Principal's Message
Miss Erin Clayton
Kia ora e te whānau
✨ A lot has happened since our last newsletter!
📚 Blessing of the new building and courts
Father Joy led a beautiful blessing for our new classrooms and courts. It was a special moment for our school.
⛪ Mass of the Assumption of Mary
On Friday 15 August, we joined the Parish to celebrate the Mass of the Assumption of Mary. Thank you to the team for their support in the preparation of this event.
🙏 Parish Feast Day
On Sunday 17 August, our school community joined the Parish 9am Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Parish. It is always lovely to see our community growing and connecting. Thank you for all those who brought a plate and supported the event.
🇯🇵 Welcome to Sayaka Ota
For two weeks at the beginning of August we hosted Sayaka Ota, an elementary school teacher from Japan. She spent her summer holidays visiting New Zealand schools and learning about our teaching and learning. Thank you, Sayaka, for sharing your time with us and a big thanks to our teaching staff and school community for opening our school and culture to her.
🤒 Winter Illness Reminder
We know colds are common in winter, but if your child has a sore throat, fever, or ongoing coughing, please keep them home. These symptoms often mean they have something contagious and it can easily spread in a winter classroom. Look out for everyones health.
🎶 Te Hui Ahurea 2025 – Hamilton Catholic Schools Cultural Festival
Our Kapa Haka and Cultural group took part in this special event. Thank you to Mrs O and our wonderful whānau volunteers for your time and energy. A special thank you for the beautiful dance uniforms made by our families for the group.
❓ Quiz Night – Saturday 23rd August!
Have you bought your tickets for Quiz night? Our school relies on Quiz night to ensure that our Education programmes and opportunities can be well resourced. We need our amazing family and friends to join us on the night to make this happen. Our Quiz is held at the Glenview Club 7pm-9pm. Tickets are $10 each.
📅 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.
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.
✅ 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.
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.
Thank you for helping keep our children safe.
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 until Term 2, 2026. We are not able to guarantee a place for any siblings whose birthdays fall at 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)
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