September 7th 2023
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Prayer
- A Note from our Principal
- Sausage Sizzle Tomorrow, Friday 8th September
- Junior Art Exhibition Tomorrow!
- Father's Day Celebration
- Staffing Update
- Medical updates
- The Arts
- Breakfast Club Update
- Change to specialist days for next week.
- Twilight Fair: We need your help!
- Annual School Raffle. ATTENTION........ ATTENTION ………... A SHOUT OUT TO ALL!
- Student Raffle
- Hot off the Prep Press!
- A special message........
- Canteen Roster for next week.
- Important Dates.
- End of Year Dates
- 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
Season of Creation
For people of all Faiths: that they use the Season of Creation as a time to remember, respect, pray and act for the good of all of creation.
Amen
The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration to listen and respond together to the cry of Creation: the ecumenical family around the world unites to pray and protect our common home, the Oikos of God.
The Season “Celebration” begins September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends October 4, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.
A Note from our Principal
Ngata Families and Friends,
Term 3 is fast drawing to a close. We're all looking forward to seeing the Junior Art Exhibition tomorrow which will be a great celebration of the junior pods work this term.
The Grade 5/6s are eagerly checking the forecast and packing their bags for camp next week. A big thank you to all our staff who go above and beyond to support this important event.
Thank you to the community for your support over the last few weeks. Please know that our staff are fully committed to developing, teaching and maintaining the learning, safety and happiness of all students. When faced with challenges we have processes in place to ensure that everyone is supported. Thank you to those parents who have contacted me when they have questions.
Best wishes to all our staff involved in footy finals. We're all riding the highs and lows!
A reminder that next Friday is the last day of term and we will have a 2.30pm finish.
Kind Regards,
Stacey
Sausage Sizzle Tomorrow, Friday 8th September
Dear St Pius Community,
My name is Jack and myself and 3 other boys; Nathan, Fraser and Xavier are currently undertaking VCE VM (formally VCAL) at Emmanuel College. We will be coming to St Pius to host a Sausage Sizzle.
- TOMORROW 8th Sepemtber.
- Sausages are $2 each (please bring money tomorrow)
- Proceeds to the Lets Talk Foundation.
Junior Art Exhibition Tomorrow!
Father's Day Celebration
Thanks to everyone who came along to celebrate last Friday night. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves in the afternoon sunshine.
Thank you to those who helped to run the games and cook and serve the BBQ.
Staffing Update
Mrs Sara Graham will be taking some long service leave commencing next week and for the first two weeks of next term. A letter was sent home yesterday conveying that Mr Mark Antonio will be teaching SP2 for those two weeks, with staff at St Pius supporting the class during next week, including camp.
Ms Nicole Moulden will also be away next week. Mrs Ronnie White will be in JP3 during this time.
Adele Webster will also be away.
A number of staff will be away on school camp Wednesday-Friday.
Medical updates
Thanks to those people who have updated children's medical details via PAM. Please also contact your child's classroom teacher to ensure that they are aware of these changes.
The Arts
Busking for Change.
On Wednesday afternoon our talented St Pius X Choir led us in singing ‘Words make the World Go Around’ as we celebrated Indigenous Literacy Day. Thank you to Mel and Lincoln who performed a welcome to country and to the large audience of parents and grandparents who came along to help us celebrate this wonderful initiative. We raised nearly $150!!!
Mini Vinnies.
We also thank Father Bill and Jo, Mirna and Rita Saqat for joining us so that we could present them with a Rebel sport voucher from the proceeds of our book/toy sale. It was wonderful to see who the proceeds of our fundraising were helping. What an amazing family. We wish them well as they settle into our Warrnambool community.
Breakfast Club Update
Breakfast Club
We have been lucky enough to run Breakfast Club consistently throughout Term 3 (even through a morning with no power!) and again, it is important for us to recognise all the hard work that goes into this program each week. Our volunteers are amazing, without them we simply could not run breakfast club so a huge thank you to Tracey who leads our Breakfast Club program as well as Virginia and Darren for all their support on these mornings! Also, a shout out to our Trainees Jenna, Jack & Nat who have perfected the art of buttering toast!
Next Wednesday there will be NO BREAKFAST CLUB due to the 5/6 students being on camp but we will be back on board in Term 4!
Change to specialist days for next week.
Please note that for next week only, there has been a change to the days the pods will have their specialist subjects ie. sport. On these days, the students will wear their sports uniform.
Preps - Thursday
Juniors - Wednesday
Middle - Tuesday & Wednesday (sports uniform both days)
Seniors - Tuesday
Twilight Fair: We need your help!
Dear Parents and kids of St Pius X,
The Parents & Friends endeavour to hold a Twilight Fair each year and this year we plan to do so on Friday 27th October 4pm - 7pm. This year we aim to raise money to put towards our playground at school. It is a really great way to showcase our community spirit and is something we as the P&F, the kids and I'm sure you look forward too.
This year we would like to continue the success of our community fair, albeit a little bit different.
Due to school staff work commitments and the new enterprise bargaining agreement for teachers, we will require the help of our wonderful students and parents for this event to succeed and to go ahead. We plan to have our Senior pod students run most of these stalls in shifts. The stalls will be set up prior to the event starting, so the assistance of parents is needed to help guide these kids through the night. All you will need is a Working With Childrens Card, a bit of energy, a big smile and the desire to help out our school. There will be shifts of an hour or one and a half hours.
To keep our Community Fair going this year we need this assistance. Without this we will have to rethink the fair going ahead.
We look forward to any assistance or feedback. You can contact the P&F before Monday 28th August on kimberleybakker46@gmail.com.
Thank you for your time,
Parents & Friends Committee
Kimberley Bakker, Merryn Payne, Richard Verspay
Annual School Raffle. ATTENTION........ ATTENTION ………... A SHOUT OUT TO ALL!
We are well underway in organising our School Raffle that will be drawn at the Annual Fair, which is to be held on Friday 27th October.
In previous years the raffle has been the main contributor to the gross profits of the Fair.
We are seeking donations for prizes. This can be in the form of cash, vouchers or gift hampers. We are more than happy to accept other suggestions.
As we will be having our raffle tickets printed, it is vital that all prizes are at the office no later than the end of term. This will ensure that your company/business is listed on the tickets.
Student Raffle
It is planned that we hold a student raffle again this year. WOW do you remember those lovely, yummy baskets of sweets? Yes and tickets were just $1 each. TICKETS SOLD LIKE HOT CAKES. Well let’s do this again this year!!!. A chance for our students to be involved. We might even have this raffle up and running before the end of term. What do you think? Do you want to help with this? Maybe assist with putting the raffle books together (school will supply tickets, staples etc) …Maybe donate some sweets for the baskets… Maybe help sell some extra tickets… There are lots of ways you can assist. Many hands make light work.
Remember all funds raised contribute to the resources for your children.
Hot off the Prep Press!
Art Exhibition
Cloe and Louise have been busy displaying all of our amazing Art work from this term. We have explored the elements of Art in so many ways and we cannot wait to see our Gallery open for visitors tomorrow. Please come along and explore our creative masterpieces.
There will be 10 Art pieces shortlisted for judging by our Guest Artist - Lucy McLaren. We can’t wait to see who wins our Art prizes for 2023. Well done, everyone!!!
Cloe, the Netballer!!
We wish Cloe all the best for her Netball Grand Final on Saturday. Cloe plays for the Senior side of Merrivale Tigers. Cloe and her team have been training hard and are getting ready to play their best game on Saturday.
Spring Into Song
Just a reminder to all families that we are heading off on an excursion to Warrnambool College for a concert next Wednesday. Please remember to fill in the permission form to allow your child to attend. Thanks.
A special message........
The following students will be celebrating their birthdays over the coming week, we hope they have a wonderful day!
Jordan Brown, Cheyne Hunt & Oliver Stephens.
Canteen Roster for next week.
Tuesday, 12th September: Tammy Karnajaya
Wednesday, 13th September: Leonie Neale
Thursday, 14th September: Cherie Geyer
Friday, 15th September: Alana Gleeson
Important Dates.
September 8th- Junior School Art Expo
September 8th- BBQ for Let's Talk
September 13th-15th: 5/6 Camp
September 15th- Last Day of Term- 2.30pm finish
Advance notice:
Term 4 school closure date/ pupil free day Friday November 3rd
End of Year Dates
Please find following a letter from the principals of the Warrnambool and District Catholic Schools Network.
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/
Could you make a difference to a young life?
Could this be what you are looking for?
Foster carers come from all walks of life. They can be working, not working or retired; married or single; in same-sex relationships; and can own or rent their home. The most essential criteria are that they care, can provide a safe and nurturing home, and have room in their home to support a vulnerable child or sibling group.
If you would like to know more call MacKillop Family Services on 1300 791 677, visit www.mackillop.org.au/fostercare or ring Alana in our Warrnambool office on 5500 2000.
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.