Newsletter Term 1 Week 6, 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 St Pius X School Community

The second half of Term One is here and with it is the season of Lent. We as a school attended Mass for Ash Wednesday last week, where Fr Greg told us the ashes placed on our foreheads remind us to turn our hearts toward love and service, reflecting on how we can become better people through small daily acts of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion.

NAPLAN Testing Reminder

A reminder that our Years Three and Five students will be starting NAPLAN testing this week. This is an important assessment, and we appreciate your support in ensuring that your children are well-prepared and present on the testing days.

Over the years, we have seen a number of students and parents get quite anxious about these assessments. It is understandable to be a little nervous, all we ask is that our students give it their best efforts. For the Mums and Dads at home, the best way that you can support your children is to reassure them that they just have to try their best. Children are made up of more than an assessment score, we all have our strengths and areas that we can improve. NAPLAN doesn’t capture a sense of humour, social skills, or friendships. It does not focus on our school values; Kind, Connect, Respect. Whilst NAPLAN is an important snapshot of a student's abilities in Literacy and Numeracy (and gives us as a school direction). The best advice we can offer is just do your best. Ensure students have a good sleep the night before, eat breakfast and most of all, not stress or worry about it.

In the media of late, it has made mention that students who consume breakfast, perform better on the assessments.

Building Stronger Community Connections

As a school, we have been exploring ways to strengthen our community engagement. We are fortunate to already collaborate with incredible local groups, such as the Dubbo Parkrun.

Dubbo Parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. Parkrun is five kilometres and takes place every Saturday morning at 8.00am, starting at Sandy Beach.

It is very welcoming and inclusive, there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along.

I have kindly nominated the SPX community to do the volunteering on Saturday 31st May. The duties are simple; taking photos, timekeeping, guiding and encouraging participants or simply walking the course.

It is encouraged (not essential) that you participate in at least one Parkrun before volunteering (many families of SPX already do). To register please use the link; https://www.parkrun.com.au/.

In addition to working with our community, we also want to give back. As the year progresses, St Pius X will be participating in other community events such as; World Clean Up Day (September), church working bee and St Brigid Thursday night dinners. If you have any other ideas please let me know.

We hope this initiative is just the beginning of strengthening our students’ connection to their community and reinforcing the importance of looking after the places in which we live, learn, and play.

Dr Anita Heiss Visit

Dr Anita Heiss is an author of non-fiction, historical fiction, poetry, social commentary and travel articles. She is a regular guest at writers' festivals and travels internationally, performing her work and lecturing on aboriginal literature. We have the pleasure of having her at St Pius X this Friday. Dr Heiss will be hosting a half day writing workshop with our Year Six students.

Parent / Teacher Interviews

Parent / Teacher interviews are set down for 17th to 19th March. Please go to Compass - Conferences to book your interview time. Please not, interview bookings will close this Friday. If you need to change or cancel your time, please ring the office.

Parents and Friends Meeting

The March Parents and Friends meeting took place last Tuesday at Club Dubbo. We had 14 people attend the one hour get together, the best attended meeting in years. I would like to thank all who attended and congratulate the new committee members. Two of the functions discussed were the Easter Egg raffle (please see attached flyer) and the SPX Trivia night (9th May).

Kindergarten Enrolments 2026

We are already getting enrolments for Kindergarten 2026. If you have a child starting in 2026 please have your completed enrolment form to the office as soon as possible. Siblings definitely get preference but we simply need to know to accept other new enrolments. 

St Johns College Visit

Last week we had Mr Justin McCarney (Principal of St John's College) and Mrs Annabelle Morris (Year Six/Seven Transition coordinator) spend time with our Year Six students. Envelopes were handed out to students, please ensure that if your son or daughter is attending SJC in 2026 you read the information thoroughly and adhere to the return date of the forms. If you did not receive an envelope please contact myself or Miss Kristy Isbester.

Save the date: 9th May SPX Trivia night

School Photos

School Photos are schduled for the 2nd of April. If you wish to order sibling photos, order envolopes are available at the office. Please ensure you have placed your order by the 26th of March.

Have a fantastic week.

Greg Cant

School Principal

Assistant Principal's Address

Compass and Attendance

If your child is away from school for any reason, it is a legal requirement to notify school in writing.  The preferred way for you to do this is through the Compass portal.  Roles are marked as soon as the children enter the classroom so please lodge your child’s absence early.

For more information on attendance rules, please follow the link below…

School Attendance - NSW Department of Education

NAPLAN

If your child would like to practice NAPLAN assessments at home, they are available at:

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

Year 3 & 5 test dates…

Ned’s Resiliency Ride

On Wednesday, Mar 19th, NED's Resiliency Ride is coming to our school for a live performance.  NED's Resiliency Ride, is a character education program that centres around three important messages that have lifelong relevance: Never give up, Encourage others and Do your best. During the show, students will learn about the importance of these three life skills while also enjoying storytelling, magic, humor and yo-yo tricks. 

Yo-Yos will then be for sale through the front office for a week after the show.  Please follow the link for prices of Yo-Yos Ned’s Yo-Yos. 

World Down Syndrome Day

Please see the flier below about World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March.  We celebrate this day in special recognition of our greatly valued school member, Riley.  This year we are asking for a gold coin donation to support Down Syndrome research. 

Jo Taylor 

Assistant Principal

RE News

Ash Wednesday Mass

Last Wednesday was a lovely opportunity to come together as a Christian community to celebrate Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Fr Greg left us with a powerful thought, “How can we be messengers of God?” The symbol of the ashes on our foreheads encouraged us to ponder how we can go forth and be the messenger that God hopes us to be. Thank you to those who took up special ministries during the Mass.

Pillars of Lent - What are they?

Prayer is the action that leads people to God. We take time away from the distractions of the world, to turn to God, to contemplate, to listen and talk to Him, to read His words and meditate on them, to be one with Him. Prayer gives meaning to Lenten practices, which should draw us closer to Him.

FASTING is when we think about people who are in need and facing injustice. We fast to go without so that we may reflect on and understand their suffering.

ALMSGIVING is the action that leads Christians to see others, love them, listen to them and give them our time, help, advice, money, shelter, company, affection. It is not limited to giving material goods, it is the gift of self. It is based on Charity, to love God and others as oneself. To give alms is to be united to Christ in his poverty.

Reconciliation Liturgy

As a part of Lent, Fr Nam will be celebrating Reconciliation with Stage 2 (Year 3 & Year 4) and Stage 3 (Year 5 & Year 6). Lent, in its essence, is a journey of repentance . It is a time for us to examine our conscience and acknowledge our shortcomings, and to seek forgiveness from God.

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.

Prayer for Pope Francis

Please pray for health and healing for Pope Francis, entrusting him to the healing care of our Lord so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care, he may come to everlasting life.

Amen

Sacramental Program 2025 - St Brigid's Parish

If you wish for your child to receive a sacrament this year but didn’t attend the Parent Information Session over the past week, please contact the Presbytery on 6882 4233 or email Rosalie at sacraments.dubbo@cdob.org.au

Term 1 Dates to Remember

• Confirmation Enrolment Weekend 29th 6pm/30th March 9am or 6pm
• Meet for Mass - 30th March, 9am

Kristy Isbester

 Acting Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X

Sports News

Diocesan Swimming Carnival

We wish our five students going onto the Diocesan Swimming Carnival this Tuesday all the best. These students are: Timmy Peek, Molly Rouse, Phoebe Heckendorf, Frankie Lavelle and Stella Lavelle.

Diocesan Sports Trials

Congratulations to those students from Year Five and Six who were selected to trial for Diocesan sports teams. These trials take place in Bathurst on the 28th March, but the registrations with Catholic Schools NSW close on the 21st March. If your child is not registered by this date they cannot participate in the trials. An instruction sheet for registering was supplied with the permission note, if you have any issues with the registration please contact the school office. Thanks to those parents who have contacted to let us know their child cannot attend, if other children cannot attend please let us know asap.

Library News

Normal Library Times this week. Wednesday: Kinder, Years 1, 2, 4 and 5. Thursday: Years 3 and 6.

Collector’s Club: Wednesday at lunch.

Book Club Magazines went home last week. Orders due by Thursday March 20th please.

Mr Schwager

School Librarian 

Student Wellbeing

At St Pius X, our focus values are ‘KIND, CONNECT, RESPECT’. We often refer to these in class and as a whole school.

As a staff, we decided it would be a great idea to acknowledge when we see these important values in our students in their everyday encounters at our school, choosen students will have their photo placed 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.

For the next fortnight we have these well-deserving students:

KINDNESS: Molly - Year 4

RESPECT: Harry - Year 1

Wishing you a great week,

 Mr Schwager

Our School News

P&F News

Merit Awards

 Year 1 - Nate, Jack, Ziggy, Estelle, Shaniah, Elsie

Year 2 - Willow, Lilly, Oliver, Sophie

Year 3 - Lily, Charlee, Desyrae, Audrey, Kailey, Evie

Year 4 - Solomon, Jadzia, Henry, Spencer, Isaac

Year 5 - Abigail, Hayden, Philomena, Xanthe, Aliza, Georgia, Grace

Year 6 - Hope, Parker, Amahlii

Happy Birthday !

Harry       1st

Frankie   2nd

Community News