Filter Content
From the Principal - Greg Parker
Over the past week I’ve seen a number of things around our School that reflect student achievement, positive change and community particpation and support and I share a few with here.
Online Ordering for Lunch Orders
Our Canteen Manager, Nev, is reporting that around 80% of orders are occurring online via the ZAGL app and it is really streamlining the process, reducing double-handling and the number of lunch orders being left in bags. Well done Nev and our Canteen volunteers and well done to our parents for taking up the option! If you would like to use the ordering system just download the ZAGL app from the App Store or Google Play and search for St Pius X.
Mini Lit and Mac Lit
Last week we saw the introduction of Mini Lit (Years 1 and 2) to complement our Mac Lit (Years 3-7) program. This is an intensive phonics based program for small groups of children who have been identified as having some gaps in their reading and comprehension skills. The children experience 1 hour of literacy intervention four days per week until further testing demonstrates that they have acquired the necessary skills. I am very proud of the way that the children are engaging in this program and the progress being made. When students come off the program it will allow us to target the next level of children and address their reading and comprehension gaps. Although this program, developed by Macquarie University NSW, is highly implemented in other Australian states and systems, only a handful of Catholic schools in SA have done so. I am in debt to Louise Hanrahan, Annette Rowe and Anna Warden for their background work in evaluating the program, undertaking training and supporting our ESO staff in the implementation of Mac Lit and Mini Lit.
Seesaw
Our early Years classes are rolling out ‘Seesaw’, a simple way for teachers and students to record and share what's happening in their classrooms. Seesaw gives students a place to document their learning, be creative and learn how to use technology. Each student has their own journal and will add items to it like photos, videos, drawings, or notes. These are easily shared with parents and caregivers through a secure porthole. Teachers can post individual activities that can be accessed on any computer or iPad. Parents of children in Reception to Year 3 will hear about this opportunity in coming weeks and the roll-out to other classes will follow.
SA Primary Maths Challenge
Also it's exciting to see more classes and children becoming involved in the SA Primary Maths Challenge this year and beginning their investigations. These will continue for the rest of the term and judging will be held early Term 4. We hope to improve on our 2017 with two State Winning entries and 1 Highly Commended! More importantly though our children will be developing rich mathematical understandings and seeing Mathematics being applied in their lives.
Tournament of Minds
Our Team have been practicing since last term and have now commenced working on their 5 week challenge and will present this to the judges at Flinders University on Tournament Day, September 8th. Our team this year is Diandra P, Lerisa T, Naishvi P, Joseph B, Joshua H, Owen H J and Mia F.
Pyjama Day
Thank you so much to the school community, students and staff for joining in and showing so much generosity and support for the Pyjama Day fundraiser last Friday. The school raised $655.00 in cash donations but that’s not all!!! We had 17 pairs of pyjamas, 3 pairs of slippers, 2 scarves, books, soft toys, 3 dressing gowns and a back pack also donated. The staff were also able to hand over about 25 Post Cards with affirmation messages that will also be included in the backpacks.
Jeff George (past parent) was so appreciative and assured us that many children will be so thankful for the well stocked backpacks that will be distributed
Our Student Leaders for Semester 2
We congratluate the following students and wish them well in their role as Student Leaders
RD Oliva C and Austin H
RM Phong V and Stella D
RT Baylee W and Marco Z
RS Sebastian C and Ebony T
1G/P Alivia B and Isaac R
1H Samuel D and Eloise C
1M Monique T and Aidan W
2D/F Joseph B and Flora R
2L Angelin S and Ethan V
3O Ryan G and Selina F
3T Jameson N and Evie P
4C/Z Tehan A and Jessica C
4F/S Ethan Z and Sophie B
5B/T Cody M and Indianna F
5R/T Danielle F and Shanae C
6/7A Suki D and Pia V
6/7B Makayla S and Monique T
6/7H Diandra P and Tanisha S
6/7M Stephanie G and Riley H
Child Protection - Greg Parker
Below are links to a number of important documents that provide information on Cyber-Bullying - Advice for Families, the Keeping Safe Curriculum, Protective Practices and the CESA Policy for the Wellbeing and Protection of Children and Young People. Our School Board and staff are just completing our Bulling and Harassment Policy and I will publish this once ratified.
Shortly you will receive an invitation to attend evening and or/morning Parent Information Sessions on cyber-bullying and help with setting up your IT at home to protect your children. I really urge you to take advantage of these as our cyber world is changing rapidly and it is difficult to keep abreast and therefore keep our children safe.
Cyber-bullying, e-crime - Advice for Families
Keeping Safe Curriculum Reception-Year 2.pdf
Keeping Safe Curriculum Yrs-3-5.pdf
Keeping Safe Curriculum - Years 6-9.pdf
Protective Practices - Parents and Caregivers.pdf
CESA Policy - Wellbeing and Protection of Children and Young People.pdf
Fr John
Last Friday I was privileged to attend the Funeral Mass for our beloved priest, Father John, in Brisbane. It was a beautiful celebration of his life as members of his family and childhood friends gathered to farewell him. Tomorrow our parish and school community will gather at 7:00pm in Saint Pius X Church, Dernancourt, for a Memorial Mass for Father John. You are very welcome to attend this Mass. Our school choir will be singing a special song for Father John during the Mass and I thank Mrs Jedrzejczak for helping to make this happen.
Sacrament Information
Due to my being in Brisbane for Father John’s funeral I was not able to be present at the Reconcilaiton Sacrament meeting last Thursday evening. Further information will be sent home regarding this Sacrament in coming weeks.
Made in the Image of God
Information regarding the curriculum was attached to last week’s Newsletter. If you have any questions, please see your child’s teacher or myself.
Blessings for the week ahead.
Enrolment of Reception Students in 2020
Enrolment interviews for Reception students whose families have applied for the Terms 1 and 3 intake for 2020 will be held in coming weeks.
If you have a child who will be 5 years of age between 1st May 2019 and 31st October 2020 and you would like them to attend our school in 2020 in either Term 1 or 3 please submit an Application for Enrolment form to Susan Trimboli as soon as possible.
From the Finance Manager - Julie parsons
Term 3 Tuition Fees were due and payable by Friday, 3rd August 2018. If you have entered into a part time agreement to pay your fees over the whole year the due date does not apply.
Thank you to those parents who have paid promptly.
School Board Meeting Report - Adrian Caperna
Our School Board meeting on Monday evening saw Year 6 students, William and Ryan, present their proposal for three new flags and flagpoles. The students lobbied the Federal Member for Sturt, Christopher Pyne MP, to contribute the new flags and he has committed to giving the school Aboriginal, Australian and Torres Strait Islander flags. William and Ryan’s presentation was very professional and well thought out, they asked the Board for funds for the new flag poles and I’m happy to report that the Board approved their proposal. They have also organised for Christopher Pyne to present the flags to the school on National Flag day in September.
Other matters covered during the Meeting included a presentation and report from Fran Dedai on Workplace Health and Safety.
The Board also reviewed and approved a number of important school policies.
Tribute was paid to Fr John and the Board acknowledged the positive impact he had on St Pius X School - his presence will be greatly missed.
Each year, in June and September, Speech and Drama students sit for their AMEB examinations. The exams provide excellent training, bringing added rewards and feedback. The following students were successful in not only passing, but also achieving, a High Credit and Honours.
Voice and Communication, 2ndGrade, Conor W, - High Credit
Drama and Performance, 4th Grade, Mia F - Honours
We are very proud of them and congratulate them for their efforts.
Lois Brimblecombe - Speech and Drama Teacher
St Paul's College - 60th Anniversary Dinner
I invite you to join our 60th Anniversary Gala Dinner on Saturday 25 August at 7pm at Sfera's Convention Centre. The event will bring together six decades of St Paul’s students to celebrate the college’s history, achievements and vision for the future.
We are looking forward to reconnecting with former staff and Old Scholars to share stories of our past and our hopes for the future. The evening will be a wonderful celebration of our successes spanning six decades.
Tickets for this historic occasion are $90 and include a sumptuous three-course dinner, drinks and musical entertainment. Please book for this event via our online booking system or by phoning our Marketing and Communications Manager, Kelly Higgins, on 8334 8348.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Paul Belton Principal, St Paul’s College.