Term 1, Week 2 - Monday 7 February 2022

Principal's Report

Dear Parents

We have had a wonderful start to 2022. Students are excited to be with their friends and be back in the St Raphael’s community. The smiles, energy and dialogue has been infectious.

In particular as the "new kid on the block", I have been met with warmth and welcome. I am truly blessed to be a new part of the St Raphael’s family. 

This year I have empowered students to be the "best they can be". Each week we will focus on aspects of learning so parents and staff are working together to ensure our students achieve a minimum of 1 years learning growth this year. My challenge for students is to exceed 1 years growth. 

The following uses educational research to determine effect sizes. An effect size over 0.4 means that the effect on learning contributes to more than one years growth. 

Student/Teacher relationships 0.73

In the first few weeks of school teachers are working hard to develop relationships with their students. It is important that students also seek to know their teacher. Teacher/student relationships ensure that students feel trust and confidence to challenge themselves, learn from mistakes and ask for questions and ask for help. 

Feedback 0.73 

Feedback is every student’s best friend. It is important not only to receive feedback but use it for improvement. Feedback can be informal such as verbal feedback in class, and formal such as feedback on an assessment. Students need to realise that feedback is important. Marks and grades are not the primary focus, it is knowing how we can continually improve which sets students up for success. 

Parental Involvement 0.51

Parents are encouraged to know what their children are learning, the challenges they have and assessments they will do. Conversations about what your child learnt that day, how they know they are learning are two important indicators of learning. Regular conversations about learning will encourage your children. Also sharing your own learning is important as well, so students know that learning never stops. 

As we embark on Week 2, we have a jam-packed week of learning and co-curricular activities, featuring our swimming carnival for Years 3-12, and bus safety for primary. The swimming carnival participation has been minimised in the last two years due to COVID, so this is an excellent opportunity for our community to be together in a co curricular event. Kinder to Year 2 will do similar fun events at school.

I would like all students to ensure they follow the motto "the standard we walk past is the standard we accept". Each of us at St Raph’s should be proud of our school and environment. It is important that each of us are responsible for picking up rubbish. At times we may drop rubbish accidentally and someone else will pick it up, similarly we all need to pick up rubbish we see. 

At Mass this week Father Laurie discussed God’s message to "us go into the deep, and he will be with us". This is my challenge for each of us this week, to seek to be challenged and aim to be the best we can be. 

God Bless,

Michelle Deschamps

Principal

Faith & Life

Reflection

While Jesus calls us to follow, he does not want us to do this in a mindless manner. He wants us to make his mission our own and use all our gifts and abilities to share his message of love with others 

What’s on in RE

Term 1 is always a busy time for the Religion Department. Unfortunately we have been unable to have our Opening School Mass as yet this year. We collectively look forward to when we can celebrate this Mass together as it is always a very moving and uplifting experience for both Staff, Students and Families. 

Year 12 and 11 Retreats are fast approaching to be held in Weeks 3 and 4. Sacramental dates have been confirmed and will be circulated in the coming weeks. 

What's On This Week

Administration

2022 School Fees

Compass will generate and email School Fee Statements for Term 1 on 25 February. These will be due for payment on the 11 March, 2022, unless you have an existing payment plan in place. 

If you have any questions please email straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au or call the School Office on 6342 2940.

School Fee Discount

If you have a child attending another Catholic school within the Diocese, you are entitled to have them included in your discount of school fees (tuition and school capital works levy). If this applies to you, please email Genevieve Chamberlain at g.chamberlain@bth.catholic.edu.au by this Thursday, 10 January.

Year 7 and Year 10 School Vaccination Schedule

Please see the attached flyer for information regarding the 2022 Year 7 and Year 10 School Vaccination Program .

Canteen

Please find attached our Summer Canteen Menu for 2022. This menu will be effective for Term 1.

A Canteen Request from our Principal

Could I please ask parents to consider any time you could contribute during school hours to support our Canteen. At present Donna Stokes works a very long day each day (canteen closed Wednesday), at times by herself to prepare, serve and clean up for our students. 

Personally, I have not witnessed the great quality food provided in our canteen in any Sydney school, where prices are also reasonable. This is a significant reason why we need your help. In particular, we are a community which consists most importantly of families, students and staff. 

Please contact the office if you are able to support us or for students that received a canteen assistance note, please return the form. Remember to indicate the day(s) you could be available so Donna can organise the roster.

Thank you in anticipation.

Sport

Annual Swimming Carnival

St Raphael's annual Swimming Carnival will take place this Thursday 10 February, 2022.  This is a whole school event (EXCEPT for our Kindergarten students who will not participate, and for our Year 1 & 2 students who will be taking part in water activities back at school). All necessary information has been sent to families via Compass and is attached again here for your information.

Community Connections