Junior School News & Sport

• New College App
• Junior School News and Information
• Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
• Learning Enrichment Notices
• Junior School Sport

New College App

Download the new College Mobile APP today!

Please ensure you have downloaded the new school app.  It is run by a different company to the old app so you do need to download the new app.  Push notifications will be forwarded through the new app.Stay up to date with the latest College news and notifications on your mobile device. 

The old APP is being discontinued and all key communications will now be placed on the new APP, in addition to the Woodchatta and emails.

Download instructions are attached below.

https://apps.apple.com/au/app/st-pius-x/id1498569584

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fraynework.stpius

Prayer/Reflection:  

We are now in the season of Lent where we are preparing for Easter.  The church promotes 3 ways to prepare which are almsgiving, fasting or abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (many people do every Friday) and Prayer.

With regards to almsgiving, we are currently collecting for Caritas through Project Compassion.

THE WEEK THAT WAS:

Year 6 Camp was a great success.  The boys appeared to have a great time and the food was very good.  We had a lovely Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday evening and then a bush walk to spot kangaroos and wombats.  We had time around a large fire pit the next evening.  I hope the boys came back and told you about some of their favourite experiences.  I particularly like the way many boys challenged themselves on the vertical challenge and the high ropes.  Group work at the catapults was interesting to watch and the laughter around the canoeing and falling in the dam was wonderful. A big thank you to all the staff who attended the camp:  Mr Simpson, Mr Carroll, Mr Ure, Mrs Doheny, Mrs Spanyik, Mrs Barrett, Mrs Martin and  special thanks to Mrs Iwatani who organised the whole camp.

Thank you to the parents who attended the P & F Meeting on Monday night.  I discussed the curriculum / teaching and learning initiatives in the Junior School for this year and Mr Couani discussed many things but the main one was the new building project that the school is proposing at 39-41 Anderson Street, which should be wonderful for your sons.  

This afternoon 6 Gold will be going to Reconciliation at the Church.  Also the Swim Team have competed at the IPSHA swimming carnival today. 

THIS COMING WEEK:

On Friday we will have a visiting author, Alison Croggon, talking to Year 5.  Next Monday a select group of boys will be trialling for the IPSHA football trial with Mr Cummins.  Best wishes to these boys.  Next Tuesday, 10 March, we will have the Bible Liturgy in Period 3.  It will commence at approximately 11.15 in O.L.D. Church.  (That is Our Lady of Dolours not the "old" church as several parents have asked me over the years.)  At this Paraliturgy for Years 5 and 6, the new boys will receive their Bibles.  Mr Patterson will be doing the address this year.  Parents and carers are welcome.

Next Wednesday the Year 5 camp is being held.  All is in readiness.  Please ensure you go through the letter outlining what your son needs.  They do need 2 pairs of closed in shoes one pair should be old as they will most likely get wet and muddy at kayaking.  If you have misplaced the emailed letter, then please go to the Year 5 portal page where it is also stored.

On Friday next week, Year 6 will have an excursion to the NSW Parliament House.  The boys will be travelling to and from the venue by bus.  6 Blue and 6 Gold will be leaving at 10.15 am and getting back in their lunchtime.  6 Green and 6 Red will depart at 11.45 am and be returning before 3.00 pm.  If your son has any specialist music lessons at this time, please enquire as to whether the tutor could change it to another time.

SATURDAY 14 March – Open Day - we would love boys to volunteer to be guides.  I will show them where to walk beforehand.  It is actually a good way to boost confidence in speaking to others. It is also a good way to ‘give back.’ Boys can be buddied up with a more talkative or older student.  Many boys come after sport and they will change into their full school uniform.  They will be ‘fed and watered’ and I will be amused by some of the comments they make!  The Open Day at Chatswood Campus is from 10.00 am till 2.00 pm so if they come after sport that will be fine.  You can go have some ‘R and R’ while they are being guides.

Please complete the attached permission note and have your son return to the Administration Reception.

Maths drop in

Ms Barrett holds a Maths drop in service every Friday from 8.10 am onwards where your son can come and seek extra assistance and clarification regarding his Mathematics.  The location is the LSE room at the end of the corridor on the left, opposite Mr Carroll’s 6 Red classroom.

P & F EVENTS

Please see the P & F page for upcoming P&F events.

TERM 1 DATES

I attach the calendar for this term below.

A THOUGHT TO PONDER

"Listening requires more intelligence than speaking."

A Turkish Proverb

Thanking you for your support.

Mr Tim Long - Head of Junior School

Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre

Sunday 8 March is International Women’s Day. Our new display plays homage to the awesome women through history that continue to be an inspiration to all women/girls. We have more celebrations happening on the Junior Library website.

Dr Seuss' Birthday - 2 March 2020

“Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!”

March 2 is the birthday of Theodore Seuss Geisel, an American author who, under the pen name Dr. Seuss, wrote and illustrated some of the world’s most iconic children’s books. His sales eventually topped 600 million. Geisel’s first book, “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” came in 1937. “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Horton Hears a Who,” and “The Cat in the Hat” would soon follow. He passed away in 1991 at the age of 87. Celebrations were happening this week with the viewing of "The Cat In The Hat" at lunch time in the JRC.

Premier's Reading Challenge

Opened on 2 March.  Your son's username and password will be emailed to them this week.

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – : William Shakespeare's Star Wars:  Verily, A New Hope by Ian Doesher

MAY THE VERSE BE WITH YOU!

Return once more to a galaxy far, far away my young Padwans, with this inspirational retelling of George Lucas’s epic Star Wars  "A New Hope” rewritten in iambic pentameter, just like the style of Shakespeare’s plays. If that doesn’t hook you, I don’t know what will. #Mrsmartinsbooktrail2020

OBI WAN – “True it is, that these are not the droids for which thou search’st."

Author Visit

We are very fortunate to have the Author Alison Croggon visit St Pius X Junior School – Friday 6 March, 2020.

ALISON CROGGON is the acclaimed author of the high fantasy series The Books of Pellinor.

She is also the author of Black Spring, a fantasy reworking of Wuthering Heights; and The River and the Book, which was endorsed by Amnesty International.

Alison is an award-winning poet whose work has been published extensively, and she has written widely for theatre, with her plays and opera libretti having been produced all around Australia. Alison is also an editor and critic. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.

The Threads Of Magic

An atmospheric and riveting fantasy adventure. Pip lives on his wits in the city of Clarel. When he pickpockets the wrong man, he finds himself in possession of a strange object – a heart in a silver casket. What’s more, the heart seems to be trying to communicate with Pip, and the royal officials who lost it will stop at nothing to get it back. Pip has unwittingly broken an ancient spell, and his theft will have far-reaching consequences for the whole city. As the ancient war between the Spectres and witches of Clarel reignites, the heart prepares to seek revenge for all it has suffered… Alison Croggon conjures a rich, immersive world with brilliant and memorable characters in this captivating story of loyalty, courage and friendship.

Look forward to seeing you in the JRC for this event. Please find attached an order form to purchase the book if your son is interested.

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior Librarian

Learning Enrichment Notices

Competition Reminders

da Vinci Decathlon Competition  -  enrich, excite, challenge – held at Knox Grammar School on Thursday 28 May.   NB compulsory training sessions are held during Compass Club. This competition is aimed at students celebrating their academic gifts. (Register your interest - Weeks 4 & 6 - see below).

Entry into this competition is based on demonstrated academic ability and an ability test.  The competition will be run in Term 2 with compulsory training beginning Week 1, Term 2 on Wednesday lunchtimes during Compass Club.  Further details will be given at the next Junior School Assembly and link:  http://www.davincidecathlon.com/davinci/index

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 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 10 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

Junior Sport

Thursday Sport: Training for Basketball, Cricket, Softball, Tennis and Touch Football and mixed sport activities.

Basketball:  A huge turnaround in fortunes last weekend as the effort at training clearly pays off. Great to see so many boys putting the work in and getting the recognition for their efforts each week, with so many names coming in for special mention as outstanding players. Special mention to The F’s who have shown perseverance and determination in the face of defeat and were able to get the result last weekend, well done.

Cross-Country:  Training commences this week at Beauchamp Park, Chatswood – Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7.30 am. Meet at the Grandstand dressed in comfortable running gear for 7.30 am sharp (don’t forget school clothes to change into). Training will conclude by 8.10 am, allowing students to return to Chatswood, shower/change and eat breakfast prior to Homeroom. Anyone from Yrs 5-12 welcome to train, irrespective of their ambition or representative selection.

Rugby:  The IPSHA Gala Grading Day on 28 March has been cancelled. Instead we will be having a trial against St Aloysius. Details to come.

Holiday Training Clinic:  The Annual Holiday Rugby Clinic will be held on 14 and 15 April.  This will be run by Mike Cross and the Trytime Team.  It will include transport to and from Chatswood as well as recess and lunch each day.  To register, please use the link below:

https://www.trybooking.com/612479

IPSHA Swimming:  The Swimming Squad attended the BPSSA Carnival at St Ignatius, Riverview last Friday. The boys showed good spirit out of the pool and great form in the pool coming home with 5 x 1st, 1 x 2nd and 17 x 3rd places. Special thanks to the Year 6 members who came back early from camp to attend the carnival. Well done!

Football:  28 March looms large as our annual trial against St Aloysius.  More details to come.

Touch Football: Another tough week for the Touch teams. With all Pius teams playing each other this weekend, we are all looking forward to seeing a bit of friendly rivalry amongst mates.  

Mr  Benn McBrearty - Junior School Sports Master

NSTA Tennis:  Please check under NSTA Tennis in the Senior School Sport and Co-curricular section for future correspondence.

IPSHA Tennis:  It was great to see the Juniors enjoying themselves on the court this week after a couple of rainy weekends. The early start for the A team at Riverview didn’t seem to dampen their spirits and they fought hard and showed excellent sportsmanship however, they were not able to secure the victory. The B team at Talus St were up against Knox and despite some great matches, they too could not come out on top.

Overall the IPSHA games saw great determination by all players and gave the boys some great experience. B team please note the change in start time for your games.

Samantha Iwatani - IPSHA Tennis Convenor

Softball: 

On Saturday we were up against St Patrick’s. In the first innings we sent the opposition into bat. They scored a few runs however, the fielding with Jake Dyson, Oliver Byrne, Andrew Montano and Logan Van Katwyk stopped many home runs.

As St Pius came into bat, they were hungry to get runs on the scoresheet. There was some fine batting by Joshua Floridia and Luca Senicic.

Our defenders on the bases Michael Yee, Benji Tan and our catcher, Benjamin Meares were all ready to tag when necessary.

However, after the three innings St Pius was defeated. Though the players were keen to play another innings, there was no chance at catching St Patrick’s score. Earlier in the season we had a close contest against this team. However, this game was a different result. 

Once again it was great to see the wonderful sportsmanship especially between Luca Senicic and his player. It was a close decision and the rule went our way, the boys laughed and shook hands. That made the game worthwhile!

Thank you to Mr and Mrs Yee for the photography.

Parents please note time change for next week’s game.

Players remember to bring, hat, water bottle, mouth guard and shin pads.

Ensure you eat breakfast to increase your energy levels.

Parents please remember to bring a chair as many venues do not have seating.

Mrs Jennifer Williams - Softball Convenor

SPX Rugby Supporters Club Golf Day - from 1pm Friday 6 March - Roseville Golf Club

Our second, and now annual, SPX Rugby Supporters' Club Fundraising Golf Day will take place at the Roseville Golf Club from 1pm this Friday, 6 March.

Over 100 players will take part in an 'Ambrose Foursome' 18 hole golf tournament.

On the day each of the players will have the opportunity to win a $65,000 Volvo XC60 (provided by Volvo Cars Lindfield) in our Hole in One Competion on the Par 3, 134 meter, 15th hole. 

We would like to thank each of our below-mentioned hole sponsors and advertisers for their generous support of this event.  Perhaps you might like to consider engaging the service of these businesses who support your son's rugby and the on-going development of the SPX rugby program.

SPX Rugby Supporters' Club - Annual Dinner - from 7pm Friday, 1 May - Roseville Golf Club

We have decided to start the 2020 SPX Rugby season off with a bang bringing our annual fundraising dinner forward to 'kick the ball off' for the season.

The dinner will be held from 7pm to midnight on Friday, 1 May at the Roseville Golf Club.

We are delighted to have SPX Old Boy Luke Jones as our Special Guest Speaker for the evening. Whilst at SPX Luke captained the Australian Schoolboys side; is an Australian Wallaby representative; 2019 World Barbarians Squad Member; current Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby player; who has also played for Bordeaux in France's Top 14 Super Rugby Competition and the Western Force in Super Rugby. 

Our MC for the evening will be former Wallaby and current Fox Sports Personality Mr Rod Kafer.

The evening will include great ente

Junior School Chess Club

A big welcome to the boys who have returned their registration slips to participate in the Junior Chess Competition for 2020. A gentle reminder that training begins Week 8, Tuesday 19 March, 2020 at 7.30 am in the Junior Resource Centre.

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor