A Walk Through the History of Holy Rosary School

Did you know that 110 years ago, Holy Rosary students had to dodge herds of cattle on their way to school?

Back in 1916, Kensington was a bustling, working-class neighbourhood of around 11,000 residents. Local families, mostly of Irish and Anglo-Celtic heritage, worked long hours at the Newmarket Saleyards, local flour mills, and the railways. Before our school was built, Catholic children had to walk to St. Brendan’s in Flemington, carefully navigating Racecourse Road alongside livestock being driven to the abattoirs.

Seeking a safe, dedicated space for local children and families, Father Aeneas Hennessy established Holy Rosary Parish in 1915. On May 14, 1916, Archbishop Carr officially laid the foundation stone for our first school on Derby Street.

To navigate World War I material shortages, our original school was designed as a dual Church-School. Classrooms hummed with learning under the founding principal, Sister Clare Daly, and the Sisters of Mercy. On the weekends, wooden partitions were pulled back and desks were moved so the hall could be transformed for Mass.

1916 was a challenging year, marked by the anxieties of WWI casualty lists and severe winter flooding along Macaulay Road. Yet, through resourcefulness, faith, and community spirit, our founding families built a lasting home for Catholic education in Kensington.

As we look around our school today, we are proud to stand on the shoulders of those early pioneers and carry their resilient, welcoming spirit into the future. To celebrate 110 years of Catholic Education in Kensington we have planned a number of activities for our students on Tuesday 6 October.

To begin, we invite students and staff to participate in a day of celebration where we will participate in lessons to commemorate school life in 1916. To this end, we invite students to dress according to the era. I've added some suggestions of how your children might like to dress. As this is not a casual clothes day, your child should wear their HR uniform if they are not dressing in period clothing.

Children will participate in a range of group activities with a variety of staff. These activities are designed to help our children grow in their understanding of our local history.

We will participate in a picnic and children are asked to bring their own snacks wrapped in greaseproof paper and secured with string or wrapped in a tea towel. Snacks may include a scone, a boiled egg, cheese, gingerbread or shortbread, rockcake, bread, apples or pears, lemonade or water.

Schoolboys

Button-up collar shirt with a dark woollen sweater or vest

Woollen knee-length shorts/ knickerbockers

Woollen socks pulled to the knee; leather boots (poorer boys wore hand-me-downs or went barefoot)

Please no barefoot students in 2026!

Flat caps or baker boy caps worn outdoors

Schoolgirls

Long-sleeve blouses under calf-length dresses; cotton pinafores over dresses to protect from ink stains

Calf-length pinafore dresses

Dark woollen stockings; sturdy buttoned or lace-up leather shoes or boots

Hair strictly tied with ribbons or worn braided

Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) website

AHRC: Child Safe Organisation Resources

National Office for Child Safety

Swimming Program

A reminder that Years 1/2 and 5/6 students begin their swimming program today. Sessions run on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays for the next two weeks. We ask that parents refamiliarise themselves with the letter sent via nForma so that this program runs smoothly.

Leaving HR?

Our plans are underway for the 2027 year! We kindly ask families to let us know if your child will not be returning to HR next year. Having this information helps us with class planning, staffing, and welcoming new families into our community. Please notify the school office as soon as possible.

Blessings to you for the beautiful spring season.

Christine

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