Newsletter 8, Wednesday, 10 June 2026

Dear Parents/Caregivers

As I prepare for my upcoming period of Long Service Leave from 15 June to 3 July, I would like to take a moment to thank our community for your ongoing support and connection. I am looking forward to this time away, where my husband and I will be travelling through Adelaide and Melbourne, exploring the life and legacy of St Mary MacKillop more deeply.

This journey holds particular significance, as it offers an opportunity to reconnect with the foundations of our own school. St Pius X was established in 1957 by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, whose mission was inspired by Mary MacKillop’s vision of faith, service and education for all. Spending time in places connected to her life will allow for reflection on the values that continue to shape our school community today.

During my leave, Mrs Natasha Gregory will take on the role of Short Term Principal with Mrs Louise Rimmer supporting as Short Term Assistant Principal. I have every confidence in their leadership and thank them for their willingness to step into these roles. I look forward to returning next term and sharing some reflections from this journey with you all.

P&F Movie Night

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated P&F volunteers for their time, care and thoughtful organisation which ensured the evening ran so smoothly and created such a fun and memorable experience for our students. We are also grateful to our Year 5 Canberra Camp fundraising team for providing a delicious sausage sizzle for students to enjoy before the movie, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

An additional thank you to our St Pius X staff who generously gave their time to support our families and caregivers. It was truly a wonderful community event that was enjoyed by all.

First Holy Communion

Congratulations to our students who received their First Holy Communion on Sunday. This is a significant and sacred milestone in their faith journey.

We extend our thanks to Father Anthony and our Parish community for welcoming and supporting our students so warmly. A special thank you also to Miss Fiona Dempsey for her care and preparation of the students as they prepared to receive Jesus for the first time.

Parish Family Mass Invitation

All families are warmly invited to join us for our next Parish Family Mass on Sunday 21 June at 9.00 am. This is a wonderful opportunity for our school and parish communities to come together in prayer and celebration of our shared faith.

School Choir

Our school choir had its final rehearsal for this term today.

The choir will be leading the singing at the Parish Family Mass on Sunday 21 June and we extend our thanks to Mrs Gregory for supporting the choir for this celebration. What a joy it is to have our church filled with the beautiful voices of our students.

Ley Street Gate Reminder

A reminder to families to please use the Ley Street gate when accessing the school grounds for after school activities. Your support helps us maintain consistent and safe practices for all students.

School Communications

I have recently spoken with a number of families regarding the different ways we communicate as a school. We recognise that there are opportunities to streamline and strengthen the clarity of our communication processes.

Further information will be shared next term as we continue working towards more effective and consistent communication with our families and caregivers.

3 Year Old Program

A number of parents have expressed interest in the possibility of an additional day for Pre-Kindergarten students in 2027. To assist us in considering this option, families are invited to complete the attached form to indicate their interest. Expression of Interest – Additional day for 3 year old Kindergarten – Fill out form

Mid year reports – change to reporting

During 2025–2026, CEWA schools including St Pius X have been updating our reporting to ensure the correct implementation of the updated WA Curriculum. In accordance with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) guidelines, we report student progress and achievement to parents and caregivers in a number of ways:

• Formally – mid-year and end of year reports
• Informally – through SEQTA, Seesaw, Parent/Caregivers and Teacher correspondence and meetings
• As requested by parents and caregivers

Mid-year and end of year reports now give one overall grade for each learning area, based on teacher judgement using evidence and SCSA standards. These standards describe what most students are expected to achieve by the end of the year.

Previously, some subjects had separate grades for strands (like Reading or Writing in English) but now these are combined into a single subject grade because the skills are connected.

Teachers will still discuss specific strands (e.g. Reading, Writing, Number and Algebra) at parent meetings and explain how students can improve. Mid-year reports show progress based on what has been taught so far, not the full year’s expectations.

Students with Individual Education Plans will continue to receive reports based on their adjusted learning programs as required.

Glimmer Moments

There have been many wonderful moments across our school community recently and I would like to celebrate a few:

• Izzy (Year 3) was selected to run out with the West Coast Fever netball team and to toss the coin at the start of the game. What a special opportunity, and who knows, perhaps one day we might see Izzy running out onto the court again, this time as a Fever player herself.

• On 65 Roses Day, which raises awareness for those living with Cystic Fibrosis, Molly (Year 2) was interviewed by Channel 9 and appeared on the evening news. Molly spoke confidently and authentically, representing not only herself but many others living with the condition and it was moving to hear Molly and her mum, Jess, share their journey so openly. Their story is a powerful reminder of the strength found within families and the importance of raising awareness to support ongoing research and care.

• Mila (Year 6) was recently presented with an award from ITALO-Australian Welfare and Culture Centre (IAWCC) for her winning entry in a logo design competition celebrating the organisation’s 70th anniversary and the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic. It is a very proud moment for Mila, her family and our Italian teacher, Maestro Nico. Keep shining brightly, Mila!

There is much to be grateful for within our community. I thank you all for your ongoing support and for the many ways you contribute to the life of St Pius X Catholic Primary School. I look forward to reconnecting with you all next term.

With God’s blessings to you and your families.

Jacki Tucker
Principal

Year 4 First Holy Communion Retreat

Our Year 4 students recently attended a special First Holy Communion Retreat at St Catherine’s House of Hospitality as they prepared to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time. Throughout the day, students explored the different parts of the Mass, discussed what we do during each part of the celebration and deepened their understanding of why the Eucharist is so important in our Catholic faith.

Students also had the opportunity to dress the altar and learn about the significance of the sacred items used during Mass. A highlight of the retreat was practising how to reverently receive Jesus for the first time, helping students feel confident and prepared for their upcoming Sacrament. It was a meaningful and enriching day filled with faith, learning and reflection.

Fiona Dempsey
Year 4 Teacher 

Bunnings Incursion

It has been a wonderful start to the term in Pre-Primary, with the children working hard both inside and outside the classroom. We are very proud of the enthusiasm, curiosity and effort they have shown in all learning areas.

Last Thursday, the Pre-Primary and Kindy students participated in a fantastic Bunnings planting incursion. The children learnt about how vegetables and herbs are planted and the care they need to grow. They eagerly took on a variety of responsibilities, including filling the planting pallets with soil, digging holes, carefully planting the seedlings and covering them with soil.

Our planting pallets are currently being prepared to be hung along the Pre-Primary and Kindy fence. They will soon be painted with chalk paint, allowing the children to label the vegetables and herbs they have planted. This hands-on experience was both fun and creative and the children thoroughly enjoyed being involved in every step of the process.

Back in the classroom, each student painted a picture of their favourite part of the incursion. These beautiful artworks will soon be displayed in our classroom for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to watching our garden grow over the coming months!

Freya Beattie
Pre-Primary Teacher

West Oz Incursion

The Pre-Primary class have been exploring the classroom theme of Australia, learning about our unique animals, diverse landscapes and the importance of caring for our beautiful country.

Today, we were lucky enough to welcome West Oz Wildlife to St Pius X for a hands-on wildlife experience. The students met some amazing Australian animals, including Hazel the Koala, two pythons, a toothless lizard and a sugar glider. The children learnt about their habitats, fun facts and how to stay safe around these animals in the wild.

The children showed great bravery and curiosity as they held snakes and met many new furry, scaly and shy friends. The excitement wasn’t limited to the students either – the St Pius X staff also enjoyed the opportunity to meet these wonderful Australian animals and learn more about them.

Freya Beattie
Pre-Primary Teacher

School Fee Payment Reminder

A number of families currently have outstanding balances relating to the second instalment of school fees, which are now overdue. We kindly request that payments be attended to as soon as possible to avoid further follow-up.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Cath Clohessy
Finance Officer

Dear St Pius X Community,

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and supported our recent School Movie Night. It was a fantastic success, with the kids enjoying a fun and memorable evening together. Events like this only happen because of the wonderful people in our community, so an extra‑special thank you goes to all the volunteers who helped make the night possible.

🗓️ Save the Date — Parents Quiz Night!

Mark your calendars  as our  Parents Quiz Night is locked in for August 8th at Bad Apples Bar. It’s always a fantastic night out with friends and a great way to connect with other families in our school community.

More details will be shared soon, but for now, make sure you keep the date free!

We also have some exciting news that there is currently an opening on the P&F Committee for a general members position. If joining the committee is something you’ve been considering, now is the perfect time. Simply collect an application form from the office and put your name forward.

Being part of the P&F is a great way to get involved in the school community, help shape the events we run, contribute to fundraising initiatives that directly support the school, and have plenty of fun along the way. We’re expecting strong interest in this role, so get in quickly if you’d like to be part of the team. Applications will close on June 30^th for a commencement date in Term 3.

Kim Passmore
P&F President