April 18th, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

Prayer

Lord, we pray for those who have been devastated by recent tragedies. We remember those who have lost their lives so suddenly. We hold in our hearts the families forever changed by grief and loss. Bring them consolation and comfort. Surround them with our prayers for strength. Bless those who have survived and heal their memories of trauma and devastation. May they have the courage to face the days ahead.

Help us to respond with generosity in prayer, in assistance, and in comfort to the best of our abilities. Keep our hearts focused on the needs of all the community. We ask this in Jesus’ name. 

Amen.

A Note from our Principal

Ngata Families & Friends,

In light of the recent tragedies at Westfield Shopping Centre in Sydney, our hearts ache for the victims and their families. It's times like these that remind us of the fragility of life and the importance of unity and compassion. As a school community, let us keep those affected in our thoughts and prayers. Let us also take this opportunity to reinforce the values of kindness, empathy, and support for one another. Together, we can be a source of comfort and strength during difficult times. Our doors are open for anyone who needs support. 

We also keep in our thoughts and prayers, Indiana Pulham, a Yr 4 student at our school, and her family as they face the challenges of Indi’s current health challenges. Indi is currently being cared for by her family and health professionals at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. 

I hope everyone has enjoyed a smooth transition back to term 2. I wish everyone a successful, fulfilling and fun term.

Nick Murrell

Principal

School Photo Day - Next 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.

Confirmation

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.

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

Mobile Phones

Our school understands that some families require their child to have a mobile phone for communication and safety needs before and after school. If your child is bringing a mobile phone to school it must be checked in with Karen or Bec at the office as soon as they arrive at school and it can be collected as they exit school in the afternoon. Families in this situation, can you please remind your child of this important school procedure. 

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.

MIURA MATSURI - Free Community Celebration In The Japanese Garden.

There will be a community event held at the Japanese Friendship Garden on Saturday, May 18 2024, from 10am - 3pm.

This event will blend Japanese and First Nations cultures to reflect the original intention of the garden with lots of interactive fun.

The Miura Friendship Garden is in Albert Park with the entrance off Grafton Road, Warrnambool.

For further information please click on the following link:

https://whatson.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/miura-matsuri-free-community-celebration-japanese-garden

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.

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. 

The Foundation Files

Holiday Fun 

It has been great catching up with our Foundation friends and finding out about all of the fun everyone got up to over the Term 1 holiday break. 

Harrison - I went fishing in Renmark. We didn’t catch anything, but I had heaps of fun. 

Carter - It was my birthday and I turned 6! I got some slime and a barbie. 

Theo - I played cricket with my brother, Vonal. I did some big hits. 

Lincoln - My family went to The Halls Gap Zoo. My favourite animal was the rhinos. They were eating hay and resting. 

Hayley - I did swimming lessons. I saw some of my friends there. 

Shape 

This week we have been learning all about different 2D shapes. We went on a shape hunt around our school, taking photos as we went. We then made circles, triangles and rectangles using different materials we found in the classroom e.g. pipe cleaners, play doh and string. Our favourite activity was working in small groups to make shapes using our bodies. Check out the different shapes we made and found. 

Welcome Mrs Walsh

As well as teaching her regular Monday in the Foundation classroom, Mrs Walsh will be here covering Ms Lane’s 4 weeks of Long Service Leave. She’s so excited for all of the fun and learning to be had! In Week 3, Ms Osborne is also taking a week of leave and Mrs Ronnie White will be in the classroom during this time. 

Show and Tell Focus - 

Don’t forget that in tomorrow’s Show and Tell, we’d love to see your favourite picture story books. Please make sure their book has their name written on the inside incase there are some ‘double-ups’. The picture storybooks may stay at school for a week or two so that we can enjoy them all! Mrs Walsh’s favourite story is Monkey Puzzle and Ms Osborne’s favourite is Wombat Stew. We can’t wait to see all of the beautiful books tomorrow!

Learning Adventure

We have an exciting opportunity coming up in May for any prospective 2025 Foundation families to come and visit St Pius X. We are inviting students and parents to come along and be part of our Learn and Discover mornings. On these mornings kinder students will have the opportunity to join in some learning activities with our 2024 Foundation group, while parents and carers can learn about learning, teaching and school life at St Pius X. There is also a Parent Information session for those parents and carers who are unable to make it during school hours. Please see the flier below for more information. 

Please RSVP via this link.

The BIG Library Raffle

During our renovations last year, St Pius students took books home to enjoy whilst the library was out of action. Over the course of the year, library books have been misplaced or added to book shelves at home. 

For the next month, we are running a Library Raffle! Upon the return of any overdue library books, students will receive one raffle ticket per book that is returned. This can even include books from past students who no longer attend St Pius!

On Thursday the 25th May, one lucky winner will be drawn and receive a $20 gift card for their efforts. 

Good luck and get searching!

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 student will be celebrating her birthday over the coming week....................

Charlee Best.

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.

Monday, 22nd April - Confirmation Formation Meeting at St Patrick’s Koroit at 6pm.

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.