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- Principals Report Week 10 Term 4
- Religious Education News
- Veritas Awards
- Canteen Orders for Friday 18th December - MANUAL ORDERS ONLY
- Dates for Your Diary
- School Counselling Services
- Parentline ACT Free Telephone and Face-to-Face/Zoom Counselling Services
- Clothing Pool Open during School Hours
- Rosary Community Council 2020
- Rosary OSHClub
- Lunch Time Activities at Rosary
- Extracurricular Activities at Rosary
- Artkids
- G.A.T.E.WAYS Holiday Programs
- Holiday Happenings
- Hayfever Season
- Hand Washing Poster
- Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette Poster
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Principals Report Week 10 Term 4
Dear Parents and Friends,
In this final newsletter for the year 2020, I share with you an extract from my Graduation Address to the year 6 students, their parents and staff:
The words extraordinary, unprecedented, challenging and unchartered come to mind when I reflect on the year that has been. At this time last year, we were confronted with bushfires across our region and the effects of severe smoke haze and searing flames. Many of us were wearing masks -but for different reasons than we are now. Not long after, our region was hit by a severe hail storm which caused immense damage to both nature and property. This was followed by heavy rain and flooding which caused much damage in itself but also contamination of the waterways with the run off containing so much ash. And then, the pandemic hit! I could never have imagined that the Kindergarten students – mere 5 year olds – would have the words Coronavirus, sanitizer, isolation, remote and distancing included in their vocabularies! They seemed very quickly to accept the situation as the ‘new normal’. Many times, I was approached by little ones regarding changes to procedures or cancellation of events with the question: “Is it because of the virus?” When I answered simply “Yes”, they would nod and say “Oh” and happily go on their way.
Within a very short space of time, many things had to change and physical distancing, digital and remote learning, thorough hand-washing and sanitizing, high-touch cleaning and reduced events became the norm. I was impressed by how very quickly and easily students adapted to the changes and had immense pride in the staff for their professionalism in flipping from face-to-face teaching to remote learning and back again. This appeared a seamless transition from the outside looking in but I can assure you that it took an almighty effort, a positive whole-staff mindset and much collegial and professional support to make it work. I was in awe too of the Rosary parent community for the way in which the remote learning was managed and take my hat off to all parents for juggling the pressures of work and family with a whole new model of teaching and learning from home. I will always appreciate the fact that there was not a single complaint from parents about what the school was doing to support students and families with remote learning – lots of questions which was to be expected – but only expressions of admiration and appreciation for the efforts of staff. Things were made even more difficult for parents as many faced job losses or reduced hours and income whilst others had their workloads doubled to manage the many changes to society caused by COVID-19.
As difficult and strange as this year has been, we must also reflect on and give thanks for our blessings. There were many good things to come out of the experience of the pandemic including:
- Everyone knowing how to thoroughly wash their hands and how to use correct coughing and sneezing etiquette,
- A healthy respect for personal space,
- Reduced illness and higher attendance rates across both the student and staff population,
- More time to focus on the essentials of education and on family time,
- A heightened appreciation for all social encounters,
- An increased awareness of the social, emotional and spiritual bonds that draw us together as families, as a community, and indeed as a nation
- A heightened appreciation for our Faith and of our connection with Church and the ability to congregate to worship
- Opportunities to try new things or develop new skills and discover new talents,
- A greater awareness and appreciation of the beauty and wonder of nearby places, and;
- An overwhelming appreciation for the fact that we live where we do and the relative safety and protection from the virus that we have enjoyed.
2020 certainly has been a most unusual year but together we have navigated our way through the constant changes. I pray that 2021 will bring greater certainty….. and an effective vaccine to the world. Whatever happens, we know that we can rely on one another for support, encouragement and care. May the Holy Spirit protect and guide us and bring us peace and prosperity in the New Year.
Staffing News
Our Learning Support Teacher, Mrs Janet Hanratty, will be on leave for the period of Term 1 next year. Mrs Liz Higgins will be working as the Learning Support Teacher for 3 days each week. The other 2 days will be dedicated to her Religious Education Coordinator role. Therefore, she will not be teaching Year 2 Osaka for the first term of 2021. Mrs Beth Toole will be teaching Year 2 Osaka for 4 days each week and Mrs Donna Gordon will teach 2 Osaka every Wednesday. Mrs Gordon will also work 2 days per week with the Learning Support team. Mrs Pavlic is changing roles and moving from being a classroom teacher to joining the Learning Support Team for 2 days each week.
I take this opportunity to wish Mrs Hanratty all the best and to welcome Mrs Higgins to the role of Learning Support Teacher. Welcome to Mrs Pavlic in this new role too and to Mrs Gordon in her dual roles.
Fundraising for Charities
Thank you to the whole community for your generosity in supporting our Catholic charities this year. The amount raised in support of others was impressive and the donations of goods made to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal was overwhelming. Thank you one and all for your kindness and amazing generosity. We are truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful community.
Carols by Daylight
The Carols by Daylight gathering was a wonderful celebration for staff and students. Looking out over everyone seated in the hall was like looking over a sea of Christmas colour as everyone was decked out in their favourite Christmas attire! Everyone had a lovely time together singing carols and laughing at the jokes of the Year 6 Leaders who hosted the event. The Kindergarten students put on a marvellous show of musical skill by playing the drums and we all appreciated being in one another’s company to enjoy a fun time together.
End of Year Liturgy and Year 6 Graduation
The End of Year Liturgy and Graduation Ceremonies were very special occasions that occurred this week. I thank Mrs Higgins for preparing such a moving Liturgy and all the students for the very prayerful way in which they participated. Considering the fact that we have not been able to gather in the church very much at all this year, the behaviour of the students was impressive and they certainly did us all proud.
I especially thank the Year 6 teachers, Mrs Hinds and Mr O’Brien, for all the work they put into ensuring that the Graduation Ceremonies were meaningful and memorable for students and their parents. Thank you too, to all staff members who contributed to the evening by providing supervision and support in a variety of ways. I cannot thank the Yr 5 Parents Graduation Committee enough for their tireless and generous efforts. Thank you to Melinda Rogic, Catherine Gareffa, Justine Tansley, Anais Le Gall, Sarah Mair, Natasha Higgins and Phuong Do. They worked so very hard to make the Graduation a truly special occasion for our leaving cohort of Yr 6 students and their efforts have been much appreciated by one and all.
Year 6 students: We wish you every blessing as you take the next step of your life journey and thank you for the wonderful contribution you have made to Rosary over the time you have been at the school.
At this time, we farewell some families who will end their association with the school because they will no longer have children enrolled. We thank them for their support of this community over the years and also wish them every happiness and blessing for the future. Goodbye to families:
Aroguma Baekalia Barnes Barresi Beltrami Bulum Burton Campbell Chapman |
Choundary Coote Deen Driscoll- Fitzsimmons Fitzgerald George Groves Lhaso Lo Pilato |
Macphail McNamara Millea Rabsel Rakic Shariff Walsh Wangzom Whitfield Willshire |
Finally, I wish every family in our school community a happy and holy Christmas. I pray that the New Year will bring the Lord’s blessings to you and your loved ones and that His love will sustain you throughout the coming year. God bless.
A Reflection for the Holiday Season:
Take Time
Take time to rest – it is the foundation of health and vitality.
Take time to think – it is the source of achievement.
Take time to read – it is the foundation of wisdom.
Take time to play – it is the secret of staying young.
Take time to be quiet – it is the opportunity to seek God.
Take time to share – it is too short a life to be selfish.
Take time to be aware – it is the opportunity to help others.
Take time to laugh – it’s the music of the heart.
Take time to be loved – it nourishes the soul.
Take time to be friendly – it is the road to happiness.
Take time to pray – it is the greatest power on earth.
Take time to dream – it’s the well of inspiration.
There is a time for everything.
From A Canopy of Stars – some reflections for the Journey Christopher Gleeson SJ
Vicky van der Sanden
Principal
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.
4th Sunday in Advent Year B
20 December 2020
“You will conceive and bear a son.”
Click on the link below to go the readings and activities for this Sunday.
Liz Higgins
Religious Education Coordinator
Congratulations to the following students who received a Veritas Award :
Anna Stein
Reece Bingley
Hugh Anderson-Moore
Amy Sharwood
Carlo Wallace
Victoria Lysenko
Will Suitor
Clementine Walsh
Tayliah Baekalia
Jasper Barclay
Canteen Orders for Friday 18th December - MANUAL ORDERS ONLY
Canteen Orders for Friday 18th December - MANUAL ORDERS ONLY
The canteen IS OPEN ON FRIDAY 18th December for manual orders only as the Flexischools order system closes today.
If you wish to place an order for your child for Friday 18th December, please 'post' their order with cash in the canteen slot at school drop-off.
If you do not have cash available, please SMS their order to 0408 646 565 and Melissa will provide direct debit details.
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. 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, School Disco, Carnivals 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.
- Term 4 Ends - Friday 18th December
School counselling sessions have concluded for this year. Families who require counselling services in the intermin are asked to directly contact the Catholic Care Family Counselling Service (sessions will take place off school campus). They have vacancies at the moment and can meet with whole families, just parents, or meet with the child individually. The details for the service can be found at: https://catholiccare.cg.org.au/services/family-relationship-counselling/
CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn
PO BOX 3167 MANUKA ACT 2603
catholiccare.cg.org.au
CatholicCare respects the Aboriginal people of this region as the Traditional Custodians and cultural knowledge holders of this land. The information contained in this e-mail message and any attached files may be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use, disclosure or copying of this e-mail is unauthorised. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete all copies of this transmission together with any attachments.
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.
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.
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