Junior School News
- From the Head of the Junior School
- Junior School Sport
- Junior School IPSHA Debating
- Junior School Chess
From the Head of the Junior School
Semester Two has seen the students, and staff, return with great energy and enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see everyone reconnecting after the mid-year holiday. I hope your family was able to enjoy a well-earned break.
We have a couple of major events this term in the Junior School, so please keep these dates free:
GRANDPARENT’S DAY LITURGY / WALK-A-THON (Oxford Falls)
Each year, Junior School students and staff participate in a Walk-a-thon, raising money for our two partner schools, St Joseph’s Walgett and St Mary’s Bowraville as well as for our World Vision child, Groria from Zambia. This year, we invite Grandparents to join us for the day on Thursday 10 August at Oxford Falls starting with a special liturgy at 10:45 am.
FATHER’S DAY LITURGY / SPORTS DAY
This year, Dads are warmly invited to join us for a special liturgy (at 10:45 am) in the Christian Brothers Centre at Oxford Falls before putting on the sports gear for a fun day of sport with their son. Keep an eye out for an invitation from Mr Ryan in the coming weeks.
BOOK WEEK PARADE
Each year since 1945, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has brought children and books together across Australia through the CBCA Book Week. During this time schools and public libraries spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators.
This year, students will enjoy a presentation from author Adrian Beck. Adrian writes, funny, action-packed stories for kids. He is the author of the Derek Dool series, the Champion Charlies series, plus Alien Zoo 1 and 2 and he is the co-author of the Little Legends series with Nicole Hayes plus the Kick it to Nick series with AFL hall-of-famer Shane Crawford.
Our Book Parade will take place in the Junior School playground on Friday 25 August commencing at 1:30 pm. Students are encouraged to dress as their favourite book character (please help them choose a book character rather than a movie hero) or to find another way to reflect the theme: Read, Grow, Inspire!
Students may wear their Sport uniform to and from school and will change into their Book Week costumes at school. Please note that costumes that involve replica weapons of any kind are not permitted (eg plastic guns, knives etc).
DANCE SHOWCASE AT OXFORD FALLS
On the last day of Term 2, Oxford Falls came alive with an awe-inspiring display of dance as the four Colour Houses competed for the prestigious 2023 RedEd Championship. Everyone in attendance was treated to a fantastic exhibition of talent and creativity.
Congratulations to Barron House for securing the RedEd championship and thank you to Mr Ryan for organising this unique opportunity for the boys.
The RedEd championship showcased the remarkable talent within our school community and highlighted the importance of artistic expression and teamwork. We are incredibly proud of all the participants and their dedication to the art of dance. Let us continue to nurture and celebrate such creative endeavours that enrich the lives of our students and bring joy to our school community.
BLUE FIDE AWARDS
Congratulations to the following students who earned themselves a prestigious Blue Fide Award for their unwavering commitment and consistent effort, resulting in remarkable improvement during Semester One."
5 Gold | Lachlan Hourigan, Hugh Slack-Smith, Henry Auer
5 Red | Dominik Playle, Brandon Abram, Sebastian Clark
5 Blue | Oscar Haigh, Nathan Hon, Oliver Rixon
6 Gold | Oscar Clubbe, Edward Onslow, Ethan Scroope
6 Red | Oliver Pile, Henry Gardner, Flynn McInerney
6 Blue | Michael Qi, Jaxson Lee, Dominic Ostowari
6 Green | Bryce Davis, Jack Treder, Oliver Ryder
TEACHING AND LEARNING
It was fantastic to see students getting straight back into their learning from the time the bell rang yesterday morning. I enjoyed watching 6 Blue engaging in the exploration of tectonic plates.
SPORTING SUCCESS
Congratulations to those Junior School basketballers Hunter Austin, Dean Bacic, Patrick Butler, Oliver Henderson and Xavier Paixao who play for the Boomers in the Manly Warringah Basketball Association competition. The Boomers won their semi-final on 17 June, placing them in the top round for the grand finals which took place on 24 June. In their grand final game on 24 June, the Boomers went up against main rivals the Oxford Falls Grammar Bulls and pulled off a nail-biting win 37-34 to not only become grand final champions, but also competition winners on points overall. This is their second Division 1 Finals Championship in 3 years (they also won in 2021).
DATES FOR THE DIARY
- Saturday 22 July | Rugby Club Dinner
- Thursday 10 August | Grandparents’ Day Liturgy & Walk-a-thon
- Friday 11 August | Year 6 Chinatown Excursion
- Saturday 12 August | P & F Trivia Night
- Friday 25 August | Book Week Parade
- Saturday 29 July | Football Cocktail Party, Greengate Hotel
- Monday 28 August | St Pius X Feast Day holiday (Pupil- and Staff-free day)
- Thursday 31 August | Fathers’ Day Liturgy and Sports Day at Oxford Falls
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Junior School.
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School
MATHS DROP-IN AND HOMEWORK HELP FOR YEARS 5 - 6
FRIDAYS 8:00 am – 8:40 am
Drop-in to 5 Gold for help with difficult mathematics concepts or general homework. This is an ideal place where students can come and feel comfortable to ask questions. Students are encouraged to bring along specific queries, tasks, assessments, homework, general revision and problems to work on, with Mrs Fileman on hand, ready to help.
Mrs Amanda Fileman - Mathematics Teacher
Junior School Sport
Thursday Sport: Winter Sport continues this week in readiness for the remaining rounds of the season. Boys are reminded to bring the appropriate gear with them (mouth-guard and boots) to fully take part in the sessions.
Change to Oxford Falls departure:
Please note that from this Thursday (20 July) we will be departing Oxford Falls at the later time of 2:30 pm. We will still be back at Chatswood by 3:00 pm. This has been the result of securing an alternative bus company. It is great that your sons will be able to get more sport time. With this in mind though, I would ask parents/carers who are picking their son up from Oxford Falls, that you do so prior to our 2:30 pm departure.
Term 3 program is as follows:
Term 2 Dance Program: Congratulations to Barron House who at the end of last term took out the Annual House Dance Competition. All boys did a superb job in building their individual and collective dance skills under the coaching of the instructors from Raw Energy Dance. All four Houses performed incredibly well to bring complex dance routines together in such a short space of time. Thank you to all the parents/carers who were able to attend and support the boys during their performances.
IPSHA: Please find attached a copy of the IPSHA Code of Conduct that was circulated to schools this week. Those at IPSHA have requested that schools provide this documentation once more to all involved in Saturday sport, either as spectator, player or coach. I would like to thank all involved that I have been very pleased with the manner in which we as a College compete with other schools in the various sporting competitions and adhere to the conditions outlined in the Code of Conduct. If you would like to discuss any aspects of the code with me, please do not hesitate to reach out at bryan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Round 8 Fixtures – Saturday, 22 July
Saturday sport re-commences on 22 July and I wish all teams well as they once again compete for the College in their respective activities. A polite reminder that in the event your son is absent with illness then please contact me via email so I can convey this message to the relevant coaches. The same process should be applied if there are extenuating circumstances where your son is not able to play in a particular round. Please check the College App for the most up to date details on a Thursday evening prior to the upcoming round of matches. It is an expectation that the boys are at their playing venue at least 20 minutes before the start of play to prepare and warm-up.
Term 4 Summer Sport: All families should have received an email confirming their son’s selected sport for Term 4. If the email is correct, no action needs to be taken. Thank you to those who have clarified their son’s choice. I am required to submit Term 4 sport entries to IPSHA by Thursday 20 July.
Mr Ben Ryan - Junior School Sports Coordinator
Football Supporters' Club
Supporter's Day - Can you contribute baked goods?
Saturday 22 July at Oxford Falls playing fields
This final Football Supporters Day at Oxford Falls for 2023, will raise funds for future coaching support for our football young men with our BBQ, Football Coffee and Bake Sale
If you can support this club activity by contributing baked goods please email Priscilla on : pleasepris@hotmail.com.
Please support this club activity by signing on to the volunteer roster today: https://signup.zone/gsJSyYippYGkA3wgB.
Annual Social Cocktail Night – Last chance to get tickets
Saturday 29 July at 7:00 pm – Greengate Hotel
Click here to buy tickets - https://events.humanitix.com/spxfootballcocktailevening2023
Old Boy SPX football players (over 18) are also invited.
SPX Football Supporters' Club Committee
SPX Rugby Club – Gala Dinner
THIS Saturday, 22 July, Kirribilli Club from 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm.
LAST CHANCE as ticket sales close Wednesday, 19 July (today).
For fundraising activities, please bring CASH.
If you are unable to attend, please consider supporting the club by making a purchase via GALABID.
Our parent and business sponsors have been incredibly supportive and we have an amazing selection of auction items.
The SPX Rugby Committee is looking forward to welcoming you at the Gala Dinner.
Have your dancing shoes on! Please direct all enquiries to spxrugby@gmail.com.
SPX Rugby Committee
Junior School IPSHA Debating - Round 4
The Junior School Debating Competition resumes this Friday, 21 July, in the Sarto Centre at 1:00 pm against John Colet school. Parents are most welcome to attend. The topic for the debate is “That we should teach cooking classes in Primary School.”
Representing the College for the affirmative team are James P, Lachlan T, Will W and Lachlan Y. Representing the College for the negative team are Angus R, Cian G, Hugh SS and Alex Z. Good luck to all the boys.
Mr Paul Cummins - Junior Debating Coach
Junior Chess
Practice Sessions in the Junior Resource Centre: Tuesday 7:30 am – Weeks 1, 2 and 3.
Our Junior School chess players are welcome to come to the JRC (Junior Library) for chess practice at 7:30 am on Tuesdays for the FIRST 3 WEEKS OF TERM 3. Practice will be supervised by Mrs Hunt.
This week's games are as follows:
Friday 21 July
Teams A, B, D and E at Neutral Bay
Team F at Lane Cove
Thank you, parents, for ensuring your boys are collected from school and transported to the venues.
More details will be made available in Weeks 2 and 3.
Mrs Roslynne Hunt - Junior Chess Convenor