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Dear Parents and Carers,
The following excerpt from the Catholic Education Office, Lighting The Way Strategy document is certainly apt for our local context:
“As Catholics, community is in our DNA. Through connections within parishes and our vibrant school communities, we can ensure students and families feel more included, welcome and safe in our schools and anywhere else.”
Belonging to a connected community is at the core of our work and our staff strive to be inclusive and welcoming of all. Our beginning of the year barbecue, with over 200 people in attendance, certainly demonstrated the sense of community we have at St Pius X. I was humbled to receive such beautiful feedback, in particular a new family who wrote:
"Just a quick note to say thanks for the wonderful welcome party you organised. The warmth and hospitality the delicious food, drinks, and activities was fantastic big shout out to Jas and his team from Outback Steakhouse. Special appreciation goes to the teachers whose dedication ensured the event's success. We felt genuinely welcomed and embraced, and we're thrilled to be part of the school family."
A big thank you to Jaspreet (Jas) Sidhu (Father of Ryan Year 1) and the team at Outback Steakhouse who so generously are supporting community throughout the Illawarra. Also, to Ms Louise Sartor who so capably organised the event.
Next week, our students in Year 3 and 5 will commence “NAPLAN” testing. 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 is a measure to see how children are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning. NAPLAN results are one tool teachers uses to inform the learning. I look forward to analysing the results of these assessments collaboratively with our staff and sharing them with you.
Yours Sincerely,
Pauline Chrostowski - Principal
(Week beginning Monday 4 March)
Samoa may be a country surrounded by water, but access to clean drinking water is scarce in some areas, with many families facing extreme hardship as a result.
Leaia lives with her five children, husband, brother and sister-in-law on the island of Upolu in Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water caused Leaia a lot of worry.
Their home is not connected to a piped water system, so they had to rely solely on rainwater collected in old fridges. When their water ran out, Leaia had to walk with her young children to collect water in buckets and containers from a neighbour down the street.
With the support of Caritas Australia's local partner, Caritas Samoa, a water tank was installed at Leaia's home. She and her family now have a steady supply of clean drinking water at home. Next year, they will also have a toilet built, with the support of Caritas Samoa, which will further improve their health and living conditions.
“We are very thankful and grateful for the water tank. It has helped us so much and made our daily life easier,” Leaia said.
Watch Leaia’s Story
Whole School Mass
On Wednesday 28th February our school community attended Mass at Immaculate Conception Parish, celebrated by Fr Duane Fernandez. At this special Mass Fr Duane blessed all of our students and staff for the academic year ahead. During this Mass our 2024 Year 6 leaders were officially inducted into their positions and presented with their badges. Fr Duane commented how much he enjoys celebrating mass with our community as it is always such a warm and vibrant celebration. Thank you to all of the special guests and visitors who joined our school community on this day.
Parent Reminders
- When collecting students’ early, parents and carers are asked to remain in the office to wait for their child/ren or if approaching the classroom they are to wait outside the room. Classroom learning is always paramount and the disruption to this environment is to be reduced as much as possible to ensure maximum learning is achieved.
- If a classroom is unattended parents/carers and students are not permitted to enter at any time without expressed permission by the classroom teacher.
- Parents and carers are to wait below the astro-turf in front of the Year 1 and 2 classrooms to ensure the safe dismissal of students in the afternoon. This was discussed at the Stage 1 parent information sessions as a duty of care concern for our teachers safely dismissing students with a clear line of sight.
We thank our community for supporting these efforts.
Positive Behaviours for Learning
Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB4L) is an organisational framework for behaviour support to enhance respectful relationships and engagement of students in their learning. It is an evidence-based framework that is implemented across Kindergarten to Year Six.
The PB4L Framework includes:
- Improving and maintaining the social climate of the school by reducing problem behaviours, whilst increasing prosocial behaviours and respectful relationships;
- Promoting the social and emotional skills students need to be successful in life;
- Supporting and enhancing the learning and teaching environment, and engagement of students to improve student learning outcomes;
- Increasing a proactive approach and reducing a reactive response to problem behaviours through a continuum of support.
Identifying Problem Behaviour
LOWS: Students who are exhibiting low level behaviour such as calling out and are not responding to prompts to re-direct will receive a Minor. Three Minors in a term will involve parents being contacted by the Stage Leader and booster lessons implemented to support the identified behavior
HIGHS: A high-level behaviour, with impact and intent i.e., foul language, aggressive physical behaviour will lead to parent contact, continued patterns of high-level behaviour will lead to the development of an individualised Behaviour Plan and activation of the suspension policy, if appropriate.
At St Pius X our behaviour data is reviewed weekly by the Leadership Team. We pride ourselves on dealing with issues promptly and proactively. The safety and well-being of the students is our absolute priority.
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Online Enrolments - 2024
The CEODoW has moved all schools to a new online enrolment platform, called Funnel, removing the use of all paper forms.
Please take note, particularly for sibling applications. The online application form is accessible from the home page of our school website.
https://www.spxdow.catholic.edu.au/
Applications close Friday, 26 April 2024.
The SRC members of St Pius X, work as an advocate for the needs of the school community, and as a point of contact between the student body and the school leadership team. It addresses relevant issues and sets achievable goals to support the school.
The SRC aims to:
- develop leadership skills
- provide opportunities for students to create and to implement ideas
- give students a greater voice in decision-making processes
- empower students to contribute to a positive school culture and
- strengthen the school community through active participation.
This year, our Year 6 Leaders will represent grades and host termly grade meetings to discuss both positive and negative aspects occurring in the school, as well as offer solutions or new ideas. The data collected from these grade meetings, will then be taken to Mrs Chrowstowski and discussed further and action plans developed.
The SRC will represent the following grades:
Uniform Reminders- From the Parent Handbook online at our website.
JEWELLERY
Jewellery should be kept to a minimum – watches, chains and religious symbols are acceptable. No single piercing or more than two earrings to be worn. Sleepers and studs are the accepted earring style. Please note a child with a single piercing or more than two piercings will be given the option to insert a clear stud or remove the earring.
SHOES AND SOCKS
- Students are required to wear black shoes that can be polished (no canvas or runner style).
- Sports shoes should be supportive and not basketball style high-tops. Coloured runners are acceptable.
- Sports socks must be white socks i.e., covering the ankle. ‘Sockettes’ are not appropriate for school wear.
Morning Procedures
A friendly reminder that as per the Enterprise Agreement for Catholic Schools, active supervision does not commence until 8.20a.m The school gates are opened promptly at this time. Can we kindly ask that students are supervised prior to this. There are several students without parents or guardians waiting outside the gates and this poses a significant safety risk. The crossing lady is not a guarantee that children are supervised, as her role is to direct traffic.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
HARMONY DAY
PRINCIPAL AWARDS
1B
Dominic ARCHER-WOODS
Georgia VAASSEN
Hudson GAFA
Henry LLAMAS
Kennedy WELSH
Luna BAHAMONDES
Mia HANDLEY
Sophie GAUCI
Skylar MCGOWAN
Yohaan AGARWALA
1R
Zachary MARCYSIAK
Amiti BEDDIE
Alek KOZAROSKI
Adaline TEALE
Chloe GORGIEVSKI
Calvin LONG
Ellie LLOYD
Harley DA-IBARRA
Luca JORGENSON
Madeleine MACCHIONE
Phoenix DOWLEY
2B
Adam DOLPHIN
Benny DI DONATO
Sienna CURCIO
Zara MORETTI
2R
Evie GRAYSON
Marlie HOLLAND
Olivia WELLINS
Sage LUU
William BONCOMPAGNI
4R
Scarlett MAHANIDIS
Hamish RYAN
5R
Chiara CURCIO
6R
Hudson OJEDA
Eli RIGTER
Isaac IERA
Vitaliy RIZNYK
MACKILLOP AWARDS
3B
Cody FOX
Grayson LONDAL
Kyla MORETTI
Levi LIMA
Mali ROCKLIFF
Marcella SPECOGNA
Scarlette DE SANTIS
Violet BURGESS
Zoe MCCLUSKEY
3R
Evelina DUDZINSKI
Isaiah RIRINUI
Isla FARRUGIA
Kai JUDE
Matisse KIDD
Poppy GOOVAN
Zara VAASSEN
Congratulations to all of these students.
SPOTLIGHT ON LEARNING - EARLY STAGE 1
SPORT NEWS
Congratulations to the following students on their selection into Wollongong Diocesan Sporting teams:
Zachary O’Brien (Touch Football)
Marlee Minns and Emmett Turner and Vitaliy Riznyk (Hockey)
Best of luck for the upcoming Mackillop trials.
Good luck to the following students trialling for Wollongong on Thursday and Friday for Netball and Rugby League
Aaliyah Harb, Zoe Smith, Addison McPherson (Netball)
Tom Fischer, Zachary O’Brien, PJ Pedron, Isaac Llamas (Rugby League)
South Coast Swimming Carnival – 2024
On Tuesday, 5th March 2024, 16 students from St Pius X attended the South Coast Swimming Carnival at Corrimal Pool.
All students put in their best effort which was a wonderful display of dedication and sportsmanship. Their excellent behaviour resulted in an enjoyable day for everyone involved.
Thank you to Ms Shea and Mrs Suartama for their assistamce and all of the parents for their wonderful support throughout the day.
Six students from St Pius X have successfully qualified for the Diocesan Swimming Trials to be held next Monday 11th March, 2024 at Corrimal Swimming Pool.
Big congratulations to Addison McPherson who placed 3rd overall in the Senior Girls Division.
The following students will attend the Diocesan Swimming Trials:
- Addison McPherson – 100m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle, 50m Breastroke and 50m Backstroke.
- Mariah Said – 50m Freestyle
- Tom Fischer – 50m Backstroke
- Bronte Chinnock – 50m Backstroke
- Cael Chinnock – 50m Butterfly
- Madision Halcrow – 50m Butterfly
Road Safety Reminders
School drop off
A reminder that the school opens for supervision from 8.20am. Parents must supervise their children until the front gate opens.
When using the kiss and drop zone please stop your car at the sign beside the large tree (see photo) and beware of the crossing ahead along with cars pulling out around you.
Road Safety Tip #3
Most journeys to and from school are in peak hours
Roads are full of people and vehicles. The roads around schools are busy places and can make the journey to school hazardous. Always closely and actively supervise your child. Hold hands together when walking on the footpath and crossing the road. You should do this until they are at least ten years old.
EASTER RAFFLE
Easter is almost upon us (ALREADY!!!). As usual we will have our Easter Raffle drawn at our Easter hat parade on Thursday 28th March.
Last year our Easter raffle raised over $1,700 for our school community, let's raise the bar.... Can we make it to $2,000????
We are hoping to make it a huge success and as such, we are asking for contributions towards the baskets.
We are looking for items such as chocolate eggs, soft toys such as bunnies, vouchers, and baskets that we can use to display the prizes in.
All proceeds from the Easter basket raffle will go towards funding school improvement projects and activities that benefit our children. Your contribution will go a long way in making this event a success and supporting our school.
Please drop off your donations at the school office no later than 15th March.
Thank you, we appreciate your support!
Be in the draw to win some fabulous Easter goodies!
Get your tickets today at https://rafflelink.com.au/
Message from Fr Duane
Dear Parishioners,
Please find attached this week's bulletin.
Fr Duane Fernandez
Parish Priest
Immaculate Conception and St Therese Parishes