From the Principal

As we endure yet another week of lockdown, we are disappointed to learn this week that we have been in the pandemic's pathway as the NSW removalists who have wreaked such havoc upon our state have recently visited at least one site in our town.  It is a stark reminder that we need to keep doing the right things - wearing our masks, washing our hands thoroughly, maintaining safe distances, and following the Government's guidelines.

Thank you to all parents for your continued support during these periods of online/remote learning.  Despite what it is being called, we don't want you to feel remote, or isolated, from our school.  We are here to support you and your child with their learning as much as possible.  Please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns at any time.

God is our refuge and strength,    

a very present help in trouble. 

Therefore we will not fear.…

be still, and know that I am God!  

Psalm 46

Parent Teacher Interviews

Please note that due to the lockdown we have cancelled our scheduled Parent Teacher Interviews.  All parents who had made appointments to meet with their child's teacher will be contacted by the class teacher over the next week to discuss your child's progress.  We apologise for having to cancel these meetings but look forward to being able to meet again in person very soon.

Class Assemblies

The lockdown has also forced us to reschedule each classes assembly time.  Rather than classes missing their opportunity to run the assembly, we will be moving all assemblies back as the need arises and the cycle will remain the same.

At this stage, provided we have all students returning to school next Wednesday, Ms Murphy's Year 4-6 class will be leading the assembly next Thursday.

Meerkat Productions

Sadly, the Meerkat Productions performance scheduled for next Monday has also been affected by the lockdown.  Happily, we have been able to reschedule it for later in the term.  We are looking forward to their visit this year given that we had to have last year's presentation delivered online.

Plastic Bottle Caps

Thank you to everyone who has been collecting bottle caps for us over the past couple of terms.  These are being used to create a large mural which will be on display on one of our external walls.  We are still in need of more caps, particularly brown ones.  If you have any brown lids at home (coffee jar lids, iced coffee, sunscreen lids, whatever,...) please give them a clean and send them in to us at school.

The background for the mural has been painted and caps have started being applied.  There is still a way to go though.

Thank you 

Thank you to the person who left cakes at our front door this week.  Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.  It's been said before, but we are all in this together!  

Tokyo Olympics

As the Olympics officially begin tonight, we wish all of the Australian team well in their events and pray that everyone remains safe as the world comes together for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.  We especially wish Nhill's Lucy Stephan well in the rowing.  Lucy will be competing in the Women's Coxless Fours tomorrow.  Go Lucy!!

Pope Francis has repeatedly underlined the educational potential of sport for young people, the importance of “putting oneself on the line” and the merit of fair play, as well as the value of a defeat, because the greatness of a person is more evident when he or she falls rather than in a moment of triumph, both in sport and in life.

At the beginning of the year, the Pope remarked: “Victory gives you a thrill that is difficult to describe, but there’s also something marvellous about a defeat ... Wonderful victories can be born from certain defeats because you unleash the desire for redemption after identifying the mistake. I would even add that winners don’t know what they’re missing out on.”

Let us hope though that our Aussie team does exceptionally well and that they "don't know what they are missing out on."

Australian Parents Council Newsletter

The latest edition of the Australian Parents Council newsletter is available here.

Sunday's Gospel: Mark 6:30-34

"They were as sheep without a shepherd.  The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, 'You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while'; for there were so many coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. So they went off in a boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But people saw them going, and many could guess where; and from every town they all hurried to the place on foot and reached it before them. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he set himself to teach them at some length."

In Sunday’s Gospel, we hear Jesus affirm the importance of times of rest and renewal. Jesus wanted his disciples to come away and spend time alone with him.  As we go about our busy lives and try to deal with everything that is happening within our families, our community, and our world today, may we find the time to rest and to be alone with Jesus.

CSEF application deadline extension for 2021

The DET has extended the deadline for schools to submit CSEF applications.

The CSEF helps eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

Families with a valid means-tested concession card, such as a Veteran Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, as well as temporary foster parents, are eligible to apply.  There is also a special consideration category for asylum seeker and refugee families.

The means-tested concession cards must be valid on any of the first days of Term 1 (27 January), Term 2 (19 April) or Term 3 (12 July).

Please complete the attached form, or contact the office if you are eligible and have not already applied for CSEF this year.

Jolly Soles Socks for sale

There are a number of socks remaining from last year's socks fundraiser - 16 sizes M/L/XL and 9 sizes XS/S, various designs.  We are selling these at a reduced price of $5.  Please contact the office with your order and money.  Any socks remaining after the end of July will be donated to charity.

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.

"Let us really love one another"  Mary MacKillop, 1890

'Faster, Stronger, Higher'. It may be the motto for the Olympics but it could also be referring to Port Adelaide against Collingwood tonight.  As the Power celebrate Travis Boak's 300th game for the club, in front of an empty stadium, I trust that he will have plenty of support from all Port Adelaide supporters and as well as those of 16 other AFL teams as well - given who we are playing!  C'arn the Power!!

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.