Newsletter 2024/25 ~ 16 August 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

Yesterday was the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

After the Virgin Mary died, God took her to heaven to be with the risen Christ.

Father in heaven,

all creation rightly gives you praise,

for all life and all holiness come from you.

In the plan of your wisdom

she who bore the Christ in her womb

was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.

May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness

and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

CURRENT & RECENT EVENTS

Bullying No Way

Bullying – important conversations to have with your child

This week we have been participating in the Bullying No Way: National Week of Action.

By working collaboratively within our community, we can collectively help reduce bullying.

Parents and carers play an important role in helping your child understand bullying, and know how to respond to it.

If your child tells you about things at school, or you observe something in public that involves conflict or bullying, take the opportunity to talk about what bullying is. You can learn more about what defines bullying at the Bullying No Way website (link below).

Questions you could ask:

• What do you think bullying is?
• Have you seen it? How did you feel?
• Have you ever felt scared at school because of bullying?
• As well as me, who are the other adults you would talk to when it comes to things like bullying?
• Have you or your friends left other kids out on purpose? Do you think that was bullying? Why or why not?
• Have you ever tried to help someone who is being bullied? What happened? What would you do if it happens again?

Remind your child that bullying is never okay and discuss how they can respond safely if they experience or witness it.

Encourage them to seek help from a trusted adult and keep seeking support if needed.

By promoting open communication, we empower children to stand up against bullying and create a safer environment where everyone can feel that they belong.

Use the links below for more information.

SunSmart

As we approach the warmer (and sunnier) months of the year, the shade sails will be re-installed above the playground area soon.  

We are now in the “No Hats, No Play” part of the year (UV levels are 3 or higher).  Sun protection measures (sunscreen and hats) must be used each day when outside (recess and lunch breaks and classes held outdoors). Children are being reminded regularly to bring their SunSmart sun hats* to school.

• Any child without a suitable sun hat will sit in the shaded area during recess and lunch times.
• The school does not supply spare hats, unless required for class activities.
• Peak caps and visors are not suitable hats as they do not provide adequate protection from UV to the face, ears and neck.
• School sun hats can be purchased from Cambrelle’s.

Think UV, not heat.

• Temperature does not affect UV radiation levels.
• UV radiation can be high even on cool, windy and overcast days.

Handy First Aid Apps

Access first aid help online offline anywhere anytime - download one of these apps from your app store.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Book Week

Book Week will be celebrated next week.  This year’s theme is Reading is Magic.  Our annual Book Week Dress Up Day will be held on Thursday 22 August. On this day all children are encouraged to dress up taking inspiration from this year’s theme, or as their favourite book character, to share in the joy of our Book Week festivities. 

Book Fair

To coincide with Book Week, we will be holding a Scholastic Book Fair for the next two weeks, from Monday 19 August to Friday 30 August. The fair will be open for students to create their wish-lists at recess on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week, and parents can visit after school from 3:15 to 4:00pm on Tuesday and Thursday each week.

SAC members will also have a Book Fair stall at the next Lions Market in Nhill, on Sunday 15 September. They will be requesting some volunteer help - notes were sent home yesterday or complete the RSVP at the following link.

Father's Day

We will be celebrating Father’s Day at school on Thursday, 29 August.  Fathers and father figures are invited to come and share a hot dog lunch and a game of Tee-Ball and small games. Invitations have been sent with your children, or click the following link to RSVP. We are asking for RSVPs by Friday 23 August, please.

Middles Camp

Arrangements are being made for the Middle Class Camp on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 September. Further details will be provided in coming weeks.

From Diagnosis to O.A.M. – A Personal Autism Journey Plus a Siblings Perspective

On Wednesday 21st August 2024 renowned Autistic Self Advocate Daniel Giles O.A.M. (Order of Australia Medal) and his father Daryl Giles will be presenting “From Diagnosis to O.A.M. – A Personal Autism Journey Plus a Siblings Perspective” in Horsham. There are two sessions to choose from, 11:00 am and 6:30 pm (doors open 30 minutes earlier).

SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTER: Leash Purcell - Leash is Daniel’s sister who presents the valuable siblings insight into how they see their sibling who is Autistic from the aspects of home life, attending the same school and the challenges that presents for a sibling as well as from her perspective as a qualified educator (Masters Degree) who sees both the educators and the families understanding of the journey.

Our presentation is highly regarded and we believe, will be of special interest to: 

1. Educators working with Autistic students 
2. Health Care Professionals
3. Carers of Autistic people 
4. Parents of Autistic children 
5. Family Members 

The session will run for approximately 3 hours including question time.

Purchase tickets using the following link.

Wimmera Healthy Schools Newsletter August 2024

This Newsletter is produced by the West Wimmera Health Service Health Promotions Team

Click the link to read the newsletter which includes articles about what food kids want, being active in school holidays, and a recipe for delicious and healthy banana raspberry muffins.

Australian Catholics Magazine - Spring Edition out now!

National Water Week Poster Competition

Sunday’s Gospel

John 6:41-51

In John 6:41-51, Jesus addresses the doubts of the crowd who struggle to understand His claim of being the "bread of life" sent from heaven. Their confusion stems from knowing Jesus' earthly origins, yet Jesus invites them to look beyond the physical and perceive the spiritual reality He offers.

Jesus’ statement, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven", emphasises His divine mission to bring eternal life. The bread He offers is more than physical sustenance; it is His very self, given for the life of the world. This passage challenges us to deepen our faith and trust in Jesus as the source of true, everlasting nourishment.

By partaking in this "bread," we enter into a relationship with Jesus that sustains and transforms us. This reflection invites us to move beyond surface-level understanding and embrace the profound spiritual truth that Jesus is the essential nourishment for our souls, offering us eternal life.

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

106 - A Texas man reclaimed his Guinness World Records title by going skydiving at the age of 106 in May this year.

Classroom and Student News

Junior Class News

Welcome to Week 5!

I feel that we have just started the term, and yet we are officially half way through this term already. The F/1 students reached their special milestone of 100 days brighter on August 1st and had a fabulous day celebrating. In Maths, the F/1 students have been working hard learning about 2D shapes. They have been learning to identify their names, and how many edges and corners they have. Students then designed and created their own shape animals which are displayed in our walkway. Come check them out! The F/1’s have also been working on subtraction and learning the vocabulary involved to aid in their comprehension, which, in maths, helps students work through problems.

This week is Bullying: No Way! week. In class, the F/1’s learnt what bullying actually is; they played a Kahoot, acted out scenarios and had conversations around the topic. Here are some things the students have written about bullying:

• Don’t be mean to other people (Harlow)
• Don’t hurt other people’s feelings (Charlotte. K)
• I understand what bullying is. It is a repeated behaviour (Avery)
• I’m not going to be a bully. (Brodyn)

We hope you all have a fabulous weekend. It’s meant to be a wet one, so stay dry!

100 Days of School Gallery

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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 Charlotte K, George and Daniel B 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 Matthew P and Jayden 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:

50 nights - Isabella

100 nights - Tessa, Kyan, Tyler, Harlow

175 nights - Valentino

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, 8 October 2024, 5:00pm

Dates and Reminders

School Calendar

August

Mon 19 - Fri 23 Book Week

Wed 21 - WWSSA Athletics Warracknabeal

Thu 22 - Book Week Dress Up Day

Mon 19-Fri 30 - Book Fair

Book Fair preview times:

Students - 11-11:15am Mon 19, Wed 21, Fri 23, Mon 26, Wed 28, Fri 30

Parents - 3:15-3:45pm Tue 20, Thu 22, Tue 27, Thu 29

September

Thu 12 - Little Desert Athletics Stawell

Thu 12 - Fri 13 - Middles Camp

Sun 15 - 9am-1pm Book Fair at Nhill Market

Fri 20 - Last Day Term 3 - dismissal time 2:15pm

October

Mon 7 - First Day Term 1

Tue 8 - 5pm SAC Meeting

Thu 17 - Nhill Show Day (local public holiday)

St Patrick's Nhill

Church Times

11:00am Mass each Sunday

Our Mission

Child Safe Standards

SchoolTV

School Survival Series

Students today have very busy schedules all-year round and it’s a very different experience for the current generation. The digital revolution has changed the way kids learn and study, with information available to them 24 hours a day.

There are many strategies that students can implement to help them get through the school years but it is also important for parents understand how to support their child. This is essential during times of transition and exam time, not only emotionally, but also practically. This series aims to offer parents, and students, advice on how to minimise stress levels and the overall impact on family life.

Every year, the media exposes us to the hype and pressure relating to school related stresses. However, putting things into perspective for students and parents alike, can help prevent everyone getting overwhelmed.

Reminders

Parent Access Module PAM / SIMON Everywhere app

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