Newsletter Term 1 Week 7, 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
Attendance Update
I would like to thank everyone for the high level of attendance at school. Our attendance rate is
sitting at 95.05% which is an improvement of nearly 3%. However, we have an increase of 7.5%
in partial absences - these absences are when children get dropped off late or picked up early.
Several studies have shown that arriving late to school has a negative impact on learning
outcomes. The mere nature of arriving late (or leaving early) and missing school hours, students
receive fewer hours of instruction than students who are in class when the bell sounds. But not
only does a student who is consistently arriving late to school establish bad punctuality habits,
their tardiness also disrupts the learning of other students in their classes. Arriving late to school
can also mean that students miss out on activities designed to build connections with their
peers, potentially impacting their social interactions and creating a greater sense of alienation
from their classmates.
Easter Egg Raffle
Thank you to the families that have returned the Easter Raffle tickets and/or donated an Easter
Egg/gift to the raffle. This is a wonderful opportunity to support the P and F and the children love
the excitement of the easter raffle draw. The more donations, means more prizes to win.
Mobile phone Policy
Just a reminder to all students and parents that all mobile phones, or devices that can connect
to the internet, have to be handed into the office when students arrive at school and need to be
collected in the afternoon. This allows the school to minimise any potential damage to the
device or students accessing information or uploading images without the consent of students
and parents.
If a child is found with a device at school it will be handed into the office promptly by the teacher.
If this happens on several occasions, the device will need to be collected by a parent.
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.
Important Dates
13th-20th March - NAPLAN assessments
21st March World Down Syndrome Day - Wear Crazy socks
22nd March - Cross Country
29th March - Good Friday (public holiday)
1st April - Easter Monday (public holiday)
12th April - Last Day of Term 1
29th April - Pupil Free Day
30 April - First Day of Term 2
Katrina Isbester
Principal
Assistant Principal's Address
Diocesan Swimming
Last week we had four swimmers represent SPX at the Diocese of Bathurst swimming carnival. Harry R (Year 5) swam a four second personal best in his butterfly, Frankie L (Year 3) came second in her 50m freestyle with a time of 42.24, Phoebe H (Year Four) third in her 50m butterfly (50.06) and Stella L (Year Five) won her 11 years freestyle (35.73).
Stella, Frankie and Phoebe will now represent the Diocese at the Polding carnival later this month.
Diocesan Winter Sports Trials
Last Friday we had eight students travel to Bathurst to trial for Diocesan winter sports teams. We had Lincoln (Year 6) and James (Year 5) trial for soccer / football, Digby, Nate, Ryder and Zach (Year 6) trial for 12 years rugby league and Elsie (Year 6) and Amahlii (Year 5) trialling for netball. Congratulations to Digby (Year 5) who gained selection in the opens rugby league team. Well done to all students who represented our school at the trials.
School Cross Country
Our school Cross Country takes place Friday 22nd March at Pioneer Oval (just one block west of St Pius X – about 9.20am. The whole school takes part with Kindergarten and Year One taking part in informal races, Year Two to Year Six will run for positions at the Diocesan carnival (top four runners from each event).
ALL students are to wear FULL sports uniform.
The Diocesan carnival takes place at Coolah on Tuesday 7th May.
NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
These assessments are now all online (apart from the Year Three writing) and are automatically tailored to the student.
NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling and numeracy. The assessments are undertaken nationwide, every year in May.
NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four areas of:
- Writing
- Reading
- Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time, through the school curriculum.
If your child would like to have a practice they are available at:
https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
Assessments | Year Three and Five |
Writing | 13th March |
Reading | 14th March |
Language Conventions | 15th March |
Numeracy | 19th March |
Greg Cant
Assistant Principal
RE News
Class Mass
Our first class mass with Fr. Nam was last Thursday for Years 1 & 5. Thank you Fr.
Nam for a beautiful Mass shared with our children.
Meet For Mass - Year 6
Our first Meet 4 Mass is 24th March for Year 6. This date aligns with Palm Sunday, where
the Year 6 students have been asked to join the Palm Procession as part of their
Confirmation preparation.
Sacraments
A reminder…If you have missed attending an information session for your child to make their
sacrament this year 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
Project Compassion boxes are due back at school by Holy 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
St Pius X will have a Mufti Day (wear play clothes to school) for a gold coin donation on Holy
Thursday, 28th March. 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
14th March | Class Mass - Kinder & Year 6 |
18th March | St Patrick’s Day - in class liturgy |
21st March | Class Mass - Years 2, 3 & 4 |
21st March | National Down’s Syndrome Day (new date) |
24th March | Meet 4 Mass - Year 6 - Palm Sunday/Year 6 |
28th March | Holy Week Liturgy - Year 3 Easter Raffle Mufti Day - St John’s College Cambodian Fundraiser |
2nd April | Easter Resurrection Liturgy |
7th April | Meet 4 Mass - Kinder to Year 5 |
Jo Taylor
Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X
Student Wellbeing
To commence the year well, we are focussing on some simple but important ideas that help us to
stay safe, happy and healthy at school.
For the last few weeks you may have noticed signs around our school promoting the importance of
Wearing a Hat. This has been very successful with a huge improvement in sun safety across all
stages.
Our new focus for the next fortnight is the importance of using KIND WORDS, both in and out of the
classroom. Please take a moment to chat about this with your child.
Just a reminder that Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6) will be attending day excursions to Wambangalang
Education Centre to participate in activities focused on Personal and Social Capabilities, and Civics
and Citizenship. The dates are: Stage 3 Boys- Thursday 11 th April, Stage 3 Girls-Friday 12 th April.
Stage 2 (Year 3 and 4) students will be attending in Term 2 on Monday 20 th May-Stage 2 Girls, and
Tuesday 21 st May-Stage 2 Boys.
Invitation and Participation in these excursions is based on a student’s ability to follow class and
school rules, and teacher direction consistently.
Kind Regards,
Mr Schwager (Wellbeing Officer)
Library News
We have lots of new and interesting magazines available to read in the Library at the
moment, including ones related to NRL, AFL, Pokemon, Motorbikes, Gaming and Outback
Life.
Library Reading and Relaxing is also available at Lunchtimes on the following days for the
following classes: Wednesdays- Year 1, Year 3 and Year 5, and Thursdays- Kindergarten,
Year 2, Year 4 and Year 6.
Our first Scholastic Book Club Magazines went home last week. On the second last page it
explains how to order. The easiest way is by using the LOOP app but you can also fill out the
form and send in with the correct amount of money in a clearly marked envelope. Book Club
Orders will close on March 26th . By supporting Book Club, the school is able to purchase
more great titles for our library.
We have many children asking when Collector Club will be on this year. It will be held in
Term 2, with further information to come.
Kind Regards,
Mr Schwager (Teacher/Librarian)
Merit Awards
Kindergarten
Zara, Emerson, Declan, Harry, Bo
Year 1
Mia, Zack, Sophie, Jack, Olympia
Year 2
Lily, Rori, Milly, Mele, Micah, Georgie, Charlotte
Year 3
Barli, Travis, Frankie, Lauren, Willow
Year 4
Year 5
Mason, Katelynn, Ali
Year 6
Benji, Elsie, James, Lincoln
CONGRATULATIONS !
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !
Lace
Allie
Ryan
Jamie-Lea