From the Principal

In this time of COVID-19, we pray:

When we aren't sure, God,

help us be calm;

when information comes

from all sides, correct and not,

help us to discern;

when fear makes it hard to breathe,

and anxiety seems to be the order of the day,

slow us down, God;

help us to reach out with our hearts,

when we can't touch with our hands;

help us to be socially connected,

when we have to be socially distant;

help us to love as perfectly as we can,

knowing that “perfect love casts out all fear.”

Amen.

As we commence another seven days of lockdown, please ensure that you all take care of yourselves and your families.  We look forward to having all students back onsite with us next Friday.  Nhill and Western Victoria have done an amazing job so far with ensuring that we have remained free from any cases of COVID and we pray that that will continue to be the case.

Transfiguration of the Lord

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.  The feast celebrates the divine radiance shining in Christ's human flesh and God's glory shining forth in the lives of Christians.

Today's Gospel Reading: Mark 9:2-10

Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves.  There in their presence he was transfigured:  his clothes became dazzling white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them.  Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.  Then Peter spoke to Jesus. “Rabbi," he said, "it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”  He did not know what to say; they were so frightened.  And a cloud came and covered them in shadow; and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

Then suddenly, when they looked around, they saw no one with them except Jesus.

As they came down from the mountain, Jesus warned them to tell no one what they had seen until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.  They kept the matter to themselves, though among themselves they discussed what “rising from the dead” could mean.

St Patrick's Olympics

On Tuesday, the Olympics came to St Patrick's School.  The children marched behind their class flags and followed the Olympic flame as they participated in the Opening Ceremony.  Following the raising of the St Patrick's Olympic flag, Jack lit the cauldron and the Games were underway.

All students competed in sprints and the winners of each of the heats qualified for the Handicap Sprint Final where Ben won narrowly from Thar Shue and Tessa.

Senior students then participated in a round robin Basketball competition while the Juniors had a Potato Race and Equestrian events.

Competition concluded with a Relay comprising all students.

At the conclusion of competition, medals were presented, the Olympic flag was lowered, the Australian flag raised and the National Anthem was sung, and the cauldron flame was extinguished.  In keeping with the Olympic theme, we readied ourselves for the 2024 Paris Olympics by having some Breakdancing - an event which is to be added to the Olympic program in three years time.

Thank you to Mrs Dickinson for her organisation of the day's activities.

You can find photos from the day on our Facebook page and further on in this newsletter.

Family Week

Catholic schools across Australia will celebrate Family Week from 8 – 14 August, to recognise the significant contribution parents, carers and families have made to the foundation, growth and continuity of Catholic schools in Australia over 200 years.  Parents and carers are the primary educators of their children, and are crucial partners in each student’s learning journey.

Family Week coincides with the Feast Day of Australia’s First Saint, Mary MacKillop, who was a passionate educator and advocate for children and families, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Castle and Cubby

A member of our community has nominated our school to win a $20,000 play-based learning cubby village!  I wish to thank whoever has nominated St Patrick's School for the chance to win this prize.  And, if our school wins, one of our community members who enter could also win a $2,000 individual prize.  Individuals are eligible to register / self-nominate to go in the draw to win $2000 worth of Castle & Cubby product.  Nominations are open for individuals from 5pm Monday 9th August until 5pm Monday 30th August.  More information can be found at www.castleandcubby.com.au.

Enrolments

Catholic children living in the community of Nhill will ordinarily have a right to a place at our school providing there is one available.  We also welcome the enrolment of all students and families who share our vision and education philosophy. 

Applications are currently open for all year levels at our school.

The Enrolment Process

To ensure an equitable enrolment process of students at St. Patrick’s School, the following procedure will be followed for all new expression of interest and formal enrolments.

Prospective parents are encouraged to view our website content and check out our Facebook page St Patrick’s School, Nhill  facebook.com/stpatricksnhill

Kinder enrolments

We will provide all kinder families with an information pack, which includes enrolment forms, at the time of the organised kinder visits.

Interested parents should contact the school to arrange a suitable time for a school tour and a meeting with myself (depending upon Government regulations at the time).

Ideally, completed enrolment forms are required to be provided to the school by the end of Term 3 (Friday, 17 September). 

Parents and prospective students will be invited to return to the school for an interview, following which l will be in a position to confirm or deny the enrolment. 

Please note that a completed enrolment form is a prerequisite to admission, but not a guarantee of admission.

Other year level enrolments

We are happy to accept enrolment enquiries for all year levels at any time of the year.

Please contact the school by telephone, or call into the school office, to make arrangements.

St Brigid's College Bus

As announced previously, St Brigid's College will have a bus running from Nhill to Horsham each day from the start of the 2022 school year.  This will provide an opportunity for students to be able to continue their Catholic education beyond Primary school.  Students are able to enter a competition to help name the new 12-seater bus that has been purchased by St Brigid's - please see details below.

Sandpit Cover

Our new cover for the children's sandpit has arrived and will be installed soon.  Thank you to Nathan Ruge for following this up as part of his School Advisory Council role.  The cover will be on a roller which is hidden away under a bench seat and will look similar to the one shown below.

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.

"Listen to the whisperings of God in your heart"  Mary MacKillop, 1868

Showdown 50 against the crows - nothing more to be said.  Go Port!!

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.