May 3rd, 2024
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Acknowledgement of Country
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A Note from our Principal
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Mother's Day / Special Person's Day Breakfast
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Carpark entry - Vehicles
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Canteen - Come and try days
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Learning Adventure
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Mobile Phones
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The BIG Library Raffle
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Division Athletics Championships
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The Foundation Files
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Congratulations Nippers!
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Breakfast Club
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MIURA MATSURI - Free Community Celebration In The Japanese Garden.
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St. Vincent De Paul Reading Program
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School fee payment plans
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A special message........
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Canteen Roster for 1st Week Term 2.
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Important Dates.
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2024 School Closure Days - Updated
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School Fees and Levies 2024
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Uniform Price List
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Before & After School Care.
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Parish Contact.
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COVID 19 Arrangements
Acknowledgement of Country
The St Pius X Parish School Community acknowledges the Gunditjmara / Marr Nation people who have educated children on these lands for thousands of years.
A Note from our Principal
Ngata Families & Friends,
I have chosen this week to talk about the amazing reading program that takes place every Wednesday afternoon in our school library.
The St. Vinnies Reading Program is a free educational service that places a strong emphasis on literacy, particularly reading. It offers a nurturing environment where students from Prep to Grade 6 can enhance their reading skills, explore the joys of literature, and ignite their passion for learning. The dedicated team of volunteers is committed to providing personalized support to each student, ensuring that they feel valued and empowered on their educational journey.
One of the hallmarks of this program is its inclusivity. We welcome students from all backgrounds, cultures, and learning needs, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance. Whether your child is a reluctant reader seeking encouragement or a budding bookworm eager to dive into new stories, the program has something to offer to everyone.
The program runs every Wednesday during the school term and is conducted in our school library. Students are invited to join us from 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm. This flexible schedule allows for convenient participation and ensures that students can benefit from the program without disrupting their regular school day.
I encourage parents/carers to consider this wonderful opportunity for your child in the St. Vincent de Paul Reading Program. Full details are available here.
Nick Murrell
Principal
Mother's Day / Special Person's Day Breakfast
Our school is hosting a Mother's Day / Special Person's Day breakfast on Friday May 10th between 7.45-8.45am. Students are encouraged to bring their mother or a special person along for a pancake breakfast. If you are a father / special male / friend of the school who would be able to help with the cooking and preparation on the morning, could you please let Mr Murrell know by calling in to the office or emailing on principal@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au. It would be greatly appreciated.
Could all order forms please be returned to school with payment on Monday, 6th May.
Carpark entry - Vehicles
Please see the video below for an update and some information about entering and using our carpark safely.
Canteen - Come and try days
We are inviting any interested parents,carers or friends of St Pius X to come along to one of our Come and Try days in the school canteen. The event will be short, 20-30mins, and will give those who come along the experience and training required to run the canteen at lunch times. Canteen volunteering, does not involve lunch orders, just sales to students at 2nd lunch.
Dates: 15th and 16th May
Time: 1.45pm
Duration: 20-30 mins
If you come along and think that you may be able to join the team rostered on to run the canteen, we can also assist you with registering for a Working With Children's Card.
Learning Adventure
We have an exciting opportunity coming up in May for any prospective 2025 Foundation families to come and visit St Pius X. We are inviting students and parents to come along and be part of our Learn and Discover mornings. On these mornings kinder students will have the opportunity to join in some learning activities with our 2024 Foundation group, while parents and carers can learn about learning, teaching and school life at St Pius X. There is also a Parent Information session for those parents and carers who are unable to make it during school hours. Please see the flier below for more information.
Mobile Phones
Our school understands that some families require their child to have a mobile phone for communication and safety needs before and after school. If your child is bringing a mobile phone to school it must be checked in with Karen or Bec at the office as soon as they arrive at school and it can be collected as they exit school in the afternoon. Families in this situation, can you please remind your child of this important school procedure.
The BIG Library Raffle
During our renovations last year, St Pius students took books home to enjoy whilst the library was out of action. Over the course of the year, library books have been misplaced or added to book shelves at home.
For the next month, we are running a Library Raffle! Upon the return of any overdue library books, students will receive one raffle ticket per book that is returned. This can even include books from past students who no longer attend St Pius!
On Thursday the 25th May, one lucky winner will be drawn and receive a $20 gift card for their efforts.
Good luck and get searching!
Division Athletics Championships
On Friday 3rd May, St Pius X Primary School was represented by the following students at the Western Division Athletic Championships.
Sol McInerney, 100m.
Victoria Balash, 1500m.
Zarli Best, 100m, 200m and Long Jump.
Sol, Victoria and Zarli represented our school values exceptionally and we are all very proud of them.
Extra congratulations to both Zarli and Victoria who have progressed through the Regional Athletics Championships in Ballarat to be held later in the year.
The Foundation Files
Flagstaff Hill Excursion
On Wednesday, we rugged up and set off, prepared to brave the elements at Flagstaff Hill. Luck was on our side though, as when we arrived the clouds cleared and the sun came out. We had an exciting morning learning all about how people lived in the past. One of the highlights was visiting the classroom. We got to wear dress ups and experience what it was like to be a student in “the olden days”. The boys wore a vest and cap, while the girls wore a dress and bonnet. We got to practice our writing using a slate board and soapstone. We enjoyed the experience but are glad that our real teachers aren’t as strict! We had fun exploring the Maritime Village and playing some old fashioned activities like skipping, quoits and the hula hoops. We finished off our excursion with a lovely play at the Cramer Street playground.
Anzac Day
Last week, we enjoyed learning about Anzac Day and why it’s such a special day to commemorate. We read the story ‘Anzac Ted’ and discussed where we could see courage, loyalty and the Anzac spirit. Our teachers were blown away with some of our drawings that we did as part of our Anzac Ted book response. After all of our hard work, we enjoyed eating some Anzac biscuits together in the sunshine.
Full Steam Ahead
After having two short school weeks due to Public Holidays, we’re looking forward to being at school now 5 days a week this term - No more rest days on Wednesdays. Wish us luck!
Congratulations Nippers!
Congratulations go to Maggie Corbetts brother and sister (and former St. Pius X students) Hamish and Grace who have achieved great success at the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club club championships this season. Hamish was named Nipper of the Year and Grace was named Young Club Person of the Year. Well Done!
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club is open each Wednesday morning at 8:20am. Again, a big thankyou to Foodshare for providing us with breakfast items and Woolies for providing the fruit! Of course, this wouldn't take place without our amazing parent helpers so a big thank you to Sarah & Virginia as well!
MIURA MATSURI - Free Community Celebration In The Japanese Garden.
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This event will blend Japanese and First Nations cultures to reflect the original intention of the garden with lots of interactive fun.
The Miura Friendship Garden is in Albert Park with the entrance off Grafton Road, Warrnambool.
For further information please click on the following link:
https://whatson.warrnambool.
St. Vincent De Paul Reading Program
Fee-free after school reading program
Want your child to improve their reading and academic skills? Make new friends? Be involved in a co-curricular activity? Foster positive relationships with caring adults?
The Vinnie’s reading program might be for you!
St Vincent de Paul run a reading program which offers children the chance to read with a volunteer each week. The program runs each Wednesday of the school term (3:30 - 4.45pm in the library). It is open to any student at St Pius X (prep to Year 6). Students of all ages and abilities are welcome, from those who need additional support to those who are confident and avid readers. The program provides students with a safe and welcoming environment where they can experience the magic of books, enhance their skills, make new friends and enjoy the support of caring adults. Vinnie’s would love to welcome some new faces.
School fee payment plans
St Pius X is a low fee-paying school. Our global operating budget comprises funding from the Federal and State Governments, School fee collection, and fundraising.
School fees are a vital part of providing many aspects of your child's tuition at St Pius X. The 3 main options for paying your school fees are: Direct Debit, Credit Card (at the school office) and Direct Credit Payments.
Please take some time to consider which of these options is best for your family. If you would like to set up a direct debit payment plan please contact Bec Lawlor at the school office or email Bec at rlawlor@spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au
Your support with this, early in the school year, would be greatly appreciated.
A special message........
The following students will be celebrating their birthdays over the coming week....................
Hadley Le Cerf, Lucy Keegan, Reilly McMahon & Samuel White.
Canteen Roster for 1st Week Term 2.
Tuesday, 7th May | Samantha Hunt |
Wednesday, 8th May | Merryn Payne |
Thursday, 9th May | Cherie Geyer |
Friday, 10th May | Alana Gleeson |
We are currently looking for extra volunteers to help in the Canteen for the year, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You would only be rostered on a couple of times a term and your assistance would be greatly appreciated. The only pre-requisite is that you have a Working With Children Check. Please contact the office if you can help. Thank You.
Important Dates.
Tuesday, 7th May - SAC Meeting 7.30pm
Friday, 10th May - Mothers Day Breakfast.
Tuesday, 31st May - Pupil Free Day for Staff Wellbeing Focus PD
2024 School Closure Days - Updated
Term 1
Monday 12th Feb - Staff First aid training (COMPLETED)
Wednesday 21st Feb - Structured Literacy Staff Professional Development (DOBCEL determined date) (COMPLETED)
Term 2
Friday 31st May - Wellbeing focus
Term 3
Tuesday 20th August- Structured Literacy Staff Professional Development (DOBCEL determined date)
Term 4
Friday 18th October - Religious Education Staff Professional Development
School Fees and Levies 2024
Uniform Price List
Before & After School Care.
We remind everyone about TheirCare, our outside school hours care provider. Bookings can be made at https://theircare.com.au/
Please select St Pius X Warrnambool as the booking location.
Parish Contact.
Sunday Mass 10.00 @ St Pius X Church. School families are always welcome.
The Parish office can be contacted on 5562 2231
Other information and contact details can be found on the Star of the Sea South West Coast website: https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/parish/southwestcoast/
Could you make a difference to a young life?
Could this be what you are looking for?
Foster carers come from all walks of life. They can be working, not working or retired; married or single; in same-sex relationships; and can own or rent their home. The most essential criteria are that they care, can provide a safe and nurturing home, and have room in their home to support a vulnerable child or sibling group.
If you would like to know more call MacKillop Family Services on 1300 791 677, visit www.mackillop.org.au/fostercare or ring Alana in our Warrnambool office on 5500 2000.
COVID 19 Arrangements
All famililes are asked to familiarise thesmselves with the updated COVID 19 regulations.
Managing a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19
- It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff if they:
- have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
- are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
- are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.
- The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians report their positive RAT result via the online form or by calling 1800 675 398.
- Principals are no longer required to inform their school community of a positive case associated with the school.
- Staff or students who are positive are strongly recommended to stay home and isolate for a minimum of five days.
- Symptomatic students or staff should not attend school, even if failing to test positive on a RAT or PCR.
Communication
There is no longer a requirement for schools to inform their communities of positive cases. All health information is held in accordance with the school’s privacy policy.
Masks
Staff and students who wish to wear a mask will continue to be supported to do so. Masks are available from the administration office for anyone wishing to obtain one.
Any staff or students who are close contacts are recommended to wear a mask indoors.
Any staff or students returning from isolation are recommended to wear a mask for 7 days after returning to school.
RAT Kits
RATs are available for all Victorians from council sites. Individuals can obtain two free packs (10 tests) for themselves and two free packs (10 tests) for each household member. People with disability and their carers can get up to four free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability.
The RATs are available at the Civic Centre (25 Liebig Street) and the Archie Graham Community Centre (118 Timor Street).
Vaccination
St Pius X strongly supports vaccination for all in our community who are eligible. There is no requirement for adults entering the school to declare their vaccination status.
All community adults are reminded of the child safety requirement to sign in when attending the school between 9.00am and 3.00pm
Transport
Parents who have tested positive to COVID 19 are permitted to drive children to and from school during their 7 day isolation period. They are required to return home immediately afterwards and not attend other locations.
Medically At Risk Students
Students who have chronic health conditions, especially affecting the respiratory system ie Asthma, must have up to date health support plans. Families who are unsure about the status of their child’s plan should make contact with teh school administration office.