Term 4, Week 2 - Monday 21st October, 2024

What's On This Week

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, 

At the end of last Term we celebrated the completion of 13 years of schooling for our Year 12 students. They received so many well deserved well wishes from students and staff as they made their way through the long guard of honour. Last week Year 12 commenced their HSC examinations, which completes the final schooling journey. We wish all Year 12 every success in the coming year and feel confident that every student is leaving St Raphael’s with knowledge and skills to set them up for bright futures. 

This Term we welcome our new Year 12 2025, as they commence their HSC study, and complete their first assessment tasks. We are thrilled with the wonderful new Year 12 cohort, and feel confident they will make their own impact as leaders in 2025. 

Over the holidays, a group of Year 9, 10 and 11 students toured around Japan for 16 days. The students experienced a rich cultural experience whereby they were billeted in our sister city of Shiroishi, and spoiled for 5 days, and made lifelong friends. The students also visited many historical sites and temples, such as the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum, castles and temples. To be immersed in such history has a significant impact. We learn about history, but actually being at these places connects with our emotions and with each of us as human beings. 

To date in the last 2 years we have had 31 students tour around Japan. Each student has definitely changed as a result of their travels. The tour has enabled students to make life long memories and friendships and has definitely seen our students mature even further as a result of managing themselves, sustaining resilience and developing a significant awareness of others and our world. It is timely to thank Ms Olbourne for her tireless effort over these years to get the Japan tour organised, along with students and their parents. It is a massive undertaking followed by the demanding job of being on call for 16 days, 24/7 during the tour. 

We thank Mrs Buchtmann for overseeing the many capital works over the holidays. We have replaced the sand in the sand pit and constructed a new cover. The Ag Centre is complete and students are now able to populate it with the work they undertake in Ag classes. The music room now has 2 recording studios enabling practice and recording without interruption. Finally we are upgrading our whole alarm system, with additional works being undertaken in the front office to increase safety for staff and students from people entering the school. 

Initial plans for the school Multi Purpose centre are about to be shared with us. Also the infants playground and basketball court is scheduled for resurfacing in the Christmas holidays. The new basketball rings have already arrived. 

Finally, but not least, thank you to the many P&F parents who supported the fund raising events in the holidays at the Morongla show. 

I hope all students work hard this term to make final preparations for preceding to the next year level. Remember learning from mistakes is the best type of learning!

God Bless, 

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

From the Assistant Principal

Welcome back everyone to Term 4. I hope everyone had a relaxing and worthwhile break.  Term 4 heralds both beginnings and endings for our students. The Year 12 students have just begun their HSC which will end 13 years of schooling and mark the beginning of a new stage in their lives. I wish this cohort every success in the HSC Exams and hope they get the results they have worked so hard for.  At the end of Term 3 we celebrated with Year 12 an end of year ceremony and presented them with awards and certificates and allowed for the whole school to send them off with an ovation and cheering that these students will hopefully cherish for the rest of their lives.  At St Raphael’s we are constantly striving to improve the culture of our school and it is through recognising our traditions and building upon them that this is achieved.

The start of Term 4 means that we have a new Year 12 and a new leadership team. We are so proud of the new leadership team and we will have a badging ceremony this Thursday in St Raphael's Church, commencing at 9:30am to recognise these students and celebrate with them this great achievement. The whole school from Kindergarten through to Year 12 will be in attendance, which is something we value highly as everyone witnesses the special place this ceremony has at our school. It showcases the opportunities we provide for leadership, and student excellence is on display for all students who are following in our older students' footsteps.

At the same time, we are starting the process for our Primary School students in Year 5 to take their first step in leadership with students nominated to be part of the leadership team for next year in Year 6. 

At St Raphael’s have the unique opportunity to build our student body from Kindergarten right through Primary and into Secondary, and instill in all students the values and ethics that we value as a school community, all the while build pathways from Kindergarten through to Year 12  and growing a 'school of choice' culture.

Term 4 is a full term for assessments with all stages undergoing testing and exams, and teachers finalising reports to provide our parents and carers with an in-depth portrayal of the learning growth of all of our students. 

Have a great term!

David Wickham - Assistant Principal

Faith, Mission & Learning

The Gift of Leadership

Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus tells His disciples that leaders should not exercise authority over people. Instead, whoever wants to become great must lower himself to be a servant. Leaders realise that serving others is the only way to lead with a pure heart, free of pride and arrogance.  

It is important to value the gift of leadership in all of us and remember your example is contagious to those around you.

Jesus teaches us that leadership isn’t about exerting control or dominance over others, as seen in many worldly systems of power. Instead, true greatness comes from serving others with humility and compassion.  

• I wonder how Jesus’ example of giving His life for others teaches us about love and sacrifice?
• I wonder how we can show servant leadership in our everyday lives?
• I wonder what changes would take place in the world if more people became servant leaders?

Cowra Mass Times

Wednesday: 9.00am Mass

Friday: 5.45pm Mass

Saturday: 6.00pm Vigil Mass

Sunday: 8.00am Mass

Reconciliation is held in St Raphael’s Church each Saturday between 5.15pm-5.45pm, and other times by arrangement. Phone 6342 1369

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: 5.00pm - First Friday of the month in St Raphael’s Church.

Rosary is prayed each Friday at 5.20pm in St Raphael’s Church, except the 1st Friday of each month.

Learning Engagement & Wellbeing

Late Arrival of Secondary Students

Families are reminded of the process around late arrival of Secondary Students.  Secondary Students are not permitted to sign themselves in using the Compass Kiosk.  Any Secondary Student arriving late to school (i.e. after 9:10am) will be signed in at the School Office. Their late arrival will be marked as unexplained until an attendance note to explain the reason for their late arrival is added by their parent on Compass, or a phone call/email placed to the school to justify their child's late arrival.

Attendance Matters

Being present in class facilitates active participation and interaction with teachers and classmates. This engagement fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Being present in class is a fundamental component of a comprehensive and effective learning experience. It enables students to actively engage with the learning process, interact with teachers and peers, and deepen their understanding of the subject matter through real-time participation and collaboration.

Class attendance contributes to the development of critical thinking skills. Engaging in discussions and problem-solving activities stimulates cognitive processes, encouraging students to analyse information, make connections, and think critically.

The active engagement that comes with being present in class often leads to increased motivation to learn. Feeling connected to the learning process encourages students to take a more proactive approach to their studies.

Primary Learning & Enrichment

Bronze and Level 7 Award Recipients

Congratulations to the following Primary students who have reached Level 5, Bronze, Level 7, Silver and Level 9 on the Behaviour Management Plan.

LEVEL 5

Shamara Hewagamage

BRONZE AWARD

Jack Barac * Joseph Finn * Maurice Prideaux

LEVEL 7

  Charlotte Graham * Alby Binu * Fathima Faisal * Sash Germanoski * Mitchell Holmes * Aditya Manuraj Nair

SILVER AWARD

Logan Thompson * Samuel Lazanski * Penelope McColl * Ally Pye * Ebony Whitton *  Madeline Wiegold * Hamish Carman * Ruby Louttit * Jack Smith * Lochie Sykes * Ava Allan * Anantarvir Dhumi * Jack Keefe * Joshua Randell * Rory Rue * Jimmy Smith * Olivia Edwards * Lane Thompson * Molly Vella * Savannah Bates *  Gus Osborne * Maddison Thomas * Harper Chalker * Jack Langfield * Indigo Nurcombe * Jacob Wydmuch * Claudia Orford * Evie Smith

LEVEL 9

Levi Thompson * Vallie Bodiam * Harrison Chalker * Grace Langfield * Sarah Langfield * Phoebe Porter * Vivienne Graham * Aiva Poole * Jack Thompson * Rosemary Bennett * Eleanor Duguid * Samuel Launders * Max Holmes

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

State Athletics Carnival

It'll be an early start for Will O'Reilly this Thursday! He has made it through to the State Athletics Carnival for Long Jump down in Sydney at the Homebush Olympic site. An 8:30am start will see Will pitted against the best 11 year old Long Jumpers in the State of NSW. All the best, Will. 

Golfing News

Towards the end of last term, David Kang from Year 6 played golf for Polding in the Hunter Valley. He is to be congratulated on his efforts, gaining selection into the NSW. team that will compete down in Kiama in the middle of November. Well done 'Tiger!'

Cricket - Primary Sport

All Primary students 3-6 will participate in a four week program organised and run by Angus from Cricket NSW at the beginning of this term. We thank Angus and his team for including us in this program. Last Thursday was our first lesson, held across the road, with skills being taught in the way of fun games. Angus is unavailable this Thursday, however our remaining three lessons will begin again in Week 3.

Swimsafe Program - 2025

St Raphael's Catholic School is excited to announce that our K-6 Swimsafe Program will run again this year in Weeks 8 and 9. This will be ten days of Intensive Swimming lessons, where every student will have the opportunity to complete a 40 minute lesson in the pool each day across the two weeks, with specialised instructors tutoring them.  All ranges of swimmers are catered for, from beginners through to competitive Swimming Club members.  Kindergarten will be driven to and from the pool each day to aid them as this is their first time attempting this rigorous program.  All other grades will be walking to and from the pool. More information will be sent out in the next week asking for levels of children's swimming capabilities, as well as asking for parent walker volunteers across the two weeks of this program. If you can help herding a group of swimmers to and from the pool, please offer your services across these two weeks. 'It takes a village!'

Summer Sports Trials

Coming up in Week 6 of this term, we have our Diocesan Summer Sports Trials being held in Dubbo. This year, we have 16 students who qualified from our school try-outs and selection process. Our school will be represented in the sports of Touch Footy, Cricket, Softball, Tennis and Basketball. These 16 children are encouraged to continue training hard in order to gain selection into the Bathurst Diocese team. 

PSSA Cricket Carnival

Last week, Mr  Statham was the coach of the Polding Primary Boys Cricket team at the PSSA Carnival in Armidale. The six Dioceses of Broken Bay, Bathurst, Wilcannia/Forbes, Armidale, Maitland/Newcastle and Lismore make up the top half of the state of NSW for Catholic schools. From all of the students eligible from this huge area, 12 boys were selected at the Lismore trial late last term. They all met in Armidale for a training run on Monday, ready for four days of high level cricket to follow. With 14 teams representing every area of the state, we had our Polding team, two MacKillop teams (Catholic schools from the bottom half of the state), a CIS team (Combined Independent Schools), and 11 Public School regions. It was a very successful week for the boys, playing the sport they love, making new friendships and appreciating the skill level of players at this stage.

Teacher representation at these events is also a major plus for our school of St Raphael's. For some students, sport representation may be their only chance to shine at school as they may not be overly academic, so the sporting arena is the 'holy grail' for them. Without teachers putting their hand up to put in the extra work of going away and coaching rep teams, these students wouldn't get their opportunity to shine. Well done to all teachers who go above and beyond for their sporting students. 

Administration

School Fees Are Now Overdue

Families are reminded that 2024 School Fees are now overdue.  If you do not already have a payment plan in place, please contact the school as a matter of priority to make payment.

Save the Dates!

Term 4 Primary Assembly Dates have been confirmed as follows:

• Monday 4th November (Week 4) - 2:05pm @ St Brigid's School Hall
• Friday 29th November (Week 7) - 2:05pm @ St Brigid's School Hall

The 2024 Presentation Day Assembly (K-12) has been cofirmed as follows:

• Friday 13th December (Week 10) - 9:30am @ St Raphael's Catholic Church

No students on school grounds before 8:20am

Families are reminded that there is to be no general student access to school grounds before 8:20am. 

There is no staff supervision until this time, and therefore students arriving on school grounds prior to 8:20am are out of bounds.  Please assist your school with the wellbeing and safety of all students by ensuring that your child is not on school grounds prior to 8:20am.

Maintaining Respectful Relationship with our Neighbours

Students and families are reminded of acceptable conduct when it comes to maintaining respectful relationships between our school and our residential neighbours.

• Poignand Avenue, off Liverpool Street, is not a suitable drop off and pick up point for your children. Parking here blocks access to residential driveways, damages nature strips and restricts through traffic. Please avoid Poignand Avenue when dropping off, and picking up your children.
• Cutting through neighbours garden beds is clearly disrespectful behaviour and children doing so should be reprimanded by parents, staff and residents.  Please send a clear message to your children that walking and running through other people's property is not accepted, and to stick to the footpaths when walking in to school grounds, or leaving at the end of the day.

Scholastic Book Club

Issue #7 of Scholastic Book Club goes home to infants primary students this week, with orders due back to the school, or completed online by Friday 1st November. 

Canteen

Online Canteen Ordering is now available via the Flexischools App!

Thankyou to those families who have already signed up to Flexischools to manage their children's recess and lunch canteen orders!  We've been overwhelmed with the positive response, and are so excited to be providing a convenient and cashless ordering system to meet the needs of students and families. 

If you haven't already done so, we encourage you to download the Flexischools app from the Apple or Google store and follow the prompts to create an account. You can download the App and find registration and online ordering instructions here.

The Term 4 Canteen Menu is now live, with some fantastic new meal options.

Please note!

• there is no toasting of sandwiches in Term 4
• gluten free nuggets are reserved for gluten free students only

Community Connections

Date: Friday 25th of October, 2024

Time: 5pm - 7:30pm

Location: Cowra Bowling Club Auditorium

Tickets: $5.00 per child (includes popcorn, soft drink, lollies & goodie bag)

Here's what's in store:

Movie on the Big Screen – Bring a beanbag or cushion & enjoy a Halloween-themed movie! 

Spooky Activities – There will be plenty of creepy craft activities to enjoy!

Halloween Games – Fun & family-friendly games such as the spider toss for everyone to enjoy!

Prizes for Best & Spookiest Costumes – have your little ones come dressed to impress & win some fang-tastic prizes!

 To book your spot, simply call 02 6342 1279 or hollie@cowrabowlingclub.com.au

Free Stepping Stones Triple P Program

School-Link at The Children's Hospital at Westmead invites parents to attend our upcoming free online Stepping Stones Triple P seminars. These seminars are for parents of children aged up to 12 years of age who have autism or intellectual disability. 

Seminar 1: Positive Parenting for Children with a Disability, Weds 23rd October 6:30-8pm Registration link:  https://shorturl.at/VU3Qg

Seminar 2: Helping Your Child Reach Their Potential, Weds 30th October 6:30-8pm            

Registration link: https://shorturl.at/sCkuG

Seminar 3: Changing Problem Behaviour into Positive Behaviour, Wednesday 6th November 6:30-8pm Registration link: https://shorturl.at/ytSu0

Places are limited. You will need to sign up to each webinar you plan to attend. Read more on the flyer here. 

Behaviour Tip Sheets

You might also be interested in our behaviour tip sheets. The Children's Hospital at Westmead and SAL consulting have written some tip sheets to answer common questions about children's behaviour. Topics include: 

Why is my child Anxious?

Why does my child hurt themselves?

How can I help my child navigate adolescence?

Sensory processing difficulties

Why does my child hurt others? 

Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT

What works for your child and your family around wellbeing and learning?

Do you have a few minutes to share what works for your child around wellbeing and learning? A positive school experience shared is something we would like to hear. CSPA is listening so go ahead and tell us.

Scan the QR code or click on the survey link: https://bit.ly/3MQTXM4

Thank you from CSPA!