October 10th, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

A Note from our Principal

Welcome Back!

We hope you all enjoyed a refreshing break (Mr Murrell is still enjoying sunning himself in some warm weather, let’s hope the pesky seagulls haven’t found him!!!) and are ready for an exciting Term 4! We are delighted to share that our new school playground is officially open! 🎉

This vibrant space has been designed to encourage creativity, physical activity, and, most importantly, fun for our students. We can’t wait to see them exploring the new equipment, making friends, and enjoying their time outdoors.

As we embark on this final term of the year, let’s continue to support our students in their growth and learning. Encourage them to make the most of both their studies and our beautiful new playground!

Wishing you and your families a fantastic start to Term 4!

Bec Parkinson and Kate Harzmeyer

Assistant Principals

New Playground.

Over the holidays our old playground was dismantled and two brand new playgrounds were erected in its place.  This caused great excitement on Monday morning when our students arrived at school and realised what had taken place while they were away.     One of the playground areas has been designated the "Junior" playground, while the other one will be used by the older children.  Our Student Representative Council have made a small presentation about playground etiquette and expectations. Click on this link to access the clip.  expectations clip 

Check out some of the fun below!

Diocese of Ballarat - 150th Anniversay

This year we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Ballarat.  Our diocese covers 58 thousand square kilometres, from the Murray River in the North, to the Ocean here in Warrnambool.

This week we celebrated the arrival of a Message Stick that will be travelling across our Diocese in honour of 150 years.  

In Aboriginal culture, Message Sticks were passed between different clans and language groups to establish information and transmit messages. 

They were often used to invite neighbouring groups to Corroborees, initiation ceremonies, right of entry to country and invitation to religious rituals. 

We received the message stick from St John’s Primary School in Dennington at the end of last term, and will pass it on to St Joseph’s Primary School this Friday.

Thanks to Mrs Graham for organising our Liturgy to celebrate this occasion which took place on Wednesday, coinciding with our Pastoral Care day.

Pastoral Care Day

A Pastoral Care Day was held at school on Wednesday and the theme was Gratitude. Students participated in a range of activities in their classes which centered on the theme of gratitude.  They also added notes to their classroom gratitude jar for things that they are thankful for in their lives.

Mr Bacon has also created a display in the foyer and supplied a school gratitude jar that students can add to throughout the day. 

Foundation Files

Writing Wizards!

We have been learning about using conjunctions in our writing. A conjunction is a joining word - it joins two ideas together. This week we learnt about the conjunction ‘because’. When we see this word, we know that it will tell us why something has happened. Everyday in writing, our teachers have given us the beginning of a sentence and a picture. We have had to brainstorm possible endings to finish the sentence and make sure that they make sense. Our teachers were amazed at our great ideas, and were even more impressed by the people who had a go at writing their sentences all by themselves. You have to be brave to try something new. It doesn’t matter if you make a mistake - that’s how you learn! 

Hip Hip Hooray! It’s time to play!

The long awaited arrival of our new school playground has finally come to an end! We were most excited when we returned from the holidays to find not one but two bright and vibrant playgrounds sitting in the courtyard. The sounds of excitement and joy have filled the courtyard on a daily basis this week with all children making up for lots of lost time swinging, climbing, sliding and flipping. Check out the big smiles on Isla-May, Eva and Matilda having the best time! A big thanks to Mr Murrell and Bec for all their hard work in making this happen. If you haven’t seen it then make sure to pop up into the courtyard and have a look and maybe even a swing - Shhh! We won’t tell anyone! 

G is for Gratitude

On Wednesday we had a Pastoral Care Day, a day of learning but in a different way! The focus for the day was Gratitude - something that we can take for granted when our days get very busy. Finding things in our lives to be grateful for was easy and our list was endless. We created Gratitude Jars and have placed one in our prayer space that we can continue to add to as the term goes on. Thank you to Mr Bacon for the time he put into planning the day for our whole school. It is important to be able to reduce the business of the day so that we can take time to think about all the good things in our lives and world. 

Emmi, Theo, Hayley and Thomas have so many things to be grateful for and they were able to fill their jars with ease. We are all grateful for our school, our families and our friends! 

Grade Six 2025 Hoodies

We wish to advise families of our Grade 5 students that next week a day will be set aside in order for them to try on hoodies for 2025.

We will confirm further details ie. cost etc. when known.

National Parent Survey

Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) is running a parent survey in partnership with the University of New England on Student Wellbeing and Learning and are seeking your perspective as parents/carers of children who attend a Catholic School in Australia.

You are invited to share your views on existing and emerging affirmations and/or challenges in relation to your child/children’s wellbeing and learning.

The survey is anonymous, confidential, and completely voluntary.    

For more information about the study and to participate go here.

Thank you for your support.

New Uniform Options!

Don't forget that St Pius X now has new options for uniform! "Yoga" pants with a zip pocket as modelled by Chloe and bucket hats that turn inside out as modelled by both Chloe and Alfie.

One side of the hat is the school colour and logo and on the inside is the child’s sports colour!  This will make
Sports Day very colourful and bright.  These hats can be tightened with a toggle and are comfortable
for all head sizes.  The hat sizes range from small, medium, large and up to extra large.   

NOTE:  We currently have some hat colours/sizes on backorder (in particular Red Size Medium), so if your hat order is not in stock, it shouldn't be far away!

The pants are made from Viscose, Nylon and Elastane and are stretchy and comfortable. They have elasticised waists and they range in size from a size 6 up to a women's small (larger sizes can be ordered if needed.)

Both the hats and pants are now available for purchase online (via Flexischools App) and if you need to check sizing please see Bec and Karen in the office.

The hats will be $15.00 and the new pants will be $30.00.

Overdue Library Books

Dear Parents and Carers,                                                                                                                

Over the past few years, St Pius X students have borrowed books to enjoy at home. The idea of borrowing books from the school library means they can be read at home and then  returned for others to enjoy. 

At the end of this year, we will be conducting a stocktake of all the books within the St Pius X library. This week, your child may or may not have received an 'Overdue Library book' notice. We are hoping that you may be able to find one or all of these books in your own home and have them returned to school. 

We greatly appreciate your support.

Alanna & Isla

St Pius X School Library

Food bank support - Thank You!

We have had a great response to the launch of our weekly community food bank to support families within our school. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered  to help with this great initiative. 

Please text Lara on 0423 453 334 if you wish to participate or need more information. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.

Text Lara on 0423 453 334

Breakfast Club - Wednesdays

A friendly reminder that Breakfast Club is running on Wednesday mornings from 8:20am. It is open to ALL students before school to enjoy some yummy toast, yogurt, cereal or a piece of fruit and take part in a morning conversation with others. We look forward to seeing everybody there!

Again, a big thankyou to Foodshare for providing us with breakfast items and Woolies Dennington for providing the fruit! Of course, this wouldn't take place without our amazing parent helpers, so a big thank you to Sarah & Virginia as well!

A special message just to say.............

The following students will be celebrating their birthday over the coming week......

Jensen Blythe, Bailee Woodhams, Nate Reed, Thomas Short, Luella Rylance, Piper Matheson & Holly Woodward.

Canteen Roster for next term.

Important Dates.

Friday, 11th October - Assembly at 3pm (In Church)

                                           - Regional Athletics Llanberis

Tuesday, 15th October - P&F Meeting at 7.30pm

Wednesday, 16th October - Regional Volleyball in Horsham

Thursday, 24th October - District Cricket

Friday, 25th October - Assembly

Monday, 11th November - School Closure Day 

Remaining 2024 School Closure Day

Term 4

Monday, 11th November

Before & After School Care.

Parish Contact.

Sunday Mass 9.00am @ St Pius X Church. School families are always welcome.

The Parish office can be contacted on 5562 2231

Other information and contact details can be found on the Star of the Sea South West Coast website: https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/parish/southwestcoast/