As part of our strategic vision, students across Kindergarten to Year Six participate in a weekly one-hour STEAM lesson (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). This class is under the expert direction of our Specialist STEAM teacher, Mr Andrew Hales and skills attained through the lessons include problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, decision making, leadership, entrepreneurship and acceptance of failure.

As a result of our STEAM initiatives I am delighted to announce that a team of our Year Six students were selected to participate in the STEM MAD student showcase in Melbourne this week.

STEM MAD National is a celebration of excellence in Catholic education, in which the nation's best primary, secondary and 'Future is STEM' student teams, nominated by their dioceses, showcase their projects to conference participants, diocesan representatives, sponsors and affiliated organisations, school communities and their fellow students.

A big congratulations to Katie H, Noah V, Addison B and Sienna C who were selected to attend this event and showcase their classroom “Hydration Station” initiative. The students, through their work have carefully aligned the papal call for action in Laudato Si': On Care for our Common Home.

I am so proud of the students and wish to acknowledge the generosity of the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong for their support of airfares and accommodation. The St Pius X Parents and Friends Association also provided each child with a gift card and memento badge for the occasion.

Finally, I look forward to welcoming Father Duane Fernandez back to our Parish school this week. I hope he had a well-deserved vacation period with his family in Canada. I thank Sr Kerry Gardiner, who supported the school in Father’s absence. I am so thankful for the work of our wonderful Parish Priest and Pastoral Associate and all they bring to our unique Catholic School. The recent comments from the panel members at our Cyclic Review visit certainly endorsed their work:

 “St Pius X is highly relational, pastoral, inclusive and connected. It is an excellent example of a Catholic community which translates vision into practice. It is like a “Big family” 

Cyclic Review Report for St Pius X Unanderra,  28^th July 2022