Junior School News
From the Head of the Junior School
TEACHING AND LEARNING
It’s Week 2 and the boys have already found a rhythm to their day and have adjusted to the way the Junior School timetable works. Recess and lunchtime handball games are well-organised and the site of excellent sportsmanship while the Junior Resource Centre (Library) has been a cool and calming sanctuary for others.
Students are engaged in a variety of learning activities. In Mathematics, the focus has been on Place Value and Addition strategies. In English, they have been studying the elements of persuasive texts. In Science, Year 5 have begun to explore Space while Year 6 began their unit of study looking at Forces. In History, Year 5 are learning about Australian history to 1901 and Year 6 continue from there in their study of how Australia developed as a nation. In Personal Development and Health (PDH), Year 5 are looking at how to manage relationships while Year 6 will be learning about keeping themselves safe online. All students have begun their units on Lent and Easter and will be introduced to the College’s Social Justice initiative: Project Compassion, in the coming weeks. It has been a week of diverse and dynamic learning experiences for students at school.
Your sons are a delight. They have beautiful manners and are joyful when they arrive at school each day. Thank you for entrusting them, and their education to us, it is a privilege.
SPORT TRIALS AT OXFORD FALLS
It was wonderful to see all the boys in the Junior School enjoying our magnificent facilities at Oxford Falls last Thursday and Friday. The first two days of Junior School Sports trials certainly set the tone for a thrilling season ahead. Our final trial day is this Thursday. You can find all you need to know about Junior School Sport in Mr Ryan’s section below.
Please note that to avoid sunburn, the boys must wear a hat. Students are encouraged and reminded to drink water and reapply sunscreen regularly throughout the day. Whilst we have sunscreen at Oxford Falls, I would advise that each student have a small tube of his own in his sport bag. Please help us by reinforcing the ‘sun safe’ message at home.
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
Thank you to the 200+ parents who took the time to join the Junior School teachers on Monday night. We hope you found the evening informative, but if you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your son’s classroom teachers via email.
YEAR 6
Mr Ure cure@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Mrs Williams jwilliams@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Mr Morris amorris@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Ms Burke vburke@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
YEAR 5
Mrs Iwatani siwatani@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Miss Boyle rboyle@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Mr Carroll gcarroll@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Mrs Barrett bbarrett@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Mr Cummins pcummins@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTS COORDINATOR
Mr Ryan bryan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
BOXERCISE – STARTING TOMORROW
Keep fit and meet new friends in Boxercise classes. All equipment is supplied at no cost. Classes start at 7.30 am on Thursday mornings, commencing tomorrow. No bookings necessary – just turn up. Students learn boxing combinations, together with a variety of cardio/strength exercises which promote self-esteem, confidence, and mateship across the years from Years 5 to 11. For further details, contact Mr Rick Russo at rrusso@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.
MATHS DROP-IN AND HOMEWORK HELP | FRIDAYS 8.00 am – 8.40 am | Starts Friday Week 3, 17 February
Drop-in 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.
Starting Friday 17 February, with Mrs Fileman in 5 Gold.
SMART WATCHES
Smart Watches are proving to be a source of distraction for our young learners. Students wearing Smart Watches will be asked to place them in the classroom safe with their mobile phones at the beginning of the day and they will be returned at the end of the day. This includes Smart Watches that aren’t linked to a SIM card and those that are on School Mode. We thank you for your support.
DATES FOR THE DIARY:
WEEK 2
Thursday 9 Februrary Sports Trials #3 at Oxford Falls
Saturday 11 February IPSHA Sport Round 1
WEEK 3
Tuesday 14 February Junior School Blazer Fittings
Wednesday 15 February Swimming Carnival (Macquarie Aquatic Centre)
WEEK 4
Monday 20 February Get to Know You Meetings (online)
Tuesday 21 February Get to Know You Meetings (online)
Tuesday 21 February Commencement Mass (Oxford Falls)
Cyberbullying play (Chatswood campus)
Thursday 23 February Chinese New Year Assembly | Cross Country (Oxford Falls)
Friday 24 February Year 5 Reflection Day
Saturday 25 February P&F Commencement Mass and Social event from 5.30 pm
(Our Lady of Dolours Church)
CLASS PARENTS
Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to be Class Parents. We now have a full complement of parent volunteers. Rachel Mensforth from the P&F will be in contact with those parents who have volunteered.
ATTENDANCE / ABSENCES
Thank you to everyone for ensuring that you email
studentmanagement@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au if your son is absent.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School.
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School
Junior School Sport
Thursday Sport: Saturday fixtures for this weekend are listed below. Boys in Basketball (A/B Squad only) and Touch Football will be given their loan uniform at Thursday Sport. There is no need to purchase these additional items from the uniform shop.
Basketball:
Swimming Squad Training 2022
As we build towards our two carnivals this term (SPX – 15 February and IPSHA – 1 March) training for the Swim Squad will commence Monday 13 February and will continue each Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 7.15 am – 8.15 am.
Location: 7.15 am at Fitness First, Chatswood (24 Endeavour St, Chatswood)
Requirements:
- Suitable swimwear, goggles and swim cap (compulsory)
- Students wear PE/ Pius Sports Uniform to the sessions. At 8.15 am the boys are walked back to school by staff. They then change into school uniform. A snack/breakfast is also recommended at this point.
Touch Football:
Softball:
Mr Ben Ryan - Junior School Sports Coordinator
NSTA Tennis
Welcome back to the 2023, Term 1 season of NSTA tennis. Please note that the competition will begin this Saturday, February 11.
TENNIS UNIFORM
This year your son will be required to wear the College tennis shirt that is available from the uniform shop. In addition to this he is required to wear, the College sports shorts, white socks, sports shoes and a cap. The uniform shop also sells tennis caps, these are a lighter material than the College cap and are better for the heat.
TENNIS TEAMS
Please find the team list attached. You will need to take note of the team number and division that you will be playing in. Due to the increased enrolments, there are now many teams with 3 players. Please note the order of play for a team of 3 below:
TEAMS of 2 – each week both each player will play a doubles and a singles match
TEAMS of 3 – The boys will rotate each week for example:
TENNIS DRAW
I am hoping that the tennis draw will be available by this afternoon in preparation for the games this Saturday February, 11. I will keep you updated via email. When the draw is available you will be able to access it here:
https://www.xpointsports.com/region/325/currentEvents
Mrs Sam Iwatani - NSTA Convenor
Rugby Club 2023 Golf Day
For Bookings please use the QR Code attached or go to:
Contact St Pius X Rugby Supporters' Committee:
From the Junior Resource Centre
What books are in your beach bag this summer? Are you are looking for some Sizzling Summer Reads the JRC have book recommendations for any reading mood you may be in! Pop in and have a chat to Mrs Martin for more book recommendations.
World Read Aloud Day on 1 February 2023
In the flurry that was the start of the school term, World Read Aloud Day on February 1 slipped by. This could be some family fun with the kids … show them how they can express themselves when they are reading, (author unknown).
MAGIC
Read this to yourself. Read it silently.
Don’t move your lips. Don’t make a sound.
Listen to yourself. Listen without hearing anything.
What a wonderfully weird thing, huh?
NOW MAKE THIS PART LOUD!
SCREAM IT IN YOUR MIND!
DROWN EVERYTHING OUT.
Now, hear a whisper. A tiny whisper.
Now, read this next line with your best crotchety – old man voice:
“Hello there, sonny. Does your town have a post office?”
Awesome! Who was that? Whose voice was that?
It sure wasn’t yours!
How do you do that?
How?!
Must be magic
The library is a COOL place to hang out during lunch time.
Make a Date with your Library – Library Lovers Day 14 February
EVERYONE loves Valentine’s Day especially when you combine it with LIBRARY LOVERS DAY. The theme for 2023 is:
“Only You / Can make the world seem right
Only you / Can make the darkness bright…”
What do you LOVE about your library? Visit on Tuesday 14 February, and pick up a ‘Blind Date’ Book. Make a date with your friendly librarian Mrs Martin to help find that special book to read. You can pop by and collect one of our bookmarks and share it with somebody special that you think needs some library love. Enter our Hearts in a Jar Competition or cast your eyes over some beautiful love letters. Feel the Library LOVE!
Excerpts from Famous Love Letters –
George Gordon Lord Byron
In that word, beautiful in all languages, but most so in yours
Amor mio – is comprised my existence here and hereafter.
I feel I exist here, and I feel I shall exist hereafter; to what purpose;
My destiny rests with you,
But I more than love you, and cannot cease to love you.
Think of me, sometimes, when the Alps and ocean divide us,
- but they never will, Unless you wish it.
- #LibraryLoversDay#LibraryLoveStories
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail: Digging Up Dad by Morris Gleitzman.
Eleven short stories in one. A great read for children 8 years and up. Some funny, others thought provoking and one slightly weird and quirky! Morrris is an experienced writer who knows how to engage a variety of children’s reads.
#MrsMartinsBooktrail2023
Ms Elena Martin - Teacher Librarian
Junior Chess
The NSW Junior Chess Competition is pleased to invite the SPX Junior School to take part in the 2023 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, a new reason to develop self-esteem. Registration closes Monday 27 February 2023. Attached 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, Monday 27 February. Training begins Week 8, Tuesday 21 March at 7.30 am in the Junior Resource Centre.
Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor