From the Principal
Autumn Prayer
O God of Creation, you have blessed us
With the changing of the seasons.
As we embrace these autumn months,
May the earlier setting of the sun
Remind us to take time to rest.
May the crunch of the leaves beneath our feet
Remind us of the brevity of this earthly life.
May the scurrying of the animals
And the migration of the birds
Remind us that you call us to follow your will.
We praise you for your goodness forever and ever.
Amen.
Athletics Sports
Congratulations to our Years 3-6 students who participated in the Athletics Sports at Nhill College last week. After the initial day was postponed after the first event, the students reconvened on Friday and attributed themselves well across each of the disciplines.
Whilst we haven't yet received the final placings from each of the events, our students returned to school with a fair collection of ribbons as reward for their outstanding performances. If our 22 students represented a 'House' at the College Athletics Sports then they did extremely well to finish second overall!
ANZAC Day
It was pleasing to see that a contingent of our school community was able to attend the ANZAC Day Service last Sunday and to march in the parade behind our school banner. Thar Shue laid a wreath on behalf of the St Patrick's School community as we remembered those men and women who have served our country during the many conflicts and peace keeping missions that Australia has been involved in.
Wimmera Hearing Services
Wimmera Hearing Services tested students' hearing this week. Notes have been sent home with each student with an overview of the testing completed and the student's results. Whilst no student requires further referral at this time, please feel free to contact Wimmera Hearing Services if you have any questions relating to your child's results.
School Photos
School photos day is Tuesday, 18 May.
Individual order envelopes were sent home with your children yesterday. Please return each envelope even if you are not ordering.
Family envelopes are available at the office. Please pick one up if you require a family photo to be taken.
To ensure smooth running on photo day, we request that all order envelopes are returned to school by Monday, 17 May.
Students must wear full school uniform on photo day - polo top, jumper, navy pants/shorts/skorts, black shoes, navy or white socks. The summer dress may be worn if the weather is hot, but no leggings please.
Name your uniforms please
A reminder to all students and parents that all uniform items should be clearly labelled with the student's name. As the mornings have become cooler, we now have most students wearing their jumper to school and then many are removing it during the day as the temperature gets warmer.
Mother's Day
We will soon be celebrating our mothers, grandmothers and those like mothers to us. We are planning an occasion to share special time with our mothers after lunch next Friday, 7 May. Please keep this date free and RSVP by next Wednesday, 5 May (children have been provided with a note today, or reply using this link).
Sunday's Gospel - John 10:11-18
An excerpt from Sunday's Gospel reads, "I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep."
Abraham, Moses, David and Amos were all shepherds, not only because of the work they did, but because they were called by God to guide the people. As shepherds seek out their flock when they are scattered, so does Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seek out those who are lost.
"The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep".
Sunday’s reading offers three significant messages:
- Jesus stands in contrast to the sinful religious leaders who did not take care of their people.
- Jesus revealed God as good and loving, not as a wolf that traps and scatters the sheep.
- The laying down of the shepherd’s life is unique to Jesus. That is why he is the “good” shepherd.
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 will provide for the future." Mary MacKillop, 1907
Yet another solid win by Port Adelaide on the weekend, this time over St Kilda. The Power are sitting comfortably in the upper echelon of the AFL ladder. It's all there in Black & White - ironically, the team's original colours (despite what some Eddie's might say!).
God Bless you all.
Kingsley Dalgleish
Principal