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- Principals Report Week 6 Term 4
- Religious Education News
- Veritas Awards
- BEST Awards
- Dates for Your Diary
- BIG Challenge Update
- Wakakrri Update
- Rosary OSHClub
- Rosary Raptors Oztag
- Rosary Community Council 2020
- Lunch Time Activities at Rosary
- Clothing Pool Open during School Hours
- Extracurricular Activities at Rosary
- PUSHY'S Fyshwick - BIG Challenge Sponsor
- Handlebar Cafe - BIG Challenge Sponsor
- Rebel Sport Canberra City - BIG Challenge Sponsor
- The Gecko Gang - BIG Challenge Sponsor
- Hayfever Season
- Hand Washing Poster
- Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette Poster
- SZapp Download Instructions
Principals Report Week 6 Term 4
Dear Parents and Friends,
Week 6 is already nearly over, which is more than half-way through the final term of the school year! Week 6 of every term is also ‘Wellbeing Week’ and that means that we try to make things less stressful and less busy for everyone. Students don’t have homework to complete, staff do not hold meetings and parents are given an opportunity to focus on quality family time. I hope that families have had a chance to enjoy a little bit of special time together during this past week.
Kindergarten Orientation Day
Yesterday, our new Kindergarten students for 2021 visited the school and spent the morning getting to know the environment, a few of the staff and some of the routines of ‘big school’. The children were very excited to see their new school and engage with the activities provided by the Kindergarten teachers. Parents received an information pack to help them in preparing their children for primary school. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, we were not able to host a parent meeting or morning tea and we had to split the student cohort in half to accommodate a staggered start and finish. However, everyone was very understanding and the children still wore big smiles on their faces as they engaged with one another during the morning’s activities.
New Out of School Hours Care Provider for Rosary School
Rosary School recently undertook an extensive Request for Proposal process for the provision of Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) services from Term One, 2021 onwards. A Review Panel consisting of the School Executive and a sub-committee of the Community Council was formed. Any conflict of interest (perceived or otherwise) was declared prior to commencement of the selection process and affected persons withdrew from the panel. The committee then assessed a wide variety of exceptional proposals from various service providers in the Canberra region. Following a rigorous selection process, a new Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) provider has been identified for Rosary Primary School from the beginning of Term One, 2021. Each submission was assessed against a set Selection Criteria to ensure consistency of approach. However, OSHClub was the standout candidate on multiple criteria. OSHClub’s tender proposal was exceptional; particularly in key areas such as activities conducted, nutrition, reduced fees for parents and increased returns to the school. OSHClub is an experienced OSHC provider in the Canberra region.
I take this opportunity to thank the current provider, YWCA, for their outstanding care of Rosary School students, their families and the broader Rosary community over many years.
Rosary’s BIG Challenge
Last Friday, everyone came to school dressed in sports uniform to enable full participation in the BIG Challenge fundraiser. The children enjoyed a fabulous, fun-filled day and did their very best to complete all the rotational activities with which they were presented. I extend sincere thanks to all the teachers for imagining and organising the various activities. I also sincerely thank Mrs Higgins and Mrs Hinds who were the main drivers of the event on the school side of things. I heartily thank the Community Council for their inspiration, involvement and support and for sourcing some of the prizes. For a full run down of the event and a list of prize winners, please see the separate article further in this newsletter.
Wakakirri
Our school entry to the Wakakirri Story and Dance Competition was somewhat different this year. Scenes were recorded separately then combined and uploaded to the competition website and we could not perform at the Canberra Theatre in real time as we usually do. Our entry did very well and our feedback was extremely positive. Please see the article further in this newsletter for detailed information. I take this opportunity to especially thank Mr John O’Brien, Mrs Godfrey, Mrs Fryar, Miss Rich and the many parents who worked so hard to produce the entry this year. I most sincerely thank all the Year 5 students for their dedication and commitment to this venture. Each child participated to their full capacity and I was delighted to watch them act and stay so ‘true to character’ in their respective roles. They did the school proud and can certainly be most proud of themselves on this excellent achievement.
2021 Start of School Date
The 2021 school year will begin on Monday 1st February for all students, Kindergarten to Year 6. The school day will start at 9.00am for students in Years 1 to 6. Kindergarten students will start at 9.30am on the first day only. The day will end at 3.00pm for students who catch a bus to rural destinations and at 3.10pm for all others. Kindergarten students will have a rest day at home for the first 3 Wednesdays of the term before starting full weeks at school in Week 4 (week beginning Monday 22nd February).
Condolences
Please pray for Mrs Beth Toole and Mrs Emma Hillsdon. Both ladies lost their fathers-in-law in recent days. I express sincere condolences to both ladies, their husbands and families at this sad and difficult time and pray for God's strength and comfort. May Lindsay and Charles now rest forever peacefully in the arms of our loving Lord.
Thought for the Week:
“All I ever needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten.”
Robert Fulghum
Vicky van der Sanden
Principal
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.
CHRIST THE KING
Year A | Sunday 22 November | green
“The Son of Man will sit upon his seat of glory and he will separate all into two groups.”
Click on the link below to go the readings and activities for this Sunday.
Peace and best wishes
Liz Higgins
Religious Education Coordinator
Congratulations to the following students who received a Veritas Award :
Taleah Dimeski
Tshering Choden
Alyssa Gobbert
Eleanor Mair
Mason Mullens
Jacob Thomas
Erin Kwak
Maddidon Reid
Hannah Smith
Sophia Dawe
Andy Rakic
Michele Lo Pilato
Congratulations to the following students who received a BEST Award:
Ian Kwak
Samara Mackay
Max Pedregosa
Henry Pochi
Emma Byrne
Claire Pasfield
Rebecca Flowers
Sonam Jamtsho
Caleb Buckley
Aidan Palmer
Alice Macnab
Andy Rakic
Sophia Aroguma
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.
- Superhero Fun Day - Monday 30th November (Please note change of date!)
This year, Grade 5 participated in the Wakakirri National Screen Challenge as the live performances at the Canberra Theatre were cancelled. The story they told was “The Last Spinning Wheel”, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Wakakirri results were released this week and the students received a number of awards. The Performance and Production Awards received were: Excellent Group Acting, Excellent Lead Cast, Well-Rehearsed Performance, Best Creative Use of the Signature Item and Excellent Construction and Clarity. The National Awards received were Best Blockbuster Story and Story of the Year Nominee.
Feedback from the judges was “Outstanding acting performances! Your characterisation and expressive skills are FANTASTIC and extremely entertaining. A polished performance with excellent costumes, props, production quality. You have been brilliant in recreating the fairytale world!”
Congratulation to the Year 5 students and teachers on an engaging and entertaining performance. “The Last Spinning Wheel” can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZK-UWk8biA&list=PLMc-Xz5oY-ACPdQooxDPdj6SILnmqIUgB&index=10
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
NOTICEBOARD