This afternoon we will celebrate our Commissioning Ceremony at 2:30pm in Holy Rosary Church. At this time our Year 6’s and our SRC members will be introduced to the community and receive their badges. We look forward to witnessing their leadership in action this year.

School Advisory Council

I invite all parents to consider joining our School Advisory Council. This group plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of our school by providing valuable input to help our leadership team make important decisions. Your voice and perspective are vital in helping us create a positive and enriching environment for our students. If you’re passionate about making a difference in our school community, I encourage you to get involved and help us continue to grow and succeed together.

Further information is available in the newsletter.

Student Free Day

Tomorrow is a Student Free Day. TeamKids will be in operation.

Labour Day

Monday 10 March is a public holiday. School will be closed. TeamKids will not be operating on this day.

Our House Teams

As we approach our school athletics carnival, coming up at Aberfeldie on 26th March, it’s fitting to provide you with some background information about our four house teams. All students are assigned to a House Team and siblings are in the same team.

Each house team has a colour and is named after a significant period in the history of Holy Rosary School.

McAuley

Our red house team is McAuley. It's named after Catherine McAuley, the Irish lady who started the Sisters of Mercy. She needed the Sisters to help her to teach the poor and nurse the sick. Catherine inspired the work of the Mercy Sisters who opened Holy Rosary School. Catherine said, "We should be shining lamps giving light to those around us " and these words inspired our school song. She also said that we should “resolve to be good today and better tomorrow” and these words provide our focus for our school community in 2025. We continue to wear the Mercy Cross on our uniform. The very first principal of HR was Sister Clare Daly, a Mercy Sister, who commenced in 1916.

Sion

Sion House, our green team, is named after the Sisters of Sion who were at Holy Rosary for a period of time. The Sisters started their work teaching in France and they first came to Australia in 1890. The Sisters of Sion define themselves as “women who help to heal a fractured world”. They are well known for instilling a tradition of welcome and inclusion; important values for us at HR.

MacKillop

MacKillop House is our blue team, and it reminds us of Mary MacKillop. Mary was born in Melbourne and was baptised at St Francis Church in the city. She had a calling from God to teach the poorest and most remote children in Australia. To help her important work, Mary established the Sisters of St Joseph, often called the Joeys. Mary became famous for her words, “Never see a need without doing something about it.” Her words remind us all to take action to help those who need us. Mary’s work was very challenging and she inspires us to be resilient and to act with integrity, even when things are very tough. Mary of the Cross MacKillop became Australia’s first saint.

Hennessy

Our yellow house team is Hennessy, in honour of Holy Rosary’s first Parish Priest, Father Aeneas Francis Hennessy who was born in 1860. Holy Rosary Church was first opened in Derby St in 1902 but it didn’t become a Parish until 1915. That’s when Father Hennessy left Lilydale and became Holy Rosary’s first Parish Priest. He lived in Derby Street and moved to Gower Street in 1919. The church was later demolished, and a new church opened, where it is now, in Gower Street in 1928. Fr Hennessy died in 1932 and is buried at the Melbourne Cemetery.

Toilet Hygiene

As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a healthy and respectful learning environment, we are currently addressing an issue that affects student wellbeing and the overall cleanliness of our school; toilet hygiene and behaviour.

Some students need reminders about appropriate behaviour and good hygiene practices and we ask you to assist us by discussing with your child habits that promote cleanliness, safety, and respect for shared spaces.

Key Hygiene Tips for Students:

Wash Hands Thoroughly: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, covering all areas of the hands. Soap should not be wasted in troughs or on the floors. Spilled soap is wasteful, and as it is slippery it could cause injury.
Flush After Use: It’s important that the toilet is clear of waste before leaving.
Use Toilet Paper Properly: use only required toilet paper. Toilet paper thrown around is wasteful, creates a tripping hazard and shows disrespect to our cleaners.
Leave the Toilet Clean: Report mess or malfunctions immediately to the office.
Be Considerate of Others: Respect others’ right to privacy in the toilet. Everyone deserves a clean, safe, and private space to use. This means standing on toilet seats or climbing under toilet doors are both inappropriate.

We are committed to ensuring a safe, healthy, and respectful environment for all in our community. Your support in reinforcing good toilet hygiene and respectful behavior will play a vital role in achieving this goal. We ask you to remind your child that their actions impact our school community, and that each of us has a responsibility to contribute to a positive and clean environment

First Reconciliation and Presentation of Candidates to the Community

The date for the First Reconciliation has been confirmed by the parish and will take place on Tuesday 25th March at 1:00pm. The Candidates will be presented to the community at the parish Mass on Friday 14th March.

As these events will be part of their school day, Reconciliation candidates will sit together, they will be joined and supported by their Year 3 and 4 peers. Parents are welcome to attend this celebration, although we understand that you may not be available. Families may sit in the pews directly behind the children.

The Rosary and Funeral Mass for Mark Carbonari

The Rosary and Funeral Mass for Mark Carbonari will be offered at St. Peter Chanel Church, 848 Ballarat Road, Deer Park on Tuesday 4th March, 2025 commencing at 10:00 am For see this link for further information.

https://tobinbrothers.com.au/tribute/Mark-Carbonari-2501308/

Christine