St Raphael’s Catholic School Term 4, Week 7/A Newsletter 20 November 2017
Dear Parents Stage 4 Exams are on the agenda this week and we wish those students well in their preparations. May their hands be steady and their minds clear. Swimsafe continues this week for infant students. Guaranteeing that our children are waterproofed is a huge responsibility and that so many parents are supportive and helpful with escorting the children to and from the pool each day is inspiring. Thank you for your generosity. Engineers Without Borders are visiting and presenting tomorrow for students K-6. The way this presentation meshes in so comfortably with the school’s STEM emphasis is ideal. Last week “Sow-phie” was loaded aboard a truck bound for The Stables at Sydney Showground. That this fiberglass cow into which so much has been invested by so many qualifies to be a finalist in the Archibull Competition is an extraordinary achievement by our Archibull team so capably led by Mrs Date. The human contingent of five representatives will travel tomorrow to Sydney for the awards day. They go knowing our huge pride in their investment in this project. We wish our Stage 3 and 4 Cricket representatives (girls team) well as they head off to Sydney to compete at the next level, having had clear wins at our local level. Our biggest focus this week is to ensure that the P&F Christmas Fair is a roaring success. Lock it into your calendar to come along on Friday evening (24th November) and enjoy a great night out with the family. Events begin at 5:30pm and stalls and activities will be located throughout the church carpark and primary playground areas. There will be plenty of food and drink stalls for dinner but an early arrival is recommended because there is a premium on parking spaces at this major P&F event.
Sometimes in the rush of life The prayer which most often escapes our lips is: God help us! So, God of all creation,You who made the stars and the heavens, Who created such wondrous gifts for this planet, And created women and men in your own image, Help us! Each time we utter that plea, aloud or in our hearts; in hope, or in exasperation, Know that we are opening ourselves to your unending love. Help us to stop and take time: Time to look deeply at the world you have created, and give thanks. Time to be with one another, in our families, long enough to appreciate each others’ joys and sorrows, and know in the depths of our hearts, in the comfort of our kitchens, and in the serenity of our sheds and gardens, that we do not journey alone. And from this strength, face calmly the turmoils that arise
Monday 20 Infants SwimSafe Stage 4 Exam Week Tuesday 21 Infants SwimSafe Stage 4 Exam Week Archibull Awards Engineers without Borders Wednesday 22 Happy birthday to Georgia Hanley and Duncan Muir Infants SwimSafe Stage 4 Exam Week
Michael Gallagher Principal
Thursday 23 Infants SwimSafe Stage 4 Exam Week
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
Friday 24 Infants SwimSafe Stage 4 Exam Week P & F Christmas Fair
Altar Servers’ Roster th Sat 25 Nov: Isabelle Doorey and Kate Proctor th Sun 26 Nov: Volunteer
We also have our Archibull Awards Ceremony at the The Stables at the Sydney showground tomorrow. Ben Price, Kate Price, Abbie Lewis, Parneet Kaur and Crystal Holmes will be representing our school and Archie team. An exciting time for all students involved in the project this year. What a privilege to get into the finals for our artwork, blog and video! We get to meet the other schools and look at their Archibull entries. Thank you to all these students for your hard work and being such fine ambassadors for our school. Ms Inel Date - Secondary Visual Art
School Readers for Weekend Parish Masses: th Sat 25 Nov: School Leaders School Eucharistic Ministers for Weekend Parish Masses: th Sun 26 Nov: Peta Bischof School Computer Roster th Sat 25 Nov: School Leaders
Swimsafe Clothes We ask that all students K-2 bring an extra set of clothes on Wednesday 22nd November as we are allowing the students to experience what it is like to be weighted down in the water with clothes on. A thin pair of tracksuit pants and a t shirt would be ideal. Thank you. Library News Borrowing: Students need to have books returned by the end of this week. Those students doing assignments can see me about continued borrowing. Stage Three 2017 Chess Competition: The overall winner of this years fiercely fought competition was Ethan Millar, well done! Congratulations also to Daniel Gorham and Yoi Yap who were the runners up and received their book prize at our assembly last Friday.
TODD WOODBRIDGE CUP- STATE CHAMPIONS!!! th On Thursday, 9 November ten amazing tennis stars from Stage 2 travelled to Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre to compete in the Todd Woodbridge Cup State Championships. The students competed against 19 other schools from across NSW and the ACT who were the winners of their respective zone days. After a fantastic morning of tennis our children made it through to the Semi-finals where they defeated St Mary’s Casino to proceed to the state final against Parkes Public School. In a hard fought, nerve racking match these wonderful kids became STATE CHAMPIONS!!! As a bonus they received their trophy and medals from Todd Woodbridge, as well as posing for photos and getting signatures. These fantastic kids had a wonderful day playing against schools from across the state. We are very proud of the way they represented our school with sportsmanship and kindness. Well done team! We would also like to thank the parents for making the trip all the way to Sydney and a very special thank you to Helen Garratt for giving up some of her lunch times to coach our team.
2017 Book Fair Draw: The following students received their books last week at Assembly: Braith Charnock, Shelby Ball, Dominic Bryant, Kayli Hurst, Lily Doyle, Laura Chang, Josee Bruncher, Charlie Graham and Logan Haslam. Happy reading! K.Skinner Librarian News form the Secondary Art Department The annual UpstART exhibition opens at the Cowra Gallery this Saturday. The following students have entered artworks: Jaidyn Fitzgerald (Year 10), Samuel Frazer (Year 10), Ashleigh Harding (Year 10), Brian MacCabe (Year 10), Samantha MacCabe (Year 10), Brandon Mutch (Year 10), Mitchell Sparkes (Year 10), Chantell Rhodes (Year 11), Breanna Burton (HSC artwork), Katie Brown (HSC artwork), Madison Harcombe (HSC artwork) and Melanie Grogan (HSC artwork). How wonderful to have so many exhibitors this year and our first HSC entries. P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Summer Sports Trials On Tuesday 14/11 students from Years 4 and 5 travelled to Dubbo for the annual Diocesan Summer Sport Trials. A day of mixed weather and mixed results for our budding sports men and women. The students were Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
competing for a diocesan place to trial for Polding teams next year in Girls Cricket, Boys and Girls Touch and Boys and Girls Tennis. The wrap up was as follows: Touch: Laura Price and Jyedon Goard made it to possibles and probables final on the day. Girls Cricket: Lily Gee, Sophie McLennan and Maddie Savage chosen as part of the Diocesan squad to trial for Polding Tennis: Ky Garrat and Lucas McKenzie chosen as part of the Diocesan squad to trial for Polding. Congratulations to everyone for trialling and special congrats to those going onto Polding Trials next year.
The Book Box Project Thank you to all that have donated to this wonderful cause. We received and exceptional amount of books that have been delivered to Jan Chivers this week. Jan has expressed appreciation for the support from our families and the parish in donating so many books for children of all ages. If anyone would still like to donate you can do so by contacting Jan Chivers(Orange/Cowra Aboriginal Family Strengthening Service) on 0418366855 on Monday or Tuesdays at the Outreach Centre at Yalbilinga. Many thanks. Kirilee Newcombe Hubber (AEW) Drum Lessons I am pleased to inform you that Drum lessons are now available at the school. The teacher Daniel Brown is an ex-student of St Raphael's (2011 Graduate) who studied drums at Excelsia College in Sydney. Lessons will be available during school hours on Wednesdays using the school kits. If you want your child to learn drums please call Daniel for details on 0472 613 012. Grazyna Swansborough Music Teacher Parent Satisfaction Survey 2017 Response Examination of the parental responses received through the Parent Satisfaction Survey of October 2017 the following items have been identified as the main messages from parents. P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Big Ideas 2017
Strategies in Place
Reporting:
1. Publicise the implementation of Compass (2018) and the changes to Student Data Management, Wellbeing, Finances, Timetabling and Reporting.
Academic:
1. Publicise existing range of electives offered at both Stage 5 and Stage 6. 2. Publicise existing music opportunities eg Young School of Music. 3. Publicise learning enrichment opportunities currently in place.
Culture:
1. Publicise the existing range of cultural opportunities.
Wellbeing:
1. Publicise the existing protocols around Home - School communication. 2. Correct the perception of bullying. 3. Publicise the reworking of the Student Wellbeing Policy and the overhaul of behaviour management
Canteen Update This week’s roster is as follows: Tues 21 Skye Muddle Carol Lynch
Wed
CLOSED
Thurs 23 Lisa Mallon
Fri 24 Robin McAlister
Fiona Kerin
Cindy Langfield
Mon 27 Briony Woodhouse
Anna Thirkell
Christmas Fair Cake Stall Cake trays will be sent home with students today, please fill this tray with something delicious Cakes, Slices, Biscuits, Cup Cakes etc. Return the tray in the th taped bag to the school office by 11am this Friday 24 November. Please list all ingredients used in your recipe and the date you made it for Health Regulations. Crazy Cups 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 nd supplies and small toys. Please ensure that no 2 hand or unwrapped lollies. Additional crazy containers will be accepted, clean clear takeaway containers are suitable.The class with the most CRAZY CUPS will win a Pizza lunch for the whole class. Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
Volunteers Please find within this newsletter a copy of the volunteer roster to date, we can always use additional help, in all facets of the Fair, therefore if your circumstances change and you have time to contribute we would be grateful. REMINDER all volunteers will enter the draw to receive 2.5hrs of cleaning by Cowra Contract Cleaners.
WELL DONE Congratulations to the following students who have achieved the next level on the Behaviour Management Programme. Level 5 Skyelah Gumbleton 3 Green Olivia MacCabe 8 Green Level 6 Joseph Broad Matthew Banks Maurice Brown Kyle O’Brien
4 Gold Cooper Doyle 6 Green Archie Brown 7 Green Jack Harper 9 Gold
Level 7 Laura Chang Imogen McCormick Aurinia Emseis Clare Harris Imogen Ousby Phillipa Richmond Caitlin Brodbeck Archer Howden Natasha Smaluck Isabella Thompson Georgia Williams Stanley Rush Joel Stendell
3 gold 3 Green 4 Gold 4 Gold 4 Green 4 Gold 5 Gold 5 Green 5 Green 5 Green 5 Gold 6 Green 8 Green
4 Gold 6 Green 9 Gold
Mary Kollas 3 Gold Lucas Bryant 4 Gold Mackinlee Charnock 4 Gold Maddison O’Reilly 4 Gold Kate Proctor 4 Gold Elliot Bennett 5 Gold Lily Gee 5 Gold Orlando Perry 5 Gold Ellie Thompson 5 Gold Maddison Tremble 5 Green Yoi Yap 5 Gold Phoebe Simunic 6 Gold
Your Teachers are very Proud of You!
Drum Lessons Drum lessons are now available at the school. The teacher Daniel Brown is an ex-student of St Raphael's (2011 Graduate) who studied drums at Excelsia College in Sydney. Lessons will be available during school hours on Wednesdays using the school kits. If you want your child to learn drums please call Daniel for details on 0472 613 012.
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au
P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Tel: 6342.2940
Email: straphaels@bth.catholic.edu.au School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au