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Dear Parents and Carers,
A very warm welcome back to the new 2024 school year. It has been my privilege to welcome back students, parents and staff to St Pius X. A special welcome to all new members of our community; the new students and families in Years 1-6, the new Kindergarten students and the new members of staff, Mr Nik Sajdovski, Mr Rodney Green and Ms Maria Shea.
We look forward to Fr. Duane celebrating a special Mass on Sunday 18th February at 8.00a.m. At this Mass the students are invited to come along and have their backpacks blessed for the new school year. All members of our community are welcome to this special occasion.
I would like to thank the parents for ensuring the children were presented so well in their uniforms. This certainly speaks volumes and it is lovely to see the outward respect that the children have for the school. The new bucket hat looks wonderful and I have received positive feedback from the students and parents.
Our 2024 Kindergarten students commenced their formal schooling yesterday. We were all very excited to welcome our new students to St Pius and I know that the kindergarten families are also very excited to join our beautiful community. It was wonderful to join the kindergarten parents in the staffroom yesterday for a cup of tea and a chat.
I look forward to meeting parents and carers at the upcoming St Pius events this term. A hard copy and electronic calendar will be sent home tomorrow for your reference.
Yours Sincerely,
Pauline Chrostowski - Principal
2024 Sacramental Program Information
This year the sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will be offered through the Immaculate Conception Parish. Please note that ALL registration sessions will be held at the St Therese Parish Centre, West Wollongong.
Registration evenings for these sacraments will take place on the following dates:
Term 1 - Confirmation
Tuesday 12th March 7 pm at St Therese Parish Centre
Thursday 14th March 7 pm at St Therese Parish Centre
Term 2 - Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
Tuesday 18th June 7 pm at St Therese Parish Centre
Thursday 20th June 7 pm at St Therese Parish Centre
Should you wish to register your child for any of the abovementioned sacraments this year, attendance at ONE of the above sessions is required. Registrations will NOT be accepted outside of the above dates.
Should you require any further information about registration for the sacraments please do not hesitate to contact Ms Louise Sartor in the first instance via sartorL01@dow.catholic.edu.au
Pancake Day - Tuesday 13th February
Thanks to the help of our wonderful P&F committee, students will once again be able to enjoy pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. Please ensure you have completed the note and returned it to school before Friday 9th February with the correct money enclosed. If your child requires another note please contact the school office ASAP.
Ash Wednesday Liturgies
Parents and carers are warmly invited to join our St Pius X students on Wednesday 14th February for our Ash Wednesday liturgies. Both services will take place onsite within our school hall.
Years 3 - 6: 9.30 am with Fr Duane
Kindergarten - Year 2: 12 pm with Sr Kerry
 Next week, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. With our support, Caritas Australia has been able to assist communities around the world through income generation, water and sanitation, food security, education and disaster risk reduction programs. Project Compassion 2024 reminds us that the good we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow. Each class will have their own Project Compassion Box which students are invited to place any spare change they may have into it throughout the season of Lent.  |
Blessing of the Backpacks
Whole School Mass
On Wednesday 28th February at 9.30 am our whole school community will join Fr Duane at the Immaculate Conception Church to celebrate Mass together. During this Mass our 2024 Year 6 school leaders will receive their leadership badges.
All parents and carers are welcome to attend.
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 or learning difficulties
- 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 uses the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
- The Disability Standards for Education 2005 define ‘reasonable adjustment’ as an adjustment that balances the interests of all parties affected.
The NCCD process is a mandatory process which occurs throughout the year culminating in August when data is collected and schools provide this information to educational authorities.
To commence this process for 2024, our teachers will be hosting “Personalised Plan (PP)” meetings, in conjunction with “Meet and greets” in Week four. If your child has a personalised plan due to specific learning needs you have been invited to a meeting to collaborate on goals and strategies to support your child in the school setting. These plans include uniquely tailored strategies collaboratively developed with parents, carers and at times external providers to address the diverse learning styles, strengths, and areas for growth that each student brings to the classroom. The Personalised Plan meetings mark the beginning of an educational approach that highlights our commitment to providing an inclusive and supportive learning environment at St Pius X.
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
Safer Internet Day
This week our students have been focusing on the importance of staying safe online. Through engaging activities, we aim to reinforce the significance of responsible and safe online behavior.
During these sessions, our teachers will guide students in establishing clear rules and expectations for using iPads as effective learning tools. We believe in fostering a positive and secure digital environment for our students.
Additionally, the eSafety Commissioner is offering a series of free parent webinars throughout the year. The eSafety Commissioner webinars provide valuable tips for parents on how to ensure their children socialise, learn, and have fun online safely. More information about these webinars can be accessed here.
This year's Safer Internet Day theme is:
- Connect Safely by keeping apps and devices secure and reviewing your privacy settings regularly.
- Reflect on how your actions online may affect others to your safety.
- Protect yourself and others by visiting eSafety.gov.au to find out how to stay safe online and report online abuse.
By incorporating these simple principles into our daily online activities, we can collectively work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day.
Thank you for your continued support in promoting a secure and positive digital experience for our students.
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TERM ONE 2024 |
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1st FEBRUARY - 12th APRIL |
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| FEBRUARY | |
| Tuesday 13th |
Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day!) |
| Wednesday 14th |
Ash Wednesday Liturgies Years Three - Six with Father Duane 9.30 am in the Hall Kindergarten - Year Two with Sr Kerry 12 noon in the Hall All welcome |
| Thursday 15th |
Year One Parent Information evening 5.00 pm (Year One classrooms) Year Two Parent Information evening 5.40 pm (Year Two classrooms) |
| Sunday 18th |
Blessing of the backpacks at 8 am Mass Immaculate Conception. All are welcome! Morning tea to follow. |
| Wednesday 21st |
P&F MEETING 7pm in LIBRARY |
| Thursday 22nd |
Kindergarten Parent Information evening 5.00 pm (Kindergarten Classrooms) |
| Wednesday 28th |
Whole School Mass and Student Leadership Induction Ceremony Kindergarten to Year Six - Immaculate Conception Church Unandera 9.30 am All welcome |
| Wednesday 28th |
St Pius X Kindergarten 2025 Twilight EXPO, all 2025 prospective enrolments welcome! 4.30 pm- 6 pm |
| MARCH |
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| Wednesday 6th |
Welcome BBQ, all welcome 4.30 pm - 6pm on school grounds, sausage sizzle and drink provided |
| Tuesday 12th |
Sacrament of Confirmation Registration Evening 7 pm St Therese Parish Centre |
| 13th-25th |
National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing window (Year 3 and Year 5) |
| Thursday 14th |
Sacrament of Confirmation Registration Evening 7 pm - St Therese Parish Centre |
| Monday 18th |
School Photos - Students to be in full Summer uniform |
| Thursday 28th |
Holy Thursday Holy Week Liturgy 10.00 am BYO Picnic Lunch 11.00 am Easter Hat Parade 11.30 pm All welcome |
| Friday 29th |
Good Friday - (Public Holiday) |
| APRIL |
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| Monday 1st |
Easter Monday (Public Holiday) |
| Tuesday 2nd |
Students return to school Stage Two Excursion: Science Centre and Wollongong Art Gallery |
| Wednesday 3rd |
Easter Whole School Liturgy 11.00 am School Hall All welcome |
| Thursday 4th |
SPX Cross Country Carnival - Kindergarten to Year Six, Unanderra Oval 9.30 am, Colour run to follow! All welcome |
| Friday 12th |
Last Day Term One. Year Five assembly 2.15 pm |
GENERAL INFORMATION
School Hours
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Morning Supervision |
8:20 am – 8:50 am |
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School Commences |
8:50 am |
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Lunch |
10:50 am – 11:00 am (Eating) 11.00 am – 11.30 am (Play) |
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Recess |
1:00 pm – 1:10 pm (Eating) 1.10 pm – 1.40 pm (Play) |
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Afternoon Dismissal |
3:05 pm – 3:10 pm |
Office Hours
The school office operates on school days between 8:20 am and 4:00 pm (Monday to Friday).
Sun Safety
As per our sun safety expectations children are required to wear a school hat whilst outdoors. Sun cream is also provided in each classroom and children are encouraged to apply before breaks. If your child has an allergy to sun cream please inform your child’s class teacher.
Online Enrolments
CONGRATULATIONS
Our beautiful Creative Arts Teacher Katrina got married last weekend and we would like to take this opportunity to CONGRATULATE her and her husband Aeryn, we wish them a lifetime of HAPPINESS and LAUGHTER and LOVE!!!!
Opportunity For Feedback From Parents Of Students With Disability
The NSW Legislative Council's Portfolio Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into children and young people with disability in New South Wales educational settings. The inquiry will help guide the NSW Government's response to the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS review.
The media release is linked below for your information, and the Terms of Reference are provided here.
Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) would also like to invite parents, families and staff of students with disability in diocesan schools to consider completing the online questionnaire on the Parliament of NSW website if they would like to express their views on education for children and young people with disability in NSW.
Safety Tip #1
Until your child is at least 8 years old, always hold their hand:
- on the footpath
- in the car park
- when crossing the road.
Up until at least 10 years old, supervise your child very closely, holding their hand when crossing the road. If a hand isn't available they should hold an arm, bag, clothes or the pram.
Message from Fr Duane
Dear Parishioners,
Please find attached this week's bulletin.
Fr Duane Fernandez
Parish Priest
Immaculate Conception and St Therese Parishes