June 13th, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

A Note from our Principal

Ngata Families & Friends,

This week has been a remarkable one as our school conducted our 3 way learning conversations; student, parent/carer and teacher. These sessions have been a celebration of student achievements, providing a platform to showcase their hard work and progress. The learning conversations are more than just meetings; they are vital opportunities to set future goals and ensure that every family is actively engaged in their child's educational journey. By involving parents and guardians, we strengthen the home-school partnership, creating a supportive environment for our students to thrive. We are proud of our students' accomplishments and grateful for the continued collaboration with our families. 

Together, we are laying the foundation for future successes and fostering a community where every student can reach their full potential. Thank you to all who participated and contributed to making this week so meaningful.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Nick Murrell

Principal

Footy Tipping

Our 2024 footy tipping is going strong! Thank you to the people/families who have been tipping hard! A reminder that if you have not paid your membership can you please do so immediately. $10 for an individual and $20 for a family. We currently have 32 individuals/families joined up to  the 2024 competition. Link here https://www.footytips.com.au/comps/St_Pius_X_Footy_Tipping_2024 This link was advertised several times at the beginning of the year. 

There are a few tipsters that may still be tipping in last year’s competition, please check you signed up for this year’s competition as the rules have changed this year, no joker rounds were included in the setup. So the 2023 and 2024 tipping competitions are not operating with equal rules. If you are in the 2023 competition and have your heart set on being in the 2024 competition please contact Mr Murrell and we will see if it is possible to add you to the 2024 group. 

Leaderboard

Darren Edge 77

Mr O’Brien 76

Seurens 76

Letty Parkinson 75

Jacinta M Condon 75

Tomorrow Night is Movie Night!

Time/Date:  6.30pm, Tomorrow Night.

Movie title:  Ice Age 5 (PG Rated)

Cost:  $5 per child

Cost includes:  Movie, Popcorn, Lolly bag

Location:  Middle Pod

What to wear:  Pyjamas (or casuals if preferred)

What to bring:  Water bottle, something comfy to lie on (pillow, blanket, bean bag etc)

Supervision: Will be provided by parents and friends of St Pius X who have a valid Working with Children Check and Mr Murrell. 

What not to bring:  Food, mobile devices, extra lollies

Mobile devices are NOT to be brought along:  If bringing a device is deemed essential by a students parent/carer- it is to be handed to Mr Murrell upon arrival. Any devices not presented to Mr Murrell upon arrival will be be confiscated and will need to be collected by a parent or adult at the conclusion of the movie night.

Please note that children will need to be signed in and then out upon collection.

Sacrament of Confirmation

On Wednesday the 15th of May, at the Infant Jesus Church in Koroit, 5 students from our school received the Sacrament of confirmation. Confirmation is one of three sacraments of Initiation, the first being Baptism and the next one is Eucharist.  Congratulations to Lacey, Bailee, Lucy, Hailee and April.  
These children will be presented with their certificates at the whole school assembly next week, Friday 21st of June.

First Eucharist 2024

The preparation time for First Eucharist will begin in the opening week of Term 3. To begin the preparation, parents/carers will be invited to attend an information meeting on Tuesday July 16th at 6pm.  This meeting will be at the Parish Centre at the St Joseph’s Church.

The preparation of this Sacrament will have a new format this year.  Candidates from all of the Network Catholic schools will participate in a Formation Day to be held here at St Pius - in the Hall and the function room.  This is to occur on Friday July 19th.  Further information and permission forms will follow and more information will be explained at the parent meeting.

The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be celebrated on Sunday August 11th, at 10am Mass at St Pius X Church.

Enrolment

Participating families are required to use the link below to enrol their children as candidates for Eucharist. 

The link to register for First Eucharist is: 

Enrolment Link

Please contact me via email if you have any questions.

Kind Regards, 

Sara Graham

District Girls Football

The Warrnambool and District Girls Football Competition was held on Thursday 6th June at the Dennington Football Club. St Pius X Primary School was represented by 18 girls on the day. All of the competitors did an amazing job and we had great fun. Throughout the day, we competed against St Josephs Primary School, St Patrick's Koroit, Woolsthorpe Primary School and Port Fairy Consolidated. Well done to all who participated.

The Foundation Files

Left, Right, Left, Right, Left

We have been exploring Location. The language that we have learnt about is left, right, up, down, on top of, beside and next to. We have been playing Simon Says using lots of different language. We have found objects around the room and place them into a directed location. Put the book next to a chair, put the teddy on top of the table and put the red crayon to the left of the glue stick. To find which hand is our left hand we have learnt to make a bowl with our thumbs touching and to look for the hand that makes the letter ‘L’. Ask me to show you how to do this at home??

Learning Converations

We would like to say ‘Thanks’ to all the parents that came along to meet with Ms Osborne and Ms Lane and to talk about all the super stars we have been at school. We have enjoyed thinking about making new learning goals and we love the Family Wishes that have been written by our Mums and Dads. We can’t wait for more learning experiences during the second half of the year.

We had lots of fun this week while our teachers were busy. We read a book called ‘Ish’ with Mrs Dowling. We made snowflakes and drew monsters with Mrs Batistello and Mrs Harzmeyer took us to the hall for some extra sport with the Grade One and Two’s.

Heroes and Villains!

Over the next 2 weeks we are going to explore our learning with some fun adventures exploring the heroes and villains we know from movies, books and TV shows. We would love the children to bring along any of their favourite books, toys or games to share throughout the days with their friends. 

Ready, Set, School! program

Click below to register for our Ready, Set, School! program

Click here to Register

Sick Passes via Email / PAM

If your child visits the sick bay, you will receive an email notification through PAM with information such as the time of the visit, the reason, body area of concern, the treatment they received and when your child returned to class. 

Common examples of these notification reasons may be small bumps (to areas of the body other than the head), small cuts/abrasions or small tummy aches etc.  

IMPORTANT TO NOTE - If your child receives a knock to the head, parents/carers will continue to receive a prompt phone call. This practice will not change. Also, as is current practice, if we deem your child needs to be collected from school with more immediate health concerns parents/carers will receive a phone call, this practice will not change. Parents/carers will receive an email notification through PAM in addition to these calls. 

You will not receive email notifications if your child takes a regular daily prescribed medication. 

If you have any questions please contact Nick on principal@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au 

Not getting SZapp push notifications?

Here is some information from Schoolzine to help troubleshoot if you are having this issue.

Does the app notification show for the user in their feed but they did not receive the push notification? – if so, they may have notifications turned off for their Operating System or the App.

Have you got Push notifications turned on WITHIN SZAPP?

When using the app, select the manage tab from the top ribbon and ensure that there is push notifications turned on for the SZapp.

Have you got Push notifications turned on for your OPERATING SYSTEM?

Certain devices will have push notifications turned off by default when installing software. In order to receive notifications for your device you will need to ensure that both the Operating System notifications as well as the App notifications are enabled.

Was SZapp open when the notification was sent?

Sometimes applications will lie dormant or in ‘sleep’ status on your device in order to cache information and decrease load time when you are wishing to use the application again. Once you have finished using SZapp we recommend that you fully close the app in order to avoid push notifications not being received on some devices in this ‘sleep’ state.

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!

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.

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

The following students will be celebrating their birthday over the coming week....................

Ethan Jacobs and Alfie Parkinson.

Canteen Roster for next week.

Important Dates.

Friday, 14th June - Student Movie Night 6.30pm

Friday, 28th June - Last day of Term 2 - 2.30pm finish 

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 (COMPLETED)

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/