Term 4, Week 4B- Monday 3rd November, 2025

What's On This Week

Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers, 

St Raphael’s: Where Every Student Thrives

At St Raphael’s Catholic School, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to flourish—academically, socially, and spiritually. Our commitment to student success is reflected in the exceptional programs, dedicated staff, and innovative roles we’ve established to support every learner. 

Elevating Learning Through Expert Leadership

Two years ago, we introduced two pivotal roles in our secondary school: Leader of Teaching and Learning and Literacy Coach. These positions have transformed our approach to professional development, ensuring it is both evidence-based and research-informed. Together, they’ve fostered consistent teaching practices across subjects and strengthened literacy as a foundation for success in all disciplines. This work directly supports improved HSC outcomes from Year 7 to Year 12.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited to expand our literacy focus through a new CEDB initiative aimed at enhancing reading skills in tandem with writing—ensuring our students are confident communicators across all stages.

Strengthening Numeracy in Primary

In 2026, we will welcome a Mathematics Coach to our primary school—a new CEDB-supported role designed to elevate numeracy across all year levels. Numeracy is a life skill, and this initiative will empower students to apply mathematical thinking in everyday contexts. We’re currently interviewing for this exciting position and look forward to sharing more soon.

Extension Opportunities for Every Learner

This year marked the launch of our Extension Leader of Learning, a role that coordinates and expands enrichment opportunities across subjects and year levels. From writing and iSTEM to debating, music, mathematics, science, history, and public speaking, our students have achieved remarkable outcomes. In 2026, we aim to broaden these opportunities even further—ensuring every child can stretch their potential and shine. 

Wellbeing First: Kildare 

We know that wellbeing is the foundation of learning. That’s why we established the Kildare Wellbeing Centre, a safe and nurturing space where all student support services are housed. In a world that presents many challenges, our centre ensures students receive timely, compassionate care—so they feel supported, understood, and ready to learn. 

Inclusive Support for Diverse Learners

Our Learning Support Team continues to grow in strength and impact. Led by two passionate educators, and supported by our incredible Student Support Officers, this team works collaboratively with teachers, families, and students to tailor learning experiences that build confidence and celebrate individual strengths. Every student is seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.

United by Excellence

All of these roles work in harmony with our outstanding classroom teachers, whose expertise and care form the heart of our school. Together, we provide a holistic, student-centred education that nurtures the whole child.

At St Raphael’s, we don’t just educate—we inspire. We’re proud to offer a learning environment where every student is known, valued, and equipped to thrive.

God Bless, 

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

From the Desk of the Assistant Principal

Welcome to another edition of the St Raphael's Newsletter and words from myself, the Assistant Principal. A colleague from another school asked me the other day how I was going teaching and being involved with primary and Infants students. For those who do not know, my background is in secondary teaching - English and History. The answer was a very easy one to give - I am loving it. We are blessed at St Raphael's to have a K-12 school. We can witness the growth of our students from Kindy Start through to Year 12 Graduation. We develop amazing bonds and connections with our students. I love walking into any of our primary/infants classrooms and watching them learn with a voracious appetite. They want to learn, they want to show their willingness to participate and be who they are!

The challenge at St Raphael's and for that matter all secondary schools is to maintain that joy of learning throughout their secondary schooling. At St Raphael’s this week we spoke to our Year 6 students who are transitioning into high school and the main point of the day is to make the most of the opportunities that we provide whether it be in the classroom and working to complete an assessment or putting your hand up for the production next year it is all about celebrating who we are and making the most of the opportunities that St Raphael's provides.

Over the past couple of weeks we have had students on excursions in both primary and secondary. The purpose of these excursions is to provide educational opportunities for our students that not only supports classroom learning but enhances it. Students returning and getting off the bus are full to the brim with stories of what they have learnt and what they have experienced. A massive shout out to all of our staff who spend hours upon hours of organising and thinking of ways to ensure our excursions are a success.

We are heading into the exam period for our Stage 4 and 5 students in the coming weeks and once again an opportunity arises for them to study for their exams and ensure they are fully prepared to garner success. Just a heads up our whole school Presentation Day is on Friday 12th December. This is a very special day and presentation assembly where students are recognised across the school for their efforts and it is a wonderful celebration of all we have achieved throughout the year.

David Wickham - Assistant Principal

Faith, Mission & Learning

All Saint and All Souls Days

Over the weekend we celebrated two of the most important Feast Days in the Church’s Liturgical Year, All Saints and All Souls Days. On All Saint's Day we are reminded that we are all called to live in eternity with God in Heaven. A saint is simply a soul that is in Heaven with God. Therefore we are called to be saints too. Sainthood is not an exclusive club of hard core mystics, it is for everyone, each in their own way, living God’s call to be with God and do God’s will here on Earth. On All Saints Day we do especially remember the canonised Saints of the Church, who provide is with inspiration and guidance on how to live our lives.

On All Souls Day and throughout the month of November, we remember and pray for our loved ones who have passed away. 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen

Student Survey (beliefs and practices)

Next Friday, all students in Years 5,7 & 9 will complete a short survey from the CEDBL. The survey is around their Religious Beliefs and Practices. The students will complete the survey in class on Friday.

A Message from Fr Thao

I also want to take this opportunity to invite our young people to the Inter-Parish Soccer Competition hosted by the Parish of Orange on Sunday, 23 November, at St Mary’s Church, Park St, Orange, as part of the Solemnity of Christ the King celebrations. This friendly event is for youth from Year 6 to Year 12, designed to encourage participation across our parishes. Kick-off is at 1:30 pm, with teams arriving at 1:00 pm to settle in, organise, and have a light snack. Games will be short, with 10-minute halves, and the afternoon will conclude around 4:00 pm with food, socialising, and a presentation for the winning team.

If your children are interested in joining our parish team, please let me know. Full teams are ideal, but smaller groups are welcome. Families and supporters are warmly encouraged to come along. We can also organise a school bus to assist with travel and will provide adequate supervision for all participants.

Nicole Twohill-Scott - Leader of Faith, Mission & Learning

Key Notices

School Office Will Close 3 :30pm Thursday 13th November

Please note that due to mandatory CPR Training for all staff on Thursday 13th November, the School Office will close that day at 3:30pm, re-opening as usual at 8:20am Friday 14th November.

Morning Delivery of Children
Safe morning delivery of your children needs consideration and co-operation among all motorists.  Please take note of the following points:

• Till 9:30am the drop-off zone out the front of the school is “No Parking” so you cannot leave your car. It is literally, 'Stop, Drop and Go'!
• Please drive to the front of the available drop-off zone to enable others to pull up and deliver their children behind you
  
• Deliver your children and move away from the drop-off  zone carefully and promptly.
  
• It’s illegal to park in the Bus Zone outside the hours of 9:30am and 2:30pm
• It is illegal to park across the driveway
• If you wish to walk your child to the school gates, please park outside the zone and walk to the front of the school with your child, making sure to use the pedestrian crossing on Liverpool Street if required.

Library News

Book Fair

Our Book Fair this year was a great success. Thanks to the many students and their families who purchased from the Fair. We have earnt over $1000 credit to replenish our books in the Library.

Attendance, Wellbeing & Enrichment

Attendance Procedures

The following Updated Procedures have been provided by CEDBL to assist Parents/Carers in meeting their responsibilities around their child's school attendance.

Late Arrivals - Late arrivals impact a student's attendance record and may trigger an attendance letter from the School.

As a Parent/Carer, it is your responsibility to ensure your child arrives to school on time.  Students who are late to school are not permitted to explain their own reasons for lateness. 

• Infants/Primary students: Infants/Primary students are considered late if they arrive to school after 9am.  If students are arriving late, Parents or Carers must sign their child in at the school office using the Compass Kiosk, adding a 10 letter or more description explaining the reasons behind the late arrival.

• Secondary students: Secondary students are considered late if they do not present to Homeroom in time for roll marking (8:50am - 9am).  If students are arriving late, Parents or Carers must sign their child in at the school office using the Compass Kiosk, adding a 10 letter or more description explaining the late arrival. If students arrive late and are not accompanied by their Parent/Carer, Parents will be prompted to explain their child's late arrival via an Attendance note on Compass. Student late arrivals will remain unexplained until an attendance note is completed by the parent. 

Absence Explanations

• All absences, late arrivals and unexplained attendance matters must be completed via Compass.
• Explanations must be entered within 7 days of the first day of absence.
• If any parents are having difficulty accessing the Compass Parent Portal, the Administration Team are able to assist with logins and password resets, or assistance on how to complete attendance processes.  Please call us on 6342 2940.

Holiday Leave

• Holiday leave during the school term is discouraged.
• For leave exceeding 10 days, Parents/Carers must complete a Notification of Extended Absence form and submit it to the School Principal.  These forms are available from the School Office.
• For leave exceeding 20 days, a parent meeting is required to:
• Discuss the leave application.
• Establish a return-to-school plan.

Medical Certificates

• Medical certificates can be requested of families at any time.
• Medical certificates are encouraged to be attached when entering attendance notes via Compass.

Any further questions regarding attendance please contact the School Office via email or phone call. 

straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au or 02 6342 2940 

Secondary Curriculum

University of NSW visit St Raphael's

Don’t just learn science. Do science. Connecting world-leading researchers from UNSW to regional schools.

On Thursday 23^rd October UNSW CURIOUS team conducted workshops to students in Years 7 to Yr10. 

Year 7 and 9 students investigated organism relationships and evolution in a rapid-fire tabletop simulation.  Students attempted to create and evolve the ‘perfect’ species as they survive disease and ecosystem changes. The workshop covered the theory of evolution and natural selection to reflect on the recipe for the survival and success of a species  

Year 8  students investigated Chemical concepts including - Chromatography, dry ice cylinders and exploring smell & molecular shape & handedness relationship

Year 10 explored DNA and genetics. They extracted DNA from strawberries using household items, then discuss genetics and heritability in humans, by exploring unexpected traits that vary between different people.

Primary Sport

Summer Sports Trials

Year 4 + 5 students were asked to trial for Summer Sports Trials last week at school. Mrs. Garratt cast her eye over our Tennis stars. We thank her for her input. Only three basketballers nominated, with Ms. Beecher judging their skill level. We had ten students trial for Cricket and lots trial for Touch Footy. The students selected to progress onto Dubbo are ones that we feel have enough skills to be competitive, as it is not an all in, feel good, participation certificate kind of day. Cricket and Touch Footy trials will be held in Dubbo on Thursday 20th November, with Tennis and Basketball the following day, Friday 21st November, also in Dubbo.

Girls Polding Rugby League Selection Trials

Recently, Grace Kelly-Shepherd travelled to Noraville on the Central Coast, trialling for a position in the Polding team. Girls Rugby League is growing in numbers, with over 60 girls from around our six Diocese trialling. Grace performed very well on the day and was unlucky not to progress. Congratulations Grace on your efforts.

Secondary League Tag

Last week, Grace Kelly-Shepherd and Lexie Kennedy from Year 6 helped out our Secondary girls by joining their team to play over at Forbes. Sadly, the rain came down pretty hard during their second match and it was decided to abandon play. Thank you girls for stepping up to help out our Secondary girls.

Swimsafe

Happening in Weeks 8 + 9 of this term for nine days, our Learn To Swim - Swimsafe lessons will take place down at Cowra Aquatic Centre for all students from Kindergarten to Year 6. We will start on Monday 1st December and finish on Thursday 11th December. Students will be placed into groups according to their swimming capabilities. Parents will be asked soon if they are available to help with walking the students to and from the pool. Stay tuned!

Todd Woodbridge Cup Finals

Next Monday, 10th November, St. Raphael's has eight Stage 3 students heading to the mighty Parramatta, where they have qualified for the Todd Woodbridge Cup Tennis Finals. We wish them all the best.

Overseas Sport

I recently spent just over four weeks in America, tripping around many states. This was my third visit to the USA and on each occasion, we have tried to take in a Major League Baseball match and an NFL match. After having been to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and Yankee Stadium in New York on our past two visits, this time we were in Dallas to see the Texas Rangers against the Minnesota Twins.

Due to the heat in Texas, they play at an indoor stadium, which was an interesting experience.Gridiron is a great spectator sport, and we have seen the San Diego Chargers, now Los Angeles Chargers, play the Jacksonville Jaguars back in 2014.

Then we watched the New York Giants play against the New York Jets at Met Life Stadium in New York in 2023. Our itinerary this time around didn't have us near a game on weekends, so we decided to go to a College Football match. OMG! We drove up to Gainsville from Orlando to watch the Florida Gators play at their home ground, affectionately known as "The Swamp" to play against the Texas Longhorns. What an experience that was!!!! 90134 spectators! Marching bands, singing, a 53 man playing roster....not to mention the tail-gating before the match.....words can't describe how good this day was.

We also did a tour of the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, where we went into the dressing sheds of the players and the Dallas Cheerleaders! We were even allowed on the field. A great tour if you are ever in Dallas. Sport, anywhere in the world, is a great experience. Make the effort and go and do it. As my wife says, "It's only money and you're a long time dead!"

Mr Grahame Statham

Secondary Sport

Touch Football Gala

The St Raph’s boys put in a fantastic effort at the Touch Football Gala Day in Forbes, making it all the way to the semi-finals. The team showed great teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination throughout the day. All the boys enjoyed the experience, playing some excellent games and representing the school with pride.

Canteen

Council of Catholic School Parents

Community Connections