Junior School News & Sport

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

Prayer/Reflection:  

A Student's Prayer for a New School Year

This is the prayer that we started the Year with in the gym on the first day for the boys:-

Lord Jesus, I ask for Your help as I begin this new school year. Allow me to experience Your presence in the many blessings You put before me.

Open my eyes to the new challenges and exciting opportunities that this new school year brings.

Open my heart and mind to new friends and new teachers.

Give me a generous spirit to be enthusiastic with my studies and courage to accept new opportunities.

Help me to be attentive to my teachers and let me experience Your presence in my new friends. Jesus, inspire me to do my best this year and to pursue my passions in 2020!

THE WEEK THAT WAS:

It was great to see so many parents at the Information Evenings.  All the boys now have their PLDs (except those who have been absent.  We will organise their PLDs on their return)  Please ensure you have read through and co–signed the Acceptable Use Policy for Students and Technology (Page 17-18 in the diary). This can be used as a valuable parenting experience where you can explain the expectations around the use of their personal learning device.  This is a challenging area for parents and schools.

Today we had the Junior School Swimming Carnival.  It was great to meet so many parents and to witness the enthusiasm of the boys.  I’m always amazed at how enthusiastically they support their colour house even though they have only been here 5 days.  It is very energising and a lot of fun. Congratulations to the following boys who have been voted in as House leaders.  They have done a great job leading their teams today.  A very special congratulations to the winning team which was Barron!

House Leaders

Congratulations to the boys who have been voted House Captains.  Please see the Junior Sport section for the comprehensive list.

Well done on your efforts today in organising and motivating your team.  Some good leadership skills were honed today.

Coronavirus and Sport

The Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) has clearly stated that if you are quarantined from school, then you can’t compete at an IPSHA sporting venue.  This is common sense but some times this isn’t so common!  There have been no quarantined students at St Pius X College.  For any queries on this issue, please contact Mr Tim Long.

Year 5 Camp

I will send out a detailed camp letter in the coming weeks. The letter below gives links to register/book in your son. Please click on the link below and input your son’s details as discussed at the Parent Information Evening.  You can also look up some generic information for parents on another link. Remember, if your son hasn’t slept away from home, the upcoming weekends before the camp may be a good time to commence.

Dear Timothy,

​For Milson Island Sport and Recreation Centre to best prepare for your upcoming Year 5 Camp - St Pius X College on Wednesday 11 March 2020 to Friday 13 March 2020 we require each registrant (children and adults) complete the online registration form. This information is essential to enable the site to accommodate special requirements and needs.​

The link/s below are unique to your event and will direct you to our online registration form. Please provide these links to all intended registrants for completion.​

Please note Chrome is our preferred internet browser​

Registration Link for parents to book in children​​

https://oos.ungerboeck.com/prod/emc00/register.aspx?eid=ZmdwS2MzeEw5SVYrdnpIVmFqSFV3dz090 

Please note: it is critical the forms are completed prior to your event start date. We seek your assistance in circulating this link and encouraging participants to register as soon as possible.

The links below provide additional information for parents/guardians to help prepare for your event.

Parent/Guardian Information Pack​ 

THIS COMING WEEK:-

Thursday 6/2 – Junior School Sports trial day – On a Thursday boys would normally attend in a Colour House shirt but for this week the boys can attend in their blue sports shirt as the coloured one may be in the wash.  They require hats, water bottles, morning tea and lunch.  If you wish to collect your son from Oxford Falls please wait in the car park by 2.15 pm at the latest and we will walk the boys out to the carpark.  The boys will be bussed back to school and we will be dismissed on arrival which is generally shortly before 3 pm.

A reminder that parents are unable to take another family's son home unless we have a letter/email from that child’s parent granting permission.

Saturday 8/2  - IPSHA  Rd 1/ NSTA (tennis) commences.

Please note: The football grading days are for the senior school.

P & F EVENTS

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

TERM 1 DATES

In case you missed an email I sent you, I now attach the calendar for this term.

BIRTHDAYS

Congratulations to the following boys who celebrate or celebrated their birthdays in February:

Harrison Asensio, Aaron Bennett, Benjamin Bromby, Josh Du Moulin, Ethan Efstathiou, Julian Fiore, Joshua Floridia, Louis Forbes, James Furini, Daniel Hawkins, Alex Higgins, Oliver Jones, Maxwell Khatchadourian, Jayden Raic and Myles Roche.

ATTENDANCE/ABSENTEEISM

Parents are to explain any student absence at their earliest opportunity by:

1. Ringing the attendance line:  9414 4377
2. Emailing the Attendance Roll Manager:  studentmanagement@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
3. Using the portal to explain an absence  http://iwise.stpiusx.nsw.edu.au/igloo/portal OR
4. Providing a written/printed note explaining the absence on the next available opportunity.

Communication must be addressed to the College staff and include the s

Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre

Welcome to the 2020 school year.  School started on Thursday for our incoming Year 5 and 6 students. We all look forward to a great year of reading and learning.

With the mercury continuing to rise outside. There are lots of students taking advantage of our air conditioning. What a welcome back! Is it really the heat or were they missing me? #loveourlibrary #welcometo2020

This year’s stimulating library program is designed to develop students’ digital and information literacies and literacy generally. Much of this learning is connected to classroom studies.

Promoting recreational reading is a big part of our program. The Junior Resource Centre offers a range of opportunities for every student to enjoy reading and to develop their appreciation of literature.

This Year’s reading is promoted in a number of ways:

• Weekly readings from “Book of the Term” and Mrs Martin’s Book Trail.
• The Premier’s Reading Challenge:  March to August.
• Year 5 Writer’s Workshop with award winning author, John Larkin.
• Book Week celebrations –‘CURIOUS CREATURES, WILD MINDS’ with studies of short-listed contenders for the ‘Children’s Book of the Year’. 22-28 August 2020.
• A visit to our next door neighbours, Willoughby Library, with memberships on offer and the chance for our students to borrow from this world class collection.

February is Library Lovers Month

The theme for Library Lovers Day 2020 is ‘Uncover Something New’ Students are encouraged to have a blind date with a book. This is just one of the many activities happening in the JRC. Watch this space! #LibraryLoversDay #LibraryLoveStories

Mrs Martin’s Book Trail – The House on The Mountain by Ella Holcombe and David Cox.

Timely picture book in such difficult days…. On 7 February 2009, one hundred and seventy-three people died and thousands lost loved ones, pets and possessions. That day became known as Black Saturday. The author of The House on the Mountain herself lost her mother and father and home on that day and has created an honest, beautifully written text supported sensitively by illustrator David Cox.       #MrsMartinsBooktrail2020     #backtoschool 2020   #juniorresourcecentre

Mrs Elena Martin - Junior Librarian

Learning Enrichment Notices

Compass Club

What is Compass Club?

Compass Club offers a range of competitions and is open to any boy wishing to register for a competition they are interested in. At Compass Club you can find out if you are eligible to register or enter competitions, obtain an entry form, seek assistance with your entry or work on your entry. Most competitions require you to submit your entry during Compass Club sessions.

When is Compass Club?

Compass Club is held Wednesday lunchtime beginning in Week 3.

Where is Compass Club?

Compass Club is held in the JSR (room off the junior yard).

Do I attend every week?

Attend Compass Club if you are interested in participating or trialing for a particular competition. You can choose to work on your entry during Wednesday lunch or work on your entry at home and submit it when you have finished.

Who can I see about joining Compass Club?

If you have any questions about Compass Club please see Mrs Spanyik.

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: Our second trial day takes place tomorrow and so we again depart early. Please note the early departure times for the first 3 weeks and thus the need for a full packed lunch.

School App:  If you have not already done so please download the St Pius X College App on your phone. Go to Settings-Subscriptions to tag the sports you wish to receive notices for. Also, tag the ‘General’ sports notices option so as you receive the notices pertinent to all students.

Twitter / Wet Weather Procedure: Follow @SPXJuniorSport for instant updates regarding late sporting changes, cancellations etc. Full details here.

House Captains: Congratulations to the following students voted by their peers and staff as leaders for 2020.

Basketball: The first game of the 6-week, Term 1 season begins this Saturday 8 Feb. Boys will be notified of their team and issued a singlet on Thursday/Friday after our final session of trials. All relevant information apart from team lists has been uploaded to the College App. Please ensure boys are correctly attired in College-only uniform and at their venue 20 mins prior to tip-off.   

NSTA/IPSHA Tennis:  Rd 1 is this Saturday, 8 Feb. Boys will be notified of their team and will be given further team, draw and venue details once the Competition grading has been finalised Thursday/ Friday this week. The summer competition is graded and runs in conjunction with the Senior School. Boys are graded in ability groups and grading may transcend year groups. Please check under NSTA Tennis in the Senior School Sport section for future correspondence.

Rugby: Trials for the upcoming Armidale Rugby Tour will take place on Thur 13 Feb as part of sport. Year 6 students playing Rugby for the College are invited to trial. The tour takes place from 17 – 19 April in Armidale, NSW. All tour management, including accommodation, coaching and meals are organised by The College. Players make their own way to Armidale and return by their own means – parents drop them to SPX staff at the school boarding accommodation on Friday afternoon. Whilst most parent/s attend in support, transport can also be arranging via car-pooling with another player. Accommodation books out very early but the Rugby Club has secured several rooms on behalf of St Pius parents – more info to follow, after team selections are complete.

Softball: The first game of the 6-week, Term 1 season begins this Saturday, 8 Feb. However, due to our opponents being unable to field a team, the first round will be a bye.

All relevant information has been uploaded to the College App. Wet weather procedures will be in place (as per the season draw and information letter). 

Touch Football: The first game of the 6-week, Term 1 season begins this Saturday 8 Feb. Boys will be notified of their team and issued a singlet on Thursday/Friday after our final session of trials. All relevant information apart from team lists has been uploaded to the College App. Please ensure boys are correctly attired in College-only uniform and at their venue 20 mins prior to game commencement.

Mr  Benn McBrearty - Junior School Sports Master

NSTA Tennis

The NSTA competition starts this Saturday, 8 February.  Please ensure that you have the correct uniform to play, including a hat, school sports shirt and white shorts! A team list has already been sent through to all players and parents, please ensure that you check this carefully. If you cannot find it, a copy of the team list and rules will be linked to this report.

Start Times – 8am and 10am. 2hrs match time. Please be at the venue at least 10 - 15 mins prior to your match. Matches should start promptly on time. 5 min warm up.

Supervision – All home venues are required to supply supervision from the school. This person is to have a WWCC and must remain for the duration of the match with a first aid kit.

Balls and Scoresheets – Are the responsibility of the home team. School Convenors have access to scoresheets via xpoint. Please make sure the correct players are listed as reserves may be playing. Balls need to be purchased prior to the to match as venues may not have balls available for sale.

3-point Deuce – When the score reaches deuce (40-40) the players will play the next point to advantage (either server or receiver depending on who won the point). If the team that had the advantage does not win the point it score goes back to deuce. The NEXT POINT WINS. There are no further advantage points played after the 1st advantage.

Tiebreak – Played at 5 – 5 games. First to 7 points. If the score get to 6-6 in tiebreak team must win by 2 points i.e 8-6.

Finals – ALL TEAMS PLAY IN THE FINALS. 1 v 2 Winner and runner playoff 3 v 4 and 5 v 6 play off for placings

Wet Weather – Home team is responsible for checking court conditions. Please contact your School Convenor.

Mrs Samantha Iwatani - Tennis Convenor

Junior School Chess Club

The NSW Junior Chess Competition is pleased to invite the SPX Junior School to take part in the 2020 Primary Schools Chess Teams Competition.

WHY CHESS? There are tremendous benefits for children involved in the competition – new outlook, new friends, intellectual stimulation, improved concentration, a new reason to develop self-esteem. Registration closes Friday 21 February, 2020. Attached is a Chess Newsletter with all the relevant information if your son is interested please complete the form, detach and hand it to Mrs Martin by Week 4, Friday 21 February, 2020. Training begins Week 8, Tuesday 17 March, 2020 at 7.30 am in the Junior Resource Centre.

Mrs. Elena Martin - Junior School Chess Convenor