Dear Parents

It is very hard to believe that we are almost at the end of Term 1. I can’t believe how fast this term has flown by.

We are gearing up for a busy end to Term 1. 

Easter and Holy Week:

This year Easter falls in the middle weekend of the school holidays. As a result of this we will be reflecting on Holy Week in last week of this term.

At St Pius X School, we are committed to celebrating Holy Week, a significant time in the Christian calendar. This week allows us to reflect on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through various activities and services, we honour the profound meaning of Easter, which symbolises hope, renewal, and the triumph of life over death. Our celebrations aim to support our students' to reflect on the Easter story  and develop an understanding of the reasons behind why we celebrate Easter. A number of our classes will be presenting plays and prayer services over the coming week as we gather as a school community to celebrate Holy Week. Parents are welcome to join us for any of our holy week celebrations.

Sports Day

On Thursday the 10^th of April we will be celebrating our annual Sport Day event at Bridgestone Athletics Centre on Frost Road at Salisbury. This promises to be a great community event and the children have been practising for their events and will be working on their chants in the coming week. Permission forms have been sent home on the SZapp and parents who need their children transported to the venue from the school are reminded that they need to book a seat on the bus by Friday the 4^th of April. We will finlaise our bus booking on this day and late requests for children to be transported will not be able to be accommodated after this date.

We hope that you are able to join us for what should be a very fun and colourful day. A full program of events will be sent home via SZapp next week. 

Congratulations to our St Pius X Swimming Team.

We are thrilled to announce that our swimming team has emerged victorious at the SAPSASA swimming carnival, winning by an impressive margin of nearly 200 points! This outstanding achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and team spirit of our swimmers.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Basia Jedrzecjak and Hadyn Smith for their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts in coaching the team. Their dedication, giving up their Monday afternoons to train our swimmers, has been instrumental in this success.

Congratulations to all our swimmers for their remarkable performance and for making St Pius X School proud. Let's continue to support and celebrate our talented athletes!

Harmony Day

On Friday the 21^st of March, we celebrated Harmony Day at St Pius X School. This day  was a resounding success, filled with vibrant colours, cultural pride, and a strong sense of community. The event showcased the rich diversity of our school, with 39 cultures represented, making it a truly global celebration.

It was heartwarming to see so many children dressed in their traditional cultural attire, adding a beautiful and colourful touch to the day. The school grounds were alive with the sights and sounds of different cultures, creating an atmosphere of unity and joy.

A special thank you goes out to Ashlee Stanley, Jessica Jenkins, and Holli Caputo for their incredible hard work and dedication in organising this event. Their efforts ensured that Harmony Day was not only a celebration of diversity but also a day of learning and appreciation for all.

Thank you to all the parents and students who performed for our community or who participated in this day.  Let's continue to celebrate and embrace the diversity that makes our school community so special. 

Children getting to school on time.

At St Pius X School, we strive to create an environment where every student can thrive academically and socially. To achieve this, it is crucial that students arrive at school on time each day. We have noticed that there are some children class who arrive late to school on a regular basis. We are seeking the support of parents to ensure that their children are punctual and on time for school.

When children arrive late, they miss out on valuable information and important socialisation time with their peers before school. Additionally, late arrivals disrupt the class as teachers need to pause their lessons to catch the latecomers up, affecting the learning experience for all students.

Out of respect for our dedicated teachers and all students, we kindly request that students arrive at school on time. We understand that there may be occasional instances when lateness is unavoidable, but we hope to prevent this from becoming a daily habit.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us maintain a productive and respectful learning environment for everyone. 

Parent and Teacher Learning Conversations

Early next term, all parents will be invited to book a formal time with your child’s class teacher to discuss their progress at school. The learning conversations provide an opportunity for teachers to share with you how your child is doing both academically and socially at school and will also provide parents with a chance to ask questions. These conversations will take place in Week 2 of next term from Monday 5^th of May to Wednesday the 7^th of May. Further information and a booking form will be sent out to parents next week.

School Board

Thank you to all of our families who attended the Open Board meeting on Monday night, where we reflected on the highlights of the 2024 school year and bid farewell to outgoing School Board members.

We express our sincere gratitude to outgoing members, Felicity Crowther and Kajal Kothari. Their dedicated service and valuable contributions to St Pius X school over their varied tenures have been invaluable.

We are pleased to welcome Hannah Ciampa and Rahul Gadhia as the newest members of our School Board. Their guidance and insights will be invaluable in shaping the future of our school community.

We are also delighted to welcome Megan Kis to our Finance Committee. We’d like to thank Megan for volunteering her time and expertise to support our school’s financial planning and sustainability.

Dates for Term 2:

Term 2 commences on Monday the 28^th of April.

Please note the following whole school key dates for Term 2:

Monday 5^th – Wednesday 7^th May: Parent and Teacher learning conversations

Friday 9^th of May – Mother’s Day Breakfast, open classroom and P&F Mother’s Day stall.

Monday 12^th May – School Photos.

Friday 6^th June: Pupil Free Day – Staff Training and Development

Monday 9^th June: King’s Birthday Public Holiday.

Friday 13^th June: P&F School Disco

Friday 4^th July: Last day of Term 

Joke of the Week

What is blue and doesn’t weigh very much? Light Blue.  ????

What do you call a man who is very loud? Mike ????

I would like to thank all of the staff, students and parents for another wonderful term. I hope you all enjoy your school holiday break and have a happy, safe and Holy Easter.

God Bless

Ashley Keane

Holy Week Events

Mon 7^th April  -

Palm Sunday (Year 2)

9:30am:  R-Year 2 (lawn piazza)

10:15am: Year 3 -6 (nature play)

Tues 8^th April

The Last Supper (Year 4) and the Garden of Gethsemane (Year 3)

9am: whole school in the hall

Wednesday 9^th April

Trial Before Pilate (Year 5)

9am: whole school in the hall

Stations of the Cross (Year 6)

9:30am and 10:15am 

Pilgrimage around the school

Kind Regards

Rita Campbell

Reporting Absences

If your child is absent from school please notify us through SZapp.  Use the 'Absences' tab.  If you notify your child's class teacher via Seesaw or email you are still required to notify the office. 

If your child/ren will be absent for 5 days or more please complete an Exemption from School Attendance ED175 Form C - https://stpiusx.schoolzineplus.com/form/389

Change of clothes

Please have spare pants and socks in your child's bag incase of wet or dirty clothes.  Junior primary parents please ensure there is always change of clothes in your child's bag. 

Labelling reminder

Lots of unnamed lost property is being handed into the office.

Please ensure ALL your children's belongings (uniforms, lunchboxes, drinkbottles, pencil cases etc.) are CLEARLY LABELLED with your child's name.

Labelled property can be easily returned to their owner.

Registered Volunteers

Would you like to help out on excursions or listen to reading in your child's/grandchild's class ? You need to be a registered volunteer. To become a registered volunteer please click here https://www.stpiusx.catholic.edu.au/community/volunteers or contact the school office on 8266 9400.

Sports Day

Bus Booking Sports Day 2025

Mother's Day Breakfast 

P & F Mother's Day Stall 

Parent & teacher learning conversations

School Photos

Photo forms will be emailed to families soon, look out for an email in your inbox from MSP photography.

Every child will have their photo taken on the day - there will be a make up day for any child who is abent on photo day.

Swimming 

St Pius X shines at SAPSASA District Carnival

What a great season we have had this year so far. After 5 training sessions, St Pius X Swimming Team of 20 competed in the SAPSASA Adelaide North East District Carnival at the Norwood Pool on Friday 7th March. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and our students had a fabulous time, achieving personal best times across the board. 17 students placed 1^st 2^nd or 3^rd in their events - earning a total of 31 ribbons! What an outstanding effort!

As well as individual students competing for a place in the District Team, the schools at the SAPSASA Carnival were also competing against each other for the Championship School Shield. We are thrilled to announce that out of the 11 competing schools, our amazing St Pius X Team secured 1st place overall, and was named the SAPSASA Swimming – District Champion School. ??

The 4 highest scoring schools were: St Pius X with 511 points, St Paul’s Lutheran with 313 points, St Martin’s with 300 points and Mawson Lakes School with 201 points. – A sensational effort by our swimmers!

To top it off, 7 of our students have been selected to represent the Adelaide North East District at the Metro SAPSASA Championships?️at the Marion Aquatic Centre in Week 11 on Monday 7th April.

Congratulations to all our swimmers on an incredible performance!

SAPSASA Carnival Placegetters

Sebastian H 4B:   1^st 10yr Boys 50m Breaststroke, 3^rd 10yr Boys 50m Freestyle, 4^th 10yr Boys 50m Backstroke

Eden W 4B:           1^st 10yr Girls 50m Butterfly, 4^th 10yr Girls 50m Freestyle, 4^th 10yr Girls 50m Breaststroke

Masha G 4B:         2^nd 10yr Girls 50m Butterfly

Ariella G 4Z:          3^rd 10yr Girls 50m Backstroke

Eddie R 5S:            3^rd 11yr Boys 50m Breaststroke, 3^rd 11yr Boys 50m Butterfly, 4^th OPEN Boys 100m Freestyle,

4^th 11yr Boys 50m Freestyle

Lukas M 5B:          4^th 11yr Boys 50m Backstroke, 4^th 11yr Boys 50m Butterfly

Warrick O 5S:       3^rd 10yr Boys 50m Backstroke, 3^rd 10yr Boys 50m Breaststroke

Sienna D 5B:         2^nd 11yr Girls 50m Breaststroke, 2^nd 11yr Girls Butterfly, 3^rd OPEN Girls 50m Freestyle, 

4^th 11yr Girls 50m Freestyle

Sarah T 5B:           1^st 10yr Girls 50m Freestyle, 1^st 10yr Girls 50m Backstroke, 3^rd 10yr Girls 50m Butterfly

Emma P: 5B          1^st 11yr Girls 50m Backstroke

Pahal R 5B:           2^nd 11yr Girls 50m Backstroke

Milana G 5B:        3^rd 11yr Girls 50m Butterfly

Samuel M 6MT:   1^st 12yr Boys 50m Freestyle, 1^st 12yr Boys 50m Backstroke, 1^st 12yr Boys 50m Butterfly,

3^rd OPEN Boys 100m Freestyle

Vraj K 6FH:            2^nd 12yr Boys 50m Backstroke, 4^th 12yr Boys 50m Breaststroke

Lucas K 6A:           3^rd 11yr Boys 50m Breaststroke, 4^th 11yr Boys 50m Backstroke

Luke M-P 6FH:     2^nd 12yr Boys 50m Butterfly

(Participation Events Only)

Aria M 4B:             1^st 10yr Girls 50m Freestyle, 1^st 10yr Girls 50m Backstroke, 1^st 10yr Girls 50m Breaststroke

Bessie F 4B:          2^nd 10yr Girls 50m Freestyle, 2^nd 10yr Girls 50m Backstroke, 2^nd 10yr Girls 50m Breaststroke

Our 7 SAPSASA ANE District Representatives:

Sebastian H 4B:   10yr Boys 50m Breaststroke

Eden W 4B:           10yr Girls 50m Butterfly

Sarah T 5B:           10yr Girls 50m Freestyle, 10yr Girls 50m Backstroke, 10yr Girls 4X50m Freestyle Relay

Sienna D 5B:         OPEN Girls 50m Freestyle, 11yr Girls 4X50m Freestyle Relay, 11yr Girls 50m Breaststroke

Emma P 5B:          11yr Girls 50m Backstroke

Eddie R  5S:          11yr Boys 4X50m Freestyle Relay

Samuel M 6MT:   12yr Boys 50m Freestyle, 12yr Boys 50m Backstroke, 12yr Boys 50m Butterfly, 12yr Boys Freestyle Relay

We wish these swimmers all the very best for State Day on Monday 7^th April!

Thank you to our amazing parents, Martin Dabrowski, Mehesha Muthukumarana, Jignesh Rana and Gianni Palmieri who have helped time our students over the last 6 weeks.  A huge thank you also to Mehesha for volunteering to be a Time Keeper at the SAPSASA Carnival, and to all the parent and grandparent supporters!

Our next and final Carnival is the Catholic Schools’ Swimming Carnival on Tuesday 25^th March with 24 students competing. Stay tuned!

#ChampionTeam #SAPSASA #ProudMoments

Basia Jedrzejczak and Hadyn Smith

2025 Cross Country Carnival

Athletics and Cross Country Training 

Catholic Schools Netball Carnival 

Netball participation carnival for children in Year 3 - 6

Register here -  Catholic Schools Netball Carnival 2025

2025 After School Sport 

Soccer and Netball competitions are starting next term...  see cass any questions.

We would like to say a huge thankyou to Mike, Jake Kirsty Sarah & Daisy for offering to coach our teams.

Team lists and contact details will be sent to teams next week.

Auskick

Music Tuition 2025 Enrolments

There are some vacancies with some Music Tutors.

If you would like your child to learn an instrument please complete the enrolment form 

2025 Music Tuition Singing with Virginia

2025 Music Tuition Piano with Jen

2025 Music Tuition Piano with Lucy

2025 Music Tuition - Guitar with David

2025 Music Tuition with Julian

 2025 Tuition - Speech and Drama

Introducing Our New Sustainability Leaders and Eco Guardians! ??

We are excited to announce our new Eco Guardians for this year! These passionate students from Years 3 to 6, led by our dedicated Sustainability Leaders, Gurtegh and Gurbaaz, will be working hard to make our school a greener place with more sustainable practises.

What Will Our Eco Guardians Do?

An important mission:

♻️ Reduce Waste to Landfill – They will encourage students and staff to be mindful of what we throw away, finding ways to recycle, reuse, and compost.

? Promote Nude Food Lunchboxes – Bringing food in reusable containers instead of plastic packaging helps cut down on waste. Our leaders will remind everyone about the benefits of bringing “nude food” lunches.

? Educate on "Which Bin?" – Do you know which bin to use for different types of waste? Our Sustainability Leaders will teach the school community how to sort rubbish correctly to reduce waste and improve recycling.

? Beautify Our School Grounds – A greener school is a happier school! Our leaders will help with planting flowers, trees, and native plants to make our environment more beautiful and inviting.

We are proud of our Eco Guardians and can’t wait to see the positive changes they bring to our school. Let’s all support them in making a difference for our environment! ??

Jane Buhagiar

Key Sustainability Teacher

P&F Meetings
Next Tuesday evening April 1st @ 7pm  we will be holding our next P & F meeting in the school staffroom. We would love to see some new faces and welcome back some famiiar ones. If you would like to come and see what its all about come along no need to let us know beforehand.. It's a fantastic chance to meet other parents, share ideas, and see how you can get involved in supporting our students and the SPX community. We have some exciting events planned for 2025, and we need your help to make them happen! 

Want some great entertainment offers while supporting our school ?

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

Mothers Day Stall

We will be holding our annual Mother's Day Stall on Friday 9th May, if you are available to help on the day please contact us at pandf@stpiusx.catholic.edu.au

P & F Disco

Families are invited to attend our school assemblies.

Please find the latest edition of The Southern Cross - The Southern Cross March 2025.