Newsletter 2022/35 ~ 18 November 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.

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 continue to pray for warmer summer days and for paddocks to dry in readiness for harvest, we continue to hold in our hearts and minds all those who continue to be affected by flood waters and particularly those in the north of our state and in  New South Wales.  We think of those who have lost their homes, possessions and businesses as a result of the damaging floods over recent months.

Dear Lord,

As we try to comprehend the destruction that flooding causes to people’s lives, our hearts grieve.  We ask for you to be with all who have suffered loss in the floods.  For those who have lost homes, we pray for shelter and community.  For those who have lost livelihoods, we ask for financial security.  For those who have lost loved ones, we pray that they know comfort in their mourning.

Lord God, we pray you give strength to all those who are providing support to those affected.  For governments, for emergency services, for faith leaders and for neighbours. Give them all the endurance, resilience and compassion they need.  We pray especially for those who sacrificially help others whilst also coping with their own loss.

And Father God, author of creation who shaped this earth, by your power and might, may waters subside quickly and land be restored.

Amen

CURRENT & RECENT EVENTS

ADF parcels

We have once again partnered with Nhill RSL Sub Branch Blue Lounge Social Club to send Christmas parcels off to those serving with the Australian Defence Forces.

Shown are John Dunbar - Lowan Lodge 107, Bill Howarth - Treasurer Nhill RSL Sub Branch, Claire, Ben, Gu Thay Paw and Miss Williams.

IGA Nhill donation

Yesterday, Mr Steve Braybrook from Nhill IGA presented a $500 cheque to St Patrick’s School to use towards resources for our students.  We certainly appreciate the ongoing support of IGA. Steve is pictured presenting the cheque to Marnie and Nile.

School Wide Positive Behaviour 

During play times, staff have been monitoring for students demonstrating aspects of Respect, Responsibility and Safety within the school yard.  Names are collated and shared during our weekly assemblies.  Names are drawn randomly for each category and that student’s House receives a token for their House jar.  The House with the most tokens later in the year will be rewarded.

Congratulations to all children who were recognised for their positive actions around the school this week.  Kaw Mu (MacKillop), Caleb (Joseph) and Tyler (MacKillop) were randomly drawn from the nominations for Respect, Responsibility and Safety, and have added tokens to their respective Houses' tallies.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Red Wednesday

Australian cathedrals will be illuminated in red next week as part of the international Red Wednesday campaign to call attention to religious freedom and persecuted Christians. Red Wednesday is an annual global campaign from the Pontifical foundation, Aid to the Church in Need. 

People all over the world will be reminded of the plight of persecuted Christians and the lack of religious freedom in many countries during the month of November, with buildings and landmarks in several different countries illuminated in red.

In Australia, 10 cathedrals will be illuminated on Red Wednesday on November 23.

Gifting Mass

Last Christmas, our school donated non-perishable food items, gift cards and monetary contributions to help families in need in the lead up to Christmas. West Wimmera Health Service and local services were astounded by our generosity and again welcome our assistance in this area. We are asking St Patrick’s families, if they are able to do so, to contribute items to make up hampers for local families.

Non-perishable food items, IGA gift cards or monetary contributions can be sent to school and/or monetary or gift cards contributions made at the office.

These gifts will be presented during our Gifting Mass on Tuesday 29 November.

Circus Challenge

On Wednesday we will finally have a visit from Circus Challenge.  Unfortunately this was postponed last month due to flood waters which affected the show being able to get through to us in Nhill.

Circus Challenge will run from 9.30am until recess.

Year 2-3 Camp

The Year 2-3 students will be heading off on their camp to Halls Gap on Thursday 1 December.  This camp will continue to build the students’ social and emotional capabilities, as well as their ability to work cooperatively and effectively within groups.  We have been fortunate to qualify to have this camp fully funded by the Victorian government’s Positive Start program.  Students will return on Friday 2 December.

Permission notes for the camp will be sent out early next week.

Sunday’s Gospel

Luke 21:5-19

In Sunday’s Gospel, as some of the disciples were speaking about the beauty of the Temple, Jesus said, “All these things you are staring at now - the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.” They asked, “What will happen in order to show that the time has come for it to take place?” 

“Take care not to be deceived,” he said, “because many will come using my name and saying, "I am he" and, "The time is near at hand." Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.” Then he said to them, “Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.” 

Jesus told the disciples not to be afraid. Just like us, they faced an uncertain world and heard news that made them anxious. He promised that he would be with them always and that they wouldn't be harmed if they put their trust in him.

Globally and personally, we all face our own wars, earthquakes, revolutions and betrayal, however it is important to remember that Jesus is with us always, even in the hardest times. Often Jesus comes to us in the people who help us. We need to always look for the helpers to know Jesus’ spirit is still truly among us. In persecution God's wisdom and power will be shown in the example of followers of Jesus. Perseverance in the face of persecution will lead to their salvation.

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

The shared Big Book story is certainly applicable in this season of MOSQUITOES! It is based on a traditional farmyard story and is titled, There was an old lady who swallowed a mozzie by P. Crumble. What a laugh we all had. And when we sang the original song, it was fun to say, ‘there was an old lady who swallowed a horse, she’s dead of course! I hope my students have introduced you to the multiplication game of ‘circles and stars’ with dice. With multiplication we always have ‘equal groups’. Our Kinders are in for a treat with a full day of fun today.

Middle Class

We have been reading The Day the Crayons Quit in our reading sessions, and identifying the features and structures of persuasive texts as well as the purpose behind them. The poor crayons in our story feel overworked and over used and are trying to convince their owner to give them a break.

Much like in our reading, for Writing we have been working on persuasive texts and have been writing about the poor crayons. We have written about why the crayons should still be in the box or why they need their freedom. Some of the class have even written about why Duncan, the owner of the crayons, should be more respectful of them.

This week in Maths we have been continuing to work on time. We have played some games to help us in making and telling time and even had a bit of a competition with a game of ‘What’s the Time Mr Wolf?’ The students are making great progress with telling time and are starting to get pretty good at it.

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 Link and Tom 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:

125 nights - Max, Jody

150 nights - Declan

Important Dates and Reminders

All calendar dates are available on PAM (SIMON Everywhere)

Term Dates

Term 4   3 October to 20 December (Students' last day is Friday, 16 December)

School Calendar

NOVEMBER

Tuesday 22

SAC Meeting 7.30pm

Friday 25

Forward to Foundation (Kinder) Transition Program 8.55 am - 1.00 pm

Tuesday 29

Gifting Mass 2.00pm

DECEMBER

Thursday 1 - Friday 2

Middle Class Camp

Friday 2

Forward to Foundation (Kinder) Transition Program 8.55 am - 1.00 pm

Monday 5

Dental Health Van Visit #2

Tuesday 6

SAC Annual Meeting 7.30pm

Friday 16

Students' last day (dismissal time 3.15pm)

Reminders

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 PAM (SIMON Everywhere): - >Home, scroll down to >Knowledge Bank, >Parent Documents, >Action, >Preview

Parent Access Module PAM / SIMON Everywhere

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.

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.

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

• Tuesday, 22 November at 7.30pm
• AGM Tuesday, 6 December at 7.30pm

Our Mission

Links / Information

COVID-19 Update

Changes to Pandemic Orders (from 12 October)

The Victorian Government has announced the end of the pandemic declaration and associated pandemic orders. New settings will apply from 11.59 pm on Wednesday 12 October 2022.

Isolation & reporting requirements

Parents/carers should inform the school (by phone 53911575 or 0419929271, or in writing principal@spnhill.catholic.edu.au)

Students who test positive for COVID-19 -

• should stay home and isolate for a minimum of 5 days
• should not attend school after 5 days if still symptomatic, e.g. runny nose, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, or sweats
• who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.

Where students become symptomatic at school, they should be collected by their parents/carers and undergo testing for COVID-19.

COVID-19 reporting requirements

• Report a positive RAT to the Department of Health online (link is provided below)
• Inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, school and household.

Face masks

• School-aged children are encouraged to wear face masks indoors in a public space or outside in a crowded place where they can't physically distance. 
• Face masks will continue to be available for staff, students and visitors. 

The Department of Health recommends that 

• masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home. 
• masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for 10 days after a positive test when they need to leave home. 

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 will continue to be available for staff, students and visitors.

Stay home if unwell

• 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.

Links