February 9th 2023
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Prayer
- A Note from our Principal
- Welcome Mass and Smoking Ceremony
- School Closure Day Tomorrow
- From the Bus Coordinator
- PAM- Do you have access?
- Sacrament of Confirmation update
- RATs
- School Fees
- Canteen Helpers.
- A special message........
- Hot off the Prep Press!
- Division Swimming Carnival
- Before & After School Care
- Important Dates
- Second Hand Uniforms
- Parish Contact
- COVID 19 Arrangements
Acknowledgement of Country
The St Pius X Parish School Community acknowledges the Gunditjmara / Marr Nation people who have educated children on these lands for thousands of years.
Prayer
Let us pray
Help Us To Be There
Holy, Life-Giving Spirit,
Infuse in us your ability to remain present to Your people.
Help us to be there,
To be right there,
For the people who need us.
There for young people,
There for the elderly,
There for our colleagues
There for the brokenhearted;
Fire our hearts with your life-changing presence.
Even though we know you to be everywhere and in everything,
Give us the ability to be fully in one place at a time,
Open and ready to love.
Amen.
- Author Unknown
A Note from our Principal
Ngata Families and Friends,
It was significant to gather as a community today to mark the beginning of the school year. Rituals are important. They mark special moments in our lives and are filled with symbolism. As a Catholic school, it is fitting that we mark the beginning of the school year with Mass. It is also fitting that we participated in the Smoking Ceremony and we hope that this is the beginning of a new tradition for our school.
Congratulations to Byron and Maya who have accepted the responsibility of being our School Captains for 2023. We know that they will be excellent leaders because they already are. We also recognise that all of our Grade 6 students have a significant role as leaders in our school community this year and feel confident that they will fulfil this responsibility with distinction.
A reminder that there is no school for students tomorrow as staff undertake vital training in CPR, anaphlyxasis and mandatory reporting.
Have a great week.
Kind regards,
Stacey Atkins
Welcome Mass and Smoking Ceremony
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our Welcome Mass and Smoking Ceremony today. A special thank you to Mel Steffensen and Uncle Rob Lowe who shared the Smoking Ceremony with us and to Fr Bill for leading us in prayer. Both of these rituals have helped me to recognise the important milestone that the beginning of a new year is and the opportunities that it holds.
School Closure Day Tomorrow
Friday 10th February is our first school closure day for 2023.
In line with the DOBCEL policy, the school is able to allocate 4 days each year to additional professional learning. Our first day will be dedicated to vital and compolsory training in CPR, anaphylaxis and mandatory reporting.
Students are not to attend school on Friday 10th February. Bookings can be made through Their Care if families require care for their children.
Other school closure days:
Term 1: Science of Reading (March 14th)
Term 2: ReLATE (May 5th)
Term 3: Maths Pedagogy (Mid Term 3, Date TBA)
Term 4: Scripture in the Classroom (Mid Term 4, Date TBA)
From the Bus Coordinator
A reminder that only students that are registered to travel on specific country buses can use this service. the service is not to be used for sports training/work/social purposes. Parent/Carers are to make their own arrangements in this regard.
PAM- Do you have access?
PAM is important for:
* Communicating absences
* Giving excursion permissions
* Communicating medical needs
If you don't have access to PAM yet please contact the office for assistance in face, via phone or email principal@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au. It might just be that we don't have an up to date email for you.
Families of students in Grade 3/4 should have received information about the upcoming camp during the week.
We also ask families to ensure that all medical information is up to date. Thanks for your help.
Sacrament of Confirmation update
To help align our sacramental program with the other schools in the wider parish community we will be moving the Sacrament of Confirmation from Grade 2 to Grade 3. This will mean that all Catholic schools in the Star of the Sea Parish (Warrnambool, Koroit and Port Fairy) will celebrate the sacrament during Grade 3.
This means that Confirmation will not be celebrated this year at St Pius X. Please feel free to make contact if you have any questions.
Eucharist will be celebrated in Grade 4 with Reconciliation in Grade 6.
RATs
Did you know...
RATs are available for all Victorians from council sites. Individuals can obtain two free packs (10 tests) for themselves and two free packs (10 tests) for each household member. People with disability and their carers can get up to four free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability.
The RATs are available at the Civic Centre (25 Liebig Street) and the Archie Graham Community Centre (118 Timor Street).
School Fees
School Fees and Levies
At this stage we have not processed your 2023 year’s fees and levies. Hopefully this will be completed within the next two weeks and statements will be sent home.
Thank you to our families who have filled in the appropriate paperwork indicating your payment method. This allows for us to budget according to our cash flow.
Can you apply for this? Are you eligible?
Camps Sports and Excursion Funds (CSEF). Parents who hold a HCC/Pension card are entitled to receive state government assistance towards excursions, camps and sport levies. Please fill in the attached form and return it to the office. Could you also please provide us with a copy of your HCC/pension card for our records.
Canteen Helpers.
Thank you to those parents who have kindly voluntered to help in the canteen. We are always looking for more volunteers though!
The canteen is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays after 2nd Lunch (1.50pm) for the sale of icy poles, frozen fruit etc.
You would only be required for a 1/2 hour or so and depending on the number of volunteers we get, you may only be rostered on once or twice a term.
If you can help, please contact the office with your details and preferred day.
Please remember that a Working With Children Card is required.
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
A special message........
The only birthday for the coming week is Addison Dowling's.
Happy Birthday for Sunday Addison!
Hot off the Prep Press!
Patterns Here, Patterns There!
Did you know that a pattern is like a code. It is a code that repeats itself over and over again.
We can find patterns in lots of different places - on animals, on clothes, in books, in our homes. We have been using lots of different materials to match, make and create our own patterns - blocks, sticks, counters, teddies and pegs. Check out some of the patterns our girls have made this week.
Community Meetings
Every morning we have a special routine. We unpack our bags and do all of our morning jobs. Change our reader, get our fruit ready, pop our water bottles on the trolleys and pack away our bags. Once the music starts and the bell rings we bring our cross to the floor and get ready for our morning prayer. We pray and we sing together.
After this we join in our community meetings. We have 3 important questions to ask each other. Firstly we say ‘Good Morning’ and use each other's name. Next we ask ‘How are you feeling?’ After that we say ‘What is your goal for today?’ (Our goal for Term 1 is - To be a good friend) Finally we ask ‘Who’s going to help you with that goal?’
We love to start our day this way. It helps us to learn each other’s names and to share our feelings. This is the way every classroom at St Pius X starts their day!!
Show and Tell
On Friday, 17th February we are having a Pastoral Care Day and we will be looking at our Zones of Regulation. At school we want to be in the Green Zone and feel happy and ready to learn. To help us have fun on that day we would like the children to bring along something that makes them happy. It might be a toy or a game, it might be a book or a photo, it might be a teddy or a piece of sporting equipment.
Division Swimming Carnival
Seeking expressions of interest for the Division Swimming Carnival on Thursday 2nd of March.
Open to any interested student turning 9 to 13 in 2023. Please note: swimmers must meet a qualifying time. This time must be signed off by a swimming club or if a parent is timing, it must be signed off by a club committee member or a member of the pool staff.
All expressions of interest must be received by the school by Thursday 16th February, either to the office directly or via email to Emma McDonald at emcdonald@stpiuswarrnambool.
Please see attached information in regards to qualifying time and information regarding the carnival.
Emma McDonald
Before & After School Care
We remind everyone about TheirCare, our outside school hours care provider. Bookings can be made at https://theircare.com.au/
Please select St Pius X Warrnambool as the booking location.
To celebrate the return to school TheirCare are giving away 5 care packages!
What’s up for grabs?
2 x free Holiday Program
OR
3 x Free Before or After School Care sessions
How to enter?
Simply make a booking for care during week 1 and you’ll automatically go into the draw to WIN!
Register and book here: www.theircare.com.au
TheirCare provide exceptional Outside School Hours Care services for our school community! During sessions, children develop life-skills, friendships, confidence, and creativity through play-based programs. Families are eligible for a Government Rebate called the Child Care Subsidy which can reduce the cost per session by up to 85%.
More information can be obtained by contacting the school or TheirCare Support Team on 1300 072 410.
Important Dates
Friday 10th Feb School Closure Tomorrow (Compliance)
Mon 20th/Tues 21st Feb Grade 3/4 Camp
Wednesday 22nd Feb Ash Wednesday
Tuesday 28th Feb Safe Seats, Safe Kids
Monday 6th March Grade 5/6 Swimming begins
Monday 13th March Public Holiday
Tuesday 14th March School Closure (Literacy)
Second Hand Uniforms
Families seeking low cost uniform items are welcome to contact Angela Verspay (mum to Dylan and Finn) who has stock of many donated uniform items. Ph: 0477660119.
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/
COVID 19 Arrangements
All famililes are asked to familiarise thesmselves with the updated COVID 19 regulations.
Managing a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19
- It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff if they:
- have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
- are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
- are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.
- The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians report their positive RAT result via the online form or by calling 1800 675 398.
- Principals are no longer required to inform their school community of a positive case associated with the school.
- Staff or students who are positive are strongly recommended to stay home and isolate for a minimum of five days.
- Symptomatic students or staff should not attend school, even if failing to test positive on a RAT or PCR.
Communication
There is no longer a requirement for schools to inform their communities of positive cases. All health information is held in accordance with the school’s privacy policy.
Masks
Staff and students who wish to wear a mask will continue to be supported to do so. Masks are available from the administration office for anyone wishing to obtain one.
Any staff or students who are close contacts are recommended to wear a mask indoors.
Any staff or students returning from isolation are recommended to wear a mask for 7 days after returning to school.
RAT Kits
RATs are available for all Victorians from council sites. Individuals can obtain two free packs (10 tests) for themselves and two free packs (10 tests) for each household member. People with disability and their carers can get up to four free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability.
The RATs are available at the Civic Centre (25 Liebig Street) and the Archie Graham Community Centre (118 Timor Street).
Vaccination
St Pius X strongly supports vaccination for all in our community who are eligible. There is no requirement for adults entering the school to declare their vaccination status.
All community adults are reminded of the child safety requirement to sign in when attending the school between 9.00am and 3.00pm
Transport
Parents who have tested positive to COVID 19 are permitted to drive children to and from school during their 7 day isolation period. They are required to return home immediately afterwards and not attend other locations.
Medically At Risk Students
Students who have chronic health conditions, especially affecting the respiratory system ie Asthma, must have up to date health support plans. Families who are unsure about the status of their child’s plan should make contact with teh school administration office.