Term 1 concludes on Friday at 3:00pm.  

Monday 29th April is a Pupil Free Day - OSHC will be available for those families needing care.

Term 2 commences on Tuesday 30th April at 8:45am.

This year's Sports Day will be held at SA Athletics Stadium, Mile End on Friday 18th October (Week 1, Term 4).

As the term enters its final week and we prepare for the most significant period of our Catholic faith, Lent and Easter, I wish each of you a faith filled break and a sincere thankyou for making our start to the year so memorable and enjoyable. This week the children have commenced walking the ‘Stations of the Cross’ which are located in various places around the school. They stop and pause at each station to hear about the events that occurred at each station, but most importantly, link the trials of Jesus to their own life; reflecting on moments of doubt, grief, pity, sorrow. All of these are real human emotions and it is important to acknowledge these and understand them. Most importantly, all of these pass, and new life (Easter) gives way to great joy, celebration and acknowledgment of God’s love for each of us.

School Uniform
Thankyou to those parents who have either dropped in, emailed or spoken with me around the school with thoughts and questions about the new ‘Active Wear’ uniform that will be selected by our Uniform Committee over the next Term. I have had an equal number of ‘I love the idea’ as I have ‘we really like the existing uniform’ and I really understand both opinions. I would like the chance to meet with parents to discuss the decision in more detail in a Meeting prior to our next P&F Committee Meeting at 6:30pm on May 7^th, so if you would like to join us please do so. You are also most welcome to then join the P&F Committee Meeting as we need lots of support this year to achieve our goals as we continue our ‘community building’.  

School Development
I have attached some images of the Plans that have been presented to the Port Adelaide Enfield Council for approval. As stated earlier, we are hoping to get all 3 major stages approved rather than 3 separate approvals which will accelerate the project. Our first step will be to develop the Hillburn Ave carpark, move the sheds and develop the Primary Years Nature Play on the Acton Avenue site. We should see this action commencing next term!

St_Pius_X_School_Building_Plan.pdf

Late Arrivals
I was in the Reception classes first thing this morning and very impressed with how quickly the formal teaching (phonics drills) commenced after the bell. This is beginning to flow through to other year levels as new literacy programs are being introduced. You may remember that I determined back in 2017 that up to 1½ hours of learning time was being lost whilst teachers were waiting for late students to arrive. This led to a restructure of the day and my expectation that learning commences after roll is taken and prayer. Thus, children who are arriving 5 and 10 minutes late are missing key learning and this will impact their progress. Please be mindful of this and plan your day to ensure that your children are here ready to go into class on the 8:43am bell.

By way of interest, we had 27 children sign in ‘late’ this morning. I will need to contact parents next term to discuss this if this is a regular event.

Again, a final thanks for the term that has been and your support for St Pius X School. God bless you and your family throughout our Lent and Easter seasons, may you find time to reflect on not only the Christian story, but in our multi-faith community, how your faith and life continues to be shaped and inspired by an unconditionally loving God.

Next week, our Church celebrates Holy Week. I hope you had an opportunity to read my letter from last week about this special time in our liturgical year.

A reminder that this Friday at 11:30am, Year 5B/L will be presenting  ‘The Passion of Jesus’ musical in the hall.   All members of our community are invited to attend. A tradition at Easter time is to share chocolate eggs. As Easter Sunday occurs in the middle of our school holidays, we are asking that if you wish your child to share chocolate eggs at school, this is done after the holidays in Week 1 of Term 2. Thank you for your assistance. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity in supporting Project Compassion this year. Please return any Project Compassion boxes to school before the holidays. This week, we learn about Nguyet from Vietnam. This is her story:

Nguyet is a teenager living with a disability in a small town in Vietnam. She lived the first 14 years of her life isolated at home. Her disability restricted her movements and any chance of going to school..

Around 7% of people in Vietnam are living with a disability. They often have poorer health, fewer education and employment opportunities and higher poverty rates.

The future appeared bleak for Nguyet, until a Caritas Australia program, implemented by our partner Catholic Relief Services (CRS) changed her life forever. Around 4,000 people have now benefitted from this inspiring Caritas program.

The program is helping people like Nguyet, by focusing on inclusive education, health services and building strong community networks to help to break down stigma and discrimination for those with disabilities and their families.

Two years after she featured in Project Compassion 2017, Nguyet has built a successful online business selling T-shirts, accessories and home-cooked snacks made by her sister. 

She is also more confident in communicating with people – and is riding a motorbike she bought from her profits.

“I can go out independently now. I would like to have my own shop in the village one day. And I hope that other people with disabilities in Vietnam will receive help like I did.” 

Nguyet has great hope and a real commitment to succeed in her future. She hopes her story will inspire others to see what is possible for a person once isolated and unheard.

Wishing you a safe and holy Easter.

Mass times for Holy Week and Easter at Saint Pius X Church

Palm Sunday:          Saturday Vigil Mass 6:30pm, Sunday 9:30am and 5:30pm Masses

Holy Thursday:       7pm Mass (The church will be open until 10pm for silent prayer)

Good Friday:           9:30am Stations of the Cross, 3pm The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ

Easter Saturday:    7pm Vigil Mass

Easter Sunday:       9:30am and 5:30pm Masses as usual

An overview of the March Meeting Minutes is available here.

Congratulations to the 3 students who were chosen to represent our Adelaide North East district at the Metro Championships in Week 9. Matthew 6A, John 5BL and Bella 5RD swam their hearts out at The Marion Aquatic Centre on Thursday 28^thMarch and each recorded personal best times. Fantastic swimming Matt, John and Bella! 

Matthew reached the finals in all 3 of his events; the Open 100m Fly, the 12 Yr Boys 50m Freestyle and the 12 Yr Boys 50m Butterfly. A huge Congratulations to Matt for winning the Gold Medal in the final of the 12 Yr Boys 50m Fly!! He was presented with his medal on the podium. Wow, what an achievement!!!.... To be the fastest 12 year old boy Butterfly swimmer in the state!!! I can feel the Olympics coming on!

Matthew came 4^thin the finals of his other 2 events, narrowly missing out on 2 Bronze Medals. Well done Matt!