From the Principal

God of deeper wells:

how marvellous to see

the blossoms, not just of this spring,                    

but those of seeds

planted years ago.

Friends have rung and reconnected

not just because there’s time,

but because friendship

and community have been revalued

in this economy.

We give you thanks

for experiences that were never

isolated, but shared, 

and which have grown 

through intervening years 

to silently provide an ecosystem

 in which to live,

fertile soil in which to thrive.

Amen.

~ The Corrymeela Community

Congratulations to everyone who has helped our state reach the 90% vaccinated target which has allowed the lifting of further restrictions overnight.  As a community here in Nhill we have done very well indeed to have generally kept the COVID-19 coronavirus away from our region.  Our vaccination levels have been consistently higher than most municipalities and LGAs.  

Even though there has been an easing on the restrictions, we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent.  We still need to monitor our actions - continue to wash our hands regularly, to sanitise, and to wear masks when required.  Students in Years 3-6 are still required to wear their facemasks in the classroom (as per below).  Let's strive to ensure that our community remains safe.

After being away for most of this week it is great to be back on-site again today.  There is certainly a buzz around the place with lots of preparations for the end of the school year and the transition of students.  Our senior class enjoyed a Pizza and Pyjamas day today while our Junior area was once again filled with the smiling faces of our 2022 Foundation students.  It was lovely to be able to meet them all and to chat with our new parents as well.

SAC AGM - Wednesday, 1 December 2021

Thank you to Nathan Wheeler and Emily Gladdis for submitting nominations for School Advisory Council.  As there are two nominations for two vacancies, no election is required. Nathan and Emily will join Zanny, Helen and Moo Khu in Council members' roles in advising and assisting school leadership in 2022.  We thank outgoing members Nathan Ruge and Antoinette Toet for their contributions during their two-year terms.  Nathan has ensured the grounds have been well maintained by working closely with myself and our contracted gardeners.  Antoinette has served as Chairperson for the past 12 months and has also been instrumental in coordinating several of our community engagement projects including the Food Drives and the Jackets for the homeless drive.

All parents are encouraged to attend the SAC Annual General Meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 1 December, where office bearers will be elected and reports on school and SAC activities in 2021 will be presented. Please let the school know if you intend attending, and of course all attendees must follow sign-in requirements for visitors (detailed below), including vaccination requirements.

If you have any questions or suggestions about SAC, please contact one of our Council members.

Facemasks and Vaccinations

All students in Year 3 and above MUST wear a properly fitting mask at all times when inside school buildings.

Similarly, ALL PARENTS / VISITORS MUST wear a properly fitting facemask when inside school buildings.

All parents must also have received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine and be able to produce an original copy of their vaccination certificate.  Parents cannot enter school buildings if not double vaccinated.

More information is provided below.

Students aged 12 and above can now be vaccinated

The Victorian Government has announced that all students in Victoria, aged 12 years and above, are eligible to book and receive their COVID-19 vaccine. 

The Victorian Government is encouraging everyone aged 12 and above to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to receive at least one vaccine dose by the end of the school year. 

COVID-19 vaccines are an essential protection against serious illness.  Vaccination is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged, except where your medical practitioner advises you otherwise. 

Visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccine or covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility to book an appointment. 

Visitors to school

All visitors to school grounds must comply with vaccination requirements, density limits, face mask requirements, QR code check-ins and practise respiratory etiquette and good hand hygiene.  

"If a person must provide verification of their vaccination status and they refuse or do not  meet the vaccination/exemption requirements, that person should be asked to leave site. This is a reasonable request and enables us to maintain our COVIDSafe processes and safeguard the health and wellbeing of the school community." CECV School Operations Guide.

QR code check-in

The following people must use the hardcopy Visitor Register and QR Code when entering the school (and therefore must enter through the office, not the side entrance):

• All visitors, including contractors and CEB staff
• All parents who enter school buildings

Parents who come onto school grounds for drop off or pick up, but do not enter buildings are not required to use the QR Code.

Summary, when entering the school building please:

• wear a mask
• sign in using QR Code and Visitor Register
• provide verification of vaccination status (2nd dose)
• use hand sanitiser.

SAC Reminders

Food Drive

Last Christmas, our school donated non-perishable food items, gift cards and monetary contributions to help families in need in the lead up to Christmas. WWHS and local services were astounded by our generosity and again welcome our assistance in this area. We are asking St Patrick’s families, if they are able to do so, to contribute items to make up hampers for local families. 

Non-perishable food items, IGA gift cards or monetary contributions can be sent to school and/or monetary or gift cards contributions made at the office. 

Book Club - last issue 

The final issue for the year is loaded with incredible Christmas Books, gift ideas and summer reading for all ages and interests.  Please submit orders (online through the LOOP platform is preferred) before 26 November.

Bus notes

Parents of bus travelling students please note that Nhill College has requested that any changes to travel arrangements (e.g. if you are picking up your child after school) be notified before 3.00pm on that day.  You can do this by -

• calling our school office 53911575
• sending an email to principal@spnhill.catholic.edu.au or krintoule@spnhill.catholic.edu.au
• use the Bus Change Notification Form on their website - this is a quick and easy process on your mobile phone (hint: add this as a quick link on your phone's home screen)

Sunday's Gospel   Mark 13:24-32

Last Sunday was the penultimate Sunday of our liturgical year. As we approach the end of the Church year, our Gospel invites us to consider Jesus’ predictions and teaching about the end of the world.  Some people wanted Jesus to bring this about through a great war or revolution.  But Jesus knew that the revolution has to take place first in people's hearts. 

In the context of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ words about this are spoken to his disciples as he prepares them for his passion and death.  Jesus told his followers that there would be great changes in the world when God's coming is near.  Jesus teaches by offering his disciples signs to look for that will indicate that the coming of the Son of Man is near.

Jesus offers the lesson of the fig tree, a parable that teaches that if one knows how to read the signs, one can be prepared for the end times. Jesus also teaches, however, that no one knows when the end time will come, except the Father.   Jesus’ words are not spoken to frighten his disciples, nor should they frighten us. Rather, they are offered to prepare us for the changes we will experience during our lifetimes and at the end times. Our consolation and hope is found in the lasting nature of Jesus’ words and God’s never-ending love for us.

Am I ready to live as well as I can each day?  Am I awake and alert for God's call?

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.

"Work on with consistency and courage"   

Mary MacKillop, 1876

By the Numbers:

2 - After the first Catholic Church in Nhill was destroyed by cyclone in 1897, the second church was dedicated on Sunday 5 March 1899.

What a great win by the Aussies against the Kiwis last Monday morning in the Final of the T20 World Cup.  We are now the holders of the title in both the Men's and Women's competitions.  Looking forward to the upcoming Ashes series too now!!  Locally, the cricket season has commenced well for my team with two wins from two matches.  And I even managed to score a few more runs last Saturday!  Hoping the trend continues this weekend. (And footy is just around the corner with the AFL Draft coming up next week!! - Yay!!)

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.