St Raphael’s Catholic School Term 1, Week 4/B Newsletter 15 February 2016
bathurstcatholicyouth.org
Dear Parents Every one of us is officially a member of the P&F Association. Tonight at 7pm in the staffroom, the Association will meet for the first time this year. You are invited to become an active member of this vital part of our school. Congratulations on the fine quality of participation and engagement in the events of the annual Swimming Carnival on Friday. With such participation from students and assistance from parents the hard work of organization becomes a pleasure. Our Primary Representative Swimming Squad of 38 students travels to Bathurst tomorrow to compete at the Regional Primary Swimming Competition. Thank you to those parents providing transport and support. Travel safely and compete strongly. Secondary students who qualified will travel to Dubbo of the st Diocesan Secondary Swimming on March 1 . On Thursday we are conducting a Parent Information evening for parents of K-6 children. Crucial to ongoing improvement in the learning of children is the collaboration between parents and teachers, between home and school. If we each have a clear understanding of where we are going and how we are getting there our children cannot help but benefit. Please set aside this time on Thursday to ensure that our efforts are aligned. Check out the recent additions to the primary playground – a good source of entertainment and skill building during recreation times as well a great resource for PDHPE activities.
Lord, Your commandment of love is so simple and so challenging. Help me to let go of my pride, to be humble in my penance. Amen
Monday 15 P&F Meeting at 7pm. Tuesday 16 Regional Primary Swimming Carnival in Bathurst. Wednesday 17 Happy birthday to Ava Broad, Brooke Lewis and Jarred Stead. Thursday 18 Primary Parent Information Evening – see note below for times. Friday 19 Happy birthday to Maiah Bright. Year 7 Lachlan River Excursion.
Michael Gallagher Principal
Important Notes re School Fees 2016 The annual school fee statement was sent home today with your youngest child at school. If you have not received it please contact the school office to request a replacement. Please note that the statement represents the whole year and not just this term as it has previously. Please note that every family now has to complete School Fee Agreement to advise your preferred method and frequency of payment.
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
If you are paying periodically by Direct Debit, Bpay or Centrepay payments you will also need to contact the school office to confirm that your payment amount is correct. Amounts vary from year to year with fee increases, students enrolling and completing school. All parents/carers on enrolling agree to pay fees. However, if your family is experiencing financial difficulty, please contact the school office for an Application for Fee Relief and make an appointment with the Principal. Completed applications must be available for presentation at the interview. Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you would like explanation or assistance with any matters relating to school fees.
Lent During Lent we fast, pray, prepare and give. As a school community we place a focus on the work of Caritas Australia and their Lenten Project Compassion appeal. We give to Project Compassion through this time and the money raised helps to ‘retain the human dignity of those at greatest risk’. Dates for the Calendar Week 7 - Catholic Schools Week “I Belong. We Belong. You Belong”: March 6th -12th Altar Servers’ Roster Volunteers for Saturday and Sunday Masses please. School Readers for Weekend Parish Masses: Volunteers for Saturday and Sunday Masses please. School Eucharistic Ministers for Weekend Parish Masses: Volunteers for Saturday and Sunday Masses please. School Computer Roster Volunteers for Saturday and Sunday Masses please.
Earth Hour Earth Hour has started again for Term One! The Secondary Department are continuing to participate during Friday Period 6, while the Primary Department are encouraged to turn their lights and unused electrical appliances off every afternoon before going out to lunch. Since starting our Earth Hour Project in Term Three last year we have successfully slowed our increasing use of electricity, saving the school money and reducing our Carbon Footprint. We look forward to more great results this year and we hope you can join in at home! Miss Gibbs and Year 8 Green Science
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Festival of International Understanding The school's nominees for Youth Ambassador this year are Anna McNamara and India Johnson. The charity they are supporting is the Cancer Council. Anyone wishing to support the girl's may do so via the link below. This 'go fund me' link will link to the Cancer Council to issue you a receipt. Donations above $2 are tax deductible. http://makingadifference.gofundraise.com.au/page/Ann aandIndia Additionally, Brittney Irvine will be representing the Cowra Rotary Club. We wish Anna, India and Brittney well for the competition and trust they will enjoy their experiences as Youth Ambassador nominees. Library News Week 4 Term One The Summer Reading Challenge has now concluded. It was rewarding to have both primary and secondary students involved in the competition as a result of their reading over the holidays. Another challenge will take place at the end of the year. Library Bags: A reminder to students to ensure they have a library bag so their library books are protected. Borrowing: Students are reminded that they can also borrow/ renew books at lunchtime as well as during their library lessons and borrowing sessions. There was an excellent response to the invitation to become a Library monitor for 2016 and the successful candidates will receive their badges at the next assembly. Kerri Skinner Librarian Primary/Infants Information Night Times Times for our Primary/Infants Information Night at St Raphael’s Hall this Thursday will be as follows. 5:45 – 6: 20 Kindergarten 6:30 -7:10 Infants and Primary 7:15 Year One Due to all meetings taking place in the one venue, it would be appreciated if courtesy is shown on the evening by waiting to enter the building at the completion of the previous meeting and vacating before the following meeting. Primary class information notes will be available to parents on the evening and sent home with students the following day for those unable to attend. Please contact the school if you require further information from your child’s teacher.
School Carnival 12th February 2016 A stunning day weather-wise (maybe a little hot), and an equally fun and enjoyable day as all students participated in either a swimming event or a dry-land event that was organised though-out the day.
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
It was great to see so many students keen to get into the pool. This year we were a little down on competitor numbers, but the enthusiasm for the novelty events was outstanding! Hopefully we can convert those keen participants in the novelties into competitors in time for next year’s Carnival. Age Champions from our School Carnival are: Primary 8-10 Year old Boy Carter Langfield 8-10 Year old Girl Lecksi Killick 11 years girls Meagan Jones 11 years boys Eoghan Killick 12 years girls Philippa Austin 12 years boys Sam Kelly Secondary 13 years girls Matilda Proctor 13 years boys Rugbi Murray 14 years girls Kate Price 14 years boys Will Cain 15 years girls Samantha MacCabe 15 years boys Sam Frazer 16 years girls India Johnson 16 years boys Ben Price 17+ years girls Katie Brown 17+ years boys Axton Farrell-Gray
motivation and enthusiasm which is infectious and really makes the day one to remember Donna Stokes and her canteen helpers, outstanding lunch, thank you. With the new pathway in our representative sports, Primary students now travel to Bathurst tomorrow, (Tuesday 15-216) for the Eastern Region Carnival. Good luck to everyone who made it through Western Region Academy of Sports We would like to congratulate the following student on their selection in the Western Region Academy of Sport: India Johnson for netball. John Terry as a "Lone Star" Athlete for High Jump. WRAS aims to identify, develop and provide pathways for talented young sports people in the western region and is a great opportunity for our students to develop their skill and understanding of sport at an Elite level. Well Done.
Polding Team Selection On Friday 5th February, Mikelli Garratt and Scarlet Shepherd trialled for the Polding Representative team in the sport of Tennis. Both girls performed admirably in Lismore, with tough competition the order of the day. After a full day of play in trying weather conditions, Mikelli was selected to be part of the Polding team that will travel to Tweed Heads later in the year. Congratulations on this fine achievement, Mikelli. Canberra Raiders Visit This Wednesday, players from the NRL team Canberra Raiders, will visit our school to talk to our Year 3 to 6 students. Nutrition, exercise and well-being are topics that will be spoken about. Students are encouraged to think about interesting questions, like "Has your team ever thought of buying Parramatta players to help you win a premiership?"
Age Champions Champion house this year in Primary was Kilbreda and in Secondary was Raphael. Over all House champion was tightly contested with Raphael coming away with the win. A massive thank you all the people involved in helping the carnival run so smoothly. All the parent helpers for the assistance with time keeping. Staff for their P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Clothing Pool Clothing Pool will be open next Thursday after school at 3.10pm. For any other enquiries, please contact the Front Office. Chantel Wheeler Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
Zooper Dooper Sales Zooper Doopers will be sold every Wednesday at lunch time for 50c to help pay for the recycling containers. Please support. Thank you. Canteen Update This week’s roster is as follows: Tues 16 Jodie Toohey
Wed 17 CLOSED
Karen Campbell
Thurs 18 Tracey Gunnyon
Fri 19 Kylie Kollas
Mon 22 Sally Bruncher
Heather Keen
Vicki Banks
Skye Muddle
Anna Thirkell
P&F Meeting tonight and 7pm – all are welcome to attend.
CANTEEN VOLUNTEER NAME: ........................................................ PHONE: …………………………………………………… DAY OF THE WEEK AVAILABLE: ……………………………………………………..…………. ONCE / TWICE A TERM / WEEKLY / FORNIGHTLY / EVERY THIRD WEEK (Please circle) Youngest Child’s Name & Class: …………………………………
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au