Term 3, Week 4B- Monday 11th August, 2025

What's On This Week

Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Last week, our school community came together to commemorate the life and legacy of St Mary MacKillop in our annual Mass. Central to the celebration was Mary’s enduring motto: “Never see a need without doing something about it.” This powerful call to action resonates deeply with our Brigidine charism at St Raphael’s, where staff and students alike strive daily to be people for others.

Whether through social justice initiatives, peer support, or living with strength and gentleness, our students embody this spirit of service. Likewise, our staff demonstrate unwavering commitment to recognising and responding to student needs - driving improvement, nurturing potential, and offering care that is both profound and personal.

This Mass also marked a special milestone: our first celebration with Father Thao. His joy in presiding over the liturgy was matched by his admiration for our students’ reverence and wholehearted participation. A particular highlight was the spirited singing of our school song, which left a lasting impression on Father Thao and all in attendance.

We were also thrilled to celebrate a remarkable achievement within our staff. Ms Lana Doorey, our dedicated Student Learning Support Officer, was honoured as the state winner - a testament to her outstanding contribution to student learning. Student Learning Support Officers play a vital role in complementing the work of teachers, providing targeted interventions and strategies that empower students to thrive. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lana and wish her every success as she progresses to the national awards.

In another exciting development, Year 11 2026 subject interviews were conducted last week. This marks a significant moment for our students, as - for the first time in over a decade - they are able to shape their own pattern of study. These interviews are not only about subject selection but also about goal setting and future planning. As Year 10 draws to a close, students are encouraged to apply themselves diligently, building a strong foundation of skills and knowledge to carry confidently into their senior years.

God Bless, 

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

From the Desk of the Assistant Principal

Welcome one and all to another St Raphael's newsletter. The newsletter is an integral part of who we are here at St Raphael’s because it is a vital form of communication. Obviously, if you are reading this you are already aware of the importance of our school communicating what we do, what is important and what is coming up. It is vital because we want parents and friends of our school to come along with us on this journey, to participate and celebrate with us the success of our children and to also reinforce the message that we continually espouse to our staff and students - we are a quality learning school that should be the school of choice.

One of the school’s pillars in our School Improvement Plan is focusing on how we can continually improve our communication. This is due to the fact that we want clarity and transparency in everything we do and if we have the correct processes in place or look at how we can improve these processes then everyone from Kindergarten through to Year 12 knows what we stand for and where we are going. Obviously, we make mistakes, we are human and we come from a Catholic ethos that due to our humanity we will make mistakes but we also look to forgive and move on. We are constantly reflecting and reviewing our processes either with staff or the community through surveys and feedback about how we can improve our communication processes, and the feedback we are receiving is that yes we are improving.

This can be seen from the numbers of people who have attended our special ceremonies over the past fortnight with Grandparents Day, 100 Days of Kindy, Feast of the Assumption, NAIDOC celebrations; we have more people attending our school and coming along to witness what we are doing here than ever before. 

So if you are reading this, then let people know about our school newsletter and point to it and say that the staff at St Raphael’s are passionate about their school, they are passionate about providing an excellent learning environment and they are passionate about providing opportunities that will grow and develop all the students at this splendid school.

David Wickham - Assistant Principal

Faith, Mission & Learning

This month, we celebrate two important feast days; the Assumption of Mary on August 15th, and the Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop on August 8th. These two women, living in very different times and places, show us what it means to live with faith and hope.

Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint, lived with hope. She trusted that God would provide, even when times were difficult. Her famous words, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” inspire us to live with kindness and compassion. This important quote directly connects to our 2025 theme, ‘we are stronger when we care’. Mary’s hope was active, she believed in God’s love and showed it through her actions, helping those in need and building communities of care.

The Assumption of Mary reminds us that our lives are part of God’s bigger plan. Mary said ‘Yes’ to God in everything, even when she didn’t fully understand what was ahead. Because of her faith and love, she was taken into Heaven to be with God forever. Mary’s life teaches us that when we trust in God’s promises, we can live with hope for the future, no matter the challenges we face.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, we are called to look to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and to Mary MacKillop as examples. Both women teach us that hope isn’t just wishing for something, it’s trusting in God’s plan, acting with love and believing that His promises are true.

May we carry this hope into our school and our families, knowing that with faith and love, we too can help bring God’s light into the world.

"Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her." — Luke 1:45

Gabrielle Bruin - Leader of Faith, Mission & Learning

Key Notices

Full School Uniform Required for Secondary - Friday 15th August

Secondary Students are reminded that FULL SCHOOL UNIFORM is to be worn this Friday 15th August, for our K-12 Feast Day Mass - The Assumption of Mary, which commences at 9:30am in St Raphael's Catholic Church.

K-6 Primary Assembly

Families are invited to attend our K-6 Primary Assembly, commencing at 2:05pm this Friday 15th August in St Brigid's Hall. Award recipients will be notified by email on Wednesday, and Year 3 Gold are presenting their Assembly item.

Library News

Year 12 Trial HSC

Over the next two weeks, while the Trial HSC is taking place, students in Yr12 are most welcome to use the Senior Study area in the Library to study and prepare for their exams. Mrs Scott will have some treats available to help with motivation and energy levels.

Book Week

Excitement is certainly mounting for our annual Book Week celebration. There has been lots of chatter about costumes amongst staff and students. Our theme this year “Book an Adventure” certainly makes it easy to plan a costume around. Not only will our Parade take place this year but there will be many other exciting activities happening in the Library all throughout Book Week (Week 6).  Also each primary class in weeks 5 & 6 will have their Library Lesson focused on a Shortlisted Book for 2025.

Nicole Twohill-Scott - Librarian

Primary Sport

Stage 2 Todd Woodbridge Cup Tennis

St Raphael’s had 3 Stage 2 teams compete in the Todd Woodbridge Cup in glorious sunshine last week. All students performed well and our team of Ebony, Kaitlyn, Stella, Maddi, Toby, Sebastian, Angus and Samuel finished second and are heading to Forbes later in the term. Congratulations also to Kaitlyn and Samuel who were awarded good sportsmanship certificates. Thank you to the Year 8 students who helped with the umpiring and scoring. Your assistance was greatly appreciated! 

Stage 3 Todd Woodbridge Cup Tennis

This event was postponed due to the inclement weather and the water-logged surface. The new date is now Wednesday 10th September. Keep training everyone!

Gymnastics

All students from K-6 have completed three weeks of Gymnastics for sport. Each week, we go across the road to St. Raphael's Hall and complete our lessons. The teachers have witnessed improved balance, jumping, log rolls, forward and backward rolls, to name just a few skills being covered. Well done to our students for "giving it a go." Keep up the good work everyone.

Years 3-6 Sport Choices

From weeks 6 -10, all Primary students will complete a five week program on a chosen sport. Most students received their first or second choice, with only a handful getting their third choice, with just one student receiving their fourth choice. Tennis requires a payment of $3 a week. Soccer, Park Run, Netball and Touch Footy are all free.

Southern Region Athletics Carnival

Last Friday, St Raphael's were represented by 50+ Primary students at the Southern Region Athletics Carnival, held in Cowra. Over 300 students from nine schools from across our region descended on Cowra after qualifying at their school carnivals.  St. Joseph's Catholic School at Molong were the hosts for the day. Fine but cloudy conditions saw competitors trying their hardest across both track and field events, aiming to reach the next level, to be held in Dubbo on the 22nd of August. St Raphael's students were very competitive on the day, with many progressing.

Will achieved Senior Boys Age Champion with super performances in both track and field events. We will receive our list of students progressing throughout this week. Well done all.

Grahame Statham - Primary Sports Coordinator

Celebrating NAIDOC

Last Wednesday  our school came together to honour and celebrate NAIDOC with a beautiful Liturgy featuring  powerful dance by our Gagamin Birrang, Miimi Birrang, and Cultural Sharing Group, led by Jarred from Dinawan's Connection. The leadership and pride shown by our students makes it clear that our culture will thrive in the hands of the next generation. What a beautiful journey our season of Cultural Learning has been. The class artworks presented were a clear indication of how much knowledge has been shared and learnt.

Students from K–12 then shared a picnic lunch  with our families and staff, with kangaroo meatballs, music, weaving, artefacts and art activities! It was a very special day of culture, connection, and community at St Raph's.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 11

Next

Shiroishi Students Build Lifelong Friendships in Cowra

St Raph's staff, students and families recently welcomed eight students and their teacher from Shiroishi High School, along with Etsuko-san from Shiroishi City Council and their guide Middy, for a memorable 4 day cultural exchange - an annual highlight on the St Raphael's Catholic School calendar.

After warm introductions and the chance to settle in, the full program got underway. Highlights included classroom activities with their Host Buddies, a tour of local landmarks including the Peace Bell and Bellevue Hill, and an interactive quiz about where our St Raph's students learnt more about Shiroishi and school routines in Japan.

The exchange offered unique cultural experiences for St Raph's, such as a Japanese calligraphy lesson, and Matcha tea ceremony where the authentic sweets brought from Japan were a delightful treat!. In return, the Shiroishi group enjoyed a visit to Mr Ben Cooley’s farm, where they cuddled four-week-old puppies, witnessed lambs being born, and fed horses - an unforgettable highlight for our visitors.

On Saturday, St Raph's host families showed their guests around Cowra, sharing Saturday sports and even feeding a camel! That evening, families came together over a BBQ and bonfire at the Bennett family home, where students shared stories of their stay and reflected on the friendships they had formed. 

The visit concluded with a trip to the Japanese War Cemetery, POW Camp, and the serene Japanese Gardens.  When it came time to say goodbye, there was both laughter and tears - the emotional connections formed through overseas exchanges such as this are deep and long lasting. Both Cowra and Shiroishi students promised to stay in touch, continuing the bond between their communities.

This exchange stands as a beautiful testament to friendship, understanding, and the enduring connection between Cowra and Shiroishi, and St Raph's is honoured to maintain this legacy of cultural exchange.

Attendance, Wellbeing, Curriculum & Enrichment

Teen Mental Health Matters

When: Monday 8th September, at 6pm

Prior to our next scheduled P&F meeting, St Raphael's will be hosting an information session focusing on teen mental health. Nicole Prendergast, from The Black Dog Institute, will be presenting the session via ZOOM.  Parents are warmly invited to attend. 

Primary Behaviour Management Program

SILVER LEVEL

Serah Ann Robin, William Campbell, Margaret Delaney, Amalia Flanagan, Stella Freebairn, Billie Gorham, Harper Graham, Jack Gumbleton, Bodhi Kennedy, Austin Kerr, Henry McVicar, Annie Moodie, Landon-James Brown, Addison Vincent, Kingston Aditagane, Bobby Flannery, Sophia Grant, Ayush Manuraj Nair, Evie Morgan, Hugo Mullins, Emilia Pope, Ivy Ramsay, Eve Robson, Jesse Sigurnjak, Nicolas Silman, Grace Tolley, Evi Yappas, Hazel Checkley, Chloe Cooley, Aubree Curtale, Tavia Ellul, Charlotte Ewens, Bonni Gundersen, Fergus Hakiza, Claudia Johnstone, Laine Louttit, Ryan Moodie, Lacey Porter, Nina Sykes, Isaac Symons, Lincoln Tindall, Hannah Vallely, Evie Wilson, Lillian Biega, Sonni Curtale,Kaitly Davies, Jesse Hakiza, Mackenzie Langfield, Madelaine Magro, Archie Mullins, Suvan Paudyal, Annalise Riley, Olivia Whitton, Kesaia Aditagane, Piper Atkinson, Oscar Bryant, Sascha Carman, Harriet Jennings, Addison Longhurst, Lachlan Meyers, Ella Moodie, Toby Raynolds, Maylana Kirwan, Evelyn Doolan, Charlie Doyle, Shayla Egan, Sophia Flanagan, Matilda Laing, Samuel Lazanski, Penny McColl, Franky Morgan, Ally Pye, Violet Pye, Angus Robson, Oscar Smith, Briyan Thomas, Logan Thompson, Rebel Thompson, Ruby Charnock, Annie Keefe, Koby Nankervis, Ebony Whitton, Evie Woodhouse, Vallie Bodiam, Campbell Douglas, Sash Germanoski, Shamara Hewagamage, Hank Hubber, Lachlan Johnstone, Ashley Kang, Grace Langfield, Hazel Mullins, Benjamin Overman, Princy Patel, Isabel Prideaux, Billy Simms, Archie Stanford, Tenuli Wickramage Dona, Rosemary Bennett, Wyatt Burns, Tilly Gundersen, Simon Hakiza, Willow Harris, Grace Kelly-Shepherd, Lexie Kennedy, Charlee Larkin, Joshua Launders, Elsie Meyers, Ava Allan, Gabrielle Bryant, Melanie Bryant, Eleanor Duguid, Ruben Fitzsimmons, Hannah Jones, Jack Keefe, Samuel Launders, Aditya Manuraj Nair, Jeff Max, Harriet McColl, Lacey Rayner, Evana Suzanne Manu, Michael Zhang

BRONZE LEVEL

Hamish Flint

Primary Science in Action!

Year 3 finished their Term 2 Science unit on States of Matter by investigating if we could build a strong bridge. We did this by ‘welding’ chocolate (melting it) and putting it together to build a bridge. Our bridges needed to hold the weight of 5 hundreds blocks!

History in the Classroom

Year 3 finished their History unit by learning about the Incan, Mayan and Aztec civilizations. We looked at their amazing buildings, inventions and where they lived. We took the opportunity to draw our own Nazca lines.

Canteen

Council of Catholic School Parents

Our Catholic Faith Handbook

CCSP have recently updated the Our Catholic Faith handbook for 2026 – it’s a very popular guide to Catholicism because it’s easy to read. Resources and Links for Families: https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/faith-formation

Online safety basics

We can help our children safely navigate the online world by taking some basic steps to reduce the risks.

Our support and guidance can give our children the knowledge to make sound decisions online and the confidence to ask for help when they need it. 

The eSafety Commission have released the following guidelines to assist: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/online-safety-basics

Community Connections

Raising Children Network: Introducing an app to support student wellbeing

The Raising Healthy Minds app is a free, personalised, pocket resource to help parents and carers raise confident, resilient children. Co-designed with parents and experts and funded by the Australian Government, Raising Healthy Minds aims to support children’s social and emotional wellbeing with evidence-based information.  

You’ll find information on topics like dealing with worries and making friends, as well as ideas for day-to-day life, like creating family routines, looking after yourself as a parent, and building strong relationships.  

The app offers a mix of quick-read articles, videos and animations aimed at parents and carers of children aged 0-12 years. You can tailor information to the age of your child and opt-in to receive helpful tips.  

Raising Healthy Minds provides simple-to-use information at your fingertips with clear actions you can start today.  

Download from Google Play or the App Store or go to raisingchildren.net.au/rhm to learn more and raise a healthy mind