Term 1, Week 4 - Monday 21 February 2022

Principal's Report

Dear Parents

Last Friday I walked a visitor around our school in Period 5. I explained that the last lesson on a Friday is traditionally a challenging (I said warts and all) lesson due to the fact that students are excited by the impending weekend. Well, I have to say that I was chuffed by the absolute focus and commitment to learn that I witnessed. There was limited noise as students were engaged in their learning and class discussions. We certainly have impressive students and staff. 

Year 10 students are offered the opportunity to apply for a Scholarship to support them and their family during Year 11 and 12. The scholarship will be offered to Year 10 shortly, and I encourage students to submit an application. There are two categories: about the student, and family details. The scholarship pays for school fees for Year 11 and 12. This is a significant support for a family. When the scholarship package is ready, students in Year 10 will be notified. 

Our new bubbler submission is in the final steps of approval so our students can have filtered cold water bubblers and cold water bottle filling stations. The students are looking forward eagerly to our new upgrades. Also the front foyer has been freshened up so our students and families have a contemporary welcoming entrance. 

Now we are 4 weeks into the term, it is important that students have a good routine set up for ‘Home Learning’. I use the words ‘Home Learning’ to indicate that the traditional label of homework is not to punish students, it is focused on learning. Often the learning is to reinforce classroom learning, extending classroom learning, preparation for next classroom learning or revision. The word ‘learning’ is our core business at St Raph’s so our St Raph’s graduates have comprehensive skills to set them up for success in life! 

Finally, I would like to mention a popular speaker, Simon Sinek and his thoughts about ‘Why’. Simon points out that organisations know what they do and how but often can glaze over ‘why’ the organisation exists and why we do what we do. At St Raph’s the ‘why’ is highlighted in our catholic school foundations. Our why - Our Catholic schools provide a unique opportunity for students to grow, both in relationship with God, and also in knowledge, understanding, wisdom and life skills, in a way that promotes the integration of their faith and their daily lives. When we ponder on this, the profound impact our catholic school has on the growth and development of our students is certainly focused on development of the whole person - spiritually, physically, emotionally, intellectually and relationally. I know why I choose catholic education!

God Bless,

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

Faith & Life

Reflection

In this Gospel reading Jesus invites us to respond to the world as he did – loving, blessing, praying and offering. We are called to do this not only where there is something of which we approve, but in all circumstances.  (Sacred Space)

What's On This Week

Administration

Secondary Wellbeing

School Refusal 

Recently Michelle Steele, our school counsellor put me onto the following podcast “Tell the Others by Heidi Rogers: School refusal, helplessness and a light at the end of the tunnel”. I listened to the 49 min long ep and had some real aha moments and key takeaways. I was listening as a father of two teenage boys, as a father of a one time teenage school refuser and as a teacher in the space of wellbeing. 

The episode contained a lot of real-life case studies that Heather unpacked as a psychologist and mother with advice. School refusing is a complicated and multilayered issue. It is definitely not a one size fits all in regards to solution. 

Key points 

Parents need to be calm and confident leaders. We need to remember this and use it as a mantra. I know many times when dealing with my own son I may have been confident but was far from calm. Raising my voice and losing my calm led to a bunch of threats that were irrational and not helpful. This triggered an emotional response in my son and heightened the anxiety and the situation making him feel worse and in turn making myself feel worse. Note - be a calm and confident leader. 

School drop off

Make it quick and do not hang around. We, as parents hang around as we think it allows our children to feel secure and they have a chance to ‘warm up’ to saying good bye and navigating the school yard. What could also occur, flipping the situation is that the heightened child may feel like there is a chance that the parents are not leaving and that there is a chance of returning home. The child may think, they are hanging around, Why are they staying? Why haven't they left?  This creates again a heightened response and increases anxiety in the child. We want to be more loving which is our intention but in effect we are causing more harm with their anxiety increasing. 

Do not look for success, look for getting the job done. In our heads we drive into school and our child calls out “see ya mum, see ya dad, love you guys, thanks for the lift and have a good day” as they skip down the drive. This is a scene in a movie when in reality it's more like “have a good day son/daugher, love you” and ________________ in reply or maybe a grunt or low and muffled bye or even “you are so embarrassing”. What is the expectation or what is the desired outcome? Did they exit the car and walk down the drive? Success is something that the school can assist with. Success for each student is going to be different. Getting the job done is all you need. They need to be out of the car and in the school. 

If your child may be missing school or complaining that they are experiencing stomach aches etc then perhaps you need to explore what is happening. Anxiety does create an actual sore stomach due to a build up of hormones. Sometimes we as parents can fob this off and state that they are making it up to get out of going. 

Please contact the school if you are having trouble getting your child to school. You can contact their homeroom teacher either via phone or Compass email. You can also contact Michelle Steele, our school counsellor to arrange an appointment or phone call. 

Mr Steve Carroll - Wellbeing Coordinator 

Canteen

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

Curriculum News

Year 2 - Water Fun Day Recounts 

Year Two are experimenting with sizzling starts and six senses descriptions. Our recent Water Fun Day was a perfect event to describe. Here are some of Two Green’s compositions. We hope you enjoy reading them.

‘Aaarrrrhhhh, I'm all wet!’ First, I played Rob the Water, followed by Target in a Tub. I also enjoyed the slip and slide. I tasted some of the water because drops hit me from the sprinkler. I could hear the boys screaming with excitement. We all had so much fun.   By Harry.

‘Weeeeee!’ I loved the Slip and Slide. I slid all the way down and got very wet and dirty. I felt happy during our Water Fun Day. I cheered for my house team, Xavier.   By Levi

Last Thursday, we had a Water Fun Day at school. It was GREAT! First off, we played Rob the Water. We were using sponges and we had to soak them in water and then try and steal the water out of other people's water tubs. 

Secondly, we played Cup and Water and then we had sack races, egg and spoon races and Captain Ball with water. 

There are many more things I’d like to tell you about but have run out of time. I loved cheering for my house team, Raphael - the best team ever! By Sarah

‘I'm going to get you!’

‘Yay, I win!’

Splash splash! I tasted the water and felt the nice cool grass on my feet. My favourite part of our Water Fun Day was the Slip and Slide. I loved cheering for my team, Kilbreda. It was so cool and I cannot wait to do it again.  By Ruby

Our Bus Safety Talk  - By Two Green

STOP, LOOK, LISTEN, THINK! were the things we learned at our bus safety talk. 

On Thursday morning,Year Two visited Steve out the front of our school for a bus safety talk.

First, we had a talk with Steve. Before we hopped on the bus, we all had to sanitise our hands. The sanitiser smelt like disinfectant.

It made some of our hands sting.

Steve said the boys should let the girls on the bus first to show that they have gentleman's manners. The boys had beautiful, gentleman’s manners.

On the bus we could feel the cool air from the air conditioner. The air conditioner was so loud that we had to listen carefully to Steve. 

Steve told us to keep our bags in front of our seats so other people won't trip over them. He also told us to keep our feet out of the aisle. We should never run in front of a bus because the driver won’t be able to see us. We must also remember to hold a grown up hand when we are crossing the road. And while the bus is moving we should always wear a seatbelt.

Music News

St Raph's is pleased to introduce you to our newly formed string ensemble! This enthusiastic, and talented group meet every Tuesday morning to rehearse before school, and new members are most welcome! 

Hospitality at its Finest!

Last Friday, our staff were treated to morning tea, catered for by our Secondary Hospitality students.  The menu showcased fresh produce, sustainably sourced ingredients and homemade goodness! If you think it looks amazing - just imagine how great it tasted! Congratulations, and thankyou to our talented hospitality students.

Sport Spot

Southern Region Swimming

This Tuesday we have a squad of thirty students representing our school at the Southern Region Carnival in Orange. We wish them all the best and thank you to the parents and carers who are taking them to Orange. The top three individuals in each event and first relay team will go through to the Diocesan Carnival on Wednesday 9 March in Dubbo.

Secondary Diocesan Swimming Carnival

This week, the top 2 competitors in each event from our Swimming Carnival will receive a note as they have been successful in receiving a place in our School Secondary Swimming Team to compete at the Diocesan Carnival in Dubbo on Tuesday 8 March.

Primary Winter Trials

Mr Statham and Mr O’Reilly are currently holding school trials to select students to attend the Winter Sports Trials on the 18 March 2022. Students can trial for Netball, Soccer, Rugby Union, Rugby League and Hockey.

Sport Success

Congratulations to Angus Anning (Tennis) & Layne Horton (Basketball) that trialled at the Summer Sports trials. Layne Horton was selected to trial at the Polding Basketball Trials in Tamworth this Friday. We wish him the best of luck.

Six secondary students travelled to Wellington last Wednesday to trial for the Diocesan Touch Football Teams. Amelia Cranney, Laura Price, Aidan Green, Mekisha Anderson, Flynn Bennett and Michael McNamara demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and school pride at this trial. A special congratulations to Michael McNamara who was selected in the Open Boys team and will compete at the NSWCCC championships in Nelsons Bay later this term. 

Sport at St Raphael’s

Sport plays a fundamental role at St Raphael’s in producing balanced and well rounded individuals who appreciate hard work and training, commitment to a team, sportsmanship and dedication to fair play. We believe that these values will transfer to all aspects of our students’ lives. 

At St Raphael's our students participate in a range of participatory and competitive sporting pathways. This allows students of all capabilities to experience successes on the sporting field. 

The Primary Catholic Schools representative pathway includes Tennis, Basketball, Cricket, Softball, AFL, Netball, Football, Rugby, Rugby League and Hockey. The pathway to represent in these sports is as follows;

School - Southern Region - Bathurst Diocese - Polding - PSSA. 

The Secondary Catholic Schools representative pathway includes Athletics, AFL, Baseball, Basketball, Cricket, Cross Country, Diving, Football, Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Rugby League, Softball, Swimming, Squash, Tennis, Touch Football, Triathlon, Volleyball and Waterpolo. The Pathway to represent in these teams is as follows;

School - Bathurst Diocese - NSW CCC - All Schools 

St Raphael’s also sends school teams to the following Diocesan Sporting Gala Days; Primary Rugby, Secondary Touch Football, Secondary Football, Secondary Netball, Secondary Basketball, Secondary Tennis and Secondary Rugby. 

Students also participate in the following Sport Specific Gala Days; Primary Todd Woodbridge Cup Tennis, Primary & Secondary Schools Cup Netball, Primary Peachey/Richardson Rugby League, Primary & Secondary T20 Blast Cricket, Secondary Girls 7s League Tag, Secondary Bill Turner Football, Secondary Small Schools Rugby League. 

If you have any questions please contact the sports coordinator l.gallard@bth.catholic.edu.au

Upcoming Events

CCC Open Boys Cricket Trials -  22 & 23 February 

Polding Basketball Trials - 25 February

Dio Secondary Swimming Carnival - 8 March 

Dio Primary Swimming Carnival - 9 March

Dio Primary Cricket trials - 10 March 

CCC Open Girls Cricket Trials - 15 & 16 March 

NSW All Schools Triathlon - 15 March 

CCC Western Rugby League Trials - 16 March 

Northern NSW Boys AFL Trials - 18 March

Primary Winter Sports Trials - 18 March

Mrs Larissa Gallard - K-12 Sport Coordinator

Celebrating Student Success

St Raphael’s Catholic School students are sharing in success both at school and in the community. 

Toby Morrison (Year 7) has qualified for the 100m sprint at the upcoming Little Athletics State Championships. Congratulations Toby!

Erin Rutledge (Year 5) has qualified in High Jump at the upcoming Little Athletics State Championships. Awesome work, Erin!

If you would like to celebrate your child's achievements please contact their homeroom teacher via Compass email, or email the school straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au so that it can be placed in the School newsletter. 

Community Connections