Newsletter 2023/35 ~ 24 November 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
It was a wonderful opportunity for us to be able to showcase our school to the members of the DOBCEL Board on Tuesday and Wednesday. DOBCEL is Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited and is the governing body for Catholic schools in our diocese. This week we hosted their monthly Board meeting and our Years 5 & 6 students opened their meeting with an Acknowledgement of Country, a prayer and the National Anthem (which they signed in Auslan). On Wednesday morning they took the Board members for tours of the school.
The feedback from the Board was very complimentary about the students and the school as a whole.
CURRENT & RECENT EVENTS
Positive Growth
During his visit, our Executive Director, Mr Tom Sexton, mentioned that we had been listed amongst the schools with the highest growth rate in Victoria over the past four years (to Feb 2022). At that stage our enrolment was 45 and has grown further to 58 currently. I wish to thank everyone for your continued support of our school.
Kinder visits
Unfortunately we needed to cancel the Kinder visits today due to staff illness. We look forward to welcoming the 2024 Foundation students again next week.
UPCOMING EVENTS
School Advisory Council - upcoming Annual Meeting
A reminder that we have a number of positions available to be filled prior to the Annual General Meeting of the SAC on Monday, 4 December.
Our SAC can have up to six (6) parent representatives. This year we had six parent representatives. Four of our current members will be in the second year of their two-year terms next year. Therefore there are two positions (two-year terms) available. Nominations for these positions are due by 4.00pm on Friday 1 December.
We encourage you to consider if you would like to be a part of the SAC, or perhaps nominate someone else. Our SAC meets once or twice a term. Meetings generally last no longer than 90 minutes.
If you have any questions about the role of SAC members, please contact the school office or a current Council member (listed elsewhere in the newsletter).
You can collect the information pack from the office, which contains the flyer (below) and a nomination form. Or download and print the nomination form from the website.
Christmas Carols
There are two events coming up in the next few weeks that our children may wish to be a part of.
Firstly, the combined Churches of Nhill are conducting an evening of carolling on Friday 8 December. Starting at the lake, the entourage will make its way to Avonlea, then to Goldsworthy Park and then to Jaypex Park. There will be carols sung at each stop along the route. Children are encouraged to dress as shepherds or angels for the occasion.
Secondly, the Nhill Town Committee’s night will be held at Jaypex Park on Saturday 16 December. Our children will be performing on the night and have already started rehearsing for the occasion.
More details regarding both events will follow in the coming weeks.
School staff may be present at these events but as they are not official school activities all children are the responsibility of their parents/carers.
Gifting Mass
For the past few years, our school has 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 have been pleasantly 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. Please have contributions to school by Friday 8 December.
These gifts will be presented during our Graduation evening on Thursday 14 December.
eSafety news ...
Looking for safe tech gifts? Explore the eSafety Gift Guide
How do you choose tech gifts that are both fun and safe for your kids? The eSafety Gift Guide is here to help. We've gone through the latest tech trends to bring you straightforward advice to help make smart and safe tech gift choices for children and young people.
This year, the digital playground has evolved, especially in the world of online gaming. Read our guide for the latest updates and find practical tips on a range of tech gifts - from gaming memberships and virtual currencies, drones, smartphones, wearable tech and more.
Remember, the gadgets we choose do more than entertain; they can influence personal safety and the wellbeing of our families. That's why healthy online habits are important right from the start.
Choose tech gifts wisely this holiday season, ensuring they're fun, safe, and age-appropriate for your child. Gift smart, gift safe, and be online safety conscious when giving gifts this holiday season.
A link to the Guide is below.
Meet Wizz: The new app teens are talking about
Discover Wizz, the latest app gaining popularity among teenagers and young adults. It's a social media platform designed for real-time global chat, similar to dating apps.
Users can swipe through profiles that show a person's photo, first name, age, location and interests.
Wizz uses an external age-verification tool to estimate age with AI technology when a selfie is uploaded so that people are matched with people of a similar age. However, it's important to know that the app can match adults with children, and some content is for mature audiences.
Stay informed about the apps your children use with The eSafety Guide.
13+ - minimum age according to Wizz
Source: eSafety Commissioner https://www.esafety.gov.au/
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 25:14-15, 19-21
Sunday’s Gospel reminds us of our need to make the most of our gifts and talents. Jesus tells the story of the wealthy master who entrusts his considerable assets to his servants before going abroad. The emphasis of the parable is on what each servant did with the money he was placed in charge of. The first and second servants both doubled the money that they had been entrusted with, whereas the third servant had buried the money and then dug it up for the master upon his return. Although not having done anything illegal or corrupt, the master deals with the third servant harshly because of his laziness. He had not used his talents and what had been entrusted to him had not been improved upon.
Matthew’s gospel reminds the reader that they cannot rely solely on the promised return of the Lord; we must continue to act on Jesus’ message and endeavour to bring about the Kingdom in our own lives. Those who fail to act, leaving everything to the work of God, are failing to grasp an extraordinary opportunity.
We can sometimes rely too much on God to bring about the Kingdom in our world. Like the lazy servant, we can fall into the trap of handing the world back to God in the same condition that we received it. We are called upon to make a difference in the world. We are called to change the world and bring it closer to the realisation of the Kingdom. The only way that we can do that, is to live our lives as if the Kingdom is already here.
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
78 - The name given by collectors to any flat disc record, made between about 1898 and the late 1950s and playing at a speed around 78 revolutions per minute.
A fantastic performance by the Aussies on Sunday to bring home the ICC International One-Day World Cup. Never in doubt really!
God Bless you all.
Kingsley Dalgleish
Principal
Classroom and Student News
Junior Class Report
We have had some amazing weeks at school since our last newsletter report.
Last Friday we had the Kinder kids visit and be a part of our classroom for the full day. We have loved having the kinder kids hear and are excited to see them again next week.
Our Year 1 students have also loved having the Kinder kids at school because it means that they have been doing some exciting activities on Fridays with Mrs Bell and Mr Dalgleish. They brought their bikes/scooters to school last week and spent some time learning about how to use them safely. They also cooked, making pizza and honey joys, and got crafty with lots of art on these days.
Middle Class - Macrame
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 David, Marnie and Caleb 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 Matthew with a Little Joey award.
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:
75 nights - Kaw Mu
100 nights - Julian
150 nights - Charlotte K, Charlotte M
200 nights - Destiny, Liberty
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
- Annual Meeting - Monday 4 December 2023, 7.00pm
Dates and Reminders
Term Dates 2023
Term 4 2 Oct to 20 Dec
(St Pat's students finish Friday, 15 December)
Term Dates 2024
Term 1 29 Jan (Staff) 30 Jan (Students) to 28 Mar
(St Pat's offical start date to be confirmed)
Term 2 15 Apr to 28 Jun
Term 3 15 Jul to 20 Sep
Term 4 7 Oct to 20 Dec
All calendar dates are available on PAM (SIMON Everywhere)
School Calendar
November
Fri 24 - 3.45pm 2024 Sacramental Program Information Session (in St Patrick's Church)
Mon 27 - Book Club orders due
Thu 30 - Middles Camp
December
Fri 1 - Middles Camp
Fri 1 - Golf Tournament, Horsham
Mon 4 7pm - SAC Annual Meeting
Wed 6 10-11am - Senior RE Class Iona Visit
Wed 13 10-11am - Senior RE Class Iona Visit
Thu 14 12pm - Graduation Mass
Fri 15 - Last day for students (dismissal time to be confirmed)
Sat 16 from 6.30pm - Nhill Carols in the Park
St Patrick's Nhill
Church Times
Mass is held every Sunday at 11.00am
Community News
Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council 2024
Nominations for Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council 2024 are now open for anyone aged 12-25.
If you have an inquiry, please email Nan Da San Bleh Dah at youth@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au or call 53914444.
FReeZA Event
Hindmarsh Shire Council and West Wimmera Shire Council are partnering to hold an exciting event for the community at Jaypex Park Nhill on Saturday 25 November 2023 from 12pm – 4pm.
The event has a youth focus but is an all-ages event, which encourages everyone to come along and enjoy some live music, food and drinks. Catering will be available free of charge with Maggi’s Pizza, a Lions Club BBQ and icy slushies.
Buses are being provided from Rainbow, Jeparit, Dimboola, Edenhope, Goroke and Kaniva. Tickets are free of charge.
There will be no pass outs for unsupervised young people under the age of 18, and as always FReeZA events are supervised, drug, alcohol, smoke and vape free events. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Contact: Nan Da San Bleh Dah at youth@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au or call 5391 4444
Our Mission
Reminders
Parent Access Module PAM / SIMON Everywhere
The Parent Access Module PAM (SIMON Everywhere) 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.
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