September 14th 2023
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Prayer
- A Note from our Principal
- Early finish tomorrow
- Wear your footy colours tomorrow!
- Staffing Update
- School opening times
- R U Ok?
- Medical updates
- Twilight Fair change of date
- 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.
- 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
Creator God,
You made us and all creation to share your life: all the birds and bugs of the air, the animals of the
land, the creatures of the rivers and seas; all the trees and flowers and plants; and all the people everywhere.
Open our minds to your way of life and teach us how to live together with hearts full of love and justice.
We ask this in your name,
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 coming to a close. It has certainly been a busy term! Camps, excursions, shows, community events, sports and even some learning thrown in amongst it all.
It has been very pleasing to see the renovations take off over in the middle pod and of course, the return of sunny days has also been a highlight.
Thank you to everyone who plays a role in our school community for your efforts this term. It all adds up to make St Pius X the great school that it is.
Please read the newsletter carefully as there is a lot of important information about next term including the end of year dates, the date of the rescheduled junior athletics day, changes to school opening hours and some staffing updates for next term.
Our 5/6 campers are enjoying some sunshine in Roses Gap and will be back around 2.30/3pm tomorrow. A more accurate time will be communicated tomorrow. A massive thank you to our staff who have made themselves available to be on camp.
Don’t forget the early finish tomorrow at 2.30pm and that hats are back for term 4, hopefully they are in a safe place.
Enjoy the break and some sunshine (fingers crossed).
Kind Regards,
Stacey
Early finish tomorrow
Tomorrow we finish at 2.30pm as it is the end of term.
Happy holidays everyone!
Wear your footy colours tomorrow!
Staffing Update
A number of staff will be taking long service leave at the beginning of term 4.
Sara Graham will be continuing her long service leave for the first two weeks of term. Mark Antonio will be teaching SP2 for those two weeks.
Adele Webster will also be away for two weeks and will be replaced by Alannah Pearson. Alannah has previously filled in for Adele.
Lucy Lane will be away for two weeks with Ronnie White extending the number of days that she is teaching in the Prep class.
Clare Green will also be away for two weeks with Rachel Brown stepping in the Deputy Principal role. We welcome Sheree Walsh who will be picking up some of Rachel's teaching role.
Bec Parkinson will also be on leave during week 1 with Lisa Gardner extending her days to cover this.
David White will be on long service leave for the term and will be replaced by Clare Stacey.
Julie Keeley will also be taking long service leave during term 4. She will be replaced in the Arts by Jane Thring.
We wish all these staff all the best for their time away from school.
School opening times
Please see the letter below for an important update regarding school opening times for Term 4.
Classes will not be open until 8.40am. Supervision of children also begins at 8.40am.
R U Ok?
This week the staff at St Pius X marked R U OK? Day by sharing breakfast together. The staff at St Pius value being part of a work place where we value each other and work to promote the wellbeing of everyone.
We all have a part to play in promoting wellbeing and mental health
R U OK? inspires and empowers everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling with life.
You don't need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener.
Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:
- Ask R U OK?
- Listen
- Encourage action
- Check in
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.
Twilight Fair change of date
It is necessary to change the date for our Twilight Fair.
Stay tuned early next term for your opportunity to be involved and support our school community.
Save the date
Friday November 10th 2023
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 in November.
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
Please consider purchasing tickets for our student raffle to be in the running for some yummy goodies! Tickets have now been sent home either with students or via the mail for those students currently on camp.
Please remember that all funds raised contribute to resources for your children.
Hot off the Prep Press!
WE ARE ALL ARTISTS
Last Friday we were so excited to warmly welcome our family friends to come and view all of our artwork. It was a fabulous culmination of a term's work from all of the Junior School. The Function Hall was transformed into a vibrant gallery of creativity featuring mosaics, drawings, paintings, sculpted pieces and much more. To close our exhibition we welcomed a local artist, Lucy McLaren, to judge the pieces and award prizes.
Congratulations to the following award winners….
First Prize - Oliver Meade ‘The Dot Painting’
Second Prize - Scarlett Tanner ‘Lilly Pad’
Third Prize - Carter Searle ‘Yellow Flowers’
We are so proud of all the masterpieces that all our Prep students created and the persistence and the effort that they showed in doing so. What a fun term we have had!!!
SPRING INTO SONG CONCERT
Yesterday we went on a bus to Warrnambool College to watch the Music Academy students perform a concert showcasing their musical talents. We saw and heard lots of different instruments such as the french horn, clarinet, trombone, drums and even some electric guitars. Our favourite songs were How Far I’ll Go and The Pokemon Theme Song. We even got a chance to get out of our seats and have a boogie! What a fun way to finish the term.
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
This week we have been busy practising our handwriting and letter formation using our dotted thirds books. We have learnt that there is a baseline, magic line and highline to help us place our letters in the correct places. The first couple of days have been a little tricky but we are determined to keep going and try our best. This is one thing that we are doing to get us ready for Grade 1. This is going to be one of our big goals for Term 4 and we can’t wait to share our progress! Well done everyone, keep working hard!!
A special message........
The following students will be celebrating their birthdays tomorrow -
Cyril Burch, Harvey and Oliver Meade and Maddison Watson.
These students will celebrate their birthdays over the next few weeks -
Harriet Amos, Andy Nguyen, Emma Guilfoyle, Tyler Hunt, Lacey O'Shannassy, Jimmy Van Rooy, Hailee Aban and Layla Goldsmith-Watson.
Happy Birthday and Happy Holidays to all of you!
Canteen Roster for next week.
Tuesday 3rd October : Aliesha Williamson
Wednesday, 4th October: Anna Reilly
Thursday, 5th September: Kristina Vagala
Friday, 6th September: Bec Maglaras
Important Dates.
Monday October 1st: 1st day of term - Remember Hats!
Wednesday October 4th: District Cricket
Friday October 6th: Region Track and Field
Wednesday October 18th: Prep excursion, Warrnambool Wildlife Encounters
Thursday October 19th: Junior school atheletics carnival
Friday November 3rd: Pupil Free day
Wednesday November 15: 2024 Prep information evening
Monday December 4th: Transition 1
December 5th-7th: Learning conversations
Thursday December 7th: Year 6 Graduation
Friday December 8th: Transition 2
Tuesday December 12th: Global Transition Day
Thursday December 14th: Carols and Celebration Evening
Friday December 15th: Last day of classes. Fun day/colour run
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.