Class Placements for 2020
As per custom, at this time of the year I invite you to inform me (by email) - principal@stpiusx.catholic.edu.au of any information that would be helpful to us as we start the process of planning for classes for 2020. Children will be asked about friendship groups as part of this process but you may have some additional information that will be considered. For obvious reasons it is not appropriate to ‘pick a teacher’ for your child, but more helpful are any concerns that we are not aware of. Sometimes children need a break from each other for a time but, of course, this can not and should not be considered an ongoing expectation.

Our New Building
You would see that we are underway! Our first stage is the development of the large carpark on Hillburn Avenue, to be completed late November. Then we turn our attention to the Acton Avenue carpark and commence work on the 8 new classrooms in and around this space.

During construction there will be times when trucks will be required to deliver and work during peak times. I will be sending alerts to you when these occur. Our builders are aware of our peak traffic times and are committed to being mindful. However, please be aware that there will be increased congestion. For those frustrated by early morning drop off and pick ups, I can only say that it will become even more complex over the next 12 months. Of course we will do our best to mitigate against this, but this is the nature of school re-development.

May I suggest that you leave a little earlier, park a little further away and walk children in for those who can and remember during moments of frustration that the outcome of whole new learning and play spaces is the goal for our deserved children.

Congratulations to our Primary Maths Challenge Students
During Terms 2 and 3 some of our students were involved in the Primary Mathematics Challenge. This is the Premier’s equivalent of the ‘Readers Cup Challenge’ (for mathematics). In the Challenge, teachers and students decide on an inquiry that interests them, the teacher plans for this and explores all the mathematics and numeracy that is involved. The children undertake this inquiry and document their learning and findings. This work is then submitted to The Primary Mathematics Association for judging against entries from other schools across South Australia.

Two classes, one small group and one individual entries from St Pius X School were submitted last Saturday and I am very pleased to say that our school won three State Winner Awards and one Highly Commended. The winning students will be invited to a Presentation Ceremony with the Minister of Education, John Gardner.

Please see the attachment for this week's article

To celebrate and promote an understanding of the diverse cultures in our St Pius X School community, please join us for Culture in a Cup this Friday 25^th October from 9-11am in the DeMazenod Hall.  The morning will provide children and families an opportunity to share and learn about cultural traditions through prayer, food, stories and craft.  Please bring food for the parent morning tea to the Hall on Friday morning.

The event will commence with a whole school Liturgy followed by a parade of students in cultural dress.  Cllassroom activities commence after the litrugy at 10:00am and will include - Receptions - Italy with Signora Seppe in classroom making pasta necklaces, Year 1 - India with Mrs Faronio in the Music room then classrooms, story time and colouring activity, Year 2 - Japan with Ms Cagliuso in classrooms doing Origami, Year 3 and 4 - China/Vietnam with Mrs Phillips in classroom making Chinese/Vietnamese lanterns and Year 5 - Poland with Mrs Jedrzejczak in the De Mazenod Hall for Polish singing and dancing.

We look to forward to sharing the morning with you.