Our school year is quickly drawing to a close. We have some busy days ahead as we celebrate the end of the school year and prepare for 2025. In next week’s newsletter we will provide a list of staff for 2025 and the rooms for each class. On Step Up Day, Monday 16 September your child will come home with the name of their class and their teacher for 2025.

Child Safety

As part of our ongoing commitment to child safety, I remind you of the importance of discussing stranger danger with your children. While we do everything we can to ensure a safe environment at school, it’s essential that children have an awareness of potential dangers around them, especially in the community. Children are curious and trusting, and this can make them vulnerable. By talking openly with your children you can help them to be alert to dangers and to take positive steps. In your conversation you should reiterate:

The importance of trusting their feelings and seeking adult assistance if something doesn’t feel right
Strangers are people they do not know well. They shouldn’t take food or drinks, accept a lift or leave with a stranger.
The importance of a personal safety network. We suggest 2-3 adults from school and 2-3 adults from home; family members, trusted neighbours, family friends.
Walking with a friend while in public places
If a stranger tries to communicate while online, to seek an adult immediately
It’s important to say no to an adult if they ask them to do something that makes them feel uncomfortable and then tell a trusted adult.

We will reiterate these conversations at school in the coming week. We regularly remind students of the importance of being strong advocates for themselves and that their personal safety is the highest priority for both them and us.

Update on Andrea's Recovery

As many of you are aware Andrea is recovering from a fall she had last week.

She's fractured her clavicle in 3 places! At the moment, she's with family who are looking after her needs.

We hope to see Andrea at our end of year events. She wishes to pass on her gratitude to the families who have wished her a speedy recovery.

Uniforms

Over the holidays as you prepare for the 2025 school year, please be reminded of the importance of ensuring your child is wearing the correct uniform. Our uniform expectations help students feel connected to our school, promote personal pride and equality. All uniform items except shoes may be purchased from Noone. To avoid stress and the delays associated with last minute shopping I strongly encourage you to visit Noone (or order online) well before the busy back to school season.

Key Reminders:

Hats- not frayed or faded and free of stickers
Socks- plain navy or white, without logos
Shoes- black leather
Hair accessories- navy, sky blue or white

Sushi Day

Sushi Day, initiated by the SRC was a hit! We will explore the option of more regular ordering in 2025.

Carols

We welcome families to join us for our Christmas Carols event on Thursday at 9:30am. Students are encouraged to wear Christmas colours on this day. Please ensure that your child has applied sunscreen before attending school. They must wear school hats to the carols.

End of Year Liturgy

The end of year liturgy will be held on Tuesday 17 December at 9:15am. To allow all staff to attend, the office will be closed from 9:10am until the liturgy concludes. The answering machine will be on and the school mobile will also be available for emergencies

Mass and Assembly Roster

The Mass and Assembly roster has now concluded for 2024.

Musical Production 2025

Zoe and Andrea auditioned interested senior students for the production and all cast members have now been announced. We’re all very excited to see our performers refine their skills as they prepare for our production in the new year.

School Fees

Thank you to families who have paid their fees. We still have a number of families who have outstanding fees, payment in full was due last Friday.

Leaving Holy Rosary?

We urgently need this information. Please advise the office if you have plans to move in 2025.

Enjoy the week ahead,

Christine

Share the Joy - Vinnie’s Christmas Hampers FINAL WEEK!

Our beautiful Holy Rosary tradition of providing Christmas Hampers is continuing again this year. You are invited to join us in supporting our parish Vinnie’s group, by donating festive food to make Christmas hampers. The Kensington Vinnies volunteers will distribute the hampers to needy families in our neighbourhood. This act of kindness will provide families, not only with some delicious food for the Christmas season, but also with a sense that someone cares. Let’s shine our Holy Rosary light brightly to those in our local community!

Families, please use this opportunity to speak with your children about the spirit of giving. You could encourage them to be part of the process by giving up some of their money or treat foods, to purchase something special for our hampers. Alternatively, they could do extra jobs around the home to earn money to buy food.

Prep - Year 2

Year 3/4

Year 5/6

Christmas cake

Savoury biscuits

Chocolates

Longlife custard

Tinned ham (no SPAM)

Fruit Mince Pies

Packet of chips

Cranberry, mint or apple sauce

Sachets of gravy

Christmas pudding

Hand lotion

Christmas decoration

Confectionery stocking

Packet of lollies

Here’s what to do:

1. Purchase an item

2. Your child delivers it to their classroom (no need to wrap) by 10th December.

5/6 Christmas Market

We are excited to announce that on Friday, 6th December from 12.00 pm until stocks last, the Year 5/6 students will be hosting a Christmas Market!

Teachers will assign a time slot for each class to come and enjoy the market.

Our students have been working tirelessly as part of their Inquiry lessons to create hand-made Christmas items and activities. This project has involved budgeting, financing, and designing, giving students a valuable opportunity to develop important skills while embracing our school theme ‘Love in Action’.

Students aim to make a profit, and all proceeds will be donated to Kensington Neighbourhood House, supporting our local community. Each Holy Rosary student is welcome to bring $5.00 to spend at the market and join in the fun.

We look forward to seeing everyone there and thank you for supporting this wonderful initiative!

Enrolment