Junior School News & Sport
Book Week Parade - Find your Treasure!
- Junior School News
- Learning Enrichment Notices
- Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
- Junior School Sport
Junior School News
PRAYER/REFLECTION:
John 15:13 King James Version (KJV)
Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends.
Last week I stated that I would mention my favourite saint, St Maximilian Kolbe, whose Feast Day was last week on 14th August. He is an inspiring individual and I am amazed at his bravery and selflessness. He had a wonderful faith in Mary, and the Feast of the Assumption was on the 15th August, the day after his feast day, which is appropriate. At the Merit assembly I spoke to the Junior School about his life last week. Below is a short synopsis of his life.
Maximilian was born in 1894 in Poland and became a Franciscan. After the Nazi invasion in 1939, he was imprisoned and released for a time. But in 1941 he was arrested again and sent to the concentration camp at Auschwitz. He had been protecting Jewish people in his monastery.
On July 31, 1941, in reprisal for one prisoner's escape, ten men were chosen to die. One of the 10 selected to die, Franciszek Gajowniczek, began to cry: "My wife! My children! I will never see them again!" At this Father Kolbe stepped forward and asked to die in his place - his request was granted. And he was the last to die, enduring two weeks of starvation, thirst, and neglect. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1982. His feast day is August 14th.
Franciszek Gajowniczek, died 53 years later at the age of 93. He once said, "so long as he ... has breath in his lungs, he would consider it his duty to tell people about the heroic act of love by Maximilian Kolbe."
BOOKWEEK
Yesterday we had a wonderful Bookweek parade. Many of the costumes were very creative and the boys had a lot of fun. Thank you to the parents for their guidance in this endeavour. Many teachers also got dressed up. For example we had Long John Silver (AKA Mr Couani), Queen Elizabeth the First (Mrs Martin) and Cleopatra (Mrs Cummins). Thank you to Andy in the Maintenance Department (AKA Bob the Builder) for building the entranceway prop. Thank you to Mrs Martin for organising this event and to Mr Stephen Cummins who organised the music.
Please refer to the Junior Resource Centre article below and also the Principal’s page for photo galleries and more information.
Today the boys will hear from a visiting author, Mick Elliott. Thankyou to Mrs Martin for organising these activities and lets encourage our boys to read. - Captain Book
UPCOMING EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
Walkathon: On Thursday 23rd August we will be holding the annual Walkathon for Charity. Please encourage your son to get sponsors (remind them to do this safely and remember stranger danger) and all money goes to people less fortunate than ourselves. Thank you to Mrs Williams for her organisation of this event.
Chinese Whispers Excursion: This Friday Year 6 will go on a ‘Chinese Whispers’ excursion to the Chinese Gardens of friendship and China town. The boys need to come in full school uniform. They will also need to ensure that they have their school hat, recess, lunch and a drink as well as their raincoat as there is a 50% chance of rain that day and the whole day is outdoors. Thank you to Mr Simpson for organising this valuable educational experience.
Grandfather, Father and Son sporting afternoon and Barbeque: On Thursday 30th August we will have a sporting afternoon where the granddads and dads or significant male figure(uncle etc), come along and play some sport with the boys and then we have a barbeque. In order to organise catering and the sport we ask that you complete the form in this link: https://bit.ly/2MNcoAD A call to arms for any mums or grandmothers, if you would like to help with the barbeque on this day that would be appreciated.
There will be an opportunity to contribute to the College's 'Treat the Land' Drought Appeal at this event.
BEBRAS COMPUTATIONAL THINKING CHALLENGE
We need the permission slips back before the end of this month!
PLEASE COMPLETE PARENTAL PERMISSION SLIP BELOW & SEND TO YOUR SON’S CLASS TEACHER.
It is coming time for the annual Computational Thinking Challenge run by Bebras International & CSIRO in Australia. It is part of an international initiative whose goal is to promote Computational Thinking amongst students. We would like all the boys to participate in the challenge. Last year the results were very positive but we do need a parental permission slip completed and sent back to your son’s classroom teacher for collation. Please ensure you return the permission slip so that your son can participate as Computational thinking is a skill that will stand them in good stead in the future. Bebras is aligned with and supports the new Australian Digital Technologies Curriculum.
The Challenge is FREE to take part and is delivered online and it will most likely be held during the Computing Class times strictly between the following dates 3rd – 14th September 2018. Once started, there is a 50 minute countdown timer that permits students to enter answers once they start the competition. This is a one-off chance so must be completed in Class time.
We keep a minimal amount of information on the Bebras systems – first & last name, username, class/grade and gender. This information enables us to administer the competition (student log in to comp) and produce certificates at the completion of the competition.
Prior to the running of the competition, the Consent/permission Form below must be completed by parents/guardians.
The Bebras Australia Computational Thinking Challenge started in Australia in 2014 through the CSIRO Education & Outreach program, Digital Careers. More information may be found on the Bebras website: https://www.bebras.edu.au/
GIFTED AND TALENTED EVENING
Please find below a flyer advertising an evening (6:30-7:30pm on Monday 3rd September) at Knox Grammar Prep School organised by The Northside Gifted and Talented Network for parents and teachers of Gifted Students Who Are Not Thriving At School. Cost: $10 per person.
Register via this link: https://www.trybooking.com/WIBN
P&F NEWS & EVENTS
Please see the invitation below to the Year 5 'Play in the Park' on 9th September:
For full details of all P&F events, including meeting dates and Junior School Events, please visit the P&F page of this newsletter.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR TERM 3
- Tuesday 28th August: Rugby Presentation night.
- Thursday 30th Aug
Learning Enrichment Notices
COMPASS CLUB TERM 3 - Calling all Writers!! Don’t forget the following due dates for competitions. Remember you can attend Compass Club when you are interested in participating in a particular competition.
ATTENTION: ALL YEAR 5 WRITERS ... get your entries in! The Bushland Community Officer Emma Hayes spoke to the Year 5 boys last term about this exciting opportunity. Every year The Willoughby Council offers a special Short Story Writing Competition for students in Year 5 across Willoughby. Students are invited to write their own short story and create their own artwork focusing the Tree Termite in the local area wildlife corridor. The boys are welcome to attend Compass Club to work on their entry. Get your entries in by Friday 31st August.
JUNIOR DEBATING NEWS: We hosted Round 6 of the IPSHA competition last Friday 3rd August against John Colet School Belrose. The debate was on a very difficult topic especially for the affirmative team. The challenging topic, “That Graffiti should be legal.” Well done to the boys on their exceptional teamwork skills as they really focused on their rebuttal skills and their manner was exceptional. Congratulations boys - both teams who won their debates. The adjudicator commented on both teams' polished performance, persuasive language and clever research to support their arguments. Well done boys on another successful debating round.
We travel to Oxford Falls Grammar School on Friday 31st August for the next round.
Mrs B Spanyik - Learning Enrichment Teacher
Highlights from the Junior Resource Centre
CBCA Book Week 20-24 August 2018: Book Week 2018 celebrations began with all classes scheduled to visit Willoughby - Chatswood City Library. 6 Green and 5 Gold students enjoyed the experience and participated in an informative and fun filled session based on the Children’s Book Council of Australia selected titles and include reader’s theatre and interactive activities.
Congratulations to the winners (and Honour Book and Short – List) of this year’s CBCA children’s books for 2018! It’s been a big year!
Book Week Character Parade: HAPPY BOOK WEEK!
Book Week is a great opportunity for parents to connect their children with whatever it is that they enjoy reading. What a fantastic way to honour Book Week as students, parents, teachers and Principals put together amazing costumes and shared their inspirational book and character.
Thou shalt read books!
Celebrate Book Week with author Mick Elliott – Wednesday 22nd August 2018: Mick Elliott, Children’s and Teen Author, was very popular, inspiring, outgoing, and had a real connection with the students. Author of the middle-grade series The Turners. Mick ran a dynamic, interactive session which had the boys buzzing about reading, stories and creativity.
Mrs Martin’s Book Trail: Leaf Stone Beetle by Ursula Dubosarsky & Gaye Chapman
Leaf Stone Beetle is a gentle and charming tale about a leaf, a stone and a beetle whose lives are disrupted by a storm. It is a story about so much more.
Premier’s Reading Challenge 2018: A reminder that the PRC finishes Friday 31st August 2018 at midnight. 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. Our Charity Walkathon takes place in lieu of Sport.
Father and Son Sports Day: On Thursday 30th August we will hold our annual Father and Son Sports Day at Oxford Falls. We look forward to welcoming dads, grand-dads and male relations to this fantastic wider school community event. Arrival is 11.30am for an 11.45am start time. A BBQ lunch will follow at 1.15pm. Students require normal PE clothes and will be active irrespective of their father’s participation. We also require mums/non-participants to assist with feeding such a large, ravenous horde. To register as an attending Father/Grandfather or helping mum please click on this link and complete the relevant form here.
Athletics: Well done to athletes on the positive start to the season at Narrabeen last weekend. Onto the Barker Carnival this Saturday before our main IPSHA selection meet next Wednesday. Good luck to athletes as they fine-tune for their events.
Cross-Country: Congratulations to Jacob Magner who became our first representative at the PSSA Cross Country for some time. In this elite field comprising the best 70-odd runners in the state, Jacob finished an excellent 25th, certainly a great honour. We wish Jacob the best as he turns his attention to the shorter 800m for the upcoming Athletics season.
Cricket: All players wishing to play for the College this summer must register online through Trybooking. Follow this link to register for the season - https://www.trybooking.com/405015 Training resumes on 6th September. Players can bring their own gear (the school does provide most items as training kit if required).
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.
Rugby Presentation Evening: takes place for all players on Tuesday 28th August from 5.30pm – 6.50pm (allowing parents to attend the Senior 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: Congratulations to Riley O’Neill who has been selected in the CIS team for the PSSA (State Championships). Riley will travel to Coffs Harbour next week for the four-day Tournament against the State’s best. Good luck and well done.
Mr G Virgona - Junior School Sportsmaster
From the Rugby Club
Dear SPX Years 5 and 6 Rugby Parents/Guardians,
End of Season Social Function – from 5pm this Saturday 25th August – The Willoughby Hotel – book your free tickets now!!!
As a ‘thank you’ to all our SPX Rugby Supporters, the Rugby Club will be holding an ‘End of Season Social Get Together’ at the Willoughby Hotel (315 Penshurst Street, Willoughby) from 5pm on Saturday, 25th August. The Rugby Club, through the hotel, will provide a good selection of high quality ‘stand-up’ food and the only thing that those attending will have to pay for will be their own drinks at normal pub bar prices.
We will have the whole first floor to ourselves with two televisions showing live coverage of the Wallabies v All Blacks Bledisloe Cup Test Match from Eden Park in New Zealand from 5.30pm. (There will be plenty of room for those that want to get away from the televisions).
Children are most welcome – we will have a table tennis competition on the night for the children.
On the night we will have a number of lucky door prizes, including the opportunity to win - two free tickets to the 2019 SPX Rugby Club Dinner, and a free ticket to the upcoming inaugural SPX Rugby Supporters’ Club Golf Day to be held at the Roseville Golf Club from 1pm on Wednesday, 12th December.
There will be no fund raising at the function, the only thing you will need money for are your own drinks!
To assist us with catering for the evening would you please ensure you book your free tickets - this link will take you directly to the TryBooking Site to book: www.trybooking.com/390673
Return of Raffle Tickets and Money – by TODAY, Wednesday 22nd August
All tickets and monies are to be returned to the College via the Silver Box at the Finance Office (sold or unsold) by this Wednesday 22nd August, in a sealed envelope with the family’s name clearly written on the front. The raffle will be drawn at the abovementioned Rugby Club End of Season Social Get Together at The Willoughby Hotel this Saturday.
Don’t forget that for every full book of 20 tickets that a student sells he will get a ticket in a raffle with the chance to win a $200 gift voucher. There will be a separate raffle for the boys in the Senior College.
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 – bookings opening shortly.
(Please note the date has now been moved from initially notified date of 28th November).
Rugby Presentation Night: Next Tuesday 28th August in the Sarto Centre of SPX College – 5.30pm to 6.45pm
From 5.30pm to 6.45pm next Tuesday 28th August, at the Sarto Centre at the College, Mr Virgona will be the MC for the Junior School 2018 Rugby Season Presentation Night, where each boy who played rugby for the Junior College is personally acknowledged. From my point of view I think this is a very special night for our rugby boys, and I would urge each of you to attend if possible – actually it’s the best event on the rugby calendar!
See how proud your boy looks, firstly when he is individually called up at the presentation night, and secondly, when he stands amongst his team mates as they are acknowledged as a team. If you have not attended this presentation night yet, do yourself a favour and attend this year as it is a really special night for each of our young ‘rugby boys’. Boys wear full College uniform and the Junior Presentation is followed by the Senior Presentation which begins at 7pm in the College Gym.
Paul O'Neill - President SPX Rugby Club