November 17th 2022

Acknowledgement of Country

Prayer

Feast of Christ the King

Jesus you came into our world to be a King of Love. 

Let us share this love in our world in places of darkness, in times of uncertainty, with people who feel lost.

AMEN

A Note from our Principal

Ngata Families & Friends,

Last night it was wonderful to be able to welcome the families of our new Preps into the school. There was a mixture of old and new faces as our Prep teachers engaged everyone in conversation and learning about the requirements, expectations and support for the beginning of school. Whilst many of our existing families would be familiar with the information, it was a very important opportunity for them to come and mix with the new parent group. We thank Lucy Lane and Jenna Osborne for their coordination of this important event.

A reminder that tomorrow is our final pupil free day for the year and no classes will be held. Families need to make alternative arrangements for the care of their children. TheirCare have all day care available and bookings can be made using the booking system at https://theircare.com.au/

Joe Ewing

Principal

Sympathies

This week we offer our condolences to the Coles family on the death of Nathan, brother of Liam in JP3. We offer our support to the Roads, Murray and Cushen families who have been affected by this tragic loss also.

We also send our sympathy to the Ryan and Maglaras families following the death some weeks ago of Liam Ryan, cousin of Kosta Maglaras in MP3.

The Lack family have again been affected by the sad loss of a loved one. Joan Stacey died this week and is the great grandmother of Oli (SP4) and Quin (JP5).

Pupil Free Day: Tomorrow

Families are reminded that our final pupil free day for 2022 will be held tomorrow. This day will enable our staff to engage in learning and planning for our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). A RAP is a formal commitment and plan for recognition and acknowledgment of First Nations people, for us, in particular the Gunditjmara / Maar Nation.

Remembrance Day

Yr 6 Graduation

Yr 6 families should all now have received the formal invitation to our graduation ceremony which will be held on Thursday December 8th. Families will firstly join us in our parish church for the formal ceremony (5.30pm), before graduates and parents gather at Brother Fox (6.30pm Deakin University) for refreshments.

The cost of graduate tickets is covered by our Parents and Friends Association. We ask that the payment of parent tickets is made by November 25th so that final numbers can be determined for catering.

Thanks to Janine Lyons, mum to Anna, for her organisation of this special event.

St. Pius X Recipe Book

Our school recipe book is available to purchase from the school office. Make sure you get your copy of this great collection contributed by families of our school.    The books are priced at $10 ea.

This would make a great Xmas stocking filler!

Jungle Book Kids DVDs

Families wishing to purchase a DVD of our school production The Jungle Book Kids may do so from our administration office.      DVDs are $15 each.

Crazy Socks!

Today was Crazy Sock day and it certainly lived up to its name!   Through money raised today, the Mini Vinnies will have $208.90 to donate to Caritas.  Well Done everyone!

Pastoral Care Day - Healthy Eating

As part of the Pastoral Care Day today, the students took part in an activity where they learnt about creating healthy snacks to eat.    They used vegetables and fruit to make faces on Rice Crackers which they then enjoyed eating together.

Walk to School Month!

For the month of November we are running Walk to School Month.  Students are encouraged to walk, ride or scoot to school to earn points for a whole school competition with the house team with the most healthy movers to win a free sausage at a sausage sizzle at the end of the month.  Yum!  Remember students can be dropped off a block from the school and walk from there which will count towards the competition.  There are some other prizes such as drink bottles, stickers and badges that can be won throughout the month so lets get moving!!

Attention Yr 4 Families: Chromebooks Senior Laptop Program

Over the past 6 years, as part of our implementation of the Victorian Curriculum, our Year 5 & 6 classes have been using individual Chromebook laptop computers in their classrooms.  Our current Yr 4 students will be receiving their laptop from the beginning of 2023, and to prepare for this a information session will be held on November 22nd at 5.30pm for families. Keeping with the technology we will be speaking about, the meeting will be held online and recorded for families unable to attend.

A handbook will be shared with all families, and we are happy to answer questions at the meeting or at another time convenient to families.

Opening the Doors Foundation Grant 2023

Opening The Doors Foundation provides grants to families to assist with the extra costs of schooling of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.  If this is your child’s first application with Opening The Doors Foundation you will need to provide/submit a Confirmation of Aboriginality Certificate with your application.  If this is not able to be obtained I can provide a phone number to call.  I am more than happy to assist families with this process should you qualify.

Rates are Foundation - $750 and Yr. 1-6 $600, Year 7 $1,200 and Yr. 8 - 12 $1,000.  All applicants must be enrolled in a Catholic or Independent educational institution located within the State boundaries of Victoria.  Please contact me (Anne)  on 5562 2506 for further information.

Hot off the Prep Press!

Smokey Update

Smokey has had yet another fabulous week. Even though the weather has not been kind to anyone and being outside in the hutch is like living in the Antarctic, Smokey is still the happiest and relaxed bunny ever. He has been trying out some more healthy foods - snow peas, broccoli, pear and apple.

Smokey spent the weekend with Jensen and the Blythe family. Jensen told us that he hopped his way up the stairs and slept in his cage in his bedroom. Apparently he doesn’t snore and slept quietly without waking Jensen up! The Blythe family loved taking care of Smokey and would love to have a rabbit of their own one day.

Remembrance Day

Last Friday we read a beautiful story called ‘Lest We Forget’. We then made our very own poppies to wear at our whole school Remembrance Day service. Wearing our poppies made us feel very special as we remembered the people who fought and died in the wars to keep our country safe.  

Vet Visit

Yesterday the Warrnambool Vet Clinic came to visit us at St Pius X. It was time for Smokey to have his vaccinations. This is important for his health because he needs to be protected against viruses and diseases that can attack pet rabbits. Sarah and Glenn checked Smokey’s heart and lungs, his fur for lice, they clipped his nails, they checked his stomach and his teeth, they took his temperature and then gave him his needle. They were the perfect professionals and Smokey was the perfect patient. He got a full bill of health. A big Thank You to the Warrnambool Vet Clinic!

Jesus’ Day

We are asking the children to bring along a pair of thongs, sandals or crocs to school on Wednesday. We are going to immerse the children in a day of fun activities that explore life in Jerusalem. This day was cancelled a couple of weeks ago due to terrible weather. Fingers crossed we have better luck on Wednesday.

School Fees and Levies

With only 4 weeks of the 2022 school year remaining it would be greatly appreciated if school fees and levies could be finalised as soon as possible. For families who have committed to regular instalments, please continue with your payment plan as per your arrangements.

Ringing families as a reminder to pay fees is not only embarrassing and uncomfortable to you but also to the admin staff. Please contact the school office to organise a payment plan should you wish to set up a payment plan.  Thank you.

Crisis Meals

Thanks to our meals volunteer this week: Donna Matheson

Each week a volunteer has been rostered to provide a freezable meal to our school to be distributed to a family experiencing hardship, grief or unforeseen circumstances. These meals have been regularly distributed and the families receiving them have been most grateful.

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 leader Tracey Williams.

Before & After School Care

Coming to an End...and a New Beginning

It happens at the end of every year, but it still comes as a surprise, the creep towards December gathers momentum and becomes a rush!

People I’ve been speaking to in the last week have all remarked that the coming weeks are becoming full, very quickly, with end of school / work events, family needs and shopping!

The Church year does not quite line up with the calendar year. In fact, this Sunday marks the final week.

The following Sunday is the beginning of Advent, and the start of the new Church cycle.

The Gospel this week recounts Jesus’ last moments on the cross. The story gives a sense of finality and sadness.

As we move to the end of the year, we of course do so with a sense of expectation and excitement, but there is always a sense that we are saying goodbye to something. As we move towards new horizons, we acknowledge there are some things we will never experience in our lives again.

For Christians, this Sunday is known as the Feast of Christ the King and signifies that in the midst of this eternal change Jesus is the constant - the King of Love. 

As all of us  look to the challenges of the future with a mix of excitement and anxiety, let love be an unwavering quality we carry forward with us.

Parish Contact

Sunday Mass 10.00 @ 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/ 

School Canteen Roster

Our Diocesan Community

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

Upcoming Dates

TOMORROW Pupil Free Day - Reconciliation Action Plan

Nov 21 - 29 PSG Meetings

Nov 28 Yr 5/6 beach safety commences

Nov 30 SAC & P&F social evening

Dec 6 Transition experience 1

Dec 7 Learning Conversations 1

Dec 8 Yr 6 Graduation (5.30pm ceremony, 6.30pm student/parent celebration)

Dec 8 Transition experience 2

Dec 9 End of Year Mass (daytime)

Dec 12 Learning Conversations 2

Dec 13 Transition experience 3

Dec 14 Learning Conversations 3

Dec 15 Carols and Presentation Evening

Dec 16 Final day of school classes for 2022. (Final bell at 3.30pm)

COVID 19 Arrangements

All famililes are asked to familiarise thesmselves with the updated COVID 19 regulations.