July 24th 2025
- Acknowledgement of Country
- A Prayer for our Grandparents and the Elderly
- A Note from our Principal
- Naplan Reports
- Book Week Celebrations
- Carpark safety
- First Eucharist Term 3
- Footy Tipping Update
- 2026 Enrolments
- REMINDER: Parent/Guardian/Carers Code of Conduct to be signed ASAP
- This is Me!
- AFL Auskick/Superkick @ St. Pius X
- The Arts
- Foundation Files
- Teeth on Wheels - Term 3
- RDA Warrnambool - Can you help?
- Breakfast Club - Wednesday
- Important Dates.
- Remaining School Closure Days 2025
- Canteen Roster for Week 2 Term 3
- Seaside Community Kitchen Update
- Before & After School Care.
- Free Uniforms!
- School Uniform Prices
- Parish Contact.
- West Warrnambool Neighbourhood House - Calendar of Events
Acknowledgement of Country
The St Pius X Parish School Community acknowledges the Gunditjmara / Marr Nation people who have educated children on these lands for thousands of years.
A Prayer for our Grandparents and the Elderly
Loving God,
We give thanks for the grandparents and elders who guide us with wisdom and love.
May we listen deeply to their stories and honour their experiences.
Help us grow in compassion and build a community where all generations are cherished.
Bless them with peace, strength, and the knowledge that they are deeply loved.
Amen
Sunday 27th Sunday is the Feast Day for St Anne and St Joachim who are traditionally seen as the Grandparents of Jesus.
It is also the day for World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
A Note from our Principal
Ngata families,
Welcome back to Term 3! It’s been wonderful to see our students return full of energy, enthusiasm and ready to embrace the term ahead. The school grounds have been buzzing with excitement and classrooms are already filled with focused learning and positive vibes.
A big shout-out to all our students who have started the term by demonstrating our SWPBS core values of being Respectful, Safe, and Responsible. It's always encouraging to see these values lived out across the school, and we’re looking forward to recognising some of these outstanding efforts at our assembly tomorrow.
Although this is a shorter nine-week term, it’s shaping up to be a very busy and exciting one. We have a number of key events to look forward to, including Pastoral Care Day, the celebration of the First Eucharist sacrament, the Year 1/2 excursion to Werribee Zoo, and the Year 5/6 camp at Roses Gap. We’ll also celebrate St Pius X Day, enjoy the fun of Book Week dress-up and gather together for our Father’s / Special Person’s Day breakfast.
We can’t wait to share all these experiences with our students and families. Thank you for your continued support, here’s to a happy and productive term ahead!
Kind regards,
Nick Murrell
Principal
Naplan Reports
Today your child will bring home their NAPLAN report. Enclosed in the envelope is a letter from Nick and a "How to Read the Report' Guide. As stated in the letter, these results reflect each student’s performance at a single point in time only, that is on the day they completed NAPLAN. Teachers are continually assessing your child's performance at school and are making appropriate adjustments to suit their learning needs. If you have any queries regarding the report, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher.
Book Week Celebrations
Every parent's favourite week is fast approaching! This year our Book Week celebration will be held on WEDNESDAY, 20th AUGUST. Students are invited (but are not required) to dress up as their favourite book character. This year's theme is "Book an Adventure". There will be a whole school parade followed by some art activities. We invite all parents/carers/special people to attend this event. Please do not feel the need to make any special purchases. There will be some costumes available in the foyer on the morning of the event.
Carpark safety
Parents are reminded that the only place where children are supervised after school is at the entrance to the school (the circle) and the crossing into the carpark.
This is the safest place for children to wait.
We are currently unable to supervise children that wait near the church carpark. Children who are near the church passed 3.40pm will need to come and wait at the front of the school. Thanks for your support.
A special Request......
A resident from Humphrey's Street has asked if drivers could please be mindful when parking and driving over the nature strips particularly after rain, as there has been damage done to the grass over the past few weeks. Thank you for your consideration.
First Eucharist Term 3
The preparation time for First Eucahrist will begin NEXT WEEK. This sacrament is for those students who have already celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation. For most students, they will be in Grade 4, but it is open to other children who may have missed this opportunity.
To begin the preparation, parents/carers and their child will be invited to attend a family formation session on Tuesday July 29th at 7pm. This meeting will be at St Joseph’s Church, Fairy Street.
The preparation of this Sacrament includes a formation day at school. Candidates from all of the Network Catholic schools will participate in a Formation Day to be held here at St Pius X - in the Hall and the function room. This is to occur on Tuesday August 5th. 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 24th, at 9am 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:
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Kind Regards,
Stacey Atkins satkins@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au
Key dates for First Eucharist
- Family Formation Session
Tuesday 29th July, 7pm, St Joseph’s Church, Fairy Street.
- Network Formation Day
Tuesday 5th August, St Pius X (school supported)
- Presentation of Candidates at Mass
Sunday 10th August, 9am
- Sacrament of First Eucharist
Sunday 24th August, 9am
Footy Tipping Update
Here is the latest update as we get to pointy end of the tipping season
The top 5 this week are:
- Mr Murrell
- Tip Rat
- Liam
- Ms Atkins
- Edward Coverdale
Good luck for the remaining 5 rounds!
2026 Enrolments
Do you know someone looking for a great school in 2026? Word of mouth is the best way to let people know about our wonderful school. Please encourage anyone who might be interested to contact the school for a private tour.
REMINDER: Parent/Guardian/Carers Code of Conduct to be signed ASAP
As a DOBCEL school, we are required to have all Parents/Guardians/Carers sign a Code of Conduct as part of the Enrolment Agreement. This Code of Conduct is a guide to the expected conduct and behaviour of all Parents/Guardians/Carers while in all school environments, engaging in school-related activities or representing the school. This document has been written in the context of new enrolments, but is to be utilised for all current enrolments as well.
A copy of this document was sent out electronically through PAM to all Parents/Guardians/Carers. Please take the time to read and acknowledge your acceptance of the terms and conditions listed.
Thank you to those who have already signed their Codes of Conduct. We still have about half of our families yet to do so. It is an important part of our school's Compliance regulations that this document is read and signed by all Parents/Carers. It would be appreciated if this could be attended to as soon as possible. Please contact the office if you are unable to access the document in PAM. Thank you for your assistance.
This is Me!
On Friday 1st August, we will be running our termly Pastoral Care Day. Our focus for this day is This is Me!, learning about our uniqueness, acceptance of each other and self-confidence. To celebrate each student's uniqueness we are encouraging them to come to school in anything that represents them which could include casual clothes, sports uniforms, dress ups etc. Please remember to ensure your child has appropriate footwear for the day.
AFL Auskick/Superkick @ St. Pius X
This program is starting next week here at St Pius X - First session Monday, 28th July
Please see the flyer below. Everyone is welcome to join.
The Arts
During the final few weeks of term 2, Grade 5 and 6 students completed a portrait of someone they admire. Many of these students decided to enter their work in The Young Portrait Prize at the Warrnambool Art Gallery. These finished portraits were delivered over the holidays.
If your child is not in grade 5 or 6 they can still enter by picking up an Artboard at the Warrnambool Art Gallery.
Entries close at 5pm on the 15th August.
Exhibition dates are from Saturday 23rd August - Sunday 19th October.
I will collect our work after the 24th October and return it to students as soon as possible.
Here is a taste of some of our incredible work.
Foundation Files
Welcome Murishe and Munoshamisa!
This week we have welcomed two new students into the Foundation classroom. Murishe and Munoshamisa Jinga are twins who have moved to Warrnambool with their family from Edenhope. They are both 5 years old and their birthday is in August.
Here are some things we have learnt about them both:
- Murishe
- Favourite colour: Red
- Favourite food: Pizza
- Favourite TV Show: Paw Patrol
- Favourite thing to do at school: Skipping Outside
- Friends I have made: Tommy and Samuel
- Munoshamisa
- Favourite colour: Pink
- Favourite food: Broccoli
- Favourite TV Show: Unicorns
- Favourite thing to do at school: Monkey Bars
- Friends I have made: Tessa and Charlotte
Murishe & Munoshamisa
Dotted Thirds - Blowing our minds!
Term 3 is always an exciting term because we really see all the learning taking place but nothing is more exciting than when we get to move our writing onto dotted thirds. That’s exactly what has happened this week - we are writing in our dotted thirds books! We have learnt lots of things about the baseline, magic line and high lines and which letters start and sit where. We know that this is a ‘work in progress’ but we are proud of ourselves so far.
Adding groups.
So far this year we have loved learning anything that includes numbers whether it’s a game, a counting strategy or even how we write them. This term we have started off learning about addition and how we can put two groups together to find a total. When we are adding two groups together we know that we can ‘count on’ from the biggest part instead of having to count them all. We are getting very clever! This week we have been making up our own addition stories using lollipops, crayons, straws and even some raspberry twisters (not real ones, we just pretend!) Here are some of the addition stories we have created this week.
Teeth on Wheels - Term 3
It's not too late to get your child booked in for a dental check up. Please click on the following link to access a copy of the consent form.
RDA Warrnambool - Can you help?
RDA Warrnambool is seeking new volunteers to help provide our therapeutic riding services.
Volunteers must be aged at least 12 years of age and have a Working with Children Check (checks are free for volunteers).
Our rides are conducted on Wednesday mornings of school terms and no previous horse experience is necessary.
If interested please contact us at rdawarrnambool@gmail.com
Breakfast Club - Wednesday
Students, please join us for some yummy toast, fruit and cereal each Wednesday morning at Breakfast Club.
Breakfast club is open from 8:20am - 8:55am in the Function Room.
With thanks to our sponsors Western District Foodshare and Woolworths and to our fantastic parent helpers.
Important Dates.
Friday, 25th July: Assembly 3pm - Church
Monday, 28th July: Auskick @ St. Pius 4pm - 5pm
Tuesday, 29th July: Parent Information Session - Eucharist 7pm
Friday, 1st August: Pastoral Care Day
Monday, 4th August: PSG Meetings
Tuesday, 5th August: PSG Meetings
Tuesday, 5th August: Eucharist Formation Day
Tuesday, 5th August: Parents and Friends Meeting meet.google.com/cxb-znrd-grv
Thursday, 7th August: PSG Meetings
Friday, 8th August: PSG Meetings
Friday, 8th August: Assembly 3pm
Sunday, 10th August: Eucharist Candidate Presentation 9am
Friday, 8th August: PSG Meetings
Thursday, 14th August: PSG Meetings
Friday, 15th August: PSG Meetings
Wednesday, 20th August: Book Week Dress Up
Thursday, 21st August: St. Pius Feast Day
Friday, 22nd August: Assembly 3pm
Sunday, 24th August: Eucharist Sacrament
Thursday, 28th August: 1/2 Werribee Zoo Excursion
Friday, 29th August: School Closure Day
Remaining School Closure Days 2025
Fri 29th August – School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)
Mon 6th October – Structured Literacy
Fri 7th November – Religious Education
Canteen Roster for Week 2 Term 3
| Tuesday, 29th July | Jessica McKenzie |
| Wednesday, 30th July | Aliesha Williamson |
| Thursday, 31st July | Ruby De Bono |
| Friday, 1st August | Merryn Payne |
Seaside Community Kitchen Update
Before & After School Care.
Please see below for the end of term newsletter.
We remind everyone about TheirCare, our outside school hours care provider. Bookings can be made at https://theircare.com.au/
Please select St Pius X Warrnambool as the booking location.
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.
School Uniform Prices
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
