CALENDAR

Detailed calendar can be viewed at www.spnhill.catholic.edu.au or on the FlexiBuzz app

MAY Tu 21 Cross Country, Kaniva Parent Teacher Interviews We 22 National Simultaneous Storytime

and Biggest Morning Tea 11am Th 23 Nhill Primary Golf Tournament M-F27-31 Catholic Education Week Mo 27 Catholic Education Week Mass,

Horsham We 29 School Photos JUNE Mo 10 Public Holiday—Queen’s Birthday Tu 11 SAC Meeting 7.00pm Tu 18 Winter Lightning Premierships at

Nhill College (Yrs 3-6) Th 20 School Closure Day—Staff

Professional Development “Fundamentals of Writing”

Fr 28 Last Day Term 2—Dismissal at 2.15pm

JULY Mo 15 First Day Term 3 Tu 23 SAC Meeting 7.00pm

Dear Parents and Members of St. Patrick’s School Community,

4th SUNDAY OF EASTER—Last Sunday was the 4th Sunday of the Easter season. The Gospel from John is a very short one. It reads:

Jesus said: ‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me. The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father. The Father and I are one.’

The emphasis in the Scripture images is on the shepherd. The image implies someone who gives caring, compassionate leadership. It is a situation where there is mutual recognition between shepherd and sheep, where there is voluntary following and total trust. The sheep listen to and recognise the voice of their shepherd and that is why they continue to follow him rather than another. It is important for us also to recognise the voice of Jesus as it comes to us in our daily life. The voice of Christ can take many forms. Most of the time, it is in the voices of those people who come into our daily lives. If we do not recognise Christ in the voices we hear, we are likely to get lost and lose our way. Each and every one of us has a vocation. Through our Baptism we are called to mission; to find God by serving each other in truth and love and to help make this world a better place for all to live in. This is our Christian challenge for this week.

CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS—As mentioned last week all students in Years 3-6 competed in the local primary school cross country on Thursday morning. They all competed to the best of their ability and all students finished the course of either 2 or 3 kilometres. The following students finished within the top four in their age group and have qualified for the next level (WWSSA and Little Desert) in Kaniva on Tuesday 21st May—Nan Myint Thu Soe, Jobe, Shai, Jessi, Jayda and Riley. Congratulations to these six students and we wish you all the best as you represent St Patrick’s School next Tuesday.

MOTHER’S DAY—It was wonderful to see so many mothers, grandmothers, aunts and those like mothers to our students at our Mother’s Day lunch last Friday. The students were all involved in a liturgy that Mrs Creek had practised during Religious Education lessons before the students served their mothers their lunch of mixed sandwiches, toasties and fruit. A huge thank you to Caroline Pilgrim , Lisa Creek and the students from Years 5 and

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 Vision

SCHOOL

Advisory

Council

Members

Parent Representatives Lisa Braybrook Helen Cannell (Chairperson) Michelle Dickinson Jamie Donnell Zanny McEldrew Melissa Polkinghorne Ex Officio Fr. Peter Hudson Kathryn Bendall Ann Munro Karen Rintoule

St. Patrick’s

Church Times

Sunday 19 May

Mass

10.00 a.m.

St Patrick’s School

is a child safe school St. Patrick’s School

29 Leahy Street, PO Box 113, Nhill 3418

Phone 03 5391 1575

Mobile 0419 929 271

Fax 03 5391 1506

Email principal@spnhill.catholic.edu.au

Web www.spnhill.catholic.edu.au

Term Dates Class Times Administration Office Hours

Term 1 30 Jan* to 5 Apr 8:55am Class time

Term 2 23 Apr to 28 Jun 11am Recess Monday 9am-3:30pm

Term 3 15 Jul to 20 Sep 11:30am Class time Tuesday 9am

3:50pm Term 4 7 Oct to 20 Dec 1:00pm Lunch Wednesday

1:45pm Class time Thursday

3:15pm Dismissal Friday 9am1pm

Newsletter No. 2019/12 Thursday, 16 May 2019

Attachments

School Photos Envelopes—information about school

photos is on page 2. It is important that all student

envelopes are returned to school. Please return to

school by Monday 27 May.

Permission Note—Catholic Education Week Mass

Horsham Excursion—return by Wednesday 22 May.

This week’s winner is Tia who was

caught using our school rules by being respectful. Nominated by Harmony.

SCHOOL

Advisory

Council

Parent Representatives Lisa Braybrook Helen Cannell Michelle Dickinson Jamie Donnell Zanny McEldrew Melissa Polkinghorne Ex Officio Fr. Peter Hudson Kathryn Bendall Ann Munro Karen Rintoule

Next Meeting Tue. 11 June, 7.00pm

K’Lu Doh Soe

JUNIOR CLASS The Juniors enjoyed a wonderful afternoon on Friday. First with a little performance and lunch for their mums, where the highlight was giving their presents and serving lunch to their mums. Followed by a super exciting afternoon at the College participating in some fun activities led by older students. Highlights were the 75m run, the sandpit treasure hunt and the parachute that we thought might take us up, up and away! It was great to see so many parents come and watch too! Thank you!

SENIOR CLASS During our Science unit about Heat, we’ve been exploring the various forms of energy (kinetic, chemical and electric). This week the students engaged in an experiment involving different materials (metal, plastic and wood) to determine which was the most effective material to absorb heat energy. The students also worked in pairs in a heat energy treasure hunt around the school. They recorded various items we use everyday inside and outside at school. This was a great chance for students to explore the energy in their immediate environment in fun and relevant way.

RELIGOUS EDUATION It is amazing to see how the Scriptures in the bible come alive for us today in our everyday lives. Students in the Junior Class are discovering how wonderful God the creator is. Our opening prayer this week is, 'Dear Jesus, you are the light of the world. Your light shines before all people. Help us to live in your light in all that we do and in all that we say'. The Senior Class is following the journey Jesus lived for us, through the 'Stations of the Cross'. Understanding Christ's journey, helps us to see the provision of life and love made available.

6 who made sandwiches and organised the fruit platters. Caroline and Lisa also set up the hall on Thursday afternoon and worked with the students to clean up after the lunch concluded. This year we were a bit rushed as the students in Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 left for their Athletics carnival at 1.15pm but we hope that all our guests enjoyed the occasion and that you were made to feel extra special on Sunday.

F-2 ATHLETICS AFTERNOON—Another cold and blustery day for a sporting event but this didn’t deter our 16 students in the Junior class from having a very enjoyable afternoon at Nhill College. They joined with students from Nhill College and Nhill Lutheran School where they participated in a number of different activities organised by Nhill College staff and students. It was great to see so many parents attend and encourage their children, especially given the weather conditions. Thank you to Mrs Ellis and Mrs Hamilton for ensuring the safety of St Patrick’s School students and to Miss Smith, other Nhill College staff and students who organised a very successful event. Photos of our students are included elsewhere in the newsletter.

NAPLAN—Students in Years 3 and 5 have undertaken national testing in Literacy and Numeracy this week. Students have completed four tests over three days, with the last one being this morning. These assessments are just one of many that students undertake throughout the year. As with any other assessment, we will be using your child’s data to not only discover what your child knows but also to inform future teaching.

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING—Last night School Advisory Council members participated in a very informative induction session with CEOB Educational Consultant Chris Robarts. The role and purpose of the School Advisory Council was explained and Chris’ presentation also included an overview of Catholic education in Australia and more specifically in the Ballarat Diocese. We then conducted the remainder of our meeting where issues including an updated Privacy Policy, new fundraising ideas and a current finance report were presented and discussed. Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 11 June.

PROJECT COMPASSION—Our students and families raised a total of $86.90 for Project Compassion. This amount has been forwarded to Caritas Australia for distribution to the countries that were the focus of this year’s appeal.

THANK YOU—To those families who have donated clothing as per our request in last week’s newsletter a huge thank you. Donations of clothes for an older girl and a 6-7 year old boy are still required.

READING AWARDS—At today’s assembly both Shai and Sophie received certificates for reading 60 books at home so far this year. Congratulations girls. This is a fantastic effort. Elsewhere in the newsletter is a photo of K’Lu Doh Soe with his certificate presented at last week’s assembly.

NEXT WEEK’S NEWSLETTER—Due to a number of commitments that will see me out of the school three days next week the newsletter will be distributed on Friday 24 May.

SCHOOL PHOTOS—School photos day is Wednesday 29 May. Order envelopes and information for each student are attached to the newsletter. If you wish to order family photos please contact the office for a Family Envelope. Completed envelopes must be

Full colour version of newsletter is on our website spnhill.catholic.edu.au/newsletters-2018.html and FlexiBuzz

returned to school by Monday 27 May. Each child’s envelope must be returned, regardless of whether you are making an order.

YEAR 6 TO YEAR 7 TRANSITION PROGRAM AT NHILL COLLEGE—Last week our Year 6 students were provided with forms regarding their transition to Year 7 next year. These forms must be completed and returned to school by tomorrow; Friday 17 May. Miss Bianca Roantree, the Year 7 Co-ordinator at Nhill College, will be meeting with our students soon to commence the discussions around the transition program. If you have any questions about this program please contact Miss Roantree at Nhill College.

NO BUSES FRIDAY 24 MAY—Due to closure days at Nhill College and Nhill Lutheran School on Friday 24 May (next Friday), there will be no buses operating that day. Families must make alternative travel arrangements that day to get their children to and from school.

NHILL COLLEGE “GIRL’S NIGHT OUT” EVALUATION—Evaluation forms for students and parents who attended the Girl’s Night Out event last week have been attached. Please complete the forms (girls fill out the mauve forms and parents, the green), and return them to Nhill College.

REMINDERS

PERMISSION SLIPS—Don’t forget to return Permission Slips for the upcoming Nhill Primary Golf Tournament and the WWSSA / Little Desert Cross Country if your child has brought these home this week.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS—Parent-Teacher interviews are scheduled for Tuesday 21 May between 3.30 and 6.30pm. Please return booking slips to school by tomorrow morning so that an interview timetable can be developed and sent home tomorrow afternoon. At this stage we have received very few responses for interviews.

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORY TIME and BIGGEST MORNING TEA—Next Wednesday (22 May) is our annual Biggest Morning Tea and National Simultaneous Storytime. This year’s story is Alpacas with Maracas which will be read by Emma Dickinson in the hall from 11.00am. The reading of the book will be followed with a shared morning tea where we invite participants to make a donation for Cancer research. Families are asked to donate a plate of food for the morning tea. Please join us for this wonderful community event if you can.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK MASS—Permission notes for the Catholic Education Mass which will be in Horsham on Monday 27 May are attached to today’s newsletter. Please return the permission slip by Wednesday 22 May. If you would like to attend this special occasion with our school then please indicate this on the reply slip. Parents are welcome to travel with us on the bus or meet us in Horsham. Lunch will be provided on the day but if your child does not eat sausages then please send a packed lunch for them. You will also need to pack the normal snack for recess and their water bottle.

As always, please contact the school if you have any questions about what is happening at St. Patrick’s School.

Kathryn Bendall, Principal.

Banana in sticky rice.

Best

ever

What can you share about yourself that no-

one or not many people know?

Drawing

What do you

want to do when

you grow up?

Explore lots of different countries.

If you could go anywhere or do

anything right now, what would

you do?

Who are they and what do

you enjoy doing with them?

Best thing about St. Patrick’s School

Dad, Mum, Plot, Kaw Mu, Gaw Thay Paw. We like playing games on iPad and going to the park.

An artist.

Playing outside

Black

Playing with friends. Favourite subject is Art.

Victor Harbour.