Dear Parents

Wow it is hard to believe that we are nearly at the end of Term 3.

School hats:

We are now heading into the warmer weather and in line with our sun protection policy, there will be a No Hat, No Play rule implemented from the beginning of Term 4. Can parents please ensure that their children have their hats and that they are clearly labelled so we can return them to their rightful owner. We don’t like asking children to sit out of play time and I ask for the support of parents in ensuring that their child has a positive start to Term 4, by having a hat with them on the first day of Term.

Notification of Students not returning in 2025 and change to school fee policy.

Just a final reminder that if your child is not returning to St Pius X in 2025, you need to inform the school in writing by Tuesday the 15^th of October, which is the first day for students in Term 4. During the first week back next term we will be starting the process of ordering stationery and ICT resources for the 2025 school year. Parents who do not inform us that their child is leaving the school by the above date will be charged a full term’s fees as we will have already incurred expenses for your child for the 2025 school year. If you are unsure of your intentions for 2025 or want to have a conversation about this, then please don’t hesitate to contact me. 

Class Placement Considerations for 2025.

In the early stages of next Term, we will begin the task of placing children into classes for the 2025 school year. This is a very significant and time consuming task and a lot of time goes into trying to get the best class placements for all children. If there is anything that you would like us to consider for your child as part of the class placement process, then please ensure that you communicate this to me in writing by no later than Friday the 18^th of October. A separate letter about the process for submitting class placement considerations will be sent home to all parents next week.

Catholic School’s Music Festival

Next Thursday night 49 of our Year 5 and 6 students will be performing at the Adelaide Festival Theatre as part of the Catholic School’s Music Festival. The choir have been rehearsing for this event since the beginning of the year and have learnt the words and actions to about 10 different songs. Thank you to Basia Jedrzecjczak who has done an amazing job at preparing the children for this performance. Basia has been supported by Jenny Mittiga. I know that the children are going to sound brilliant on the night and light up the stage with their performance. Anyone wishing to attend this event can purchase tickets now via Ticketek - Catholic Schools Music Festival

Year 4 and Year 5 School Camps:

Over the last couple of weeks, I have had the pleasure of attending 2 school camps with our Year 4 and Year 5 students.

The year 5 students went on a 3 day, 2 night camp to Woodhouse Activity Centre in the Adelaide Hills. As part of this camp the children engaged in numerous activities which were not only fun, but also challenged the children physically, mentally and supported them to work together as a team. Some of the activities included Challenge Hill Obstacle course, Tube Sliding, Laser Skirmish, Team games, Boulder and rock climbing, the Labyrinth Maze and a very interesting night walk.

The Year 4 children attended a 2 day, 1 night camp at Nunyara Camp site at Belair. Some of the activities at this camp included a Tree climb, Escape Room, Team Initiatives, A water obstacle challenge, Orienteering, night-time hide and seek and toasting marshmallows around a camp fire.

These camps are a great way for the children to experience being away from home and develop some independence.

I was so proud of all of the children and both campsites, commented on how well behaved and polite the children were. I witnessed multiple examples of children displaying our school values or Strength and Kindness whilst on camp. The care and kindness that they showed for each other and the resilience they displayed when pushed out of their comfort zone was a delight to see.

It was great spending some time with all of these students and getting to know them better.

I would like to thank the staff who attended the camps, Alaina Basso, Annette Rowe, Amelia Honner, Andrew Getgood, Sofia Zito, Jane Buhagiar, Angelo Zamparelli, Jessica Jenkins, Navin Kaur, Kerryn Dempsey, Kristen Shirlock, & Jamie Deverson. Without the full support of such committed staff, experiences like our school camps would not be as successful for our children.

End of Term 3, Beginning of Term 4:

Just a reminder that Term 3 for the student finishes next Thursday the 26^th of September. All teaching and Admin staff will be offsite on Friday the 27^th of September for a staff retreat and the school office will not be open.

Monday the 14^th of October is a pupil free day and staff will be undertaking professional learning on this day. Students return for Term 4 on Tuesday the 15^th of October.

Our OSHC service will be available for families to access on both of these days.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your wonderful support this term. I hope that all of the children have a wonderful school holiday break and that you get to spend some quality time with them. I look forward to working with you all again next term.

God Bless

Ashley Keane

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Congratulations to the Year 3 children who participated in the sacrament of Thursday evening.  Thankyou to Fr John Sebastian, Fr John McGinty and Fr Vincent for supporting the children on the night.  Acknowledging our mistakes and asking for forgiveness are two big actions for us as humans and one which God supports and loves us for.  May these children know peace and God's love always.

WOW - Nude Food Competition

From Fri 20^th Sept until Thursday 26^th Sept classes will be counting the amount of wrappers and waste that they bring with them to school in their lunchboxes.

This competition asks all families to leave the wrappers at home and to pack food in reusable/recyclable containers and without alfoil or cling wrap! The class with the least amount of packaging will be known as the Nude Food Warriors and receive a prize early next term.  Thankyou for your support.

International Day of Peace - Sept 21st

Cultivating a Culture of Peace - 25^th anniversary of the United Nations adoption of this day!

Peace “not only is the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.”  In our Catholic Faith we have the influence of St Francis of Assisi who always and everyday encourages the place of peace in the world. 

The prayer attributed to him is the Peace Prayer.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Due to new packaging laws and supplier shortages the canteen menu will change products and prices in coming weeks and start of next term.

Athletics District Team

St Pius X District Athletics team finished with 104 points winning our District Athletics Day on August 29th at Bridgestone Athletics Centre.

A Fabulous effort by every member of our team, some team members participated for the first time, others placed in their event for the first time, several athletes acheived a personal best time or distance.

Thank you to Mr Zamp for all of your efforts!

State Metro Athletics Competition 

Congratulations to Baylee, Ava, Sophie, Lillian, Irene, Mika, Sam, Ben & Nate who finished first in their event and were selected to compete in the State Metro Athletics Competition.

Adelaide North East finished 3^rd overall in Div 1 which was a phenomenal effort.

Results on the day included

Gold Medals

12 Girls Long Jump   Ava W        St Pius X

12 Girls 100m           Ava W         St Pius X

Silver Medals

12 Girls Long Jump  Ava W         St Pius X

10 Boys Relay         Nate S         St Pius X

12 Girls Relay          Baylee W    St Pius X

                                 Ava W         St Pius X

Congratulations to our Golf Champ

Eddie 4A

SAPSASA Golf State Final played over two days (12th/13th of September) at West Beach Executive Course. Eddie finished 13th out of 105 boys from all around SA, and was the youngest to compete.

Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival

The Catholic Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday 31st October at SA Athletics Stadium, Mile End.

If you want to know more about the carnival, visit the following link https://sacpssa.com.au/athletics This site has a detailed programme as well as technical information for all events.

Training resumed on Monday 16th September as follows: 

High Jump (Held in the gym) – Monday  mornings 8.15 – 8.45am

Sprinters (100m) and Relay Runners – Tuesday mornings 8.00am - 8.25am.

Distance runners (200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m) - Wednesday mornings 8.00am - 8.25am.

High Jump (Held in the gym) –  Thursday mornings 8.15 – 8.45am

Hurdles, Shot Put & Long Jump – Monday, Tuesday & Thursday afternoons 3.00 – 3.45pm

I would appreciate any assistance for training particularly on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday afternoons.Training will be cancelled if there is wet weather due to safety considerations so please keep an yeye on the weather forecast.

Thank you for your support in getting your child to morning trainings sessions and please contact me via email if you have any questions.

 Yours sincerely,

Angelo Zamparelli

Sports Coordinator

ANE AFL Girls Trials

Our district requires more players to go ahead. Please read information here - Girls AFL-Adelaide North East.docx

ANE Boys & Girls Tennis Trials
Please read information here - Adelaide_North_East_Tennis.

LAST DAYS !!!!!!!!

The 2024 Premier's Be Active Challenge is open from Monday 26th August until Monday 23rd September. Please click on the link below for more information. 

The St Pius X School Choir, made up of 50 students from Years 5 and 6 will be performing in the front and 2nd row at the Festival Theatre on Thursday 26th September at the Catholic School's Music Festival starting at 7pm.

Please join us for a wonderful evening of music.
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketek - Catholic Schools Music Festival

Families are invited to attend our school assemblies on the following days:

Thursday 7th November at 9am
Monday 9th December at 9am (end of year assembly)

All welcome to join our next P&F meeting on Friday 18th October at 1:30pm at school. Please come along to meet other parents and share ideas. 

Entertainment Book

Want some great entertainment offers while supporting our school ?

Click here to sign up - https://subscribe.entertainment.com.au/fundraiser/162x804

Thanks for your support 

Our annual Father's Day Stall on Friday 30th August was very scuccessful, thanks for your support

Please find the latest edition of The Southern Cross - The Southern Cross September 2024. 

“The services and events contained in this bulletin are in no way connected with the school and are included in this newsletter for your information only. 
Parents and caregivers need to make their own enquiries and assessments about the suitability of these events and services for their needs and those of their children.”