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- Principals Report Week 2 Term 3
- Religious Education News
- Dates for your Diary
- Veritas Awards
- Library News
- School Counselling Services
- Personally yours Update - Rosary School Ties in Stock
- Rosary Netball Newsletter
- Rosary Eagles Newsletter
- Dance Club at Rosary - Thursdays at Lunchtime - Kindergarten to Year 4 Enrolling Now
- Whole Day Absences via Parent Portal
- Extracurricular Activities at Rosary
- Clothing Pool Opening Hours
- Car Park Safety Reminder
- Road upgrades near Rosary Primary School
- Parentline
Principals Report Week 2 Term 3
Dear Parents and Carers
Term 3 has started well and lots of exciting events and learning are underway.
60th Anniversary and St Dominic's Day Celebrations
These celebrations will be held next Wednesday 2 August. St Dominic’s Day (normally celebrated here on 3 August) is always a special Feast Day of the year for our Rosary School community but the celebrations will be all held on the Wednesday this year.
This is a joint ACU and Rosary School mass will be held at 12.00pm on 2 August at Blackfriars Parish Church Watson to celebrate their respective 60th anniversaries.
You are warmly invited to attend the mass with our students. Special guests from Rosary School, ACU and Catholic Education will be in attendance. Students will then be having a special lunch on their return to school after mass.
The Story of St Dominic
According to one legend, his mother made a pilgrimage to an abbey at Silos. Legend says there were many signs of the great child she would bear. One of the most common legends says that during the pilgrimage, Joan had a dream of a dog leaping from her womb with a torch in its mouth. The animal "seemed to set the earth on fire." His parents named him Dominic, a play on the words Domini canis, meaning the Lord's dog in Latin. An alternative, and possibly more likely story says he was named after St. Dominic de Silos, a Spanish monk who lived a century before.
St. Dominic was a man sensitive and alive to the world around him. Born in Caleruega in 1170, he later studied in Palencia, and became a canon at the Cathedral of Osma. As a young man he was on a diplomatic trip in Southern France.
A strong zeal for salvation meant Dominic tried hard to combat the false teachings through his own preaching and itinerant teaching. Dominic’s vision was universal; he saw a need in the Church which extended beyond this region in France. He established convents of nuns who would pray for the conversion of sinners and also for the fidelity and perseverance of the friars. The first foundation of nuns was established in Prouilhe in 1206, and the formal foundation of the fathers was established in 1217. As the Order of Preachers spread through Europe, the Third Order developed, which includes sisters and the laity.
Dominic’s genius was one of renewal and transformation of existing monastic customs and traditions. The Rule of St. Augustine was adopted, and a democratic form of government was instituted. Those in the Order were allowed to leave the cloister to study and teach at universities, to preach and to bring solace to those in need of healing.
This revolutionary form of active monasticism is characterised by a strong sense of balance. Clothed in the distinctive habit of the Order, the Dominican balances the black of penance with the white of purity. In teaching and preaching, the Dominican discovers the artful balance of truth and charity. In living a common life in the cloister and leaving to minister to the Word, the Dominican treasures the silence of contemplation with the zeal of the apostles.
In July of 1221, Dominic took ill with a fever. He asked to be laid on the ground, still refusing a bed. He exhorted his brothers to keep a spirit of humility and charity. After several weeks of illness, he made a last confession and a will, then passed away on August 6. He died in the presence of his brother Dominicans. Dominic was just 51. Pope Gregory IX canonised St. Dominic on July 13, 1234, and his feast day is August 8.
Saint Dominic is the patron saint of astronomers, the Dominican Republic, and the innocent who are falsely accused of crimes. He is commonly depicted in icons with a dog, or lilies.
Just as St. Dominic’s life was punctuated by night vigils, fasting, prayer, and penance, the Dominican punctuates the secular world with the grace, life and light of Christ. With the Rosary in reach, the successors of St. Dominic, like Fr Mannes, continue to serve the Church as faithful witnesses to the Word with a devoted affection for His Mother.
Rosary Student Success in ACT Rostrum Public Speaking
Congratulations to Eve Andonovski in Year 4 Cairo who presented her speech at the quarter finals last night at Ainslie School and was successful in progressing to the semi-finals to be held in August. Well done to Eve on this amazing effort and we wish her good luck at the next stage of the competition.
Year 5 Wakakirri Performance
Next Tuesday 1 August is the Year 5 Wakakirri performance at the Canberra Theatre. The Year 5 students and staff have been working for several weeks to rehearse their story and dance show. This year their show is a representation of the famous ‘Snow White’ fairy tale.
Snow White is an 1812 fairy tale by German brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, collectively known as “the Brothers Grimm.” The story was made famous in many animated Disney films. We all know the story…Jealous of Snow White's beauty, the wicked queen orders the murder of her innocent stepdaughter, but later discovers that Snow White is still alive and hiding in a cottage with seven friendly little miners. Disguising herself as a hag, the queen brings a poisoned apple to Snow White, who falls into a death-like sleep that can be broken only by a kiss from the prince.
But how will Year 5 portray the famous story? We’ll have to wait and see.
The full-dress rehearsals will be held later this week for each year level in the school at different times. It will be great for the other students to see the performance!
Thank you to Mrs Mogan, Mr Read, Mr O’Brien and all the staff and parents/carers helping with the many tasks associated with such a big performance. Good luck to Year 5 for next week!
2024 Enrolments Still Open
Planning is well underway for 2024 and in good news, Catholic Education has granted Rosary School 2 Kindergarten classes based on our current 40 enrolments. It is likely that we will have 15 classes overall again next year. Our current school enrolment figure is approximately 360 students. Enrolments remain steady but we do have a waiting list on some year levels for places. However, enrolments will still be accepted where we can take them and families with a child on the waiting list may still find a place becomes available as students leave the school.
Therefore, if you know of any families looking for a place in Kindergarten or other year levels next year, please get them to contact the school.
If you have a current child or children at the school and they may be leaving Rosary, it would be appreciated if you please let the school office know as soon as you are sure. Thank you.
Rosary Eagles Rugby Club Memorabilia Display
A new display of Rosary Eagles Rugby Club memorabilia has been set up in the school hall foyer. These items of memorabilia have been collected at various times in the history of the club. You may not be aware that Rosary Eagles Rugby Club was established in 1964 in the second year of the school’s operation. Thank you to one of our ex-parents Dave Dwyer who has collected these memorabilia on behalf of the club and donated it back to the school to display. For years to come our students and visitors will now be able to enjoy viewing some of the school's sporting history.
NAPLAN Reporting Changes
The 2023 NAPLAN results arrived this week and will be distributed to parents and carers soon. Initial analysis shows that Rosary students did well overall. There are 5 areas of NAPLAN assessment that align with the Australian Curriculum. The way that the tests are administered and completed has changed significantly. The way the results are reported has also changed. For that reason, the 2023 NAPLAN results cannot be directly compared to any previous years or cohorts. Thes school staff are currently looking at the NAPLAN results of individual students and comparing them with our school-based assessment data to see what each student needs to learn to further improve.
Parents of students in Year 3 and Year 5 will receive a hard copy of their child’s NAPLAN report this week and a parent information letter explaining the changes and how to interpret the 2023 report.
I wish everyone a terrific week ahead with the celebrations planned!
God Bless.
Greg Walker
Principal
CONFIRMATION FORMATION EVENING TOMORROW Thursday 27 July @ 6:15pm
If your child is baptised Catholic, has received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, and wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, please attend the Confirmation Formation Evening together on Thursday 27 July at 6:15pm.
The Feast Day of St Dominic and 60th Anniversary Mass – Wednesday 2nd August @ 12pm
This year ACU and Rosary School will gather together to participate in a Mass celebrating St Dominic’s Feast Day (the day before) and our respective 60th Anniversaries. All welcome!
Liz Higgins
Religious Education Coordinator
- Confirmation Formation Evening - Thursday 27th July - Holy Rosary Church 6.15pm (Please Note Change of Date)
- Kinder 100 Days - Tuesday 1st August
- Kinder Assembly - Tuesday 1st August - School Hall 2.20pm (Please Note Change of Date)
- Wakakirri - Tuesday 1st August - 7.15pm Canberra Theatre
- Celebration Mass - Wednesday 2nd August - Holy Rosary Church 12pm
- St Mary of the Cross Feast Day Mass - Tuesday 8th August - Holy Rosary Church 10.00am
- Rosary Athletics Carnival - Friday 11th August
- Kinder Health Checks - Monday 14th August and Thursday 17th August
- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mass - Tuesday 15th August - Holy Rosary Church 10.00am
- Year 4 Assembly - Friday 18th August - School Hall 2.20pm
Congratulations to the following students who received a Veritas Award:
Benji Gilbert-Puttock
Nawang Yangchen
Patrick Carr
Gaychen Rabgay
Ben Brooker
Noah Wilson
Archie Cannell
Harriet Pavier
Maeve Higginbotham
Casey Ryall
Isaac Wright
Marcelo Valdivia
Reece Bingley
Tenzin Densel
Chhoeki Langmo
This year the Children’s’ Book Council of Australia Book Week Theme is READ, GROW, INSPIRE. I would like to remind all Rosary families that this year’s Book Week falls in Week Six of Term Three (21st - 25th August). Book Week is an annual celebration that is a highlight for all students! As mentioned in previous newsletters, there will be a dress-up day on Friday, August 25. This can be as simple as dressing up as a 'normal' character from a fiction book or as detailed as having your child dressed in a costume character from a book. Please be mindful of the suitability of props e.g., swords and ensure students have suitable, appropriate shoes e.g., runners. There is no competition...it is merely a day to celebrate all that is wonderful about BOOKS! The only requirement is that each child needs to have the book their dress-up relates to. Please see me if you are having trouble securing a book that relates to your child's dress-up character.
Our annual Book Fair will be held in the Library from Monday afternoon, August 21st and open from 8.30am - 9am and again at 3.10- 4.30pm every day until Friday 25th August. There will be a large selection of books to purchase for your children with a percentage of sales being returned to the library in books and resources.
The school counsellor, is available every Thursday and Friday.
You can refer your child for counselling by contacting the school or filling in a referral form available on Catholic Care’s website or follow this link: https://catholiccare.force.com/housing/s/school-referral-form
After you have filled out the referral form you will automatically be sent an email requesting your consent for your child to access the service. In the case of families where parents are separated, consent of both parents is normally required. If this is difficult for you please feel free to discuss this with the counsellor.
Personally yours Update - Rosary School Ties in Stock
Please be advised that Personally Yours in Fyshwick now have Rosary School ties in stock and available for purchase.
Thank you for your patience.
Dance Club at Rosary - Thursdays at Lunchtime - Kindergarten to Year 4 Enrolling Now
PLAY AGENCY
Whole Day Absences via Parent Portal
Whole Day Absences
If your child is absent from school for a whole day or longer, please submit details of the absence via the Parent Portal. This should be completed within 7 days of the absence. There is no need to adjust times for whole day absences.
If your child will only be absent for a partial day, the absence will be recorded as your child is signed in or out via the kiosk at the front office. You do not need to add an early pick up or late drop off via the Parent Portal.
Unexplained absences for your child will be displayed on your homepage when you log in to Parent Portal.
If an unexplained absence appears that you believe to be incorrect, please send an email to the front office for investigation.
Extracurricular Activities at Rosary
There are many extracurricular activities available onsite for our Rosary Students. Please note all of these activities attract a fee and are delivered by external providers. Please see the timetable below for details:
- French Lessons - Monday 3.10pm - 4.20pm (continuing) / Wednesday 8.00am - 9.00am (beginner)
- Action Tae Kwon-Do - Monday 6.30pm Children class / 7:30pm Adult class
- Chess Club - Tuesday 3.10pm - 4.30pm (Weeks 1-9)
- Zanshin Martial Arts - Tuesday 6.30pm Junior class / 7:30pm Senior class
- Artkids - Thursday 3.15pm - 5.15pm
- Italian Lessons - Friday 8:00am - 9:00am (beginner)
- Musicorp (various instruments) / Piano Lessons - Friday 8:20am and during class time throughout the day
- Block Crafters - Wednesday - Coding and Robotics After School Programme for interested students aged 8-12 years (currently fully booked).
- Dance Club - PLAY - The Dance Agency - Thursdays at Lunchtime from Weeks 2-10 - Kinder to Year 4
Please contact the school if you require further information.
Access to the clothing pool will now be as follows:
Monday - All Day (school hours)
Tuesday - Friday - Before and after school only
Thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers who maintain the space for our community.
Please note: All donations of preloved uniforms (in good wearable condition) are welcome at the front office.
Road upgrades near Rosary Primary School
Road line marking and signage improvements are planned near Rosary Primary School. Please find a copy of the designs attached for your information.
The works are expected to be undertaken in the next three months, with the exact timing subject to the contractor’s scheduling. The contractor will minimise the impact on the school community when undertaking the works, including avoiding working during the school peak periods.
NOTICEBOARD