Newsletter 19 2020

From the Principal

Dear Parents/Caregivers, Students, Staff and Friends of St Raphael's School,

Last Thursday we held our rescheduled Sports Day. Although our families were unable to participate there was much excitement and anticipation of what the day would bring. We thank our Year 6 Sports Leaders, Chloe B, Fitzpatrick/Green Team, Mitchell B, Raphael/Blue Team, Cormac R, Mercy/Red Team and Yafa E, McAuley/Yellow Team, who did an exemplary job in leading their team. A special mention to the McAuley Team and to the Raphael Team for winning the Spirit Cup and Sports Shield respectively.

As we begin to unwind the term, there are a few changes to be made. Due to COVID -19 restrictions we will be unable to hold our End of Year, Thanksgiving Mass at the St Raphael’s Church. We will, however, hold a Liturgy in the school Hall on Friday 4 December at 9:00am. A message was sent to all families on Monday regarding the change of plan. Attending parents/caregivers are required to send back an RSVP to info@raph.catholic.edu.au by the close of business today. At this Liturgy we will give thanks for the 2020 school year and farewell our Year 6 students and staff leaving St Raphael’s School.

We will hold our Year 6 Graduation Liturgy at school on Wednesday 9 December at 6:15pm. We acknowledge our young leaders one last time and we wish them well as they move towards beginning a new phase of their education in another setting. We thank their parents/caregivers for supporting our school and working in partnership with us. For some of these families, it will be a final goodbye to them too.

The last day of term for students is Thursday 10 December as Friday 11 December is a pupil free day for students. The OSHC service is open for our community and if families need this service, please make a booking using Fully Booked.

Semester 2 Reports will be sent home on Monday 7 December. Parents/Caregivers may wish to meet with teachers to discuss their child/ren’s progress and if so, please make a time with your child/ren’s teacher.

A special thank you to the Neal family, who will kindly look after our chickens during the Christmas holiday break. Our two chickens have been cared for by the Year 6 Environmentalist leaders and they have been superb in ensuring that the chickens have water and food each day. Emma (Canteen) and Anne (OHSC) have put the eggs to good use these past few months.

In a year of unmatched impact on the way we live and work we say thank you for the support that families have shown each other and the school. Our staff have been dedicated to the care and wellbeing of the students in our community. We have worked in different ways in order to ensure that your child/ren could keep up with their learning and growth. I know that you will thank them, as I do each day for being so open to change and direction.

I wish you all a Blessed Christmas and a safe and happy holiday.

With every best wish,

Mia Harms
Principal

Religious Education News

Dear Families,

The bountiful jacaranda trees lining our streets are a joyous reminder that we have begun the season of Advent which is the season of preparation before Christmas. The lilac colour of the flowers reminds us that purple is the colour for the season of Advent. Advent means ‘coming’ and while it is a time of joyful reflection it is also a time to reflect on our lives and repent on any attitude or behaviour that might be blocking the action of God in our lives. It is a time for us to think about others, particularly after the challenges that we have had over the past year. As I have mentioned previously, normally our school would be donating food items to the Brother Michael Christmas Hamper Appeal. This year due to the COVID-19 restrictions, they are not packing hampers but they are collecting donations so they can support vulnerable people with food vouchers. The money raised from the Sports Day Raffle and the Student Voice Casual Day have enabled us to give a generous donation and this is greatly appreciated.

Dear Families,

We are also accepting donations for the Vinnies Giving Tree. You are invited to bring a gift to place under the tree in the office. In communication with Vinnies I have been told that they receive lots of soft toys and gifts for young children. They have a great need of gifts for teenagers and gift vouchers are greatly appreciated. This can be left at school up to the end of the term.

End of Year Celebrations
As mentioned in an email sent to all families last Monday, we have had to make some changes to our plans for the end of year celebrations. As we are not able to be socially distanced in the church, we will now be having an Advent Liturgy at school on Friday 4 December at 9am led by Fr Denis. After the liturgy we will be farewelling staff, blessing the Year 6s and handing over the leadership to the current Year 5 students. We will be able to welcome some parents, but it is essential that you RSVP by 2 Wednesday (today) to ensure we can socially distance all our guests.

Farewell
This is my final newsletter article as next year as I am heading into the Catholic Education Office to take up a position with the RE team for the next two years. I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to learn and grow with your children during my time here. There are a number of exciting innovations that will be taking place at St Raphael’s School in 2021 to support students’ learning and I look forward to checking in to see how these develop.

I wish you and your families all the blessings of the Advent season.

Go peacefully,

Sue Coghlan
APRIM (Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission)

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Sports Report

Sports Day 2020
Our much anticipated Sports Day finally took place last week, albeit in a modified form. The students embraced the day, dressing in their team colours and giving their absolute best effort in all events.

Congratulations to MCAULEY (Yellow) team and RAPHAEL (Blue Team), on winning the Spirit Cup and Sports Shield respectively. Official placings were:

SPIRIT CUP SPORTS SHIELD SPORTS LEADERS

1. McAuley (Yellow) 1. Raphael (Blue) Fitzpatrick (Green) – Chloe B
2. Fitzpatrick (Green)         2. McAuley (Yellow) McAuley (Yellow) – Yafa E
3. Raphael (Blue)               3. Mercy (Red)                     Mercy (Red) – Cormac R
4. Mercy (Red)                   4. Fitzpatrick (Green) Raphael (Blue) – Mitchell B

Much credit goes to the sports leaders mentioned above, who did a wonderful job preparing their teams with the cheers and generating wonderful team spirit.

To all families who donated coloured themed items for our school raffle, a big THANK YOU. Total of $580 was raised, which will be directed to the Brother Michael Hamper Appeal this year (see Sue Coghlan’s report in this newsletter)

A big THANK YOU to our school Canteen Manager, Emma Alexander, for her hard work behind the scenes, helping to organise the sausage sizzle. And finally, many thanks to the wonderful school staff, including our OSHC Educators, who all willingly played their vital role, ensuring that the event ran smoothly. A great team effort resulting in a successful, active and fun event for our students.

Thank You!
As 2020 draws to a close I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following parents and older siblings in our school community who have dedicated their time and effort to coaching / supervising / managing out of school hours sports teams throughout the year.

VOLLEYBALL: Jamie Brennan
CRICKET: Tom Evans
NETBALL: Orlanda Roper

Thanks also to those parents who supported the above-named coaches by assisting with scoring and organising students on game day. Without your willingness to take on these responsibilities our Out of Hours School Sport would not function – much appreciated! Finally, many thanks to those parents who have assisted at carnivals throughout the year, either as a coach/manager or official.

Cricket Medallion and Basketball Certificates Presentation
At last week’s Assembly, participation medallions were presented to our Year 2/3 school cricketers who have represented our school in Terms 1 and 4. Also, certificates were presented to our Reception – Year 6 students who participated in the Basketball Skills Program this term.

Date for Sports Day 2021
The date for Sports Day in 2021 is Thursday 25 March (Term 1 Week 9). As per this year, Sports Day will be held on the school site. The event will be held in school hours, during the first half of the school day, concluding by lunch time. Parents/caregivers are most welcome to attend to support and cheer on the students. We are beginning to plan for this event and we look forward to this wonderful day. Put the date in your diary!

HOLIDAY CLINICS
Information regarding Holiday Sports Clinics is available here.

Jeanette Archer
P.E. and Sport Coordinator