Newsletter 2025/24~ 29 August 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
To mark the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese of Ballarat in 2024, Bishop Paul Bird composed a special Anniversary Prayer. Following a request from the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, Bishop Paul has now adapted this prayer to serve as an ongoing Diocesan Prayer.
RECENT & CURRENT EVENTS
St Patrick’s & OLHC Gifting Mass
It has been wonderful to be able to welcome Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School today for our combined Gifting Mass.
The students from OLHC joined in with our classes this morning as we continue our connection between our two schools.
With today’s Mass being held after this newsletter is published, we will share photos of the Mass in next week’s newsletter.
I do, however, wish to thank our school community for the support you have given through the donations of food and cash (which has been converted to fuel vouchers to assist those who need to travel for medical appointments). Your sense of community spirit demonstrates how we continue to respond to the call for us to look out for those in our community who are more vulnerable. Your compassion and respect for others demonstrates Catholic Social Teaching in action and reminds our students that faith is not just something we talk about in the classroom—it is something we live out through service, kindness, and genuine human connection.
Building Update
Despite the wet weather this week,the builders have continued working through the conditions. This week we have seen plumbers on site installing pipes for the new toilet block. The concrete path at the front of the school has been removed and internal walls have started to be erected.
Season of Creation
The Season of Creation begins on Monday, 1st September, the World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation, and runs through to the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, 4th October. It is a time when Christians from across the globe focus on God’s gift of creation and recommit to care for this precious gift. The Season of Creation celebrates the joy of creation as well as encouraging awareness-raising initiatives to protect the natural environment. This year’s theme is 'Peace with Creation.'
A Laudato Si’ Beatitudes Prayer
God of All Creation,
Blessed are those who hold the space for dialogue with the natural world, God, and each other, for they will hear the fullness of life.
Blessed are those who enter into relationship with the natural world, for they will know the intrinsic value of all of God’s Creation.
Blessed are those who heal the wounded earth for they will be restored to right relationship with all of Creation.
Blessed are those who discern the voice of Creation for they will receive an experience of God in a language not our own.
Blessed are those who see with the eyes of their heart for their vision will imagine the potential for new life to emerge.
Blessed are those who nurture the needs of the living and nonliving world, for they will be nourished in body and spirit.
Blessed are those who live simply, for their discipline will bring harmony with the rhythms of life.
Blessed are those who cultivate a life of prayer for they will know an inner cosmos that honours the outer world.
Blessed are those who participate in civil affairs for they will bring the cry and song of the earth to systems of power and policy.
Blessed are those who have gratitude for they will receive the gift of abundance.
Amen
[Adapted from The Laudato Si Movement]
"Where's Wally?"
I had several guesses come through as people tried to find me amongst the attendees at the Mass at last week’s National Conference. Unfortunately, no one correctly identified me (so I get to hold on to the prize for another occasion). The correct location is circled below:
Issue 6 of Book Club is here!
ISSUE 6 IS OPEN, and it's supercharged with incredible reads to help boost children's reading powers.
- 60 Family Passes to WIN!
- Regular Reader Reward is back!
- Every Book Club LOOP order earns $5 to spend on the next issue.
Why Book Club matters ...
-- High-interest books keep kids engaged at home and in class
-- Promo codes and prize draws help families to afford and enjoy books and entertainment together
-- Teachers know that books are level-appropriate and designed to build comprehension
In Issue 5 $575,209 in Scholastic Rewards were given to schools nationwide - to help build their school library resources.
Medication administration at school - procedure
DOBCEL First Aid and Infection Control Policy states that “All DOBCEL workplaces strive to be communities of faith, hope and love where the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff and students is foremost. DOBCEL schools and office locations have a moral and legal responsibility to help provide all reasonable first aid and infection control practices to maximise the health, safety and wellbeing of all students, staff, volunteers and visitors.
To ensure that DOBCEL schools and office locations meet their legislative, moral obligations and demonstrate their duty of care, this policy outlines the specific obligations, responsibilities, strategies and actions to help prevent or control the transmission of infectious diseases and to provide first aid.
Primary responsibility for the prevention and control of infectious diseases lies with individuals, families and public health authorities.
DOBCEL schools and office locations are expected to provide basic first aid treatment and infection control measures. Expert advice or advanced medical treatment is the role of Emergency Services, medical practitioners and the Government health authorities. …”
In accordance with the DOBCEL First Aid and Infection Control Procedures, the processes described in the Medication administration at school - Information for parents will be followed at school. Please read the document by following the link below. It is also available on the SIMON Everywhere app >Home >School Links >Parent Links.
We will be updating our documentation in the coming weeks. If applicable, please complete and return any forms provided to you as soon as possible.
<flowchart> https://stpatsnhill.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/7184/flowchart_administrationofmedicationprocedures_informationforparents.pdf
Free webinar - Digital Media Literacy and Safety
From the SchoolTV team, you are invited to an exclusive, one-off event to benefit from the insights of two of Australia’s leading experts, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
- WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part III)
- DATE: Wednesday, 3 September 2025
- TIME: 7:30 pm
Topics in this webinar include:
- New Social Media Regulations
- Digital Footprint and Reputation
- Screen Time and Brain Development
- Parental Controls
Participants MUST REGISTER PRIOR to the commencement of the webinar to gain access.
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 13:22-30
In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is asked, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” Instead of giving a number, Jesus tells them to “strive to enter through the narrow door.” He explains that many will try to enter but won’t succeed because they only knew about Him, without truly following Him. Jesus warns that it’s not enough to simply hear His teaching or be near Him—we need to live as His disciples every day.
It’s easy to think being Christian is just about going to church, saying a few prayers, or knowing the right answers. But Jesus challenges us to go deeper. The “narrow door” is about making real choices that reflect God’s love—choosing kindness over gossip, honesty over cheating, courage over peer pressure, and forgiveness over holding grudges.
Jesus also gives hope: people from every nation will be welcomed into God’s kingdom. But He makes it clear that faith is about relationship, not just reputation. We can’t rely on what others do—we need to respond personally.
This Gospel passage invites us to take our faith seriously and live it out with commitment, so we can enter through the narrow door with joy.
By the Numbers
143 - Released in September 2024, ‘143’ is the title of the seventh studio album by Katy Perry.
The Power finished their season with a great win over the Suns last Friday night. As far as I know, that’s the end of the AFL season. Meanwhile, it’s a huge weekend for the Nhill Tigers with all four football teams playing in finals, together with C Reserve Netball.
C’arn the Tigers!!
God Bless you all.
Kingsley Dalgleish
Principal
Classroom and Student News
Senior Class News
This week has been a busy and engaging one for our class. Students followed up their Book Week activities by continuing to work on their Roll an Adventure story and taking part in a Battle of the Beetles task, inspired by One Little Dung Beetle by Rhian Williams. As a class, we completed our reading of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Students are now working independently with their own copies of the text, supported by access to an audiobook, to create detailed chapter summaries. Our focus in Mathematics has been on division. Students practised short division, dividing with and without remainders, and were introduced to long division strategies. Alongside this, daily multiplication drills helped to strengthen fluency and confidence with number facts. We have been drafting our entries for the upcoming Lions Peace Poster Competition, where students have been expressing their ideas of peace through art. In preparation for our Gifting Mass on Friday, we also learned and practised a number of hymns and songs together. During the week, the class created thoughtful and creative well wishes for the Bee family. In particular, students prepared messages for Jody, as Daniel and Stella have been visiting her in Melbourne.
We hope to see as many of you later today at the Gifting Mass at 12 noon. Have a safe, relaxing, warm and dry weekend!
Warm regards,
Ms Farnham
Community News
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
Next meeting date - to be confirmed
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
September
Wed 10 - Little Desert Athletics, Stawell
Fri 12 - 12pm Mass
Thu 18 - Last Day Term 3 for students - dismissal time 3:15pm
Fri 19 - Student free day for staff professional development
October
Mon 6 - First Day Term 4
M-F - Dental Heath Van
Thu 16 - Local public holiday Nhill Show
Fri 17 - F-2 Sports Afternoon
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
Resilience
Foster resilience requires strengthening family, community and children's own resources.
“Resilience is key to addressing mental health issues. We need to allow our kids to experience adversity. There is a tendency to shield our kids because parents have become a bit over-protective.” 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.
If the office is unattended, please use the QR code on the door (which will open the Passtab iPad in your phone).
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.