Welcome to the 2021 academic year! I hope that your holidays offered a chance for some rest and relaxation before another busy year.

Very soon, we will enter the liturgical season of Lent. During our Lenten journey, we are reminded of Jesus' time alone in the desert. Jesus spent 40 days fasting, and  praying, away from his family and friends. Just imagine how hard that would be! During our COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, many of us caught a glimpse at what ‘isolation’ looks like. Perhaps, for some of us and members of our families who live in different parts of the world, we now have a better understanding of what Jesus may have felt like when he was alone.

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, occurs on Wednesday 17^th February. Here at school, classes will participate in prayer services throughout the morning. The Vatican has announced that this year, ashes will not be distributed in the usual way. Rather than ash crosses being placed on our foreheads, we will have cold ash sprinkled over our heads. This eliminates touching and possible transfer of germs.

If you would like to attend a Mass on Ash Wednesday, please book your place at Saint Pius X Church, 1 Avoca Street, Dernancourt by calling 8261 2428. Mass times are at 9:15am and 6:30pm.

During Lent, we invite all families to support Caritas through Project Compassion. Donation boxes will be sent home for you to keep throughout Lent and return to school in Week 10. Each week, we will publish a story of a community who is assisted through our donations. Students will also hear these stories in class, so please make some time to discuss these at home.

Next Thursday, students and staff will participate in our Beginning of Year Mass. Fr Mathew will visit us to celebrate this significant event in our school year. During this Mass, our staff will be commissioned for their important work with our young people. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this Mass is for students and staff only. Please continue to hold our wonderful staff in your thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for photos of this sacred celebration.

I pray that the week ahead is blessed for you and your families.

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Please complete and submit this Form before Monday 8th February - 2021 Student General Consent, Medical and Emergency Information Form 

The information is requested annually and is intended to assist the school in the case of any medical emergency involving your child. A copy of this information will be held by the school contact person and the teacher in charge of any excursion or camp.

Consent Forms to attend excursions/camps will be distributed as they occur, however, the above form is also required for attendance at these events.

Thank you to those who attended our first Parents and Friends meeting for the year.  It was a very productive meeting where the committee suggested several events that we would like to run this year.

Among the events were the very popular Mother's and Father's Day stalls, a quiz night, an Easter Raffle, Entertainment books and a couple of family fun nights. 

For our major community event this year we have decided not to hold a fair or carols night due to COVID as these events could be cancelled should restrictions be tightened.  

As a committee we are excited to announce a new Community Event.  This year the St Pius X Community is planning on celebrating Diwali on Friday 5th of November. This will be a twilight event run similarly to last years Mother's Day drive by, but we will be encouraging people to walk around the school to celebrate the festival of lights.

This event is one that we hope will be easier to coordinate whilst adhering to COVID guidelines.  It will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate another multi-cultural event following the success of Culture in a Cup day that we celebrated in 2019.

We are looking for some extra volunteers to join us to help organise and coordinate our Diwali Community event.  Our next Parent and Friends Meeting is Tuesday 2nd March 7.00pm.

We would love to see you there.

Des Henthorn