Over the past week I’ve seen a number of things around our School that reflect student achievement, positive change and community particpation and support and I share a few with here.

Online Ordering for Lunch Orders

Our Canteen Manager, Nev, is reporting that around 80% of orders are occurring online via the ZAGL app and it is really streamlining the process, reducing double-handling and the number of lunch orders being left in bags. Well done Nev and our Canteen volunteers and well done to our parents for taking up the option!  If you would like to use the ordering system just download the ZAGL app from the App Store or Google Play and search for St Pius X.

Mini Lit and Mac Lit

Last week we saw the introduction of Mini Lit (Years 1 and 2) to complement our Mac Lit (Years 3-7) program. This is an intensive phonics based program for small groups of children who have been identified as having some gaps in their reading and comprehension skills. The children experience 1 hour of literacy intervention four days per week until further testing demonstrates that they have acquired the necessary skills.  I am very proud of the way that the children are engaging in this program and the progress being made. When students come off the program it will allow us to target the next level of children and address their reading and comprehension gaps.  Although this program, developed by Macquarie University NSW, is highly implemented in other Australian states and systems, only a handful of Catholic schools in SA have done so. I am in debt to Louise Hanrahan, Annette Rowe and Anna Warden for their background work in evaluating the program, undertaking training and supporting our ESO staff in the implementation of Mac Lit and Mini Lit.

Seesaw

Our early Years classes are rolling out ‘Seesaw’, a simple way for teachers and students to record and share what's happening in their classrooms.  Seesaw gives students a place to document their learning, be creative and learn how to use technology. Each student has their own journal and will add items to it like photos, videos, drawings, or notes. These are easily shared with parents and caregivers through a secure porthole. Teachers can post individual activities that can be accessed on any computer or iPad.  Parents of children in Reception to Year 3 will hear about this opportunity in coming weeks and the roll-out to other classes will follow.

SA Primary Maths Challenge

Also it's exciting to see more classes and children becoming involved in the SA Primary Maths Challenge this year and beginning their investigations. These will continue for the rest of the term and judging will be held early Term 4. We hope to improve on our 2017 with two State Winning entries and 1 Highly Commended!  More importantly though our children will be developing rich mathematical understandings and seeing Mathematics being applied in their lives.

Tournament of Minds

Our Team have been practicing since last term and have now commenced working on their 5 week challenge and will present this to the judges at Flinders University on Tournament Day, September 8^th.  Our team this year is Diandra P, Lerisa T, Naishvi P, Joseph B, Joshua H, Owen H J and Mia F.

Pyjama Day

Thank you so much to the school community, students and staff for joining in and showing so much generosity and support for the Pyjama Day fundraiser last Friday.  The school raised $655.00 in cash donations but that’s not all!!!  We had 17 pairs of pyjamas, 3 pairs of slippers, 2 scarves, books, soft toys, 3 dressing gowns and a back pack also donated.  The staff were also able to hand over about 25 Post Cards with affirmation messages that will also be included in the backpacks.

Jeff George (past parent) was so appreciative and assured us that many children will be so thankful for the well stocked backpacks that will be distributed

Our Student Leaders for Semester 2  

We congratluate the following students and wish them well in their role as Student Leaders

RD       Oliva C and Austin H

RM      Phong V and Stella D

RT       Baylee W and Marco Z

RS       Sebastian C and Ebony T 

1G/P    Alivia B and Isaac R

1H       Samuel D and Eloise C

1M       Monique T and Aidan W

2D/F    Joseph B and Flora R 

2L        Angelin S and Ethan V

3O       Ryan G and Selina F

3T        Jameson N and Evie P

4C/Z    Tehan A and Jessica C

4F/S    Ethan Z and Sophie B 

5B/T    Cody M and Indianna F

5R/T    Danielle F and Shanae C 

6/7A    Suki D and Pia V 

6/7B    Makayla S and Monique T

6/7H    Diandra P and Tanisha S

6/7M   Stephanie G and Riley H