March 2nd 2023
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Prayer
- A Note from our Principal.
- Focus on Project Compassion
- Parents and Friends Update
- St. Vincent De Paul Lenten Appeal.
- Condolences
- Hot off the Prep Press!
- Survey for Parents
- Lost and Found
- Mini Vinnies
- A special message........
- Canteen Roster
- Before & After School Care
- Important Dates
- Second Hand Uniforms
- Parish Contact
- COVID 19 Arrangements
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.
Prayer
Let us pray
Lord, please remind me in every situation that the person I am facing is you.
Amen
A Note from our Principal.
Ngata Families and Friends,
It is hard to believe that we are almost half way through the term already. It is great to wonder through the classrooms and see children engaged with their learning and settled in their classrooms.
Thank you to those people who were able to attend our first Lenten liturgy last week. These liturgies will continue each Friday at 3.10pm for the remainder of the term. Everyone is welcome.
Thanks to Kimberley, Merryn and Virginia who were able to attend our first PnF meeting on Monday night. There are a number of ways that parents can support our school, so please consider how you can make a contribution. It all adds up.
Our first School Advisory Council meeting for the year will be held tonight at 7.30pm. This group is vital in provide consultation in a number of important undertakings in our school.
Kind regards,
Stacey Atkins
Focus on Project Compassion
Think for a moment about some of the things you have on your walls at
home. They don’t have to be fancy or expensive. They might be photos of your family or perhaps of deceased grandparents. They might be prints of famous paintings or posters with sayings that mean a lot to you. It is very common that Christians have special things: crucifixes or images of saints.
All of these things inspire us in one way or another. If ever you have had to pack up to move house and looked at your bare walls as you leave, they will seem empty and colourless. Art is one of the things that transfigures our world and makes it more beautiful.
Other things do this as well: laughter, tears, cooking, music, hugs and sharing stories. They all transfigure our houses and allow us to see them as homes. They unlock the true potential of an
otherwise ordinary space.
This week Project Compassion, organised by Caritas Australia, presents us with the story of Tereesa, a 27-year old Indigenous woman from western Sydney, the area with the largest urban Indigenous population in the country. Tereesa became pregnant at the age of 16. With your help, Project Compassion has been able to support the Mums and Bubs program run by Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation. This allowed Tereesa to find accommodation, gain skills and continue her education. She was also able to connect with her culture. Her glorious artwork was featured on the
Wulugul Walk during Sydney’s Vivid Festival last year. Her use of light and colour transfigured the environment where it was displayed. In so many places, Project Compassion helps people to achieve their vision.
Of course, the transfiguration of Jesus is unique. We hear in today’s Gospel that Jesus took his closest friends to the top of a high mountain. The transfiguration may have only lasted a few inutes but it was clear that Jesus’ friends never forgot it. Like a work of art on a wall, the memory
made the world seem very different.
During Lent, we are also called to transfigure the world, to make a difference.
Parents and Friends Update
On Monday night the Parents and Friends held their first meeting for the year. A list of events were discussed.
Term 1 Events
* Athletics carnival canteen March 28th
Opportunity for involvement- rostered on during the day, buying and transporting goods for sale, setting up and cleaning up.
* Easter Raffle
Opportunity for involvement: supplying goods for the raffle, buying tickets.
Term 2 Events
* Mother's Day Celebration- Monday 15th May
Details to be determined
* Movie Night Friday June 2nd
Opportunity for involvement: supervising children on the night, sourcing snacks.
St. Vincent De Paul Lenten Appeal.
The customary Lenten Appeal organised by the St Pius X Conference will commence on the First Sunday of Lent. Those who wish to donate are asked to contribute goods which correspond to these weekends in Lent. Please leave at the school Office or take with you to Mass each weekend.
4 -5 March Spaghetti/baked beans.
11-12 March - Tinned fruit.
18-19 March Pasta/pasta sauce.
25-26 March Tea/coffee.
1-2 April Tinned soup.
Condolences
This week we received news that Mannie, a member of the Men's Shed, passed away. Mannie was a friend to a number of staff and students who have visited the Men's Shed over the past few years. We pass on our thoughts and prayers to the Men's Shed community and express our gratitude for Mannie's friendship and support of our students.
Hot off the Prep Press!
We love our Buddies!
Last Friday we spent some quality time with our Grade 6 Buddies. We created our own Apple Trees that included facts about us - our favourite colour, how old we are, how many people are in our family etc. We played some fun board games together where we learnt different things about each other. Some of us had fun working in our classrooms and the library. Our buddies are such good friends to us at school and we enjoy the time we get to share together. Thanks to all our Grade 6’s for showing great leadership and being excellent role models to all of us. Check out Paddy, Ruby, Quinn and Owen having a great day with their Buddies!!
We like to move it, move it!
Every Thursday we get so excited about going to Sport with Mrs McDonald and Jack. We have been busy training hard for our upcoming school sports in a few weeks. We have been running, jumping, throwing and getting used to using relay batons. Mrs McDonald and Jack say we are improving each week and we can’t wait to get to the track to show off our skills.
Letters, sounds and spelling!
We have been busy working hard in the Prep room. Each morning you will be able to see and hear us practising the names and sounds of letters and punching out sounds to form small words. We know that some letters are known as consonants or vowels. Here are the ones we have been focussing on - c, a, t, n, i , p, u, e, s. This week our spelling words are net, pet, ten, nets, pets, sent. Each day we work with a spelling partner and practise hearing, saying and recording the sounds in the words. Spelling is one of our favourite activities each day!
Survey for Parents
Parents are invited to participate in the ECSI Survey which will assist us in better understanding how our Catholic identity is expressed in work and practice here at St Pius X. A letter outlining the survey and instructions are attached.
Each survey response helps us to build an accurate picture of our school and therefore, helps us to keep improving.
Lost and Found
We have a large number of school jumpers in lost property which are either not named or the writing is not clear. If you are missing a jumper, please enquire at the office.
Mini Vinnies
This week Chris Nolan came to speak to our newly appointed Mini Vinnies team to talk about the good work St Vincent de Paul do in our local community. We also talked about Project Compassion and how we would promote it in our classes. Please help us support Caritas Australia this year by donating a gold coin. Money raised supports people living in some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.
A special message........
Wishing these students are very Happy Birthday for this coming week..................
Blake Jenkins-Smith, Jack Lucas and Tommy Shand.
Canteen Roster
Roster for next week:
Tuesday, 7th March | Wednesday, 8th March | Thursday, 9th March | Friday, 10th March |
Merryn Payne | Leonie Neale | Bec Stebbins | Hayley Keane |
Before & 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.
Important Dates
Thursday 2nd March School Advisory Council 7.30pm
Division Swimming Carnival
Monday 6th March Grade 5/6 Swimming begins
Thursday 9th March Bike Ed begins (Grade 3/4) (NOT WEDNESDAY)
Monday 13th March Public Holiday
Tuesday 14th March School Closure (Literacy)
Monday 20th March PnF Meeting, 7.30pm
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.
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/
FOR SALE! Personalised Zooper Dooper holders made by William Carey. They are $5.00 each and come in a range of colours. Please phone Jodie on 0459 115 004 for more information.
COVID 19 Arrangements
All famililes are asked to familiarise thesmselves with the updated COVID 19 regulations.
Managing a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19
- It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff if they:
- have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
- are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
- are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.
- The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians report their positive RAT result via the online form or by calling 1800 675 398.
- Principals are no longer required to inform their school community of a positive case associated with the school.
- Staff or students who are positive are strongly recommended to stay home and isolate for a minimum of five days.
- Symptomatic students or staff should not attend school, even if failing to test positive on a RAT or PCR.
Communication
There is no longer a requirement for schools to inform their communities of positive cases. All health information is held in accordance with the school’s privacy policy.
Masks
Staff and students who wish to wear a mask will continue to be supported to do so. Masks are available from the administration office for anyone wishing to obtain one.
Any staff or students who are close contacts are recommended to wear a mask indoors.
Any staff or students returning from isolation are recommended to wear a mask for 7 days after returning to school.
RAT Kits
RATs are available for all Victorians from council sites. Individuals can obtain two free packs (10 tests) for themselves and two free packs (10 tests) for each household member. People with disability and their carers can get up to four free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability.
The RATs are available at the Civic Centre (25 Liebig Street) and the Archie Graham Community Centre (118 Timor Street).
Vaccination
St Pius X strongly supports vaccination for all in our community who are eligible. There is 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.
Medically At Risk Students
Students who have chronic health conditions, especially affecting the respiratory system ie Asthma, must have up to date health support plans. Families who are unsure about the status of their child’s plan should make contact with teh school administration office.