During this Lenten week, our school community continues to reflect on the themes of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

This week, we encourage our students to deepen their relationship with God through small acts of kindness and moments of quiet prayer.

In our classrooms, we are exploring Lent at an age and stage appropriate level.

Through our Lenten promises, we are learning that sacrifice and self-discipline help us grow in faith and love for one another.

We also invite families to join us in making Lent a season of service. Whether it’s supporting a local charity, helping a neighbour, or simply sharing kind words, every good deed brings us closer to Christ.

Let us continue walking this sacred path together, preparing our hearts for the joy of Easter. 

Lisa Tyson

Principal

Project Compassion Update

As a school we raised over $350 in the first week of fundraising.

Congratulations to Mrs Galea and KB for raising the most - $77!!!!

Long Walk for Water

Some of our SPX staff are taking part in this year’s Project Compassion initiative, and we’d love your support!

This Lent, our staff are stepping up to make a difference by taking on a 40-day walking challenge to help bring clean, safe water to vulnerable communities. Through this initiative, we are showing our love and solidarity with those living in poverty, working together to create lasting change.

Thank you for your encouragement and support as we walk for a cause!

Welcome, Joseph Vuong Nguyen!

It is with great joy that we welcome our seminarian, Joseph Vuong Nguyen, to the St Pius X school community. Joseph will be working across the parishes of Immaculate Conception, Unanderra, and St Therese, West Wollongong, beginning as a student, then as a Deacon, and eventually as an Assistant Priest.

We are privileged to accompany Joseph on this journey through the special milestones of his ordination, and we look forward to getting to know him. Joseph has already visited some of our classes and is eager to meet 

24 Hours for the Lord

Our Parish and Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Unanderra is one of the Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites in the Diocese of Wollongong. The Parish is holding 24 Hours for the Lord (a worldwide initiative encouraged by Pope Francis) on 28-29 March. 

SPX Students will be participating next Friday 28th March - Visiting the church for a Gospel reading and quiet reflection. 

If you or your family are interested in participating you can see more information and register for a time slot here. Note - you can register for more than one time slot if you wish.

STAFF ABSENCE

I appreciate your ongoing support and understanding as the staff of St Pius X strives to provide the best learning environment for your children. From time to time, you may notice that your child’s classroom teacher is absent. I take this opportunity to explain the reasons for these absences and reassure you about the measures we have in place to ensure continuity of learning.

Teachers may be absent for various professional and personal reasons, including:

• Professional Development: Teachers may be required to attend professional learning opportunities on a school day. These may be held externally or be a part of the valuable collaborative practices that are embedded in our school professional learning plan. Throughout the year, our teachers engage in training and collaborative practices to enhance teaching strategies, analyse student data, and plan for continuous improvement.
• Leave entitlements: Teachers are entitled to sick leave and carers leave to ensure they recover fully before returning to the classroom, and that they are available to support their own families as needed. Long Service Leave is a leave entitlement of teachers and falls under the provision of the Long Service Leave Act 1955 (NSW) and Long Service Leave Act 1976 (ACT). This is granted to teachers in accordance with the entitlement provision as set out in NSW and ACT Catholic Systemic Schools Enterprise Agreement 2015.
• Parent Meetings: Teachers are provided release from teaching time in order to meet with parents for collaborative planning meetings when a student has a Personalised Plan. These meetings are scheduled twice per year
• Leadership Release: Members of the Staff Leadership Team may be required at times to have time additional to their allocated one day per week in order to ensure the safe and supportive running of the school as required.

To ensure minimal disruption, we employ casual teachers as required. Wherever possible, we prioritise consistency by engaging regular casual teachers who are familiar with our school and students. However, at times, new casual teachers may be working with our classes for the first time. These teachers receive support from the grade teachers and stage leaders, and a process is in place to maintain consistency in learning.

Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

We appreciate your understanding and support in fostering a positive learning environment for all students.

AFTERNOON PICK UP - LOCAL RESIDENTS

Please be mindful of our lovely neighbours and their need to enter and exit their own homes during our busy morning and afternoon times.

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. 

Set some rules

• Set rules for devices and online access, with consequences for breaking them. As they grow in online skills and maturity you can review your rules together.
• Get your child’s input — this will help them understand risks.
• Model behaviour that you would like to see. Children will be more likely to follow rules if they see you doing the same.
• Consider creating a family tech agreement (sometimes called a family media plan or family online safety agreement). This is a set of rules about how devices are used in your home as well as what acceptable online behaviour looks like. eSafety has created downloadable templates for families with children under 5 or those with kids aged 5 to 8 years. For families with older children, The Family Online Safety Contract from ThinkUKnow Australia is a good starting point.

IDO Expo: A Networking Opportunity for NDIS Participants 

The Illawarra Disability Options (IDO) Expo provides an opportunity for families of NDIS participants to familiarise themselves with local disability service providers and registered training organisations. This annual event is of particular relevance to students with disability planning post school pathways.

When: Thursday 3 April 2025 11.00 am to 3.00 pm

Where: The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke Street, Fairy Meadow