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- Principals Report Week 5 Term 4
- Religious Education News
- Dates for Your Diary
- Veritas Awards
- The BIG Challenge Update and Thank You!
- Rosary Community Council 2020
- Clothing Pool Open during School Hours
- PUSHY'S Fyshwick - BIG Challenge Sponsor
- Handlebar Cafe - BIG Challenge Sponsor
- The Gecko Gang - BIG Challenge Sponsor
- Rebel Sport Canberra City - BIG Challenge Sponsor
- Lunch Time Activities at Rosary
- Rosary Raptors Oztag
- Hayfever Season
- Extracurricular Activities at Rosary
- Hand Washing Poster
- Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette Poster
- SZapp Download Instructions
Principals Report Week 5 Term 4
Dear Parents and Friends,
The highlight of this week was the Sacrament of Reconciliation which took place on Monday afternoon in Rosary Church. The students were an absolute delight to behold as they participated so joyfully in the ceremony – singing like angels and responding enthusiastically throughout the liturgy. The children wore big smiles as they returned to their places after making the Sacrament for the first time and when I spoke to them the next day, they all reported feeling ‘amazing’ after the experience.
I especially thank Father Mannes and Father Raphael, Mrs Higgins, Mrs Toole, Miss Garrett and Miss McKerrow for all their efforts in preparing the students and organising the ceremony.
Remembrance Day Ceremony
The Remembrance Day Ceremony held in the Lone Pine Memorial Garden on Wednesday this week was a very peaceful and moving occasion. Although we could not have parents In attendance, we gathered as a school community to remember all those who suffered and died in times of conflict and to give thanks for the peace that we enjoy and to pray for ongoing peace in our world. I extend thanks to our Parish Priest, Father Mannes, for leading us in prayer and to Mr Graham Hannaford for playing the bagpipes, Mr Keydan Bruce for playing the bugle and Mr John O’Brien for playing the guitar during the ceremony. Special thanks to Mrs Vincent, Mrs Pavlic, Mrs Dawson and Miss McKerrow for organising the service and to Mr Ederle for all his hard work in preparing the garden for this event. I was so very proud of the students for the very respectful way they entered into the spirit of the service and maintained the one minute silence and sang our National Anthem. Thanks must also go to the teachers for preparing the students; teaching them about this important part of history and making beautiful poppies with their classes.
Armistice means to ‘cease fire’ to ‘put down our weapons’ and to be people of peace.
The Lone Pine Memorial Garden is all about peace. It’s a reminder to us that we need always to be peaceful people, that peace starts right here – with each one of us – and that our peacefulness has a positive ‘ripple effect’ on everyone and everything around us.
Assessment / Reports
Teachers are beginning the process of report writing by finalising and moderating pieces of assessment. It is important that children are at school and on time in the mornings to complete tasks, especially during this period. Following receipt of the school report, parents can make an appointment to see the class teacher if desired. Parent/Teacher interviews are not compulsory at the end of the school year.
Kindergarten Orientation Day
The Orientation Day for students coming to Kindergarten in 2021 will be held next Wednesday 18th November. Due to restrictions still in place regarding numbers of adults within the school, there will be two staggered sessions this year. Sadly, this means that we cannot hold an information session or morning tea for the parents but information packs will be distributed to each family. The pre-schoolers will spend time in the classrooms and be introduced to the environment and some routines of ‘big school’. Coming to primary school is a really important event in the lives of the children and their parents and we are looking forward to making families feel very welcome at Rosary.
Healthy Habits
Some time ago now I had the good fortune to hear from Dr Michael Carr-Gregg at a Principals’ gathering and I thought it worthwhile to share his insights with you. He spoke about how people, generally, do not handle stress very well. He talked about the importance of ensuring the following basic elements are included for a healthy life and to reduce the impact of stress, especially for pre-pubescent teens and early adolescents (I consider these important at any age):
Sleep - 8 hours should be had each night. We need to go through all five sleep stages which takes 90 minutes to complete. We go through this cycle several times. Stage 5 sleep is most important - REM sleep. During this time, short term memory transfers to long term.
We should reduce light half an hour before bed and should not drink caffeine after midday. We should factor in ‘wind down’ time and make the environment cooler to bring down the body temperature so that melatonin can be released.
Diet - is linked to mood states. Foods that help new brain cells to grow and help with learning and behaviour include:
Eggs, yoghurt, fish oil, blueberries, avocado and walnuts (walnuts contain melatonin).
Regular exercise and relaxation – Meditation: people who do mindfulness meditation regularly, increase their productivity and mind clarity.
Positive thinking - He encouraged us to “see life as it is but focus on the good bits”. At the end of each day, he advised us to focus on 3 blessings - things which were good in the day. This practice has proven to improve mood; especially over time.
Dr Carr-Gregg noted the importance of remembering that: “If you can't change it, you can always change the way you think about it (your own response).”
Other than self-interested - Dr Carr-Gregg claimed that: “If you want to feel good, you have to do good!” and that "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" He stated that volunteers live longer and are much happier than executives earning the big bucks!
His overall advice was to: be active, relax, do good for others, rest and repeat these daily.
Thought for the Week:
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mahatma Gandhi
REPEAT NOTICES:
Classes for 2021
The process of allocating children to classes for 2021 starts now. 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 3 weeks’ time in which to notify me of your concerns, in writing. After the cut-off date of Friday 20thNovember, 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 2021. 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.
Vicky van der Sanden
Principal
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Congratulations to the Year 2 Students who made their First Reconciliation on Monday. Thank you to Rachel McKerrow, Beth Toole and Fron Garrett for preparing the students for the reception of this wonderful sacrament of healing. A special thank you to Fr Mannes and Fr Rafe for being available on the evening.
33rd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Year A | Sunday 15th November | green
“The son went out moved by regret.”
Click on the link below to go the readings and activities for this Sunday.
https://www.prayingwithchildren.org/Ailu987t0s.html
Peace and best wishes
Liz Higgins
Religious Education Coordinator
The school calendar has been reviewed in light of the increased risk in the community and in line with Catholic Education protocols and advice from the ACT government and health authorities. Unfortunately, this means that we have had to remove most events from the calendar for this term and beyond. We cannot conduct events where large numbers of adults are likely to be present so this affects events such as school assemblies, Grade Masses and Liturgies, the Fathers’ Day Stall, School Disco, the Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival and the like. Some school events will occur but will not be advertised on the calendar as they will be for staff and student attendance only. Hopefully, we will be able to reinstate all of these community-building events next year!
Thank you for your attention to these important matters and for your cooperation in ensuring that our community remains a healthy and safe place for all.
- The BIG Challenge - Friday 13th November
- Superhero Fun Day - Monday 30th November (Please note change of date!)
Congratulations to the following students who received a Veritas Award :
Lily Huntly
Thayoee Norbu
Ava Frawley
Joshua Lo Pilato
Emily Henderson
Kuenga Wangmo
Bridget Pham
Rhys Chapman
Isabella Willshire
The BIG Challenge Update and Thank You!
Thank you for your generous support of ‘The Big Challenge,’ our major fundraiser for the year. The students will take part in a series of challenges tomorrow morning to earn their sponsorship donations and everyone who participates will receive a small prize. The lucky draw for the scooters and helmets will take place after lunch. If you have not already done so, please send in your child’s sponsorship cards tomorrow to be included in the draw.
As the target was reached and exceeded, the students have also earned a Super Hero/Uniform Free Day on Monday 30 November. Please note that this date has changed from the original date advertised. They have also earned the surprise bonus which will be a Super Slide and Obstacle Jumping Castles from the Gecko Gang. Thank you to the following businesses who supported this fundraiser: Handlebar Café, Pushys, Rebel Sport (Canberra Centre) and The Gecko Gang.
The Rosary Community Council Representatives for 2020 are:
Council Chair : | Jackie Brady |
Deputy Chair : | Libby Reardon |
Treasurer : | May Kain |
Secretary : | Elaina Lobendahn |
Parent Representative : | Lucy Steen |
Parent Representative : | Kate Roggeveen |
Parent Representative : | Raphaela Higginbotham |
Parent Representative : | Rachael Moore |
Staff Representative : | Rachel McKerrow |
Ex Officio : | Parish Priest |
Executive Officer : | Principal/Assistant Principal |
Should you wish to contact the council please email: rosarycouncil@gmail.com
Clothing Pool Open during School Hours
The Rosary Clothing Pool is open to families to purchase second hand uniform items for $5 per piece. Please note that currently only one family is allowed in the room at any one time and hand sanitisation is required upon entry and exit. A key is available from the front office to access the room during school hours for your convenience.
All new uniform items can be purchased from Personally Yours. They are located at 218 Gladstone St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 and can be contacted on 6280 4166.
Lunch Time Activities at Rosary
For the information of parents, there are a number of activities that take place at lunch time across the week that you may like to encourage your child to be involved in. These provide an alternative to outside play:
- The library is open from Monday to Thursday for all grades
- Aero Club takes place in the library Monday - Wednesdays for Years 4, 5 and 6 members who have signed up (membership changes after several weeks with one small group at a time taking part)
- Dance Core is a dance session hosted by an external provider and takes place on Wednesday in the hall. It is open to all grades and will begin in Week 2. (This has a fee attached and flyers will be sent home with interested students)
- Karaoke Club will be held on Friday's at 1.10pm in Year 2 Barcelona for all grades.
- Walking Club will be held on Friday's at 1.10pm - starting tomorrow 30/10/20! Students will meet at the Peace Gates and enjoy a weekly walkabout exploring the local area and reap the health and wellbeing benefits of being outdoors and active. Permission slips will be available from Mrs Pangallo - registration is open to the first 20 students from Year 3-6 who hand in their permission slips.
- Lego Club will be held on Wednesdays at 1.10pm in Rome for students in Year 2 and 3.
Round 4 kicked off with our Rosary Raptors facing off against the reigning champs ‘The Bears’. The Raptors played their best game so far, against a tough side losing by just 1 try. Captain Rafe Mooney said, ‘We attacked well but left a few gaps when we were defending.’
The players can definitely build on the basics that Coach James has laid down so far and come back stronger next week. Excellent work by all players.
Tries to Jack (3), Caleb (1) and coach’s award went to William Pochi for his tenacity and never giving up in attack and defense!
Excellent game to watch with the final score being Raptors 4 : Bears 5
Captain Rafe tagging a bear.
Bobby tagging another bear with Josh and Caleb closing in fast.
Caleb breaking through.
Coach and Captain debrief.
Coach’s award to William for his tenacity in attack and defense.
Hayfever season has arrived with the weather being particularly windy and the pollen count high. We have had many children coming to the front office with hayfever symptoms. If your child is prone to hayfever please consider the treatment you would like them to receive. If you would like your child to be given hayfever medication please fill in a Request to Dispense Medication Form and provide the medication to be stored in the sick bay. Parents will be contacted prior to any medication being administered. On particularly windy days you may like to consider treating your child before they attend school.
The Request to Dispense Medication Form can be accessed via this link: Request to Dispense Medication and on the school website.
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 - 4.25pm
- Mandarin Lessons - Tuesday 3.10pm - 4.25pm
- Chess Club - Tuesday 3.30pm - 4.30pm
- Dancecore - Wednesday 1.10pm - 1.50pm
- Tae Kwon-Do - Wednesday 3.15pm - 4.15pm
- Artkids - Thursday 3.15pm - 5.15pm (please contact artkids directly for more information - classes are not currently running due to insufficient student numbers)
- Italian Lessons - Friday 3.10pm - 4.25pm
- Musicorp (various instruments) / Piano Lessons - during class time
Please contact the school if you require further information.
NOTICEBOARD