Welcome to week 4! It has been wonderful to spend time in each classroom over the past four weeks and share in the wonderful learning that our students are engaged in.

Last week, notes were sent home to parents of children who will be celebrating sacraments this year. If you have not returned your note, please send it back to school before Wednesday 6^th March.

Lent begins soon. This is a special time of fasting and preparation for Easter. During Lent, we are encouraged to contribute to ‘Project Compassion’ and do acts of kindness for others. Project Compassion boxes will be distributed to all families at the end of next week. Students will be learning about the communities where our fundraising assists important projects. I encourage you to look at www.caritas.org.au to see how your donations help.

We begin our Lenten journey with a special Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion on Ash Wednesday (6^th March) at 9am in the hall. We are blessed to have Deacon Anthony Hill celebrate this liturgy with us, and all members of our school community are invited to attend. Ashes will also be distributed during this liturgy.

On Shrove Tuesday (5^th March), John Parrella has kindly offered to assist in cooking pancakes for our students and staff. Pancakes will not be available before school, however, classes will receive their pancakes sometime between recess and lunch. Your child’s class teacher will provide toppings for pancakes. If your child has any specific food allergies, please speak with your child’s teacher.

Have a wonderful, blessed week.

Distributed in hard copy today is information from the Australian Government regarding this year's Collection.  Please advse Susan Trimboli c/- the School Office or strimboli@stpiusx.catholic.edu.au if you have changed your address in the past year and have not as yet advised the school.  

A copy of the Collection Notice is attached here.

I am studying a Bachelor of Social Work at Flinders University. This semester I will be undertaking my first student placement at St Pius X School where I will be Tuesday – Friday for Term 1 and 2. My primary role will be to support students with their emotional and social wellbeing, but I will also support teachers and parents, and identify connections in the wider community. I am particularly interested in positive psychology and mindfulness, and empowerment approaches to promote healthy mental wellbeing in schools.
Ashleigh

I am a social work student from Flinders University and doing my placement at St. Pius X School. It is an amazing experience working here and I feel delighted to be meeting a great amount of students already. I regard interacting with students and establishing a trusting relationship with them a crucial part of social work. Therefore, I take the initiative to ensure students are settling into school by asking them how they are doing that specific day as well as making sure they know who I am and my role in the school.
Ricky

St Pius X School was one of the first schools to begin working with the Be You Australian Student Wellbeing Framework.  This is a three year project involving staff, students, parents and the Community.  Please find attached a letter from the Prime Minister and a Be You Information flyer.  Hard copies of these documents were distributed to families today.