St Raphael’s Catholic School Term 3, Week 1/A Newsletter 14th July 2014
Dear Parents, The term ahead will call for energy and commitment from everyone in one way or another; right across our eleven year groups there are events calling for engagement. To stay abreast of exactly what is on when please use the calendar on the school website (for extra details click on the event on the calendar). Some dates of particular note: Tue July 22 – visit to the school by Bishop Michael McKenna, Thu July 24 – Year 11/12 Parent Information meeting, Fri July 25 – K-10 Schools Athletics @ River Park, August 11-14 – “Passport to Paris” activities and exhibition, Wed August 20 – Pupil Free Day, September 11-12 – Quinn Cup Two of the best ways to ensure that school and home will work harmoniously are by: 1. knowing what’s happening (therefore not getting blindsided by unexpected changes of routine) 2. timely communication about questions and concerns To “know” and “ask” is not only an obligation on you as parents but also on the school. If we, the responsible adults in the child’s life, are to serve our children as well as we possibly can we have to work very closely together and keep one another “in the loop”. In the term ahead let’s re-commit ourselves to keeping our priority on learning. Implications of that simple statement may demand big change around home like improved sleep patterns, reduced extracurricula activities, clearer study routines, reviewed nutrition, exercise opportunities, access to technology etc. A proper balance of these competing elements is a crucial support for our children and their learning. We will do whatever it takes for our children to learn.
Michael Gallagher Principal P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
The Parable of the Sower
Loving Father open our minds and hearts to your Word being sown in us. We ask for the grace to be able to listen to the Sower in our lives. We pray for the grace to know what is needed in our lives so that we may recognised the good soil in our lives that will help us grow and be nurtured in the Word of God. Let us not be afraid to stand up for what is good and therefore yield a harvest that is good not only in our own lives but in the lives of others. You sent your Son to plant in our hearts the seeds of imperishable life. May we labour to sow his word and reap a harvest of joy.
Monday 14 Tuesday 15 Wednesday 16 Thursday 17 Friday 18 Happy birthday to Nathan Lavender. Happy birthday to Amy Grant and Erin Vale for the 19 th and Phoebe Simunic for the 20 . Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
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First Eucharist On Saturday we received the body of Christ. Tianna I liked the bread. Bridie l remember when Father Laurie gave us the Eucharist and said body of Christ and we said amen. Daniel The thing I remember the most was singing the song and receiving the bread. Jack Webb Getting up and saying the prayer of the faithful. Kate The bread for the first time and it was fun. Melissa I will remember eating the bread for the first time. Matt I enjoyed for the first time eating the bread. Alannah I loved receiving the first Eucharist in church on Saturday night Natalie On Saturday, Year Three made our First Eucharist. We had to put on our white robes and our necklaces. The boys looked surprisingly good in dresses and necklaces! (My friends and I had a little snicker about that!) Philippa We lined up in front of Father Laurie and put our hands out and received the Eucharist. Lizzie I received the Eucharist of life. It was good. It brought me closer to God and I feel happy. Eppie I will always remember when I received the Eucharist. Stanley I received the bread for the first time. Codie I will remember eating the bread for the first time. Jarred Hello, My favourite bit was when I received the bread. Georgia
Altar Servers’ Roster th Sat 19 July: Michelle Grech, Samantha MacCabe, Emma Wilkinson and Lucy Proctor. th Sun 20 July: Isobelle Lynch and Mikelli Garratt. Gooloogong: Emily Beath-Pearce and Flynn Bennett. School Readers for Weekend Parish Masses: th Sun 20 July: Mrs P Bischof. School Eucharistic Ministers for Weekend Parish Masses: th Sat 19 July: Miss K Slaven, Miss M Blazley and Miss C Gannon. School Computer Roster th Sat 19 July: th Sun 20 July: P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Reading Fluency Homework Thank You Year One and Two Parents. Thank you for your support in attending the meetings last term. We are very excited about the new programme and know that, with your support, the children will make excellent progress. Let us work together this term and make a difference. LIBRARY NEWS Welcome back everyone. Could parents please ensure students return library books not returned at the end of last term. Library Bags: There are quite a few of the cloth Library bags that have not been returned so could parents please check for these. Premier Reading Challenge: Parents may be asked to sign a list of books students have read over the holidays; or any books read from November last year to ensure entry in the 2014 Premier Reading Challenge. I will enter the books on the student’s records. Change in Library Days: Kinder B changed to Thursday Kinder F changed to Tuesday Kerri Skinner – Librarian UNSW Mathematics and English Competitions Entries have closed for these competitions. The sitting dates are as follows: th English Tuesday 29 July 2014 th Mathematics Tuesday 12 August 2014
K-10 Athletics Carnival If your child has been selected for the K-10 Athletics Carnival, please ensure you return the permission note th and the $10 by this Friday, 18 July. Russell Richardson Champions - 2014 On the final Wednesday of last term, ten Year 4 boys travelled to Dubbo to compete in the Russell Richardson Finals Day. The boys had made it through to the final 16 teams in Western N.S.W. from their Gala Day win at the end of Term 1. They had trained for the finals in Dubbo twice a week during lunch times throughout the term and were focussed on making this opportunity work for them. 1st Match vs. St. Johns, Cobar. The boys were warned about being asleep in that first game of the day. If they lost just one of their pool matches, it would be hard to make the semis. The coach need not have worried. We scored 9 tries to nil. 2nd Match vs. Wallerawang P.S. After a first round win, the boys had tasted the scent of further success and didn't disappoint. A 6 tries to nil result followed. 3rd Match vs. St. Josephs, Blayney. We knew that if we could win this one, we would at least make it to the top 4 schools. The opposition parents didn't necessarily like our heavy hitting, but hey, we're playing a contact sport and we had trained hard to play hard! They Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
did put a try against us, which was the first blemish on the scoreboard. It spurred our boys into action though, winning 7 tries to 1. Fantastic effort boys. 3 pool matches for 3 wins now saw us into the top 4 and a semi-final match. 4th Match (S-F) vs. St. Laurences, Dubbo. The games were getting tougher as the day drew on which you would expect. How the boys would rise to this challenge would define them as a team. The game went from one end to the other, with a little luck going our way with careless mistakes from the opposition in try scoring positions. We took full advantage of these, recording a 6 tries to 1 victory. The boys had deservedly made it through to the Grand Final of this prestigious and long running competition. Would they finish as the best Rugby League school in Western N.S.W. for Stage 2 boys? Time would soon tell but one thing was already certain! The 'Cup' would be finding a home in Cowra. Yes, that's right, our opponents in the Grand Final would be Mulyan P.S. What are the chances? Junior Rugby League is alive and well in downtown Cowra! Our St. Raphael's team had beaten them in the Grand Final of our Gala Day held in Cowra back in that Term 1 fixture. One try had been the difference on that day. They reckoned that we had had an easier draw that day and that they were tired come the G.F. due to tougher matches!!! 5th Match Grand Final (The one that matters!) vs Mulyan P.S. The 'bleating of sheep' could be heard from behind the grandstand. Yes folks, sheep stations were being played for! The importance of the event had not been wasted on some of the players. They knew that this was their chance to take home a bit of history. Our mighty school has won this Cup twice previously (current Year 10s) and some of the boys wanted this title next to their names for eternity! It must also be said, that the importance of such an event is almost 'wasted' on some players who fail to see how 'big' winning this whole event actually is. They simply enjoy having a day off school, or is it that they play their cards close to their chest? Not much emotion shown by some in the lead-up talk before kick-off. Cool customers maybe? The whistle blew and we were underway. Mulyan dominated from the outset. They looked big and strong and were playing accordingly. Down at half-time, we spoke about a number of things..... bragging rights back in Cowra; this being the match that mattered, not the Gala Day win against them; the comment about us having an easier passage into the Finals; the chance to have our photo forever displayed in the school hall; that a win will be remembered forever! Lucky it was a long half-time break so the coach could get all of this off his chest!!! The second half was edge of your seat stuff with a close battle resulting in St. Raphael's Catholic School being crowned as Russell Richardson Champions for 2014 with a 4 tries to 3 victory. Great sportsmanship displayed by both teams of boys, many who play alongside each other in weekend footy, but today, found themselves on opposing teams. Was great to see the emotions released by some players at games end, with the realization of what had just taken place. The coach was even choked up a bit, so proud of his chargers for 'getting the job done.' In the end, we had scored 128 points in our 5 games, only letting 20 points scored against us. 32 tries to 5 showing the domination of our little team. Mitchell and Jackson didn't score any tries on the day, but set up many with their hard runs and good off-loads. Nick
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
crossed for one try, but it was his tackling that was the talking point of the day. Ouch! Aidan scored a couple with blistering speed. Harry and Daniel both got over the line three times with stepping, incisive running. Justin, Sam and Luke were the tall timber of the team and didn't disappoint with five tries each. Riley had led his team well all day, inspiring them to greatness with a double in the G.F. and finishing with eight tries on the day. As Russell Richardson Cup winners for 2014, the boys receive the 'Cup' which is now proudly displayed in the foyer of the school, a blue-ray dvd player for the school and individual "footy cards' with their faces on them. The boys are a little bit excited about receiving these when they come back from the printers this term. The school also receives a copy of the Grand Final. Mission accomplished. All of those lunch times missed due to training commitments, paid off. Thank you to the parents, grandparents and friends who came to cheer the boys on and offer support. To the ten boys who will go down in history as the 2014 winners, congratulations!!!! You did it!
FAR LEFT: Richardson Cup winning St Raphael's side from Cowra. Back (L-R): Coach Grahame Statham and Russel Richardson. Middle: Sam Kelly, Jackson McLeish, Justin Thomas, Mitchell Pattingale, Luke Banks. Front: Aiden Bugeja, Nicholas Brown, Riley Langfield (c), Harry Thuax, Daniel Britten.
Kindy Start – Siblings Parents are asked to please complete the form at the end of the newsletter and return it if they have a son or daughter about to start school next year so we can start collating numbers. Watch this space for more information about the Kindy Start programme and Parents’ Information Meeting. Thank you.
“Passport to Paris”
"Passport to Paris" - Wednesday 13 Aug, opening of art exhibit, awarding of prizes and K-10 art auction "Le Cabaret" evening – Thursday 14 Aug, in same venue, seated dinner and entertainment. Mrs Swansborough is preparing some of our students for our "Le Cabaret" evening on Thursday 14 August. It will be a seated dinner with delicious food prepared by Mrs Bishof. The theme is "Passport to Paris". Come and enjoy the French ambience created by the Creative and Practical Arts Departments. Tickets are $30 each. It is BYO. Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
Seating is 6/7 people per table. Gather your friends and family for a relaxed evening of fun and entertainment. Tickets are on sale at the school front office from this Wednesday. Tea towels are still available to purchase from the front office (see sample of the KB tea towel). They are $15 each. One will be on display at the front office next week. Many thanks to Rebecca Bennett for facilitating the drawing of the student portraits for the tea towels. Please complete the order form at the end of the newsletter and send in by the end of this week. Thank you for the "milk bottle" drive - we now have enough bottles. Thank you for your recycling efforts! We encourage you all to visit our art exhibit in week 5, August 13, to view the transformed bottles built into an "Eiffel tower" and bunting. Year 3 with their high heel art.
Outward Bound Outward Bound students would like to thank our school community for taking on the challenge and dressing up for our social. We had an invasion of "superwomen" and a host of villains. What a fantastic night organised by Mrs MacCabe and Mr Lette. Congratulations to Brooke Lewis and Darcy Kellett for being voted the best-dressed. We need to acknowledge Target and Eagle Boys for donating the prizes- thank you very much!
dangerous. Setting a good example for the children would be an excellent idea and could save lives in the future. Canteen Update This week’s roster is as follows: Tues 15 Karen Campbell
Wed 16 CLOSED
Karen Budge
Thurs 17 Jane Stendell
Fri 18 Mary Cooper
Mon 21 Dawn Stedman
Tracey Gunnyon
Lisa Mallon
Raelene Nelligan
Welcome back – hope everyone had a nice break. th The School Canteen will be open on Friday 25 July – thanks to Miss Gunnyon and her helpers, however, no stuffed potatoes will be available on this day. There will be a canteen running at the K-10 Athletics Carnival. There will be other hot food, drinks and treats sold at the canteen on the day. If the helpers can please arrive after they have dropped their kids off or at 9:00am. All children competing will have a sausage on a roll and a juice. This is include in their athletics payment. Each child will be issued with a ticket – NO TICKET NO FOOD. Parent helpers and teachers will be supplied with lunch. Rosters were sent home Friday last term. The Canteen Menu has been attached – please check as there are some changes. Regards Donna Stokes – Canteen Manager
WELL DONE Congratulations to the following students who have achieved the next level on the Behaviour Management Programme. Level 6 Kasey Burton Joseph Herden Anthony Day Caitlin Jenkins Lachlan Toohey Rebecca Lynch Brianna Roberts Level 7 Anna McNamara
3M X2 X1 X1 K1 R2 R2
Meggan Ellison Madeleine Pethick Benjamin Symons Anthony Liang Hayley Amos Emily Reynolds Reece Ryan
K2 R2 K1 R1 X2 X1 X1
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Your Teachers are very Proud of You!
Road Safety PLEASE REMEMBER to use the crossing when picking up your children. The bus company has expressed concern over the number of parents walking in front of and between buses which can prove very P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
PCYC Cowra Junior Disco The next Junior Disco will be held at PCYC’s Young Road complex on Friday 25 July from 6pm to 8pm. This is for school children ranging from Kinder to Year 6 with lights and music provided by Laurie’s Disco. Entry is $5.00 per person and supervision is provided by PCYC Police, Staff and Volunteers. The canteen will be in operation as well as a sausage sizzle with a sausage sandwich costing $2.00.
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
Indoor Touch Footy for ages 7 to 14 PCYC is looking to run some indoor touch footy for the 7 to 14 age group on Tuesday afternoons commencing at 4pm. Games will be “5 a side” using the basketball court area as the field, cost will be $2.00 per child each week. If you are interested in playing please come along on Tuesday. Junior Basketball Junior Basketball will be running on Wednesday afternoon commencing at 4pm. Junior Basketball is made up of a coaching session to develop skills of the game followed by a game of basketball to put the skills in to practice. Cost for Junior Basketball is $30.00 per person for the school term. Archery PCYC runs Archery for ages 7 and older on Monday afternoons. The first archery session begins at 4pm and is aimed at beginners and the younger age groups, with a second session beginning at 5pm for the older and more experienced archers. Cost for Archery is $6.00 per session and all equipment is provided. Laser Tag Laser Tag is on Wednesday nights commencing at 5.30pm at the Young Road complex. The session runs for an hour and costs $5.00 per person. Laser Tag is a whole lot of fun while developing teamwork and co-operation within teams. Planning and strategy also play a big part for the most successful teams. Safer Drivers Course for Learner Drivers The next PCYC Safer Drivers course (module 1) is scheduled for Friday 8 August. The course is for Learner drivers that have completed a minimum of 50 hours on-road driving experience (credits gained under the 3 for 1 scheme cannot be included) and is made up of two parts; Module 1 - is a 3 hour facilitated group discussion on how to manage risks on the road. Module 2 - is a 2 hour in-vehicle coaching session to develop low risk driving strategies. Cost for the course is $140.00 and participants who complete the course will receive 20 hours credit recorded in their learner driver log book. Course fee includes PCYC membership. Numbers are limited so please contact PCYC (ph. 63412035) to book your place. PCYC Membership You must be a PCYC member to participate in any of the PCYC activities. Annual membership is $5.00 for under 18’s and $10 for ages 18 and older. COWRA JUNIOR CLASSIC SUNDAY 27 JULY 2014 Proudly sponsored by Allan and Rachel Tarrant. Junior Golfers 18 years and under are invited to participate in the Cowra Junior Classic. Handicap players 18 holes, NonHandicap players 9 holes. Nominations will be accepted on the day. Trophies and prizes up for grabs. Sausage sizzle provided for Golfers at lunch and other food available. Families welcome. Open to 18 years and under. 18 Holes: Handicap $13/player, 9.45am 9 Holes: Non-Handicap $7/player, 11.00am Nomination Form from the Club’s website or from the Clubhouse COWRA GOLF CLUB 20 Mees Road. www.cowragolfclub.com.au E: cowragolfclub@bigpond.com P: 02 6342 2299
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
TENNIS HOT SHOTS AND CARDIO The tennis hot shots program for term 3 th resumes this week on Wednesday 16 , th Thursday 17th and Saturday 19 July. Hot shots is a skills based program conducted by tennis australia qualified coaches that ensures children aged 4 and up are taught in an environment suitable to their age and skill level. The cost for term 3 is $90. th Cardio resumes on Saturday 19 July. Cardio is a fun group tennis related fitness program set to music and is open to all ages and abilities. The cost is $15 per week. Private or semi private tennis coaching lessons are available by appointment. For more information on class times, vacancies or to enrol contact Helen Garratt on 0407139164, 63428447 or email handlgarratt@bigpond.com Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend (a marriage enrichment experience for married couples) 12 – 14 September (7 – 9 November) at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW Bookings: 02 4283 3435 or wsharpe@bigpond.net.au www.wwme.org.au www.facebook.com/WWMEasternUnit
KINDERGARTEN AND YEAR 1 TEA TOWELS Student name:______________
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Class: ________________ Number of tea towels: ________________________ Money enclosed: ____________________________ Siblings for Kindergarten Enrolment 2015 Please return to the front office Family Name: _______________________________ Kinder Child (for 2015): ________________________ ___________________________________________ DOB: __________________________ Preschool: ________________________________ Other children at the school and classes. Name:
Class:
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Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au