Principal's Message
Miss Erin Clayton
Kia ora e te whānau
This will be our final newsletter for a couple of weeks as Ms Maree is taking leave to visit her son in England. We wish her safe travels and a wonderful time with her family.
🏀 Courts in Action
It’s been great to see our new courts being used so well by our learners during breaks. We are hoping for a good run of clear weather so the basketball hoops can be reinstated soon. Thank you to everyone for your patience – we know this is a popular space!
🚐 Life Education Caravan
A big thank you to all our learners for showing great manners and positive behaviour during our visit to the Life Education Caravan this week. It’s been a valuable time of learning and reflection for all involved.
⚽ Soccer Skills Programme
Next week we begin a six-week soccer skills programme thanks to the support of the Melville Soccer Club and Waikato Bay of Plenty Soccer. Every class will have a free coaching session each Tuesday – what an awesome opportunity to build skills and have fun!
⛪ Upcoming Parish Mass – Feast of St Pius X
Please mark your calendars for our School Parish Mass on Sunday 17th August at 9am, as we celebrate the Feast of St Pius X. All families are warmly invited to attend. If you are able to bring a plate of food to share for morning tea afterwards, it would be greatly appreciated.
❓ Quiz Night – Friday 23rd August!
It’s nearly time for one of our most exciting events of the year – Quiz Night! 🧠🎉
Get ready for a fun evening of questions, laughter and raffles!
Get ready for a fun evening of questions, laughter and raffles!
How you can help:
- 🛒 Bring a grocery item to school for our raffle hampers.
Every item earns house points, so join in and support your team! - 🎁 Do you have a connection to a business or a great prize idea?
We’re collecting prizes for the quiz night raffles and would love your help!
Thank you for supporting our school community – we can’t wait to see you there!
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Please Be Careful in the Carpark
We now have 261 children at our school. This means more families are picking up children at the same time. Please be extra careful in the carpark. Drive slowly and watch for children.
Here are some important reminders:
🚶♀️ Walking to Dermont Street
Our Years 7 and 8 students will keep walking to Dermont Street after school. Younger brothers and sisters will walk with them. If you want your child to join this group and walk to Dermont Street, please tell the school office. We will help them get there safely.
🕒 Come After 2.45pm
It is better to come just after 2.45pm at the end of the day. By then, your child will be finished and ready to go. If you come too early, you may take a carpark and have to wait. If everyone comes at the right time, the carpark moves faster, and everyone gets home sooner.
🚸 New Ideas – Can You Help?
We are talking to the Council about better ways for children to be picked up and dropped off. One idea is a walking school bus that goes further than Dermont Street. If you are interested in helping with this, please let the office know.
Finally new signs
The Council have provided the school with new signs highlighting where to park and a drop off and go area. Please follow the directions of the signs. We have a lot of 'on street parking' available near school if you are happy to walk 5 mins to the Church.
Thank you for helping keep our children safe.
🚶♀️ Walking School Bus – Coming Soon?
We’re exploring the idea of starting a Walking School Bus! This means a group of students would walk home from school together along a set route, supervised by parent volunteers.
Walking together is a fun, healthy, and safe way to get home – and there may even be prizes for students who show dedication to walking regularly!
We’ll be holding an information evening soon for families who are interested in finding out more or who might like to help. Keep an eye out for the date!
Kōrero First with the Classroom Teacher
If there has been a concern or issue at school, we kindly remind all parents and whānau that the first step is always to talk with your child’s classroom teacher. Please do not approach another child or their whānau directly. Our teachers are here to help support positive relationships and will work with you to resolve any concerns in a respectful and safe way. Thank you for helping us keep our school a place where everyone feels cared for and supported.
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.
✨ You’re Invited- Important Date Change
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 7 August
⛪️ Blessing at 10:15am at the new building and court of St Pius X school
☕️ Morning tea to follow
⛪️ Blessing at 10:15am at the new building and court of St Pius X school
☕️ 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. We are not able to guarantee a place for any siblings whose birthday falls in the start of Term 1 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!
🍕 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.
🥙 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.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to another fantastic term together.
Ngā mihi nui
Erin Clayton (Principal)