St Raphaels Central School Newsletter Trm 1 Wk 9

P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Email: [email protected] Tel: 6342.2940 School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au

Dear Parents Students supporting Caritas and the Catholic Missions is something much more than some quaint Catholic tradition introduced by some nun in the last century. This is an acknowledgement that the wealth and resources of this world are not evenly shared among the people of the world, and this is an attempt to provide for the poorest from the privileges we enjoy. Take that thought to the next step and consider the inspirational example of ex-student, May Eldridge. May has taken the challenge further than most of us have the courage for by using her gap year, following the HSC, for volunteering in a tiny poor village on one of the islands of Vanuatu. The anguish of family awaiting news of how the cyclone impacted on May and her villagers is unimaginable. Please pray with us; in gratitude for such inspiration as May’s and asking for her protection and that of her villagers. Thank you to the extraordinary number of people who participated in our Garden Party on Saturday. Allison’s enthusiasm is infectious and it’s exciting to witness the growth of momentum around our garden project. Parent and student investment in such a worthy project will produce a rich harvest in terms of fruit and vegetables as well as in learning and engagement. The communal investment on Saturday had a lot more than gardens on the agenda. Another very worthy learning experience coming up this weekend is Earth Hour when we voluntarily black out our homes, go free of screen and electronic communications for the hour between 8:30 and 9:30pm. That simple gesture multiplied by millions across the planet has a massive positive impact on our environment. Parent / Teacher Learning Discussions will be conducted in Week 1 of next Term. The online booking scheme will be in action once again. Get in early to have greatest choice of time slots. See the note in the newsletter for login details. Friday was particularly busy with our Musicians participating in the Diocesan Music Showcase at Redbend College, Forbes, Stage 3 students participating in the Hockey Gala day among Cowra schools and our Swimming Representatives in Sydney

for the Polding CPS competition. Congratulations and thank you to all participants for their fine performances. Our P&F Association conducted the Annual General Meeting last Monday – thank you to everyone who attended. The election of the new Executive produced the following results: President: Damien Stephenson Vice Presidents: Renae Amos & Angela Kollas Treasurer: Donna O’Brien Secretary: TBA Publicity Officer: Ona Laurence Thank you to the outgoing members of the Executive whose loyalty, generosity and hard work are an absolute credit to them and hugely beneficial for our school. Congratulations and thank you to each person who accepted nomination and election – everyone understands how precious your time is and we appreciate your enormous generosity.

Michael Gallagher Principal

Most forgiving Lord,

again and again you welcome me back

into your loving arms. Grant me freedom from the heavy

burdens

that weigh me down

and keep me so far from you. Amen

Monday 23 Happy birthday to Lily Carson and Dominic

Henderson. U15 Soccer/Bill Turner Cup vs CHS at 9:15am.

St Raphael’s Catholic School

Term 1, Week 9/A Newsletter

23 March 2015 bathurstcatholicyouth.org

P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Email: [email protected] Tel: 6342.2940 School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au

Tuesday 24 First Eucharist Parent Meeting at 3:30pm and 7:00pm.

Wednesday 25

Happy birthday to Aiden Triming. Outward Bound Student Social 6:30pm-10:00pm.

Thursday 26

Happy birthday to Griffen Keys and Brendan and Joel Stendell.

SRCS Athletics Carnival.

Friday 27 Happy birthday to Oliver Groves.

Diocesan Primary Winter Sport Trials. Secondary Chess Competition vs Blaney High School.

Saturday 28

NSW State Election Day. Youth Summit at Bathurst. Earth Hour 8:30-9:30pm.

Happy birthday to Anna Fagan and Madison Sparkes

Sunday 29 Passion Play at 7pm at St Raphael’s Church.

Happy birthday to Mia Lewis and Cassandra Zarb.

Dates for the Calendar

Tuesday 24th March - Eucharist Enrolment meetings with parents 3.30pm and 7pm in St Brigid’s Hall.

Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th- First Eucharist home sheet given out as weekend masses

Sunday 29th March 7.30pm- Passion Play in St Raphael’s Church

Week 10 Holy Week

Sunday 29th March - Palm Sunday

Thursday 2nd April- Holy Thursday

Friday 3rd April - Good Friday

Saturday 4th April - Holy Saturday

Sunday 5th April - Easter Sunday

Passion Play Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the most Holy Week in the Church’s year. This year our parish community will be presenting a Passion Play to mark the beginning of Holy Week. The Passion Play follows Jesus’ journey from the Last Supper, through to his crucifixion and resurrection. Many members of the parish and the St Raphael’s school community have roles in the play.

The Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.

This is the ninth re-enactment that the parish has presented, the first being in 1976. It arose out of a deep desire to have the Last Supper re-enacted by the local parishioners. We invite you to join us in offering this presentation as a thanksgiving for all God’s gifts to us.

This year’s Passion Play will be held at St Raphael’s Church Cowra on Sunday

March 29th at 7pm. Immediately following the presentation you are warmly invited to join the Cast in St Raphael’s Hall for supper.

An Invitation

The Diocesan Council committee for

Domestic Church and Families is inviting

members of the diocesan Catholic

community to participate in a Focus

Group on the topic of the Vocation and

Mission of the Family in the Church and

Contemporary World. The task of the Focus Group will

be to respond to the questions listed in the preparatory

document (Lineamenta) for the General Assembly of

the Synod of Bishops. This activity is part of the

Church’s commitment to community consultation.

Your participation is solicited. For more information

please contact Robert George by phone on 6331 8944

or 0429826682 or by email

[email protected] .

Date and venue to be decided subject to participants’

interest.

K-6 Visiting Performance Show – Bully No More A note was sent home last week regarding the show for K-6 Students called “Bully No More”. Information is as follows: Kindergarten – Year 2 students (11.30am-12.30pm) Year 3 – Year 6 students (2pm-3pm) Date: Thursday, 2

nd April, 2015

Presentation length: 50-60 minutes Topic: Bully No More Cost: $6.00 per student Payment Due: Wednesday, 25

th March, 2015

Parent - Teacher Learning Discussions Parent - Teacher Learning Discussions will take place Week One of Term Two. Primary Discussions will take place on Tuesday 21st April, between 3.40pm and 7pm. Secondary Discussions will take place on Wednesday 22nd April, between 3.40pm and 7pm. To make your bookings, please go to: http://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/

For Primary bookings, please enter the event code: Y57US

For Secondary bookings, please enter the event code: CM2D3

Bookings will open today. You will then be able to book discussion times with teachers. Please note: Mrs Bischof and Mrs Swansborough will be unavailable during these times. Parents wishing to speak with these teachers are asked to make an alternate time. Any difficulties logging on, please contact Mr Lette.

P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Email: [email protected] Tel: 6342.2940 School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au

Australian Stock Exchange Share-market Game: Commerce students are presently engaged in the ASX shares game, (an educational game teaching students about investing). Congratulations to Brandon Melton & Richmond Bush, who are currently 1st in Australia! This is a remarkable accomplishment. Thousands of school students from all over Australia participate in this activity and competition is strong. Keep up the excellent work boys..., my superannuation may be riding on it! Mr Lette

WELLBEING

As the end of the term approaches, there are some

aspects of school life that need attention and care.

LEARNING

In all aspects of teaching and learning, behaviour is

connected to learning. If we want our students to learn

effectively, then positive behaviour towards learning is

important. Statistics prove that the longer students

remain in education, the better their life expectancy,

the better their health outcomes, and greater job

satisfaction will be experienced.

With this in mind, it becomes an obvious common goal

of families and schools to promote positive attitudes

towards learning. Students have a responsibility to

make the most of the opportunities available to them

by adopting healthy learning behaviours. The role of

the student in a learning environment is to understand

that by choosing to be a positive, active learner, great

things can be achieved on a personal level.

Being our best selves in all things, including how we

interact with those around us, is an important step in

the learning journey. Using tools such as foul

language or unpleasant comments to others are ways

of damaging relationships and not respecting others

and ourselves. In the schoolyard and the classroom,

on bus lines and in the street, our mouths can be

threatening and destructive implements. It is the

responsibility of all in our school community to address

this important issue which can have legal implications.

DIARIES

Thank you to all those families who have been

thorough in consistent diary signing this term. This is

an important means of communication between school

and home and helps all of us concerned with the

students and their learning to address any concerns or

praise achievements.

UNIFORM

There is a new style of skirt for secondary girls. It is an

improved style for active young girls and looks very

stylish as a uniform. The length of the skirt is

prescribed to sit just on the knee, no shorter. Some

girls are already experimenting with a shorter length by

either taking up the hem or rolling the waist band over.

This is non-compliance with uniform rules. The other

problem is that the skirt’s design is not suited to a short

length because it tends to flare out and create

problems of a private nature for the wearer. Please

see to this before Term 4 when they are certain to

need lengthening on growing young women. Uniform

is uniform, not a fashion item – save that for the

weekend.

FINALLY……

Hope … is an anchor that one hurls toward the future;

it's what lets you pull on the line and reach what you're

aiming for. Pope Francis

So…..let’s all aim ahead with hope in our hearts.

Sue Whiteley - Pastoral Care Co-ordinator

Sports Uniform Year 5 and 6 Year 5 and 6 will be wearing sports uniform this Wednesday for Physical Activity. They will still wear sports uniform for the Athletics Carnival on Thursday. Infants Sport – Athletics Carnival Kindergarten, Year One and Year Two will be joining in the spirit of good sports with the rest of our school at our annual Athletics Carnival Infants will be walking to River Park after recess (11.25 am) and participating in novelty races, a 50 metre dash, as well as some high spirited cheering for their sporting house. The children will remain at the park to eat lunch and return to school by 2.15pm The Athletics Carnival will be counted as the children's sport for the week. So if your child usually has sport on Wednesday or Friday, please send them in their school uniform on these days and save their sports uniform for the Athletics Carnival on Thursday, 26

th March.

Please ensure your child brings a packed lunch and drink to school as there will be no canteen facilities available for the infant's children at our carnival. You are all most welcome to come along to join in the fun. Thank you for your support. Kylie McNamara – Infants Coordinator

Supporting Each Other For contributions to support Sian and Bradley Tangye who lost their house and possessions to fire two weeks ago please visit www.gofundme.com/house-fire-Victim Computer Advice to Parents 1. Have your children block their Facebook page –

that means that only their “friends” can have access, not the entire planet.

2. Sign up to Facebook yourself and have your child “friend” you – that means you have access to their page.

3. Visit those pages at random intervals – it will be most enlightening.

P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Email: [email protected] Tel: 6342.2940 School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au

Outward Bound 2015 Our Outward Bound School Social (year 7-10) is this Wednesday, 25 March, 6.30pm to 9pm in St Raphael’s Hall. Tickets are $10 each and are on sale at lunch in Computer lab 3. The theme is "blue and white". The canteen will sell drinks and ice blocks. Come along for some fun and help us support our Year 9 students as they start their fundraising for a valuable excursion. Many thanks in advance to Mr Lette for organising the social and for the staff/outward bound parents for running the canteen and supervising. Mrs Inel Date - Outward Bound 2015 Canteen Update This week’s roster is as follows:

Tues 24

Wed 25

Thurs 26

Fri 27

Mon 30

Lisa Day

Karen Budge

CLOSED

Kirsten Sturgiss

Angela Kollas

Natalie Rush

Kylie

Chang

Liz Cruikshank

Jacqui Cusack

Kate

Wilson

Lunch orders for the Athletics Carnival this Thursday were meant to be in last week. This has been extended until tomorrow, Tuesday 24 March. Please write ATHLETICS CARNIVAL on the order bag as well as your child’s name, class and the order. Choices are: Seared Chicken Burger $5.50

or Sausage on a Roll $2.50 Parents are also more than welcome to order. There are other treats available on the day as well eg: sausage rolls, cup cakes etc.

Also for this day I am looking for two volunteers to help on the day. Unfortunately I have lost 2 of the volunteers who were going to help. if you are able to put your hand up and help please ring Donna on 0427501508 as soon as possible. Please could parents double check the amount of money they are putting into their child’s lunch order. There have been a large number of orders that have been short resulting in over $80 being owed to the Canteen. Your help with this matter would be much appreciated. If any more parents, family or friends can put their hand up to offer a day at the Canteen next term, it would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately I have lost a few helpers and need to replace them. There will be a new menu for Term 2 and 3 (the Winter Menu). There will be a number of changes to the menu so please make sure you check it before you order next term, for example, there will be no Chicken Dinos on the winter Menu. Donna Stokes - Canteen Manager

Don’t forget to visit our website for updates of all that is happening with the P&F and for adding your views.

Via the school website : www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au

WELL DONE Congratulations to the following students who have achieved the

next level on the Behaviour Management Programme.

Level 5 Matthew Banks 4 Green Kasey Burton 4 Green Monique Chang 4 Green Max Cruickshank 4 Green Eppie Emseis 4 Green Alannah Gocin 4 Green Daniel Gorham 4 Green Logan Haslam 4 Green Dominic Henderson 4 Green Emma Hines 4 Green Eoghan Killick 4 Green Ethan Millar 4 Green Melissa Mood 4 Green Stanley Rush 4 Green Phoebe Simunic 4 Green Kate Statham 4 Green Jarred Stead 4 Green Codie Thompson 4 Green Amelia Thomas 4 Green Jack Webb 4 Green Matthew Banks 4 Gold Archie Brown 4 Gold Jack Chamberlain 4 Gold Ryan chapple 4 Gold Louis Johnson 4 Gold Alizah Walker 4 Gold Philippa Austin 5 Green Luke Banks 5 Green Emil Beath-Pearce 5 Green Daniel Britten 5 Green Nicholas Brown 5 Green Lakelan Goard 5 Green Riley Langfield 5 Green Matthew Mallon 5 Green Cameron Melton 5 Green Bridie O’Connor 5 Green Hollie Orford 5 Green Mitchel Pattingale 5 Green Annaleise Prescott 5 Green Grace Richmond 5 Green Chloe Robertson 5 Green Jock Stephenson 5 Green Mollie Thompson 5 Green Will Thompson 5 Green Ethan Tindall 5 Green Jessica Trengove 5 Green Emma Wilkinson 5 Green Charlie Williams 5 Green Misty Williams 5 Green Flynn Bennett 5 Gold Aiden Bugeja 5 Gold Kate Cumming 5 Gold Cameron Forsyth 5 Gold Mikelli Garratt 5 Gold Charli Hubber 5 Gold Sophie Johnston 5 Gold Rachel Myers 5 Gold William Norton 5 Gold Lucy Proctor 5 Gold Kate Johnston 7 Green Hayden Mullins 7 Green Benjamin Myers 7 Green Jack Ranger 10 Green

Your Teachers are very Proud of You!

“Easter Bunny” Junior Disco The next PCYC Junior Disco for Kinder to Year 6 children will be held at PCYC’s Young Road complex on Friday 27 March from 6pm to 8pm. This will be an ‘Easter Bunny’ disco with prizes for the best Easter Bunny costume and Easter Bunny hat. Entry is $5.00 with music and lights by Laurie’s Disco. A sausage sizzle and canteen will be in operation, a sausage sandwich costs $2.00. Supervision provided by PCYC Police, Staff and Volunteers.

P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Email: [email protected] Tel: 6342.2940 School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au

SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS CLINIC

Helen Garratt Tennis Coaching Tennis Australia Club Professional Coach Email: [email protected] Mob: 0407139164 Ph: 63428447 DATE: Wednesday 8

th April

VENUE: Cowra Tennis Club TIME: 9.00am – 3.00pm PROGRAM 9.00-9.30am: Registrations 9.30-11.00am: Skills and technique. 11.00-11.15: Morning tea 11.15am-12.45pm: Skills and technique. 12.45 – 1.15pm: Lunch break (children to bring own lunches, snacks and drinks) 1.15 –3 .00 pm: Match play and ball machine. 3pm: Presentation of prizes to everyone plus other awards. COST $55 per child $100 for 2 children from the one family BEGINNERS, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED PLAYERS CATERED FORENROLMENTS ARE TO BE MADE TO HELEN GARRATT BY PHONE OR EMAIL

Some of the hard workers at the Garden Party on Saturday

P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Email: [email protected] Tel: 6342.2940 School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au