Term 2, Week 9 - Monday 24th June, 2024

What's On This Week

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Last Monday, St Raphael’s staff embarked on numerous workshops in order to contribute to St Raphael’s Strategic Improvement Plan for 2024 - 2028. The staff were very engaged in three fundamental piers involving Culture, Connections and Self Efficacy. These three areas involve numerous priorities across learning and wellbeing. Over the next few weeks, staff will be engaged in a summary of identified priorities and will be forming a plan for the next 5 years. Ultimately the Strategic Improvement Plan will have engaged feedback from all stakeholders via surveys, students data etc.

Integrated within each of our core areas is Service Learning. Over next Term we will unpack what Service Learning is with all stakeholders, however it is extremely encouraging that our Parish Council and the wider Parish are also looking at transformative thinking. So we too are already thinking innovatively, and collaboratively about how we engage people in our Church, Gospel Teachings and Values, and in turn see people being actively caring about our world and other people.

In fact next term our staff spirituality retreat will be at Carcoar with Br Damien Price. Br Damien promotes Service Learning and our staff will experience Service Learning at the retreat. We have also invited the Parish Council and parents are invited also. Please ring the office if you are interested in attending. 

At the centre of our Strategic Improvement Plan is the positive psychology framework, SPIRE. This framework makes perfect sense in a Catholic School. We always say that we educate the whole person, however what does that really mean? The beauty of this framework is that it acknowledges the ‘spiritual’ first and foremost and not only engaging our students with Church, Gospel Teachings and Faith formation, but also looking at how we support students to lead a meaningful life and mindfully savouring the present. The other areas of focus are the Physical, Intellectual, Relational, and Emotional domains. Our Leader of Learning Engagement, Mr Craig Jeffries is undertaking study in the area of SPIRE positive psychology, so next term we'll also be unpacking how we engage staff and students in the various domains.  

It was great to see the Duke of Ed students attend a voluntary hike on Sunday. Mr Phelan goes beyond the call of duty for our students to have these experiences. We thank him enormously for his passion for enabling our students to have these experiences. The skills and knowledge gainied by our students will definitely be with them for life. 

As we head towards the holidays, I encourage all students to stop and reflect on the wonderful Term and year we have had so far. We certainly have much to be proud and thankful for. I hope all students rest over the winter break and come back refreshed for Term 3.

God Bless, 

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

From the Assistant Principal

Welcome one and all to another St Raphael's Catholic School Newsletter from the AP.  We are coming to the end of Term 2 and I know people are looking forward to a break at the end of Week 10. This time is a very important time for our school community as it is half way through the year and the end of Semester 1 and the school can now report on the learning of all the students of our school. Staff are extremely busy writing comments and finalising grades and ensuring that all parents/guardians and students have a clear picture of what has been achieved and where learning can be achieved.

The purpose of reports is giving information to the school community of where the students are at and where improvement can be made. It is all about the learning growth of our students. As a staff we have spent considerable time this semester focusing on our teaching styles ensuring that we continually challenge and support our students so no matter where they are at in their learning we are seeing growth. 

This constant focus on improving our teaching was further reinforced with our Staff Development Day on Monday June 17th. On this day we once again had the services of leading educational expert Michael McDowell presenting to staff teaching strategies that have learning growth as their focus. These 1% improvement strategies are small but doable and can have a massive impact on the learning growth of all students. We all agreed it was a very worthwhile day!

We also spent time looking at our School Improvement Plan for the next 5 years collaborating with staff to ensure that we have a consistent and common outlook about how we can make St Raphael's the school of choice in our community. The results of this process will be presented to the school community next term.

A reminder to all families considering sibling enrolments for 2025, that Kindergarten and Year 7 new enrolments are due at the end of Term 2. We look forward to welcoming further members of your family to St Raph's, whether that be your pre-schoolers begining their K-12 journey, or  other siblings joining us for High School from our feeder Primary Schools.

We also encourage all members of the St Raph's community to spread the word to friends and family that 2025 enrolments are closing soon!  Now is the time to have those discussions on why St Raph's is your school of First Choice for your children, and the young people of Cowra. 

As always I am always happy to discuss the great things we do here at St Raph’s and to also talk about the learning opportunities that we offer. Have a great fortnight.

David Wickham - Assistant Principal

Prayer

This prayer has been written for NAIDOC Week 2024 by proud Wuthathi and Mabuiag Island woman Safina Stewart for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to keep the fire burning, and prayer for the church to continue walking together for truth and justice. 

Creator God,

You are the sustainer of life, the composer of creation’s song

You taught our Elders how to listen to Country’s rhythm

To stand to protect, sustain and care for Country

Open our ears and enflame our commitment toward creation justice

 We walk together to keep the fire burning

 You are the celebrator of language, kinship and culture

You have taught our communities how to be resilient

Renew and encourage our disheartened spirits, restore our peoples to flourishing

Overflow us with vision, guide our paths, give us comrades for the journey

 We walk together to keep the fire burning

 You are the fire keeper, the Creator of time and place

You remember the silenced and ignored stories

Your stories connect us back to Your love to fuel the flame

Quicken our memory to Your way of justice, hope and love

We are Blak, Loud, Proud. We will keep the fire burning.

 We walk together to keep the fire burning

 You are the holy God of truth and justice 

You hear the cry of our hearts, our laments and our mourning

You comfort and accompany us

We experience your faithfulness and peace. 

Blaze us with your love and presence, holy God of truth and justice

 We walk together to keep the fire burning

 You are the Spirit of restoration and healing

You gave Jesus to show us how to live in right relationship

We take our place to listen, learn and build understanding

We walk together with honour, respect and celebration

 We walk together to keep the fire burning

Amen

Faith, Mission & Learning

NAIDOC Week Mass and Celebrations

We are very proud of our school’s annual journey from Sorry Day to NAIDOC Week. This year has been no exception. To celebrate NAIDOC Week, we will be conducting the folowing events:

• Whole school Mass followed by lunch and activities 

Date: Wednesday 26th June (Week 9)

Time: Mass @ 12:20pm in St Raphael’s Church.

Primary students who were involved in our Sorry Day Mass will once again lead our singing of We Are Australian at Mass this week.   Lunch and activities will commence after Mass on Playgrounds 1 & 2. 

All welcome

• Cultural Workshops (Week 10)

Thursday 4/7/24 - Beatrice Murray will host cultural workshops with K-6 during class times

Friday 5/7/24  - Beatrice Murray will host cultural workshops with 7-10 during class times

Confirmation Program

The 2024 Confirmation Program has commenced in our Parish and School. So far we have students enrolled for the Sacrament of Confirmation. If your child would like to be involved but haven't enrolled yet, it is not too late. Please contact the Parish Office on 63421369 or Nicole Twohill-Scott (acting Sacramental Coordinator) via email (n.twohill-scott@bth.catholic.edu.au) this week. Please continue to keep our Confirmation candidates and their families in your prayers. 

2024 Confirmation Program 

Weekend Masses

Week 1-22/23 June

Week 2- 29/30 June

Week 3- 27/28 July( Prayer Card Weekend)

Week 4- 3/4 August

Week 5- 10/11 August (Robing Weekend)

Retreat Wednesday 14th August

Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, Saturday 17th August during the 6pm Parish Mass

Nicole Twohill-Scott - Leader of Faith, Mission & Learning (Acting)

RISE 11th and 12th of July

Are you ready to embark on an inspiring journey filled with faith, friendship, and fun? If so, we invite you to join us for RISE, our Diocesan Catholic youth event tailored specifically for Youth in the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst. RISE isn't just another event; it's an opportunity to connect with peers, deepen your relationship with God, and discover the joy of being part of a vibrant Catholic community. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Mt Panorama, RISE promises two days packed with engaging activities, thought-provoking discussions, and moments of spiritual growth. RISE is opened to students in Yr 6-Yr 12.

Here's what you can look forward to during RISE:

1. Inspiring Talks and Workshops: Our lineup of speakers and facilitators are committed to empowering you with insights that resonate with your journey as a young person.
2. Prayer: Experience the power of collective and personal prayer as we come together to praise and honor our faith through music, prayer, and reflection.
3. Meaningful Connections: Forge lasting friendships with fellow participants who share your values, beliefs, and aspirations.
4. Outdoor Activities: Enjoy the beauty of nature as we incorporate outdoor adventures and recreational activities into our program.
5. Encounter: Deepen your spiritual journey through moments of Encounter with God and the Church.

RISE will take place on the 11th and 12th of July, offering you two days filled with inspiration, growth, and joy. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to rejuvenate your faith and connect with like-minded peers from across our diocese. For further information, please see Mrs Scott

To register for RISE and secure your spot, simply visit and complete the online registration form by the end of this week.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHNv-42N5f75quNrpzZ7pjDYfCK_jhkWaiAQB2uYKinXix3g/viewform

Learning Engagement & Wellbeing

Adherence to Uniform Code

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support of the St Raphael's Uniform Policy.  Please be aware that school ties are back in stock at Mr Embroidery and are now available for immediate purchase.   As such, all students are expected to now present to school in full school uniform, including school ties.  Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Craig Jeffries - Leader of Learning Engagement
c.jeffries@bth.catholic.edu.au

Attendance Matters

Regular school attendance will help your child to gain the skills and knowledge for success both now and later in life. 

Regular attendance ensures that students have consistent exposure to new concepts and lessons. Learning is a continuous process, and consistent attendance allows students to build on their knowledge over time.

No matter the age of your child, a starting point may be guiding them to develop a morning routine. This life long skill could include a regular bedtime and wake-up time. Expectations around devices in the bedroom would be an important conversation. Having a structured routine helps students get enough rest and be ready for school each day.

Teaching time management skills to a teenager is an essential life skill that will benefit them in academics, extracurricular activities, and future responsibilities.

Talk openly about common time-wasting activities, such as excessive social media use or excessive video gaming. Encourage your child to be mindful of these activities and set limits to maintain a healthy balance.

Remember that developing effective time management skills is an ongoing process. Be patient, provide guidance, and adapt strategies based on your child’s individual needs and preferences. 

Primary Learning & Enrichment

Bronze and Level 7 Award Recipients

Congratulations to the following Primary students who have reached Bronze and Level 7 on the Behaviour Management Plan.

Bronze

Evie Woodhouse * Alex Kelly-Shepherd * Matilda Lang * Franky Morgan * Madison Smith-Scott * Lachlan Johnstone * Isabel Prideaux * Lochie Sykes * Anantarvir Dhumi * Willow Harris * Jack Keefe * Rory Rue * Molly Vella * Emily Twigg

LEVEL 7

Vallie Bodiam  *  Ashley Kang  *  Jack Thompson  *  Lucy James

Parent Access to School Grounds

Dear Parents,

As we strive to maintain a safe and secure environment for our students and staff, we would like to remind you to please access the school via the front office before entering the school premises. This helps us monitor who is on site and ensures everyone's safety.

Could parents please ensure that they are saying their goodbyes to their children at the top of the driveway of a morning, and not accessing the playground via the driveway. While we understand that as parents you may have a need to visit, especially for parent reading, it is school protocol that visitors sign in at the office.

If you need to speak to teachers or staff, please reach out via phone, email, or schedule a meeting.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Library News

Learning Logistics & Pathways

Careers Corner

Students, parents & carers are encouraged to check out the latest updates on our school's career pathways website: https://straphaelscowra.careertools.com.au/

Any questions, please contact Mr Lette, thank you.

David Lette - Leader of Learning Logistics and Pathways

Primary Sport

Years 3-6 Netball Schools Cup and Soccer Fun Day - Tuesday 2nd July

As you would already be aware, this sporting day was postponed and will now take place next Tuesday, 2nd July.  All Primary students will be in attendance on the day, having chosen earlier this term to either play Netball or Soccer. Students will attend during school time. St Raphael's will be entering a competitive Stage 3 Netball team, as well as two teams in both Stages 2 and 3 which are non-competitive. The children playing Soccer have been placed into Stage 2 or 3 teams and will have a fun day playing against one another. Joggers only please. No football boots allowed.

The Netball canteen will be running for all of the children, both Netball and Soccer, to use. We strongly recommend that your child packs plenty of water, food, sunscreen and a hat to get them through the day. We would love to see parents and family members coming up to watch.

Southern Athletics Carnival - Friday 2nd August

We are awaiting final instructions from St. Edward's Canowindra before sending out the information for the students who have progressed from our school Athletics Carnival, to the next level, Southern Region Athletics Carnival. This carnival will be held on the Friday of Week 2 next term, the 2nd August. It will be held in Canowindra, with 63 St Raphael's students qualifying for this next stage. With many students only qualifying for one event, it is still hoped that as it is only just down the road in Canowindra, as many of the 63 can represent. I will need to know asap if you are choosing to not send your child so that numbers can be adjusted for the staff running the day. Hopefully we will be able to send out the information later this week. 

Polding Touch Footy Trials

On the Friday of Week 7, Will travelled to Parkes to trial for the Polding Touch Footy team. He made the Bathurst Diocesan team in Term 4 last year as a Year 4 student, but the next leg, choosing the Polding team, was only completed in this past fortnight. With speed like Steve "Zip Zip" Ella and agility akin to Brett "Bert" Kenny, Will was successful in gaining a position in this team moving forward. Polding Touch Footy team now progresses to a week long carnival in Wollongong later this year. Congratulations Will.

Polding Rugby League - PSSA Championship

Last week, Harrison and Will were in Sydney at St. Mary's for four days of Rugby League, as representatives of the Polding Under 11s team. This carnival is where the best players from all over NSW, both Catholic and Public Schools, converge to find out who the best regions are in the state. Two wins against Western 32 to 0, and Sydney North West 10 to 0, showed how strong defensively this team were. Three narrow losses though, against Sydney North 12-6, Sydney West 16-12, and Sydney East 14-12, meant that they were sadly out of contention for overall winners . Break it down a little further though, and you can see that Polding scored 72 points, whilst only conceding 42. Not a bad effort. From all reports, our two St Raphael's boys did extremely well in the Polding team. Will was very elusive at fullback, with Harrison, who was under the weather throughout the week, strong in defence when given the chance off the bench. Well done boys. Exceptional achievement to make this level.

Polding Rugby Union Trials

On Monday of next week, 1st July, two St. Raphael's students will head over to Forbes hoping to gain a position in the Polding Rugby Union team. Sam Harris and Will O'Reilly have progressed from the Diocesan winter trials held at Stannies earlier this term and will now represent the Bathurst Diocese, trialling for a position in the Polding team. Good luck boys. Go your hardest!

Todd Woodbridge Cup - Tennis

Last week, 17 Stage 2 students trialled for the ten positions available to represent Stage 2 at the Todd Woodbridge Cup being held at the Cowra Tennis Club on Monday 29th July. More information for the parents of these children to follow later this week.  Trials will be held later this week for the Stage 3 team which, when chosen, will progress through to Parkes on Tuesday 20th August.

The "Stanley Cup" is what the Americans and Canadians play for in Ice Hockey. The Finals are played as a best of seven series. This year, the Florida Panthers led 3 nil and were already planning their celebrations, however the Edmonton Oilers never gave up and have brought it back to 3 all at the time of typing this report. Never give up and always dream big!Wayne Gretzky, arguably one of the best ever Ice Hockey players, once famously said........"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."  When it comes to playing sport, any sport, give it your best shot.

Grahame Statham - Primary Sports Coordinator

Secondary Sport

Secondary Diocesan Soccer Gala Day

Our Open Boys and Open Girls Soccer teams had a great time at the Diocesan Soccer Gala Day held at Jack Brabham Park in Orange. The girls did particularly well claiming 3-0 wins against St John's Catholic School (Dubbo) and La Salle Academy (Lithgow). Thank you to Miss Kelly Price and Mr John Terry for coaching the teams and Deenita Mitchell and Glenn Woods for assisting with transportation of students.

Upcoming dates 

Secondary Diocesan Netball Gala Day (Stage 4, 5 & 6) - Orange - Friday 28th June 

Netball NSW School Cup Netball (Stage 4 & 5) - Cowra - Tuesday 2nd July

Andrew Phelan - Secondary Sports Coordinator

Administration

Attendance Notifications to Parents

Most families would already be familiar with the Automated Attendance SMS Notification System, which sends a text to the  primary parent, in the primary household, if your child is marked as absent at school (without prior explanation) by 9:30am.  Parents can communicate their child's absences to the school in advance (and therefore avoid the SMS notification), either via the Compass App, or by contacting School Administration. 

A change to this process, effective Term 3 will now see this Attendance SMS sent to the primary parent in all households, which will have particular relevance to those students living in dual household/multiple residential addresses.

Should you have any questions about this system, please contact Administration on 6342 2940.

Canteen

Coming Soon - Online Ordering at the Canteen!

Exciting news for all families! By mid Term 3 St Raph's will be rolling out an online Canteen ordering/payment system.  Further information will be distributed next term, but this option is likely to be a great solution for those families that don't always carry cash and prefer to pay online. Please note that cash payments will also remain available, and the current system of placing cash in the lunch bag for payment and ordering to Mrs Stokes will remain an option for those that prefer it.  Stay tuned for more information on this great online alternative!

Community Connections