May 23th, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

A Note from our Principal

Ngata Families & Friends,

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting our first, there will be more to come, Guided Learning Walk for parents on Wednesday June 5th 9.15-10.15am. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to get an inside look at our school, observe our teaching practices, and see firsthand the vibrant learning environment we provide for your children.

Purpose of the Guided Learning Walk - Structured Literacy focus 

The primary goal of the Guided Learning Walk is to foster a strong partnership between our school and families. We believe that when parents are engaged and informed about their child's education, it positively impacts student success. This walk will allow you to:

• See Our Junior (F-2) Classrooms in Action: Observe how our dedicated teachers engage students and deliver the curriculum.
• Understand Our Educational Approach: Learn about the structured literacy teaching methods and strategies we use to support student learning.
• Experience the School Environment: Gain insights into the daily experiences of your children and the resources available to them.

What to Expect During the Guided Learning Walk

1. Welcome and Introduction: We will begin with a welcome and an introduction to the walk's schedule. You will meet some of our key staff members who will guide you through the walk.

2. Classroom Visits: You will have the chance to visit several F-2 classrooms. During these visits, you will see literacy lessons in progress. 

3. Interactive Observations: As you walk through the classrooms, you will be encouraged to observe the interaction between teachers and students, take note of the classroom environments, and see the learning activities taking place.
   

4. 'Corridor Talk': Throughout the tour, there will be designated times for you to ask questions and engage with the staff leading the walk. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our educational philosophy and how we support each student’s unique needs.

5. Feedback and Discussion: At the end of the walk, we will gather for a brief debriefing session where you can share your thoughts, ask additional questions, and provide feedback. Your input is invaluable as we strive to continuously improve our school.

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing the wonderful things happening in our classrooms every day. If you would like to attend please register using this RSVP link.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community.

Yours sincerely,

Nick Murrell

Principal

Sick Passes via Email / PAM

From next week, parents and carers will start to see a change in practice regarding Sick Pass information. The purpose for this change to practice is to ensure families are aware of all issues pertaining to your child's health. 

If your child visits the sick bay, you will receive an email notification through PAM with information such as the time of the visit, the reason, body area of concern, the treatment they received and when your child returned to class. 

Common examples of these notification reasons may be small bumps (to areas of the body other than the head), small cuts/abrasions or small tummy aches etc.  

IMPORTANT TO NOTE - If your child receives a knock to the head, parents/carers will continue to receive a prompt phone call. This practice will not change. Also, as is current practice, if we deem your child needs to be collected from school with more immediate health concerns parents/carers will receive a phone call, this practice will not change. Parents/carers will receive an email notification through PAM in addition to these calls. 

You will not receive email notifications if your child takes a regular daily prescribed medication. 

If you have any questions please contact Nick on principal@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au 

St. Pius X Student Representative Council 2024

A big welcome and congratulations to our SRC representatives for 2024! These students were elected by their peers to represent all of the students in our school. Their role is to organise activities for everyone to be involved in, help to make students feel safe and explain important things that are happening at our school. More importantly, they have been elected to listen and are given the responsibility of voicing the needs of the student cohort, to make our school a better place.  

The Foundation Files

Library Fun! 

Each Friday we love visiting our school library to enjoy stories and read with a friend. It’s the day where we can bring along our library bags and borrow two books to take home and share with our families. After we listen to a story as class we then have time to explore, enjoy and discover many wonderful stories from the shelves. Last week Ms Lane read the story “Mad Magpie” which told the story of a Magpie who got mad with his friends because he thought that his other bird friends were laughing at him. Magpie then realised that all birds can make different noises.  Thank you to Mrs Dowling and Isla for keeping our library tidy and organised. We know that when we have finished reading we have to put the books back in their correct places by checking the letter on the spine. Don’t forget to bring your library bag tomorrow! 

Words, Words and More Words!

As you know we are learning so many things in the Foundation room. This week we are focussing on our coloured words in the back of our green books in our reader bags. Some people are doing such a great job and are getting new coloured lists to practice. Don’t forget to be practicing these at home so then we can test you at school and see if you are ready for a new colour. We can’t wait to see who needs new words in the coming weeks! Keep up the great work at home, everyone!

Learning with others is fun!

We know learning is fun but when we get to learn with friends it’s even better! This week we have been learning how to partition numbers to 5 and 10 using frames and counters. One of our counting games, Tug-Of-War, also helps us to practice these skills. We know when we play a game that we need to take turns, share materials and encourage each other. We love working and playing with our friends. 

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.

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!

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. 

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 just to say.............

The following students will be celebrating their birthday over the coming week....................

Kion Hangawatha, Zola O'Flaherty,  Maniah Roads, Connie Schrama, Aubri Anderton, Levi Delaney, Hamish O'Grady & Kaylee Mapperson.

Canteen Roster for next week.

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.

Friday, 24th May - Assembly 3pm in Church

Wednesday, 29th May - Foundation Excursion - Library 

Friday, 31st May - Pupil Free Day for Staff Wellbeing Focus PD (no school)

Tuesday, 4th June - SAC/P&F Workshop 2 - Family and Community Engagement 7.30pm

Wednesday, 5th June - Learning Walk 9.15-10.15am - Focus: Structured Literacy

Friday, 7th June - Assembly 3pm in the church

Monday, 10th June - King's Birthday public holiday (no school)

Tuesday, 11th June - Learning Conversations

Wednesday, 12th June - Learning Conversations

Thursday, 13th June - Learning Conversations

Friday, 14th June - Student Movie Night TBC

Friday, 28th June - Last day of Term 2 - 2.30pm finish 

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.

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/