Newsletter 2023/22 ~ 4 August 2023

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

Parents should have received an envelope this week with two letters inviting you to participate in a School Improvement Survey. Whilst the letter advises that participation in the survey is voluntary, I encourage you all to take the time to complete the survey.  

The data obtained from the survey, which needs to be completed by 11 August, will be more indicative if all families participate.  

The feedback from this survey will help guide the direction the school takes over the next few years so please be honest in your responses and not just what you think might sound better for the school.

CURRENT & RECENT EVENTS

100 Days of Foundation

It is amazing just how quickly the school year passes by.  It feels like we have only just started Term 3 and yet we are almost at the half-way mark of the term. 

Our Foundation students reached a significant milestone yesterday as they attended their 100th day of Foundation classes.  The Junior class celebrated the occasion by having a 100-themed dress-up day, together with a range of activities and hosting our assembly in the afternoon.

Please check the photos below.

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Free trial maths tutoring

MathsOnline is offering families at our school a free trial to MathsOnline.  All information is included in this flyer:

2023 Non-Government Schools Census collection notice

SunSmart

Yesterday was our first day of a UV reading of 3+ and, per the Sun Protection Policy (recently updated), sun hats were needed.

We will be monitoring UV levels daily.

If your child doesn’t have their sun hat at school, please ensure they bring them next week. We follow the "no hat, no play" rule ... children without a sun hat sit in the undercover area at recess/lunchtime on days when the UV levels are 3 or higher. We do not supply spare hats, except to participate in PE if it is outside and the UV levels are 3 or higher.

Part of the sun protection strategy is the use of sunscreen.  The product we use at school is "Cancer Council Everyday". If your child has sensitive skin or you prefer another brand, please feel free to supply your own.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Reminder

Senior students will be visiting Nhill College again on 16 August. 

A reminder for parents to please return the consent forms by the end of next week.

Student Free Day

Staff will be undertaking some Professional Learning next Friday. 

This will be a Student Free Day. 

No students are to be at school on that day.

Parent- Teacher Interviews

Two afternoons have been marked for Parent-Teacher interviews to allow you to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss the End of Semester 1 Reports and your child’s progress.

Please open the Parent-Teacher tab on the Parent Access Module (PAM) to book interview times for either Tuesday 8 August between 1:30 and 4:30pm or Wednesday 9 August between 3:30 and 4:30pm.  

Please note that students will be dismissed at the start of lunch on Tuesday 8 August (1:00pm) to allow for the Parent-Teacher interviews on that afternoon.

Any children who cannot be collected at that time or who need to stay at school to await the afternoon bus run will be able to stay at school and will be supervised by the LSOs until 3.15pm

Interviews run for a maximum of eight minutes each.  Should you require more time, please make arrangements with the teacher to meet at another mutually convenient time.

Enrolments 2024

Families of 4-year old Kinder children are reminded to complete their enrolment forms and return them to their Primary School of choice for enrolment in Foundation for 2024.  The submission of these forms allows each school to plan for the coming school year with a greater knowledge of expected numbers and class sizes.

Child Safe 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.

All parents and volunteers that are onsite when students are onsite, or attend school events, are required to hold a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and sign the school’s Child Safety Code of Conduct. If we do not have a current copy of your WWCC, please present your card to the office for photocopying. We will endeavour to get all families to sign the code of conduct in the very near future.

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

Sunday’s Gospel

Matthew 13:44-46

Jesus said to the crowds, 'The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which  someone has found; he hides it again, goes off happy, sells everything he owns and buys the field.

'Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls; when he finds one of great value he goes and sells everything he owns and buys it.'

Despite selling all he had, the merchant came away far richer for having bought this remarkable pearl, for he was the first to see and act upon its true value. Jesus makes the point to his disciples that giving up everything for the sake of the Kingdom is an exceedingly great bargain.  He is telling us that because the Kingdom of heaven is so valuable and important, we should put it first in our lives.

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.

By the Numbers

65 - The weight (in kg) Phar Lap carried when he came from last to win in the 1931 Futurity Stakes, arguably his greatest win ever.

Classroom and Student News

Middle Class

It has been another busy week in the Middle’s classroom.

We are looking at living things in Science.  We had been observing the changes in the seeds we had planted.  Our sunflower seeds have germinated and are growing.  Our bean seeds had developed bean roots and bean shoots on their cotton wool beds in the classroom.  After recording the changes that had happened in the last week, we planted them outside in the tyres near the oval.  They are continuing to grow.

Our topic in Integrated Studies is Light and Sound.  This week we explored making sound effects like a Foley Artist, which is a sound effects person for a film.  

In Writing we have finished our Narrative stories.  Mrs Wills is looking forward to reading all of our final productions.

We had a visitor to our Auslan class this week.  Mrs Buffy Harrison took us through all that we had learnt so far.  It was lots of fun.

In Sport we have been finishing off our Hockey unit - using the skills we have learnt to play a game.

In Reading we're working on getting better at adding expressions when we read, because it adds to the story.  We have also looked at the shortening of words - contractions.  For example could not becomes couldn’t, and I am becomes I’m.

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. This week Fabian, Tom and Max were randomly drawn from the nominations for Respect, Responsibility and Safety, and have added tokens to their respective Houses' tallies. 

Little Joey Awards

We continue to acknowledge the significant role of the "Brown Joeys" in the establishment of St Patrick's School, and recognised Destiny and Jewel 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:

100 nights - Gu Thay Paw

150 nights - Tegan

Important Dates and Reminders

All calendar dates are available on PAM (SIMON Everywhere)

School Calendar

August

Tue 8 - Parent-Teacher Interviews 1:30-4:30pm

Wed 9 - Parent-Teacher Interviews 3:30-4:30pm

Fri 11 - Student free day for staff professional development

Wed 16 - Excursion: Yrs 5 & 6, Nhill College

Thu 17 - WWSSA Athletics

September

Fri 15 - Eye Health Screening

Fri 15 - Last Day Term 3

St Patrick's Nhill Church Times

Mass is held every Sunday at 11.00am

Reminders

Student late arrival, early departure, temporary absence procedures

A reminder to parents that any student late arrival, early departure or temporary absence must be recorded in the SIMON KIOSK located in the foyer.  If you have any difficulty following the instructions at the kiosk, please ask office staff.

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.

The Simon Everywhere app 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 PAM (Simon Everywhere) - notify us of absences, provide permission for student activities, update medical/contact information, view the lunch orders menu, read the newsletter ...

Please contact the office with any questions.

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 >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)
• 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.
• It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff if they:
• • have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
  • are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
  • are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.
• The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians report their positive RAT result via the online form or by calling 1800 675 398 and inform those with whom they have recently been in contact, including their workplace, school and household.
• Principals are no longer required to inform their school community of a positive case associated with the school.

RATs are available for all Victorians from council sites. Individuals can obtain two free packs (10 tests) for themselves and two free packs (10 tests) for each household member. People with disability and their carers can get up to four free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability.

School Advisory Council

Parent Representatives

• Rebecca Curtis
• Emily Gladdis
• Moo Khu James
• Michaela Koop
• Zanther McEldrew
• Nathan Wheeler

Ex Officio

• Mons. Glynn Murphy - Parish Priest
• Kingsley Dalgleish - Principal

Next Meeting

• Tuesday 10 October 2023, 7.30pm

Our Mission