From the Principal

Almighty God 

We give you our school.

We give you all the teachers and staff who work here,

We give you all the children who study here.

We pray our school will continue to be a place of great discovery, adventure and creativity.

May it continue to be a place where we love to learn and where we learn to love,

A place where everyone is respected and all are deeply valued.

We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen

Fourth time lucky??

Welcome back to the start of another term, the fourth term of the year.  Hopefully we can get all the way through this one without having to resort to Online Learning - I'm sure we can do it.

It has been a wonderful week at school with classrooms full again.  The sounds of children participating in classroom activities, sharing their stories and playing together in the yard has made coming back from holidays that much better.

Welcome to St Pat's

This week we welcomed four new families, five new students and one new rabbit!

Special welcomes to the following families:

• Allen Family - Georgia (Grade 2)
• Beattie Family - Elvi (Foundation), Jonas (Grade 2)
• Bedford Family - Caleb (Grade 1)
• Curtis Family - Olive (Grade 2)

We welcome you all to St Patrick's School and trust that you will enjoy being a part of our school community.  It has been pleasing to see how quickly all of our new students have slotted into their class and formed friendships with the other children.

And welcome also to George.  George joined St Patrick's School on Wednesday and is an unofficial member of all Grades.  He has certainly made an impression on the students in his first few days with us.

School Photos

Due to COVID-19 and current border restrictions, we are unable to have Frank Monger (Master School Portraits, Mt Gambier) complete our school photos this year.  Andrew Dumesny at Creations School Photos (Horsham) is able to take on this role so that we do not miss out on school photos in 2020.  

Our school photos day has been scheduled for next Thursday, 15 October.

Order envelopes were sent home with your children on Monday.  All orders need to be completed before photo day.  Please return all photo envelopes to school by Tuesday, 13 October.

School Hours

A reminder to parents that students should not be arriving at school prior to 8.40am.  The school crossing flags do not go out until 8.40am and there is no staff supervision of the crossing or the school yard before this time either.  Please ensure that your children are dropped off after 8.40am unless you are going to wait with them at the front of the school until a staff member is on duty.

School Uniform

At our assembly yesterday, I reminded students about some aspects of our school uniform that have been a little neglected already this term.  These included:

• Long hair should be tied back, or 'up' in a ponytail, plait, or similar.
• All students need to wear their school hat when outside during play time.
• Jewellery is not to be worn at school (except for one plain stud or sleeper in each ear). A watch may be worn.
• Nail polish and make up is not to be worn to school.
• Correct school shoes are to be worn to school.  If the shoes have laces, these are to be black.  Sport shoes may be worn on days when students have PE (Tuesdays).

I encourage parents to help ensure that children are dressed according to our uniform guidelines as detailed in the Parent Handbook and the Uniform Policy.  If you are unsure of any aspects of the uniform, please check these documents or contact me at school for further clarification

CSEF Eligibility Extension for 2020

The Department of Education & Training (DET)  extended the eligibility to qualify date for the CSEF to 5 October 2020.  CSEF payments for students eligible between 15 April and 5 October will be made at 50% of the standard rates.

If you became eligible for CSEF between 15 April and 5 October (i.e. hold a valid means-tested concession card such as Health Care Card), please contact the school office to arrange for an application form as soon as possible.

Lunch orders are back!

School's back, and so are lunch orders!  Each Wednesday.  Find the menu on the SIMON Everywhere app or at this link.

Library News

Wednesday is Library Day for the juniors. They are given the opportunity to borrow 1-2 books that interest them.

Seniors have their time in the library on Tuesday and are encouraged to borrow at this time.

Mrs. Dickinson is at school Monday to Wednesday with any library questions or for extra borrowing.

Please transport books in the supplied library bags.

Book Club - please order online by 22 October (catalogues were sent home Monday). The school receives rewards for every order and we use this for resources for the school.

Book Week - 17-23 of October.  We will hold a dress up day on Wednesday 21st October. Students and staff are invited to dress up as a book character or follow this year's theme of curious creatures, wild minds.  Let your imagination go crazy!

Fr Peter Hudson Retiring

We have been advised by Bishop Paul Bird that Fr Peter will be retiring on 27 December this year.  Fr Peter has been a wonderful support for our school and parish community, as well as for myself personally and my family.  Fr Peter will, literally, leave big shoes to be filled.  We hope that we may be able to have some more visits from Fr Peter throughout this term and even some Masses towards the end of the year.

Following Fr Peter's retirement, Monsignor Glynn Murphy, who is currently Administrator of the parishes of Warracknabeal and Hopetoun, will become Parish Priest of Horsham and Nhill and also of Warracknabeal and Hopetoun.  At the same time, Fr Jim McKay, who is currently Assistant Priest in East Wimmera Parish, will become Assistant Priest in the parishes of Horsham, Nhill, Warracknabeal and Hopetoun.

Monsignor Glynn Murphy will continue to be based at Warracknabeal but will also spend some time in Horsham as well as visiting Hopetoun and Nhill. The parish office in Horsham will be able to provide services for all four parishes. Fr Jim McKay will be based in Horsham but will also assist in the other three parishes.

Sacramental Program

Children wishing to be part of this year's Sacramental Program are encouraged to contact Mrs Munro before next Wednesday.  Fr Peter and Mrs Munro will be preparing children for the Sacraments of Confirmation, Eucharist and Reconciliation.  The first preparation session will take place in St Patrick's Community Hall next Wednesday after school.

World Mental Health Day

Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day.  First established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health, it forms just one part of the larger Mental Health Awareness Week.

Mental health problems, ranging from issues like depression and anxiety disorders to conditions like schizophrenia, affect millions of people around the world.  Current statistics suggest that 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem during their lifetime and many more will see friends of family members affected.

The purpose of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues, increase education on the topic and attempt to eliminate the stigma attached. It is hoped that this, in turn, will encourage sufferers to seek help and support.  Remember, it's ok not to be ok.  It's ok to reach out for help and support.  And it's ok to reach out and offer that help and support as well.

Whilst we are all wearing masks due to the current pandemic, look behind the emotional masks that many of us also wear.  

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