Junior School News 

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

From the Head of the Junior School 

PRAYER

This Sunday is Palm Sunday which is the sixth and last Sunday of Lent and marks the beginning of Holy Week.  This day joins the foretelling of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem (as the crowd welcomed him with palm branches) and the proclamation of His Passion in the Gospel reading. 

NAPLAN Online 2021

Our Year 5 students sat the online omnibus practice test yesterday.  All boys required headphones and a fully charged PLD.  The test was successful.  We will now sit the Writing practice test next Wednesday.  Once again, please ensure your son has his PLD fully charged and that he has his headphones.

BUY YOUR TICKETS IN THE MEGA LUXURY RAFFLE AND SUPPORT OUR FABULOUS SPX CLUBS!

To make this year's P&F Cocktail Party even more exciting our wonderful SPX Supporter Clubs (Basketball, Cricket, Football, PAPA and Rugby) have organised a MEGA LUXURY RAFFLE to raise funds for your boys for coaching, equipment, kit and much much more! 

This is the raffle of all raffles! Not only will you be supporting your boys but also our local tourism locations who have been struggling through COVID. What are the prizes you ask? Well...

First Prize:  A $1,500 gift voucher from View Retreat which entitles the winner to choose from a range of luxury hotel and boutique holiday destinations on offer Australia wide and in New Zealand. The gift voucher is valid for use until March 2024.

Second Prize: A $600 gift voucher from Flight Centre Lindfield. The winner can visit Flight Centre Lindfield and select from their preferred monthly holiday offers and take advantage of the Government tourism promotions. The gift voucher is valid for use until March 2024.

Third Prize: A $300 voucher to Annata Wine Bar and Restaurant in Crows Nest. Choose an aperitif or a bottle of wine to accompany your selection from the Abondante A La Carte Menu or indulge in the set four course Sensory Degustation Menu - the 'pinnacle of Annata cuisine' with matching wines.

Fourth Prize: A $300 Indulgence High Tea for 4 People including Moet Piccolo at the gorgeous Hills Lodge Hotel Grand Mercure Castle Hill for a Friday or Saturday lunch time event.

Fifth Prize: A $300 Restaurant voucher for a local Willoughby restaurant and bar. Braci celebrates the elegant simplicity of Italy and Australia in a pizza-inspired restaurant accompanied by world class wines and cocktails.

Tickets are now on sale online www.trybooking.com/BPURQ and can also be purchased at the P&F Cocktail party event.

If you are unable to join us at the P&F Cocktail Party, please contribute by supporting the SPX Clubs Raffle and have a chance to win a fabulous prize.  For those purchasing online we will have someone writing your tickets out and putting them into the draw, same as all the tickets purchased on the night.

1 Ticket for $20

4 Tickets for $50

12 Tickets for $100

Buy more tickets and in supporting SPX Clubs for your son you also increase your chances of being a prize winner!!  

Prizes will be drawn at the P&F Cocktail Party on Friday 26 March 2021 and the winners will also be notified in Woodchatta Week 10 issued on 31 March 2021.

CAMPS

Year 6 Camp

Year 6 Camp was a great experience.  We did alter the program on Thursday afternoon but the boys still had a good time. On Thursday afternoon all but two activities were cancelled.  I took a group bush walking and we had fun jumping up and down in the puddles.  As I told the boys, you get wet in the shower and as long as you are warm it doesn’t matter if you are wet. When we got back the boys had a shower and changed into warm clothes.  Mr Ure took a group snorkelling in a rock pool where you would definitely get wet!  We did our orienteering as a series of compass games in the hall. My group made an amazing raft in a team building with a special mention to Cameron Giang and his knot tying abilities.  The boys enjoyed the quad bikes, the crate climb and the beach games.  Other groups enjoyed the abseiling.  In free time we were amazed at how well the area drained and the boys enjoyed the obstacle course. The positivity of the boys and encouragement of each other was wonderful to note.

The fun you can have on a bush walk in the rain!  We were kangaroos and singing, ‘Jumping up and down in Muddy puddles’ It was fun!

Camp Toukley Recount 

by Noah Beuchat and Graham Halgreen

On 17 to 19 March all the Year 6 boys journeyed by bus up to the Central Coast to experience the fun and the activities of Camp Toukley. When we arrived and got off the bus, we were introduced to our camp leaders and we were informed of the basic rules of camp.

After some free time to explore the obstacle course, the basketball courts and the big open grass area, we were released to go to lunch because everyone was starving! Soon after, we found out what cabin we had been allocated and we moved our things in and began to unpack. We were then called to line up in our activity groups and move off to the first of many activities. The activities consisted of crate climb, bushwalking, orienteering, quad biking, abseiling, snorkelling, beach games and raft building, different groups did different activities at different times so that one activity wasn’t overwhelmed, and no one would miss out.

Unfortunately, the second day did not go as planned, it was a miserable day and was bucketing down with rain. We were able to get our first couple of activities in but during lunch a decision was made to call off the afternoon activities due to the weather. Having said this activities like snorkelling was optional because of terrible weather and people did not want to get wet and cold. Mr Long even rallied a few people to brave the weather and go bushwalking! Those that chose to stay at camp were divided into smaller groups and took part in indoor activities run by the camp leaders. 

Everyone ate well over the course of the 3 days. On Wednesday we had nachos for lunch and meatballs, pasta and salad for dinner. On Thursday we had bacon and toast for breakfast; pies, chips and veggie sticks for lunch and chicken schnitzel, mashed potato, peas, corn and beans for dinner. Finally, on Friday we had pancakes for breakfast and fish, chips and salad for lunch. Morning tea, afternoon tea and supper were also served, we definitely didn’t go hungry!

Despite the challenges we faced all the boys showed great resilience and courage for giving the activities a go, especially in the rain! We really hope that Year 5 has the opportunity to go to Camp Toukley next year because it will be a great learning experience for them. 

All in all, it was an enjoyable experience and we hope that next year if the Year 5s go to Camp Toukley they will be blessed with better weather.

Year 5 Camp Postponed

Due to the SES announcing a flood evacuation warning down to Brooklyn, unfortunately we have had to postpone the Year 5 camp.  I will be liaising with the Office of Sport to re-book at a later time during the year.  My apologies, once again, for any inconvenience as this warning was only announced at 3.00 pm on Tuesday afternoon. 

SPX Football Holiday Camp At Oxford Falls - Thursday 8 April 2021 To Friday 9 April 2021

Pack away your technology and improve your football skills ahead of the 2021 SPX Football season.  

Have fun with our highly qualified external football coaching team led by Richard Lacey for cost effective football training in the holidays.  

The sessions are conducted in age-based squads and include skills and game-play.

Single or multi-day tickets can be purchased.

Trybooking:      https://www.trybooking.com/UPLP

When:                 Thursday 8 April 2021 to Friday 9 April 2021, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm

Where:               SPX Oxford Falls Campus

Transport:         Parents to drop off and pick up boys from Oxford Falls per Covid safe guidelines (please stay in your car)

Bus transport is available from SPX Chatswood Campus:

• 8.15 am drop off at Kirk Street, boys walked to bus by Mr Lacey on Archer Street - Bus will  depart 8.30 am sharp
• 1.10 pm depart from Oxford Falls, arrive at SPX Chatswood Campus at 1.30 pm subject to traffic conditions

Cost:                     $50 per day (single or multi-day tickets available)

Bring:                  

• Football boots, shin pads, football training clothes (SPX sports uniform not required)
• Water bottle with name clearly marked per Covid safe guidelines
• Sunscreen, cap and rain gear and sneakers (for indoor football play for wet weather)
• Food for snacks and lunch

Reminder : AFTER SCHOOL STUDY

All Year 5 - 11 students are invited to After School Study from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm in the enrichment classroom in the Junior School (the one at the end of the corridor- opposite 6 red). During Term 1 this opportunity is available on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and concludes on Thursday 25 March. Students must sign in on arrival and have sufficient work or reading material for an hour. Students are not permitted mobile phones or food in the study space. Individual guidance with tasks is provided by Mrs Gunns.

Reminder : MATHS DROP IN EVERY FRIDAY MORNING FROM 8.00 AM

With assessments coming up, a reminder that Maths Drop In is available for any boy in Years 5 or 6 who has a question, needs assistance or guidance with studying for maths.

All students are welcome at attend.

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THE UPCOMING WEEK 

Thursday 25 March – Yr 6 Sport – Winter trials - pack your gear, including shin pads for Football, mouthguards and a jersey or old t-shirt for Rugby, boots for AFL, Rugby and Football.

Friday 26 March – P&F Cocktail Party – See you there!

Saturday 27 March - IPSHA Cross Country - POSTPONED to Wednesday 21 April.  

Wednesday 31 March – Year 5 NAPLAN Writing Practice test and Year 6 – Author talk - Katrina Nannestad- talk about We are Wolves Zoom call based on a true story. Mrs Martin has been reading to this book to Year 6.

Thursday 1 April – Winter Sport trials and End of Term 1

A THOUGHT TO PONDER

The most important thing on a tombstone is the dash!

Thanking you for your support.

Mr Tim Long - Head of the Junior School 

Junior School Sport

Thursday Sport: Winter Sport Trials start this week. Please make sure you pack all your gear to get changed into. Come to school in PE uniform and change into Winter Sports gear at Oxford Falls.  This does not have to be Pius gear, a football/ rugby jersey is fine. Please remember all your gear: jersey, mouthguard, shin pads, head gear, boots, socks etc. 

Bus Protocol:

Whilst on Chartered buses all boys MUST always wear a face mask. Please ensure your son has one to comply with this.

Oxford Falls Pick-up between 2.10 pm - 2.20 pm:

• Location: Outside the Caretakers House as you pull into the car park on the left-hand side. Please join the queue or if first one here please stop outside and start a queue.
• Please remain in your car at all times.
• As you approach the front of the queue, the teacher on duty will identify you and your son will be dismissed.
• Any boy not picked up by 2.20 pm will be available for collection from Chatswood at 3.00 pm.

Cross-Country - Postponed

At the request of our host The King's School, this Saturday's IPSHA Cross Country Carnival has been postponed.

The revised date for IPSHA Cross Country will be Wednesday 21 April, 2021. Full program details are still being drafted but at this stage I can advise:

• No parents, carers, or any other spectators outside of allocated School staff will be permitted. This is a condition imposed by King's and supported by IPSHA Executive. 
• I will be driving the boys to the event in a school van.
• There may be the opportunity to pick you Son up after the event (around 2.30 pm) this is TBC, otherwise all boys will be transported back to Chatswood.

Training will continue through to the end of the term.

Basketball:

Cross Country Training:

Join our Senior leaders and top athletes, Matthew North and Dominic Panozzo, alongside our distance coach, Izzy Thornton-Bott for fun, varied and challenging sessions.

Beauchamp Park, Chatswood from 7.30 am – 8.15 am on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

Meet at the Grandstand in comfortable running gear and with a water bottle. You don’t have to aspire to run in the IPSHA Carnival - all students and abilities welcome.

Rugby:

With the Rugby season just around the corner there is a 2 day Holiday Clinic being run in the upcoming school holidays.  Please use the link below to sign up for the clinic (no need to register for the season, just sign up to the holiday clinic).

 Mr Benn McBrearty - Junior School Sports Master

From the Junior Resource Centre

Author Visit Paul MacDonald

On Tuesday Year 6 had the pleasure of an Author visit by Paul Macdonald. Paul is the owner of The Children’s Book Shop and Speakers Agency in Glebe, and the author of The Picture Book The Hole Idea. Paul talked to the Year 6 students, teachers and the Librarian about the pleasures of reading – and he recommended current top reads. We read to become better writers.

Did you know that Anh Do has 16 new books being published in 2021!

A very popular book - Catch Me if I Fall by Barry Jonsberg has a waiting list of ten boys wanting to read it. I may have to buy extra copies. Check it out at your local library or bookstore.

“Reading for pleasure is the most important way to advance Literacy attainment in children” National Literacy Trust UK  .

Noah Tops won a copy of James Tedesco's new book.

Katrina Nannestad - Author Virtual visit for Year 6 Wednesday 31 March, 2021.

Katrina Nannestad is an award-winning children’s author who writes humour, adventure, action, mystery and history. Year 6 have been reading We Are Wolves in their Library lessons.

Katrina’s books include We Are Wolves, The Girl, the Dog and the Writer series, the Lottie Perkins series, the Olive of Groves series, The Girl Who Brought Mischief  and the Red Dirt Diaries series.

If you would like to purchase a signed book by Katrina Nannestad please visit: 

https://www.thechildrensbookshopspeakersagency.com.au/person/nannestad-katrina-speaker/

The Children’s Bookshop will then send the book/s to the school for your child (free delivery)

Alternatively, you can call The Children’s Bookshop directly on 9571 1897 to order and pay over the phone. 

Sunday was World Poetry Day. A collection of our Poetry Books is on display in the JRC.

POETRY provides a huge range of structured WAYS WITH WORDS. Discover the magic of ACROSTIC POEMS, BUSH BALLADS, HAIKU, LIMERICKS, RAP, SONG LYRICS, SONNETS, VERSE NOVELS, and more.

Poetry Quiz

Who was A.A. Milne? If you know the answer, pop into the JRC and see Mrs Martin. Prizes on offer.

The rain hasn’t dampened our spirits in the JRC at lunch time #BetterTogether

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail:  The Tell by Martin Chatterton. Action, crime and intense family drama…. Truer words have never been spoken! The plot was well-executed and engaging from the first page. There was a clear rise and fall to the tension and the atmosphere of the dysfunctional crime war was shaped in a way that made you keep turning pages. A great story for reluctant readers – it is action packed and the familiar setting of Sydney will surely hook some readers.  #MrsMartinsBooktrail2021 #juniorresourcecentre

Michael Chung won a copy of The Tell during Paul Macdonald’s Author visit.

Mrs Elena Martin – Teacher Librarian

JUNIOR SCHOOL CHESS CLUB

Junior School Chess training continued on Tuesday this week at 7:30 am, in the Junior Resource Centre.  Lots of keen Chess players are busy getting ready for the Competition. 

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor