Dear Parents and Carers

My Retirement

You may have seen the message in COMPASS this week from Pam Betts, Executive Director Catholic Education, announcing my impending retirement at the end of this school year. 

It was a big decision and one that I came to just recently, after a period of leave. It is time to  step back from the permanent principal role, reduce my workload and spend some more time with my family.  

Catholic Education will advertise the principal position at some point soon to allow time to find the best person to take over the position from 2026. Making my decision now enables this process to begin.  

Thank you all for continuing to make Rosary School a great place. It is a special school and a wonderful community.  

Thank you for your support over the past 4 years and I look forward to the next 7 months or so at Rosary and will enjoy each day.  I am blessed to have had this role and a career in Catholic Education. 

National Simultaneous Storytime

Classes were encouraged to participate in the National Simultaneous Storytime individually in their classrooms on Wednesday. This is the 25th consecutive year of this shared book reading experience.  

The book read nationally this year is titled 'The Truck Cat'.  Students were also invited to the Library during lunchtime to engage in some activities on the book.  Thank you to our teachers and Mrs Dawson for supporting this event and encouraging enjoyment in reading. 

Recent Author Visits to Rosary 

The Library has been a busy place lately -students have enjoyed visits from 3 authors highlighting a series of their books. 

One of our Rosary parents, Sandy Bigna, presented a workshop on her first children’s book, written in verse, titled Little Bones. Little Bones is a unique and lyrical verse novel for middle-grade readers that speaks to our childhood joy of collecting small, intriguing objects and creating connections in the most unlikely places.

Recommended age: 9 - 12

We are delighted that Sandy is part of our community and that we could host her sessions and promote her book for children to read.  Thank you Sandy for visiting Rosary.

We also had well known authors Kate and Jol Temple do workshops on their very popular series of books. Kate and Jol Temple are the internationally awarded authors of more than 26 books for children. Their work has been translated into over 20 languages. They write picture books (including the smash-hit series Bin Chicken) as well as bestselling junior fiction. The students loved the interactive sessions and learnt so much about writing and also illustrating their work.  

Thank you to our librarian, Mrs Jodie Dawson, for organising these sessions for organising these quality visits for our students.  Thank you to Kate and Jol for visiting Rosary School.  

Kinder Assembly this Friday 23 May

This Friday we look forward to the Kindergarten assembly which is always a lovely event.  It will be good for the kindergarten students and teachers to showcase their learning  journey in their first 14 weeks at primary school.  This is the first year level assembly for 2025 and I wish them well.   

Rosary Rostrum Final

On Thursday this week we had the Rosary Rostrum public speaking final in the hall.  This year, following year level presentations, 8 students from Years 4-6 were successful in making the school final.  The quality of the speeches was extremely high this year with all speakers presenting their chosen topic with good tone, expression and volume.  Their preparation was of a high standard and their individual personalities and skills were on display.

Congratulations to our 8 school finalists:

Dorothy Fryar, Annabelle Power, Elora Morgan, Anastasia Lewis, Paige longworth, Millie Conlin, Eve Andonski and Leo Spaccavento 

The judging panel selected the school winner as Eve Andonoski and the school runner-up as Paige Longworth. 

Eve will progress to the regional final shortly and Paige will be a reserve and on standby to speak if required.  

Kinder Zoo Excursion

On Monday this week our Kindergarten students and teachers enjoyed a terrific excursion to the National Zoo and Aquarium.  Students learned lots about many animals and creatures in their tour with a real life zoo keeper.  They also enjoyed some free time to revisit their favorite enclosures and spend time at the zoo’s playground. Thank you to the parent volunteers who attended and assisted on the excursion. 

Rugby/Netball Gala Days

Over the last week or so Rosary students have participated in a range of sporting Gala Days, including the Matt Giteau Rugby Union Cup and the midweek inter school Netball Competition for Years 5 and 6 students. Next Tuesday is the Netball Gala Day for students in Years 3 and 4.  

Well done to all students for the way they have played and represented Rosary School. Thank you to teachers and volunteers who have helped with the events and made it possible to participate. 

 Student Lunchtime Clubs and Activities 

Quite often parents say to the school that they're not aware of the lunchtime clubs and extracurricular activities the school offers. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to share with you the activities that are happening in term 2 during lunchtimes and also before/after school.  Rosary has always supported extracurricular activities that enhance students’ interests. 

I hope parents may now be able to encourage their child to take part in activities of interest and benefit to them. You could also send a message to their child’s teacher to see whether the child can make it into one of these activities this term.  

The following clubs are currently offered:

STEM Club - lunch time on Tuesdays

Gym Club - lunch time on Wednesdays

Agricultural Club - lunch time on Thursdays 

The Library is also open every day of the week and students can participate in:

• Lego Building
• Playing Chess
• Creating drawings at the art tables
• Learning to fly in Aero Club on desktop computers 
• Finding a nice comfy chair to sit in and reading a book.

School Day Tuition (*fees apply):

Piano Lessons taught by Kerrie Yard - Thursday and Friday

Instrument Lessons facilitated by MUSICORP and taught by Steve - Fridays 

Dance Club - PLAY - The Dance Agency - Tuesdays at Lunchtime 

After School Extracurricular Activities (*fees apply) currently include  : 

Art and Craft Club facilitated by Art Kids - Thursday afternoon

Chess Club facilitated by ACT Chess coaches and Mrs Dawson - Tuesday afternoon

STEM Clubs, one session on Tuesday and another on Wednesday afternoon

Languages Classes including French Lessons - Wednesday before school (beginner) from week 2 and Italian Lessons - Friday before school (beginner) 

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead.

God Bless.

Greg Walker

Principal    

We have many exciting opportunities coming up in the next few weeks at Rosary school and Parish! The first is this Sunday, where our Parish Youth Coordinators will be running their Vessels Youth Group for kids in Years 3 - 6. As well as a chance to spend time with friends and meet new people, this will provide a great chance to learn about their faith and have a go at a Nerf battle!

I very much encourage families to come along to meet our wonderful Parish Youth Coordinators and learn about the opportunities they are organising for children to be engaged with the Faith!

Another opportunity that is coming up for children and parents is a Pilgrimage to Penrose Park in NSW. This pilgrimage is being organised by volunteers from Rosary Parish, and is a chance to take part in the Jubilee Year and be a literal Pilgrim of Hope!

Penrose Park: Jubilee Pilgrimage

Saturday 7 June 2025

Join us for a special Inner North Pilgrimage as part of the Jubilee Year 2025, a day dedicated to prayer, reflection, and encounter. Together, we will journey in faith through:

Mass – Celebrating the Eucharist as the source and summit of our pilgrimage

Reconciliation – Receiving the grace of God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Confession

Rosary – Praying with Our Lady as we reflect on the mysteries of Christ

Fellowship & Lunch – Sharing time together in faith and community

All welcome! Please register your interest with Emily at [emilykathrynhall@gmail.com]. A bus from ACU Watson Campus will depart at 8:30am. Tickets range from $30 p/adult return to $15 p/child. Family discount rates are available.

I hope you will be able to join me in taking up this opportunity! 

Kind regards, 

Christopher Evans

Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)

Important Dates:

Year 1 Liturgy                       - Week 5 (Friday 30th of May, 10:00 am)

Jubilee Pilgrimage                 - Saturday 7th June

First Eucharist Retreat Day    - Week 8 (Friday 20th June)

First Eucharist                      - Saturday 21st June (5:00 pm)

                                           - Sunday 22nd June (10:00 am) 

Year 4 Mass                          - Week 9 (Friday 27th June, 10:00 am)

• Kinder Assembly - Friday 23rd May - 2.20pm School Hall
• North / Gungahlin SSACT Cross Country - Monday 26th May - Mt Stronlo Running Park
• Rosary Primary Open Day - Wednesday 28th May - 9.30am - 11.00am
• Year 3 National Zoo and Aquarium Excursion - Friday 30th May
• Year 1 Liturgy - Friday 30th May - Holy Rosary Church 10.00am
• Reconiliation Day Public Holiday - Monday 2nd June
• Year 2 Assembly - Friday 6th June - 2.20pm Shool Hall
• Sovereigns Birthday Public Holiday - Monday 9th June 
• School Photos - Tuesday 10th June - Full Winter School Uniform to be worn
• ACT 12 & U Cross Country Championship (Mt Stromlo) - Friday 13th June
• Year 4 Assembly - Friday 13th June - 2.20pm School Hall

Catholic Education Canberra-Goulburn has communicated to schools regarding reporting to parents/guardians. CE has advised schools that general comments will not be required on Semester 1, 2025 reports, but to prioritise Parent/Teacher Conferences for every family. These meetings provide an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, their strengths, challenges and future areas of focus. A Semester Report will be sent home as in previous Semesters, providing A-E grading, work habits and attendance information.

CE has advised schools that Semester 2, 2025 reports will have a general comment for all children as in previous years. This general comment will provide a summative comment for the year, areas of achievement and areas to focus on for the following year. A-E grading, work habits and attendance information will remain as normal.

We would encourage all parents/guardians to engage regularly with their child/ren’s learning, connecting with their class teacher/s regularly to discuss learning progress.

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 - Tuesdays at Lunchtime from Weeks 2-9 - Kinder to Year 4

Please contact the school if you require further information.

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.

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