May 30th, 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

National Reconciliation Week

This week is National Reconciliation Week. National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

Source: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/ 

Please take some time to view the Promise of Reconciliation Animation below, a resource produced by The Salvation Army. 

A Note from our Principal

Ngata Families & Friends,

We are pleased to announce that bookings for our upcoming Learning Conversations are now open via PAM. These important meetings offer an opportunity for parents and carers to engage with their child/ren and classroom teachers in a focused discussion about their child’s achievements and goals. During the Learning Conversations, students, teachers and parents will review work samples to draw meaningful connections to the student's progress and areas for growth. This collaborative effort ensures that we continue to support each student’s educational journey effectively.

We encourage all parents and carers to book a session and take part in these valuable discussions. Your involvement is key to fostering a supportive learning environment for your child. To book please log in to PAM and follow the links. Please also see the 'How to' video from Mrs Parkinson below (2nd video) demonstrating how to book your Learning Conversation. 

Please see the informative video below from our school captains, Holly and Vonal, explaining Learning Converstions. 

We look forward to your participation.

Yours sincerely,

Nick Murrell

Principal

Please see below for a 'How to' guide for booking in to Learning Conversations. Thanks to Mrs Parkinson!

NO SCHOOL TOMORROW, Friday 31st May.

Please remember that tomorrow is a Pupil Free Day; we look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday. 

Learning Walk - Next week

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.

Movie Night - Friday 14/6/24

This year's school movie night will be held in a few weeks on Friday 14/6/24 @ 6.30pm.  Please see below for some quick facts about the night. The movie title will be announced in the very near future. 

Quick facts

Time/Date: 6.30pm Friday 14th June

Movie title: Ice Age 5 (PG)

Cost: $5

Cost includes: Movie, Popcorn, Lolly bag

Location: Middle Pod

What to wear: Pyjamas (or casuals if preferred)

What to bring: Water bottle, something comfy to lie on (pillow, blanket, bean bag etc)

Supervision: Will be provided by parents and friends of St Pius X who have a valid Working with Children Check and Mr Murrell. 

What not to bring: Food, mobile devices, extra lollies

Mobile devices are NOT to be brought along: If bringing a device is deemed essential by a students parent/carer- it is to be handed to Mr Murrell upon arrival. Any devices not presented to Mr Murrell upon arrival will be be confiscated and will need to be collected by a parent or adult at the conclusion of the movie night.

Not getting SZapp push notifications?

Here is some information from Schoolzine to help troubleshoot if you are having this issue.

Does the app notification show for the user in their feed but they did not receive the push notification? – if so, they may have notifications turned off for their Operating System or the App.

Have you got Push notifications turned on WITHIN SZAPP?

When using the app, select the manage tab from the top ribbon and ensure that there is push notifications turned on for the SZapp.

Have you got Push notifications turned on for your OPERATING SYSTEM?

Certain devices will have push notifications turned off by default when installing software. In order to receive notifications for your device you will need to ensure that both the Operating System notifications as well as the App notifications are enabled.

Was SZapp open when the notification was sent?

Sometimes applications will lie dormant or in ‘sleep’ status on your device in order to cache information and decrease load time when you are wishing to use the application again. Once you have finished using SZapp we recommend that you fully close the app in order to avoid push notifications not being received on some devices in this ‘sleep’ state.

Sick Passes via Email / PAM

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 

Ready, Set, School! program

Click below to register for our Ready, Set, School! program

Click here to Register

News from Hands on Learning

MEN’S SHED

The ten students have been busy making their own  wooden tool box, sliding pencil box and now a fruit bowl/footstool. The students enjoy conversing with the men at the shed and each week are learning new skills ranging from accurately measuring, to how to cut a curved line into wood, drill holes, use a clamp and  handy hints from very experienced tradesmen. Our students set personal goals each week, evaluate how successful they have been at achieving their goals and acknowledge their peers by giving shout outs and voting on the most valued person in the shed for that day. 

HANDS ON LEARNING

We have been busy in the shed making Mother’s Day presents, planting the vegie garden, hosting a group of elderly women from Archie Graham, growing cuttings from flowers, running a cafe for JP3 and JP4, where we prepared, cooked and served hamburgers, home made sausage rolls, pizzas and milk shakes. We are now taking on the challenge to design and build a wooden form of transport and selling hot donuts on June 11th. 

Warrnambool Eisteddfod

Wow what a week! From Friday 17th May to Friday 24th May, we have had over 71 entries from our school and 50 senior students competing in individual events and the four senior classes taking on choral reading at the Warrnambool Eisteddfod.

Students started getting their material to practice at the end of last term and have been madly practicing in class and in their own free time at school and at home. Thanks to the LSOs and classroom teacher’s who have been amazing at supporting our students in developing their public speaking voices. Special thanks to Louise Crispe for giving up a lot of her personal time to support these students. The personal growth we have seen in each student has been mind blowing. Each and every student should be proud of the journey they have taken in becoming competent, fluent and expressive speakers. Students have competed in poem for two, poem for one, read from their favorite novel, scripture, written speeches on the topics they are most passionate about, composed their own poems, read a poem with only been given 3 minutes to prepare for, written and read a news report, and we even had two brave students do a character recital. We had five brave students step in and fill a student’s position when someone was away. How amazing to go on stage at the last minute without any time to prepare. I hold these students in great awe.  Looking forward to next year’s Eisteddfod. 

Adele Webster

The Foundation Files

Living like Jesus

We have been learning lots about Jesus and the bible during our RE time over the past couple of weeks. On Monday, we had fun dressing up to replicate what times were like thousands of years ago when Jesus was alive. Some of us dressed up as disciples and some of us were the Romans. We played games such as marbles, knuckles, quoits, used hula hoops and skipping ropes. We went for a long walk like a ‘pilgrimage’ and took some quiet time to gather our thoughts. We also tried some different foods such as black and red grapes, hummus, flatbread, olives and shaved meats. Some of us liked the new foods, some of us didn’t. We know that Jesus was a kind and caring man who taught others how to be like him. 

Making numbers - 3 parts to make a whole!

Over the past couple of weeks all of our number work has been related to putting parts together to make a whole - number facts! We have learnt that some numbers can have many different parts - like 6! It can be made by the parts 5 and 1, 4 and 2, 3 and 3. We played a game this week where we had to use 2 dice to hit the target number. If we didn’t hit the target we had to do three star jumps, if we did hit the target number we had to high five our partner. It was so much fun!

We also learnt that we can make numbers by using 3 parts. Check out Isla-May and Zola’s number work on their whiteboards to show how they can make a whole by using three parts. Lords of learning happening in Term 2. 

Library Fun with our nearest and dearest!

On Wednesday we went on an excursion to the Warrnambool Library. We sent a digital invite via Seesaw to a special person in our lives to ask them to meet us at the Library to share in some reading fun together. We had a tour of the library with Jackie and she showed us some of the awesome things that the Library offers our community. We then listened to some stories and had fun exploring all of the wonderful picture storybooks that are on offer. Some people even got to borrow some books with their own special library card. A big thank you to all of the special adults that came along, it was so wonderful for the students to share this time and experience with you!!

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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....................

Lenny Kelly, Ethan Brown, Sienna Sharples, Ruby Sharples & Charlotte Van De Camp.

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, 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 (Tomorrow)

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/