Junior School News
- From the Junior School Coordinator
- Junior School Learning Enrichment News
- Junior School Sport
- Junior Resource Centre News
From the Junior School Coordinator
PRAYER
2020 has been a year like no other and those that have felt the impact of this year, in some respects, more than others, are our Year 12 students. These young men, that we will farewell this week, have shown great resilience and strength in the face of adversity. Just like our Year 6 students who will move into a new phase of life’s journey next year, so will our graduates. If anything could have prepared them for the challenges that lay ahead of them, it was the events of 2020. We wish them all the best for the upcoming HSC, we know you’ve got this!
A Prayer for Graduates
God of journeys, endings, and new beginnings,
through the highs and lows, the twists and turns
this class has faced along the way,
we have faith that your love has guided them
from the moment they began up to graduation day.
We give you thanks and praise for the goodness that shines
in the relationships formed, knowledge learned, and memories made through this school.
Bless the body, mind, and soul of every graduate,
that they may celebrate your glory in themselves and all creation,
and use their education to build your kingdom of peace.
Amen.
Chase your dreams. Never stop trying. Never stop learning.
Live life to the fullest and give it nothing but your best.
THIS WEEK IN THE CLASSROOMS
YEAR 5
This week has been a busy one for Year 5, they have been continuing their conversation on smoking and vaping. The boys completed their unit which looked at the negative aspects of smoking and vaping. Lively discussions were had on the effects that these have on both the body and mind.
As part of the geography unit, the classes investigated the similarities between Australia, Canada and the United States. It has been interesting to see how much the boys actually know about the United States via the media and the internet. This unit has also opened the eyes of the boys to the natural wonders that help to make up the country of Canada.
YEAR 6
Well, what a week it was for our Year 6 students. This week was a culmination of research that the boys have been doing on their chosen natural disaster. We were treated to exploding volcanoes, sinking sinkholes, devastating limnic eruptions, swirling cyclones and many more. The boys went to so much effort to create a model that showed off a part of their research. It was fantastic to talk with the boys about what they had created, you could see how much they had learnt through their explanation of their models. It was so exciting to see their real learning in action.
6 Blue have also been lucky enough this week to have been visited by a few of the Year 12 students. The boys have been busy chatting about life in the Senior School. This was a wonderful chance for both the Year 12 students who have been able to reminisce about life in the Junior School, while chatting to the Year 6 boys about how their life might be different next year and beyond. Thanks to these boys for taking their own time to come and visit us, we wish you all the best in your upcoming HSC exams.
PORTFOLIOS & TERM 4 ASSESSMENT
Before your son’s bag is thrown into the corner to be forgotten for the holidays, please take a look in it to check for their portfolio. All boys will be bringing their portfolios home for you to see how they have gone during the term. Once you have had a look, please pop it back your son’s bag ready for Term 4.
Term 4 is a short term for us here at St Pius, only 8 weeks in duration. In preparation for this, the assessment schedules for both Years 5 and 6 have already been published to the College Portal. It would be a good idea to print these out over the holiday period in preparation for next term. The boys are going to return and hit the ground running in order to get through everything that they need to do before the end of the year and organisation will be key.
THURSDAY - SUMMER SPORTS TRIALS
Due to Summer Sport Trials and training which comprises a 3-way rotation, the pick-up time needs to be moved back to 2.10 pm - 2.20 pm. It will still be in front of the Christian Brothers Centre and we will endeavour to have the buses stop earlier in the car park. If your son isn't collected by 2.20 pm, he will be on the last bus that leaves Oxford Falls.
NSTA PICK UP – 24 SEPTEMBER
Please also note that the NSTA tennis boys will be training at Roseville tomorrow (24 September). They can be picked up from Roseville Park Tennis Club, 60 Clanville Rd, Roseville at 1:10 pm. If you are not there to collect your son he will be brought back to school and will be sent home as usual at 3.00 pm.
FUTURE EVENTS
A reminder that the last day of Term 3 is this week, Friday, 25 September. The boys then return to school Monday, 12 October in Summer Uniform.
THOUGHT TO PONDER
Education is the passport to the future,
for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare
for it today.
Malcolm X
Thank you for your support
Mrs Samantha Iwatani - Junior School Coordinator
Learning Enrichment News
Maths Olympiad
Last Wednesday saw the completion of the Maths Olympiad for 2020. The boys in Maths Class 1 Year 5 and Class 1 Year 6 sat all 5 competition papers through the course of the year. The boys loved to compete against their own abilities requiring them to master skills, tackle richer more demanding problems and develop different ways of thinking in Mathematics.
So the question remains. How does teaching through problem solving help develop stronger students? There are 8 keys concepts to consider:
- Interest
- Meaning
- Complexity
- Creativity and Flexibility
- Developing Mathematical Thinking
- Retention
- Building Student Confidence
- Empowerment
Well done to all the boys on their enthusiasm, engagement and the challenge to stretch their learning in Mathematics as this is a valuable source of true growth.
Mrs Bettina Spanyik - Learning Enrichment Teacher
Junior School Sport
News:
Junior School Sport News:
Squads and Draws for Basketball and Touch Football have been placed on The College App. Cricket has been emailed by the Cricket Club. Please note that Training and Saturday games start Week 1 Term 4.
Thursday Sport:
Training and Trials for Basketball, Cricket, Tennis, Touch and Softball. Please note new pick-up time from Oxford Falls of 2.10 pm - 2.20 pm.
Basketball:
Please check The College App for information on Term 4 Basketball (Info Letter, Squads & Draw).
Below is information regarding training starting Week 1 Term 4.
Being part of the Basketball Squad involves a commitment not only to the 6 Saturday games, but also to training. Session one for each player is held at Oxford Falls as part of Thursday sport. An additional session occurs at Chatswood campus as follows:
- A, B teams: Monday afternoons from 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm (beginning Mon 12 Oct)
- C, D, teams: Tuesday afternoons from 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm (beginning Tue 13 Oct)
- E, F teams: Tuesday afternoons from 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm (beginning Tues 13 Oct)
- G, H teams: Monday mornings from 7.30 am – 8.30 am (beginning Mon 12 Oct)
- I, J teams: Tuesday mornings from 7.30 am – 8.30 am (beginning Tues 13 Oct)
- K, L teams: Monday mornings from 7.30 am – 8.30 am (beginning Mon 12 Oct)
Cricket:
Registration is open for Season 2020/2021. Please see the attached Welcome to SPX Cricket 2020 and SPX Cricket Registration Flyer 2020.
Rugby / Touch School Holiday Camps:
Please check the College App for information on Term 4 Touch (Info letter, Squads and Draw). TryTime Rugby are running holiday camps for anyone that is interested. Please see attachments for further details.
Swimming Squad Training 2020/21
Those that were part of Swimming Squad in Term 1 are invited to resume training starting Week 2, Term 4. There is some room available for additional swimmers. Please email me by Friday 16 October if you would like to be included. Please commit to at least one session per week, as part of training is building relationships and squad culture.
Location: Fitness First, Chatswood (24 Endeavour St, Chatswood)
Requirements: Suitable swimwear, goggles and swim cap
- Students wear PE/ Pius Sports Uniform to the sessions. They then shower and change into school uniform at 8.15 am before returning to school. A snack / breakfast is also recommended at this point.
Monday mornings (7.15 am – 8.15 am) Starting 19 Oct until 23 Nov (6 sessions)
Resuming 8 Feb until 8 March (5 sessions)
Tuesday mornings (7.15 am – 8.15 am) Starting 20 Oct until 24 Nov (6 sessions)
Resuming 9 Feb until 9 March (5 sessions)
Friday Mornings - *Term 1 only* (7.15 am – 8.15 am)
Starting 12 Feb until 12 March (5 sessions)
Mr Benn McBrearty - Junior School Sports Master
Junior Resource Centre News
This week's Highlights:
Holiday Loans
Most classes already know, holiday borrowing has officially started. If you haven't already organised your holiday #bookstack pop in soon! #holidayreads.
FIND YOUR BOOK WEEK PARADE COSTUME
The end of term is almost upon us, Book Week is coming!!!! (17 – 23 October) Holidays are the best time to get started on your Book Week costume. Watch this space and we will inform you of our Virtual Book Week Live Stream Parade and Date!
You have two choices when it comes to your Book Week parade costume – wing it at the last moment and hope for the best, or plan weeks (or months) in advance and win ‘Most Awesome-est Book Week Costume Ever’ award. My suggestion is go for the latter.
Some ideas to help you are:
- Read as many books as you can get your hands on.
- Make a list of your favourite characters.
- Gather your supplies and do a costume run-through to make sure it all works.
- If you’re struggling for ideas, the CBCA has partnered exclusively with Spotlight for costume parade inspiration, so you could check out their site and DIY suggestions.
Amazing Staff and Students in the 2019 Book Week Parade. What will they come as in 2020? Watch this space.
Book Week Guessing Competition
Part of Book Week Celebrations will include – A guessing competition – Book in a Jar!
Inside this jar there is an actual book (damaged one) that has been torn up and squashed inside this jar. There are many clues within the text that can be seen for a keen book sleuth to discover the title. 50 cents a guess, all money will go to charity. Pop into to the library, take a guess and the winner will get an awesome book prize during our book week activities. Don’t spoil the fun if you can guess!! #bookweek #bookweek2020
Where am I? - Competition
I am at the top of a mountain, first climbed by a European in 1840 and named by Polish explorer Count Paul Edmund Strzelecki. He named it after one of his country's heroes because he thought it looked like his tomb. While it stands in Ngarigo land, it is yet to be given an official indigenous name although Kunama Namadgi has been proposed.
The climb to the top was quite easy - a 6.5 kilometre walk along a raised walkway after I got off the chairlift from Thredbo and a short stop at Australia's highest public toilet at Rawson's Pass. The walkway protects the fragile alpine environment.
The summit is 2228 metres above sea level, making it Australia's highest mainland mountain and from it I can see other mountains of the Main Range of the Great Dividing Range, including Mt Townsend which is the second highest mountain, Mt Carruthers and Mt Twynam. They are all part of a national park which shares the name of this mountain.
If you wish to follow in my footsteps, you need to come here between November and April, although if you are skier you can come during the winter.
Where am I?
Where am I? If You Know where I am, Pop into the library and drop your answer in the gold box, located on my desk.
Library Monitor’s Book Reviews.
Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee
‘Lenny’s Book of Everything’ is about two kids called Lenny and Davie. In the early parts of the story, they win a ‘build-it-at-home-encyclopedia-set’. The highlight of their week is receiving the two entries into the encyclopedia. But soon, Davie starts having problems with his health. Then one problem leads to another, and Davie becomes very sick. This is a great book although some parts were a little slow paced. I would recommend this book to people who want and interesting and, in some parts, sad tale.
Reviewed by Liam in Year 5
500 Minutes of Danger
500 Minutes of Danger is a great and chilling book to read. When I first picked up the book, I could not put it down! There are a whole bunch of books in the series like 200 Minutes of Danger, 300 Minutes of Danger & 400 Minutes of Danger. 500 Minutes of Danger is a series of 10 short stories such as when a kid called Bob is in somewhere dark and enclosed! Has he been buried alive? Or when Kelsey finds a giant crocodile attacking the city. Whatever the story you want, 500 Minutes of Danger will have it.
Reviewed by Noah in Year 5
Hooray! Super Sidekicks 2: Ocean's Revenge won the Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children's Literature! Author Gavin Aung Than said "What an honour!... I'm so happy that now more kids might find this story and enjoy a fun superhero adventure that hides a sneaky environmental theme."
We have a copy of it in the JRC. Pop in and borrow it for the holidays.
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail: Aussie Kids
Meet the Aussie Kids! This Junior Fiction series celebrates stories about children living in unique places in every state in Australia. Follow Katie on her adventure at the beach. Find the whole collection in the JRC#mrsmartinsbooktrail2020
Mrs Elena Martin - Teacher Librarian, Junior Resource Centre