Dear Parents and Carers,

As part of our strategic focus, St Pius X has been involved in a coordinated marketing program. This, along with our reputation as a school of welcome and excellence in learning has seen a marked increase in student enrolments. We were excited that WIN News were able to support us in our campaign by showcasing our wonderful school with a return from remote learning news story (see below). I am also delighted with our digital photo shoot earlier in the week and look forward to sharing the images with you in the future.

Last Friday we celebrated our wonderful staff as part of World Teacher’s Day celebrations. Each staff member was gifted with a seeded paper bookmark from the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong and a selection of toffee and apples to munch on. I am so grateful to our dedicated teachers that go above and beyond to ensure that every student feels valued and has the opportunity for growth in faith and learning. 

Yours Sincerely,

Pauline Chrostowski - Principal

EXCITING REMINDER

Canteen will be OPEN for WEEK 6 only!!!!! 

Please find attached MENU:

Summary of Important Dates

Monday 8^th- November: Canteen open for lunch orders all week (Menu to follow)

Friday 26^th November: Book Week Celebrations and costume parade.

Friday 3^rd December: Stage Award Presentations.

9.00am: Infants

2.15pm: Stage Two (Years Three and Four)

2.45pm: Stage Three (Years Five and Six)

Saturday 4^th December: Local Government election and onsite P and F BBQ (COVID pending).

Monday 6^th December: Year Six Graduation.

Tuesday 7^th December: Children meet their 2022 teacher!

                                       Year Six at Jamberoo or Water Fun Day on site TBC

Friday 10^th December: Medallion Assembly 2.15p.m.

Saturday 11^th December: Father Duane’s 10^th Anniversary of Ordination.

Monday 13^th December: Confirmation 7pm Immaculate Conception.

Wednesday 15^th December: Last day for students.

Thursd ay 16th December: Last Day for Staff.

Vinnies Christmas Giving Tree 

It is that time of year again. We are collecting food items to be donated to St Vincent De Paul in December. 

At present many families in our wider community are facing hardship, particularly with COVID 19. Once again this year to support families in need we will be having our annual Hamper Drive. 

Please see below for items to be brought in for each Year group.

Thank you in advance for your kind donations. 

Kinder: Lollies, chips, chocolates 

Year 1: Biscuits, Tea, Coffee

Year 2: Drinks, cordial, juice, fizzy drink 

Year 3: Christmas pudding/cake, desserts 

Year 4: Tinned fruit, long life custard 

Year 5: Breakfast items eg. Boxed cereal, Long life milk 

Year 6: Pasta, Pasta Sauce 

Staff: Christmas treats, puddings, mince pies, christmas cakes

Uniform Reminders

At St Pius X, we present ourselves well and wear our uniform with pride. Our students' hair, uniform and appearance should be in such condition that invites positive comment only.

All items of clothing are available from Lowes, Westfield Figtree and can also be ordered online from Lowes. We also have a limited selection of items in our second hand Uniform Shop. These items are $5 and please phone the office if you need assistance.

Given the transition back to school and limited stock supplies a decision has been made for children to wear either Summer or Sport uniform in Term Four. Can we please ask that Sport is worn on your child’s designated day.

Kindergarten: Wednesday & Thursday

1B: Thursday & Friday

1R: Wednesday & Thursday

Y2: Thursday & Friday

Y3: Thursday & Friday

Y4: Wednesday & Thursday

Y5: Wednesday & Friday

Y6: Wednesday & Friday

SPORTS UNIFORM (BOYS & GIRLS)

• Blue and red polo top with emblem
• Royal knit shorts with embroidered crest
• Royal fleecy track pants
• Plain white, ankle length socks
• Joggers with laces or Velcro
• St Pius X school hat
• A royal blue school jacket may be worn over the sloppy joe for extra warmth.

Please note: School hat is to be worn before and after school, at breaks, PE and Sport.
 

HAIR

• Students are required to wear their hair in a neat and tidy manner.
• Long hair below collar length is to be tied back.
• Extreme hair cuts and coloured hair are not permitted. The emphasis is on evenly cut hair. 
• No coloured hair decorations – girls may wear headbands, ribbons, scrunchies in royal blue or red and uniform material only.

JEWELLERY AND MAKEUP

No jewellery except for studs or sleepers for girls (one per ear lobe), a watch, signet ring or religious medals.
No single piercings are permitted.
No nail polish or makeup is permitted.

Student Reports

Due to the disruption caused by COVID-19, adjustments to curriculum have been made throughout Terms 3 and 4. Focus for Semester Two has been on student wellbeing and learning, and priority has been given to Religious Education, English and Mathematics. As a result of this extended period of Remote Learning and the lack of opportunities for teachers to provide quality assessment tasks to determine student learning and attainment and/or growth, student reporting in Semester Two, 2021 will look a little different to the one you received earlier this year.

This Report provides information about your child’s participation in learning during this time of extended Remote Learning and consists of a participation component (see image below) and observations teachers made of your child’s learning. This will be for Religious Education, English and Mathematics.

There will also be a general comment that will consist of three parts, looking at work habits and personal character, other Key Learning Areas and an area for growth or development. 

I would like to extend my thanks to you, the parents and carers, for your ongoing support and commitment to your child’s learning through these unique times.

Progressive Achievement Tests – Social and Emotional Wellbeing (PAT SEW)

SPX utilise the ACER Progressive Achievement Tests each year as one form of tracking student progress and future planning. The literacy and numeracy tests have been conducted over quite a few years whilst the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Test is relatively new. We will be conducting these surveys with the students during Weeks 6 & 7 and then discussing the results as a staff later in the Term.

-  PAT SEW is a confidential, strength-based survey suitable for students aged 3 to 18 years. 

• The survey generates an instant and comprehensive report on a wide variety of social, emotional and behavioural outcomes.
• It is online, easy-to-use and conducted during class time with the assistance of teachers.
• SEW surveys use an ‘ecological’, positive-psychology model of the social and emotional wellbeing of young people.

Students respond to a series of statements confidentially indicating their level of agreement on a two-point Likert scale (Agree or Disagree). Please find an example below.

• Covers Years 2–6
• Completed by students
• 42 statements
• 20 minutes to complete

Areas reported

• Overall SEW
• Feelings & behaviours
• Internal strengths

The results of these surveys will be crucial for the teachers to use when planning for the individual and cohort needs of your child(ren) for 2022.

Simon Farrugia