6 December 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principals Report

On Friday 24th November past and present staff gathered to farewell Mrs. Vicki Gangell as she commences her retirement and Mrs. Megan Richardson as she continues in her role as Principal of St John’s Catholic School. Both of these staff have made significant contributions to Holy Rosary Catholic School and they will certainly be missed.

Vicki’s association with Holy Rosary Catholic School began many years ago, Vicki's parents were instrumental in the setting up of Holy Rosary School and Vicki's elder sister was one of the inaugural students at the school. Vicki also attended Holy Rosary for her primary years, as did all of her children. This history combined with her teaching career has meant that Vicki has spent many many years as a part of this community.

Vicki was instrumental in setting up the first kindergarten in the Catholic system in the mid 1980’s with the support and help of Angela Fraser, Kerri Lamb and Robyn Ploughman. At that time there was no government funding, Commonwealth or State. The Claremont Parish under the Marist Fathers at the time, and in particular Fr Pat McCabe, provided some funding, but most of the funding came from school fees, which were at that time about double what the Prep - Grade 6 fees were.

Vicki has a wonderful place in the history of Catholic Kindergartens, having seen the growth in this part of the important educational history in Catholic education. Vicki is to be applauded and lauded for her contribution to Catholic education and we sincerely thank her and wish her well.

This week in our Assembly we marked the start of Advent with a special “Advent Wreath” Assembly. At this time of year, it is easy to get caught up with the material side of Christmas with so many presents to buy, food to prepare and decorations to put up. Whilst this is a very “exciting” part of our preparations for Christmas, I hope that you all find time for some quiet prayer and reflection on the spiritual side of this season. Included in this newsletter is an Advent prayer which you may like to share with your family during the first week of Advent.

On Wednesday 20th December we will celebrate our Thanksgiving Liturgy and Award Evening for our Grade 6 class of 2017. The Liturgy commences at 6.00pm in the St Bernard’s Hall. There is a school expectation that students from Grade 3 to 5 will attend the Liturgy and Awards Evening to support and recognise the achievements of our 2017 Grade 6 students. Students are to wear their formal school uniform. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 2 are most certainly invited and very welcome to attend but there is no expectation in relation to attendance for our younger students. We look forward to celebrating this very special event this evening with our community.

Bernadette Brooks
Principal

Prayer and Reflection

Wake Up! Jesus Is Here Right Now

Stop and think. Do you ever feel alone when you need help with a problem? Do you ever doubt whether your life really makes a difference? A lot of young people often feel isolated or unimportant. If you have ever had those feelings, pay attention to Jesus’ words: “Be alert! Watch!” Jesus wants you to know that God’s help is staring you right in the face. His mission for you is right in front of you.

During Advent we join with Christians all around the world to remember that God sent Jesus once and will send him again at the world’s end. Why? Because we need him. We need his help because life is just too hard sometimes. We need his vision because we sometimes miss the work he wants us to do in this messed-up world.

Unfortunately, life gets so busy that we often miss the many ways Christ tries to comfort us or send us to others. Advent is a great time to slow down and be watchful. When you hurt, be alert; Christ is sending people to help you. Pray for help to see them and the humility to accept their help. When others hurt, Christ wants to send you. Like the servants in this week’s reading, Christ has important work for you to do in healing this broken world. Pray for help to see those people whose lives you can change.

Take these four weeks of Advent to pray more often. Actively look for how Christ loves you and needs you. Let Advent remind you that Jesus really comes into the world every day. But we miss that unless we watch for Christ, accept Christ’s love, and help others in Christ’s name.

When I look at the people in my daily life, who are the ones Christ is sending to help me, and who are the ones Christ is showing me I could help?

Loving God, my life gets cluttered with all sorts of unrealistic expectations.
Give me the wisdom to listen to what you truly want to say to me
and the insight and courage to respond from the depths of my heart.
I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

ADVENT

Advent is a period of reflection, repentance and belief in Jesus Christ. The church year in Australia begins on the First Sunday of Advent. Advent is originally a time to reflect and prepare for Christmas similarly to how Lent is in preparation for Easter. The term “Advent” derives from the Latin word ‘adventus’, meaning “coming” or “arrival”. It refers to the period immediately before Christmas, during which time one might prepare for the symbolic birth of Christ each year.

Purple is historically the main colour used for Advent because it reflects penitence, fasting, and the colour of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King (Jesus Christ). Advent wreaths are symbolic of Advent. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection.

Heavenly Father, as we begin this Advent, give light to our eyes and peace to our hearts.
May the Lord find us watching and waiting in joy when He comes.
We pray in Jesus' name.

Orientation Day and Reports

On Monday 18th December all children will have an opportunity to spend some time in their new classroom and meet their new teachers and classmates. On this day the students will bring home reports, class lists and booklists.

2018 Student Leaders

We would like to congratulate the following students who have been appointed to leadership positions for 2018. The quality of the speeches delivered were outstanding and we look forward to a fantastic year with these students as the leaders of Holy Rosary Catholic School in 2018.

Student Safety

It has been brought to our attention that some of our students are not using the Crossing Guard when making their way to and from school. A staff member recently witnessed a child who had a very close call with a vehicle as they made their way across the road to their waiting parent. We understand that Drop Off and Pick Up times are extremely busy with traffic congestion and this is why extra care needs to be taken when dropping off and collecting your child. Some of our families have made arrangements with their child to make their way across the road to be picked up. This in itself is absolutely fine, however, all students need to always cross with the Crossing Guard for their own safety. Thank you to our families who do this on a daily basis but we please urge all of our families to use the Crossing Guard at all times. Thank you

Learn To Swim Program – Prep To Grade 2.

Over the next two weeks our Prep to Grade 2 students will be involved with the Learn to Swim Program at the Aquatic Centre. This program provides the students with the opportunity to learn to swim and also be involved with water safety lessons.

Our Learn To Swim Program Is So Much Fun

VIEW GALLERY

Our Learn To Swim Program Is So Much Fun

Click images to enlarge

Grade 3 – Spirit of Jesus

In Grade 3 as a part of our Religious Education, students have been participating in the “Spirit of Jesus” program. Spirit of Jesus invites children to actively make sense of their Catholic identity through everyday exchanges at home and at school – to see the gospel values in their lived experience. This approach enables students to grow a meaningful commitment to their faith, in the belief that the spirit of Jesus is with them every day.

Spirit of Jesus

VIEW GALLERY

Spirit of Jesus

Click images to enlarge

Grade 5 – Jesse Tree Project

Prep – Grade 2 Excursion

The Sisters Grim

On Friday 1st December our Prep to Grade 2 students went on an excursion to The Playhouse Theatre to see “The Sisters Grim”. We are not too sure who had more fun, staff or students!!!

Social and Emotional Program for Term 4

Students of the Week

SWPBS Awards

Bronze Award

Congratulations to the following students who have constantly displayed our three expectations of Respect, Safety and Learning and received their Bronze Award for 100 Bernies.

Silver Award

Congratulations to the following students who have constantly displayed our three expectations of Respect, Safety and Learning and received their Silver Award for 150 Bernies.

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop will close Thursday 7th December, QKR orders will be taken until the end of term.

The Uniform Shop will re-open for purchases on the following dates from 9.00am – 12.00pm:-

1st February 2018
2nd February 2018
6th February 2018

Back to School pre-orders can be collected from the office from Monday 29th January 2018.

White Socks Girls Single Pack - $2.00
Sizes 5-10, 2-8

Navy Stockings - $4.00
Sizes 3-5, Avg, XTall

Rugby Jumper (old stock) - $20.00
All sizes except Size 8

Polar Fleece - $10.00
Sizes 14, S, M, L

Tartan Trousers - $20.00
Sizes 12, 14, 16, 18

New Rugby Tops

After Board and parent consultation we will be introducing a new rugby top to our school uniform in 2018. This is to bring the colour of the top into line with the new soft shell jackets that were introduced last year. There will be a two year change over period so if your child has our current rugby top they may continue to wear this until the end of 2019. We would like to stress that it is not a requirement to purchase the new top immediately as we do not wish to place undue pressure on families who may have recently purchased our current one.

Fees

Outstanding School Feels

With the end of the school year fast approaching, it is important that all outstanding school fees be finalized by that time.

Many families have made arrangements for regular scheduled Direct Debit and EFTPOS payments that will ensure their account is finalized within the designated timeframe, or alternately, mutually agreed payment arrangements have been negotiated to clear outstanding amounts.

Those families who are making UNSCHEDULED PAYMENTS by cash, cheque, BPAY and EFTPOS are reminded that accounts are to be finalized by the 15th December 2017.

The process for recovery of outstanding debts will be commenced shortly. If you are experiencing difficulty in complying with your agreed payment arrangement, please make contact with the school office.

Term Dates for 2018

Parent Notice Board

2018 Planning

If parents know that they will not be continuing enrolment of their child/children at Holy Rosary Catholic School in 2018 please let the Principal know as soon as possible. The realities around budgets in schools rely heavily on maintaining the right numbers of students. It helps our school out immensely with maintaining staffing, allocating resources and balancing classes whether any students will be moving schools.

Christmas Carols

Christmas Colours Day

Appreciation Afternoon Tea

School Banking

We would like to thank all of our students who have participated in the Commonwealth Bank School Banking program this year.

Our final school banking day for 2017 will be Tuesday 12th December. If your child is eligible to order a reward item please ensure coupon is completed and returned with your child’s banking. Any tokens that have not been redeemed this year can be used in 2018.

The Village – (final session for 2017 is the 13th December)

The Holy Rosary Catholic School Birth to 4 program has commenced on Wednesday’s from 9:00am – 10:30am. Our final session will be our Christmas party.

Meli-Melo Choir Christmas Concert

St John the Baptist Church, Glenorchy on Saturday 9th December at 2.30pm.

Term 4 Assemblies and Liturgies

Parents and Friends are most welcome and kindly invited to join us for our School Assemblies which are held at 1.45pm and our Liturgies which are held at 12.00 noon on the following dates in the School Hall or St Bernard’s Church unless noted differently.

Upcoming Events