Junior School News & Sport

• Junior School News
• Junior School Sport

Junior School News

Walkathon

The forms for the 2016 Junior School Walkathon have been sent out.  This is our annual event where we ask the boys to physically put themselves out for somebody less fortunate than themselves.  The concept is for the boys to walk at a Thursday sporting afternoon and raise money for four causes. 

The causes

We raise money for Callan Services in PNG.  Callan Services has 19 schools for disabled children in PNG.  Without these schools these children would languish at home.  They are also promoting a PNG sign language for deaf people. They assist with hearing aids and glasses.  It is a wonderful cause and I was very fortunate to visit Callan Service in the holidays before the Kokoda Track walk.  It was a very impressive and moving experience                                                                  meeting the children and their families. 

We also raise money for two predominately Aboriginal schools that some of our Year 10 boys attend for immersions.  One school is at Walgett where the money will go towards some shade in the playground and at Bowraville the money goes towards the school meals program where the children are supplied two meals a day by the school.  This program is not government sponsored and relies on donations.  Several years ago when I visited the school they were in desperate need of cash to run the program and our money was greatly appreciated.  The 4th cause is our World Vision sponsored child who we have been supporting for years. Vipin Singh lives in India and he is now 16 years old.  The money supports not only the child but the community.

The process

The boys have a sponsorship sheet where they ask people they know if they would sponsor them either as an amount or per km.  Please remember stranger danger!  Sometimes people ask work colleagues. The boys bring back the sheet the day before the walkathon.  On the day of the walkathon they have a sheet to verify how far they have walked and that is attached to the sponsorship sheet.  The boys then collect the money that has been pledged.

Our Year 10 immersion boys and their supervising teachers take the cheques to the Walgett and Bowraville schools; the money is sent up to Callan Services; and Vipin receives his sponsorship.  Your assistance in this worthwhile venture, not only for the causes but for the social justice education of your son, would be appreciated.

Please note: if you do sponsor per km, note that most boys will walk 8 km in 1.5 hours and some can run 16 km.  Good to note.

SPX vs Kawanishi City Rugby School

Last Thursday the Kawanishi rugby school visited St Pius X Junior School.  They spent the morning in the Junior School classrooms and then an ‘international’ game was played with our Prep 1st and 2nd teams. This was played with great spirit by both teams and the entertaining game of rugby was won by SPX.  There were speeches after the game and we were presented with a lovely plaque while the coach received a tie. The boys received gifts and the 'Best and Fairest' prize went to Bailey. The cheering from the boys was fantastic for both teams.  I think they enjoyed calling out 'Kawanishi' and then a roaring rendition of Woodchatta, Wood. It was a great experience for all involved. Thankyou to Mr and Mrs Patterson for organising the Japanese team.

Please click below to see a selection of photos:

Debating Win

Last Friday I had the pleasure of travelling to St Luke’s Dee Why with the debating team.  We came away with two good wins and we had wonderfully hospitable hosts.  It is a wonderful skill to practise at a young age.

Year 5 Short Story Competition

Today, Emma Hayes, from Willoughby Council spoke to Year 5 about a short story competition that they can enter.  The animal they have to write about is the blue tongued skink.  It is an opportunity to become a published author.  We have stories from past winners in the library.  You may wish to encourage your son to participate.

Write On 2016

Schools are encouraged to take part in Write On, the annual writing competition for Years 1 to 6 NSW school students. This BOSTES program is designed to encourage students to develop their creative writing skills by composing a 500 word imaginative text in response to a stimulus photograph (left).

Book Week 2016

Theme for this Year is  AUSTRALIA:  STORY COUNTRY

We will be celebrating here at School on the 26th August, 2016 with a Book Character Costume Parade in Period 1.  Start planning!

This will be followed by an Author Visit by Tristan Banks   http://www.tristanbancks.com/

Holy Spirit Parish in North Ryde - Confirmation preparation

Holy Spirit Parish in North Ryde is commencing their Confirmation preparation with enrolment required by Friday 19th August and a Parent information evening on Monday 5th September.  For information please contact the co-ordinators, Anna or Frances, via hsnrconfirmation@gmail.com

Olympic Fan Day Tomorrow

Boys are asked to bring in some Australian clothing for a photo for the Australian Olympic Fan Day.  Please note that the boys come to school in their school uniform but can bring an Australian shirt etc.  Should be fun!

Farewell and Welcome

On Friday we farewell James Dillon from Year 6 as his family return to Ireland.  We wish James and his family all the best in their new adventure. I would also like to welcome Ronan Crispe who has just started at the College.

Thank you for your support.

Mr T Long - Head of Junior School

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Junior School Sport

Thursday Sport: on at Oxford Falls with winter training taking place for AFL, Football (Soccer) and Rugby.

Rugby, Football & AFL - Results and Fixtures:

Winter Gala Day

Thursday 11th August

This is a mini tournament for all AFL, Football and Rugby players. It is essentially a fun way to finish off the season with small sided games in a competitive format. Boys require normal training gear, though AFL and Rugby players are asked to bring 2 jerseys (school and other).

Rugby

The Rugby Presentation Evening takes place for all players on Tuesday 23rd August from 5.30pm – 6.50pm (allowing parents to attend the Snr Presentation in the Gym from 7pm). It will be held in the Sarto Centre and boys will be required to wear school uniform. All players will be acknowledged on stage for their season’s efforts and major award winners will be presented.

Football

The Football Presentation Evening takes place for all players on Wednesday 31st August from 5.30pm – 6.50pm (allowing parents to attend the Snr Presentation in the Gym from 7pm). It will be held in the Sarto Centre and boys will be required to wear school uniform. All players will be acknowledged on stage for their season’s efforts and major award winners will be presented.

Mr G Virgona - Junior School Sportsmaster

AFL

Finally a sunny, but cool Saturday morning saw the St Pius X team head to the SCG for their game against Knox. Well it was actually the field opposite the SCG, but one where the Sydney Swans often train!  After such a long break the boys were keen to play and they all came out with speed and aggression to surprise the much more experienced Knox team. Kobe led the way with some wonderful defence and tackling which he maintained until the final hooter. He was ably supported by James Shahinian who played his best game of the season. Harrison must have covered the distance of the City to Surf with strong running and support in both defence and attack.

All boys showed outstanding skills and really made a game of it with the opposition coach praising their performance. Thanks to Mr Long who came to watch the boys play and who was impressed with their skills and effort.

Player Points

3 – Kobe Du Moulin;  2 – James Shahinian; 1 – Harrison O’Brien

Next Game: v Newington     9:30am Alan Davidson Oval  Sydney Park Road Alexandria. Warm up – 8:45am.

Ms D Cummins - AFL Convenor

Cricket

Cricket takes the new ball!

Registrations for the 2016-17 Cricket Season NOW OPEN

With the start of the 2016-17 cricket season less than five weeks away, it's time to get registered and play for SPX Cricket in the district competitions (North Shore JCA and Manly-Warringah JCA). Sign up NOW to ensure your place and help SPX Cricket with early allocation of teams. Registrations close on Sunday 21 August 2016 and the first games (in the Manly competition) start on Saturday September 10. The North Shore competition begins on Saturday September 24. 

Please note:  As a school sport SPX Cricket is played on Saturdays only.

Online registration can be done via:  https://www.trybooking.com/215345

Fees will be included in the billing for Term 4. 

The Cricket Club Skills Day is on Sunday 28 August 2016 at Oxford Falls. More details to follow.

For more information on the forthcoming season, please see the SPX CC Stumped! newsletter “Welcome to Cricket at St Pius” that Mr Long recently distributed with the Junior School newsletter. Alternatively, contact SPX Cricket Secretary, Danny John, at secretary@stpiuscricket.org.au or on 0438 791068. 

Details about the cricket club's activities, the Stumped! newsletter and last season's annual review can be found on the  P&F website:  http://pandf.spx.nsw.edu.au/sports/cricket-club

Mr D Reay - Cricket Convenor