Dear Families,
Today we had our first experience of NAPLAN online. Our Year 5 students had a Narrative to write using their computer in a “Locked down Browser’. This means that they were not able to access the internet or any editing tools such as dictionary and grammar check. I was interested to see how the students managed their typing skills but they reported that most were happier to write online rather than print. I believe that the students will need to develop better touch typing skills and this is currently being looked into.

Be You Project
We are also currently working on strategies to support our families of various nationalities, some of whom are new to Australia. As part of the Be You project we are looking at ways of being more inclusive and welcoming to our families. At our Board Meeting last evening we discussed opportunities for our cultural groups to be more connected through a person(s) from each group nominating to be a key contact, providing information hopefully in their particular language to ensure all of our families engage more fully in the school.

If you have any thoughts on developing this further, or you would like to be a key contact representing a nationality, please contact me.  We have 22 different Nationalities represented in our families and we are very proud of the richness that each brings.  Please find an invitation in this Newsletter to part of the Be You Action Team to ensure this project is a great success. If you have an interest in Community Health and Well Being and are able to meet approximately twice per term you would be most welcome.

Car Parking
I mentioned on Assembly that I’ve had a very upset neighbour stating that on 3 occasions our parent’s cars have blocked his driveway. Please be respectful and follow the road rules at all times. I have informed our Council who will be out to fine offenders, so be warned.

Mother's Day Thank you
Thankyou to our wonderful P&F Committee and volunteers for making the Mothers Day stall such a success. The gifts were beautiful. Also thanks to Des Henthorn and the Year 6 team for organising the beautiful High Tea for our Year 6 mums. I feel that this will become a tradition at the school! Now we start thinking about Fathers Day….

God Bless.

Last weekend’s Gospel reminds us of God’s unfailing love for each of us. The image of the Good Shepherd is one of my favourite images of God – a loving shepherd who knows each of us deeply. What a beautifully timed Gospel passage for Mother’s Day!

I always say that my mum is the closest image of God that I will ever know. Her patience, calmness, love, generosity and peaceful presence radiate God’s goodness in our family. Our mums here at Saint Pius X do the same. I see this when I’m on yard duty before and after school - the excitement the children exude when mums come to pick them up is truly beautiful. Mums, I hope your special day was filled with love, joy and peace. You are loved not only by your family, but by our whole community. I thank you for all you do.

On Saturday 25^th May, our Year 4 students will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation at Saint Pius X Church. Please continue to keep them in your prayers during this time. I remind families of these students that the ‘Confirmation Card’ must be returned to school by next Wednesday, 22^nd May.

On Tuesday 21^st May, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Eugene DeMazenod – the founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. We are blessed to have the “Oblates” ministering in our parish and thank them for the wonderful work they continue to do. We will be celebrating with a whole school Mass in the Hall at 11:30am on this day. All members of our school and parish community are welcome to join us for this special feast day. 

I pray that the week ahead brings many blessings for you all.

St Pius X school is currently in the process of establishing an Action Team as a way of launching the Be You initiative (formally Kidsmatter ). This year the focus will be on Building Community Well Being. 

What is Be You?

Be You is a national initiative for educators, aimed at promoting and protecting positive mental health in children. The Be You vision is for an education system in which every learning community is positive, inclusive and resilient, and where every child, young person, staff member, and family can achieve their best possible mental health.

What Does the Action Team Do?

The St Pius X Action Team is focused towards enhancing the mental health and wellbeing of our students and ensuring our school is welcoming and inclusive for all.  The Action Team drives and steers projects. The Team will be a small, diverse, hardworking group consisting of leadership, staff, students and parents.

As a member of the St Pius X Action Team you would be expected to attend meetings, no more than twice a term, as negotiated with the Committee. 

The first meeting of the Team will be held on - Tuesday 4th June at 7.45am – please meet us in the Courtyard.

If you have any questions, enquiries or are considering joining the team, please contact Eugenia Saccardo  at esaccard@stpiusx.catholic.edu.au

Federal Election Update - Make your vote count for your child’s education

As we head towards a Federal Election, parents are encouraged to consider how each political party is promising to support our Catholic schools.

The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has asked the major political parties to respond to specific questions regarding Catholic education.

Please go to the Catholic Education South Australia website to:

• Explore the Federal Election Party Promises
• Explore other resources

To find out more go to:  www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/news/federal-election-2019

Please visit the link for this week's Election 2019 Edition from Catholic Education - https://ncec.schoolzineplus.com/newsletter/57569

TUITION FEES TERM 2
Term 2 Tuition Fees were due and payable by last Friday, 10th May.  If you have entered into a part time agreement to pay your fees over the whole year this due date does not apply.   If you were unable to meet this deadline, please do not hesitate to contact me and part time arrangements can be made.  For parent’s convenience, EFT, BPay, Visa and Mastercard are available.  Some parents omitted to pay the Building Levy and Year Book in the first term so this amount is due in Term 2.  If unsure of the amount due, please contact me and I can discuss this with you. If you wish to pay your fees with internet banking, please ensure that you use the new BPAY ID number which can be found at the bottom of your statement.  If paying by Direct Transfer of Funds then please use the Account Number at the top of your statement. If you are holders of a Health Care Card you may be eligible for School Card and therefore Fee Remission.  Please see me if you feel you may meet the criteria or have any queries relating to fees. Thank you.

Congratulations to Matthew in Year 6A who has been selected to represent School Sport SA at the forthcoming School Sport Australia 12 and under swimming team championships. These championships will be held in Melbourne from the 31 July to 2 August 2019.  What a fantastic achievement Matt!!

Please note this is an overview of topics discussed only. See full minutes for details on each topic covered (available on request - pandf@stpiusx.catholic.edu.au).

ATTENDEES
Greg Parker (Principal), Des Henthorn (Deputy principal), Jodie Fitzgerald (co-president), Rachel Stone (co-president), Nadia Pryzibilla (Secretary), Shani Wallace-Groves, Cherelle Kovias

PRINCIPAL/DEPUTY PRINCIPAL UPDATE  (see full minutes for details)
Opened by Greg Parker.

• Greg spoke about feedback from the Uniform Active Wear decision. A Uniform Forum information session night to be arranged for parents to hear more about how the decision was made and voice any queries with the broader community. 
• The school will continue to promote SchoolZine app as a key communication tool for our community.
• Greg discussed our current building plans - these have been submitted to Council
• ‘Initial Lit’ program Reception and Year 1 is operating with great feedback from teachers

(See full minutes for details)

Updates of actions from previous Meeting:  (see full minutes for details)

• Issues with P&F emails worked on by Des and Chris Hyde – to be re-addresses as emails are now coming through to P&F, but sender may get a pop message that says it didn’t go through (more details in section below)
• Use of SchoolZine app and instructions for downloading on to digital devices have been promoted on SchoolZine, paper hand out, St Pius FaceBook page, school website and in newsletter
• Des promoted the 1st April morning P&F meeting on SchoolZine several times
• Des and Greg have started working on seeing if it is possible to enable permission forms to be digitised and accessed via app, website or SchoolZine app (and absentee forms etc) - unsure if can find a way to achieve this while still maintaining safety and minimising security risks
• Reception teachers are all using an app for communication (eg SeeSaw), Des to follow up with Year 1 teachers also. Parent Class Rep role therefore not required (more details in section below)An interim calendar of events has been put forward with potential dates (more details in section below).
• Athletes Foot that they are still happy to keep the school shoe purchase scheme running this year (more details in section below)
• Trish Smith has confirmed ‘Knights of the Southern Cross’ to run the BBQ at the federal election (more details in section below)
• Jodie and Rachel have ordered stock for Mother’s Day stall (more details in section below)

Discussions/suggestions made – (see full minutes for details)
Governance of P&F Meetings - Discussion regarding when P&F meeting minutes can be released to the school community. The full approval of minutes need to be approved at the next meeting , though an interim/draft minutes may be released prior to the following meeting allowing parents to know what has been discussed before the next meeting occurs.
Minutes from last Meeting (5^th March) approved for distribution. Des to post on to SchoolZine app (a condensed version for those wanting an overview, with the full version for those wanting to read all the details available upon request), Nadia to email to P&F distribution list [ACTION]
Daytime Meetings for P&F Meetings - This meeting was held as a daytime meeting as a trial, unfortunately attendance was not as high as anticipated. The next meeting will be an evening one, but we will hold one more day time meeting for the following one to see if can get more attendees. If not, then will remain evening meetings.
P&F Email - Des and IT support need to continue to work on getting the bugs fixed with the P&F email not working properly (currently test emails being sent are being received by P&F, but the sender may get a pop-up window saying the email cannot go through)
Calendar of Events - Interim calendar of events put forward (see attachment). NOTE: dates and specifics of events may be subject to change as required. No date has been set as yet for the end of year Community Event – Des and Greg to workshop a date as soon as possible
Community Survey - A Survey will be run in Term 2 to gain feedback from the school community regarding the Community Event at the end of the year. Short survey, roughly 6-8 well worded questions to ensure a good understanding of parent’s opinions is captured. Potentially include specific questions about stalls wanted. Survey could also ask for suggestions of what to put any funds raised this year towards.
Gala Day/Twilight Gala (Community Event) - Currently working with this being a twilight event with some stalls run by the school and others run by outside vendors for a fee. If held on a Friday evening may conclude school early that day to allow for vendors to come onto school grounds. Greg and Des to finalise a date. Key focus of Gala Day/Community Day on community (not fundraising), promotion school to potential new enrolments, and enjoyment by attendees. Leadership to highlight that the community event is a part of the school year and that attendance by the children is expected, including for any potential performances.
Volunteering App - Discussed utilising an app for digital volunteering for events – to be looked in to further.

Events (see full minutes for details)

Mother’s Day Stall – Friday 10^th May (Week2, Term 2). Cherelle Kovias has volunteered to be lead coordinator with support from Jodie Fitzgerald and Rachel Stone. Volunteers needed for helping to wrap gifts and sort into class boxes ready for the stall – arranged for Thursday 2^nd May (Week 1, Term2). Volunteers needed for helping to run the stall on the day, Friday 10^th May. Reception to Year 2s will celebrate with their special female role models on Fri 10^th May from 9-10:30am. Nev and Tania Ferraretto will be working with the Year 6s to host a ‘High tea’ for their special female role models. Preparations will be on Thurs 9^th May with the High Tea held on Fri 10^th May from 9-10:30am.
Federal Election BBQ  - Sat 18^th May (end of Week 3, Term2) - Trish Smith confirmed prior to meeting that ‘Knights of the Southern Cross’ will run the BBQ at the federal election.  To follow up regarding details of arrangement to know what we will need to supply (BBQ, meat drinks etc).
Dad social events - Nadia to research potential of hosting a fundraiser at Escaplex (maximum numbers able to participate, costs involved) Jodie to research potential of hosting a fundraiser at Mega Courts
Quiz Night Sat 15th June (End of Week 7, Term 2) - Confirmed date for Sat 15th June. Nev’s Quiz team ‘Do You Quiz On First Dates’ to host. Quiz night theme still to be decided. Volunteer needed to coordinate the night. Need volunteers to start asking local businesses for donations for prizes. Letters to hand out to businesses when asking to be left at Front Reception for volunteers to use Donations can be large or small (small items can be grouped together). Businesses can have their business name promoted on the night by being displayed on an ‘acknowledgement’ board and will receive a thank you letter after the Quiz Night. Any donations can be left at Front Reception. A list of businesses already approached will be kept (potentially at Front Reception) with the hope to minimise businesses being asked multiple times. Local area around the school are normally approached (including Windsor Gardens, Northgate, Greenacres, Gilles Plains, Walkerville, etc). 

General Business/other  (see full minutes for details) - Next P&F Meeting (and Uniform Forum) Tuesday 7^th May (Week 2, Term 2). Scheduled for 7:15pm Tuesday in Activity Room/OSHC (unless expected numbers requires change of venue to DeMazenod Hall). To follow directly after the Uniform Forum which is scheduled 6:30pm. All encouraged to stay for the P&F meeting to be part of the discussion.
Online Permission Forms -Des and Greg to work on enabling permission forms to be digitised and accessed via through SchoolZine app (and absentee forms etc). Unsure if can find a way to achieve this while still maintaining safety and minimising security risks.
Parent Class Representatives - Previous discussion deemed the role is not necessary for older year levels. Des has spoken to the Reception teachers and all are using an app for communication (eg SeeSaw). Des to follow up with Year 1 teachers about use of a communication app for their classroom. Therefore, Parent Class Rep initiative will not be utilised this year.
Athletes Foot Promotion - Athletes Foot will donate $5 from every school shoe bought from Athletes Foot TTP when St Pius X school is mentioned. Athletes Foot would like to arrange to them to come in to run ‘how to tie your shoelace’ or similar program for the kids
Possibilty of Cultural Events - Discussed a widening of variety of the events in the school calendar. Potentially may encourage those who haven’t attended past events to come along. Some suggestions included a cultural evening (bring a plate of food from your culture, wear national attire, perform cultural dances etc). Discussed potential for cultural event on Harmony Day next year. Potential for arranging a cultural event close to Diwali (late Oct). Need to find potential volunteers to brainstorm ideas and coordinate event Potential room on survey for these suggestions as well as through normal P&F channels (P&F email address, in person to P&F committee members or leadership, attending P&F meetings).
Entertainment Books - Entertainment Book fundraising is in motion and has been promoted in school newsletter/SchoolZine, and promotional posters have been put up around school. Nadia Pryzibilla is point of contact person for the school. Books are available as a ‘print’ option (physical book) or ‘digital’ (use of smart phone app). Cost for either option is $70, with $14 going directly back to the school. We are planning on putting any raised funds towards future Literacy programs and Nature Play spaces. As with previous years, Entertainment Books will be sent home to families in white named envelopes for families to look through and decide to either pay for the book and keep, or return back to the school if do not want to purchase or if you would prefer digital copy. Letters to be sent home to parents with tear off slips to order Entertainment books, or to opt-out of having a print book sent home in May. Those who return opt-pout slips will have their names moved from the list and won’t receive Entertainment Books when they are sent home. Mon 1^st April: Opt-out letters to go home Wed 15^th March: Entertainment Books will arrive at school and received by Nadia. Volunteers needed to help deliver books to classrooms

Finance  - None discussed
Actions: (See full minutes for details)
Meeting concluded: 10:15am
Next Meeting: 7:15pm Tues 7^th May in Activity (OSHC) room - (directly following Uniform Forum commencing at 6:30pm)  *numbers attending may require change of venue to DeMazenod Hall)

P&F email Address: pandf@stpiusx.catholic.edu.au