P.O. Box 7, Cowra 2794 Email: [email protected]Tel: 6342.2940 School Website: www.straphaelscowra.catholic.edu.au Dear Parents, Representation is an acknowledgement of particular skill in specific areas. Representatives are selected people demonstrating outstanding ability. Being named a representative brings not only a compliment and recognition but also responsibility to represent well in all ways. One might well be a talented swimmer but there is also responsibility to be a fair competitor and respectful visitor. On the weekend Student Leaders represented the school at the 6pm Mass where they were formally introduced to the Parish community in their new roles. On Friday the representative swimming squad will travel to Wellington to represent the school at the K-10 schools competition. Already and in numerous ways several Staff members have and will represent the school on several Diocesan work parties. Congratulations to all of our representatives for the talents you possess and share and thank you for the excellent calibre of “flag flying” that you do for our school. Catholic Schools Week 2014 is in Week 7 of this term and has the theme “More Than A Great Education”. Catholic School’s Week for us is a time to learn about and acknowledge our heritage and a time to set ourselves in good stead for our future. Three whole-school events occur in CSW: First is the assembly and annual CSW Address from a special guest. Second is the CSW Mass and this year has particular significance being the 125 th anniversary of our parish as well as the 75 th anniversary of the opening of our parish church. Third is our Heritage Day Fete during which the school family gathers to raise funds for needy people supported through Caritas. More detail will be provided over coming weeks about each of these events. The P&F Association is an important aspect of this school. Financially, the association has a significant impact on the schooling experience of the children. Additionally, the Association is a forum for parents, staff and friends of the school to discuss matters of importance. While it is not a policy-making body, the Association provides a crucial feedback mechanism that is carefully listened to when the school executive is shaping policies. The first meeting of the 2014 school year is being held this evening in the staffroom at 7pm and all parents are warmly invited. Primary Parent Information sessions are being conducted this week in an effort to achieve that perfect balance for our children where home and school are working in synchronization with one another. I hope to see you all there. Michael Gallagher Principal Monday 17 P&F Meeting at 7pm. Tuesday 18 Wednesday 19 Happy birthday to Maiah Bright. Primary Parent Information Night: 5:45pm – Years 1-6 6:30pm - Kindergarten St Raphael’s Catholic School Term 1, Week 4/B Newsletter 17 February 2014 Gospel Challenge Term 1 Week 4 “Jesus was lead by the spirit through the wilderness” Matthew 5:17-37
Dear Parents, Representation is an acknowledgement of particular skill in specific areas. Representatives are selected people demonstrating outstanding ability. Being named a representative brings not only a compliment and recognition but also responsibility to represent well in all ways. One might well be a talented swimmer but there is also responsibility to be a fair competitor and respectful visitor. On the weekend Student Leaders represented the school at the 6pm Mass where they were formally introduced to the Parish community in their new roles. On Friday the representative swimming squad will travel to Wellington to represent the school at the K-10 schools competition. Already and in numerous ways several Staff members have and will represent the school on several Diocesan work parties. Congratulations to all of our representatives for the talents you possess and share and thank you for the excellent calibre of “flag flying” that you do for our school. Catholic Schools Week 2014 is in Week 7 of this term and has the theme “More Than A Great Education”. Catholic School’s Week for us is a time to learn about and acknowledge our heritage and a time to set ourselves in good stead for our future. Three whole-school events occur in CSW: First is the assembly and annual CSW Address from a special guest. Second is the CSW Mass and this year has particular significance being the 125
th anniversary of our parish
as well as the 75th anniversary of the opening of our
parish church. Third is our Heritage Day Fete during which the school family gathers to raise funds for needy people supported through Caritas. More detail will be provided over coming weeks about each of these events. The P&F Association is an important aspect of this school. Financially, the association has a significant impact on the schooling experience of the children. Additionally, the Association is a forum for parents, staff and friends of the school to discuss matters of importance. While it is not a policy-making body, the
Association provides a crucial feedback mechanism that is carefully listened to when the school executive is shaping policies. The first meeting of the 2014 school year is being held this evening in the staffroom at 7pm and all parents are warmly invited. Primary Parent Information sessions are being conducted this week in an effort to achieve that perfect balance for our children where home and school are working in synchronization with one another. I hope to see you all there.
Michael Gallagher Principal
Monday 17 P&F Meeting at 7pm.
Tuesday 18
Wednesday 19
Happy birthday to Maiah Bright. Primary Parent Information Night:
5:45pm – Years 1-6 6:30pm - Kindergarten
St Raphael’s Catholic School
Term 1, Week 4/B Newsletter
17 February 2014
Gospel Challenge Term 1 Week 4
“Jesus was lead by the spirit through the wilderness” Matthew 5:17-37
Friday 21 K-10 Schools Swimming Carnival in Wellington.
Happy birthday to Zoe Budge, Madison Harcombe,
Max Myers and Eric Simpson for the 22nd
.
World Day of Social Justice
Social Justice is an underlying value for a peaceful world. February the 20
th was declared World Day of
Social Justice by the United Nations in 2007. The Catholic Church's teachings, which we promote in our school, support a vision of a just society that is grounded in the teachings of the Bible. "As we seek to build the world we want, let us intensify our efforts to achieve a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable development path built on dialogue, transparency and social justice."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
A Prayer For Social Justice
Father of great love and compassion, You made all people in your image and likeness.
Help us to see your face in every person, May we reach out to these people
in a way that will empower them
and give them the dignity they deserve. Amen.
Our student leaders for 2014 were introduced to the Parish at last Saturday night’s Mass. Our students participated with the liturgy and represented our school proudly. Please keep our enthusiastic school leadership team in your prayers as they begin the responsibilities of office this year.
Upcoming Events
YEAR TEN RETREAT TO MULGOA
Each year our Year 10 students participate in a mandatory retreat. This is an incredible faith opportunity for the students. The dates for the retreat are the 2nd, 3rd and 4th April. (Week 10) Our retreat this year will be conducted by the Wollongong Youth Mission Team. Students will travel to and from Mulgoa by bus. More information and notes for Yr. 10 parents concerning the retreat will be sent home in the next few weeks. Sacramental News The following are the date for the celebration of the Parish based Sacraments for 2014. Term 2: The children in Year 3 who celebrated Reconciliation in 2013 will be celebrating First Eucharist on 21
st June, Saturday 6pm Mass.
Term 3: Year 6 Catholic children will be celebrating Confirmation on 16
th August, Saturday 6pm Mass.
Term 4: Year 2 Catholic children will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on 26
th November,
Wednesday at 7:30pm.
Over the next few weeks letters to the parents on Year 3 children will be sent home explaining in detail the First Eucharist Programme. Thank you Mary Ford – Sacramental Co-ordinator Altar Servers’ Roster Sat 22
nd Feb: Oliver Groves, Brian MacCabe, Ben and
Rachel Myers. Sun 23
rd Feb: Madelyn Stead and Bernadette Zarb.
School Readers for Weekend Parish Masses: Sat 22
nd Feb: Kelly Price.
Sun 23rd
Feb: Mrs J White. School Eucharistic Ministers for Weekend Parish Masses: Sat 22
nd Feb: Miss K Slaven, Miss M Blazley and Miss
C Gannon. Sun 23
rd Feb: Mrs J White and Miss L Kervin.
School Computer Roster Sat 22
nd Feb: Joe Waters.
Sun 23rd
Feb: Sam Gallagher. Primary Assembly The next primary assembly will be held on Friday, 28
th
February. It will be led by Mr O’Reilly’s class, Year 50. If your son / daughter is to receive a class award a note will be sent home by Tuesday or Wednesday of the week of the assembly. Parents are always most welcome to attend any primary assembly. Parent Information Night Each year a Primary Information Night is organised to inform parents of new children, Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 3 students of will be happening in the year ahead. The structure for this year is: Date: Wednesday, 19
th February.
Time: 5.45pm Year 1-6 parents meet in St Brigid’s Hall Time: 6.30pm Kinder parents meet in Mrs Finlay’s classroom Please note the Year 1 meeting has been cancelled on Thursday. All year 1 parents are now invited to come to the meeting on Wednesday at 5:45pm Primary Class Information Sheets Year 1 – 6 classes will be sending information sheets home this week. The purpose of these sheets is to inform parents of important events that affect their child’s class for the year. Information will include such matters as sacramental programs, homework routines and expectations and curriculum grouping procedures. Kindergarten sheets will be distributed on Wednesday night. Catholic Schools’ Week March 9-15, 2014 Catholic Schools Week is being held in the week of March 9-15. Some notable events include: Monday, March 10 Open day for Kinder – Year 6 parents (10am). On this same day a Kinder – Year 10 Gathering will be held in St Raphael’s Church starting
at 11.30am. The guest speaker on this occasion is the Executive Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Bathurst, Mrs Jenny Allen. To close the week, on Friday March 14 a whole school Mass will be held at 10am and Heritage Day activities will start at 1.00pm.
Primary Physical Education Lessons Wednesdays Physical education classes for this week, 19
th February
are: Year 1, 3 and 4. These classes need to wear their sports uniform. K-10 Schools Swimming Carnival Friday, 21
st March in Welllington
Mr Thomas and Mrs McNamara will be attending this K-10 Schools’ Swimming Carnival. Students need to have returned notes, given out last week, by today. If this has not occurred pleased send them in tomorrow with the team fee of $20 and travelling arrangements indicated. This is most important as organising over 50 students and their travelling arrangements needs to done carefully to ensure accuracy, resulting in safe and known travel and participation.
Canteen Update This week’s roster is as follows:
Tues 18
Wed 19
Thurs 20
Fri 21
Mon 24
Carolyn Grant
CLOSED
Sam Doorey
Kristen Sturgiss
Laura Proctor
Raelene Nelligan
Kristy Bryan
Sally
Bruncher
Urgently calling any new helpers for the canteen. Unfortunately, it will mean the closure of another day if we are unable to get Canteen Helpers. Please complete the form at the end of the newsletter if you can offer any of your time. Blackboard Specials: Pancakes 50c Pizza slice $1.00 Apple slices 50c Hash browns 80c Thank you Donna Stokes – Canteen Manager
Our next P and F meeting is tonight at 7pm in the Staff Room. Everyone is welcome. We will be making plans for our Quiz night which it to be held on 5th April. As mentioned previously, the current President, Secretary and Publicity officer positions will become vacant in March so anyone who is interested in filling those positions please consider coming to our meeting tonight.
Woodstock Memorial Show Inc.
Sunday 7th September 2014
To all children aged between 4 and 12 years. Our 2014 show schedule needs a makeover and we are asking you to let your pens, pencils, brushes, and art strokes
DESIGN MY COVER!
Merry-go-rounds, clowns, dagwood dogs, fairy floss, face painting, horses, tractors, arts, crafts, cooking or flowers whatever comes to mind………….. Terms and Conditions: Entries to be designed on A4 or A5 paper in any medium. Please place name, address, phone number and age on back of entry. Entries to be submitted by April 1 2014. Please send addressed to:- Woodstock Memorial Show Inc. 608B Nargong Road WOODSTOCK NSW 2793. Entries will be put before Show Committee for judging. Winning entries will be put to print on our 2014 Show Schedule cover. First Place $20 plus a Family Pass to the Show. Second Place $15 and Third Place $10. Prizes sponsored by Fairfax Regional Media Group – The Cowra Guardian.
In partnership with Cowra Neighbourhood Centre and Cowra Learning Difficulties Support Group is presenting- Parenting the Anxious Child Wednesday 5 March 2014 6.00pm to 8.30pm Cowra Family Support- Healy Room 5 Vaux St, COWRA
This seminar looks at the strategies parents can learn to best help settle and manage their child’s anxiety. It also assists parents in gaining a better understanding of the causes of anxiety.
Presented by trained facilitators from Relationships Australia, a community service organisation with years of experience in parenting and relationship matters. Cost $5 or a contribution you can afford.
For more information and bookings contact the Family Relationship Centre on 6333 8888 by Monday 3/3/14
Dinner under the Stars Please join us for dinner under the stars on February 28th from 7pm as our parish celebrates 125 years. Dinner will be on the basketball courts of St Raphael’s School. The evening will include nibbles, dinner and sweets plus international entertainment. BYO drinks and glasses. Tickets are $20 each and will be available after Mass or from the Presbytery or Style for Women in Kendal St. Please purchase your tickets by Friday 24th February. Everyone is welcome, 15 years and up.
