St Pius X Catholic Parish Primary School Unanderra eNewsletter

St Pius X Catholic Primary School Unanderra acknowledges and pays respect to the Dharawal people past and present, the traditional custodians of the lands on which our school is built.

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week marks the end of another successful term. Looking back over the past ten weeks I have reflected on our Vision Statement:

“With faith as our guide, we nurture hearts and empower minds”.

This Vision informs all aspects of our work and is evidenced by the way we encourage the children to live their faith each day and to achieve the best they can in all aspects of their learning. As the teachers commence the tasks of writing Semester Two Reports, the “General Comment” at the end will be important as it will capture an image of your child as a member of our faith community and as a learner. I look forward to reading these comments and signing off on reports next term.

On Tuesday members of the Leadership Team met with the Parents and Friends Executive. We have many exciting extra-curricular activities to look forward to in Term Four, including a proposed Trivia Night, Fun Fair and end of year Christmas Concert, dates have been listed in this newsletter for your reference.

Finally, I am pleased to announce that as a result of healthy enrolments and an extensive recruitment process the following staff will join our team in 2025

Mrs Patricia Burrows- Permanent Full Time

Mrs Samantha Walker- Permanent Full Time

Miss Alana Vezinias- Temporary Full Time

Miss Maria Shea- Temporary Full Time

Mrs Clare Suartama has accepted an extension of her role at Corpus Christi Catholic High School for the 2025 school year and I am sure you will join me in congratulating Clare on this appointment. A final list of staffing for the 2025 school year will be sent later in Term Four.

Although many of you may be working over the holiday break, I am sure it will be nice to have a break from preparing lunches and uniforms over the next two weeks!

I look forward to welcoming you back for what promises to be a wonderful Term Four.

Yours Sincerely,

Pauline Chrostowski - Principal

Christmas Story Art Competition School Level Winners 2024

We are proud to share that 6 St Pius X student artworks and 1 student entry from UNANDERRA 2 were put forward to the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong Christmas Story Art Competition.

All students in Stage 3 worked hard throughout Term 2 under the expert instruction of specialist art teacher Mrs Gemma Farrugia, classroom teachers and support staff.

Every student is to be commended for their dedication to the creation of their pieces and written components.

It is with great excitement and pride that we can share the fabulous news that SAMUAL PANAYIOTOU from 5R's artwork has been selected as a finalist in the next stage of the competition, this means that Sam's artwork will hang in the Wollongong City Art Gallery and be eligable for a major prize at the next level of judging.

Sam Panayiotou 5R

UNANDERRA 2: Mason Snow

Year 6: Laynie Hill, Marlee McIntyre, Sharbel Jerome

Year 5: Sophie Chard, Zoe Smith

Feast Day - St Vincent de Paul

Each year on the anniversary of his death on 27 September, the Church celebrates the life and work of a French priest, St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660), the patron of charitable works throughout the Christian world.

Vincent is well known for his love of the poor, the abandoned and the homeless. He believed that having faith in God was meaningless if you didn’t behave in a way that reflected your beliefs.

Today, we see St. Vincent’s faith in action through the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Let us pray that we too, can put our faith into action and help those in need.

SAVE THE DATE:

Christmas Twilight Carols

Tuesday 17th December onsite at St Pius X commencing at 4.30 pm.

More details to follow

	SEPTEMBER
Thursday 26th	LAST DAY TERM THREE - STUDENTS
Friday 27th	PUPIL FREE DAY
	OCTOBER
Monday 14th	FIRST DAY TERM FOUR
Thursday 17th	Kindergarten 2025 Playgroups commence
	NOVEMBER
Friday 1st	P&F Trivia Night See Flyer
Friday 8th	KINDERGARTEN 2025 Orientation morning 9.30am - 11.00am
Saturday 9th	First Holy Communion Retreat 11.00am - Immaculate Conception Church 2.00pm - St Therese Church
Mon 11th-15th	Healthy Harold - Life Education Van
Fri 22nd	SPX Factor
Saturday 23rd	First Holy Communion Ceremony 11.00am OR 2.00pm Immaculate Conception Church
Monday 25th-Wednesday 27th	Year 6 Camp
Friday 29th	P&F Family Fun Twilight Event 4.30pm - 7.00pm at SPX
	DECEMBER
Wednesday 4th	Whole school Mass Immaculate Conception Church - 9.30am ALL WELCOME
Wednesday 4th	Volunteers Thank you and P&F Meeting 1.45pm - 3.00pm
Monday 9th	Year 6 Graduation WESTS Illawarra - 5.30pm
Tuesday 17th	Twilight Christmas Carols at SPX 4.30pm - 6.30pm
Wednesday 18th	LAST DAY TERM FOUR-STUDENTS
Wednesday 18th	Special Visitors for students
Thursday 19th	PUPIL FREE DAY
Friday 20th	PUPIL FREE DAY

Tournament of Minds

We are excited to invite you to an exceptional performance titled "If you try, you will never fail." This inspiring performance is based on Emma McKeon's incredible story and will be brought to life by our talented Tournament of Minds team.

The team recently performed at the University of Wollongong as part of the regional competition, receiving high praise for their creativity, teamwork, and dedication. Now, they are eager to share their hard work and passion with our SPX school community.

Please join us at assembly on Friday, October 18th, at 2:30pm to witness this captivating performance. We are sure that you will be moved and inspired by the story of resilience, determination, and success that will be showcased on stage.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing this special performance with you.

Sincerely,

Mrs Samantha Walker

GARDENING CLUB

This term Gardening Club has been very successful bringing in around $100 profit to purchase new plants, soil and compost for our veggie garden.

The students have enjoyed learning about seedlings and produce.

Please note that next term the before school Gardening Club will be on Wednesday mornings at 8:00am and will be available to students from Year 2 onwards.

Students enter via the Hargreaves St entrance and will be met by a teacher.

Kind regards,

Mrs Staples and Mrs Galea.

OPENING OF UNANDERRA SKATE PARK

https://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/news

PRINCIPAL AWARDS

Zane Lamacchia - KB

Jaycee Jackson - 3B

Maddison Kneller - 3B

Ryley McNally - 3B

Hudson Matthews - 3R

Mila McPherson - 3R

Oscar Llamas - 3R

Tommy Ross - 3R

Abhi Abhilash Nair - 4B

Adon Dolphin - 4B

Kingston Merrett - 4B

Logan Sepple - 4B

Max Morath - 4B

Matilda Sharpe - 4B

Beau Walsh - 4R

Julien Cremen - 4R

Aaliyah Harb - 5B

Zoe Smith - 5B

Ezekiel Bubb - 5R

Leni Grayson - 5R

Samuel Panayiotou - 5R

Pj Pedron - 6R

MACKILLOP AWARDS

Bronte Chinnock - 6R

Eli Rigter - 6R

Hudson Ojeda - 6R

SCHOOL MEDALLIONS

Pj Pedron - 6R

Medallions will be presented in Term 4 by Mrs Chrostowski.

Congratulations to all of these students.

Spotlight on Stage 3 - Year 6

Year 6 has had another jam-packed term of learning in Term 3. While students have participated in school community events like St Pius X Feast Day and sporting gala days for soccer and basketball, we have been extremely busy in the classroom across all Key Learning Areas.

In English, we enjoyed reading the novel Rabbit Angel Soldier Thief by Katrina Nannestad, which tied in with our first English unit. This story highlights the power of courage, love and friendship - even in the darkest of times. Students created their own newspaper articles utilising digital resources and apps, focusing on The Star of Stalingrad. The second half of the term focused on our annual public speaking competition. Students reviewed key persuasive devices and techniques to help create entertaining and engaging speeches. Students presented their speeches to their peers in week 9.

Students also participated in the annual Christmas Story Art competition in Term 3, with the support of our Visual Arts teacher Mrs Gemma Farrugia. We unpacked each Scripture passage, focusing on key words, messages and values and how these could be represented in our art pieces. Students participated in skill based sessions with Mrs Farrugia, allowing them to explore different art techniques that could be used. Congratulations to Marlee, Sharbel and Laynie for their artworks being selected to be shown in Wollongong Art Gallery.

In Mathematics, students have been working on various maths concepts with a focus on peer teaching and collaboration with others. With Mrs Frew, students have been working on their multiplication and division knowledge and skills. Mrs Starcic has been focusing on Three Dimensional objects, whereby the students created a sketch and model of 3D packaging suitable for a food item.

In Geography, we have been learning about all things Antarctica! Students have just completed a presentation on their research into animal and plant adaptations, focusing on physical, psychological, behavioural and migration functions for survival in such harsh conditions.

Year 5

This term in science, Year 5 has been looking at the subject of matter and why it matters! We’ve been exploring how it makes up every aspect of our lives and world through a variety of mini experiments. We have been discovering the properties of solids, liquids and gases by tinkering with tools, visualising viscosity in action and finally, attempting to make our very own version of gelato or sorbet.

Science this term has definitely been very insightful - with a side of delicious!

SPX TRIVIA NITE - SAVE THE DATE

Sport

Mackillop Trials

Congratulations to Tom Fischer on his achievements at Wednesday's Mackillop Trials.

1st - 100m

4th - 200m

Best of luck at NSWCC next term.

Cricket Gala Day 18th October

A reminder that Cricket Gala Day nominations are due now.

We need more participants to create the teams SPX nominated.

Dragons Gala Day - Tuesday 12th November

A compass event will be sent early next term and teams will be formed from responses given by the closing date of 30th October.

Basketball Gala Day

ATHLETICS CLUB

SCHOOL_CONNECT_REGISTRATION.pdf

SCHOOL_CONNECT_REGISTRATION _pdf 214.98 KB

CANTEEN_KAT_MEALS_SNACKS.pdf

CANTEEN_KAT_MEALS_SNACKS _pdf 524.11 KB

Kat and Danielle from Canteen Kat

How did you get into the Canteen Scene?

Kat has worked for many years in the food industry. Kat started volunteering in the canteen when her children started school. Soon after she was asked by another school to help them out, and then another. Kat decided to tender canteens when she ran out of volunteer time and days, and as the schools grew, she needed to employ staff. All of Canteen Kat staff are closely linked to their appointed school. In St Pius X Danielle's children attended SPX, and she was an active member of the P&F, as well as the Canteen Operator at SPX for several years prior to joining Canteen Kat at SPX.

Where to find the MENU?

The menu is found at Myschoolconnect.com.au this is where you also place orders. The Hardcopy Master Menu can be found on Canteen Kat Facebook page, pinned at canteen building, and the office has a few copies. The Hardcopy Master Menu runs across all Canteen Kat schools, however there is much more choice found on SPX online menu with My School Connect. Canteen Kat Master Menu must pass the Healthy Canteen Criteria (Kat's exceeds the standards). To see the extra items available including specials that come and go at SPX in addition to the Master Menu please go to myschoolconnect.com.au. Each school's extra menu items need to pass the assessment criteria with NSW Health (Health Canteen Criteria) as well. Kat does not post each School specific hardcopy menus to the public as it can be confusing across several schools because they vary due to school food rules, requests, individual canteen equipment layout, etc, this is where Myschoolconnect.com.au will show all your own school's menu, and where you place orders.

During break times we always have over the counter break snack pop up specials for variety, as well as the usual items available. We make these on site or purchase from local suppliers. Students may bring money to purchase over the counter at break time.

Thanks again for supporting Canteen Kat

Message from Fr Duane

Dear Parishioners,

This week is the Bishop's Annual Appeal for retired clergy and seminarians - you can watch a beautiful video featuring Monsignor Graham Schmitzer and one of our senior seminarians Joseph Nguyen here. Details of how to contribute to this appeal are in the attached bulletin.

You can also fill out an expression of interest form for our new parish initiative of "Connect Groups" here and we will contact you to share more information and answer any questions - more details in the bulletin.

There's a lot happening both in our parish and the Diocese, so have a read and see what you might like to get involved in!

Please find attached this week's bulletin.

22_September_2024_The_Twenty_Fifth_Sunday_in_Ordinary_Time.pdf

22_September_2024_The_Twenty_Fifth_Sunday_in_Ordinary_Time _pdf 990.40 KB

God Bless,

Fr Duane Fernandez
Parish Priest
Immaculate Conception and St Therese Parishes