Newsletter 2024/35 ~ 22 November 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

As we commence 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we are also conscious of the ongoing conflicts around the world.  Sadly, the suffering on global and local levels continue to flood our news services.  As always, we pray for peace in our world.  The following prayer has been prepared by the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart for the 16 Days of Activism, but is relevant at all times.

God of all, 

we stand in solidarity with the suffering of this world. 

Nourish our desire and action 

as we live and work to bring about a time of peace,

when violence is banished, 

when both women and men are able to love 

and to be loved 

and when the work and wealth of our world is justly shared. 

We look forward to this future in faith and hope. 

Amen.

CURRENT & RECENT EVENTS

Buffy visit

Yesterday we had our final visit from Buffy Harrison for the year.  Buffy taught the children how to sing the Aussie 12 Days of Christmas song.  The children will be performing this at the Nhill Christmas Carols on Saturday 14 December at Jaypex Park.  We have a bit of work to do in terms of the timing of the signs with the music, however the children learnt the signs themselves very quickly.

We thank Buffy for her ongoing association with St Patrick’s School and our Auslan program.

Kinder Visit

Today we have been happy to welcome our 2025 Foundation students for their fourth visit as they prepare for their transition to primary school.  It has been an absolute joy to be able to meet and get to know the newest additions to our St Patrick’s School family. 

Today the children received their school hats and they looked even more entrenched as students of St Pat’s.

Peace Posters Exhibition

A reminder that the Peace Posters that our senior students completed for the Lions International Peace Poster Competition are being exhibited in Nhill Gallery Central for the next two weeks.  Please feel free to call in to the Gallery to see the posters.

School Preparations for the Bushfire Season

Each year, the Department of Education runs an annual fire risk assessment of schools and early childhood services. They are allocated a category of risk (categories 0 to 4) and are published on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR).

All schools and early childhood services listed on the BARR list will also close when a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast in their fire weather district.  

When the Bureau of Meteorology provides public fire danger rating forecasts or fire weather warnings, they use fire weather district areas. In Victoria, there are 9 fire weather districts, which are based on Local Government Area boundaries. Our school is in the Wimmera fire weather district.

As part of preparing our school for the fire season, we have updated and completed our Emergency Management Plan and have conducted other relevant preparedness actions, such as reprioritised any maintenance works that may assist in preparing for the threat of fire and cleared our facility’s grounds and gutters.

What does this mean for our school?

Our school has been identified as being at risk of bushfire or grassfire and is listed on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR).

DOBCEL, in accordance with the department’s Bushfire and Grassfire Preparedness Policy, requires our schools on the BARR list to close when a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast in their fire weather district. All school bus routes which travel in or through a district with Catastrophic fire danger must also be cancelled.

Our school will close on any day forecasted as Catastrophic fire danger rating in Wimmera fire district.

Closure of the school due to a forecast Catastrophic day will be confirmed on the day prior and we will provide you with advice before the end of the school day when possible. Any information regarding potential or confirmed Catastrophic fire danger days will be communicated to you by PAM.

Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, even if the weather forecast changes.  This is to avoid confusion and help your family plan alternative care arrangements for your child/ren.  It is also important to be aware that:

• No one will be on site on days where the school is closed due to a forecast Catastrophic day.
• All bus routes that travel through the Catastrophic area will be cancelled.
• School camps will be cancelled if a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast for fire weather district in which the camp is located, or if the travel involves passing through areas that have Catastrophic fire danger.

In addition, families are encouraged to action their Bushfire Survival Plan on Catastrophic fire danger rating days.  On such days, children should never be left at home alone or in the care of older children.

For those of us living in a bushfire prone area, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) advises that when Catastrophic days are forecast, the safest option is to leave the night before or early on the morning of the Catastrophic day.

What can families and the school community do to help us prepare?

• Ensure we have your current contact details, including your mobile phone numbers. 
• Keep in touch with us by reading our newsletters, checking PAM, and by talking to your child’s teacher or any other member of the teaching staff about our emergency management plan.
• Make sure your family’s bushfire survival plan is up-to-date and includes alternative care arrangements in the event that our school is learning from home due to elevated fire danger or closed due to a Catastrophic fire danger. Further information can be found on the CFA’s website.
• Action your family’s bushfire survival plan if your own triggers are met. Our school community may be spread out across many areas and some families may be at higher risk than others. Your family’s safety is critical, so please let us know if you are actioning your bushfire survival plan and if your children will be absent on these days.
• If your child is old enough, talk to them about bushfires and your family’s bushfire survival plan. There is a link below with some activities to assist with this discussion.

You can find more information on emergencies, warnings and preparedness actions here:

• VicEmergency app – that can be downloaded on your android and iOS mobile devices
• VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226)
• Website https://emergency.vic.gov.au

• Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vicemergency)
• Twitter (https://twitter.com/vicemergency)

ABC local radio, Sky News and other emergency broadcasters

UPCOMING EVENTS

SAC Annual Meeting

A reminder of our SAC Annual Meeting on Monday, 2nd December at 6.30pm.

Nominations for vacant positions closed last week and we have received enough nominations to fill the vacancies.

All parents/guardians/carers are encouraged to attend. We expect that the meeting should not be longer than an hour.

16 Days of Activism

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence commences next Monday and continues though until Tuesday 10 December.  Monday is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and 10 December is World Human Rights Day.

During the 16 Days of Activism, people around the world unite to raise awareness about gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to end violence against women for good.

Violence against women is a global problem and it requires global action. Calls for action like the 16 Days of Activism are crucial because they shine a spotlight on the issue of violence against women. They are a moment to create public awareness about what needs to change to prevent it from happening in the first place at local, national, regional and international levels.

Catholic Education Ballarat is proud to participate in this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign in Victoria. 

More than 1 in 3 women have experienced men’s violence. On average, a woman is killed by a man she knows every 10 days, and in 2024 that number is much higher. Safety for women is not a given in any community – and neither is respect.

Locally, you are invited to participate in a free ‘Walk the Walk’ event on Monday evening from Nhill Community Centre at 6pm and culminating at 7.30pm at Nhill Lake.  A free barbecue tea will be available at the lake.  Participants are encouraged to wear orange. (See flyer)

Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH ) supports the 16 Days of Activism and has made available a campaign calendar which provides opportunities to learn, engage and take action against gender-based violence.  The calendar can be downloaded by following this link:

School Captains

At our most recent SAC meeting, discussion was had around the introduction of leadership positions for our senior students.  All of our seniors are asked to show leadership and to be positive examples for our younger students on a daily basis.

The SAC proposed that we introduce the School Captain roles, and possibly other positions of leadership as well, as a means of offering even further leadership opportunities for individuals.

Our current Year 5 students were invited to nominate for the positions of School Captains and several have submitted written applications for the roles.  These students will be interviewed by representatives of the SAC and Ms Farnham next week before a recommendation is put to me.  I will then officially announce the School Captains at our Graduation evening on 18 December.

Graduation

Our Graduation Mass will be held in the Church at 2pm on Wednesday 18 December.  Children will officially finish school for the year at the conclusion of the Mass.

Our Graduation evening will commence later on the same day at 6pm in the school hall.

Parents and family members are invited to both of the above ceremonies.

Forest Fire Management - upcoming planned burn

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) will be conducting planned burning in this area (Nhill Swamp) over the next few  months when conditions are suitable.

More information is available at this link:

Saver Plus

Sunday’s Gospel

Mark 13:24-32

Mark’s Gospel passage from last Sunday describes Jesus teaching about His return, using vivid images like the darkening sun and stars falling from the sky. He promises that after these events, He will come in power and glory to gather His followers. Jesus also uses a fig tree to explain how we can observe signs of His return, though no one knows the exact day or hour.

'Take the fig tree as a parable: as soon as its twigs grow supple and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. So with you, when you see these things happening: know that He is near, at the very gates.’

This passage reminds us that Jesus is faithful and will fulfil His promises. It teaches us to stay prepared by living in a way that honours God—showing kindness, praying, and following Jesus' teachings. Like the fig tree showing signs of change, we can notice how God works around us and through us. This passage isn’t about fear but about hope, reminding us that Jesus’ return is a time of joy for those who trust Him. It encourages us to live with faith and readiness.

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

116 - Section 116 of the Australian Constitution allows for freedom of religion in Australia by preventing the Australian Parliament from making laws which prevent the establishment or practice of religion in Australia.

Classroom and Student News

Junior Class News

We are now at Week 7 of the term, with just four weeks to go until the end of term! The students have been immersed in a range of exciting activities and are making wonderful progress in their learning.

Literacy

In Literacy, the Green group has been exploring plurals by learning how adding ‘s’ transforms a word from singular to plural. Both the Green and Blue groups have been revising their previous learning and completing assessments to showcase their progress.

The class has been delving into stories about letter writing, sparking their imaginations with The Jolly Postman series and Dear Dinosaur. These books have helped students understand how messages can be delivered in many forms, including letters, postcards, and emails. Inspired by these tales, they created their own incredible postcards – each one full of creativity and personal flair!

Transition Days with Kinder Kids

We had the pleasure of hosting the kinder kids in our classroom for two full days. It was a joy to have them with us, and our students did a fantastic job of welcoming their future schoolmates. We can’t wait to see them again for our transition day in a few weeks!

Maths

In Maths, the students have been honing their skills in understanding location:

• Foundation students practiced describing positions, moving a given number of squares on a grid, and solving problems using verbal directions.
• Year 1 students focused on ordinal numbers to identify positions, using both verbal and written instructions to change locations, and solving position-related challenges. They also created obstacle courses and guided the Foundation students through them using verbal instructions – a fun and engaging way to apply their learning!

Art

Our Junior students have been busy weaving with Mrs Bell, developing their fine motor skills and crafting beautiful friendship bracelets. Their hard work and perseverance have resulted in some truly fantastic creations!

With just four weeks left of the term, we are excited to continue building on the wonderful progress our students have made so far.

Thank you for your continued support. Wishing you a fabulous weekend filled with joy and quality time with your loved ones!

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. Students who were randomly drawn from the nominations for Respect, Responsibility and Safety, and have added tokens to their respective Houses' tallies, were Stella, Jody and Jesinta.

Little Joey Awards

We continue to acknowledge the significant role of the "Brown Joeys" in the establishment of St Patrick's School, and recognised Tessa 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:

25 nights - Moe

50 nights - Moe

100 nights - Jewel

125 nights - Jesinta, Srishti, Zoe

150 nights - Meena 

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

November

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

December

Mon 2 - SAC Annual Meeting 6:30pm

Tue 3 - St Brigid's College Year 7 2025 Orientation Day

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

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

Wed 18 - Graduation Mass 2pm

Wed 18 - Graduation & End of Year Presentation Night 6pm

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

November 19 marks International Men's Day—a day dedicated to celebrating the positive influence of men, their contributions to society, and their roles as fathers, mentors, and leaders.  The theme for this year, “Positive Male Role Models,” emphasizes the positive impact of men in various spheres of life, including their families and communities.

In this edition of SchoolTV - Raising Boys

Many parents will attest to the fact that most boys are active, loud, rambunctious and prone to rough play, but this should not affect how a parent acts towards their son. Be careful not to pigeon-hole your son into sex-specific behaviours or gender roles. The male brain is distinctly different in its development. A boy’s physical maturity is often at odds with his mental and brain development.

Societal beliefs about how to raise boys can sometimes influence their adult carers. Although we are not determined by our biology, it is a factor. It is important to support boys in their natural tendencies and nurture their strengths and abilities. Teach them the skills they need for their future and to develop a healthy identity. It is important for boys to have a role model they can connect with and acknowledge who they are. One of the most important determinants for a boy’s development is how secure they feel growing up.

In this edition of SchoolTV, adult carers will gain a better understanding into some of the more complex issues relating to raising boys.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

eSafety

eSafety's statement on the national age restrictions for digital platforms

There’s been a lot of discussion in the media lately about children’s use of social media and how age restrictions on digital platforms might work. As Australia’s online safety educator and regulator, we know that any approach needs to be evidence-based and nationally cohesive. We will continue working with stakeholders across government and the community to further refine Australia’s approach to online harms. 

Talking about online risks with your kids

Some topics are hard to talk about, even with other adults. Discussing online safety and sexual abuse online with your child can be daunting and difficult. eSafety has published a suite of new resources to help guide conversations with your children about online safety.  

•  Read – Tips for talking to 0 to 12 year olds and 13 to 18 year olds about child sexual abuse online
•  Watch – Videos on protecting children from child sexual abuse online  
•  Listen – eSafety staff speak to the Fathering Project podcast about online safety. 

Having conversations early and often is important. Talking regularly and openly with children about what they’re doing online, how it makes them feel and who they’re connecting with is one of the most effective ways to help protect them.

Free webinars for parents and carers

eSafety’s live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences. 

Our Term 4 webinar dates are now online.  

Supporting healthy tech use as your child transitions into high school 

• Thursday, 28 November, 12.30 pm AEDT 

eSafety 101: How eSafety can help 

• Wednesday, 4 December, 12.30pm AEDT 

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