Term 2, Week 1 - Monday 29th April, 2024

What's On This Week

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, 

It is wonderful to see students and staff rejuvenated after the break. When I asked students what is the best thing about returning to school after the holidays, almost all students remarked that they loved reuniting with their friends. The reason I have mentioned this, is the fact that students who have continual absences miss out on the socialisation that they love. Learning to be relational and developing social skills is increasingly important in a school setting, particularly as we are in a significant digital age whereby many students indicate that their phone and video games occupy much of their home time. 

Thank you to the numerous students and parents who supported our school in the Anzac march last week. It was a wonderful turn up for our school despite it being the holidays. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to St Raphs! We encourage all students and parents to participate in our various community events over the year. Participation in these activities supports our school, demonstrates to the community that we are proud of our school, and shows commitment to our school.

This Term, I want every year's attendance to be above 95%. This will not be difficult for some year levels who were already achieving those statistics in Term 1. Years 1, 4 and 5 were each at 95% attendance and Year 3 achieved 96%. Years 2, 6, 7, 11 and 12 each were over 90%. Not far behind was Years 8, 9 and 10. Students who achieved 100% attendance in secondary were awarded a canteen voucher. Also every 5 weeks students in secondary are awarded a certificate for 100% attendance and are highly commended. These certificates are excellent validation of commitment and application to any employer, so students should keep their certificates in their Folio’s. 

In analysis of attendance absences particularly for primary students, it was noted that numerous students had holidays during the school Term. Whilst we understand that parents need to take holidays when they are allocated, please be mindful of the education that your child misses. Often the students don’t catch up. They also may be sick at times, causing absences to amount to high levels. 

During the next week, all students, parents and staff will be sent a survey link. We encourage all parents to complete the survey. This is your opportunity to have a voice in the continual improvement directions we plan and action. 

The school hall continues to be a focal point. We are at the point of waiting for architects to devise some plans. We will ensure parents have the opportunity to give feedback through the P&F when we receive the drafts. 

God Bless, 

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

Assistant Principal

Welcome back to Term 2 at St Raphael’s Catholic School. I hope everyone had a break/holiday that was filled with joy, rest and recuperation. 

At St Raph's we constantly focus on the positive aspects of our students and our school. St Raph's is a 'first choice' school. This is a school that should be the first choice for our local community. The reasons we are a first choice school are that we care about the education we provide every single student at our school. This can be seen as we give our students opportunities to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Our students have the opportunity for an excellent small school education with intensive teaching provided by staff that are dedicated to this school. This is not something that all schools can claim. Our results in the HSC and NAPLAN demonstrate the most growth for any school in the diocese. We are a 'first choice' school because we provide a religious education that is devoted to building the whole person with God and Jesus as our cornerstone.

To put this positivity into practice we are focusing as a staff in promoting the positive behaviours of our students. It is important to promote the behaviours that we want to see in our students because by promoting and highlighting the positives, students gain recognition of their appropriate behaviours. We want our students to be kind and respectful, we want our students to be resilient and to work hard and we want our students to achieve success in all fields and endeavours. Every time a student demonstrates these types of behaviours or achieves success they will receive a positive entry on Compass. This will then be sent as an email to the parents, for the parents to also congratulate the student on what they have achieved. These positive entries also contribute to the student levels and gaining rewards throughout the year. We recognise success and we promote positive behaviours at St Raph’s! 

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call.

David Wickham - Assistant Principal

Faith, Mission & Learning

ANZAC Day March

Many thanks to the students who represented our school last Thursday at the Cowra ANZAC Day March and Ceremony. Special thanks to our School Captains, Kai and Maddie for the role they played at the ceremony.

ANZAC Day Liturgy

Tomorrow, Tuesday 30th April, we will gather as a school community for a ANZAC Day Liturgy. We are fortunate to have Retired Australian Army Corporal Nathan Flanagan as our special guest and our Stage 5 History Class presenting to us during the Liturgy. All parents, carers and friends are most welcome to join us. The Liturgy will take place at 10:30am in St Raphael’s Church.

Catholic Schools Week & Morning for Mothers and Motherly Figures

Next week is Catholic Schools Week. CSW is a week set aside each year to celebrate our uniqueness, and especially our Catholic Identity at St Raphael’s. This year, it also coincides with Mother’s Day, so we are combining these two significant events in our school calendar. Our CSW and Mother’s Day event will take place next Friday, 10th May. On this day we will be holding a special morning for our St Raph’s Mothers and Motherly Figures. Please find the details below and invitation to this special event. Please RSVP by this Friday, 3rd May by following this  link (for catering purposes). 

From 8:00am: Breakfast

9:30 CSW Mass including a special Blessing for Mothers and Motherly Figures

After Mass- Open Classrooms until 11:00am

Everyone is most welcome at some or all of these events.

First Eucharist

Over the next five weeks, our First Eucharist candidates for 2024 will be preparing for this most important Sacrament. Please keep these children and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this time. The celebration of First Eucharist will take place on Saturday, 1st June during the Parish 6pm Mass.

If you require any further information, please contact me (n.twohill-scott@bth.catholic.edu.au)

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

Wellbeing & Enrichment

Walk Safely to School Day

St Raphael's will be supporting Walk Safely to school Day on Friday 10th May. Key pedestrian safety messages for students include:

Stage 1

• Hold a grown-up's hand when you're on the footpath

• Hold a grown-up's hand when you're in the car park

• Hold a grown-up's hand when you cross the road

• Wait till the bus has gone, then use a safe place to cross the road
  

Stage 2

• Hold a grown-up's hand when you cross the road

• Use a safe place to cross the road

• Wait till the bus has gone, then use a safe place to cross the road

Stage 3

• Stop! Look! Listen! Think! Every time you cross the road

• Use a safe place to cross the road

• Wait till the bus has gone, then use a safe place to cross the road

Attendandance Matters

Each day of instruction is an opportunity for students to absorb new knowledge, engage in classroom discussions, and develop critical thinking skills. Every school day provides a unique opportunity for students to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Consistent attendance ensures that students make the most of these opportunities, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling educational journey. Being present in class allows students to actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and engage with the material. Active participation fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter. It helps to develop a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and contributes to a positive attitude toward education.

Primary Sport

PSSA Swimming

At the end of last term, Anna Pearce from Year 6 represented Polding at the PSSA Swimming held in Sydney at the Homebush Olympic Aquatic Centre. A very impressive effort to make this level, Anna is the first school representative in some time to achieve this. Well done and congratulations, Anna.

Polding Winter Sports Trials

This Friday, St. Raphael's has three students traveling to Tamworth to trial as part of the Bathurst Diocesan team. Evie Smith is in the Netball team, whilst Harrison Sheehy and Will O'Reilly are in the Under 11s Rugby League. These students will be trialling against other Catholic students from the top half of the state, attempting to make the Polding team in their sports. We wish them luck in their endeavours.

Cross Country

On Tuesday, 7th May, we have a large contingent of runners heading to Coolah to attend the Diocesan trial for Cross Country. Our 8, 9 and 10 year olds will compete over the 2km distance, running around the Coolah Golf Club Course, whilst our 11 and 12 year olds will run over the 3km distance. We wish all runners the very best. Mr. Statham will be taking the participants for a run this Thursday during lunch. Please ensure that your child has their running shoes and sport clothes on that day. Pack a drink bottle as well.

Grahame Statham - Primary Sports Coordinator

Secondary Sport

NSWCCC Swimming Championships 

Congratulations to Neil and Max who competed in the NSWCCC Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. The boys mixed it with the best swimmers in the state and came out with some massive PB's. Neil placed 8th in the 100m Backstroke and 9th in the 50m Backstroke whilst Max placed 9th in the 50m Backstroke and 15th in the 50m Freestyle. 

Secondary Athletics Carnival

The St Raphael's Catholic School secondary athletics carnival was held last term. The weather was perfect and an enjoyable day was had by all. Congratulations to all students on their participation.

Girls Age Champions 

Erin Rutledge (12)

Claire Phelan (13)

Emma Tremble (14)

Sophie Phelan (15)

Karly Woods (16)

Laura Price (17+)

Boys Age Champions 

Ned Osborne (12)

Thomas Phelan (13)

Sam Tydd (14)

Toby Morrison (15)

Wyatt Thomson (16)

Bennett Berly (17+)

Fastest Boy (100m) - Toby Morrison in 12.01 seconds

Fastest Girl (100m) - Karly Woods in 13.01 seconds

House Points - Raphael (623 points), Kilbreda (444 points) and Xavier (224 points)

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Upcoming Events

Students have been selected to participate in the following events. Further information will be sent to the relevant students and parents via Compass:

• WRAS indigenous Talent Identification Day - Orange - Wednesday 1st May 
• Bill Turner Cup Soccer - Under 15s - Forbes - Monday 6th May
• Secondary Diocesan Team Tennis Gala Day - Orange - Wednesday 15th May 
• Bathurst Diocesan Basketball Gala Day - Year 11 & 12 - Bathurst - Thursday 16th May 
• Secondary Bathurst Diocesan Cross Country - to be held at Lake Canobolas Reserve on Thursday 9th May. If your child would like to participate please let Mr Phelan know by this Wednesday 1st May.

Andrew Phelan - Secondary Sports Coordinator

Duke of Edinburgh Award 

Our Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award participants completed their first multi-day hike in Nangar National Park. On Sunday after receiving a blessing from Father Dong, the group followed Mt Murga Walking Track to Mt Murga before returning to Terrara Creek Campground to set up camp for the night (8km in total). On the second day the group followed Mt Nangar Walking Track to Mt Nangar before returning to Dripping Rock (8km in total). The students carried all gear required for the two days in their packs, cooked their own meals and worked as a team throughout. The students should be extremely proud of their efforts. 

Administration

2023 Year Book

The 2023 Year Book is now available for collection. Year Books are distributed to all 2023 families, with most already being sent home via the youngest Infants/Primary Student. Secondary families who are yet to receive their 2023 Year Book are encouraged to have their child collect their family's copy from the school office.

Canteen

Community Connections