Term 4, Week 4 - Monday 4th November, 2024

What's On This Week

Principal

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Last week I attended the Principals Conference for Term 4. We had a very important session with Susan McLean, one of Australia’s foremost experts in the area of cyber safety and young people. To say all principals were suitably horrified by her knowledge in the current environment our students live in, is an understatement. In particular, this knowledge is extremely imperative for every parent. Consequently, I am going to offer some small group sessions for parents to unpack the world of cyber security and how to manage the cyber world as a parent. Please look out for the invitations to some small group sessions. 

In particular our students need to understand their digital footprint. Your child’s digital footprint is found in many places online: 

• the wording of their email address
• Their CV or an online application form
• Their profile pic on social networking sites such as FB, Instagram or Twitter
• Friends attached to their social networking pages (guilty by association)
• ‘Likes’ on their page
• Content and images found in their name via a search engine such as Google (newsletter articles, journals, blogs or comments)
• Places they hang out online, including blogs and all the different accounts they have had or have
• The bluetooth name they have on their phone
• Their wi-fi hotspot name 
• Online game sites
• The many apps students have 

• We as parents often started our children’s digital footprint through our sharing of their photos from birth

As a school we will be reviewing our own policy and procedures in regards to all matters related to our students digital footprint, as well as revising parent consent. 

Staff and students will also receive information in regards to keeping safe ion the cyber world. The statistics, investigations and constant reports, provide some very thought provoking material to educate our students. 

Next year we are commencing an extension program from Year 5 - Year 10. The aim of this program is to identify students who show strength in particular educational fields. This could be in a curriculum or co curricular area. The program will be targeted to the area the student is demonstrating strength in, and appropriate staff will be working with the student in this area. Each program will continue for a Term. Parents will be contacted and required to give consent. The finer details will be published to parents and students when we have refined the program details. 

In 2025 we have tried very hard to place our staff professional learning days at the start of each term to avoid any disruption for parents regarding child care. 

God Bless, 

Michelle Deschamps - Principal

From the Assistant Principal

Welcome to Week 4 Term 4! The past fortnight has demonstrated once again the amazing opportunities that exist in our fine school of St Raphael's Catholic School. The primary school has been involved in a number of educational excursions with classes heading off to Canberra. They have visited the Canberra Zoo, Aquarium, the National Arboretum, Questacon, National Dinosaur Museum, Botanical Gardens and many other wonderful places. Whilst having a wonderful time they are also completing units of work based around curriculum outcomes which will enhance their learning. These opportunities only exist through our amazing and hard working staff who take the time to organise these excursions, which they are not required to, give up their time with families all for the sake of providing experiences and opportunities that our student might not otherwise have - for this I say a big thank you.

The secondary school is gearing up for Stage 5 exams in Week 5 and staff and students are preparing for these assessments. I spoke to the students at Monday Morning Assembly to emphasise the importance of study and being prepared for exams and what it takes to be a success. Success is not a flash in the pan, it is a consistent and methodical approach of revision and study habits to ensure students receive the mark they deserve. The sooner students realise the importance of an approach to study that involves practice essay/longer responses, constant revision of key terms and ideas, and going over work with teachers the better off they will be. This is a lesson that goes beyond the classroom of preparing students for life after school that requires dedication and diligence and working towards a goal. Our exams assess what students have learnt but they also teach them life lessons about what it means to gain success.

David Wickham - Assistant Principal

Faith, Mission & Learning

'And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.'  Hebrews 13:16 

I wonder what it truly means to “do good” everyday.  Do we genuinely seek opportunities to help others, even in small ways, or are we sometimes too focused on our own challenges?
As Fr Dong mentioned at mass on the weekend, the difference between our secular and non-secular communities is that those who have a love of Christ, choose to wholey love themselves and therefore properly ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.  Jesus was pointing to the system of social justice which looked after the poor and which did not exploit workers. It is up to us as global citizens of the 21st century to recognise as ‘neighbours’ those beyond our borders and to love them in a practical way.

I wonder how sharing with others can transform my faith journey. Could sharing my time, resources, or compassion deepen my relationship with God and others in unexpected ways?
I wonder how I could inspire others to share and sacrifice as well. How can my actions encourage a community of kindness, where sharing becomes contagious?
I wonder what role gratitude plays in doing good and sharing. Does cultivating a thankful heart make it easier to give and share, knowing all that I’ve been blessed with?
These 'I wonder..' questions allow for a thoughtful, ongoing reflection on how we live out the call to 'do good and to share with others,' helping us connect more deeply with this passage's meaning in our lives. 

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Our Bronze, Silver & Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award participants are back from their multi-day Adventurous Journey. Students completed the Kiama Coast Walk stretching from Minnamurra through to Gerroa, followed by an exploration of Minnamurra Rainforest. The group hiked over 30km whilst carrying all of their own food, water, clothing and shelter. 

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Year 10 Retreat

Our Year 10 Cohort enjoyed their retreat on Wednesday 30th November . The theme for the day was ‘Step into Leadership’.

Learning Engagement & Wellbeing

Late Arrival of Secondary Students

Families are reminded of the process around late arrival of Secondary Students.  Secondary Students are not permitted to sign themselves in using the Compass Kiosk.  Any Secondary Student arriving late to school (i.e. after 9:10am) will be signed in at the School Office. Their late arrival will be marked as unexplained until an attendance note to explain the reason for their late arrival is added by their parent on Compass, or a phone call/email placed to the school to justify their child's late arrival.

Attendance Matters

Attending special school events fosters a sense of belonging to the school community. Expect your child to attend and participate in events.

Setting the expectation for children to attend and actively participate in special school events is a positive step toward creating a supportive and vibrant school community. It contributes to a well-rounded educational experience that extends beyond the academic curriculum.

Expecting children to attend and participate in school events instils a sense of responsibility. It teaches them that being part of a community involves active involvement and a commitment to shared experiences.

Primary Learning & Enrichment

Bronze and Level 7 Award Recipients

Congratulations to the following Primary students who have reached Level 7, Silver, Level 9 and Gold on the Behaviour Management Plan.

LEVEL 7

  Stewart Overman * Charlize Skelton

SILVER AWARD

Jimmy Ball * Evelyn Doolan * Annie Keefe * Thomas Medway * Ava Woods * Lucy Bryant * Sophia Flanagan * Rohan Meyers * Violet Pye * Oscar Smith * Shayla Egan * Stella Frazer * Sebastian Rowlands * Rebel Thompson * Isabel Prideax * Billy Simms * Lachlan Johnstone * Jack Smith * Wyatt Burns * Eli Hodder * Rowdy Causton *  Angus Ousby * Beatrix  Perry * Noah Campbell * Tilly Gundersen * Joshua Launders * Elsie Meyers * Flynn Allard * Connor Frazer * Samuel Harris * Claire Harrison * David Kang * Cameron McAlister * Anna Pearce * Erik Bowen-Chambers * Joy Bowen-Chambers * Ava Douglas * Patrick Dyer * Emily Twigg

LEVEL 9

Olivia Finn * Ben Pearce

GOLD AWARD

Harriet McColl * Liam Doolan

Year 2 Excursion

We are excited to share the highlights from our Year 2 excursion to Canberra, which took place on Wednesday 30th October. Our adventure included visits to Questacon and the National Dinosaur Museum. It was a fantastic day filled with learning and fun! 

Questacon: The Home of Fun Science 

Our day began at Questacon, where students engaged with hands-on exhibits that sparked their curiosity about science and technology. From the thrilling ‘freefall’ slide to the interactive displays on electricity and sound, Year 2 students explored a variety of scientific principles in an exciting way. 

National Dinosaur Museum

After an energetic morning at Questacon, we headed to the National Dinosaur Museum. The students were captivated by the incredible dinosaur exhibits, featuring life-sized models and fascinating fossils. Our knowledgeable guide took us through the museum, sharing fascinating facts about different dinosaur species and their habitats. 

All of Year 2 expressed their excitement about the exhibits and enjoyed the interactive nature of both venues. The ‘freefall’ slide was definitely a highlight for most students! 

We hope this excursion ignited a passion for science and history in our students. 

Phoebe McGrath and Darrel Colemane

Year 2 Teachers

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Library News

Learning Logistics & Pathways

Careers Corner

Students, parents & carers are encouraged to check out the latest updates on our school's career pathways website: https://straphaelscowra.careertools.com.au/

Any questions, please contact Mr Lette, thank you.

David Lette - Leader of Learning Logistics and Pathways

Secondary Sport

St Raphael's attended the NRL League Tag earlier in the week. In barmy conditions the girls competed well against bigger schools in the region. Thank you to the parents who helped out with transport and supervision. Special mention to Mr Skinner for delivering our gazebo, it was much appreciated!

Administration

School Fees Are Now Overdue

Families are reminded that 2024 School Fees are now overdue.  If you do not already have a payment plan in place, please contact the school as a matter of priority to make payment.

Save the Dates!

Term 4 Primary Assembly Dates have been confirmed as follows:

• Monday 4th November (Week 4) - 2:05pm @ St Brigid's School Hall
• Friday 29th November (Week 7) - 2:05pm @ St Brigid's School Hall

The 2024 Presentation Day Assembly (K-12) has been cofirmed as follows:

• Friday 13th December (Week 10) - 9:30am @ St Raphael's Catholic Church

No students on school grounds before 8:20am

Families are reminded that there is to be no general student access to school grounds before 8:20am. 

There is no staff supervision until this time, and therefore students arriving on school grounds prior to 8:20am are out of bounds.  Please assist your school with the wellbeing and safety of all students by ensuring that your child is not on school grounds prior to 8:20am.

Canteen

Online Canteen Ordering is now available via the Flexischools App!

Thankyou to those families who have already signed up to Flexischools to manage their children's recess and lunch canteen orders!  We've been overwhelmed with the positive response, and are so excited to be providing a convenient and cashless ordering system to meet the needs of students and families. 

If you haven't already done so, we encourage you to download the Flexischools app from the Apple or Google store and follow the prompts to create an account. You can download the App and find registration and online ordering instructions here.

The Term 4 Canteen Menu is now live, with some fantastic new meal options.

Please note!

• there is no toasting of sandwiches in Term 4
• gluten free nuggets are reserved for gluten free students only

Community Connections

Date: Friday 25th of October, 2024

Time: 5pm - 7:30pm

Location: Cowra Bowling Club Auditorium

Tickets: $5.00 per child (includes popcorn, soft drink, lollies & goodie bag)

Here's what's in store:

Movie on the Big Screen – Bring a beanbag or cushion & enjoy a Halloween-themed movie! 

Spooky Activities – There will be plenty of creepy craft activities to enjoy!

Halloween Games – Fun & family-friendly games such as the spider toss for everyone to enjoy!

Prizes for Best & Spookiest Costumes – have your little ones come dressed to impress & win some fang-tastic prizes!

 To book your spot, simply call 02 6342 1279 or hollie@cowrabowlingclub.com.au

Free Stepping Stones Triple P Program

School-Link at The Children's Hospital at Westmead invites parents to attend our upcoming free online Stepping Stones Triple P seminars. These seminars are for parents of children aged up to 12 years of age who have autism or intellectual disability. 

Seminar 1: Positive Parenting for Children with a Disability, Weds 23rd October 6:30-8pm Registration link:  https://shorturl.at/VU3Qg

Seminar 2: Helping Your Child Reach Their Potential, Weds 30th October 6:30-8pm            

Registration link: https://shorturl.at/sCkuG

Seminar 3: Changing Problem Behaviour into Positive Behaviour, Wednesday 6th November 6:30-8pm Registration link: https://shorturl.at/ytSu0

Places are limited. You will need to sign up to each webinar you plan to attend. Read more on the flyer here. 

Behaviour Tip Sheets

You might also be interested in our behaviour tip sheets. The Children's Hospital at Westmead and SAL consulting have written some tip sheets to answer common questions about children's behaviour. Topics include: 

Why is my child Anxious?

Why does my child hurt themselves?

How can I help my child navigate adolescence?

Sensory processing difficulties

Why does my child hurt others? 

Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT

What works for your child and your family around wellbeing and learning?

Do you have a few minutes to share what works for your child around wellbeing and learning? A positive school experience shared is something we would like to hear. CSPA is listening so go ahead and tell us.

Scan the QR code or click on the survey link: https://bit.ly/3MQTXM4

Thank you from CSPA!