Junior School News & Sport

• Junior School News and Information
• Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
• Junior School Sport

PRAYER:  

At last Monday's assembly a delegation of 5 Blue boys did a fantastic job of leading the whole school in prayer which was centred around the college motto of ‘fide et labore.’  We were also  very fortunate to have an Indian Christian brother, Br Steven Rocha, talk to the boys about the 'Nine is Mine' campaign which is about getting 9% of GDP for education and health as promised by the Indian Government in 2004. 

Br Steve asked all the boys to click their fingers on the count of 7.  It was very engaging and the precursor to a powerful message   Every time we clicked a baby in the world died of malnutrition and many of them in India.  He spoke about the work of Edmund Rice International and how children’s collective voices can make a difference.  Later at recess Br Steve told the staff that when he started this campaign in 2006, we would have had to click every 3 seconds, so that is a small improvement. 

I found it very sad and wondered if the boys fully realise just how fortunate they are to live in Australia.  I also was thankful that there are groups such as Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders and others that do amazing advocacy work for the marginalised, which is the reason for the following prayer.

O God, we thank you for the life of Edmund Rice. 

He opened his heart to Christ present in those oppressed by poverty and injustice. 

May we follow his example of faith and generosity. 

Grant us the courage and compassion of Edmund 

As we seek to live lives of love and service. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen

Prayer for Openness to the Spirit in our Lives

- Spirit of God, grant us the LOVE which filled the heart of Blessed Edmund, inspiring him to give all to you.

- Spirit of God, grant us the JOY of Blessed Edmund who found his happiness in seeing and serving you in poor and excluded people.

- Spirit of God, grant us the PEACE of Blessed Edmund who trusted in you and your providence through countless difficulties.

- Spirit of God, grant us the PATIENCE of Blessed Edmund who held to being a person of faith even when misunderstood and opposed.

- Spirit of God, grant us the KINDNESS of Blessed Edmund who always had time for the smallest and weakest.

- Spirit of God, grant us the GOODNESS of Blessed Edmund whose broad vision saw ways all around to spread the goodness of the kingdom.

- Spirit of God, grant us the GENTLENESS of Blessed Edmund who brought the gentleness of Christ to all his relationships. 

- Spirit of God, grant us the FAITHFULNESS of Blessed Edmund who did not give in to discouragement.

- Spirit of God, grant us the SELF CONTROL of Blessed Edmund who prayed constantly that your will would be be done in him.

ALL: Creator God, to live in your Spirit is not to be complete but to be open, not to be perfect but to be growing, not to have arrived but to be firmly on the way.

Help us to continue on the path of Jesus in the way of Blessed Edmund and to be faithful to the gift and spirit he has left us.

We ask this in Jesus' name.

Class Captains:  Congratulations to the following boys on their elections as class captains for Term 3.  They have now been presented their badges but this was the easy part - now they have to live up to the expectation of being a good role model for others and leading by example.

• 5 Red -  Maximus Crino
• 5 Blue - Angus Gibson
• 5 Gold - Samuel  Doherty
• 6 Red - Sam Cooper
• 6 Blue - Jonathon Nercessian
• 6 Gold  - Jonah Steele
• 6 Green - Sid Rana 

The Final Quarter:  I received an email from Reconciliation Australia about the screening of 'The Final Quarter' which was about an anti-racism message involving Adam Goodes.  It screened on 18 July but the email advised it is available on the Ten catch up service 10play.com.au for a month after the broadcast date if you are interested.  I have heard it is very powerful but I haven’t watched it yet.  You may wish to pre-screen before showing children.

The email also said that the broadcast will inevitably spark many conversations about racism. Because discussing racism can be confronting or traumatic for some people, care should be taken to create a culturally safe and respectful environment.  Below are some resources that will support safe engagement:

- Guide to National Reconciliation Week

- Reconciliation Film Club Planning Guide

- Guides for using respectful and inclusive language and terminology (education settings and workplaces)

- Take Action Against Racism RAP Action 

- Cultural Safety and Respect in the Classroom 

- Let’s Talk Race: A guide on how to conduct conversations about racism

Sport:  This week is winter sport training.   Next week will be a Gala Day where the boys play small sided games against each other and that will conclude the winter season.  Presentation nights will be held in the following

Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre

 We are very fortunate to have Dr Martin Chatterton come and visit the school during Education Week in August 2019. He will be here on Tuesday 6 August, located in the Junior Resource Centre.

 The Education Week Theme for 2019 is

'Every Student, Every Voice'.

Martin Chatterton has written the Mort series (Mort, Mortal Combat and Mortified) and five of the Middle School series co-authored with James Patterson (Rafe’s Aussie Adventure, Going Bush, Hollywood 101, Million Dollar Mess and the latest book, G’Day America). 

In addition to co-writing, Martin also illustrated these books and they all should be readily available via Booktopia, Dymock’s or any other online seller. Both series are published by Penguin Random House.

To coincide with Martin’s 2019 Australian tour, Caboodle Books have published a special 10th anniversary edition of The Brain Finds A Leg, one of Martin’s best-loved books which was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Literary Award. 

The book itself is a funny, surreal, detective story with an ecological theme and, unlike previous editions in Australia and the USA, has been illustrated by Martin. Martin is happy to sign books that the boys may have at home, or alternatively put in an order to buy one.

Here is the link to Martin’s amazing website:  

https://www.worldofchatterton.com/

Reading is my Secret Power

 CBCA Picture Book – Chalk Boy by MARGARET WILD AND MANDY ORD – PRC 568097

This week we will be reading the Picture Book Chalk Boy by Margaret Wild & Mandy Ord.  A soulful and heart-warming story about what happens when a pavement artist's drawing comes to life.

Photos below show Years 5 and 6 boys creating their own 'Chalk Boy'.

Guessing Competition for Book Week 2019

Book Week is coming! I’ve planned the ‘Most Awesome-est Book Week Costume Ever’. Can you guess who I am?

• Clue Number 1:  Female, born in the 1800’s in the U.K. 

Watch this space for clue number 2 in Woodchatta next week.  Book Prize for the student who can guess who I am!

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail:  Cheeky Dogs: To Lake Nash and Back by Dion Beasley and Johanna Bell.  (Photo:  Ruby Baines)

Meet Dion Beasley, and the people he calls family. Dodging road trains by day and giant blue monsters at night, Dion weaves his way through life on an electric scooter, collecting rocks and dogs to make art. The book is styled along the lines of a visual diary and is an ‘own voice’ story about Dion’s life and his journey to become an artist. Dion has muscular dystrophy and is profoundly deaf, but his story is one of humour, creativity and positivity.

Art can be a powerful form of communication. It’s also a look at life in indigenous communities in remote Australia. This book offers so much to readers from mid primary to beyond! #MrsMartinsbooktrail2019

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior Librarian

Junior Sport

Were you injured over the weekend?  Please refer to the flyer below.

Thursday Sport: at Oxford Falls. Winter Sport continues for Football and Rugby.

Athletics: Training has commenced for all athletes, taking place on Mondays and Wednesdays at Rotary Athletics Field, Mowbray Rd West, Lane Cove. Sessions run from after school until 4.55pm and a bus returns students to Chatswood if not collected from the venue.

Rugby Presentation Evening: takes place for all players on Tuesday 27 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.

Rugby:

Mr Greg Virgona - Junior School Sportsmaster

Football:   Round 8 and 9

Another great round of football for the SPX Junior teams following the holiday break. With over 50 boys attending the football camp it is pleasing to see the great results across most teams.

A reminder that the presentation night is on Wednesday 4 September. All boys who played for the school this season are expected to attend in full winter uniform. Awards will be given out to each team as well as the Player of the Year award and some lucky door prizes.

Please be aware of the change of times for the Prep teams this weekend.

Mr Paul Cummins - Junior Football Convenor

Football Committee Meeting

The next SPX Football Committee meeting will be held TONIGHT Wednesday 31 July 2019 at 6.30pm in the Sarto Centre.  Chris Semaan, SPX Football Technical Director, will be presenting his coaching program for SPX Football for 2020 and beyond.  Please come along and join us - we look forward to your input as we continue to develop Football at SPX.

Cathy Thomson - Secretary SPX Football Club

Athletics Training

• Monday and Wednesday - 4pm to 5pm 
• Venue:  Rotary Athletics Field, Lane Cove 
• Buses depart from Anderson Street 3.20pm and return 5.30pm

Mr Paul Donovan - Athletics Convenor