THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

At the end of this school year, we give thanks to God:

For all the teaching and learning that has taken place in our school,

both in and out of the classroom,

For the talents and gifts that have been shared, and the challenges that have been faced;

For the burdens that have been lifted, and the hurts that have been healed;

For the respect and care that has been given.

We give thanks for the friendships that have just begun, and for those that have grown.

For the faith that has been lived in our daily struggles,

For the hope that has lifted our hearts on the dark days.

And for the love that has kept us going.

We give thanks for the community that we are, and we ask you Lord -

Bless our families as we take our holidays, may our time together

leave us with memories to cherish.

Pour out your love on us that we may return renewed and refreshed

to continue our journey together.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

Amen

MERIT AWARDS

Congratulations to the Week 6 and Week 7 Merit and Blue FIDE Award winners:

JUNIOR SCHOOL STARS OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to 6 Blue student Ben M for his outstanding result in his AMEB clarinet exam. Ben received an A+/High Distinction for his efforts.

Brothers Aidan J (Year 6) and Ronan K (Year 5) both represented Northern Sydney and Beaches at the NSW State Championships for U13 Indoor Hockey in Orange last weekend. Aidan played in the A Team in Division 1, and Ronan in the B Team in Division 2. Both teams played well against very strong competition from the country sides. Congratulations to both Aidan and Ronan on this achievement and we are especially proud of Aidan’s award for "Best and Fairest" for displaying qualities of sportsmanship and team spirit.

YEAR 6 REFLECTION DAY

Last Wednesday, students in Year 6 spent the day with their teachers at Oxford Falls where they engaged in a range of activities. The day provided the boys with an opportunity to take a pause from the pace of everyday school life and spend time in quiet prayer and reflection in a peaceful atmosphere. The students had an opportunity to reflect on their schooling so far, to give thanks and to look towards the future. The boys also enjoyed some fun ‘time-out’ for recreation, games, songs, learning and play.

Students had time to reflect on what it means to respect themselves and care for others, and gained a new appreciation for their friends, families, classmates, and teachers. The students also learnt about responsibility and trust and explored their relationship with God.

The day ended with a liturgy where the students were able to gather together to celebrate and give thanks for all the blessings they have received.

Reports from a number of boys on their return was that the day was “awesome”, “magic”, and “the best”. Thank you to the Year 6 teachers for the planning and delivery of such a meaningful day for the students.

FOUNDER’S DAY

On Friday, we joined with the whole College to celebrate the spirituality of Blessed Edmund Rice on Founder's Day. The day focussed on the work of the Edmund Rice Centre in the area of refugee support. We heard from representatives from the Refugee Council of Australia who told the story of how and why they find themselves in Australia today. Following lunch, students were treated to a Talent Show with a difference, with performances from the Teacher Band, including our own Mr Carroll belting out Queen’s “We Will Rock You” before wowing the crowd with an impressive take on the Hunters and Collectors classic: “Holy Grail”.

PEER MENTORING BUDDIES BEACHWALK

Following Founder's Day, students celebrated their Peer Mentoring Program with a Buddies Beachwalk. Teachers, peers, and their buddies travelled to Long Reef before walking the length of Dee Why Beach for a swim and games between the flags in front of Dee Why SLSC. Thank you to those Year 11 Peer Mentees who support this initiative for Junior School students, and to Mr Brannan and Mr Russo for their coordination and support.

VISIT FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA!

On Monday, students in Years 5 and 6 were thrilled to have a visit from PNG Christian Brother, Francis ToLiman. Br Francis explained the role the Christian Brothers’ Callan Services play in disability and general education in Papua New Guinea.

SURF & SWIM PROGRAM

Tomorrow, we head off to the last of our four surf/swim lessons. I hope your son has enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about surf and pool safety.

PERSONAL LEARNING DEVICES (PLDs)

At the end of last week, Year 6 families should have received an email from Mr Rob Stephens, our ICT Manager, regarding the process for purchasing, or returning, your son’s PLD. If you have any questions regarding the purchase or return of your son’s laptop, please direct them here: pldprogram@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

PLDs are to be returned this Friday.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Next week, parents and friends of students in the Junior School are warmly invited to join us in the College Gym (next to the Canteen) for two very special end-of-year events:

2023 STATIONERY

Year 5 and 6 stationery kits can be ordered through the Uniform Shop https://spxchatswood.formstack.com/forms/uniformshop for $50.00, or, if you prefer to do the shopping yourself, please refer to the attached list. If you choose to take advantage of the kits from the Uniform Shop, you will also need to purchase:

1 x Paint shirt
1 x Library bag
1 x USB
1 x calculator (with memory)
1 x box of tissues

If you have any questions, please contact your current class teacher for advice.

SEMESTER 2 REPORTS

Semester 2 Reports will be issued on Tuesday of next week (December 6). If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your son's teacher.

2023 STAFFING

I am delighted that the majority of our teachers are remaining with us in the Junior School next year, however, we farewell Mrs Fileman who is heading across to the Senior School, and Mr Cummins who will still play an important role in the Enrichment program in the Junior School but will now be working as a member of the Diverse Learning team. Mr Patterson finishes up his semester in 5 Blue and is now able to move into a much deserved, and long-awaited retirement. Ms Alchikh made a wonderful contribution to the library where she had stepped in to fill the very large shoes left by Mrs Martin who took Long Service Leave for the term. Thank you to all these teachers for their commitment to the Junior School students. We wish you all well in your new endeavours in 2023.

2022

As the final days of the year draw to a close, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of so many of our students, staff and parents in the St Pius X community throughout the year. The extraordinary commitment made by our staff, and those who support us, means that we can continue to flourish as an outstanding learning community.

I would also like to express my gratitude to you, our parents, for your generous support throughout 2022. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting many of you at functions and on the sidelines at various sporting events throughout the year and working alongside you to provide the best possible outcomes for your son.

My thanks also to the Leadership Team at the College. Led by Mr Couani, they have been enormously generous in their support of the Junior School and of me personally, and for that, I am very grateful.

Finally, I wish all our Junior School families all the very best for a safe, happy, and peaceful Christmas break and look forward to welcoming you back in 2023.

Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of Junior School

Junior School Sport

Thursday Sport:

This week will be our final Swimming session, details are below.

2022 Junior Sport Awards Ceremony:

Our 2022 Junior Sport Awards Ceremony will take place on Monday, 5 December from 1.30pm until 3.00 pm in our gymnasium at Chatswood. A selection of students will be acknowledged from the wide variety of cocurricular activities SPX has been involved in over the year. While parents are welcome to attend, the event will also be live streamed and the link is below.

Return of SPX loan uniforms:

A reminder that students are now required to return any SPX loan uniforms directly to me. Some loan items include:

Touch Football singlets
Athletics singlets
Cross Country singlets
AFL jerseys and shorts
Basketball singlets
Basketball shorts (As and Bs only)

Any items unaccounted for at the conclusion of the term will be charged to individual students, as replacements will need to be arranged in time for the 2023 seasons. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Mr Glen Carroll - Junior School Sports Coordinator

NSTA Tennis

What an amazing term we have had, with not a drop of rain in sight for all 6 rounds! Each week the young men of Pius displayed excellent sportsmanship and good manners in their matches. I received many compliments from our visitors congratulating the boys on their behaviour both on and off the courts.

Congratulations to the 14 teams that made the finals last weekend, especially to the 7 teams who won their divisions.

The competition would have been very difficult to run on my own, so thank you also to Mrs Karen Keighery, Mr David Webster and Mr Alex Listo who have helped to keep things running so smoothly each week. Of course, my final thank you must go to the parents, grandparents and siblings who drove the boys to their matches and cheered them on each week.

I look forward to seeing everyone back again next year!

Mrs Samantha Iwatani - NSTA Convenor

Coerver Holiday Coaching Camps

From the SPX Rugby Club

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