A Word from the Principal

A Prayer Inspired by the Rosary

Loving God, 

As we take up the Rosary, we enter once more into the life of your Son

 and the loving guidance of Mary, our Mother. 

Piece by piece, bead by bead, 

draw us into a deeper sense of peace, patience, and reflection.

In the Joyful Mysteries, 

open our hearts to gratitude for the blessings and beginnings in our lives. 

In the Sorrowful Mysteries, 

walk with us through moments of challenge, pain, and uncertainty, reminding us that we are never alone. 

In the Glorious Mysteries, 

fill us with hope in the promise of new life and resurrection. 

In the Luminous Mysteries, 

shine your light upon our path so we may recognise your presence in our everyday moments.

Mary, Mother of God, 

teach us to listen, to trust, and to say “yes” as you did. 

Help us to reflect on each mystery 

with a heart open to God’s grace and a spirit ready to serve.

Lord Jesus, 

may this prayer of repetition and rhythm 

quiet our minds, centre our thoughts, 

and lead us closer to your love.

Bless our community as we pray, 

that the Rosary may strengthen our faith, 

unite us in compassion, 

and guide us in all we do.

Amen.

Understanding the Rosary: Deepening Our Catholic Identity

Recently, our staff engaged in a professional learning session focused on deepening our understanding of the Rosary - its purpose, its place in our Catholic tradition, and the ways it can support our spiritual lives. The session offered a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the Rosary not simply as a set of repeated prayers, but as a meditative journey through the life of Christ.

The Rosary has been a central devotion in the Catholic Church for centuries. Its origins trace back to the early Middle Ages, when Christians sought simple ways to reflect on Scripture and the mysteries of Christ’s life. By the 13th century, St Dominic and the Dominicans helped to spread the Rosary as we know it today, pairing repetitive prayer with contemplation of key moments in salvation history. Over time, the devotion evolved and now includes the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous Mysteries - each set guiding us through significant events in the lives of Jesus and Mary.

How to Pray the Rosary

Praying the Rosary is both simple and profound. It offers a rhythm that allows the mind to focus on Scripture while the heart falls into a gentle pattern of prayer. The basic steps are:

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
2. Hold the crucifix and pray the Apostles’ Creed.
3. On the first bead, pray the Our Father.
4. On the next three beads, pray Hail Mary prayers for faith, hope and charity.
5. On the chain, pray the Glory Be.
6. Announce the first Mystery, then pray:
   • 1 Our Father
   • 10 Hail Marys
   • 1 Glory Be
7. Repeat the same pattern for all five Mysteries of the decade you are praying.

8. Conclude with the Hail Holy Queen and the Sign of the Cross.

    

This simple structure supports a meditative engagement with Scripture, helping us slow down, reflect and listen. The Rosary is a powerful companion in many moments of life:

• During times of stress or uncertainty – its rhythm offers calm and focus.
• In moments of gratitude – the Mysteries remind us of God’s unfolding presence in the world.
• When seeking guidance or comfort – Mary’s intercession has long been a source of solace for the faithful.
• As part of communal prayer – it strengthens our connection to one another and to our Catholic identity.
• In classrooms or staff prayer – it can be adapted beautifully for young people or used for reflective staff formation.

Our recent staff learning reminded us that the Rosary is not simply an old tradition - it is a living, breathing practice that invites us into deeper contemplation, peace, and connection with Christ.

Upcoming Year 10 Exams

As our Year 10 students prepare for and commence their upcoming exams over the next few weeks, we offer them our very best wishes. This is an important milestone in their learning journey, and we are proud of the dedication, resilience and growth they have shown throughout the year. We encourage each student to approach their exams with confidence, balance and a belief in their ability to succeed.

We also thank our parents and carers for the vital role they play in supporting their young people during this busy time. Simple actions can make a big difference—helping them establish a study routine, encouraging regular breaks, providing healthy meals, ensuring good sleep habits, and offering calm reassurance when stress rises. Most importantly, reminding them that their worth is never measured by a single exam helps keep everything in perspective.

We hold our Year 10s in our thoughts and prayers and look forward to celebrating their efforts as they complete this important stage of their schooling.

Uniform Changeover

A reminder to our families that from next year we will transition fully to the new sports uniform for all year groups except Year 10. As we make this shift, we ask that parents avoid purchasing the older uniform items second-hand, including the previous track pants and spray jacket, as these will no longer be part of the approved College uniform. Ensuring students are in the correct attire helps maintain consistency, pride and a sense of belonging across our community. 

If you require any support or clarification regarding the updated uniform, please contact the College Office.  

Further information will come out towards the end of the year with any adjustments and will also be communicated with our students.