From the Principal

When this is over,

may we never again

take for granted

A handshake with a stranger

Full shelves at the store

Conversations with neighbours

A crowded theatre

Friday night out

The taste of communion

A routine checkup

The school rush each morning

Coffee with a friend

The stadium roaring

Each deep breath

A boring Tuesday

Life itself.

When this ends,

may we find

that we have become

more like the people

we wanted to be

we were called to be

we hoped to be

and may we stay

that way--better

for each other

because of the worst.

- Laura Kelley Fanucci

This week has been one of testing circumstances - in many aspects of the terminology!  I again thank you all for the understanding, cooperation and compassion that has been shared within not only our St Patrick's School community, but also the wider Nhill and District community.

This week's quote from Mary MacKillop (at the bottom of this page) is most relevant for us all as we navigate our way through this pandemic within our midst.  May we continue to support each other as best we can and be respectful of the anguish and anxiety that, not only ourselves, but others in our community are experiencing.

We continue to offer prayers of support for all families who been affected by COVID-19, and particularly for the staff and students of Nhill College.  We pray that they may all be able to gather together on-site in the near future to continue preparing for their end of school year celebrations.

We have seen how rapidly things can change within our township and so once again I encourage you all to continue to employ safe measures including washing of hands and sanitising regularly, continuing to wear facemasks and to maintain social distancing.

Day of Prayer for Myanmar

Christians and non-Christians are encouraged to join in committing time on November 28 to pray for peace in Myanmar, where unrest and violence have been prominent since February. 

Pax Christi International, a Christian peace movement, is organising the day with support and guidance from members of the Burmese community in Australia.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference encourage all Catholics to join with Pax Christi and other faith groups in a ‘Day of Prayer’ on Sunday 28 November 2021 to pray for peace in Myanmar.  This day will be a day of solidarity and reflection with people of many faiths keeping the people of Myanmar in their prayers.  

Burmese Cardinal Charles Maung Bo has said in his reflections, appealing for faith in action: “The world becomes our altar, the street becomes holy ground, and we continue to break the bread of peace, reconciliation and human development.”

Last month, before a gathering of thousands in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis implored God for “the gift of peace” for Myanmar.

Across decades, the people of Myanmar have endured trauma and violence and on 1 February this year, the military government was reimposed. Pax Christi held a webinar on the current state of affairs in Myanmar and discerned that a day of prayer is one of the ways the church can support the people Myanmar.  There will be a focus on a prayer of Peace and Hope.

People of all faiths and none are invited to celebrate an online ecumenical prayer service, led by National Council of Churches Australia president Rev. John Gilmore. 

National Day of Prayer for Myanmar Online Ecumenical Prayer Service

The Service will be led by Rev John Gilmore, President NCCA

Time: Sunday Nov 28, 2021 07:30 PM  

LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81126601132

A copy of the liturgy is available here.

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.  Facemasks are also recommended for children in Years Foundation to Year 2.

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. Please have all donations delivered to school by Tuesday 7 December.

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.  Today is the last day to submit orders (online through the LOOP platform is preferred).

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   John 18:33-37

Last Sunday was the last Sunday of the Church's liturgical year.  It was the Feast of Christ the King.  Sunday signified that we must now get ready for the kingdom of God that Jesus promised.  It is a kingdom of truth and a kingdom of loving hearts.  

Jesus says to Pilate, "Yes I am a King," but that he is not an ordinary king. He say that he is the King of truth.

Calling Jesus our King reminds us that we are called to be loyal to God above all. We love our country and are loyal to our nation, but as Christians our greatest love and loyalty are for God.

As modern disciples of Jesus, we struggle at times to recognise Jesus as King. Sunday’s Gospel invites us to see with eyes of faith that we might recognise that Jesus, through his crucifixion and death, is indeed King and Saviour of all.

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.

"Judge not, murmur not but, oh, help one another, and love one another"  Mary MacKillop, 1873

By the Numbers:

3 - In February 1949, three Sisters of St Joseph (Srs. Adrian, Katherine Therese, and Annette) arrived in Nhill to open the Catholic School sited in the J.P. Ryan Hall.

Some strong performances by the Adelaide Strikers women in the WBBL finals have seen them qualify for this weekend's Grand Final against the Perth Scorchers (C'arn the Strikers!).  Locally, another win for my team last Saturday sees us sitting nicely in second spot and looking forward to the challenge of West Wimmera in Nhill next week!

In the footy (it's coming back!) we have seen the elation of 60 young hopefuls looking to make their mark in the AFL in the coming seasons.  Congratulations to Corey Warner who joins his brother Chad at the Sydney Swans!

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.