Principal's Report

Next Tuesday is Orientation Day across much of the state for all schools. We will welcome our new foundation students and our grade 6 children will make their way to their secondary school for 2025. Other classes will get time to be together during the middle part of the day spending time with their new teacher. We have worked diligently to create classes that will provide the best opportunity based on our knowledge of the children, parent requests and a variety of other factors. Please respect the fact that changes to classes will not be made after Tuesday.

We have a very settled team at Holy Rosary for the 2025 school year, with minimal changes to classroom teachers and specialists alike. Our teaching staff for 2025 will be as follows;

CLASS TEACHERS 

Foundation                                                 Mrs Shelley DeAraugo / Mrs Megan Matheson 

Foundation                                                 Miss Jessica Moloney 

Grade 1                                                        Mr Conor Van Der Staay 

Grade 1                                                        Mr Dylan Lovell 

Grade 2                                                        Mrs Juanita Howlett 

Grade 2                                                        Miss Meg McKenzie  

Grade 3                                                        Miss Samantha Doyle

Grade 3                                                        Miss Jasmin O’Sullivan 

Grade 4                                                        Miss Bronte Deary  

Grade 4                                                        Miss Catherine Walsh 

Grade 5                                                        Miss Gabby Smith 

Grade 5                                                        Mr Ollie Geary 

Grade 6                                                        Mr Dan Walker 

Grade 6                                                        Miss Lauren Spence 

INTERVENTION SUPPORT ROLES 

Ms Eva Rosaia       

Mrs Kerry Baber   

Mrs Liz Williams       

Mrs Sophie Taylor 

SPECIALIST TEACHERS 

Visual Arts                                                   

     Mrs Bianca Schmidt               

     Mrs Bethany Kerlin 

     Mrs Jo Thurley 

Performing Arts                                        

     Mrs Elizabeth Teed                

Health & PE                                               

     Mr Troy Coates 

STEM/Sustainability                                

     Mrs Tracey Angove 

     Mrs Bethany Kerlin 

Our support staff will change a little with; Kate Batty, Harry Campbell, Grace Lockhart, Abe Sladden and Ella Turk all leaving for a variety of different careers and opportunities. I will acknowledge their work in our final newsletter next week. We will welcome Makayla Watts, Oliver Walsh, Leisa McKenzie and Aggie Minne joining our learning support team.

Graduation 2024

Next Wednesday we celebrate the conclusion of 7 years in primary school for our grade 6 class of 2024. Our end of year mass and presentations will acknowledge an important milestone in the lives of these young people who can look forward with confidence and excitement toward secondary school and beyond. I am sure everyone will join with me and wish them all, and their families the very best for the evening and whatever the future brings. Through the ups and downs of the past seven years we are incredibly proud of our group and the people they are growing to be.

Health Day

Yesterday we had a great day promoting health and wellbeing. ‘Health Day’ saw the children across the school engaging in exciting activities to promote well-being and healthy living. The day began with creative sessions where students made doorknob reminders about daily health habits and catchy Sun Smart jingles. Team games followed, promoting fitness and teamwork in a fun and energetic way.

We explored dental hygiene through a True/False quiz and learned proper brushing and flossing techniques, ensuring everyone left with a sparkling smile. Lunchtime turned interactive with salad wrap-making and sorting healthy lunchbox items. Students also designed their dream lunchboxes with nutritious meals in mind.

First-aid skills took the spotlight in the "Bandage Bears" activity, where students practiced bandaging techniques. They also discovered why sleep is essential for their well-being.

Fruit salad skewer-making and learning Auslan fruit signs were highlights, ending with the classic “Fruit Salad” game. Germ-awareness activities, including a UV light demo and germs video, taught the importance of handwashing in an engaging way. Today’s activities were fun and educational, empowering students with practical tips for a healthier lifestyle.

A big thank you to all staff involved for making the day such a success!

Paul Wilkinson

Principal