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