The Breath Prayer

One afternoon in March 2020, feeling overwhelmed at the news she was hearing about a virus called COVID-19, Sheridan Voysey remembered a breath prayer she’d written previously based on some words from the apostle Paul. It came to be called The Breath Prayer.

A breath prayer is a simple, short prayer said in a single breath. It’s very helpful in times of busyness and stress as it can be prayed while working or during a short break.

You pray the first half of the line slowly breathing in

and the second half of the line slowly breathing out

We need to be empowered to be virtuous. And so here’s the gift: Saint Paul says that when we ask, God’s Spirit will fill us with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

So find a quiet place, sit still for a moment, then try praying each line breathing in for 3 seconds, then out for 3 seconds. Just breathe slowly and focus the words on God.

Just as things should be starting to ease down towards the end of the school year, it has been far from that!

Understandably, there has been a lot of concern amongst our school and wider community as we have watched with interest the number of COVID-19 cases within the Hindmarsh Shire. It is pleasing to note that, as a community, we have demonstrated a preparedness to get tested as necessary and to do the right thing by our families and other members of our local and surrounding districts. Despite having seen a higher than average rate of positive cases (as reported in the media), the Hindmarsh region has also had a higher than average containment rate and one of the highest rates of vaccination.

Fortunately, we have not had any cases within our school (and I pray that this will not change), however there is still the possibility that this may occur. Please be assured that I will continue to keep families informed as necessary.

Final Week of Classes

Next week is the final week of formal classes for the school year. I am confident that the spread of coronavirus is being contained and that we can expect to see all students back at school from Monday.

We are planning to have a transition day for our 2022 Foundation students on Tuesday and this is also a scheduled transition day for our Year 6 students. It is planned that all students will transition to their new class for that day.

Students will have an activities-based program on Monday 13 - Wednesday 15 December.

Meerkat Performance

After much rescheduling, it is anticipated that we will finally enjoy the company of Meerkat Productions next Thursday morning. The presentation for all students will take place from 9.15am and is based on the book "Your Birthday Was the Best".

Graduation Mass

I am pleased to finally be able to advise that our students will end the school year with their Graduation Mass at 1.30pm on Wednesday 15th December. Unfortunately we were unable to secure a Priest for an evening Mass as per previous years, however we are most grateful that Fr Anthony from Robinvale will be joining us for this special occasion. Fr Anthony will be working closely with our school in 2022 as well so we welcome him to our St Patrick's community.

Parents are invited to join us for the Mass, however please note that everyone over the age of 12 years and 2 months needs to QR code in and provide original evidence of being double vaccinated against COVID-19.

Graduation Ceremony

Our Graduation Ceremony will be held at school on the evening of Tuesday 14 December. Our Year 6 students will be recognised as they complete their Primary education. Some awards will be presented to various students from across the year levels and the obligatory end-of-year speeches will also occur.

As this is a school event, QR codes will apply and all attendees aged over 12 years and 2 months will need to be double vaccinated.

More details about the evening will appear in next week's newsletter.

Facemasks and Vaccinations

All students in Year 3 and above MUST wear a properly fitting mask at all times when inside school buildings. Facemasks are also recommended for children in Years Foundation to Year 2.

Similarly, ALL PARENTS / VISITORS MUST wear a properly fitting facemask when inside school buildings.

All parents must also have received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine and be able to produce an original copy of their vaccination certificate. Parents cannot enter school buildings if not double vaccinated.

More information is provided below.

Students aged 12 and above can now be vaccinated

The Victorian Government has announced that all students in Victoria, aged 12 years and above, are eligible to book and receive their COVID-19 vaccine.

The Victorian Government is encouraging everyone aged 12 and above to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to receive at least one vaccine dose by the end of the school year.

COVID-19 vaccines are an essential protection against serious illness. Vaccination is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged, except where your medical practitioner advises you otherwise.

Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine or covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility to book an appointment.

Visitors to school

All visitors to school grounds must comply with vaccination requirements, density limits, face mask requirements, QR code check-ins and practise respiratory etiquette and good hand hygiene.

"If a person must provide verification of their vaccination status and they refuse or do not meet the vaccination/exemption requirements, that person should be asked to leave site. This is a reasonable request and enables us to maintain our COVIDSafe processes and safeguard the health and wellbeing of the school community." CECV School Operations Guide.

QR code check-in

The following people must use the hardcopy Visitor Register and QR Code when entering the school (and therefore must enter through the office, not the side entrance):

All visitors, including contractors and CEB staff
All parents who enter school buildings

Parents who come onto school grounds for drop off or pick up, but do not enter buildings are not required to use the QR Code.

Summary, when entering the school building please:

wear a mask
sign in using QR Code and Visitor Register
provide verification of vaccination status (2nd dose)
use hand sanitiser.

Library Books due

Given that next week is our last full week of school, parents are asked to check if there are any school library books at home that need to be returned please.

School Advisory Council

The SAC Annual Report is available for your perusal. It can be found by clicking here.

Once again I wish to thank Antoinette Toet and Nathan Ruge for their time and commitment to the SAC over the past two years and we welcome Emily Gladdis and Nathan Wheeler aboard.

SAC Reminders

Food Drive

Last Christmas, our school donated non-perishable food items, gift cards and monetary contributions to help families in need in the lead up to Christmas. WWHS and local services were 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 all donations delivered to school by Tuesday 7 December.

RE Planning Days

Our classroom teachers have been working with Our Lady Help of Christians staff, together with Christine Bulger, Catholic Education Ballarat RE Consultant, to plan RE Units for the coming year. Ms Murphy joined OLHC Year 3-6 teacher Heather Robinson last Friday, and Mrs Creek and Miss Williams worked with Ann Newton (OLHC F-2 teacher) today.

MultiLit Training

Mrs Creek and Miss Williams also spent two days this week completing training for the implementation of InitiaLit Sage as part of our Intervention Program for 2022. They found the training program to be very informative and a useful resource for our school.

Sunday's Gospel Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

On Sunday we began the important and happy season of Advent. During these weeks we turn our thoughts to the coming of Jesus, who is the saviour of the world. Jesus is the Son of God, present among the people God loves. That is good news.

Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. In this season, we recall two central elements of our faith: the final coming of the Lord in glory and the incarnation of the Lord in the birth of Jesus. The key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.

During Advent we think about the many ways God comes to be with us. We try to make ourselves more ready to receive God in our day-to-day lives. When Jesus comes again, we will see his work completed, and the rule of God will be made clear.

Sunday's Gospel is taken from the last chapter before the passion narrative in which Jesus is teaching in the Temple. We hear Jesus speak to his disciples about the need for vigilance and prayer as they wait for the coming of the Son of God in glory. This passage marks the conclusion of a lengthy dialogue in which Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, warns about the persecution and tribulations to follow, and identifies the signs that will signal the coming of the Son of Man in glory.

Though Jesus predicts a time of destruction and fear, Jesus indicates that others will be frightened; Jesus' disciples are not to fear, but are to stand tall. Yet Jesus does not promise deliverance from anxiety or tribulations. He encourages his disciples to pray for strength. The early Christian communities did not find consolation in the promise of a utopia, nor should we. Instead, we find in our Christian faith the means by which we witness to God's unfailing love for us in all circumstances.

When we see Jesus in action, we see God. Let us take the time this Advent to practice how to receive Jesus every day of our lives

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 -

calling our school office 53911575
sending an email to principal@spnhill.catholic.edu.au or krintoule@spnhill.catholic.edu.au
use the Bus Change Notification Form on their website - this is a quick and easy process on your mobile phone (hint: add this as a quick link on your phone's home screen)

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.

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.

"Bear with one another, help one another and ever strive to serve God in a generous spirit." Mary MacKillop, 1881

By the Numbers:

4 - The number of Principals St Patrick's School had in the first 10 years (1979 - 1988) after the Sisters of St Joseph informed the parish that they would no longer be able to maintain their role in the school.

I enjoyed a great day with the bat last Saturday and am hopeful of a repeat effort tomorrow as my Saints take on the local lads from West Wimmera. This will be a top of the table clash and the only time we play each other until finals. Bragging rights are on the line this weekend. Go Saints!

God Bless you all.

Kingsley Dalgleish

Principal

Our Vision

As partners in Catholic Education and open to God’s presence, we pursue the fullness of life for all.

St. Patrick’s School is a Child-Safe School.

Our Mission

Therefore, inspired by the Gospels, our community will:

Build on the traditions of our Catholic faith.
Offer engaging, contemporary education aligned with Catholic tradition.
Provide a safe and inclusive environment to support and nurture the development of all.
Provide and maintain a supportive environment that effectively utilises resources.
Promote caring and responsible relationships between the school, family, and wider community to enhance student learning.

School Advisory Council

Members

Next Meeting

2021 Annual Report