Dear Parents/Caregivers, Students, Staff, and Friends of St Raphael’s School,
NAIDOC Week
This week we celebrate NAIDOC Week (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) and the 2023 theme is ‘For Our Elders’. We remember that across every generation, Elders have been and continue to be significant role models and hold a prominent place in our communities and families.
Celebrate Music Night
What a tremendous celebration of our wonderfully talented students! We thank our Music Tutors, Elliot Litchfield, Jack Willsmore, Maddie Egge, Patricia Heller and Yuri Markov and our Performing Arts Teacher, Mandy Flynn, for organising the evening. It was also wonderful to see so many parents/caregivers and extended family members attend and support the event last night.
Staff Retreat Day
On Friday 7 July all staff will be involved in a religious Staff Retreat day. Fr Denis Travers CP, our Parish Priest will be leading the day with staff. Students have the opportunity of beginning their term break earlier as Term 2 dismissal will be on Thursday 6 July. Also note that the school office will be closed on Friday 7 July as office personnel will be attending the Staff Retreat. OSHC will be available for all students who require care on Friday 7 July. Please contact Anne O’Connell if families need this service.
Uniform Sub Committee
I received a few interested parent/caregivers who are willing to become part of the uniform subcommittee. Thank you for your interest. We will organise a meeting early next term to discuss plans going forward.
Semester Reports
The Semester 1 Reports will be sent home with students tomorrow. As I wrote a few weeks ago to families, there are some changes to the format of the Semester Report. Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher/s to discuss the report.
Staffing
Next term, we welcome Jeanette Archer back as one of our Education Support Officers, replacing Mrs Debbie Parker who is taking Long Service Leave for the first five weeks of Term 3. Jeanette is well known to our community as an experienced educator.
Crazy Hair Day
Tomorrow, Thursday 6 July, all students are invited to participate in the Student Voice’s Crazy Hair Day. Students are asked to bring a can of food so we can donate our collective efforts to The Hutt Street Centre. This charitable organisation feeds many homeless people every day. Misfortune can fall upon anyone at any time. It is not something that just happens to ‘other people’ and the misconception is that homeless people somehow deserve their misfortune. Sometimes, people lose their livelihood through no fault of their own, possibly through illness, through financial separation, through a myriad of reasons. Suddenly, they find themselves living with friends, or living in their car or outside with no shelter at all. How lucky are we, to have a warm bed at night and a roof over our heads. What small act of compassion can we all do to help ease the burden of another person? We can start by being aware and doing something small, with compassion and love, and bringing in a can or two to share the load.
Building Project Update
Our builders, Horizons Construction Services, will begin the building project on Monday 10 July. On your return next term, the Kiss 'n' Drop will be in operation as per usual and all student and parent access will be through Macklin Street. We are really excited about this project and can't wait for it's completion. Details on the redevelopment are available here.
I wish all families a wonderful and safe term break and look forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday 25 July. OSHC will be available on Monday 24 July as staff will be involved in a pupil free day learning about Religious Education, Performance Standards. The office will be open on this day.
With every best wish,
Mia Harms
Principal
Families are invited to attend the opening and blessing of our St Raphael’s School’s refurbished learning areas.
Date: Thursday 27 July 2023
Time: 1:30pm
RSVP: Friday 21 July 2023 info@raph.catholic.edu.au
We look forward to showing you these outstanding learning facilities.
Last week we celebrated a lovely Mass with the whole school and acknowledged the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thank you to all who attended and participated in the preparation of the Mass. We thank Father Tony for leading our school in this celebration.
This week we celebrate NAIDOC week and our forever intent to acknowledge and recognise the custodians of this wonderful land. The 2023 National NAIDOC Week theme is For Our Elders.
Acknowledgement of Country, Seas and Waterways
Let us acknowledge the Traditional Custodians who have walked upon and cared for this land for thousands of years. We acknowledge the continued deep spiritual attachment and relationship of the First Nations Peoples to this Country and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.
This year during NAIDOC week, we are invited to consider the relationship that our indigenous family honours with their Elders. We are invited to reflect that across every generation, the Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in communities and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and they are loved ones. They guide the indigenous generations and pave the way to take the paths that can be taken today.
Settling Prayer
God of all wonder,
We pause in the busyness of our days to listen deeply to the wisdom of this land and those who belong to it.
May our minds be open to dialogue,
May our hearts be open to transformation and
May our hands do the work of reconciliation.
We ask that the Spirit accompany us on our journey of healing on these lands, seas and waterways;
We also ask the Spirit of peace be with all those who are living a life of fear, dispossession and distress.
We make this prayer in the name of Jesus our brother and friend.
Amen.
Wishing all of you a lovely break and holiday and I look forward to seeing you and your children next term.
Peace and Blessings,
Helena Card
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission
On Thursday 28 June, the whole school was involved in an incursion. An incursion is when rather than students leaving the school grounds, they have the resources and performers brought to them. The incursion was led by Philip Green regarding Aboriginal Survival Tools. The students were asked to get into eight different groups which included headings of medicine, utensils (tools), weapons, bush tucker, clothing, hunting, fire, and water.
The dynamic presentation gave the students a visual and tactile experience of traditional technologies used by indigenous peoples across the varied environments of Australia – deserts, mountains, rivers, and seashores. Philip Green has a large collection of museum-quality artefacts which were given out in multiple touch-boxes for students to examine and handle. As National Geographic photographer, Philip used his stunning photos in an audio-visual presentation of the native plants and wildlife used for food, clothing, medicine, shelter, weapons, and art. Combining the knowledge of naturalist David Attenborough, the humour of Robin Williams and the daring of Indiana Jones, Phillip’s visit inspired the students and fired their imaginations!
Corey-Lee Lewis
Assistant Principal - Leader of Learning
This year at St Raphael’s School will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS competitions .
What is ICAS?
ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills. This year, students in Years 3-6 will have the opportunity to enter in the English and Mathematics competition.
Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.
If your child is in Years 3-6, we encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year.
Learn more about ICAS here.
How to participate in ICAS
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:
- read about ICAS subjects and prices here
- go to Parent Portal here
- enter our school’s access code – QZQ705
- enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment by Monday 31 July 2023.
Please note that the ICAS tests shown for selection are at the school’s discretion.
After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records.
ICAS Results and Certificates
We will notify you of the date(s) that we run ICAS at the school and when your child’s ICAS results are ready. Once we have received your child’s ICAS certificate, we will send it home with your child. The back of the certificate shows ICAS results and the login details, “TAP ID and Pin”, that you and your child need to enter the Results Portal orti.icasassessments.com/ortiStudent
Privacy Collection Statement
Information about how your child’s data is kept private and secure is available here.
We are proud to offer ICAS and look forward to some fantastic results later in the year. Please do not hesitate to contact the school office and ask to speak to Julie Purdie or email jpurdie@raph.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Julie Purdie
Numeracy Specialist Teacher
School Sport Results
Last week we see the last round of Sport for our Term 2 Netball and Soccer Teams. Trainings and games will resume next term.
SACPSSA Netball Carnival
Last Friday we had three teams competing in the SACPSSA Netball Carnival. Thankyou to Samantha Stolz for volunteering to assist us on the day as a coach.
SACPSSA Cross Country Carnival / Training
It has been fantastic to see so many students from year 3-6 interested in participating in the SACPSSA Cross Country Carnival with training starting last week.
Cross Country Training:
When: Term 2- Week 9 and 10
Term 3: Week 1, 2 and 3
Time: 8:25am - 8:40am
The SACPSSA Cross Country Carnival is held each year in the East Parklands, starting on the Prince Alfred College Oval and making its way along a 2km course through Park 15. Annually, this event sees students in Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 challenge themselves over a 2km course. This is a participation event that hosts approximately 60 schools and around 2500 students each year. Keep an eye out as information about training sessions for our Year 3- 6 students will be made available in the next few weeks.
Save the Date: Cross Country Yr 3-6
When: Thursday Week 3 Term 3, August 10
Where: East Park Land, PAC Oval
Time: 10- 2.00pm
Term 3 Kelly Sports R- 2
An eight week Kelly Sports Program will be on offer for students in Reception – Year 2 next term. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays after school from 3.15- 4.00pm. The Kelly Sports flyer, including information on how to register, is available here. Please be mindful that you must pick your child up at 4pm otherwise they will be sent to OHSC.
Hannah Reid
PE Teacher and Sports Coordinator
Practical tools for separated, divorced and blended families
Isolina Ricci, Ph.D, is the author of the enduring classic for parents Mom’s House, Dad’s House, the book for kids and parents, Mom’s House, Dad’s House for KIDS, and The CoParenting Toolkit, the award winning finalist in both the USA Best Book Awards and now the International Book Awards. Her work has inspired and supported two generations of parents. Her work has been cited in courtrooms, classrooms, and legal publications.
The parent section of the website has some excellent articles to provide parents with ideas on supporting children and co-parenting. Her article about "13 things kids want parents to know" provides a really good insight into how children feel before, during and after parent separation. https://www.momshousedadshouse.com/articles-and-parenting-tips/
Sarah Byrnes
School Counsellor (Wednesday)
Next Friday 7 July (the last day of term) and Monday 25 July (first day of Term 3) are Pupil Free Days. OSHC will be available on both days from 8.00am-5.30pm.
If you require OSHC on either of these dates, please book through the OSHC Fullybooked family portal. If you haven’t already enrolled your child you will need to do so before they can attend. To enrol them, please use the link below.
https://straphaelsos.fullybookedccms.com.au/family/login
If you have any problems or further queries email Anne at oshc@raph.catholic.edu.au
Term 3 Meeting Invite
Parents and Friends Term 3 Meeting will be held in Week 1 on the first Tuesday back at 6pm to 6:30/7pm, July 25 on TEAMS. If you would like to attend or add items to the agenda please email Katrina on ktucker@raph.catholic.edu.au
Cyber Safety Child Parent Workshop at St Raphael’s School
07 September 6pm to 7pm.
Is the online world creating next level parenting challenges for you? Would you like the whole family to discuss and agree on the best way to manage devices in the home?
Our Parents and Friends Committee would like to invite all our families to this Cyber Safety Child Parent Workshop. The session will be run by Cybersafe Families, a provider endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner, to share the latest research and best practice approaches to online safety education for families. The evening session will provide parents and their children with opportunities to learn about the opportunities and risks of the online world and be given time to discuss online experiences, both positive and negative, the impact of online time on the whole family and strategies to help make home environments cyber safe. The facilitator will support family conversations about creating guidelines specific to their home and walk away with a common understanding and some top tips for online safety. It’s a great way to get everyone in the family on the same page.
All Cybersafe Families presentations are delivered by professionals in the field, who have an understanding that all children are at different stages in their online journey. This workshop is for school aged children and their parents/guardians.
Please RSVP through Qkr!
To view upcoming events please open our St Raphael's School Events page here.
Important Dates
End of Term 2
Crazy Hair Day
Pupil Free Day
Term 3 commences
Opening and Blessing of Learning Areas
Mini Monets Art Exhibition Opening and Launch
Enrolling now for 2024 and beyond!
Spread the word!
If you know of anyone who may be interested in attending St Raphael’s School, ask them to contact the school for a tour or book online here.
Reminder: Tomorrow is Crazy Hair Day
Mini Monets Art Exhibition
Date: 5 August 2023 - 6 August 2023
Venue: The Monastery 15 Cross Road Urrbrae
Opening and Launch: Friday 4 August 2023 at 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Exhibition Open: Saturday 4 August and Sunday 6 August 2023 from 10am to 12pm
Parish Bulletin
Please enjoy reading the Parish Bulletin which is available here.
The Southern Cross online edition
Read More
Farewell
We farewell Cherie Jaeschke, our Art Club Teacher. Cherie and her husabnd are expecting their first bundle of joy, due in the next couple of months. Cherie hopes to return in the near future.
Social