St Raphael’s Catholic School Term 4, Week 4/B Newsletter 30 October 2017
Dear Parents, Our Year 11 students joined with other Stage 6 students from around the diocese at iRise 2017. Again the focus was on leadership with all its expressions and challenges. Thank you to Mrs Bischof who accompanied Year 11.
The P&F Christmas Fair preparations are racing along at the moment. The collective benefits we receive from this event are enormous – therefore your participation in both the preparations and the event are a direct support for our children. Keep November 24 free for the Fair.
Michael Gallagher Principal
The Book Fair wrapped up last week. Thanks to the hundreds who have been through and have made their selections. Thank you to Mrs Kerrie Skinner for bringing this valuable opportunity to the families of St Raphs. On Friday students K-6 are asked to wear Bush Mufti so they can participate more fully in the Bushwazee workshops during the day and then in the evening concert where they will be performing for us. See you there. Thank you for the tremendous response received from the Parent Satisfaction Survey which closed on Friday. Analysis begins this week and the information gleaned from all that input will be incorporated into the School Annual Improvement Plan 2018. Six more HSC courses have now closed with the exams completed in Week 3. This week HSC Visual Art markers visit today, Chemistry is on Wednesday, Legal Studies on Thursday and Extension 1 Maths on Friday. Hold these wonderful young people in your prayers please.
All Saints Day All Saints Day is a Christian festival celebrated in honour of all the saints, known and unknown. It is celebrated each year on the 1st November. The saints are like heroes for us to look up to. As we remember them, let us also remember the many people in our own lives who are saintly. Lord, let us focus on the need for heroes and thank God for the heroes who walk among us each day. For those in our families who give us wonderful examples of how to live, those who teach, mentor, coach and guide us into becoming our best selves. God, we thank you for giving us models to follow.
Year 8 are just lucky I guess – last week with their Outdoor Education overnight camp at the Weddin Mountains and this week they have their Retreat at the DPI centre. SES Cadets finish up their ten week training courses next weekend with water rescue skills at Wyangala. The mindset that enables a substantial group of teenagers to invest time skilling up on such selfless service is an absolute credit to their families and to themselves. Thank you to David Lette and the SES personnel who have made such a valuable community service available to students. P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Monday 30 Happy birthday to Ruby Wilson Tuesday 31 Happy birthday to Pyper Muddle Year 4 Geography Excursion Year 7 Melanoma Workshop
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
Wednesday 1 Years 8-11 Careers Talk Thursday 2 Happy birthday to Kalarni Leonard and Mackenzie York Kindy Start Friday 3 Happy birthday to Ruby Lewis Bush Mufti Day K-6 Bushwahzee Performance K-6 Year 8 Retreat
Happy birthday to Madison Anthony for the 4th
Altar Servers’ Roster th Sat 4 Nov: Laura Price, William Pearce and Oscar Whitty th Sun 5 Nov: Meg Jones and Cate Gallagher Gooloogong: Lily Vardy School Eucharistic Ministers for Weekend Parish Masses: th Sun 5 Nov: Sue Whiteley School Computer Roster th Sat 4 Nov: Renae Downes
Stage 1 trip to Canberra in Photos
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
1 GOLD wrote excellent recounts after their excursion. Please read a sample selection and enjoy!
of the big kids who were hard at work. It was such a busy afternoon! This Thursday is our last Kindy Start session before we come back after the Christmas holidays to begin Kindergarten!!
On Thursday Stage 1 went to Canberra to the national Zoo and Aquarium and Cockington Green. When we got to the zoo we went straight to the aquarium. We saw a shark and lots of fish. The shark was very still. Next we saw monkeys in bed. Then we saw three lions, two males and a female lion. We went to Cockington Green to have lunch and then we went in a house and got out and we all saw a miniature train. You could push the button and the miniature train went around the track. There were many miniature cool buildings and colourful gardens. We got back onto the bus and Dom and I traded cards. It took two hours to get back to the school. My favourite thing on our great day was seeing the tigers. By Lucas Davies Yesterday Stage 1 went to Canberra on a bus. We went to the National; Zoo and Aquarium and Cockington Green. The thing I loved about the zoo was the aquarium. I loved it because there was a leopard shark. I almost started to cry as I felt so sorry for the shark because it was in a very small tank. The shark looked sad and bored. We had lunch on the soft green grass in front of Cockington Green. Cockington Green is about miniature buildings in Australia and around the world. I really loved the excursion. It was the best day of my life. I will never forget it. By Abigail Partridge Yesterday Stage I went on an excursion to visit Canberra. First we went to the National Zoo. There were loads of animals at the zoo. My favourite was the long spotty python. She was 5 metres long. Next we jumped on the bus and we drove to Cockington Green. Before we went into Cockington Green we had lunch on the soft green grass. The miniature cool trains were my favourite. I really loved playing races with them under the tunnels. We started back to home. We stopped at Boorowa and all had afternoon tea in the park. When we got back to school Dad was waiting for me. I love making new friends, seeing new things and having lots of fun on my excursion. By Colton Cartwright Kindy Start A visit to the school canteen to buy a zooper dooper kicked off Kindy Start last week. After our ice block, we checked out the awesome veggie garden and said hello to the chooks. We went on an adventure walk around the primary school to see all P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
PASTORAL CARE AND STUDENT WELLBEING EXAM PREPARATION As the term draws towards exams for students in Years 7-10, there are some things families might like to consider implementing to support good learning and effective study. Today the students have received their exam timetable: Ask to see the timetable; maybe stick it on the fridge or the family noticeboard. Start having conversations about setting study timetables and how to go about exam preparation. Encourage a study space that is quiet and minus distractions of TV, Youtube or persistent text messaging etc. It’s a good idea for students to make notes from their school books; other strategies include highlighting important points, memorising formulae, repeating significant facts aloud. Remember that reading only is not studying.
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
USE OF TECHNOLOGY We are all aware of the wonderful opportunities available to us through technology. We are also aware of the problems which can arise. As teachers, we are only too aware of the amount of time our students spend on phones, ipads, laptops, online games etc., because the students tell us they are texting or talking or playing for hours, often into the early hours of the morning! With the best interest of our students at heart and with concerns for their wellbeing, online safety and capacity to learn, we are encouraging parents to monitor the after hours use of online activity.
Library News Book Fair: A big thank you to the students, parents and teachers who supported our annual Book Fair. Books worth $593 were selected by students to add to our library. Most of the reorders have arrived, thank you for waiting; see me if you are still waiting. K.Skinner Librarian
Our young people require 8-10 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night according to paediatricians, psychologists and cyber safety experts. By being available to communicate through the night hours, young people are at risk of physical and mental health problems developing as well as limiting their capacity to function effectively throughout the day. Taking away technology and storing it safely at night may create some stormy weather at home for a while, but the plus is that our teens will be less grumpy and tired if we persist in limiting the non-stop noise from cyber space for the sleeping hours. We regularly invite the Police Liaison Officer to school to speak with students about online safety and behaviour. Unfortunately some of our young people still don’t seem to understand the consequences of inappropriate online activity and the possibilities of actions today affecting their prospects in the future. Enjoy the benefits of technology and all the exciting places and knowledge it makes available. Sue Whiteley Pastoral Care and Student Wellbeing K-6 Bushwazee On Friday November 3 Bushwahzee will be coming to St Raphael's Catholic School to workshop with all K-6 students during school hours. Students are asked to dress up for the day in country/bush attire. An evening performance/school show will be presented for parents commencing at 6pm-7.30pm. The performance area will be in the secondary playground. Please feel free to bring your own picnic blankets and/or camp chairs,etc. Students will be asked to remain with their parents until their item is announced. Please note that if the weather is inclement there will be a K-2 performance from 6.00-6.45pm and a 3-6 performance from 6.45-7.30pm. These will be in the St Raphael's Catholic Church Hall. More information and updates will be via the school newsletter and Facebook. Come along and have a fantastic night of fun!
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
2017 SCHOOL FEES All payments of school fees should now either be finalised or a payment plan in place to have them finalised by the end of term 4 (15/12/2017). If you still have a payment to make to finalise your account then please do so immediately. If you are on a payment plan (Direct Debit/BPAY/Centrepay) then check that your payments are sufficient to have your account finalised by end of term 4 2017. If for any reason your school fee account is unable th to be finalised by 15 December 2017 then please ring the office and make an appointment to see the principal. Canteen Update This week’s roster is as follows: Tues 31 Briony Woodhouse
Wed
CLOSED
Thurs 2
Fri 3
Mon 6
Carrie Simunic
Kylie Kollas
Sally Bruncher
Ammie Broad
Robyn McAlister Cindy Langfield
Don’t forget to visit our website for updates of all that is happening with the P&F and for adding your views. This can be done via the school website at www.straphaelscowra.edu.au 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 on the Behaviour Management Programme. Level 5 Noah Keen 8 Green Ellie Garlick 10 Gold Level 6 Aaron Dhrygck Isobelle lynch
3 Gold 9 Gold
Level 7 Mia Lewis William Pearce Isabelle Doorey
3 Green Cassandra Zarb 4 Green Laura Price 5 Gold Hollie Orford
Brendan Stendell 8 Green Depp Ryan-Lukasiak 7 Green
3 Green 4 Gold 7 Gold
Your Teachers are very Proud of You!
Game on… Cricket season is here - Sign up today!! Go to playcricket.com.au search for Cowra Junior Cricket and follow the prompts to register or call into SportsPower Cowra for rego forms Want more info?? Check out Cowra District Junior Cricket on Facebook or contact Rob 0484223598
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au