Term 1, Week 6 - Monday 4 March, 2024

What's On This Week

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, 

I wonder …therefore I grow. This is our theme for 2024. Our theme is set to challenge our students towards curiosity, personal growth and challenge. The theme also aligns to my personal challenge to students, As Much As You Can Do So Much Dare To Do! Every student has the capacity to learn, so I encourage all students to pursue their interests, pursue further learning and research into areas they want to know more about from their class learning, and seek to know about the world around them. 

On Friday, Head of School Improvement, Data, Policy and Governance, and our school Consultant, joined our Assistant Principal, Dave Wickham, the Leader of Teaching and Learning, Dominic Lenarduzzi and I to discuss our HSC results from 2023 and our strategic thinking for the 2024 HSC and beyond. The outcome of this meeting gave us cause for celebration as our 2023 HSC cohort achieved the highest learning gain in the Diocese, by far. This is a significant achievement, in addition our Leader of Teaching and Learning has devised multiple strategies to support every student, to develop sound study habits, and in collaboration with our Literacy Leader, Kathryn Keefe, they are leading literacy improvement strategies in years 7-12. 

To achieve the highest learning gain in the Diocese is attributed to the dedication and professionalism of our staff. It is heartwarming to have comments by our new AP and Leader of Teaching and Learning, who both acknowledge that all of our staff go beyond the call of duty, work extremely hard and are thoroughly dedicated to our students. 

Attendance Matters! We are thrilled to see the NSW Government roll out their media blitz on school attendance. Please click here to see their latest advertisement. 

Thank you to the parents who gave their time to attend the P&F Welcome afternoon tea. It was a great opportunity to share the grand plans we have for our secondary multii purpose centre. In consultation with CEDB capital works personnel, we are well placed to finally undertake this much needed project through to completion. Our AP is leading discussions presently with staff, and will share ideas with parents and students for feedback.

Last week we had the pleasure and excitement of hearing our school song revived. Thank you to our music teacher, Lisa Flanagan for leading this revival along with Elliot Bennett and Seamus McCormick. The new tune to our original lyrics written by Marg Devery, was developed after a lot of research and discussions to ensure the song aligns with our heritage, engage our students with pride in the song, and stand the test of time. In each launch, Mrs Flanagan shares the research undertaken, making the new school song extra special. I hope you hear the song soon, and love it as much as we do!

We are in the process of devising a new up to date prospectus. Today we took the opportunity to have a whole school aerial photo taken of K-12 and staff. 

God Bless, 

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

Assistant Principal

Welcome to another week at St Raphael’s Catholic School and what a busy time we are having at the moment. At the end of week 4 we had our P and F BBQ and it was wonderful to see and talk to those parents who came along to have a sausage sandwich, a drink and to simply relax with the staff and find out more about the school. One of the messages I have been giving to students these past few weeks is the idea of being curious; to find out about different people and places before judging them. If we are curious about people and places we learn more, and through learning more our empathy grows for each other. which in turn allows friendship and understanding to happen. So those parents who came along were curious about our school and wanted to learn more and this is exactly what our school, St Raph’s, is all about.

One of the discussions that was had at the BBQ was looking at the covering of the outdoor basketball court in the secondary area. We will have a consultation period where we will speak with staff, parents and students ensuring that an informed decision is made.

On the theme of being curious we have our Year 7 students heading off for their Year 7 camp this Thursday and Friday to Lake Burrendong. I spoke to the Year 7 group on Monday on the amazing opportunity they will have as long as they show respect and act responsibly. These opportunities to attend these styles of camps are not offered at all schools and it only happens in schools that have dedicated staff that are willing to give up their time to organise and attend these excursions. In the coming weeks we have multiple sporting opportunities happening and then in two weeks we have Year 3 heading across to Dubbo Zoo. St Raphael’s is a school that provides opportunities for our students to excel and grow both in and out of the classroom.

Students from 9-12 have been 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. 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  9-12 Assessment Schedule is shared with you all again here. 

I wish everyone well for the next fortnight!

David Wickham - Assistant Principal

Faith, Mission & Learning

Staff Commissioning Mass

Last Saturday evening during the Saturday Vigil Mass all staff from St Raphael’s Catholic School and our Catechists were commissioned and blessed for the year. The prayer above was recited by staff and Catechists.

 Real Talk

Last week, all students from Year 7-10 participated in sessions from Real Talk. As a Diocese we have access to the Parent Portal which enables parents and carers to continue conversations around these themes with your children. Please find the link here https://realtalkparents.com/bathurst

The site includes quick reference guides, conversation starters, short videos, deep-dive seminars, printable resources, videos and curated links for parenting/caring on the tough topics to do with relationships and eSafety.

Our Lenten Journey

Last weekend was the Third Sunday of Lent, meaning  we are half way through our Lenten Journey. The First Reading from the Book of Exodus was about the 10 Commandments. One way of reflecting on the Ten Commandments is looking at them not just as rules to be followed but also as a set of priorities. The two most important realities in our lives should be God and the welfare of the community. We must give God the recognition God is due as the one and only Lord of the universe. That is our first priority, the reason why we have the utmost respect for God’s name, and the reason why we set aside one day a week as God’s time. Our next priority is the well-being of the community: respect for its leaders, for the life of all its members, for the relationships that exist within the community, and for the right of others to have a good reputation and the things they need to live decent lives.

Retreats

Over the next few weeks, Years 7 and 8 will be participating in their annual retreat. We are very fortunate to have Natalia and Rosario from DeoQuest assisting with our retreats this year. A Compass post was sent out last week with all the information.

First Eucharist Dates

Enrolment Weekend: 6th & 7th April

Parent Meeting: Monday 8th April at 3:30pm or 7:00pm

First Eucharist Preparation Weekends: 4th & 5th May, 11th & 12th May, 18th & 19th May, 25th & 26th May

First Eucharist Retreat: Tuesday 28th June

Sacrament of First Eucharist: 1st & 2nd of June

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

Teaching and Learning

Year 8 Practical HPE  - Sports Uniform

Year 8 students and families are asked to please make note of the following changes to the Year 8 sports uniform days:

From Week 7 (next week) onwards, Year 8 will have practical HPE on:

8 Gold - Mr Lenarduzzi's class: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday (Week A and B)
8 Green - Mr Terry's class: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Week B) and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday (Week A)

Students will also need their practical uniform for their lesson this week (Week 6) on Wednesday.

The Years 7-10 Sport Uniform Sechedule for Practical Lessons has been updated and is provided again below.

Dominic Lenarduzzi - Leader of Teaching & Learning K-12 

Wellbeing

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club now operates five days a week from the school 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

Parent’s webinar

Our first eSafety Commissioner webinar is coming up in a month. This event for parents and carers is called ‘Understanding parental controls to safeguard your child’ and is all about 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 primary school-aged students.

26 March 2024 from 7.30pm – 8pm

We hope you can join us! Please click the link to register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3100911298333648471

CCSP Understanding parental Controls eSafety Webinar Flyer Term 1 2024.pdf

Secondary Sport

Bathurst Diocesan Netball Trials (Under 15s)

Milla, Sophie and Emma represented St Raphaels’ Catholic School at the Bathurst Diocesan Netball Trials in Dubbo. Congratulations to Milla and Emma for being selected in the team to compete at the NSWCCC trials later in the year.

Upcoming Events

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

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

Administration

School Photo Days

A reminder that School Photos will be taken this week  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 - and close tomorrow afternoon. 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 have now been issued to families. Unless you have a direct debit in place, the first instalment is due 15th March 2024.  Those families wishing to set up a new Direct Debit for 2024 are encouraged to contact the school office for the required paperwork. Any families holding a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card are asked to please make contact with the school office, as you may be eligible for a concession on your school fees. 

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 Drop-Off and Parking 

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.  It is illegal to park on the nature strip.  Please also be mindful when parking along Maquarie Street, Liverpool Street or Lachlan Street that you do not obscure residential driveways. A good rule of thumb is to park 1.8m from the driveway to allow an unrestricted view and access for those people using their driveways. NSW Government Parking Rules are provided here.

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