From the Principal
We have a shortened school week this week as tomorrow is a public holiday. The day is being called 'Thank You' Day as we acknowledge the efforts of everyone in helping in the fight to try and end the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on us all individually and collectively. As a state, we say a collective Thank You to not only those deemed to be essential workers, but to everyone for abiding by the rules, regulations and restrictions that have been placed upon us in this unprecedented year.
- Thank you to the children who have continued on with their learning - whether it has been here at school, or at home.
- Thank you to the parents for working with our teachers to ensure that the children were able to continue their learning from home.
- Thank you to the teachers who had to learn to teach in a new way almost overnight, and managed to do it so well.
- Thank you to the non-teaching staff for their support with programs both at school and at home .
- Thank you to the local community for doing the right thing and helping keep the Hindmarsh Shire free from coronavirus.
Reminders - on-site learning
Coronavirus restrictions remain in place. This means that:
- 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, including progressive cleaning throughout the day.
- 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.
Excursion Information Update
Next Friday, 30th October, students of the junior and senior classes will have a bike/scooter excursion to Nhill Skate Park, Nhill Lake and Goldsworthy Park. This excursion will be a great opportunity for the children to learn aspects of road and bike safety. The excursion has been planned to supplement the work being covered in Integrated Studies this term.
Students need to bring either a bike or scooter, helmet and appropriate footwear on this day. Please let your teacher know if you need to borrow a bike/scooter or helmet.
Please provide your consent by next Wednesday - either by the Parent Access Module PAM or on a green note sent home with your child today (those who haven't yet activated PAM).
Siobhan Webb Resignation
I am saddened to announce that Miss Siobhan Webb has advised me that she will be resigning from her position at St Patrick’s School at the completion of this school year.
The decision to tender her resignation was not an easy one for Siobhan to make and has come after a lot of consideration and discussion with her family. Siobhan has been a wonderful asset for our school over the past three years and we greatly appreciate the contributions she has made to our students and our school community.
I know that her students, both past and present, have certainly enjoyed having Miss Webb as a teacher and they have grown both individually and collectively under her tutelage. I know that you will join with me in thanking Siobhan for her contributions to our school and in wishing her well as she endeavours to further develop her teaching skills in a larger school, closer to her family.
In wishing Siobhan well for the future, we will now also commence advertising for a teacher to join us from the start of the 2021 school year.
Lions International Peace Poster Contest
Each year Lions Clubs worldwide sponsor the peace poster art contest, giving children (aged 11+) the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity.
Judging has been conducted at Club level (Nhill Lions Club), between entries from students of the three Nhill primary schools. The following students received Highly Commended Awards - Zara and Nan Myint. The St Patrick's School winning poster was designed by Olivia, whose poster will join other finalists in the Warrnambool District Convention in the next couple of weeks.
Olivia's peace quote was:
Peace means the environment around you is calm and loving. People help each other for the better of the community.
We have pictured two of our entries. All posters are currently on display at Gallery Central, and will be returned to school following the display. Please call into Gallery Central to see the amazing talents of our students.
Book Week - Curious Creatures, Wild Minds
This week we have been celebrating Book Week. This year's theme is 'Curious Creatures, Wild Minds.'
Yesterday we had a wonderful parade of students dressed in an array of costumes celebrating their love of reading. It was lovely to see the excitement of the children arriving at school in their outfits.
Students also watched an online presentation of the book "Three" by Meerkat Productions. We had booked for the production crew to perform live at school but had to change to the online presentation due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Checkout more photos and a video of the parade on Facebook.
Lunch orders
There is a slight change to how we manage lunch orders on Wednesdays. Children were sent home with the details today. From now on orders are to be written on a lunch bag and correct money placed inside. We are going to send home a couple of bags for you to use. You can purchase these bags very cheaply at Nhill SUPA IGA. There have been no changes to prices.
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 wants us by every means in our power to lead others to life." Mary MacKillop, 1899
God Bless you all.
Kingsley Dalgleish
Principal