Newsletter 2025/19 ~ 25 July 2025
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
It has been a chilly start to Term Three this week. Despite the weather, the children returned to school full of enthusiasm as we commence the second semester.
The children shared stories of their holiday activities and adventures - whether it was imaginative play at home, going to the park or attending the movies, all had a story to share.
This term is two weeks shorter than Term Two but no less intense with much to get through both academically and with extra curricular activities. This week the students have been undertaking mid-year DIBELS testing. This is a literacy assessment which is completed at the beginning of the year, mid-year and again at the end of the year.
Next week the Foundation students will celebrate their first 100 days of school. During August we’ll also have visits from the Kinder children; we’ll participate in the Bullying No Way: National Week of Action; Book Week will be celebrated; a combined Mass with Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School will be held; and we’ll continue to watch the progress of the building.
RECENT & CURRENT EVENTS
Building update
The transformation of the school building has continued throughout the holidays and this week. Most of the internal walls have been removed, cabinetry and carpeting has gone and the roof has been removed from the toilet block and lunch shelter area.
Hockey
Our Hockey team participated in the Hockey 7s competition at Dimboola on Wednesday and came away victorious. The team enjoyed wins against Wimmera Lutheran College Nhill 4-2, Balmoral 4-1, and Dimboola 9-1 to progress through to the final against St Patrick’s Primary School St Arnaud. Our St Patrick’s won the final 6-4. An outstanding effort by all involved. Congratulations to the team and special thanks to Mrs Bell for coordinating our involvement and for driving the bus and to Helen Cannell for her coaching, Jonas Beattie for umpiring, Bec Curtis and Holly and Clint Beattie for their support on the day.
Bee Family
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Bee family. Many of you would be aware that Stella (Year 2), her sister Jody, and their parents were involved in an accident just outside Horsham during the first week of the school holidays. Daniel (Year 6) and older brother, Thar Shue, were not involved in the accident. Both parents and Jody were hospitalised as a result of the accident. Jody and her mother, Moo Khu, are still in hospital in Melbourne and making positive progress.
The School Advisory Council coordinated a collection to help the family and I wish to thank everyone for your generosity and compassion that has been afforded the family. They still have a long journey ahead of them as they continue down the recovery path.
Phone out of order
Mrs Rintoule and I have moved into our temporary office space in front of the hall. Any visitors to the school need to sign in via this office. At the moment we are without a landline connection for the phones. If you need to contact the school, you may do so by contacting the school mobile on 0419 929 271 or via email.
Book Club
ISSUE 5 IS OPEN, and there's a lot to get excited about in this Issue:
- 60 Book Week Costumes to WIN!
- Brand-New Books from Beloved Authors!
- $5 Promo Code is Back!
Why it Matters...
-- Teachers will have engaged readers with books that kids are excited about
-- Parents save time and money while getting Book Week sorted
-- Students get stories they’ll treasure – and a chance to dress up, too!
UPCOMING EVENTS
100 Days of School
Book Week
Book Week will be celebrated across Australia during the week 16-23 August. This year’s theme is Book an Adventure!
Children are invited to dress up on Monday 18 August.
Kinder visit
Current 4 year old Kinder students and their families are invited to visit our school on Friday 8 August from 9.15am until 11am.
Children and their parents will be able to join our Foundation-Year 1 class during the morning session. This will be a valuable opportunity to see our school in action, meet key staff, and ask any questions you may have about our programs, facilities, and transition processes.
Children are to bring a drink bottle with water, and a piece of fresh fruit to eat during our Fruit Break time at 10am.
I invite all families who are considering their Primary School options for 2026, to come and take a look at what we have to offer at St Patrick’s School.
If you are unable to attend on 8 August and would like to arrange an alternate time, please contact me on 0419929271 or principal@spnhill.catholic.edu.au
We look forward to nurturing your child’s future.
Enrolments for 2026 are now being accepted across all year levels. Please contact the front office for an enrolment package.
School Sport Australia
I will be away from school next week, as I will be in Brisbane in my role as School Sport Victoria Australian Rules Football Umpires State Team Coach/Manager and National Umpires Supervisor. Over 4000 students will be participating in a number of sports at the School Sport Australia Games. Mrs Kupper will be my Principal’s delegate next week.
CDLP
Ms Farnham will be attending a Country Dioceses Leadership Program (CDLP) next week (Wednesday to Friday). Ms Farnham is one of a select number of teachers from across the Diocese to be selected to be part of this program which hosts a limited number of emerging and established leaders from across the Ballarat, Sandhurst and Wagga Wagga dioceses.
CDLP aims to deepen participants’ understanding of leadership within the Catholic school context; build capacity, knowledge and skills of middle leaders; and to provide opportunities for middle leaders to identify their effective leadership practice and to apply this within their particular school context.
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.
Sunday's Gospel Reflection
Luke 10: 38-42
In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Martha is busy preparing food and doing chores, while Mary sits and listens to Jesus. Martha becomes frustrated and asks Jesus to tell Mary to help. But Jesus gently tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better part by taking time to listen to Him.
This story reminds us how important it is to make time for Jesus. Like Martha, we can get caught up in being busy—doing homework, playing sport, or helping at home. These things are good, but we also need to make time to pray, be quiet, and listen to God in our hearts—just like Mary did.
Jesus isn’t saying that helping and working hard is bad, but that spending time with Him helps us grow in love and peace.
Let us all remember to stop, be still, and make space for Jesus in our day.
By the Numbers
138 - Qantas Flight QFA138 is a daily flight from Christchurch International Airport, departing approximately 6.10am (NZST) and arriving in Sydney at approximately 7.10am (AEST) after a three hour flight.
The Aussies have accounted for the West Indies in cricket, the Matildas have refound their form in recent matches, and an Aussie even won last night’s stage of the Tour de France. Locally, Nhill sit second on the ladder in the Wimmera Football League. If only Port could find some form as well. Hopefully they can do so tomorrow night against the Adelaide Clowns! C’arn Port!
God Bless you all.
Kingsley Dalgleish
Principal
Classroom and Student News
Senior Class News
Welcome back to an exciting Term 3! Hopefully, everyone had the opportunity for rest and the time to relax over the two-week break.
All classes have started the week with enthusiasm and positivity. The Senior class has been busy at work in Literacy. They will be studying two novels this term - “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and “When Marnie was There.” They have started their spelling activities this week looking at vocabulary specific to the texts and learning how to use the words in context.
In Maths, they have started the topic of Multiplication and setting up to look at Division as well. They have been reviewing the mental strategies and different ways to multiply and started to practice how to use different ways to reach the total.
In Religion, we have started the topic of hospitality and how this can be played out in real life. We will continue to look at the Laudato Si’ (the Pope’s letter on the environment) as well. Hospitality is the idea that we be kind, welcoming and generous to visitors and strangers whenever possible.
In Integrated Studies, we are also exploring the formation of Australia as a nation and the students are exploring two questions - What do we know about the lives of the people of Australia’s past, and how do we know? And the follow up question of Who were the people who came to Australia and why did they come?
Thank you for supporting your child’s learning journey at home. Have a great weekend and make sure you rug up against the expected rain!
Warm regards, 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. Students who were randomly drawn from the nominations for Respect, Responsibility and Safety, and have added tokens to their respective Houses' tallies, were Nile, Mckenzie and Avery.
Little Joey Awards
We continue to acknowledge the significant role of the "Brown Joeys" in the establishment of St Patrick's School, and recognised Max 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 - Samual, April, Zion, Harlow, Rahitya.
100 nights - Hannah G, Matthew, Daniel P, Valentino.
125 nights - Tegan, Shalom.
150 nights - Tegan.
School Advisory Council
Parent Representatives
- Clint Beattie
- Rebecca Curtis
- Emily Gladdis
- Bonnie McEldrew
- Zanther McEldrew
- Ashleigh Meyer
- Courtney Taylor
Ex Officio
- Mons. Glynn Murphy - Parish Priest
- Kingsley Dalgleish - Principal
Dates
- Meeting - Tuesday 5 August 2025 5:30pm
Dates and Reminders
Term Dates
2025
Term 3 21 July to 19 September (students finish 18 September)
Term 4 6 October to 19 December
See dates on PAM (SIMON Everywhere)
School Calendar
August
Fri 1 - 100 Years of School Celebration (Foundation & Year 1)
Tue 5 - SAC Meeting 5.30pm
Fri 8 - Kinder visit 9:15-11am
S-S 16-23 - Book Week
Mon 18 - Book Week Dress Up Day
Wed 20 - WWSSA Athletics
Fri 29 - Gifting Mass
September
Thu 18 - Last Day Term 3 - dismissal time 3:15pm
Fri 19 - Student free day for staff professional development
October
Mon 6 - First Day Term 4
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.
All students enrolled at St Patrick’s School have the right to feel safe and be safe. The safety and wellbeing of children in the school’s care will always be our first priority and the school will not tolerate child abuse. The school will create a child-safe and child-friendly environment where children are free to enjoy life to the full without any concern for their safety. Particular attention is paid to the most vulnerable children and young people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, those from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with a disability, children who are unable to live at home, international students, and LGBTQIA+ students. The full policy can be accessed via our school’s website: https://spnhill.catholic.edu.au/policies-procedures
The school’s Child Safety Officer is the Principal, Mr Kingsley Dalgleish.
We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and well-being and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures, and practices. If you have any suggestions, comments, or questions, please contact the Principal either by phone or email principal@spnhill.catholic.edu.au
School TV
Sibling Relationships
Sibling relationships play a powerful role in shaping a young person's social and emotional development.
"Supporting healthy sibling relationships means recognising each child's unique strengths and avoiding comparisons. This encourages mutual respect, reduces rivalry and helps build lasting bonds into adulthood." Dr Michael Carr-Gregg
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in these editions of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact your child's teacher or the principal for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Reminders
School Office Hours
- M 8:45am - 4:15pm
- T 8:45am - 4:30pm
- W 8:45am - 4:30pm
- T 8:45am - 4:30pm
- F 8:45am - 1:00pm
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
- Wear a face mask
- Take a test
- Stay at home
- Meet outdoors
- Talk to your GP about COVID medications
- Get vaccinated
*coronavirus.vic.gov.au
Concussion Protocol
Concussion is a serious situation and children, like adults, need time to rest and recover after receiving a concussion. Schools have obligations for understanding if activities need to be adapted for students recovering from concussion sustained outside of school.
Given the requirement to rest, recover and adapt activities it is important schools are made aware when a student receives a concussion outside of the school setting.
Concussion – Important information to be aware of
If your child has experienced concussion outside of the school setting it is important that they rest for a period of 24 to 48 hours and then gradually return to activities after this time. Returning to school can be a graduated approach with the aim of increasing tolerance to a full day, the same situation could occur with sporting activities. It is always important to check with your doctor and seek medical treatment after a child sustains a concussion.
It is important to inform the school if your child has sustained a concussion outside of school; this is to ensure the school can monitor your child’s wellbeing and adapt activities as required.
Links:
- Factsheet from the Royal Children’s Hospital is valuable to read and understand.
- There is also a great evidence-based app from the Murdoch children’s research institute that walks you through what to do in the result of a concussion.