Principal's Report
Welcome
Dear members of the St Raphael's school community,
A warm welcome back to the second semester of the school year. I trust that you kept warm during this cold period and had relaxing school holiday with your children.
This term we focus on our Year 4 children who will be receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist on Sunday 6th August and 13th August at 10:30 am mass. We ask you to keep these children in your prayers as they prepare to receive this sacrament and invite you to join us to celebrate with your children and the whole school and parish community.
In addition to the many educational wonderful opportunities, there are also a number of community events coming up this term that our Fundraising Parent Group have organised.
With only a week and a half to go, we encourage you to get a group of friends and family together to attend our upcoming Comedy Night on Friday 28th July in our school hall. This promises to be a fun night with some excellent professional comedians who have appeared at the Sydney and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals as well as appearances on the ABC's Spicks and Specks program. Tickets are $35/ head and are available for purchase at www.comedyforacause/net/str.
All profits will go towards the redevelopment of our school playground and outdoor learning spaces.
Purchase your tickets now, organise a babysitter and join us for this great opportunity to come together as the parents of our children and have a fun, social night out.
The school grounds will start to transform over the coming weeks with the redevelopment of Stage 2 of our playground redevelopment masterplan commencing in the next few weeks. We are calling on parent volunteers to assist with the demolition and landscaping works in the next few weeks. If you are able to offer you services or provide assistance please contact: playground@srprestonwest.catholic.edu.au
Road Safety and Behaviour
As we commence the new term I would like to remind all parents and grandparents to adhere to our road rules when picking up and dropping your children to and from school. Breen Street is now a clearly designated Kiss'n' Go area and is only to meant to be a drop-off and pick up point for your children before and after school. This is a no parking area. Please support each other and exercise common sense during these times to ensure the safety of the children and each other.
I am finding it increasingly frustrating that I receive requests from other parents regarding other parent's blatant disregard for other road users. I have been asked to monitor and patrol this behavior. This is not part of my job description and I am disappointed that as grown adults we can't do the right thing by each other and set a good example for our children.
The following is an example of recent feedback that I received from a frustrated parent:
"Today I picked up ____ after school and had an incident with a parent that abused me in front of other kids and parents.
I couldn’t get my car through because they were illegally parked in front of a driveway and their car was sticking out onto Breen Street. For me to pass through I was going to scratch my car or break my mirror.
There are a lot of selfish parents that think they can just stop in the middle of Breen Street and have a chat, or wait 5-8 minutes until their child comes to the car.
I think if they see you there daily for a week and move them along then they might start getting it. I know it’s hard for you to do this but if they see your face then it might make a difference.
They don’t care about the traffic inspectors as they come and go for weeks.
Can you please do something about this matter before road rage happens in Breen Street."
I know of some schools who have resorted to taking photos of offending drivers and publishing number plates in the school newsletter. I would be really disappointed to have to resort to these sort of measures and I urge you all to be responsible road users. However, if this behaviour does continue I will be left with no other option but to 'name and shame' repeat offenders in our school newsletter.
Working With Children Check
Changes are being made to the Working with Children Act 2005 to clarify and simplify the requirements of holding a Check and implement key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The changes come into effect on 1 August 2017 and mean that Working with Children Checks will be needed in some situations where they were not previously required.
People undertaking child-related work whose contact with children is supervised by another person will now be required to hold a Check.
For example: Chris has taken up a position as an assistant coach of a junior football team. Even though he is directly supervised by the head coach, Chris is required to hold a Check.
The meaning of direct contact will be expanded to cover all types of contact including written and verbal contact as well as contact by email and through electronic means.
For example: John is employed as a counsellor with a phone counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 18. Because John’s role involves direct contact with children by telephone, he is required to hold a Check.
Contact Lynette Gamble in the office to find out how these changes might affect you. For more information or to apply, visit: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au
Twitter @PrincipalDamian
I have recently started a new Twitter account (@PrincipalDamian) to showcase some of the fabulous work of the children around our school. This work will be selected during a weekly 'Principal's Walk' around our school. The children's privacy or identities will not be displayed but rather the work they are doing in their homerooms. So, follow me on Twitter to get regular updates and to see the great work of the children throughout our school! @PrincipalDamian
'Subbie' Visits St Raphael's!
Today we had a wonderful visit from the 1992 Melbourne Cup winner, Subzero. The children met 'Subbie' and were enthralled by his beautiful nature. At 29 years of age, Subzero has done some wonderful work in school and nursing homes throughout Australia and has travelled overseas to represent Australia at many sporting events. We have had a number of visits from sporting stars over the years and it was a great opportunity to hear the story of another sports star who reached great heights in his racing career but, more importantly, has also gone on to give so much back to people in the community.
It was also a reminder of the care and patience people need to show towards animals. His handler of 25 years, Graham, told a great story of when he first was given 'Subbie' after his brief, successful racing career and how he worked patiently with him to turn him into a gentle giant.
It was also wonderful to have the champion female jockey, Katelyn Mallyon, visit as well and discuss her amazing achievements. She was an inspirational young female athlete and role model for other young aspiring girls.
The children loved the opportunity to meet Katelyn and Subbie and the Year 3/4J and E children were keen to send him a thank you note!
Here's the link to the video of 'Subbie's' visit to St Raphael's:
https://rv.racing.com/videos/2017-07-19/community-program---subzero-and-katelyn-mallyon
Visit from South Australian Teachers
Today we hosted 16 teachers from Foundation - Year 7 from Kidman Park Primary School in South Australia who visited our school to see the work we are doing. The visit was recommended to them by Walker Learning Approach representatives. It was wonderful to hear their positive feedback about our school, the learning spaces, the engagement levels of the children and the purposeful learning linked to the Victorian Curriculum.
Father's Day Celebrations
A reminder to all Dads to keep Friday 1st September free for our annual Father's Day celebrations. The day will commence at 8 am - 9 am with a breakfast followed by a Father's Day reflection in the hall and a visit to the homerooms before we all head down to Zwar Park for our annual Footy Day celebrations. More information will be sent home in the coming days but please save the date and join us for this special celebration of fatherhood.
A Budding Actor!
We are delighted to announce that one of our students, Madison Guerra, has successfully auditioned for a part in the musical Honk!Jr. with the Catchment Players.
Madison had a busy holiday auditioning for the musical and was successful in landing a role as a froglet in the show. This show is extra special as this will be the company's last production having been in the business for 45 years.
This will be a huge term for Madison with rehearsals twice a week (8hrs) and all her other activities but she is so looking forward to yet another show that she will be a part of.
We are all super proud of all her hard work and commitment especially leading up to this as she put in a lot of training both vocally and in her dancing.
I will put something in the newsletter in the coming weeks regarding ticket sales.
Well done Madison!