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Principals Report Week 4 Term 4
Dear Parents and Friends,
The Sacrament of Reconciliation took place on Monday evening this week for the children in our Year 2 classes. It was a beautiful, peaceful liturgical celebration. I thank Mrs Higgins, our Religious Education Coordinator, and the Year 2 teachers, Mrs Pavlic, Mrs Stiffle, Miss Blom and Mrs Godfrey for preparing the children so well to receive the Sacrament. I thank Fr Kieran and Fr Raphael for their gracious presence. I thank the parents too for their role in partnership with us in developing the children’s faith understanding and preparing them for this important step in the journey of their spiritual lives. I pray that the children will return to this Sacrament often to receive the Lord’s blessing of forgiveness and renewal.
Elizabeth Lee MLA visit to Rosary
On Tuesday this week, Ms Elizabeth Lee, Shadow Minister for Education, visited Rosary School. Ms Lee spent time touring the school with me and two of our Year 6 Leaders, interacting with classes and meeting with students and staff. Ms Lee was very impressed with the presentation of our school and the warm welcome she received. She was also very impressed with the students’ questions and comments and their lovely manners. Ms Lee has been spending time visiting local schools to gain insight into their particular needs so as to understand how best to support them. Ms Lee enjoyed morning tea with the staff and was assured of a warm welcome upon her next visit.
Catholic Education Commission visit
Members of the Catholic Education Commission also came to visit our school this week. They too were very impressed with the friendliness and courteousness of our students and the lovely learning environment that we are blessed to have. Some of the members who are from country NSW were envious of our excellent and aesthetically pleasing facilities and, of course, our green grass! It was a good reminder never to take our blessings and good fortune for granted.
Remembrance Day Ceremony
On Monday morning next week, at 10.30am, the school will gather at the Lone Pine Memorial Garden to commemorate Remembrance Day. At 11.00am we will hold a minute’s silence to pay our respects to those who lost their lives in the fight for peace in our world. There will be some special guests attending from within our community and light refreshments will be served following the service. Everyone is cordially invited to attend.
Camp Quality Puppet Show
The Camp Quality Puppet Show will be visiting Rosary on Wednesday 13th November. The show will take place in the hall from 2 to 3pm for the whole school. The purpose of the puppet show is to teach students about cancer; to learn that it is not contagious and to learn about how people with cancer might look and feel and how best to support them through their illness. Parents are very welcome to come along to see the show with the students.
Congratulations
Sincere congratulations are extended to Mrs Liz Higgins and Mr John O’Brien on their respective highly successful performance reviews and subsequent appointments as Religious Education Coordinator and Assistant Principal at Rosary for a further four-year contract period. Thank you to the staff, parents and parishioners who provided invaluable feedback in the review process. I take this opportunity to thank Liz and John for the wonderful work they do to benefit our Rosary community and I look forward to continuing to work closely with them on the Leadership Team in the future.
System Leaders’ Days
Last Thursday and Friday, I met with members of the Catholic Education Office and all Principals in our Archdiocese. We gathered to pray and celebrate All Saints Day Mass together, to hold regional Principals’ meetings and to learn about changes being made to structures within the Catholic Education Office and the System Priorities for the coming year. As well, we farewelled and welcomed colleagues. We were fortunate to hear from Dr Neil McGoran, Director of Catholic Education South Australia, who offered great insights into current approaches to Catholic Education. I extend my thanks to our own Catholic Education Directorate for offering valuable opportunities, such as this, to its school and system leaders.
Treat Day Thanks
Thank you to Graham Hannaford from the parent community and Peter Ederle, Michael Watt, Colleen Welsh, Kathy Brokenshire, John O’Brien and Fron Garrett and Tim O’Brien from the staff, for preparing, organising supplies, cooking and serving the BBQ at the Treat Day lunch on Monday. The students thoroughly enjoyed their sausage sandwiches and lolly bags.
Remembrance Day – 11th November
In Flanders Field
In Flanders Field the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders Field.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die.
REPEAT NOTICES:
Classes for 2020
The process of allocating children to classes for 2020 has started. The allocations are based on the following considerations:
- Friendships
- Learning abilities
- Balance of gender
- Behavioural considerations
- Personalities
- Religion – so that a balance of Catholic and non-Catholic children is achieved especially in Sacramental years.
As part of the process of allocating children to classes, the children are given the opportunity to nominate 5 friends with whom they would like to share a class next year. They are guaranteed to have at least one of these friends with them. These nominations are based purely on friendship and not on any other factors and are the child’s decision to make. The ‘Friendship 5’ lists will be completed by the children at a suitable time, in class, in the next few weeks.
My firm belief is that teachers are in the best position to decide a child’s placement because they know all the children in their classes and have a view of the ‘big picture’. However, I invite parents to inform me of anything that you feel needs to be considered, for your own child’s well-being or development. I have allowed a total of 3 weeks’ time in which to notify me of your concerns, in writing. After the cut-off date of Friday 21stNovember, it will not be possible to take further wishes into account.
Information needs to be provided each year as circumstances can change. I will do my best to accommodate your wishes but will not promise anything! Please be aware that requests for particular teachers will NOT be considered.
Students leaving Rosary at the end of the year
Please ensure that you have informed me, in writing, if your child will not be returning to Rosary in 2020. Obviously, this does not apply to students in Year 6. It is imperative, for planning purposes, that I have accurate information with regard to enrolment numbers. I also need to know the destination school as part of system accountability requirements. Thank you to those who have already provided this information.
Netball posts for sale and some free to a good home
Following the Netball Carnival, we have some new netball posts for sale and some old ones to give away. We had to purchase a few more to cover the courts on the day but, as this was the final carnival, the posts are no longer required. We will be keeping 2 of the black, plastic netball posts for school use but will be selling the other two as well as the four metal ones pictured below at cost price - $120. There are several older, metal posts without stands available as well and these are being offered for free. If you are interested in purchasing a post or taking home one of the older ‘freebies’, please let the front office know.
Sacrament of Reconciliation - Congratulations!
Congratulations to the Year 2 Students who made their First Reconciliation on Monday. Thank you to Sharon Stiffle, Elisa Pavlic, Diandra Blom and Julie Godfrey for preparing the students for the reception of this wonderful sacrament of healing. A special thank you to Fr Kieran and Fr Rafe for being available on the evening.
I have opened my heart to Jesus. I know Jesus loves me and will always forgive me.
Kinder Prayer Celebration - Thank you!
Kindergarten participated in their Prayer Celebration today. They were all very grown up and sang like angels. Thank you to Nicole Nolan and Tess Harveyson for all their terrific preparation. A special thank you to all the family members who were able to attend.
Year 1/2 Liturgy
Next Thursday, 14 November @ 10am, Year 1/2 will be participating in their Prayer Celebration at ACU Chapel. All welcome!
Peace and best wishes
Liz Higgins
Religious Education Coordinator
Positions Vacant
The Community Council Executive is seeking new Parent Representatives as a few members are coming to the end of their two-year term. Roles are decided internally once all members are in office. The Council urges parents to seriously consider being part of the Executive. Nominations, of self or of others, can be lodged via the Community Council email account: rosarycouncil@gmail.com
Should the Council be overwhelmed with nominations, a formal election of candidates will need to be held.
- Kinder Prayer Celebration - Thursday 7th November - ACU Chapel 10.00am
- Remembrance Day Ceremony - Monday 11th November - Remembrance Garden 10.30am
- Year 1/2 Prayer Celebration - Thursday 14th November - ACU Chapel 10.00am
- Kindergarten 2020 Orientation Day - Wednesday 20th November - 9.15am - 11.00am
- Year 6 Grade Mass - Thursday 21st November - ACU Chapel 10.00am
- Year 3 Osaka Assembly - Friday 22nd November - Scool Hall 2:30pm
- Swimming Program - Monday 25th November - Friday 6th December
Congratulations to the following students who received a VERITAS award in Week 3 Term 4:
Jamsel Dorji
Davina O'Donoghue
Sarina Pangallo
Caelan McCosker
Tomas Spoljaric
William Roberts
Audrey Goldsworthy
Isla Suitor
Alice Macnab
Isla Lane
Sohppia Lawson
Jack Sullivan
Isabella Willshire
Alex Millea
Jasmine Reid
Alex Bui
Lucas Daly
Grace Blue
Thien Vu
Charlie Garreffa
Elijah Caoile
Tommy Tran
Isaac Steen
Kiera Arthur
Serena Tran
Madison Mullens
Nhien Vu
Lucy Kelly
Madeline Balogh
Remembrance Day Service Monday 11th November 10:30am
REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE
ALL WELCOME
On Monday 11th November (Week 5) at 10:30am, we will come together to remember our Service personnel - both past and present.
The ceremony will take place in our beautiful Remembrance Garden, adjacent to the courts, and will be followed by a light morning tea for staff and members of our community in the staff room.
Any enquiries regarding the service please contact the front office or email Ann-Maree Hinds (annmaree.hinds@cg.catholic.edu.au)
Liam Cheng has lost a thermos which was a very special gift from a family member. The thermos jar is brown in colour. It is a round cylinder, approx 10cm in diameter and 15cm in height, with some scratches at the bottom. It is clearly labelled with Liam's name. If found, please bring the thermos to the front office. Thank you.
The thermos looks similar to this:
75th Canberra Carols by Candlelight
School families are invited to bring a picnic dinner and join in the 75th Canberra Carols by Candlelight, to be held at Stage 88, Commonwealth Park, on Saturday, December 14 from 7pm.
Organised by the Woden Valley Youth Choir, this event is the second longest-running city community carols in Australia (Melbourne is the longest).
Come and join us for a night of song and celebration. It's a great way to begin the Christmas season.
We'll also be collecting donations for this year's charity.
Find us on Facebook ("75th Carols by Candlelight") for more details.
NOTICEBOARD