Term 1, Week 4 - Monday 19 February, 2024

What's On This Week

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, 

It is astounding to think we are already in Week 4.  Staff and students have been engaged in loads of activities and learning. There is a wonderful buzz among staff and students, with enthusiasm and positivity for the year ahead. 

We would like to extend a very special thank you to Father Mark for leading St Raphael's Parish in Father Dong’s absence. He thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality he experienced, and although he resides in North Sydney, he loved his country stay.

Father Dong is back with us after time spent with his family in Vietnam. He is keen to share his wonderful cultural experiences, so don’t hold back with your questions to him. It will be great for our students to see Father Dong back on the playground and in classrooms. 

This Friday, our P&F are providing afternoon tea. Please join us after school pick-up, and come one and all to support our enthusiastic parents and their children who give so much time and energy to support all students in the school. We really encourage families to give a little time this afternoon to hear about the P&Fs exciting goal this year. 

We thank Alison Rutledge, a P&F member, for her weekly gardening expertise, which involves many of our students, who thoroughly enjoy the varied tasks and responsibilities associated with gardening. The social value of the gardening team provides invaluable conversation and responsibilities for our students. 

The swimming carnival seems like a whole month ago now, however it was a wonderful day for one and all. The K-2 students at school had fun engaging in lots of activities, whilst years 3 -12 had a day whereby there were lots of colourful dress ups, competition, and secondary students engaging with primary students.  A highlight for all students!

Our new Kildare Centre, housing all of our wellbeing team, is proving to be a wonderful place of support and confidence building for our students. Over the coming weeks, we will consider the type of furniture which would be suitable for the space. Make sure you have a look as you head to the P&F afternoon tea on Friday. 

Our bus seats for secondary school are in place. Therefore to support the safety and smooth running of bus duty, all students will be seated as they wait for the buses. They have an all weather space now and the comfort of sitting down. 

Our two major projects we are seeking to undertake as a matter of priority, is the construction of two basketball courts where the secondary basketball court is, along with a COLA over the top to make an all weather space for break times, assemblies and sports.  This will be a significant addition to our school. In conjunction with this, we know the primary playground is in urgent need of repair. Therefore we are also seeking to get the area resurfaced as soon as possible. 

We are currently seeking to undertake a lot of minor works such as the final stage at the front of the school with concrete, garden and new signage. Also the front administration entry will be totally refurbished with automatic sliding doors and ramp. 

The Heritage Centre including offices, classrooms and library will be painted. The library will receive new carpet. Reverse cycle air conditioners will be placed in the MLSC. These combined works, along with numerous other projects will make an enormous impact. 

Please be reminded if you are collecting your students from school, that you also model safety around the road. Over the last few weeks, some parents have been standing behind buses on the road to avoid the sun, in the gutter or very close to the road. We aim at all times to ensure your children are safe, we also need your help to ensure you support us. 

Please ensure you are aware of your children’s interactions online. This week we have had a significant online interaction brought to our attention from outside of school hours. The interactions are not very nice, and certainly would not be condoned by parents or staff. The online interactions often become the schools problem as students may bring their emotions and concerns to the classroom and school space. As learning is our core business, we will continue to advocate for parent supervision of students media interaction. 

Finally but not least, our staff will be engaging in the next steps in our inquiry learning journey. Our journey this far has ignited our staff, as they tweak and refine shifts in teaching and learning. The effect size of our collaborative learning is 1.57. To explain what this means, leading educational researchers have determined that an effect size over 0.4 increases a student’s learning by more than one year's growth. So we are on the right path for our students' success! 

God Bless, 

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

Wednesday 21st February

Pupil Free Day for all students

Assistant Principal

Welcome everybody to Week 4 of 2024. I know it is a cliche but time certainly seems to be flying at the moment. Coming to a new school is exhilarating and exciting as you learn new systems and processes but most of all it is exciting because you develop new and fresh relationships with students, teachers and the community. This can be seen in our two masses we have had to start the year. Last week we had our Ash Wednesday mass and the whole school community gathered together to listen and worship together. It was wonderful to witness the reverence and respect the students at St Raph’s demonstrated during the service.

This week we are off to Orange and James Sheahan Catholic High School to learn further about embedding the practices of Michael Mc Dowell into our school. Everybody, whether it be a staff member, student or parent, desires our school to be a learning institution where students are able to grow and develop their skills from kindergarten through to Year 12 and the HSC. For this to happen we have to constantly be aware of the latest research and developments and to apply this research into our classrooms. Therefore our whole staff is on a journey with Michael McDowell to implement his research of deepening the knowledge of our students so that they can develop the necessary skills not only for school but for life. This Wednesday 21st February the school will not be open for students, all teaching staff will be offsite and the Office will be closed. It is a Pupil Free Day for K-12.

Last week students from Years 9-12 were given their Assessment Schedule for Term 1 and in some cases Term 2. This allows for forward planning and for students to be aware of their responsibility to complete the necessary tasks by the due date. For Stage 6 students this is even more important as they need to complete all their assessment tasks to be eligible for their RoSA and HSC. Students in Stage 6 have also been given and spoken to about the Assessment Guidelines and Procedures and should be aware of these requirements.   The Term 1 Assessment dates for Years 9-12 are provided  here for your information. 

This Friday 23rd February is an opportunity for the community to celebrate with the staff of St Raph’s the new school year. There is a P&F barbecue on school grounds starting at 3.30pm. This is a great opportunity for staff and the community to mix and get to deepen the bonds throughout our school.

David Wickham - Assistant Principal

Faith, Mission & Learning

Last Wednesday marked the start of our season of Lent for 2024. It is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through prayer, we come closer to God so that we are better able to realise the promises made for us at our baptism, to live justly as Jesus teaches us. Fasting joins us in solidarity with people experiencing poverty who often have no choice but to go without the basic human needs. Sharing what we have, or ‘almsgiving’, is a sign of our commitment to justice and our thanks for all that God has given us.

Lent prepares us for the season of Easter, the most important time in the Church’s calendar. By praying, fasting and giving alms, we are reminded of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus brought the promise of hope to all people so that we may, “have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10). As we live into that fullness, may we also be challenged to act with love and hope, now and for all future generations.

Staff Commissioning Mass

On Saturday 2nd March, during the 6pm evening Mass, all Staff of St Raphael's will be blessed and commissioned for the 2024 School Year. We encourage all students and their families to join us for this very special occasion.

RISEN –  22-24 March 2024

This year, RISEN will be held from Friday 22nd March to Sunday 24th March. So what is RISEN? RISEN is for those in Years 10-12, RISEN is a great chance to go a little deeper in reflecting on life and how faith is part of this. RISEN is held each year and participants also receive formation so that they can be part of the Youth Team for the RISE Youth Festival. If you need further information or to register please see Mrs Scott.

At Home Activities

Please find below some great websites that you can use in your family homes with your children.

Sunday Connection

https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/

Lent Activities

https://www.thecatholickid.com/

https://lentenadventure.com/

Nicole Twohill-Scott - Leader of Faith, Mission & Learning (Acting)

Teaching and Learning

Secondary - Sports Uniform Days for Practical Lessons

The Secondary Sports Uniform Days for Years 7-10 Practical Lesson are provided here. Students are permitted to wear their School Sports Uniform to school on these timetabled days for Sport, PE and PASS. (Please note that Practical sessions for Year 8 PE will not commence until Week 6).

Dominic Lenarduzzi - Leader of Teaching & Learning K-12 

Wellbeing

Breakfast Club

We are very excited to announce that breakfast club will be operating five days a week and will start from Term One Week 3.

This year breakfast will be served from the canteen.  Only fruit and cereal will be offered for breakfast. Gluten and dairy free options will also be available.

Kylie McNamara - Leader of Learning Enrichment

Secondary Sport

NSWCCC Touch Football

Congratulations to Laura Price who travelled to Wellington to trial for the Open Girls Bathurst Diocesan Touch Football team. Laura was successful in gaining selection and will now travel with the team to compete at the NSWCCC Touch Football Championships to be held on the Central Coast later in the year.

Upcoming Events

Southern Country AFL Trials (15s boys) are being held on the 29th February in Harrington Park. To be eligible to attend, students must be born between 1/1/2009 and 31/12/2010 and be currently playing AFL at a representative level. Students must see Mr Phelan by Wednesday 21st February 2024 if they are interested in attending.

Bathurst Diocesan Soccer Trials (Opens) - to be held in Bathurst on Thursday 7th March. These trials are only for students who are already playing soccer at a representative level. Students must see Mr Phelan by Friday 23rd February 2024 if they are interested in attending.

Bathurst Diocesan Secondary Swimming Carnival - will be held in Dubbo on Tuesday 5th March 2024. Mr Phelan will provide students who have qualified for this event with further information regarding the event

U16 Girls Western Rugby League Trials - will be held in Canberra on 12th March. These trials are only for students who are already playing Rugby League at a representative level. Students must see Mr Phelan by Friday 23rd February if they are interested in attending.

U18 Girls Southern Country Rugby League Trials - These trials are only for students who are already playing Rugby League at a representative level. Students must see Mr Phelan by Friday 23rd February if they are interested in attending.

St Raphael’s Catholic School Athletics Carnival (Secondary) - to be held in Cowra on Wednesday 3rd April. More details to follow as we get closer to the date. The Secondary Diocesan Athletics Carnival will be held in Dubbo on Thursday 22nd August.

Andrew Phelan - Secondary Sports Coordinator

Swimming Carnival Results

Last Friday, St. Raphaels held their swimming carnival at the Cowra Aquatic Centre. We saw swimmers from Year 2, all the way up to our Year 12s, participating in their last school swimming carnival. Warm conditions saw students eager to get wet, earning points for their houses.

Throughout the day, we saw competitive swimmers attempting the strokes of freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke, whilst many of our students opted for a more leisurely 25 metre swim, tug-of-war, rob the nest, noodle races and other fun activities. Year 12 enjoyed their 50 metre "Floaties" race, with the rest of the school sitting on the side of the pool, cheering them on. A great day was had by all in attendance.

The Primary students progressing to the next level will have the Southern Region Carnival on Tuesday 27th February, with nine Bathurst Diocese schools coming to Cowra on that day.

The Secondary students progressing to the next level will be off to Dubbo Aquatic Centre on Tuesday 5th March.

Congratulations to our Age Champions on the day:

Primary

Junior Girls = Ashley Kang

Junior Boys = Jack Smith

11 Years Girls = Grace Kelly Shepherd

11 Years Boys = Harrison Sheehy

Senior Girls = Evie Smith

Senior Boys = Patrick Dyer

Secondary

12 Years Boys = Max Osborne

13 Years Girls = Charlotte Dyer

13 Years Boys = Finn Sheehy

14 Years Girls = Emma Tremble

14 Years Boys = Oliver Tydd

15 Years Girls = Sophie Phelan

15 Years Boys = Neil Duguid

16 Years Girls = Addison Skinner

16 Years Boys = Mathew Graham

17 years Girls = Laura Price

17 Years Boys = Charlie Graham

Our overall winning house on the day was..... KILBREDA, winning a tight contest by just 15 points.

Special thanks to all of our helpers who enabled the day to run so smoothly.

Andrew Phelan & Grahame Statham - Sports Coordinators

Administration

Pupil Free Day

This Wednesday 21st February is a Pupil Free Day for all students K-12, due to whole staff professional development scheduled for this day. There will be no supervision at school for students on Wednesday 21st February, and the School Office will be closed.

Canteen Closed - Tuesday 27th February

Please note that the School Canteen will be closed on Tuesday 27th February due to Mrs Stokes coordinating the catering at the Cowra Aquatic Centre for the Southern Region Swimming Carnival that same day.

School Photo Days

This year, School Photos will be taken in Term 1, Week 6 - Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th March.  Further information is provided here.  Students will be photographed in summer uniform.  Secondary and Family photos will be taken on the Wednesday, and Infants and Primary photos will be taken on the Thursday.   

Pre-Ordering applies to family/sibling photos. If you would like a family/sibling photo taken, orders must be placed by 4pm Tuesday 5th March via www.creativeschoolportraits.com.au, clicking on Online Ordering and using the code: 9WU9CU9Y.  

Only family photos are pre-ordered before photo day. Individual and class photos may be ordered online from Wednesday 20th March using the unique access code issued to each student after Photo Day.  Online ordering ends Wednesday 3rd April.  

Families unable to order online may contact the school for a print flyer.

2024 School Fees

This years School Fee Statements will be issued to families on 1st March 2024, with the first instalment due 15th March 2024. Those families with existing direct debits in place will be contacted shortly to discuss any required adjustments to their regular deductions. Those families wishing to set up a new Direct Debit for 2024 are encouraged to contact the school office for the required paperwork. Those families who have already indicated their intent to pay by Direct Debit will be contacted shortly to authorise deductions.  

As is always the case, please do not hesitate to contact the school with any queries or concerns regarding school fees. 6342 2940 straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au 

School Bell Times

Click here for the School Bell Times for 2024. Please note a change to school start and finish times for Secondary (8:58am – 3:10pm), a change to infants and primary recess and lunch routines and a change to class/period durations.  Supervision of the playground commences from 8.20am. No student is to be onsite before this time. 

Morning Arrival of Children

Safe morning delivery of children needs the consideration and co-operation of motorists. Go to the front of the available drop-off zone to enable others to park and deliver their children as well. Please deliver the children and move away from the delivery zone carefully and promptly. Between 8:30 and 9:30am the zone is “No Parking” so you cannot leave your car. If you want to come into the school then park outside the zone and walk. Please remember that no parking is allowed in Poignand Avenue due to it restricting residential access. 

A reminder to all our parents that school zones remain in place for the safety of our children and families. School zones operate on all gazetted school days, which are all the days the school is open, even pupil-free days. School zones for our school commence Day 1 of each school Term and conclude on the last day of a school Term. 

Canteen

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

Your school Canteen is in desperate need of volunteer helpers. If you can spare any time to join the Canteen Volunteer team in 2024, please call Donna Stokes on 0427 501 508, or register your interest here.

Community Connections

Understanding parental controls to safeguard your child

This 30-minute webinar provides an overview of different types of parental controls and how to set them on smart devices and computers, in apps and on gaming platforms for your child’s safety.It's suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary school.
Tuesday 26 March7.30pm - 8pmPLEASE REGISTER HERE: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3100911298333648471

The Commanding Officer of HMAS Harman will be leading a team of sailors from Canberra on a regional tour of Central NSW to commemorate Navy Week 2024 and celebrate the Navy’s 123^rd anniversary.

The Harman team will be  visiting Cowra on 26 Feb 24 as part of the tour and a key event will be the “Beat to Quarters” Ceremony in River Park commencing at 5:45pm.

The 'Beat to Quarters' and 'Ceremonial Sunset' are derived from the oldest of naval ceremonies, dating back centuries to the age of sail. Originally, the ship's drums were beaten as a call for the ship's company to man the quarters, or action stations, when battle was imminent. Ceremonial Sunset reflects the worldwide naval tradition of saluting the lowering of the ensign at sunset each day in ships in harbour and shore establishments.

 You are cordially invited to attend this significant event with your friends, family and colleagues at River Park  from 5:30pm.