I am on leave this week. This unexpected, but I am in New Zealand with family to be with my youngest brother, his wife and children. My brother was diagnosed with secondary myleofibrosis, a blood disorder, four years ago and is now preparing for an allogenic stem cell transplant. As he will be in isolation for an extended, indeterminate period we will celebrate an early Christmas together as a family before he is admitted to hospital. I ask you to keep my brother, his wife and children in your prayers over the coming months. I will be back at school next Monday.

Arrival at School

We have many students arriving at school before and after the expected time. I referred to school arrival time recently as the Goldilocks time- not too early, not too late, but just right. Just right is 8:30-8:50am. The yard is unsupervised before 8:30am so children are at risk if they arrive before this time.

On Thursday, more than 30 children had arrived before 8:30am, some as early as 8:10am.

You will be notified via email if your child arrives before 8:30am. We also remind you that TeamKids operates from 6:30am.

Science Awards

Well done to the many students who received awards for their excellent entries in the HR Science Fair. It was wonderful to see so many entries and to continue the enthusiasm for learning in this curriculum area. Twelve students submitted their projects to the Science Talent Search (STS) with the following fabulous results:

Acknowledgement

Freddie - Tasmanian Tiger

Jemima - Endangered Animals

Lea- Endangered Animals

Nino- Fire Stick Farming

Noah- The True Size of the Universe

Distinction

Isabella B- Milk Jug Siphon

Aria- Milk Jug Siphon

Avyaan- Impact of Climate Change

Olivia S- The Biome Game

Minor Bursary

Addie-Mae- Wetlands

Major Bursary

Liam C-M- The Survival of the Orangutans

Zoe- The Worm Farm

Year 1/2 Outdoor Education Program

Our Year 1 and 2 students had a fabulous time in the activities of their Outdoor Education Program. Year 1 had a billy cart incursion while Year 2 had a trip to Archie Brothers. The photos speak of the fun they had.

COVID and other illnesses

We’ve had a few cases of COVID in the school over the past week. Please monitor for symptoms and keep your children home if they are unwell. The recommended isolation period is five days and longer if symptoms persist.

We also have a stomach bug going around. Symptoms include stomach cramps and vomiting. We have sent home a number of children as this bug is highly contagious. We ask for your cooperation in staying vigilant, looking out for symptoms and keeping your children at home especially if they have vomited.

NAPLAN

The NAPLAN dates for 2025 were released last week. Students who will be in Year 3 and Year 5 will complete these tests in the period Wednesday 12 March and Monday 24 March, inclusive.

Leaving Holy Rosary?

Thank you to families who have advised us of their change in circumstances for 2025. This information is vitally important as we are now preparing class lists and we want to ensure these classes are as balanced as possible and that all students have a preferred learning buddy in their class.

Sushi Day- A message from the SRC

On the 27th November 2024, we will be having a sushi day! It will be great for Holy Rosary sushi lovers. This is a highly recommended request from our student community to the SRC. Further details to come in the next couple of days but for now, these are the things you should know! Children will have the opportunity to order and eat sushi for lunch at school! All orders and payments will need to be completed online! Look out for the email shortly. Posters will be placed around the school as a reminder during this week.

Share the Joy - Vinnie’s Christmas Hampers

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 9th December.

Here’s to a happy week!

Christine