Happy 60th Anniversary St Pius X School
Last Thursday we celebrated our 60th Anniversary with a beautiful school Mass. As a new Principal entering the school in a COVID affected year, this was my first experience of a whole school Mass at St Pius X. I was blown away with the manner in which children sang and brought our 60th Anniversary celebration to life. The Mass gave us the opportunity to gather as a school community and give thanks for 60 years of education St Pius X.

It was great to see so many current and past parents and some former staff members and old scholars join us for this special occasion. The celebration began with our former Deputy Principal Ms Desiree Henthorn processing in with a time capsule that was packed during the 50th Year Anniversary year. Desiree was the Deputy Principal during the 50th year celebration and it was great to have her join us for the Mass.

At the end of our Mass the chair of our School Board Mr Anthony Pryzibilla and a long time serving member of our Parent & Friend’s association Mrs Jodie Fitzgerald both came forward with their children Riley Pryzibilla and Caitlin Fitzgerald (current Year Six students) to cut our Anniversary cake. Anthony and Jodie have both been associated with the school for over 35 years and were students at the school during the 25th Anniversary celebrations back in 1987. 

After the Mass our guests joined us for coffee and cake and some of our guests were taken on tours of the school by our Year Six students. All of our students returned to their classrooms and celebrated with a St Pius X, 60th Anniversary donut.

I would like to thank our APRIM, James Lloyd for his wonderful organisation and coordination of the Mass. I would also like to acknowledge the extra-ordinary talents of our Music teacher Basia Jedrzejczak for her organisation and preparation of the children’s singing for the Mass. The arrangement of music as well as the enthusiasm and beautiful sound of the children’s voices were truly amazing and is a true reflection of the dedication and passion that Basia puts into her work.

I would also acknowledge and thank Susan Trimboli, Julie Parsons, Cassandra Figg and Tokuyo Sneddon for their 'behind the scenes work', and all our staff for their flexibility and support in the lead up to the celebration.

Finally I would like to acknowledge our wonderful children for their participation and impeccable behaviour and singing throughout the service. I feel truly blessed to part of such a wonderful community.

The 60th Anniversary Mass was the first of four celebratory events planned for our Anniversary Year. I am looking forward to this Saturday’s Anniversary Dinner at the Marche Club and our whole school picnic and concert in Term Four.

Book Week Dress Up Day
We are looking forward to our Book Week dress up day tomorrow. Parents are invited to come along and join us for a Book Week parade at 9am on the oval. I look forward to an exciting day.

Friday 2nd September: Parents’ Breakfast, Open Classroom Morning & Father’s Day stall
Just a reminder that next Friday the 2nd of September we will be hosting a Parent Breakfast and Open Morning. All parents are invited to come along to school with their children between 8:00am and 8:40am and grab a Bacon and Egg sandwich or vegetarian patty. At 8:45am parents are invited to accompany their children to their classrooms and view the children’s work and join their child in undertaking some classroom activities.

On this day the Parents and Friend’s committee will also be running a Father’s Day stall. Children are invited to bring some money to school and choose a gift for their dads or special people for Father’s Day.

If you are coming to the Parent’s Breakfast, then please ensure that you RSVP to the front Office by Monday next week so that we can cater effectively.

Upcoming Events:

Friday 9th September
Student Wellbeing and Casual Day
P&F School Disco in the school Hall: R-2 5:30pm–6:30pm & Yrs 3-6 7:00pm–8:30pm

Thursday 22nd September: R-2 Sports Day
Friday 23rd September: Year 3-6 Sports Day

More details about these events will be sent home in due course.

Notification of Students not returning in 2023 and change to School Fee Policy
During the week a letter was sent home to all families requesting that parents notify us if their children (with the exception of those currently in Year 6) will not be returning to St Pius X in 2023. This letter also outlined the change recently made at our School Board meeting, which now requires families to provide the school with at least One Term’s notice if their children will not be returning to the school in 2023. In Term Four we order student stationery, ICT devices, make decisions about class placements and staffing for the 2023 school year. Families who do not inform us in a timely manner that their children will leave the school will be charged a full term’s school fees as late notifications about student departures does have financial implications on the school. I thank all families for their support and understanding of the above and welcome any families who would like to discuss any aspects of their child’s enrolment in 2023, to come and speak with me.

God Bless