Newsletter 2024/19 ~ 21 June 2024

As partners in Catholic Education and open to God’s presence, we pursue the fullness of life for all.

St. Patrick’s School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all students.

St. Patrick's School is a child safe school.

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pay respect to the ongoing living cultures of First Peoples. 

This newsletter comes to you from the lands of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk Nations.

From the Principal

This week is World Refugee Week.

In a world marked by displacement and the search for refuge, this year’s Refugee Week theme “Finding Freedom” – with a focus on family – encapsulates the profound journey of resilience, strength, and unity that defines the refugee experience.

The Finding Freedom theme invites us to explore the stories of refugees who, despite the challenges they encounter, discover a source of freedom within the embrace of their families. Whether it’s the unwavering support of parents, the protective love between siblings, or the communal strength found in extended and chosen families, neighbours, support systems upon arrival in Australia or the financial and emotional backbones that make the journey to safety possible, these connections become a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty.

What does it mean to be free?

To live without the fear of war, to have your basic human rights upheld, to live in equality and without the fear of persecution are just some of the examples of what freedom can entail. Every day millions of people across the world embark on dangerous journeys for the sole purpose of finding safety and freedom. From Australia to nations across the globe, settling into a new environment after experiencing the perils of a refugee’s journey can also provide the opportunity to live, to love and to dream.

Refugee Council of Australia

He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigners residing among you, giving them food and clothing.  And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt (Deuteronomy 10:18-19)

God of Safety,

We remember that Mary and Joseph escaped to safety in Egypt when Herod tried to kill baby Jesus and we remember how Mary MacKillop found safe places for homeless mothers and children.

Let our country now find room for the refugees who come begging for safety.

Let our hearts be big enough to welcome them so that they can forget their terror and sadness and find peace here.

Let us give them a home and a good future in our country.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, who knew what it was like to be a refugee.

Amen.

CURRENT & RECENT EVENTS

Phonics and Phonemic Awareness

Last week Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll announced a policy mandating that all Victorian government schools will teach the same type of reading lessons based on systematic synthetic phonics.

Under the new model, students from Prep to Grade 2 will be taught using a structured phonics approach, with a minimum of 25 minutes daily of explicit teaching of phonics and phonemic awareness.

Under the plan, the Minister is reported to say ‘there is a clear expectation that all government schools will implement a new teaching and learning model with explicit instruction at its core from next year. Schools that have not yet moved towards the model are expected to show planning for the change over the next three years.’

Phonics and phonemic awareness is a strategy which helps students break up words into individual sounds.

This has already been the teaching approach at St Patrick’s School for many years. Each of our class teachers are trained in the delivery of phonics programs and they continue to stay up to date with the latest developments in these areas. 

If you hear in the media of the need for phonics to be taught in schools, please know that this is the teaching method already being used successfully at St Patrick's.

Professional Planning

Today our three classroom teachers are collaborating with the teaching staff from Our Lady Help of Christians, Murtoa, to plan and develop units of work for Term 3.  We continue to partner with OLHC in the development of scope and sequences across the curriculum.  Catholic Education Ballarat consultants are assisting with the discussions and planning today.

To ensure that the children still have classes, we thank Mrs Bell, Mr Robarts and Mrs Beasley for leading the lessons today.

SWPBS

Yesterday was our final draw of the SWPBS raffle tickets for this term.  Congratulations to Patrick house on having received the most marbles in their container for the term. Patrick house students have chosen the reward for this term, which will be a "P" themed day - pyjamas, pizzas (on Wednesday), movie and popcorn - next Thursday.

Say Family

Today we bid farewell to Destiny (Year 1) and Liberty (Year 2) as their family leaves Nhill this afternoon to make their new home in Oakey, Queensland.  We have certainly enjoyed having the two girls at our school and, together with Cher Paw and Lay Doh, they have been wonderful members of our St Patrick’s School community.  We wish you safe travels and God’s blessings.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Pizza Lunch

The Nhill Bakery is once again sponsoring a pizza lunch for our students next Wednesday.

There will be no lunch orders on that date.

If your child does not wish to eat pizza, please provide their lunch.

Thank you to the Nhill Bakery for their generous donation.

Operation Christmas Child

As we celebrate Christmas in June tonight, it is timely that we have been invited to once again participate in Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse.  Many families have supported this project in recent years and are encouraged to do so again in 2024.

Please read the flyer below for more details on how your family can get involved.

End of Semester Reports

This semester's Student Assessment Reports will be provided to families via PAM on the last day of Term, Friday 28 June.

If your preference is to receive a hardcopy report, please email your request to principal@spnhill.catholic.edu.au before Monday, 24 June.

You will be able to find your child’s reports in PAM (SIMON Everywhere) >Select student >Profile Menu - Assessment Reports. See the below flyer for step by step instructions.

F-3 Excursion

The F-3 students will be travelling to Horsham Town Hall on Friday 28 June to attend a performance of Grug by Windmill Theatre Company.  Students will travel by bus at the start of the school day and return for dismissal at 2.15pm.  This will be the last day of term.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

As mentioned above, students’ reports will be accessible by families through the PAM app next Friday.

We will hold Parent-Teacher Interviews early next term on Wednesday July 17 (1.30 - 4.30pm) and Monday July 22 (3.30 - 4.30pm). Bookings will be available to be made via PAM early next week.  The interviews will be held in person at the school. Parent-Teacher Interviews provide an important opportunity for families to discuss their child’s progress with their classroom teacher. If you are unable to attend on that date or require a phone interview, please contact your child’s teacher to arrange an alternative time. 

Meerkat Productions and Grandparents’ Day

We will have a visit from Meerkat Productions on Monday 22 July as they present their adaptation of the picture storybook “Timeless” by Kelly Canby.

Emit (whose parents turned back time to name him) is surrounded by busyness. Dad is too busy to read stories, Mum is too busy to play games and Emit’s brother and sister are simply too busy doing nothing to do anything, at all. Emit tries everything he can think of to get more time, he tries to catch it, wait for it, but it’s not until Emit tries to buy some time that he learns the secret which is, if you want time, you have to make it.

The performance will begin at 9.15am and we will again be combining the presentation with Grandparents’ Day.  Children are welcome to invite their grandparents or special elderly person along to enjoy the show and stay for a cuppa afterwards.  Invitations were sent home yesterday.

Home Reading

We are delighted with an 88% participation rate in our Home Reading Program.

Reading is the fundamental skill of learning and life. We encourage students to pick up a book every day during the school holidays and record it in your diary. Just 10 minutes each day can make such a difference to a child’s learning.

Just a reminder: parents/guardians, all you have to do is record home reading into your child’s diary each day that they read. School staff will tally the results at the beginning of each week and certificates and prizes will be awarded at the next weekly assembly. Please keep in mind that occasionally milestones might be missed unintentionally due to altered classroom schedule or staff absence, but these will be caught up in subsequent weeks – reminders are not necessary.

St Paul VI Parish Sacramental Preparation

First Holy Communion

Parents of those children who have celebrated their First Reconciliation sacrament earlier this year will be notified by email in early June of an Information Session date, where resources for First Holy Communion preparation will be distributed. Initial guidance will be given at the Information Session along with the resources and two further meeting dates will follow, to complete the necessary requirements before the sacrament is received.

Celebration of First Holy Communion will occur in Sunday Masses on set dates across the parish, most likely over August/September.

Confirmation

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place with a similar structure (home preparation and consolidation discussions in different churches) on a slightly later date scale.

Confirmation will be celebrated with Bishop Paul attending/visiting the parish as part of our Diocese 150th Year jubilee. Currently that timing is set for November.

Any questions, please contact the Parish Office on 5382 1155.

NCCD Information Sheet for Parents, Carers and Guardians

Sunday’s Reading

Mark 4:26-34

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus uses two parables to teach us about the kingdom of God. The first parable is about a man who scatters seeds on the ground. The seeds sprout and grow, even though the man doesn’t know how it happens. This shows us that God’s kingdom grows in ways we might not see or understand. Our small acts of kindness, like helping a friend or sharing with someone in need, are like planting seeds. God helps these seeds grow into something wonderful, even if we can’t see it right away.

The second parable is about a tiny mustard seed. Even though it’s one of the smallest seeds, it grows into a large tree where birds can find shelter. This teaches us that even our smallest actions can make a big difference. Just like the mustard seed grows into a big tree, our little acts of love and kindness can help make the world a better place.

These parables remind us that God’s love and kingdom start small in our hearts and grow as we share them with others. Every kind word, every helpful deed, is important. Jesus wants us to know that we can all help spread God’s love and make the world more like His kingdom by being kind and loving every day.

Our Josephite Heritage

The Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, often called the "Josephites" or "Brown Joeys", were founded in Penola, South Australia, in 1866 by Mary MacKillop and the Rev. Julian Tenison Woods. In 1949, three Josephite sisters arrived in Nhill to open St Patrick’s School. In 1978, the Sisters of St Joseph informed the Nhill Parish that they would no longer be able to maintain their role within the school.

We endeavour to honour our Josephite heritage through the regular presentation of the Little Joey awards at our assemblies. In support of this we also include a reflection from Mary MacKillop on our newsletter each week.

By the Numbers

100 - The number of years in a century; the number of cents in a dollar; the number of runs I’ve never made in an innings!

Unfortunately I am away this weekend and will miss the highly anticipated match between Nhill and Horsham Saints tomorrow.  Hopefully it is a good match.

Meanwhile, it’s Retro-round as the Power and the lions clash in the 20 year anniversary of the 2004 Grand Final - ah, what a great day that was!!  And Port commemorating by wearing the guernsey of the day. C’arn the Power - same result as 20 years ago please! (I haven’t changed much in those 20 years either!!)

God Bless you all.

Kingsley Dalgleish

Principal

Classroom and Student News

Junior Class News

We have almost reached the end of Term 2 and I am so proud of the growth students have made since the beginning of the year. A special congratulations to our wonderful Foundation students! I am so proud of all the amazing learning they have achieved! And, of course, I am proud of the wonderful learning the Year 1 students have accomplished. With the upcoming holidays I just want to remind families to keep up with the home reading; 10 minutes a day can make such a difference to your child's learning.

Next term, the juniors will begin the term looking at subtraction and graphing in Mathematics and will continue with the essential core knowledge and strong foundations to become successful readers and writers in our Literacy sessions.

Just a reminder, on the last day of term the F-3 students will be going on their excursion to see Grug in Horsham. Morning tea will be provided; however, lunch will still need to be packed for the day. We are planning to have lunch at the Botanical Gardens and we will return to school before the school day ends at 2:15pm.

On a sad note, we say goodbye to Destiny and Liberty this week. The girl’s presence will be missed by all staff and students, but we know they will continue to shine in sunny Queensland and will make many new friends. Thank you for being superstars at St Patrick’s!

Have a fabulous weekend and keep warm!

Cheers,
Mel Kupper 

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support SWPBS

Throughout the day, staff monitor for students demonstrating aspects of Respect, Responsibility
and Safety within our school. Students are issued a ticket to place in their classroom container. During assemblies, a draw takes place and those who have their ticket drawn out are invited to place a marble in their House container. The House with the most marbles at the end of each term will be rewarded.

Congratulations to all children who were recognised for their positive actions around the school. This week Stella, Daniel B and Jody were randomly drawn from the nominations for Respect, Responsibility and Safety, and have added tokens to their respective Houses' tallies.

Little Joey Awards

We continue to acknowledge the significant role of the "Brown Joeys" in the establishment of St Patrick's School, and recognised Eliza and Tegan with Little Joey awards.

Our Little Joeys receive a certificate, sticker and a voucher/goods donated by a local business.  We are very grateful for the contributions from our local businesses. 

Reading Achievements

The following students were recognised for their reading achievements:

25 nights - Max

50 nights - Amity

75 nights - Treesa, Hannah G, Hannah E, Harlow, Jesinta, 

125 nights - Declan

School Advisory Council

Parent Representatives

• Rebecca Curtis 
• Emily Gladdis
• Moo Khu James
• Michaela Koop
• Zanther McEldrew
• Ashleigh Meyer

Ex Officio

• Mons. Glynn Murphy - Parish Priest
• Kingsley Dalgleish - Principal

Meeting Dates

• Tuesday, 23 July 2024, 7:30pm
• Tuesday, 15 October 2024, 7:30pm

Dates and Reminders

School Calendar

June

Fri 21 - 6pm SAC's Family Fun Event "Christmas in June"

Wed 26 - Pizza Lunch (No Lunch Orders today)

Thu 27 - "P" day - wear your pyjamas

Fri 28 - Years F-3 excursion to Grug, Horsham

Fri 28 - Last day of Term 2 - dismissal time 2.15pm

July

Mon 15 - Student free day for staff professional development

Tue 16 - First Day Term 3 for students

Wed 17 - 1:30pm Dismissal time - student free afternoon for Parent-Teacher Interviews

Mon 22 - Meerkat Performance combined with Grandparents Day 9-11am

Mon 22 - 3.30pm Parent-Teacher Interviews

Tue 23 - 7.30pm SAC Meeting

Fri 26 - 9:15-11:00am Kinder Visit

St Patrick's Nhill

Church Times

11:00am Mass each Sunday

Community News

WWHS Oral Health Survey

WWHS Cooking Competition

Casey Kosch First Aid Training

Horsham Neighbourhood House - Participants: Kids 6 - 12 years (parents can participate if they want but not essential) - Monday 8th April - x2 sessions (non-accredited) - Educators: Your Family Vet & Casey Kosch - Cost: FREE - All Bookings are through Horsham Neighbourhood House. Children will learn basic First Aid for humans and animals.

Warracknabeal Neighbourhood House - Participants: Family Session (parents and children 6+ years) - Thursday 11th July - x2 sessions (non-accredited) - Educator: Casey Kosch - Cost: FREE - All bookings are through Warracknabeal Neighbourhood House. Children will learn basic First Aid.

Our Mission

Child Safe Standards

SchoolTV

Positive Parenting

“There is no such thing as a perfect parent. However, research shows that one of the most important protective factors in the lives of young people, is a close relationship with a supportive adult.”    Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

Reminders

Parent Access Module PAM / SIMON Everywhere

The Parent Access Module PAM (SIMON Everywhere app) is our "go-to" for all parent information. Download the SIMON Everywhere app from the app store on your mobile phone and login using your PAM credentials.

Simon Everywhere delivers instant notifications to parents' mobile phones, delivering the functionality of PAM in an easy to navigate app. We will use Simon Everywhere for all important notifications.  

You will be able to manage all your day-to-day school needs from Simon Everywhere, including:

• notify us of absences;
• view the school calendar;
• provide permission for student activities;
• update medical/contact information;
• view the lunch orders menu; 
• read the newsletter.

Please contact the office with any questions.

Student late arrival, early departure, temporary absence procedures

All student late arrivals, early departures or temporary absences must be recorded in the Passtab iPad located in the foyer.  Please ask office staff for assistance.

Lunch Orders

Lunch orders should be written onto an envelope with correct money sealed inside.  Please don’t use plastic bags or waxed bags.  The writing wipes off these and the staff at the bakery find it hard to read.

You can find the lunch orders menu in SIMON Everywhere: - >Home, scroll down to >School Links

Bus notes

Parents of bus travelling students please note that Nhill College has requested that any changes to travel arrangements (e.g. if you are picking up your child after school) be notified before 3.00pm on that day.  

You can do this by -

• use the Bus Change Notification Form on their website (link below) - this is a quick and easy process on your mobile phone (hint: add this as a quick link on your phone's home screen)
  • we have put this link onto PAM (Simon Everywhere) >Home, scroll down to >Parent Links
• calling our school office 53911575
• sending an email to principal@spnhill.catholic.edu.au or krintoule@spnhill.catholic.edu.au

Remember to follow us on Facebook

Those who are on Facebook are encouraged to follow our page at St Patrick's School, Nhill.  'Like' our page, enjoy our posts, and share them with your friends.  Stay connected through our Social Media page.

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Victoria

Please visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria website (link below) for all up-to-date information about the response to COVID-19.

• All staff, students and visitors to schools should undertake regular hand hygiene, particularly on arrival to school, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the toilet.
• Hand sanitiser will continue to be available for staff, students and visitors.
• The most important action school communities can take to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is to ensure that any unwell staff, parents/carers and students do not attend school sites, even with the mildest of symptoms, and get tested.

*Six simple steps to protect yourself and those most at risk

1. Wear a face mask
2. Take a test
3. Stay at home
4. Meet outdoors
5. Talk to your GP about COVID medications
6. Get vaccinated

*coronavirus.vic.gov.au