From the Principal - Greg Parker
Dear Parents,
Next week is our Annual General Meeting. Please find below an excerpt of my report detailing 2020 at St Pius X School.
We commenced the school year on January 28th, full of hope and promise for another outstanding year at St Pius X School.
We welcomed new teachers Ashlee Stanley, Jess Jenkins and returning teacher, Deb Madgen. We also welcomed just over 75 new students, some existing families and many new to the school.
Our optimism for the year ahead was quickly dashed. In my very first Newsletter (29th January) I wrote “We share the great concern of the outbreak of Coronavirus that has now spread across several continents, including Australia.” Regardless of how we interpret 2020, it will always be tainted by the global epidemic that was COVID-19. The outbreak spread interstate initially and towards the end of Term 1, South Australia was instructed to shut down all schools for all except children of essential services. Teachers, in a matter of days, created online learning for their class allowing the curriculum to continue remotely, or as we referred to, ‘Connected Learning.’
Amongst all of the restrictions and complications, some positives emerged. We found new ways of communicating with families as the whole school embraced Seesaw. Our children showed incredible resilience and found ways of staying connected to the teachers and classmates. Our youngest children learnt independence beyond their years. We found ways, however simple, to enjoy celebrations including Confirmation and First Eucharist, the Year 6 Graduation ceremony and end of Year Mass.
We managed to celebrate Mother’s Day with a drive-past and Father’s Day with a walk of honour around the oval. Children in the Catholic Music Festival practiced and performed magnificently to camera so that parents could enjoy their talent and hard work. We even managed to compete very strongly in a range of Sporting Carnivals across our System and State.
We managed a Year 5 and a Year 6 camp and many excursions, all within the guidelines and recommendations. The children competed earnestly in our Term 4 Sports Day, albeit without our families as spectators but that did not dampen our children’s spirits.
In 2020 we introduced the new ‘Active Wear’ uniform which very quickly became very popular and in demand. I thank Des Henthorn and the Uniform Committee for their outstanding work in 2019 in securing this initiative.
Our building program was only affected by a few days due to restrictions from COVID-19. Over the year we managed to complete the Senior Nature Playground, erect the new sheds, complete the carpark upgrade and of course Stage 1C, 8 new classrooms and 2 breakout areas. We moved into these spaces in September 2020, all within budget, allowing us to proceed with the next stage. We also were successful in approval of a $1 million Commonwealth Grant to go towards Stage 1 D in 2021.
A highlight was the opening of the new building to parents at the STEM showcase. Finally, we had a space that highlighted the talent and hard work of our young scientists, mathematicians and engineers.
It is often said that difficult times brings out the best in people. That was certainly true of 2020, thanks to my staff, our parents and families and 472 courageous, determined and inspirational children.
May God bless you all.