Principal News
School Theme: LIGHT of HOPE
Principal News
School Theme: LIGHT of HOPE
Dear members of the St Raphael’s school community,
Congratulations to the Year 6 children who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday. Confirmation ceremonies are such memorable occasions and it was wonderful to be able to share the occasion in the church as a whole school community.
We thank Bishop Terry Curtin, Fr Simon, and all of the staff and families for their support and assistance. Special thanks to Rosalba Squarci and the Year 5/6 teachers, Emma Sbizzirri, Anatasia Dullard, Matthew Vernal and Maxwell Allan who prepared the children for the Confirmation celebration.
Yesterday we celebrated World Harmony Day. We pray for peace in Ukraine and continue to keep the Ukrainian people in our thoughts and prayers.
Next week we welcome Mrs Judi Hanke into our school as the official independent school reviewer. This important quadrennial school review will take place on Tuesday 29 March and Thursday 31 March.
Our next School Open Day is today 23rd March at 9.30 - 10.30 am & 12 - 1 pm. We welcome all prospective parents. A reminder to all existing families to please submit their enrolment forms for 2023. Our Foundation numbers are filling up fast and we want to ensure that we have a place for your children next year.
Since remote online learning, many children have become reliant on communicating with each other via digital technologies. As a certified eSmart School, we want to remain proactive in keeping the children safe whilst online at school and at home.
The following link is from the National Centre Against Bullying and has some fantastic tips and support strategies for parents to access to keep your children safe whilst online.
https://www.ncab.org.au/bullying-advice/bullying-for-parents/how-to-stop-cyber-bullying/
About one in five school-aged children are cyberbullied in any 12-month period. The effects of this bullying on young people today cannot be underestimated. As most houses have multiple online devices, it is tough for a young person to escape the negativity at home. Below are some practical tips and discussion points that could be had with your children on the topic of cyberbullying.
Responding to cyberbullying
Tips on how to prevent cyberbullying
Please find below a free webinar for parents and carers to learn more about how to manage anxiety in primary school-aged children.
This online one-hour session will be run by Dr Lauren McLellan titled "What is anxiety and how can you help primary-school-age children manage it?" on Thursday 7th April at 6 pm.
Dr McLellan is a practising clinical psychologist as well as a senior lecturer and researcher within the Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences at Macquarie University. Her research aims to use technology as a way to increase access to effective treatments for anxious youth, especially for those in rural and remote communities. Her passion for research in this particular area is so that more young people can live emotionally healthy lives.
To register visit: https://it-mqu.formstack.com/forms/ceh_webinar_7_april_2022
All children must now be wearing their full school uniform.
As a condition of the ongoing enrolment of your child at St Raphael's, all parents have signed their commitment to support and abide by the school's Uniform Policy. Therefore, we ask for your cooperation by ensuring your child is wearing the correct school uniform at all times. If your child cannot wear their correct school uniform, please email or write a note to your child's homeroom teacher informing them of the exceptional circumstances.
A reminder that all 2022 school fees and levies will receive a $200 discount if paid in full by 4 pm on Friday 29th April. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, you are encouraged to contact the school to make an appointment to discuss alternative payment arrangements.