November 16th 2023
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Prayer
- A Note from our Principal
- School Fun Run- Sponsorship Closing Soon!
- Twilight Fair
- St. Pius Giant Raffle -Congratulations to our winners!
- 2023 School Fees and Student Levies.
- Hot off the Prep Press!
- Games Day Invitation
- Laptops for Sale
- Japan Trip 2024
- Breakfast Club
- A special message........
- Canteen Roster for next week.
- Class Awards Week 6
- Uniform Price List
- 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
Father of Peace,
We pray for those who have served to protect our great Southern Land;
We commend to your mercy those who died for our freedom;
We pray for the safety of those who are currently serving in the defence forces;
We pray for peace throughout the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
A Note from our Principal
Ngata Families and Friends,
Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who came along and supported our school last Friday night. The Twilight Fair certainly highlighted what a great community we have here at St Pius X.
Last night we hosted our Prep parents for 2024 as they begin their preparations for next year. It is wonderful to welcome new families into our school.
However, this also means that we will be farewelling some families. Grade 6 students will soon be bringing home an invitation for their Graduation celebration. Thanks to Tracey Williams for her organisation of this event.
There is certainly lots happening, so please read the newsletter carefully.
Kind Regards,
Stacey
School Fun Run- Sponsorship Closing Soon!
When: Friday December 15th, which is the last day of school.
Why: To raise money to upgrade our playground
How: Sign up and start raising money. All sponsorship needs to be collected by this Monday so that we can get prizes here in time for the end of school. So don't delay.
Information booklets can be collected from the office if you have lost yours.
If you have any questions about the Crazy Colour Day please contact the School Fun Run Office on 1800 FUN RUN.
Thanks for supporting the school and we hope to see you at the event!
Learn more about the School Fun Run at the video below.
Twilight Fair
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to our Twilight Fair on Friday night.
As a community, we have raised approximately $9000!
If you bought a raffle ticket, played a game, baked a cake, volunteered or anything else then you have helped contribute to this amount as well as having a great night at St Pius X celebrating our community.
Special thanks to Kimberley Lack and Richard Verspay who spear headed the PnF and to the rest of the committee who organised stalls and contributed to the planning.
Thanks to those who helped set up, pack up, organised cakes, counted floats and volunteered on the different stalls. I'm very pleased to say that it is too many people to name!
Special thanks to Anne Kerr for her coordination of the raffle and to the students who were able to help on the night.
Twilight Fair Feedback
The PnF would love to hear your feedback. Please consider filling in the brief survey linked below.
St. Pius Giant Raffle -Congratulations to our winners!
E Resources $1000 Visa Voucher - Mitch Graham
Westvic $1000 Visa Voucher - Aamy Aravind
Frolic Lane $200 Voucher - Jo Van de Camp
Flying Horse Bar & Brewery $200 Voucher - Oliver Lack
Rafferty’s Tavern $200 Voucher - Pahandi
Gateway Plaza $200 Voucher - Fiona Hasell
South Coast Auto Services $100 Voucher: Neville Brodie, Sandra, Patrick Betts, Darren Russell
South Coast Auto Services $50 Voucher: Leonie Neale, Aiden Yu, Natalie Young, Chris Dowling, Frank Ryan, Leytton Meyer
Sarah Searle Hybnobirthing Voucher - Bernice Van de Camp
Helen’s Hampers and Sensory Items Voucher - Aaron
Anonymous Donor $300 Toy World - Noah
Anonymous Donor $100 Visa Voucher - Sach Nguyen
A huge thank you to our wonderful sponsors without whom the raffle would not be possible.......
Westvic Staffing Solutions
E Resources
South Coast Auto Services - Levett Family
Rafferty's Tavern
Flying Horse Inn
Frolic Lane
Gateway Plaza
Helen's Hampers & Sensory Items - Helen Best
Anonymous Family Donations x 2
Hypnobirthing Class - Sarah Searle
Children’s Raffles:
Lollie Basket - Will Chambers
Lollie Basket - Peter Reed
Lollie Basket - Ivy Cawthorne
Lollie Basket - Josie Foard
Children’s gift pack - Daryl Hall
Children’s gift pack - Jack Lucas
Children’s gift pack - Ella Meade
Book set - Will Reilly
Bedding set - Rodney Gibb
Mixing bowl/cooking utensil set - Pat Seuren
Gift Bag - Jane Kelly
We also thank the following for their valued contributions to our Fair...............
Old Collegians Football-Netball Club: Donated lollies for prizes.
Bronwen Levett: Donated popcorn for the stall.
Darrian Office & Art Supplies: Donated funds to contribute to equipment hire.
2023 School Fees and Student Levies.
With only 4 weeks remaining of the 2023 school year I am very concerned regarding the level of school fees outstanding. As of yesterday (Wednesday 15th November) the amount owing is $114,308.26. I do appreciate that a number of families with an outstanding balance have direct debits in place but unfortunately this is not the case for all families.
For families who have their final child in year 6 or may be transferring to another school, the policy guidelines from our governing body (DOBCEL) are very clear. We do not want to place our families in an agency’s hands, so please contact me so that we can work out a payment plan. Statements and requests have already been sent several times. Our school phone number is 5562 2506. All matters are treated with the strictest confidence.
Anne Kerr
Business Manager
Hot off the Prep Press!
Measure Up!
During our Maths time we have been exploring measurement and how we can compare objects to see which is longer or shorter. This week we have used informal units of measurement such as our hand spans and streamers. We compared and ordered different items of clothing to find out which item is long, longer or longest or short, shorter or shortest. We have had so much fun learning by doing and using vocabulary that helps us explain our thinking.
Busy times ahead!
We are heading into a very busy time of the year and things come upon us so quickly. This is just a little reminder to keep an eye on the newsletter, Schoolzine app and checking your children’s school bags for any notes that are coming home. We have some very exciting things planned for the coming weeks so please stay tuned!
Learning Journals!
We are getting ready to show you all the wonderful work that we have been doing in the second half of the year. However, to do this we need our learning journals. There are still around 15 journals that have not been returned. Can you please check at home to see if they are lying around or being kept in a safe spot and return them to school with your child. Thanks so much!!
Games Day Invitation
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As part of our Science unit, Smooth Moves, we have been focussing on forces and how they act on each other. To display their understanding of this, the students will be working in collaborative teams to create games that show some of the forces that have been learnt about throughout the term.
An invitation is extended to all parents and friends to join us on Games Day, to play the games with the students who will be excited to share their creations.
The Games Day will be held in the Library on Thursday the 23rd November between 2:30pm and 3:30pm.
Regards,
Kate Sewell, Jane O’Donnell, Jake Bacon, Clare Stacey and Mick Sully
Laptops for Sale
The school is currently replacing some of the classroom laptops in the junior school. As a result, we
have 21 devices for immediate sale.
They are: HP 250 G6 Notebook PC, X64, Intel i3-7020U CPU @ 2.30GHZ, Windows 10 Education, Office 2016 included. They also come with chargers.
All of the devices have been taken off the school’s network.
The devices are available from the school office for $100 each.
Strictly no warranty given or implied.
Japan Trip 2024
Breakfast Club
Our Beyond Bank Breakfast club runs on Wednesday mornings from 8:15-8:55. It is a great chance for students to come together and begin their school day with their friends over some yummy toast, cereal or even just a cup of milk or juice.
Tracey has been doing an amazing job with Breakfast Club and will be continuing to do so for the remainder of the year! Tracey will be moving on next year with all her children off to high school which means we will need a volunteer to take over for next year! Tracey will be more than happy to show people the ropes over the remaining weeks of the term. If this is something that might interest you for 2024, please make contact with the office, we really appreciate the time and effort that goes into these roles.
A special message........
The following students will be celebrating their birthdays in the coming week.................
Henry Mahony, Evie Brisbane, Dylan Scrivenor.
Canteen Roster for next week.
Tuesday 21st November: Lauren Johnson
Wednesday 22nd November: Volunteer needed please.
Thursday 23rd November: Cherie Geyer
Friday 24th November: Volunteer needed please.
Class Awards Week 6
Uniform Price List
Important Dates.
Monday November 27th: 5/6 Beach Safety begins
Monday November 27th: Prep Active Sports Excursion
Friday December 1st: Dennington Carols by the Merri
Friday December 1st: Prep excursion: Movies and Library
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.