Term 4, Week 8 - Monday 27 November, 2023

What's On This Week

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Our school year is nearly complete. It is a hectic time at St Raph's, collaborating about class lists, forming the timetable (which is always challenging), and still maintaining a busy schedule of events. 

Please be reminded that 8.20am is the earliest drop off time for students at school.  There is no supervision until that time. Over the last weeks a number of students have been turning up to school early, and on some occasions this has included a large number of primary students.  It  is both a child protection issue and WHS concern for students to be at school before 8.20am. Please do not bring students to school before 8.20am.  

Over the remainder of school in Term 4, we ask that you are particularly supportive of school expectations for uniform. Your children, and our students represent St Raphael’s with a proud reputation. If students are incorrectly wearing uniform, it reflects not only on the individual, but on the whole school, impacting negatively on the remainder of the student population who wear their uniform with pride. 

Last Monday our P&F met to discuss their major goal for 2024: a highly visible and beneficial project, which our students K-12 will value. To date all surveys and discussions have highlighted toilets, the grounds and the lack of a hall as our priority, however a hold up in getting our school Capital Works plan completed over the last 2 years has unfortunately delayed any immediate action in this area.

Students have identified that the current secondary basketball court is both inadequate and in poor condition, and the P&F agree that this is a great opportunity for joint project.  What we have proposed to CEDB as a leadership team is to design 2 courts, facing the music room.  We want this to be a covered area in order to have an all weather activity space for students, and an under cover area to gathering until such time that our School hall is built. 

The P&F have identified this as a focus for fund raising in 2024, and in the meantime, we will seek quotes and devise a plan of action whereby the costs are split between the P&F, the school and CEDB. This way the project will be fast tracked and further delays will not impede the ability for us to action a much needed addition to our school. Stay tuned for more exciting information to follow in the New Year

In the meantime, we thank the P&F for their contribution of 3 more outdoor tables for our students and their ongoing commitment to improving the school amenities.  The P&F aim to host a welcome BBQ for families in February 2024 and we look forward to this opportunity for celebration and collaboration.  Watch this space for more information as it comes to hand. 

Did you know:  New data shows one-third of children aged 14 to 17 have vaped or used an e-cigarette, and nine out of 10 young people found it easy to access vapes, according to University of Sydney Associate Professor Becky Freeman, who presented to the roundtable on behalf Generation Vape and Cancer Council NSW. It is imperative that we are all vigilant in supporting our students and the decisions they make. 

God Bless

Michelle Deschamps

2024 Primary Vice Captains and Prefects

Voting for our 2024 Vice Captains and Prefects took place last Thursday, and beforehand we had the pleasure of listening to ten Year 5 students present their excellent leadership speeches. Well done to all candidates. 

We congratulate our newly elected Vice Captains, Harper and Evie.  We also extend our congratulations to our newly elected Prefects, Gaella , Ben, Melanie and Claire.

Faith, Mission & Learning

The First Sunday of Advent is fast approaching. 

Advent, the season of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas, should be a time for families to come together in prayer. Advent is a season of anticipation. The anticipation of Advent comes from anticipating the birth of the Christ in Jesus of Nazareth. Advent is a time to celebrate the coming of the King and to spend time reflecting on the implications of that for humanity: mostly, this centers around the forgiveness of God, God’s compassion, God’s love.

It is only fitting that the first candle on the Advent wreath represents Hope – the first Sunday of Advent not only leads us to anticipate the birth of Christ but celebrate the beginning of a new liturgical season as well. This Advent, light the first candle on Sunday, December 3, 2023. 

The second candle on the Advent wreath represents Peace. Like the first candle, it is also purple. Often called the “Bethlehem Candle,” the second Advent candle reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. This Advent, light the second candle on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

The third candle of Advent symbolises Joy. As we continue to approach Christmas Day, our joy grows more and more. The third candle takes us back to the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who journeyed to see Jesus in Bethlehem, even before the wise men. On this third Sunday of Advent, which the Church calls “Gaudete Sunday,” meaning rejoice or praise, we light the third candle and rejoice like the shepherds. This Advent, light the third candle on Sunday, December 17, 2023. 

The fourth candle of Advent represents Love, the ultimate love of God that He might send His only Son for us. Called the “Angel’s Candle,” the fourth candle of Advent is lit the Sunday before Christmas. This Advent, light the fourth candle on Sunday, December 24, 2023. 

Year 8 Retreat

The Year 8 cohort experienced their annual retreat last week. The theme of the day was 'Building a Community'. The students completed workshops on belonging, respect and trust. We finished the day discussing how the cohort can contribute to their community. It was a wonderful day looking at how each student can look beyond themselves and support others. 

Gabrielle Bruin - Leader of Faith, Mission and Learning

St Raphael's Church Altar Servers Roster 

Saturday 2 December - Noah and Georgia Campbell

Sunday 3 December - Sienna Launders and Halle Flanagan

Saturday 9 December - Olivia Finn and Molly Vella

Sunday 10 December - Laura and Rosemary Bennett

Saturday 16 December - James Beath-Pearce and Lucy James

Sunday 17 December - Sam and Josh Launders

School Holidays - Volunteers Please

Administration

School Office - Early Closure Thursday 7th December

Due to whole staff Professional Development, the School Office will close at 3:30pm next Thursday 7th December.

Uniform Expections

All students, K-12 are to wear Summer Uniform on Friday 8th December for our annual Presentation Day Assembly, commencing at 9:30am in St Raphael's Church.

All Secondary students are reminded that Summer Uniform is also required for our End of Year Mass, being held on Friday 15th December from 9:30am in St Raphael's Church.  Students may add Christmas decorations to their uniforms once they are in the hall for Secondary Trivia.

Term 4 2023 ends as follows:

• Students Last Day - Friday 15th December 2023
• Pupil Free Days - Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th December 2023
• School Holidays commence - Wednesday 20th December 2023

School resumes in 2024 as follows:

• Tuesday 30 January - PUPIL FREE DAY
• Wednesday 31 January - PUPIL FREE DAY
• Thursday 1 February - Years 1-6, 7 & 11 Students and Year 12 Leaders return
• Friday 2 February - Years 8, 9, 10 & 12 Students return
• Monday 5 February - Kindergarten Students start
• (Wednesday 21 February - PUPIL FREE DAY)

Respectful Relationships with our Neighbours 

Families are reminded to please do their bit to maintain respectful relationships with our neighbours when facilitating school drop off and pick up. Encouraging your children to stick to the paths when walking to and from the school gates (and not encroach on residential nature strips or garden beds) and keeping vehicle access clear for residents in Poignand Avenue are two ways we can maintain good neighbourly relations.

Bike Safety

If your child is travelling to or from school by bike or scooter, please take the time to reinforce road safety. From time to time we receive calls from members of the public, expressing concern for students  crossing the road unsafely around busy traffic and other road users.  Most recently this concern related to the main street and bike riders duckin out in front of trucks. Please remind your children to always use traffic lights and pedestrian crossings when crossing the road, and to always be mindful of other road users. 

Great Work Bus 14!

Mr McGill from Cowra Bus Service has sent us a lovely message asking that we congratulate all Bus 14 students (and their parents!) on their courteous and well-mannered behaviour while travelling to and from school. Great work Bus 14!

Primary Learning

Primary Assembly - Week 8

This Friday 1st December will be our final Primary Assembly of the year. All are welcome to join us in St Brigid's hall at 2pm to celebrate a number of award winners and join in with singing a couple of hymns.

Presentation Day - Week 9

All students are reminded to wear full Summer Uniform for the Presentation Day Awards Assembly on  Friday 8th December. Families are welcome to join us from 9:30am in St Raphael's Church.   Year 2 students may wear Sports Uniform on Thursday 7th December instead of Friday that week (Week 9).

End of Year Mass - Week 10

Families are again welcome to join us from 9:30am in St Raphael's Church on Friday 15th December for our Whole School End of Year Mass.   Year 2 students may wear Sports Uniform as usual on this day (Week 10)

BMP Treat Days

Next week sees our treat days for Silver and Gold level students. Silver level students will attend a movie at the Cowra Civic Centre next Tuesday 5th December and Gold Level students will be Ten Pin Bowling in Bathurst on Thursday 7th December. Families of involved students will be notified with further details this week.

Week 10 Class Parties

Infants and Primary class parties and disco will be held on Thursday 14th December. Students are invited to wear Christmas themes mufti on this day.

Reports

Our teachers are currently undertaking the task of writing the end of year reports for your children.  These reports will be available on Compass in Week 10, and families will be notified once these are live on your portal. Please take time to read over your child's report and discuss their achievements and goals with them.  As always if you have any concerns please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher.  

Wellbeing

Primary Sport

Todd Woodbridge Cup Tennis (Stage 3)

On Monday 20 November 2023 a group of our stage 3 students travelled to Parramatta to compete at the Todd Woodbridge Cup State Finals Day. Our students represented our school with pride and played extremely well. Our team should be very proud of themselves for making it all the way to the playoffs. Well done to our stage 3 students who competed.

Canteen

Please note that there is no toasting of sandwiches, rolls or wraps in Terms 4 or 1

(due to it being summer menu)

Week 10 - Special Lunch Orders

Mrs Stokes will be treating us with Special Lunch Orders on Thursday and Friday of Week 10 to celebrate the end of the year. Stay tuned for Order Forms coming out next week, and make sure you make the most of these special meal deals to round out the year.

Community Connections

Headspace Cowra is hoping to gather some information about our neurodivergent young people and their engagement with local health services. We would really appreciate it if you could take few minutes to complete this super quick survey. Many thanks, the headspace Cowra team.

https://forms.office.com/r/ddhAhsQQLw?origin=lprLink