Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back for Term 2. I hope that everyone had a good holiday break which included Easter, the passing of Pope Francis and ANZAC Day.

I'm pleased to be back with the Rosary community after my unexpected leave, for medical reasons, in Term One.  Thank you to our executive team for their tremendous work in Term One including Mr John O’Brien as Acting Principal, Ms Liz Higgins as Acting Assistant Principal, Mr Chris Evans as Acting Religious Education Coordinator and Mrs Godfrey as Primary Coordinator.  

It has been great to see all of the school students in their 2025 class groups and their new teacher groups in each year level.  This week has started well and the school seems very settled. It has been good to see that our new staff have settled in well and are working nicely  with our existing staff. 

Term Two is a good time to embed the learning that students have engaged in to start the year and really build on their skills and knowledge.  There are also many school events, sacramental celebrations and activities scheduled this term.    

Farewell and Thank You Pope Francis

I think we are all saddened by the recent passing of Pope Francis, despite his recent battles with ill health. It seems he mustered just enough strength to be with his followers during the special and significant time of Easter, a fitting way to end his ministry. The final images of Pope Francis greeting people, including babies, in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday are memorable.

Pope Francis’ leadership was marked by service to the poor, tireless work for peace, and an insistence that faith is for everyone. Even in his final days, he was still serving, still blessing, still praying.  Christians believe that death is not the end and in this post-resurrection Easter phase we believe in new life, new beginnings and a renewed commitment to our relationships with God and each other. 

Pope Francis changed how many of us think about faith, leadership, and unity. I believe his legacy will continue to shape the Church—and the world—for years to come.

This personal reflection below, written in recent days by a fellow Jesuit, highlights the qualities of Pope Francis well:     

God Calls Ordinary People: A Reflection on the Life of Pope Francis

Pope Francis pointed to the profound invitation Jesus offers every person, no matter his or her life circumstances. He showed that through humility, prayer, and mercy, we can live out the fullness of that invitation. By accepting it, God can work extraordinary things in us as individuals, and together as the People of God.

The ordinary vision of holiness that our departed Holy Father exemplified in so much of what he said and did.

What I will most remember about Pope Francis is how he carried the love and message of Jesus to ordinary people. By embodying the everyday nature of Christian holiness in his words and showing the world the meaning of discipleship in simple ways and simple gestures — washing the feet of prisoners, embracing a man with a profound physical deformity, offering words of consolation to a grieving mother — Pope Francis gave the world a striking model, one which always pointed back to Jesus.

As we continue to mourn Pope Francis in this Easter season, we can celebrate his memory by remembering the wonderful fact that Jesus calls each of us, ordinary people that we are, to follow him and share the joy of his Resurrection. Pope Francis reminded us in so many ways that we all have a part to play in Jesus’s saving mission. His memory should spur us on to embrace the ordinary actions through which he showed God can work the extraordinary: choosing hope over fear, mercy over judgment, love over indifference.

We pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as a new Pope is chosen. In the same spirit of faith, we commit to living out what Pope Francis taught the Church as the Church embarks on this transition.

Extract from a reflection by Brennan Dour, SJ.- In the The Jesuit Post.  

ANZAC Day 2025

This year we celebrated 110 years since the Gallipoli landing and campaign in 1915. Record numbers of family members and armed forces took part in ceremonies around the country and the world, supported by thousands of people who turned out in support. The legacy of our brave men and women who have served our country, and New Zealand, will never be forgotten and always acknowledged. Their courage and example continues to inspire our nation to maintain strong values and advocate for peace and harmony.      

2026 Catholic Schools’ Enrolment Period - Open

This is the time families considering a Catholic education for their child or children from Preschool to Year 12 for 2026 need to enrol.  Many of our schools, including Rosary at times, have a waiting list for enrolments.  So please spread the word to families you know in this situation. 

In our region, this is particularly important for students eligible for Kindergarten or Year 7 in 2026. These are crucial transition times in their schooling.    

Rosary School is offering 5 scheduled open school times where prospective families can visit the school, speak with the principal and have a tour of the school with our senior Year 6 school leaders.    

Below are the days and times for our open school sessions.  For further information please contact Sarah or Colleen in our school office.  2026 enrolment applications must be lodged by Friday 30 May.

Rosary Open Days:

Tuesday 6 May - 9.30am - 11.00am

Monday 12 May - 9.30am - 11.00am

Tuesday 20 May 3.30pm - 5.00pm

Thursday 22 May - 9.30am - 11.00am

Wednesday 28 May 9.30am - 11.00am

Year 5 Camp next week

Good luck to our Year 5 students and teachers attending camp in Jindabyne next Wednesday to Friday. Teachers attending are Mrs Nicole Mogan, Mrs Naomi Scott, Mr Chris Evans and Mrs Emily Holgate. 

This first school camp is an outdoor, adventure camp.  The students will participate in a range of activities designed to encourage team work, resilience and confidence.  

Here is the link to read more about Jindabyne Camp:

Playgrounds Re-opened and School Oval looking great

The junior and senior playgrounds have undergone some upgrade work in recent weeks but are now open for play for the respective groups of students. The students were very excited about this on Tuesday. I did ask students to take the re-entry to the equipment areas carefully and be mindful of their level, interaction together and safety.

The main Rosary School oval is looking strikingly green!  All of the renovation work and new sprinklers installed last year have enabled a good cover of grass to grow. Thanks to our School Community Council team for their efforts in upgrading our outside facilities. 

New Carpet Laid and Exterior Painting Done in Holidays 

During the school holiday break the two senior student corridors (upstairs and downstairs), including the Year 4 - 6 classrooms and the music and Indonesian rooms, were re-carpeted.  The junior corridor and classrooms were re-carpeted in 2024. This means that the whole school now has carpet in excellent condition.  

The exterior paint at front of the school (Fleming Street) was repainted in the holidays as well. The exterior paint work was re-done in the Quad area in 2024. This gives the school fascias and associated paint work a real lift!  

These school upgrades have been funded through Catholic Education and parents building fund levy/donations. 

Footsteps Dance Begins this Week

The 2025 FOOTSTEPS Dance program begins this Thursday for all students in Kindergarten to Year 6. Dance is an important part of the curriculum for each student, providing opportunities to develop in many ways.

In FOOTSTEPS own words - We develop active, creative, risk takers!  Footsteps specialises in curriculum, age-based movement programs for Foundation to Year 12 students.  We deliver engaging and relevant dance and drama programs which have been developed around the National Curriculum. Our programs develop students’ social skills, confidence, fitness levels, creativity, expressive skills and coordination, ensuring we provide a safe, positive and stimulating environment for all students!   

 

Upcoming Events: We look forward to many upcoming events, including:

Mother’s Day 2025

We look forward to saying thank you to our mothers, grandmothers and other key family members at a special afternoon tea at school next Friday 9 May at 2.15pm. Please see the Community Council flyer shared through COMPASS this week for further details.  Please complete the relevant RSVP for our parent organisers. 

Rosary Cross Country

The Rosary Cross Country carnival for students in Years 2-6 will be held on Tuesday 12 May at Dickson Playing Fields.  Students in Kindergarten and Year 1 will participate in a cross country run on our school grounds after lunch on the same day - Tuesday 12 May.  Parent volunteers are needed to assist.  You are also welcome to attend and support the students on their run!    

Federal Election this Saturday 3 May

This weekend Australians go to the polls nationally to elect the next Government for our country. 

Catholic Education has a number of Federal election commitments they have been seeking from all major parties. Catholic Education has a long tradition of providing quality and far reaching education for children in Australia.  Parents have the right to choose a school for their child that is accessible, affordable and well-resourced to meet the needs of their child, including a Catholic school.   

Please see below to read the 2025 Catholic Education election focus areas.  

God Bless.

Greg Walker

Principal

As we begin a new school term, we have had much to think about over the two weeks of the Holidays. We have had the sorrows and joys of Easter, the solemn remembrance of ANZAC Day, and of course, the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis on Easter Monday.

Each of these events highlights the importance of service and love. In Easter, we see God’s love for us, and willingness not just to be a God that is exalted and looked up to, but a God who is willing to join with us at our most human level, in our suffering, and in our sadness. It is in these most human of moments, and through His death on the Cross, that Christ has shown His unending love, taking our sins on Himself.

On ANZAC Day, we also remember a sacrificial love. From the soldiers of the First Imperial Force 110 years ago to those who still take up arms in our defence today, these people have and continue to put others before themselves. They give up their time, energy and at need, happiness, health and even their lives to ensure that the country they love is safe, and that our shared values are upheld.

Finally, in the life and now the death of Pope Francis, we see a life dedicated to the values of love and service. Pope Francis’ dream for the Church is one that is Christ-like, one that puts others before itself, a Church that reaches out in love to others, and if needed makes sacrifices to ensure that those on the peripheries are included. From his first actions as Pontiff, going back to his hotel to personally pay his bill, to his last public action, greeting the faithful in St Peter’s Square and wishing them the joy of Easter, we have been blessed to have a Pope who was always committed to the service of others.

We now join with the whole of the Church in praying for Pope Francis.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

I would also call on you to keep the College of Cardinals in your prayers, as they join together in Conclave to vote for our next Pontiff. May they be guided by the Holy Spirit to select a shepherd who will continue to guide the Church to be the true Body of Christ on Earth.

Kind regards,

Christopher Evans

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

Important Dates coming up:

Eucharist Faith Formation Night - Week 1, Term 2 - 1st May

Mother’s Day Events - Week 2, Term 2 - 9th May

Year 1 Liturgy - Week 3, Term 2 - 16th May

• First Eucharist Formation Evening - Thursday 1st May - Holy Rosary Church 6.15pm
• Catholic Schools Week - Monday 5th May - Friday 9th May
• Rosary Primary Open day - Tuesday 6th May 9:30 - 11am
• ACT 12&U Swimming Championship (AIS) - Tuesday 6th May
• Year 5 Camp - Wednesday 7th May - Friday 9th May
• Mothers Day Afternoon Tea - Friday 9th May 
• Rosary Primary Open day - Monday 12th May 9:30 - 11am
• Rosary Cross Country - Monday 12th May - Dickson Oval from 10.00am
• Year 1 Liturgy - Friday 16th May - Holy Rosary Church 10.00am

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.

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.

Classes commence next Tuesday 6th May in the school hall after eating break. 

Use the link below to register.

2025 Term 2 - SCHOOL PROGRAM ROSARY PRIMARY SCHOOL • Play

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.