Week 2, Term 1, 2022

Dear Rosary Community

Over the past couple of weeks you have received communication from me regarding the start of 2022 and the changes due to COVID-19.  I thank each and every one of you for your co-operation and adaptability as we navigated our hybrid start.

We welcomed Reception and Year 1 children onsite for face to face learning and we have supported families by supervising approximately 60 Year 2-6 children undertaking online learning at school.

Thank you to our Reception and Year 1 teachers who have made children feel welcomed, safe and comfortable in their new learning environments.  I thank our Year 2- 6 teaching staff for their work in preparing remote learning and also thank the parents and caregivers at home who are supporting and supervising learning remotely.  I know the teachers have appreciated your efforts during this time.

We checked in with a few Reception children and asked “What has been good about school?”  Some of the responses –

“Playing outside with my sister” – George, ROC

“Having sport, I really liked our sport lesson” – Orlando, RSM

“Everything!” – Kaia, RAR

“Playing with lego” – Quinn, ROC

“I love drawing with my best friend Zara” – Emily, RGL

We are all looking forward welcoming all children back onsite next week.

Susan

Welcome to 2022! 4BB have been busy engaging in online learning for the commencement of this year. It certainly isn’t the start we had hoped for, but we are making the most of it. We are however, looking forward to Week 3 where we can come together again to work in partnership and to have fun.

We would like to sincerely thank all the parents and caregivers who have supported their child learning at home, helping to overcome challenges and encouraging celebrations of achievements.  We would like to share some of our thoughts and experiences of online learning. Bring on Week 3 and our return to school! Stay safe everyone!

Maison

1. I have enjoyed online learning because I've been able to work with my mum and dad and spend more quality time together.
2. I have mixed feelings about online learning this year, one side of me feels grateful to spend more one-on-one time with my parents at home but the other side of me also feels sad because I haven't seen my friends for a long time.
3. My favourite tasks so far have been on day one the 'My Summer Holiday Snapshot' drawing because it was a good way to look back at all the fun things, we did over summer holidays. I enjoyed drawing my memories and colouring my pictures.
4. Another tasked I enjoyed doing was yesterday's Science activity the 'Life Cycle'. I enjoyed researching the life cycle of turtles with my dad. He was very helpful and patient with me. And once again I loved drawing the life cycle of turtles in my work book. Drawing is what I love to do best.

Antonia

Online learning is going great and it is fun to complete all the activities every day. 

I am excited to be in year 4 with Ms B and feel enthusiastic about each day’s learning. I look forward to returning to school next week to be in class and see my friends and my teacher Ms B.

My favourite task was maths because I use it in every day life and it is enjoyable.

Leo

My most favourite activity was my summer holiday snapshot and it made me remember how much fun it was.

Online learning was fun on the first two days but now I think it's all going downhill.

I’m feeling a bit sad after the break and this time at home and i miss all my friends.

Matilda

I love online learning, it is so much fun doing school at home. I can be comfortable at home in my own environment without distractions.

I feel great about online learning, especially because of all the fun activities we get to do at home. But… I am really excited to go back to school where I have a bit more structure.

My favourite activity was the morning prayers, they really help me to relax and calm down for the morning. One time I was so relaxed I nearly fell asleep!

Amelia

I think online learning is good but I think it’s easier face to face. I can’t wait to see Ms Basile!

I am not a fan of it and it’s not my favourite but I like how I can do it at home.

My favourite task was the Holiday Snapshops because the colouring in part of it was enjoyable.

Dear Families

A very warm welcome to the 2022 school year. We hope you have all had an opportunity to spend some quality time with your family and are refreshed and ready for the exciting year ahead.

We are delighted to be sharing with you our theme for 2022 which is “Awaken Your Mind”. We are celebrating our Dominican traditions through the Dominican Pillar of Study. The pillar of study revolves around Veritas, a Dominican motto meaning truth. This year we will focus on scripture where we will learn to seek truth through curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. We will be exploring scripture to give us guidance to live our lives as Jesus did on our quest for wisdom.

Our scriptural focus will be the following passage from the Romans 15(4:5):

⁴ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. ⁵ May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus.

We will explore the key messages in this passage, together with a range of other Bible stories to unpack the meaning for us today and how we can use scripture to guide our thoughts and actions, based on the life and mission of Jesus.

Through the example set by Saint Dominic, Dominicans have always valued study. Study enables us to search out and discern the truth of our times. After founding the Order of Preachers, Saint Dominic sent members of the order to the universities of his day. Dominicans have been thinkers and leaders across many disciplines throughout the ages. The emphasis on study continues today as Rosary students engage in learning that empowers them to take their place in the world, inspired by the person of Jesus.

We pray that we will come to know Jesus better to help us to follow the light and live the truth which was important to Saint Dominic to be able to enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. 

Prayer of the Week

God of all life…

May your love and light shine in and through me today
In a way that no mask can hide.
May my eyes dance with the laughter and joy
Replacing my hidden smile.
May my actions of care and concern
Speak louder than my muffled voice ever could.
And may the generosity of my heart
Radiate out through who I am
And how I respond to the world around me
So that others may not see my mask
But your image shining out
Moving in and through me today.
Amen

Br Michael Herry fms

Faith Facts

Have you ever wondered why …

Click on the links below for the question and answer faith fact of the week.

Faith Fact 16 Question                                                                 Faith Fact 16 Answer 

Seva Maitianos

Last year, Rosary School began their mathematical journey with Lisa- Jane O’Connor from the Primary Mathematics Association. We were involved in intensive workshops with year level teams and began implementing strategies to develop children’s mathematical thinking. To begin, students were introduced to the 'Story of Mathematics' and were ​exposed to rich learning opportunities and purposeful questioning in order to make connections between themselves and the world of mathematics and develop as powerful mathematicians. 

This year all classes at Rosary School will be continuing to work on a sequenced and engaging program, making mathematics meaningful ​for all students. Our teaching teams met remotely with Lisa-Jane  last week and have developed their ​Mathematics learning overview for 2022. We are looking forward to further unpacking mathematics at Rosary School ​with our school community by hosting a Parent Information session on Wednesday March 9^th at 7.00pm. Please keep this date in your diary.

Annabel Parletta and Maria Boccaccio