School concludes on Wednesday, 8th December at 3:00pm for Reception to Year 5 students and on Tuesday 7th December for Year 6 students.

2022 Book a Chat (and stationery collection) - Thursday, 27th January

School commences for 2022 on Monday 31st January

Dear Families,

Yesterday I was treated to a beautiful ‘farewell’ as part of our End of Year Mass. Your child will probably tell you that I needed quite a few tissues to get me through the final song, sung by our choir. It was the first time that it really sunk in that my time here is coming to an end. But what beautiful memories I will take with me.

May I take this last opportunity to thank each of you for your support and commitment to our school over the years.

I know I could look back at the changing face of the school through the building program and the transformation of ICT’s across the school as great progress over the years, but for me it’s the work our teachers have undertaken in adopting new ways of teaching literacy and numeracy that is most significant. Our children are performing at levels much above National Averages and that means that they have great foundation for learning in the years ahead.

My only disappointment has been the community impact  through restrictions around COVID-19 and how these have limited community interaction over the past two years. However, thankfully, we have been able to keep our children and staff safe and I thank God for this. I am really pleased that your new Principal, Ashley Keane, is acutely aware of this and is planning ways to re-engage with our parents and caregivers as restrictions ease.

May I thank the entire staff for their efforts, commitment and genuine love of the school that permeates everything that we should be proud of. St Pius X has a strong history of striving for excellence and our children deserve nothing less. You are indeed the most dedicated, professional educators and support staff that I have ever worked with.

To our children, you have brought such joy to me in the past 5 years,  I love your sense of hope, compassion, joy and understanding. You make me laugh, you have touched my heart, you have taught me so much, I will miss you immensely. You are indeed leaders for the world that God desires. Our world is in good hands. God bless all of you.

Greg

Wow!

That time has certainly flown by!

I have very much enjoyed my time with all the children, staff and parents of St Pius X School. I have been made to feel very welcome and supported, and I thank you for the opportunity that I have had to be part of this wonderful community.

It is a special school that values every child. The well-being, learning and social needs of each child is closely monitored by all staff to ensure that all children are happy and learning.

I would like to thank you for your understanding this year, as it has been another difficult year that has required us all to be flexible, patient and persistent. Hopefully we will be able to work together more closely next year as the conditions continue to evolve.

Finally, I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy your break from school and all the routines and structures around that! I hope that you all get to have a break and a chance to spend some quality time together.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Last Sunday we commenced our Advent journey. This coming Sunday, we light the second candle on our Advent Wreath. This candle is called the ‘preparation’ candle and we are called to ‘get ready’ for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

Thank you to the many families who have brought in donations of food and new gifts for our Vinnies Christmas appeal. These donations will be collected by Vinnies volunteers on Monday next week, so Friday is the last day to donate. Your contributions will help to make Christmas special for many families.

As we near the end of the school year, I take this opportunity to thank you for your support throughout 2021. We have faced the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 restrictions and remained connected and positive. I pray that your Christmas break will bring you peace and a chance to reconnect with family and friends.

Christmas Masses will be celebrated at St Pius X Church on Christmas Eve (24^th Dec) at 6pm, 8pm (Carols from 7:30pm) & 10pm and on Christmas Day at 9:30am. Please note that there will be no evening Mass on Christmas Day.

Wishing you many blessings at Christmas.

On behalf of the St Pius X school community, and as a member of the School Board, I’d like to acknowledge and thank a number of people as we come to the end of another busy year.

Firstly, thankyou to Alicia Boylan who has very ably contributed to the school community during her relatively short period with us. She needed to very quickly become familiar with the school community, and with a genuine and caring approach, has provided great support to many in the community. We thankyou for your time with us and wish you best for the future

In the background of many school events a very small but dedicated group of people work to make them a success. The Parents & Friends Committee in recent years has been led by Jodie Fitzgerald who has decided to take a step back next year. Jodie has been a driving force for the P&F, coordinating numerous events and spending many hours and days (often supported by her whole family) ensuring that everything went well. Ultimately these events assist to raise funds for the school, but more importantly create a connected community. As we come out of COVID this is more important than ever, so we look forward to seeing a few new names step forward next year to help continue the legacy of the P&F Committee that has done so much over many decades.

Thankyou to the dedicated parents who contribute their time to provide stewardship over both the Finance Committee and School Board to ensure the school is constantly evolving and delivering the highest quality education for all of our children. These committees are supported so well by both Susan and Julie…thank you!

Finally, we want to recognise Greg as he approaches his well-deserved retirement. We want to recognise his significant contribution to our school during his time here. As a member of the school Board I have been fortunate to work closely with Greg during his time at the school and have been extremely grateful for the steady guidance he has provided the school during a time of significant change. He has overseen the development and implementation of some major changes including an upgrade of the schools IT strategy, the development of a school Master Plan including major construction phases, the introduction of a new uniform and seen student numbers grow. As a Principal it is clear the level of personal commitment is significant and we wish you a relaxing retirement with your family and grandchildren.

Next year will be an exciting time for the school with Ashley Keane starting as our new Principal together with a new Deputy Principal who is currently being recruited. There will undoubtedly be some change with a new leadership team but there will continue to be numerous opportunities for members of the school community to provide feedback, contribute ideas and participate in decision making.

Please enjoy the coming school holiday period and the time with our families…..

Catholic Education SA awards will be announced in March and the school board is looking to put forward some nominations.

As a result of some recent questions and concerns from parents regarding shading and landscaping within the school, the Board reviewed the current school Master Plan and landscaping plans, which include junior nature play, passive spaces, landscaping and tree planting. 

The board was also presented with the concept designs for a 13.6 metre long shade structure to be located near the Acton Avenue gates, to provide shade and shelter for students waiting for parents. 

The construction of the shade structure along with a Koala Crossing (only operational when the yellow lights are flashing and a speed limit of 25 km/h applies) are likely to commence once the buildings are completed early in 2022.

The board also were pleased to be informed that the fee structure will remain the same for 2022 and that the Deputy Principal will be announced before the end of this year (2021).

As this was Greg Parker's final School Board Meeting, Chair, Anthony Przibilla, thanked Greg for all he had done and achieved for the school over the past 5 years, particularly the building and literacy programs. And Greg thanked the Board and acknowledged all the great work of his support team and teachers.

Please note the closing date will be this Friday 3rd December 2021.

Specialist music lessons will continue to be offered at St Pius X School next year.  If you would like your child to learn a musical instrument, or attend voice or speech and drama lessons, through the school’s Instrumental Program next year, please complete the Application Form attached - this applies whether your child is currently learning or not and submit it by Wednesday, 1st December, to enable efficient planning for 2022.  Application Forms received after this date will be processed after all other students are placed.  Acceptance will not be guaranteed. You will be notified of timetables in Week 1 or 2 of Term 1 next year once all students have been allocated teachers and times.  Please assist us by submitting this form promptly.

Lessons, excluding Speech and Drama, will be of ½ hour duration and cost $29.00 per half-hour which is payable weekly in advance or on a Term’s basis as arranged with your teacher.  Group lessons can be organised if numbers permit (excluding drum) - $20.00 for 2 students, $18.00 for 3 students (voice only).  A levy of $10.00 (GST does not apply) per instrument will be required from each student to help cover costs associated with Instrumental Programme administration, Semester Progress Reports and End of Year Recital Evening.  You will receive an invoice for this amount during Term 1 next year.

Notice must be given by the end of Week 7 of any Term if your child will not be continuing with instruction the following term.  This policy is required to ensure that the school can continue to employ and retain skilled teachers.  If children miss lessons due to an absence from school, lessons are not required to be made up by the teacher.  If children miss lessons due to excursions, camps etc early notice will give teachers the opportunity to re-schedule lessons.  If teachers are ill/absent they are responsible for making up the lesson.

A copy of the school’s Music/Speech & Drama Tutoring Policy is attached.

Regards

Barbara Jedrzejczak - Music Coordinator

Please select the enrolment form you wish to book into here 

Piano Enrolment Form

Voice Enrolment Form 

Drums Enrolment Form

Clarinet Enrolment Form

Flute Enrolment Form

Guitar Enrolment Form

Trumpet Enrolment Form

Violin Enrolment Form

Saxophone Enrolment Form

Trombone Enrolment Form

Recorder Enrolment Form

Speech and Drama Enrolment Form

Please see attached Music/Speech & Drama Tutoring Policy - Music_and_Speech_Drama_Tutoring_Policy.pdf

Dear Parents

You may have seen in the media the recent SA Government Direction concerning COVID-19 vaccinations for staff in schools and Early Childhood Education Care settings.

This school has acted quickly to inform our staff of these new requirements. It has been our previous position that for the safety of students and the community, those who are eligible, ought to be vaccinated where possible.

The SA Government Direction now specifies that staff in all schools and education and care settings must have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination by 10 December 2021 and show evidence of a booking for their second dose.

The Direction also extends to volunteers (including Board members) and any unpaid workers.

It does not apply to students and parents who are incidental visitors to the school.

You would appreciate that the 2-year journey we have experienced in dealing with the pandemic has resulted in numerous strategies and compliance measures implemented for the safety of students, families and staff.

Throughout the pandemic we have been absolutely lock-step in following the advice of the SA Chief Public Health Officer as it relates to the schooling sector. The Catholic Education Office has strong direct liaison with the SA Department for Education which has meant that each sector has been remarkably consistent in the messaging over health measures adopted at school sites.

We will continue to monitor and act upon any relevant advice and make staff aware of this new government law.

If more information comes to hand that has an impact on the wider school community, I will keep you informed.

If you are a volunteer in our community, I ask that as soon as convenient, you provide the appropriate documentation as outlined below:

• An official transcript of your COVID-19 vaccination status (hard copy or electronic pdf version); or
• A medical certificate/exemption form from a legally qualified medical practitioner certifying that you either have a medical exemption from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on either a permanent or temporary basis, endorsed by the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO).

to Susan Trimboli (strimboli@stpiusx.catholic.edu.au).  

We thank you in anticipation for supplying the necessary information to be compliant with this government Direction.

Thank you for the support you continue to provide by being a Registered Volunteer here at St Pius X School.  

There are changes to the requirements in respect of the Responding to Risks of Harm Abuse and Neglect - Education and Care (RRHAN-EC) training which is one of the essential components of your Registration.

As your volunteer work here is with children (under 18 years), you are a mandated notifier and all volunteers must now update their training which is available via this link -  RRHAN-EC training.

The training must be undertaken and your Certificate provided to Susan Trimboli (either paper copy or via email to strimboli@stpiusx.catholic.edu.au) before end of this term.  

Please contact the school if you have questions and thank you again for your participation in the life of our school.

Due to current social distancing requirements all families require an appointment to visit the shop.  They are expecting a high volume of families to attend the shop in January and encourage families to book now to avoid disappointment.

Their staff are experienced at helping you find the right size for your child to grow into for the new year. All uniform items can be exchanged if the wrong size as long as they are unworn and unwashed.

The shop is located at - 10 Newton Rd, Campbelltown

You can book your appointment at https://belgraviasportsonline.com.au/pages/school-uniform-fittings

The shop will be closed from December 18th 2021- January 9th 2022 and there will be extended opening hours from January 17th - 29th 2022.

The shop Manager is Michelle Flanigan - contact number 0451725600

Email: campbelltown@belgraviasports.com.au

The online shop link is -  https://belgraviasportsonline.com.au/collections/st-pius-x-school

Online orders will be delivered to the school once per week or may be collected in store.