St Raphael’s Catholic School Term 4, Week 7/A Newsletter 12 November 2018
Dear Parents All of our HSC exams have now been completed and students have begun the wait for the release of results midway through December. We are very proud of the way these young people have invested themselves in crafting their academic platform for their future. Congratulations to all those who students who have received notification of early entry to universities and to those who have accepted apprenticeship offers. Year 12 Graduation Mass was again a powerful experience of the combined horsepower that our St Raphs family generates together. The return of staff, past HSC students and ex-students is a significant tribute. Immense gratitude to all who participated in such a myriad of ways. The dinner and formalities that followed the Mass was again a perfectly balanced event and a real tribute to those who crafted it so beautifully. Thank you Mr Lette for facilitating school representation (in full uniform) at the two local Remembrance Day services marking the centenary of armistice. Olivia McLennan and Kate Price participated at the Hyde Park memorial service in Sydney on our behalf. Congratulations on the way the Secondary Parent / Teacher / Student Learning discussions went last week. The stronger the partnership is between school and home, the greater the learning benefits are for the children.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month of the year 1918, an armistice was signed, ending the "war to end all wars" - World War I. November 11 has therefore been set aside as Armistice Day, a day to pray for those who have died serving their country. Prayer of Remembrance Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict, and ask that God may give us peace: For the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God; May God give peace, God give peace For those who love them in death as in life, offering the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss; May God give peace. For all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return; May God give peace, God give peace For civilian women, children and men whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity; May God give peace.
The P&F Christmas Fair is on next week (Friday 23 rd) so plan ahead for the part you are going to play in making is a huge success for the children.
For peace-makers and peace-keepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free; May God give peace, God give peace. For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military and religious; asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace. May God give peace.
Michael Gallagher Principal
O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world, and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever. Amen.
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
Monday 12 Happy birthday to Matthew Terry and Ethan Thomson P & F Meeting – 7pm Tuesday 13 Happy birthday to Cate Gallagher and Kyle O’Brien
Wednesday 14 Happy birthday to Kasey Burton Year 6 Transition Experience Thursday 15 Diocesan Primary Summer Trials The Rite Journey Solo Experience – Year 9
Friday 16 Happy birthday to Zac Porter Assembly Class Item - Kinder Gold Happy birthday to Beth Kollas for the 17th and Jazmyn O’Reilly and Lexi white for the 18th.
Altar Servers’ Roster Sat 17th Nov: Zoe and Isabelle Doorey and Laura Price Sun 18th Nov: Cowra Volunteers Please Gooloogong: Flynn Bennett School Readers for Weekend Parish Masses: Sat 17th Nov: School Readers School Eucharistic Ministers for Weekend Parish Masses: Sat 17th Nov: Karla Slaven Sun 18th Nov: Laura Moodie
us. The National Zoo and Aquarium was our first attraction. Dividing up into five groups, we all headed off for two hours of animal searching and fact finding. This was lots of fun and the enjoyment was clear to see on the faces of our students. Next stop was Cockington Green, where we had lunch, before heading in to have a quick talk and a look at the interesting miniature houses with manicured gardens. Then it was back onto the bus, with a quick stop at Boorowa for afternoon tea, before arriving back in Cowra at 5pm. Special thanks to our parent helpers on our long 10 hour day. Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Smith and Mr. Sheehy all deserve a medal, not losing anyone in their group all day!!! Thank you parents. We did however fail to bring two students back to Cowra with us!!! "Thrown to the lions?" you ask. Well not quite. Poor old Ned got sick along the way and with nothing else to bring up and no energy to walk around, his uncle from Murrumbateman came to the rescue, taking him and his twin Max back to his place to be picked up by his parents. That's not to say we didn't want to leave a few more behind!!! Children wearing inappropriate clothing, like Dragons, Cowboys, Broncos and Storm gear should consider themselves lucky to escape being thrown to the hyenas! Also, a big thank you to Miss Ryan who stepped in to help Mr. Statham with this excursion. Miss Ryan is indeed an expert on Canberra excursions, with this being her third one this year. A great day was had by all, with our parent helpers I am sure, sleeping well that night! Mr. Statham
2018 Write4Fun Writing Competition Last term a few of our students at St Raphael’s entered the Write4Fun Writing Competition. We are proud to announce that Write4Fun has written to Philippa Elwin (Year 7) and Jaidyn Fitzgerald (Year 11) requesting their permission to publish their short stories. Congratulations to Philippa and Jaidyn. This is a very exciting opportunity for you both. Kristie-Lee Cruickshank Year 1 Excursion Last Thursday, 36 Year One students, 2 teachers and 3 parents headed off to Canberra for our excursion. Leaving at 7am in the morning, a big day lay ahead of P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
Remembrance Day Yesterday marked the centenary of the armistice to end the First World War. Ceremonies were held across the world to honour the fallen and pray for peace. Our school was represented by students at ceremonies in Cowra, Woodstock and Sydney. I would like to thank the following students for being wonderful ambassadors for our school and participating with such solemn reverence and dignity: Matthew Terry, Matthew CaseyPrice, Brianna Roberts, Orlando & Harriet Perry, Laura Price, Isabella Lette and Tahne Egan (Cowra); Kaitlyn & Erin Rutledge (Woodstock); and Kate Price and Olivia McLennan (Sydney). Lest we forget. Book Club Book Club is due back by Friday 1st November. If you want to purchase any items as gifts you can add “To collect at front office” on your purchase and you will receive a phone call when they arrive.
CRAZY CUPS Crazy cups will be sent home this week. Please send in your CRAZY CUPS full of new items. Some ideas are stationary bits and pieces, wrapped lollies, party supplies, hair accessories, art & craft supplies and small toys. Please ensure that no 2nd hand or unwrapped lollies. Additional cups will be available if required. The class with the most CRAZY CUPS will win a Pizza lunch for the whole class.
GO CRAZY! CAKES Monday the 19th November cake trays will be sent home with students, one per family. Please fill this tray with something delicious cakes, slices, biscuits, cupcakes etc. Return the tray in the taped bag to the school office by 11am Friday of the Fair. MAJOR RAFFLE – WHERE IN THE WORLD? Tickets have been selling like ‘hotcakes’ as we get to the very pointy end of sales. There are ONLY 1500 tickets in the raffle, 1200 online and 300 traditional paper. As at 8.30pm Sunday 11th November there is ONLY double digits of each left! Do not procrastinate over supporting this raffle you may miss your chance at the $5000 travel voucher for a holiday of your choice. BUY NOW online at: www.rafflelink.com.au/straphs2018. Whilst there is only one winner on the night, our children are the BIG winners!
Canteen Update This week’s roster is as follows: Tues 13 Karen Campbell
Wed
CLOSED
Fiona Kerin
Thurs 15
Fri 16
Mon 19
Lisa Mallon
Cindy Langfield
Tracey Gunnyon
Carrie Simunic
Jacque Perry
Briony Woodhouse
Please remember that we are on the summer menu and that there is no toasting of food.
VOLUNTEER UPDATE for CHRISTMAS FAIR We have received a number of volunteer slips or messages from willing volunteers for the upcoming Christmas fair, thankyou! We will endeavour to fit you in the allocated time slots you have selected, however if by chance the position is filled we will make contact and confirm vacant times or stalls that require assistance. Later this week a draft roster will be posted to the Parent of St Raphs Facebook page with time slots and or positions to be filled and it will feature in next week’s newsletter.
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
WELL DONE Congratulations to the following students who have achieved the next level . Bronze Seamus McCormick 5 Gold Level 7 Lucy Tydd George Kollas
5 Green Jack Campbell 6 Green
5 Gold
John Van Rheede Max Myers Sophie McLennan
3 Green 5 Green 5 Green 5 Green 5 Green 6 Gold 6 Green
5 Green 5 Green 5 Green 5 Green 5 Green 6 Green
Level 9 Ava Broad
3 Green Natasha Smaluck
Silver Chelsea Kennedy Lucas Bryant Mackinlee Charnock Connie Hinton-Besant
Josee Bruncher Will Campbell Hugh Harris William Pearce Holly Wilson Carter Langfield
6 Green
Your Teachers are very Proud of You!
Cowra PCYC On a Monday night from 5.00pm – 6.00pm at Edgell Park (across from McDonalds) there will be a touch football skills session for any kids interested in gaining more skills or learning the game in general. You will need to have an active PCYC membership which will be $10 and for U12’s its $30 to complete the 15 week competition. If you are interested in it or your kids are interested feel free to contact the club on 63412035 or message PCYC Cowra facebook page with your expression of interest. If you would like to come into the club and pay your fees and show your interest please feel free, or come down to the oval early next Monday for payments.
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au