St Raphael’s School

Welcoming Our New Staff to St Raphael’s School

As we continue our journey together at St Raphael’s School, it is with great joy and anticipation that we welcome several new faces to our dedicated team. Each of these individuals brings a wealth of knowledge and experince. We are truly blessed to be part of a growing, vibrant school community-one that continues to evolve while remaining firmly grounded in our shared values of faith, care, and connection.

As part of this growth, we are delighted to welcome several new staff members who have recently joined our team. Lane Shuet, Yamini Weling, Erin Focroul, and Sarkia Gilani have taken on full-time Education Support Officer (ESO) roles. Each of them brings warmth, dedication, and a wonderful energy to their work with our students.

We also welcome Raphael Schmidt and Jade Pace, who have joined us in part-time ESO positions while continuing their university studies in teaching. It’s a joy to support their professional development and to benefit from their fresh ideas and enthusiasm in our learning spaces.

As our school community continues to grow, we look forward to welcoming more new staff and students throughout the year. Each new addition strengthens the spirit of St Raphael’s and reminds us of the rich diversity and potential within our school family.

Campus Upgrades and Ongoing Improvements

Alongside welcoming new faces, we’re excited to share some of the improvements happening around the school grounds. The recent paving works have begun to refresh key outdoor areas, with further upgrades still in progress to enhance safety and accessibility.

Our school hall has also been beautifully refurbished with a fresh coat of paint, just in time for the many performances and community events scheduled for this term and next. We’re also thrilled to announce the arrival of new library furniture, creating a more inviting and flexible learning space for students to explore and enjoy.

In addition, the boys’ toilets are currently undergoing a much-needed upgrade and are expected to be completed in the coming weeks, further supporting our goal of providing well-maintained and respectful facilities for all students.

These renovations are part of our continued commitment to creating a welcoming, inspiring, and functional environment where every student can flourish.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to build an even stronger St Raphael’s. It’s an exciting time to be part of this community!

Emma Fowler

Principal

St Raphael’s Ambassadors Honour the Fallen at ANZAC Day Dawn Service

On ANZAC Day, while most of us were just beginning to stir from sleep, our Year 6 Ambassadors, Mila and Leo, stood quietly and proudly at the Unley Soldiers Memorial Gardens, representing the heart and spirit of St Raphael’s School.

Each year, the ANZAC Day Dawn Service is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by so many for the freedoms we now enjoy. This year, our school was once again privileged to be part of the ceremony by our student ambassadors—young leaders who have been chosen to represent our school in the wider community.

Mila showed great courage and reverence as she read the Lord’s Prayer during the service, her voice echoing with dignity and calm across the still morning. Leo placed a wreath on behalf of our school—a symbol of remembrance and respect—demonstrating the quiet strength and solemn pride that this day calls for.

The ambassador role is a key element of our Year 6 leadership program. These students are entrusted with the responsibility of being the face and voice of St Raphael’s beyond our school gates. They attend community events, welcome special guests, and take part in ceremonies such as this one. It’s a role that requires maturity, kindness, and a deep sense of service—qualities we see so beautifully embodied in our ambassadors each year.

We are incredibly proud of Mila and Leo for the grace and respect they showed on such a significant occasion. Through their actions, they not only honoured the ANZACs, but also reminded us all of the deep connections between our faith, our school, and the wider community.

Lest we forget.

Catholic Education Week

This week is Catholic Education Week (May 12–18), and here at St Raphael’s School, we’re celebrating all the wonderful ways our students and school community shine!

Last week, we asked our students what they love most about school, and their answers inspired an impromptu lunchtime art session. The photos show just how excited and happy they were to join in. This joy and eagerness perfectly reflect what our school is all about and how our students shine every day.

How do you shine? Let’s celebrate the kindness, learning, and hope that make St Raphael’s such a special place!

Year 5/6 update

Welcome to Term 2! I hope you all had a relaxing break and a joyful Easter spent with your loved ones. It’s hard to believe we are already at the end of Week 3-this year is flying by! The term so far has been filled with engaging learning opportunities and special events, and there’s still plenty more to look forward to. My teaching approach continues to be interactive, hands-on, and visual to ensure each student remains actively involved in their learning journey. One of the highlights this term has been the integration of VR headsets into our STEM project-a truly immersive experience that students are thoroughly enjoying.

Year 5/6 Camp:
In Week 1, students attended the Outdoor Education Camp at Fleurieu Peninsula, departing on Tuesday, 29th April and returning on Thursday, 1st May. It was a memorable experience filled with learning, teamwork, and adventure. For those who did not attend, alternative work was provided at school.

Student Leadership:
We are incredibly proud of our Year 5 and 6 students who have taken on leadership roles this year. Congratulations again to our:

Ambassadors: Leo and Mila
IT & STEM Leaders: Peter and Kyle
Reporters: Henry and Josh
Admin Support: Reggie and Sun
Educators: Maria and Mila
Social Justice Leaders: Rafael, Nick, and Jason
House Captains: Leo P, Josh, Peter, and Henry
Vice Captains (Year 5): Leo T, Riley, Daniel, Ethan, and Alex
Student Voice Representatives (Year 5): Daniel and Alex

Year 5/6 Choir:
Some of our Year 5/6 students are part of the School Choir. This has been a wonderful opportunity for them to develop their musical talents, build confidence, and take part in school performances.

Year 5/6 Musical – The Addams Family:
Last term, students auditioned for roles in our upcoming musical production of The Addams Family. All roles have now been assigned-well done to everyone who participated! Rehearsals are underway, and we’re excited to see all their hard work come to life on stage later this term.

STEM Project – “Mission to Mars”:
This term, and possibly continuing into Term 3, students are participating in an exciting STEM project titled “Mission to Mars.” Using VR technology, students are exploring how humans might one day live on Mars. They are collaborating, problem-solving, and using CoSpaces to digitally design sustainable life on the red planet-and then experiencing their creations in virtual reality.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions as we continue through Term 2.

Cassundra Pulizzi
Year 5/6 class teacher

P.E. Update

Dear Families

We are gearing up for another busy term full of sport. Here is a brief snapshot, of what you can expect.

Carnivals

Lacrosse – All Year 3 -6 students will be participating in the Lacrosse Carnival Wednesday May 21 (week 4), the carnivals will be open to Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 age groups and will take place at Woodville Lacrosse Club, Drummond Ave, Findon.
Netball – All Year 3- 6 students will be participating in the Netball Carnival in week 10 Monday June 30. The carnival will be held at Netball SA Stadium, where students can enjoy SA’s best outdoor netball facilities. SACPSSA Netball Carnivals traditionally encourage participation rather than competition.
Basketball- First time we will be putting a year 4-6 boys basketball team to participate in a round robin carnival. This will be Thursday June 12 week 7. (invite only) The carnivals will be low-key competitive. At Wayville stadium.
Cross Country – Cross country takes place in early Term 3, closer to the end of Term 2 we will start cross country training before school. This is for those interested in years 3-6, the course is 2km.

Knock out Soccer

First time ever St Raphael’s will be participating in the state wide School knockout Soccer carnival. Try outs for our boy’s team will be taking place at lunch time in weeks 3 & 4. If you child is selected for the team, they will represent the school in Round 1 Wednesday June 11.

Sporting Schools Funding

In PE Lessons we have started our Lacrosse unit for students in Year 3-6 in preparation for the upcoming Lacrosse Carnival. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn a new sport and develop their skills.

We are fortunate enough to have Marilyn from Lacrosse SA working with us for the next 3 weeks. Marilyn brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm and we are confident that the students will greatly benefit from her experience.

ACHPER Leadership Day

On Wednesday May 7, our captains and vice captains attended a sports leadership workshop at St Patricks Mansfield Park. The sessions were designed to inspire students with ideas on how to become great leaders. They also provided practical activities to help them to support their peers in physical education.

The workshop was a great success, with students coming away motivated and equipped with new strategies to enhance their leadership skills. We look forward to seeing them put these ideas into practice and positively impact our school community.

School Soccer

School Soccer is back! This year we have four St Raphael Teams that will be competing in the Eastern Zones Primary School Soccer association on Saturday mornings during term 2 & 3.

Reception Under 6’s
Year 1 Under 7’s
Year 2/3 Under 9’s
Year 4/5 Under 11’s.

A big thankyou to our parent volunteers who have stepped up to coach and manage teams. Your support is invaluable and school sport would not be possible without your help.

Hannah Reid

Physical Education Coordinator & Teacher

Year 3 to 6 Term 2 Camp Adventure

In Week 1 of Term 2, our adventurous Year 3 to 6 students from St Raphael’s left the classroom behind and embarked on an unforgettable camp experience filled with a wide range of exciting activities. From raft making and beach games to fishing, marine exploration, and star gazing, the camp offered a perfect blend of fun, learning, and personal growth.

Our Year 4/5 students, in particular, embraced the camp’s focus on curiosity, bravery, and resilience. Leo summed up the experience as “very wet, sandy fun times!” as students paddled through waves and faced new challenges like their first snorkel with enthusiasm and teamwork. Nathanael described the camp as “very positive,” capturing the uplifting spirit felt by all, while Julian’s imaginative description of it as “a kangaroo’s dungeon” hints at the creative stories to come!

Beyond the thrill of activities, the camp fostered important values such as compassion, respect, and teamwork. Students enjoyed setting up their dormitories, bonding over shared experiences, and creating lasting memories that strengthen our St Raphael’s community. The resilience and confidence gained during camp are already shining through back in the classroom as our students continue to grow, learn, and explore together.

These camps remain a treasured part of our school’s commitment to offering diverse, enriching experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom walls. Enjoy the photos capturing these special moments!