March 20th, 2025

Acknowledgement of Country

Prayer

Third Week of Lent

We pray for anyone who lives with disability, especially people who are judged unfairly in any way.

May we do all we can to support their flourishing as truly equal participants in the human family.

May our work this Lent with Project Compassion help to create greater justice.

Amen

This week we meet Project Compassion shares Lam's story. Lam is a young man from rural Vietnam. Lam’s disability made his upbringing difficult. Sometimes people look at those with disability and judge them quickly by what they see. They judge them and dismiss them. 

Through the I-SHINE program, supported by Caritas Australia’s partner in Vietnam, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Lam was able to pursue his dreams and become more independent. 

He enrolled in a six-month IT Technician training course in Da Nang that not only equipped him with professional skills but also rekindled his social connections and confidence. Today, he is a successful graphic designer, serving clients locally and internationally and earning astable income every month. He has a creative life. The money we raise through Project Compassion helps people like Lam. 

A Note from our Principal

Ngata families, 

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the Foundation and Year 6 families who attended the picnic at Lake Pertobe on Tuesday evening. The event was a wonderful success, with nearly 70 people joining us for a fun and relaxed evening together. We were certainly blessed with perfect weather!

A special thank you goes to our families for making the time to attend amidst their busy after-school schedules. Your presence and support were integral in making this event such a success. It was a fantastic opportunity for our Foundation and Year 6 students to enjoy each other’s company outside of school. Watching our students interact, whether strengthening their buddy relationships or making new friendships, was truly heartwarming.

Equally important, it was a lovely chance for families to meet one another in a laid-back, friendly environment. It’s events like this that help to build the strong sense of community we cherish at St. Pius X. 

Once again, thank you to everyone who came along and made it a memorable evening. We look forward to more opportunities to gather as a community in the future!

Kind regards,

Nick Murrell

Principal

Walking School Bus - TOMORROW!

Tomorrow, Friday March 21st, as part of our healthy moves initiative, students are invited to take part in the national ride 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 by 8:10am and walk together to school! 

Parents and friends are more than welcome to join in!

Sacrament of Reconciliation

On Monday, nine Grade 6 students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation will gather at Emmanuel College alongside approximately 80 other students from across the Star of the Sea Parish. Ms. Stacey Atkins will accompany them.

Maria Forde, an experienced educator, will guide the students in learning about and reflecting on the sacrament.

The students will depart at approximately 9:45 AM and return after 2:00 PM.

Lost Necklace

We are reaching out to ask for your help in locating a lost student necklace. The necklace is pink with a bow and was misplaced on the school oval or playground approximately a week ago.

If you happen to have seen it or have any information about its whereabouts, please contact the school office at your earliest convenience. We would greatly appreciate your assistance in helping reunite this special item with its owner.

Thank you for your support!

Head Lice

We have had a reported case of head lice in the school.   Please take this opportunity to check your child's hair and treat if necessary.  Thank You.

St. Pius X - School Athletics Carnival

The St Pius X School Athletics Carnival will take place next Tuesday 25th March on the school oval.

Students are to wear their school sports uniform (team colours). All students must also have a school hat. Please ensure that all students also have a water bottle.                                                                                   

Parents and families are encouraged to come along and support students, but will be required to remain in the designated viewing area. Please be mindful of supervising younger students on the oval. If families wish to stay to have lunch with their children, they are more than welcome to meet on the oval.

9.00-11.00- Year 3-6 Carnival, Prep-2 remain in class as per normal.

11.40-1.40- Year Prep-2 Carnival, Year 3-6 remain in class as per normal

2.30-3.20- Whole School Events, Prep-Year 6

Afternoon session 2.30 -3.30.

All year levels will be on the oval, competing in relays followed by all presentations.

Easter Raffle

The Easter Raffle will be drawn on the last day of this term.  Don't forget to get your raffle tickets back to school as soon as possible.  Thank you to all those who have returned their tickets and money already.  If anyone would like extra books please ask at the office.

Thank you also to those families who have kindly donated Easter items or who have given cash donations via the CDF  Pay App.  Your generosity is very much appreciated.         

Raffle prize baskets will be made up early next week, so any further donations will be greatly accepted by the end of school tomorrow.  Thank You.

Parents & Friends News

Our wonderful Parents and Friends have been offered an opportunity to raise much needed funds for the school. The Pickleball community has reached out to see if we would be interested in running a canteen for a tournament they are hosting at the Arc on the long weekend in June. (6th-8th of June).  This would entail parents volunteering and giving up their time to fill some shifts. 

The tournament will run over the three days Fri, Sat, Sun from 10am-3.30pm so we envisage the shifts would be 3 hours in duration -  9.30-12-30 and 12-30-3.30.  Before we commit to this we are sending out an Expression of Interest Google Form to gauge whether we will have enough volunteers to run the canteen.

We understand that everyone's time is precious and that this isn't something everyone can do, however, any support would be greatly appreciated. 

Google Form: https://forms.gle/K29Tva321TMeUena6

Mothers/Special Person's Breakfast - Save the Date!

The CDF Pay App will be open to take orders and payments from this Monday, 24th March.

The cost for breakfast is $5.00 per person (including students).

If you are having any issues with accessing or using the CDF PAY App please call Bec in the office.

The Foundation Files

Foundation Get Together

On Tuesday, we spent the evening with our Grade 6 buddies at Lake Pertobe. We were so excited to see our friends and buddies and have a play on the playground together. While our parents relaxed in the sunshine and enjoyed their dinner, we explored the playground together. We climbed, ran around, kicked the footy and even went down the really big slide. We sure had a lot of fun! 

Hailey - I loved playing on the playground with Charlotte. 

Theodore - I went on the big slide with my sister who is in Grade 1. 

George Roll - I went on the slide with Murphy and kicked the footy with George W. 

Olivia - I went on the big slide with my Grade 6 buddy, Maggie. 

Sophia - I played on the swing with my friend Livinia. 

1,2,3… we can write numbers

Since beginning school we have been learning lots about numbers. We have been working hard with our whiteboards to practice writing our numbers making sure we start in the right spot and go the right way. We can find it tricky when we are writing 2, 3 and 4 because sometimes they are backwards. We have learnt a little story for each number to help us remember how to write them. When we write the number 2 we say ‘half a heart and then add a shoe, every time it’s number two.’ We have improved so much with our number writing and we are so proud of our efforts. Check out Tully, West, Zara, Karvie and Remie with their whiteboards. Well done everyone!

Days of the Week

This week we have been learning lots about time, when things happen and the names of the days of the week. We know that there are weekdays and a weekend. We know that the weekend days are Saturday and Sunday. We are always busy doing different things on different days. Here are some peoples favourite days and why they love them.

Ellie - My favourite is Friday because we have Show and Tell.

Macsen - My favourite day is Friday because we play Gaga.

Magnus - My favourite day is Thursday because we have Japanese.

Tessa - My favourite day is Monday because we have Sport. 

Ezra - My favourite day is Sunday because it is the weekend. 

Joanne - My favourite day is Tuesday because we go to DT. 

Foundation Lenten Liturgy

We are getting ready to host and lead our whole school Lenten liturgy next Friday, 28th March. This will take place in the Church at 3pm. Some students will be helping to process in with our sacred symbols, others may have a special reading (this will be in our green reading logs in our reader bag so that we can practice at home) or job to do and all of us will be leading the community with our songs. We invite all of our families and friends to join us in this celebration. 

The Hare that Cares

School Closure Days 2025

Thurs 24th April – Southern Zone Collaboration Day (DOBCEL determined date)

Fri 30th May – School Review 

Mon 2nd June – School Review 

Fri 29th August – School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)

Mon 6th October – Structured Literacy 

Fri 7th November  – Religious Education 

Breakfast Club

Thank you to all involved in the co-ordination, set up and serving of breakfast and to our sponsors Western District Foodshare and Woolworths Dennington who supply all the food items. 

Breakfast Club is on every Wednesday from 8.20am in the Function Room.  

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

The following students are celebrating their birthdays over the coming week:

Brooklynn McArthur & Brooklyn Murray.

Toy Donations Required!

Canteen Roster for next week.

Before & After School Care.

Important Dates.

Thursday 20th March - SAC meeting 7.30pm Tonight

Friday 21st March - Walking school bus

                                         Assembly 3pm - Church

Monday 24th March - Reconciliation Formation Day - Emmanuel College

Tuesday, 25th March - School Sports Day

Wed-Fri 26th-28th March - 5/6 Swimming Program 

Monday 31st March - 5/6 Swimming Program 

Wednesday 2nd April - 5/6 Swimming Program 

Thursday 3rd April - Reconciliation Sacrament

Friday 4th April - Last Day of Term 1

Friday 4th April - Assembly

Monday 21st April -Easter Monday Public Holiday

Tuesday 22nd April - First Day Term 2

Thursday 24th April - Closure Day - Southern Zone Collaboration Day (DOBCEL determined date)

Friday 25th April - ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Monday 28th April - Confirmation Parent Meeting (7pm St Joseph's church)

Tuesday 29th April - School Photo Day

Wednesday 30th April - Cross Country

Thursday 1st May - May Races Public Holiday

Free Uniforms!

If you are looking for some good quality second hand uniforms, we currently have a display set up in the foyer area near the office.  You are welcome to come in anytime and have a look through what we have.   Items include summer dresses, shorts, pants, shirts etc. in various sizes.  All items are FREE to take.

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/ 

West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House - Calendar of Events