Junior School News
- From the Head of the Junior School
- Junior School Sport
- From the Junior Resource Centre
- Junior Chess
- IPSHA Junior School Debating
From the Head of the Junior School
REFLECTION
Jesus’ parables in this week’s Gospel (Luke 6:39–45) are a reminder of the importance of continued learning, prayer and reflection, and humility in our discipleship. We shine God’s light in the world when we are “lit from within” with God’s grace, willing to examine our own conscience and recognize our own need for transformation through Jesus. As busy parents responsible for our children’s physical, emotional, and spiritual growth, we may sometimes be challenged to find time and energy to care for ourselves and attend to our own spiritual growth. Yet doing so can improve our family relationships and help us guide our children in their faith. We can be reminded of the simple safety instruction we hear when flying: to put on our own “spiritual” oxygen mask before helping others.
Credit: Sunday Connection
P&F COMMENCEMENT MASS & SOCIAL
I would like to personally, and warmly invite you to the Parent and Friends (P&F) Mass at 5.30 pm this Saturday, February 26, at Our Lady of Dolours Church, followed by a light supper in the Junior School playground. As the new Head of the Junior School, all our families are new to me, and I am very much looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Everyone is welcome, and for catering purposes, please book using the TryBooking link: https://www.trybooking.com/114628
If you don’t book, but decide to come on the day, you will be most welcome.
CYBERBULLYING PLAY
On Tuesday afternoon, students in the Junior School enjoyed a performance of The Cyber Bully. The Cyber Bully is an entertaining play that explores the serious issue of cyber bullying among young people. The play looks at the misuse of texting, social networking sites and unauthorized use of pictures and footage. There was a de-brief session offered after the performance where the actors answered questions about important issues that were raised during the play.
MERIT AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to this week’s Merit Award winners:
YEAR 5 CAMP TO MILSON ISLAND | March 9 - 11
Everyone has registered – thank you! Now the job of organising cabins and activity groups begins in earnest. Details on what to bring will be sent home soon.
CLOTHING, LUNCHBOXES AND DRINK BOTTLES
A gold star to those mums and dads who have written their son’s name on all their clothing (including ties), lunch boxes, and drink bottles. Labelled items can be returned immediately to the boys, whilst unlabelled items end up in the blue Lost Property wheelie bin outside Mr Brannan’s office (the boys know where it is).
“TELL US ABOUT YOUR SON” PARENT/TEACHER MEETINGS
Thank you for taking the time to speak to your son’s teacher this week. Teachers had very positive feedback about the meetings and will now use any new information to further support your sons’ learning.
MATHS DROP-IN CENTRE | FRIDAYS 8.00 am – 8.40 am
There was a big turn-out for Mrs Fileman’s Maths Drop-In Centre last Friday. Please encourage your son to come along if he would like some extra help with any mathematical concepts, topics, or homework.
JUNIOR SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL
The carnival is currently scheduled to take place on Friday.
Our current procotols for the day are that one family member spectator per swimmer is welcome to attend and support. Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to have an official role at the carnival. Mr Carroll will provide more details in the College App.
If the carnival is cancelled parents will be advised via the College App. Please ensure you have downloaded this app as it regularly updates our college community on events and last minute changes to events.
DATES FOR THE DIARY:
Week 4
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School.
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School
Junior School Sport
SPX App
If you haven't already, please download and familiarise yourself with the SPX App. All wet weather announcements, updated fixtures and squad lists are conveniently found on this app.
Swimming Carnival
The Junior School Swimming Carnival will take place this Friday, 25 February at Macquarie University Aquatic Centre. Please refer to the SPX App for the most up to date information, including:
- Swimming Carnival Information Letter
- Swimming Carnival Program
- Information and COVID-19 Protocols
In the event of hazardous weather, an announcement will be made in the SPX App in the Wet Weather page.
House Captains
Congratulations to the following students who will lead each of the Houses in our carnivals this year.
Cross Country Training
Join our newly appointed coaches, Matthew North and Dom Panozzo, for fun, varied and challenging sessions.
When: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings
Where: Beauchamp Park, Chatswood
Time: 7.15 am – 8.15 am
Who: All Senior and Junior School students are 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.
With our Junior School Cross Country coming up on 24 February at Oxford Falls these sessions serve as a good opportunity to build up endurance. You don’t have to aspire to run in the IPSHA Carnival - all students and abilities are welcome.
Basketball
Touch Football
** Please note the updated timings for 5A and 5B Touch Football this week.
Softball
Players remember to bring, hat, water bottle, mouth guard, shin pads and to eat breakfast.
Parents remember to bring a chair as many venues do not have seating.
Thank you, Mr Floridia, for keeping score.
Mr Glen Carroll - Junior School Sports Coordinator
NSTA Tennis
The looming clouds and sprinkles of rain didn’t dampen spirits, the boys arrived eager as always to play. Thank you to Tom Fong and Ethan Li who turned up early to help umpire the green ball games. The support provided to these younger players is much appreciated. Ethan Auer and Jack Fairbanks (SPX 19) showed great sportsmanship in their match against some tough opponents to seal the win 3-0. Daniel Lenehan and Ryan Chung (SPX 23) were a formidable force winning 3-0 to SPX 26. An exciting match was seen between Brandon Ang and Christian Sorrentino (SPX 32) and Francesco Mazzaferro and Aren Mamigonian (SPX 29) with SPX 29 just stealing the win 6-5. A special thanks must go to Justin Lee who stepped up to the plate and played 4 divisions above his own, winning the doubles and putting in a huge effort in his singles.
The 10.00 am games were also exciting to watch. With tennis being one of the games that the boys could continue during lockdown, it is obvious that some boys had not stopped practicing. Lachlan Yu, Hugo Jegat and Ollie Grant (SPX 15), all junior boys played well to win against senior players from Redlands 2-1. Jake Yu and Boston Bannister (SPX 9) were hungry for the win against Oliver Wilkowski and Edward Yangoyan (SPX 7), the games were intense and some great rallies were seen.
A reminder of the following points for next week:
- All players must turn up each week to play at least 15 minutes before the matches start
- No team members can leave until all games have been played
- All balls must be collected and returned with the scoresheet at the end of the games
Mrs Samantha Iwatani - NSTA Convenor
From the Junior Resource Centre
TWOSDAY 22/2/2022 – Tutu Day!
Yesterday was Twosday!!!
22 02 2022 or 2 22 2022, both a pallindrome and ambigram. Can be read the same way forward, backward and upside down.
Try a book or two with a two in the title from our Twosday display twoday!
This week's Highlights are:
Premier's Reading Challenge Opens Monday 28 February. Your son's username and password will be emailed to them shortly.
Year 5 Author visit – Tim Harris. Tuesday 8th March, 2022
Author Tour celebrating the release of:
Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables Join Forces by Tim Harris
Tim Harris is the bestselling author of several laugh-out-loud series for kids, including Toffle Towers, Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables and Exploding Endings.
A former primary school teacher of 15 years, his stories are filled with quirky scenarios, loveable characters and plenty of imagination. Tim’s ‘humour with heart’ writing style has seen his books receive multiple awards, including two KOALA Honour Books (2017 and 2019) and a CBCA Notable (2018). His books have been published in Australia and the USA, and have been translated into numerous languages.
An advocate for creativity and short stories, Tim’s presentations and workshops are dynamic and entertaining. He is a sought-after presenter, having worked in hundreds of schools across Australia.
Students can order signed copies of Tim Harris’ books on the following link:
https://www.thechildrensbookshopspeakersagency.com.au/person/harris-tim-speaker/
The Children’s Bookshop will deliver the books to your child’s school (free delivery).
Alternatively, you can call The Children’s Bookshop directly on 9571 1897 to order and pay over the phone.
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – The Legend of Spud Murphy by Eoin Colfer. How could you not love a book about a scary librarian? A very fun tale of two brothers who get sent to the library for an educational summer activity. Spud Murphy is a no nonsense librarian rumoured to have a spud gun (hence the name). A fun read with Year 5. #MrsMartinsBooktrail2022
Mrs Elena Martin – Teacher Librarian
Junior School Chess Club
A big welcome to the boys who have returned their registration slips to participate in the Junior Chess Competition for 2022. Registration has now closed for 2022. A meeting will be held next week with information regarding this year’s competition. A gentle reminder that training begins Week 8, Tuesday 22 March, 2022 at 7.30 am in the Junior Resource Centre.
Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor
IPSHA 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 Junior 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 8 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 THAT PETS ARE A PEST. Further details will be given to the boys at the Junior School Assembly.
Mrs Bettina Spanyik - Learning Enrichment Teacher