Newsletter 1 – 11 February 2026

Dear Families and Caregivers

Welcome

Welcome to the beginning of a new school year. It has been a joy to see how smoothly our students have settled back into routines and learning. There is a calm and happy feeling across the school and it is wonderful to see our learners engaged, connected and ready for the year ahead.

Gospel Reflection

The words from this weekend’s Gospel, Matthew 5:13-16,  feel particularly fitting as I compose the first formal communication for this year. We are reminded that we are called to be the light of the world, to let our light shine before others and to use the gifts and talents that God has given us for the good of all. This is a beautiful invitation for each of us, students, staff and families alike, to contribute positively and support one another throughout the year.

New Staff

This term, we welcome new members to our St Pius X team: Ms Sophie Sciorilli, Ms Kerry Robinson, Mrs Yvonne Faulkner, Mrs Louise Rimmer and Ms Sage Breeze. We are grateful for the skills and talents that they bring to share with us and their contribution to our community.

I would like to sincerely thank you all for the warm welcome that has been extended to me as Short Term Principal. It is a pleasure to be serving the St Pius X community in this capacity and I am grateful for the kindness, support and openness I have already experienced.

Kiss and Drive

I would like to remind families about pick up and drop off at the Kiss and Drive area on Cloister Avenue, which can become very congested at times. If the bays are full when you arrive, we kindly ask that you continue around for another lap rather than stopping in an unsafe manner or blocking traffic. This is particularly important at the end of the school day. Our staff are on duty after school to ensure the safety of all students and you may find that arriving closer to 3:10pm rather than directly on or before the bell helps to ease congestion. Thank you for your patience and consideration with the limited parking around our school.

Keeping our community safe and well

It was wonderful to see so many families and caregivers attend our Parent Teacher Information Evening on Tuesday. One important point shared was the value of teaching our students effective handwashing to help reduce the spread of germs. Thank you for taking the time to continue these conversations at home and for helping to keep our community safe and well.

Communication

During the information evening, I spoke about the strength that comes from a genuine partnership between home and school. When we work together with trust, respect and a shared commitment to what is best for our students, children thrive. You are your child’s first educators and maintaining open communication with your child’s classroom teacher allows us to walk alongside your child with consistency and care. For this reason, the classroom teacher is always the first point of contact should you have any queries or concerns.

Our staff are dedicated and hardworking professionals who care deeply for their students. Like all of us, they have commitments and a life beyond the school day. We kindly ask that emails be sent between 8:30am and 4:30 pm, with the understanding that a response will be provided within twenty-four hours. If you need to contact your child’s teacher urgently during teaching time, please contact the school office, as teachers’ priority during the day is always working with their class and an email may not be seen or responded to while they are teaching.

UR Strong

This month’s UR Strong theme, self‑compassion, encourages us to treat ourselves with the same kindness, patience and understanding that we would offer a good friend. It means noticing when things feel difficult and responding with care rather than harsh self‑criticism. Children can practice self‑compassion by using kind self‑talk when they make a mistake, reminding themselves that everyone finds things tricky sometimes, taking a calming break when emotions feel big, and asking a trusted adult or friend for help. We can support this by modelling gentle language and normalising learning through effort and mistakes. Self‑compassion is important because it helps children build resilience, manage disappointment and feel safe to keep trying. When children learn to be kind to themselves, they develop stronger wellbeing, greater confidence and a deeper capacity to show kindness and empathy to others.

P&F Family Picnic

I am very much looking forward to getting to know you over the course of the term and am hoping to have the opportunity to speak with many of our families and caregivers at the upcoming P&F Family Picnic on Sunday 15^th February. For your information, the ongoing Principal role has been advertised and the community will be advised of the appointment by the end of the term.

With God’s blessings to you and your families,

Jacki Tucker
Principal

Leadership Roles

Our Year 6 students were commissioned as the leaders of our school community during Mass last Tuesday. Since then, they have begun carrying out their leadership responsibilities, including raising and lowering the flags, collecting sports equipment after lunch, and setting out the Kiss‑and‑Drop signs each afternoon. Their commitment and enthusiasm are already making a positive impact across the school.

Maths

In Mathematics, our Year 6 students commenced the 2026 school year with an engaging revision program designed to consolidate key concepts from the previous year. Students participated in a series of interactive board games and digital learning activities, working collaboratively to strengthen their problem‑solving skills and mathematical reasoning. This hands‑on approach created a positive and enthusiastic start to our year of learning.

Technology

In Technology, students have been learning how to use hardware and software safely and responsibly. They explored safe practices for working online and on digital devices, then applied their understanding by creating their own digital safety‑rules infographic. This activity supported students in developing both their technical skills and their awareness of safe technology use.

Writing

In Writing, students have begun exploring the features of Information Reports. They have been learning how to organise factual information into clear sections and to use precise, topic‑specific vocabulary. This early focus is helping students build a strong foundation for creating well‑structured and informative pieces of writing.

Welcome Back to Term 1

A warm welcome back to all our St Pius X families as we begin Term 1. We hope you had a wonderful break and are feeling refreshed for the year ahead.

P&F Update

The P&F has already met with our Social Coordinator and Class Reps, and together we’ve set dates for all our events for the year. You’ll find everything listed in the school calendar, so please take a moment to pop those dates into your diary early.

St Pius X Family Picnic – Sunday 15 February 

We’re thrilled to announce our very first St Pius X Family Picnic, kicking off this term’s events.

Thanks to remaining funds from the WA Student Assistance Payment, generously provided by the Minister for Education, we’ve been able to put together a wonderful afternoon for our community.

Bring your family down from 4:30pm on Sunday 15 February. Pack your picnic and esky, or grab dinner from the food trucks next door. More details can be found in the flyer below.

We can’t wait to see our school community come together for this special event.

School Disco – Friday 6 March

Get ready to dance! Our Term 1 School Disco will be held on Friday 6 March at 5:30pm. Tickets will be on sale soon—keep an eye out for the announcement.

Sports Day & Carnival Fundraiser

Just like last year, we’ll be running our Sports Day/Carnival Fundraiser, going live shortly.

This is the perfect chance to stock up on all of your faction shirts and accessories for the upcoming carnival or even just the maroon standard hair ties.

Every purchase gives a 20%  return to the school, and all items ordered during the promotional period are shipped free to St Pius X. Make sure to get your orders in before the cut‑off date which is 22^nd  February. Look for the “activate delivery” option showing on the page now on the following link:- https://www.schoolponytails.com.au/

Manning Laneway Festival – Volunteers Needed

St Pius X will be hosting a sausage sizzle at the local Manning Laneway Festival to raise funds for our front playground project. We’ll need plenty of volunteers to help make this a success, so please keep an eye out for the call‑out coming soon.

A Special Thank You

The P&F would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Lisa Mann at Belle Property, who has generously donated three incredible hampers to be used as raffle prizes for both the Laneway Festival and our Parent Quiz Night.

Lisa is also offering 20% reduction on commission fees when you mention your connection to St Pius X. We are so grateful for her ongoing support of our school community.

A huge thanks once again to you and the entire St Pius X Primary School team for your generous donation and support of Southcare’s Christmas Food Drive.

We were overwhelmed by the support shown by the students, parents, carers and staff – a true testament to your “Faith and Friendship” ethos, and thankful that an enthusiastic parent (Jo-Ann Jenaway) who volunteers with us, was able to assist to get this up and running within your community.

With your support and others, we were able to:

• pack 102 Christmas hampers with quality non-perishable food
• directly help 186 people, making their holiday season a lot brighter
• establish a Southcare pantry stocked with personal care and more non-perishable essentials for ongoing access to help people in immediate crisis throughout the year

The volume of the donations was so overwhelming it took us two full days to pack and distribute, with an army of willing volunteers. I’ve attached some photos here that you might like to share with your community and a link to a video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Bz3QYSs7o/

It goes without saying that we’d love to partner with you again this year to help bring this to life for 2026 families.

Once again, thank you for using your caring hands.  Your collective kindness helped bring real relief and hope to people in our community during the holiday season.

Edu-Sing

To register click here – Edu-Sing Registration

Volley Ball

Registration Link – https://www.redsvolleyball.com.au/stpiusx/

Tennis

Hot Shots Tennis Coaching is available at School on Thursday afternoons 3.15 p.m. to 4 p.m. for years 3 to 6 in term one.

Players can enrol through the Marshalls Tennis Academy website at marshallstennis.com.au or follow this link St Pius X after school tennis enrolment  to go straight to the enrolment page.

Keyed Up Music

Registration link – Enrolments • Piano Lessons and Guitar Lessons Perth – Keyed Up Music – Piano Lessons and Guitar Lessons Perth

Divine Mercy Holy Hours for 2026

Venue: St Pius X Church, 23 Paterson Street; corner of Ley St, Manning.

Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Divine Mercy prayers, Rosary and Benediction-every third Sunday of the month at 3pm—Please join us.

18 January
15 February
15 March
19 April
17 May
21 June
19 July
16 August
20 September
18 October
15 November
20 December

Thank you, Krystyna Henderson