From the Principal
God of pastures and God of lambs,
these new-born creatures of spring know nothing of the worry
or anxiety of our last month.
They know instead of
the earth beneath them
and the sky above,
and a mother who cares for them daily.
May we who are more experienced remind each other of
the steadiness of your providence,
the instinct in your protection,
the simplicity of your love.
And may we then with confidence
find our footing in this new-born world.
Amen.
And so we find ourselves at the end of another term. A term where we could not plan with certainty what the next week would like like, and, in some cases, what the next day would look like. On more than one occasion this term we were sent into lockdown on short notice without the opportunity to prepare our students with the resources they would need for their remote/online learning. Our children and staff have developed some strong resilience though and were able to move swiftly into each phase of the varying learning programs.
This past week has been so exciting to have all of the F-2 children back on-site and we now look forward with great anticipation to having all children back with us at the start of Term 4. There is, however, always that possibility that we may again find ourselves in lockdown - just as has happened this week to those living in Ballarat. Sadly there are exposure sites popping up around the state with cases in Ballarat, St Arnaud and Mildura reminding us that coronavirus is not simply confined to the Melbourne regions. It is imperative that we all continue to do the right thing in order to keep the virus away from our town. As we commence school holidays this weekend, there will be many who are looking forward to the opportunity to travel and there will, undoubtedly be some who will be visitors to our region. Remember to wear your masks, sanitise your hands, maintain safe distances, get vaccinated if you haven't already, and ensure that we can all return to school in two weeks time.
Footy Colours Day
Today we saw an array of colours as students and staff dressed in their favourite footy or sporting team colours. Whilst the pain of my team falling one game short of the Grand Final is still being felt, I was able to take comfort today from seeing all the other team colours and being reminded that there are 15 other teams in the competition who finished below mine. Miss Williams and Ms Murphy are very excited that their teams, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs respectively, are through to next week's AFL Grand Final in Perth. Only one team will return to Melbourne with the Premiership Cup - good luck to both teams (and teachers).
New Addition
Over the past week, Mrs Pilgrim, Mrs Dickinson and Mrs Bell have painted a new chequer board on the area between the school building and the hall. The children are enjoying playing chequers with the large pieces at recess and lunch.
Sunday's Gospel : Mark 8: 27—35
Jesus asks his disciples “Who do people say I am?” The disciples respond with a variety of answers; John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. Jesus then asks “But you, who do you say I am?” Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Christ,” which means "the anointed one." Jesus does not appear to have used this term for himself. Instead, Jesus refers to himself instead as the Son of Man. Once the disciples have acknowledged that Jesus is the Christ, he starts to teach the disciples about his future suffering at the hands of the elders and the chief priests and scribes, including his death on a cross. Peter opposes this prediction. Whether Peter wanted to protect Jesus from a life of pain and suffering, or whether he thought he could shine in the preconceived image of the Messiah who rescues the Jewish people from the Romans is unclear. Jesus rebukes Peter and calls him “Satan”. Peter is reminded that his role is that of a disciple, not a leader. As a disciple we are called to listen attentively and remain always as a follower, even when the path is difficult, and fraught with challenges. We pray that God always gives us the strength we need to be his disciples and to advocate for those who constantly suffer injustices in their lives.
Uniting Wimmera Strengthening Parent Support Program
Kate Janetzki is the coordinator of the Strengthening Parent Support Program which is run by Uniting Wimmera. As part of her role, she coordinates support groups for parents and carers of children with additional needs. The program offers a network where parents don’t feel alone or judged and allows them to engage freely with peers who may be experiencing very similar challenges in their daily life.
Any parents or carers who may benefit from the program is invited to contact Kate.
Contact: Kate Janetzki, Strengthening Parent Support Program Coordinator, Integrated Family Services – Wimmera. Phone: 0427 633 458 or Email kate.janetzki@vt.uniting.org
Season of Creation Prayer
Operation Christmas Child
Families are encouraged to join in supporting children in vulnerable situations through Operation Christmas Child.
What is Operation Christmas Child?
Operation Christmas Child is a hands-on way for you to bless children in need across the world by filling shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and fun gifts. Boxes are collected and distributed in the name of Jesus Christ to children living in vulnerable situations. See the video below.
Please check the website for further information and for details on how to pack a shoebox. There is also an option to make a $30 donation and have a box packed and sent on your behalf.
Boxes delivered to school will be collected in early Term 4.
Inspired by the Gospel, St Patrick’s School community:
Builds on the traditions of our Catholic faith
We celebrate the presence of God in our midst and in the wonder and gifts of each person, in the beauty and awe of God's creation in the daily events of our world.
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 provides daily for us all."
Mary MacKillop, 1871
Heard a rumour that there's a footy match next week. As far as I know, the footy season finished last Saturday night!
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.