Newsletter Term 3 Week 5, 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,
We welcome home our Years Five and Six students from their very interesting Canberra excursion. One of the most memorable ones I have been a part of, for all the wrong reasons! Kids were great, but illness hit many of them hard on what was meant to be a fun and very exciting time.
Thanks to Mrs Michlle Carr, Mrs Aimee Rose and Miss Charli Goodwin for your professionalism and caring natures.
Practicum Students
We welcome Miss Lily Towns (returning ex-student, class of 2015) back to St Pius X, who is joining Year Five for three weeks on a teaching placement. Have a wonderful three weeks Lily.
We say farewell to Miss Georgia Josephs who has spent the last three weeks with Year Three. I truly hope you learnt a great deal and that we see you back here in the future. Thanks to Mrs Suellen Hart and Mrs Jonte Buckland for your guidance.
SPX Book Week
Tomorrow is Mr David Schwager’s favourite day of the year; Book week Character Parade. I thank him for all the work he puts into this day and I would also like to thank the families and friends for all the effort thy make to ensure the students have great outfits on Tuesday.
P and F Meeting
Parents and Friends meeting is being held tomorrow night, Tuesday 19th August.
I invite you all to our July / August Parents and Friends meeting to be held at Club Dubbo from 6.00pm.
St Pius X Feast Day
This Thursday we celebrate St Pius X Feast day. It is a day to celebrate our school and the community around us. Please read Miss Isbester's section of the newsletter and we encourage you all to participate in the happenings of the day.
Medication Updates
Could I remind parents if their child/ren have any type of medical plan (anaphylaxis, asthma etc) please make sure the school has the most updated version of the plan.
Also if your child/ren have any medication in the school office, staff will contact you this week if any of the medication is out of date. If you receive an email from the office staff please be prompt with replacing the medication.
Influenza
We have made a large number of students with the flu recently (including Years Five and Six) NSW Health provides the following advice;
If you are sick with influenza, stay at home and avoid close contact with other people. Keep sick children away from school and other activities. To avoid infecting others, stay at home for at least 24 hours after your fever has resolved and until you are feeling well. This is especially important if you visit people at higher risk of severe illness, including pregnant women, infants, older people and people in hospital, residential aged or disability care.
Pupil Free Days
Monday 8th September will be a school pupil free day. Staff will be spending the day with Educational Consultants focusing on our NAPLAN data and other essential assessing methods. The last day of the term (September 26th) will also be a Pupil Free Day.
Have a great week.
Greg Cant
Assistant Principal's Address
Compass & Attendance
A reminder about the importance of registering a reason in Compass for your child’s absence.
A written valid reason explaining your child's absence from school is required to fulfill legal obligations and ensure the school maintains accurate records of student attendance.
Community Outreach Program to Dubbo West Preschool
This week, we begin our Community Outreach Program at Dubbo West Preschool. During this visit our students assist and interact with the preschoolers during outdoor play time. Children, both young and old, love this time together and it builds a valuable community connection for both schools. Year 5 will go on Tuesday and Year 4 will go on Thursday.
School Values - Kind Connect Respect
It is wonderful to see our school values evident in our students. Last week, three boys from Year 4 invited another student to join their game when they noticed he was by himself. The quality of inclusion is not only kind but is a quality attribute to take with you into adulthood, and these boys are certainly building towards this. Well done!
RE News
St Pius X Feast Day
On Thursday 21st August we will be celebrating our school’s feast day in honour of St Pius X. We will begin our day with a school mass at St Brigid’s. Family and friends are most welcome to join us for mass. A number of our students will be taking on a special role in our Mass celebration.
St Pius X Day Outline:
- All children can wear play clothes to school - please remember sensible footwear and school hat.
- Mass at St Brigid’s - 10am - all are welcome to attend
- Sausage sizzle for lunch (free - served in 2nd Break)
- Peer Support Group activities
- Whole school disco
This is going to be a fabulous celebration of our school and our rich history.
Year 3 - First Eucharist Retreat Day
This Friday, 22nd August, Year 3 will participate in a First Eucharist Retreat Day at school. This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon their learning in class, as well as support the final preparation for those students who will be making their First Eucharist over the coming weekends. A special thank you to Mrs Buckland and Mrs Hart for doing a wonderful job in preparing our students to celebrate this special Sacrament.
A Prayer for First Eucharist
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for coming to me in the Eucharist.
Help me to always love you and follow you.
Amen.
Mass of the Assumption - Congratulations!
Congratulations to our school community for their beautiful reverence and participation at Assumption Mass last Friday. Many staff members were stopped by parishioners to say how beautiful our students were and that it made the mass extra special.
A special thanks to our friends at St John’s Primary who were also beautiful at the Mass.
TERM 3 DATES to Remember
- First Eucharist Masses (Year 3 First Eucharist Candidates) - SPX Mass Sat 30th Aug 5pm; Sun 31st Aug 9am or 5pm - some students may be on other weekends over the coming weeks.
- St Pius X Feast Day Mass, Thursday 21st August, 10am, St Brigid’s - Parents and friends welcome to attend (Week 5)
- St Pius X Feast Day Celebrations - Mufti clothes/Free Sausage sizzle, Thursday 21st August (Week 5)
- Year 3 First Eucharist Retreat Day, Friday 22nd August (Week 5)
Kristy Isbester
Acting Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X
Sport News
Bathurst Diocesan Athletics Carnival
We have four students competing at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival this Friday at Barden Park. We wish Mia W, Amity, Timmy and Philomena all the best for the day.
Dubbo Stampede
It's time to register for the Dubbo Stampede!
On Sunday 7th September the infamous annual running / walking festival will be held. This year is different in that it will start at Ollie Robins Oval. Choose between the 5.3km, 10km, 21.1km or for those who are really up for a challenge, 42.2km. There will also be a new category of the Meerkat Mile, aimed at 5 -12 year olds.
Most of all it's a great opportunity for a great day out as a family to enjoy the sunshine and start Father’s Day with a bang!
Since 2022, St Pius X have won the school category for the most entries, an easy $500 that goes back into the school. Last year the school also gave the participants a $10 voucher to spend at Burgies. We are hoping to do it all again!! All you need to do is when you register, nominate St Pius X as your school. You can even get your friends and family to do the same.
Library News
Book Week 2025
The annual Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book Week is on this week, and this year’s theme is: Book an Adventure!
The students will be participating in various activities, including a Book Week Art Competition which will be displayed in our school hall. The Winners of each book category of the Children’s Book Council of Australia will also be announced.
The highlight of the week for many of our students will be our
The Book Character Parade which will be held tomorrow, Tuesday 19th August at 10am.
Students are invited to come to school dressed as one of their favourite book characters. It would be great if they could also have a copy of the book or a print out of the cover of the book that the character comes from.
Classes will take turns going on ‘parade’ and, if confident enough, can announce their character and book on the microphone. (Assistance provided for those who aren’t up to it!)
Students do not need to stay in their costumes all day, especially if they’re not weather appropriate.
We will have some guest judges to award prizes, including Dugald Saunders, our Member for the Dubbo Electorate and Leader of the NSW National Party.
Looking forward to celebrating the importance of books in our lives!
Kind Regards, Mr Schwager (Teacher/Librarian)
Student Wellbeing
At St Pius, our focus values are ‘KIND, CONNECT, RESPECT’. We often refer to these in class and as a whole school. For this fortnight we have these well-deserving students nominated by staff for consistently displaying these values:
Kindness: Milly- Year 3
Connect: Kallie- Kinder
Kind Regards, Mr Schwager
Our School News
Notification from Fees Liason Officer
All instalment payments for school fees are due by 15th August 2025.
If you are paying via one of the following methods:
Direct Debit
BPAY
Centrepay
Compass Pay/Over counter office payment
Please ensure your scheduled payments will fully cover your fees by 19th November 2025.
Please note: This notice does not apply to families who have previously contacted the Fees Liaison Officer to arrange an alternative fee agreement.
If you are unsure whether your payments are on track, please contact our Fees Liaison Officer, Tracey, on 0427 193 571 for clarification.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Tracey Watt
Merit Awards
Kindergarten - Winston, Philipp, Lottie, Mason
Year 1 - Bo, Venus, Reuben, Nate, Eleanor, Zara
Year 3 - Landon, Harrison, Eli, Tyler, Vince, Sophie, Mia, Willow, Jack
Year 4 - Spencer, Jax, Brock, Jackson, Molly, Princess, Abigail, Lachlan
Happy Birthday !
Willow 15th
Kaliysta 17th
Community News
