Kia ora e te whānau

✨ Kia ora koutou,
This is our final newsletter for Term 3. Next term, newsletters will come out fortnightly on the even weeks of the term (Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10).

🙏 Thank you for Term 3
As we come to the end of Term 3, we want to thank our whole school community for a wonderful term. It has been a busy winter filled with illness, yet together we have accomplished so much. We are grateful to all our students, staff, and whānau who have continued to step up and support the school in its endeavours.
Some highlights from Term 3 include:

Our new building and courts blessing led by Father Joy, followed by celebrations with our parish whānau.
The Mass of the Assumption and Feast of the Parish, where our school and parish came together in faith.
Our students’ creativity and energy shining through in the Footsteps dance programme, preparing for our upcoming performance of the Māori creation story.
The fantastic efforts of our community during the annual Quiz Night fundraiser, raising over $3800 for our school.
Taking part in SINGout4JUSTICE, with our Junior teams (Years 1–6) bravely entering and impressing the judges with their joy and enthusiasm.
A big thank you also for your support with Daffodil Day fundraising, showing care and compassion for others in our wider community.

📌 Reminders for the end of term

Last day of Term 3: Friday 19th September – school finishes at the usual time.
First day of Term 4: Monday 6th October.
School Disco: Friday 12th September – Junior (5.30–6.30pm, theme: superheroes & princesses) and Senior (7.00–8.00pm, theme: neon lights). Gold coin entry. Also Sausages, drinks and glow sticks available for purchase.
Footsteps Performance: Thursday 18th September, 1.30pm on the court (weather permitting). If it is called off due to rain we will have the performance early next term.
Summer uniforms return from the start of Term 4. Please check that items are named and ready to go.

👀 Looking ahead to Term 4
We are excited about what Term 4 will bring. A few things to note already.

Athletics Day – a great chance to show our skills and house spirit.
Year 8 Leavers’ Celebrations – a special time to farewell our senior students as they prepare for the next step in their journey.
End of Year Mass and Prizegiving – a time to gather as a community and celebrate the learning, growth, and achievements of the year.
Advent and Christmas preparations – keeping Christ at the heart of our celebrations.

Term 4 always goes by quickly, so please keep an eye on newsletters and school communications for more details as events draw closer.

🎉 School Disco – Friday 12th September

It’s nearly time for our much-anticipated School Disco!

5.30–6.30 pm: Kiwi, Takahe, Ruru, Pukeko, Piwakawaka A & B – Superheroes and Princesses theme
7.00–8.00 pm: Kererū, Kākāpō, Tui, Hoiho, Tara Iti – Neon Lights theme

There will be glow sticks, drinks, and a sausage sizzle available, so come along ready to dance, shine, and have some fun! If you are able to help please contact the Friends of the School.

🚗 Carpark Reminder

Our afternoon initiative of having some students walk to Dermont Street is working really well and helping to ease traffic and congestion – thank you for your support with this.

In the mornings, if you are just dropping off and going, please use the semi-circle drive outside the Church. Children can safely walk along the footpath to reach school.

⚠️ Please do not park in the driveway or on the sidewalk of the carpark to drop children off – this is dangerous.

🗣️ Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

The last week of term we will celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.
As part of our Footsteps learning, the whole school has created a performance of the story of Papatūānuku and Ranginui.

📅 Performance: Thursday 18th September, 1.30pm on the courts (weather permitting)
👕 Every child will take part – please make sure they have a black T-shirt and black shorts/leggings ready for the day.

📅 Attendance Reminder

The Government is asking all schools to help improve student attendance.
This term we will send emails to families where attendance has dropped.

✅ We understand winter sickness is common and sometimes we send students home.
✅ Even so, once a child is enrolled, they must be at school every day if they are well enough.

Being at school every day helps children:

📚 Keep up with learning
😊 See friends
🤝 Be part of our school community

Thank you for helping us support your child’s learning.

Altar Servers Wanted – 9am Sunday Mass

We are looking for volunteers to serve as altar servers at the 9am Sunday Mass.

If your child has completed their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation), they are welcome to take part in this special ministry.

Full training is provided, and parents are more than welcome to get involved too.

📞 For more information, please contact Pauline Maxwell on 022 429 9809.

Enrolments for Younger Siblings – 2026 & 2027

Our school roll is currently full in 2026. We are not able to guarantee a place for any siblings whose birthdays fall during 2026. We are also filling fast for 2027.

If you have younger children due to start school in 2026 or 2027, and they have older siblings already at St. Pius X, please let the office know as soon as possible. This helps us with future planning and ensures a smooth start for your tamariki. Thank you to those families that have already done this.

🏡 Moving On? Please Let Us Know

If your whānau is planning to move away from our school — whether at the end of the year or sooner — please let us know as soon as you can. This helps us with future planning, class placements, and managing our growing waitlist.

We understand that changes happen, and we will fully support you and your child through the transition. Just get in touch with the office or your child’s teacher when you know.

Ngā mihi nui for being such strong partners in your children’s education.
Together, we’re creating a positive and focused environment where every learner can thrive.

Lunch Order Options – Supporting Local!

We have a few great lunch options available during the week:

🥙 Tuesdays & Wednesdays – Kebab Stop
You can now order lunches from the Kebab Stop on Urlich Ave. Orders can be placed directly at orders.kebabstop.co.nz and will be delivered to the school office in time for lunch. This is a convenient option for families, and a great way to support a local business!
🍕 Friday – Pizza Friday
Pizza can be ordered at school on Friday mornings and is delivered in time for lunch. This is a fundraiser to support end-of-year camps and EOTC activities, so every slice helps. Thank you for supporting our tamariki!
🍔 Friday – Tommo’s Lunches
Our regular Tommo’s lunch orders will continue on Fridays as usual.

🎤 SINGout4JUSTICE

Our Year 1–6 students proudly took part in the SINGout4JUSTICE promotion by Caritas, joining the Junior Team category and being some of the youngest entrants. The group sang Tell the World of His Love and shone with their energy, voices, and actions.

Correction: This year, two teams from our school took part in the SINGout4JUSTICE promotion organised by Caritas:

Team 1: Heal the World

Team 2: Tell the World of His Love – Highly Commended

We are proud of both teams for their creativity and dedication, and we especially celebrate Team 2 for receiving a Highly Commended award for their outstanding performance!

Congratulations to our teams –for sharing their faith proudly and representing St Pius X at a national level. Ka mau te wehi!

Team 1: Heal the World
Uri Cadelina, Pia Sanz, Atarah Abanto, Aemilia Llanza, Adriana Abdon, Jaydan Llanza, Ezekiel Martinez, Khaliah Alvarado, Xavier Santos, Liv Cadelina, Quinn Dela Rosa, Johnny Acapulco, Erick Dontongan, Alexa Pebenito, Adrianna Dela Cruz, Claire Basagre, Aeson Albuerne, Zamaiah Abanto, Jasmin Martin, Julia Perilla

Team 2: Tell the World of His Love
Astrid Liv Longid, Liam Harper Cance, Angela Hanna Rosero, Annalyn Hope Rosero, Samantha Quintos, Shantelle Quintos, and Luna Grace Yap

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to another fantastic term together.

🌿 Blessing

As we finish this term, we pray for rest, health, and joy for all our students and families. May the holidays be a time of refreshment, and may God’s love continue to guide and bless our school community.
Ngā manaakitanga,

Ngā mihi nui
Erin Clayton (Principal)