St Pius X College Newsletter

Junior School News 

  • From the Junior School 
  • Junior School Sport
  • Rugby Club AGM

From the Junior School

REFLECTION

 

Children, while innocently naïve about most world events, are also profoundly sensitive to the concerns felt by adults. We can help children interpret adult concerns by sharing information about current events in appropriate ways. We can also put these concerns in the light of God's care for us.

 

You might like to discuss with your children one or more current events or a situation in your family which shows difficulties that may challenge our trust in a God who cares for us. Together with your children, talk about ways in which God might bring good out of the difficult events you discussed. Talk together about some actions you might take as a family to make better the situations you discussed. Conclude by praying for the needs of the people involved in the events you named. In prayer, place each of these difficult situations into God's hands.

 

Our Father, Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy Will be done,

on earth as it is in Heaven.

 

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. Amen.

 

TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

Kokoda Walkway

Yesterday, our Year 5 students visited the Ralph Honner Education Centre where they learnt about the Pacific War that led to the Kokoda campaign and experienced an immersive state-of-the-art virtual reality program.  Following this, they attended a wreath laying service at the Walkway’s stunning centrepiece memorial and visited the Walkway’s 22 stations representing a major Kokoda battle or location. 

 

Swim/Surf Program

As part of our PDHPE program, students in the Junior School will start 4 weeks of swim/surf training this Thursday.  Year 5 are heading to the Macquarie Aquatic Centre, while Year 6 will be enjoying the sunshine on Dee Why Beach.  Further information is detailed in Mr Carroll’s Sport section. 

 

MERIT AWARDS

Congratulations to last week’s Merit Award winners:

 

 

YEAR 7 TRANSITION DAY

On Tuesday of next week (15 November), all Year 6 students will spend the day becoming oriented to the Senior College in preparation for their move into Year 7 in 2023.  Led by Mr Brannan, the boys will complete an assessment, have a tour, and enjoy some sport down at Beauchamp Oval.  Those students not returning to the College in 2023, are permitted to stay home, if possible, otherwise, supervision will be provided in the Year 5 classrooms.  If your son is not returning in 2023, and will require supervision on Tuesday, could you please let your classroom teacher know by Friday of this week.

 

SATURDAY SPORT

Scots College made things tough for a few of our basketballers this week, but nothing could stop the mighty Is, Ks, and Ls from pulling off stunning wins. Congratulations to Mrs William’s softballers who avoided a draw after a nail-biting last innings, and to the A Blue Touch team for their close win over Waverley.

 

YEAR 5 FAMILY EVENT

A lovely afternoon was had by all at the Year 5 Social Event at North Sydney on Sunday.  Families enjoyed lunch, followed by barefoot bowling.  Thank you to the Year 5 Class Parent team of Katie Ho, Holly Treder, Reena Ma, Gabby Layton, Ali Lennard, Michelle Stanley, and Suzanne Delilkhan for your organisation of the afternoon, and for all the work you have done throughout 2022 to keep our families connected.  It was a fantastic idea to invite our new Year 6, 2023 families along, and it was lovely to see them being welcomed so warmly. 

 

PRACTICUM STUDENTS

This week we welcomed two Australian Catholic University (ACU) prac students to the Junior School.  Mr Chiumiento is working in 6 Green with Mr Morris, and Ms Santiago is working with Mrs Williams.  We wish them well for the next four weeks as they complete their professional practice experience and I thank Mr Morris and Mrs Williams for the support and expert guidance they will provide over the next four weeks.

 

RAHT ROLLOUT

The Junior School students will receive another roll-out of RAHTS this Friday. Please ensure your son gives you the tests for storage.

 

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Thursday 10 November – Swim/Surf program begins

Tuesday 15 November – Year 7 Transition Day (current Year 6 students)

Tuesday 22 November – Year 7 Information Evening via TEAMS (for current and new Year 6)

Wednesday 23 November – Year 6 Reflection Day at Oxford Falls (please note change of date)

Friday 25 November – Founder's Day at Oxford Falls / P&F Farewell Drinks for Mr Couani

Tuesday 6 December – Closing Mass, Junior School Sport and Academic Awards, Semester 2 Reports issued, last day of school year for students.

Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of Junior School 

 

ST VINCENT de PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL 

Australian families are struggling to survive the increasing cost-of-living pressures this Christmas.  Your generosity can provide urgent relief for a family who is doing it tough this Christmas and give them hope for a better future.  

The Junior School will be starting our Christmas Appeal collections from Monday next week (Week 6), and running until the end of Week 8.  This provides a great opportunity for students to live out the faith they learn about in the classroom.

Vinnies are in particular need of men’s travel sized toiletry kits (no razors please!). Ordinarily, these would contain a combination of soap and shampoo, toothbrush, comb etc. in a portable bag or case of some kind.  

Please ask your son to hand his donation to his classroom teacher.

Thank you in advance for enabling our students to give, and spread, some Christmas spirit to those in need.  

Mr Ryan Balboa - Social Justice Coordinator

Junior School Sport

Thursday Sport: 

This term, every student in the Junior School will participate in the Swim Program (Weeks 5-8) as part of Thursday Sport. The program commences tomorrow.  

Whilst not all boys possess strong water skills, please rest assured that these programs are designed to cater for all ability levels. Details are as follows:

  • Boys are to arrive at school with their swimmers/speedos already on (underneath their PE uniform) as there are no changeroom facilities at either venue. After their session, they can dry off as best as possible and put their PE shorts back on over their swimmers for the journey home.
  • Hats are compulsory and sunscreen will be provided by the College.
  • In a small bag, boys can also bring their towel, water and lunch, as no food may be purchased at either venue. 
  • It is recommended that all boys wear skins or speedos, as boardshorts can make it difficult to swim
  • Year 5 students will also need goggles and a rashie (compulsory)
  • Year 6 students will be provided with a rashie, but are welcome to bring their own

Boys will be bussed back to school for dismissal at normal time or alternatively, may be collected from the pool/beach by 2.00 pm. Boys not collected will return to school on the bus. Parents are reminded they will need to contact their son’s teacher prior to the day to make the appropriate arrangements.

 

Week 4 Results - Saturday 5 November:

 

Week 5 Fixtures:

Softball - Saturday 12 November:

Touch Football - Saturday 12 November:

Basketball - Saturday 12 November:

 

Swimming Squad Training – Term 4, 2022: 

Training continues this week.  The details are as follows:

  • 7.10 am at Fitness First, Chatswood (24 Endeavour St, Chatswood) 
  • Suitable swimwear, goggles and swim cap are all essential (no cap, no swim)
  • Students wear PE/ Pius Sports Uniform to the sessions. At 8.15 am the boys are walked back to school by staff. They then change into school uniform. A snack/breakfast is also recommended at this point.
  • Training days/dates:

Mr Glen Carroll - Junior School Sports Coordinator

NSTA Tennis

It was perfect weather for tennis last Saturday. The 8.00 am games were lots of fun to watch with 7 of the 8 games being Pius v Pius matches. SPX 28 the brothers, Kayden and Javien Foo were a force to be reckoned with winning all 3 sets to SPX 32. Henry Burke partnered with Nick Kwan last week to play against his own team. That didn’t stop Henry though winning both his singles and doubles, 6-4 and 6-1 respectively. Daniel Lenehan and Kody Tabalon, SPX 19 easily won their three set against SPX 20, 18 games to 4. Thank you to Izaac Tan, Lucas Halim, James Higgins for umpiring and mentoring our younger teams last weekend. A special thanks must also go to Jake Yu, Year 6, who also volunteered to umpire and was also a welcome addition to the team last weekend. 

The 10.00 am games are always a little more serious as when the players enter the courts, they are determined to win. Ben Shoudra and Oscar Roberts, SPX 12 both played excellent singles matches, both winning 6-2. I think the match to watch was SPX 15 vs Reddam 4, Adam Fitrzyk and Layton Chan fought hard to win the match with a close 16 games to 15. 

A reminder to all players that they must stay until ALL matches have been played in their team. As you are a team, it is important to support your team members. 

There have been a couple of errors with the scores recently so please ensure that you are checking your weekly scores, rankings and draw on the xpoint site: https://www.xpointsports.com/region/325/currentEvents

Mrs Samantha Iwatani - NSTA Convenor

Rugby Club AGM

The Rugby Club will be holding its AGM on Wednesday 23 November in the Sarto Centre, commencing at 6.30 pm.  All positions on the committee will be up for re-election.  We look forward to seeing any Rugby parents attend.  If you would like any further clarification please email Martin Gillogly at mgillogly@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

Mr Martin Gillogly - Rugby Convenor