Dear Parents

Welcome to Term Three. I hope that everyone had an enjoyable holiday break and are refreshed and ready for the term ahead.

Welcome to our New Receptions

This term we welcomed 29 new Reception children and their families to our school community. Starting Reception is a big milestone, and we are so excited to begin this journey with you.

To our Reception students, we are so happy to have you as part of our school community and we can’t wait to see your smiles, hear your stories, and watch you grow throughout your schooling at St Pius.

To our families—thank you for entrusting us with this special chapter in your child’s life. We look forward to working in partnership with you to create a nurturing and inspiring environment for your child to thrive.

 Italian Day Celebration – A Bellissimo Experience!

On August 1st, our school came alive with the sights, sounds, and flavours of Italy as we celebrated Italian Day. What a wonderful day it was. Italian is the language that we teach at St Pius X and the children have a lesson per week practising the art of learning a second language and learning about the Italian culture.

It was fantastic to see so many children dressed in the vibrant colours of the Italian flag, embracing the spirit of the day with enthusiasm and joy. There were some very creative costume ideas, and it was evident that some children and families put a lot of time and energy into dressing up for the day.

The highlight of the morning was a lively performance by the Spettacolare Spettacolo Theatre Company, which brought Italian language and culture to life through singing, dancing, and interactive storytelling.

Students had the opportunity to order delicious Italian treats, including cannoli and zeppole, adding a sweet touch to the celebration. Our Year 5 and 6 students had a hands-on experience making fresh pasta, thanks to the generous support of volunteer family members and grandparents—grazie mille

Throughout the day, students made tambourines, gladiator masks, and Carnevale masks, exploring Italian traditions through art and craft

A heartfelt thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who helped make the day so special. Your time and energy are deeply appreciated. A special thank you also goes to our Italian teacher, Laura Villani, whose dedication and countless hours of preparation brought this event to life for our students

We’re excited to announce that Italian Day will become a biennial event, giving us all something to look forward to every second year

Grazie to everyone who made this day a special one for the children.

Enrolments for 2027

I would like to kindly remind families who have not yet submitted an enrolment application for 2027 to do so as soon as possible. Our policy is that siblings of current students are guaranteed enrolment, providing they have submitted an enrolment form in a timely manner.

We have already filled three quarters of places for 2027 Reception, and we have a number of tours booked in throughout the remainder of this term with families who are interested in enrolling their children.

If your child is due to start school in either Term 3 2026 or Term 1 2027, then please ensure you have submitted an enrolment form as matter of urgency. If you know of any family members or friends who are interested in a 2027 enrolment, please encourage them to contact the school as soon as possible.

Principal for the Day and Living, Leading, Learning Surveys.

Once again Catholic Education have partnered with Curtain University to develop a survey for parents called the Living, Leading, Learning survey. This survey provides parents with an opportunity to anonymously complete a short survey about school operations.

We value your voice and your insights! The Living, Leading, Learning Survey has been sent out via a link on SZapp, and we encourage all families to take a few minutes to complete it.

Your feedback helps us understand what we’re doing well and where we can improve. It’s a vital part of shaping the future of our school and ensuring we continue to provide the best possible learning environment for every student.

This year we will once again be running our Principal for the day competition. If your child or children are fortunate enough to win this competition, they will have a chance to experience leadership, make a few announcements and enjoy some special privileges.

The survey can be completed online www.NSIPartnerships.com.au  using our school code SPXLLLP . After completing the survey, you can visit this link to enter the draw for– Principal for a Day–2025.

Canteen Survey

I would like to thank all of the families that took the time to complete our canteen survey last term. We received some wonderful feedback and some suggestions for new ideas. You may have already noticed that there have been some changes to the canteen menu. These changes have come about as a result of the survey feedback. We are always open to trialling some new ideas and looking at ways to improve our service.

I would like to thank Neville Nichols and Robyn McMahon for their wonderful management and operation of the canteen. They both do a fantastic job and the school is very lucky to have them leading our canteen.

Upcoming Community Events

We’re excited to invite all families to be part of our upcoming school community events.

Book Week Dress-Up Parade & Grandparents Day
Friday, 15th August
Come dressed as your favourite book character and celebrate the joy of reading! We also warmly welcome grandparents to join us for a special morning of connection and classroom visits

Father’s Day Breakfast & Classroom Visits
Friday, 5th September
Dads and father figures—start your day with a delicious breakfast and spend some time in the classroom with your child. It’s a great way to share in their learning and celebrate the important role you play.

AFL Max Family Fun Night
Friday, 12th September
Join us for an action-packed evening at AFL Max! This family-friendly event promises fun, games, and plenty of energy. A fantastic way to wrap up the term with laughter and community spirit

We encourage all families to come along and be part of these special moments. Your presence makes a big difference, and we can’t wait to see you there. Details about our events can be found on SZapp.

God Bless

Ashley Keane