From the Principal

We Bring Your Love

Loving God,

Help us

to focus on what we have, not on what is removed or changed.

Strengthen us

when we feel discouraged or overwhelmed.

Embrace us

so that us we know your loving presence within us and among us.

Walk with us

as we bring your love, and carry your light, into our world.

Amen.

Sandra Lucas, MDiv., BCC

Today brings us to the end of another term in this unprecedented year. It also marks the end (hopefully) of the online learning phase.

The feedback from parents has been greatly appreciated by the teaching staff. Changes were made to the way tasks were delivered to the children following the first round of online learning, as well as a clearer time frame for the completion of these tasks. We think these adjustments have made the process better for all involved.

Thank you once again to all parents for your support, your involvement in your child's learning, and for your communication and collaboration with us.

All students will now return to school on Monday 5th October in readiness for an exciting final term for 2020. Our Year 6 students will have the opportunity to savour their last weeks of Primary education before embarking on the next stage of their educational journey. We will also be welcoming our 2021 Foundation students as they join us for their orientation programs. All students will be participating in various testing and assessment activities as we continue to monitor where each student is at in their learning.

There have been a few improvements to the school grounds over the past few weeks, some of which have already been shared on the newsletters and on Facebook, and I am sure that the children are keen to see exactly what has been happening here at school. We also look forward to their input in some of these projects and others that are being planned.

Remember your hats for Term 4!!

Around the school this week

Sunday' Gospel: (Matthew 18: 21-35)

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is advocating limitless forgiveness (not 7 but 77 times). Jesus used the image of the King settling his debts. Because the King is just, compassionate and forgiving with his servant who owes him money, he rightly expects that, in turn, his servant will be so as well. It’s often easier to be forgiving in the big picture than in our own families.

Whilst we can often preach strongly about war, peace and reconciliation, it seems to be quite another to forgive those closest to us. Sometimes the hardest place to be compassionate and just is our own home. If we are 'not speaking' to a husband, wife, child, parent, sibling or friend, then Sunday’s Gospel has a strong challenge right where we live. We should always seek opportunities to forgive and to ask for forgiveness. Jesus doesn’t tell us that forgiveness is easy, just that it is necessary. To forgive someone in our family, our workplace, our circle of friends is not to pretend that a sinful situation did not occur, but to face it head on and seek justice with compassion.

In time we will stand before God with the weakness and sinfulness of our own life. At that time, God will not settle old scores, take revenge and exact retribution. Instead, God will be perfectly just and completely compassionate. When we choose forgiveness over revenge, and love over hate, we begin to glimpse God’s creative goodness coming to perfection in us, because forgiveness is a participation in the very heart of God. (Adapted from a Richard Leonard SJ reflection on last Sunday's Gospel).

Condolences

We offer our prayerful condolences to Mrs Pilgrim and her family on the recent passing of her niece Amy Pilgrim as the result of an accident in Queensland.

Australian Parents Council

The latest edition of the Australian Parents Council newsletter can be accessed here.

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.

Mary's News Today

Mary's News Today is a newsletter published by Mary MacKillop Today. In this edition of the newsletter, you’ll find stories about the people with a particular focus on ‘Women at the Heart: Inspired by a woman and led by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, women are central to our story and the communities we serve.’ This principle is especially important right now because, sadly, women are amongst those who have suffered the greatest impact of COVID-19. The newsletter can be accessed 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.

"God loves those best who help the weak become whole."

Mary MacKillop, 1890

Happy Birthday ... Jack

2020 Term Dates

Term 3 13 July to 18 September

Term 4 5 October to 18 December

School Calendar

OCTOBER
Mon	5	First Day Term 4
Wed	14	SAC Meeting 7.00pm
Fri	23	Public Holiday (Friday before AFL Grand Final)
NOVEMBER
Tue	3	Public Holiday (Melbourne Cup)