It certainly has been pleasing to have staff and students back at school this week. After the fun and excitement of Catholic Education Week, being sent into lockdown again was not the ideal way to bring a week of celebration to an end.

I wish to thank the staff for the preparation of the packs which allowed for continuity of learning to occur from home. Unfortunately, we seem to have had a bit of practice in getting these organised now!

Thank you also to the parents and carers who assisted the children with their home learning tasks.

As mentioned in my email to parents on Wednesday, we are not allowed to have visitors onsite at the moment (with the exception of essential services). We look forward to the current restrictions being lifted and welcoming all members of our St Patrick's School community back into our school.

In the meantime, keep following the requirements as they stand at any given time, follow protocols, and stay safe.

Keep us, compassionate God,

in the loving embrace of your mercy.

In this time of uncertainty and distress,

sustain and support the anxious and fearful,

and lift up all who are brought low;

that we may rejoice in your comfort

knowing that nothing can separate us from your love

in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen

Coronavirus restrictions reminders

Students should stay home when unwell and get tested
Face masks - Not required at school for primary school students, when at school. Face masks are mandatory for all school staff at school, except for the purpose of communicating (teachers and learning support officers are not required to wear face masks while teaching, but those who wish to do so can). Face masks are mandatory for all school staff and school students aged 12 or older when travelling to and from school.
Access to the school is limited for non-essential visitors. Please observe physical distancing requirements before and after school, and do not congregate in groups near the entrance.

School Photos

Yesterday students took home their school photos. If you didn't receive them, please check your child's school bag. If you wish to re-order any photos, please let us know and we can follow up on that.

School Review

Last Friday was a Student Free Day as staff were involved in a planning day for our School Review. Each school undergoes an external review every five years. This review follows an internal reflection on the previous five years and a look to the areas that the school identifies as key priorities for growth and improvement over the next five years. An external panel will visit the school in September this year and meet with myself, staff members, School Advisory Council members, parents and students. A formal Review Report will then be compiled by the panel and discussed with myself to confirm the key priorities for our next review period.

Staff Changes

As advised in a letter to all parents on Tuesday, Miss Walker will be taking leave during semester two. Ms Jo Murphy will be returning to St Patrick's School on a full-time basis and will be the classroom teacher for the Year 3-6 class from the start of Term 3.

Lightning Premiership

Unfortunately the Lightning Premiership that our senior students were to be involved in on Tuesday had to be postponed due to the statewide COVID-19 restrictions. The interschool sports day has been rescheduled for Tuesday 22 June. Hopefully we will be able to proceed with the sports on that day.

Student Reports

Student Reports are now being prepared and these will be sent home on the last day of Term. We will have Parent-Teacher interviews early in Term 3, subject to any restrictions with parents being on-site.

200 Years of Catholic Education in Australia

In our last newsletter we shared information and photos from our day of celebration in Edenhope with students and staff from Our Lady Help of Christians Murtoa, St Joseph's Coleraine, Sacred Heart Casterton, and St Malachy's Edenhope. I also made mention of a drone that took photos and footage of the celebrations. The following video clip is from the day.

World Environment Day

Last Saturday was World Environment Day. The theme for 2021 is ‘REIMAGINE. RECREATE. RESTORE’ - We cannot turnback time. But we can grow trees, green our cities, re-wild our gardens, change our diets and clean up rivers and coasts. We are the generation that can make peace with nature.

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 World Environment Day we share the following quote from Rev. Julian Woods

"We learn that the dust we tread upon was once alive, that the rock on which we stand has lived and died - has been a thing of life, and is now a stone; and this is a time which reaches so far back as only to be understood by the One who was from eternity ..." Rev. Julian Tenison Woods, 1862

The disappointing thing about playing and losing on a Thursday night is that it's a long wait to be able to try and redeem yourself. At least local footy and netball are back this weekend. C'arn Nhill!!

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.