Newsletter 18 2020

Dear Families,

Father Christmas has arrived in town and we begin the challenge of trying to celebrate the sacred when we are surrounded by the secular! While families are beginning to think about gift giving and menu items and restrictions on gatherings, parishes are planning for Christmas Masses in a COVID world.

How many people can we fit?
Are we allowed to sing?
How do we (that includes us as a Catholic school) present as a welcoming hope filled community?

One way that we can demonstrate that we are a faith filled community is by supporting others. We know that many charities have received a decline in donations this year and an increase in need. The Brother Michael Hamper Appeal that we support through our parish is not making hampers but this year, but they are collecting money instead. We have decided to donate the proceeds from our Sports Day raffle to this appeal and the Student Voice are also having a casual day on Wednesday 2 December for this appeal.

We will also have a Giving Tree set up in the office to support the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Vinnies receive a lot of soft toys for donations and they have requested items for teenagers e.g. gift vouchers would be greatly appreciated.  These can be left at the front office any time until the end of term.

Celebrations
It has been a great joy that several students from St Raphael’s School have been able to celebrate their First Communion over the last few weeks. We congratulate Hugo N, Ebony N, Johnny M, Gracie N, Archie N, Jackson M and James M (who will be celebrating this weekend). As full members of the Catholic Church they will now be able to participate in celebrating Mass in a special way.

Blessings to you all,
Sue Coghlan
APRIM (Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission)

Students started the term with the filming of the Unity Concert. They did a fantastic job of remembering their parts after the two week holiday break and I hope you have all had a chance to view the performance.

For the remained of the term R/1 students have been discovering soundscapes and are creating their own version of the well known “bear Hunt” using instruments of their choice.

Year 1/2 students have been learning ostinato patterns on the boom whacker and xylophone and Year 3 and 4 students have been learning about music from Africa. They have learnt some traditional patterns on the Djembe drums and sung songs in the Zulu language.

Year 5 and 6 students have been learning drills on the Taiko drum and are working towards creating their own compositions.

The Catholic Schools Music Festival is now live on the website and will be available for another three weeks only. The performance is of a high standard and was a great opportunity for the choir to work with a professional film crew. Choir families, please check your email for login details.

Amanda Rugari
Performing Arts Coordinator

Sports Day – Postponed to Thursday 26 November
Sports Day has been postponed and our new date is scheduled to be Thursday 26 November.  As you all know, due to the school closure beginning tomorrow, this may be postponed again. Details regarding a new date will be circulated if necessary.

So, for next Thursday 26 November, your child will come to school dressed in their team colour t-shirt with their school sports shorts, white socks and sneakers, along with their school hat. Students can also decorate their hair and faces with their team colour – all to be done at home, not at school.

The modified Sport Day program will run from 9:00am – 12:00pm. Emma Alexander will be organising the Sausage Sizzle for students who have already placed their order, as previously planned. Please note there will be no other lunch options available to students from the canteen on this day. The canteen can be accessed by students at recess time as per usual.

Please be aware that Sports Day will be a normal school day and students will return to their classes at the conclusion of the event for the remainder of the day. School dismissal time will be at 3:10pm, as usual.

Water Safety Program in Week 7 – Cancelled
Due to the current COVID outbreak in SA, the directive to schools is that all school aquatic programs due to take place in public swimming centres must be cancelled until further review. This unfortunately impacts on the Water Safety Program planned for students in Reception to Year 5, which was scheduled for next week, now not taking place.

Cricket Medallions Presentation
The members of the Year 2/3 Master Blaster Cricket team will be presented with their participation medallions for representing our school in Terms 1 and 4. This will take place at our upcoming Year 5 Assembly on Friday 27 November from 9:00 – 9:30am, which parents are welcome to attend.

Jeanette Archer
P.E. and Sport Coordinator

The Student Voice have noticed that, the weather’s getting warmer.  To help you ‘keep your cool,’ they will be selling Ice Cream Spiders at lunch on Wednesday 2 December for only $1.50.  (Only 1 Spider per student.)  The Student Voice have deliberately made the spiders in particular colours – guess what the colours represent & receive free sprinkles on your Spider.  For a gold coin [See the source image] , students will also be able to wear casual clothes on the day.  All money raised will be donated to The Brother Michael Christmas Appeal, which has been part of our parish for a number of years. 

The Brother Michael Appeal, is a registered charity which supports Adelaide’s needy leading up to Christmas.  The charity was established by the late Passionist, Br. Michael Kirgan.  As well as supporting Adelaide’s needy, The Br. Michael Appeal financially assists various charitable organisations overseas.