October 24th, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

A Note from our Principal

Ngata families, 

This year it has been decided that there will be no Twilight Fair. The reasons for this are a drastically reduced number of volunteers able to support the event over the previous years, effort versus reward with respect to fundraising - the majority share of the funds raised from the Twilight fair have come from the major raffle and a very minimal amount of funds raised from the activities and the final reason being changes to the new Multi-employer agreement relating to staff entitlements. 

It has been widely commented and acknowledged that the Twilight Fair is an amazing community event that encourages and fosters a community feeling, friendship and the school coming together to enjoy and celebrate everything that is amazing about our school. Understanding this, we have provided as many opportunities to do this so far this year with STOMP, Mother's /Special Person's Day breakfast, Father's /Special Person's Day breakfast, Learning Walks, Book Week picnic and parade, Finding Nemo, Movie night, sporting events and more. There will also be further opportunities to come together in Term 4 - namely a family picnic and colour run on the final day of the school year and our Carols and Presentation evening. This will be a free community event with no fundraising attached. 

So far this year, our Parents and Friends team has raised more money than the entire of last year, and they are not finished there!

In light of no Twilight fair there are two fundraising events planned for Term 4.

We are planning a Major Raffle and have booked in for a Bunnings BBQ on Saturday December 7th. 

If you are able to support our school by volunteering for a 2 hour shift on Saturday December 7th at Bunnings we would greatly appreciate it. Volunteers are not restricted to parents and carers only, family members and friends are most welcome to support.

Signing up is very quick and easy. Click on this link volunteersignup.org/PLBMJ and follow the instructions. You can even pick the timeslot that you can help! 

If you have any questions please contact the school office.

I thank Kimberley Lack for chairing our P&F team so far this year, Merryn Payne as Deputy Chair, Mel Steffenson as P&F & SAC liaison and  Bronwen Levett, Tammie Karnajaya and Tayla Brown as committee members. 

Kind regards,

Nick Murrell

Principal

Bunnings BBQ - Volunteers needed

As stated above, If you are able to support our school by volunteering for a 2 hour shift on Saturday December 7th at Bunnings we would greatly appreciate it. Volunteers are not restricted to parents and carers only, family members and friends are most welcome to support.

Signing up is very quick and easy. Click on this link volunteersignup.org/PLBMJ and follow the instructions. You can even pick the timeslot that you can help! 

If you have any questions please contact the school office.

Walk to School TOMORROW - Note Change of Information!

Tomorrow, Friday October 25th, as part of our healthy moves initiative, students are invited to take part in our walk to school day by joining in with the walking school bus program! Students are invited to meet staff and other students at one of the below meeting points and walk together to school! 

UPDATE:  Please note that the Western Route 2 - Fairfax Ave & Caramut Road walk has been cancelled due to road works.  There will not be a walk to school along this route.  

Participants will go into the running for lots of different prizes thanks to SportsPower Warrnambool! Parents and friends are more than welcome to join in!

School Closure - Monday November 11th

Monday November 11th is a school closure day. There is no school for students on this day. Staff will be working through data and subsequent professional development in relation to our school's most recent Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) survey with support from DOBCEL Religious Education consultant Jo-anne van de Voort. 

Class Groupings 2025

As mentioned in last weeks newsletter, in the coming weeks our staff will be drafting class lists for the 2025 school year.  If parents/guardians have information that relates to their child's learning needs and will assist in the placement of their child, they are encouraged to forward this information by tomorrow.

All submissions must be in writing.

Either email:

principal@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

or address a letter marked confidential to "The Principal".

Parents/Guardians are asked to submit this information by tomorrow Friday, 25th October.

Kanga Cricket Today

Today our 5/6 students participated in Kanga Cricket. We had four teams enter with our year six boys coming second, our year five boys second, year six girls third and year five girls FIRST!!! We are proud of all our teams as they conducted themselves with great sportsmanship and represented our school with pride! 

Crazy Hair/Socks Day - 15th November!

Book Fair - Save the Date!

In the next few weeks, your child/children may bring home a Scholastic ‘Wish List’. The list is an idea of books that students/guardians may like to purchase during the fair. 

The Scholastic Book Fair is happening on the 18th, 19th & 20th of November!

Each learning area will have a buying day:

Monday 18/11- Juniors

Tuesday 19/11 - Middles

Wednesday 20/11 - Seniors

Purchases can be made prior to the day by visiting the website: scholastic.com.au/payment . EFTPOS and cash purchase will be available on the day also. 

The Scholastic Book Fair is our major fundraiser for the library. Any support big or small will be greatly appreciated!

Alanna & Isla

St. Pius X Library

Headlice Alert

There has been a reported case of headlice in the Junior Area.  Could ALL school families please check their child/ren's hair and treat if necessary.  Thank You. 

Japan Trip 2025 Information Meeting

A meeting will be held on Thursday 31st October from 5.30pm - 6.30pm at St. Joseph's Primary School, 70 Botanic Rd, Warrnambool (enter via reception) 

The aim of this meeting is to present information regarding the proposed Japan Trip for students in September 2025.  The trip is open to Year 6 students (with the possibility of Year 5 students -TBC) We are currently gathering details about pricing, and will have more information regarding this at the meeting.

Catherine Lee
Community Development Coordinator
St. Joseph's Primary School

New Uniform Options!

Don't forget that St Pius X now has new options for uniform! "Yoga" pants with a zip pocket as modelled by Chloe and bucket hats that turn inside out as modelled by both Chloe and Alfie.

One side of the hat is the school colour and logo and on the inside is the child’s sports colour!  This will make
Sports Day very colourful and bright.  These hats can be tightened with a toggle and are comfortable
for all head sizes.  The hat sizes range from small, medium, large and up to extra large.   

NOTE:  We currently have some hat colours/sizes on backorder (in particular Green Size Medium & Large), so if your hat order is not in stock, it shouldn't be far away!

The pants are made from Viscose, Nylon and Elastane and are stretchy and comfortable. They have elasticised waists and they range in size from a size 6 up to a women's small (larger sizes can be ordered if needed.)

Both the hats and pants are now available for purchase online (via Flexischools App) and if you need to check sizing please see Bec and Karen in the office.

The hats will be $15.00 and the new pants will be $30.00.

Food bank support - Thank You!

We have had a great response to the launch of our weekly community food bank to support families within our school. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered  to help with this great initiative. 

Please text Lara on 0423 453 334 if you wish to participate or need more information. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.

Text Lara on 0423 453 334

Breakfast Club - Wednesdays

A friendly reminder that Breakfast Club is running on Wednesday mornings from 8:20am. It is open to ALL students before school to enjoy some yummy toast, yogurt, cereal or a piece of fruit and take part in a morning conversation with others. We look forward to seeing everybody there!

Again, a big thankyou to Foodshare for providing us with breakfast items and Woolies Dennington 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!

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

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

Owen Geyer-Fox, Quinn Geyer-Fox, Isayah Jenkins, Jack Cushen & Kobey Keane.

Canteen Roster for next week.

Important Dates.

Friday, 25th October - Walk to School Day

                                                Assembly, 3pm in church

Tuesday, 5th November - Melbourne Cup Day activities 

Friday, 8th November - Assembly, 3pm in church

Monday, 11th November - School Closure Day 

Tuesday, 12th November - 3/4 Bike Ed 

Tuesday, 12th November - Foundation Information Night 6.30pm

Wednesday, 13th November - 3/4 Bike Ed

Wednesday, 13th November - Gr 5 Emmanuel Experience excursion

 Thursday, 14th November - 3/4 Bike Ed - Big Ride

Friday, 15th November - Crazy Hair/Socks Day

 Monday, 18th November - 1/2 Swimming commences (two week program)

Monday, 18th November - Scholastic Book Fair commences (one week)

Monday, 18th November - Foundation excursion - The Gruffalo 

Tuesday, 19th November - Parents and Friends meeting, 7.30pm

Friday, 22nd November - Assembly, 3pm in church

Monday, 25th November - 5/6 Beach safety commences  (one week program)

Thursday, 28th November - Foundation 2025 Transition #1

Friday, 29th November - Advent Liturgy 3pm church

Monday, 2nd December - Learning Conversations 2.30-5.30pm

Tuesday, 3rd December - Learning Conversations 2.30-5.30pm

Wednesday, 4th December - Learning Conversations 2.30-5.30pm

Friday, 6th December - Assembly, 3pm in church

Tuesday, 10th December - Orientation Day

Thursday, 12th December - Gr 6 Graduation

Tuesday, 17th December - Carols and Presentation evening 6pm

Wednesday, 18th December - Final day for students

Before & After School Care.

Parish Contact.

Sunday Mass 9.00am @ 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/ 

To donate please use the following link

https://www.cuppafordementia.com.au/fundraisers/kerriedonlon/cuppa-for-dementia