13 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principals Report

Last week we lost one of our staff members who has been with our community for over 32 years. Mrs Angela Fraser commenced at Holy Rosary Catholic School in 1986 as a Kindergarten teacher assistant. Angela worked with Vicki Gangell, Kerri Lamb and Robyn Ploughman in setting up the first kindergarten in the Catholic system in the mid 1980’s. 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. Angela continued in this role for over 30 years and her commitment to our youngest students was unwavering.

I would like to sincerely thank all in our amazing school community for their support over the past days. On Friday so many past and present staff had the opportunity to farewell our very special Mrs Angela Fraser. To our parents, please know how much we have valued your understanding and to the staff and students who remained at school thank you for looking after each other so well. Angela’s legacy, enthusiasm and commitment to our students and the school surrounds us every day in so many different ways. We will miss her dearly.

On Thursday we will hold our annual Grandparents and Special Person’s day commencing at 9.00am. This is indeed one of the most special days in our calendar and each year we are amazed at the number who can join us. We will commence with a liturgy in the Hall and then move to classrooms where students will be waiting to show you their work and engage in activities and a shared morning tea. We look forward to this day each year.

Kind Regards
Bernadette Brooks

Reflection

A Wonderful Woman

Here at Holy Rosary we are surrounded by many great examples of wonderful women in our lives.

It is perhaps, though, Angela who has provided us with the strongest example of Mary, our Mother in heaven. Angela’s spirit will live on in us all, her indelible imprint more pronounced than ever. She made us kinder, more generous and more brave than we otherwise would have been.

Grief can deal a horrible hand. Most days we will be fine and then the grief will sneak up on us and wrap its rather contemplative arms around us. Like a blanket of sadness it will sit there while we think back on the void of not having Angela at Holy Rosary anymore. I guess we just miss her. I miss that sense of light alongside me. The power of a wonderful woman, whom we all loved very much. May God bless her always and welcome her with open arms.

Libby Piesse

Family Breakfast

On Friday morning over 300 families joined us to celebrate our Family Breakfast. Families were treated to a varied menu and spent time enjoying each other’s company prior to the commencement of the school day. A huge thank you to our wonderful Canteen Manager, Alison and Assistant Kylie for the many additional hours they spent preparing for the breakfast. Thank you also to IGA Austin's Ferry who assist in so many ways with our orders and supplies. To all our staff who were on site from 6.30am to prepare and cook breakfast we thank you most sincerely.

A beautiful breakfast brought many happy smiles

Grade 4

Grade 4’s are having a very busy Term! We have been learning how to write a narrative and we will be published authors soon. In Maths we have been working on multiplication, division and now fractions. We are learning about how God created the world and how we are created in God’s image. We are investigating life as a convict and what it would have been like as an early settler in Australia in the early 1800’s. A few weeks ago, we were challenged to a STEM day. We had to create the tallest tower using only marshmallows and spaghetti pasta within the given time frame. Working in groups of four we investigated world famous towers and structures such as the Eiffel Tower in France and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. Then we had to create a blueprint design to follow. Here are some photos of our constructions! The tallest tower was 75cm created by Abbie M, Bakeeta, Lylah and Ella J.

We have been working on their narrative texts including transforming their stories into media art trailer productions. We have also done the journey of the First Fleet in the form of a time line and have started looking at forces in science.

Gymnastics

Staff On Leave - 2018

Ms. Bernadette Brooks

From the 20th September until the 19th October I will be on leave. I am extremely fortunate to be a part of the Catholic Education Tasmania Saints of Italy Pilgrimage and will travel to Rome, Siena and Assisi with Archbishop Julian Porteous and a group of 12 Tasmanian Principals. During my time of leave Mrs. Gemma Bennett and Mrs. Lauren McCallum will be Acting Co Principals. I know that all in our community will give Mrs. Bennett and Mrs. McCallum every support.

Mr. Brad Hastie

Mr. Brad Hastie will be on long service leave for Term 4 2018. Mr. Matt Hunter will be teaching in Grade 6H from the commencement of Term 4 on Monday 15th October until Thursday 20th December. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Mr. Hastie a wonderful break and thank him for all his work with our Grade 6 students this year.

Mrs. Libby Piesse

Mrs. Libby Piesse will be on leave from Monday 15th October and will return on Monday 29th October. Mrs. Andrea Quick will be teaching in Kindergarten P during this time

Mrs. Mandy King

Mrs. Mandy King will be on leave from 24th September. Mrs. Andrea Quick will be teaching in Grade 1 during this time.

Mrs. Liz Mason

Mrs. Mason will be taking the remainder of the year off from her teaching role. Mrs. Lindy Rahn who has been teaching in Grade 4M this term will continue teaching in Grade 4M for the remainder of this term and Term 4. In Term 4 Mrs Sarah Friedman will teach in Grade 4M on Fridays and Mrs Lindy Rahn on Monday to Thursday. I know that all parents will join with me in thanking Mrs Mason for the work she has done with our Grade 4 students and wishing her all the very best as she takes time to ensure that her health improves.

Student Counsellor

We welcome Row Conacher our new School Counsellor to Holy Rosary. Row has worked as a School Counsellor for the past 4 years and she is also a qualified teacher with 14 years experience having worked in both primary and secondary schools. Row is very passionate about working with young people and she has a particular interest in the area of health and wellbeing. Row offers a supportive, practical and student centred approach to counselling. Outside of her counselling work Row’s interests include spending time with her family and two young sons, her hobby farm, listening to music, gardening, camping and being in the outdoors. Row works at Holy Rosary on Thursdays and every second Friday.

Staffing 2019

Staffing preparations for 2019 have commenced. In the coming weeks you will see advertisements for a number of teaching staff positions. We have a number staff who are on replacement contracts in our school community and it is a requirement that all replacement and limited positions are advertised each year.

We would sincerely like to congratulate Miss Nicola Smith who has been successful in gaining a teaching position for 2019 at St Joseph's International School in Singapore and will be leaving us at the end of the year. Nicola joined us as a graduate teacher 4 years ago and we have been so incredibly lucky to have her on our staff and working with our students.

To gain a teaching role in an International School is incredibly difficult and it is a testament to her commitment and ability.

Congratulations Mrs Libby Piesse

Congratulations to Mrs. Libby Piesse who has been awarded an Early Childhood Australia sponsorship to attend the Early Childhood Australia National Conference 2018 “Be the Difference for Children and families”. Libby will travel to Sydney from 18th-23rd September to join with hundreds of Early Childhood educators across Australia.

Grade 6 Parent Evening for Canberra

Information in relation to our 2018 Grade 6 Canberra trip will be handed out at the Parent Information evening on Tuesday 18th September 2018 at 7:00pm. This is a compulsory parent briefing session. All students must attend.

Congratulations to Deakin and Shinn

Deakin and Shinn travelled to Melbourne for the National Croatian Tournament held on the 8th & 9th September. The boys had a fabulous time, and whilst they didn’t make it to the finals they played with enthusiasm, showed great sportsmanship and most of all had fun! Shin was also selected as Team Captain for the weekend.

They will also be competing in the Hobart Cup (15th & 16th September), and Deakin will be in the Launceston Cup (22nd & 23rd September) as well. Congratulations to both boys for their success with soccer.

Students Not Returning in 2019

In order to commence planning for 2019 it is vital that we have accurate information regarding student numbers for 2019.

If your child is in a grade other than Grade 6 and is not returning to Holy Rosary in 2019 please contact Ms Bernadette Brooks as soon as possible.

Extended Holidays

It is a requirement that all absences for holidays greater than 10 school days need to be applied for in writing to Mrs Brooks. Upon receipt of your request Mrs Brooks will reply with an acknowledgement for your child to be absent from school for the period stated in your request.

Uniform Shop

House Polos

Students/parents can order the Polos on special order for $30 (payment with order) from the office.

If you would like a Sports Polo for the Grade 3 – 6 Athletics Carnival to be held on 19th October and the Kinder – Grade 2 Athletics Carnival to be held on the 23rd November, please download the form below and place your order by the 21st September.

Entertainment Books

Holy Rosary Catholic School is fundraising with the Entertainment fundraiser this year, and we’d appreciate your continued support.

Your 2017 | 2018 Entertainment Membership expired on 1 June 2018. Please continue supporting our School by purchasing the 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Membership from us today. Hundreds of great value offers are ready for your enjoyment, while also helping our fundraising!

To order online click here.

Books are also available for purchase from the office.

Grade 5 Enrolments for High School

A reminder to all parents of current Grade 5 students that enrolments for Year 7 2020 will close on September 14th this year.

Free Community Service

The Hearing Bus will be in Glenorchy Plaza for 3 days offering free hearing tests to people aged 18 and over.

Futsal

Hobart Junior Summer Friday afternoon/night Futsal.

Get together 6 of your friends and join in the Futsal fun.

Grading games kick off Friday 14th September for 3 weeks before breaking for the school holidays and returning to start the roster on Friday 19th October – Friday 22nd March (15 weeks)

***Roster breaks over Christmas and Summer holidays***

Ages 5 – 16 years Boys and Girls

Cost: $120 per player (includes all roster game fees and insurance)

To register a team contact Raelene on raelene@australainfutsal.com or (mob) 0408 744 204.

Term 3 2018 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.

2018 Upcoming Events