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
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday begins the forty-day season of Lent that leads to Easter. On Ash Wednesday, we come together like the people of the Old Testament to remind ourselves that we don’t always follow God’s ways and need to ask God for His mercy and forgiveness.
Like God’s people in the time of the prophets, we wear ashes to show that we want to turn away from whatever keeps us from God, and to have a change of heart, so that we can live in right relationship with God and each other. On Ash Wednesday, the priest or person giving out ashes rubs them on our forehead in the shape of a cross while saying: Repent and believe in the Gospel or Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel.
For Catholics, Ash Wednesday is also a day of fasting and abstaining from meat. Fasting reminds us that food alone cannot make us happy. We must also be fed with prayer, with God’s Word, and by meeting Jesus in the Sacraments, especially the Reconciliation and Eucharist.
The small sacrifices we make during Lent make room in our hearts to welcome the risen Jesus at Easter.
JUNIOR SCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Sincere thanks to all our parent helpers, to the tenacious teaching staff who soldiered on without a break, to the resilient band of parent supporters, and to our boys, who behaved in an exemplary manner both on the buses, and at the pool. Special congratulations to Treacy who took home the Junior School Champion House shield.
P&F COMMENCEMENT MASS
Thank you to those families who braved the rain to attend our P&F Commencement Mass, even though the BBQ was cancelled. I was sorry not to be able to share supper with you afterwards, but was grateful to have been able to meet some of you before and after Mass.
YEAR 5 CAMP TO MILSON ISLAND | March 9 - 11
Everything is now in place for the Year 5 Camp to Milson Island next week. Please ensure you have received the WHAT TO BRING note that was emailed to parents and carers on Monday afternoon. If you have any questions, please contact your classroom teacher. We are all looking forward to a fantastic three days away.
LOST AND FOUND
Throughout your son's time at school, you may find that items go missing due to various reasons. To assist with returning lost property to the correct owner, please ensure that all items your son brings to school are clearly labelled with their name.
Any unlabelled lost property is placed in the blue Lost Property bin on the Level 2 balcony.
To assist with lost property being returned, I request that parents regularly check their son's property, including rain jackets, and return any items that don't belong to you. The College will send them home with their rightful owner (if clearly labelled).
Any items left at Oxford Falls are returned to the College at Chatswood on a regular basis. If items are labelled, they will be returned to students. If not, they will be placed in the Lost Property bin.
I respectfully ask that you don’t email me to report items that are lost.
Forest Coaches has a very good system for returning Lost Property, although please be aware it can take a couple of days for items to arrive in their Lost Property section. Their number for lost property is 9450 2277.
Due to delivery delays, some sizes of College rain jacket are currently not available in the Uniform Shop. Please ensure your son has an alternate way of staying dry until such time as you can purchase a replacement jacket, if needed.
MATHS DROP-IN CENTRE | FRIDAYS 8.00 am – 8.40 am
Mrs Fileman’s Maths Drop-In Centre continued last Friday. Please encourage your son to come along if he would like some extra help with any mathematical concepts, topics, or homework.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Week 6
Tuesday 8 March: Year 5 Peer Support Program commences (Period 2)
Wednesday 9 March: Year 5 Camp Departs
Thursday 10 March: Year 5 Camp continues
Friday 11 March: Year 5 Camp returns
Week 7
Saturday 19 March: OPEN DAY - Student volunteers needed
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School.
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School
Junior School Sport
SPX App
With the wet weather of late, it is a good time to ensure you are using the SPX App. All cancellations, as well as any up-to-date notifications will be communicated via the App. The links to download the app are:
Swimming Carnival
It is wonderful to report that the Junior School managed to complete our Swimming Carnival on Friday last week. While the weather wasn't perfect, all of our students made the most of the opportunity to get outside and compete for their House. I am proud to announce the following boys who finished at the top of their age group.
U12 Champions
1st Finn Burton
2nd Liam Castellas
3rd Harry Higgins-Thurman
U11 Champions
1st Patrick Connell
2nd Jack Treder and Cristiano Calcarao
U10 Champions
1st Ben Crichton
2nd Maxwell Sunjaya
3rd Lachlan Thompson
Finally, a big congratulations goes to the students of Treacy House, who narrowly edged out Rice to win the Junior Swimming Carnival for 2022. I would also like to thank the staff and parents who braved the conditions to ensure the students had a successful and memorable day at Macquarie Pool.
IPSHA Swimming
Well done to the following boys for representing our College at the IPSHA Swimming Carnival on Tuesday this week.
Ben Crichton, Patrick Connell, Jack Treder, Cristiano Calcarao, Patrick Butler, Owen Campbell, Xavier Paixao, Finn Burton, Liam Castellas, Harry Higgins-Thurman, Jamie Higgins-Thurman and Harrison Zanello.
Cross Country
We also completed the Junior School Cross Country during our Thursday Oxford Falls sports session last week. A course was marked out on our grounds, with the U10 runners completing a 2km race and our U11s and U12s completing a 3km race. Despite all the rain in the lead up, the perfectly manicured ovals of Oxford Falls held firm and our boys enjoyed a great day of running. A big congratulations goes to the following boys who finished at the top of each age group:
U12
1st Matthew Castorina
2nd Jenson Whitby
3rd Connor Chitterer
U11
1st Parker Ball
2nd Cristiano Calcarao
3rd Harry Layton
U10
1st Maxwell Sunjaya
2nd Ben Crichton
3rd Lachlan Thompson
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.
CIS Tennis
Adrian Yip has continued his great trial form, by taking a step closer to gaining selection in the CIS Tennis team. Adrian survived the first round of trials on Monday this week and will attend the upcoming finals for CIS selection. Best of luck Adrian!
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.
Mr Glen Carroll - Junior School Sports Coordinator
From the Junior Resource Centre
This week's Highlights are:
Celebrate Dr Seuss Books!
Curiosity cultivators. Imagination instigators.
Happy Birthday Dr Seuss - 2 March 1904.
Year 6 are currently enjoying the Novel An Eagle In the Snow By Michael Morpurgo.
“Brilliant. Historical fiction at its most magnificent.” Jackie French
Year 5 Author visit – Tim Harris. Tuesday 8 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.
Premier's Reading Challenge .
Opened Monday 28 February 2022. Your son’s username and password has been e-mailed to them. A gentle reminder to check their e-mail under Junior Resource Centre. Remember you can include any books you have finished since the 2021 challenge CLOSED, so if you read anything great over the school holidays, be sure to add it to your reading log!
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail –
Enid Blyton – The Famous Five. Enid Blyton is one of (my) most-loved authors in children’s publishing. Enid Blyton’s stories remain timeless classics, adored by children throughout the world. New to the library – The Famous Five told as a graphic novel for the first time ever. ‘All the fun, danger and excitement of the original books, in a fast-paced format for fans old and new. Brilliantly retold, designed and illustrated by a talented father-son team of graphic novel experts at @hachetteaus.' I also have the original Famous Five in the library.
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 this Friday at lunchtime in the Junior Library with further information regarding this year’s competition. 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