January 30, 2025

Acknowledgement of Country

Prayer

Loving God,

As we return to school we thank You for the gift of learning, community and new beginnings. 

Bless all those who support us. 

Guide us in our actions so that our school may be a place of peace and justice. 

Amen

Image from the Opening of Year Mass with the Catholic school staffs of Warrnambool, Koroit and Port Fairy. 

A Note from our Principal

Ngata families, 

What an incredible first day we had yesterday as we welcomed students back for the start of the 2025 school year! The energy and excitement around St Pius X were palpable as our halls were filled with smiles, laughter and eager young faces. It was such a joy to see both our returning students and families, as well as our new students and their families, settling in and becoming part of our wonderful school community.

A special warm welcome to our new Foundation students, who took their first steps into school life yesterday. Watching their curiosity and enthusiasm as they met their teachers and peers was truly heartwarming. We also extend a heartfelt welcome to all new families joining us this year—your presence enriches our school and we’re thrilled to have you with us on this journey.

Our teachers and staff are already hard at work, ensuring that each child feels valued, supported and challenged in their learning. This year, we are committed to providing an environment where every student can grow, discover new talents and reach their full potential.

As we embark on another exciting year, we look forward to the many experiences, achievements and celebrations that await us. Together, we will make 2025 a year of growth, success and joy for all.

Wishing everyone a wonderful start to the year ahead!

Nick Murrell

Principal

CDFpay & Flexischools

Online Ordering is going from Flexischools to CDFpay powered by Flexischools.

St Pius X Primary School will be transitioning from Flexischools to CDFpay powered by Flexischools for online canteen ordering, uniform shops, events, fundraising, and over-the-counter purchases at our school from the 31^st of January, Term 1 2025.

Please find instructions below for closing your existing Flexischools account and opening a new CDFpay account. With CDFpay, there will be no 29c order fees and multi-ordering will be available as a feature from the start of Term 1 2025.

How to close your existing Flexischools account

1. In the Flexischools mobile app, select the ‘Profile’ icon from the bottom navigation bar, then select ‘Manage my details’.
2. Scroll down, then select the red ‘Close my Flexischools account’ button. If you have an account balance, it will be refunded back to you.

How to register for a CDFpay account

1. Download the CDFpay app on the Apple or Google store, then click ‘Sign up now’.
   
   
2. Enter and confirm your email address, then click ‘Sign up’.

Note: You can use the same email address as your original Flexischools account if you wish.

1. Check your email inbox and follow the prompts to complete your account registration (check junk/spam if lost).

• Order and pay in seconds!

Have questions?   See Below

PAM (Parent Access Module)

St Pius X uses PAM (Parent Access Module). This online module allows parents to access and view important information about their children.  The following information is available through PAM (Parent Access Module).   This will give you access, in real time, to: 

• Notify of student absences
• Update student medical information
• Consent to excursions & camps
• Student Reports
• Medical profile
• Parent Teacher Interview/PSG bookings

If you are new to PAM, click the below link, enter your email address (email address that you provided to the school upon enrolment) and click forgot password to set one up. 

Link to PAM https://pam.spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au/Login/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fLogin 

Student Medical Information

A reminder that we require all families to login to PAM and verify their child's Medical Information.

This information assists with our electronic permission forms. 

Please follow the instructions below to update a medical profile for each of your children by:

1. Click on link to PAM (found on our webpage or SZapp)
2. Click on student (if more than 1 child, this will need to be done individually)
3. Click on Medical Profile (blue writing to the left of screen)
4. Check all questions and select Edit Details for updates to be made.
5. Once you get to the end of the questions please confirm by clicking on the Green “Update Details” Box found at the bottom right of screen.

As a parent/guardian you are able to access your child/rens medical profile on PAM at any time to update as needed.

If you have any queries or require your PAM login details, please do not hesitate to get in contact with the office.  

2025 Cyber Safety Agreement

In accordance with St Pius X Acceptable Use and Cyber Safety Agreement, it is a requirement for parents/guardians to discuss the agreement with their child/ren and accept the terms.

This agreement is to ensure that all students that have access to the school’s digital resources are aware of their responsibilities and agree to abide by the school’s Acceptable Use and Cybersafety Agreement.

The agreement covers the student’s use of technology equipment (such as computers, hand held devices, cameras, printers) and digital platforms (such as Internet, networks and email. social media, apps and software).

Permission is required for each child in your family from Foundation to Year 6.

To access this agreement:

1. Login into your PAM account
2. Select the red bell icon in the top right corner (you will then see the agreement)
3. Download, read and discuss this agreement with each of your children.
4. Select YES for your child to agree to abide by the Acceptable Use and Cyber Safety Agreement at St. Pius X School for the 2025 school year.

This is required to be accepted by all families as soon as possible. 

We appreciate your support in helping us keep our students safe in a digital world.

School Closure Days 2025

11th March – Structured Literacy

24th April – Southern Zone Collaboration Day (DOBCEL determined date)

30th May – School Review 

2nd June – School Review 

Term 3 – School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) TBC

Term 4  – Religious Education TBC

6th October – Structured Literacy T4

Free Uniforms!

If you are looking for some good quality second hand uniforms, we currently have a display set up in the foyer area near the office.  You are welcome to come in anytime and have a look through what we have.   Items include summer dresses, shorts, pants, shirts etc. in various sizes.  All items are FREE to take. 

Do You Have Any Uniforms To Donate?

If you have any uniforms/shoes/bags in good order that are no longer required, you are welcome to drop them into the trolley in the foyer area.  Thank You.

Foundation Files

Welcome to Foundation 2025!

We look forward to learning and growing with you throughout the year. There will be lots of stories and photos on the newsletter each week. It is the place where we show you how much we are learning and we will let you know if there are important events coming up. Don’t forget to tune in and catch up with all our news this week.

Our Fluency Reading!!

This week we have really kicked off our learning in the Foundation room. We have taken home our new reader bags and they are filled with lots of fun things to do at home and at school.

We have a special partner who will be our fluency friend for a couple of weeks. Each day we will read our new sounds and practise our words. Remember that we are only learning how to read so we need lots of help from home and we have a book to read for fun and enjoyment. We would love you to talk about the book and all of its pictures.

Our Morning Jobs!

Here is a list of our morning jobs. This poster will help us to get organised each morning. Remember that we need to change our books each day and get a reader from the red bucket and the blue bucket. It is okay to keep your books for a couple of days if you miss your reading time or need more practice. Becoming independent is one of our biggest goals so drop us off and let us do all the hard work here. Once our jobs are finished we get to play with our friends in the playground.

Breakfast Club - SAVE THE DATE!

We wish to advise that the first Breakfast Club for 2025 will be in week 6 on Wednesday, 5th March.    A further reminder will follow closer to the date.   We look forward to sharing breakfast with you then! 

A big thank you to Sarah Searle who has kindly agreed to co-ordinate again this year.

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

The following students are celebrating their birthdays this and next week  ................................

Stella Bishop, Oliver Dowling, George Walsh, Minty Dare, Codan Emeny, Letty Parkinson, Zahra Moore, Kaden Pulham, Addison Le Cerf, Ned Widdrington, Gia Everall, Indiana Pulham, Maggie Corbett, Josie Foard, Aurora Huang, Ellanie Koroblitsas, Renata McKenzie & Leytton Meyer.

Canteen Roster for next week.

A big thank you to those Parents who have kindly donated their time to help in our canteen this year. 

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Important Dates.

Tuesday, 4th February - Open Night: 5.30-6.30pm  All Welcome

Friday, 7th February - Assembly

Friday, 14th February - Opening School Mass 10am - 11am

Monday, 24th February - Gr 3/4 Camp Kangaroobie

Monday, 10th March - Labour Day Public Holiday

Tuesday, 11th March - School Closure Day for Structured Literacy

Tuesday, 25th March - School Sports Day

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/