St Raphael's School Newsletter 2 2024

As we journey together this Lenten season, we are reminded of the profound significance it holds within our faith and our community. Lent is a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal—a period during which we seek to deepen our connection with God and grow spiritually. At St Raphael's, our theme of "Possibilities and Potential" resonates strongly with the essence of Lent, as it invites us to explore the vast opportunities for growth and transformation that this sacred season offers.

The Lenten season, with its call to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, presents us with countless opportunities to cultivate our Mercy Value of Compassion. It is a time for self-examination, where we are encouraged to identify areas of our lives that may be in need of spiritual renewal.

Moreover, as we prepare for the joyous celebration of Easter and the resurrection of Christ, we are reminded of the immense potential that lies within each of us. Just as Jesus emerged from the tomb, triumphant over death, Lent invites us to embrace the hope and promise of new life. It is a season of hope, where we are called to envision the possibilities of a brighter future and to strive towards realising our fullest potential as individuals and as a community.

May this Lenten journey be a time of grace and blessings for each one of you, as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and embrace the opportunities and potential that lie ahead.

Safety note

Reminder to our community members to remain vigilant when it comes to interactions with strangers, particularly when students and families are out and about, especially when unaccompanied or commuting to and from school. It's important for students to exercise caution and refrain from engaging with unfamiliar individuals, declining any offers of rides or gifts. In the event of an approach, students should avoid responding and instead seek help from nearby adults if they feel uneasy. Promptly reporting any such incidents to a trusted adult, be it a parent or school staff member, is crucial. SAPOL recommends that students consider using their mobile phones to alert the police, as this action can act as a deterrent, and they also advise making a formal report at the nearest police station. Let's work together to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.

Dear families and friends,

Project Compassion

We are now in the third week of the Season of Lent, so it is timely to mention the work of Caritas Australia and Project Compassion. “For over 60 years, Caritas Australia has worked hand in hand with the most marginalised and remote communities in Australia and overseas to confront the challenges of poverty.” Each year has its own theme, with 2024 being For All Future Generations. It is inspired by the story of the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-20).  

“In this story, God tells Moses that he has heard the cry of the people. God responds to things not being fair and chooses Moses to speak to Pharaoh.

Though Moses is afraid, God promises to be with him.

As God called Moses, so now God calls us to work for all future generations.”

(Caritas Website)

Friday is ‘Pyjama Day’ with all gold coin donations going to Project Compassion. We have also sent a small Project Compassion box home to each family this week and you are invited to donate as much as you can to this worthy cause. Many thanks!

Community Prayer Returns

A regular feature of St. Raphael’s, is our school gathering together first thing on a Thursday morning for Community Prayer, from 9 till 9.15am in the hall. You are all very warmly invited to join us and enjoy a cuppa! This week, we were led by our Yr.2 class and on March 14th, it will be Yr. 5/6H.

Class visits from Fr. Tony

These are recommencing for 2024 this Friday, with Fr. Tony meeting with our two senior classes to unpack; ‘What leadership means from a Spiritual point of view’. We are very blessed by the generosity of members of our Parish Team and their commitment to our school community. Teachers have suggested topics of relevance for Fr. Tony to discuss with the students and for the remaining Fridays of term, he will be spending time with classes. The sessions begin at 10.15am and Fr. Tony remains with the class until Recess. In this way, he gets to know our students, build positive relationships with them and staff and share his wisdom and insights.

Yr.6 Reflection Day

Next Wednesday March 13, our Yr.6 students will attend a Leadership Reflection Day at the Monastery, led by their class teachers and myself. Members of the Parish Team will join us during the day, which will provide an opportunity for our Yr. 6 students to reflect on and explore their special role as leaders at St Raphael’s School.

Holy Week and Easter

As a staff, we have decided on a series of events/ experiences for Holy Week and an Easter Liturgy when we return to school after Easter Monday. We are still in the planning stages and will send more details including the times these are being held, shortly. Please keep an eye on Audiri [formerly known as Skoolbag] and your child/children’s SeeSaw notifications for these.

I will leave you with some wisdom from St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop… “Believe in the whisperings of God in your own heart.”

Many blessings, Tanya

We are thrilled to introduce you to Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS), an exciting initiative aimed at creating a positive and supportive school environment for every student.

At St Raphael’s we believe in the power of collaboration and community involvement. As members of the PBIS Leadership Team, our mission is to work hand in hand with our dedicated staff to lead the implementation of PBIS strategies throughout our school. But we can't do it alone – we need your partnership and input every step of the way.

So, what exactly is PBIS?

PBIS is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioural supports and social culture needed for all students to achieve academic, social, and emotional success. It's about creating a school-wide culture where positive behaviours are not only encouraged but celebrated. Established by George Sugai, Tim Lewis and Rob Horner, educators who have specialised in working with children who have diverse learning needs, PBIS was established as a proactive approach to explicitly teaching all students our agreed expected behaviours and pro-social skills rather than just reacting to behaviour errors.

Why focus on positive social behaviours?

Traditionally, school-wide discipline has focused mainly on reacting to specific student misbehaviour by implementing punishment- based strategies. Research has shown that the implementation of punishment, especially when it is used inconsistently and in the absence of other positive strategies is ineffective. Introducing, modelling and reinforcing positive social behaviour is an important aspect of a student’s educational experience.

Our PBIS journey is rooted in collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and ongoing professional development. Together, we will work to model, share, and develop positive behaviours that foster an environment conducive to learning and growth for every child.

Throughout the year, we will be inviting you to join us on this journey by participating in surveys and sharing your thoughts and opinions. Your feedback is invaluable as we collectively create action plans and strategies to implement PBIS effectively school-wide.

Here's how you can get involved:

Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for updates and information about PBIS initiatives in our school newsletters, emails, and social media channels.

Share Your Voice: Participate in surveys and discussions to provide your insights and ideas on how we can make our school an even better place for our students.

Attend Events: Join us for PBIS workshops, seminars, and family engagement events where you can learn more about PBIS and connect with other families.

Support at Home: Reinforce PBIS principles at home by encouraging positive behaviours, setting clear expectations, and celebrating your child's achievements.

Together, we can create a school community where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. Thank you for joining us on this exciting journey!

Can you please complete the survey below to help guide our first steps.

https://forms.office.com/r/kBqh8UtmJJ

Survey closes Friday March 8 at 9pm.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we approach our upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on the 9 April at 6:00pm in the school hall, I am excited to announce an opportunity for you to play a vital role in shaping the future of our school community. We are seeking nominations for dedicated individuals to join our esteemed School Board.

The School Board plays a crucial role in decision-making processes that directly impact the educational experiences of our students. Members of the board collaborate with school leadership, teachers, parents, and community stakeholders to ensure that our school continues to provide a nurturing environment, where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Your participation on the School Board is not only an opportunity to contribute your expertise and insights but also a chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. Research consistently shows that active parental involvement in schooling has a profound impact on student success.

According to a study published in the Journal of Educational Research by Henderson and Mapp (2002), students whose parents are actively involved in their education demonstrate higher academic achievement, better attendance rates, and more positive attitudes towards school. Additionally, a meta-analysis conducted by Fan and Chen (2001) found a significant correlation between parental involvement and students' academic performance across various grade levels and subject areas.

By volunteering your time and expertise to serve on the School Board, you can directly contribute to the success and well-being of our students. Your commitment to active involvement in your child's schooling extends beyond the classroom and fosters a stronger partnership between home and school.

If you are passionate about education and eager to make a positive impact, I encourage you to consider nominating yourself or someone you know for a position on the School Board. Together, we can continue to ensure that our school remains a beacon of excellence and opportunity for all our students.

Nominations for the School Board can be submitted via this form to Emma Fowler by 1 April, 2024.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community.

Mid-year Reception intake

St Raphael's School offers a mid-year Reception intake program for children turning five between May and October. The program provides 18 months of Reception learning before Year 1, supported by free tuition during Terms 3 and 4. Research has shown the immense benefits of quality early learning experiences, and we are committed to supporting your child's educational journey from the very beginning. Families can explore more information on the school's website and schedule a Principal's Tour. We can’t wait to meet you! More information can be found here.

Litte Raph's extended transition

The Little Raph’s extended transition program is a valuable resource designed to aid young children in transitioning from kindergarten to school. This optional program, facilitated by our dedicated Reception teacher Tia Della Pace, spans one and a half terms and takes place every Tuesday morning in the school library. This program is tailored for students embarking on their Reception year, whether they are commencing at the beginning of the academic year or joining our mid-year Reception intake. The sessions, scheduled from 9:15am to 11:30am on Tuesdays, focus on instilling essential school readiness skills. Children participate in activities that enhance their literacy, numeracy, and fine motor abilities, preparing them for a successful transition to school life. For further information on how your child can benefit from Little Raph’s extended transition program, please consult our website.

Over the last few weeks, our Year 4-6 Drama Club students have participated in an assortment of Improvisation games that have challenged student actors to experience walking in another’s shoes, while honing their problem solving skills and public speaking abilities. For many students, attending Drama Club on Fridays during lunch is a weekly highlight and the positive energy within our creative space is always extremely contagious!

All students in Years 4, 5 and 6 are welcome to attend a ‘come and try’ session and join at anytime during the school year.

Photograph: Some of our core members during Week 4

Mrs. Mandy Flynn Performing Arts Teacher and Coordinator Email: aflynn@raph.catholic.edu.au On Site: Tuesdays and Fridays

Book Club Playgroup 

In our bright and air conditioned library we invite you to help develop your child’s love and understanding of learning each Wednesday morning.

Come and join our new, free Playgroup.

Each week we will choose a different picture book to read to the group. Based on the chosen book children will take part in craft activities, creative play, singing, and ‘a discussing the book session’ with lots of time for free play.

• Play is essential to the development of young children.
• When your child is given opportunities to explore, invent, reason and problem solve they are more able to understand the world.
• Allowing them to explore a great picture book with a variety of activities in a group setting and led by our school staff will encourage your child's curiosity and hunger to learn.
• With up to 85% of a baby's brain development occurring in the first three years, it's important we interact and engage early on.

Our Playgroup is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all families and children and is a great opportunity to socialise and build friendships. So much fun while you help you child to learn through play.

Our Playgroup runs on Wednesdays from 9.15am-10.30am in school term and starts March 13. Children birth to school age are welcome. Please bring a healthy fruit or vegetable snack for your child. There is no need to register prior to attending a session, just come along on the day.

For more information please contact us on info@raph.catholic.edu.au or call us on 8274 4900 Due to our current redevelopment we ask that you enter via our gates on Macklin St - please press our intercom so we can let you in. Parking is on the surrounding streets, please take note of the various parking signs.

St Raphael’s School Book Club Playgroup is fully affiliated with the Playgroup Association SA. Catholic Education South Australia is a member of the Early Years Taskforce and our Book Club Playgroup is part of the SPiCE Playgroup program with CESA. St Raphael's School is committed to the WORDS GROW MINDS campaign.

P&F fundraiser of delicious Easter treats

Our P&F is hosting a scrumptious fundraiser just in time for Easter! Get ready to indulge in a delightful selection of treats available for purchase through the convenient QRK! app from now until Tuesday, March 19th, with delivery scheduled for Tuesday, March 26th. Indulge your taste buds with award-winning hot cross buns from Kytons Bakery, available in traditional, fruitless, and Menz Fruchocs varieties. These buns are crafted using top-grade Australian dried fruit, ensuring a burst of flavor in every bite. Additionally, treat yourself to our mouth-watering, award-winning lamingtons that are simply irresistible. Picture light, fluffy sponge cake coated in moist coconut and drizzled with real chocolate sauce, available in traditional, coffee, raspberry, minis, and natives flavors. Let's make this fundraiser a huge success by spreading the word to family, friends, and colleagues! Kytons Bakery is a renowned name in South Australia, guaranteeing a delightful experience for all who order from them.

Together, we can raise funds to enhance our children's school and make it even more exceptional than it already is. Don't miss out on this opportunity to support our school and treat yourself to these delectable goodies!

P&F Whole School Playdate Invitation

Join us for a delightful afternoon at Marshmallow Park on Sunday, March 24th! You are warmly invited to a lunchtime picnic in Marshmallow Park on the Sunday before Easter from 2pm. Pack your own lunch with a little extra to share if you wish, and we'll provide some delicious snacks to complement your spread. Let's gather, bond, and enjoy a lovely day out together! We can't wait to see our school community come together once again for a fun-filled afternoon in the park. Looking forward to sharing good food, laughter, and memories with all of you at Marshmallow Park on Sunday, March 24th!

Cookbook photos request

If you have any photos of you and your family eating either at the dinner table, in the kitchen, at a park, playground or the beach, please send them through for possible inclusion in the cookbook - be sure to state your family's surname with each photo please.

ALSO the submission deadline for sending in recipes for inclusion to the cookbook has been pushed to the end of this term.

Please send all materials to Katrina at ktucker@raph.catholc.edu.au 

Best regards,

The Parents and Friends Committee

Announcing our: Movie Afternoon on Friday March 8 during school hours. Please wear your favorite pyjamas to school on the day. This event will be a fun and engaging way to raise funds for Caritas, and we encourage everyone to participate by making a gold coin donation.