October 27th, 2022

Acknowledgement of Country

Prayer

Jesus,

Zacchaeus overcame his 'shortcomings' to see you by climbing a tree to see you as you passed by in the street.

Grant us the 'oversight' to catch a glimpse of  you in the people who help us, and also the people who need us. 

Amen

A Note from our Principal

Ngata Families & Friends,

We are looking forward to tomorrow afternoon’s Twilight Fair and hope to see as many families as possible joining us for this annual event. Due to forecast weather our stalls and event will be held in the parish hall. We ask all attendees to enter through the main doors. Once inside, different attractions will be found in both the main hall and the function hall to the side.

We are grateful to everyone in our community who has already volunteered time as a coordinator or helper at different stalls. As you will see from the rosters below we are still in need of helpers across the afternoon. The form is now closed. If you would like to add your name, please call the office tomorrow morning.

We again remind all families to be up to date with the latest eased regulations. One expectation has not changed, and that is that families contact the office when a student tests positive.

Joe Ewing

Principal

Sympathies

This week we pass our condolences to the Van Rooy family in the wake of Peter Van Rooy’s death. Peter is the father of Jake, father in law to Mandy and grandfather of Frankie and Jimmy. We pray that they find comfort in their memories  of him.

Also this week we have been advised of the death of Sr Mary Dennett who was Principal of St Pius X during the formative years in the 1960s. We will always be indebted to the work of the Sisters of Mercy who established our school and set in motion the traditions of education and community we continue today.

Melbourne Cup

After the school excitement of the Twilight Fair, on Tuesday we join in the national excitement of the Melbourne Cup.

Our annual school fun day includes dressing up, some Cup related class activities, being part of a class sweep and watching the race itself.

All students and staff are invited to dress for a day at the races. This might be as a punter, a jockey, a trainer - or even a horse. We will hold a fashion parade in the morning in the parish hall, with families welcome to attend.

We look forward to sharing lots of great photos with you in next week’s newsletter.

School Vandalism

As many would be aware through the Standard and related social media this week, we had intruders through the school last weekend. Two learning areas in particular were a complete mess, but permanent damage was minimal. We thank families who made contact over the weekend to volunteer their time to clean up, but the job was done promptly by a large number of our staff on Sunday. 

Negotiations are still currently being held over changes to pay and conditions for teachers and educational support staff, with a sticking point being extra hours that are often expected of staff in schools. The irony was not lost on me as I saw so many of our admin staff, LSOs and teachers pitching in to clear the mess. Their generosity was greatly appreciated.

Classroom Awards

Due to the busyness of the Twilight Fair, we will not hold our normal fortnightly assembly at the end of school tomorrow. Instead we will gather the children together earlier in the day to announce classroom awards.

Yr 6 Jumpers 2023 - Fittings Postponed

We wish to advise that the fittings for the 2023 jumpers will be postponed until next week.  We will revert with new details when known.

Yr 6 Graduation

Our Yr 6s will be graduating on the evening of Thursday December 8th. A formal invitation will be distributed to Yr 6 families soon. Thanks to Janine Lyons, mum to Anna, who has volunteered to organise the event that will be held afterwards.

School Advisory Council

Our SAC will gather next Thursday November 3rd at 7.30pm in the school board room.

No Smoking

Parents are reminded that smoking is not permitted in our carpark during school pickup times. We also remind families that smoking with children in the car is illegal.

Pupil Free Day: Reconciliation Action Plan

Families are reminded that our final pupil free day for 2022 will be held on on Friday November 18th. This day will enable our staff to engage in learning and planning for our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). A RAP is a formal commitment and plan for recognition and acknowledgment of First Nations people, for us, in particular the Gunditjmara Maar Nation.

In the lead up to this day, we are required to complete a school survey on cultural awareness and recognition practices in our school. Families are welcome to contribute to this survey:

Walk to School Month!

Starting this Friday, October the 28th, is ‘Walk, Ride or Scoot to school Month’. During this time, all students in the school are encouraged to travel to school by either walking, riding or scooting. 

Students who participate, will receive a point when their ‘healthy moves’ sheet is completed each morning. This will then count towards the overall competition which will be run between the sports house colours. The winning team will receive a free sausage, at the end of the competition which will be held on November 25th. 

The SRC team will be collecting the data from the healthy moves sheets and adding up the tallies. The winning team will be announced on Thursday 24th November. Let’s get walking, riding and scooting! 

SRC team. 

Hot off the Prep Press!

Smokey Update

Smokey has settled into life at St Pius X extremely well. He is bouncing with happiness every morning when we come to school and we have noticed how much he is growing every day. He went on his first family vacation and spent the weekend in the care of the Dowling family. Check out Addison’s report. She was so excited sharing all her stories about Smokey and the fun that the whole family had with him inside their house.

Prams to Prep Excursion

Yesterday we went to Flagstaff Hill for a free day of fun. This event has been running for quite a few years now and it is always so much fun exploring the village. We listened to a lady tell us all about the Fairy Penguins and how the Maremma dogs help protect their species on Middle Island. We went for a walk exploring the cannons and climbing the hills. After that we made some arts and crafts using lots of fun decorations and we had some fun playing tug of war and sack races. It was a fantastic day of fun!!

What’s the time?

This week we have been learning about minutes, hours, clocks and everything time. We have been drawing our clocks, reading o’clock times and counting how many minutes it takes to get around the clock. Some of us even know what time it is when we have to go to bed. Check out Messi’s amazing drawing of his clock - we think it’s the best clock drawing we have ever seen!!

Twilight Fair: Tomorrow 4-7pm

Thanks to all our  volunteers who have indicated their availability through the online form in the last fortnight - please note that this form is now closed. Below are the rosters for stalls. As you can see there are still gaps requiring helpers. If you are able to add your name somewhere please contact the school office.

SET UP VOLUNTEERS

Rebecca White, Sonja Martin, Bronwen Levett, Bec Stebbins, Kate Darmanin, Kerry Talbot, Nathan Stebbins, Adele McKenzie, Jacinta Bertrand, Kimberley Lack, Anna Larrazabal, Tracey Williams.

Set up will be from 2.00pm. Tasks required:

• Tables and chairs distributed
• Signage displayed.
• Goods and equipment placed

PACK UP VOLUNTEERS

Kate Darmanin, Kerry Talbot, Jo van de Camp, Monique Devereaux, Nathan Stebbins, Adele McKenzie, Jacinta Bertrand, Kimberley Lack, Anna Larrazabal.

Tasks required:

• Removal of rubbish
• Wipe tables
• Stack chairs
• Sweep floor

Cake Stall

Cakes and other baked goodies can be dropped to the school office tomorrow morning. Spare cake boxes are still available from the office.

Thanking you in anticipation of your help,

Madeleine Woodward & Donna Matheson.

Second Hand Books, CDs & DVDs

Tomorrow morning is the last chance to donate books, CDs or DVDs. Please drop to the office.

Some Food Items for sale at the Fair..........

Please Note:  EFTPOS will be available to purchase these items.

Sausages - $2.50 ea

Hamburgers - $3.00 ea

Dim Sims - $1.00 ea

Drinks - $2.00 ea

Baked Potatoes - $7.00 ea

Twilight Fair Raffles.

Please return your raffle books sold, half sold or unsold.

We desperately need them back at school by tomorrow morning.

Hands on Learning - Twilight Fair

The Hands on Learning groups have been busy turning old furniture into something new. We have made an old cot into a work desk, an old bed into a bench seat and an old chest of drawers into a toddler seat.- This will be a silent auction. Please place your offer in the box provided with your name and phone number and the HIGHEST BIDDER WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hands on Learning group have also been working hard at making wooden items for the Twilight Fair and growing plants, LOTS OF BARGAINS!! 

School Fees and Levies

With only 7 weeks of the 2022 school year remaining it would be greatly appreciated if school fees and levies could be finalised as soon as possible. For families who have committed to regular instalments, please continue with your payment plan as per your arrangements.

Ringing families as a reminder to pay fees is not only embarrassing and uncomfortable to you but also to the admin staff. Please contact the school office to organise a payment plan should you wish to set up a payment plan.  Thank you.

Crisis Meals

Thanks to our meals volunteer this week: Karen Mahoney.

Each week a volunteer has been rostered to provide a freezable meal to our school to be distributed to a family experiencing hardship, grief or unforeseen circumstances. These meals have been regularly distributed and the families receiving them have been most grateful.

Thanks to those who have added their name to the list for the final weeks of Term 4. Still some empty slots:

Breakfast Club

Every Wednesday from 8:15 breakfast will be available in the function room for any students that would like to have some breakfast before the school day starts! Everyone is more than welcome to come along, even if they have already had breakfast at home. It is a great initiative supported by FoodShare who provide fruit, yoghurt, cereal and yummy toast. 

Thanks to our parent leader Tracey Williams.

Before & After School Care

Caught in the Crowd

Have you ever met one of your heroes?

It's said to always be a disappointment, but I've had at least one good experience.

About eight years ago I won tickets to a small performance in Melbourne by k d Lang. The concert was held at a venue adjacent to the ABC in Southbank for, perhaps, 500 people. Seats were not allocated, so there was a bit of anxiety in the crowd about getting to a good seat once the line slowly filed in. People wanted to get either as close as possible, in the middle or up high on the second tier.

I didn’t have the best seat in the house BUT I did have another advantage - I was right near some of the sound technicians. At the end of the performance the audience were invited to ask questions and because of my proximity, the microphone went to me!

All of the sudden - for 5 or 6 minutes the entire auditorium gave me their full attention - what’s more I also had k d’s full attention. I have no memory of what I asked her or what she replied, but I do remember she was gracious and generous in the answer she gave me, a complete stranger. She smiled and thanked me for what was no doubt a most insightful question.

It's sort of my Zacchaeus moment. 

In Sunday’s Gospel Zacchaeus the tax collector clambours to see Jesus, but is caught at the back of the crowd. In frustration he climbs a tree to get a look at his hero. Jesus sees him, speaks to him and eats with him.

The moment changes Zacchaeus’s life, and he carries not just Jesus' words away from the encounter, but his actions. 

The Gospel invites us to consider how we might use action to give dignity to others. As the saying goes; our actions speak so much louder than anything we have to say.

Parish Contact

Sunday Mass 10.00 @ 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/ 

School Canteen Roster

Our Diocesan Community

The link below opens the quarterly diocesan magazine that features news from across the Ballarat Diocese.

Upcoming Dates

Oct 28 TOMORROW NIGHT - TWILIGHT FAIR

Nov 1 Yr 1/2 swimming commences

Nov 3 Yr 5 Emmanuel College visit

Nov 3 School Advisory Council 7.30pm (Rescheduled)

Nov 11 Remembrance Day & Social Justice Day

Nov 18 Pupil Free Day - Reconciliation Action Plan

Nov 21 - 29 PSG Meetings

Nov 28 Yr 5/6 beach safety commences

Nov 30 SAC & P&F social evening

Dec 6 Transition experience 1

Dec 7 Learning Conversations 1

Dec 8 Yr 6 Graduation (early evening)

Dec 8 Transition experience 2

Dec 9 End of Year Mass (daytime)

Dec 12 Learning Conversations 2

Dec 13 Transition experience 3

Dec 14 Learning Conversations 3

Dec 15 Carols and Presentation Evening

Dec 16 Final day of school classes for 2022. (Final bell at 3.30pm)

COVID 19 Arrangements

All famililes are asked to familiarise thesmselves with the updated COVID 19 regulations.