Junior School News
- From the Head of the Junior School
- Junior School Sport
- Junior School IPSHA Debating
- From the Junior Resource Centre
- Junior Chess
From the Head of the Junior School
GOSPEL REFLECTION
Parents are always helping their children prepare for something, whether that consists of getting ready for school, preparing for an exam, or making preparations to go on holiday. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus prepares his disciples for his Passion, death, and Resurrection. He promises his Holy Spirit, gives them the gift of his peace, and tells them not to be troubled.
As a family, you might like to talk about the kinds of events that you have prepared for together; holidays, and first days of school are some examples. Talk about why it is important to prepare for important events in our lives. Then read aloud this Sunday's Gospel: John 14:23-29. Talk about how Jesus prepared his disciples for his Death and Resurrection and how he wanted them to be prepared for what would happen so that they would be able to believe.
Ref: Sunday Connection
TEACHING AND LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS
In 6 Gold this week, the boys have been reciting a poem of their choice. The energy was high, the hand gestures were plentiful, and facial expressions and change of tone and volume added to the dramatic effect. Watch out Hollywood!
6 Gold have also been learning about air resistance in their Science unit: Forces. The boys learnt that air resistance is a frictional force that air pushes against on a moving object. This was further explored by dropping army men with parachutes off the Junior School balcony and coming up with ways to make them fall more slowly and faster, as well as investigating what Science was required to make that happen. The boys had a great time exploring air resistance!
GETAWAY LUNCHTIME GROUP
Last Friday saw a number of boys enjoying the Junior School Getaway Lunchtime Group (Getaway). Facilitated by one of our College Counsellors, Mrs Gill, Getaway is a group where boys can take some time off the playground and have some fun learning new skills and making new friends. Getaway is an optional program that takes place in Mrs Doheny’s room every Friday at lunchtime. Boys who are interested in getting away and joining Getaway are welcome to just turn up – no appointment needed! Thank you to Mrs Gill for organising and running this program for our boys.
NAPLAN 2022
Congratulations to all the boys in Year 5 who sat - and survived - their NAPLAN assessments with very little fuss over the last two weeks. Today, and on Friday, we will be holding make-up sessions for those boys who were away.
85TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
The Junior School boys proved that the future of Performing Arts at the College is in good hands. What wonderful performances from the Year 5 and 6 Combined Choir, the Junior Jazz Band, the Junior Chorale, the Primary Concert Band, and the Junior Concert Band. It was a long night for all of our performers, and I was proud of their maturity and resilience.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School.
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School
Junior Maths Drop-In
Junior Maths Drop-In session has been cancelled this week and next. We look forward to seeing you in Week 6.
Mrs Amanda Fileman - Junior School Teacher
Junior School Sport
Thursday Sport: Winter sessions continue this week for Rugby, Football and AFL. Please continue to travel to and from school in your SPX PE uniform and bring along a change of clothes to train in.
AFL: The boys unfortunately missed their last game due to ground closures. Please take note of the new venue this week.
Mr Glen Carroll - Junior School Sports Coordinator
RUGBY
Come and support our SPX First XV this weekend: This weekend at Oxford Falls sees our mighty First XV Rugby team take on St Aloysius College in the battle for the ‘Ross Fagan Shield’. Both teams will be wearing their school’s indigenous jerseys, recognising the importance and encouragement of ongoing reconciliation in our communities. All Junior students are encouraged to head out to Oxford Falls in time for the 3.15 pm kick off on Chaplin #1 so we can flood our sidelines in Blue and Gold. In a show of solidarity, it would be appropriate for any Junior Rugby Armidale tourists to wear their SPX Indigenous jersey while watching our Firsts battle it out for the ‘Ross Fagan Shield’.
**Any Junior school students who attend the game dressed in their Blue and Gold SPX winter sport gear can find Mr Carroll near the Falls Room immediately after the 3.15pm kick-off to go in the draw to win an SPX Prize pack.**
IPSHA Rugby Trials: I am very happy to report that Finn Burton, Zach Fourie and Lachlan Renshaw all trialled very well at the IPSHA trials last week and will move on to the CIS Trials next week. Best of luck!
Junior Rugby: In Round 3, the St Pius X Junior Rugby squads displayed enthusiasm and determination in all matches. The Prep Firsts faced their toughest challenge so far this season and lost 12-17 to Mosman Prep. Despite the loss, the boys demonstrated commitment and effort until the final whistle. The 11A’s put on a show for the spectators with an impressive 45 – 5 win over Redfield College. The Rugby 7s teams continued their great form with wins in 3 from 4 matches. Special mention to the Under 12s Rugby 7s Squad who won both of their games despite only having 6 players.
A reminder of compulsory after school training at Beauchamp Oval every Wednesday from 3.15 PM - 4.30 pm for ALL Junior School Rugby players. In addition to bringing rugby boots, can players also bring a spare pair of sneakers to training each week.
Mr Antonio Morris - Junior School Rugby Convenor
From the Rugby Supporters' Club
SPX Supporters’ Clothing – Sideline Jackets, Polo Shirts & Caps.
To again welcome in the commencement of the SPX Rugby Season the SPX Rugby Supporters’ Club will be offering for sale SPX Supporters Clothing at Oxford Falls on Saturday.
# High quality Basecamp Sideline Jackets – new ‘normal’ price $90 - this Saturday only - reduced to $75.
# Polo Shirts – both men’s and women's - normally $40 - this Saturday only - reduced to $20.
Plus we will also have the ever popular SPX Supporters’ Caps for sale for $20 - (both the navy and the pink).
Save the Dates!
- Rugby Club Dinner - Saturday, 30 July - Roseville Golf Club - from 7.00 pm.
- Rugby Club Golf Day - Wednesday, 23 November - Roseville Golf Club - from 1.00 pm.
More detailed information to be provided in the coming weeks.
Mr Paul O’Neill
President, SPX Rugby Supporters’ Club
Email: paoneill21@gmail.com
Tel: 0418-634750
Junior Football
Round 3 results and Round 4 Fixtures.
A great weekend for our U11s who were undefeated across all games. Our Prep’s enjoyed their first home games and are beginning to gel well. Next week we host at Oxford Falls and the U11s are against Kings. Parking can be a bit tricky at Kings so please give yourself plenty of time.
If you are a budding photographer, please take some action shots and send them to me at pcummins@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Prep Bs
11Bs
Mr Paul Cummins - Junior Football Convenor
Junior School IPSHA Debating
Well done to the boys on beginning training strongly and their commitment to work as a team and learn the skills of Debating. We have our first debate this Friday, 20 May, in the Sarto Centre at 1.00 pm against St Ignatius Riverview. Parents are most welcome to attend. Good luck boys in your preparation.
Mrs Bettina Spanyik - Learning Enrichment Teacher
From the Junior Resource Centre
This week's highlights:
ADVENTURES WITH AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS
BITS OF BOOK WEEK – the next stage. . .
I have begun reading the CBCA Notable books. And can now add a focus on the CBCA Younger Readers Short list. The shortlist is 6 books per category based on the 500 books submitted overall for the CBCA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS. I am very excited to be able to read these books and share them with the boys.
Enjoy the CBCA SHORT LIST video introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tglRBH6vbGQ
YOUNGER READERS SHORTLIST
• The Detective’s Guide to Ocean Travel - Nicki Greenberg, Affirm.
• Dragon Skin - Karen Foxlee, A&U.
• Exit Through the Gift Shop - Maryam Master, illustrated by Astred Hicks, Pan.
• A Glasshouse of Stars -Shirley Marr, Puffin.
• Huda and Me - H Hayek, A&U.
• Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief - Katrina Nannestad, ABC Books.
The Happiness Box by Mark Greenwood and Andrew McLean – PRC ID = 568907
This week Year 5 and 6 have been reading the picture book The Happiness Box.
Searching for hope in dark times, will the happiness box be recovered or will the enemy destroy it?
“In 1942, Sergeant 'Griff' Griffin was a prisoner of war. With Christmas approaching, he decided to make a book for the children cooped up in nearby Changi Prison. The book was said to contain the secrets to happiness. But the enemy was suspicious…”
Honouring prisoners of war in South East Asia, Malaya.
Cover of the original Happiness Box.
Story by David Griffin
Image used with permission from the State Library of NSW (SAFE/MLMSS5428)
National Dog Rescue Day - May 20 2022
It's National Dog Rescue Day on 20 May. In honour of this day, activities will be happening in the JRC. The library monitors have helped create a bookmark. We will also have readings of stories about dogs at lunch time, and even perhaps a viewing of a (G rated) dog movie. Teddy will also make a guest appearance in the JRC... he is a small gentle Cavoodle. The students in the JRC know him as he has reviewed many books in the Woodchatta.
‘A dog is a teacher of life, who teaches us the principles of the most important moral values; honesty, integrity, loyalty, trust, respect and love.’
Cesar Milan
STAR WARS JIGSAW - UPDATE
The Mandalorian is underway!
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail: Exit Through the Gift Shop by Maryam Master.
A quick read that packed a huge punch. Anahita is 12 and a half and is writing a story for an English Assignment – her story about her last year of life. Ana has cancer and it is terminal. But the book is about so much more. It is about realising what’s important, what to focus our attention on, and of course it’s about love. A must read for middle graders. #mrsmartinsbooktrail2022
Mrs Elena Martin – Teacher Librarian
Junior School Chess Club
Our Chess club is going from strength to strength. Team A have a BYE, Teams B and C are at HOME this week, 20 May, 2022. Please check the draw for more details. Thank you to the parents who transported the boys last week.
The game of chess has been shown to promote key intellectual skills such as problem solving, logical thinking, pattern recognition and concentration. Playing chess fosters resilience by teaching children how to lose and how to win gracefully, to think ahead and foresee the consequences of their actions.
Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor