St Raphael’s Catholic School Term 1, Week 5/A Newsletter 27 February 2017
Dear Parents Cowra Speech, Language and Literacy Summit on tomorrow evening. It’s designed for parents and teachers who want the know the most effective ways of helping children of all ages get hold of their language most effectively. A brilliant chance to hear about and discuss the best strategies with highly renowned authorities in this subject. Please participate at the Civic Centre, 6:30pm for free. Congratulations to the representative Swimming Squad that competed at Bathurst last week. Success in the pool was well-deserved, congratulations. Thank you to the students, parents and Mr O’Reilly who enabled this event to happen safely and successfully. Bus Safety is the focus for this week among infants and primary students. The partnership we have with Cowra Bus Company enables students, teachers and drivers to engage in making the daily bus journeys both safe and enjoyable. Today Year 11 Biology students embark on their first field trip when they travel to Lake Cowal for first-hand experience in conservation of natural ecosystems. All of our Year 11 students are to be involved tomorrow in the upcoming Rotary sponsored Safe Driver programme that involves students being exposed by experts to many of the realities and skills of safe driving. Preparations are well under way to celebrate the Festival of International Understanding in Cowra. Instead of a guest nation as it has been each year, this time the guest nation is Belarus. We will be well involved from March 24. Several St Raphs students have been nominated for the Youth Ambassador awards and one their many tasks is a charity fundraiser. When these young people get in and have a go on behalf of those who can’t, they really deserve our wholehearted support…so please be on the lookout for that chance to help. What a wonderful way to learn about and connect with people from around the world.
Ash Wednesday Prayer Father in Heaven, May this season of repentance bring us the blessing of Your forgiveness and the gift of Your light. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen
Monday 27 Happy birthday to Carter Langfield and Alannah Maguire. Tuesday 28 Happy birthday to Daniel Gorham, Zoe Stedman and Isabella Thompson. Study Centre @ S17 (Computer Lab 3) 3 8-8:45am. Year 11 RYDA talks. Wednesday 1 Study Centre @ S17 (Computer Lab 3) 3 8-8:45am.
Cowra Speech, Language & Literacy Summit. Year 11 Retreat. Ash Wednesday Mass at 9:30am. Thursday 2 Study Centre @ S17 (Computer Lab 3) 3 8-8:45am.
Year 11 Retreat. Friday 3 Year 11 Retreat.
Michael Gallagher Principal P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Happy birthday to Emma Chalker and Ethan Tindall for th the 5 .
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. It is a time of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection. The ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice. Mass is at 9:30am at St Raphael’s Church.
Our Stage Two First place recipient was Natasha Smaluck with her Sir Douglas Mawson entry. Our Stage Three students cleaned up with Philippa Elwin coming First place with her Charlie Teo composition, Natalie Mallon taking second place with her entry on Delta Goodrem. Jack Webb received third place award for his composition about Victor Chang.
Caritas Guest Speaker During Catholic Schools’ Week we have the pleasure of hosting a guest speaker, Anne McGuire, the Head of Mission for Caritas. Her work ensures that Caritas Australia’s programs, leadership, governance and relationships are infused with the Scriptures through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. Anne’s commitment to work alongside the world’s most vulnerable communities is founded in her belief that we are each called to act with compassion and justice, to live in peace, goodness and harmony, in right relationship with God and one another. We look forward to hear all about her experiences working with Caritas. Adapted from Caritas Australia Dates For the Calendar Catholic Schools Week Week 6 Caritas Guest Speaker- Tuesday 7th March Heritage Day- Friday 10th March Catholic Schools Week Term 1 Week 6 EXALT Youth Event in Dubbo After the success of EXALT Orange in December, the next EXALT event will be held at St Laurence's Primary School Hall, Dubbo on Friday 10 March, 2017 where youth from Year 6 - Year 11 can gather and sing, have some fun and spend some time exploring their relationship with God. For more information, please contact Josh Clayton ministries@bathurst.catholic.org.au or phone 6334 6400. If you are planning on bringing a large group, please advise Josh, for catering purposes.
Australia Day Literary Award Recipients Towards the end of 2016, St Raph’s Primary students were asked to write about a famous Australian and also explain why they admire that person. The competition was open to all of our locals schools in Cowra. A special presentation was made to our students at Cowra's Australia Day Awards Ceremony. Our Kindergarten recipients were Maddy White receiving first place with her entry about Ben RobertsSmith and Lucas Davies who came 3rd place with his composition on Steve Irwin Our Stage One winner was Drew Langfield with his entry about Layne Beechley. Laura Bennett came third place with her entry about Cate Blanchett. P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
LIBRARY NEWS At Assembly last Friday we introduced our new Library Monitors. They have already been competent assistants to fellow students and Mrs Skinner in the library from week 1. Well done! Thank you and congratulations to Destiny Pepper, Alizah Walker, Alannah Gocin, Phoebe Siminic, Georgia Hanley, Phoebe Smith, Alisha Azzopardi, and Poppy Starr. Chess is played constantly in the library as well as other creative exercises, see you there. K.Skinner Librarian PASTORAL CARE AND STUDENT WELLBEING Some reminders as we begin Week 5: Student diaries are to be signed each week by parents. This is such a good way of keeping up with assessment notifications, homework, good deeds and issues which need addressing Uniform is being worn well by the majority of students. Well done. The days to wear sport uniform are well advertised and the school has an expectation that the uniform code is followed by all. Please also check that socks are the correct colour and jewellery and hair are according to school policy. We work with fairness for all. The policy is clear and thus arguments or discussions are not necessary. HORIZONS PROGRAM This initiative began in 2016 and aims to create opportunities for our students to encounter people who, by their own life story, broaden the horizons of our students. We have been fortunate to welcome ex-student Dr Amber Beavis, a research assistant to Australia’s Chief Scientist, and Michael Brissenden, ABC foreign correspondent. Recently eight Year 12 students were invited to attend a Women’s Graduate Dinner where another ex-student Dr Rachael Diprose was the guest speaker. Rachael’s message to our young women was to make the most of opportunities which come your way and to be open to change. Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
Year 12 girls at the Australian Federation of Graduate Women’s Dinner CENTENARY OF ANZAC EXCURSION This exhibition is a fabulous opportunity for our students to experience and interact with the many aspects of Australia’s involvement in World War 1. All students Years 7-11 will be attending the excursion which involves a bus trip to Orange within school hours. All food and drink for the day must be supplied. Please return the permission note to Homeroom promptly. Excursion costs are covered in fees paid. YEAR 7 FAMILY BBQ It was a lovely evening in the Convent Courtyard shared by Year 7 families and staff. Thank you to all the families who came along for a relaxed hour or so and enjoyed a sausage in bread cooked by generous Year 9 volunteers. Special thanks to Mr Lowe for organising the evening. A great way to start high school life for our newest students. Ms Sue Whiteley Pastoral Care and Student Wellbeing
“Hogs for the Homeless” Tour Last Tuesday, students in years 7-10 plus year 11 SLR students attended the Hogs for the Homeless tour at River Park. This was run by NRL legends including Brad Fittler, Steve Menzies, Danny Buderus and Tim Brasher. Our students had a fantastic day, from watching the legends roll in on their motorbikes, to participating in a
number of rugby league games and activities, and discussing the issue of youth homelessness in New
South Wales with these NRL greats. Special thanks to our Western Region Rugby League Development Officers for allowing us to participate in this great opportunity! Eastern Bathurst Swimming Carnival On Tuesday 21st February 30 of our talented swimmers travelled to Bathurst Aquatic Centre to compete at the Eastern Bathurst Swimming Carnival. All students participated with skill, speed and enthusiasm. Congratulations to the following students who have made it through to compete at the Bathurst Diocese Swimming Carnival to be held in Dubbo on Wednesday 8th March. Kate Proctor - 10 years 50 Freestyle Mia Hudson - 11 years 50 Freestyle Phoebe Smith - 11 years 50 Freestyle Carter Langfield - 11 years 50 Freestyle and 11 years 50 Breaststroke Eoghan Killick - 12 years 50 Free Style Senior Boys Relay - Eoghan Killick, Carter Langfield, Ben Smith, Rory Sullivan. Thank you to all parents who traveled with the team and supported them throughout the day! A special thank you to all those parents who volunteered to help with time-keeping throughout the day, your time and effort was much appreciated. Luke O’Reilly
School Volunteers At St Raphael’s we are lucky to have so many wonderful volunteers in our school. Canteen workers, reading helpers, excursion assistants etc. are very much appreciated by our students and staff. The government now requires all school volunteers to complete a volunteer Working With Children Check. This is available online or by going to Service NSW in person. It is FREE and easy to complete. Website to go to is: www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/childsafe When you receive your Working With Children number, please bring proof in to Genevieve at the front office. School Fees A reminder that school fees for Term 1 are due Friday rd 3 March. Prompt payment would be appreciated. Thank you.
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
School Choir: Save the date for the Festival of International Understanding th 24 March, Friday: Peace Bell at 5:45pm th 25 March, Saturday – After the Parade at River Park, approximately 12:30pm Canteen Update This week’s roster is as follows: Tues 28 Lisa Day
Wed 1 CLOSED
Jessica Newcombe
Thurs 2 Natalie Goard
Fri 3 Tracey Gunnyon
Mon 6 Tracey Gunnyon
Dianne Franks
Lynn Terry
Dee Mitchell
Nicky Hudson
Angela Kollas
Cindy Langfield
All canteen volunteers will receive a note home this with regard to the working with children check. Thank you in advance.
WELL DONE Congratulations to the following students who have achieved the next level on the Behaviour Management Programme. Level 5 Matthew Mallon Hollie Orford Crystal Holmes Olivia McNamara
7 Green Michael McNamara 7 Green 7 Gold William Cain 9 Green 9 Green Parneet Kaur 9 Green 9 Gold
Your Teachers are very Proud of You!
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au