Term 4, Week 6 - Monday 8 November 2021

Principal's Report

Dear Parents

HSC Students have been waiting a long time for the exam period to arrive and on Tuesday they begin with their first English paper. I really feel for this HSC cohort because of the additional challenges they have endured. Our students have been less impacted than their metropolitan counterparts, but all will have their preparations and confidence compromised. Show them all the support you can across the coming four weeks.

First communion children have been separated into two groups for the reception of the sacrament (Eucharist). The first group is on this weekend (Nov 13) and the others a week later on Nov 20. Please hold these children and their families in your prayers. Children preparing for the sacrament of Penance will begin their reconciliation preparations at Masses this weekend.

The investment made in the Kindy Start transition has been enormous and by a large group of people who have made it work well, even under challenging circumstances. Our little people visit for their fourth and final time on Wednesday and then the work begins on the groupings and support planning. Because schools grow from the bottom up this is one of the most important endeavours in our school year. Look out for the HSC cohort of 2034.

During this term at school the important task of staff recruitment is underway. Careful selection of the best staff available goes a long way to determining the tone of a school which is a major reason behind our current strength. Staffing levels, of course, are linked to enrolments which is why I frequently ask that the school be promptly informed if your plans could impact our enrolments. 

Michael Gallagher 

Principal

Faith & Life

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month of the year 1918, an armistice was signed, ending the "war to end all wars" - World War I. November 11 has therefore been set aside as Armistice Day, a day to pray for those who have died serving their country. 

Prayer of Remembrance 

Remember, O Lord, all those the brave and the true, who have died the death of honour and are departed in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life. In that place of light from which sorrow and mourning are far banished, give them rest, O Lord, thou lover of men. And grant to us who remain the spirit of service which may make us worthy of their sacrifice, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Volunteer Roster at St Raphael's Parish

Altar Servers:

Saturday 13 November - Jack Graham & Ryan Clarke

Sunday 14 November - Kaiden Bischof & William Allan

Readers:

Saturday 13 November - School Leaders

Computer:

Saturday 13 November - School Leaders

What's On This Week

Administration

School Fees

Please note that the process of refunding cancelled excursions to school fees (where applicable) has now been completed.  There are, however, still a number of accounts that are outstanding.

If you do not have a payment plan in place, please settle these accounts promptly. Please note that balances can now be viewed and paid on your Compass app. Payments may also be made via BPAY or with cash or EFTPOS at the school office.

If you have any queries or need assistance, please contact the school as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter.

K-6 Swim Safe 2021

The 2 week intensive Swim Safe program for years K-6 commences next week and continues from Monday 15 November through to Friday 26 November.

Primary parents are reminded to check COMPASS and respond to the Event Notification in order to give their electonic consent, arrange $20 payment (or indicate season pass number) and allocate groupings according to swimming ability.

The COMPASS Event Notification requests Parents and Carers to choose ONE of the following events:
SEASON TICKET HOLDERS K-6 Swim Safe 2021 - All Parents whose children have a season ticket at the Cowra Aquatic Centre are to complete the consent for this event.
NON SEASON TICKET HOLDERS K-6 Swim Safe 2021 - All Parents whose children DO NOT have a season ticket at the Cowra Aquatic Centre are to complete payment and consent for this event.
PLEASE CHOOSE ONLY ONE OF THE ABOVE OPTIONS.

Please contact the School Office if they have any questions or concerns about the program and/or payment/consent.

Information about session times, essential items and parent helpers for K-2 is provided below.  Parent helpers (double vaccinated only, please) can indicate their availability by completing this Swimsafe Helpers Google Form by Wednesday 10th November. 

Focus on Families

A Kaleidoscope of Kindness

Our Kaleidoscope of Kindness Project is starting to take off. Our Kindness Trees in the Primary are starting to take shape with our leaves that have been completed at home. The secondary tree in the breakout space is looking fabulous. Don’t forget to keep sending them in. Our Kindy Start kids even took home some leaves last week and will return them this week to create a special Kindy Start Kindness Tree. This week’s intention is I showed kindness….

This week primary classes will be participating in some in class activities for International Kindness Day.

This week also sees the commencement of the HSC Exam period. Part of the Kaleidoscope of Kindness Project is providing our Yr 12’s opportunities and experiences for them to be kind to themselves. Please keep these students and their families in your thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks. I have included a prayer for you to use with your families for them.

Take a Few For You

For the next few weeks we will pause Take A Few For You as families complete their Kindness Take Home Kits.

SPaR on Zoom

Want to take some time just for you? Yes! Well come along to SPaR this week. Wednesday night at 7:30pm. Log onto Zoom at https://zoom.us/ Click on join at Meeting. Then put in the following Meeting ID and Password. Meeting ID: 683 3228 0743 Password: 427664

If you would like anything else to help out during this time, please contact me via email (n.twohill-scott@bth.catholic.edu.au

Mrs Nicole Twohill-Scott - Family Educator

Diocesan Summer Sport Trials

This week we are asking those students who are currently in Years 4 & 5 to consider nominating for the Diocesan Sport Trials. Unfortunately under the current rules Summer Sports Trials can't go ahead in 2021. They will go ahead early in 2022. These trials are held to select students from our Diocese to then trial for the Polding Teams in the following summer sports:

• Boys and Girls Cricket
• Boys and Girls Softball
• Boys and Girls Tennis
• Boys and Girls Basketball
• Boys and Girls Touch Football

During your considerations, please note the following from the Diocesan Organisers

1. This is not a sports event where the children attend to gain experience in a sport or merely to have a fun day playing sport.
2. That only children allowed to participate are those who are currently playing their nominated sport and have a high degree of skill / ability in that sport.
3. Schools are only allowed to send a limited number of students for each of the sports.

If your child is interested in being considered for these trials, please see Mrs Twohill-Scott this week for an expression of interest form. This doesn’t automatically mean your child will attend the trials. The form will be due by Thursday 11 November. From there, decisions will be made about your child’s selection to attend the trials early next year. For further information, please contact me via email (n.twohill-scott@bth.catholic.edu.au)

Mrs Nicole Twohill-Scott - K-12 Sports Coordinator

Condolences

Please keep Mrs Jenny White and her family in your prayers as they come to terms with the loss of her step father on the weekend. We pray for healing.

Canteen

Please find attached for your convenience a copy of our Summer Canteen Menu for 2021. This menu will be effective for Term 4.

Positive Learning Behaviour - Primary

Congratulations to our primary students who have achieved the next level on our  Behaviour Management Program. 

Level 7

Harry Raynolds - 3 Green 

Evie Green - 6 Green

Level 8

David Kang - 3 Green 

Thomas Bryant - 4 Gold

Braith Charnock - 4 Gold

Ruby Lazanski - 4 Gold

Ava Broad - 6 Gold

Sara Rush - 6 Gold

Georgie Anning - 6 Green

Georgie Pearce - 6 Green

Your Teachers are very Proud of You!

Primary Award Recipients

Congratulations to these wonderful primary students who have received an award this week. We are very proud of you.

This Week's Birthdays

Community Connections