Newsletter Term 1 Week 4, 2025
Acknowledgement of 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
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
I will swallow my pride and congratulate the parents for claiming back the relay title after the teachers won it so convincingly last year.
P & F Footy Tipping
The NRL footy tipping competition starts this weekend. We would love record numbers participating but sadly at this stage numbers are low. I encourage you all to get involved in Parents’ and Friends’ activities and this is one of the easiest - I will actually add $50 of my own to the prize money; I know I’ll go one better this year and win it anyway!
Class Information Evenings and Barbeque
Thanks to all the parents and families who attended the evening, I know not all could be in attendance. If you could not attend please contact your child’s class teacher for the information booklet and any queries you have about the year ahead.
Thanks to the Parents and Friends for organising the barbeque and drinks. We did have the P and F Annual General Meeting at the end of the evening. We discussed many happenings and a plan for the year ahead. Congratulations to all who have taken a seat on our committee. Always remember we are very open to anyone attending the meetings (brief), please keep an eye out for future meetings.
Parent Sacrament Meeting
The meetings regarding the Sacramental program start tomorrow night.
Please read Miss Isbester’s Religion news for all the details around the meeting; we are a Catholic school and as a school we cannot promote and encourage the Sacramental Program enough.
School Photos
School Photos are schduled for the 2nd of April, envolopes will go home today so you are able to place your orders. If you wish to order sibling photos, order envolopes are available at the office. Please ensure you have made your order by the 26th of March.
Have a fantastic week.
Greg Cant
School Principal
Assistant Principal's Address
Naplan
This March, our Year 3 & 5 students will undertake the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN is about assessing learning progress and is not about passing or failing, it is used to monitor and report on student achievement in a comparable and consistent way. NAPLAN tests skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling and numeracy
These assessments are now all online (apart from the Year Three writing) and are automatically tailored to the student. The assessments are undertaken nationwide, every year in March.
NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four areas of:
- Writing
- Reading
- Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
- Numeracy
NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time, through the school curriculum.
If your child would like to have a practice they are available at:
https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
Assessments | Year Three and Five |
Writing | 12th March |
Reading | 13th March |
Language Conventions | 14th March |
Numeracy | 17th March |
School Uniform - Hair
If your child’s hair touches below the collar, it must be tied up neatly. This is not only for a neat appearance, it prevents the spread of headlice!
Hair styles
(from our school Uniform Policy)
The school policy is that the students' hair must be tidy and neither grown nor groomed in an extreme or exaggerated fashion.
Thus the following is not allowed:
Boys Hair Art e.g. pigtails on a close shaved head, names or symbols engraved on head, long hair, colour variations.
Girls - colour variations, hair art e.g. spikes, jewellery in hair
- No Mohawks for girls and boys
- No coloured hair sprays (except on school specified occasions)
- No ornaments in hair except maroon scrunchies, maroon ribbons, maroon headbands
The school reserves the right to determine the appropriate standard of hairstyles at all times.
Jo Taylor
Assistant Principal
RE News
SRC Leadership Induction
This Friday, 28th March, we will be acknowledging the students who are taking up the role of SRC for Semester 1 during our weekly assembly. We congratulate the following students:
Year One - Ollie
Year Two - Eli
Year Three - Desyrae
Year Four - Hugh
Year Five - Timmy
Year Six - Jamie-Lea
SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION SESSIONS
If you wish for your child to receive a sacrament this year be sure to attend one of the information sessions. There will be information sessions for all parents of children who will be making a sacrament this year. The dates of the sessions are:
- Tuesday 25th February 6:30pm, St Brigid’s
- Sunday 2nd March 10am, St Brigid’s
You only need to attend one of these sessions. If you can't attend any of these sessions please contact the Presbytery on 6882 4233 or email Rosalie at sacraments.dubbo@cdob.org.au
MEET 4 MASS
We look forward to joining our children from each class when we Meet 4 Mass, 9am on Sundays. Of course, you are most welcome to join us for Mass any other time as well. Our school community joining our Parish community for Mass is a great way to connect with the families of other class members and a way of fulfilling one of the commitments to being Catholic - coming together to celebrate our faith. Our Term 1 Meet for Mass will be on Sunday 30th March, 9am at St Brigid’s.
TERM 1 DATES to Remember
- Sacramental Parent Meeting - 25th Feb or 2nd Mar
- Ash Wednesday Mass - 5th March
- Meet for Mass - 30th March
Kristy Isbester,
Acting Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X
Sports News
School Swimming Carnival
Big congratulations to McAuley who are the 2025 school swimming carnival champions!
The age champions were: Frankie Lavelle, Brock Ellis, Phoebe Heckendorf, Timmy Peek, Stella Lavelle and Harry Rouse.
Three records were broken on the day: Frankie broke the oldest swimming record we had at SPX (2000) - Junior girls 50m breaststroke taking a whole second off; Phoebe broke two, 11 years 50m freestyle, taking 0.67seconds off and 11 years girls backstroke, taking well over a second off.
A big thank you to all the people parents, grandparents and staff who helped out on the day, without your help these types of days do not happen. It is amazing how many parents attended the carnival, again thank you.
A big congratulations to all students especially the house captains and Year Six, your effort, encouragement and sportsmanship was brilliant.
A note was sent home last week with those students who have gained selection in the school swimming team to represent SPX in Wellington on the 27th February. Please return the permission slip and levy ($10) as soon as possible.
Congratulations to the Parents who took out this year's Parents’ and Teachers’ relay in a very controversial fashion!
Diocesan Rugby League Trials
Those Year Five and Six boys and girls who have shown interest in trialling for the Diocesan winter sporting teams we will be having trials over the coming weeks at school. Rugby League trials will take place at school tomorrow (Tuesday) during the lunch break. Students will need a training shirt or jumper, mouthguard and headgear (no boots).
Trials for Soccer, Netball and Hockey will take place this Friday.
To be eligible to trial students need to be involved in regular competition and understand that these trials provide a pathway to state and nationals. Therefore, if selected families make the commitment to continue along the pathway while ever the student is selected.
Library News
Due to timetable challenges Library classes are a bit mixed up this week again sorry. Tomorrow, Tuesday 25th, there will be lessons for Years 1, 4, 5, 6 and Kindergarten. Thursday will be for Years 2 and 3.
Also, the Collector's Club will transfer to tomorrow as well. I have heaps of spares for those trying to finish their set!
Our first Book Club order has been finalised. Items should arrive in the next fortnight.
Wishing you a great week,
Mr Schwager
Student Wellbeing
At St Pius, our focus values are ‘KIND, CONNECT, RESPECT’. We often refer to these in class and as a whole school.
Starting from this week, and continuing each fortnight, we thought it would be a great idea to acknowledge when we see these important values in our students in their everyday encounters at our school, by placing their photo under one of the value headings.
These photos, (one Infants, one Primary) will be on display near our school cross. Teachers can nominate a student for one of the values they have seen them represent on a consistent basis.
To start us off, we have these well-deserving students:
KIND: Pippa-Year 1
RESPECT: Tim-Year 5
Kind Regards,
David Schwager
P&F News
2025 St Pius P&F NRL Tipping Competition
Competition Infromation
The tipping competition is being run through the website www.itipfooty.com.au
Registration forms to be completed and returned to the school office or emailed to stpiuspandf@gmail.com
Payment of $10 per tipper can be made in cash on return of the registration form to the office, or direct deposit to St Pius X P&F BSB 066-781 Account number 100013706. Please use your tipping name as reference.
Once payment and registration form is received, you will be issued the competition code and password.
Your tipping name can be anything you like, as long as it is not offensive. Illegitimate accounts will be disqualified.
The email address and account name must be the same as what is on the registration form. This is so the winners can be correctly identified.
Competition Rules
1 point for each correct tip.
Perfect round will receive a bonus 2 points (exc split rounds)
Tips must be entered 5 minutes before the start of each game
State of Origin will be included in tipping.
Finals will be included in tipping
Non submission of tips/late joiners will be allocated away games.
Each class can enter the competition and the winning class receives a pizza party at the end of the competition.
St Pius X Dubbo P&F NRL Footy Tipping Registration Form Full Name: ………………………………………………………
Tipping Name: ………………………………………………………
Email: ………………………………………………………
Phone number: ………………………………………………………
Payment Type: CASH / DIRECT DEPOSIT BSB 066-781 ACC 100013706
Kind Regards,
St Pius P&F
Community News
2025 MOORAMBILLA Skills Development Workshop for PRIMARY & SECONDARY STUDENTS Years 3-12 |
Wednesday 5 March 2025 - 3.45pm-5.00pm
Macquarie Conservatorium cnr Darling and Bultje Sts Dubbo
FREE for students attending school years 3-12 who love to sing and dance
- All children attending must register in advance.
- Children MUST be in Year 3 or higher to attend.
- This registration form must be completed by the parent/carer of the child.
- Please provide the following details so you can be contacted if your child is offered a place in the Moorambilla Voices program.
- If you have more than one child attending, please complete a separate form for each child - go back to the link, click on it and start a new form.
Merit Awards
Kinder - Zoe, Winston, Mason, Aiden
Year 1 - Fairen, Princess, Ellie, Declan, Aurora, Reuben
Year 2 - Zack, Paytyn, Landon, Jack, Eli
Year 3 - Kaliysta, Eve, Allie, Lily, Micah, Mele
Year 4 - Frankie, Scarlett, Molly, Walter, Gurjais, Cydi
Year 5 - Keidan, Maddi, Phoebe, Aahana, Lucy
Year 6 - Lizzie, Mason, Stella
Happy Birthday !
Harley 17th
Emerson 19th