New Principal
Trish Walsh, the new Principal at St Pius X School, returned from her four months Study Leave, enthusiastic and ready to continue to lead a school that ensures that the best opportunities are available for all children to develop educationally, socially and spiritually.

ERO Review
Recently the Education Review Office carried out a review of the school, concentrating especially on the quality and impact of reading programmes on student achievement. All New Zealand schools are also evaluated on progress in improving Maori student achievement, the impact of professional learning, and aspects of health and safety.

Staff, the Board of Trustees and students are to be congratulated on receiving a very positive report.
Data collected using the Supplementary Test of Achievement (STAR) for Years 4 to 6 shows that 87% of students achieve at average or above average levels compared to 60% nationally. Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in mathematics show that 91% of students achieve at average or above average levels.

Te reo me nga tikanga is well planned in classroom programmes and integrated through the school’s special character. Students are actively engaged in reading programmes and they take part in activities to extend or support their learning through a variety of initiatives: second language learning, curiosity kits for boys and a well-planned library.

Roll
Your help would be appreciated to assist the school to update records and anticipate roll numbers over the next couple of years. If you have a pre-schooler who is not yet enrolled please contact Mary in the office. If you know of anyone considering sending their child to St Pius, please encourage them to contact the school as soon as possible. Unfortunately the school’s non-preference roll is full.

Special Character
The whole school joined parishioners at 9am Mass on Friday 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the church is beautifully decorated with their paintings of the Assumption. One class is attending each Thursday morning Mass during this term and the parishioners who attend these regularly enjoy the participation of the children. Last Thursday the class presented Fr Earl with a gift to congratulate him on his 50th jubilee in the priesthood and the Principal, Trish Walsh expressed her thanks for his constant assistance at the school.

On a lighter note, our new priest, Father Philip Watkins SSS introduced himself to students after Mass on Friday. One boy asked him if Mass was boring when he was a boy.
"Yes, it was quite boring," Father Philip said.
"Well why did you become a priest then?" the boy asked.

Fundraising
The school raised $100.00 towards Margy Weston’s funding for her duathlon in Italy later this year. Margy is looking for further sponsorship. Please contact her if you can help.