Junior School News
- From the Head of the Junior School
- Group and Individual Photos
- Junior School Sport
From the Head of the Junior School
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Year 5 Author Visit
On Tuesday, Year 5 had the pleasure of attending an engaging author talk by George Ivanoff, an accomplished author based in Melbourne. With over 100 books for children to his name, George captivated the students with his insightful discussion on the process of developing stories through careful planning and redrafting. The session was filled with hilarious anecdotes, including a captivating photo of George alongside a bird-eating spider!
One of the highlights of the event was when George read excerpts from his latest book, Monster Island, which featured a plethora of peculiar and marvellous creatures. Additionally, he took the teachers on a nostalgic journey by discussing his renowned "Choose your own Adventure" books, such as You Choose: Maze of Doom.
The Year 5 students displayed their enthusiasm and curiosity by posing fantastic questions during the interactive Q&A session that followed George's presentation. It was evident that George's engaging speaking style had the boys completely captivated throughout the event.
Thank you to Mrs Martin for organising this wonderful guest author and to Mrs Hunt for hosting us all today.
Year 6 Guest Speaker
This week, the students of 6 Blue had the privilege of hosting a special guest speaker, Mr Seeto (Max’s dad), who shared his fascinating insights on the topic of migration. The boys were captivated by the personal narrative Mr Seeto presented, recounting his grandfather's journey from southern China to Papua New Guinea in the 1920s. Born in PNG during World War 2, Mr Seeto's father received his education at a boarding school in Sydney during the 1950s. Once he reached adulthood, he returned to PNG for work. Eventually, his family migrated to Sydney during his high school years, and they have since made it their home.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Mr Seeto for generously taking the time to share his personal story with the students of 6 Blue. It is truly inspiring for our boys when learning comes alive through the real-life experiences of others.
School Photos
School photos will be taken this Friday. Please make sure that your son is wearing his full winter uniform, including his blazer (blazer buttons available in the uniform shop for $2), his hair is of an even grade (no undercuts, please) and that his shoes are clean and shiny – you never know when you’re going to be in the front row!
For those parents who need to take their sons to meet the Bishop at Holy Name of Mary, Hunters Hill, please note that Year 5 and Year 6 photos should be finished by 10:00 am at which point you will be able to collect your sons from student reception. The bishop’s office is aware that you’ll be arriving for the retreat after 10:00 am. Don’t forget to advise Student Management of this absence if you haven’t already studentmanagement@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.
Dance Concert | Thursday 22 June 12:45 pm – 1.20 pm
REDed (Raw Energy Dance Education) have your boys up and dancing every Thursday at Oxford Falls as they prepare a performance using the elements of dance: formation, directions, sound effects, feature moments and choreography. Dance lessons started last week and will culminate in a final performance on Thursday 23 June from 12:45 pm – 1:20 pm. Everyone is welcome to come and see the boys perform and then stay at Oxford Falls for the Mid-Year Academic Awards.
Blue Fide Awards | Thursday 23 June1:30 pm – 2:00 pm
After the Dance Concert, we will present Blue Academic Awards to those boys (three from each class) who have shown “Consistent Effort Leading to Improvement” in Semester One. Following the awards, the boys will be free to go home with parents or come back to the College at 2:10 pm for a normal dismissal.
Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews
Parent/Teacher/Student interviews will be held online via TEAMS on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 June. Bookings open this afternoon at 3:00 pm. An email has been sent to all families that explains how to make a booking.
Academic Reports
Academic Reports are scheduled to be available on the Portal after 3:15 pm on Wednesday 21 June.
State of Origin
Next Wednesday in the Junior School, we will be celebrating the second State of Origin match.
To make this day even more enjoyable for our young sports enthusiasts, boys are permitted to bring their favourite footy jersey, sports top, beanie or scarf in their school bags. Students will be able to wear their jersey/top/beanie/scarf throughout the day but will need to take these items home in their school bags. Students are expected to arrive and leave school in full winter uniform – including their blazer.
We look forward to an exciting day filled with team spirit and sportsmanship.
Go Queensland!
Term 2 Concludes
Term 2 will conclude for Years 5 and 6 on Thursday 22 June. Junior School students will go to Oxford Falls on this day for their Dance performance and presentation of ‘Blue Fide’ awards. The events at Oxford Falls will conclude at approximately 2.00 pm.
If you are collecting your son from Oxford Falls, they may leave at 2.00 pm. If students are returning to Chatswood, they will be dismissed as per normal upon return to school.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Friday 16 June School photos
Saturday 17 June IPSHA Round 7
Wednesday 21 June Junior School Reports issued
Thursday 22 June Last day of Term for students
Dance Concert at Oxford Falls at 12:45 pm
Academic Awards at Oxford Falls at 1:30 pm
Parent/Teacher/Student interviews (before and after
school - online)
Friday 23 June Pupil free day | Parent/Teacher/Student interviews
Tuesday 18 July First day of Term 3 for students
Thank you for your continued support of the Junior School.
Mrs Jill Greenwood - Head of the Junior School
Year, Individual and Group Photos
On Friday 16 June the College will be having their Homeroom and Individual Photos during Periods 1 – 4. Year 12 will have a Year group photo. Year 5 – 11 photos will be taken in Homeroom Groups. Each student will be given an order form before the day. These forms are to be filled out and given to the photographers on the day. The College will not be accepting forms before or after the day. The individual photos will be taken in A1 after their Homeroom photo. Students must be wearing their full school uniform including their blazers buttoned up.
From Period 5 onwards, the Performing Arts photos will be taken in the main and Junior School yards. See the attachment for a list of photos being taken. Again, students will be wearing their full school uniform.
Ms Leisa Proc - General Coordinator
Junior School Sport
Athletics Carnival
Congratulations to all involved in the Athletics Carnival last week. A huge thank you to the teachers, parents and Year 10 helpers who all made the day possible. In a day full of memorable moments for the students, there were a few that stood out in my mind. The first was the incredible House spirit that could be heard around the track as boys sang out their war cries. The second was the battle for the U12 Age Championship between Cristiano Calcarao (6 Red) and Parker Ball (6 Blue), with the former coming out on top, and finally the sheer number of participants that took to the track for the 400m races. It is this participation that made the carnival the success it was.
Age Champions
Athletics Squad
Prior to the end of Term 2, selected students will be invited to form the initial Athletics Squad that will commence training from Week 2 Term 3. Further details regarding training will be shared prior to the Term 2 holidays. Athletes involved in a Winter Sport will be able to train around their commitment to both their winter sport and Athletics.
Thursday Sport
This week, boys will need to bring their Rugby/Football/AFL training gear as well as their recess and lunch for the day as they will not be able to access the canteen.
CIS Cross Country
Less than 24 hours after competing in the Junior House Athletics Carnival, Cristiano Calcarao (6 Red) and Ryan Volpato (5 Red) lined up for IPSHA at the CIS Cross-Country Championships. 1st Place and CIS Champion, Primary 12/13 years boys – Cristiano Calcarao ran a time of 9.42 with 2nd place in 9.43!). Special mention to Ryan Volpato who ran a valiant 11.19 in the 11yrs to be placed 26th out of 103 (11th out of 18 in IPSHA). We are extremely proud of both boys.
Cristiano now moves on to the NSW PSSA/All Schools Cross Country Championships to be held on Friday 21 July at Sydney Motorsport Park. All the best Cristiano!
School Sport Australia Cricket
Following a full week of playing, bonding and experiencing a once in a lifetime event in Darwin, James Sykes (6 Green) and his NSWPSSA Cricket team walked away with the Silver Medal, narrowly beaten by a classy QLD side. Whilst just missing out on victory, the boys’ results combined with the girls competition meant that NSW came away with the overall Champions Trophy (pictured). As one of the leading wicket takers during the competition, James has a bright future ahead of him.
NSWPSSA Boys Netball
The introduction of the first NSWPSSA 12yrs Boys Netball team, will see over one hundred boys attend trials this Friday (16th June) for a chance to compete later in the year at the School Sport Australia Boys Netball Championships in Western Australia. We wish the following boys the best of luck as they take on the opportunity to trial for the state team:
- Leo Barnett (6 Green)
- Aidan Kristianto (6 Green)
- Eddy Onslow (6 Gold)
- William Langbridge (5 Gold)
- Will Tully (6 Red)
Students Speak Sports
Last week I was fortunate to be joined in conversation with two students to discuss a range of issues regarding sport from their perspective. Matthew Krizan (5 Red) and Darcy Manning O’Donnell (6 Blue), who have already demonstrated a firm commitment to SPX Sport, shared the following:
Favourite sport and why:
Darcy: Basketball… it's really fun to play because I can connect with my friends with it. And I really like the NBA.
Matt: Soccer…it’s really fun to play!
Sport you would like to try:
Matt: Snowboarding… I like skateboarding, like, as a hobby just to do for fun. And I think snowboarding would be really similar.
Darcy: Australian Rules Football
Importance of Sportsmanship:
Darcy: It’s one of the most important things you could possibly have. It is kind of the backbone of sport.
Matt: Sometimes games can get really competitive, but at the end of the game, you got to shake someone’s hand and acknowledge them for winning…it is good practice at the end of a match.
Pre-match meal:
Matt: 2 fried eggs on toast with avocado
Darcy: Toast with vegemite
Most memorable sporting moment so far at St Pius:
Matt: Representing St Pius at the IPSHA Cross-Country last term
Darcy: Achieving a personal best in terms of points scored in Basketball so far this year
I think you will agree that with these two boys of many playing sport at St Pius, we are in good hands for maintaining a strong culture of involvement and success. Future interviews will be conducted throughout the year that will take in the perspectives of a range of students who play sport for the College at various levels.
Round 7 Fixtures - Saturday 17 June
Come and support our SPX First XV
Our mighty First XV Rugby team are due to take on St Patrick’s College this Saturday, 17 June at 3:15pm, on Chaplin #1 Oval, Oxford Falls. Any Junior School students who attend the game to support our First XV dressed in their Blue and Gold SPX winter sport gear can find Mr Ryan near the BBQ shed to collect a free sausage sizzle voucher.
COERVER Football camp is on during the holidays, from 26 – 28 June. We encourage footballers to take this opportunity to participate in this intensive football training during the school holidays. A bendy bus has been booked to assist with travel needs. We urge anyone wishing to book a place on the bus, to book and secure their place promptly. Active Kids vouchers can be used. See the flyer below and book by the link: https://coerver.com.au/holiday-camps
SPX Football Supporters Club - Supporters Day
Saturday 22 July 2023
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.
Please support this club activity by signing on to the volunteer roster today: https://signup.zone/gsJSyYippYGkA3wgB
If you can support this club activity by contributing baked goods please email Priscilla on: pleasepris@hotmail.com
SPX Football Supporters Club – Annual Social Event
Saturday, 29 July, Greengate Hotel, Killara. 7pm – 11pm.
Tickets Now Available - Please click here to buy tickets:https://events.humanitix.com/spxfootballcocktailevening2023
Dress code: Smart Casual
Join us for a really fun night mixing with the Pius football community – come and celebrate football with other parents, teachers and coaches. It’s time to mark a great season and support the ongoing development of the school’s football program.
Share this invitation with friends and family
Looking forward to seeing you all there
SPX Football Supporters Committee
Mr Ben Ryan - Junior School Sports Coordinator
SPX Rugby Club – Gala Dinner
Saturday, 22 July, Kirribilli Club from 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm.
* TICKET SALES NOW OPEN * - BUY TICKETS HERE
$150 per ticket including a delicious 3 course meal and drinks package, live entertainment by The Meldrums, Guest Speaker, Darren Coleman - Head Coach of the NSW Waratahs, and the chance to participate in raffles and auctions. This will be a night full of surprises! Your attendance plays a crucial role in helping raise funds to support the growth and development of our young men.
The Rugby Committee is excited to host this fun night out for the rugby community and welcomes ALL other SPX parents.
Ticket numbers will be limited - so get in quick!
Please direct any enquiries to spxrugby@gmail.com.
SPX Rugby Committee
Interschool Snowsports Competition
The 2023 Interschool Snowsports competition will be held at Perisher Ski Resort from Tuesday 4 July to Friday 7 July.
The College has approved for students to enter this competition representing St Pius X College. All participants enter this competition at their own cost and parents are required to sign a liability waiver form.
Parents will also be required to attend the event and meet volunteering requirements of the competition. Further details of the competition are in the attached document.
Please contact Mrs Cathy Thomson on cathythomson7@gmail.com if your son (and family) is interested in participating in this competition.