Dear Parents

It is hard to believe that the 2022 School Year is coming to an end. It has been a year which has flown by and it doesn’t feel like I have almost completed my first year as Principal at St Pius X School.

I would like to take this opportunity to say how grateful I have been for all your wonderful support I have received this year. The year began with a staggered start to schooling with many of our children learning from home due to COVID. School camps and excursions needed to be postponed, community events and parent information evenings needed to be cancelled and we couldn’t hold our first indoor community event until May. This meant that we ended up squeezing all of our 60^th Anniversary celebrations and many of our community events into the second half of 2022. In reflecting on our last few months at St Pius X, I have come to realise just how many things we have done in the last 4 months. Since the beginning of August we have hosted a 60^th Anniversary Mass, Book-Week dress up parade, a 60^th Anniversary Gala dinner, a parent breakfast and Father’s Day stall, a student Wellbeing day, a school disco, our two day sports day events, a whole school Anniversary Picnic, our 60^th Anniversary School concert and on top of all of this children have still attended numerous excursions, onsite sporting programs and our Year 5 and 6 children have attended camp. 

It is great that after a lean few years, we have been able to bring our community back together.

I have really felt supported by the whole school community and I feel very blessed to be working with such a caring and supportive group of parents, students and staff.

I would like to thank the staff at St Pius X for their wonderful dedication this year. The staff have fully supported all of the community events over the past few months and these events have added to their already heavy workloads. We really do have a wonderful group of staff at the school who genuinely care about the children and want the best for them. I am grateful for all the work that the staff do in order to support the children and ensure that St Pius X is a great community for the children and their families.

I would like to thank all of the parents for your support this year. As a school we would not be able to offer all the experiences that we do without the support of our parents. Whether it be through supporting your own children with their learning, attending school functions, volunteering in classes, supporting with excursions, working in the canteen, coaching a sporting team, supporting the P&F or School Board, your efforts really do help make St Pius X a wonderful family environment.

Finally I would like to thank our wonderful students at St Pius X. I love coming to school each day and being greeted by such fun loving group of children. I am very proud of the children at St Pius X and I constantly tell people outside of our school, how good the St Pius X children are. I feel very privileged to be doing the job I do and it is the children at St Pius X who inspire me and continue to ignite my passion for ensuring that we provide the best possible education environment for them.

St Pius X School is a wonderful place to work and I thoroughly enjoy being part of this great community.

School Board: Thank you Anthony Pryzibilla
At the end of this year we will farewell Mr Anthony Pryzibilla who has been the Chair of our School Board for the last six years. Anthony has been on the School Board for last 8 years and during this time he has worked with three different Principals. During Anthony’s time as the Chair of the School Board, he has worked with the School’s Leadership teams to oversee the planning and building of our new classroom spaces and nature play area; the introduction of the active wear uniform for the school and the introduction of a one to one device program across the school. These represent only a few of the many initiatives that Anthony has supported as the Chair of our School Board. Anthony’s youngest son Riley will be finishing at St Pius X at the end of this year. We thank Anthony for his commitment and dedication to our school throughout his time on the School Board.  

I would like to thank all the 2022 School Board for their commitment this year. I have appreciated their advice and contributions to the important decisions and discussions that form part of the School Board’s important role in overseeing the operations of the school.

In early 2023, we will be calling on new nominations for our School Board and encourage all parents to consider this opportunity.

Farewell to our Year 6’s:
At the end of school year it is always a sad time as we say farewell to our Year 6 students. I had the pleasure of spending 3 days on camp at Narnu Farm with our Year Six students, two weeks ago. During this time I had the opportunity to witness what a fun loving group of children our Year Six students were. Their behaviour whilst on camp and the way in which they supported and encouraged each other was impeccable. I look forward to celebrating with our Year Six children and their families at our Graduation Mass and Dinner which will be held next Tuesday night. I would like to thank all our Year 6’s for their contribution to our school and I wish them all the very best for the future.

Staffing News:
As we finish our school year I would like to share with you some news about staffing for 2023.

It is with a sense of sadness that we say farewell to Olivia Ventura and Chandler Dorsey. Olivia and Chandler have worked at St Pius X School as a Junior Primary teacher and ESO respectively. Olivia leaves us to take up a permanent appointment at St Margaret Mary’s School at Croydon Park, whilst Chandler has now completed his teaching degree and will be commencing his career as a teacher in 2023. I wish both Olivia and Chandler all the best with their future endeavours.

Sarah Tirimacco:
Will be taking some Maternity leave during the first half of the 2023 school year. Sarah and her husband Mark are expecting their third baby later this month. Sarah has done a wonderful job leading our Junior Primary team this year and has also been instrumental in setting up and teaching our SPARX transition program. We wish Sarah and Mark all the best in the coming months and we look forward to Sarah returning to our school again.

Gianna Terminello & Mandy Richardson have both decided to resign from their positions at St Pius X School. Both Gianna and Mandy have been long serving staff members and both have been on leave in 2022. Gianna has worked as an ESO, coordinating our Learning Assistance Program, whilst Mandy has been the Director of the St Pius X School OSHC for 30 years. Gianna has made the decision to retire from her role, whilst Mandy has taken up an advisory position in the Department of Education. I would like to thank both Gianna and Mandy for their significant contributions to our school community and wish them both well as they embark on a new direction in their lives.

Congratulations Lauren Ryder and Laura Baohm who have been appointed as the Director and Assistant Director respectively of our OSHC Service. Both Lauren and Laura currently work in OSHC in leadership roles and have formed great relationships with our students and families. I am delighted that both Lauren and Laura have taken on these roles and I have no doubt that the St Pius X OSHC service is in good hands.

I would like to thank Jessica Harmer for taking on the role as Acting Director in 2022 whilst Mandy was on leave. Jessica took this role on at very short notice and has done a wonderful job. Jessica is looking forward to returning to her administration role within the OSHC service and will continue to be a great support for both Lauren and Laura.

New Teaching Staff Announcements:
I would like to welcome Mrs Jenny Mittiga to our teaching team in 2023. Jenny is currently a teacher at Our Lady of Hope School and comes to us with a lot of experience and a wonderful reputation as a great teacher. Jenny will be teaching in Year Six in 2023 and I have no doubt that she we be a great addition to our staff.

I would also like to welcome back Mrs Kelly Spencer who will be returning to our school in 2023 after some time off raising her young family. Kelly is an excellent teacher and will be a great addition to our Junior Primary team.

All children will find out their class placements for 2023 this Friday. The children will spend an hour on Friday visiting their new classes and meeting their 2023 teachers.

Just a reminder that the last day of school for 2022 is next Wednesday 14^th December. School will finish at the usual time of 3:00pm on this day.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our families a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. I hope you all enjoy the holiday break and I look forward to working with you again when school returns on Monday 30^th January, 2023.

God bless,

Ashley 

Over the past few days, we have experienced the joys of Harmony Week. We have gathered as a whole school community to celebrate prayer, food, music and culture. As I stood in the yard before school yesterday and watched a sea of orange coloured t-shirts, head bands, socks and hats, it was a wonderful reminder of our commitment to ‘getting along’ with others and living harmoniously. Traditionally, the colour orange relates to social communication, and helps with the development of new ideas, freeing the spirit of its limitations, allowing us the freedom to be ourselves. It also encourages self-respect and respectful relationships.

On Tuesday evening, families of our Year 4 Sacrament candidates gathered for a parent information evening where important details about the program were discussed. We thank Fr Mathew for being available to speak at this gathering. For those families who did not attend, an information pack has been sent home to you via your child. Please check bags to make sure it arrives safely!

As we continue our journey towards Easter, Holy Week is not far away. Palm Sunday will be on Sunday 2^nd April, and families are invited to attend Masses at St Pius X Church, Avoca Street, Dernancourt on Saturday 1^st April at 6:30pm, Sunday 2^nd April at 9:30am or 5:30pm to receive blessed palm branches. Many families keep these branches all year and have them in a special place at home.

Holy Week Mass times at St Pius X Church are:

Holy Thursday 7pm

Good Friday – Stations of the Cross at 9:30am

Good Friday – Passion of the Lord at 3pm

Easter Saturday – Easter Vigil at 6:30pm

Easter Sunday – Mass at 9:30am (no evening Mass) 

As you have heard by now, after 20 years at St Pius X School, I will be leaving at the end of this term. Friday of Week 11 is my last day before I move to a new position in the Archdiocese. I hope to speak to many of you at the gate before I leave and say goodbye in person.

Have a blessed week.

James

Tuition Fees - Final Installment 

The final instalment of Tuition Fees was due & payable on Friday 5th August 2022. If you were unable to meet this deadline, please do not hesitate to contact me and part time arrangements can be made.

If you have entered into a part time agreement to pay your fees over the whole year this due date does not apply. Thank you to those parents who have paid their fee statement promptly.

Overdue Fee Statements were sent home on Tuesday to notify parents of the balance due. This payment is now well overdue and prompt payment would be appreciated as we need to finalise accounts for 2022.

For parent’s convenience, EFT, BPay, QKR, Visa and Mastercard are available.

If you wish to pay your fees with direct banking via internet banking, please ensure that your 11 digit reference number which starts with 9088 is placed as a reference so funds can be applied to the correct family.

Please see me if you have any queries relating to fees.

Thank you.