St Raphael's School Newsletter June 5

As we journey through the month of June, our thoughts and hearts turn towards Reconciliation—an invitation to walk together with humility, openness, and love. At St Raphael’s, we see education as more than academic achievement; it’s about forming the hearts and minds of our young people to be peacemakers, listeners, and builders of understanding in our world.

Reconciliation: A Call to Relationship

Reconciliation in Australia invites us to reflect on the truth of our shared history, especially the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s a time for committing to a future of respect and healing. For our children, this journey starts in the classroom, in prayer, in story, and in the simple yet powerful act of listening.

Through age-appropriate learning, we help our students develop empathy and a genuine desire to make things right—not out of guilt, but from a place of love and justice. At St Raphael’s, our teaching is grounded in the Gospel call to love one another as Christ loves us. This means opening our hearts to the truth and actively seeking connection with First Nations peoples, cultures, and voices.

The Significance of Mabo Day

Mabo Day is a significant moment in Australia’s journey towards justice. On 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia handed down the Mabo decision, recognising the Meriam people’s traditional ownership of their land on the island of Mer (Murray Island) in the Torres Strait. This historic ruling overturned the myth of terra nullius—the false notion that this land belonged to no one before European settlement.

Eddie Koiki Mabo, the man behind the case, showed immense courage, determination, and faith. His legacy reminds us that one voice, guided by truth and perseverance, can transform a nation. For our students, learning about Mabo Day is not just a history lesson—it’s a powerful example of integrity, advocacy, and hope.

How We Are Living This at St Raphael’s

Our commitment to reconciliation is ongoing. We are building stronger connections with local Elders, incorporating Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum, and inviting our children to be ambassadors of unity and respect. Each step forward, no matter how small, brings us closer to a future where every child knows they belong.

May we continue to grow together in faith, hope, and reconciliation.
 

We are absolutely thrilled to share some exciting news with you—St Raphael’s has been awarded the Catholic Education Award for Innovative Program of the Year for our Reading Revolution initiative!

This recognition is a wonderful affirmation of the work our staff, students, and families have embraced so passionately. The Reading Revolution began as a bold vision: to transform how we nurture literacy across every year level, ensuring every child not only learns to read, but develops a deep love of literature;  a lifelong gift.

What Is the Reading Revolution?

The program was designed to meet the diverse needs of our learners through a multi-layered approach. It combines evidence-based teaching practices, targeted support, and engaging, joyful experiences with books.  We’ve focused on phonemic awareness in the early years, rich vocabulary development, and deep comprehension strategies right across the curriculum. Importantly, we’ve prioritised teacher development and collaboration because great teaching drives great outcomes. The event incorporates a community-wide read-a-thon and concludes with an evening spent with Literacy experts who provide useful tips for parents to support their child's reading at home. But at its heart, the Reading Revolution is about each child. Every student’s journey is known, valued, and supported. 

A Shared Celebration

Winning this award is not just a feather in our cap—it’s a celebration of our community. It reflects the dedication of our teachers, the enthusiasm of our students, and the ongoing support of you, our families. You’ve cheered us on, embraced new approaches, and made reading part of your children’s daily lives at home. We are deeply grateful to Catholic Education South Australia for this honour and for recognising the spirit of innovation that is alive and well at St Raphael’s. 

What’s Next?

We won’t rest on our laurels. The Reading Revolution is just the beginning. We’re already planning new ways to deepen our impact, refine our strategies, and expand the joy of reading even further.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Let’s keep turning pages, dreaming big, and growing together.
 

Dear Families,

As we journey through the Easter season, we now turn our focus toward the great feast of Pentecost, which we will celebrate together as a school community in the school hall at 9:05am on Friday, June 6. Pentecost marks the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, filling them with courage, wisdom, and the ability to share the Good News with people from all nations. It is often called the ‘birthday of the Church’ because it marks the beginning of the apostles' public ministry.  As you would have read via my Seesaw post late last week, students will receive a slice of ‘birthday cake’ following the liturgy to celebrate this important Catholic event.

At school, we have been reflecting with students on the meaning of Pentecost and the vital role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives today. Through prayer, scripture, and class discussions, we are exploring how the Spirit calls each of us to be people of peace, hope, and compassion in our school community and beyond.

We encourage you to take some time at home to talk with your child about the Holy Spirit and how we can be open to God's guidance in our lives. Perhaps you might light a candle together and pray:

"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love."

May the Spirit of Pentecost renew each of us with peace, joy, and the courage to share Christ’s love in all we do.

Kind regards,
Daniel Burns
APRIM

With all our gratitude, we want to say a massive thank you to the incredible Education Support Officers (ESOs) and all support staff at St Raphael’s School. You truly are our supports—holding us up when we’re wavering, showing us the way when we’re lost, and providing stability, assurance, and warmth throughout each day.

Our teachers wouldn’t be as capable without your dedication, and our students wouldn’t achieve their successes without your care and encouragement. We see the difference you make every day, and we are so grateful for everything you do.

Thank you for being the backbone of our school community.
 

In a world dominated by screens, we invite you to rediscover the magic of books at our award-winning Reading Revolution! Running from 16–20 June, this celebrated initiative is all about bringing families together to reignite a love of reading—and the highlight is just around the corner.

Don’t miss the Literacy Panel – Thursday 19 June, 6:00–7:30pm

We’re thrilled to host a special Literacy Panel Evening on Thursday 19 June. This is a must-attend event for parents who want practical strategies and expert advice for nurturing a love of reading at home. While you attend the panel, your children can enjoy supervised play and storytime in our library and playground.

Panel Highlights:

• Bec Hughes (Raising Literacy Australia): Tips for pre-school parents
• Mandy Foot (Author & Illustrator): Ideas for Reception to Year 2
• Andrew Joyner (Author & Illustrator): Guidance for Years 3–4
• Tania Ingram (Author): Support for Years 5–6

Each session offers age-specific advice and real, take-home tools tailored to your child’s stage of learning.

Why Join the Revolution?

Reading isn’t just an escape—it’s an investment in your child’s mind, creativity, and future. Books are the antidote to screen addiction. We wnat to help you reclaim reading as the cornerstone of wellbeing and intellectual growth.

The Reading Revolution has been recognised as Unley Council’s Community Event of the Year and winner of the Catholic Education South Australia Innovative Programme Award. 

Event Details

• When: 16–20 June 2025
• Literacy Panel: Thursday 19 June, 6:00–7:30pm
• Where: St Raphael’s School, 114 Glen Osmond Rd, Parkside
• Cost: Free entry!
• Child-friendly: Supervised play and storytime for children during the panel

Places are limited—book your spot now!
Register or learn more at raph.catholic.edu.au

Let’s turn the page together—see you at the Reading Revolution!

Join us for a magical evening as our talented Year 3 students take the stage to showcase their progress and passion for strings! This special concert is a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to experience the beautiful melodies and hard work of our young musicians.

Date: June 25
Time: 6pm
Location: School hall

Come and celebrate the dedication and musical growth of our Year 3 students in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you there to support and cheer on our budding string players!