Term 2, Week 2B - Monday 5th May, 2025

What's On This Week

Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Week 1 Term 2 was a great start to the Term. We commenced the Term with our staff development day. The day was focused on quality assessment and new assessment procedures, immersion into the new Australian curriculum and wellbeing. Days such as this enable collective efficacy among staff towards our school improvement agenda and a strong focus on student improvement. 

Last week we celebrated our wonderful students and teachers who represented St Raph’s at the Anzac Day Wreath Laying and March. It is representation such as this which reflects pride in our school and respect to the many men and women who have represented our country, enabling our students to have a quality education.  I am also aware of the strong  representation of St Raph's students at the Gooloogong Anzac Day service, and extend my pride and gratitude to these students, and to their families for facilitating this significant community involvement. 

You may have noticed our new entry to Administration. We have been working towards this project for some time,  so we may provide accessible entry for every student, parents and visitor. Over the next few weeks we will landscape the area around the sliding door entry.  A ramp installed at the canteen has also provided equitable access to facilities. Changes to the library have seen bookshelves and fixed furniture moved to maximise the potential for collaborative spaces, resulting in classes now being able to book the library for group work. 

Due to our current times, we have been challenged by our canteen finances. We are working hard to ensure our canteen is sustainable and is not running at a loss. Our appeal for volunteer assistance without success has also challenged canteen operations. Therefore we have streamlined the Term 2 Menu to provide manageable options for the often one or two personnel operating the canteen. We are also providing popular options and we have granted secondary students a trial period of using their mobile phones for payment. We will continue to evaluate how the canteen is operating. I encourage parents to offer one day a Term to volunteer - please complete the Google Form here. You do not have to volunteer all day, even a few hours is an enormous help.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the Koyo Matsuri Day at the Japanese Gardens with Year 7 and the Japanese Elective Class. It was clearly evident how wonderful and respectful our students are, with numerous conveners pulling me aside to praise our students. I enjoyed a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with our students being introduced to Matcha. I think it is now their new favourite tea. 

We are embarking on yet another busy Term where students will have many opportunities. I encourage every student to be the best they can be!

God Bless, 

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

From the Desk of the Assistant Principal

Welcome back to Term 2!

We started the term with a Staff Development Day focusing on our School Improvement Plan and in particular building the collective efficacy of all our staff. Collective efficacy has the most impact on students' growth and St Raphael’s staff delved into how we can ensure we have a consistent approach to our teaching and learning, and as a result maximise student learning outcomes. By reflecting on the expertise of our teaching in a collaborative setting, we achieve more as a group than what we would individually.

Feedback from staff was overwhelmingly positive as it not only allowed us to meet and reflect on best practice it also gave us time to put these thoughts into action. The proof will be in the pudding as they say but we are determined to ensure that St Raphael’s is a school that is constantly reflective and working together to improve our teaching and learning.

Our whole school ANZAC Service was on Wednesday last week, and I was personally blown away by how respectful and reverent our students were and how they listened so intently to all our speakers. It was a credit to every single member of our school community from our Kindergarten through to Year 12, from our support staff through to Fr Dong every single person at that service could not but be moved by the service. Once again proving that St Raph’s provides a positive pathway from Kindergarten through to Year 12 and positive role models for everyone to see.

Our Secondary Parent/Teacher/Student Discussions are being held on Tuesday and this is a great opportunity for families to meet with staff and to work together to ensure that all our students are progressing the way they should be. Evenings such as this are a great way for people to get involved and to find out vital information about what is happening in the classroom.

As always I am astounded by the opportunities we offer at our school. We are striving to improve our communication structures ensuring that our school community is aware of what is happening and is constantly being informed of important dates coming up through Compass. 

I encourage all parents to become familiar with your Compass Parent App, and to ask questions of Administration if you require any assistance in using this communication tool.

David Wickham - Assistant Principal

Faith, Mission & Learning

A Tribute to Pope Francis 

As we are all aware, the passing of Pope Francis has been a shock to our community. He was an outrageously progressive Pope who had his people at the forefront of his mind, just like Jesus. 

Even after his passing, Pope Francis will continue to be a prophetic voice in our world, a man who exemplified humility, courage and deep compassion. For a Catholic school that prides itself on social justice, his leadership has not just been inspiring; it has been a call to action.

He reminded us that faith is not meant to be comfortable or kept within the walls of a church or classroom. Faith, as Pope Francis showed us, must be lived out in service, especially to the poor, the marginalised, the forgotten. He chose to wash the feet of prisoners, visit refugee camps, challenge global leaders to care for creation, because he truly embodied a Gospel that is real, risky and radically loving.

As students, parents, staff and leaders in our school, we are invited to follow that same path. We are called to:

• Welcome the excluded, not just with words, but with action.
  
• Speak for the voiceless, even when it is unpopular.
  
• Care for creation, because it is a gift from God meant for all.
  
• And above all, to treat every person with dignity because, as Pope Francis said, ‘Each of us is a mission.’
  

He preached that social justice is not a program, it’s a way of seeing. It's how we walk through the world. In our classrooms, our friendships and our community, we are called to live what we believe.

Pope Francis challenged us to dream of a world that reflects the kingdom of God, a world of peace, mercy and justice. In our school, let us keep striving to make that dream a reality, starting with how we love, serve and stand beside one another each day.

Gabrielle Bruin - Leader of Faith, Mission & Learning

Key School Notices

Uniform Supplies 

Infants and Primary skirts and tunics/pinafores are now back in stock at Mr Embroidery, Redfern Street. Senior girls grey stockings will be in stock shortly at Shoes for You, Kendal Street.

Secondary Sports Uniform Days

Term 2 brings a new timetable for Secondary students, and as a result there have been some changes to the days that students are to wear their sports uniform.  Please refer to the following schedule:

Scholastic Book Club

Scholastic Book Club catalogues are going home with infants and primary students this week with orders due Friday 16 May.

School Photos

School Photos will be taken by Cliff, Kay and their Team at Creative School Portraits on Tuesday 20th May (Primary)  and Wednesday 21st May (Secondary and Families) .

Students will be photographed in winter uniform - shirt and tie for boys, shirt/pinafore and tie for girls. Year 12 are to wear blazers.  No other jumpers/jackets are to be worn for school photos.

Please click  here for important ordering information regarding the ordering process, in particular pre-ordering family photos.  If you would like a family/sibling photo taken, orders must be placed online by 4pm Monday 19 May via www.creativeschoolportraits.com.au, clicking on Order Online and using the code: JA8FYU49. 

Only family photos need to be pre-ordered online before photo day. 

Individual and class photos are ordered online after photo day using a unique access code which will be issued to each student once ordering opens in early June. 

Unable to order online? Package prices are available  here . If you are unable to order online, please provide the correct money to the school office in a labelled envelope ASAP. Please note no cash can be accepted at the office after photo day has passed.

Any questions? Please contact the Creative School Portraits team on 6342 3070 or email at admin@cspnsw.com.au

Primary Wellbeing

School Jackets

We have had a fantastic start to Term 2 with the weather being kind to us.

As the Autumn days become cooler, we, of course, begin wearing our school jumpers and jackets and take them off throughout the day if they are no longer needed. Labelling jackets and other items of the school uniform is essential to ensure clothing can be returned to its respective owners. Please ensure all school uniform items are labelled clearly.

Primary Learning Behaviours

During the last week of Term 1 and the first week of Term 2, students have been focussing on respectful behaviours at the Canteen. We thank Year 6 for creating and displaying some posters to remind students to:

1. Be respectful to canteen workers.
2. Place my lunch order in the postbox.
3. Enter the area only if buying and only buy for myself.
4. Remember to use manners - please and thank you.
5. Wait my turn and line up sensibly.

During Weeks 2 and 3 our new focus will be acceptable playground behaviours. Teachers will be reminding students about the importance of:

1. Playing fairly and safely
2. Using the equipment safely and pack it away when I’m finished using it.
3. Staying in bounds
4. Walking promptly to lines when the bell goes
5. Sharing the equipment and  pack it away 
6. Kicking balls below the teacher on duty’s shoulder

To positively reinforce these behaviours, parents and carers are encouraged to talk about these expectations at home.

A REMINDER that the Primary mufti reward only comes into effect once Silver level has been reached.

Peer Support

This term, we are looking forward to the commencement of our Peer Support Program. Year 6 students will be leading a group consisting of students from Kindergarten to Year 5 to build positive relationships. We thank Mr Statham and Ms Beecher for their organisation of this wonderful initiative.

Attendance & Positive Behaviour

Primary Sport

Cross Country

A squad of 17 students was selected from our school Cross Country trial, held in Week 9 of last term. 12 students have taken up the invitation to attend the Diocesan trial being held all the way up at Coolah tomorrow. We wish them all the best as they run over the 2km distance for the 8, 9 and 10 year olds, and the 3km distance for our 11 and 12 year olds.  Safe travels and God's speed!

Polding Winter Trials

Last Friday, the Polding trials for the Winter Sports of Rugby League, Soccer, Netball and Hockey were held in Bathurst. 3 St. Raphael's students had made their way into the Bathurst Diocesan teams, with Vallie Bodiam in the girl's Soccer and Will O'Reilly and Harrison Chalker in the Opens Rugby League. The Polding trials are big news. It represents the top half of the state of Catholic School children, comprising of 6 Diocese. Lismore, Armidale, Maitland/Newcastle, Broken Bay, Wilcannia/Forbes and Bathurst Diocese make up the region known as Polding.  Tough competition on the day across all sports saw teams selected to then progress to week long carnivals later in the year at PSSA level. Will O'Reilly has found himself in the Polding Rugby League team for the second year in a row, this time selected as a winger. Congratulations, Will.

Primary Athletics Carnival

In the final week of last term, the Primary Athletics Carnival was held in lovely, sunny conditions. It was great to see so many children turning up and having a go at both the track and field events. The Infants students also joined in the fun, completing some Novelty events, before having a run on the big track.

Congratulations to our Age Champions:

Junior Girls = Ebony Whitton

Junior Boys = Jack Lawrence-Lyall and Kymon Collett

11 Girls = Vallie Bodiam

11 Boys = Jack Smith

12/13 Girls = Lexie Kennedy

12/13 Boys = William O'Reilly

Raphael were the winning house on the day.  The students progressing to the Southern Region Carnival will be notified in the next couple of weeks. This carnival is not until Week 2 of Term 3, and is down to be hosted by Molong, but may be moved to either Canowindra or Cowra.

Diocesan Rugby Union Trial

Coming up on the Friday of next week is the Diocesan trial for Rugby Union, to be held in Bathurst. We have five boys heading across, attempting to make it into the Bathurst side that will then travel to Forbes for the Polding trial later in the term. We wish those boys attending all the best.

Mr Graham Statham - Primary Sport Coordinator

Secondary Sport

The last few weeks of Term 1 saw our students take part in a number of sporting events with some amazing results achieved. For a school our size we continue to excel in the sporting arena.

Athletics Carnival

The Secondary Athletics Carnival was held on Thursday 10th April. The weather was perfect for students to challenge themselves in running, jumping and throwing, whilst having a fun day out with their friends. 

The following students were crowned Age Champions:

12 Years Hunter Robins-Sirol (42 points) & Charlize Skelton (24 points)

13 Years Lochlan Longhurst (41 points) & Erin Rutledge (43 points)

14 Years Thomas Phelan (52 points) & Claire Phelan (36 points)

15 Years Samuel Tydd (42 points) & Indee Mitchell (28 points)

16 Years Toby Morrison (42 points) & Sophie Phelan (42 points)

17 Years + Cohan Howden (23 points) & Laura Price (46 points)

A staggering amount of school records were broken on the day:

14 Boys Thomas Phelan - 400m sprint (59.25 seconds)

14 Girls Claire Phelan - Triple Jump (8.56m)

15 Boys Joshua Morrison - 100m sprint (11.9 seconds)

15 Boys Samuel Tydd - Long Jump (5.38m) & Triple Jump (11.55m)

16 Boys Toby Morrison - 100m sprint (11.69 seconds) & Triple Jump (11.42m)

16 Girls Sophie Phelan - High Jump (1.38m)

17+ Girls Beth Kollas - High Jump (1.35m)

17+ Girls Laura Price - 100m (14.00 seconds), Shot Put (9.8m) & Triple Jump (9.59m)

Schools Fastest Female (Laura Price)

School Fastest Male (Joshua Morrison)

Winning Relay Team (Raphael)

House Points

1st Place (Raphael) 543 points

2nd Place (Xavier) 355 points

3rd Place (Kilbreda) 307 points

The Secondary Diocesan Athletics Carnival will be held in Dubbo on Thursday 21st August 2025. Students will be notified if they have been selected in the St Raphael's Catholic School athletics team.

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Netball NSW Schools Cup 

On Wednesday 9th April our netball teams competed in the Netball NSW Schools Cup in Cowra.

Stage 4 won 5 out of their 6 games against Cowra High School, Canowindra High School and The Henry Lawson High School and Stage 5 won 6 out of their 6 games against Cowra High School, Canowindra High School and The Henry Lawson High School.

Both teams placed first in their division and have qualified for the Netball NSW Regional Final to be held in Orange on Thursday 4th September.

Diocesan Netball Trials

Charlotte Dyer, Milla O’Reilly,  Emma Tremble (15’s) and Laura Price (Opens) traveled to Dubbo to take part in the Diocesan Netball Trials on Thursday 27th March. All four girls competed well with Emma Tremble and Laura Price being selected for their respective teams. 

Emma will travel with the 15’s Bathurst Diocesan Netball team to Penrith to take part in the NSWCCC Championships on Thursday 29th May and Laura will travel to Penrith with the Open’s Bathurst Diocesan Netball team to take part in the NSWCCC Championships on Friday 30th May. 

Southern Country Soccer

Laura Price represented the Bathurst Diocese at the Southern Country Trials in Bathurst on Wednesday 9th April. The day involved playing games against the Wagga Wagga Diocese and the Canberra/Goulburn Diocese. Laura had a great day and has been selected to represent Southern Country at the NSWCCC Championships in Sydney on Tuesday 27th & Wednesday 28th May. 

NSWCCC Swimming Championships 

Patrick Dyer and Neil Duguid represented the Bathurst Diocese at the NSWCCC Championships that were held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd April. Neil Duguid  swam in 50m Butterfly, 50m Backstroke & 100m Backstroke and Patrick Dyer  swam in the 200m IM, 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, 50m Backstroke & 100m Backstroke. Congratulations to both of the boys on an amazing achievement.

Upcoming Events

Diocesan Cross Country Carnival - Thursday 8th May (Lake Canobolas)

Bill Turner Cup Soccer (15s) - Monday 12th May (Forbes)

Diocesan Teams Tennis - Friday 23rd May (Orange)

Diocesan Basketball Gala Day (Seniors) - Friday 30th May (Bathurst)

Mr Andrew Phelan - Secondary Sport Coordinator

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh participants completed their four-day hike in Kosciuszko National Park where they journeyed along the Cascade Trail, explored the scenic Thredbo River Track and finished at Bullocks Hut. It is through these challenging activities that St Raph's students gain essential skills and attributes for life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive. Well done to Sophie Phelan, Laura Bennett, Neil Duguid, Toby Morrison, Owen Holmes (Silver) Deakin Horton, Cohan Howden, Mathew Graham, Addison Skinner, Hannah Fahey-Doolan (Gold). Thank you to Mrs Kelly Harrison for her ongoing support of the Duke of Edinburgh Award at St Raphael’s Catholic School.

Mr Andrew Phelan - Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator

St Raph's P&F

Mother’s Day Raffle – Celebrate Our Amazing Mums & Carers!

Our P & F is excited to honor the incredible moms, grandmas, and mother figures in our community with a special Mother’s Day Raffle!  Prizes include: Oak on Kendal - $200 voucher supplied by Cowra Toyota and SWM Accounting Solutions Katie B Photography - Photography Session, location of your choosing RPP Creative - Outdoor Mini Session. Breakout Brasserie Cafe - 4 x $25 Cafe Vouchers

How to Enter: Raffle tickets are available for $2 or 3 for $5• Purchase tickets at this weeks Mothers Day Stall or at the Mothers Day breakfast.

Winners will be drawn on Friday 9th May following the Mothers Day Liturgy, just in time for Mother’s Day!

All proceeds support upcoming school projects.  Let’s show our love and appreciation for all the amazing mums & carers in our school community!

Canteen

Council of Catholic School Parents

Parent Line

Council of Catholic School Parents and NSW Government bring you Parent Line NSW - a free telephone counselling, support and referral service for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 18 who live in New South Wales. 

Whether you need some help or just want someone to talk to, the qualified and experienced counsellors are available seven days a week to support you.

 What Can I Talk to Parent Line NSW About?

Parent Line counsellors can help to support you, offering advice and guidance on concerns such as …

• Child and adolescent mental health
• Friendship issues and bullying
• Social media and increased screentime
• Anxiety in children
• Child and behaviour development
• Managing stress and anxiety
• Support during family separation
• School transitions
• Family violence 

 Call Parent Line NSW on 1300 1300 52 to access free and confidential counselling.  Open Monday to Friday (9am to 9pm) and Saturday & Sunday (4pm to 9pm).   You can also visit parentline.org.au to find parenting tips.

Community Connections