Dear St Raphael's School Families,
We are thrilled to announce our upcoming "Reading Revolution" program, featuring two exciting events designed to celebrate and promote literacy in our school community. We invite you to join us in fostering a love for reading and highlighting the importance of literacy in our children's lives.
Read-a-thon: November 4-8
We encourage all St Raphael's students to participate in our school-wide read-a-thon from November 4-8. During this week, students will be challenged to read as many books as possible, either independently or with others.
To get involved:
- Look out for SeeSaw guidance from your child's teacher
- Keep a tally of books read so they can be marked on the classroom chart each day
- Generally encourage reading at home and school
Special book prizes will be awarded to top readers in each class. Let's make this a fun and engaging way to boost our reading habits!
Expert Panel: Literacy - The Foundation of Success
Please RSVP.
- Date: Monday, November 4th
- Time: 6:15 PM
- Venue: St Raphael's School Hall
Join us for an insightful evening as Principal Emma Fowler hosts a panel of literacy experts including:
- Representatives from Raising Literacy SA
- Unley Library specialists
- Local children's authors: Andrew Joyner, Tania Ingram and Mandy Foot
This event will explore:
- The crucial role of reading in children's development
- How reading fosters brain development and neural connections
- Practical strategies for families to support literacy at home
Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and tools to support your child's reading journey.
We look forward to your enthusiastic participation in both the read-a-thon and expert panel session. Together, let's ignite a passion for reading that will last a lifetime!
To RSVP for the panel and see who the speakers are please click here. Children are welcome to the expert panel event. For any questions please contact Katrina on ktucker@raph.catholic.edu.au
Happy reading!
We are thrilled to announce that two of our esteemed educators have won awards in the inaugural Unley Rotary Teacher Awards 2024.
Award Recipients
Tia Della Pace has been selected as a recipient of the Unley Rotary Teacher Award for 2024 in the category of "Encouragement." This award recognises Tia's outstanding contributions as an early career teacher.
Meeiying Lee has been selected as a recipient of the Unley Rotary Teacher Award for 2024 in the category of "Achievement." This award acknowledges Meeiying's exceptional accomplishments as an experienced educator.
Recognition of Excellence
These prestigious awards highlight the dedication and genuine care that both Tia and Meeiying demonstrate. Their commitment has been recognised, with the Lord Mayor Michael Hewitson and Local Member for Unley David Pisoni present at the ceremony.
“We need to raise the status of teachers in our community” Mayor Hewitson stated in his speech “they need to be empowered.”
The awards featured 18 nominations from 11 participating schools in and around the local area. St Raphaels’ School received the greatest number of nominations and was in excellent company alongside Unley Primary, Unley High School, Concordia and Urrbrae High School.
This marks the third award for St Raphael's Primary School this year, following Assistant Principal Anthony Sicaria's recognition as one of Australia's 50 Best Teachers in the News Corp Best Teacher campaign. We are truly blessed with outstanding educators who shape our future generations!
Awards Ceremony
The Presentation Ceremony for the Unley Rotary Teacher Awards 2024 was held on Tuesday, October 22nd. This dinner event celebrated the outstanding contributions of educators across various categories, including Encouragement Awards for early career teachers, Achievement Awards for experienced teachers, and Team Awards for collaborative efforts.
These prestigious awards are a testament to the dedication, outstanding academic results, and genuine care that both Tia and Meeiying demonstrate in their roles. Their commitment to their students and the field of education has been rightfully recognised by the Rotary Club of Unley.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to both Tia and Meeiying for this well-deserved recognition. Their achievements reflect the high standards of teaching excellence within our school community.
Please join us in celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of Tia Della Pace and Meeiying Lee. Their success is a source of pride for our entire school community and serves as an inspiration to all educators.
What a wonderful morning we had at Grandfriends Day last week. It was a heartwarming celebration of the vital connections between our students and their beloved grandparents and special friends.
Connecting with different age groups is essential, not just within our families, but also among our peers. The rich learning experiences that our Grandfriends witnessed during this special event flowed back to our young people, who had the opportunity to showcase their learnings and interact with a variety of new faces.
These interactions are invaluable, fostering a sense of community and understanding across generations. They remind us that primary school is not just about academic growth but also about building relationships that enrich our lives.
We feel incredibly honored to have hosted so many extended family members, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to everyone who joined us in making this day so special!
Our Year 3/4 students had an incredible time at the recent Tennis Carnival! The day was full of energy and excitement, with students from different schools coming together to enjoy some friendly competition and lots of laughs.
This carnival was more than just playing tennis; it was a great chance for our students to show off their sportsmanship and team spirit. From cheering on their classmates to celebrating every win with a big smile, the Year 3/4 students truly embodied what it means to be part of a team. Their positivity and support for one another made the day special for everyone. One of the highlights of the day was the unexpected “dance battle” round, where students not only displayed their tennis skills but hit the court with their best moves.
A huge thank you to Mr Sharrock for his organisation making the day a success. We’re already looking forward to the next carnival and can’t wait to see our students continue to shine on and off the court!
What an amazing evening we had at our recent Sports Day, held offsite for the first time at Walford Oval! The decision to move to a twilight Sports Day brought a refreshing change, and it was fantastic to see so many parents come along to cheer for their children and even get involved in the parent 400m race.
The atmosphere was full of excitement, laughter, and healthy competition, with students giving their best in every race, jump, and throw. Parents didn't hold back either!
Of course, the highlight of the afternoon had to be the whole-school relay. Seeing every student, from our littlest Receptions to our big Year 6 leaders, working together with determination and joy was truly special. The way the crowd erupted with cheers as each runner tapped their teammate’s hand showed just how strong the St Raphael's community is. That moment of unity was what our school spirit is all about—coming together, supporting each other, and celebrating as one.
Thank you to everyone who made the afternoon such a success—from our incredible staff and volunteers who organised the event, to the parents for their involvement and encouragement, and of course, our students who gave it their all. We're already looking forward to next year’s Sports Day and can’t wait to see what new memories we’ll create!
Upcoming Events
Expert Panel: Literacy - The Foundation of Success.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from experts and gain valuable insights into the world of reading. Join us in our mission to cultivate a community of passionate readers and lifelong learners.
St Raphael's School, is proud to announce an expert panel event on the importance of reading, hosted by Principal Emma Fowler. This event is part of our Reading Revolution read-a-thon and will take place on Monday, November 4th, from 6:15 pm in the school Hall.
Why Reading Matters: Practical Insights for Families
Join us for an enlightening discussion on the crucial role of reading in children's development, focusing on practical reasons that families with children aged 0 to Year 6 can relate to. Our expert panel will explore how reading fosters brain development and neural connections in young children, enabling positive academic, social, and wellbeing outcomes.
Panellists
- Representatives from Raising Literacy SA
- Unley Library specialists
- Local children's authors: Andrew Joyner, Tania Ingram and Mandy Foot
Event Details:
Date: Monday, November 4th
Time: 6:15 pm
Location: St Raphael's School Hall, 114 Glen Osmond Rd, Parkside.
Cost: Free entry with children welcome.
RSVP: Required to ensure adequate space, please.
Read-a-thon
Running from November 4th to November 8th. We're encouraging our students, and the kindy kids at Cranley House Child Care Centre, Grove Kindergarten, Kozy Kids Glenside and Guardian Child Care Centre, plus the wider community to read as many books as possible, either to themselves or to others, and keep a tally.
Special book prizes will be awarded to the children who read or had the most books read to them at each participating kindergarten and at St Raphael's School.
Remembrance Day
We will hold a Remembrance Ceremony at 10:50am on Monday 11th November in the and all families are welcome.
PE Week
Christmas concert: Aisle Be Home for Christmas
All abord for our Christmas Concert: "Aisle Be Home for Christmas"
Sing along to your favourite Christmas carols, laugh with our student stand up comedians and enjoy some slapstick, drama and musical theatre performances.
Paging passengers for Friday 15 November
Gates open 6pm for a 7pm flight
Entertainment, drinks and desserts available.
Enjoy a show put on by all our students just for you!
Tickets are $5 each [St Raphael's School students free], via QKR or at the front office.
Celebrating the arts evening: Music tuition and drama club.
Don't miss this opportunity to support our talented students and enjoy a night filled with creativity and joy!
Drumming, piano and guitar tuition students
Year 4-6 Drama Club Presenting:
“The Constellation Show”- Written by Maria Arias Contreras (Year 5/6H)
Disco for kids at school and parents at The Parkside
What to Bring and Wear
• A named water bottle
• Comfortable clothes for dancing
• Optional: Wear something white to glow under the lights! Important Information
• No glowsticks allowed for safety reasons.
• Snacks and drinks will be provided (chips and a drink).
• R-2 students will watch a G-rated movie in the Loft after snack time.
Expectations
• Have fun and dance!
• Be respectful of others and the decorations.
• No running or screaming in the hall.
• Listen to teachers and Year 6 leaders.
Year 6 Student Roles Our Year 6 students will have special responsibilities, including:
• Greeting and assisting younger students.
• Leading group dances.
• Helping with food and drink distribution.
• Assisting with setup and cleanup.
Parent Invitation
We are also thrilled to announce that all parents are invited to join us at the Parkside Hotel for a drink while your kids dance the night away! This is a wonderful initiative by our Parents and Friends Association, providing an opportunity for parents to relax and connect with each other during the event. Teachers will be supervising the disco to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. We can't wait to see you there for a night of music, dancing, and community!
End of Year Mass and last day for Year 6
Last day of school for the year.
Social