Newsletter 2025/25~ 5 September 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
National Child Protection Week 2025
Each year, the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) leads National Child Protection Week (NCPW). In 2025, it will be held from Sunday 7 September to Saturday 13 September.
NCPW encourages every Australian to play a role in supporting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
The theme for 2025 is:
“Every conversation matters: Shifting Conversation to Action.”
This theme reminds us that talking about child protection is important, but real change happens when our words inspire action. Conversations can raise awareness, challenge harmful attitudes, and generate fresh ideas. Yet we are called to go further—turning those words into practical steps that prevent harm, strengthen support systems, and empower communities to keep children safe.
Together, through both our words and our actions, we can build a safer future for every child.
Students at St Patrick’s are explicitly taught e-safety, including how to:
- recognise and understand what warning signs or ‘red flags’ look like online
- identify safe and unsafe behaviours and the differences between secrets that are safe and unsafe to keep
- use strategies to address harmful or dangerous situations online
- identify the qualities of a safe adult and how to access support pathways.
- understand why some people deceive others online
- use strategies to address harmful or dangerous situations online
- understand the importance of empathy online.
All in our community have a part to play in keeping our children and young people safe and have a responsibility to act on the core message, “protecting children is everyone’s business”.
RECENT & CURRENT EVENTS
Father's Day
Wishing all fathers, grandfathers and father-figures a special day on Sunday. This afternoon we welcome all who fall into this category to join us for an afternoon of tee-ball and mini-games as we celebrate Father’s Day.
Gifting Mass
Last Friday’s combined Gifting Mass with Our Lady Help of Christians School, Murtoa, was a wonderful celebration of our Catholic identity as we demonstrated our respect and compassion for others within our community.
Matthew’s Gospel (25: 35-40) states, “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’”
We saw this lived out through the generosity of our school community last week. Once again, I thank you all.
Enhancing Catholic School Identity
This week I have been in Ballarat, together with other school principals and representatives of DOBCEL as we have undertaken an intensive study into enhancing Catholic School identity. You may recall having completed surveys in the past (the most recent one being in 2024) which help inform us of how staff, students and parents perceive the Catholic identity of the school as well as providing insight of where each group ideally sees the direction of the school moving as we go forward.
This week has been about analysing the data across the diocese and more specifically within our own schools.
DOBCEL representatives will continue to work with our staff as we continue to unpack our data and plan for the future.
Work Experience
This week we welcomed Darcy Abley from Catherine McAuley College, Bendigo, to our school as he completed a week of work experience with us. Darcy has spent most of the week with the Juniors but has also joined with the other two classes as well.
Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week
Australian Teacher Aide (Learning Support Officer) Appreciation Week has been celebrated this week. The occasion was celebrated with a special morning tea for our LSOs.
We value the contributions and support that our LSOs provide every day. A huge thank you to Annette, Caroline, Charlotte, Emma and Rebecca for all that you do for our students, our teachers and our school.
WANTED
The Middles class is looking for some recycled craft supplies for Nhill Show entries. Donations can be left at the office.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Little Desert Athletics
We wish our students well at the Little Desert Athletics Championships in Stawell next Wednesday. We have eleven students who have qualified to compete at the Championships as a result of their performances at the recent carnival in Warracknabeal.
Mass
Fr Sajan will be joining us for Mass next Friday at 12pm in the Church. All parents and friends are invited to attend.
End of Term
A reminder that students will finish school for the term at 3:15pm on Thursday 18 September as staff have a Professional Learning day about Literacy on the Friday.
Thunderstorm asthma
St. Patrick’s School reminds our wider community that grass pollen season brings an increased risk of asthma and hay fever.
Thunderstorm asthma is thought to be triggered by a unique combination of high amounts of grass pollen in the air and a certain type of thunderstorm (typically between October and end December). It can result in people wheezing, feeling short of breath, and tight in the chest with coughing. This can be sudden, serious, and even life threatening.
Anyone can be affected, even if they don’t have a history of asthma.
If your child has current, past or undiagnosed asthma or seasonal hay fever they are at risk of thunderstorm asthma. Don't ignore symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath.
St. Patrick’s School encourages families to communicate any updated asthma action plans with staff. Our staff will monitor the Vic Emergency app to receive thunderstorm warnings, and, where appropriate, keep students indoors when weather forecasts identify a greater level of risk.
Protect your family this pollen season
For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who wheeze and sneeze during spring, thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life threatening.
There are things you can do to prepare and protect yourself and those in your care:
- It’s important for everyone in the community to know the four steps of asthma first aid so they know what to do if they or someone is having an asthma attack.
- Avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October through December – especially in the wind gusts that come before the storm. Go inside and close your doors and windows. Turn off any air conditioner that brings outside air in (e.g. evaporative air conditioners).
- If your child has ever had asthma – talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect them from the risk of thunderstorm asthma this pollen season, including updating their asthma action plan. Remember, taking an asthma preventer as prescribed is key to preventing asthma, including thunderstorm asthma.
- If your child has ever had hay fever – see your GP to make sure they don’t also have asthma and discuss how to stay safe during grass pollen season.
- Asthma reliever medication is available over the counter at pharmacies. Ideally, this should be used with a spacer, for both children and adults. If your child is needing to use their reliever medication more than usual, this may mean that their asthma management plan needs updating – see your GP and make sure that you communicate updated asthma action plans with your child’s school.
- Monitor the epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecast on the Vic Emergency thunderstorm asthma forecast webpage or download the VicEmergency app (App Store or Google Play) – you can set up a 'watch zone' for your location to receive advice and warnings about potential epidemic thunderstorm asthma events during the grass pollen season.
Protect yourself and those in your care this pollen season – preventing and managing asthma matters. There are a range of videos for caregivers on the Asthma Australia website:
Translated resources can be accessed at:
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 14:1, 7-14
In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is invited to a meal at the home of a Pharisee. He notices how guests try to sit in the best seats, hoping to be honoured. Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in humility—choosing the lowest place rather than pushing for recognition. He explains that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be lifted up.
Jesus also challenges His host to think differently about hospitality. Instead of inviting only friends, family, or wealthy neighbours who can repay the favour, He encourages inviting the poor, the sick, and those who cannot give anything back. This reflects God’s love, which is freely given and not based on what we can return.
This Gospel passage encourages us to live with humility and generosity. Instead of seeking attention or rewards, we are called to treat others with kindness, expecting nothing in return—just as God has loved us.
By the Numbers
144 - is both the square of twelve (a dozen dozens, or one gross) and the twelfth Fibonacci number. (The Fibonacci sequence is the sequence in which each element is the sum of the two elements that precede it ie 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,…)
A huge thank you to Collingwood for last night’s performance. I felt very comfortable as a member of the Black & White army as ‘we’ took care of the Adelaide Clowns in the Qualifying Final. I’ll now jump on board whichever team (GWS or Hawthorn) that plays the clowns this week.
Hopefully Nhill Tigers can bounce back from last week’s loss to Southern Mallee Thunder and continue their run in the finals with a win over Dimboola on Sunday. Good luck to all junior players and hockey teams as well.
For now though, “Good old Collingwood forever ..” - well for this week anyway!
God Bless you all.
Kingsley Dalgleish
Principal
Classroom and Student News
Middle Class News
It’s hard to believe we’ve come to the end of Week 7, the term has flown by. The Middles have spent the week hard at work.
In Literacy we’ve continued learning new spelling rules and developing our reading strategies. This week we have been learning to find the main idea in a text. In Maths we have continued learning about division. We’ve been practicing our times tables and developing efficient strategies to help us solve problems.
In Art, students have finished off their posters for the GWM Water poster competition. Through the process of completing these posters students have learnt about drought, water conservation and individual actions they can take. The process has also been an opportunity for students to create art with a specific audience and purpose in mind.
As the Term comes to a close our Art focus across the school will move to our craft entries for the Nhill show in early Term 4. To help with this, we are looking for donations of 600ml soft drink bottles, egg cartons, plastic ice cream tub lids and cardboard rolls. If anyone has any to spare, they can be brought to the school office or the Middles classroom, and would be greatly appreciated.
With Father’s Day this weekend, students have spent some time preparing some special writing and other things for their dads. They're also looking forward to welcoming our fathers and father-figures to the tee-ball game this afternoon.
Wishing everyone a Happy Father’s Day on Sunday and see you all next week.
Warm regards,
Miss Attard
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 Valentino, Gu Thay Paw and Daniel B.
Little Joey Awards
We continue to acknowledge the significant role of the "Brown Joeys" in the establishment of St Patrick's School, and recognised David and Samual 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 -Noah
75 nights - Kyan
100 nights - Tessa, Jesinta, Charlotte K, Zion, Jesse, Sophia, William, Julian
125 nights - Matthew, Daniel P
150 nights - Hannah G
200 nights - Tegan
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
- Tuesday, 21 October 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
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
T-W 14-15 - Middles Camp, Naracoorte
Thu 16 - Local public holiday Nhill Show
Fri 17 - F-2 Sports Afternoon
Tue 21 - 5:30pm SAC Meeting
November
W-F 19-21 - Senior Camp, Sovereign Hill
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
Special Report: R U OK? Day
R U OK? Day is next Thursday, 11th September.
Understanding the growing challenges related to mental health among young people is an important consideration. Anxiety, depression and self-harm - are all causes for concern. Factors like academic pressure, social media, family dynamics, and societal expectations, are contributing to these issues. It's therefore crucial for parents and caregivers to take action early, remove the stigma around discussing mental health, and offer accessible support to address these issues and the wellbeing of their children.
R U OK?Day is an initiative that focuses on preventing suicide by encouraging meaningful personal connections and helping informal support networks to help recognise the signs of distress. We urge all families to take part, emphasising the value of genuine human relationships and reminding everyone to ask the important question, "Are you OK?"
Engaging in R U OK?Day activities goes beyond the classroom; it's a commitment to our students' overall development. By talking openly about mental health, schools create safe spaces where students feel understood, valued, and supported. As parents and caregivers, you can contribute by fostering open conversations, normalising feelings and breaking down mental health stigmas. Participating in R U OK?Day promotes compassion and shows our dedication to the wellbeing of the entire school community, reaffirming that together, we can truly make a difference.
This Special Report provides guidance on how to talk to your child about mental health and engage in meaningful discussions.
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.