Dear Parents & Guardians,

This week we enter the most important time in the Christian calendar - Holy Week. Our students have taken time to reflect on the significance of the events of Holy Week and have provided the school community with moving re-enactments on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday & Good Friday. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday.

Palm Sunday: We started the week by commemorating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, greeted by crowds waving palm branches. This day serves as a reminder of the joyous welcome Jesus received but also foreshadows the events to come.

Holy Thursday: On Holy Thursday, we remember the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, instituting the sacrament of Holy Communion. It's also a time to reflect on Jesus' act of washing his disciples' feet, demonstrating humility and service.

Good Friday: Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a solemn day of remembrance and reflection on the sacrifice he made for humanity. We contemplate the significance of his suffering and death, as well as the profound love that motivated his sacrifice.
Holy Saturday: Holy Saturday is a day of quiet anticipation, as we await the celebration of Christ's resurrection. It's a time for prayer, contemplation, and preparation for the joyous occasion of Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday: Easter Sunday is the pinnacle of Holy Week, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a day of great joy and hope, as we rejoice in the victory of life over death and the promise of salvation for all who believe.

Please take time to reflect on the profound significance of these events and the deep love that God has shown us through Jesus Christ. I hope that this time is a meaningful and enriching experience for our students and families.

This week we farewell a stalwart of the Holy Rosary School Community - Mrs Sue Reardon. For over thirty years Sue has been a parent, teacher assistant, and our business manager. As Sue prepares for a new chapter in her life, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for her unwavering dedication, tireless effort, and invaluable contributions to our school.  Sue has been integral to the prudent financial running of the school and has assisted with many of the building projects - both planned and those caused by unexpected events! Whilst Sue will be dearly missed, her legacy of compassion, integrity and dedication will continue to inspire us for time to come. We hope that Sue will be blessed with joy and fulfilment in her future journey.

Thank you to all our students for joining in our Easter Hat Parade yesterday morning. We had a great turnout! 

We are very appreciative of the generous donations from our families and Woolworths (Eastlands) via Ashlee Oakley for our Easter Raffle prizes. We were able to have 30 prizes that were drawn at our assembly yesterday. Congratulations to all the lucky winners!

Reminder - Kinder 2025 enrolments close for all students, including siblings on Friday 10th May. Please pass this information on to anyone you know who may be interested.

Wishing you all a blessed Holy Week and a joyful Easter celebration. Students finish for the Easter break this afternoon and return to school on Wednesday 3rd April.

Almighty Father, who sent your only Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sin, show me how I can honor you and bring glory to your name, by walking in the way of Jesus. Give me grace and mercy as I try and fail, guidance when I’m not sure which way to go, and wisdom to trust you in all things.

For your love brings light and life to all who seek it.

May I seek you evermore as I walk with you through this Holy Week and beyond.

Amen. 

Holy Week is definitely the most special and sacred time of the Church year, for it is now that we will commemorate and remember the last week of Jesus’ life on earth.  The forty days of Lent that focus on self-sacrifice, giving to the poor and prayer make way for our greatest focus – the Passion (suffering) and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the events that led up to it. 

During this week, Holy Rosary Catholic School staff and students will came together to reflect upon these events; celebrating the significance of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and then Easter Sunday next term.  I encourage families to take time to discuss what their children saw and experienced as well as reflect on the importance of Holy Week as the heart of our Easter celebrations. 

We thank our Primary Classes for the very moving and inspiring reflections of Holy Week - including Palm Sunday (Grade 3s), Holy Thursday (Grade 4s), Stations of the Cross (Grade 5s) and look forward to Our Grade 6 Presentation of The Resurrection , when we return to school after the Easter Break.

‘May the blessed promise of Christ

Bring joy to your days

Peace to your days and

Hope to your spirit this Easter’

In Grade 3 we were privileged to present a Palm Sunday Liturgy to the school.  All students entering the hall were given a small piece of greenery for their “palm”.  

Sunday is Palm Sunday when we remember how Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem by crowds of people who waved palms and shouted “hosanna.”

Our hosts were Eli and Harlan and our narrators for the role play were Kumitha and Seleena. Vinnie read our prayers of the faithful. Well done to all our readers.  Special thanks to Jude P who stepped in as our donkey on the day, also to Austin H, Kathy and Molly for their roles. 

We all enjoyed singing our two songs, Cloaks and Branches and Bless Our King. 

Palm Sunday is a joyful celebration beginning our Holy Week and we were so proud to share this with the school.

Last week Grade 3 Maroon met our Kinder Buddies for the first time. Teacher Tom introduced us to his class. We had a great time meeting them. Here are some photos of us playing together.

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all who donated and purchased tickets.

A huge thank you to Tam Wiggins who donated her time putting all of the wonderful prizes together. 

Special thanks to Ashlee Oakley from Woolworths Shoreline for choosing our school to receive a very generous donation towards our raffle. 

Breakfast club will resume on the 3rd & 4th of April.