Tena Koutou Katoa
We are now half way through term 3 and seem to be speeding towards the end of the year with August almost finished. 
Thank you to all our families that have put the effort into looking after one another in the carpark during drop-off and pick-up times. Especially with some of the weather we are having, taking the time to slow down and use patience pays off. As spring and summer approach perhaps discuss as a family other options for pick-up such as Dermont Street or Pollen Cres. These are both just a short walk away but means that the carpark will not be as congested and everyone will be kept safe. 

Wednesday 21st of August was the Feast of St Pius X. We celebrated as a school with the Parish on Sunday at Mass and then had house games and ice-blocks on Wednesday. We are privileged to have such a humble and faith filled name sake. Thank you for all the support on Sunday it was lovely to see so many families.

Pizza Tuesday will be each Tuesday this term.  

Ham, Cheese and Pepperoni -$2 for a slice. 
Please bring your money in a named envelope and hand it in to your class teacher Tuesday morning.

All funds raised will be used towards camps across the school in term 4.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Reminder
Please look over the important dates later in the newsletter to keep informed on what is coming up over term 3.

Ngā mihi nui
Erin Clayton (Principal)  

As part of Hoiho and Tui’s Financial literacy course we have joined an interactive banking computer program set up by Kiwi bank. This program gives students virtual bank accounts which operate like real life. They have paid jobs, pay rent, create savings accounts, buy luxury or necessary items and pay mortgages. The bank sometimes arranges competitions and offers prizes. Tui have won the first competition.  Well done Tui. A box of class goodies are on their way!!!!

Our Church is a Sacramental Church. A Sacrament is a moment of divine grace coming down to our daily lives and as such is an encounter with God. For ourselves in the Catholic Church the Sacraments of initiation are moments of Encounter with God, strengthening us with the Holy Spirit through our lives.
Last Saturday some of our learners and their families received the Sacrament of Baptism and they will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and Eucharist this coming Saturday at 6pm in the Cathedral. We welcome Wirukuruku, Adelajh-Hope, Wesley-James, Marlee-John, Terekia and Blaze-Hunter into the family of the Church through their Baptism and pray for them in their journeys ahead through the Sacrament of Confirmation and Eucharist. It was a special privilege to see the support from our school community for this event. 

HOCKEY UPDATE
Hard game last week for the Saints Thunder team going down to Pirongia Black Stixs 5-2 - was a hard fought game in the rain and wind!! Player of the day was Hannah Nelson, after putting her body on the line for the team. Two more games left of the season!

Jim McCabe

Asanka Wickramasinghe

I am Asanka from the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. I came to New Zealand in February 2024 to complete my Master's in Education at the University of Waikato. I worked as a teacher in Sri Lanka for eight years and recently joined St. Pius X as a teacher aide and I am loving every bit of it. It's incredibly rewarding to work with children and see how they thrive, especially those from diverse cultural backgrounds. I find it fulfilling to help them adjust and succeed in their new environment. The teachers at St Pius are the best and everyday I learn something new from them. I deeply love reading and travelling, and there's no better place than New Zealand for someone who enjoys travel with its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, it provides the perfect backdrop for adventures. Whether exploring the serene beaches, majestic mountains, or vibrant cities, I enjoy discovering new places and learning about different cultures. These experiences enrich my perspective, which I bring into my educational practice, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic approach to education. 

We have a lot of lost property at the school office. Jackets, polo fleeces, socks. Please come in and see if anything belongs to your child. If not claimed by the end of next week, we will keep them as spare uniforms at the school. Other items will be donated to a local charity.

Some of our students are learning about growing seeds and gardening. We are on the lookout for some compost bins and worm farm bins. If anyone has any old ones that they are no longer using can you please contact the office. Thank you.