Newsletter Term 2 Week 5 ,2024
Welcome to Country
In the Spirit of Reconciliation, the St. Pius X school community recognizes the ongoing role of the traditional custodians of this land, the Tubba-Gah peoples of the Wiradjuri nation. It is on their ancestral lands that we continue our learning journey together.
We extend that respect to Elders, past, present and emerging. Furthermore, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our school community. Acknowledging their presence and spiritual connection to Country.
In the light of faith, we work towards a more accepting and humble school environment for all.
Principal's Address
Incidents at School
If your child comes home and tells you about an incident that happened at school (in the
classroom or Playground) and you are concerned about it, I strongly recommend you contact
the classroom teacher in a respectful manner and allow them to investigate. Please do not
contact the other child’s parents, even if you think they should know. Please allow the school to
investigate and handle the situation.
It is important to understand that a child usually only understands an incident from their
perspective. A child is not necessarily lying when their story conflicts with another or when the
teacher's perspective does not match what you have been told at home. Children see their
world through their own limited experiences, which colour their perceptions. Adult perceptions
are balanced with life experiences. Listen to your child as they tell you their "reality", but
remember that a different "reality" may possibly exist elsewhere. Open, honest discussion with
school staff is essential in these situations.
If you are still concerned about an incident or do not feel it has been resolved, please contact
the school and make an appointment with myself or Greg.
School Values
Our school values are KIND, CONNECT, RESPECT. The staff have chosen these values as
core values that underpin all elements of education and community in our school. We believe
that if every member of our school community embeds these values in their everyday lives, we
should have a community that will thrive. We have noticed that some of our students are
struggling to display good sportsmanship in the playground and this has resulted in unkind
words being spoken, disconnection with peers and disrespect to rules, peers and teachers. I
would encourage parents to discuss these values with their children and how important they
are. Asking some key questions may help:
Who were you KIND to day?
How did you CONNECT with your friends?
Did you see other people showing signs of RESPECT?
You may want to share with your family how you enacted our values in your day. Remember
Parents are the first educators of their children and the ultimate role model.
Enrolments for Kindergarten
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2025 are open . If your family has a younger sibling or know of families who have children ready to commence school next year please contact the office for an enrolment form or alternatively our enrolment forms can be downloaded from the school website. Please don't hesitate to contact the office should you require any further assistance or clarification.
Keeping the School Comunity Well
There have been several viruses, including COVID affecting the health of children. We would
ask you to keep your child home, if they are displaying contagious symptoms such as:
- High Temperatures
- Coughs
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
- Extreme tiredness.
Children that test positive for COVID can return to school, when they are symptom free.
Children that have experienced diarrhoea or vomiting need to stay home for at least 24 hours
after the last incident.
Contact Details
Can parents please ensure that contact details are kept up to date. We have had several
incidents in the last couple of weeks when email and phone numbers are incorrect. It is
essential that we can contact you.
Uniform
Due to the Changeable weather students are able to wear either their full Summer Uniform (with
School jumper or full winter uniform (including school tie). Children are not allowed to wear a
combination of summer and winter uniforms. Can parents please check the names in jumpers,
as some jumpers have gone astray and children have a tendency to pick up anyone’s jumpers.
Please note that the school tie is a compulsory part of our winter school uniform for all students.
All students will need to be in full Winter School Uniform from the 11th June.
P and F - Uniform Consultation
At the last P and F meeting, an agenda item was discussed in updating our school uniform. I
understand that the P and F will begin the process of gaining parent feedback about our current
uniform and ideas to consider when updating our uniform. It is important to note that our school
needs to adhere and follow the Diocesan Uniform Policy.
Here is part of the Diocesan Uniform Policy
Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst supports primary schools to maintain the tradition of a
diocesan uniform, while recognising that other elements of the uniform, such as sports uniform,
or additional options for students beyond the diocesan uniform, be established by the school
● each school's uniform requirements should be reviewed when the need arises.
School uniform requirements should take into account the diverse nature of a school's student
population and activities.
Therefore:
● all students should have the opportunity to access the full range of school activities,
including physical activities, while wearing a school uniform
● a school uniform should promote the health and safety of students by identifying items
necessary for particular activities to protect students from injury, for example, items for
sun protection or safe footwear
● a sports uniform will be available to wear for sports activities
● decisions regarding school uniform requirements must comply with work health and
safety and anti- discrimination legislation
● schools expect students to wear the uniform during school hours, while travelling to
and from school, and when engaged in school activities out of school hours, unless
otherwise advised
● the school uniform, rather than the sports uniform, should be worn for the majority of
the week.
The last point is quite significant as it means that we are unable to wear sports uniform
any additional days.
Katrina Isbester-Principal
Assistant Principal's Address
Attendance Update
I would like to thank everyone for the high level of attendance at school. Our attendance rate is
sitting at 92.68%. However, we have an increase in partial absences which is 14.35% - these
absences are when children get dropped off late or picked up early. These results are
particularly good considering the amount of sickness that has been experienced by the whole
school community.
St Pius X Primary School Photo Day
School Photography Day- Date 26/06/2024
If you would like a Sibling/Family envelope please collect from the front office.
Xanthie Kerin - Acting Assistant Principal
RE News
Class Mass
Years 3 & 4 celebrated their class mass for this term last Thursday. The children have become very familiar with the mass responses and are modelling beautiful,reverent behaviour. Not to mention their great singing!
Confirmation
Our Year 6 students will be making their Confirmation over the next two
weekends. We wish them every blessing as they reaffirm their baptismal
promises by independently committing to their faith and are sealed with
the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Respectful Relationships Webinar
On Monday, 3rd June, the Diocese is presenting a webinar on Respectful
Relationships. The topic Respectful Relationships is something that our
young people are faced with more than ever today. This webinar is
designed to support parents to hold conversations with their children
about this difficult topic. Please see the details on the next page.
Term 2 Dates to Remember
1st & 2nd June 8th & 9th June | Confirmation Masses |
22nd & 23rd June 29th & 30th June | First Eucharist Enrolment Weekends |
Jo Taylor- Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X
Wellbeing
Bluey Wellbeing!
With the assistance of our creative Year 5 students, we currently have Bluey as a Guest Speaker at St
Pius X! Bluey is here to remind us about all the good things about ourselves and our school!
Library
Library
Apologies for the delay with Edition 3 of Book Club. There was a hiccup in the order process.
Hopefully books will arrive this week.
‘The Case of the Mysterious Green Dragon’
A mini novella by Mr Schwager.
There was once a student of St Pius who longed to record their thoughts and ideas in a beautifully
embellished ‘Green Dragon’ diary. Much to their delight, the very diary they were dreaming of
appeared in the latest edition of Book Club. Carefully counting out their pocket money and with
texta poised, they excitedly placed their order. But alas, they forgot to write their name on the order
form! With due diligence, the Librarian tried his very best to procure an identity for the diary…but,
sadly, to no avail. So, a message went out to the St Pius School Community to see if they could help
solve the mystery of The Green Dragon Diary? (To be continued…)
Kind Regards,
Mr Schwager
Merit Awards
Kindergarten
Ziggy, Maisie, Eleanor, Venus, Pippa, Nate, Riley, Oakley, Serenity-J
Year 1
Lilly, Paytyn, Dougie, Ollie S, Jesse, Aidan
Year 2
Arthur, Gerry, Milly, Evie, Amelia, Audrey, Eve, Lily, Allie, Evie, Hugo, Siena
Year 3
Aurora, Willow, Barli, Clara, Spencer, Estelle, Kinley, Meher, Matilda
Year 4
Hayden, Jet, Kingsley, Nate H, Liam, Timothy, Dustyn
Year 5
Mason, Camden, Lace, Elizabeth, Kimberly
Year 6
Braithyn, Ryder, Jayley, Abraham, Samuel
Happy Birthday !
Paytyn Charlotte
Milly Timothy
Waste 2 Art
St Pius X Entries
St Pius X sent a group of selected students to participate in the Waste 2 Art workshops. Some of these artworks have been selected to be displayed at the Waste 2 Art Exhibition. The Exhibition is free to enter. What a great family activity it would be to go and view our children’s artistic creations at Western Plains Cultural Centre.
EXHIBITION OPENS
25 May - 21 July 2024
More Information on Waste 2 Art