February 15th, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

Project Compassion 2024

A Note from our Principal

Dear parents and carers,

As we embark on the journey of Lent this week, I am reminded of the importance of reflection, service, and community. This week, I had the privilege of joining our Hands-on Learning group in a visit to the Men's Shed—an extraordinary program enriching both our school and the wider community. Witnessing firsthand the camaraderie, skills development, and sense of purpose fostered in that space was truly inspiring. It reinforces our commitment to nurturing such initiatives that not only empower individuals but also strengthen the fabric of our community. As we embrace this season of renewal, let us continue to sow seeds of compassion and unity.

Kind regards,

Nick Murrell

Principal

Men's Shed HoL this week

Pupil Free Day

Please remember that there is another Pupil Free Day next Wednesday, 21st February.  Our teaching staff will be attending a professional development day for structured literacy.   There are no students at school on this day. 

2024 School Closure Days

Term 1 

Monday 12th Feb - Staff First aid training (COMPLETED)

Wednesday 21st Feb - Structured Literacy Staff Professional Development (DOBCEL determined date)

Term 2

Date TBC - Wellbeing focus - Awaiting time and date confirmation from facilitator

Term 3

Tuesday 20th August- Structured Literacy Staff Professional Development (DOBCEL determined date)

Term 4

Friday 18th October - Religious Education Staff Professional Development

Traffic Update

A reminder to new and existing families about safely entering the school carpark from Ross Street.

Can motorists please observe the stop sign at the pedestrian crossing in Ross St. Gerard (our crossing guard) has reported motorists turning into the school drive while he is in the middle of the crossing with children.

By law, once Gerard’s sign is up, no traffic is allowed to move on the crossing or into the driveway.

Thanks for your cooperation as we try to keep everyone in out community safe. 

Student Medical Information Updates Required.

A reminder that we require all families to login to PAM and update their child's medical information if any details have changed or if you are a new family to St. Pius.   Please ensure that this is completed as soon as possible.

To update a medical profile for your child/children please follow these instructions:

1. Click on the link to PAM (found on SZ App or on the St. Pius website)
2. Click on student. (Remember that each child has their own medical profile)
3. Click on Medical Profile (blue writing to the left of screen)
4. Check all questions and select Edit Details for updates to be made.
5. Once you get to the end of the questions please confirm by clicking on the Green “Update Details” box found at the bottom right of screen.

As a parent/guardian you are able to access your child/rens medical profile on PAM at any time to update as needed.

If you have any queries or require your PAM login details, please do not hesitate to contact the office.  

Acceptable use and cyber safety agreement - PAM

We would appreciate it if this form could be completed as soon as possible.  If you have any problems, please contact the office.  Thank You.

St. Vincent De Paul Reading Program

Fee-free after school reading program

 Want your child to improve their reading and academic skills? Make new friends? Be involved in a co-curricular activity? Foster positive relationships with caring adults?

 The Vinnie’s reading program might be for you!

St Vincent de Paul run a reading program which offers children the chance to read with a volunteer each week. The program runs each Wednesday of the school term (3:30 - 4.45pm in the library). It is open to any student at St Pius X  (prep to Year 6). Students of all ages and abilities are welcome, from those who need additional support to those who are confident and avid readers. The program provides students with a safe and welcoming environment where they can experience the magic of books, enhance their skills, make new friends and enjoy the support of caring adults. Vinnie’s would love to welcome some new faces.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation in 2024 will be celebrated on Monday March 18th at 6:00pm.
If your child is baptised, and has already participated in the Sacrament of Confirmation and Eucharist, please complete the attached form to register for this program. Traditionally, this is for students in year 6.

Important dates for 2024 are:

February 22nd  (Thursday) Family Formation Meeting 7.00pm

February 25th (Sunday)      Children presented at Mass 10.00am                       

                        Family Group 1

March 3rd (Sunday)    Children’s photo displayed in the Church
                       Family Group 2
                       Family Group 3
                       Family Group 4

March 18th (Monday) Sacrament of Reconciliation 6:00pm.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sara Graham

Google form

Easter Raffle

Although it seems like we've just had Christmas, we are already looking ahead to Easter and in particular our Easter Raffle.   We would appreciate it if each family could sell a book of tickets.  These will be sent home with the oldest child tomorrow.   Donations of easter eggs, bunnies etc to make up the gift baskets would also be greatly received. The raffle will be drawn on the last day of term, Thursday 28th March.   

Mens Shed 2024

Last Wednesday 10 excited students had their first visit to the Men's Shed for 2024. They learnt how to measure, saw and use the electrical drill, in preparation for making a box with a sliding lid next week. We are so grateful for all the time and preparation the volunteers do for this amazing program to run, in particular Graham, who spent days during the holidays, reorganising the shed, so we could a have a designated area just for our students.

Stomp!

Last Thursday our school community gathered together for the first time this year, for the fabulous Stomp Dance performance. It was heart warming to see the delight on students and parents faces as each year level was lead through some skilful dance routines.  Our instructor Michaela was awe inspiring and got everyone energised. There were some memorable dance moves on display from parents, grandparents, teachers and students alike. We especially loved seeing everyone on the dance floor doing the chicken dance and the YMCA. Congratulations everyone on a memorable evening. 

Congratulations to the Best Girls!

Congratulations go to Zarli and Charlee Best who competed last weekend in Little Athletics Regionals in Ballarat.   They both achieved great results in their respective fields and their results are as follows.  Well done to both of you!

Zarli Best
1st - u14 120m Ballarat Gift. 

2nd - u12 100m sprint little aths regionals.  Time 14.40 and a new PB. 

5th - Triple Jump little aths regionals - 8.11meters and a PB.

3rd - 200m little aths regionals time 31.65.

Charlee Best 
Shot Put - 2.57 m -4th place regionals.

800m - 6th place - time 3.44.39 new PB regionals.

200 m - 6th place time 43.61 new PB regionals.

Long Jump - 2.38 m & 9th place regionals. 

400m - 1.38.92 & 5th place. 

Library News

Library books!

If any St Pius X families have a Library book hidden in their bookshelf, can they please be returned to school as soon as possible.

We will be getting the Library ready for its return and would love any outstanding books to be returned!

Thanks in advance for your support

Alanna Dowling.

Geelong Football Club Visit

Yesterday we had a visit from several Cats players who are in Warrnambool as part of the Geelong Football Club Community Camp.  The players included Patrick Dangerfield, Max Holmes and Lawson Humpries and also Georgie Prespakis who was the AFLW Best and Fairest Winner for 2023.

Over the course of an hour or so, there were question and answer sessions with the players and then the students went up onto the oval to learn from the experts and practice their ball skills.

The Foundation Files

Pancake Day

This week we learnt about a special event that occurs on the Church calendar - Shrove Tuesday which can also be known as Pancake Tuesday. This is the day before Lent begins and traditionally people would use up a lot of the eggs, sugar, butter, honey and syrup that they had in their cupboards. 

We read a book called ‘Pancakes’ and then we got to eat pancakes outside in the sun with syrup and butter. They were delicious!!!

STOMP!

We had the best fun dancing with Michaela during the week and we loved learning all the different dance moves. The 4 songs we learnt were - Let’s Get Loud, Crocodile Rock, Top of the World and Peaches.

We were so excited to perform our dance moves to our families and our school community. It was a fun week to be at school!!

Library Bags 

Just a reminder that on a Friday we have Library time. At the moment we are holding a library lesson in our classroom with a supply of fantastic picture story books. We love to pick a book and read (even though we don’t know all the words!) and look through the pictures by ourselves or with a friend. Don’t forget to bring along a bag so that you can enjoy reading with your family at home.

What makes me happy??

On Friday we would love the children to bring along a show and tell item of something that makes them happy. It may be a toy, a book, a photo, a game or a song. We can't wait to share and have fun together.  Thanks!

School Fees and Levies 2024

Structured Literacy

We are thrilled to announce that our school - along with many others - has joined the Diocese of Ballarat's Structured Literacy Project. In 2024 we will be taking the first steps towards a renewed, evidence-based approach to Literacy instruction through participation in this award-winning research partnership with La Trobe University.

The Sciences of Reading and Learning tell us that a systematic, explicit approach to the teaching of the alphabetic code and the grammatical rules that underpin written English offers our students the best chance at becoming confidently literate. The approach we are strategically adopting is called Structured Literacy, which is the approach endorsed by the International Dyslexia Association, the International Literacy Association and the Australian National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy.

Our whole staff group will be working closely with the Structured Literacy team from the Catholic Education Office over the next few years, to learn more about the principles, elements and characteristics of a Structured Literacy approach with our second school closure on Wednesday 21st February dedicated to this new learning.This is a substantial change that will take time. However, we are assured by the results achieved in the pilot schools and the endorsement of the La Trobe University researchers.

We will strive to keep you updated on the progress of this important project, but for now you may wish to watch this short video from the DOBCEL Structured Literacy team to find out more:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLLrFOqmg7k

Attached to this newsletter is important information regarding the collection of data for the research project. If you do not wish for your child/children’s data to be used in the study, you may opt out by:

1. Printing and returning the attached form.

2. Collecting a hard copy form from the office.

3. Emailing Rebecca Parkinson directly at rparkinson@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Endorsement - Opt out letter for parents

A special message........

The following students will be celebrating their birthdays in the coming week........

Emmerson Levett, Louie Miller, Evie Hunt, Maddison Lenehan & Liam Brozinski.

Canteen Roster for next week.

Important Dates.

Thursday, 15th February - SAC Meeting 7.30pm

Friday, 16th February - Assembly

Wednesday, 21st February - School Closure -Pupil Free Day (Staff professional development - Structured Literacy)

Tuesday, 5th March - F-2 Athletics Carnival

Wednesday, 6th March - 3-6 Athletics Carnival

Thursday, 7th March - F/1/6 Lions Eye Health Testing

Monday, 11th March - Labour Day Public Holiday

Tuesday, 12th March - PSG meetings

Wednesday, 13th March - PSG meetings

Monday, 18th March - Reconciliation Sacrament 6pm

Thursday, 28th March - Last Day of Term 1

Friday, 29th March - Good Friday Public Holiday

Uniform Price List

Before & After School Care.

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.