Online Enrolments - 2024
The CEODoW has moved all schools to a new online enrolment platform, called Funnel, removing the use of all paper forms.
Please take note, particularly for sibling applications. The online application form is accessible from the home page of our school website.
https://www.spxdow.catholic.edu.au/
Applications close Friday, 26 April 2024.

Excerpt from the handbook- Communication and Confidentiality- handbook is accessible on our website

It is essential that as members of our community we continually strive to develop open channels of communication. This can be achieved by bringing any concerns and issues related to the school to the attention of the relevant staff member. Only when we are aware of a concern can, we begin to address it in partnership. 

 Parents are urged to allow the school to follow due process when dealing with conflicts between students. At times parents meaning well, may feel the need to contact others regarding issues that may have occurred. This can result in a heightened level of anxiety between both the child and the parent involved. 

At times parents may hear of incidents within the school that involve certain students. These may relate to another child’s progress and learning or their behaviour. It is most important that the confidentiality of that student, and of his or her family, is protected.

Always treat such incidents with empathy – no one would like their own child to be the topic of discussion amongst parents. If parents have a specific concern that relates to their own child, they are welcome to address these through the classroom teacher, Stage Coordinator, Assistant Principal or Principal.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is important and it is essential that children arrive at school by 8:50am and join their class lines. As per the NSW enterprise agreement for Catholic Schools, school grounds are open 30 minutes prior to the first bell.  Therefore, can we kindly ask that students do not arrive prior to 8.20a.m as there is  no active supervision.  Out of Hours School Hours School care OOHSC is a wonderful alternative for working parents, commencing at 7.00a.m.

Pick up is 3.10p.m and students catching afternoon buses are supervised until the last bus departs. At all times outside these periods on Mondays to Fridays, the school grounds and buildings are out of bounds. 

If your child is absent from school for any reason, please enter the absence including the reason via Compass. We encourage families to organise holidays outside the school term. If seeking an exemption of over 10 school days an application must be lodged at the office for Principal approval. 

We encourage parents where possible to book appointments outside school hours, if this is not possible your child is noted as a partial absence if they have to leave school early or arrive late. 

Attendance is monitored by the school and Catholic Education Office under our obligations with the Education Act.

2024 ONLINE PERMISSIONS - COMPASS INSIGHTS

As part of our commitment to sustainability, St Pius X are moving many functions that were previously communicated via paper notes, to the Compass online portal. The 2024 electronic permission notes for the Technology Use Agreement, General Consent and Use of Student Image/Work are now ready for your action. 

These permission notes can be found under the 'INSIGHTS' section of Compass – see the example images for what they will look like. There is also an instruction sheet on how to access Insights (mobile version) and complete these permissions online.

We kindly ask that these are completed for each child by 29th February 2024.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions or need assistance completing these.

 Technology Reminders

We have had a few questions about technology and some breaches of the policy, in regard to technology use. I would like to just remind parents about this and ask you to speak with your child.

1. Home / School communication via devices is not allowed throughout the school day. Please do not contact your child directly, contact the office and any message will be passed on.

2. Smart Watches ARE allowed at school, but communication via these devices is not to occur. Our school handbook states “Smart watches are allowed to be worn by students with sounds switched off and no communication via the device. Breach of this will follow PBL procedures, and in the second instance the device will not be permitted at school.”

3. Students who bring mobile phones to school, must have them switched off during the school day. Phones must be handed into the office as the student arrives at school and collected at the end of the school day – student responsibility. Students and parents must use the regular methods of communication (through the school office) throughout the school day.

4. Earphones or headphones are a requirement for every student in the school. We do not have restrictions on which type students use but we are starting to see some very expensive models coming into school. Please consider how easy these can be to lose or be damaged and send in cheaper models. All K-3 devices have cord capabilities so students should not be using blue tooth devices.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
5. If your child is absent from school can you please make sure they do not contact students at school during the school day. We have had occurrences of children away ‘Face Timing' students at school. This can be a major disruption to the classroom environment, particularly if they continue to call.

 Thank you for your support in these matters.