June 23rd, 2022

Acknowledgement of Country

Prayer

A Note from our Principal

Ngata Families & Friends,

How quickly we have come to the end of our first semester! After two years of uncertainty it has been wonderful to have a predictable routine again in the school over these first 6 months. I thank everyone in our school community, students, staff and families for the perseverance shown through the times of higher transmission of COVID and flu. These illnesses will continue to be a factor as we move through Winter, but in partnership we will continue to maintain learning for our children.

At the end of this week substantial changes have been made to the COVID regulations that will affect families as we begin the new term, and these are detailed in our regular column later in the newsletter.  A letter from Tom Sexton the Executive Director of Catholic Education in the Ballarat Diocese will be shared with families tomorrow.  

Any families who will be joining in the preparation for First Eucharist are asked to register their intended participation with the link that is included in the relevant article later in this nessletter.

I hope everyone in our school community enjoys the term break and that it provides a ‘reset’ for the beginning of Term 3.

Joe Ewing

Principal

End of Term Arrangements

Don’t forget that tomorrow is the final day of Term 2. Classes finish at 2.30pm.

Sympathies

We extend our sympathies to Mrs Rachel Brown and her family. Mrs Brown’s grandmother died in the past week in Werribee.

Thanks Mrs Dowling

Tomorrow is the final day for Mrs Alanna Dowling as classroom teacher in the SP4 class. Over Terms 1 & 2 Alanna has replaced Ms Lisa Gardner who has been on maternity leave and will be returning at the beginning of Term 3 to work on Thursdays and Fridays in SP4. We have been very fortunate to again have Alanna as part of our staff team as we always benefit from her experience and knowledge. Thanks Mrs Dowling!

Mrs Walsh's Maternity Leave

We will also be saying goodbye and good luck to Mrs Shree Walsh who will begin maternity leave from the third week of next Term. There will be a minor adjustment to cover Mrs Walsh’s absence from JP5 with Ms Sam O’Keefe taking over the whole week in the classroom. We wish Sheree and her husband Ben all the best as they prepare for this exciting time.

School Reports & Assessment

Thanks to all families who were able to attend the Learning Conversations that were held over the past three days. These conversations are the central part of our reporting process and it has been wonderful for our staff to be able to again have these face to face after the experience of enforced Google Meets in the past 2 years. Many families will have taken the report documents and learning journals home again after the Learning Conversations. We ask that these be returned early in Term 3 so that these can begin to be prepared for the end of the school year.

Please note that families who usually access a translator for these meetings will have their Learning Conversation scheduled at the beginning of Term 3.

New Child Safety Standards

The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing and replace the previous standards which came into effect in 2016.

St Pius X has reviewed and updated our child safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. These will be available to view on the school website from the beginning of Term 3.

We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices. For more information, visit:

https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/news/new-child-safe-standards-start-in-victoria-on-1-july-2022-to-better-protect-children/  

If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact Joe Ewing.

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week will be observed from July 3 - 10 during the second week of the school holidays. This week Mrs Keeley created a NAIDOC display in the windows of our board room, with the slogan 'Get up! Stand up! Show up!

Make sure you check it out as you're entering our carpark from Ross Street.

Also, a big thank you to Layla and Kate van Dijk who lent some of their personal artwork to the 5/6s NAIDOC week display in the senior pod. The artwork is by local Gunditjmara artist, Kristy DeBono. Kristy work goes by the name of Kokaiar Art. Kokaiar in Peek Whurrong language means Little Sister/Cousin.

Hot off the Prep Press!

Congratulations to all the Preps for the amazing efforts that they have contributed to their learning for the first half of the year. It is incredible to think that you have learnt so much and have made so many friends with each other over such a short time. You have made your parents AND your teachers so very proud of each and every one of you. Enjoy your holidays and we look forward to next term with lots more exciting activities that are planned for all of us to enjoy and learn and grow. 

Here’s just four of our amazing Prep’s who can tell us what they have learnt…..

Zahra - I love counting at school and I have learnt how to count to 10 but I can also count to 100!!

Alfie - I love going to Digital Technologies because I get to play games on the I-pad.

Lachlan - It is very important to listen to others and it's also important to listen to the safety norms and the happiness norms and the learning.

Letty - I love learning to read. I know lots more words and I know more letters and sounds.

Year 5/6 Camp Health Precautions

July 13th - 15th is the Yr 5/6 Urban Camp to Melbourne. This is sure to be a great experience for our senior students and we thank the senior teachers for their organisation. One of the most important parts of organising a camp like this is to make sure that the medical and health needs of students are planned for and catered for. If any senior family has not yet communicated these needs either through PAM or through the camp consents this needs to be done tomorrow please.

Whilst COVID 19 is having increasingly less influence on school activities, there are still some important points that need to be observed for the Melbourne Camp:

• Students and Staff are required to test for COVID using a rapid antigen test on the evening before or the morning of the camp (if you require additional RAT kits, please contact the school).
  
• As per current Government Health and Safety regulations, all students and staff are required to wear a mask whilst travelling on the bus.
• Students or staff who become symptomatic whilst on camp will be required to isolate and arrangements will be made with families for the symptomatic person to be transported back to Warrnambool.
• School staff are not permitted to conduct a rapid antigen test on students.
  
• Symptoms that staff will watch for include:
  • fever
  • chills or sweats
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • shortness of breath
  • runny nose
  • loss or change in sense of smell or taste.
  • Some people may also experience headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Close contacts of symptomatic students or staff (those who are sharing a room) will be required to wear a mask whilst indoors.

A hard copy note has been sent to all senior families as a further reminder of these important points.

Warrnambool Eisteddfod

Congratulations to all our Eisteddfod students as each one of them helped our school to win the overall Primary School Aggregate in Speech and Drama for 2022. Awesome effort. We were also elated to hear that some of our students were placed in the overall Individual Primary School Aggregate.

1st  -  Maya Knell (Woodford) & Charlea MacLeod (St. Pius)

2nd -  Piper Kenna (St. Thomas) & James Turner (St. Pius)

3rd  -  Summer Farley (St. Pius)

News from the shed - Hands on Learning

Student of the Week - Jag Rylance

We love having Jag working in the shed as part of the Hands on Learning Program. He displays initiative, perseverance, leadership and is always willing to help others. Every week he comes into the shed with a smile on his face and always thanks the adults he has been working with. He has developed so many skills in the shed and we are amazed by what he can construct and build. 

RDA Warrnambool

It is great to see so many skills our students are developing while riding horses that the RDA have kindly organised for our students. Many other primary and secondary schools are keen to join this great initiative, with Hawksdale the next to come on board. The program involves familarisation with horses, caring for horses, learning to ride, as well as education in simple equestrian concepts. Students are able to have a new experience in a real world context that requires physical coordination, develop communication skills, confidence and emotional regulation and to also have ENJOYMENT AND FUN.

Annie

This week a number of our students are starring in the Primary Performers' production of Annie  Good Luck to our stars.   A number of people from our community will be attending and can't wait for this great performance.

L to R: Jack (Billy Idol), Anna (Chauffeur), Peretta (Molly -a main orphan) & Lincoln (Dog catcher)

Canteen Reminders

As we come to the end of term there are a number of reminders in regards to our canteen:

1. Our menu has been updated. Please click the link below to access the Term 3 menu.

3. The canteen will be closed tomorrow (last day of term).   NO LUNCH ORDERS

School Enrolments for 2023

Our main enrolment application period has now come to a close, with families being offered a place for Prep.  This gives the school and families an opportunity to finalise preliminary numbers for 2022.  However, enrolments will continue to be accepted across Term 3.

ReLATE Student Survey

Our school is currently implementing the ReFraming Learning and Teaching Environments model. This model is being evaluated by Monash University in partnership with its provider - the MacKillop Institute. As part of this process, Monash university is inviting you to complete a survey with your Yr 4-6 child(ren). It is completely anonymous and voluntary.

There are 21 questions about safety, school environment and the teaching relationships that your child(ren) experiences. Our school will receive a report based on the findings that will be distributed.

Please use the link below with your child if they fall into the Yr 4-6 age range.

First Eucharist

Early next term the opportunity will be open to students who are ready to receive their First Eucharist.  For the St Pius X community this is usually (but not limited to) Year 4 students who have been Baptised & Confirmed.  A family formation evening will be held on the evening of July 20th for all children and parents who will be taking part.

The dates for Eucharist are as follows:

July 20th Formation Meeting 7.00pm

July 25th Family Group 1

July 31st Children presented at Mass 10.00am

August 1st Family Group 2

August 7th Children’s pictures displayed in the Church

August 8th Family Group 3

August 14th Prayer scrolls distributed at Mass

August 15th Family Group 4

August 21st Sacrament of Eucharist 10.00am

All families who intend to participate in this preparation are required to register their child using the enrolment form which can be accessed using the link below.

The Jungle Book Kids is Coming!

Before and After School Care

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.

School Fees & Levies

Last week statements were posted to all families who may have an outstanding balance.  The statements are a means of letting you know your balance should you be making regular payments.  They also serve as a reminder to families who have yet to make a start on their fees.

It is an expectation that all fees and levies will be addressed by the beginning of November.

Remember, as always should you wish to discuss your account or make alternate arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact Anne at the office.

Traffic Update

As you will know we have increased the number of speed signs that are visible in our car park. some feedback has alerted us to an extra sign being required for visibility. Thanks to our School Advisory Council for their attention to this important safety issue.

Check your speedo as you enter the carpark - you might be going faster than you realise!

Crisis Meals

Each week a volunteers has been rostered to provide a freezable meal to our school to be distributed to a family experiencing hardship, grief or unforeseen circumstances.

The volunteer for this week is Madeleine Woodward.

The upcoming roster is below. More volunteers are always welcome!

Ideally meals should be easy to freeze & serve, and should be labelled so that the type meal can be easily identified. Any other families wishing to volunteer can now do so by calling the office directly. Meals can be dropped to the office.

Second Hand Uniforms

Families seeking low cost uniform items are welcome to contact Angela Verspay (mum to Dylan and Finn) who has stock of many donated uniform items. Ph: 0477660119.

Recently we have had a call on  second hand uniforms.  We are desperately in need of larger sizes to replenish our stock.  If you have any school uniform clothing in reasonable condition we would very much appreciate your support.  Please contact Angela if you are in a position to assist.

Breakfast Club

Every Wednesday from 8:15 breakfast will be available in the function room for any students that would like to have some breakfast before the school day starts! Everyone is more than welcome to come along, even if they have already had breakfast at home. It is a great initiative supported by FoodShare who provide fruit, yoghurt, cereal and yummy toast. 

Thanks  to our parent volunteers Maddy and Tracey.

Footy Tipping

I have been inundated with Essendon supporters who saw Friday's win coming. They are better judges of form than me!

Bluesfan17 continues to edge out paddyvdc and Shahne7. We hope Shahne keeps her mind on footy tipping while she's in Queensland! There's no room for any mis-tips!

The Woodwards are moving nicely into a powerful position in the leaderboard with 2 jokers up their sleeves.

A dark horse who is often among the leaders is jamiew3. My prediction is that Jamie could be one of the tipping disrupters over the final third of the season.

Well done to Scott Kelly and Darren Edge, our top tippers from the round with 5 correct selections each!

Don't forget to tip over the school holidays.

Thanks to our generous sponsor:

Bojangles Pizzeria Restaurant

61 Liebig St

Warrnambool

5562 0666

Parish Contact

Sunday Mass 10.30 @ 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/ 

Upcoming Dates

Tomorrow: Final day of Term 2. Final bell 2.30pm

Jul 11 Term 3 begins

Jul 13 Year 5/6 camp to Melbourne

Jul 18 Dental van visit

Parents & Friends Meeting 7.30pm

Jul 20 Eucharist Family Meeting

Jul 27 Musica Viva performance

Jul 28 School Advisory Council meeting 7.30pm

Aug 8 Feast of St Mary MacKillop

Aug 19 St Pius X feast celebration

Aug 21 St Pius X feast day

Aug 25 School Advisory Council meeting 7.30pm

Aug 29 Parents & Friends meeting 7.30pm

Sep 8 Pupil Free Day: Staff Professional Learning

Sep 14 School Production: The Jungle Book Kids

School Canteen Roster

On the Journey. Rejection, Acceptance & Doubt.

For me, travel has changed a lot in the past 30 years. Firstly I don’t get lost any more, my phone reminds me where I am. I remember my first couple of trips to Melbourne with the Melways (Are they still printing these?) on my lap or on the passenger seat, pulling over every so often to check the name of the street I was looking for. I also remember the anxiety of a long drive with dwindling fuel, calling into service stations in small country towns at night, only to find them closed. Thankfully the fuel gauge on my current car is far more reliable.

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is on a journey to Jerusalem and has his own travel difficulties. He is looking for a place to stay and makes enquiries at the next town along the road. The people of the town reject him. 

This rejection is a  detail that can be  easy to gloss over, forget or ignore. Jesus’ ideas were not accepted by everyone of his time. In fact, the Gospels report that even Jesus’ own family disagreed with him. It is estimated that it took over 300 years before the ideas of Christianity gained widespread acceptance.

Even today in my own life, the Gospel reminds me that being uncertain is ok. Faith is not a straight line on a map, it is a winding road. We all have times of high engagement with our spirituality, and other times where we feel disconnected or lost.

Perhaps we could look at Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem in the story as a metaphor for this. There will be times when the journey is easy, when the wind is at our back. There will be times the journey is hard or we meet dead ends. We may experience hardship or rejection. There are people who share the journey with us, but follow a different map. 

Wherever your journey takes you, I hope you have many parts where the way is clear, but don’t be dismayed when you think you might be lost. We don’t have satellite navigation to assist with this, but there are plenty of others ready to walk with you and help carry your load.

Our Diocesan Community

The link below opens the quarterly diocesan magazine that features news from across the Ballarat Diocese.

COVID 19 Arrangements

RAT Kits

Staff and students should only be tested with a RAT kit when symptomatic or when testing daily as a close contact over the 7 day quarantine period.

We understand that RAT kits will continue to be supplied to families during Term 3.

Vaccination 

St Pius X strongly supports vaccination for all in our community who are eligible. However, the new COVID regulations have lifted the mandate for all employees and volunteers to be vaccinated. This means there will be no requirement for adults entering the school to declare their vaccination status.

All community adults are reminded of the child safety requirement to sign in when attending the school between 9.00am and 3.00pm

Transport 

Parents who have tested positive to COVID 19 are permitted to drive children to and from school during their 7 day isolation period. They are required to return home immediately afterwards and not attend other locations.

Managing a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 

As soon as a staff member or student becomes aware of being a suspected case - that is symptomatic (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of smell or taste:

1. The suspected case is required to leave the school site, or be isolated on-site until they are able to leave.
2. The suspected case is required to be tested with a rapid antigen test. A positive test result must be reported to the Department of Health
3. Positive cases must be isolated for 7 days, testing again on day 6.

In the event that school receives notification that a staff member or student was infectious while onsite:

1. All staff must use a rapid antigen test if they have symptoms.
2. All students must use a rapid antigen test if they have symptoms.
3. Staff and students will be strongly encouraged to use rapid antigen tests for the following 5 days if they don’t have symptoms.

Where a positive case is recorded from a staff member or student who has been on site, the school community will be notified. Personal information will not be released in this communication.

If a staff member or student tests positive with a rapid antigen test but does not have symptoms or has not been in contact with a positive case, a PCR test is recommended. If a subsequent PCR shows a negative result the staff member or student can return to school.

Close Contacts

A close contact (a person who has spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID 19 inside a house, accommodation or care facility) is no longer required to quarantine, as long as they follow the additional safety measures:

• Notify the school if returning within the 7 day period.
• Undertake RAT testing on school days within the 7 day period (unless the 12 week exemption applies)
• Wear a mask indoors if an adult or a student Yr 3-6.
• Not visit hospitals or care facilities.
• Avoid contact with people at higher risk of infection.
• If symptomatic take a RAT or PCR test.

Masks

The wearing of masks continues to be a recommended practice which will still be required in certain circumstances including bus travel or a period of high levels of prolonged transmission.

Any staff of students who are identified as close contacts must wear a mask indoors.

Class Awards - Week 8