Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we keep in our prayers the students preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Throughout their preparation the children have learnt the importance of acknowledging their sins and expressing sorrow in a meaningful way. This Sacrament has shown the children the importance of forgiveness and resolving to do better in the future. I am grateful to Fr Duane Fernandez, Sr Kerry Gardiner and our Religious Education Coordinator, Ms Louise Sartor for preparing the children so beautifully.

Our Book Week celebrations were certainly “Magical” and we were so blessed with the beautiful weather for our parade. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to:

Mr Andrew Hales, Master of Ceremonies extraordinaire who ensured the parade was engaging, with a focus on the importance of books.

Our amazing Parents and Friends Association for providing drinks and sweet treats.

Mrs Jan Poder and Mrs Lyndal Clancy who lead the library so capably at SPX.

This week as a staff, we have continued to engage in rigourous professional learning related to the implementation and consolidation of the NSW English and Mathematics Curriculum documents. It is particularly noteworthy, to see data reflecting student reading growth across K to 6 and I credit the teachers on their work in ensuring quality reading practices in the classroom. You will find some useful information on Reading at St Pius X later in this newsletter

Finally, I wish to thank the St Pius X community for their warm messages regarding my Principal appointment at Good Samaritan Fairy Meadow, commencing in the 2025 school year. I have absolutely loved my journey at St Pius X during the past 11 years, and will leave with such fond memories of a very special community that I will always hold close to my heart.

Yours Sincerely,

Pauline Chrostowski - Principal

St Pius X Feast Day

St. Pius X's Feast Day is celebrated on August 21st. He was a Pope who worked hard to make the Church more accessible to everyone, especially children. Known for his love and dedication, he encouraged young people to receive Communion as early as possible and made many efforts to improve the way the Church helped people. On his Feast Day, we remember his kindness and commitment to helping others live a better life. It's a special time to reflect on his teachings and how we can follow his example in our own lives. Students will be marking this special feast day with an in class liturgy, followed by a day of celebration at Unanderra Oval.

PRAYER

Pope Saint Pius X, at your core, you were a pastor and a shepherd of souls who loved the poor and desired all people to come to know Christ. Pray for me, that I may be used by God for great things, by doing every small thing with great love. Pray for our Holy Father, the Roman Curia, all clergy and religious, and the entire Church. Pray also for the poor and abandoned, those without faith, and those newly converted. May your prayers win many souls for God, just as your actions did while you served Him on earth.

Pope Saint Pius X, pray for me.

Jesus, I trust in You.

NDIS INFO HUBS - Illawarra and Shoalhaven

Uniting has launched all-day Info Hubs in its Illawarra and Shoalhaven offices, to ensure community members can easily access information about the NDIS and other resources. No bookings required! Potential NDIS participants will:

Learn more about the NDIS and how to apply
Understand your options if you do not meet NDIS eligibility criteria
Discover how to use your NDIS plan to its full potential
Speak with an industry expert about your NDIS or Disability-related questions

Here’s when and where to find the Info Hubs in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven:

Where? 1/1 Burra Place, Shellharbour City Centre
When? Every first Tuesday of the month
What time? From 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Where? 35 Kenny Street, Wollongong
When? Every third Wednesday of the month
What time? From 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Where? Level 2b, 57 Graham Steet, Nowra
When? Every second Tuesday of the month
What time? From 9.00 am to 5.00 pm

Uniting has also produced several practical resources, see these here.

SNAPCHAT

Snapchat is a popular app where users can send photos and videos, known as ‘Snaps,’ which disappear after being viewed, along with text messages and stories that last 24 hours. While Snapchat can be fun and engaging, it poses several risks, including exposure to inappropriate content, potential privacy breaches through location sharing, and the risk of grooming by strangers. Snapchat’s ‘Meet Up’ feature can even provide directions to a user’s location if they share it, raising further safety concerns.

To help your child use Snapchat safely, encourage them to only interact with real-life friends and to be cautious about sharing personal information. Make sure privacy settings are properly configured: restrict who can contact them, view their story, or see their location. Additionally, have open discussions about the risks of sharing explicit images and ensure they know how to use the app's reporting and blocking features effectively. For more resources and guidance, visit the eSafety website and read through the attached pamphlet.

	AUGUST
Friday 30th	Father's Day & Feast Day Fun CANTEEN CLOSED
	SEPTEMBER
Friday 20th	Kindergarten Excursion to Symbio
Thursday 26th	LAST DAY TERM THREE-STUDENTS
Friday 27th	PUPIL FREE DAY
	OCTOBER
14th October	FIRST DAY TERM FOUR

Uniform Update

We are beginning to see a variance in the weather and we are now happy for students to begin the transition into Summer Uniform.
Please note either Summer or Winter Uniform can be worn from now to the end of this term.

All students will be required to wear Summer Uniform from the beginning of Term Four, Monday 14th October.

Please note the Uniform Shop will transition to Summer Uniform later this week.

Reading at St Pius X

Learning to Read- Did you know?

Decodable texts are specifically written for beginning readers who are developing their blending and segmenting skills and their knowledge of the alphabetic code. Decodable texts are used in Kindergarten onwards for learning to read. (Home Readers).

They are taken home and used until the student has mastered the initial phonic code and is ready to independently read a range of quality literature. Our Parents and Friends Association have generously funded the purchase of quality decodables for our classrooms.

Book Week Winners

Kindergarten - Best Book Hudson Kalsow “ Dino Magic"

Year 1 - Joint Winners Best Books

Chelsea Simsons “Evelen the Soccer Star”

Luna Bahamondes Ebook “Daisy “

Year 2 - Best Book Zara Moretti “ The Mermaid and the Lipstick

Year 3 - Best Book - Joint Winners

Isla Farrugia “The Magic is Right Here “

Brodhy O`Neill - Antarctica

Year 4 - Best Book Scarlett Lee Mahanidis “The Sapphire Coast “

Year 5 - Best book - Chiara Curcio “Luck“

Year 6 - Best Book Rome Golfo “The Orca”

Silver Infants - Luna Bahamondes “Daisy”

Silver Primary - Rome Golfo “The Orca”

Gold Dewey - Isla Farrugia “The Magic Is Right here “

Year 5 Canberra Excursion

On August 15th, Year 5 went on an overnight excursion to Canberra.

We left at 7:00 am.

When we arrived, we went to Parliament House. On our tour we saw the House of Representatives which is green and the Senate which is red. After that we did a parliamentary debate role play. Our topic was should there be air conditioning in Australian schools? Next, we had our lunches in front of the Parliament House.

Our next stop was The National Arboretum, which is a big place, like The Botanical Gardens. Did you know that every tree from around the world is at the Arboretum? We rolled down the big hill, then ran back up. In the Arboretum, is a park called the Pod Playground, which had things to play on, make music and slides. We ran around there for a long time (I think the teachers wanted us to be tired!)

The Australian Institute of Sport is where lots of adult female and male athletes train for Olympics or big events. We got to go into a room that had games like skiing, soccer, cycling and all kinds of sports. Once that was over, we went to our accommodation at Leumeah Lodge. For dinner we had penne pasta and chicken, while for dessert we had strawberry ice cream. Straight after dinner we played some games. We had a special visitor, which was Mr Green as a yellow M&M. The game we played was to get all the ping-pong balls onto the other plate with the spoon in your mouth.

The next day we had cereal and pancakes, toast and apple juice or orange juice for breakfast. After that it was onto the bus heading to the Old Parliament house. We learned how to vote and how our votes are counted. We saw the embassies near the Old Parliament house. We went to Black Mountain and ate our lunches. They were either ham, cheese tomato or chicken salad, as well as a popper.

We headed to the War Memorial and learned about the aircraft used in the war.

Our favourite place was Questacon. We went down a big slide called The Free Fall. Did you know that the Free Fall for a moment makes you feel like you are falling in space? In the Earthquake House we shook and laughed.

On the way home, we went to Maccas in Goulburn. We were singing songs and playing games. By 7:18pm we were off the bus.

We would like to thank all the teachers for giving us a fun and memorable time and taking time away from your families for Year Five.

Written by Annabel Norton 5R

Year 1 and 2 Excursion – Botanical Gardens

This week Our Year 1 and 2 students enjoyed an exciting excursion to the Botanic Gardens, where they explored a variety of landscapes, including rainforests, deserts and ponds. The students investigated the unique biodiversity of each environment, learning about how plants and animals adapt to their surroundings. They even had the chance to discover insects hidden in the garden, enhancing their understanding of the natural world. The day was filled with hands-on learning and plenty of excitement, making it a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Happy Father’s Day from Stage 1

To all the wonderful Dads, Granddads, Uncles and father figures out there, we want to say a big, warm and heartfelt Thank You!

You help us learn, grow and play every single day. Whether it’s telling us stories, helping with homework, or just being there with a big hug, you’re our heroes!

This week, we celebrate all the love, care and fun you bring into our lives.

From all the students in Years 1 and 2, we wish you a day filled with joy, laughter and lots of happy moments.

Here are some messages from your children:

Dad takes me to soccer and cooks delicious pasta. He does art with me. Sienna and Orlando 2B

I love going outside with my dad and playing on the swings. Dad lets me stay up late on a Friday nights to watch a movie. Zara 2B

I love playing soccer with my dad and building stuff with him. Stefan 2B

My dad tells me lots of jokes, sometimes they are funny and sometimes they are just annoying. Sonny 2B

My Dad is very helpful, and he is very funny. Dad and I always fall asleep when we watch movies together. Allegra 2B

My dad is funny when he picks me up and hangs me upside down. Calvin 1R

I love my dad because he plays fun games with me. Zachary 1R

At work my dad types lots of words and numbers. Harley 1R

At work my Dad drives the excavator and does concrete. Madeliene 1R

My dad is funny when he wrestles me. At work he fixes headaches. Chelsea 1R

I love my dad because he loves me. Miller 1B

I love my dad because he is funny. At work my dad has fun! Sophie 1B

When my dad goes to work, he makes coffee and toots in his office. Zach M 1B

I love my dad because he does kind things for me. Ruben 1B

I like how my dad is caring and whenever he comes back from a trip he always gives me a toy. Charlie 2R

I like how my dad helps me to be safe and he always surprises me with toys. Marlie 2R

I like how my dad always plays handball with me. Darcy 2R

I like how dad is always kind to me and that he works really hard. Finnley 2R

I like when dad does fun things with me. Some afternoons we go into the backyard and play golf. Olivia 2R

SCHOOL DISCO

Disco_Flyer_2024.pdf

Disco_Flyer_2024 _pdf 4.43 MB

PRIME MINISTER'S SPELLING BEE

Last week, students in Years 4-6 participated in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee - a national online spelling competition.
We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Joshua S (6R) and Rome G (6R) who have been successful in progressing to the next stage (State Final).

We congratulate all students who participated in this spelling event.

Road Safety

Drop off and Pick Up

Help keep our children safe

Parents and carers are responsible for their child’s safety when travelling to and from school

Kiss and drop zone - Cummins St and Hargreaves St

Safety tips for drivers:

always follow our school’s procedures
remain in your vehicle in the kiss and drop zone.

3. make sure children use the Safety Door to get in and out of the car.

4. always use the marked drop off zone.

PRINCIPAL AWARDS

Dion Dolphin - 3B

Neev Gupta - 3B

Valentina Mulaj - 3R

Zia Petrou - 4B

Jonas Coopes - 4R

Nicholas Gauci - 4R

Scarlett Perry - 4R

Ruby Gamosh - 5B

MACKILLOP AWARDS

Chiara Curcio - 5R

Kyas Christou - 6R

Marlee McIntyre - 6R

Congratulations to all of these students.

Spotlight on Learning - Stage 2

Another learning packed start to our Semester 2 for Stage 2 classes. We have been learning and having so much fun, we can’t believe the year is half way through!

In Religious Education Year 3 have been learning about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We listened to the parables of The Prodigal Son and Zacchaeus and discussed the message that we sometimes make mistakes and poor choices and that God is always ready to forgive us when we say we are sorry and ask for forgiveness.

Year 4 have been unpacking how we are all created in the image of God and are called to live in harmony with our world. The students have been developing a deeper understanding of God as creator and appreciating more fully that creation is good. We have also explored our decisions to respect and care for the environment which will affect our world, both now and in the future.

In English, Year 3 has been gaining a deeper understanding of the textual concepts of 'characterisation’ and ‘narrative’. Through the study of the text Rowan of Rin, students have been exploring how authors use dialogue to convey what characters say and think. We have also used our understanding of characterisation to compose a narrative.

Year 4 has been learning about the textual concept of ‘characterisation’. Through a close study of the text The Callers by Kiah Thomas, students have been learning about characterisation as the qualities attributed to imagined characters, including their personality and emotional attributes. We have also examined excerpts from the text that explore the author’s purpose in the development of characters and the various aspects of characterisation, such as appearance, actions, words and thoughts.

In Mathematics, students from Year Four have been working across the two classes being challenged with like minded individuals. They have really enjoyed being in different rooms each week and particularly enjoyed the maths challenges set before them. This week our biggest challenge can be seen posted below. We ended up coming up with four solutions that worked. Can you find one? It is a lot trickier than it looks.

In Art, we are consolidating and developing our skills in using watercolour paints through the study of landscape painting.

In Science we have been learning that there are three states of matter. We have identified different materials as a solid, liquid or gas through engaging interactive and hands-on experiences. We have also explored how adding or removing heat can affect a material’s state of matter through investigations and experiments. This unit involves students working scientifically and using scientific thinking. We have loved exploring these concepts in our Science investigations and during our STEM sessions.