Newsletter 2024/02 ~ 9 February 2024
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
The end of the first full week of school for the year, but officially our second week of Term 1. Given the earlier Easter this year, this term is a short one and only nine weeks long. As such, the term will fly by, but there will be much packed into it - as always!
Next week we will enter the season of Lent. On Wednesday we will celebrate Ash Wednesday with Mass at 11.30am and I invite all members of our school and Parish community to join us at that time in the Church.
Lent is a special time in which we joyfully embrace a conversion of heart. A new heart and a new spirit, these are God’s gifts during Lent. Our Lenten call is ‘Repent and believe the Good News!’
Lent is a time of self-discipline, generous concern for those in need, and prayerful reflection.
Ash Wednesday also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. More will be shared about Project Compassion next week.
CURRENT & RECENT EVENTS
Welcome Evening tonight
Come along to our Welcome Evening at 6pm tonight.
We will have a few guest speakers - you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have and get to know new staff and families.
Employment Opportunity
We have a need for a cleaner - 5 hours per week (2x 2.5 hour shifts on Monday and Thursday). If you are, or know of anybody who might be interested in this role, please contact me on 0419929271 or by email principal@spnhill.catholic.edu.au for more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Shrove Tuesday
The day before Ash Wednesday is known as Shrove Tuesday. Traditionally, pancakes are eaten on this day. Given that our Year 3-6 students will be attending the swimming sports at Nhill Pool on Tuesday, the staff will cook pancakes for all children to enjoy upon their arrival at school between 8.40am and 8.55am. This will be before the students get on the bus to head to the pool.
Swimming Program
As per the notices that were sent out with all Year 3-6 children (PAM or hardcopy), their swimming sports with Nhill College will be held on Tuesday. All students will come to school as normal and after the Roll is marked they will board a bus to travel to the pool. Parents are welcome to attend and cheer our students on. They will be competing as the fourth ‘house’ at the College sports.
Ash Wednesday Mass
As mentioned above, next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent. Mass will be celebrated in our church with Fr Matt at 11.30am. All Grades 1-6 students will be attending. All family members and parishioners are warmly invited to join us for Ash Wednesday Mass.
Building Update
Progress has been made on the new portable with the electricity being connected last Monday and the air-conditioning installed on Tuesday. A meeting also took place between a Catholic Education Ballarat representative, a local builder and myself and we hope to see more progress in the coming weeks.
Sunday’s Gospel
Mark 1:29-39
In Mark’s Gospel from last Sunday, we get a sneak peek into a day filled with compassion, miracles, and an important mission.
Firstly, we learn about compassion. Jesus cared for Simon's mother-in-law and healed many people, showing us the importance of caring for others and helping them when they are sick or troubled.
Secondly, we learn about Jesus's special connection with God through prayer. Just like Jesus took time to talk to God, we can find moments in our day to connect with Him, share our thoughts, and find peace.
Lastly, we discover that Jesus had a mission. He wanted everyone to know about God's love. As we go about our days, let's think about the things that are important to us and how we can share love, kindness, and good news with others.
Let us be more like Jesus—full of compassion, connected with God, and on a mission to share love with everyone around us!
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.
“May our good God grant you all a holy and truly happy Christmas. We can all meet together in spirit at the Crib of our loving infant and pray for one another. I wish you every grace and blessing of this holy time with fondest love.” Mary MacKillop, 1881
By the Numbers
83 - The highest UHF channel on older televisions made before the late 1970s.
Have loved the weather these past few days. Hope it can continue for a while longer, especially with all the swimming coming up over the next couple of weeks!
God Bless you all.
Kingsley Dalgleish
Principal
Classroom and Student News
Senior Class Report
It has been a very busy and action packed start to 2024 for all students. We welcomed our new Foundation students, as well as new students Shalom, Katherine and Douglas. The Senior class have reflected on their week and here are some highlights from them:
Coming to school was very fun to see all of my friends. We played a lot of soccer in the first week of school. We also had a Mass and all of the Grade 6s got their badge. On Wednesday the Grade 4-6 went to Iona and said hi to all of the people that live there.
- Jonas
I liked getting my badge at the Opening Mass. Although when my family saw the picture all of them laughed because two little short Year 6s were next to the tallest Year 6s in the school.
- Olive
My favourite part of school was the Opening Mass. I got to take up the bread and I got my Grade 6 badge.
- Sophie
On the 7th of February 2024, the Senior class went to Iona for about an hour. We split into two groups. I was in a group that played Uno but after a while we had to go back to school. When we got back to school recess had already started. So when the others went in the Seniors stayed outside for a little bit longer then we went inside to do some work.
- Claire
The 6th of February it was SID [Safer Internet Day] and we got to make posters about how to make the internet safer. Throughout the week everyone had to do PAT testing. We had to do a PAT test reading adaptive and a maths adaptive. We got to play UNO with the residents at IONA which I won. I had a very good first week.
- Steev
On Tuesday the 6th of February was Safer internet day (SID) and we had to make posters to put up around school, the Senior class made it and we used Canva to make SID posters.
- Jody
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 Isabella, Oscar and Charlotte K 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 Declan 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.
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, 20 February 2024, 7pm
Dates and Reminders
Term Dates 2024
Term 1 29 Jan (Staff) 31 Jan (Students) to 28 Mar
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
February
Fri 9 - Welcome Evening, 6pm
Tue 13 - Yrs 3-6 Swimming Carnival
Wed 14 - Foundation Students Rest Day
Wed 14 - Ash Wednesday Mass 11.30am
Thu 15 - Swimming Program 1pm
Tue 20 - Swimming Program 1pm
Tue 20 - SAC Meeting 7pm
Wed 21 - Foundation Students Rest Day
Wed 21 - Swimming Program 1pm
Thu 22 - Swimming Program 1pm
Mon 26 - Student Free Day - staff PD
Tue 27 - Swimming Program 1pm
Wed 28 - Foundation Students Rest Day
Wed 28 - Swimming Program 1pm
Thu 29 - Swimming Program 1pm
March
Mon 4 - "Get To Know You" meetings 3.15-5.00pm
Tue 5 - "Get To Know You" meetings 3.15-5.00pm
Wed 6 - Foundation Students Rest Day
Mon 11 - Labour Day Public Holiday
Wed 13 - School Photos Day
Fri 15 - St Patrick's Day Mass 12.00pm
M-W 25-27 - Senior Camp
Thu 28 - Last Day Term 1
St Patrick's Nhill
Church Times
Mass is held every Sunday at 11.00am
Our Mission
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
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
Community News
Nhill & District Sporting Club
Calling all Junior Footballers
Under 17 football training - Mondays, 4.30pm at Davis Park.
All existing, new and Under 14 footballers are welcome to attend.
Contact - Nathan Schneider 0427913221, Tracey Bell 0418607321
Training & game day gear
Get your orders in by 8pm Sunday night (11th Feb) for delivery before the commencement of the season. The portal will close after this time.
Clothing suitable for junior footballers, netballers and hockey players. These items are optional. More information about game day playing uniform will be advised at training closer to season start.
To order - follow the below link, click MYCLUB and enter NHILL24