Term 1, Week 2 - Monday 10 February, 2025

What's On This Week

Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers, 

St Raphael’s students have had a seamless, focused and strong start to 2025. Students are wearing their uniform with pride, enjoying learning and are happy to be among their peers once again. We are truly blessed to have such amazing students!

Staff commenced the Term with 3 intense staff development days. These days enabled staff to collaborate regarding new curriculum, assessment, wellbeing, literacy, Child Protection and Code of Conduct Training. 

This Term we start our Extension Program across Years 5 -8. Over the course of the year, our Extension Team will devise a number of opportunities for students who are achieving high results or are gifted in a particular area, to be challenged and have the ability to extend their knowledge and skills. We look forward to involving our students in this exciting new program. 

In 2025 we are aiming to ensure the plans for the new School Multi Purpose Centre are approved. Also we are urgently looking to renew our primary playground. I will share news of this as it comes to hand. 

This Term in Secondary we start our first early commencement VET group, with selected students in Year 9 and 10 undertaking a CERT II in Skills For Work and Vocational Pathways. The students are super excited and will complete the certificate at the end of Term 2. 

We realise the enormous pressure our students are under at times and the challenges they face whilst growing up. Therefore this year we are introducing two additional wellbeing programs for Years 7-12 students; Man Cave will be rolled out for the boys in Week 9, and Seed Workshop will be delivered for the girls, also in Week 9. Both programs come with outstanding reviews. 

We are off to an amazing start!

God Bless, 

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

From the Assistant Principal

Welcome back one and all to another school year!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year break and everyone is looking forward to another year of learning at St Raphael’s Catholic School. Over the past week the staff have participated in focused Staff Development Days where we looked at improving our Assessment Policy in the Secondary School and focused on Essential Learning and NAPLAN preparation in the Primary School. These days are vital to ensure that our staff are continually developing their teaching skills to allow them to deliver outstanding lessons in the classroom.

The return of students last Wednesday was wonderful! At the start of every year there is a sense of anticipation and wonder when the students arrive and we can start building our connections once again and deliver outstanding learning opportunities for our students. It is also gratifying simply looking at the growth in our students as they reenter school for another year.

There is always some trepidation and nervousness at the start of the new school year, especially for our Kindergarten and Year 7 students. We are constantly looking and reflecting on how we can improve our transitions and this year we have really tried to make our school a place that is even more welcoming and friendly. We have already conducted a Kindy Parent Information afternoon to speak to these parents and allay any fears and concerns they may have had heading towards their first day. For both Kindergarten and Year 7 parents we had a breakfast/morning tea for parents and carers that allowed our families an opportunity to not only meet each other but also get a chance to talk to the teachers involved and to form strong connections with our school. I personally loved talking to our new parents and carers and informing them on what we do at our fine school.

So it is with a sense of great optimism that we welcome in the new school year and this optimism is based upon the knowledge that our staff are prepared and have the necessary expertise to ensure a wonderful educational opportunity for each member of our school community.

We look forward to having families attend our Opening School K-12 Mass this Thursday at 9:30am, and invite you all to stay for our HSC Distinguished Achievers Awards from 10:30am, followed by morning tea and refreshments.

David Wickham - Assistant Principal

Faith, Mission & Learning

As we journey through 2025, our school community is embracing the theme "We Are Stronger When We Care." This theme calls us to recognise the profound impact of compassion, kindness and solidarity in our families, friendships and broader community.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus reminds us:
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)

Christ’s words highlight that our strength is not found in isolation but in our willingness to care for and uplift one another. When we model care - whether through patience with our children, generosity toward those in need or a simple act of encouragement - we build a stronger, more faith-filled community.

As parents and teachers, our example shapes the next generation. By teaching our children to be compassionate and attentive to the needs of others, we help them grow into individuals who make a difference in the world. Let us work together to foster a culture of care, knowing that in love and service, we find true strength.

We are committed to living out our school's culture and connecting to our heritage by focusing on our core values—empathy, compassion, striving for excellence, belonging and appreciation through service learning. Service learning is ensuring our social justice initiatives are linked to our schools values and embedded into our curriculum to ensure it is intimately linked to our culture here at St Raphael’s. We are encouraging our students to put these values into action, fostering resilience and empathy as they grow into engaged and responsible members of society. 

The Key Elements of Service Learning:

• Grounded in the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching.
• Encourages reflection on service experiences.
• Builds community and deepens relationships.
• Promotes justice and care for creation.
• Forms students into active disciples of Christ.

May 2025 be a year where we all experience the blessings of a caring heart, united in faith and purpose.

Gabrielle Bruin - Leader of Faith, Mission & Learning

Learning Logistics and Pathways

Morning Arrival of Students

Safe morning delivery of children needs the consideration and co-operation of motorists. Please move to the front of the Liverpool Street drop-off zone to enable others to park and deliver their children as well. Please deliver your children and move away from the delivery zone carefully and promptly. Between 8:30 and 9:30am the zone is “No Parking” so you cannot leave your car.  If you want to come into the school then park outside the zone and walk.  Please remember that no parking is allowed in Poignand Avenue due to it restricting residential access. 

A reminder to all our parents that school zones remain in place for the safety of our children and families. School zones operate on all gazetted school days, which are all the days the school is open, even pupil-free days. School zones for our school commence Day 1 of each school Term and conclude on the last day of a school Term.

Attendance/Absences/ Lateness & Sign-Outs

The NSW Education Act (1990) and the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst Limited require Parents/Carers to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school on each day that the school is open for instruction. If children are absent from school Parents/Carers are required to provide the school with an acceptable explanation, within 7 days of the absence. 

When your child is absent without an explanation, an automated SMS message will be sent asking you to contact the school for an explanation. This may be carried out through the Compass Parent Portal, or by emailing or calling the school. 

• Late arrival sign-in: Late student arrivals (after 9:00am) must be signed in by a Parent/Carer at the School Office.
• Early departure sign-out (before 3:10pm): Parents are required to Sign their child out from the School Office.
• Extended Leave: For leave greater than 10 days, a written Application for Extended Leave - Travel (Form A1) must be completed and submitted to the Principal for approval. Contact the School Office for further details and to obtain a copy of this form. 

Please note that the government policy requires us to inform parents of any concerns around attendance, or if attendance flags below the government requirement. This will include a phone call from the school and a written letter, or a request for a meeting with Wellbeing or Principal. 

Careers

All Secondary students have access to Career Tools (a fantastic resource to help you with all things careers). Parents / carers may also access the site to help them. 

https://straphaelscowra.careertools.com.au/

I would encourage parents and carers to explore this site’s valuable resources and discuss options and ideas with your child.

Students and parents / carers are welcome to contact Mr Lette for advice and assistance relating to careers / tertiary study at any time.

Students: Please email me or see me at recess or lunch to arrange a time to discuss your future. Please note, all senior students will have numerous one to one career planning meetings with me over Year 12. I will arrange these on a rotational basis, during lunchtimes and study periods.

Parents: Please contact the school office to arrange an appointment: (02) 63 42 2940

Mr David Lette - Leader of Learning Logistics & Pathways

2025 School Year -Key Information

2025 School Year

A reminder that all school uniform items may be purchased from Mr Embroidery, Redfern St Cowra, in accordance with the St Raphael’s Catholic School Uniform Requirements.

Additional stationery purchases will be required as per:

• Kindergarten Requirements
  
• Infants & Primary Equipment List
• Year 7 Equipment/Book Requirement List
• Year 8 Equipment/Book Requirements List
• Stage 5 Equipment/Book Requirement List
• Stage 6 Equipment/Book Requirement List
  

Provided here are the School Bell Times for 2025 – please note the confirmation of school start and finish times (8:50am – 3:10pm) and a change to class/period durations to bring Secondary and Primary bell times in line. Secondary Homeroom begins at 8.50am. Please ensure that your child is at school before this time so that they can start the day prepared and ready for the day ahead.  Any student arriving after 9am is late and must be signed in at the school office.

Families are reminded that there is to be no general student access to school grounds before 8:20am. Supervision of the playground commences at 8:20am.  No student should be dropped off before this time. 

Kindergarten Arrival Times - Weeks 2 to 6

Sport Uniform Days

Years 7-10 Week A and Week B  timetables for wearing of Sports Uniform are provided here.

School Bus Travel

For all enquiries regarding school student bus travel, please see Transport NSW 

Transport NSW does provide all students a 'grace period', allowing time for all applications to be completed and submitted for the consideration for subsidised travel. This period will be in place until the 4th of March 2025. After this time, those who do not hold a current approved registration will be required to pay the $2 fare per trip.

Therefore, we do encourage you all to jump online and start this process as soon as possible. Remembering an application will be needed for ALL new students (commencing Kindy, changing service providers), as well as those students changing schools (moving from year 6 to year 7 simply moving schools) or those have had a change in circumstances (including a change in address, progressing from year 2 to year 3, had a change in custody arrangements etc).

2025 School Fees

Please see attached the following in relation to 2025 school fees:

• 2025 Fee Schedule
• Letter to Parents

We would like to inform families that school fees will be generated, and statements will be sent out on 28th February 2025, with first instalments due 14th March. Payment options will be listed on your statement, which will be sent to all account holders via email. 

For your convenience, we offer the option of paying via direct debit. This is a handy set and forget option to ensure your school fees are paid off in full by the conclusion of the school year. If you wish to set this up, forms are available at the school office.

Additionally, account holders who hold a Concession or Health Care Card may be eligible for a discount on their account. Please contact the school to discuss this option further.

Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au

Swimming Carnival

The St Raphael’s School Swimming Carnival (Year 3-12) will be held at Cowra Aquatic Centre on Monday 17th February. This is a compulsory school day. The carnival is a fun day with lots of water and land based activities for students that are not competitive swimmers.  Detailed information has been provided via Compass, and is attached again here.

Primary students are to assemble on the primary playground at 8:50am, where rolls will be marked, before walking to the pool as a group under the supervision of their teachers.

Secondary students are to arrive at the pool in time for roll call at 8:50am. Those students who catch a bus are able to get off the bus at Cowra Public School where a staff member will meet them and walk with them to the pool. Any students who arrive at school will walk to the pool under the supervision of staff.

Primary and secondary students competing in the 200IM and the 50m Butterfly events need to be at the pool to start these events at 8:30am sharp. Warm-up lanes will be open by 8:15am.

Marshaling for the 50m Freestyle will commence at 9:00am for secondary students and the final event will
finish at approximately 2:45pm. All students will return to school to be dismissed at the regular time unless
a parent is present.

Pool entry is $2 per child. Primary students must pay this to their classroom teacher by Friday 14th February. Secondary students are required to pay when entering. Students with a season pass or fitness passport are not required to pay the $2.  It is $2.50 for spectator entry

Students will need to bring a nutritious recess and lunch to the carnival. Lunch orders are available from the pool kiosk but must be pre ordered. The order form and correct money must be returned to the school office by tomorrow, Tuesday 11th February. 

Infants Water Fun Day

Years K-2 will NOT be attending the school swiming carnival on 17th February, and instead will be  participating in some fun water games at school on Thursday 20th February

Infants Water Fun Day

When:  Thursday 20th February between 11:30 - 1pm (ish!)

Where: At School in the Secondary playground.

What to wear: Sports shorts with a t-shirt in their house colour. (If you don't have one, the school sports shirts are perfect.) Raphael - Red, Kilbreda - Blue, Xavier - Yellow

Parents can check which House their child is in by opening their child's profile on Compass. 

What to bring: Swimmers, rash shirt, a towel, sunscreen and a pair of thongs if you have them.

Lunch: Please bring a packed recess and lunch. 

We look forward to a fantastic water fun day for our Infants Students. Parents and carers are most welcome to come and cheer our little ones on.

Primary Sport

Polding Trials - Tennis

Rosemary and Joshua arrived back at school last Wednesday.........and promptly left the next day to travel to Tamworth for the Polding Tennis Trials on Friday!

Both were representing the Bathurst Diocese after having gained selection late last year in Dubbo. Helen Garratt, our town tennis coach, has many great tennis chargers in her care, but these two are performing extremely well at present. Both Rosie and Josh were complimented by some parents for their fair play and encouraging other players.  Well done to you both!

Swimming Carnival

Who wouldn't want to be in the pool at this time of year? We can't wait for next Monday 17th February for our annual Yrs. 3-12 swimming carnival. 

Please send in the $2 entry fee this week so that we can get to the pool quickly from lines on Monday morning. Wear blue for Kilbreda, red for Raphael, or yellow for Xavier to help cheer on your House! 

All Primary students who are not involved in the 200m Individual Medley or 50m Butterfly will walk to the pool with their homeroom teacher. We will be back in time for buses in the afternoon. Pack plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat for the day. Lunch orders are due back on Tuesday 11th February.

Penrith Panthers Trophy Visit

This Wednesday, Years 1 to 6 will receive a visit from the NRL Game Development Officers for our area, along with some of the Penrith Panther players, showing off their trophy from the 2024 season.

NRL staff will provide students with tools & tips they can utilise every day to display respectful behaviours not just on the sporting field but in the classroom and everyday life.

Students will get the opportunity to hopefully see the trophy that the Parramatta Eels will be holding aloft at the end of the season!

Canteen

St Raphs P&F

The next meeting of the St Raph's P&F will be held on Monday 17th February at 6:30pm.  Everyone is welcome to attend and find out how you can contribute to your school . For more information, please contact the P&F via straphspnf@gmail.com

Council of Catholic School Parents

Community Connections