As part of our strategic vision, students across Kindergarten to Year Six participate in a weekly one-hour STEAM lesson (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). This class is under the expert direction of our Specialist STEAM teacher, Mr Andrew Hales and skills attained through the lessons include problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, decision making, leadership, entrepreneurship and acceptance of failure.

As a result of our STEAM initiatives I am delighted to announce that a team of our Year Six students were selected to participate in the STEM MAD student showcase in Melbourne this week.

STEM MAD National is a celebration of excellence in Catholic education, in which the nation's best primary, secondary and 'Future is STEM' student teams, nominated by their dioceses, showcase their projects to conference participants, diocesan representatives, sponsors and affiliated organisations, school communities and their fellow students.

A big congratulations to Katie H, Noah V, Addison B and Sienna C who were selected to attend this event and showcase their classroom “Hydration Station” initiative. The students, through their work have carefully aligned the papal call for action in Laudato Si': On Care for our Common Home.

I am so proud of the students and wish to acknowledge the generosity of the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong for their support of airfares and accommodation. The St Pius X Parents and Friends Association also provided each child with a gift card and memento badge for the occasion.

Finally, I look forward to welcoming Father Duane Fernandez back to our Parish school this week. I hope he had a well-deserved vacation period with his family in Canada. I thank Sr Kerry Gardiner, who supported the school in Father’s absence. I am so thankful for the work of our wonderful Parish Priest and Pastoral Associate and all they bring to our unique Catholic School. The recent comments from the panel members at our Cyclic Review visit certainly endorsed their work:

 “St Pius X is highly relational, pastoral, inclusive and connected. It is an excellent example of a Catholic community which translates vision into practice. It is like a “Big family” 

Cyclic Review Report for St Pius X Unanderra,  28^th July 2022

Please note that Mrs Pauline Chrostowski will take a period of Long Service leave from Wednesday 14^th September to Friday 23^rd September inclusive. The following staffing arrangements will take place during this period:

Mrs Christine Nunes (Acting Principal)

Ms Louise Sartor (Acting Assistant Principal)

Ms Stephanie Ceccato (Year Five Blue Teacher)

Summer Uniform

From Monday 19^th September, (Week 10) of this term children may begin to transition to their Summer Uniform.

During this period children may choose to wear Summer or Winter unform, as parents purchase new items, take hems down etc.

 Please note SPORTS DAYS WILL REMAIN THE SAME, unless communicated to you.

 Can we kindly ask that all students are in their Summer Uniform by  Monday 17^th  October (Week 2 Term Four)

A reminder we have an onsite second-hand uniform shop on site, with all items being $5. Alternatively, LOWES at Figtree stock new items.  

Matilda's Animal Farm

Animal_Farm_1.pdf

Animal_Farm_1 _pdf 2.46 MB

Animal_Farm_4.pdf

Animal_Farm_4 _pdf 1.11 MB

Animal_Farm_6.pdf

Animal_Farm_6 _pdf 1.88 MB

Animal_Farm_7.pdf

Animal_Farm_7 _pdf 1.79 MB

Drink Bottle Reminder

As the weather warms up can we please ask that you remind your children to take their drink bottles to school each day, thank you.

NAPLAN 2022

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3 and 5 and is the only nationwide assessment that all Australian children undertake.

It’s a measure to see how young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning, and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

Student in Years Three and Five received a hard copy of their NAPLAN results this week and as a school this is ONE useful piece of data to help inform our future directions. The initial results look pleasing and we look forward to sharing a detailed breakdown of our data and performance against the State and Nation early next term.

Digital Sign

We are sure that you have all noticed our FABULOUS DIGITAL SIGN out the front of the school. We cannot wait to start putting up exciting updates and news for you.

A HUGE thank you to our P&F and CEDoW for funding this.

STEM MAD 2022

We would like to say THANK YOU to our wonderful P&F for their generous donation of  GIFTCARDS to our STEM MAD team that are travelling to Melbourne. 

R U OK?

On Thursday 8^th September the St Pius X Community participated in R U OK? Day. Students wore bright coloured MUFTI and engaged in classroom learning experiences to help them understand the importance of asking someone R U OK?

Remember you don't need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener. 

You can use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:

1. Ask R U OK?
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check in

CHRISTMAS STORY ART COMPETITION

Every year the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong hold the Christmas Story Art Competition.

This week saw this competition come to a close at the school level.

Every Stage 3 student submitted an artwork based around one of the provided scripture passages.

St Pius X staff voted on Wednesday 7^th September and we are pleased to announce that the follow student’s work will be representing our school at the next level of judging at the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong:

YEAR 5

Mia H

Victoria N

Tiffany T

YEAR 6

Elisabeth S

John C

Ruby H

We wish these students all the very best of luck at the next level of judging.

VINNIES VAN

Members of the St Pius X teaching community have recently started volunteering for the Vinnies Van outreach program.

The Vinnies Van provides friendship, compassion and dignity to those experiencing homelessness and social isolation. Volunteers serve warm meals and snacks to those who attend at the service locations.

If you are able to support the good works of St Vincent de Paul by way of non-perishable goods donations (example Le Snacks, muesli bars, toothpaste,  bar of soap, Zip-lock bags etc) please bring these items to the school office and it will be taken to the Wollongong St Vincent de Paul Hub.  

Social Emotional Learning – Collaborative Sessions

Recently every teacher participated in a ½ day collaborative planning session with their grade partner, instructional coach, and assistant principal to devise sequences of lessons to meet the social and emotional learning needs of their cohorts. These sessions were scheduled due to a review of recent PB4L data which indicated a priority of need within in this area.

We look forward to our students participating in these learning experiences and thank our teachers for their dedication to the collaborative processes with which they so diligently engaged.