March 27th, 2025

Acknowledgement of Country

Prayer

Fourth Week of Lent

We pray for those driven away from their homes by violence, persecution or poverty, especially women.

May our hearts be open to do all we can to rebuild the lives of others through supporting Caritas Australia and the work of Project Compassion.

May we be instruments of God’s peace and pilgrims of hope.

Amen

Amen

Irene lives in the Kongolo Region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and faced immense challenges after losing her father to war and raising her children in poverty. With support from Caritas Australia, Irene received vocational training in sewing and farming and can now support her whole family.

A Note from our Principal

Ngata families, 

What an incredible Sports Day we had this past Tuesday! It was truly a day to remember, filled with energy, enthusiasm and teamwork. Our students displayed outstanding sportsmanship, encouraging each other to do their best and having fun in the process. It was wonderful to see such a positive atmosphere throughout the day, with every student giving their all in every event.

The competition was fierce and it was evident in the final results. With only 6 points separating first and third place in the overall team scores, it was clear that every point mattered and that each team put forth their very best effort. This close result highlights the spirit of healthy competition and collaboration that makes our school community so special.

A huge thank you to all the families and members of our wider school community who came along to support the students. Your presence and encouragement added so much to the day and we’re grateful for your involvement.

I’m incredibly proud of how our students showcased not only their athletic abilities but also their fantastic teamwork and encouragement of each other. Well done to everyone for making this Sports Day such a success!

Kind regards,

Nick Murrell

Principal

Short Week to Start Term 2 - Public Holidays and Staff Professional Development

The first week of Term 2 includes two public holidays Easter Monday and ANZAC Day (Friday). In addition to this Thursday, April 24th will be a DOBCEL determined school closure day. 

Please see below for a break down of Week 1 Term 2:

• Monday April 21st: Easter Monday (No school)
  
• Tuesday April 22nd: First day of Term 2
• Wednesday April 23rd: Normal school day (All students F-6)
  
• Thursday, April 24th: School Closure Day (No school) - Presentation of the DOBCEL Strategy 2035, titled "Pursuing Fullness of Life for All." This comprehensive plan aims to enhance the performance of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Ballarat over the next decade. The strategy will be presented to all staff members of DOBCEL schools by Executive Director, Tom Sexton, throughout Term 2. All schools in the Southern Zone will gather at St Joseph's Primary School, Warrnambool, on April 24th to ensure everyone in the Zone has a clear understanding of this strategy and its vision. This day will be a School Closure Day for all schools in the Southern Zone. The full Executive Summary of the DOBCEL 2035 Strategy is available on the DOBCEL website or hard copies can be obtained from the school office. 
• Friday, April 25th: ANZAC Day (No school)
  

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Next Thursday evening, Grade 6 students from St. Pius X, St. John's Dennington, and St. Patrick's Koroit will come together to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.

📍 Where: St. Pius X Church
📅 When: Thursday, April 3rd, 6:00 PM

We extend our congratulations to the students who have been preparing for this important milestone and will soon take part in this sacrament.

• Darcy O'Shnnassy
• Liam Norton
• Lincoln Steffensen
• Blake Harzmeyer
• Emily Bertrand
• Rosie Kelly
• Lennox Schrama-Willmot
• Massie Corbet
• Josie Foard
• Thomas Nguyen

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.     

A big thank you to Kimberley Lack who has made up the prize baskets today, they look fantastic!  

St. Pius X - School Athletics Carnival Results

2025 St Pius X School Athletics Results

12 Yr Girls

1st Luella Rylance and Maggie Corbett

2nd Sienna Sharples and Estelle Williamson

3rd Chelsea Astbury

12 Yr Boys

1st Thomas Nguyen

2nd Levi Delaney

3rd Darcy O’Shannassy

11 Yr Girls

1st Victoria Balash

2nd Maddison Lenehan

3rd Lilah Jacobs

11 Yr Boys

1st Jimmy Van Rooy

2nd Sol McInerney and Saxon Emeny

3rd German Van Jarsveldt

10 Yr Girls

1st Lacey O’Shannassy

2nd Stephanie Murphy

3rd Annika Marshall

10 Yr Boys

1st Zac Brisbane

2nd Jayden Farley and Tyler Hunt

3rd  Zach Francis and Joseph McKenzie

9 Yr Girls

1st Minty Dare

2nd Evie Brisbane

3rd Indi-Rose Meyer

9 Yr Boys

1st Jensen Blythe

2nd Kaden Pulham and Mitchell Payne

3rd Reg Parkinson

8 Yr Girls

1st Maniah Roads

2nd Harriet Dufty

3rd Quinn Geyer Fox and Lucy Keegan

8 Yr Boys

1st Carter Searle

2nd Ethan Jacobs and Leo Walsh

3rd Henry Johnson, Lochie McKenna and Louie Miller

7 Yr Girls

1st Isla- May McCue, Georgia Woodhams and Zola O’Flaherty

2nd Isla Storrie

3rd Hadley LeCerf

7 Yr Boys 

1st Jackson Watson and Harrison Keegan

2nd Theo Widjekoon 

3rd Kion Hangawatha

5/6 Yr Boys

1st Tommy Brown

2nd Karvie Armistead

3rd Theodore Bowman

5/6 Yr Girls

1st Livina Foreman

2nd Olivia Dwyer

3rd Joanne George

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Health Reminder

As communicated previously, we have had a small number of cases of both school sores (impetigo) and influenza at our school. In accordance with advice from the Victorian Department of Health and school policy, the following exclusion periods apply:

• Impetigo (School Sores): Exclude until appropriate treatment has commenced. Sores on exposed surfaces must be covered with a watertight dressing.
• Influenza & Influenza-like Illnesses: Exclude until well.

If your child shows any symptoms of these illnesses, please seek medical advice and notify the school promptly. This helps us manage the situation and protect the health of our school community.

We are currently encouraging our students to practice good hygiene by promoting behaviours such as: Washing hands regularly, using hand sanitizer, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning desks, avoiding sharing personal items and staying healthy. 

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Expressions of Interest - P&F Initiative

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

Grade 3/4 Bike Ed

A reminder to Grade 3/4 parents and carers that Bike Ed will be taking place next week on Monday 31st March and Tuesday 1st April and we will be staying on the school grounds.

In preparation for this event, we are hoping for bikes to be pulled out, dusted off, tyres pumped, brakes tested and an all round check of the bike. 

On these days, we will be running under the assumption that bikes and helmets may be borrowed for the practical sessions. If you would NOT like another student to use your child's bike / helmet please contact your child's classroom teacher.

If you are unable to access a bike or helmet on these days please contact your classroom teacher as a spare will be able to be organised. If you can bring a helmet but no bike, please bring along the helmet to reduce sharing of helmets.

Bikes can be dropped at the function room from 8:15am on Monday and picked up from the function room from 3pm on Tuesday. If possible, please make sure the student's name is on both helmet and bike (we can do this at school but much easier if done at home).

Students are required to wear their sports uniform and white t-shirt for these days, shorts are ideal rather than skirts or dresses.

Thank you for supporting Bike Ed. Please speak to your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

Jake Bacon, Sara Graham & David White

The Foundation Files

School Sports

On Tuesday, there was so much excitement. The face paint was on! There were flags flying high! Everywhere there was a sea of colours - green, red, blue and yellow! It was our very first school sports day…..and we had no idea of what was coming but we were ready for lots of fun!

The girls went one way and the boys went another. We ran, jumped and threw lots of fun things. We had a great day……..Goooo Green Team!!!

Project Compassion

We know that we are in the season of Lent and that we are asked to ‘Give’ to others through Project Compassion. Project Compassion is an initiative run by Caritas Australia who help communities in need all around the world. Our Mini Vinnies group have challenged us to try and raise the most money before the end of the term. We have some great supporters of this cause and we’d love to see more Preppies get on board. Bring in a coin or two or rattle the money box at home or with your extended family. Congratulations to George Walsh, Charlotte Sproules and Tommy Brown who have already bought in some fantastic donations. 

Foundation Lenten Liturgy

Don’t forget that tomorrow, Friday, 28th March is our Lenten liturgy. This will take place in the Church at 3pm. We’d love to see you there.

Foundation Learn and Play Day

We are looking forward to seeing a few Preppies come along to school next Wednesday. We will learn all about Pedestrian safety and then have a play at Pecten Avenue Playground! Don’t forget to let us know if you can make it via PAM.

News from the Junior Pod

This term in 1/2 we have been learning all about history. This week we had a visit from artifacts from the Melbourne Museum. An artifact is an object made by a human being, one of cultural or historical interest.

I learnt about what toys were made for kids in the olden days. (Maniah)

I enjoyed learning about all the old toys, especially the spinning top. (Ashveer)

My favourite toy was the elastics.  It was from the 1960s. (Ethan J)

My favourite was the peg dolls. They were from 1850s. (Isla-May)

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

The CDF Pay App is now open to take orders and payments.

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.

Mini Vinnies - The Hare that Cares

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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 - Hot Cross Buns!

Breakfast Club is well and truly up and running with lots of hungry tummies being filled on Wednesday mornings before a big day of school. A huge thankyou to Sarah and Virginia who volunteer their time to ensure this program can run and that every student has the opportunity to have breakfast before school! 

Next Wednesday, in preparation for Easter we will be having yummy HOT CROSS BUNS! Be sure to get here early next week to make sure you don’t miss out!  

Breakfast club is open from 8:20am - 8:55am

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

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

Joanne George, Ashveer Singh, Chloe Harzmeyer, Peyton Levett and Zach Francis.

Canteen Roster for next week.

Class Awards Week 8

Toy Donations Required!

Before & After School Care.

Important Dates.

Fri 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