As we come to the end of a busy and vibrant Term 2, we want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you to our teachers, staff, students, and whānau. This term has been full of rich learning, special events, and joyful moments — none of which would be possible without the hard work, dedication, and support of our whole school community. From classroom learning, sports days and celebrations, there has been so much to be proud of. Our tamariki have continued to show resilience, kindness, and a love for learning. Thank you for being part of what makes our school such a special place. We wish everyone a safe and restful break over the holidays and look forward to an exciting start to Term 3!
Mufti Mania – YCC Day for St Leo’s
Friday, 27 June This Friday, we will join Catholic schools across Aotearoa in support of St Leo’s Secondary School in Kiribati through YCC Day. Tamariki are invited to wear home clothes and bring a gold coin donation to help raise money for new permanent classrooms at St Leo’s. This is a simple and fun way for our students to show compassion and solidarity with others in the Pacific. Let’s join together to make a difference!
🏫 A Sneak Peek into Takahe Class!
With huge excitement, our Kiwi class (soon to be Takahe in Term 3) had the chance to visit their new classroom and explore some of the wonderful new spaces.
The students were full of smiles and curiosity as they checked out where their learning will continue next term.
We look forward to officially moving in and making the most of this beautiful space in Term 3. There will be a special blessing after our Opening Mass on Thursday 24 July to mark this new beginning.
📚 Book Week Is Coming!
Week 1, Term 3 — 15 to 18 July Theme: Myths and Classic Tales
We are excited to begin Term 3 with Book Week! This is a special time where we celebrate the joy of reading and storytelling. Each day will have a fun event for our tamariki to enjoy:
Tuesday – Teacher Read-Alouds: Teachers will visit other classes to share their favourite picture books.
Wednesday – House Team Buddy Reading: Children are invited to bring a favourite book from home to share with their house team buddies.
Thursday – PJ Day & Teddy Bears’ Picnic: Come to school in your pyjamas and bring a teddy. We’ll enjoy read-aloud stories and a picnic together.
Friday – Book Character Parade: Dress up as your favourite character from a myth or classic tale and join the fun parade!
Let’s make it a magical week full of imagination and reading!
🙏 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.
📅 Important Reminders
Term 3 starts on Tuesday 15th July. A reminder that Monday 14th July is a Teacher Only Day for professional learning in mathematics.
✨ You’re Invited
Blessing of Our New School Buildings and Sports Court
We warmly invite you to join us for a special celebration as we bless and open our new learning spaces and sports court at St Pius X School.
🗓 Thursday 24 July ⛪️ Mass at 9:00am at the Church of St Pius X, followed by a procession to school for the blessing ☕️ Morning tea to follow
Come and share this joyful moment with us as we give thanks and look forward to the future together.
📍St Pius X School, Melville
Enrolments for Younger Siblings – 2026 & 2027
Our school roll is currently full until Term 2, 2026.
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! 🍕 Thursday – Pizza Thursday Pizza can be ordered at school on Thursday 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.
Enjoy the upcoming Matariki weekend.
Ngā mihi nui Erin Clayton (Principal)
A note from St John's College
Enrolments close on Wednesday 2 July.
School Board Elections
For more information, contact Returning Officer, Maree: info@stpius.school.nz
Our Board of Trustees Elections is now calling for Nominations and these will close at 12noon on the 30th. July 2025. A cover letter and a nomination form will come out to you towards the end of this week (before the school closes for holidays). If you are unable to print off the form or send it back to me, you can come and pick up a paper copy on Tuesday 15th July (as Monday is a Teacher Only Day). I will not be in the office during the holiday break.
Important information from the office
With many important events happening next term, it’s essential that your contact details are up to date. Please ensure we have your current address, phone number, and email. If your details are outdated, you could miss out on key information and upcoming events.
You can update your details by clicking on the following link:
Over the School Holidays, 2 of our St. Pius students will represent New Zealand at the Oceania Inline Hockey Championships. Fortunately the girls will not have to go far as the tournament is happening right here in Hamilton at the Hamilton Inline Rink on Old Farm Road. Kenley Green will serve as Team Captain and younger sister Emery will suit up as a goaltender for the Under 11 New Zealand Kiwiblacks Inline Hockey Team next week right here in Hamilton. "Such a cool opportunity to play right here at home for my country, in front of my friends and to get to do it with my sister is the icing on the cake ! " said Kenley. The sisters would love to invite all their fellow students , faculty and their families to come catch them in action at the rink or on Youtube as they attempt to bring home the gold for New Zealand. Both girls are also in the running to be selected to Team OCEANIA that will be headed to the USA in 2026 to compete.
HOCKEY NEWS
Player of the days over the last 2 weeks:
Molly & Aron
Liam & Rebecca
We have had 2 tough weeks for the Saints United team with 2 very close loses against Berkley & Ngahinapouri. Some great goals scored & also great defending!
BASKETBALL NEWS!
What a Term for the Year 3/4 Basketball Team Blue Beasts!
The Year 3/4 Basketball Team has wrapped up another incredible term — and what a run it's been! They powered through the competition undefeated, showing amazing teamwork, determination, and skill on the court.
To top it all off, they’ve done it again — bringing home the Winners Trophy and making us all proud!
A huge shoutout to our awesome parents for cheering them on each week, and a massive thank you to our dedicated coaches, Coach Gerard and Mrs. Williams, for their guidance and passion every step of the way.
OUR PEOPLE
New Teacher Aide for Term 3
Nau mai, haere mai, (Welcome)
I’m known as Whaea Jacque to the children I’m blessed to be with, in our Catholic School community. I have worked in the education sector for a number of years working with students from years 0-8, after working in Pharmaceuticals and the corporate world for many years.
I feel very lucky to have had the opportunities to study Māori, sign language, diabetic support/medication administration, and I am currently studying braille. During my time in support staff roles across schools I have worked in specialist roles with low vision students, literacy support, in class support, first aid, and have supported students with a range of neurodiversities.
My passion is to see children of all abilities achieving success in their own time.
Outside of work I am a busy Mum of three, and all of my children have attended St Pius X Catholic schooling. I feel truly privileged to have had my children supported with the amazing Teachers that have filled this beautiful school over the years.
I spend my time outside of school supporting an array of sports that my children are involved in. My husband and I love the beautiful outdoors of Aotearoa and try to see as much of it as we can. We also enjoy a good DIY project too!
I feel very blessed to be both a parent and staff member of such a beautiful multi cultural school, where our tamariki of all abilities have the opportunity to be seen, heard, supported and extended.
I live my life with this in mind… “We make a living from what we get, but a true life is made from what we can give”
Kia Ora, kia manaaki te Atua (Regards, and God Bless) Jacque
SCHOOL INTERVIEWS FOR TERM 3
We are having Parent/Teacher Interviews in Term 3 on Thursday 31st July 2025. You will be able to book your interviews from Tuesday the 15th July through until Monday the 28th July 2025. Please contact the office if you have difficulty booking your interviews.
School Holiday Programmes
Click on the link to check out school holiday programmes
🤝 Friends of the School – Upcoming Events & Help Needed!
The Friends of the School have a number of exciting events coming up, and we’d love your support!
🎉 Quiz Night – Saturday 23 August We are now collecting raffle prizes and gift donations to help make this a fun and successful event.
🎁 Father’s Day Raffle is also coming soon — more details to follow!
🕺 School Disco – End of Term 3 Always a highlight for the kids — we’ll need helpers to make it a great night!
If you’re keen to get involved, we’re holding a “Stay and Play” meeting this Thursday (26th June). Come along to hear what’s coming up and how you can help — big or small, every bit of support is appreciated.
Thank you for being part of our amazing school community!
Why Do We Fundraise?
Kia ora whānau,
At St Pius X School, fundraising helps us give your children the best learning experience possible. The money raised goes towards extra resources like sports gear, classroom supplies, technology, school trips, and fun events for our tamariki.
In New Zealand, schools receive some money from the government, but not everything is covered. Fundraising helps us provide more opportunities and support for our learners.
We know that many families are new to how schools work in New Zealand. Please know that every little bit of support—whether it’s time, donations, or helping at events—makes a big difference.
A Celebration of Books and Reading
Ending on Friday with a Book Character Parade
Term 3 Opening Mass- Followed by blessing of the new classrooms and court
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Life Education Visit
All Day
Duffy Theatre at St Lukes
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School Interviews
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Senior School Mass
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NZ Marist Rugby Visit
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The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Cultural Festival at St Johns
All Day
Quiz Night- For Fundraising
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Junior School mass
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Communitea Dinner St Lukes
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Middle School Mass
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Creative Day
All Day
Fathers Day Assembly
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Term 3 Closing Mass
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Sacred Heart Information Evening
All Day
Experience Sacred Heart Day
All Day
Community Notices
Friday lunch orders menu.
The NZTD (travellerdeclaration.govt.nz) is an online system that travellers can use to complete a declaration before they travel into New Zealand. The new digital NZTD was launched in August 2023 and not many people know they can now do it online – replacing the paper card you used to fill out on the plane.