Newsletter 2022/08 ~ 25 March 2022

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.

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

Prayer for peace and justice in Ukraine

God of peace and justice, who change the hardened heart and break the power of violence, we entrust the people of Ukraine to you.

Protect them in this time of peril; let them know not death but life, not slavery but freedom.

You are Father of all; we are brothers and sisters.

Give us the strength to live that truth in love, choosing peace not war.

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

RECENT EVENTS

Music Bingo Night

The School Advisory Council organised a very enjoyable evening last Friday night.  Thanks to Tim O'Donnell and Josh Lloyd for another fantastic Music Bingo Night. Those of us who attended had an amazing night and were thoroughly entertained from start to end.  Whilst the night was predominantly a social event full of fun and laughter, the night also raised $600 for our school.

Thank you to all who attended, as well as to our sponsors who donated raffle prizes - Nhill Super IGA, Cambrelle's, Pure Indulgence, Nicole Rethus, Nails by Charm, Nhill Pharmacy, Ambers Sweet Bliss & Charisma! Your support of our school is greatly appreciated.

Soccer Clinics

Our soccer clinic was cancelled this week due to COVID health regulations, however will continue again next week.

School Photos

We had a beautiful day for our school photos on Wednesday.  Thank you to Andrew from Creations Photography in Horsham for his professionalism and ability to work with the staff and  students to ensure that photos were completed in an orderly manner.  We look forward to seeing the final products in the next couple of weeks. (But here’s a bit of a sneak peak!)

NAPLAN

Years 3 and 5 students will sit the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests in May.  This year we, together with most schools around Australia, will be completing the assessments online.  Yesterday all Years 3 and 5 students across the country were asked to sit a Coordinated Practice Test to check that all students could be online at the same time without any technical issues.  Unfortunately, we did find difficulties in being able to access the online test and will look to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) to rectify this before the May tests.   

Notes were sent home to Years 3 and 5 students earlier this week regarding the upcoming NAPLAN testing period.  If parents have any issues in relation to their child participating in the NAPLAN testing, please feel free to contact me at school.

Harmony Week

Harmony Week is celebrated during the week (Monday to Sunday) that ​includes 21 March, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and Harmony Week is a time to celebrate our multiculturalism and the successful integration of migrants into our community.

Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background.

Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. It makes Australia a great place to live. We are a vibrant and multicultural country — from the oldest continuous culture of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world.

An integrated multicultural Australia is an integral part of our national identity. All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their own cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions. Collectively, these traditions have enriched our nation.

Facts and figures

There are some fascinating statistics about Australia's diversity that can be good conversation-starters:

• nearly half (49%) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was
• we identify with over 300 ancestries
• since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia
• 85% of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia
• more than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

Vaccine Update: Aged 16-17, or in your 40s? And Virtual Reality Goggles for Kids & Teens who hate needles.

Unfortunately, protection from COVID-19 decreases over time after vaccination or infection. A third dose of vaccine is essential for protection from serious disease if you catch COVID-19. Everyone 16 and over is recommended to have a third dose, 3 months after their second dose. Please encourage all your family members to get a vaccine if they are due, before winter when we expect rates to rise again. We especially call out to 16 and 17 year olds to get their boosters, and any parents still not boosted. Our rate of boosters in people in their 40s is below state average, and complications from COVID-19 disease are more common in this age group than in younger adults. Parents are particularly vulnerable to infection via their school aged children, as schools are where many of the outbreaks this year have started.

If you have a child of any age who is unvaccinated due to fear of needles, autism, ADHD etc, we will have a set of virtual reality goggles on 6th and 7th April. (Please call even if these dates don’t suit and we will arrange another time.) These have been really successful in keeping young people and children calm and distracted while they get vaccinated. Vaccines can be provided in your home if needed. Please call us on 5381 9078 to arrange an appointment using the VR goggles.

For our Horsham clinic, general bookings can be made 1800 675 398, via the booking webpage: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment. You can also call us directly to book in with the VR goggles, or with any questions, or if you need help making a booking, on 53819078.

 Vaccines are also available at most local doctors and pharmacies.

 Wimmera Health Care Group Covid19 Vaccination Clinic

20 McLachlan St Horsham  phone - 03 5381 9078

Part of Grampians Health

UPCOMING EVENTS

Earth Hour

From record-breaking drought to raging bushfires to devastating floods, we’ve experienced the catastrophic impact of climate change far too many times, and this year, 2022, is a critical year for change.

Since 2007 people around the world have switched off their lights for Earth Hour. Since then, Earth Hour has become a worldwide community of millions supporting stronger action on climate change.

Climate Change is having heartbreaking impacts in Australia right now. We are already witnessing the devastating effects of extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, as well as the degradation of vital ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef due to increased coral bleaching events. We still have time to shape our future, sign up to switch off this Earth Hour.

St Patrick’s School encourages everyone to join the hundreds of millions of people and thousands of businesses, schools and landmarks around the world in support of stronger climate action by switching off their lights for Earth Hour this Saturday 8.30pm local time.

It’s never been more critical to come together to protect our world than at this moment.

Thank you

Thank you to Nathan Wheeler, Dale Krelle and Tom Curtis who, yesterday afternoon, prepared a long jump pit at the end of our cricket nets.  We have our senior athletics day coming up in the first week of next term.  Our children will now be able to practice for Long jump and Triple Jump events using our new pit.  Thank you gentlemen!

Australian Parents Council Newsletter

Welcome to the latest edition of APC News that includes updates on NAPLAN, My School, grants for school parent groups, advice on how to talk to your children about the war in Ukraine, and more.

Project Compassion

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Janice, a Wagilak woman and traditional dancer who tells her family’s stories through movements handed down over generations.

Like many remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Janice’s faces a range of challenges – low employment and education, financial hardship, poorer health and lower life expectancy.

With your help, Caritas Australia supports Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation, which operates a centre for traditional and contemporary Aboriginal arts and culture, providing employment and generating income for local communities.

Janice believes that Djilpin Arts’ work is essential to create opportunities for young people to stay on-country, to share intergenerational knowledge between elders and the younger generation - to promote healing, and to keep culture alive.

Sunday's Gospel Reflection 

Luke 13:1-9

The parable of the barren fig tree contrasts the patience and hopefulness of the gardener with the practicality of the property owner. When told to cut down the fig tree because it is not producing fruit, the gardener counsels patience. If properly tended, the barren fig tree may yet bear fruit.

Throughout his journey to Jerusalem, Jesus has been teaching about the Kingdom of God. In this parable, we find an image of God's patience and hopefulness as he prepares his Kingdom. God calls us to repent, and it is within his power to punish us for our failure to turn from our sinfulness. And yet God is merciful. 

God is like that gardener. He sees the ways we’re not fruitful. He sees our sin more clearly than we do. And he shows us mercy. He cares for us, feeds us, protects us, and cultivates our soil.  Like the gardener, he offers us another chance to bear good fruit.

This, then, is our reason for hope: Not only does God refuse to abandon us, he chooses to attend to us even when we show no evidence of his efforts. 

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.

Classroom and Student News

Junior Class

Mrs Creek

Our shared story is titled Clever Mr. Brown by Joy Cowley. Our cover predictions ranged from he’s a grandpa, a worker, a Humpty Dumpty like person to someone who is going to a funeral because he is wearing black. On revealing the title, everyone in the class was able to say what they thought they were clever at. What clever students I have! Mr. Brown is so clever that he decides to build a plane. Unfortunately he finds out that his clever invention comes unstuck in a tree. As everyone said, he was not so clever at the end of the story. 

I can finally say that this week ends with the completion of all our alphabetic letter names and sounds.  So be prepared to see your children making use of this knowledge in their reading and writing. As we discovered by looking into the lives of others outside Australia through our Lenten lens, Caritas tells us to consider helping others; as what we do now assists ‘Future Generations’.

Middle Class

Miss Williams

We have had a wonderful week but are definitely feeling the effects of week 9 in our first full term at school. We have quite a few tired and sometimes grumpy students because of it. We had some amazing smiles on Wednesday for our school photos. We even had Miss Williams’ Hair Salon open on Wednesday morning for a few students who forgot to do their hair before coming to school. On Thursday we took an assembly and showcased our Auslan skills, our artworks and some wonderful writing that we have completed. 

In Reading this week we read the book Our Universe, looked at the function and purpose of a glossary and how images and their captions in the book can help us to build more information and knowledge on the text.

In Writing we have been looking at editing our stories to create good copies and display them in our classroom.

In Maths we have continued to revise the place value unit in preparation to using numbers in the measurement unit starting next week. It was also World Maths Day on Wednesday so we celebrated by playing lots of maths games and talking about maths.

Middle Class hosted yesterday's assembly

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Senior Class

Ms Murphy

Over this week we have continued our shared reading experience around humorous writing with the book Wicked!, by dual Australian authors, Paul Jennings and Morris Gleitzman. Whilst listening to the daily reading, students are able to think about how their own reading and writing experiences can connect with those of published authors, as they take notes in their Reader’s Notebooks around important elements of the text. There is a general air of confidence around reading and writing in our classroom at the moment and I hope this translates to some more high quality work from the Seniors in the near future.

We have spent this week ‘shaking’ our Mathematics block up with a revisit to the basics and where we stand with our addition, subtraction and working out skills. This will determine how maths looks for the rest of this term and next term. It is pleasing to see so many students beginning to have a better grasp around their multiplication facts, keep up the practice! 

This week I was lucky to spend time at a Religious Education Leadership gathering in Horsham on Thursday with colleagues from the Northern Zone. It is always refreshing and exciting to work with others and to bring new ideas to the class and school community. I look forward to working with staff to implement these new learnings in the near future. Fortunately, we have two full, dare I say, uninterrupted weeks ahead and they will be full! Just a reminder to those who I haven’t touched base with this Term, to reach out over the next two weeks for a quick chat and to ensure a smooth start to Term 2 for your child/ren. 

Enjoy the lovely autumn weather this weekend.

Little Joey Awards

This week we continue to acknowledge the significant role of the "Brown Joeys" in the establishment of St Patrick's School, and recognised Nelson and Doh Wah 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 this week for their reading achievements:

25 nights - Sienna, Xavier, Nelson, Gu Thay Paw, Nile, Daniel, Doh Wah Htoo, Moe Tha Zin, Hannah G, Max, David, Kaw Mu, Amity, Caleb, Isabella.

50 nights - Lexi, Kelsey, Stella.

Important Dates and Reminders

Term Dates

Term 1

28 January (staff) 1 February (students) to 8 April

Term 2

26 April to 24 June

Term 3

11 July to 16 September

Term 4

3 October to 20 December

School Calendar

APRIL

Reminders

From the office

Please remember to -

• Return fees and digital technology notes
  

Visitors to school - Assembly

We love that we are once again able to host visitors at our weekly assembly on Thursday afternoons.  It's so great to be able to share our school and classroom happenings and celebrations with our families after all the closures, restrictions and frustrations of the last two  years.  Families are very welcome to join us in the hall for assembly at 2.45 each Thursday.

A reminder, though, that the School Operations Guide (coronavirus restrictions) requires that visitors must -

• wear a mask;
• sign in to the school (in the foyer); and
• be able to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine or have a valid medical exception.

Please remember to bring your mobile phone with you!

A detailed list of all coronavirus restrictions/requirements is set out later in the newsletter.

Parent Access Module (PAM)

We strongly encourage parents to use the Parent Access Module PAM (SIMON Everywhere) to inform us of student absences. These notes can be set in advance (if, for example, you know that your child will be absent a week in the future). Notes written in the diary are for communicating with teachers. Absent notes need to be directed to the office.

Please speak with office staff if you have any questions about PAM.

Simon Everywhere

The Simon Everywhere app delivers instant notifications to parents' mobile phones, delivering the functionality of PAM (SIMON Parent Access Module) in an easy to navigate app.  

We request that all parents please download the Simon Everywhere app, add St Patrick's School, Nhill and login using your existing PAM credentials.  

We will use Simon Everywhere for all important notifications.  

You will be able to manage all your day-to-day school needs from the Simon Everywhere app - notify us of absences, view the lunch orders menu, read the newsletter ...

Please contact the office with any questions.

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 -

• calling our school office 53911575
• sending an email to principal@spnhill.catholic.edu.au or krintoule@spnhill.catholic.edu.au
• use the Bus Change Notification Form on their website - this is a quick and easy process on your mobile phone (hint: add this as a quick link on your phone's home screen)

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.

Coronavirus information

COVIDSafe requirements for visitors and volunteers performing work

• The third dose vaccination requirement applies to any visitor or volunteer performing work on school sites.
• Visitors and volunteers must adhere to COVIDSafe requirements – including vaccination, physical distancing, face mask requirements, respiratory etiquette and good hand hygiene.

COVIDSafe requirements for visitors (not performing work)

• In Victorian Catholic schools, parents, carers and other adult visitors who enter school buildings must be able to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine or have a valid medical exception.
• Proof of vaccination can be checked by a COVID-19 digital certificate (Service Victoria app or smartphone wallet) or printed copy of a digital certificate or immunisation history statement.

Rapid antigen testing 

• Free rapid antigen tests will be made available for all staff and students in Victorian schools throughout Term 1 2022. Rapid antigen testing will be voluntary for all primary school students and staff.
• Students should continue to conduct the tests at home and must report any positive test results to -
• the Department of Health system (Rapid antigen tests | Coronavirus Victoria) or via the coronavirus hotline at 1800 675 398, and
• the school by phone or written notification.
• Tests should be conducted twice weekly, and we encourage this to be done on Monday and Thursday

If a student tests positive through a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), but don’t have symptoms or have not been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19 it is recommended that they get a PCR test within 48 hours and stay isolated until they receive their result.  

If the PCR test is negative, the student or staff member can return to school.

Face masks

For all school settings: 

• School staff will be required to always wear masks indoors.  There is an exemption from this requirement if they are actively teaching and clear enunciation or visibility of their mouth is essential.
• Students in Grade 3 and above must wear a face mask indoors at school, unless a lawful exception applies. Students must wear face masks even if vaccinated. Students are not required to wear masks outside, however they are strongly recommended if physical distance cannot be maintained, even outdoors, when students are not undertaking physical exercise (for example: masks are strongly recommended when classes are held outside).
• For composite classes that include students in and above Grade 3 and below Grade 3, those below Grade 3 are strongly encouraged to wear masks (Year 2 students).
• Students in Prep to Grade 2 are strongly recommended to wear a face mask indoors at school.
• Everyone over eight years old must wear a face mask when travelling to and from school on public transport, taxis or rideshare vehicles.
• Visitors to schools aged eight and above must wear a face mask in all indoor spaces, unless a lawful exception applies.
• Use single-use mask, or reusable cloth mask made from 100 per cent cotton, for increased breathability.
• A face mask must cover the nose and mouth. Face shields, scarves or bandanas do not meet these requirements.

Service Victoria QR Code Check-in 

• is no longer required at schools.  
• Routine school visitor record keeping arrangements continue to apply.  
• All visitors to school must report to the school office to sign in.

Practise good hygiene

• 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 is available at entry points to classrooms.
• Sharing of food is not permitted.

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.

School Advisory Council

Parent Representatives

Helen Cannell

Moo Khu James

Zanther McEldrew

Emily Gladdis

Nathan Wheeler

Appointed Representatives

Ann Munro - Parish

Ex Officio

Mons. Glynn Murphy - Parish Priest

Kingsley Dalgleish - Principal

Next Meeting

Wednesday, 4 May 2022, 7.30pm

Our Mission

Community News

The Wizard of Oz Pantomime coming to Nhill

Piggery Lane Players' (Nhill Drama Group)

Nhill Community Centre ~ Friday 25th and Saturday 26th March

Play footy ...

Be a part of our Club in 2022!

Do you love footy and want to be part of an awesome club?

Have fun. Get fit. Make friends ... join us today and let's get this season started.

Nhill & District Sporting Club | Football Director - Graeme Cole 0427 899 228

NetSetGO! and Auskick Come & Try Night

Thursday, 7th April, 4.00pm at Davis Park

New families welcome!

Dentist

Wheatlands Warracknabeal Agricultural Machinery Museum - 53rd Annual Easter Vintage Machinery Rally

16th & 17th April

After having to cancel our Vintage Machinery Rally for the last two years, we are at last having an Easter Rally, and will again hold a Colouring Competition.  In the past we have had wonderful displays of work from students all over the Wimmera.

This year’s rally will feature Case tractors, American engines, and 101 years of Lanz Bulldog tractors - the subject of the colouring competition.

Competition sections are - 6 years and under; 7 & 8 years; 9 & 10 years; 11 years and older.  First and second prizes are awarded in each section.

• Print the colouring page at the below link (or ask for a hardcopy at the school office).  
• Post your completed entries to Vintage Rally Colouring Competition, P.O. Box 355, Warracknabeal 3393 by Saturday, 9th April.  
• Please include a contact phone number on your entry so that you can be contacted if you have won a prize.