Newsletter Term 3 Week 8 ,2024

Welcome to Country

In the Spirit of Reconciliation, the St. Pius X school community recognizes the ongoing role of the traditional custodians of this land, the Tubba-Gah peoples of the Wiradjuri nation. It is on their ancestral lands that we continue our learning journey together.

We extend that respect to Elders, past, present and emerging. Furthermore, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our school community. Acknowledging their presence and spiritual connection to Country.

In the light of faith, we work towards a more accepting and humble school environment for all.

Principal's Address

Letter from Bishop Michael

Please read the letter from Bishop Michael in relation to the Catholic Education Diocese of
Bathurst becoming an incorporated entity.

Behaviour and Wellbeing Policy

The staff have been working on a revised version of our Student Behaviour and Wellbeing
Policy. This policy will be shared with parents and caregivers this week via Compass. Parents
are welcome to make comments or provide feedback on the St Pius X email account:
stpiusdubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au. We hope to implement this policy at the beginning of Term 4.

Uniform

We would just like to remind parents that students are able to wear either their full summer or
full winter uniform. Students should not be wearing a combination of both uniforms, eg. Long
pants and short sleeve shirt or summer tunic with stockings.
We would also like to remind parents that the school will be following our NO HAT NO PLAY
rule to ensure sun safety for all children

School Fees

We would ask all families who are not on a regular payment plan, please finalise any
outstanding fees as soon as possible. If you are having difficulty meeting your fee commitments
or under financial stress, please contact the school to organise an appointment. The school may
be able to provide support.

R U OK Day

On Thursday 12th September the school will be doing a simple activity to highlight the
importance of checking on a friend and it reinforces our values of Kind, Connect and Respect.

Pupil Free Days

The school will be holding a Pupil Free Day on Friday 27th September. This is to allow all
staff to attend their staff retreat with a focus on Aboriginal Spirituality. The school will hold their
final Pupil Free Day on Monday 14th October this will allow staff to undertake professional
development in the area of Literacy. There will be no staff at school during these days.

Important Dates

Thursday 26th September - Year 6 at Gerard Yeo Shield
Thursday 26th September - Last Day School
Friday 27th September - Pupil Free Day
Wednesday 18th September - Stage 3 Debating
Monday 14th October - Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 15th October - First Day of Term 4

Katrina Isbester-Principal

Assistant Principal's Address

Polding Athletics

We wish all the best to Philomena and Amity (Year Four) who are travelling to Newcastle this
week for the Polding Athletics trials. Safe travels and the best of luck.

Greg Cant- Assistant Principal

RE News

Parish Picnic and Meet 4 Mass

Our annual Parish Picnic is 22nd September, following Sunday 9am mass.                           This is also our school’s Meet 4 Mass. It would be wonderful to see families join us for mass and then enjoy the fun activities in the church grounds afterwards. See the flyer below for more details.

Parish Thursday Night Dinner - Year 6 Community Service

On 12th September, Year 6 are invited to perform an act of service for our St Brigid’s community
by serving dinner to our parishioners at their monthly Thursday Night Dinner. This is a wonderful
opportunity for our Year 6 children to learn the value of service to others in a safe environment
and engage with older members of our St Brigid’s parish community.

Preschool Visits- Community Outreach

Our school participates in several community outreach projects to connect us with the broader
community and to help our children build an awareness of life outside their world. One part of
the community we connect with is Dubbo West Preschool. Year 4 & 5 visit the preschool children
throughout Term 3. All the children, both preschool and school, thrive on this experience and
look forward to their visits every week. In turn, the preschool children visit us in Term 4 to help
them connect with a school environment before transitioning into primary school.

Christmas Art Competition

Congratulations to the children whose artwork was selected to be sent to Bathurst for the
Christmas Art Exhibition. A special mention to Elsie Jones, her artwork was the top selection for
St Pius X. All the children put a lot of time and effort into their artwork, with some wonderful
results! Below are a few examples of their wonderful artworks.

Term 3 Dates to Remember

Jo Taylor

 Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X

Student Wellbeing

    Student Wellbeing             

• St Pius Spring Butterfly Tree. When you get a chance, come and admire our Wellbeing Tree near our St Pius Cross. It looks awesome! Each child has placed a butterfly on the tree with something they are proud of written on the wings.
• Rock Snake. I invite families to take part in building our ‘Rock Snake’ that will be slowly growing in our garden bed near the Pick-up gate. Families can purchase a river rock from the Front Office (or bring in one of your own) for a suggested price of $5 (it can certainly be more or less). Then, as a family, decorate your piece of ‘Rocko the Snake” anyway you like. Paints, textas, craft items etc. Put your family name on it if you like. Bring your rock back into school and add it to Rocko’s body. Hopefully we build a cool looking snake! All money raised will go towards our end-of-year Fun Day that all the students will be participating in.
• R U Okay Day? Is on this Thursday. Students and Staff will be participating in some simple activities to remind us it is good to ask for help, and it is good to ask others if they are going okay? Please have a look at the R U Okay? Website for family activities as well.

Wishing everyone a good week,

Mr Schwager (Student Wellbeing Officer)

Merit Awards

Kindergarten- Oliver, James, Eleanor, Maisie, Bo

Year 1-  Ollie, Zack, Mia, Eli, Paytyn

Year 2 -Rori, Amelia, Hugo

Year 3- Meher, Matilda, Riley, Solomon, Cydi, Gurjais, Kinley, Jackson, Henry, Clara, Lachlan

Year 4- Phoebe, Aliza, Chelsea, Grace, Philomena, Maddi, Lawson, Hayden

Year 5- Ali, Parker, Claudia, Kodi, Katelynn, Stella

Year 6- Elsie, Zach, Braithyn, Jayley, Digby R, Abraham 

Happy Birthday !

Ali                                   Travis

Edith                               Isaac

Ivy

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