March 28th, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

Project Compassion 2024

A Note from our Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to thank everyone at St Pius X for making my first term as Principal a supportive, educative and fun term. It has been amazing to be part of such a welcoming school community. In only one term, I have had repeated to me from many visitors to the school how welcoming, friendly, helpful and kind the St Pius X community is.  

The term has certainly been jam packed with so many experiences on offer for our students. Lenten liturgies, 5/6 swimming, School sports days, 3/4 Bike Ed, Mini vinnies excursion, Student leaders conference, Foundation traffic safety excursion, NAPLAN, Moving into the new middle pod, STOMP, pastoral care day and opening school Mass. I am sure I’ve missed plenty. 

A special thanks to Kimberley for preparing the amazing Easter raffle prizes that were drawn today. Congratulations to the lucky winners, chocolate for days! A sensational St Pius X tradition.

I wish everyone a peaceful, reflective and safe Easter, where you are able to enjoy time with family and friends.

Kind regards,

Nick Murrell

Principal

Easter Raffle Winners!

Congratulations to all our lucky raffle winners.

1st Prize - Easter Basket plus Family Pass to the Moscow Circus - David Brozinski

2nd Prize - Easter Basket plus 2 tickets to Moscow Circus - Tyler Hunt

3rd Prize - Easter Basket plus 2 tickets to Moscow Circus - Alfie O'Shannassy

Winners of Easter Baskets:

Bec Cain, Hailee Aban, Carol Dufty (x2!) , Indi-Rose Meyer, Patrick Cain, Henry Mahony, Georgie Brown, Jensen Blythe, Davey Walker, Josie Foard, G. Norton, Jimmy Van Rooy, Lucy Lane & Toby Lane.

School fee payment plans

St Pius X is a low fee-paying school. Our global operating budget comprises funding from the Federal and State Governments, School fee collection, and fundraising.

School fees are a vital part of providing many aspects of your child's tuition at St Pius X. The 3 main options for paying your school fees are: Direct Debit, Credit Card (at the school office) and Direct Credit Payments.

Please take some time to consider which of these options is best for your family. If you would like to set up a direct debit payment plan please contact Bec Lawlor at the school office or email Bec at rlawlor@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Your support with this, early in the school year, would be greatly appreciated.

School Photo Day - Tuesday, 23rd April

Our school photo day will be held on Tuesday, 23rd April.   Following is a flyer from Leading Image which explains how you can place orders using an access key. This access key can be used for all student and family orders.   (Note: Photo's can only be ordered via this online booking system) 

Please remember that the family/sibling orders MUST be ordered by 4.30pm on the day before photo day which is Monday, 22nd April.    Once this time passes, parents will no longer be able to order a family photo online.

Any and all late orders will not be able to be ordered until photos are returned back to the school and second chance bookmarks are distributed. Late orders are at an increased price and will be subject to a postage fee.

Parents and Friends meeting

All parents, carers and friends of St Pius X are invited to join our next Parents and Friends meeting for 2024 on Tuesday April 23rd at 7.30pm here at school.

We had a great meeting this week, discussing what the Parents and Friends events and fundraisers will look like in 2024. The first item on the agenda is going to be a Mother's Day/Special Person's Day Breakfast on Friday May 10th between 7.45-8.45am.  See more information below. 

Mother's Day / Special Person's Day Breakfast - Save the Date!

Our school will be hosting a Mother's Day / Special Person's Day breakfast on Friday May 10th between 7.45-8.45am. Students are encouraged to bring their mother or a special person along for a pancake breakfast. There will be a RSVP form circulated early next term to assist with catering needs. If you are a father / special male / friend of the school who would be able to help with the cooking and preparation on the morning, could you please let Mr Murrell know by calling in to the office or emailing on principal@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au. It would be greatly appreciated. 

Sacrament of Confirmation 2024

In the Star of the Sea Parish, Confirmation is the next Sacrament after Baptism and celebrated by Baptised Children in year 3.  Any baptised students in higher year levels can also enroll to participate in this sacrament. 

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin in the second week of Term 2 with a family formation evening on Monday April 22nd. Please note, that this meeting will be in Koroit at St Patrick’s and will begin at 6pm.

The Sacrament itself will be held on Sunday May 19th at 9:00am  at St Patrick’s Church in Koroit,  The Confirmation Sacrament will be incorporated into the Mass itself. 

We ask that you enroll your child so that preparations can be made in the coming weeks for the family formation evening, preparation groups and the celebration of the Sacrament itself. Enrolment can be completed by using the link below:

Confirmation Enrolment Link

Pastoral Care

3/4 Bike Ed!

This week in the 3/4 area, we began our first sessions of Bike Education! Students were able to take part in theory sessions learning about safety, road rules and hazards to look out for. They also took part in practical sessions in the courtyard practicing a range of skills including power position, signaling, scanning and riding slowly (which was a challenge for some of our thrill seekers!). The teachers were so impressed with the attitude of ALL the students and ability to persevere through challenges. Although there were a few bumps, cuts and bruises, we are all looking forward to our next sessions in Term 4 to further develop our bike skills and knowledge!

St. Pius Choir 2024

Introducing our St Pius X Choir for 2024, we're sure they'll be singing up a storm this year!

2 places available - Singing and Piano with Maja Pearson

Maya has two places still available! Please contact Maya if you are interested. 

Sporting Updates

The Warrnambool District Athletics sports has been moved to Wednesday 17th April (term two, week one). This will be held at Brauerander Park.
The St Pius X Cross Country is going to be held on Wednesday 24th April (term two, week two). This is going to be held here at school from 11.40am and spectators are welcome to attend.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club is open each Wednesday morning at 8:20am.   Again, a big thankyou to Foodshare for providing us with breakfast items and Woolies 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!

St. Vincent De Paul Reading Program

Fee-free after school reading program

 Want your child to improve their reading and academic skills? Make new friends? Be involved in a co-curricular activity? Foster positive relationships with caring adults?

 The Vinnie’s reading program might be for you!

St Vincent de Paul run a reading program which offers children the chance to read with a volunteer each week. The program runs each Wednesday of the school term (3:30 - 4.45pm in the library). It is open to any student at St Pius X  (prep to Year 6). Students of all ages and abilities are welcome, from those who need additional support to those who are confident and avid readers. The program provides students with a safe and welcoming environment where they can experience the magic of books, enhance their skills, make new friends and enjoy the support of caring adults. Vinnie’s would love to welcome some new faces.

Winter Uniform - Term 2 & 3

Student Medical Information Updates Required.

A reminder that we require all families to login to PAM and update their child's medical information if any details have changed or if you are a new family to St. Pius.   Please ensure that this is completed as soon as possible.

To update a medical profile for your child/children please follow these instructions:

1. Click on the link to PAM (found on SZ App or on the St. Pius website)
2. Click on student. (Remember that each child has their own medical profile)
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 contact the office.  

A special message........

The following students will be celebrating their birthdays over the next two weeks ...............

Peyton Levett, Zachary Francis, Vonal Wijekoon Mudiyanselage, Owen Grimley, Grace Wilde, Mason Halloran, Chloe Harzmeyer, Carter Seabrook, Oscar Howe-Betts, Flynn Sloper, Lennox Schrama-Willmot and Sol McInerney.

Canteen Roster for 1st Week Term 2.

We are currently looking for extra volunteers to help in the Canteen for the year, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  You would only be rostered on a couple of times a term and your assistance would be greatly appreciated.  The only pre-requisite is that you have a Working With Children Check.   Please contact the office if you can help.  Thank You.

Important Dates.

Friday, 29th March - Good Friday Public Holiday

Monday, 15th April - Term 2 Commences

Wednesday, 17th April - District Athletics

Tuesday, 23rd April - School Photo Day

Wednesday, 24th April - School Cross Country

Thursday, 25th April - ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Friday, 26th April - Lions Eye Health Tests Gr 3 plus catch-ups

Thursday, 2nd May - Race Day Public Holiday

2024 School Closure Days - Updated

Term 1 

Monday 12th Feb - Staff First aid training (COMPLETED)

Wednesday 21st Feb - Structured Literacy Staff Professional Development (DOBCEL determined date) (COMPLETED)

Term 2

Friday 31st May - Wellbeing focus 

Term 3

Tuesday 20th August- Structured Literacy Staff Professional Development (DOBCEL determined date)

Term 4

Friday 18th October - Religious Education Staff Professional Development

School Fees and Levies 2024

Uniform Price List

Before & After School Care.

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/ 

Could you make a difference to a young life?

Could this be what you are looking for? 

Foster carers come from all walks of life. They can be working, not working or retired; married or single; in same-sex relationships; and can own or rent their home. The most essential criteria are that they care, can provide a safe and nurturing home, and have room in their home to support a vulnerable child or sibling group.

If you would like to know more call MacKillop Family Services on 1300 791 677, visit www.mackillop.org.au/fostercare or ring Alana in our Warrnambool office on 5500 2000.

COVID 19 Arrangements

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