Newsletter Term 2 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
Thanks for your support with Catholic Schools’ Week last week and thanks to our Religion Coordinator Miss Kristy Isbester for her organisation.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Last week we had a confirmed case of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.
The main symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease are fever and tiny blisters on the cheeks and gums, inside the mouth and on the hands and feet. Children pass it on easily by touching other children.
Children with cases should be excluded from school until their blisters have dried-up, and any rash (if present) has gone and any fever has settled.
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/handfootmouth.aspx
SPX - ParkRun - We need Volunteers
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
Parents and Friends Meeting
Thanks to everyone who was able to attend last week's meeting. Decisions were made around girls' uniforms (more news to come soon) and funds raised from the successful trivia night will be going towards new personalised school gazebo and new soccer goals.
School Uniform
We are definitely getting a mixed bag of weather recently and for this reason it is up to you whether your child/ren wear winter or summer uniform, BUT not a mix of both. Please remember to have all items clearly labelled.
Have a great week
Greg Cant
Assistant Principal's Address
Girl’s Summer Uniform
A new girls uniform option will be available from August. This will give girls an option to wear skorts or the pink checked summer dress. These items will be available to be purchased from Lowes.
Girls Summer option one: Pink checked dress, black shoes and white ankle socks.
Girls Summer option two: Maroon skort, fawn short sleeved button up shirt, black shoes and white ankle socks .
Attendance
Students are expected to have above a 95% school attendance rate because days missed can add up to years lost. That’s why making sure your child comes to school every single day (unless genuinely sick) is important.
Maintaining a high school attendance rate, ideally above 95%, is crucial for a student’s academic success and overall development. Here are several reasons why consistent school attendance is important:
- Continuous Learning. Regular attendance ensures that students are consistently exposed to new information and lessons. This continuity is essential for effective learning, as concepts build upon each other over time.
- Development of Learning Skills. School attendance is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about developing essential learning skills. These skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, are honed through active participation in the learning process.
- Establishment of Routine. Consistent attendance helps students establish a routine, promoting organisational skills and time management. These skills are transferable to various aspects of life and contribute to overall success.
Jo Taylor
Assistant Principal
RE News
Caritas - Thank you
A note of thanks to our St Pius X school community for their contribution to our 2025 Projection Compassion held during Lent. As a school, we raised $762.75. All monies raised will help to support the wonderful work that Caritas does to help those who aren’t quite as lucky as us.
Centrcare Appreciation Post
St Pius X is very lucky to work with Louise from Centrcare to allow us to build strong connections within our Community. Recently, Louise worked with some children to make some paper flowers that she later delivered to some of the residents at Bracken House for Mother’s Day.
Thank you Louise!
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
The celebration of Catholic Schools Week has been a wonderful opportunity for, in the words of our Bishop, Michael McKenna,
“renewal and deeper understanding of our faith in Christ and his Church; and its practical implications for our lives and work”.
The activities of the week allowed the community to come together in this common goal. Time was also taken to ensure all members of the school community recognised the great things our school does every day. Throughout Catholic Schools Week our students were involved in activities that focused on themselves, our school, our Church and coming together as a community.
The theme of Catholic Schools Week 2025 has been: Guided by Faith. Inspired by Hope, Committed to Learning. All of the events of this past week have ensured that all members of our community have felt the strength of this spirit and know the vital place they each hold our community. Thank you to all who helped the children put together their costumes for ‘Saints Day’ and to those who joined us for the liturgy.
Guided by Faith,
Inspired by Hope,
Committed to Learning.
Confirmation Enrolment Weekend
This coming weekend is the last of the enrolment weekends for the students of Year 6 wishing to make 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) or Sunday 18th May (9 am or 5 pm).
TERM 2 DATES to Remember
- Confirmation Enrolment Weekend Saturday 24th May (5 pm) or Sunday 25th May (9 am or 5 pm)
- Class Mass in the School hall - Kindergarten and Year 6, Thursday 29th May, 1pm (Week 5) - Parents and friends are welcome to join us for the celebration.
Kristy Isbester
Acting Religious Education Coordinator St Pius X
Student Wellbeing
In 2023, Catholic Education of the Diocese of Bathurst decided to trial a new initiative where each school was funded a Student Wellbeing Officer. This came from the knowledge that student positivity, resilience and self-esteem, to name a few, were becoming areas of concern across the Australian Education System.
So for our Diocese, large schools received a 1 day a week allocation and small schools (like St Pius) were given 1 day a fortnight. The idea is to try to improve overall student wellbeing through various initiatives and activities for the whole school and also for targeted groups and individuals.
One of the initiatives I signed St Pius to straight away in 2023 was the trial of the VIBE Survey. This survey is given weekly to students of Years 5 and 6 and asks them a variety of questions about their wellbeing. Answers are multiple choice and are anonymous. Over time this gives our school and the diocese information on trends and areas of success and concern. There is also a section on the VIBE Survey that allows individuals to reach out for some one-to-one help if they want.
The VIBE Data from 2023 to 2024 for our school is shown below and displays some positive trends over the 2 years of student input.
I feel I have a Student Voice: 2023- 84% 2024-91%
I feel like I have good Partnership in my life: 2023-87% 2024-90%
I feel Supported in my life: 2023-75% 2024-86%
I feel Included: 2023-82% 2024-90%
I feel I have opportunities for Leadership: 2023-82% 2024-91%
I think we already knew we had a positive, welcoming and caring school but it is still nice to see these trends from our children's perspectives, and hopefully this will continue into the future.
Kind Regards,
David Schwager
(Student Wellbeing Officer)
Our School News
Merit Awards
Kinder - Charlotte, Ridwik, Zayne, Elora, Zoe
Year 1 - Bo, Estelle, Oliver, Freya, Pippa, Fairen
Year 2 - Tyler, Harry, Eli, Vince, Ivy
Year 3 - Audrey, Desyrae, Eve, Siena, Micah
Year 4 - Lachlan, Henry, Lauren, Matilda, Aurora, Matilda
Year 5 - Lucy, Chelsea, Xanthe, Lawson, Keidan, Oliviam Grace
Year 6 - Ralph, Harry, Amahlii
Happy Birthday !
Oliver 13th
Mele 13th
Charlee 15th
Matilda 15th
Siena 17th