Newsletter 12 2023

Dear families,

Welcome to Week 4 of term. I am looking forward to spending the next few weeks at St Raphael’s School until Mark Simpson takes up the Acting Principal position for the remainder of the year.

While my stay may be brief, I wish to assure you that I will be invested in the life of the school, and I am here to support the staff, children and families in the best way I can. I have had a lovely time this week getting to know the children. They have been most welcoming.

My last substantive role was at St Brigid’s Catholic School Evanston where I spent 16 years as Deputy Principal and last year as Acting Principal overseeing the amalgamation with Xavier College. Since then, I have been supporting school communities while principals have taken leave or are in transition to new appointments. While the commute from Gawler is a little farther than I have done for a while, it is enriching to experience different communities across our CESA schools. You have a wonderful school with a committed staff who only want the best for the children.

Gennaro Mannella
Acting Principal

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Week 4 and some sunshine! Thank you to all those families who attended our Art Exhibition.  It was a great way to celebrate the children’s gift of creativity that each one of them has and their wonderful unique talents. Thank you to our wonderful parish at the Monastery, Glen Osmond who offered to host the art show and to Sue Schulz, Pastoral Associate, who helped with the set up. Families had the opportunity to fill out some feedback forms and we are delighted with the feedback that has come through.

The Feast of the Assumption

On 15 August as Catholics, we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is when we remember that Mary was taken or ‘assumed’ into Heaven after she died. This was God’s way of showing us that Mary is special to God, she said ‘yes’ to becoming the Mother of Jesus.

On Tuesday morning, 15 August, Father Tony led us through a Liturgy to commemorate the Feast of the Assumption.  It was so lovely to see staff, students and some parents participate in our Liturgy. 

Grandparents and Elderly Sunday

Recently, our Catholic Church celebrated Grandparents and the Elderly Sunday. Grandparents and special people in our lives provide us with love and a sense caring.  They leave an imprint of memories which we can all cherish.  A prayer and blessing was given to all grandparents and elderly in our community

Lord God almighty,
Bless our grandparents and elderly with long life, happiness and health.
May they remain constant in your love and be living signs of your presence to their children and grandchildren and all young people they meet.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen

Are you interested in becoming a Catholic?

RCIA Catholic Adult Enquiry

Ever thought about becoming Catholic? Want to learn more about the Catholic faith? Wish to prepare for Baptism and/or Confirmation?

St Paul of the Cross Parish, Glen Osmond/Parkside invites anyone interested to attend the first Enquiry Meeting which will be held on the 22 August, in the Sebastian Centre (behind the church at the Monastery) at 7pm.

Everyone is welcome.

Contact Sue Schulz at the Parish office 8338 1277 or sue.schulz@themonastery.net.au for more information.

Knitastic Knitting Club

Please note our knitting club with Sue Schulz will now be on Fridays at 12:50pm.

Peace and Blessings,
Helena Card
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission

August 19 to 25
Theme: Read, Grow, Inspire.

Book Week Parade

Friday August 25 at 9am, in the School Hall.
Students are asked to create a costume at home that represents their favourite story or character.

Book Fair

There will be a large variety of books for sale in The Loft and we encourage parents to accompany their children to the BOOK FAIR.

Opening times:

Wednesday August 23, after school from 3:10pm - 3:30pm
Thursday August 24, before school from 8:30am – 8:50am and after school from 3:10pm – 3:30pm
Friday August 25 before school from 8:30am – 8:50am

Happy reading!

Living, Learning, Leading Surveys

Reminder:

Each year, Catholic Education of South Australia invite all members of St Raphael’s School community to have a say in the perception of the school’s performance. The Living, Learning, Leading (LLL) surveys were developed in collaboration with Curtin University according the Living, Learning, Leading Standard. Survey development involved a multistaged process that included: collaboration and input from members of the school community, an expert review panel from outside of Catholic Education, multiple trials, and a pilot study. A rigorous validation process provided robust psychometric properties to support the validity of the LLL surveys.

An important principle underpinning the LLL Standard is mutual accountability, involving a shared agenda that the Catholic Education Office and all Catholic schools have in promoting Catholic Identity and striving to create excellent educational outcomes for all students. Importantly, mutual accountability reflects the importance of regularly monitoring, reviewing, and reporting progress at the school and system levels.

The LLL Survey suite consist of:

LLL parent and caregivers survey (to assess the perceptions of parents and caregivers within the school community).
LLL Teaching and Leadership Staff Survey (to assess the perceptions of teachers and leadership (Principals, APRIM’s, Assistant/Deputy Principals) within the school).
LLL ESO Staff Survey (to assess the perceptions of education support officers within the school).
LLL Student Survey for students in Years 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Parents and caregivers have been sent an invitation to participate in the LLL survey. Look for this on the Skoolbag/Audiri App. Please take the time to fill in the survey to support us in making St Raphael’s School a success.

Corey-Lee Lewis
Assistant Principal - Leader of Learning

The Board met on Tuesday night this week and were pleased to welcome Gennaro Mannella to the St Raphael’s School community. Along with discussing the recurring agenda items, the change over to the new uniform was a focus at the meeting. It is great to be progressing this and more information will be communicated with families when we have confirmed the details.

Great questions were asked about the process of appointing a new principal and Gennaro was able to explain how it works. It is an exciting time to be part of the St. Raphael’s community with the building project starting in the July holidays and the change to the uniform coming in the new year!

Notwithstanding any operational matters or issues involving your child, if you have any questions, would like to raise any concerns or have a great idea for our school, please contact me or a member of the Board to discuss.

Amy Thornton
Board Chair   

Date: 1 September 2023
Time: 6:00pm -  7:30pm
Venue: St Raphael's School Hall

Doors open 6:15pm and students are to be picked up by 7:45pm.

Fruit box and snack will be provided.

Tickets are $5 and are available to purchase through Qkr!

All monies raised will be donated to Mercy Works.

Please note we have banned glow sticks from our events. While we understand that they can be a fun addition to any gathering, we have noticed some safety concerns and have decided it is best to err on the side of caution. Additionally, we would like to remind you that this event can be quite loud. If you feel that your child would benefit from wearing headphones, please feel free to send them with a pair.

We want all of our attendees to have a positive and comfortable experience, and we hope that this small change will help make that possible. 

Last week we farewelled Mrs Hannah Reid on her final week before she began her maternity leave. We thank Hannah for all she has done for the St Raphael’s School community and continues to do in the Sports Administration and Physical Education role.

For those who I have not formally met, my name is Corey Tucker, and I will be filling the Physical Education and Sports Coordinator position for the remainder of the school calendar. As a trained Physical Education teacher and sports fanatic, I am beyond excited to begin in this role, and look forward to the exciting sporting opportunities on offer for the remainder of the year.

Should you have any questions regarding anything PE/Sports related, please make yourself familiar with my email address and please don’t hesitate to reach out ctucker@raph.catholic.edu.au.

School Sport Results

Week 2:
Year 5/6 Netball: St Raphael’s 26 defeated St Paul's 10
Year 3/4 Soccer: St Raphael’s 3 defeated St Francis 2

Week 3:   
Year 5/6 Netball: St Andrew’s School 20 defeated St Raphael’s 16
Year 3/4 Soccer: Rose Park Primary School 8 defeated St Raphael’s 0.

SACPSSA Cross Country Carnival

Last week, students across Years 3-6 competed in Cross Country in the Adelaide Parklands. Students began their run on the Prince Alfred College Oval, before making their way along the 2km course through Park 15 in the Adelaide Parklands.

All students finished the race, demonstrating resilience and aerobic endurance. Amongst the 100 of competitors in each race, St Raphael’s School was represented well with many students finishing within the top 50.  A special mention to Matthew G (Year 3) for this outstanding effort in placing 9th in his age bracket.

A big thank you to Mrs Hannah Reid, as well as parents in getting students on time to help facilitate trainings for the weeks leading into the event. All students can hold their heads up high after the race, knowing the competed to the best of their abilities.

Touch Football Carnival

In Week 7, the SACPSSA Touch Football Carnival will be held at Park 17, Touch SA Headquarters located corner of Greenhill Road and Beaumont Road. With the skills of kicking and tackling removed, Touch Football is a fast, fluid and exciting game in its own right. Touch Football now boasts in excess of 400,000 members and over 500,000 children playing in school programs across Australia.

Information forms and permission slips will be sent home this week. Please fill these out and return them to the school by Tuesday 29 August.The cost of attending the carnival is $10, which will cover team registrations. Please make your payment via Qkr.

We will also be seeking parents or guardians to help volunteer as an official on the day. You must have a Working with Children Check sighted by the school and the volunteer RAN training and volunteer pack completed.

Term 3 Kelly Sports R- 2

The Kelly Sports Program continues this week for Reception – Year 2. Sessions will continue to be held on Wednesdays after school from 3:15pm - 4:00pm. It is not too late to register your child. Please be mindful that you must be on time and pick your child up at 4:00pm otherwise they will be sent to OHSC.

Corey Tucker
P.E. Teacher and Sports Coordinator

On Thursday 3 August, Nathanael and Matthew went with Mila to the Maker’s Empire Showcase to share some of our 3D designs. The Year 3 class designed a solution to help prevent or minimise the impact caused by a natural disaster. Matthew designed a house on stilts that would keep belongings up out of a flood. Nathanael designed a lifeboat that can drive on land and also be used in the water to rescue people in a flood. The Year 4 class designed a solution to help catch carp in the Murray River.

When we got to the expo we set up our display with the posters we had made and our 3D models. During the morning we went around to visit the other displays and learn from the students what problem they were trying to solve and the solutions they came up with. Students and teachers also came to visit our stall to listen to how we worked though the design process and came up with our 3D models.

The St Raphael’s School Mini Monets Art Show was held at the Monastery from Friday 4 August until Sunday 6 August. Please enjoy the photo gallery below of the event.

Cyber Safety Child Parent Workshop at St Raphael’s School

Please RSVP via Qkr!
Thursday 7 September from 6pm to 7pm for parents/carers and their children.
Please find details here. 

Father's and Special VIP's Day Events

Liturgy on Thursday 31 August and stalls on Friday 1 September in the school Hall.   

Social gathering opportunities

Disco

Parents/carers are invited to the Parkside Hotel on the night of the disco for a drink and nibbles while their children dance the night away at the school Disco.

Friday September 1. Please look out for invitations to be distributed in the next few weeks.

Katrina Tucker
Marketing and Communications Coordinator 

Do any of these items look familiar to you but you haven’t seen them in a while?

They have all been left in OSHC on Pupil Free Days and are un-named so please call in and look through our “Lost Property” box and take them home again where they really belong.