From the Principal
Gracious God,
Your compassion for us draws forth our compassion for one another.
Our compassionate hearts encompass now the people of Myanmar.
We pray there is no further unnecessary suffering.
We pray for those already grieving.
We pray for the healing of those who are wounded.
We pray for wise national and international leadership so that this crisis does not deteriorate further.
We pray for the peacemakers that their work can flourish.
Guide us, we pray, in your compassion, as to how we might best assist in these days ahead.
This prayer and much that is in our hearts, we gather and pray in Jesus Holy Name.
Amen.
(adapted from National Council of Churches in Australia Solidarity Prayer for Myanmar)
St Patrick's Day
St Patrick's was a sea of green on Wednesday as the whole school went green for St Patrick's Day.
We welcomed Fr Jim McKay for his first Mass with us and he passionately told the students and congregation about the life of St Patrick back in the 400s. As a 16 year old living in Britain, Patrick was captured and enslaved by Irish pirates. When he was 22, Patrick escaped and returned to his family. He then began religious training after which he returned to Ireland as a priest. His mission was to convert the Irish to Christianity.
During the afternoon, students were involved in a range of activities including Irish dancing, crafts, colouring in, and sack races.
Feast Day of St Joseph
Pope Franciscalled for the Church to set aside 2021 as a year to focus our attention on Saint Joseph as patron of the Universal Church.
Saint Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods, the co-founders of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, chose St Joseph to be patron of the Josephite Sisters.
Today, on the Feast Day of St Joseph, we rejoice in this opportunity to pray with and for the people of God with St Joseph.
Prayers for Myanmar
As per the prayer at the top of this newsletter, we continue to pray for the people of Myanmar as the unrest continues in their homeland. While security forces have intensified their crackdown on civilians, Pope Francis has appealed for an end to violence and the start of dialogue.
Pope Francis tweeted yesterday, “With great sorrow, I must recall the dramatic situation in Myanmar, where many people, especially young people, are losing their lives to offer hope to their country. I too kneel in the streets of Myanmar and say: End the violence! May dialogue prevail!”
Sr Ann Nu Thawng knelt before police with her arms outstretched seeking to shield peaceful protesters and begging police not to shoot or hurt anyone.
The United Nations, human rights groups, bishops and Catholic organisations have condemned the actions of the Myanmar military, which has continued to crack down on protesters since its February 1 coup.
National Day of Action against Bullying & Violence
The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence is an important day in our school calendar to join with other schools across Australia to say ‘Bullying. No Way!’
Today we’re joining the nationwide movement with schools across Australia to Take Action Together against bullying.
At St Patrick's School we are proud to be an NDA school!
We’re proud to say ‘Bullying. No Way!’
The NDA promotes school, parent and community partnerships to build supportive learning environments and find workable solutions to address bullying. Everyone has a role to play in supporting young people in dealing with bullying and helping to energise positive discussions about the issue.
Book Fair
Our annual Book Fair will commence at the Nhill Market on Sunday and continue at school for all of next week. This year the display will be set up in the Hall (after Sunday's market). Please ask at the office if you wish to have a look at the books available on display.
George on the hop!
Despite all the love and affection shown to him by all the students and staff, and despite having a nice new multi-storey cage, our school bunny, George, decided to go on an adventure this week and has not yet returned. Unconventionally, instead of using the front door of his cage, George decided to use a side exit through one of the the wire panels.
Despite some extensive searching and calling of his name, George has not been seen for several days. (One wonders whether George may in fact be the Easter Bunny and is off getting ready for his annual rounds!)
Project Compassion
Halima is raising her two children in a refugee camp in the Cox's Bazar district in Bangladesh, while caring for her mother who has a disability. In the Cox’s Bazar district, women and children make up 78% of the total refugee population where 52% of children are aged 0-17.
Widowed at 21, Halima fled violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, arriving at the camp with nothing.
Caritas Australia, through Caritas Bangladesh, helped Halima with shelter, cooking equipment, hygiene and sanitation training. She took on the role of community trainer herself, organising the cleaning of washrooms, wells and toilets.
Halima aspired to “Be More” and is proud that she is able to earn a small income, while maintaining the health of her family and the cleanliness of the camp community.
Watch a short film about Halima’s story here.
“Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”
Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au
A reminder also that the Project Compassion money boxes are to be returned to school before the end of term please.
Cybersafety Information Session at Nhill College
We strongly encourage parents of children of all ages to attend this session at 7pm on Tuesday 30th March at Nhill College. Susan McLean is Australia's expert in cybersafety and young people.
Please contact Nhill College on 53912111 by Friday 26th March to book your seat.
Marriage Encounter Weekend
An opportunity to spend a weekend improving your communication. Attend in the comfort of your own home or experience a residential weekend. Our on-line weekend gives couples the chance to sleep in their own beds and check-in on kids or animals during meal times. Come and learn how to keep/rekindle the passion in your relationship and how to keep your love growing! The weekend we offer is based around Catholic values but couples of all faiths are welcome. Couples from regional areas may find the On-line Weekend option ideal.
Next on-line weekend is on 30 April – 2 May 2021.
Next Residential weekend is on 21 -23 May 2021.
Information/Bookings: Phone Mercy & James 0409 183 676 or
Email: vicbookings@wwme.org.au Website: wwme.org.au
Sunday's Gospel John 3:14-21
Sunday’s gospel passage tells us that God’s Son was not sent into the world to condemn it, but rather, ‘so that through him the world might be saved’. It also tells us that whoever refuses to believe ‘is already condemned’. God does not condemn the world, nor individuals within it. Indeed, God is absolutely determined to save the world. However, we do sometimes condemn ourselves. When we turn our back on love; when we hide from relationships; when we wallow in selfishness – we shut ourselves off from relationship with God and condemn ourselves. We only have to open our eyes to see the alternative and how wonderful it is.
Music Bingo Quiz Night
I am looking forward to our first school social event for a very long time. Tonight's Music Bingo Night fundraiser should be a night of fun, laughter, singing and prizes. If you haven't booked yet and are keen to come along, please contact Helen Cannell on 0419 829 272 to see if there are still tickets available. I hope to see you there!!
Reminders - on-site learning
The following coronavirus restrictions remain in place:
- 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 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.
"We see in St Joseph a perfect mirror of confidence in God - a wonderful, unbounded confidence in our good God. " Mary MacKillop, 1893
As the AFL Season starts, Go Port!
God Bless you all.
Kingsley Dalgleish
Principal