Newsletter Term 1 Week 8, 2025
Acknowledgement of Country
In the Spirit of Reconciliation, the St. Pius X school community recognises 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
Dear St Pius X School Community
Thank you to all who visited their child’s/ren’s teacher/s last week as part of the Parent and Teacher interviews. Remember, that we are always here and communication between home and school is a vital part of education.
World Down Syndrome Day
Thanks for the effort that everyone put into the crazy sock part of the day and your generosity towards such a wonderful cause. Thanks to Miss Bridie Atkins, Mrs Shannon FIsher, Mrs Aimee Rose and Mrs Suellen Hart for their efforts with the day.
Science and Engineering Day
On Thursday 27th of March, Year Six will be attending a Science and Engineering day run by the University of Newcastle at the Dubbo showground. Please see Mrs Isbester's compass note for details.
NAPLAN Testing
NAPLAN was completed last week and I would like to thank all the Year Three and Five students for their wonderful approach to the assessments. Thanks also to Mrs Jo Taylor, Mrs Michelle Carr and Mrs Jonte Buckland for their organisation and flexibility with the testing
Easter Egg Raffle
The Easter Raffle will take place on the last day of term (Friday, 11th April). Tickets will go home today and will need to be returned by the 8th April ($1 each). If you are wanting more tickets just contact the school office.
Thanks to those who have already donated an egg or two. As you know the annual raffle is such a highlight for the children, don’t forget to donate to support our P&F!
SPX Sandpit
We finally have our school sandpit revamped and ready to go. The size is a little bit smaller, but far more manageable. Some students have indicated they want to bring toys to use in the sand. Like any toys coming to school, we discourage it and hold no responsibility for any that are lost or broken.
I apologise now for any sand that makes it home in the children’s shoes.
Dr Justin Coulson Visit
Dr Justin Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s “Parental Guidance” and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au. He holds a PhD in Psychology and is one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts. Dr Justin Coulson is visiting St Johns College on the 5th May and our community is invited to attend his presentation in the evening. Also, if you have any themes in which you would like him to focus on please let me know. More information to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M4rQtTS7VQ
Save the dates:
- 5th May Dr Justin Coulson SJC
- 9th May SPX Trivia night
Kindergarten Enrolments 2026
We are already getting enrolments for Kindergarten 2026. If you have a child starting in 2026 please have your completed enrolment form to the office as soon as possible. Siblings definitely get preference but we simply need to know to accept other new enrolments.
School Photos
School Photos are schduled for the 2nd of April. If you wish to order sibling photos, order envolopes are available at the office. Please ensure you have placed your order by the 26th of March.
Have a fantastic week.
Greg Cant
School Principal
Assistant Principal's Address
Attendance
A reminder about the importance of consistent attendance…
At St Pius X, we generally have great attendance.
However, the parents of students who are absent for more than 10% of school days without a valid reason will receive a letter and may be required to attend an interview at school to discuss how we can support you to improve your child’s attendance. As a school, we are legally required to follow up on unsatisfactory attendance.
Absence Codes
Other Explained Absences: school has received a satisfactory explanation for a student’s absence. Includes: Funeral, participation in special events not related to school, recognised religious festivals or ceremonial occasions, critical incidents. (this is not for holidays, travel or sleeping in).
When filling in Compass details of your child’s absence, please give a valid reason as this is legally binding.
Jo Taylor
Assistant Principal
RE News
MEET 4 MASS
We look forward to joining our children from each class when we Meet 4 Mass, 9am on Sundays. Of course, you are most welcome to join us for Mass any other time as well. Our school community joining our Parish community for Mass is a great way to connect with the families of other class members and a way of fulfilling one of the commitments to being Catholic - coming together to celebrate our faith. Our Term 1 Meet for Mass will be on Sunday 30th March, 9am at St Brigid’s.
The Lenten Season
Throughout Lent, we will learn the story of Toefuata'iga.
Toefuata'iga, (Toy-foo-ah-tah-ing-ah) is a 13-year-old, 8th grade primary school student from Samoa. Her primary school in Upolu, Samoa, grapples with severe water scarcity that disrupts education and jeopardises students' health. With our donations to Project Compassion, we can help to overcome the lack of clean water for Toefuata'iga and her peers.
It is projects such as this that any donations to our Caritas Project Compassion Boxes support. We encourage your family to keep trying to fill your Project Compassion box as a way of giving and following in the footsteps of Jesus. The Project Compassion boxes will be collected before the end his term, Friday 4th April (Week 9).
Confirmation Enrolment Weekends
Please note the date correction for the Confirmation Enrolment Masses in the previous newsletter. The Confirmaton Enrolment Weekend is Saturday 17th May (5pm)/Sunday 18th May (9am or 5pm) or Saturday 24th May (5pm)/Sunday 25th May (9am or 5pm). You only need to attend one of the Masses for your child’s enrolment.
Term 1 Dates to Remember
- Meet for Mass - Sun 30th March, 9am
- Project Compassion Boxes due Friday 4th April (Week 9)
- Confirmation Enrolment Weekend Saturday 17th May (5pm)/Sunday 18th May (9am or 5pm) or Saturday 24th May (5pm)/Sunday 25th May (9am or 5pm)
Kristy Isbester
Acting Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X
Sports News
Diocesan Sports Trials
Congratulations to those students from Year Five and Six who were selected to trial for Diocesan sports teams. These trials take place in Bathurst this Friday 28th March. We wish you all the best of luck with the trials and safe travels.
Library News
Year 5 and 6 will be swapping Library days this week. All other classes as normal.
Please try to encourage your child to return their library books each week. A number of Infants children are disappointed when they are not able to borrow because they already have books at home.
Monitoring what types of books go home, in regard to suitable reading levels, can be problematic. Students may want to borrow a book to read to a younger sibling, or have a parent read to them. Sometimes it’s a book that they just enjoy looking at-this is especially so with some of the non-fiction books such as cooking, nature and transport books. I generally try to encourage each student to borrow at least one book each week, which is reading-level appropriate.
Wishing you a great week, Mr Schwager
Wellbeing News
At St Pius, our focus values are ‘KIND, CONNECT, RESPECT’. We often refer to these in class and as a whole school. For the next fortnight we have these well-deserving students nominated by staff for consistently displaying these values:
CONNECT: Estelle- Year 1
RESPECT: Amahlii- Year 6
Collector’s Club will conclude this Wednesday.. It will probably commence again in Term 3 or 4 after a break. Most students now have a full set of the Minecraft cubes but we are still accepting donations as we are trying to make a giant ‘art installation’ with all the leftovers?!
Kind Regards, David Schwager
Our School News
P&F News
Merit Awards
Kinder - Bodhi, Myles, Zayne, Charlotte, Ridwik
Year 2 - Oliver, Ivy, Eli, Kai, Vince
Year 3 - Eve, Hazel, Audrey, Hugo, Charlotte
Year 4 - Princess, Matilda, Meher, Walter, Riley
Year 5 - Amity, Hayden, Addison, Drishya, Grace
Year 6 - Mason, Katelynn, Hope, Stella, Kimberly
Happy Birthday !
Hugo 10th
Lace 11th
Allie 14th
Community News
