Newsletter Term 1 Week 7, 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,
We often hear the phrase we are the Lucky Country and indeed we have much to be thankful for. However, there are people across the Nation and in our world who need our prayers. So I ask that you keep in your prayers…
The people recovering from Cyclone Alfred.
The people of Ukraine.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who is very unwell and undergoing treatment for double pneumonia.
Parent / Teacher Interviews
This week we will be hosting Parent and Teacher interviews. This will be an opportune time to more formally meet with your child’s/ren’s teacher/s and discuss the progress of your child/ren. A reminder that each of these interviews are for ten minutes, if you feel you require more time please contact your child’s/rens teacher/s for a more appropriate time.
NAPLAN Testing
NAPLAN commenced last week and will be completed this week. The students in Year Three and Year Five have been settled and calm as they undertake these assessments that provide a snapshot of their learning.
Building Stronger Community Connections
I have kindly nominated the SPX community to do the volunteering for the Dubbo Park Run 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/.
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.
If you are interested and able to help out on the day could you please let the office know.
stpiusdubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au
Dr Anita Heiss Visit to Year SIx
Author Dr Anita Heiss, spent half a day with our Year Six class on Friday and from reports the class took a lot out of the time with this renowned author. Dr Heiss stated, ‘I don’t think I have spent time with a better class or teacher’. Wow, well done to our school leaders and Miss Isbester.
Allergies - Nut Free School!
There are several students with severe allergies to peanuts and cashews. These allergic reactions can occur through ingesting and indirect contact. To ensure students are safe, we ask parents and carers to avoid where possible sending any products containing the above items. Education is key here, so it is important that you talk with your child about reasons why this is important and ensure they too understand.
Dr Justin Coulson Visit
Dr Justin Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s “Parental Guidance” and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au. He holds a PhD in Psychology and is one of Australia’s most trusted parenting experts. Dr Justin Coulson is visiting St Johns College on the 5th May and our community is invited to attend his presentation in the evening. Also, if you have any themes in which you would like him to focus on please let me know. More information to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M4rQtTS7VQ
Save the dates: 5th May Dr Justin Coulson SJC & 9th May SPX Trivia night
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.
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
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.
Naplan
Our Year 3 & Year 5 students sat their last NAPALN test today. A special shout out to these students, who engaged with these tests wholeheartedly and gave their best effort.
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 wear your ‘crazy socks’ to school. This donation will be used to support Down Syndrome research.
Jo Taylor
Assistant Principal
RE News
St Patrick’s Day - 17th March
Today, all around the world, millions of people celebrate the life of St Patrick whose deep faith brought Christianity to Ireland. His example continues to burn bright in the hearts of people who know of his deeds. On this day we celebrate a great follower of Jesus: we celebrate with great people and we ask God to bless the land of St Patrick with love and peace.
In troubled times, Patrick bravely reached out to people in need. Against the will of the leaders of the country, Patrick lit large fires to bring people to him so that he could tell them of God’s great love for them.
World Down Syndrome Day
This Friday, on the 21st March we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. All of St Pius X is invited to join in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day by wearing your craziest socks to school! To support this great cause we ask each student to bring a gold coin donation.
Holy Thursday Mass - Confirmation Candidates
The Parish has reached out with an opportunity for our Confirmation candidates this year. A candidate from each school has been invited to be a part of the liturgy to process in with the Oil of Chrism at 6pm Mass Holy Thursday, 17th April. If you would like your child to take up this invitation they would be required to come for a quick practice on Tuesday 15th April approximately 6pm straight after Mass. They have also asked if they could be at Church by 5.30 on the Thursday. Take note that this is in the first week of the school holidays.
Please let me know if you would like your child involved in this special liturgy by Tuesday 18th March 2025 and I will pass on your details to the Liturgy Coordinator at St Brigid's.
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.
Term 1 Dates to Remember
- World Down Syndrome Day, Fri 21st March
- Confirmation Enrolment Weekend Sat 29th 6pm/Sun 30th March 9am or 6pm
- Meet for Mass - Sun 30th March, 9am
Kristy Isbester
Acting Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X
Sports News
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.
Admin News
This is a reminder to all our families that the first Fee Instalment payment is due by 14 March 25.
If you have arranged a Direct Debit or Bpay with the school, then this doesn’t apply as your weekly or fortnightly payments have been set to continue until the end of the year.
If you don’t have an arrangement for payment of your fees or you require assistance regarding health care cards or financial assistance due to hardship please contact the Fee Liaison Officer at CEDB on 0427193571 or flocedb@bth.catholic.edu.au to make arrangements for your fee payments.
● For families who have an eligible Health Care Card, we are able to offer a 30% discount on school fees.
Our School News
P&F News
Merit Awards
Kinder - Charlotte, Sully, Eddie, Bodhi, Hunter
Year 1 - April, Freya, Emerson, Eleanor, Pippa, Fairen
Year 2 - Oliver, Noah, Olympia, Aidan
Year 4 - Jackson, Harley, Riley, Brock, Hugh
Year 5 - Ella, Lawson, Chelsea, Dustyn, Olivia
Year 6 - Almirah, Claudia, Kodi, Lace
Happy Birthday !
Landon 4th
Masie 9th
Jamie-Lea 9th
Community News
