St Raphael’s Catholic School Term 2, Week 5/B Newsletter 28 May 2018
Dear Parents, The Sorry Day Liturgy was conducted this morning in the MSLC for the whole school. During this Reconciliation Week in particular every class conducted will have some element of Indigenous perspective and reconciliation theme included.
Every child in our school has the right to feel safe. Physical, verbal and cyber bullying have no place in our school and such misconduct will continue to be directly and firmly addressed here. Those who provoke outbursts are considered as guilty as those who snap, and direct action is being taken to address all aspects of any incident. Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking this is a simple issue, it will be eradicated only by continued vigilance, strong home/school partnership and excellent communication. Eisteddfod performances by our choir students, verse speaker and skit presenters have been a great source of pride. This week Secondary Dance is the next item of competition. Best of luck to Diocesan Spelling Bee representatives competing at Wellington on Wednesday and Thursday and Netballers competing here on Wednesday. Your ongoing support of our school can only enhance the learning experiences of our children. And that’s the core business of a good school.
The transition to secondary schooling can be tricky and exciting at the same time. Parents of Year 6 children gather tonight to discuss and inspect what is available and how things are done around here. This opportunity is to dismantle obstacles like uncertainty, unanswered questions and unknown people. Year 6 students from a variety of local schools then gathered on tomorrow and spent the day “in Year 7” doing what secondary students do.
Michael Gallagher Principal
Last week Year 6 students from St Raphs were away on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on the Canberra Excursion during which the children learned about History and Governance. It was appropriate that they happened to meet and spend time with Sir Peter Cosgrove, Governor General and Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Michael McCormick MP A Year 12 Dinner was hosted by Year 11 students on last Thursday. This is a semi-formal gathering for students and parents to affirm and celebrate these young adults in their hard work and focus this year. The Mass, beautiful three course meal and guest speaker were each absolutely delightful.
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
‘Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; Baptise them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit’
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
School Eucharistic Ministers for Weekend Parish Masses: nd Sat 2 June: Renae Downes rd Sun 3 June: Peta Bischof Monday 28 Happy birthday to Lily Doyle Year 7 2019 Information Meeting – 6.30-7.30pm Tuesday 29 Year 7 2019 Orientation Wednesday 30 Netball Schools Cup Secondary Spelling Bee Thursday 31 Primary Spelling Bee Friday 1 Happy birthday to Monique Chang and Ruby Frazer
Red Shield Mufti Day - gold coin donation Modern History Excursion to the Australian War Memorial rd
Happy birthday to Rowdy Causton for the 3 .
The Issue of Water In Laudato Si Pope Francis makes reference to the importance of water security in our world today. According to Caritas Australia, 783 million people do not have access to clean water in the world today. Through his encyclical Pope Francis states ‘access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right’ (Adapted from Laudato Si: A Summary). Through our generosity towards Project Compassion we are helping Caritas to build or rehabilitate water supplies in some of the most disadvantaged nations.
Peer Support We introduce a 3 step model this week to encourage resilient responses; Pause, Plan, Proceed. The children take part in an activity to identify their feelings and the immediate effects on their bodies ie butterflies in their stomachs. The normalcy of feelings is acknowledged and the importance of being proactive is stressed. The children learn that pausing when they are emotional is helpful. They can do this by being still, taking a deep breath or counting to ten. Pausing gives children space to see a situation more accurately before planning a response. Ask your child to describe the 3 steps of the model and what is involved in each one. Wellbeing
The term is quickly moving forward and again we are about to begin the time of assessment. Students in years 7 -12 will be noticing that assessment notification will be handed out over the coming days and weeks which contribute to the half yearly report. To assist your child, take some time to understand the tasks and offer assistance with planning and editing. Patience and a lot of deep breathing may be needed at times but being supportive and interested goes a long way! On another note, you will find a link below to the Black Dog Institute website. This organisation is a leader in the field of wellbeing and mental health. The website is offering support, advice and education for parents about the upcoming return of the series “13 Reasons”. This series aired on Netflix last year and was very popular with young teens. Netflix have worked alongside Headspace to produce material that is more helpful when talking about the issues associated with mental health. https://blackdoginstitute.org.au/news/newsdetail/2018/05/17/help-seeking-built-into-release-of13-reasons-why
Altar Servers’ Roster nd Sat 2 June: Poppy Starr and William Pearce rd Sun 3 June: Cowra Volunteers Please Gooloogong: Elliot Bennett
Mr Steve Carroll and Tahni Isedale Wellbeing Coordinators
School Readers for Weekend Parish Masses: nd Sat 2 June: School Readers
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
CWA Public Speaking Students from St Raphael’s, Bella Starr, Cohan Howden, Phillipa Richmond, Philippa Elwin, Jarred Stead, Olivia McLennan and Kate Price attended the CWA Public Speaking Competition in nd Bathurst on May 22 . Each of our students spoke very well against competitors from Kinross Wolaroi School, All Saints College, The Scots School and St Stanislaus’ College, as well as local diocesan schools. Jarred Stead (Year 7) was placed first in his age group, and will be moving on to the regional finals in June. What an exciting achievement! I’d like to thank the parents who supported the school by transporting their children over to Bathurst for the day. It was much appreciated. Spelling Bee The Secondary Department Spelling Bee Final was nd held during the school day on Tuesday May 22 , and a wonderful group of performers participated. The students who will be travelling to Wellington on May 30 for the Diocesan Finals will be Laura Casey and Kyle O'Brien (Stage 5) and Ricky Shaji and Louis Carson (Stage 4). Congratulations to these students! The Primary Spelling Bee was held during the first 2 weeks of this term. Congratulations to Georgie Pearce, Cohan Howden, Kate Proctor and Natasha Smaluck who will be travelling to Wellington on May 31 for the Diocesan Finals. Good luck to these students! Library News Thank you for the many borrowers who are being very prompt to return books on time. Remember you just need to see Mrs Skinner and re borrow/ renew if you haven't completed reading your book. Chess : Year 3 and 4 are playing some excellent games in our tournament. Well done to everyone for your sporting participation. K. Skinner Librarian
Bicycle Safety in NSW Reminders for Parents/Carers Until they are at least 10 years old, your child should ride off-road away from vehicles and driveways. While your child may learn skills such as balancing, pedalling and steering quite easily, they are still learning skills that help them to judge speed, distance and the direction of sound. Your young child will often ride with their head down, concentrating on pedalling, not the environment around them. Your child needs ongoing adult help in safe, off-road locations to gradually develop all their skills. So… Children between 10 and 12 should ride away from busy roads. Children under 12 with adult riders accompanying and supervising them, may ride on the footpath, unless there are signs specifically prohibiting cycling. School Visits A reminder that, in line with child protection requirements, our school policy requires everyone (apart from students and staff) to come to the front office when visiting the school. Volunteers like readers and canteen personnel, sign in and sign out. We cannot permit visiting relatives to circulate on school property. To see or collect your children, please ask at the front office and they will be called up. Please Note: Particular school events such as assemblies or liturgies do not come under that restriction. Red Shield Mufti Day st Please note there is a mufti day this Friday the 1 June. Please wear appropriate, red-themed, mufti and provide a gold coin donation. Technology Update St Raphael's Catholic School are entering the first year of a hardware/technology replacement schedule. Over the next 3-4 years all technology int he school will be renewed. We are pleased to announce that the first year will involve the replacement of and increase in the number of laptops for use by K-6 students. 140 laptops (1 laptop per 2 students) and an Ipad bank with 25 devices have been purchased. Learning Enrichment will also have devices updated. This phase of the replacements schedule will allow other devices to be restored and reallocated for other areas of the school. Thus all students will benefit either directly or indirectly.
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
Canteen Update This week’s roster is as follows: Tues 29
Wed
Thurs 31
Fri 1
Mon 4
Carol Lynch
CLOSED
Jessica Newcombe
Kirsty Langfield
Mistie Hodder
Melanie Clarke
Kylie Kollas
Ammie Broad
Melinda Curtale
Soup of the Week: Sweet Potato, Leek and Bacon
WELL DONE Congratulations to the following students who have achieved the next level on the Behaviour Management Programme. Level 5 Alex Cucchiaro 3 Green Maddison Oliver 3 Green Mack Thompson 4 Gold Skyelah Gumbleton 4 Green Jazmine Millar 5 Gold Charlotte Collins 6 Green Charlie Graham 6 Green Orlando Perry 6 Green Lachlan Shady 6 Green Ellie Thompson 6 Green Bronze Awards Ava Broad Taylia Penyu
Tahne Egan
3 Green
Tristen Ryan-Hartwig 3 Green
Ryan Hudson Emanuel Kollas Caitlin Brodbeck Jyedon Goard Carter Langfield Madeline Savage Anthony Smith
3 Green Georgie Pearce 3 Green
4 Gold 5 Gold 6 Green 6 Green 6 Green 6 Green 6 Green
3 Green
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
Phone: 63423070 Email: cliff@Cliffdykes.com.au Website: www.cliffdykes.com.au
Dear Parents of St Raphael's Catholic School Your photo day is: Wednesday 13th & Thursday 14th June Photos will be available to purchase online from Thursday 21st June until Thursday 5th July. Shoot keys will be handed out just prior to the activation date. Placing your order online allows you to see your child’s image and choose the background you like
How to order when shoot keys are activated: Go to our Website www.cliffdykes.com.au Select “Order Online” and enter your shoot key Click on your child’s image & select your preferred background Select your package (see all packages available by clicking ‘view all’) If you wish to enter another child’s code, just click “Change Shoot” at the top left corner. Once you have completed your orders, go to the checkout. All packages ordered before Thursday 5th July will be returned to the School. After Thursday 5th July a LATE FEE of $12.95 will be added to the purchase price and the package will be posted directly to you Family/Sibling Photos: If you wish to have a family photo taken, payment envelopes are available from the office. Family images can only be of children at this school. Forms must be returned with the money to the office the day before photos. Unable to place your order online: If you are unable to or don’t wish to place your order online, please see your school office. Paper order forms are available, these need to be filled out and money returned to the photographers on photo day.
Please contact our Production Centre if you have any questions on 0263423070 or email at cliff@cliffdykes.com.au Thank you and please enjoy your photographs. Regards, Cliff & Kay Dykes
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au