Week 6 Term 2 2023

Visiting classrooms and when conducting enrolment tours, I have been very aware of the high level of absenteeism of students and staff due to illness – a tricky time for both families and for the school.  A celebration is the way colleagues are able to support each other and ensure that the learning in each classroom continues. I have enjoyed chatting to Receptions and Year 2s about their oral presentations and the work they have prepared at home with their families to share with their peers. One morning this week a very excited Marco ran past with a hard hat saying, “I’m going to be a builder!” – I imagine the building work is of great interest to him.

The redevelopment of the gym is nearing completion. The site is being cleared and cleaned today and handover is due to occur tomorrow.  We will move fully into the gym on Tuesday. It will be great to have this space available again for play, PE lessons, OSHC, school assemblies and other school gatherings.

The Gladstone Road site works are tracking along nicely and whilst I got my boots dirty this week to inspect the progress, I’m not really sure that my presence added any value!  The works are progressing well and Badge are still aiming for the building completion date to be mid February 2024 and landscaping finalised late May. Fingers crossed there aren’t the delays that we experienced with the courts and gym.

It is with much sadness that I inform the school community that Mrs Tina Mena has resigned from her position at Rosary School.  Tina was an early years teacher here for 18 years and often the first person to welcome children and families into the Rosary School community.

Tina wrote in her resignation letter:

“I have loved working with the students and their families.  The children were a constant source of joy and inspiration as we found ways to make learning fun, purposeful and meaningful.   Each student came with their own unique story and understanding of the world and together, we found ways to create learning experiences that were engaging, challenging, sometimes messy but always child focussed and filled with new possibilities.”

Tina also acknowledged that she deeply appreciated all the acknowledgement from families and staff over the past 18 years.

Tina will be missed by the Rosary School community. We wish her all the best as she continues her journey as a teacher in a new setting – they are very lucky to have her.

The new winter jacket will be available in a couple of weeks – we will send out a SeeSaw message when they are in stock at the Campus School and College Wear.  A sample jacket is in the front office and is modelled here by Sofia. She certainly looks smart and warm!

Stay well and stay warm.

Regards
Susan

When we hear the word 'environment', our first response is often to visualise the scenes of pollution from disasters - usually through the actions of human beings; to think of animal cruelty, such as hunting and animal experimentation, and to miss out on the wonder of God's creation ... the beauty, the order, and the marvellous provision for our physical and emotional needs.  

Christians recognise and grapple with environmental issues, but we should start with appreciating God's gift. Christians believe that God created the earth and gave responsibility for using it wisely to human beings, who God also created, to be creative, caring and in control.  

In Psalm 8 of the Bible it says, 'You put us in charge of everything you made, giving us authority over all things.'  

The Christian response to God's creation is thankfulness and celebration, especially at times of harvest. Many Christian places of worship are decorated with flowers. Hymns and songs over hundreds of years celebrate God's creation. Prayers recall the wonderful world God has made, as well as many of the Psalms from the Bible. 

The Bible teaches Christians to respond responsibly as well as being thankful for what God has provided for us. It calls human beings to be stewards or God's representatives on earth. 

Genesis 1 states, 'God blessed them and told them, "Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals." And God said, "Look! I have given you the seed-bearing plants throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given all the grasses and other green plants to the animals and birds for their food." '  

God's intentions were that all life has a God-given purpose, and to fulfil this, Christians believe, we need to have God's attitude - to be creative, caring and control the way resources are used to benefit all of God's creation.  

However, the Bible shows that selfishness - called sin - brought, and still brings, abuse, pollution and problems. It puts greed and pride before love and obedience. This is shown in Genesis 3, where man's disobedience to God's instructions resulted in pollution. 

World Environment Day takes place annually on June 5. It is a global day for inspiring positive change. People from more than 150 countries participate in this United Nations international day, which celebrates environmental action and the power of governments, businesses and individuals to create a more sustainable world.  

The theme for World Environment Day 2023 is Beat Plastic Pollution. This day is a reminder that people's actions on plastic pollution matters. The steps governments and businesses are taking to tackle plastic pollution are the consequence of this action.   

Our Year 5/6 students have created posters that we have placed around our community to remind staff and students to separate their rubbish and to be sure that all plastic is separated from other rubbish. We know that as parents you are modelling this at home, and we endeavour to follow best environmental practice at Rosary School. 

Stephen Campion
APRIM

In HASS, 5/6MB are learning about colonial life in Australia, including significant people. We have been exploring how groups, developments and events have shaped the establishment of colonies. We have deepened our understanding of the impact colonisation has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. 
In one of our learning experiences we researched how Sydney Cove has environmentally changed over the years and compared the past and present landscapes of this site, connected to colonisation.
Here are some of the excellent models we have created, showing the different environmental features seen at Sydney Cove in different years since colonisation. 
 

Rosary School is currently looking for an Administration and Payroll Officer. The position is 18 hours per week, 43 weeks per year. If you are interested in the position , visit the link below:
www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/working-with-us/positions-vacant/job-detail