Newsletter Term 2 Week 3, 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,
Week Three is here and it is Catholic Schools’ Week, please read Miss Isbester’s section of the newsletter so we can all support the events of the week.
Hope every Mother was spoiled yesterday.
Catholic Schools’ Week
In Week Three, we celebrate Catholic Education Week, a special time to reflect on the unique gift of Catholic education in our community. This year’s theme, Guided by Faith. Inspired by Hope, Committed to Learning, invites us to nurture the gifts within each child and help them grow in faith, love, and purpose. Throughout the week, our students will participate in a variety of joyful, reflective, and community-building activities. These events highlight the spirit of Catholic education, one that encourages kindness, connection, respect and hope for the future.
Justin Coulson
Thanks to those parents and teachers who were able to come along to the Justin Coulson evening last week. It was a very insightful evening and we thank the CCSP (Council of Catholic School Parents) and St John’s College for hosting the evening.
SPX Parents and Friends Trivia Night
Thanks to the Parents and Friends for hosting a great Trivia night last Friday. 88 tickets were sold and it was a wonderful school community event. Congratulations to Tracey and Adrian Whitehead’s table on their convincing victory and as usual the Teachers came last!
Annual School Improvement Surveys
I would like to inform you that our school will be asking all parents, students and staff to complete the Annual School Improvement Survey. The Surveys will be distributed to all staff, parents and Year 5-12 students on Thursday 8th May (Wk 2, Term2).
These surveys enable all members of the school community to have a voice. We do take note of all comments written as they are valuable insights from key stakeholders of the school. The comments and data provides information about how well the school is operating, highlighting areas of strengths and those that may need revision. Overall, the data collected from the surveys provide highly valuable information that directs the school's future planning for continual improvement.
SPX - ParkRun
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/.
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
Have a great week.
Greg Cant
Assistant Principal's Address
Walk Safely to School Day
This Friday, 16th May is Walk Safely to School Day. If you are able to, it would be a great opportunity to walk your child/ren to school on this day or even team up with families that live close by. This is also a great reminder to brush up on road safety rules with your child/ren.
Being active every day has many social, emotional, physical and mental health benefits. It also helps concentration and improves overall fitness.
Attendance
Jo Taylor
Assistant Principal
RE News
Meet the New Pope: Pope Leo XIV
The Catholic Church has a new leader—Pope Leo XIV. Elected in 2025, he succeeds Pope Francis and brings a fresh perspective to the Papacy. Known for his deep compassion, commitment to social justice, and efforts to bridge divides between cultures and faiths, Pope Leo XIV emphasizes humility, peace, and care for the environment. With a background in theology and decades of service to the Church, he is seen as a unifying figure for Catholics around the world. As Pope, he has expressed a strong desire to engage young people and make the Church more accessible and relevant to today's global challenges.
A Prayer for Pope Leo XIV
Heavenly Father,
You have called forth a new shepherd to guide Your Church,
Bless our Holy Father with wisdom, courage and tender love for your people.
Grant him strength to lead, clarity to speak the truth, and humility to walk with the lowly.
May he be a Father to the faithful,
A voice to the voiceless,
A beacon for the weary.
And may we, your sons and daughters, open our hearts to this new chapter in the Church,
With renewed trust that You are always at work.
Pray for our new Pope ana pray for us.
Amen.
Special event - Council of Catholic School Parents
The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT is pleased to announce a special event running on the night of Tuesday 27 May at 7pm to celebrate the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly. Bishop Brian Mascord, Bishop of the Diocese of Wollongong, will read The Parable of the Lost Sheep online – a book reading designed to promote reading at home. The first 100 registrations will receive a copy of the book, a tipsheet about home reading and a fridge magnet with reading at home tips for parents and carers.
REGISTER HERE: Click to register
The video is delightful, and Bishop Brian speaks a little at the beginning about what a Bishop does. We would love you to join us and Bishop Brian on the night with your family for this special book reading of The Parable of the Lost Sheep.
A link will be sent to your registered email address on the day of the webinar.
Catholic Schools Week
This week our school community has been celebrating Catholic SchoolsWeek. The theme for this year’s celebrations is:
Guided by Faith. Inspired by Hope, Committed to Learning.
Throughout the week students will have the opportunity to explore this theme by participating in a range of activities. Catholic Schools Week is about strengthening relationships between all those who make our school the wonderful community that it is – students, staff, families, priests, parishioners, and members of the wider community. Families are warmly invited to embrace this week as an opportunity to also recognise and celebrate the Catholic faith in your own home.
This can be done in small ways,by asking your child about their participation in the Catholic Schools Week activities at school, praying before meals or before bed throughout the week or attending Mass on Sunday as a family. Our school has a supportive community of teachers, parents, carers, P&F, clergy, parishioners and support staff who work together to focus on giving students the best education possible, encouraging success, promoting discipline, supporting creativity and instilling compassion. As an entire school community, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support of St Pius X.
Catholic Schools Week 2025 ‘Guided by Faith. Inspired by Hope, Committed to Learning’ | |
Monday 12th May | Classroom activity - Me and My Hopes |
Tuesday 13th May | Saint Day - dress-up day Peer Support Session - Celebrating our school |
Wednesday 14th May | Classroom Activity - My Church Community |
Thursday 15th May | CSW Liturgy - 12noon |
Friday 16th May | Peer Support Session - Indigenous Games |
Confirmation Enrolment Weekend
This coming weekend is the first of the enrolment weekends for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The candidates and their families are asked to come along to one of the parish masses - Saturday 17th May (5 pm)/Sunday 18th May (9 am or 5 pm).
TERM 2 DATES to Remember
- Catholic Schools Week Liturgy, Thursday 15th May, 12noon (Week 3)
- Confirmation Enrolment Weekend Saturday 17th May (5 pm)/Sunday 18th May (9 am or 5 pm) or Saturday 24th May (5 pm)/Sunday 25th May (9 am or 5 pm)
Kristy Isbester
Acting Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X
Library News
Book Club orders close tomorrow 13th May. The easiest way to order is online. Cash and coins are still welcome, as some students like to use their pocket money, but please make sure money orders come in a clearly marked envelope with details correctly filled-out.
Last week, I sent home Overdue Book notices. Please make an effort to locate these and return them so that others may enjoy these books.
Wishing you a great week,
Mr Schwager
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. For the next fortnight we have these well-deserving students nominated by staff for consistently displaying these values:
Kindness: Zoe - Kindergarten
Connecting: Claudia - Year 6
Year 3 students presented a song last week to the school on the themes of:
- Don’t judge yourself or others too harshly
- Be positive and self-loving
- And you have your whole life in front of you. Enjoy it!
The performance is on our school’s Facebook page if you’d like to view it. The song is ‘Unwritten’ by Natasha Bedingfield.
Kind Regards, Mr Schwager
Sports News
Diocesan Cross Country
A big congratulations to the group of St Pius X students who travelled to Coolah last week, thanks to the many parents for your support.
There were some outstanding performances on the day, Amity (1st) 11 Years girls and Estelle Yr 4 (4th) in the 10 years girls.
These two have gained selection in the Diocesan squad with their top eight positions and will now travel down to Eastern Creek for the NSW PSSA level later in the term.
Winter PSSA Sport
PSSA sport for Term Two started last Friday (week two) and will conclude on Friday week nine. We will be leaving school at 11 a.m and returning at around 1.00 p.m. PSSA sport involves Years Four, Five and Six.
Students will need hat, drink bottle, protective equipment (Union and soccer players) and a good sporting attitude.
We have teams represented in:
- Senior Girls League tag – Riverbank – Mrs Isbester
- Junior Girls Soccer - Jubilee - Mrs Garling
- Junior Boys Soccer – Lady Cutler – Mr Jones and Miss Atkins
- Senior Boys Rugby Union - Victoria Park - Mr Cant
- Senior Girls Soccer - Jubilee - Mrs Rose
- Senior Boys Soccer - Lady Cutler - Mrs Carr
Soccer players must use shin pads; Joggers only. If anyone has extra shin pads it would be wonderful if you could bring those to school for others to borrow.
Rugby union players must have a mouthguard and headgear for rugby, I do have some headgear to loan out for those that do not have any. If anyone has any spare we would be very appreciative if we could borrow it.
In the past few years St. Pius X has excelled in all areas of PSSA – one of the main areas is our sportsmanship. We would like this trend to continue so all children attending PSSA should remember they are representing St. Pius X and should uphold the school rules at all times.
Any misconduct will result in the student/s being suspended or banned from PSSA.
Our School News
P&F News
The next P&F meeting is will be Tuesday 13th May at 6pm at Club Dubbo. We hope to see as many of you there as possible.
If you wish to contact us please use this email below.
Merit Awards
Kinder - Winston, Aiden
Year 1 - April, Jack, Harry, Maisie, Declan, Emerson
Year 2 - Olympia, Aidan, Oliver, Sophie, Lilly, Willow, Mia, Noah
Year 3 - Lily, William, Milly, Mele, Lily, Evie
Year 5 - Kingsley, Charlie, Georgia, Abigail, Aahana
Year 6 - Cam, Katelynn, Hope, Kimberly, Claudia
Happy Birthday !
Jack 10th
Tyler 11th
Community News
