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Dear Parents and Carers,
It was a privilege to join with members of our community at the Annual General Meeting of the Parents and Friends Association, held last Wednesday evening.
At this meeting, the outgoing committee were recognised for their tireless work and a new executive voted in. I am pleased to announce the following, with the introduction of “Co” roles to support the executive and build capabilities amongst our parent body for the future.
President: Jane Brejniak
Co-President: Martina Mulaj
Vice President: Catherine Chard
Co-Vice President: Rachel Stokes
Treasurer: Holly Pirie
Co-Treasurer: Ashley Pitt
Secretary: Melissa McCluskey
Co -Secretary: Rebecca Ririnui
At St Pius X we encourage strong collaboration, interaction and partnership with parents and carers in a variety of informal and formal ways. The primary formal mechanism, for the engagement of parents is the Parents and Friends Association (P&F). I look forward to continuing the strong relationship with our parents and am appreciative of the funds the committee raise to provide resources and enrich the learning environment for the school.
I encourage all parents to become involved in the life of school, we have many upcoming events, including our Welcome BBQ, Whole School Mass and Meet and Greet Sessions. A calendar of events was sent last week for your reference. We will also call for parent helpers in a range of capacities in Term Two. This will include reading in the classrooms and seeking people with special talents that can share their gifts with the students.
Finally, I will leave you with the words of Pope Francis,
“ We must renew the commitment to constructive collaboration for the benefits of children and young people”.
As, you know it takes a village to raise a child and I strongly belive that students will benefit when adults work together in respectful partnerships.
Yours Sincerely,
Pauline Chrostowski - Principal
All students take part in Religious Education programs as part of their formal education at St Pius X. The religious education curriculum has been set and approved by the Bishop of the Diocese in conjunction with the Catholic Education Office. Students participate in prayer, liturgical and mass experiences throughout the school terms to deepen their understanding of the Catholic tradition. These experiences are facilitated and supported by their classroom teacher/s, Sr Kerry and Fr Duane from the parish of Immaculate Conception, Unanderra.
The school also provides other opportunities for students to express and deepen their Faith through Christian service and mission within their school environment and the wider community. This involves participating in various fundraising events for various Catholic organisations.
Please see Compass and the school newsletter for more details as event information comes to hand.
Our Religious Education program aims to:
Develop in the children a conscious loving relationship with:
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God, as a loving Creator
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Jesus, the risen Christ, the centre of our Faith community
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The Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus Christ
Build a school faith community, where the children will live and love as witnesses of the Catholic faith through the efforts of:
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Parish Priest
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School Leadership Team
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Staff
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Students
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Parents / Carers
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Wider community
Ash Wednesday
Next Wednesday 22nd February Years 3 – 6 will be attending mass at Immaculate Conception church at 9.30 am. Parents are more than welcome to attend.
Kindergarten – Year 2 will be participating in a liturgy within our school hall to mark Ash Wednesday, this will commence at 12pm and we are lucky to have Sr Kerry with us to facilitate this very special occasion. Parents are more than welcome to attend.
SACRAMENTAL NEWS 2023
Parent Information and Registration Nights
- Confirmation - Tuesday 7th March and 9th March at 7 - 8pm in the Parish Centre at St Therese West Wollongong.
- Reconciliation and First Holy Communion - Tuesday 14th March and 16th March at 7 - 8pm in the Parish Centre St Therese West Wollongong.
If you would like your child to make one of the above sacraments this year attendance at ONE of the relevant information sessions is required.
Blessing of the Backpacks & Commissioning Mass
The parish of Immaculate Conception would like to extend a warm invitation to all students and teachers of St Pius X to attend the annual Blessing of the Backpacks & Commissioning Mass to be held on Sunday 5th March at 8am with morning tea to follow. Children are invited to bring along their school backpack for a special blessing by Fr Duane. Please be sure to save the date!
Save the Date: Whole School Mass – Week 6
All grades Kinder – Year 6 will be celebrating our 2023 whole school mass on Tuesday 28th February at Immaculate Conception church commencing at 9.30am – all are warmly welcome to attend.
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Term 1 Week 4 - From the Assistant Principal Desk |
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Nationally Consistent Collection of Data: NCCD The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with a Disability (NCCD) takes place every year. St Pius X staff work consistently each year collecting and recording data about student goals and progress to be counted within the collection. The NCCD is a collection that counts: • the number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability • the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students. Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. This ‘help’ allows them to access education on the same basis as a child without disability.
The NCCD process occurs throughout the year culminating in August when data is collected and schools provide this information to education authorities. This week teachers have begun the process with our first Personalised Plan meetings. The following fact sheet provides parents with more detailed information on the NCCD process. https://www.nccd.edu.au/sites/default/files/nccd_parent_fact_sheet_english_0.pdf SMART WATCHES As per our school handbook, Smart watches are allowed to be worn by students with sounds switched off and no communication via the device. Smart watches are not to be used for contacting parents or others during school hours and should be set to “School Mode” during these hours. We also ask that parents refrain from sending messages to their child’s device during school hours as this often causes interruptions to learning. If you would like to get a message to your child please contact the office.
ESafety
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PRINCIPAL AWARDS
Darcy Peterson - 1B
Luca Jurak - 1B
Mariah Said - 1B
Dante Dragovic - 1R
Evie Moon - 1R
Marlie Holland - 1R
Michael Scognamiglio - 1R
Naite McIntyre - 1R
Isaac Llamas - 5R
Jack Baldassari - 6B
Copper Campbell - 6R
Victoria Nestorovski - 6R
Saffron McNally-Bates - 6R
Congratulations to all of these students.
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TERM ONE 31 JAN – 6 APR |
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FEBRUARY |
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Monday 6th - 17th |
Meet and Greet Sessions in classrooms. Please book online via COMPASS Year 1B and Years 2-6 only. Kindergarten and 1R will have an opportunity to meet later in the term. |
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Wednesday 8th |
Parents and Friends Annual General Meeting at 6.30pm in the School Library - All welcome! |
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Thursday 9th |
Year 6 Leadership Induction Ceremony - 9.30am in the Hall. Parents welcome! |
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Wednesday 15th |
SPX Swimming Trials - Competitors only at Unanderra Pool. Commencing at 8:30am Parents are welcome! |
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Tuesday 21st |
Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day |
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Wednesday 22nd |
Ash Wednesday: students in Years 3-6 will attend Parish Mass at 9.30am at Immaculate Conception. Kindergarten, Year One and Two Liturgy at 12 noon in the Hall with Sr Kerry Parents welcome to attend either event. |
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Thursday 23rd |
Welcome BBQ, all invited 3.30pm - 5.00pm in the School Grounds. |
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Tuesday 28th |
Whole School Mass at Immaculate Conception Unanderra 9.30am All welcome! |
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MARCH |
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Wednesday 8th |
St Pius X New Enrolment Expo – 4.30pm – 6.00pm |
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Thursday 9th |
Jump Rope for Heart - Whole School Jump off at 2.30pm in school grounds Parents Welcome! MUFTI DAY. |
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Wednesday 15th-Tuesday 21st |
NAPLAN Testing window. |
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Friday 24th |
SPX Cross Country Carnival Kindergarten to Year Six at Unanderra Oval, commencing 9.30am All welcome! |
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Saturday 25th |
State Election in SPX Hall - Parents and Friends BBQ. |
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APRIL |
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Sunday 2nd April |
Palm Sunday. |
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Thursday 6th |
Last Day Term 1 (Holy Thursday) |
Induction of 2023 School Leaders
We formally inducted our Captains, Vice Captains and Student Representative
Council into their leadership roles with a beautiful liturgy held in the Hall.
As part of this event, all Year Six students received a badge as a symbol of their
learnership and contribution they will make to school life in 2023.
Sincere thanks to Father Duane and Sr Kerry for joining us for this significant event.
School Captains: Owen Schembri and Emma Viselli
Vice Captains: Sebastian Rodwell and Victoria Nestorovski
Student Representative Council: Natasha Pope, Mason Micevski, Bentley Faucett,
Jake Tarlinton, Zak Panayatou, Mia Hanna, Tiffany Tasevski and
Matteo Naumovski
RAT Kits
The school currently has a very healthy supply of RAT kits. If your family would like
more tests, please don’t hesitate to contact the office.
What should I do if I test positive?
NSW Health recommends you:
stay home until your acute symptoms have gone
register your positive rapid antigen test result with Service NSW
wear a mask indoors and on public transport, if you must leave your home
avoid large gatherings and indoor crowded places
don't visit people at higher risk of severe illness.
SCHOOL NEWS
Enrolment for 2024
Enrolments for Kindergarten 2024 are now open. If you have a child attending
Kindergarten next year or you know of anyone who is thinking of enrolling their child,
please encourage them to attend our SPX New Enrolment Expo on Wednesday 8th
March. This is an opportunity for families to visit the school, meet the staff and enjoy
some hospitality. Enrolment forms are available from the school office or our website
https://www.spxudow.catholic.edu.au
Requesting a Meeting
Throughout the year, you may have the need to meet with your child’s class teacher,
this could be a concern of an academic or well-being nature or providing additional
information about your child that has come to light.
We ask that you see your child’s teacher in the first instance. If the concern is not
resolved here, you may then wish to contact the Stage Leader.
Please note Mrs Christine Nunes (Assistant Principal) and Mrs Pauline Chrostowski
(Principal) are always available for matters of a confidential nature or serious
concerns.
Below are the leadership members for each grade:
Kindergarten – Mrs Christine Nunes
Year 1 - Mrs Christine Nunes
Year 2 – Mrs Christine Nunes
Year 3 – Mr Bill Whittle
Year 4 - M Bill Whittle
Year 5 – Ms Louise Sartor
Year 6 – Ms Lousie Sartor
AWARDS
St Pius X Award system works on a three tier process.
5 Merit Awards = 1 Principal Award
3 Principal Awards = 1 MacKillop Award (15 Merit Awards)
2 MacKillop Awards = 1 Medallion (30 Merit Awards)
Parents are notified of Principal and Mary Mackillop awards via COMPASS. and these awards are given out at whole school assemblies, with the exception of Medallions that are given at the at the Year Six Graduation
There are also a number of stand alone awards that are given. The ACE Award, which stands for Academic, Citizenship and Endeavour is given for high achievement, actions towards others and effort. Recipients may be selected for one or a combination of these reasons. This award is given once a Semester to two or three students per class.
These awards are classroom teacher selected and students can earn multiple of these throughout their time at St Pius X. These awards count as one Merit Award towards the above system.
The other awards given are Year Six Awards handed out at the Year Six Graduation. Recipients of these awards are nominated by the Year Six classroom teachers and voted on by all teaching staff. There are two awards given for each type, except Shining Star with one award given. Any staff with conflicts of interest are withdrawn from the voting process. These awards are:
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Excellence - This is given for achievement in one or multiple areas of school life
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Good Samaritan - Kindness and compassion towards others
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Principal’s - Effort in school life
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St Pius X Shining Star - A combination of all three awards
The staff leadership team may give a spontaneous Merit Award to any student who they feel is deserving of one throughout the school year.
2023 School Fees – Important information and reminders
All families have been sent their 2023 School fee statements via email. We have been advised that some emails to Yahoo and Hotmail accounts are going to junk or spam boxes. If you have not yet received your fee statement, please check your junk/spam to see if it has been filtered there. If you have not received anything, please contact the school office as soon as possible to rectify this to avoid any overdue notices.
PAY BY INSTALMENTS
Many families have already elected to pay their school fees by instalments. If you wish to take up this option please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on your school’s website or at your school’s office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at your school’s office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your account and a schedule of payments and due dates will be provided on your next school fee statement. It is only necessary to complete this form once during the period of child/children’s enrolment unless you wish to amend your payment frequency. The Fees Team have received a large volume of requests and updated statements will be emailed to families on their next school fee statement.
DIFFICULTY WITH PAYMENT
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, we encourage you to contact the school in which your child/children are enrolled to discuss an arrangement that will assist you meet your commitments. This may include the completion of a Diocesan Application for Fee Concession which is available from the school office. Be reassured that your situation will be treated with strict confidentiality and respect for your circumstances. Please note, if you have children in more than one school, it will only be necessary to submit one application.
For those families that received a Fee Concession in 2022, you will receive an email prior to your annual review date attaching a further Application for Fee Concession. You may also initiate an earlier review if you wish to do so by contacting your school office.
For further information regarding school fees, please access the Diocesan School Fee Management Policy and Frequently Asked Questions which is available on your school’s website.
We’re skipping through the term!
Jump Rope for Heart is well underway and it’s great to see so many children out in the playground and PE classes skipping with smiles on their faces. SPX has already raised $10 000, we are smashing our goals.
It’s not long until our Jump Off Day on Thursday, 10th March so keep on practicing those tricks! And don’t forget to share your online fundraising page with friends and family to raise money for a great cause!
Still need to sign up online? It’s easy just follow this link and enter your details.
Swimming
This week SPX students competed in our Swimming Trials for selection to the Diocesan South Coast trials.
It was an enjoyable day with students competing to the best of their abilities, displaying fun, fitness and participation is strong at SPX. Thank you to the teachers and parents who assisted on the day to help our trials run so smoothly.
Ribbons will be distributed tomorrow afternoon.
Results - Age Champions
Girls
Junior - 1. Madison Halcrow
2. Addison McPherson
3. Annabel Norton
11 years - 1. Bronte Chinnock
2. Natasha Pope
3. Natalie Cacciola
Senior - 1. Georgia Correa
2. Saffron McNally-Bates
3. Khushi Maskey
Boys
Junior - 1. Emmett Turner
2. Cael Chinnock
3. Vitaliy Riznyk
11 years - 1. Sebastian Rodwell
2. David Carolan
3. Joshua Suartama
Senior - 1. Ryan Yeo
2. Mason Micevski
3. William Stepanovski
South Coast Diocesan Swimming trials will be held 7th March, successful students will receive information with their swimming ribbons. The following competitors can be sent for each of these events listed for both boys and girls:
All Age 100m Freestyle – 1
50m Freestyle 8 yrs – 2, 9 yrs – 2, 10 yrs – 2, 11 yrs – 2, 12 yrs – 2, 13 yrs – 2
Backstroke Junior – 1, 11 yrs – 1, Senior – 1
Breaststroke Junior – 1, 11 yrs – 1, Senior – 1
Butterfly Junior – 1, 11 yrs – 1, Senior – 1
Junior Medley 200m – 1
Senior Medley 200m – 1
Relays 4 x 50m Freestyle 1 junior team, 1 senior team
Volunteers
Canteen Kat is now calling for volunteers.
Our canteen is open WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, volunteers would be required between 9.00-11.00am.
Please email Canteen Kat canteenkat@outlook.com.au for further information.
Last night ,Mrs Chrostowski and I attended the St Mary Star of the Sea College Wollongong, 150th Celebration Mass. This Mass celebrated the education of girls in the Good Samaritan tradition and was held the WIN Entertainment Centre.
I was excited to be in the procession and enjoyed the beautiful Mass.
We congratulate St Mary Star of the Sea College on this remarkable achievement.
Happy Birthday St Mary’s!
Emma Viselli (School Captain)
Message from Fr Duane
Dear Parishioners,
Please find attached this week's bulletin.
God Bless,
Fr Duane Fernandez
Parish Priest
Immaculate Conception and St Therese Parishes
We would like to congratulate Jaxson Steele on his amazing contribution to the Jump Rope for Heart Foundation, he has currently raised over $1400!!!!!
