First Week of Lent

We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about the story of Jamila and her family. Jamila, 22, is a Rohingya woman, living in the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. A single mother, she fled armed conflict in Myanmar to save herself, her elderly mother and eight-month-old baby. 

With the support of Caritas Australia, through Caritas Bangladesh, Jamila was able to access emergency food and shelter. She also received counselling, emotional support and learnt sewing skills, to help her earn an income.  Jamila now feels less alone, with a sense of community around her. She is able to ‘Be More’ to her little family.  

• 860,494 people remain in the densely populated camps, in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, especially due to COVID-19. (UNHCR)

“Aspire not to have more, but to be more.” Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

Sad News

On Friday morning our former Parish Priest, Fr Ian MacKintosh, passed away suddenly in Victoria.

Many of us would remember his dry sense of humour, stories of the war (sometimes told at school Masses!), love of Richmond Football Club and cricket. 

We always knew when Richmond was playing on Saturday evenings – Mass would finish in record speed so he could watch the match live!

Fr Ian helped many of us in times of crisis, and never sought attention or accolades. He made a point of learning people’s names, and would often write them on the back of his hand to jog his memory. Together with our beloved Fr John, he visited families from school who were preparing to celebrate Sacraments. 

He deeply cared for our parish community, and visited as many parishioners as possible. Most afternoons, Fr Ian would hop in the car and head off for pastoral visits. I remember him telling me that he had a list of Catholics who lived in the parish, and he would knock on doors, even if he didn’t know them. He didn’t mind if they shut the door quickly – he said it was important they knew he cared enough to visit. During his time at Dernancourt, Fr Ian visited hundreds of families. 

His deep sense of Pastoral Care guided his life and work. 

Fr Ian had great admiration for the work that teachers and volunteers did in the parish. He always thanked us for our time and efforts. 

I can only imagine the welcome that Fr John (whom Fr Ian referred to as ‘The Giant’) gave Fr Ian when he joined him in heaven! Together, Fr Ian and Fr John were an amazing team. They complemented each other and were ‘great mates’, as Ian would say. 

I’m sure you will join me in thanking God that we were blessed to share in the life of such a faith filled, humble and loving servant. We extend our prayers to Fr Mathew and the Oblate community at this time.

Rest in peace dear Fr Ian.

A reminder Term 1 School Fees are due this Friday 26^th February 2021.

2021 Yearly Fee accounts were sent home by mail on Friday 22^nd January 2021. Please note that the due date for the first instalment is the 26^th  February 2021.  A School Fees letter was sent home in Term 4, 2020 notifying parents of the Fee Schedule and the relevant due dates for Fees. 2021 fees are combined into one yearly fee to make fee statements easier to understand.

School Card
Low income families are invited to apply for School Card which if eligible, entitles you to Fee Remission.  This remission will be credited to your fee account.  If you have taken a 2021 School Card Application Form – (Form A Income Audit) to apply for School Card, please complete it and return it to the school as soon as possible.  Cut off date for applications apply.  Parents can also apply online.

Income Limits 
1 Child Family        $60867
2 Child Family        $61954
3 Child Family        $63041
4 Child Family        $64128

If you have any difficulty in paying your school fees account by 26th February 2021, please come in and see me to make other arrangements.  Part time agreements can be entered into, by paying on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.  You may choose to have your payments taken out of your bank account by direct debit, placed to your merchant facilities, by BPay or pay personally by EFT, cash or cheque.  The school offers EFT, Visa and MasterCard facilities for your convenience.  WE DO NOT ACCEPT AMEX.

The school also offers a 5% discount, on Tuition Fees only, for families who wish to pay for the entire year’s Fees by the 26th February 2021. 

1 Child Family - $100.00 discount
2 Child Family - $180.00 discount
3 Child Family - $240.00 discount

PLEASE NOTE: - If you qualify for Fee Remission you do not receive the 5% discount as well. 

Due dates for payment by Term with 3 Installments.

Term 1 - 26^th February 2021
Term 2 - 14^th May 2021
Term 3 - 30^th July 2021

For your convenience fee payments or documents can be dropped into the grey Fees Box (Box 1) in the Student Entry area.  This box is securely locked with access given to Finance personnel only.

Please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email if you have any queries relating to your fee account. 

Email address is - finance@stpiusx.catholic.edu.au

Thank you to those parents who have completed and submitted the Form. We are still waiting on 40 more students. If you have not done so please complete and submit ASAP - 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.

If you have a child born between 1st November 2016 and 31st October 2017 and you would like them to attend Reception at St Pius X School next year and have not already submitted an Application for Enrolment or attended an interview please contact Susan Trimboli on 8266 9400 as soon as possible.

Sofia is a St Pius X Old Scholar, who completed secondary schooling at Kildare College in 2020. Sofia was the 2020 Proxime Accessit (runner up) at Kildare with a university entrance score of 98.15. She also received a Merit for General Mathematics at Government House on Feb 3rd 2021, placing her in the top 1% of the state for this subject.

Sofia also received the Tea Tree Gully Council Service Award for contributions to Kildare College during her time there. 

Alicia, who is a past student at St Pius X, received a SACE Merit award at Government House on February 2nd 2021.

The award was for exceptional achievement in Business Innovation. Her score in this subject placed her in the top 1% in the state.  

Her Atar score placed her in the top 22% of students. She completed High School at Kildare College.