Last week I had the privilege of welcoming Bishop Brian Mascord to our parish primary school. Bishop Brian, along with Father Duane spoke to members of the Leadership Team on our hopes and vision for St Pius X moving forward.

Bishop Brian also took part in  a question-and-answer session with Kindergarten and Year Six students, which he thoroughly enjoyed. The questions were varied and included:

What is a Bishop?

What does a typical day look like for you?

Why does our school have a Saints name?

Is Jesus a Saint?

What’s your favourite football team?

We are so grateful that Bishop Brian was able to visit and offer us a message of pastoral support and acknowledge our work as educators in providing a welcoming community for all. I assured him of our continual prayers for him in his role as leader of our Diocese.

I was then humbled on Saturday night when Bishop Brian mentioned his visit to St Pius X in  his homily. He spoke about the depth of knowledge of the children at St Pius X and the significant role we as educators play in assuring our young people have opportunities for growth in their faith and learning.

I am so proud of the children and the commitment that they are showing to their faith and learning

Project Compassion

Third Week of Lent 

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Priscilla, who lives in the Hwange district in Zimbabwe with her husband, Charles, and two of their grandchildren. Climate change continues to bring unprecedented challenges for people living in the most vulnerable and remote communities in Zimbabwe.

During times of intense drought and food shortages, Priscilla had to commute to the town centre and wait in long queues to collect food.  

With the support of Caritas Hwange, Priscilla learnt conservation farming skills to grow drought-resistant crops and started poultry farming to support her family during the current food crisis. Priscilla was able to produce a bumper harvest in her first year of practising in conservation farming. Priscilla also used the funds from her harvest to start poultry farming, which enabled her to sell eggs to pay for her grandchildren’s school fees, books and stationery. The poultry farming provides a safety net for Priscilla and her family during times of hardship, like the current drought.

While the situation in Zimbabwe and across eastern Africa remains dire, the work of Caritas Hwange means that Priscilla can learn the techniques, tools and resources she needs to build resilience and support her family during this current food crisis.  

Through the wonderful fundraising efforts of our school community on Shrove Tuesday we have started our Lenten appeal with a total of $345.55. Year 6 leaders have collected the Project Compassion boxes from prayer spaces and collated how much money classes have been able to raise for this week and we are very happy to report that 3B are the leaders for Week 8 with a total of $50. 

An amount such as this can cover the weekly supermarket order to provide healthy meals for the young people who attend programs at Baabyn through Caritas.

We look forward to seeing which class will be the next fundraising leader in Week 10!

Birthday Celebrations

A reminder to parents that if you would like to bring in a treat for students to share on your child's birthday please make sure that they are INDIVIDUAL PORTIONS, for example: Mini cupcakes or lolly pops etc.

Also please remember that we are a NUT FREE school.

Annual Improvement Plan

Each year St Pius X Unanderra develops an Annual Improvement Plan (AIP). This plan defines the specific goals, strategies and evidence of impact that we will focus on over the course of the year.

This plan is developed in consultation with the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong, staff, students and parents. I encourage you to be involved in the life of the Parents and Friends so that you can have a voice in our strategic direction.

We also intend to host a “Listening Forum” next term, where parents will be invited to join Leadership members for drinks and canapes and a chance to have their voice heard on the future direction of SPX moving forward.

Our two goals  in 2023, focus on the key areas of Mission and Catholicity and Learning and Teaching.

Goal 1  Contemporary prayer experiences will be implemented across Kindergarten to Year Six so that student faith is enriched and wellbeing is enhanced.

Term One: Christian Mediation implemented, as a daily practice across Kindergarten to Year Six, giving students a tool to be still, quiet and reflect on their faith, this in turn will have a positive impact on well being.

Goal 2 Teachers will have a shared understanding of the implementation of evidence- based quality assessment practises so that students are actively engaged and appropriately challenged.

Term One: All teachers across K to 6 will have intense professional development around assessment and the new curriculum. This will impact student outcomes and ensure all students are challenged to reach their full potential.

 Staff Professional Development

 
All teachers across K to 6 are involved in on site Professional Development around our annual improvement focus of Christian meditation and  assessment

13th March 2023 – Catholicity Inservice

Mrs Kim Norrie, Mrs Carlie Staples

16^th March  2023- Religious Education Coordinator Network Day.

Ms Louise Sartor

17^th March Early Career Teacher Day.

Mrs Norrie and Mrs Ceccato

22 March 2023 K to 2 Curriculum Advisor Day.

Mrs Galea 

Enrolments

We are currently accepting enrolments for Kindergarten 2024. If your son/daughter will be starting school next year, please collect an enrolment form from the school office or download one from our school website. If you know of anyone who is interested in enrolling their child, please advise them to contact our school office. 

Oh BABY!!!!

This term we have been excited to have visits from our 2022/2023 staff members and their BABIES!!!!

May we introduce to you:

NORAH JUNE LINDNER: 17/09/2022 - Mrs Shay Lindner

JACE TEO FREW: 15/12/2022 - Mrs Alyssa Frew

SEBASTIAN EMMANUEL WALKER: 19/01/2023 - Mrs Samantha Walker

Library News

The NSW Premier`s Reading Challenge has opened for 2023. We are taking part again this year. The website has a list of all the books and rules for each challenge.

The K to 2 Challenge the children can read books on their own,read them with someone else or someone can read the book to them. 30 books 20 off the PRC list and 10 can be free choice.

The 3-4 and the 5-6 challenges the children must read the books themselves. 20 books 10 off the PRC list and 10 can be free choice.

We have lots of books that are on each challenge list in the library. The local libraries also have prc books available to borrow.

The challenge closes on the 15th  August 2023. I will upload the completed prc lists for each child. Please send them to the library space.

I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

Mrs Jan Poder

Premier`s Reading Challenge Co- Ordinator

 Harmony Day.

On this day each year Australia celebrates cultural diversity.

In schools we celebrate inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all Australians, from the traditional custodians of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world.

The students of St Pius X School are invited to wear orange accessories to school on Tuesday, 21^st of March. (Week 9).They will wear their school uniform but may wear an orange hat, socks, closed in orange shoes, shoe laces, ribbons or scrunchies. They will be taking part in class-based activities to learn more about the significance of National Harmony Day.

World Maths Day- Thursday 23^rd March

World Maths Day is a global event that celebrates Mathematics.  It aims to educate people about the essential role of mathematics in our daily lives. It also allows children to participate in various activities to enhance their confidence and enjoyment of Mathematics. On Thursday 23^rd March, the students at SPX will be participating in a range of activities to support this important day. Students, do not forget to submit your Maths joke/riddle to your teacher by Wednesday 22^nd March.

A prize will be awarded to the student with the best joke in each class.

Miss Jaklic and Mrs Starcic

Kindergarten Sport Uniform CHANGE

Due to Kindergarten participating in the AFL program Kindy students will be wearing their sports uniform on a Wednesday and a Friday for the remainder of the Term 1.