Newsletter 2024/32 ~ 18 October 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

75 years ago, Sr Adrian and Sr Catherine Teresa opened the doors of the JP Ryan Hall and, in doing so, opened St Patrick’s School to the first intake of students.  32 students started at the school in February 1949 and on Sunday we will be celebrating 75 years of continuous Catholic Education in Nhill.

There has been some wild weather this week and we keep Sacred Heart Primary School in Casterton in our thoughts as their school has been severely damaged by the storms on Wednesday night.  Unfortunately they have had ceilings collapse in a number of rooms, significant water damage and are without power.

Hopefully our farmers have not been too affected by the weather.

CURRENT & RECENT EVENTS

SAC Tea Towel Fundraiser

The SAC Community Engagement & Fundraising Working Group is running a tea towel fundraiser. Order forms have been sent home with children (one form per family). These are a great keepsake for your children or for Christmas gifts. There is no obligation to purchase, but please note that orders are due by Friday, 1st November and payment must be received by the following Friday.

Year 6 visit to Nhill College

As part of the Year 7 Transition Program at Nhill College, our Year 6 students had their first introduction to secondary school visit on Wednesday. Some classes they attended included Indonesian, woodwork, music and cooking. They made pizzas for lunch. Thank you to Mrs Pilgrim for accompanying the students.

The next visit is next Wednesday, 23 October. Students will need to bring PE gear with them.

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Nhill Show

Well done to those who were able to be part of the grand parade at the Nhill Show yesterday and thank you to the parents who coordinated our children’s involvement.

The students entered quite a number of items across a variety of categories.  Congratulations to the following students:

• Jayden - First - 9-10 years Art - Any Medium Class Q
• Brodyn - First - 5-6 years Painting - Any Subject Class Q
• George - First - Pre-School-Prep - Decorated Bottle Class M
• Claire, Sophie, Jonas, Marnie - First - Paint Skateboard Deck (students) Class Q
• Charlotte K - Second - 5-6 years - Construction Free Stand Class Q
• Hannah G - Second - Yr 2-3 Colouring Competition
• Jesinta - Second - 11-12 years Art - Any Medium Class Q
• Stella - Second - Yr 1-3 Decorated Bottle Class M
• AJ, Elvi - Third - Paint Skateboard Deck (students) Class Q.
• Amity - Highly Commended - Yr 1-3 Decorated Wooden Peg Class M
• Jewel - Highly Commended - Yr 1-3 Decorated Bottle Class M
• Tyler - Encouragement - Art (any medium not mentioned) Class Q
  

Around the School

School has been a busy place this week, despite having two days without classes.

On Monday and Tuesday we had a visit from Rapid Tree Solutions who came and trimmed back some of the trees and removed dead limbs where necessary.  We also had Carey Covers come and put up our shade sails again in readiness for the summer weather (presumably it is coming!).  We also needed to deliver items for judging at the Nhill Show.  Yesterday was Show Day and today all students are attending “You Are a Doughnut” at Horsham Town Hall.

We are also preparing for our celebrations on Sunday.

Greater Western Athletics

Congratulations to AJ and Daniel B who competed in the Greater Western Region Athletics in Ballarat last Friday.  The boys qualified for the Championships based on their results at the West Wimmera and Little Desert Championships last term.

Daniel finished 7th overall in the Triple Jump and AJ was 10th in the 100m.  These are outstanding results given that they were competing against the top performers from across all schools in Western Victoria.  (Daniel’s jump from the West Wimmera Championships would have placed him third in the Greater Western Championships!)

UPCOMING EVENTS

75 Years  of St Patrick’s School

On Sunday we will be gathering with past students, staff and families to celebrate 75 years of St Patrick’s School.

Mass will be held in the St Patrick’s Church at 11am with involvement from our students.  After Mass we will move across to the school hall for the official welcome and presentations.  The community will then be welcome to wander through the classrooms and school building to speak with current students and staff members.  The portable has also been set up with a number of photo albums and displays.

Several parents will be cooking sausages and we thank Luv-A-Duck for the use of their barbeque.

It is anticipated that the day’s events will conclude around 2.30-3.00pm.

Transition Program - upcoming dates

A reminder of the upcoming transition program dates:

• Nhill College - Wednesday 23 October - Students will need to bring PE gear with them.
• St Brigid’s College - Monday 28 October.
• Kinder - Friday 1 November 8:55am-11:00am.
• Kinder - Friday 8 November 8:55am-1:00pm.
• Kinder - Friday 15 November 8:55am-3:15pm.
• Kinder - Friday 22 November 8:55am-3:15pm.
• Nhill College - Headstart Week - 9-13 December.
• St Brigid’s College - Orientation Day - Thursday, 12 December.

Sunday’s Gospel

Mark 10: 17-30

In Mark 10:17-30, a rich young man asks Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus tells him to follow the commandments, which the man says he has done. But then Jesus challenges him to give up his wealth and follow Him. Saddened, the man leaves, unable to part with his possessions. Jesus then teaches that it is difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God, but with God, all things are possible.

This passage reminds us that following Jesus requires more than just obeying rules—it asks for a deep commitment, a willingness to let go of things that might distract us from fully trusting in God. For us, this could mean thinking about what might hold us back from following Jesus wholeheartedly. Are there habits, desires, or attachments that keep us from growing closer to God? Jesus invites us to trust in Him, knowing that true fulfilment comes from following His path.

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

113 - This year marks 113 years since the Australian Government took responsibility for the Northern Territory which had previously been governed by South Australia.

Classroom and Student News

Senior Class News

This week has been a short but quite an action packed one. This week saw the final touches completed on all Nhill Show entries and of course, yesterday was the actual Show Day. Today the whole school has an excursion to the Horsham Town Hall to see the performance of “You are a Doughnut.”

In Literacy, the performance and what it is about has been the focus for the Senior class. As such, they have been learning about the history of comedy and entertainment duos as well as the functions of the digestive system. 

In Maths, we have started the term with the topic of fractions, decimals and percentages and will continue to work on understanding how all three are related.

In Integrated Studies, we have explored the three levels of the Australian Government, looking at the roles and responsibilities of the Local, State and Federal governments.

Additionally, we have continued our exploration in Religion of the links between Dignity, Hope,Promise and Gratitude and looked at how we incorporate the idea of Dignity into our everyday lives.

Lastly, Wednesday was the first of two orientation sessions for the Grade Sixes who plan to attend Nhill College next year. The students spent the morning getting familiar with the grounds and taking classes with other Year 6 students from the local areas. The second session will be next Wednesday morning. Those Year 6 students who plan on attending St Brigid’s in Horsham will have their own orientation later this month. 

As mentioned last week in assembly, and despite the wild wet weather of this week, we are heading into warmer weather for the rest of the term. As the weather warms up, please make sure your child’s jumpers and jackets are clearly labelled, as they’re likely to come on and off throughout the day. This also includes water bottles and hats.

Have a fantastic weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone ready to learn next week!

Ms Farnham

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 April, Douglas and Tyler 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 Hannah G with a Little Joey award.

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:

75 nights - Stella, Gu Thay Paw

100 nights - Nile, Xavier, Srishti

125 nights - Daniel P, Kyan, April, Meena

250 nights - Tegan, 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

Dates

• Annual Meeting - Monday, 2 December 2024, 6:30pm

Dates and Reminders

School Calendar

October

Sun 20 - 75 Year Anniversary, starting with Mass at 11am

Wed 23 - 9am-1pm Year 6 visit to Nhill College

Mon 28 - Years 5 & 6 visit to St Brigid’s College

November

Fri 1 - 8:55-11:00am Kinder to Foundation Transition Visit

Fri 8 - 8:55am-1:00pm Kinder to Foundation Transition Visit

Fri 8 - 1:30pm F-2 Sports Afternoon

Fri 15 - 8:55am-3:15pm Kinder to Foundation Transition Visit

Fri 22 - 8:55am-3:15pm Kinder to Foundation Transition Visit

December

Mon 2 - SAC Annual Meeting 6:30pm

M-F 9-13 - Nhill College Year 7 2025 Headstart program

Thu 12 - St Brigid's College Year 7 2025 Orientation Day

Wed 18 Dec - Last day for students (dismissal time 3:15pm)

St Patrick's Nhill

Church Times

11:00am Mass each Sunday

Our Mission

Child Safe Standards

The Child Safe Standards began in Victoria in 2016.  The 11 Child Safe Standards are designed to help keep children safe from abuse and harm.  Organisations working with children must comply with these Standards.

The Commission for Children and Young People have produced a plain language guide for the Standards which will be shared through our newsletter.

SchoolTV

SPECIAL REPORT: The Cost of Living Crisis

In today's uncertain economic climate, parents and caregivers face the need to discuss the rising cost of living with their children, despite the instinct to shield them from life's challenges.

Starting these conversations requires choosing the right time and setting, aiming for a relaxed atmosphere. Using simple language and relatable examples, parents and caregivers can help their children understand the concept of increased expenses. Transparency about necessary budget adjustments is vital, as it is to involve children in finding solutions and fostering responsibility.

Amid these discussions, it's crucial to reassure children of your unwavering love and support. Seize the opportunity to impart financial literacy, teach your children about budgeting and discerning needs from wants. By emphasising intangible values like love and cherished memories, parents can help children grasp the bigger picture beyond monetary concerns.

Addressing financial topics with children might be challenging, but it is essential. Not only does it equip them with resilience to navigate life's complexities, but it can also effectively prepare young people to understand and handle financial matters in the future.

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

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