Newsletter Term 3 Week 4, 2025
Acknowledgement of Country
In the Spirit of Reconciliation, the St. Pius X school community recognises 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 St Pius X School Community
“The days tick by and you just expect they will keep on coming, until the unexpected happens. That’s the thing about life; it is fragile, precious and unpredictable and each day is a gift, not a given right.”
Holly Butcher
Thoughts and prayers are with the extended Hangan family at this extremely tough time.
Practicum Student
We welcome Miss Kate Leonard (returning ex-student, class of 2015) back to St Pius X, who is joining Year Four for three weeks on a teaching placement. Have a wonderful three weeks Kate.
NAIDOC Day
Well done to Miss Dannah Garling for a very successful NAIDOC day last week. Your hard work and organisation of the day was very evident. Thanks to Miss Kristy Isbester, Mrs Suellen Hart and other staff for your support.
St Laurences’ Soccer Gala Day
We had 12 teams and just as many teachers attend last Friday’s annual St Laurences’ Soccer Gala Day. From all reports the day was a success, apart from the miserable weather. Thanks to all staff who attended and Mrs Jo Taylor who oversaw the day.
Congratulations to Miss Monique Donoghue and Staff of St Laurences for their hard work.
Canberra Excursion
Years Five and Six will be in Canberra this week (Monday to Thursday) for their Stage Three Canberra Excursion.
Mrs Michelle Carr, Mrs Aimee Rose, Miss Charli Goodwin and myself will be attending with the students.
P and F Meeting
Last Tuesday night’s Parents and Friends meeting has been postponed to Tuesday 19th August. Again, I invite you all to our July / August Parents and Friends meeting to be held at Club Dubbo from 6.00pm.
Have a great week.
Greg Cant
Assistant Principal's Address
Lost Property
Our lost property box is full! We are reminding children to go and look for lost property in the Lost Property Box’ but unless items are clearly labelled, the children find it difficult to identify their clothing. Please clearly label all items of clothing for a quick and easy return to the owner.
Compass & Attendance
A reminder about the importance of registering a reason in Compass for your child’s absence.
A written valid reason explaining your child's absence from school is required to fulfill legal obligations and ensure the school maintains accurate records of student attendance.
Here's why it's important:
- Legal Requirement:
The Education Act 1990 (NSW) mandates that parents explain their child's absences. - Accurate Record Keeping:
Schools maintain attendance registers, which are legal documents, this includes a valid reason. - Tracking and Intervention:
Notifying the school and providing a reason allows them to track attendance patterns and identify students who may be at risk of falling behind or needing support. - Health and Safety:
In cases of illness, providing a note or medical certificate helps the school manage potential outbreaks and ensure student safety. - Justified vs. Unjustified Absences:
Schools classify absences as either justified (with a valid reason) or unjustified, and notes help them determine this classification. - Avoiding Truancy:
By providing a reason, parents help the school understand the absence and avoid potential truancy issues.
In essence, the note serves as a formal way to explain your child's absence, ensuring the school has a complete and accurate record of their attendance, which is crucial for their learning and well-being. For more information, please refer to the Department of Education guidelines Information for Parents
RE News
Year 3 - First Eucharist Session
The final preparation session for the Sacrament of First Eucharist will be held this week. The sessions are held at St Brigids Hall and are repeated 3 times in the week to help with managing busy schedules. Only 1 session needs to be attended each week.
- Session 3 - Tuesday 12th August 6:15pm or Wednesday 13th August 4:30pm or Sunday 17th August 10am.
THANK YOU - NAIDOC Day Liturgy
Last week, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and Mrs Garling led a beautiful and meaningful liturgy, sharing their culture and spirituality with the school community. We thank them for their leadership and the powerful way they helped us reflect on faith, identity, and unity.
Mass of the Assumption Mass
On Friday, 15th August (Week 4) our school community will gather to celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this joyful Mass, we reflect on Mary's faithful "yes" to God and her glorious entrance into Heaven. It will be a special time of prayer, reverence, and unity as we honored our Mother and her example of hope and discipleship. Parents and friends are welcome to join us at St Brigid, 10am.
Stage 3 Christmas Art
Last week, our Stage 3 Christmas Art Exhibition was displayed in the hall. The students did a great job depicting the scripture in artform. Each child in the school contributed to selecting those students who will go on to be a part of the Diocesan Exhibition in September.
Congratulations to Keiden, Phoebe, Nyola and Olivia T in Year 5 and Jamie-Lea, Katelynn, Amahlii and Holly in Year 6, whose artworks were chosen.
TERM 3 DATES to Remember
- First Eucharist Session (Year 3 First Eucharist Candidates) - Tuesday 5th August 6:15pm or Wednesday 6th August 4:30pm or Sunday 10th August 10am.
- Mass of the Assumption, Friday 15th August, 10am, St Brigid’s - Parents and friends welcome to attend (Week 4)
Kristy Isbester
Acting Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X
Sport News
Western Region Athletics Carnival
Well done to all 53 athletes who took part in last week's Western Region Athletics carnival. Results and notes for the Diocesan Carnival (22nd August) will go home this week. Special mention to Amity P who broke the 11 Years girls 1500m record. Thanks to all for their hard work and support on the day.
Rugby Union Clinics
Continuing for the remainder of the term (Tuesdays) all classes will be participating in Rugby Union clinics thanks to NSW Rugby Union.
Dubbo Stampede
With five weeks to go, it's time to register for the Dubbo Stampede again!
On Sunday 7th September the infamous annual running / walking festival will be held. This year is different in that it will start at Ollie Robins Oval. Choose between the 5.3km, 10km, 21.1km or for those who are really up for a challenge, 42.2km. There will also be a new category of the Meerkat Mile, aimed at 5 -12 year olds.
Most of all it's a great opportunity for a great day out as a family to enjoy the sunshine and start Father’s Day with a bang!
Since 2022, St Pius X have won the school category for the most entries, an easy $500 that goes back into the school. Last year the school also gave the participants a $10 voucher to spend at Burgies. We are hoping to do it all again!! All you need to do is when you register, nominate St Pius X as your school. You can even get your friends and family to do the same.
Soccer Gala Day
Kinder to Year 3 enjoyed a soccer gala day last Friday. Despite the weather, the children all had a wonderful day full of soccer, socialising and of course, the canteen!
Thank you to all our parents who were able to help out at the Soccer Carnival last Friday, participating in events like this wouldn't be possible without your support.
We have a box of lost property in the office if your child is missing any items from the day.
Library News
Book Week 2025
The annual Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book Week is on next week, and this year’s theme is: Book an Adventure!
The students will be participating in various activities, including a Book Week Art Competition, while we wait for the announcements of the CBCA winners of each section towards the end of this week.
The highlight of the week for many of our students will be our Book Character Parade which will be held on Tuesday 19th August at 10am.
Students are invited to come to school dressed as one of their favourite book characters. It would be great if they could also have a copy of the book or a print out of the cover of the book that the character comes from. Hey, and brave parents are welcome to get dressed up too!
Classes will take turns going on ‘parade’ and, if confident enough, can announce their character and book on the microphone. (Assistance provided for those who aren’t up to it!)
We will have some guest judges to award prizes, including Dugald Saunders, our Member for the Dubbo Electorate and Leader of the NSW National Party.
We also have a free “ Match the Book with the Staff Member” Competition. I promised the students some clues, so here they are:
- Mrs Smith likes to travel to strange places.
- Mrs Buckland is always hungry.
- Mrs Harper likes to dream about horses.
- Mr Cant can be a bit of a Grub.
- And everyone wishes Mrs Meredith would move far, far away!
No student has got it right yet, so everyone is allowed to re-enter.
Looking forward to celebrating the importance of books in our lives!
Library Monitors:
Congratulations to these students who will be our new Library Monitors for the remainder of the year:
Year 3: Evie Davidson and Evie Towns
Year 4: Isaac Gordon and Jadzia Fairbank
Year 5: Hayden Clark and Dustyn Ritchie
Year 6: Holly Ellis and Stella Lavelle
Kind Regards, Mr Schwager (Teacher/Librarian)
Merit Awards
Kindergarten - Aiden, Ridwik, Isabella
Year 1 - April, Elsie, Estelle, Pippa, Fairen
Year 3 - Emily, Kailey, Eve, Hugo
Year 6 - Kodi, Amahlii, Kimberley, Jamie-Lea
Happy Birthday !
Maddison 4th Eve 10th
Olypmpia 8th Harrison 10th
Pippa 8th Nate 10th
Elsie 9th Micah 10th