St Pius X Catholic Parish Primary School Unanderra eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

Over the past two weeks I have had the great pleasure of meeting our new Kindergarten students for 2023. This is always one of my favourite times of the year as Principal, as I am given the great privilege of meeting our new and existing families.

As part of the interview process, I ask families; “Why have you chosen to enrol your child at St Pius X Unanderra?”

Time and time again the common answers to this question are based on three themes:

Word of mouth
Catholic Values
Excellence in Learning.

As a Catholic school the faith, well-being and learning of the student is my key priority and the upward trend in enrolments certainly shows the wonderful reputation we have in the community. As Principal I am proud of St Pius X Unanderra and thank you for your ongoing partnership.

Last night at the Parents and Friends Association Meeting I detailed our ongoing improvement agenda. This included:

Promoting our Catholicity through the “Educating with a Mission Lens” program and a coordinated enrolment campaign
A focus on Learning and Teaching, in particular literacy and numeracy initiatives across Kindergarten to Year Six.

Semester Two Parent Teacher Interviews will take place later in the term and will give you the opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher(s) and celebrate achievements and goals for learning moving forward.

With the above in mind, I will leave you with a quote from our Bishop, Rev Brian Mascord:

“The Church has always reminded us that parents are the first educators of their children in the ways of faith. From my own experience I know of the unique nurturing environment that only a family can provide in guiding a child as they grow in faith and understanding. Parents, however, cannot do this alone, and in our country have the benefit of wonderful Catholic schools and parish communities who partner with parents in the challenging but privileged work of educating and forming children”

Yours Sincerely,

Pauline Chrostowski - Principal

The following students will receive awards for Week 5 and Week 6

Merit Awards

Week 5

Week 6

KB: Isabella D, Dea R, William B

KR: Adam D, Zara M, Mihaela N

1B: Ruby M, Sophie S

1R: Neev G, Jensen M

2B: Fionn K, Angelica S

2R: Stephanie C, Leo C

3B: Louis G, Sophia K

3R: Roman T, Serena H, Evie N

4B: Jacob B, Laynie H, Marlee M

5B: Thomas K, Madison P

5R: Khushi M, Owen S

6B: Gabriella A, Lucas M

6R: Elisabeth S, Xavier O

KB: Elias A, Noah S, Olivia W

KR: Emma N, Marlie H, Lincoln S

1B: Ryley M, Oscar L

1R: Kyla M, Audrey T

2B: Orlando S, Thomas M

2R: Adon D, Matteo S

3B: Addison M, Riley H, Zoe S

3R: Olivia J, Isaiah S

4B: Oliver M, Hudson O, Joshua S

5B: Harvey M, Zahli K

5R: Matteo N, Marley J

6B: Maximus O, Zane K

6R: Joseph F, Sienna C

When you have 5 Merit Awards, you qualify for a PRINCIPAL AWARD

Principal's Award

Chloe R - 2B x2

Courtney M - 2B

Sonny L - 2R

Logan S - 2R

Katie V - 3B

Zak P - 5B

Alexis S - 6R

When you have 3 Principal's Awards, you will qualify for a Mackillop Award

Mackillop Award

Sophia G - 3R

Sophie C - 3R

Charlotte M - 4B

When you have 2 Mackillop Awards, You qualify for a School Medallion

School Medallion

Medallions will be presented later in year by Mrs Chrostowski.

Congratulations to all of these students.

Monday 13^th June

Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend

Tuesday 14^th June

3.30-5p.m St Pius X Working Bee. All Welcome!

Thursday 23^rd June

Athletics Carnival

Friday 24^th June

Semester One reports sent home

Monday 27^th June

Parent Teacher Interviews Kindergarten to Year Six. Information on online booking to follow in the coming week.

Friday 1^st July

Last Day Term Two

Monday 18^th July

First Day of Term Three

Friday 23^rd September

Last day of Term Three

Monday 10^th October

Staff Development Day. This is a Pupil Free Day and staff will be off site.

Tuesday 11^th October

First Day of Term Four

Friday 16^th December

Year Six Final Assembly and Ringing of the Bell

Last Day of Term Four for Kindergarten to Year Six.

Reminder: Drink Bottles

Parents are reminded to please send drink bottles with students EVERYDAY as we no longer have water bubblers.

Students can top up their water bottles at our wonderful new water station whenever required.

SPX_Refill_Stations_poster.pdf

SPX_Refill_Stations_poster _pdf 2.34 MB

World Environment Day

On Monday of Week 7 (6th June) SPX will be holding a World Environment Day liturgy. The students will also be participating in some exciting Environment inspired activities during the afternoon session.

For these activities the Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6) students will be required to bring in an old t-shirt (preferably large size).

Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 (Years Kinder, 1 and 2) may wish to bring some gardening gloves if they have them.

The activities planned for the remainder of the school do not require the students to bring in anything.

We are very excited about this initiative and the activities prepared for the students. We will share photos of this great day on the school social media accounts as well as the school Newsletter in Week 8.

SPX Return and Earn

For a number of years now, the SPX community have continued to play their part in caring for our common home through the Return and Earn, St Vinnies initiative. In the past we have asked parents to donate eligible items to the school collection points (on school grounds), but this year we would like to offer parents the opportunity to take their 10c containers straight to the depot, as a donation on behalf of the school.

This is straightforward and no sorting needed, as it is done all for you by the great St Vinnies workers.

1. Collect your items as per normal.

2. Take your items to the Return and Earn Depot, at 10-12 Investigator Dr, Unanderra between 8:30 and 3pm.

3. After your items have been finalised, ask for your amount to be donated.

4. Ask for a receipt and bring this into the school office (yourself or your child). These will be collected and kept as a record by Ms Sartor, to be added into the annual school report and contribute to a whole school target resulting in a reward for the students.

Students are still able to bring in items from home to add to our whole school collection. Canteen/lunchbox items will be taken to the depot by staff.

We thank you in advance for your continued support with this.

Any questions, please see Mrs Lindner or Mrs Staples.

Library Help Needed

We have purchased some decocable readers. They have been accesioned now they need to be covered. If you can help please email me and I will send a bundle home with your child. Email jan.poder@dow.catholic.edu.au.

All help is greatly appreciated.

Yours in reading

Jan Poder

Library Manager

Sacrament of Reconciliation

On Monday 23^rd May and Wednesday 25^th May students from Year 3 received their first Sacrament of Reconciliation with Fr Duane. The children were prepared for this special event by their classroom teachers with support of Sr Kerry Gardiner, we are so very thankful for their spiritual direction of the children during this time. Congratulations to all students who were involved.

Reconcilation_Photo.pdf

Reconcilation_Photo _pdf 19.61 MB

Feast of Pentecost

This Sunday the 5th of June we celebrate the feast of Pentecost, and we hear the story of the Holy Spirit coming to the apostles to be their helper and guide as Jesus had promised. The Spirit gave them the gifts they needed to preach Jesus’ message to everyone they met. We ask that those same gifts fill our hearts so that through our words and deeds we may be shining examples of Jesus’ love bringing hope to the world.

SAVE THE DATES

1. Grade Mass

On Thursday 16^th June at 9.30am Years 2, 3 and 4 will be attending Mass (weather permitting) at the Immaculate Conception Parish, Unanderra. Fr Duane will be leading the children through a teaching Mass, which means that he will be taking things slowly and explaining key concepts and symbols as he makes his way through the celebration. Parents and carers are warmly invited to attend.

2. Parish Family Mass

The parish Worshiping Group are planning a Family Mass and Morning tea for Sunday 26th June at 8am. We would like as many families with children to attend as it is also the Diocesan feast day of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Since the Immaculate Conception church is a Diocesan Shrine to Our Lady, we really would like as many children as possible to be included during the Mass.

3. St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal – PJ DAY!

On Friday 24^th June St Pius X will be holding a PJ DAY in support of the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. With support of our P&F committee students will also be able to pre-purchase a hot chocolate drink and a donut to enjoy on the day.

Keep an eye out for the note that will be sent home with students SOON.

ICAS News 2022

St Pius X Catholic Primary School will be providing students in Years 3-6 the opportunity to participate in external ICAS assessments.

The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is an independent, skills-based assessment program which recognises achievement in various subjects.

ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to online assessments. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results.

Learn more about ICAS here: https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas

This year our school has signed up for the ICAS Assessments parent payment system (PPS) for Science, English, Mathematics and Spelling. Through this system parents can pay for ICAS directly online while tests will still be held at school.

Within the next few weeks you will receive more information regarding how to register. STAY TUNED!

Congratulations!!!

Jake Hill from Year 6 won the $10 break snacks card for the Hot Dog Day draw.

My School Connect Prize

St Pius X won the MY SCHOOL CONNECT 'win $5,000 worth of canteen online lunch orders'. To grab your share of the $5,000 please register with My School Connect Canteen Kat Tuckshop by the 1st of June 2022. This is a very generous prize, every student and staff registered will receive $15 of online credit to spend at the canteen.

If you have not registered by the 1st June you will not be able to have access to the prize.

Message from Fr Duane

29_May_The_Ascension_of_the_Lord_Year_C_.pdf

29_May_The_Ascension_of_the_Lord_Year_C pdf 832.59 KB

Fr Duane Fernandez

Parish Priest
Immaculate Conception and St Therese Parishes