Newsletter 9 2023

Dear Parents/Caregivers, Students, Staff, and Friends of St Raphael’s School,

Uniform Update

Thank you to the numerous families who responded to our recent Uniform Survey and for your positive and constructive comments. We had 70% of respondents in favour of the uniform change. At last night’s School Board Meeting, the School Board decided that we would put in place the transition to a unisex activewear uniform. This change to the uniform means a more practical, comfortable and affordable uniform for all families. The new changes mean that the uniform items are not season specific and students can choose each day which uniform items they wish to wear. Garments can be interchangeable for warmer or cooler weather days.  Year 6 students will continue to have their Seniors tops/jacket.

We encourage all our students to be active daily and it becomes a problem when they are constricted by the uniform they are required to wear. Just because we change the look of the uniform to an activewear style does not mean we are opting for a lack of neatness, quality, or pride in wearing the St Raphael’s School uniform.

Thank you to the school community and to the School Board members who in their wisdom, felt it was time we looked at different options.  I am calling for interested parents to become part of a subcommittee to help decide on the ‘look’ of the new proposed change to the uniform. Please contact the Office here if you are interested in being part of this committee.

What does this mean for parents/caregivers?

From 2024 parents/caregivers will be able to purchase the new activewear uniform for students in Reception – Year 6. Students wearing the current uniform may continue to do so until January 2026. This will allow a two-year phase in period of transition and give students time to outgrow their current uniform.

We will have on display a possible uniform sample once we have decided on the new look activewear style we are adopting.

Official Opening and Blessing of our Newly Refurbished Learning Areas

Parents/Caregivers are warmly invited to attend the Official Opening and Blessing of our newly refurbished Learning Areas on Thursday 27 July at 1:30 pm. During this celebration, the Archbishop Patrick O’ Regan, Neil McGoran, Director of Catholic Education, members of Studio 9 Architects, Catholic Education personnel and Fr Denis will be attending. This is an important event as these new facilities will be blessed by the Archbishop and all those involved in the planning, design and building will be acknowledged.  This building refurbishment was possible due to State Commonwealth Grant that was granted to us back in 2021. We would love to see you there. Please RSVP here  if you are able to attend.

Vacation Care

In late March 2023, our parents/caregivers were surveyed as to the possibility of organising a partial Vacation Care program during the holiday period/s. The survey results informed us that the most popular time for a holiday program to occur due to the viable number of students attending, would be in the week leading into the start of the new (2024) school year. This is the week that schools open prior to students returning the following week. To this end, we have been in discussions with a provider to ascertain whether or not they can provide this service at St Raphael’s School. As you can appreciate there are specific requirements and regulations necessary prior to offering a holiday program because the service runs outside of the school term. I will keep you informed as we proceed.

With every best wish,
Mia Harms
Principal

Dear Parents and Friends,

This week, we observe National Refugee Week each year June 18 – June 24, coinciding with World Refugee Day on 20 June. This year’s theme, Finding Freedom, invites us all to ask “What does it mean to be free”?

Many of us take for granted the securities and freedom that come with living in Australia. We enjoy political freedoms, such as freedom of speech, and a freedom to participate in democracy, but we also enjoy subtler freedoms, such as the freedom to know where our next meal will come from, and to know that our families will return home safely each day.

Every day, millions of people across the world embark on dangerous journeys, searching for these same freedoms. Freedoms not just for themselves, but for their families and children. As a Catholic community we instil the understanding to show compassion, and to celebrate the resilience of refugees.

What parallels can we draw between Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the entry into Australia of refugees seeking freedom? As Christ entered the city on the back of a lowly donkey, rather than a regal horse, what then of those who enter Australia by way of fragile boats? Do we greet them as the people greeted Jesus? Do we turn on them as many turned on Jesus within the space of a few days or do we remain committed to their dignity? (https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2023/03/21/national-refugee-week/)  These are the questions we can ask ourselves and help our children become compassionate citizens towards refugees.

Crazy Hair Day

As part of our social justice outreach, Student Voice at Saint Raphael’s School has advocated to support the Hutt Street Centre and has organised Crazy Hair Day.  Come to school with Crazy Hair and bring along a non-perishable food item.  These food items will then be delivered to the Hutt Street Centre and will be a wonderful offering and support for people who are going through tough times. Please support our CRAZY HAIR DAY. 

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

During Term 3 all St Raphael’s School students have been involved in the Aboriginal Artist in Residence Program. Each class worked with Nikki Carabetta to create Totem poles to be displayed at the kiss and drop area of the school. The Totem poles have been created with students looking at their own stories. In traditional Aboriginal culture, Totems connect people on a spiritual level, providing a deeper connectivity and understanding to their Clan, their traditional land and the Dreaming.

The significance and symbolism of Totems is something that is complex and multi-dimensional and varies depending on region and Clan.

A totem is a natural object, plant or animal that is inherited by members of a Clan or family as their spiritual emblem. Clan groups have caretaking responsibilities for their totems. Totems define peoples’ roles and responsibilities and their relationships with each other and creation.

Curriculum and learning benefits include links to the CESA Living, Learning Leading Framework – becoming interculturally and globally minded. The Cross Curriculum Priorities from the Australian Curriculum include working towards building understanding and knowledge about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.

I am currently working on a Reconciliation Action Plan and would love parent input and perspectives. If this is something you would be interested in, please email me clewis@raph.catholic.edu.au or drop into the front office.

Corey-Lee Lewis
Assistant Principal - Leader of Learning

Each year schools participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data and this information is reported to education authorities.

What is the NCCD?

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year. 

The NCCD is a collection that counts: 

• the number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability

 • the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students. Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. This ‘help’ allows them to access education on the same basis as a child without disability. The NCCD uses the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Schools provide this information to education authorities.

If you have any questions regarding this collection of data and your child, you can find information on the website here or feel free to contact me hcard@raph.catholic.edu.au

Helena Card
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission

We keep Anne O’Connell in our prayers on the sad passing of her father.

We keep Susan Moir in our prayers on the sad passing of her mother.

As we move closer to concluding Term 2, I know that I speak on behalf of all staff at St Raphael’s School when I say that we each feel an enormous amount of pride regarding how much our students have progressed in their individual learning journeys this term.   

What’s more, it brings me great joy to see many of our young people transform and thrive in Performing Arts extra-curricular activities and during class learning each week. Some of these achievements include:

Year 3 and 4 Learning Focus: Pantomime

As part of their Term 2 assessment, students recently presented a collection of short performances from the popular fairy-tale narrative ‘Rapunzel’. While working in teams, our performers cleverly adapted playscript text to suit the Pantomime medium, while also applying exaggerated physical movement/gestures, appropriate voice projection and successfully engaging their class audiences.

Ukulele Club (Years 3 and 4)

Student musicians have been learning an assortment of new songs and have also been honing a variety of essential skills necessary for independent practice and instrument maintenance. 

Drama Club (Years 4, 5 and 6)

At the beginning of Term 2, our student actors began blocking and rehearsing a new play called ‘The Secret Lives of Cats’ which will be presented in Term 3 (date TBC) and features a large cast of seventeen student actors.

Please enjoy reading the articles below and please do not hesitate to contact me via email if you have any additional questions about the Celebrating Music Concert (Tuesday 4 July) or the Catholic Schools Music Festival Excursion (23 June).

Email contact: aflynn@raph.catholic.edu.au 

Kind Regards,  
Mandy Flynn  
Performing Arts Teacher  

Choir Ensemble Excursion Reminders

Date: Friday 23 June, Week 8

This Friday morning (23 June) the Choir Ensemble will be attending a large-scale rehearsal at St. Thomas School in Goodwood in preparation for the Catholic Schools Music Festival, which will take place at the Adelaide Festival Centre during Term 3 (Week 10, Term 3 – allocated date/evening still to be confirmed by festival organisers).

Please reach out if you have any additional questions regarding the upcoming excursion this Friday or the Catholic Schools Music Festival next term.

Celebrating Music Concert

Date: Tuesday 4 July at 6:30pm Week 10  
          
As our Celebrating Music Concert is approaching, participating Music Tuition and Ukulele Club students have been working diligently toward a number of short group numbers and solo pieces which will be presented on the night.

As you may be aware from previous years, the Celebrating Music Concert not only celebrates our many talented student musicians, but also provides learners with the opportunity to perform to a supportive audience.

A reminder to parents and caregivers
If your child is performing at the event, we kindly request that you:

Qkr App: RSVP your seat numbers (based on how many family members will be attending on the night)

Student Performer Consent Form: Please ensure that this form is returned no later than the day before the event to ensure that your child’s name is featured in the program available on the night.

Last week, students from Years 3 to 6 participated in the Mylor Adventure Camp. They demonstrated resilience, curiosity, teamwork, thoughtfulness, and responsibility through various activities and interactions with their peers and surroundings. Activities included archery, raft making, bouldering, giant swing, frisbee golf, low ropes, gaga ball, flying fox, and a scavenger hunt. Some favourite moments were Evan's nature village building, Caroline's scavenger hunt, George's gaga ball game, and Ebony facing her fears on the giant swing.

"The nature village where we built large structures. I've been building like that at home now." Evan

"The scavenger hunt, because you had lots of clues and had to work it out and unscramble the words." Caroline

"Gaga ball because it was a game where you had to use your hands to push the ball and if it touched you, you were out." George

The giant swing because a lot of people were afraid it was too high, and I was able to face my fears and go on it." Ebony

School Sports Results

Week 6:
Year 5/6 Netball: St Raphael’s School 25 defeated St Paul’s College 5
Year 3/4 Soccer: BYE Round

Week 7:
Year 5/6 Netball: BYE Round
Year 3/4 Soccer: St Raphael’s School

SACPSSA Netball Carnival

Friday of Week 9 students from Years 5 and 6 will be participating in the SACPSSA Netball Carnival. This is held at Netball SA Stadium, where students can enjoy SA’s best outdoor netball facilities. SACPSSA Netball Carnivals traditionally encourages participation rather than competition. Aimed for both boys and girls, St Raphael’s School has registered a 5/6 boys team, Year 6 girls team and Year 5 girls team. Please return their permissions forms this week.

SACPSSA Cross Country Carnival

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: 10:00am - 2:00pm

SACPSSA Cross Country Training

Cross Country training is open for any student in Year 3-6. Trainings will be held on Wednesday mornings on the school oval/ courts. Students interested can sign up near the front office.

When: Term 2- Week 9 & 10
           Term 3- Week 1, 2 & 3
Time:   8:25am - 8: 40am

Hannah Reid
PE Teacher and Sports Coordinator

Grief

Explaining grief to children in the aftermath of the loss of a loved one is really challenging. Not only are we dealing with our own feelings, we have to then try to help our children navigate the changes that are happening and what the future might look like.

Grief isn't just about losing a loved one though, grief can be related to the loss of a friendship, a home, parent separation, moving interstate or overseas, changing schools. Any situation that involves loss of some kind can cause grief. Grief is a normal part of life, during times of loss, and it needs to be acknowledged and supported. 

A short story, written by Doris Stickney in the late 1970's uses Waterbugs and Dragonflies as a metaphor for explaining what happens after death in a child friendly way. Elements of this story can also be used to assist children in understanding the concept of loss and big changes in their life.

Waterbugs-and-Dragonflies-word-doc.pdf (rachels-eulogies.co.uk)

Sarah Byrnes
School Counsellor (Wednesday)

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 

Join us for a St Raphael's School indoor playdate

Please RSVP to Katrina on ktucker@raph.catholic.edu.au

Information on what Imagination Kidz has to offer, including their onsite cafe and entry fees [adults free] can be found here.

To view upcoming events please open our St Raphael's School Events page here.