Our School Values:

Respect    Honesty    Teamwork    Confidence    Excellence    Endeavour

Nhill College would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Wimmera Mallee area: the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk people, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. 

It was noted at our most recent school council meeting that Term 3 has provided an amazing array of events and opportunities for our students to experience and enjoy.  Nico's Birthday celebrations, the Fete, the Indonesian Incursion, Book Week and the Dress-up Parade were all fantastic days not only enjoyed by our students, but also the many parents and family members who came along to share in the fun.  Thank you to all our students for the way they have engaged with their programs this term - both inside and outside of the classroom.  Thank you to all those parents who took time out of their schedules to come along and share in the opportunities to engage in school events with their children.  And thank you to all of our teaching and ES staff for their continued efforts to ensure that our students get the best possible education and care.

On another positive note, we will be welcoming Ms Helena Croser to our staff from the start of Term 4.  Ms Croser will be taking some secondary English and Humanities classes, and I look forward to introducing her to students and staff on the first day back.

I hope everyone takes the opportunity to relax and enjoy some sunshine over the coming holidays.  And best of luck to those students - and staff - participating in grand finals over the coming weekend.  Go Tigers!

At Nhill College, we know that regular school attendance plays a vital role in every student's learning, confidence and overall wellbeing. Being at school each day helps students stay connected, build friendships and make the most of every learning opportunity.

Missing just one day every two weeks adds up to a full month of lost learning each year. Every day at school matters. Regular attendance not only supports academic achievement but also helps students develop important life skills such as teamwork, time management, resilience and problem-solving. These skills are essential for success beyond school and help prepare young people for future study, employment and life.

Being present every day allows students to stay engaged in their learning, build meaningful relationships with their peers and teachers, and be part of the vibrant learning environment that makes school such an important place to grow and thrive. Research consistently shows that students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve positive outcomes later in life, including higher educational achievement, better employment opportunities and improved overall health and wellbeing.

To support and celebrate strong attendance, each week all students who achieve 100% attendance for the previous week go into a draw. One student from the Primary section and one from the Secondary section each receive a $5 canteen voucher—a small reward for a big commitment to learning.

Congratulations to our Week 9, Term 3 Attendance Award winner, Lachlan R, who was recognised at this week's Secondary Form Assembly for achieving perfect attendance. The Primary Attendance Award winners for Week 8 and 9 were celebrated at this weeks assembly. Congratulations to George and Kaydence. 

We look forward to celebrating many more students throughout the next term who make attending school every day a priority.

If your family is experiencing difficulties getting your child to school, please don't hesitate to contact Nhill College on (03) 5391 2111. We are here to work with you and provide support to help every student attend regularly and succeed.

Today we held our primary public speaking final. Students from years 3-6 have been hard working on their speeches this term, and the following students qualified for today’s final:

Year 3: Austin, Lachy F, Abbey, Elodie and Rosiel (Topic- Animals)

Year 4: Dana, Addi, Parker and Liam (Topic- Famous Places)

Year 5: Andy, Bryden, Ayden and Hae Ber Poe (Topic- Historical Figures)

Year 6: Indi, Max, Charlotte R and Lorraine (Topic- Historical Events)

All students did an amazing job, and the crowd witnessed some fantastic speeches. A special mention to our year level winners; Elodie, Addi, Andy and Charlotte.

Thank you to all family and friends for attending, and thank you to all the teachers and staff who helped the students with the creation and delivery of their speeches. 

Our Fete held on Friday 4th September was a fantastic community event and thoroughly enjoyed by all. This event was over 12 months in the making – the idea had been previously raised at SRC and our school captain team committed to the concept when beginning their roles at the start of the year.

On behalf of the team involved in planning and organising the fete, a massive thank you to everyone who came to the event and for helping to make it a financial success also. We are currently getting student input into what we will use the fete profits for, which is very exciting. Our almost final tally is indicating a total profit of about $3000!

Thank you to all staff who assisted classes with their fete stalls – the extra time and effort you contributed was appreciated. Special shout out to Mrs. Farmers and Mrs. Zimmermann for their patience with multiple questions and requests about money and publicity.

Congratulations to the Year 9 Humanities students, Mr Mason and Mr Brown on another successful Business Project – your food stalls were amazing and very popular on the day.

Well done to all students who helped in organising the class stalls, took turns in being on duty on the day and for getting involved in supporting/participating in all the activities on offer.

Great work from the school captain team for organising the raffle and for encouraging all students to get onboard with the fete, and to Corey S particularly for his work in putting together the fete posters.

The VM/VPC students received a lot of positive feedback on the way they went about providing logistical support in planning out the event and their efficiency in setting up and packing up. Thanks also to Mr. Croot and Miss Mills for their support of the students in this project. Well done team!

Finally, a big thank you to our local businesses for their donations towards our raffle and other prizes – we were really blown away with the generosity and willingness to support the fete with these amazing prizes.

Fete results:

School Captains Raffle:

Year 10 Chuck A Duck activity

Pre-school – Macy  10.65m

Years P-2 – Connor J 17.40m

Years 3-6 – Austin  25.20m

Years 7-9 – Lenny  30.70m

Years 10-12 – Taite  33.50m

Open – Liam Albrecht 29.40m

Year 3 Yabby Races

Grand Final winner – Patrick 

Year 6 Guess the Lollies in the Jar

Mr Cunningham Judson  Indi  Matilda C

Year 7 Donut on a String

Clayton 

Thank you to the following businesses whose donations were used for activity prizes:

Luv A Duck drinker bottles

LOL coffee van vouchers

Mr Le’s vouchers

Amber’s Sweet Bliss – bag of products

Cambrelle’s – variety of products

WestVic Spares – head torch

Pure Indulgence – candle and products

Farmers Arms Nhill – pasta hamper

This week our Year 10s have been participating in Work Experience.  We have had students based in Nhill, Kaniva, Warracknabeal and Horsham.  Students have selected a variety of industries, including agriculture, plumbing, fabrication, health care, childcare, horticulture, retail, journalism, veterinary services, education and building services.  It has been an absolute pleasure following up students and visiting them in their workplaces.  They have received very positive feedback and have really enjoyed their experiences.

We sincerely thank all the employers who have provided these placements for our students.  We always appreciate their willingness to take a student into their workplace for a week. 

We express our sincere gratitude to these participating employers:

Cook Farms

Emerge Children’s Services

Hot Spark Fabrication

Matt’s Mowing and Maintenance

Mills Plumbing, Kaniva

Nhill College

Nhill Learning Centre – Paw Po

Rural North West Health, Warracknabeal

St Patrick’s School

Wimmera Mallee News, Horsham

Wimmera Mallee Vet, Warracknabeal

West Wimmera Health Service

Well done to all involved.  Work Experience can have a huge impact on the students’ education and career pathway choices, as well as students’ personal development as they face new challenges and step outside their comfort zones.  Congratulations to all participants.

On Thursday, 10th September, our Year 8 students joined students from Dimboola Secondary College for the RACE Ag Roadshow, presented by RACE Victoria. Students learnt about new technologies available to the agricultural sector, with a particular focus on the use of drones and thermal imaging on dairy farms.

Students had the opportunity to experience these technologies themselves on a smaller scale. They learnt how to fly a drone before putting their skills to the test in an obstacle course. They also used thermal cameras to identify hot spots on “cows”, very convincingly played by their fellow students!

Rafferty  showed us all his impressive drone-flying skills, taking out the drone challenge.

As part of their Work Related Skills subject, VM/VPC students are required to participate in an industry visit. This week, one of our Year 12 students, Rory, had organised for the group to visit the West Wimmera Health Service.

The WWHS is one of the largest employers in our local area, and we gained insight into the broad range of employment opportunities offered within the organisation.

Some feedback from the students:

I liked going to the hospital to find out what different opportunities there are, there were plenty of different jobs that I had never heard of before. I especially liked learning about the dietitian job. 

I liked the sterilising job, the kitchen jobs, the recovery room and the physio, I didn’t mind the other jobs but the four I listed really stood out to me.

I think the whole tour was great, it was good to know how some jobs don't need qualifications and they are happy to train people. 

This trip was a great experience; I found out that there are lots of careers in the hospital and I think the x-rays were the most interesting part about the trip and also the social worker because they were really interactive.

We would like to thank Rachel and all the staff at WWHS for sharing their experiences and providing a very informative tour and thank you to Rory for all his work in planning and organising this activity for the class – well done.

“Prepare for the academic year and beyond with VCE Summer Tutoring! We deliver inclusive and valuable academic support to VCE students, no matter their background.

At our program from 11-22 January 2027, students can:

- Engage in academic classes and 1-1 tutoring from passionate tutors

- Join a community of like-minded students as they tackle fun activities

- Learn more about University study from supportive older peers

Students can apply at the link below before 1 October 2026, however we can consider applications beyond this deadline as well: https://forms.gle/obreVAoVAKdx5DiM7.

Bursaries and travel subsidies are available to students who would otherwise be unable to access the program.

For more information:

- Read our website: https://vcesummertutoring.au.

- Contact the Program Managers: program@vcesummertutoring.au

Get excited! Our 2026 Primary Basketball Competition will kick off in Week 1 of Term 4. Registrations are now open on Play HQ and we encourage all parents to register their players as soon as possible so our Competition Coordinator and her helpers can create the teams over the school holidays.

Primary Basketball Competition (boys and girls) Thursdays starting 8 October Primary school aged children from Year 2 - 6

Total registration cost of $73.50 includes Basketball Victoria Participation Licence, Basketball Australia Levy, $9.50 Nhill Basketball Membership and Nhill College stadium hire fees.

If your child is in Year 2 and has NOT done our Aussie Hoops program, we strongly suggest that they enrol in Aussie Hoops for this season as a starting point (watch this space!).

Registrations can be made at https://www.playhq.com/basketball-victoria/register/85c2c6

For enquiries, please contact Comp Coordinator Emily Gladdis on 0428 112 321. 

GrainCorp Casual Summer Job Opportunities 🌾

Looking for a summer job and the chance to earn some money during the harvest season?

Ellie Murden, GrainCorp Site Manager, recently visited Nhill College to let students know about a range of casual summer employment opportunities with GrainCorp.

Applications close Wednesday 30 September 2026.

Students must be over 17 years of age to apply.

Positions Available

Grain Handler – Silo / Bunker Operator / General Labouring

• Help monitor grain as it is unloaded from trucks and moved into storage.
• Keep work areas clean through sweeping, shovelling and blowing down dust.
• Help cover and protect grain stored in bunkers.
• Operate equipment such as tractors, augers and drive-over hoppers.

Sample Stand Attendant

• Be the first point of contact for growers and truck drivers.
• Take grain samples from trucks.
• Test grain for protein, moisture and contaminants.
• Enter information into GrainCorp systems.
• Maintain a neat and tidy work area.

Weighbridge Operator

• Record truck weights and other information.
• Answer telephone calls to the site office.
• Complete basic administration tasks.
• Maintain a neat and tidy work area.

How to Apply

Students will need to:

This is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable workplace experience, develop new skills and earn money over the summer harvest period.

Applications can be made through the GrainCorp Harvest Workers website or by scanning the QR code on the accompanying flyer:

https://www.graincorp.com.au/harvest-workers/

Applications close: Wednesday 30 September 2026

For further information or questions about the positions, please contact Ellie Murden, GrainCorp Site Manager, on 0473 337 570.

Did you know teenagers need 8–10 hours of sleep each night?

As young people move through puberty, their body clock (circadian rhythm) naturally shifts. This means they often don’t feel sleepy until around 11pm — even though they still need to wake early for school.

At the same time, life gets busier. Part-time jobs, sport, social activities, homework and screen time can quickly fill the afternoon and evening. With so much going on, sleep can become low on their priority list. In fact, only 50% of Australian 16–17-year-olds are getting the recommended minimum amount of sleep.

Sleep is more than just rest at the end of a busy day. It plays a vital role in teenagers’ health and wellbeing. Quality sleep helps the brain process learning and memories, supports concentration, regulates mood, and allows the body to repair and restore itself. During adolescence — when the brain is still developing — consistent and sufficient sleep is especially important.

Research from the Black Dog Institute highlights sleep as an important modifiable risk factor, and improving sleep can help lower the risk of developing anxiety and depression.

Computers are being used more frequently in many aspects of our teaching and learning programs, and Nhill College strives to make a 1:1 provision of devices available for student use in the classroom.  However, students using school-owned laptops are not permitted to take them home at night and these devices must be returned to the relevant charging station at the end of each day.  Secondary students wishing to access devices at home to support their learning are encouraged to explore the range of devices available through Edunet as part of our BYOD program.  In addition to gaining access to your own device at discounted prices, purchases through Edunet provide students with school based IT support and manufacturer's warranty, as well as access to the College's network, servers and printers.  Families purchasing a BYOD will also be provided with access to the Department of Education's Microsoft 365 suite, which gives free access to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc on up to 5 family devices.

To assist those families interested in exploring BYOD options, we have new and updated models for our BYOD program through Edunet.  Please open the link below for details about the devices.  Mr Shrive is happy to take questions from parents or students if they are looking at purchasing a BYOD.  Devices specifically chosen for Nhill College students cover a range of specifications and price levels. The BYOD Specification Sheet and instructions can be found here:

nhillcollege.technologyportal.com.au

Black Dog Institute Study: Adolescent Screen Use And Mental Health

The Black Dog Institute has released a report investigating the use of screen-based devices and the links to adolescent mental health. The full report can be found here: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Teens-Screens_Report-2024_WEB.pdf and we would encourage parents and guardians to have a look over its findings. This may help start a discussion within families about appropriate screen time, where devices live within the home and what devices, if any, are allowed in bedrooms.

The College will be using some of the resources from the Black Dog Institute in our cybersafety units. Responsible use of technology is taught across the school to help reinforce with students what is appropriate and acceptable. However, active monitoring by parents is also vital to help our young people develop good habits online.

ScrollSafe provides new resources to help students, families and schools understand the impact of social media on mental health. Here are evidence-based tips to support healthy digital habits…

Are you a Year 9-11 student curious about where STEM could take you? Spark Engineering Camp 2027 is a fully subsidised, week-long program designed to help you explore real opportunities in engineering, technology, and beyond. Hosted at a University of Melbourne residential college during the Summer holidays (11th-16th January), Spark is the perfect platform to ignite your potential.

Across the week, you’ll dive into hands-on workshops, visit leading university campuses, and step inside top engineering firms. Whether you’re planning a STEM career or simply exploring your options, Spark gives you the experiences, knowledge, and industry connections to make confident decisions about your future.

Applications are open NOW until mid September. Don’t miss your chance to join this life-changing experience.

Ready to get started? Visit our website to apply or find us on social media by searching Spark Engineering Camp.

Have questions? Reach out to our National Students Manager, Annie (students@spark.ywb.com.au), or speak to Mrs Hedt or your form teacher for more info.

Senior students should be aware that Universities, TAFES and Private tertiary institutions will be opening their doors for Open Days throughout July and August.  We encourage Year 12 and Year 11 students, even Year 10 students, to consider attending Open Days – spreading them over two or three years can avoid date clashes and excessive travel commitments during Year 12.  We also encourage carpooling with friends who may wish to see the same facilities. 

Open Days are a wonderful opportunity for students and their families to see firsthand what tertiary providers have to offer in terms of facilities, courses, residential accommodation and student resources.  You can talk to current students and staff about courses you are interested in and ask any number of questions you may have.

Attached is a link to a list of Open Day dates, which is also posted on Compass.  Please be aware that this list will not cover all institutions, so if there is somewhere you wish to see that is not included here, please check their website. 

 We highly recommend you register your intention to attend, institutions often provide extra information as Open Days approach and sometimes provide free gift cards etc to compensate for travel costs and the like.

Please see Mrs Hedt, Mrs Cole or Mrs Sampson if you have any questions.

A reminder that the Department of Education has in place a mobile phone ban that requires students who bring mobiles phones to school to have them switched off and securely put away during school hours.

The department is requiring all schools to ensure this ban is in place and enforced from the start of the 2024 school year.

The ban applies equally to all government schools right across the state.

This helps ensure that school is a learning environment free from unnecessary distractions and disruptions.

By ensuring mobile phones are kept away at recess and lunch times, students can interact with each other face-to-face, without the distractions and social pressures that mobile phones can cause.

I ask for the support of all our families, staff and students in continuing to support the implementation of this policy in our school.

Further information

Exceptions:  For a small number of students with particular health needs, an exception to the policy may be granted. Please contact Mr Zimmermann if you would like to discuss this.

Emergencies:  In the event of an emergency or if you need to immediately contact your child, I ask that families contact the school office who will pass on a message as required.

School mobile phone policy:  A copy of our school’s local mobile phone policy, which implements the government’s mobile policy in line with our local context, is available from the Nhill College website.

Parent support:  The Mobile Phones in Schools webpage provides links to resources for families to help them balance their children’s time using mobile phones.

If you have further questions, please contact the administration office. 

Parents, carers, schools, and community all play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects of smoking and vaping.

Research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows many parents and carers are not aware of the harmful effects or how their views about smoking and vaping can impact the likelihood of a young person taking up smoking or vaping.

The Department of Education has developed resources to help you learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping, and some suggestions about how to talk to children and young people about vaping, and where to get support. To access the resources, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents

You can also view this video on smoking and vaping from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.

With the recent updates to our school website, parents are now able to submit Bus Notes in two ways:

• via Compass under the Star (School Favourites) icon - Bus Notes
• via the Nhill College website (https://www.nhillcollege.vic.edu.au/), under Parent Info - Bus Notes

Both options will direct parents to an online template that will inform the school of any changes to regular bus travel arrangements.  Please ensure that any Bus requests are submitted before 3.00pm.

Ad-hoc travel: A student that is not a regular bus traveller that requires occasional travel may be considered as ad-hoc. Ad-hoc travel can be used for, but not limited to, sports training, part time work, social travel to fellow students' residence and so on.