Dear Parents/Caregivers, Students, Staff, and Friends of St Raphael’s School,
This week we enter Holy Week, a most solemn week in the Catholic tradition commemorating Jesus' last week on earth and the events leading up to his resurrection on Easter Sunday. This year our school’s focus is on the Stations of the Cross. Since the earliest centuries of the Church, Christians have made pilgrimages to Jerusalem in order to retrace the steps of Jesus during his suffering, death and resurrection. Around the fifteenth century, Christians began the practice of prayerfully meditating on the Passion of Christ by reproducing that pilgrimage in miniature in what eventually became known as the Stations of the Cross. We have recreated this ‘mini pilgrimage’ for our students so they too, can prayerfully reflect on the Passion of Christ. By walking with Jesus, we join our suffering to his, knowing that he will lead us through it into the new life of the Resurrection.
Last week we held our annual Sports Day and it was a tremendous day. I take this opportunity to thank the Parents and Friends committee for their support in wrapping the raffle baskets, helping sell the team-coloured ribbons and raffle tickets on the day, and for their support of Emma in helping with the sausage sizzle and serving treats throughout the day. Christian Brothers College was also a great supporter to us in providing the tents, so our students were undercover throughout the day. It was also wonderful to be able to welcome back our families to the school grounds. Several families commented to me on their way home, how much they appreciated being able reconnect with other families and importantly, being present to support their child/ren throughout the day.
Our sports leaders were outstanding in their organisation and support of their teams.
Raphael (Blue) : Xavier R
Fitzpatrick (Green): Lucas S
Mercy (Red) : Zane G
McAuley (Yellow) : Sienna C
We thank them for their leadership.
It has come around very quickly, and I remind families that the school term ends for students on Thursday 8 April. Teachers return the following day, Friday 9 April, for a professional learning day led by our Numeracy Coach, Deborah Hansen. OSHC is available for families needing this service on Friday 9 April. Please contact Anne O’Connell for additional details or book a place for your child/ren online.
A reminder that Term 2 begins on Tuesday 27 April and I look forward to your return.
As we end this week, I wish all students and their families a Blessed and safe Easter.
Draw us forth, God of all creation.
Draw us forward and away from limited certainty into the immense world of your love.
Give us the capacity to even for a moment taste the richness of the feast you give us.
Give us the peace to live with uncertainty, with questions, with doubts.
Help us to experience the resurrection anew with open wonder and an increasing ability to see you in the people of Easter.
Amen.
— Author Unknown
With every best wish,
Mia Harms
Principal
As Term 1 comes to a close, we can reflect on our Lenten journey so far and prepare ourselves for the important liturgical event in the Church year - Easter. This week is Holy Week and students have been learning about the significant events leading to Jesus' death and resurrection. Each class has prepared a large poster representing one of the stations of the cross and as a school we will walk the 'Way of the Cross' reflecting on Jesus' final hours. The purpose of the Stations of the Cross is to help us make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer and reflection depicting Christ’s journey to his crucifixion in his final hours. At St Raphael's Church, we have the fourteen stations of the cross displayed on both side walls. You may like to view these or alternatively the Monastery is leading Stations of the Cross walks especially for children on Good Friday. Please contact the parish office for more details.
Casual Day: Purple for Project Compassion
Our final effort as a school community to raise money for Project Compassion will be a casual day on Holy Thursday. Students are invited to wear a big or small splash of purple. We are asking for a gold coin donation to help support Caritas. We thank you in anticipation for your contribution to this worthy cause.
Holy Week and Easter Services – St Paul of the Cross Parish
Please refer to Parish bulletin or website for the Easter services at either St Paul's or St Raphael's Church.
Catholic Family Website:
You may like to access the link http://cathfamily.org 'Making the home the heart of the Church' as a way of engaging with your family during this Easter season and beyond. It contains kid friendly resources, information, prayer and activities you may like to do at home.
For the Heart
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die." (John 11:25)
Wishing you all a blessed Easter with your families. We will return to school on Tuesday to celebrate a Resurrection liturgy with the whole school.
God bless,
Kelly Manera
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Our students in Years 3 and 5 will sit NAPLAN in Week 3, Term 2.
This year NAPLAN will be conducted online. Students will complete all tests online with the exception of Year 3 Writing which will continue to be in a paper form.
NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum.
NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four areas (or ‘domains’) of:
Writing
Reading
Language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
Numeracy
More information about NAPLAN Online is available here.
Angela Keam
NAPLAN Coordinator
Sports Day 2021
Congratulations to Raphael (Blue) team on winning the Spirit Cup and the Sports Shield at Sports Day 2021. Official placings were:
Spirit Cup Sports Shield
1. Raphael (Blue) 1. Raphael(Blue)
2. Fitzpatrick (Green) 2. MacAuley (Yellow)
3. Mercy (Red) 3. Mercy (Red)
4. McAuley (Yellow) 4. Fitzpatrick (Green)
Much credit goes to the Sports Leaders, Xavier R - Blue, Zane G - Red, Lucas S - Green, Sienna C -Yellow) who all did a wonderful job preparing their teams with cheers and generating wonderful team spirit.
To all families who donated coloured themed items for our school raffle, a big THANK YOU. Just over $600 was raised, which will be used to purchase new equipment for Nature Play and Recess/Lunchtime Play.
Thank you to P&F parents for their work in wrapping the gift baskets for the raffle and to Emma Alexander, our Canteen Manager, for organising the catering side of the event. Finally, many thanks to parent, Cameron Alexander, for the generous offer of the marquee tents on loan from Christian Brothers College. A great team effort resulting in a successful, active and fun day for our whole school community.
Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival
On Thursday 18 March, our school competed in the Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival at the SA and Aquatic Swimming Centre at Marion. Swimmers (16 in total from Year 3-6) had been involved in after school trainings for the weeks leading into the event. In true St. Raphael’s spirit each student swam their race/races to the best of their ability, with pleasing results. It would be fair to say that our small school was once again ‘punching above our weight’ competing against 7 other schools, with a majority of our opponents being large schools. We managed to place either 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in a handful of races on the program, resulting in our school placing eighth overall.
Congratulations to all members of our swimming team, who gave it ‘their all’ on the day:
Manny G, Ebony N, Luella R, Jemima McI, Ethan T, Mia P, Georgia A, Aiden B, Milla W, Mia K, Holly K, Savannah D, Natalia S, Max L, Ada L and Naomi T.
Thank you to the parents and family members who attended to lend support to our swimmers. Special thanks to Phil Buttfield and Emma Read for volunteering their time to act as officials on the day. Many thanks to staff members, Angela Keam and Marianne Farrugia and old scholar, Amy Steven, for their assistance in preparing the students before and on the day of the carnival.
Cricket
The first half of the school cricket season drew to a close last Saturday and will resume in Term 4. Congratulations to all fifteen players from Year 2 to Year 6 who represented our school admirably throughout the term. Many thanks to the Master Blaster team coach and parent volunteer, Matt Pike, for his time, effort and energy in getting our youngest group organised on match days. Thanks also to all of the parents who have supported their children playing cricket during this term.
Auskick Program
All students in Reception and Year 1 have received information regarding the Auskick program that is happening in Term 2 on Saturday mornings from 8:45 – 9:45am at neighbouring school, Parkside Primary.
If your child is interested in participating you will need to register online – please see the flyer attached here which contains all details. Hard copies are available from the School Office.
Jeanette Archer
PE and Sport Teacher
Thank you
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped in the Canteen on Sports Day. Your assistance was greatly appreciated and it was lovely to have so many of you involved on the day.
Change of days next week
Just a reminder the Canteen will be open Wednesday and Thursday next week as Friday is a pupil free day.
I hope everyone has a happy and safe Easter spent with family and friends.
Emma Alexander
Canteen Manager
Congratulations to our Parents and Friends Committee and all our volunteers for their hard work on Sports Day.
The P&F were able to raise over $600 and these funds will be allocated to new play equipment in the Natural Play Space and the purchase of a selection of balls for the students to use during Recess and Lunch time play.
A fantastic fundraising effort and we have no doubt our learners will enjoy the new equipment.
Next Parents and Friends Committee meeting Tuesday April 27 in The Loft 6pm-7pm. Everyone is welcome.
Congratulations to Henry F in Reception who has a new sister named Amelia born on 18 March 2021.
Important Dates
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
Term 1 concludes
Pupil Free Day
Term 2 commences
Upcoming Events
Principal's Tour
We invite you to join us on our next Principal's Tour on Thursday April 1 at 9:30am. Come along and see what our small personalised school can offer your child. We have a limited number of places available from Year 1 to Year 6 with a mid-year Reception intake for Term 3. Book your place online.
Purple Thursday
All learners are invited to attend school in casual clothes on Holy Thursday. On this day our school concludes its Project Compassion campaign to support the work of Caritas as they strive for justice in communities all around the world.
For a gold coin donation, you may wear casual clothes with a big or small splash of purple to show your support.
Parish Bulletin and Easter Information
Please click here to read the latest Parish Bulletin. The Easter Program for 2021 is available here.
We need your help!
We are in need of a family who are able to look after our chickens over the term break.
Would you be willing to come to school entering through the OSHC gate, feeding, checking on the water and caring for our two school chickens? Our chickens are children friendly and generally lay 2-3 eggs per day. All eggs laid can be consumed by the family helping.
Please contact the Office if you can help.
Sports Day 2021 Photo Gallery
A gallery page of photos from last week's Sports Day is available here.
Do you require OSHC?
The last day of this term is Thursday 8 April with Friday 9 April a Pupil Free Day. If you require OSHC on this day please go to the FullyBooked website here.
Cabra Dominican College - Year 7, 2023 intake
A reminder to families that enrolment applications for the Year 7, 2023 intake will close on Friday 9 April 2021.
Congratulations to our Swimming Team
On Thursday 18 March, our school competed in the Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival at the SA and Aquatic Swimming Centre at Marion. To find out more about their amazing achievements please read Jeanette Archer's Sports Report
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