Kia ora koutou,

 A very warm welcome to Week 4 of Term 2. It has been wonderful to see our learners settled back into routines and engaging so positively with their learning.

This is always a very busy and important term in the school year, with a strong focus on assessment, tracking progress and preparing mid-year reports. These processes help us to celebrate successes, identify next learning steps and continue working in partnership to support every child to thrive.

Thank you for your continued support as we move through this busy season together.

As part of our mid-year reporting process, please note the following important dates:

To allow time for interviews, school will close at 2:00pm on Wednesday 24th June.

More information about interview bookings will be shared closer to the time. We look forward to these important conversations and the opportunity to celebrate your child’s learning journey together.

This week, we would like to take a moment to acknowledge the often-unsung superheroes of our school—our incredible support staff.

These amazing people work tirelessly behind the scenes and alongside our learners every day, bringing care, patience, humour, encouragement, and practical support to all areas of school life. Quite simply, they make everything better here.

A huge thank you to:

✨ Mrs Maree
 ✨ Whaea Jacque
 ✨ Miss Juliet
 ✨ Mrs Bankier-Perry
 ✨ Whaea Paula
 ✨ Miss Virginia
 ✨ Mr Bibin

We are deeply grateful for all that you do for our students, staff, and wider community. St Pius X is a better place because of each of you.

Registration is now open for candidates wishing to receive the Sacraments of:

The Confirmation and First Holy Communion Mass with Bishop Richard will be celebrated on:
📅 15th November 2026
⛪ 9:00am Mass
📚 Programme Details

Classes begin:
📅 Sunday 9th August
🕑 2:00pm – 3:30pm
📍 Classroom, St Pius X School
Further details can be found in the registration form.
⚠️ Registrations close 24 July 2026
💳 Cost

$30 to cover programme materials.
Payment can be made to:
02-0342-0050016-014 RC Bishop Hamilton
Please use your name and #SacPro26 as the reference.
Cash payments are also welcome and should be made by the beginning of the programme.
Please ensure you communicate once payment has been made.
📞 Contact

For further information, please contact:
Lisa
📱 021 0232 2821
📧 lisa_angpy@hotmail.com
Lisa looks forward to meeting your family!

We kindly ask all whānau to take a moment to check that your contact details held at the school office are current and accurate.

Recently, we have come across a number of phone numbers that are no longer working and some outdated home addresses. We completely understand that life can be busy—especially around times of moving or change—but having up-to-date information is essential.

Accurate contact details ensure that we can reach you quickly in the case of an emergency, or if we need to contact you about your child during the school day.

If you are unsure or need to make any updates, please get in touch with the school office at your convenience.

Thank you for your support with this important matter.

For all of Term 1, we will compete against other Hamilton schools every Wednesday to see how many students can:

🚶 Walk

🚲 Bike

🛴 Scooter

🚗 Carpool

Each Wednesday, we will also run this as an internal school challenge, with classes competing against one another. We look forward to seeing which class shows the most participation and school spirit!
Let’s work together to make Wednesdays count!

 
We understand that at times, meeting Diocesan fees can be challenging for some families.
 
If you are needing any support or would like to talk through your situation, please feel very welcome to come and see me. We are more than happy to work with you to find a way forward that is manageable.
 
Please don’t hesitate to reach out—these conversations are always handled with care and confidentiality.

We are pleased to let our community know that our school policies are available online through SchoolDocs.

SchoolDocs provides access to our school’s policies and procedures, ensuring they are up to date and aligned with current legislation and best practice. We encourage families to review our publicly available policies at any time.

Each term, selected policies will be placed under review. We value community voice and welcome your feedback. If you would like to comment on a policy under review, please follow the prompts on the SchoolDocs website to submit your feedback.

To access SchoolDocs, please visit:

🌐 https://stpius.schooldocs.co.nz
Username: stpius
Password: pineave

If you have any questions about our policies, please feel free to contact the school office.

With the beginning of 2026 all schools in New Zealand have been asked to have an attendance response plan based on the government STAR attendance structure. This plan is found on our Website in the Board document area. It outlines the steps of intervention and response. Please be aware that across the term students may have up to 5 days of absence without activating intervention. However even when an absence is explained, communication and action will still be triggered at 5, 10 and 15 days away from school.

Being at school every day and on time helps your child learn and do well.
Why this matters
• Away 1 day each week = 10 days missed in one term
• Late 15 minutes every day = almost 2 days of learning missed
School times
🕣 Start: 8.45am
🕝 Finish: 2.45pm

Please make sure your child arrives on time and stays for the full school day.
You are welcome to wait at school for the 2.45pm bell. This is a nice time to talk with other parents.
⚠️ Please do not pick up children before 2.45pm unless there is a special reason (for example, a doctor’s appointment).
If your child leaves early, please sign them out at the office.

✈️ Holidays
Please plan overseas travel in school holidays.
Taking one week before or after the holidays, with no other absences in the term, means your child does not need attendance support, although any holiday during term time is highly discouraged.
Thank you for helping your child be at school every day.
Every day counts.

Ngā mihi nui,
Erin Clayton

The St Pius Cardinals Inline Hockey Team had their first game last night and won 4-3!
Our all girls team did an amazing job!
Emery secured player of the day and scored 2 goals!
Our team:  Kenley Green, Emery Green, Rocket West, Willow Hunter

NFL Flag Football
Small School, Big Heart: St. Pius X U11s Take on Waikato Regionals

On Friday, May 1st, a day defined by grit and school pride, the St. Pius X U11s American Flag Football team stepped onto the turf for their very first regional competition. While the scoreboard tells one story, the spirit displayed by these young athletes told another entirely—one of resilience, teamwork and the courage to compete against the best in the Waikato.

Taking the Big Stage

For some of these players, it was their first time playing Flag in a competition. Facing off against seasoned teams from across the region, the St. Pius X squad spent their Friday in the thick of high-intensity, fast-paced NFL Flag action.

The roster, featuring Marlee-John, Wesley-James, Adelajh-Hope, Paxton, Kaleb, Harley, and Pia, faced a steep learning curve. From the opening kickoff, it was clear that the competition was fierce, but the U11s met the challenge head-on, adjusting to complex routes and lightning-fast flag pulls.

Playing with Heart
Though the team finished second to last in the final standings, the ranking does little to illustrate the sheer effort left on the field.

Throughout the day's play, the team was characterized by:
Relentless Hustle: Whether it was sprinting for a touchdown or chasing down a breakaway runner, the players never let the scoreline dampen their energy.

Tactical Growth: The coordination between teammates like Wesley-James and Marlee-John led to impressive yardage gains, while the defensive focus of Kaleb and Paxton kept the team competitive in tight matches.

Spirit and Grit: Players like Adelajh-Hope, Harley, and Pia showed immense growth over the course of the tournament, pulling critical flags and making gutsy catches against some of the most athletic teams in the region.

A Foundation for the Future
Coming away from a regional tournament is about more than just the win-lose column; it is about the experience of the "big game". By competing against the diverse range of playstyles found throughout the Waikato, the St. Pius X U11s have gained invaluable football IQ that will serve them well in the future.

The coaches and families noted that while the result wasn't a podium finish, the pride in the school colours was unmistakable. This tournament marks the beginning of a new chapter for St. Pius X NFL Flag—a chapter defined by a group of kids who aren't afraid to test their limits.

Congratulations to the U11s for representing the school with such passion and integrity. The Waikato now knows that St. Pius X is a team that plays with heart until the final whistle.

 | 

St. Pius X Pride: Local Hero Shines at Halberg Games

The spirit of St. Pius X was on full display during the school holidays as one of our own took to the national stage at the Halberg Games. Representing the Waikato region with immense pride and grit, Suzie proved that true sportsmanship is about more than just the results on the scoreboard—it’s about the heart you bring to the arena.

The weekend began with a massive honour, as she was selected to lead the Waikato team during the opening ceremonies. Carrying the regional colours with a smile that could light up the stadium, she set the tone for a weekend of determination and community.
A Master of All Trades
Across the three days of competition, she showcased incredible versatility and stamina. Her schedule was packed with diverse events that tested her speed, strength, and technique:
On the Track: She pushed her limits in both the Halberg Mile and the high-speed Wheelchair Racing events.
In the Pool: She took to the water for the Swimming heats, demonstrating her power and focus.
In the Field: She proved her strength in the throwing circles, competing in both the Club Throw and Shot Put.
Weathering the Storm
While the athletes were ready for anything, Sunday’s schedule was ultimately cancelled due to weather. Though the rain may have cut the competition short, it couldn't dampen the momentum built over the previous days.
The Biggest Win of All
While her athletic performance was impressive, it was her character that left the lasting impression. At the conclusion of the games, she was presented with the Award for Personality of the 2026 Halberg Games.
This prestigious recognition is given to the athlete who embodies the "Halberg Spirit"—positivity, resilience, and a supportive attitude toward fellow competitors. We are incredibly proud to have such an inspiring young woman representing St. Pius X School.
Please join us in congratulating her on an unforgettable weekend of sport! 

·       Our school is part of the Ministry of Education’s nationwide Ikura initiative, which provides free period products for students.

·       The programme makes sure no young person has to miss learning, sports, cultural activities, or feel uncomfortable at school because they don’t have access to the products they need.

·       A range of liners, regular and super pads and tampons are supplied.

·       Products meet the needs of students of different ages, preference, and cultural backgrounds.

·       Each period pack is designed to support a full menstrual cycle.

·       Students are encouraged to take as much as they need for each cycle, including for school holidays.

·       Pads and tampons can be discreetly collected from designated pickup points - Tui Classroom and an immediate supply in the senior girls' toilets.

·       Students may also speak with a staff member if they need help accessing products.

·       More information is available on the Ministry of Education website: [education.govt.nz]

 

Tommo's Bakery
As our school is growing, so are our Friday lunch orders from Tommos' and they have asked that I ring through the orders before 10:00am on Friday.  Can you please tell your child to put their lunch order in before school or even the day before. Make sure they have the right change. Unfortunately, if they put in a late order (after 10:00am) , they will not be able to get their lunch for that day.

General Information
Dear Parents and Caregivers, 

Welcome to St Pius X School. Whether you are new to our school, or already part of our community, we hope this  information helps answer your questions. 

School starts at 8:45am and finishes at 2:45pm. 

Please make sure your child arrives on time. We begin each day with prayer. If your child is late, they must go to the  school office to sign in. 

If you need to take your child out of school during the day, please sign them out at the school office. If your child  returns after the appointment, you must sign them back in at the office.  

We use an electronic roll to mark who is at school each day. Because of this, it is very important that you tell us if  your child will be late or away. You can report an absence in these ways:  

School website: stpius.school.nz (click on Absences) 

Skool Loop app: You can download this onto your phone. 

Phone message: Call 07 843 6554 and leave a message on the absence line. 

If your child arrives late and does not sign in at the office, you may get a text message saying they are not at school. 

If you have not reported your child’s absence by 10:00am, I will send you a text message. If we do not receive a reply from you, your child will be marked Truant, which means they are marked as away from  school without a reason. 

If you are taking your child out of school during the term for any reason, you must email the office a term in  advance. Please include your child’s name, class, and the dates they will be away. We must report this information  to the Ministry of Education. 

Please do not drive down the school driveway at any time. The only exception is if the school has asked you to pick  up your sick child or you have permission from the office. 

You can buy your child’s stationery online at myschool.co.nz. Choose the year level your child will be in (the room  name is not important). Please make sure your child has all their stationery ready for the first day of school. 

Fridays—Children can come to the office on Fridays to order lunch from Tommo’s Bakery. This is cash only, and  they must bring the correct change. 

Kebab Stop – Tuesdays & Wednesdays—You can order lunches from Kebab Stop on Urlich Ave.—Order online  at: orders.kebabstop.co.nz. Lunches will be delivered to the school office. This is a convenient option and supports  a local business. 

St Pius X uniforms are sold by The Brand Makers. You can buy uniforms at their store:- 6 Latham Court,  Frankton. Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm. (You can also order uniforms online at: tbm.co.nz (click Find My  School). A school hat is compulsory during summer months, a cap is for years 7 and 8 only. 

These fees are paid directly to the Catholic Schools Integrated Schools Office, not to St Pius X. We send your  contract to them and they will contact you about payments. For 2026 -  Fees are $536.00 per child and there is a Catholic Character fee of $60 per student as well.

We hope this information is helpful. If you have any questions, you can contact the school office by email,  (info@stpius.school.nz), phone (07 8436554) or SeeSaw. 

Mrs Maree.—St Pius X School Office Administrator

We welcome to St Pius X...
 
Josh & Beihathy

VINNIES FIA (FAITH IN ACTION) & VINNIES GUARDIAN ANGELS

This week our Vinnies began a new initiative - twice a week (Tues and Thurs) they are rostered on to organise lunchtime activities for students. These co-ordinators call themselves  ‘Vinnies FIA (Faith in Action)’ and they are visible in their gold vests. So if any students are at a loose end, they can look for the gold vests and they’ll find something fun to do. Another initiative is the ‘Vinnies Guardian Angels’ - the senior classes nominate one of their Vinnies each breaktime to don a yellow vest and make themselves available to anyone in need. Both initiatives have been received with great enthusiasm by both the Vinnies and the students.

 

What’s happening on your Board of Trustees

Last week the BOT had their regular monthly meeting. Here is a short summary of the decisions they made on your behalf.
- Viewed a video on the board members roles
from NZCO.
- Discussed possible crossing.
- Received a building update from the principal.
- Discussed the 2026 policy review schedule and how it would occur.
- Received information on the BOT assurances.
- Discussed the likely process to write the 2026 Strategic Plan.
- Received information on the mandated reporting and testing.

May
14th - Isabelle - Pukeko
15th - Joanna - Tara Iti
16th - Leah - Tui
17th - Amelia - Hoiho
17th - Joseph - Kakapo
21st - Zyle - Piwakawaka
22nd - Jerome - Kakapo
25th - Catherine - kakapo
25th - Ellah - Pukeko
28th - Chelsey - Tui
28th - Georgia - Pukeko
29th - Maria - Ruru
29th - Sofia - Ruru