Newsletter 2023/36 ~ 1 December 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

On Sunday we enter the season of Advent, a season of waiting.  Advent is a season to prepare ourselves for Christmas, a time when we remember Christ’s first coming.  It is a season of joyful expectation.

During Advent we prepare and long for a new coming of Jesus into our lives.

As we celebrate the season of Advent, we think again of the love of God for us, the endless and ever new, symbolised by the candles of the Advent wreath which signifies how this eternal and all-embracing love has been shown to all people throughout all time, and will be seen forever when the Lord appears in glory.

CURRENT & RECENT EVENTS

Middles' Camp

The Years 2, 3 & 4 children have been enjoying themselves at Little Desert Lodge since they headed off on their overnight camp yesterday morning. After a short bus drive they arrived at the campsite where they met the camp facilitators and took in their new surroundings.  After lunch Uncle Ron Marks, a local Indigenous Elder, introduced the children to some Indigenous culture.  Fr Matt also went for a visit and spent much of the afternoon at the camp.

After school yesterday, I went out to join the children and staff at camp and enjoyed a great evening dinner with them and stayed overnight before returning to school this morning.

The children will continue with a range of activities today before returning this afternoon.

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Forward to Foundation

Our 2024 Foundation children had another visit to school today as they continue to prepare themselves for starting school next year.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Senior Integrated Studies - Small Business Plans

Next week the Seniors are completing their Integrated Studies - Small Business Plans.

They will be offering products to purchase over the next 2 weeks.

Order forms will be attached here and will also be sent home for families to complete and return to school with total cost.

Tuesday 5th December - Cupcakes by 'Best of the Best'

Thursday 7th December - Sausage rolls and Smoothies by 'SNS'

Juniors Excursion

The Foundation and Year 1 children will have their own excursion next Friday.  Miss Williams has arranged a wonderful day of excitement for the children as they will travel by bus to Horsham for a day at Horsham Lanes & Games, the Botanical Gardens, the Horsham Water Play area, Horsham Aquatic Centre and then returning to Nhill for a movie after school in the Hall.

Permission notes will be prepared early next week. Please ensure you provide your consent by the requested date.

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

Carolling Through The Streets

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.

Nhill Christmas Carols in the Park

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.  They will be signing songs that they have learnt during their Auslan sessions.  More details about this night will be included in next week’s newsletter.

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.

Non-perishable foods collection

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 Tuesday 12 December.

These gifts will be presented during our Graduation evening on Thursday 14 December.

Graduation Mass and Ceremony

Fr Matt will lead the school in our Graduation Mass at 12pm on Thursday 14 December.  All children are to wear their school uniform for Mass.  Parents and friends are invited to attend.

The Graduation Ceremony and Awards will take place from 6pm on Thursday 14 December in the School Hall.  Once again, all families are invited to attend this event where we will hear from our graduating Year 6 children, as well as an overview of the year from each of the classroom teachers.  There will be awards presented by Nhill Lions Club to a child from each class and there will be several other acknowledgements on the night too.

Sunday's Gospel

Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. Then the King will say to those on his right hand, "Come, you whom my Father has blessed, … For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.”

“I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”’

Jesus tells us that he will gather all the nations before him, and he will judge them based on how they have treated the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. To those who have shown compassion and love, Jesus says, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father.”

This passage reminds us that our faith is not just about our personal holiness or our religious rituals, but it is about how we live our faith – how we demonstrate our love for God and one another. It reminds us to live with compassion and to show mercy by reaching out to those who are suffering and in need.

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

79 - The street address in Nelson Street of the Nhill Community Centre.

Classroom and Student News

Senior Class Report

We’ve had a busy few weeks in the Senior Class - we’ve been working hard on our Literacy Magazine, our Integrated Studies Business Plans and just starting to get into the Christmas spirit with a few Christmas activities.

As this is the Seniors' last newsletter report for the year, we thought we’d share some of our favourite memories from the year and what we’re looking forward to next:

I liked playing with Sienna and Olive and having fun. I have learnt to be nice to people I don't know. I will miss Sienna and playing with her. I'm looking forward to being in Grade Six in 2024. I loved going on camp and having fun with my friends.

• Georgia

I loved camp and playing with friends. I learnt how to do a backbend with the help of my friends. I will miss all my friends who are leaving so much and miss having a small class. I'm looking forward to being a Year Six and having my birthday. 

• Olive

This year has been very fun, I will especially Miss CC (Sienna), Ma Thay Thay and Kaw Mu. I have had some very good memories with them but I will get to see them next year, just not Kaw Mu. This year we have had Hockey 7s which is where our school competed in a competition with other schools. We have had a camp which was very fun we went to Melbourne which is five hours away from Nhill. The one bad thing about this year at school is that Patrick has not won a term yet. Hopefully we will win next year. I think that is it for me. Oh I forgot that we are going to be Grade Six next year. Make sure that you and your family have a fun Christmas.

• Jonas

I learnt how to do the splits. Then I taught Sophie and Jody how to get close to the split. I'm going to miss my friends at school.

• Ma Thay Thay

I’ve nearly learnt how to do the splits and a funny memory was at camp when Sienna kept falling off her bed.

• Jody

A good memory from school this year is going to camp and the girls all staying in one room. Something new I have learnt this year is learning new tricks on the Koala bar. I will really miss Sienna and Ma Thay Thay because they taught me so many things and had fun. Next year I am really looking forward to improving my handwriting and I am really excited to be in Grade 6.

• Treesa

This year on camp Mr D got us lost and I sleep walked. I will miss the grade 6s. We also had a disco and a pyjama day and hockey 7s.  

• Declan

School camp was awesome this year! I loved everything there like the market, the trams, the MCG, And the pool! The other things I liked this year was the disco and learning the pizza dance! I salute all the Seniors going to college next year and I will miss them. 

• Riley

This year I liked spending time with my friends and making memories. One of my favourite memories was camp. We had so much fun going to new places even though Mr Dalgleish got us lost. I learnt that I have an obsessive amount of socks. I will miss my friends from the Senior Class. Next year I’m excited for high school.

• Sienna

This year I enjoyed going to camp. It was funny when Mr D got us lost and when Declan slept and walked into the other room.I will miss Kaw Mu I will also miss the classroom. I’m happy MacKillop won the SWPBS so MacKillop gets to choose which activity we can do in the last week. 

• K’lu Doh Soe

I liked this year because all of the memories I've had like camp, hockey 7’s, swimming carnival and best of all in term 2 Joseph won. I'm going to miss the grade 6’s but I will still remember the good times we all had.

• Sophie

I liked swimming on our camp, the water was nice and warm. This year I learnt how to copy and paste on the computer. I will miss the oval when I graduate this year. I'm excited that my Dad will be the bus driver to my new school.

• Kaw Mu

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 Jesinta, Moe Tha Zin and Avery 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 Agnes 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:

100 nights - Harlow

150 nights - Meena

200 nights - Sophie

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

School Calendar

December

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

Thu 14 6pm - Graduation Evening

Fri 15 - Last day for students (dismissal time to be confirmed)

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.

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

1. Wear a face mask
2. Take a test
3. Stay at home
4. Meet outdoors
5. Talk to your GP about COVID medications
6. Get vaccinated

*coronavirus.vic.gov.au