We are coming towards the end of the 2021 school year.  It is a time when many of us can feel overwhelmed by the multitudes of things we need to get completed. Our students can also feel overwhelmed.  Our Grade 6 students are thinking about their last weeks as Primary students, our other students are getting ready to move into the next class on their primary education journey.   While the stresses and pressures of the end of the term can impact us all I urge all in our community to take the opportunity to enjoy these last weeks and remember our many achievements during this year. 

For me personally, it is a time of mixed emotions as I say goodbye. I am and always have been an emotional person I cry when I am happy, I cry when I am sad, I cry when our students sing and laugh and I know I will cry as I say farewell.  However,  I am eternally grateful for so much that has occurred over the past 9 years at HRCS. 

To the staff at HRCS who from the very beginning has been welcoming, honest, encouraging and truly appreciative of my tan and dress style!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the many many cappuccinos that appear on my desk, the treats, laughs, and so much more but most of all your genuine care for our students and your ability to respond to the needs of our community - Thank You.

To our community of families for your support and kindness when I have needed it most. The emails of encouragement and thanks, the kind word in the playground, the welcoming smile at Kiss and Drop, the confidence you have had to let me know your feelings on issues or decisions and not be afraid to be advocates for your children - Thank You. 

Most of all to our students present and past, each and every one of you has a special place in my heart and always will. I will be watching from the sidelines to hear of your future successes and will always be able to proudly say I knew that student, they were from the best school - Holy Rosary Catholic School. 

Over 35 years I have been in 6 different Catholic schools and every school I have been in has always stayed a part of my heart and life and saying goodbye has always been hard. 

But how lucky I am to have something in my life that makes saying goodbye so hard. 

Bernadette Brooks

Principal

This week we commence the First Week of Advent.  Advent is a time of watching, waking up, waiting and living as people of HOPE.

 

The Advent Wreath, which was lit at our Assembly on Monday, symbolizes our growing hope and anticipation that The Lord Jesus may enter more fully into our lives and into our world. Let us pray that this wreath may remind us to welcome the Light of Christ into our hearts and minds and to shine that Light into our World. 

In this season of Advent, wake us up, Lord!

Inspire us to be people of simplicity and hope,

focussed not on DOING and HAVING but on WATCHING, LISTENING, BEING.

Amen.

At Assembly, on Monday the following students were presented with a Glenorchy Safer Communities Young People Award for 2021.  These awards recognise students who contribute to their school and home communities in a positive way.  These students were also given a special kit, which contains a puzzle piece for them to decorate.  This puzzle piece will form part of a larger community installation.  Below are the citations that accompany these awards that were given out today at assembly.

Claudia - Grade 1

Claudia is to be commended for her positive attitude towards all areas of school. She is an enthusiastic member of our class who demonstrates great pride in her work and in helping others. Claudia displays a kind and caring nature to all those she encounters each day.

Heidi - Grade 2

Heidi displays a passion for life beyond her years.  Her greatest asset is genuine kindness, the most underrated agent of human change. Heidi truly appreciates everyone she encounters, offering sincere encouragement and assistance whenever she sees a person in need.  Her selflessness truly embodies the Christian spirit.

Alison - Grade 3

Alison is a caring and gentle member of our grade.  She shows compassion and concern for others at all times.  She demonstrates the community values supported by Holy Rosary particularly with respect to teachers, peers and self.  Alison is a deserving recipient of this award.

Mae - Grade 4

Mae is an active participant in community sports and consistently demonstrates the values required to make her an upstanding member of the community.

Xavier - Grade 5

Xavier is a mature and reliable member of our Grade Five class. He has a considerate attitude towards others and regularly assists his peers both in the classroom and with small group projects.  His kind and caring personality make Xavier a positive role model and well-respected member of the Holy Rosary Catholic School community.

Riley - Grade 6

Riley is the type of person who is always looking for ways to be involved in community work where he can offer his skills to the benefit of others. Riley’s attitude and approach towards school are one of a fair go for all and to offer help where and when it is needed. Riley is an extremely worthy recipient of this award.

Last weekend students from Holy Rosary Catholic School represented us at the Southern Basketball Schools Championships. Our students represented us with pride, commitment, sportsmanship and dedication. They were true examples of what it means to be a student at HRCS. Thank you to our amazing coaches and managers:

Grade 3/4  Boys: Coach: Marcus Cooper & Jack Cooper  Manager: Jodie Johnson

Grade 3/4 Girls: Coach: Maureen McLaughlin  Manager: Jodie Johnson

Grade 5/6  Boys Division 2 Coach: Tim Hughes  Manager: Kelly Noble

Grade 5/6 Boys Division 3 Coach: Darren Parnell   Manager: Belinda McCreghan

Congratulations to our Grade 3/4 Girls who were successful in winning the Grand Final Championship in their division. 

A very big heartfelt thanks to Kate Clark who has been the driving force behind our School Basketball for many years and still coordinates and manages as a past parent. We are eternally grateful to Kate for all she has done and continues to do for our school community.

The sun arose on a delightful day in God's Country as the junior school marched across the highway and onto the field of dreams that we call Abbotsfield Park. As the crowds slowly grew and the heat of the morning evaporated the dew, we kicked off proceedings with our Ludo and Kinders in their first ever 100m race. Some serious speed was on show, as the call 'stay in your lane' reverberated around the grounds. The novelty games were an instant hit; tug of war, egg and spoon, and the sponge race entertaining from start to finish. The field events were carefully managed by Mr Luttrell and his motley crew of Grade 6 sports leaders.

A massive thanks needs to be given there. After the 7th cancellation of the year Mother Nature finally looked after us and all grades had a wonderful time, there was certainly plenty of Holy Rosary spirit on display! A massive thanks needs to go to Mr Riza and his new assistant Mr Terry 'HiViz' Jones for all their help preparing and dismantling the field. A huge thanks to Mr Van Tienen for his recording duties and Miss Jaymie Hall for her marshalling efforts. The junior carnival completes our House Cup year. Presentations for the House Cup, Ploughman Cup and general PE awards will be announced at the Sports Assembly on the 14th December. Thanks everyone for a great year. Look out 2022!!

A number of events are occurring over the last two weeks please continue to monitor Compass for any events shared.

Please note the information in relation to the Grade 6 events has been shared on Compass previously.

Grade 6 Celebration Dinner - Thursday 9th December

On Thursday, December 9th, we are hosting the Grade 6 Celebration Dinner at St Bernard’s Hall. This event will begin at 6:00 pm and conclude at 7:45 pm.  Students are to wear neat casual dress. We remind parents and students that this is a Grade 6 event and that excess makeup, nail colours and transport by special cars are not necessary and ask that this request is respected. Parents are welcome to take photos from 5:45 pm till 6:00 pm outside the school hall. 

At 6:00 pm we will open the doors and invite students inside to take part in their dinner. This will consist of a sit-down meal and then some music and dancing opportunities as per COVID-19 safety plan. 

Grade Six Liturgy and Award Celebration - Wednesday 15th December

On Wednesday 15th December the Grade Six Liturgy and Award Celebration will be held in St Bernard’s Hall. It will commence at 6:00 pm and conclude by 7:30 pm. This will be the final formal school event for Grade 6 students.  Our School Hall has limited capacity for adult seating as we are still required to operate under the restrictions for COVID-19.  Keeping in line with this mandate we can accommodate a certain number of adults in the Hall. 

 For this reason the following will be in place:-

• Two adults per Grade 6 student. Booking to be made through QKR.  An overview of how to do this will be sent home to parents. The booking system will open on 3rd December  and close on 10th December.
• No younger siblings are to attend the event.
• No students from other grade levels will be attending
• Limited staff attendance 
• The event will be videoed and shared live by a link.

End of Year Assembly Kinder to Gr 5 - Thursday 16th December at 11.30 pm

We are incredibly disappointed that again for 2021 our end of year assembly will be for students only. This is always such a celebration and wonderful assembly but in order for the children to celebrate we are unable to have parents attend due to the limited space and restrictions, we continue to follow. A zoom link will be sent to all parents and we are hoping that many parents will take the opportunity to join us in this way. The assembly will conclude at 1.00 pm and parents are welcome to pick up children from classrooms from 1.00 pm.  

Dear Parents/Guardians

If you are collecting pre-orders in the New Year, your pre-order can be collected from the office when it opens in 2022, from Tuesday 25 January 2022.  You do not need to contact us if collecting in 2022.

The uniform shop opening dates and times for 2022 are:

Friday 28 January 2022 - 9:00am to 12:00 noon
Tuesday 1 February 2022 - 9:00am to 12:00 noon

Please note that every endeavour is being made to have stock on the shelves, but to ensure that all the needs of our school community are met, purchases in the uniform shop on these dates will have a limit of one item off the shelf, further quantities can be put on back order.  We ask that all families follow Covid-19 procedures when entering the shop, which includes only one family in the shop at any one time, hand sanitising and accessing the check-in APP.

QKR will re-open in February when school has returned.

On Monday 13th 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 class lists and booklists. Reports will go live to parents through the Compass portal at on Monday 13th December and there will be an opportunity for parents who wish to request an interview to speak to the class teacher of 2021 on Tuesday 14th December.

Our Prep to Grade 2 students commenced their Learn to Swim Program from Monday 29th November to Friday 10th December. All information has been sent home through Compass.

If parents know that they will not be continuing enrolment of their child/children at Holy Rosary  in 2022 please let the Office 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. It also assists in allowing families on waiting lists an opportunity for a space.

GCC Colouring Competition

Happy nearly Christmas season!

Glenorchy City Council is running their annual Christmas Colouring Competition.

It’s a fun opportunity for kids to get a bit creative, get into the Christmas spirit and maybe win some art supplies! Please find attached the artwork and entry form.

The competition is open to children who live or attend school in the city of Glenorchy, and there is a prize pack of art materials to the value of $50 for the winning entry. Entries can be dropped off at Glenorchy City Council or Moonah Arts Centre. There will also be an entry box and forms at the Glenorchy Christmas Carols and Singalong Event on Friday 10 December – and Leigh, the artist who drew this year’s competition artwork will be there too!

Competition entries close on Monday 13 December, and will be put on display at Council.