St Raphael's School Newsletter 8 2024

Celebrate with St Raphael's School at Our Community Fair!

Get ready for a jam-packed day filled with live music, exhibitions, performances, inflatable games and loads of fun.

Entertainment Extravaganza

The fair will feature a show stage with live music, including performances by local bands and a choir. 

Oversized Fun for Everyone

One of the highlights of the event will be the collection of oversized giant games that cater to both kids and adults. Attendees can look forward to:

• A giant Twister game
• An enormous Who Is It game
• Inflatable soccer and basketball challenges

Something for Everyone

The Community Fair Day offers a wide range of attractions:

• Interactive exhibitions showcasing local talent
• Hands-on activities to spark curiosity in young minds
• Kids craft corner
• Free face-painting

Picnics Galore and Food Trucks

Spread out a picnic blanket and enjoy a leisurely afternoon with your loved ones. Feel free to pack your own snacks and beverages, or indulge in the delectable offerings from the many food trucks on offer from:

Food Trucks for a delightful snack or hearty meal include:

• Scoop - ice cream
• Orexi - Greek delights
• Potato On A Stick - what it says and more
• Ma Dai - wood oven pizza

Licensed Bar

For the adults.

Free Admission and Endless Fun

The best part? Our Community Fair is completely free! No need to worry about expensive ticket prices – simply come and enjoy a day of family-friendly entertainment, community spirit, and memory making.

Don't miss this opportunity.

We can't wait to welcome you and your loved ones to our Community Fair on Sunday September 8th!

Last week, our school was brimming with excitement as we celebrated one of the most beloved events of the year—Book Week! This year’s theme, “Reading is Magic,” came to life in the most vibrant and imaginative ways, reminding us all of the incredible power of stories to ignite our minds and hearts.

The week kicked off with a series of storytelling sessions, where our students had the opportunity to listen to a delightful range of stories. From mystery books that were wrapped up as surprises to award winning stories from this year’s shortlist, each session offered something special, capturing the imaginations of our young readers. It was wonderful to see the children so engrossed in the stories, their faces lighting up with wonder as they journeyed through new worlds and met unforgettable characters.

As the week progressed, the excitement only grew, culminating in our much-anticipated Book Week Parade. The school grounds were transformed into a sea of colour as students and teachers alike donned their favourite literary costumes. From wizards and witches to beloved storybook animals and some inflatables, the creativity on display was simply outstanding. The children’s enthusiasm was infectious, and it was clear that they had put so much thought and effort into bringing their favourite characters to life.

Walking through the parade, it was impossible not to feel a sense of joy and pride. The costumes were a hit, not just for their vibrancy and creativity, but for what they represented—a deep love for reading and the stories that have touched our hearts. It was a beautiful reminder that books have the power to inspire and transform, allowing us to explore new ideas, understand different perspectives, and dream big.

Book Week at St Raphael’s is more than just a celebration of literature; it’s a celebration of the imagination and the endless possibilities that come with it. This week has shown us how stories can bring us together, spark creativity, and inspire us to grow in ways we never thought possible.

Let’s keep the spirit of Book Week alive throughout the year by encouraging our children to continue exploring the wonderful world of books. After all, every great adventure begins with a single page.

With thanks,

Emma Fowler

Principal

We’re thrilled to share the wonderful experiences our students had during our recent cultural immersion program with visiting students from China. This special program has not only deepened our students' understanding of the world but also broadened their minds in ways that will have a lasting impact.

For a few weeks, our classrooms and playgrounds were filled with the lively energy of cross-cultural exchange. The visiting Chinese students brought with them their unique traditions, language, and stories, offering our students a first-hand glimpse into life on the other side of the world. From learning basic Mandarin phrases to sharing in Chinese traditions, the excitement was palpable as our students embraced the opportunity to learn from their new friends.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of this program was watching our students develop genuine friendships with the visiting students. Despite the language differences, it was clear that kindness and curiosity know no barriers. Through shared activities like art projects, play opportunities and sports, our students discovered that while we may come from different places, there is so much that connects us as people. These interactions have taught our students the value of empathy, communication, and openness to the unfamiliar.

Our cultural immersion program has sparked a curiosity in our students that reaches far beyond the classroom. They’ve started asking more questions about the world, wanting to understand different cultures and perspectives. This exposure has not only broadened their knowledge but has also instilled in them a deeper appreciation for diversity and the richness it brings to our lives.

We believe that experiences like these are essential in shaping well-rounded individuals who are ready to contribute to a global society. The memories and lessons from this program will undoubtedly stay with our students for years to come, reminding them of the power of friendship, the beauty of diversity, and the importance of being open to the world around them.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the visiting students and their teachers for bringing so much joy and learning to our school. And to our own students, we are proud of the warmth and hospitality you showed our guests—true reflections of the St Raphael’s spirit.

Dear families and friends,

Celebrating the Gift of Books and Literature Liturgy

Our three Early Years classes prepared and lead us through a very child centred Whole School Liturgy last week, in St Raphael’s Church. As it was Book Week, we naturally celebrated the gift of literature and this was reflected in the sacred space and in the prayers written, songs chosen and scripture readings selected. Fr. Tony in his homily, spoke of the important role books and stories play in our lives – helping us to learn new things, connect with others and share experiences. He added that the Bible is a most treasured book and today’s Gospel reading told a story that emphasised the importance of building on strong foundations– especially in our life choices – foundations of kindness, empathy, compassion, faith and wisdom. The youngest members of our community, lead us confidently, competently and enthusiastically, singing joyfully and encouraging us all to join in with the movements. We were blessed to have had so many families join us!

Fathers’ and Significant Men in our lives Breakfast & Blessing – 8.15am Friday August 30

Just a reminder about tomorrow’s Fathers’ Day Breakfast – we would love to have you join us for a scrumptious cooked breakfast, a warm beverage and a blessing!

God of blessings,
May all the significant male figures in our lives stay healthy and safe.
May happiness follow them through their life journey.
May their family and loved ones cherish them,
May their passions and dreams come true.
May they always be guided to their happy place.
We ask God’s loving blessings on them all.

Amen

Mercy Week – Week 10

St Raphael’s School was established in 1889 by the Sisters of Mercy and each year we proudly celebrate our heritage during Mercy Week.

On Monday September 23, between Recess and Lunch, there will be stalls for students to either purchase small items or play games ie; Pin the tail on the donkey. These have traditionally been set up and run by our senior students, but this year each class is responsible for creating and establishing a stall. In this way, all students see themselves as being able to contribute to the Common Good in a meaningful way. Look out for more information from class teachers, who may be seeking parent support on the day. Apart from being a lot of fun, we are also hoping to raise money which we will then send to the Sisters of Mercy charity which is known as ‘Mercy Works.’ This organization supports vulnerable communities in Papua New Guinea.

In the samew week on Friday, our school will head by bus to the Monastery. We will begin the day with Mass in St. Paul of the Cross Church at 9.30am. Following this, students awill be lead through a variety of activities within the Monastery grounds. Recess and Lunch are provided on the day, due to the generosity of the Monastery. We will return to school via bus, in time for the regular afternoon pickup. A more detailed plan of the day will be provided closer to the event, in the form of an excursion note.

I will leave you with some wisdom from Catherine McCauley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy…

“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”

&

“We must strive to do ordinary things extraordinarily well.”

Many blessings,

Tanya

Catholic Schools Music Festival Performance:

Date: Tuesday 24 September
Time: Show commences at 7:30pm
Venue: Adelaide Festival Centre
Tickets: Available for purchase through Ticketek ($41 pp)

Over the last three terms, our Year 5 and 6 Choir Ensemble students have been working toward performing ten soulful songs at this year’s Catholic Schools Music Festival.
We warmly invite all families to attend and strongly encourage Year 4 students who are considering joining the Year 5/6 Choir Ensemble in 2025 to come and see what it's all about while also supporting our talented performers.

End of Year School Concert:

Please mark your calendars for our End of Year School Concert on:

Date: Friday 15 November
Week: 5, Term 4

More information to be announced at the beginning of Term 4.

Student Spotlight: Mila Makaev

A big shout out goes to our Year 5 student Mila Makaev, who sang as an accompaniment artist during our Week 4 assembly alongside our Chinese international students.

During their time with us, visiting Chinese international students learned how to play ‘Advance Australia Fair’ on the ukulele and presented the song to their families during a special farewell assembly on August 16.

Mila not only sounded beautiful and performed with courage, but also helped these students in keeping their musical timing. Well done Mila!

Excursion: Legally Blonde Jr. Musical

In Week 4, our Year 5 and 6 students had an incredible experience attending a live musical performance of Legally Blonde Jr. that was performed by the middle and senior students at Mercedes College in Springfield.

This rewarding outing was a perfect complement to our students' focus on Musical Theatre this semester, as they prepare to showcase two popular musical theatre numbers at our end-of-year concert. The excitement and inspiration from the performance truly energized our students and brought their learning to life.

A warm thank you goes out to our friends at Mercedes College for inviting our students to attend this memorable event. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a fun and joyous occasion!

Sad News: Patricia Heller

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.”

Family Condolences

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Patricia Heller's father on August 22.

Our beloved piano tutor, Patricia, will be stepping back from teaching for a couple of weeks to be with her family during this difficult time.

Patricia has been a valued member of our school community for nearly ten years and those who know her understand the immense energy, love, and dedication she brings to our students.

May Patricia and her family find comfort in the love of Christ and the support of our community.

Performing Arts Contact Details:

For any questions or enquiries regarding your child’s R-6 Performing Arts classes, our Music Tuition program or upcoming performances/excursions, please contact me via email: aflynn@raph.catholic.edu.au

I currently teach at St. Raphael’s School on Tuesdays and Fridays and am always happy to meet with parents and families to discuss your child’s creative learning journey.

Mrs. Mandy Flynn
Performing Arts Teacher and Coordinator

This year we have been delighted to field three debating teams, one team in the Year 5/6 competition and two teams in the Year 6/7 competition. The final round of debating was completed on Tuesday 20th June 2024. All teams performed excellently, with a special mention to Anna Frandsen, who was awarded the top debater in her team’s debate. Our Year 6/7 team’s narrowly lost their debate, though performed admirably. A special congratulations to our Year 5/6 Team who took another win, lifting their team to finish 18th overall in the Debating South Australia competition, a great achievement to finish Top 20 in our state.

A big thank you to all parents and carers who have supported students in attending the debates. Debating is a significant commitment, which requires dedication and consistency. It has been wonderful to observe student’s growth in their critical thinking, ability to receive constructive feedback and of course their collaborative skills!

We look forward to Debating in 2025, bring it on!

Year 5/6 Team
- Maria Contreras
- Noah Prokopec
- Mila Makaev
- Kyle Coultas

Year 6/7 Team
- Ebony Nissen
- Senul
- Anna Frandsen

Year 6/7 Team
- Peter Kareklas
- Emanuel Gencturk
- Christopher Kareklas
- Laughlan Eve

Mr. Tom Baxter
Debating Coach/Mentor

Parent educative session around the topic of behaviour at home.

Led by Madhavi Nawana Parker - Managing Director • Author • Coach • Speaker of: Positive Minds Australia.

16 September from 6:15pm at school.

Please RSVP

To facilitate attendance for all adults in the family, we are pleased to offer free child supervision during the event. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please indicate this on the form when you RSVP.

Dear School Families,

We are excited to announce that our Annual School Photos Day will take place on Friday, September 20. We want all our students to look bright and smart for their photos, and we kindly ask for your support in helping them achieve this.

Dress Code Expectations

To ensure that our students present themselves in the best possible light, we ask that they adhere to the following guidelines:

Neat and Tidy Appearance:

Please ensure that students are well-groomed and presentable.
Students are to wear their full PE uniform or their New school uniform.
Year 6 are to wear their Year 6 jumpers please.

This includes avoiding non-uniform items such as:

• Crazy hair clips
• Casual weekend jumpers.
• Socks in colors other than those specified in our uniform policy

Upholding Our Standards Every Day

We believe that maintaining a neat and uniform appearance fosters a sense of pride in our school community. We encourage our students to uphold these standards not just on Photo Day, but every day. By wearing their school uniform with pride, students contribute to a positive school environment and a sense of belonging.

Support for Families

We understand that there may be circumstances where families need assistance in meeting these expectations. If you are facing challenges in ensuring your child adheres to the uniform policy, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for support. We are here to help!

Thank you for your cooperation and support in making our school a place of pride and excellence. We look forward to seeing all our students looking their best on Photo Day!

To help ensure our Community Fair Day runs smoothly we need your help.

Please take a look at the volunteer roster for the day and if you can volunteer your valuable time it would be appreciated!

Volunteer Roster can be found here.