Newsletter Term 1 Week 10, 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
As we approach the end of Term One, I want to thank every member of our St Pius X community for a wonderful start to the school year. It’s been full of life, learning and faith—an energetic and hope-filled beginning to 2025.
SPX School Photos - Catch up
Advance Life will revisit SPX this Thursday to have a catch up photo day. Those students who were not present last Wednesday will have their individual and family photos taken.
Easter Egg Raffle
The Easter Raffle will take place on the last day of term (Friday 11th April). If you are yet to return your tickets these will need to be returned by 8th, April ($1 each). If you are wanting more tickets please 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!
Justin Coulson
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT (CCSP) is excited to celebrate its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of support for Catholic school communities in NSW and ACT.
As part of this milestone, CCSP is taking renowned presenter Dr. Justin Coulson on a tour to visit rural and remote locations to engage with parents and carers. St Johns College is proud to be one of the hosting schools for this FREE special event, which will be held on Monday, 5th May 2025.
To register for the FREE event, guests must use the registration link provided in the flyer via 123tix. Please note that the event is not listed as a public event on 123tix, so this link is essential for registration.
Kindergarten 2026 Enrolments
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2026 should be received by the end of Term One. If you have a child commencing Kindy in 2026, I ask that you download a copy of the enrolment form from the SPX website (or contact the office) and drop it off to the school office. Our office is more than happy to photocopy any original reports or certificates. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Annual School Improvement Surveys
I would like to inform you that our school will be asking all parents, students and staff to complete the Annual School Improvement Survey. The Surveys will be distributed to all staff, parents and Year 5-12 students on Thursday 8th May (Wk 2, Term2).
These surveys enable all members of the school community to have a voice. We do take note of all comments written as they are valuable insights from key stakeholders of the school. The comments and data provides information about how well the school is operating, highlighting areas of strengths and those that may need revision. Overall, the data collected from the surveys provide highly valuable information that directs the school's future planning for continual improvement.
SPX Parents and Friends Trivia Night
A reminder to save the date for our school trivia night, Friday, 9th May. As a school and community, we really would like to rebuild on previous success of past trivia nights and use this as a night to connect with SPX community members.
Tickets are available from: https://events.humanitix.com/st-pius-x-trivia-night-2025-18-event
PLEASE buy your tickets early.
Term Two starts for ALL students on Monday the 28th April.
Have a great week.
Greg Cant
Assistant Principal's Address
Pick Up Zones Rules Reminder
Thank you to all our parents who are following the 'Pick-Up' rules. It makes an incredible difference to the flow of traffic when these rules are adhered tp. If you don't have a family name sign for your vehicle, please call the office and they will print an laminate you one.
- Display family name sign on passenger visor. This helps us have your child ready at the gate.
- Move up to the end of the driveway if you are in the front car.
- Do not get out of your car.
- Three cars loaded consecutively only.
- Pull out in order (don’t not overtake), please be patient.
- Do not pull up in the bus zone, if there is no room you need to go around the block. Children are not allowed to exit from the Bus (bottom) gate. If you pull up in the bus zone, Police will book you.
- If your child needs help with their seatbelt, you need to park and collect your child.
- If your child is not ready to be collected, you will be asked to go around the block.
- This zone is for quick, easy collection of your child/children. Not following the guidelines above holds everyone up and creates a traffic issue!
Child Internet Safety
In the ever evolving world of technology, the link below leads to an article with useful suggestions to support your family manage technology and social media use in a healthy way. Professor Warburton and Macquarie University PhD candidate, Mic Moshel, have outlined the principles of a healthy media diet.
Wishing all our families a blessed and safe break over the Easter holidays.
Jo Taylor
Assistant Principal
RE News
The Lenten Season
Our Caritas program this week has taught us about Irene who is a 25-year-old single mother of two boys living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After her father died in a war, Irene along with her mother and siblings were displaced and faced many difficulties. Irene persevered to attend school for as long as she could, however, at a young age, she became pregnant and was left to raise a baby. Irene’s lack of education and in turn, limited job opportunities, further complicated her ability to support her family’s basic needs. Thanks to Caritas Australia’s partners, Caritas Kongolo, Irene was able to join a program and access resources that gave her a second chance to forge a brighter future for herself and her family. She took up a sewing course offered by Caritas Kongolo, who also provided sewing machines and fabrics for sewing. In addition to this, Caritas Kongolo ran agricultural training sessions so that she could grow and produce food for her family.
Thank you to the families who have already returned their Project Compassion Boxes. Last week’s count was $256. We are certain this tally is going to grow as the last of our boxes are returned this week.
Holy Week Liturgy
Our Holy Week Liturgy will be presented by Year 3 this Thursday, 10th April at 11:45 am. During this liturgy we take the time to celebrate and remember the sacrifices Jesus made, including his passion, death and his resurrection, triumphing over death and sin. Parents are welcome to attend.
Easter Resurrection Liturgy
Our Easter Liturgy will be presented by Year 4 this Friday, 11th April at 11:45 am. During this liturgy we explore the significance of how the Easter Season represents new life, hope, and God's love overcoming death, offering forgiveness and the possibility of a relationship with God. Parents are welcome to attend.
Remembering our ANZACs
Our Year 6 students will lead us in our ANZAC Day Liturgy when we return to school next term. The ANZAC Day liturgy will be Monday, 28th April at 11:45am.
We do invite our school community to also join in the community event of the ANZAC Day March on Friday 25th April.
TERM 1 DATES to Remember
- Project Compassion Boxes due as soon as possible.
- Holy Week Liturgy Thursday 10th April 11:45 am (Week 10)
- Easter Resurrection Liturgy Friday 11th April 11:45 am (Week 10)
TERM 2 DATES to Remember
- ANZAC Day Liturgy, Monday 28th April, 11:45am, (Week 1)
- Mother’s Day Liturgy, Thursday 8th May, 10:30am (Week 2)
- Mother’s Day Morning Tea/Lunch Picnic (BYO), Thursday 8th May, 11am (Week 2)
- Confirmation Enrolment Weekend Saturday 17th May (5 pm)/Sunday 18th May (9 am or 5 pm) or Saturday 24th May (5 pm)/Sunday 25th May (9 am or 5 pm) (Week 3 or Week 4)
Kristy Isbester
Acting Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X
Sports News
Polding Swimming – Homebush
A massive congratulations to Phoebe Heckendorf, Frankie and Stella Lavelle who competed in Sydney at the Polding Swimming carnival last week. To make it this far is a wonderful achievement for any swimmer.
Phoebe competed in two events; she swam a personal best (4 sec) with her butterfly (sixth out of 17) and came tenth out of 18 with her freestyle.
Frankie is a great breaststroker, swimming a 52.53 (PB) to come 12th out of 17.
Stella swam a 34.10 (PB) in her freestyle to come 13th out of 17 overall.
Congratulations girls for your efforts and making it to such a high level.
School Cross Country
Congratulations to Moore who won the annual cross country. This is the first time Moore has ever won the Annual SPX Cross Country trophy. Congratulations to House Captains Katelynn and Stella.
The teams’ events: Shannon won the nine years and under (Hazel Pigram, Kaliysta Ruttley and Abigail McAllister), 10 Years champion house was Moore (Harley Sykes, Frankie Lavelle and Solomon Morley), 11 years champs were McAuley (Amity Penman, Phoebe Heckendorf and Nate Howard) and the 12 years champion team was Moore (James Howard, Stella Lavelle and Almirah Read).
The individual champions were: Hazel Pigram, Micah Daley, Estelle Wise, Harley Sykes, Amity Penman, Timmy Peek, James Howard and Stella Lavelle.
The runner’s up and third place getters were: Evie Towns, Kaliysta Ruttley, Gerry Attard, Frankie Lavelle, Barli Clarke, Henry Simpson, Jax Irvin, Hayden Clark, Nate Howard, Phoebe Heckendorf, Ellyse Trudgett, Kodi Kinchela, Harry Rouse, Almirah Read and Ali Edwards.
Eight Years results: First Boy and Girl: Jack Vant and Mia Watts, Second Boy and Girl: Eli Johnson and Payton Hoogers and Third place: Harry Davis and Sophie Zumbo.
Thanks to all the staff who sat in the hot sun in the middle of an oval for well over an hour supervising the runners. Thanks also to those parents who were able to attendand show their support.
The top four in each age group (not eight years) received a note today with all the details of the Diocesan Cross Country in Coolah on the 6th May. Please let Mr Cant know by the end of the term if your child will not be attending so a replacement can be arranged.
Paul Kelly Cup Gala Day
What a fantastic day Year Five and Six had at the Paul Kelly AFL Gala day last week.
Both Girls teams played all their games in great spirits and scored some great goals yet results didn't go their way. There was possibly too much laughter and chatting to worry about results. Thanks to Miss Isbester and Mrs Carr for supporting the girls team.
The boys took a while to get started but improved as the day went on. The highlight of the day was our victory over the St Marys, side with some great goals by the boys.
Thanks to Will Flynn and his crew at the AFL for organising such a wonderful day.
Our School News
Year 2 Persuasive Writing
Year 2 have been learning to create persuasive texts with a focus on helping koalas. They've worked hard to plan, write and share their ideas.
Protect the koalas! (By Eli Johnston)
Koalas are marsupials. They are a protected species and vulnerable. There has been a lot of land clearing going on and that means that is where koalas disappear. Diseases, dogs and motor vehicles also impact koalas.
Koalas are special animals that need our help because they are very vulnerable to fires because it destroys their homes, land clearing also destroys their homes.
Another reason Koalas are in danger is disease, dogs and motor vehicles. It destroys their home and they disappear.
We must protect the koalas! We can help koalas by putting dogs on leads. Don’t drive motor vehicles where koalas could be. Don’t build new streets and homes because it destroys koalas' homes. Tell others about koalas.
We shall always help koalas!
Koalas need our help! (By Kai Neville)
Koalas are marsupials; they are a protected species and vulnerable they could have a disease.
Koalas are special animals that need our help because koalas are almost extinct and they are unique native animals of Australia.
The first reason koalas need our help is because they would get stuck in fires and embers will come and destroy their homes. When there is habitat loss, Koalas will die and that is why we need to help them.
Another reason, Koalas are at risk is because of land clearing which is destroying their habitats and can kill them and they won't have food, that's why we need to help koalas. Land clearing is destroying eucalyptus trees, which is what Koalas eat. If we don’t have eucalyptus trees, Koalas won't survive.
We can help koalas by reporting injured koalas and plant friendly eucalyptus trees. We can help koalas by taking risks out of their life and we should definitely help them by not clearing land!
Save the koalas! Koalas need our Help! (By Sophie Zumbo)
Koalas are Australian marsupials. They are a protected species and are vulnerable. They are being threatened by bushfires and land clearing. There species are endangered. koalas sleep for twenty hours a day and need help because dogs/dearies/motor vehicles/land clearing and bushfires but more about that later because of all this happening koalas are dying without food and have been ruined motor vehicles.
Koalas are special animals that need our help because land clearing and bushfires have killed the koalas and their homes, they desperately need our help. The koalas are helpless. They will have nothing that means they have no food or water. Save the koalas no matter what!
The first reason Koalas need our help is because they are a nearly extinct marsupial and they are vulnerable animals from land clearing. The land clearing is not just knocking down trees they are killing and they are breaking their homes. The koalas are a very vulnerable animals and need our help or the koalas will be extinct and you will not be able to see koalas. So if you want the koalas to live don't knock the trees down!
Another reason koala is in danger is because lots of humans are killing the trees and burning them. The most disturbing thing that men are doing to the trees is knocking down the eucalyptus and making homes and destroying their habitat.
We can help koalas by planting koala friendly eucalyptus trees, talking to others about koalas and taking them to shelters when they are injured. help the koalas by leering on the website and you can do research about koalas. please do good and help save the koalas and you could save the koalas and be kind to the koalas.We can make a better environment for koalas' habitats. So be mindful of koalas' habitat and environment.
Save the koalas' environment and their lives!
Let's save the koalas today!
P&F News
Merit Awards
Kinder - Bonnie-Jo, Mason, Hunter
Year 1 - Maisie, James, Serenity, Lienna, Princess
Year 2 - Landon, Jet, Rosie, Zack, Oliver
Year 3 - Allegra, Micah, Rori, Evie, Emily
Year 4 - Hugh, Isaac, Clara, Evie, Aurora, Molly
Year 5 - Mia, Ella, Philomena, Dustyn, Timmy
Year 6 - Lace, James, Amahlii, Harry
Happy Birthday !
Aiden 25th
Mason 27th
Chelsea 28th
Mia 30th
Community News
