Dear Parents and Caregivers of St Pius X,

On Tuesday 4th March, our two school captains, Sophie and Dylan, joined me at St Francis of Assisi Warrawong, for the launch of Project Compassion. Project Compassion is Caritas’ annual Lenten fundraising and awareness raising appeal to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. This year’s theme is “Unite Against Poverty This Lent”.

Wednesday 5th March was Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent. Our students in Years 3-6 joined Fr Duane for a liturgy in the morning, and our Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 students joined Sr Kerry for a liturgy at midday. We all received ashes on our foreheads, created from the burnt palms from 2024 Palm Sunday, to remind us to turn back to God in our words and in our actions this Lent and always. 

Please take some time to read the Lenten Pastoral Message 2025 from Most Rev Brian Mascord, Bishop of Wollongong. 

Bishop_Brian_Mascord_Lenten_Message_2025_1_.pdf

Bishop_Brian_Mascord_Lenten_Message_2025_1 pdf 1.03 MB

Our SPX Welcome BBQ was held on Tuesday night. The weather was kind to us and The Outback Steakhouse cooked delicious steak sandwiches for us all to enjoy.

The Cake Stall was another highlight of the event with many delicious goodies available for purchase. 

Thank you to all of those who attended for making the playground come to life with the spirit of our SPX parent community. 

 

 

The Bishop’s Jubilee Visit

As we continue in this Jubilee Year, as one of the six pilgrimage sites of the Diocese, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Unanderra, has a very significant celebration coming up on Saturday 15th March. Bishop Brian will make his Jubilee Visit to our parish and Shrine on that day with the following timetable:

 

10am: Special Jubilee Mass with Bishop Brian

 

11am: Adoration and Reconciliation (with both Bishop Brian and Fr Duane available), concluding with Benediction

 

12:30pm: BYO picnic lunch

 

2pm: Rosary led by the Bishop

 

2:30pm: A talk by Bishop Brian, going deeper into the meaning of the Jubilee Year, Pilgrimage, the Jubilee Indulgence and a time for Q and A

 

3:30pm: Prayer time – concluding with the special “Papal Blessing” which Bishop Brian can give in the Jubilee Year, in connection to the Jubilee Indulgence.

 

Bishop Brian will then remain at Unanderra to celebrate the 6.00pm Vigil Mass that evening.

We are very grateful to Bishop Brian for making himself so available for the Parish on that special day, and all are encouraged to come for any part of that day.

 

Lisa Tyson

Principal

Catholic Care Parenting Support

Parenting can be challenging, and at times, you may feel overwhelmed or in need of extra support. CatholicCare Wollongong offers professional counselling services to support you through life's challenges. Their counsellors provide a listening and independent ear and will equip you with strategies and tools for coping with stress and major life changes. Counselling is available in-person in Nowra, Wollongong and Campbelltown or via phone or online.

Visit the Catholic Care website for more details.

NAPLAN 2025 Information

NAPLAN will take place from 12th to 24th March 2025 for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9.

What is NAPLAN?
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning in the classroom. It is important to note that it is not a test that requires extra preparation or studying. Students are simply asked to demonstrate the skills they have been taught in school.

While NAPLAN is part of the school's assessment process, it is not meant to replace the ongoing teacher assessments of student progress. The individual results from NAPLAN can be a helpful tool for you and your child to discuss their academic progress with teachers.

Why is NAPLAN held in March?
This will be the third year that NAPLAN is held in March, instead of May as in the past. The change was made so that schools receive results earlier in the year, which helps them plan for teaching and learning for the rest of the year.

Why is NAPLAN online?
Since NAPLAN switched from paper-based to online assessments between 2018 and 2022, it has brought several benefits:

• More accurate results: The online format allows for adaptive testing, where questions adjust to match a student’s ability, helping to better measure their skills.
• Better accessibility: Students with disabilities have more options to participate.
• A more engaging experience: Students have provided positive feedback on the online format.

For more information about NAPLAN 2025, including resources to help you understand the process, you can visit the Parents and Carers page on the NAP website, download the NAPLAN Information Brochure for Parents and Carers, and explore the Public Demonstration Site to see how the online test works.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more information!

Christine Nunes

Assistant Principal

Sacramental News - Confirmation 2025

Parent Information and Registration Nights:

7pm Tuesday 11th March 2025 at St Therese Parish Centre.

OR 

7pm Thursday 13th March 2025 at St Therese Parish Centre.

Attendance is compulsory for one Parent/Carer for each candidate, at EITHER of the Information/ Registration nights.

Registrations will not be accepted after the registration nights.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will take place in Term 2 on Wednesday 4th June (5pm and 7pm) at Immaculate Conception Parish.

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday

This week we celebrated Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.

Thank you to the P&F, volunteers and the SPX School Life Team for assisting in the distribution of our yummy pancakes.

Money raised will go towards our 2025 Project Compassion Project. 

Lenten Journey: Caring for Our Common Home

During Lent, we are called to reflect, renew, and make positive changes in our daily lives.

This season invites us to care for our planet by making thoughtful choices, such as reducing waste, using resources wisely, and considering how our actions impact others.

Through small acts of kindness and commitment, we can work together to protect our Earth and inspire those around us to do the same.

Please see the Care for Creation Calendar for ideas as to how your family can participate. 

Meet the School Counsellor 

Hello everyone!

My name is Sara, and I’m the school counsellor at St Pius X Primary, partnering with Catholic Care.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wollongong and have extensive experience working with the NDIS, supporting both physical and mental health needs. 

I am deeply passionate about ensuring that young people have a positive and fulfilling experience at school. I understand that children may face academic challenges, personal struggles, issues with peer relationships, or feelings of worry and anxiety. My approach is to provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space where I can help them explore their emotions, identify underlying concerns, and work together to find practical solutions. 

Please reach out to any of the staff members at school for a referral form if you would like your child to receive support. 

Sara Ljuboja School Counsellor 

e-Safety

We can help our children safely navigate the online world by taking some basic steps to reduce the risks.

Our support and guidance can give our children the knowledge to make sound decisions online and the confidence to ask for help when they need it. 

Be engaged, open and supportive

• Get involved with your child’s online activities as a family. Play games together. Talk about favourite apps, games or websites.
• Keep lines of communication open. Ask about their online experiences, who they are talking to and whether they are having any issues.
• Reassure your child they can always come to you, no matter what. Your child may not communicate openly about things that worry them online if they fear being in trouble if they tell you. Let them know you will not cut off internet or device access if they tell you they’re feeling uncomfortable or unsafe online.
• If you notice a change in your child’s behaviour or mood, talk with them about it. If you are concerned, consider seeking professional help – from your GP, a psychologist or school counsellor.

SPORT NEWS

Congratulations to Addison McPherson and Ryley McNally, who were both awarded Age Champion titles 

AND

Congratulations to Mila McPherson, who placed 3rd overall in Junior Girls at the recent South Coast Swimming Trials held at Corrimal Swimming Pool on Tuesday, 4 March.

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to trial for the McKillop Teams:

Emmett Turner - Hockey

Zachary O’Brien - Touch Footy

UPCOMING EVENTS

SPX Cross Country: Week 8 Friday 21st March

South Coast Football (Soccer) Trial: Week 10 Monday 31 March, 2025

Rugby League Trial: Week 10 Tuesday 1 April, 2025

Message from Fr Duane

Dear Parishioners,

Please find attached this week's bulletin.

Fr Duane Fernandez
Parish Priest
Immaculate Conception and St Therese Parishes