Newsletter Term 2 Week 5, 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 half way mark of the term is here and as usual it has been packed with lots of learning and fun.
SPX ParkRun - We need Volunteers
St Pius X are hoping to fill all the volunteer positions at this Saturday’s Parkrun (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.
Students attending will need to be accompanied by an adult or older sibling.
We would love for students participating to please wear their sports uniform.
We need to let Parkrun know names so PLEASE, if you are interested and able to help out on the day could you please let the office know.
stpiusdubbo@bth.catholic.edu.au
Diocesan Spelling Bee
We wish all the best of luck to our students representing SPX at the annual Diocesan Spelling Bee this Wednesday. We have Spencer and Molly competing for Stage Two and Abigail H and Olivia M taking on the Stage Three competition. Mr Schwager will be supporting our four spellers in Wellington. Safe Travels to all.
IMPORTANT: North Street Pick-Up – Car and Bus
Since introducing the updated pick-up and drop-off arrangements on North Street last year, this area has become far more popular than expected. With this increased use has come significant congestion and concern from local bus companies and Dubbo Regional Council.
To help ease traffic between 3:20 and 3:30pm, we kindly ask families to consider the following options:
- If you need to buckle in your child(ren):
Please use the Young Street pick-up point, or park and walk in to collect your child(ren) safely. - Delay your pick-up until after 3:30pm:
Teachers are on duty until 3:50pm, so there’s no rush to arrive exactly at 3:20 pm. - Park and walk in, as we previously did:
Use designated parking areas, then walk in to pick up your child(ren). It's a great chance to connect with their teacher too.
Important Reminders:
- Never park in the bus zone and follow local traffic rules.
- Please leave the pick-up area in the order you arrived.
- Stay patient and follow the "one, two, then three" exit sequence to keep things moving smoothly.
If a grandparent or anyone unfamiliar with our pick-up procedures is picking up your child, please ensure they are informed of the process.
Thank you for helping us keep all students safe and traffic flowing!
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.
St Pius X Primary AFL Auskick After School
FRIDAYS – 30th May – 20th June 3:30pm-4:30pm (School Oval)
WHAT IS AFTER-SCHOOL AUSKICK?
- Safe, fun, action-packed program. 4 weeks of skills and games ideal for girls and boys aged 5-12.
- Every child receives an AUSKICK PACK including Bag, Football, Footy Pump, Footy Cards, fidget spinner and more.
- Students wanting to participate need to register to take part.
Please see flyer attached and scan QR code for more details
Have a great week,
Greg Cant
Principal
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
Holidays should be booked during school breaks. Students should be at school every day during the school term, right from the first day until the last.
While it's generally advised for holidays to be booked during school breaks, it's also important for parents to communicate with the school regarding any planned absences and to adhere to the school's attendance policies.
In cases where absences are unavoidable, working with teachers to ensure that missed material is caught up can help minimise the impact on a student's education and school processes are followed for any missed assessment tasks.
Jo Taylor
Assistant Principal
RE News
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.
Class Masses
In Week 5 & Week 6, we will be celebrating Class Masses with Fr Nam. These will be in our school hall and you are most welcome to join us.
Week 5 - Kinder & Year 6, Thursday 29th May, 1pm.
Week 6 - Year 2, Year 3 & Year 4, Wednesday 4th June, 1pm
- Year 1 & Year 2, Thursday 5th June, 1pm
These will also be the last masses that we celebrate with Fr Nam as our school chaplain,. He will be moving to Bathurst later this term to take up a different ministry within our diocese.
Vinnies Winter Appeal
This year, St Vincent de Paul are running their Winter Appeal once again. It is a wonderful initiative that we can support as every little donation counts. The 2025 Vinnies Winter Appeal theme is ‘No one chooses to be homeless’. In the coming weeks, we will be hosting school community events to support the work of Vinnies.
Jubilee Year of Hope
Our weekly bulletin shared a lovely reflection about the Jubilee Year:
The Jubilee year calls us to a sharper vision. The theme, chosen by Pope Francis, is Pilgrims of Hope, a theme that asks us to see where we are going. You may have noticed the Jubilee emblem of people in a boat, facing the same direction, united in the face of whatever the seas throws at them.
TERM 2 DATES to Remember
- 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
Library News
Book Club Edition 4 will go home this week. Orders need to be completed by Wednesday 18th June please.
Wishing you a great week, Mr Schwager
Student Wellbeing
At St Pius, 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: Kai - Year 1
Respect: Darci - Year 5
Kind Regards, Mr Schwager
Our School News
Merit Awards
Kinder - Isabella, Mason, Hunter, Bodhi
Year 1 - Nova, Aurora, Eleanor, Reuben, Zara
Year 2 - Kha Thy, Jack, Oliver, Kai, Harrison
Year 3 - Charlee, Evie, Hugo, Kailey
Year 4 - Harley, Jax, Jackson, Meher, Abigail
Year 5 - Drishya, Timmy, Philomena, Hayden, Nyola
Year 6 - Lace, Ali, Elizabeth, Kodi, Mason
Happy Birthday !
Zoe 20th Nyola 23rd
Phoebe 21st Gerry 24th
Ziggy 21st Matilda 24th
James 21st
Philomena 23rd