Newsletter Term 1 Week 6, 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
NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy
assessment that students in Years 3 and 5, sit each year. It is the only national assessment all
Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.
As students progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning
the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy.
NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school
curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national
standards.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace
ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with
additional information about students’ educational progress.
NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how
education programs are working and whether young Australians are achieving important educational
outcomes in literacy and numeracy.
Naplan Timetable for 2024 at St Pius X
Wednesday 13th March 9.30am - Writing
Thursday 14th March 9.30am - Reading
Friday 15th March 9.30am - Language Conventions
Monday 19th March 9.30am - Numeracy
Tuesday 20th March - Make Up tests
We ask that parents ensure that their children arrive on time to school on these days. It is also
important to remember that NAPLAN does not assess your child’s social skills, sporting skills
and resilience, and your child’s wonderful personal qualities.
Hats and Uniforms
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students with the huge improvement in wearing
their full school uniform and consistently having their school hat on during play. We are still
enforcing our No Hat No Play policy.
Just a few things to remember about uniform.
● Girls are to wear white socks
● Earrings are a small stud or small sleeper earring.
● No coloured hair
● No nail polish
Illness
Attendance at school is crucial for student learning, however sick children have difficulty
focusing on work and have the potential to infect other students and staff. If your child is unwell,
please keep them home until they are symptom free. There are currently some severe viruses
present at school as well as several COVID cases.
Children should not come to school with:
● high temperatures or extreme lethargy
● High temperatures and sore throats
● cough with other symptoms
● Vomiting or gastro symptoms (at least 24 hours after the last symptom)
If your child is away due to illness or sickness please update your child’s attendance on
Compass or let their classroom teacher know.
Katrina Isbester
Principal St Pius X
This photo of our wonderful Kindergarten class was featured in the Daily Liberal last Friday. We can't wait to see these beautiful students thrive and grow at St Pius X.
RE News
Class Masses
Our first class mass with Fr. Nam is this Thursday for Years 1 & 5. These masses
allow the children to engage with the mass and learn the parts of the mass in a
familiar environment. The masses are held at school in our Chapel or Hall at 1pm.
Parents or grandparents are most welcome to join us.
Sacraments
Thank you to all the parents who attended the information sessions to enrol your
child for their relevant sacrament this year. If you have missed attending an information
session you will now need to contact the Sacramental Coordinator, Rosalie Hoskins:
sacraments.dubbo@cdob.org.au
World Down Syndrome Day
On the 21st March we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. All of St Pius X is invited to join in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day by wearing your craziest socks to school! This is not a fundraising day but rather a day to celebrate all those amazing people with Down Syndrome, especially Riley, a treasured member of the St Pius X community.
Project Compassion-Lent
Lent is a time for reflection and thinking of those less fortunate than us. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection at Easter. One way that we can help others is through Project Compassion. The boxes are due back at school by the last day of school before Easter, Thursday, 28th March. The children are encouraged to do small jobs to earn some money to help someone in need throughout Lent. For more details follow the link…Project Compassion
Mufti Day Fundraiser
On the last day of this Term, St Pius X will also have a Mufti Day (wear play clothes to school)
for a gold coin donation. All money raised will go towards the St John’s College Cambodian
Immersion Experience, where the Year 11 students will assist with the building of three
dwellings to house local families in Cambodia. Our donation will help build these dwellings and
support a community that faces numerous challenges regarding education, healthcare and
basic amenities.
TERM 1 DATES to Remember
7th March Class Mass - Year 1 & 5
14th March Class Mass - Kinder & Year 6
17th March St Patrick’s Day - in class liturgy
21st March Class Mass - Years 2, 3 & 4
21st March National Down’s Syndrome Day
24th March Meet 4 Mass - Year 6 - Palm Sunday/Year 6
28th March Holy Week Liturgy - Year 3
Mufti Day - St John’s College Cambodian Fundraiser
Easter Raffle
2nd April Easter Resurrection Liturgy
7th April Meet 4 Mass - Kinder to Year 5
Jo Taylor
Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X
Merit Awards
Kindergarten
Aurora, Edith, Elsie, Shaniah, Sateki
Year 1
Paytyn, Brian, Aidan, Oliver S, Oliver K, Willow
Year 2
Hazel, Desyrae, Maddison, Evie
Year 3
Jadzia, Matilda, Henry, Walter, Whitney, Brock
Year 4
Hayden, Lawson, Aliza, Mia, Amity, Charlie
Year 5
James, Lace, Hope
Year 6
Nate, Amelia, Hendrix
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !
Landon
Maisie
Hugo