Term 4, Week 2 - Monday 16th October, 2023

What's On This Week

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have commenced the term with our usual business. The Japanese Tour concluded last Tuesday, Will O’Reilly has made it State for long jump, HSC Examinations are well underway, Kindy Start continues, the Cowra Show had great representation from St Raph's and the Duke of Ed Hike concludes today. 

As each of you can attest, we offer many opportunities beyond the classroom for our students. We are certainly going beyond for our small school. Whilst I do not get to be a part of every learning experience, the extent of staff generosity, care for student learning and the gift from each individual for our students, is invaluable. 

Over the holidays I was privileged to be on the Japanese Tour. Whilst all staff on the tour were on call for 16 days straight, the experience for our students is astounding. Many students had not been on a bus, train and plane. They have never been overseas or away from their parents. Apart from the experience of culture, our students demonstrated strength and gentleness. They had to be resilient with the 17 kilometres walk each day, navigating, getting on and off a great deal of transport, managing their important documents (although we had a few students who lost tickets).

The students needed to be cooperative in a large group, manage time and place, and sustain momentum in a rigorous program. Through these challenges and growth they also witnessed enormous gentleness in the country which hosted them. The students could not be anything but swept up in the beautiful people of Japan. Happiness and kindness was reflected from the Japanese to our students and vice versa. It was a symbiotic relationship between countries and people. Our students also demonstrated gentleness in the many challenges each student experienced, but supporting each other and developing a strong bond of friendship, and courage. 

It is wonderful to see the relief on our Year 12 faces as they complete each HSC examination. Whilst examinations are not the be all and end all in the lives of our students, so far many students have come away pleased with their examination attempt and the effort they made with their study preparation. 

I am pleased to announce that Mrs Gabrielle Bruin has been appointed the permanent REC position. I am sure parents, students and staff have witnessed the amazing year we have had this year with Mrs Bruin’s leadership. Certainly our goal has been lived and evidenced over the course of the year - We Rise By Lifting Others.

Mrs Kathryn Keefe has been appointed as temporary Leader of Learning for HSIE and CAPA for this term. Mrs Keefe brings with her a great deal of experience, which will be invaluable as we complete the year. 

Mr Ben Thomson realised he could not leave St Raph’s, staff and students, so he will be on staff in 2024. 

Miss Kitty Brooks has been appointed as a permanent primary teacher for 2024. We welcome Miss Brooks to our dedicated team of primary staff. 

Due to the difficulty in attracting leaders in some KLAs in secondary, next year we are aiming to have a Leader of Learning for  Maths/Science and TAS (currently advertised), Leader of Learning for HSIE and PDHPE - Mrs Cassandra Bennett and Leader of Learning for English/LOTE/CAPA - Miss Gabriella Zideluns. 

Our Executive Director has also enabled us to appoint a Literacy Coach (currently advertised), and you are already aware of the Leader of Teaching and Learning - Mr Dominic Lenarduzzi. In addition to these roles, we will have a Leader of Testing, Data  Analysis and interventions for Secondary. This important role will work with this team in supporting staff and students with specific targeted strategies. 

Term 4 is an incredibly challenging time for the leadership team, with staffing and leadership positions. So more information will follow soon. However, 2024 is shaping up to be amazing!

God Bless,

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

Faith, Mission & Learning

Vinnies Sleep Out

Year 10 were involved in the Vinnie’s Sleep out last term. The students chose to go one step further and donate 4 ‘hampers’ of staple goods for the vulnerable people in our community. We are so proud of the initiative shown by the whole year group. 

Staff Spirituality Day

At the end of last term, during our staff spirituality day, we crafted what teaching at St Raphael’s means to us. During this session we put together all the different elements that make up our identity here at St Raphael’s. These are now presented throughout the school so students can view and connect with our school identity. 

St Raphael's Church Altar Servers Roster 

Saturday 21 October- Ben & Anna Pearce

Sunday 22 October - Beatrix Perry & Tilly Gundersen 

Saturday 28 October - Olivia Finn & Charlize Skelton

Sunday 29 October - Laura & Rosemary Bennett

Saturday 4 November - Noah & Georgia Campbell

Sunday 5 November - Sienna Launders & Halle Flanagan

Saturday 11 November - School Leaders

Sunday 15 November - Laura & Rosemary Bennett

Gabrielle Bruin - Leader of Faith, Mission and Learning

Learning Logistics & Pathways

Dear Parents / Carers & Students,

Please check out the links below for some valuable careers information.

Master:

https://bulletins.jobjump.com.au/5b648a24-b832-4b10-b201-1526ba09657a/master

Subject Careers News

https://bulletins.jobjump.com.au/5b648a24-b832-4b10-b201-1526ba09657a/kla

A reminder that all secondary students have access to Job Jump (a fantastic resource to help you with all things careers). Parents / carers may also access the site to help them.

Please refer to this handy flyer for login details.

There is also a 2 minute video to show you how to register and Login (link below).

https://jobjump.com.au/helpVideo?video=register  

Any questions, please see me.

Mr David Lette - Leader of Learning Logistics & Pathways

Administration

Attendance

We welcome Danielle Hudson as of Term 4 2023 as our Attendance Officer.  The NSW Education Act (1990) and Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst require Parents/Carers to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school on each day that the school is open for instruction. If children are absent from school, Parents/Carers are legally required to provide the school with an acceptable explanation, in writing, within seven days of the absence.

If your child has been away for more than 7 days within 100 school days, this will trigger an attendance letter. Please note that the government policy requires us to inform parents of any concerns around attendance, or if attendance flags below the government requirement. This will include a written letter or a request for a meeting with Wellbeing or Principal.

For leave greater than 10 days, a written application for Extended Leave will need to be completed and submitted to the Principal for approval. Please contact the School Office to obtain a copy of this form. This will again trigger an attendance letter even though the Extended Leave form has been filled out.

School Fees

School statements will go out this Tuesday and will reflect all payments received up to 13 October.  There are still a large number of unpaid school fees for 2023.  If you do not have a payment plan in place and you have paid no fees or have only paid a small amount this year, please contact the school urgently to make a concrete plan, before these accounts are sent to the CEDB for collection.

Those families with outstanding accounts have been sent numerous forms of correspondence, providing families with options to discuss their circumstances, determine a payment plan or explore assistance; and we would like to help where we can.   However, without a response, our choices are limited. Your assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated.  Thank you 

Scholastic Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair will continues at the Library until Thursday this week. Primary and Secondary students will be able to buy books and all staff and parents are also invited to browse the Book Fair and purchase books. Primary children will be browsing during their library lesson to fill in their Book Purchase Wishlist to take home to parents. Parents are encouraged to attend the library during their child's Library lesson, or alternatively any time between 8.30am and 4.30pm during the Book Fair. Payment can be made by cash or EFTPOS.   Make sure you visit  Mrs Murney in the Library and browse the lovely book selection.

Learning & Engagement

Primary Wellbeing Day - Monday 6th November

We will be holding a talent show as a part of our ‘Wellbeing Day’ for Primary students on Monday 6th November. 

The Wellbeing Day will involve planned activities from 10:30am-3:10pm that encourage students to reflect, play and spend quality time together with the whole Primary department. 

The talent show is an ‘opt-in’ event that will be judged by teachers in class prior to the day. Chosen acts will then be judged in their stage groups on the Wellbeing Day. 

The rules for participants are as follows: 

• It can be an individual act or a group act that is no larger than 5 people. 

• The time limit for each act is 3 minutes. 

• Talents may include (but are not limited to) singing, dancing, instrumental music, skits, magic, comedy, juggling. 

• In all cases, decisions from the teacher/judge are final. 

• Absolutely no profanity or insensitive subject matter will be permitted. 

You are welcome to attend and watch the talent show if your child has been chosen to present on the day. It will be held in St Brigid’s hall at 12:10pm. Please be aware that we have limited seating in the hall so you may need to watch standing outside the hall.

Earrings for Hope

Year 12 St Raphael's students are selling earrings to raise money for Share the Dignity. Our earrings are 3D printed and manufactured at school. 

Share the Dignity believes that everyone deserves to afford the dignity so many of us take for granted. It is a women’s charity in Australia that works to make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence or doing it tough. They mainly strive to give bags full of women's products so they can have a greater sense of belonging within the community. 

Year 12 2023 want to support their cause by raising money from the earrings to donate to Share the Dignity to help them with their goal of making a real, on-ground difference in the world. 

ORDERS CLOSE 31 OCTOBER - Please refer to the order form attached here:

VIBE Student Survey for Students Year 5-12

We are excited to introduce a new VIBE Student Survey for students in years 5-12. Please see the  attached letter with all the relevant parent information.   If you have any questions or wish for your child to opt out of this Student Survey, please email Mr Craig Jeffries on c.jeffries@bth.catholic.edu.au

Canteen

Helpers Needed!

Our wonderful canteen is in desperate need of volunteers, and the draft roster for Term 4 is full of holes just waiting for your availability! If you would like to speak with Donna about joining the Canteen Volunteer team in 2023, please call her on 0427 501 508 or register your interest here.

Whether it's one day a term, a month or a fortnight, your assistance would be most appreciated. Volunteering at the canteeen is a great way to connect with your school, meet your child's friends and get to know other families at the school. It is also a heap of fun, and lunch is provided.  In the same way that it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to continue to provide fresh and healthy meal options at school. Please consider putting your hand up to help.

Community Connections

Family Engagement in Schools Free Workshop in Orange

The workshop on 2 November, is targeted towards parents, families, carers and teachers who are interested in learning more about effective family engagement to enhance learning, wellbeing, inclusion and belonging for students. The workshop has an intercultural understanding element and explores ways to enhance engagement and sense of belonging and inclusion for CaLD families and students. 

The workshop is free and includes lunch. Registration is essential! See flyer here