June 15th 2023
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Prayer
- A Note from our Principal.
- Next school closure
- Enrolments due now
- Reports and Learning Conversations-time to book
- Twilight Fair Consultation
- Sacrament of Eucharist
- Student Representative Council (SRC) News
- Hot off the Prep Press!
- Breakfast Club
- Healthy Moves Walk to School!
- St. Pius Book Club
- Australian Dental Health Visit
- Parents and Friends Raffle-tickets due soon
- A special message........
- Footy Tipping 2023
- Canteen Roster
- Important Dates
- Second Hand Uniforms
- Before & After School Care
- 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….
The Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila
Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassionately on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands.
Yours are the feet.
Yours are the eyes.
You are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes with which he looks compassionately on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Amen.
A Note from our Principal.
Ngata Families and Friends,
Dear Families,
I trust that everyone enjoyed the break over the long weekend. It's not long now until the end of term and there are a lot of tired children around.
Please remember to:
- Put in an enrolment form if you have a Prep student for 2024.
- Book a Learning Conversation.
- Return your raffle books.
We are getting very close to builders starting onsite in the middle pod. Stay tuned for more updates.
A reminder that reports will be available via PAM tomorrow. We'll let you know when that happens.
Kind regards,
Stacey
Next school closure
Our school closure for next term will be Friday 28th July.
There will be no school for students on this day as staff engage in professional development.
Enrolments due now
Enrolments close tomorrow, Friday 16th June. Existing families are required to enrol as soon as possible so that we are aware of how many spots are left. Forms are available at the office or online.
https://www.spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au/enrolment-application-form
If you know anyone who missed out on a tour but would like to look at our school, please ask them to contact the office to arrange an appointment.
Reports and Learning Conversations-time to book
Teachers are busy preparing mid year reports for children at the moment.
This year, reports will be made available via PAM as an electronic copy. This will happen tomorow, Friday 16/6. Please note that paper copies will not be sent home. If you require a hard copy please contact the office or email principal@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au
Report folders will be sent home with children today and tomorrow.
Learning Conversations will take place during the final week of term. This is an important part of the reporting process and a great opportunity to meet with your child's classroom teacher to discuss their progress as well as future goals. Families are asked to book in via PAM.
Twilight Fair Consultation
As a school, we are trying to find the best way to promote a sense of community as well as maximising fundraising opportunities.
Last year our Twilight Fair was held in the school halls and featured some food stalls with activities run by classes. There was also a raffle which was organised by our business manager, Anne Kerr.
Last year the fair raised $11 000 with approximately $6 500 being raised by the raffle. The stalls run by each class raised around $1000.
We are currently exploring the option of adding a colour run to the fair. The organisation of the colour run is done by an outside provider who anticipates that a school our size could raise between 15 and 20 thousand dollars. This part of the fair would be run by staff instead of them running activities at the fair.
There would still be food and fun stalls so that families could stick around and enjoy the sense of community at St Pius. It is hoped that the parent body will organise this.
A meeting will be held on Monday 19th June, 7.30pm at school if you would like to be a part of the planning for this event or to provide feedback.
Let us know what you think by responding to a short survey linked below.
Sacrament of Eucharist
The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be celebrated in our community on Sunday August 20th, 2023. Typically, this sacrament is celebrated when a student is in year 4, but your child may be in another year level and would like to participate, for example if they missed it.
Please fill out the registration link and we will be having a formation meeting in the St Pius X Church on Wednesday July 19th at 7pm. Please mark this date on your calendar.
Please contact me via the office, if you have any questions.
Sara Graham
Student Representative Council (SRC) News
On Monday the SRC conducted a ‘Learning and teaching games’ session during our Pastoral Care Day. On the oval Byron, Tyler and Vonal were teaching everyone how to play football and the safety expectations at our school. Victoria and Ashley explained how to pack up the shed properly and pointed out certain areas of the oval that are out of bounds.
In the courtyard Austin, Ollie, Alfie and Kobey were showing classes how to play four square fairly. Next to them were Payson and Addison demonstrating skipping skills and the safe use of the ropes. On the Basketball court Isaac and Jarrah were teaching the rules of basketball and Maya and Maddy were telling people how to be safe in the quiet area.
Hot off the Prep Press!
Responsible Pet Incursion
On Friday we were lucky enough to welcome Barb and her friendly dog into our classroom where they taught us how to be safe around pets in our community. We learnt that it is important to always ask the pet’s owner for permission to pat their pet before doing so. Barb showed us how to safely approach an animal with their owner and some of us even got to have a practice. Check out some of the pictures below!
Hardware, Software and Programming
Over the past few weeks in Digital Technology lessons we have been learning about all things hardware and software. We know the difference between them and have been able to sort different objects into their groups. We have moved onto programming where we have used Beebots to move them forwards, backwards, left and right. Each week we learn so many new skills with Mrs Dowling and we love sharing our learning on Seesaw with our families.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club continues to be a hit during these cold Wednesday mornings! If you arrive at school before 8:50am, head down to the function room for some yummy toast, cereal, fruit, milo and lots more!
Helpers are always welcome, even if it is for a morning, every little bit helps! If you’d like to volunteer please contact the office!
Healthy Moves Walk to School!
This week finishes up our walk to school competition with some amazing people walking, riding, scooting or busing to school in these cold winter mornings! We would love to continue to see healthy movers when the weather allows but keep a look out for the next competition in Term 3!
St. Pius Book Club
Issue 4 of Scholastic Book Club is currently available ONLINE. Parents/Carers are able to order and pay for their Scholastic Book Club via the LOOP portal only (no cash based orders are available on this issue). If parents/carers wish to order, please follow the link below or alternatively, Google search ‘Scholastic LOOP orders’
Website: https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/book-club/
Australian Dental Health Visit
The Australian Dental Health van will be visiting St. Pius X the week beginning 17th July. This is a program funded by the Australian Dental Health and Child Dental Benefits schedule where students can receive a full check up, preventative and general dental care at school. Medicare covers these costs for eligible students via bulk billing, however if your child is not eligible, the ADHV will still do a free dental health screen. If your child needs further treatment, you will be called for consent.
Please return completed forms by TOMORROW (Friday, 16/6)at the latest.
Parents and Friends Raffle-tickets due soon
The PnF have secured a very generous donation from Rafferty's- so we're having a bonus raffle this term. Tickets have been sent home last week, with more available at the office.
A reminder to send your sold tickets back to school. The raffle will be drawn on the final day of term.
If you send along your survey we'll write out another 5 tickets for you!
A special message........
Wishing the following students a very Happy Birthday for the coming week...........
Ethan Jacobs, Saxon Emeny, Alfie Parkinson.
Footy Tipping 2023
More byes this round, a lot of emotion and some interesting costumes! Our top tippers managed 6/7. Well done to Cherie, Seurens, Meredith PZF, The Lane Fam Bam and Brooke7858. The top of the ladder remains unchanged. I think we're all waiting until the byes are over to make a move!
Our top 5 tippers are:
- Fynn20- 107
- Seurens- 106
- Debra Redpath- 104
- Letty Parkinson -100
- aaronsearle85- 99
Canteen Roster
Tuesday, 20th June - Merryn Payne
Wednesday, 21st June- Anna Reilly
Thursday, 22nd June - Bec Stebbins
Friday, 23rd June- Jane Kelly
Important Dates
Friday 16th June: Prep Enrolments Close
Friday 16th June: Reports available via PAM
20/21/22 June: Learning Conversations
Friday 23rd June: Last day of term, 2.30pm finish
Friday 23rd June: Grade 3/4 excursion to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory performance
Monday 10th July: First day of term 3.
Advance notice:
Term 3 closure date: Friday July 28th
Term 4 closure date Friday November 3rd
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.
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.
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/
Warrnambool City Council - Winter Vacation Care program:
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.