Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back for Term 3.  I hope everyone had the chance for a restful school holiday break. The weather was certainly mixed with some cloudy and wet weather days and then some heavy frosts but nice days so I hope you were able to keep warm! 

Term 3 is always an exciting term where students get the chance to really go deeper in their learning and also experience lots of school events. In this newsletter I have included dates of some of the highlights and special events coming up.  

Term 3 Staff Updates 

Mr Chris Evans (Year 6 Cairo) has been seconded to St John the Apostle for Term 3, where he will be acting as Religious Education Coordinator.  Congratulations to Mr Evans on his secondment. Mr Evans has been Acting Religious Education Coordinator here for Term 1 and the majority of Term 2. 

We wish him every success in this important executive role and look forward to welcoming him back to Rosary in Term 4.

As we look ahead to Term 3, we are very pleased to welcome back Miss Nuri La, who will be teaching the Yr 6 Cairo on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Mrs Elisa Pavlic will take the class on Wednesdays. 

NAIDOC Week this week in schools

This year’s National NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations, and the theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead. 

“Over the decades, NAIDOC Week has grown into a powerful national celebration that continues to honour and elevate Indigenous voices, culture and resilience 50 years on.

“Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the groundwork laid by our forebears, each NAIDOC Week reinforces our vision for an Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard but lead the way.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we look toward the next 50 years of NAIDOC Week celebrations, with excitement and confidence, while ensuring that NAIDOC remains a movement grounded in community-led vision and integrity.”

Aunty (Professor) Lynette Riley, National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair. 

We celebrate NAIDOC this week in our schools.  Our Aboriginal students have been invited to attend the Catholic Education Mass this Friday at St Christopher’s Cathedral Manuka, along with our Year 6 students.  Miss Rachel McKerrow, our Aboriginal Contact Teacher, and Mrs Shannon Blakey will attend. Rosary has also had a number of Aboriginal educational performances recently and activities in class. 

Think U Know Workshops

This week our Year 3-6 students took part in Think U Know workshops with Australian Federal Police educators. It is so important for students' development and safety that they understand how to use the internet,online platforms, gaming and social media appropriately and safely. Social media and being connected online is a big part of the lives of people today but it comes with lots of challenges and risks.  

The educators from the Australian Federal Police spoke to our students about safely accessing online sites and how to protect their identity and personal details. There were also other safeguarding measures and strategies shared with students. 

Thank you to Mrs Jodie Dawson for organising the workshops and continuing our school focus on educating students about the online world today.  

New Resources for Students Unveiled

Rosary has purchased some new resources following funds raised by last year’s successful colour run event. Please see the photos below of new gymnastics mats in the hall which are used for junior gross motor classes and other fitness activities in the hall.  There are also new outdoor tables and chairs that our Kindergarten students use for eating.  These tables can also be used for Year 6/Kinder buddy activities and buy other groups of students. You will also see that there are new soccer goals for students to use on the infants playground and the Year 2-6 oval. These are a big hit as soccer or ‘football’ as the fans of this world game say, is played by the students all year round at Rosary.            

School Playground - Stage 2 Upgrades

During the school holidays  Stage 2 maintenance work was carried out on the senior playground area near the oval. As part of the project, all equipment was checked by industry experts and parts replaced as required due to wear and tear. In some areas the border around the playground was extended and increased in height to hold more tanbark as softfall.  All tanbark was topped up to provide a very good level of support to reduce the risk of injuries from falls.    

Our students were very excited that they were back on the equipment for the first day of this term.

Some of our Upcoming School Events

Friday 1 August 10.00 am St  Dominic's Feast Day Mass (Holy Rosary Church)

Monday 4 August - Year 5 Wakakirri evening performance at Canberra Theatre

Monday 4  August - ‘100 days of Kinder’ celebration

Thursday 7 August - Rosary students competing in Burgmann College Chess Competition

Thursday 7August - Kindergarten Incursion activity at school.

Friday 8 August - St Mary of the Cross Mackillop Feast Day

Friday 8 August - Rosary Athletics Carnival at Dickson Playing Fields

Friday 15 August 10.00 am -Feast Of The Assumption Mass (Church).

Friday 15 August 2.20 pm - Year 1 School Assembly (School Hall).

Monday 18 August - Friday 22 August (Week 5) -  BOOK WEEK

Friday 22 August - 9am BOOK WEEK Parade & 2.20pm BOOK WEEK assembly  

Friday 29 August 10.00am - Year 3 Liturgy (Holy Rosary Church) *Please note change of date from the school Calendar

Friday 5 September - Father’s Day Breakfast (TBC) 

Friday 12 September 5:30pm - Year 6 Sacrament of Confirmation with Archbishop Christopher Prowse. 

Friday 19 September 10.00am - Year 6 Mass (Holy Rosary Church).

Monday 22 September - Rosary Learning Journeys and Open Classrooms (before school)

Thursday 25 September - Potential Date for 2025 Colour Run Event and Fundraiser (TBC - Last Day of Term 3).

Friday 26 September - PUPIL FREE DAY (Staff Professional Learning). No school for students.

Lunch Time Clubs in Term 3

Parents and Carers often ask about these clubs…this term our staff are offering:

Agriculture Club (Mr Read)  Thursday

STEM Club (Mrs Watson) Tuesday

Card Games Club (Mrs Scott) Wednesday

You can encourage your child to attend these activities if you think it will interest them.

Extra-Curricular Clubs Offered Outside School Hours

• French Lessons - Wednesday 8.00am - 9.00am (beginner) from week 2
• Italian Lessons - Friday 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 3.10pm - 5.00pm
• Musicorp (various instruments) / Piano Lessons - Friday 8:20am and during class time throughout the day
• Block Crafters - Tuesday and Wednesday from Week 2 - 3.15pm - 5.00pm Coding and Robotics After School Programme for interested students aged 8-12 years 
• Dance Club - PLAY - The Dance Agency - Tuesdays at Lunchtime from Weeks 2-9 - Kinder to Year 4 

2025 NAPLAN Results Available for Year 3 and Year 5 Parents

The 2025 NAPLAN results have been finalised and parents and carers will soon receive their child’s assessment report in paper form.  These reports will be sent home with students in a sealed envelope. 

Wishing you well for the week ahead.

God Bless. 

Greg Walker

Principal 

Confirmation Formation Session

If your child is in Year 6, is baptised Catholic, has received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, and wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, please attend the Faith Formation Session, with your child, tonight, Thursday 24 July @ 6:15pm, Holy Rosary Church. This is a requirement and forms part of your child’s preparation.

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C | Sunday 27th July | green

“Ask and you shall receive."

Please click on the link below to access the readings and reflections for this Sunday

July 27 - Sunday 17 ORD

St Dominic’s Feast Day Mass – 1 August 10am

Next Friday, the whole school will celebrate St Dominic’s Feast Day by attending Mass at Holy Rosary Church. All welcome!

Liz Higgins

Religious Education Coordinator

• Confirmation Formation Evening - Thursday 24th July - Holy Rosary Church 6.15pm
• NAIDOC Mass @ St Christophers Manuka - Friday 25th July 9.45am
• Kindergarten Fire Education Visit - Wednesday 30th July 11.30am
• St Dominics Mass - Friday 1st August - Holy Rosary Church 10.00am
• Year 2 Assembly - Friday 1st August - School Hall 2.20pm
• Kinder 100 Days - Monday 4th August
• Author Visit - Katrina Nannestad - Tuesday 5th August
• Chess Competition - Burgmann College - Thursday 7th July
• Rosary Athletics Carnival - Friday 8th August - Dickson Playing Fields
• Year 3 Liturgy - Friday 29 August - Holy Rosary Church 10.00am (please note the change of date from the school calendar)

Book an Adventure! Book Week 2025

This year the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book Week Theme is Book an Adventure!  I would like to alert all Rosary families that this year’s Book Week falls in Week Five of this term (18th-22nd August). Book Week is an annual celebration that is the highlight for all students! Each week next term, there will be an intensive literature study on one of the Children's Book Council of Australia shortlisted picture books. By the end of this term, students will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite and find out what the Australian judges have voted as theirs – an interesting discussion in itself! As part of Book week celebrations, I will be asking the students to come dressed as a book character ensuring that they have the book the character relates to with them on the day. I am happy to assist with any book choices. The children will be asked to come to school in their costumes on Friday 22nd August. Please be mindful of the suitability of props e.g. swords.

Our annual Book Fair will be held in the library from the afternoon of the August 18th – 22nd inclusive. 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.

Chess Club- Chess Club has re-commenced for this term and runs every Tuesday weeks 1-9 from 3.10-4.30pm operating in the same capacity as previous terms. We are fortunate enough to have a small number of spots available for keen chess players. 

Author Visit - Katrina Nannestad - Tuesday 5th August

Rosary is very fortunate to have Katrina Nannestad visiting Rosary on Tuesday 5th August. 

Katrina is an award-winning children's author who writes humour, adventure, action, mystery and history. 

Attached is some information about how to order one of Katrinas books to be signed and delivered at the visit.  

Book orders close Friday 1st August.

Get ready to groove!

Incredible lunchtime dance classes are now running every Wednesday at Rosary Primary School, led by professional instructors from Canberra’s top studio - PLAY The Dance Company.  Classes will run from weeks 2-9 for students in Kinder to Year 4.

✨ Fun, active, and perfect for all levels

✨ Boosts coordination, confidence & creativity

✨ Run by expert instructors from Canberra’s best!

Enrolling now using the link below!

Don’t miss out.

Let your child move, express, and shine all with the convenience of no after-school running around! 

https://www.playagency.com.au/product/2025-term-3-school-program-rosary-primary-school/

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 - Wednesday 8.00am - 9.00am (beginner) from week 2
• Italian Lessons - Friday 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 3.10pm - 5.00pm
• Musicorp (various instruments) / Piano Lessons - Friday 8:20am and during class time throughout the day
• Block Crafters - Tuesday and Wednesday from Week 2 - 3.15pm - 5.00pm Coding and Robotics After School Programme for interested students aged 8-12 years 
• Dance Club - PLAY - The Dance Agency - Wednesdays at Lunchtime from Weeks 2-9 - Kinder to Year 4

Please contact the school if you require further information.

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.

Access to the clothing pool will now be as follows:

Monday - 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.

Just a few reminders about the car parking and drop off / pick up arrangements:

• The speed limit is 5 km/hr in the car park and all road rules apply.
  
  
•  Pedestrians always have the right of way. 

• Park only in the designated parking spaces, facing forwards towards the university. 

• The white markings relate to traffic flow and parking (coloured markings relate to the children’s playing spaces.) 

• The area closest to the Peace Gates is reserved for Set Down Only in the mornings. Parents can stop in the marked bays long enough for children to alight from the vehicle on the quadrangle side and then enter the school through the Peace Gates. 

• For pedestrian safety there is no parking or stopping against kerb near Peace Gates after school. 

• Please note that no reversing is allowed from the bays marked on the courts. 

• Please follow the white arrows and drive in and drive out again in a forward direction only. This is to reduce the risk to children who cannot be seen by reversing vehicles. 

• Due to the spacing of the bays, parallel parking is only available in the area adjacent to the shade shelter on the oval. This area should be used by larger vehicles and trucks wherever possible. 

• Parallel parking is not available adjacent to the university grounds as this space is needed for vehicles to exit the parking area in a forward direction. 

• Parking on the courts is not permitted between 9:15am and 2:45pm as they are used for play at recess and lunch and by classes for sport throughout the day. 

• There is ‘Long Stay’ parking available in front of the hall for parents who spend time at the school after 9:00am. (This is the only area in which reversing to exit is permitted.) This ensures that the courts area is free for classes to use for sports lessons. 

• After school, some parents may need to see teachers or the front office staff. If this is the case, please leave your cars outside in the bus bay or behind the hall on Higginbotham Street as the gates are locked at 3:30pm. 

• All students travelling home by car are to wait in the quad until collected by a parent/carer. 

• Parents waiting for their children after school are asked to move well into the quad to assist access. 

• When children arrive at school, they are to enter via the Peace Gates in the quadrangle. Children are not to enter through the front office foyer. Likewise, children are not to leave through the front office at the end of the day unless catching a route bus. 

• No child is to meet a parent/carer anywhere other than the quadrangle area at the end of school. 

• The children must be supervised in the car park – they are not permitted to go to a parked vehicle without a parent/carer with them.