Newsletter 2024/11 ~ 26 April 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
ANZAC DAY
They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.
CURRENT & RECENT EVENTS
ANZAC Day
It was wonderful to see so many students (more than half our school) at the ANZAC Day march and commemorative service yesterday. As we gathered with our local community to remember the brave and courageous sacrifice of our fallen heroes who fought for our freedom and peace, we gave thanks to those who served and those who continue to serve. This was an opportunity for us to stop and reflect on the ANZAC’s values of mateship, loyalty, selflessness, and service.
Let us endeavour to display these same values in our own lives on a daily basis.
Lest we forget.
RSL Cemetery Flags
The Nhill RSL Cemetery Flags project is a joint venture between a number of groups and our senior students were invited to assist. Flags were placed around the Nhill Cemetery and smaller flags on the graves of those who served.
The goal is to place flags on the graves of men and women who have served in any military service and conflict. 98 flags have been installed, spreading across the lawn cemetery and general cemetery.
The project is ongoing and more flags will be added in the future. Well done to our senior students who were able to assist last Friday afternoon and again on Sunday at the Official Opening of the Flag Project.
See photos in the Senior Class report further on in the newsletter.
IGA Nhill Donation
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 AJ and Jesinta.
Project Compassion
A reminder to families who still have Project compassion boxes at home, these need to be returned to school as soon as possible as we wish to bank all donations and send them through to Caritas Australia. Caritas continues to support families and communities throughout the world and your donations are certainly appreciated. Thank you to those families who have already returned their collection boxes.
Maths Online
We strongly encourage parents to take up the following opportunity to boost your child's maths capabilities.
- Australia's #1 Online Maths Teacher
- Your kids learn at their own pace, not somebody else's
- Great for catch up, for keeping up, and for moving ahead
- Start getting better marks now
- For students in Foundation to Year 12
Book Club Issue 3 Out Now!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week will be celebrated across the Diocese from Sunday 28 April to Friday 3 May.
Catholic Education Week is an annual opportunity for the 63 Catholic schools across the Diocese of Ballarat to celebrate their achievements and distinctive ethos with their school and wider communities.
The week takes on special significance this year as our community of schools acknowledges the 150th Anniversary of the formation of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat with the theme:
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
Last week I mentioned that we would be joining with the Catholic primary schools from Hopetoun, Warracknabeal and Murtoa for our celebrations. These plans have now changed and we are awaiting confirmation of what may be happening next week.
Our Diocesan Community Magazine
Issue 72 March 2024 out now. A hardcopy is available in school foyer, or read it online 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.
“I hope that everything will turn out well for you and that you will in the future, as in the past, do great things for God and God’s poor ones.” Mary MacKillop, 1881
Sunday’s Gospel
John 10:11-18
In John 10:11-18, Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. This passage offers profound insights into the sacrificial love and care that Jesus has for each of us.
Firstly, Jesus portrays himself as a shepherd, a figure of protection, guidance, and provision. Just as a shepherd knows each of his sheep by name and watches over them diligently, Jesus knows and cares for each of us individually. This reminds us that we are never alone; Jesus is always there to guide us through life's challenges and uncertainties.
Moreover, Jesus emphasises his willingness to lay down his life for his sheep. This act of selflessness highlights the depth of Jesus' love for us. He willingly sacrifices himself so that we may have life abundantly. This teaches us about the sacrificial nature of love and challenges us to love others selflessly, putting their needs before our own.
Furthermore, Jesus speaks about the unity between himself and his followers. He describes how he knows his sheep and they know him, just as he knows the Father and the Father knows him. This intimate relationship underscores the importance of knowing Jesus personally and cultivating a deep spiritual connection with him.
In conclusion, John 10:11-18 invites us to reflect on the profound love, care, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It challenges us to deepen our relationship with him, to love others selflessly, and to trust in his guidance and protection. As we journey through life, may we always remember the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for us, leading us into abundant life.
By the Numbers
92 - The atomic number of Uranium.
Lest we Forget.
God Bless you all.
Kingsley Dalgleish
Principal
Classroom and Student News
Senior Class Report
The Senior class has been hard at work this week and really hit the ground running. Last Friday night, a number of senior students participated in the Nhill RSL and Rotary Flag Planting Ceremony. They visited the site and placed two flags, a small and a large Australian flag, around various war graves from the First World War.
They also spent the week discussing Australia’s military history, and explored the importance of ANZAC Day. As a class, we have completed a collaborative art project that gives an overall image of ANZAC soldiers at war, displayed in the hall, as well as dawn or dusk silhouettes of male or female soldiers with their heads bowed in commemoration that are displayed in the foyer of the front office.
The students also engaged with the notion of living with an “attitude of gratitude” and what that looks like for us in our daily life, as well as how we can demonstrate it for such a sombre occasion like ANZAC Day. They felt they could do this by attending the march and the service yesterday.
This week has also been Earth Week, with Earth Day being Monday. They have explored sustainability issues, how they can have an impact on the Earth and performed some poetry about that.
All in all, it has been an action packed week with a very clear view to the past and how much Australia has been forged in the image of the ANZACs. Quite a lot for a four day week!
School Advisory Council
Parent Representatives
- Rebecca Curtis
- Emily Gladdis
- Moo Khu James
- Michaela Koop
- Zanther McEldrew
- Ashleigh Meyer
Ex Officio
- Mons. Glynn Murphy - Parish Priest
- Kingsley Dalgleish - Principal
Meeting Dates
- Tuesday, 30 April 2024, 7:30pm
- Tuesday, 23 July 2024, 7:30pm
- Tuesday, 15 October 2024, 7:30pm
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
April
Mon 29 Apr - Fri 3 May - Catholic Education Week
Tues 30 - SAC Meeting
May
Wed 8 - Senior Class Iona Visit
Fri 10 - Walk Safely to School Day
Mon 13 - Little Desert Cross Country (Nhill)
June
Mon 10 - King's Birthday Public Holioday
Fri 28 - End of Term 2
St Patrick's Nhill
Church Times
11:00am Mass each Sunday
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.
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
SchoolTV
SPECIAL REPORT: Trauma Recovery
As a result of the devastating events that recently unfolded at Westfield in Bondi Junction, and the Church in Wakeley, many families are still in a state of disbelief trying to comprehend how and why these incidents occurred. All of us have been affected in some way, with some being left more traumatised than others.
Although such incidents are rare, they can still be scarring. It's in these situations that it is vitally important for parents and carers to check in with their children. Being aware of what information they've been exposed to will hopefully minimise their emotional fallout in coming weeks.
We encourage you to read this Special Report to assist with healing at such times when tragic or traumatic events occur.
Further information from eSafety Commissioner
Online spaces should be safe for everyone, but you may sometimes come across content that is distressing – especially if it shows extreme violence or acts of terrorism.
The page at the following link has information about what to do and how to get support if you see online content that is seriously harmful and disturbing.
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