St Pius X College Newsletter

Junior School News 

  • From the Head of the Junior School
  • Junior School Sport
  • From the Junior Resource Centre 
  • Junior Chess

From the Head of the Junior School

Welcome back to Term 2 in the Junior School.  We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter break and enjoyed some well-deserved time off with their loved ones.  It was lovely to see the boys arriving at school this morning, resplendent - and looking very grown up - in their winter uniform.

 

TEACHING AND LEARNING IN TERM 2

This term, we have an exciting and diverse range of topics for our students to explore. In Year 5, students will be developing their skills in narrative writing and poetry, learning how to craft engaging stories and expressive poems that captivate their readers. In History, students will study migration, the Gold Rush, and significant people of the post-colonisation era, giving students a fascinating insight into the challenges and triumphs of Australia's past. In Science, students will be exploring what it would be like to be an astronaut as they embark on a mission to Mars. PDHPE will focus on nutrition and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. In Mathematics, students will be building upon their existing skills to solve more complex problems. Drama will focus on improvisation, developing students' ability to think on their feet and create compelling characters and stories. Finally, in Religious Education, we will be exploring parables and the church in Australia, with a visit to the Mary MacKillop Place. 

 

Students in Year 6 will spend Term 2 exploring electricity, circuits, and energy transfer and transformation. In PDHPE, they will focus on mental health and well-being. Mathematics will provide opportunities for problem-solving and logical thinking. In Religious Education, students will learn about the Bible and the Sacraments. In Drama, they will explore the art of puppetry. A cross-curricula task will challenge students to write an empathetic recount from the perspective of a migrant who has made a significant impact on Australian society between 1901 and the present. In English, students will also be examining the language, form, and structure of poetry.

 

We are excited to see our students engage with these topics and look forward to seeing their growth and development throughout the term.

 

RUGBY TOUR TO ARMIDALE

Over the last weekend of the holidays Mr Ryan, Mr Morris, Mr Ure, and I enjoyed watching our Junior Rugby players participate in The Armidale School (TAS) Rugby Carnival.  There were over 50 schools competing across a boys' and girls' competition.  Whilst notching up wins against The Cranbrook School and Matthew Flinders Anglican College, the boys did themselves and St Pius X proud with their enthusiasm and sportsmanship as well as their post-match interactions with the other teams and their exemplary behaviour off the field. Thank you to all the families who travelled to Armidale to support the team – with special thanks to Mr Michael Onslow for organising the evening events for our touring parents and their families.

 

Photos can be found here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xAfZDMXQydt49diU8

 

MOTHER’S DAY

Please ensure that you keep the morning of Friday 12 May free for our whole-school celebration of Mother’s Day.  Our liturgy will start at 9:10 am and be followed by breakfast.

 

IPSHA WINTER SPORT | ROUND 1 THIS SATURDAY 29 APRIL

Teams and venues will be detailed in Mr Ryan’s Sport Section below – please ensure you check it each week and if you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Ryan on bryan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

 

DATES FOR THE DIARY IN TERM 2

Thank you for your continued support of the Junior School. 

Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School

 

Year 5 Park Play

 

Junior School Sport

IPSHA Winter Season

Round 1 of the IPSHA Winter Season kicks off this Saturday, 29 April. This is off the back of the winter trials held late last term. I want to assure families that coaches and managers will continue to monitor team selections throughout the season and any changes will be in a fair and considered manner.

Please also have the College App accessible as this is where teams and venue maps for travel will be uploaded.

In preparation for our first games this weekend, please ensure your son:

  • has the correct uniform for his chosen sport (SPX Uniform shop can assist) 
  • has all the appropriate safety equipment needed to play (e.g. mouthguard, shin guards, etc)
  • arrives at the venue 30 minutes before their game for warm-ups
  • brings their own water bottle

Football

Rugby

AFL

Mr Ben Ryan - Junior School Sports Coordinator

Junior School Rugby

During the recent holidays close to 80 students participated in a Rugby clinic on 19 and 20 April, run and supported by Mike Cross and Trytime Rugby.

The boys were treated to fantastic weather on the first day and there were multiple expert coaches to assist them with their skills. The day was broken up into three sections where the students divided into 5 different groups to develop the finer intricacies of the game to give them an advantage come game time.

The second day started inside due to the weather but it didn’t stop the enthusiasm and boys were keen to get out in the rain to work on their wet weather skills. 

The top Opens teams then put on a show for the crowd with a high intensity semi-opposed fixture. 

Mr Martin Gillogly - Senior School Rugby Convenor

and Mr Antonio Morris - Junior School Rugby Convenor

From the Junior Resource Centre

This week's Highlights are:

Welcome back to school. What great books did you read during the school holidays?

 

Literature Promotion in the JRC

Year 5 students read and discussed the picture book Midnight by Mark Greenwood, illustrated by Frane Lessac, the true tale of a World War I cavalry soldier and his heroic horse, Midnight.   

PRC – ID = 5873

 

 

 

 

Year 6 students read and discussed the picture book Alfred’s War by Rachel Bin Salleh, illustrated by Samantha Fry. Powerfully written and beautifully illustrated  in watercolour and pencil, this picture book tells the story of the forgotten Indigenous soldiers.

PRC – ID = 20616

 

 

 

A few of my favourite books to spark classroom discussions regarding the importance, significance and history of ANZAC Day and / or the enormity of war.

Underpinning each story and ensuring that the boys are provided with a gentle, age-appropriate truth, are the resounding themes of resilience, bravery, hope, light and love.

 

 

The Premier's Reading Challenge

The Premier's Reading Challenge is well under way. Great to see the boys updating their reading logs over the school holiday break.

 

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail: The Great Gallipoli Escape by Jackie French

This novel is both a heartbreaking and heart-warming historical fiction from the award-winning author Jackie French. It is a story that celebrates the mateship, bravery, tenacity and loyalty of our ANZAC heroes. It encapsulates their spirit, their hearts and their legend. It also describes the brutality and cruelty of life in the trenches, as well as the idiocies of war; including playing cricket with the enemy one day and firing at them the next. Aimed at 10 years and up, it is a book that will give students an understanding of the Gallipoli conflict through both narrative and informative text. #MrsMartinsBooktrail2023

Ms Elena Martin - Teacher Librarian

 

 

Junior Chess

It was great to see all the students who attended chess training this morning in the JRC. Click on the Try Booking link for chess payment for the competition.

https://www.trybooking.com/1041041

 

The draw for this year's Primary Schools Competition will be available next week on the NSWJCL website (see www.nswjcl.org.au and click on "Schools" in the homepage menu). The competition starts Friday 5 May 2023.

 

 

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor