From the Principal

God of hopeful signs and careful plans: as our initial panic subsides

and the itch to get back to normal replaces a fear of spiking fevers,

keep us wary and alert.

May we carry a parcel of humility to remind us we are human.

We are still not immune to the dangers of overconfidence and impatience.

We are just as susceptible now to the invisible sway of hubris,

and the make-believe of thinking that we’ve done all we can do. 

May your enduring presence provide the stamina we lack 

so our confidence can increase with grounded joy.

Amen.

The Corrymeela Community

Facemasks and Vaccinations

All students in Year 3 and above MUST wear a properly fitting mask at all times when inside school buildings.

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. 

Remembrance Day

Yesterday our Senior students led us through a short service for Remembrance Day.  Zara explained to us why we commemorate Remembrance Day and the how we reflect on the tragedy of World War I and the sacrifice made by men and women in all wars that our country has been involved in.

Lexi and Riley spoke about the significance of The Last Post and the Poppy.  The Last Post represent a final farewell to those who have honoured our freedom with their lives as well as signalling that they have been given into God's care.  The sounding of The Last Post causes respect and silent reflection wherever it is heard around the world.  

The red poppy also has a strong history.  Poppies were some of the firts signs of regrowth on the battlefields in France and Belgium.  Since then the poppy has become accepted around the world as the flower of remembrance.  Its rich red colour symbolises the sacrifice of human life.  Its status as a living being represents salvation and freedom, and it stands tall with its head bowed, in gratefulness and appreciation.

Olivia read The Ode which is repeated below:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Kinder Visits

Today saw the first of our Kinder visits by the 2022 Foundation students.  The students were here this morning until recess time.  Next Friday they will join us until lunch and the following Friday they will experience a full day at St Patrick's School.  Despite today's cooler weather conditions, we warmly welcome our new students and families.

Daniel's Donuts

Monsignor Glynn has provided us with some vouchers for Daniel's Donuts which has stores located in Melbourne, Geelong and Shepparton.  These vouchers are valid until the end of January 2022.

If you are interested in receiving a voucher and will be able to use it in the given timeframe, please contact me via email.  These will be distributed on a first-in basis.  Please only request if you are able to use them though.

Australian Catholics Magazine

Copies of the Australian Catholics Magazine are available from the front office.  Please feel free to call in and collect a copy .

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.

School Advisory Council

A reminder that we have a number of positions available to be filled prior to the Annual General Meeting of the SAC on Wednesday, 1 December.  

Our SAC can have up to six (6) parent representatives.  Three of our current members will be in the second year of their two-year terms next year.  Therefore there are three positions (two-year terms) available.  Nominations for these positions are due by 4.00pm on Tuesday 16 November.  

We encourage you to consider if you would like to be a part of the SAC, or perhaps nominate someone else.  Our SAC meets once or twice a term.  Meetings generally last no longer than 90 minutes.

If you have any questions about the role of SAC members, please contact the school office or a current Council member (listed elsewhere in the newsletter).

Download/print these forms

(if viewing on a mobile phone, click the three-dot array top right of screen and select Print Layout)

Information for parents

Nomination form

or collect the information from the office.

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. 

Winter Jackets for the Homeless

On Tuesday I delivered a number of jackets to Anaconda Ballarat who are a collection point for the 'Heat the Homeless' campaign.  The campaign has involved collecting jackets which are then donated to Melbourne's homeless.  Over 20,000 jackets have been donated over the last five years.  Thank you to those families who were able to support this great cause, and to the SAC for their initiative in encouraging families to donate.

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.  Please submit orders (online through the LOOP platform is preferred) before 26 November.

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)

Breadtags

Thank you to everyone who has collected and donated their plastic bread tags over recent years. These have been donated to a plastic recycling organisation based in Robe, who recycle the plastic to produce bowls and other goods which are then sold to raise funds to assist with providing wheelchairs for the needy through Aussie Breadtags for Wheelchairs. Please note that we are now no longer able to receive donations of breadtags.  Thank you again for your support over recent years.  

Apology

Last week I inadvertently stated that Claire had won the St Brigid's College bus naming competition.  I should have advised that it was Sophie who won the competition. Congratulations Sophie!!

Sunday's Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

As we approach the close of the Church year, the Gospel reminds us of some important things.  Sunday's Gospel told the story of the widow who was generous even though she did not have much to share.  This story reminds us that we, too, must share what we have, even if we have very little.  How wan we help care for those in our community who are poor and in need?

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.

"Remember we are but travellers here."   

Mary MacKillop, 1867

By the Numbers:

1 - The first Catholic Church erected in Nhill occurred between January and May 1888.

What a fantastic win by the Aussies in the early hours of this morning.  I thought we were in trouble when I woke up to see Pakistan were 1/143 in the 17th over.  I woke again to see Australia needing 18 runs off 9 balls - enter Matthew Wade and three consecutive sixes! Fantastic finish and sets us up for a chance to win our first Men's T20 World Cup.  Now, if only I can repeat that performance against Quantong tomorrow afternoon!!

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.