From the Principal

Christmas Hampers

The SAC Social Justice Group are preparing Christmas hampers to support local families in need.  Families are asked to donate non-perishable items for food hampers.  Suitable non-perishable food items are - pasta, rice, cereal, tea, coffee, sugar, flour, long-life UHT milk, biscuits, spreads, jam, vegemite, peanut butter, canned fruit, canned vegetables, packet pasta meals, pasta sauce, 2-minute noodles.  Toiletries would also be suitable.

Please bring your items to school and place them in the collection box in the foyer.

No assembly this week

Due to the Senior Camp and Excursion to Halls Gap there was no assembly this week. Celebrations of your children's achievements this week will be included in next week's assembly.

Senior Class Camp

Our Senior students had a very enjoyable two days at Little Desert Nature Lodge and surrounding areas on Wednesday and Thursday.

Wednesday commenced with a visit to the Skate Park in Nhill, demonstrating their skills on their scooters.  Students then returned to school to board the bus which took them to Braybrook's farm to see their animals.  The children fed the donkeys, saw the ducks sitting on their eggs, collected eggs from the chooks, saw guinea pigs and played with Max the dog.

Reboarding the bus, we then ventured on to Little Desert Lodge where we were greeted by Christa and by George the resident emu.  George was particularly interested in the slice that Fr Peter was holding and he stole a quick bite!

After lunch, we were put into groups and went on a Scavenger Hunt looking for various things in the surrounding scrub.  These items were then used to create some bush art.

Fr Peter led us in a class Mass as we reflected on God's creations and the beauty to be found all around us, as well as the need for us to take care of our Earth.

In the evening, we went for a night walk to see the bettongs and bush curlews being fed.

On Thursday morning we went for a bush walk with Christa as she showed us some of the subtle differences in the areas immediately around the Lodge.  We then packed up our belongings and travelled to Dimboola for a swim at the pool.  We were very fortunate to have Mick and Lisa open the pool for us exclusively.  On such a warm day, the pool was a welcome relief from the heat.

The bus trip back to school was a quiet one with the two days of adventure taking its toll as many of the children slept on the way back.

Thank you to Miss Webb for organising the camp, and to Mrs Pilgrim and Fr Peter for their participation in helping to make this a memorable experience.

School Advisory Council AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the School Advisory Council will be held on Wednesday 2nd December.  Parents are welcome to attend the AGM or to apply for a position on the SAC.  Further information will be available next week.

Kinder visits

We have had two visits from our 2021 Foundation students as the commence their transition to Primary school.  Miss Williams has also been to the Kinder to meet with the children there as well.  We look forward to these children returning to be with us again next Tuesday morning as they continue to ready themselves for commencement as St Pat's students in 2021.

Sacraments

Several of our Years 3, 4 and 5 students are preparing to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist next Sunday.  We wish these children God's blessings as they prepare for this important stage of their faith journey.

Staffing

Last week we interviewed to find a replacement for Miss Siobhan Webb who will be leaving us at the end of the year.  Following our interview process , the panel were pleased to be in a position of having to make a decision between some very impressive and capable applicants.  I am pleased to advise that Miss Ainslee Walker will be joining us in 2021.  Miss Walker is currently teaching at St Joseph's Primary School in Penshurst.  We look forward to welcoming her to the St Patrick's School community in the near future.

Sunday's Gospel - Matthew 25: 14-30

Last Sunday’s Gospel told the story of the man who went abroad and who left each of his servants some money while he was away. The first man, who received five talents, traded this money until he gained five more talents. The second servant did the same with his two talents, and he doubled his money. The third servant simply buried his one talent and when his master returned he could only provide the one talent back to his master. The master praised the first two men as ‘good and faithful servants’ but condemned the actions of the third man. 

So what is the relevance of this Gospel for us today? We are challenged to do the best with what we have, to make the most of what we are.  We should always try to do our best in whatever situation we find ourselves.  If we try to be kind and care about others, and if we try to use the gifts God has given us, then we too will be rewarded.  At the end of our lives God will say to us, ‘Come, be happy with me.’  We don't want to be like the servant who hid his money.  That is what we are like when we don't even try to do the best we can.  I encourage us all to try to be the best that we can be; to use our talents to help those around us. 

Happy Birthday wishes to ...

Elvi and Zara

Reminders - on-site learning

Coronavirus restrictions remain in place.  This means that:

• All unwell students must stay home.  Parents will be called to collect any students who experience symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat.
• Students must bring their own water bottles to school for use (and refilling).
• We will continue to provide routine environmental cleaning, including progressive cleaning throughout the day, as well as easy access for hand hygiene (hand washing and sanitiser).
• Parents/carers are asked to observe physical distancing measures before and after school by not congregating in areas inside or around the school, including at the main entrance.
• Parents/carers can attend the school office if necessary.
• Face masks do not need to be worn at school by primary school children, but children over the age of 12 must wear masks when not at school.

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.

"God will not fail you no matter how much you may be tried." Mary MacKillop, 1874

God Bless you all.

Kingsley Dalgleish

Principal