May 9th, 2024
- Acknowledgement of Country
- A Note from our Principal
- Mother's Day / Special Person's Day Breakfast - TOMORROW
- Canteen - Come and try days
- Learning Adventure
- Komodo
- SchoolTV
- Eisteddfod
- Mobile Phones
- The BIG Library Raffle is........ still going!
- Breakfast Club
- St. Vincent De Paul Reading Program
- School fee payment plans
- A special message........
- Canteen Roster for 1st Week Term 2.
- Important Dates.
- 2024 School Closure Days - Updated
- School Fees and Levies 2024
- Uniform Price List
- 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.
A Note from our Principal
Ngata Families & Friends,
Community Engagement and Family engagement in Learning
This week, our school had the privilege of hosting Mr. Tony Dalton, a renowned community engagement expert and consultant. Tony shared his expertise with our teaching staff, advisory council, parents, friends, and the Guiding Coalition leadership group. His insights have laid the foundation for enhancing our school's community connections and fostering greater family engagement in learning. As we embark on this journey, we're committed to providing regular opportunities for families to actively participate in their child's educational journey. Together, we'll cultivate an environment where every member of our school community feels valued and empowered to contribute to the success of our students. This is just the beginning of an exciting chapter in our ongoing efforts to strengthen the bonds between our school and the wider community. Stay tuned to our newsletter and updates for upcoming opportunities.
Mother’s Day
We are looking forward to our Mother’s Day / Special Person’s Day breakfast tomorrow morning. Planning and preparation is well organised and we are excited to welcome the approximately 225 people we have booked in to attend! Thanks to the school Parents and Friends group and our school admin team for all the work behind the scenes. We wish all mothers and special people a great day on Sunday. We look forward to seeing those attending tomorrow!
Nick Murrell
Principal
Mother's Day / Special Person's Day Breakfast - TOMORROW
Canteen - Come and try days
We are inviting any interested parents,carers or friends of St Pius X to come along to one of our Come and Try days in the school canteen. The event will be short, 20-30mins, and will give those who come along the experience and training required to run the canteen at lunch times. Canteen volunteering, does not involve lunch orders, just sales to students at 2nd lunch.
Dates: 15th and 16th May
Time: 1.45pm
Duration: 20-30 mins
If you come along and think that you may be able to join the team rostered on to run the canteen, we can also assist you with registering for a Working With Children's Card.
Learning Adventure
We have an exciting opportunity coming up in May for any prospective 2025 Foundation families to come and visit St Pius X. We are inviting students and parents to come along and be part of our Learn and Discover mornings. On these mornings kinder students will have the opportunity to join in some learning activities with our 2024 Foundation group, while parents and carers can learn about learning, teaching and school life at St Pius X. There is also a Parent Information session for those parents and carers who are unable to make it during school hours. Please see the flier below for more information.
Komodo
Komodo - Wellbeing Student Surveys!
As part of our wellbeing journey at St Pius X, students from Grade 3-6 will now be completing wellbeing check-in surveys through Komodo. This will take place once a fortnight to help us gain a better understanding of what is working well for our students and where challenges may lie. Students will be asked a number of wellbeing questions/statements, then based on student response the staff will look at the data and find ways to best support the students in need. Some examples of questions or statements that the students are asked include ‘I enjoy coming to school?’ Or ‘How would you describe the quality of your sleep in the last week?’
If you have any questions please contact your classroom teacher.
SchoolTV
In this edition of SchoolTV - BODY IMAGE
Kids today are more obsessed with their body image than those in past generations. This is partially influenced by the media and their social connectivity. Encouraging kids to have a healthy body image in childhood, can lay the foundations for good physical and mental health later in life.
A recent study highlighted that body image is one of the top three concerns for Australian youth. Over half of girls in high schools have tried to lose weight. One-third of teenage boys wanted to be thinner and another third wanted to be larger. Children need to understand that their body shape and size is not a reflection of their health or success. Parents and schools need to work together to help kids understand that everyone is born with their own ‘body-suit’.
In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn how to encourage their child to have a positive body image and why it is so important to their mental health.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to the Body Image edition of SchoolTV
https://spwarrnambool.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/body-image
Eisteddfod
The grade five and sixes have been busy over the last month getting ready for the Speech and Drama section of the Warrnambool Eisteddfod. The students have entered many sections from poetry reading, to writing speeches, reading from a novel, character recital, delivering a news report and reading from the bible. This year for the first time the eisteddfod will be in the St Pius X hall. Attached is a link so all parents can see when their child is performing. There may be a small entrance fee to view. Any questions or concerns please ask Adele Webster.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nhVOUT5Tet5Cwtrqvxan5Gke7I-mj6TJIkccdyPtFVE/edit?usp=sharing
Mobile Phones
Our school understands that some families require their child to have a mobile phone for communication and safety needs before and after school. If your child is bringing a mobile phone to school it must be checked in with Karen or Bec at the office as soon as they arrive at school and it can be collected as they exit school in the afternoon. Families in this situation, can you please remind your child of this important school procedure.
The BIG Library Raffle is........ still going!
We are still seeking the return of overdue library books from last year, or 5 years ago! These books can be added back into circulation for other students to borrow and enjoy.
On Thursday the 25th May, one lucky winner will be drawn and receive a $20 gift card for their efforts. We also have 3 other minor prizes for students to win and enjoy!
Thanks to Matthew Harrison who went searching through the bookshelf at home and found these books, he even had one from 2019! Matthew received 7 raffle tickets into the draw.
Thank you for taking the time to look and good luck searching!
Mrs Dowling
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club is open each Wednesday morning at 8:20am. Again, a big thankyou to Foodshare for providing us with breakfast items and Woolies for providing the fruit! Of course, this wouldn't take place without our amazing parent helpers so a big thank you to Sarah & Virginia as well!
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.
School fee payment plans
St Pius X is a low fee-paying school. Our global operating budget comprises funding from the Federal and State Governments, School fee collection, and fundraising.
School fees are a vital part of providing many aspects of your child's tuition at St Pius X. The 3 main options for paying your school fees are: Direct Debit, Credit Card (at the school office) and Direct Credit Payments.
Please take some time to consider which of these options is best for your family. If you would like to set up a direct debit payment plan please contact Bec Lawlor at the school office or email Bec at rlawlor@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au
Your support with this, early in the school year, would be greatly appreciated.
A special message........
The following students will be celebrating their birthdays over the coming week....................
Oscar Smith, Reg Parkinson, Sienna Watts, Samuel White & Finn Lucas.
Canteen Roster for 1st Week Term 2.
| Tuesday, 14th May | Lauren Terrington |
| Wednesday, 15th May | Tammie Karnajaya |
| Thursday, 16th May | Tammie Karnajaya |
| Friday, 17th May | Lauren Johnson |
We are currently looking for extra volunteers to help in the Canteen for the year, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You would only be rostered on a couple of times a term and your assistance would be greatly appreciated. The only pre-requisite is that you have a Working With Children Check. Please contact the office if you can help. Thank You.
Important Dates.
TOMORROW Friday, 10th May - Mothers Day Breakfast.
- District Cross Country at Albert Park
- Assembly 3pm in the Church
Wednesday, 15th May - Sacrament of Confirmation 6pm at St. Patricks Koroit
Monday 20th to Friday 24th May - Warrnambool Eisteddfod
Tuesday, 31st May - Pupil Free Day for Staff Wellbeing Focus PD
2024 School Closure Days - Updated
Term 1
Monday 12th Feb - Staff First aid training (COMPLETED)
Wednesday 21st Feb - Structured Literacy Staff Professional Development (DOBCEL determined date) (COMPLETED)
Term 2
Friday 31st May - Wellbeing focus
Term 3
Tuesday 20th August- Structured Literacy Staff Professional Development (DOBCEL determined date)
Term 4
Friday 18th October - Religious Education Staff Professional Development
School Fees and Levies 2024
Uniform Price List
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.