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. 

Student safety at Nhill College is our highest priority and the safe and appropriate supervision of students is an important element of our duty of care to students. Part of this duty is ensuring parents and students are aware of our student supervision arrangements before and after school.

Before school: School grounds are supervised from 8.40am.

After school: School grounds are supervised until 3.35pm.

Students on school grounds outside these times will not be supervised (unless they are attending a before or after school care program or supervised extracurricular activity).

Parents/carers are requested to ensure that students do not attend school outside of these supervised times unless they are attending before or after school care, or a pre-arranged supervised activity (i.e. sports practice).

Families are encouraged to contact Mark Zimmermann or Kim Magrath on 5391 2111 for more information about the before and after school care facilities available to our school community or if you would like any further information about our student supervision arrangements.

For a copy of our school’s Yard Duty and Supervision Policy, go to the Nhill College website (nhillcollege.vic.edu.au) or contact the school office. This policy includes Nhill College’s student supervision arrangements across the school day, including before and after school.

As we approach the end of Term 3, families are reminded that Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday 16th September, during the final week of term.

The Compass online booking portal is now open, allowing parents and carers to book an interview time with their child's teachers.

Interviews will run from 4.00pm to 7.00pm. We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with teachers, discuss their child's progress and celebrate their achievements throughout the term.

To make a booking through Compass, go to the Community (People) tab on the menu bar and select Conferences. If using the Compass app, open the menu in the top left corner, select Conferences, and follow the prompts to make your booking.

Term 3 Progress Reports will be available through Compass on Friday 11th September. These reports provide families with an update on their child's progress and are a useful starting point for conversations at Parent Teacher Interviews.

We strongly encourage families to make a booking and take this opportunity to connect with teachers as we conclude Term 3.

Nhill College School Council met on Tuesday 8th September to discuss a range of school programs, activities and operational matters.

Key items discussed included:

• Nhill College’s removal from Category 4 of the Bushfire At-Risk Register. As a result, the College will no longer be required to close automatically on days forecast as having a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating.
• The strong involvement of students and staff from Prep to Year 12 in Book Week, including classroom door displays, reading activities and the Book Week Parade.
• The contribution of Year 9, VM, SRC and College Captain students to the planning and delivery of the school fete.
• The recent Indonesian Incursion, which provided primary and secondary students with opportunities to participate in traditional dance, Gamelan workshops, performances and a shadow puppet show.
• The participation of our Year 9 and 10 Agriculture students in the Victorian Schools Merino Wether Challenge at Clunes.
• Comparative results from the Student Attitudes to School Survey, including comparisons with similar schools, schools within our network and schools across Victoria.
• The Year 5/6 Sovereign Hill Camp and planning for the upcoming Year 3/4 Portland Camp, scheduled for 4–6 November.
• The successful completion of the school’s regular financial audit, with the College’s financial practices meeting the auditor’s expectations.
• Updates regarding buildings and grounds, as well as a review of the Visitors Policy, Volunteers Policy and Working with Children Check Register Procedure.

Thank you to those families who have already responded to the annual Parent/Carer Opinion Survey.  A random selection of 80 families received an email via Compass last week inviting them to complete this survey.  I am very pleased to report that we have already exceeded the response rate recorded last year, but it would be fantastic if we could extend that rate even further.  Any families who received an invitation but have not yet completed the survey are encouraged to do so before the deadline of Friday 18 September.   

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 8, Term 3 Attendance Award winner, James Ruse, who was recognised at this week's Secondary Assembly for achieving perfect attendance. The primary recipient we be awrded next week. We look forward to celebrating many more students throughout the 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.

“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. 

In September, 2026, Gallery Central will hold a community art display, titled “Sea of Faces”.

*We want participants to create faces on 4x4 inch canvas panels. Our plan is to mount them all “side by side” to create the effect of a patchwork quilt.

*The exhibition is free to enter and there are no prizes. The work will not be for sale. 

*The back of each panel must have the artist’s name and school or phone number if an adult.

The artwork must be delivered to the gallery before Friday, September 4th. 

The faces may be human, animal, insect, fantasy, alien etc.  They may be abstract or realistic. Any medium may be used, such as paint, textas, crayons, collaged paper, textiles, photos, digital images etc.

Partial faces, profiles, big or little faces. As long as there is a face on the canvas panel and it has been fun to create.

Note: 4x4 inch canvas panels can be found in shops like “Trevs” in Horsham. The Mont Marte brand is perfect.

Enquiries to Kim Gibson 0417 846 213 or   Jen Dufty 0488 040 063 

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.