Dear Parents & Guardians,

As we wrap up another wonderful year at Holy Rosary Catholic School, we are proud and grateful for everything we have accomplished together. Our students have embraced challenges, celebrated victories, and grown together as a community. It has been wonderful to see how each of them, in their own way, has embraced our school expectations of Respect, Safety, and Learning. We are immensely proud of our students and their hard work, dedication and successes. Opportunities to showcase their diverse talents both inside and outside of the classroom are always a highlight.

On Wednesday last week, we had Step Up Day - an opportunity for students to move up to the next grade with their 2025 classmates and to meet their teacher. There was much joy, excitement and engagement as I wandered around the classes. This is a testament to our welcoming staff, who made sure all students were comfortable and happy.

I extend heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teaching and support staff who have worked tirelessly to create a nurturing school environment throughout the year. Additionally, we appreciate the support of our parents and the wider school community without whom we would not be able to achieve all we have done.

Congratulations to our Grade 6 Leavers who yesterday evening finished their primary years. We wish each of them well as they journey off to high school. As a school community, we are thankful for all their contributions during their time here. They have become amazing young people who have excelled in their leadership of the school this year.

Last night we presented a number of awards acknowledging the success and achievements of our Grade 6 students.

Our first award is for a parent and is presented by the Tasmanian Catholic Schools Parents Council acknowledging a parent who is actively involved in building and developing a relationship that supports student wellbeing and development. They are engaged in a relationship with the school which exceeds expectations. The recipient this year is David Bray.

Sports Carnival Champions - presented to students who achieved outstanding results during our Swimming, Cross Country and Athletic carnivals.

• Cross Country - Blake Young & Hallie Wickham

• Athletics - Blake Young & Hallie Wickham

• Swimming - Alex Wise & Mackenzie Berry

Danny Paice Encouragement Award - presented for athletics sportsmanship. The recipient this year is Savannah Berry.

Principal’s Awards for 2024 were presented to Isabella Morrison, Harrison Briggs & Poppy Roberts.

Student Achievement Award for demonstrating qualities of leadership both in and out of the classroom was presented to Fletcher Erends.

Languages Award is presented to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to learning the Japanese language. This year’s recipient was Mackenzie Berry.

Rob Bearham Award is presented to a student who has shown exceptional leadership, dedication and outstanding achievement in Health, Physical Education and Sport. The award this year went to Hallie Wickham.

Perpetual Award for Sporting Participation and Achievement is presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding performances on the sports field and has contributed significantly to the school’s sporting landscape. Congratulations to Zali Goss, this year’s recipient.

Perpetual Award for Excellence is presented to a student with consistently high academic achievements across all curriculum areas. Well done to this year’s winner - Anna Tran.

Perpetual Award for Citizenship is presented to a student who has demonstrated the democratic values of equity, responsibility, justice and leadership. The winner of the award this year is Hunter Graham-Eiszele.

Perpetual Award for Student of the Year is presented to a student who has demonstrated the expectations of Respect, Safety & Learning in all of their words, actions and relationships. Congratulations to our winner this year - Mackenzie Berry.

Perpetual Award for Christianity is presented to a student who has been an exemplary role model in living the mission of the Church and demonstrating Gospel values. Congratulations to our recipient this year - William Bray.

We will be farewelling some staff at the end of this year and I thank them for their effort, energy and contributions to our school.

• Mrs Libby Piesse - We thank Libby for her amazing work at HRCS, in particular in the Early Years and more recently in her ILRE (Instructional Leader: Religious Education) role. Not only has she imparted knowledge, but she has also fostered faith, compassion and a deep connection to the values that guide our school community. Libby moves to Mount Carmel College to be the Director for Mission and Catholic Identity.

• Mrs Nicole Taylor -  We thank Nicole for her invaluable impact on our school community through her teaching roles and recently as Student Support Coordinator. We have a deep appreciation for her dedication, compassion and tireless commitment to ensuring the success and well-being of every student. Nicole moves to St Cuthberts as a teacher and will also be studying part-time.

• Mrs Jess George - Jess has been on leave for the last 12 months. We thank Jess for her amazing advocacy for the Early Years - the passion and support for our families in their first years of schooling has been amazing. Jess will continue her role at ECIS (Early Childhood Inclusion Services).

• Miss Ke-nnye Marantelli - Thank you Ke-nnye for your amazing work as a TA at HRCS over the last 18 months. Ke-nnye’s talents have shone brightly as she has been awarded a place at the University of Melbourne to study Bachelor of Music (Performance) in Classical Voice

We welcome the following staff to our school in 2025.

• Mr Terry Jones will be returning as one of our Utility Officers. Welcome back, Terry!
• Mrs Danielle Dean who has been with us as a Teacher Assistant, St Thomas Aquinas Teaching School Cadet and now recently graduated will be teaching Grade 1 Maroon

• Miss Hailey Peters will be joining us on Prep Maroon two days per week, sharing with Mrs Catherine Perkins and one day per fortnight in Grade 3M providing release for Mrs Hibberd to undertake the Key Teacher: Extended Learning.

  Mrs Mel (Melissa) Scharvi is joining us from St Aloysius Catholic College as our new ILRE (Instructional Leader: Religious Education)  and teaching for two days sharing with Mrs Jessica Brumby on Grade 2 Maroon

• Kristen Saal, Isabella Riddock, James Bourke, Gabrielle Collis, Alexander Bennett & Nikeeta King will be joining the support staff as Teacher Assistants in 2025.

As we look to the year ahead in 2025, I hope that we carry the lessons learned, the new friendships made, and treasure the memories created. Next year will be an opportunity to embrace fresh opportunities and continue to grow as a vibrant and supportive community. 

On behalf of the Holy Rosary School community, we wish you a joyous holiday season filled with love, laughter and moments of rest and reflection. Thank you for a remarkable year!

We look forward to welcoming our students back for the first day of school 

on Friday 7th February 2025.

Kind regards,

Susan McGann