Junior School News & Sport

• Junior School News
• Learning Enrichment Notices​
• Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
• Junior School Sport

PRAYER/REFLECTION:  Recently in Year 6 we have been looking at the Beatitudes and in my research I found an interesting set of Beatitudes written for parents that I thought was worth sharing with you.

BEATITUDES FOR PARENTS

Blessed are those parents who make their peace with spilled milk and with mud, for of such is the kingdom of childhood.

Blessed is the parent who engages not in the comparison of his child with others, for precious unto each is the rhythm of his own growth.

Blessed are the fathers and mothers who have learned laughter, for it is the music of the child’s world.

Blessed and wise are those parents who understand the goodness of time, for they make it not a sword that kills growth but a shield to protect.

Blessed and mature are they who without anger can say "no", for comforting to the child is the security of firm decisions.

Blessed is the gift of consistency, for it is heart’s-ease in childhood.

Blessed are they who accept the awkwardness of growth, for they are aware of the choice between marred furnishings and damaged personalities.

Blessed are the teachable, for knowledge brings understanding, and understanding brings love.

Blessed are the men and women who in the midst of the unpromising mundane, give love, for they bestow the greatest of all gifts to each other, to their children, and—in an ever-widening circle—to their fellow men.

JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS

Last week proved to be no different to any other week here in the Junior School and the best way to describe it was – non-stop. We started the week with the exciting presentations offered by the Science Department for Science Week. It was great to see that so many of the Junior School boys made their way across to the labs to take part in the presentations and displays.

In the sports arena many of our boys then took part in the IPSHA Athletics Carnival on Wednesday and the Brother’s Carnival on Friday. One of our young year 6 men, Riley O’Neill was chosen to be a part of the very successful CIS Rugby team who participated and won the NSW Primary Schools State Championship in Coffs Harbour. It was great to see so many boys also attend and be acknowledged for their participation in the 2018 rugby season at the presentation evening last week.

I was excited to see so many Dads, Grandads and other significant figures in the boys’ lives come and take part in the sports day on Thursday at Oxford Falls. So many of the Dads were then able to make it back to the College on Friday to enjoy a Father's Day breakfast with their sons.

All of this happened along with the many amazing lessons. As I wander along the corridor of the Junior School it never ceases to amaze the learning that is taking place and the experiences that the boys are having each day here at school. Hopefully they are able to share some of this learning with you in the afternoons?

REMINDERS:  I understand that at the moment there are a lot of collections happening, all of which the staff are also taking part in. Could I put out a quick reminder for the following:

• Collection and return of the Walkathon money;
• Bringing in treats for the farmers – these are being collected each morning in Homerooms;
• Selling and returning the Raffle Tickets.

GRANDFATHER, FATHER AND SON SPORTING AFTERNOON AND BARBEQUE

Thank you to all the fathers, grandfathers and friends who were able to take time from their busy lives to join us for the annual sports day for Father’s Day last Thursday. We had over 130 visitors on the day who took part in nine different sporting activities. Thanks also to the special mums who gave up their time to help on the BBQ.

​​TERM 3 CALENDAR

A THOUGHT TO PONDER

Thanking you for your support.

Mrs S Iwatani - Acting Head of Junior School​

Learning Enrichment Notices

Mind Quest – Years 5 and 6:  Mind Quest is an exciting enrichment program, designed to challenge and extend gifted and talented primary students in New South Wales Schools. This program is now in its eighteenth year of operation. These challenging two day workshops are designed to stimulate and extend students across a broad range of subject areas. Activities may include chemistry, forensic sciences, Shakespeare’s Heroes & Villains, drama, digital animation, dynamic debating. Courses focus on developing critical and creative thinking skills, problem solving and broadening your son's interests.  More information may be found at http://www.mindquest.net.au/

Date: 10th and 11th November 2018

Students interested in participating in any of the competitions or courses are welcome to contact me.

Junior IPSHA Debating News:  We travelled to Oxford Falls Grammar School for Round 7 of the IPSHA competition last Friday 31st August. The debate was on a very interesting topic, “That We Should Ban Small Vehicles from large cities’, the boys really focused on their rebuttal skills and their manner was exceptional. Congratulations to the boys both teams on their efforts. A special thankyou to Mrs Mander and Mrs Parissis for driving the boys to and from Oxford Falls. Well done boys on another successful debating round. We now turn our focus on preparation for the Debating Gala Day on Monday 29th October at Abbostleigh Junior School.

Mrs B Spanyik - Learning Enrichment Teacher

Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre

Love this Cartoon!

Australian Slam Poetry Champion Solli Raphael

On Tuesday September 4th, Solli Raphael a young spoken word / slam poet (aged 13) visited St Pius X Junior School.  He put out the call: ‘Be a game changer with me’. What a brilliant performance, voicing current social concerns for his generation. How exciting to meet such an inspirational and talented young man. The boys were very fortunate to hear Solli share his experiences and tips for writing and performing.

‘The FUTURE NEEDS YOU and ME to CREATE EQUALITY ACROSS ALL LEVELS of HUMANITY’ - Solli

Solli Raphael- Australian Poetry Champion!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3C-DO9FyEo

Congratulations to our very own Poet in the Junior School – Alexander Feehan, with his original poem STORM, runner up in the Dorothea Mackellar Competition 2018.

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – VASILLISA THE WISE

Retold by Kate Forsyth, Illustrated by Lorena Carrington. Retellings of fairy tales with brave and bold young women… great reading for our daughters and our sons!

Premier’s reading Challenge 2018

Congratulations to 5 Blue and to 6 Blue celebrating reading with popcorn and a movie!    

Happy Reading! There are words to be spelled, nerves to be overcome and a champion to be found!

Mrs E Martin - Junior Librarian

Junior School Sport

Thursday Sport: at Oxford Falls. Trials/training resumes for Basketball, Cricket, Softball and Tennis.

Father & Son Sports Day: Thanks to the wider St Pius community for supporting this annual event. We had a huge number of participants, numerous spectators and a dedicated team of mums on the BBQ, who must be highly commended for feeding such a ravenous horde so efficiently. We are certainly lucky to have such quality facilities at our disposal year round and it was great to share these with the dads who are so often present as spectators. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to bond with their dads, grand-dads and uncles, and I sincerely thank all for taking the time to be a part of their sons’ day to day schooling. (Go to Woodchatta Extras for photos from the day).

Athletics: Congratulations to the team for their efforts in the IPSHA Carnival last week. After fine performances, four students gained selection in the IPSHA team to compete at the CIS Carnival: Dominic D’Souza qualified for the U10’s 100m in 5th place (15.02). This 100m effort was equalled by Orlando Gregory (15.02) who also qualified for the Discus in 6th place after throwing 19.48m. Jacob Magner continued his great form from the State Cross-Country Championships, placing 2nd overall in the U12 800m (2:28.4). Angus Hunt placed 6th in the High Jump (1.35m) and thus also goes through to the next level. Good luck to all competitors for the CIS Carnival on 13th Sept.

Basketball: Grading resumes this Thursday. Team lists for the Term 4 Season will go onto the App in the next fortnight with the season draw and information letter also available. The first game of season is on Saturday 20th October.

Cricket: Teams have been announced and training now resumes for the fast-approaching season. Thanks in advance to the parent volunteers for giving up your time to guide the players through the season, and also to the Cricket Club who do an enormous amount in organising, staffing and funding Cricket at SPX. A reminder boys can bring their own kit bag to Oxford Falls Thursday Sport sessions (or use the school issue gear provided). At the least boys must have a protector and personal gloves.

NSTA Tennis: Grading for the new Term 4 Season will be completed in the coming 2 weeks. The season begins on 20th Oct and relevant information including team lists and a draw will be disseminated to players after the grading meeting.

Softball: A season draw and team list will be available via the App in the next fortnight. The first game of the Term 4 season is on Saturday 20th October.

Winter Sport/Co-curricular Photos: Our Winter Sport/Co-curricular photos have now been taken. Hard-copy order forms were given to students and are due back by the end of this term (to the office). A PDF form can be found below should you require it.

Football Presentation Night takes place for all players on Wednesday 5th September from 5.30pm to 6.50pm in the Sarto Centre (allowing parents to attend the Senior Football Presentation in the Gym from 7.00pm).  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

From the Rugby Club 

Save the Date:  Wednesday, 12th December 2018 – Inaugural SPX Rugby Club Golf Day at Roseville Golf Club  from 1pm - ‘Ambrose Shotgun Start’.  Further details to be provided in coming weeks and bookings will open shortly. Lady golfers most welcome and encouraged to play.

(Please note the date has now been moved from initially notified date of 28th November).

Rugby Club ‘Monster Raffle Prize Winners – drawn 25th August 2018 at The Willoughby Hotel:

1st Prize  - A. Durchai

2nd Prize - K. Ferguson

3rd Prize -  J. Smith

4th Prize - J. Melley

5th Prize - K. Ferguson

6th Prize - A. Ningiga

7th Prize - M. Ritchie

8th Prize - P. Muller

9th Prize - N.Cooper

10th Prize - A. Glover

Paul O'Neill - President SPX Rugby Club