Volume 3
- Host families wanted for the Benedictine Exchange Program
We have one spot available for hosting only, for an Irish male international student.
We are looking for families (ideally from Stage 5, ie. Year 9 and 10) who are willing to be a host family only for our Benedictine Exchange Program. You would be required to host an international student during July/August for approximately 4 weeks, have a separate room for the student, and no desire for your student to travel in return.
Hosting an international exchange student is a great opportunity to encourage connection in your home, community, and the wider world, cultivating life-long friendships, make a difference in a young person’s life as well as gain a new perspective on your life and have some fun!
If you are interested, please email exchangeprogram@rosebank.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible.
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Principal's Message
One of my first distinct memories of joining Rosebank was in March 2020 when I sat in the front row of the musical, Legally Blonde. While I was immersed in the story, it was the orchestra that caught my eye. Students from across all years formed the orchestra playing the entire musical score. I was amazed at the level of expertise, and it was then and there I knew I had come to an extraordinary school.
But the richness is in what we don’t always measure.
I had the pleasure of watching our musical troupe rehearse for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this week. It occurred to me that so many educational benefits transpire before the show even begins. The value and richness of the preparation are profound. Here we have students of all ages, girls and boys, engaged in a production that requires them to take risks and be vulnerable, accept feedback, collaborate, and problem solve. The musical provides natural differentiation that allows our students to invest in their strengths, commit to the stretch that will ready them for performance and work with others for the group's overall success. I witnessed a culture this week that is positive and infectious. Dancers off stage cheered actors and musicians. The musical celebrates students you will never see on the night who work behind the scenes working in production, sound, set creation and design. Our teachers have sacrificed enormous time for these students, yet despite the long hours, they are certain that the impact on the lives of our students will be lifelong. Feast your eyes on the promotional video above.
And finally, another achievement for our Creative Arts team, two of our students' 2022 HSC major works have been selected for the ARTEXPRESS.
Clarissa Love for her animation piece is on display at the Hazelhurst Arts Centre between 11 February - 10 April 2023 and Hugo Daly for his photo media piece on display at Sydney Olympic Park Armory Gallery between 6 March - 16 April 2023.
Congratulations.
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Ms Iris Nastasi
Principal
From the Assistant Principal
The calendar tells us that summer is behind us and that the cooler days of autumn are looming. However, as we well know, there are no doubt still many days of sunshine and warm weather ahead, so please continue to remind your children to make use of the sunscreen we provide in dispensers around the College. We also remind students that the Rosebank cap must be worn on Thursday afternoons if partaking in outdoor PACE activities. Students are also welcome and encouraged to wear their cap, or Rosebank sunhat any time they are outside for a lesson or enjoying a break.
On Wednesday, 8 March, International Women's Day is recognised globally. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity. We certainly don’t have to look further than our own homes, classrooms and workspaces to be reminded about the exceptional contribution women make in all aspects of our lives, both personal and professional. We also recognise the importance of continuing to seek out opportunities to add our voice to projects and initiatives that support the advancement and inclusion of women. Rosebank College Captain, Lola Arnold and Vice Captains Erika Okubo-Fleming and Lorena Mifsud will accompany Ms Belinda Clark, Dean of Pastoral Care as guests of Catholic Schools NSW, to the International Women's Day Breakfast in the city. This is an important networking opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements and to connect, inspire and be inspired. Speakers will include the Hon. Sarah Mitchell MLC and Ms Pure Car MP and we look forward to hearing back from our captains about their experience.
Perhaps International Women's Day will also serve to inspire our Year 7 parents, as they rifle through the dress-up box in preparation for Book Character Day next week on Friday, 17 March. I will be keeping an eye out for Amelia Earhart, Nancy Drew, Matilda and Hermione Granger and hope the boys can be just as inspired to represent some of their literary heroes.
No doubt this popular event will be tinged in green as we celebrate St Patrick’s Day and also enjoy a breakfast BBQ fundraiser in support of our students attending World Youth Day in Portugal later this year. I thank parents for encouraging your children to support our Shrove Tuesday fundraiser which was a tremendous success and hope that our students contribute once again and enjoy all of the activities next Friday.
Remaining focused on learning, our Year 12 students and parents will participate in their Learning Progress Meetings on Tuesday, 14 March, before we come together socially once again to enjoy the College Musical which kicks off on Thursday, 16 March.
Until then, have a blessed week.
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Mr Paul Hardwick
Assistant Principal
📽️ Year 7 Camp
What makes a community?
It is in the penultimate chapter of the Rule that Benedict expresses in unvarnished and uncompromising terms what the heart of community life is:
This is the zeal that members of the community are to practise with most fervent love:
Each should try to be the first to honour the other” (Cf Romans 12.10), bearing one another’s weaknesses of body or behaviour with the utmost patience and competing with one another in obedience. No one is to pursue what is judged better for one’s self, but rather what is better for others. They are to show to one another the purest love; to God, loving fear; and to the leader of the community, sincere and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he lead us all together to life everlasting. (RB 72)
A Benedictine community, like all Christian communities, is made up of women and men who have, in one way or another, answered and responded to a call to “come and see” and then “to stay a while”. Unlike our families, Rosebank is a family or a community of choice - I have chosen to come here, I have been asked to stay.
And this community of choice is built upon Christ. All Christian communities across the ages, in all their diverse and creative dimensions, are, at their heart, a response to the call of Jesus to follow him. Christian communities are, as Benedict, and I have no doubt, Scholastica as well, knew well, families of choice made up of groups of imperfect and fallible human beings who, for the most part, seek to discern God’s will for them in the context of their place and time. Benedict writing with great realism and pastoral care says:
Therefore we intend to establish a school for the Lord’s service. In doing so, we hope to introduce nothing harsh or burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness to correct faults or safeguard love. Do not be daunted immediately and flee from the way of salvation which is bound to be narrow at its beginning. But as we advance in this way of life and in faith, we shall run the way of God’s commandments with expanded hearts overflowing with the inexpressible sweetness of love. (RB Prologue 45-49)
And the engine that drives community building? Mutual love built on Christ who loved me first, who served me first, and who is present to me in my sisters and brothers around me - colleagues, students, parents and fellow-travellers.
Our daily Mindfulness Moment is a way of opening a space for me to bring to heart and mind the gift of this community in our common seeking after God. Australian Cistercian monk, Michael Casey, in commenting on the need for faithfulness to prayer in the monastery offers an insight that I think our community here at Rosebank can ponder. Regular prayer and meditation nourishes and sustains our community life. Casey writes:
As holiness increases, so weaknesses are reduced and rebellious impulses are restrained. Growth in patience makes us less reactive to the rampant idiocies around us. Authentic charity sows the seeds of empathy in us so that we can no longer be threatened by differences. When holiness attains a critical mass in the community the common life poses fewer problems. (Coenobium, p57)
Every morning at 8am the Ministry Team, joined by other “seekers” meets in the Chapel for prayer. It is a way of starting the day and putting God at its heart. Our prayer encompasses our Rosebank community. And at midday every day, other than Thursday, the community stops for five minutes of prayer beginning with the Angelus and then entering into several minutes of stillness and silence. I am convinced that these moments in our day will help us grow as a place where all are welcome, where all are included; and where all are open to experiencing the love and peace that passes all human understanding.
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Dr Paul O’Shea
Dean of Ministry
Music Excursion
On Monday, 27 February, the Year 11 and 12 (Stage 6) Music students accompanied by Mrs Hill and Ms Hanrahan-Tan attended ENCORE 2023. It was an amazing show that showcased to us what the standard of exemplary performances and compositions are for our upcoming HSC. There were a range of instruments from voice to drums, lute to double bass, and much more which showed us that anything is possible.
My favourites of the show were: a drummer paying tribute to the late Taylor Hawkins, a string and piano quartet featuring the double bass playing 'Gothic Carousel', an electric guitarist playing Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'Couldn’t Stand the Weather' and a vocalist singing 'Back to Black'. This show was amazing and gave us a goal to work towards and look forward to in the future. I highly recommend buying tickets for next year's show if you are interested in doing music for your HSC!
Natalia Buzo
Year 11
On Monday afternoon, Year 11 and 12 Elective Music students had the opportunity to travel to the Sydney Opera House to watch this year's production of ENCORE. ENCORE is a program of outstanding performances and compositions by students from schools across NSW, presented for the 2022 HSC Music examinations. The selection of exemplary works showcased various styles of music, genres and instruments. After watching the show, we were all amazed and inspired by the talented students, and witnessed their passion for performing arts shine through.
Mia-Rose Lombardo
Year 12
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đź“· Science Club
On two Term 1 Fridays during Break 2, Year 7 have been invited to be a part of the Year 7 Science Club, run by our Year 12 Science Captain, Marcus Kostagiannis. This club is an awesome opportunity for Year 7 students to build their confidence in science experiments and have fun with their friends all at the same time!
In Week 4, students performed an experiment. The challenge was set from the start; whoever had the biggest balloon would get a special feature in our College Newsletter. Armando Errichiello from Cassidy managed to make a huge balloon and this is what he had to say about the experiment and Science Club itself:
“The science experiment was about putting vinegar in a conical flask, then placing bicarbonate soda in a balloon and putting the balloon onto the flask. Then, we had to flip the balloon so the bicarbonate soda falls into the vinegar and it will have a reaction, causing air to come out and bubbles to rise, which makes the balloon inflate. This experiment was fun because we got to see the reaction and we were having a competition between each other!”
So if you are in Year 7 and you are looking for some fun on a Friday lunch, come to J212 where Marcus, Miss Pfefferman and I will be waiting for you with an absolutely awesome experiment!
Happy Sciencing!!
Miss Jacqueline Danaskos
Science Teacher
Year 10 Pastoral Care Day
On Friday, 17 March, Year 10 students will be involved in a number of presentations as part of our EmpowerED Program at the College. The sessions provide relevant information that will enable them to make informed choices around consent, personal responsibility, current laws, and staying safe in today’s society. With the cohort split into genders, our guest presenters Brent Sanders and Trent Southworth will tailor the day to the specific gender needs of our students.
Mr Peter Mavritsakis
Assistant Dean of Pastoral Care (Senior School)
College Colloquy
This year, as part of the InspirED Program, we are launching the College Colloquy for students from Years 9 to 12. The College Colloquy will offer students the opportunities to engage with the intellectual life of Sydney. Students who are interested will be offered a multitude of opportunities to attend after-school and evening events where speakers will discuss topics from philosophy, politics, the law, social justice issues through to the latest scientific breakthroughs from the PhD students completing the research. This will also include opportunities to be part of the Q&A audience, attend the Festival of Dangerous Ideas and other similar events. Students will be on the mailing list about all of these sorts of events and simply sign up for the ones they wish to attend.
Apart from personal interest, these sorts of events are useful to students studying Economics, Society and Culture, Modern History and Legal Studies.
Over the next couple of weeks, as part of the College Colloquy, there is an opportunity for students to attend a live stream of two panel discussions hosted by Dr Simon Longstaff of The Ethics Centre. These will be viewed at the College, followed by a discussion hosted over afternoon tea.
- The Ethics of Protest – 13 March, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
- The Ethics of Punishment – 22 March, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Students who wish to sign up can do so via the InspirED Booklet, or contact Ms McArthur via email.
On Monday, 27 February, a group of students were fortunate enough attend the 2023 Gandhi Oration at UNSW. This is an event held annually since 2012, in memory of Mahatma Gandhi and his commitment to human rights. Each year’s spotlight differs depending on the social climate of the world. This year’s topic was The Voice to Parliament, a topic that is very relevant to Australians now.
We were privileged to hear Pat Anderson AO and Professor Megan Davis, two inspirational First Nations women who played a major role in coordinating the collaboration required for the creating of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which is the central motivation for the referendum to be held later in 2023 regarding an Indigenous voice to Parliament.
Pat Anderson is an Alyawarre woman and a well known social justice advocate. She spoke about why The Voice is needed, but also about the importance of the role the Australian public will play in pushing forward a positive outcome from the referendum. Afterwards, Megan Davis, a globally recognised international human rights lawyer who has worked with the United Nations, spoke about the misconceptions regarding The Voice, such as the disinformation about the intention of The Voice.
History is calling and we, as young Australians, must answer it. This is especially true for senior students many of whom will vote in the referendum. A 'yes' vote will be a big step towards resolving social justice issues related to the failed Closing the Gap initiatives and ensuring that there is a consistent and long term approach through constitutional recognition, rather than petitions to parliament whenever there is a new Federal Government or a cabinet reshuffle. As young people we should accept this call to action to create justice for a community that has long been disregarded and discriminated against.
Speaking with a UNSW Law Professor at the end of the evening, we learned that anyone who has turned 16 can register to vote. This means that as soon as you turn 18 and you are eligible to vote, you can walk into a polling booth and have your say on your own future.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable and informative evening.
Adelaide Brokenshire and Matilda Meidling
Year 11
For more information about the above opportunities, please email cmcarthur@rosebank.nsw.edu.au
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Ms Cheryl McArthur
Gifted Education Teacher
đź“· PACE News
Click here to view full Rep and Club Sport results (Term 1)
Year 9 Registrations for the Bronze Duke of Ed Award Now Open
The Bronze Duke of Ed Award is the first level of the Duke of Ed Award Program and registrations are now open to Year 9 students who would like to participate. This is an optional program, however Year 9 students are strongly encouraged to take up the opportunity to participate as it allows them to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world while developing important life skills.
All Year 9 parents and students have been emailed further information regarding this. If you have any questions please email mdibella@rosebank.nsw.edu.au.
Get involved and start your Duke of Ed journey today!
Ms Maryanne Di Bella
PACE Coordinator - Cultural and Diverse Activities
NSW All Schools Triathlon
On Thursday, 22 February Jacob Wong (Year 8) and William Locke (Year 7) represented Rosebank in the NSW All Schools Triathlon Individual Event at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith. The event included a 400m swim, 10km cycle and 2km run. They both enjoyed the experience of racing against some of the best athletes in the state and raced with grit and determination. These same qualities were then on show again by the girls competing in the Triathlon Team Event on Friday, 23 February. Our junior girls team of Olivia Locke (swim), Piper Toelleatkinson (bike) and Isabel Wong (run) were fearless and will be looking to build on their performance in future years. Our two senior teams of Lily Borozan (swim), Anna Concannon (bike), Zara Lockhart (run), and Amelia Schneider (swim), Lola Arnold (bike) and Caitlin Davar (run) battled it out across a 400m swim, 15km cycle and 3km run. Congratulations to all of our triathletes for representing Rosebank so well and with such great school spirit! 
Weekly Rep Sport
Our Term 1 weekly Representative Sport teams are off to a flying start in the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Basketball, Touch Football and Water Polo competitions. The Boys Senior Water Polo team and Boys Intermediate Water Polo team are sitting neck and neck with Marcellin College at the top of the ladder, with their strength in the water blowing away the opposition teams. The Girls Water Polo teams are progressing nicely, with their great teamwork and camaraderie a massive talking point amongst opposition teams. The Basketball teams are determined to make amends for some close losses in the second half of the season, whilst the Touch Football teams have shown that they’re in contention to win the Conference with some strong wins. The Boys Junior Touch Football team as well as the Boys Intermediate Touch Football team are leading the pack, with a number of schools right on their heels. All the Rep Sport students are determined to put their best foot forward as they continue to build on their teamwork and skills in the lead up to the finals at the end of the term. We look forward to seeing what all of the teams can achieve.
Sydney Catholic Schools Touch Football Team Selection
On Monday and Tuesday, 20-21 February, seven Rosebank students were selected to trial for a spot in the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Touch Football team. Congratulations to the following students who were successful in gaining selection and will now represent SCS at the NSWCCC Touch Football Championships in Wagga Wagga in April this year:
- Rhiannon Bonner (Year 10)
- Kristen Tannous (Year 11)
- Kate Le Roux (Year 8)
- Rory Leaver (Year 10)
- Xavier Busch (Year 12) - shadow player
NSWCCC Cricket Selection
A massive congratulations to Jack Clark (Year 11) who has been selected into the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) Cricket team. As part of this team, Jack competed at the NSW All Schools Cricket Championships in Barooga from Tuesday, 28 February - Thursday, 2 March. The CCC team won their first game but unfortunately dropped their final two games in the week-long competition. Congratulations Jack, everyone at Rosebank is very proud of you!
Rep Sport Gala Day Nominations
Nominations to represent Rosebank in a Term 2 Representative Sport Gala Day are now open. If you are interested in trying out, please complete the relevant nomination form before the closing date:
- Cross Country - nominations close on Thursday, 23 March
Boys and Girls Cross Country (All ages) - Boys Netball - nominations close on Thursday, 6 April
Boys Junior Netball (7 and 8)
Boys Intermediate Netball (Year 9 and 10) - Table Tennis - nominations close on Tuesday, 7 March
Boys Junior Table Tennis (Year 7 and 8)
Boys Intermediate Table Tennis (Year 9 and 10)
Boys Senior Table Tennis (Year 11 and 12)
Girls Junior Table Tennis (Year 7 and 8)
Girls Intermediate Table Tennis (Year 9 and 10)
Girls Senior Table Tennis (Year 11 and 12) - Gymnastics - nominations close on Monday, 5 June
Boys and Girls Gymnastics (All year groups) - European Handball - nominations close on Thursday, 6 April
Boys Senior European Handball (Year 11 and 12)
Girls Senior European Handball (Year 10, 11 and 12) - Chess - nominations close on Thursday, 16 March
Boys and Girls Chess (All year groups) - Golf - nominations close on Tuesday, 13 June
Boys and Girls Golf (All year groups)
Ms Annalisa Di Bella
PACE Coordinator - Representative Activities
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SRSC News
Book Character Day
Year 7 and all staff are invited to come to school on Friday, 17 March 2023 dressed as their favourite book character. Book Character Day is a proud and well-loved tradition of Rosebank College, so we urge all students to get into the spirit for the event. Students do not have to spend a lot of money on their costumes, but we do encourage creativity as prizes will be awarded. Please come to the SRSC before school to show off your costumes and talk about your favourite characters. We have lots of photos from past years pinned up outside the SRSC for your inspiration and entertainment. See if you can spot some of our teachers among them! Character Day is just one of the exciting events planned for Literacy and Numeracy Week in Week 7, so stay tuned.
Premier's Reading Challenge
The 2023 Premier's Reading Challenge is OPEN!!!!! Only 20 books to go!!!!!!! Don't be afraid, it ends in August so there is PLENTY of time left.
Year 7's have received their new Rosebank logins, and ALL students in Years 7-10 are welcome to start adding their reads to their Student Reading Records now. We are very pleased to say that Rosebank already has 71 students registered to complete the challenge which is amazing!! We have already beaten our record for 2022. Well done, Rosebank!
Visit the PRC website for more information or to start logging your books. SRSC staff can assist students at any time with finding that next scrumptious read whether it be a physical book, eBook or Audiobook. In the meantime, checkout the 2023 Children's Book Council of Australia Notables list for Older and Younger Readers. We have most of these titles already available in the SRSC.
Reading Hour with Australia Reads
Speaking of reading, how much do we love it? So much! Whether reading aloud with others or between the covers by ourselves, people have always loved stories. Books and storytelling are how we connect, understand and find joy in the world around us. And we know that reading for pleasure reduces stress, improves memory and increases feelings of wellbeing.
Join us in the SRSC on Thursday, 9 March during Breaks 1 and 2 to participate in Australian Reading Hour. All staff and students are welcome to come and find a comfy space in the library and just read to their heart's content. Read anything YOU LIKE to read. Read what makes YOU happy. We would love to see you there. Visit the Australia Reads website for a full list of events happening near you.
Happy Reading!
SRSC Team
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Mrs Leanne Plesa
Library Technician SRSC
From the Archives - Moira Kelly
Divine Inspirations
(Originally published in Sursum Corda 2010)
As a former member of the Young Christian Students at Rosebank College and Archdiocesan Secretary of the Young Christian Workers Movement in Hobart, Moira Kelly (Class of 1968), was deeply influenced by Cardinal Joseph Cardijn.
"His approach of See, Judge and Act has stood me in extremely good stead throughout my life." says Moira, who has made significant contributions to the Theological life of Australia, especially for women.
Moira began her professional life as a social worker, after completing a Social Work degree at the University of Tasmania in 1978.
"l first worked as a State Co-ordinating Officer of the International Year of the Child in Tasmania and then obtained a Social Work job in the Professorial Psychiatric unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital. In March 1980 I was successful in obtaining a Social Work position in what is now known as Cumberland Hospital. I worked there while undertaking post graduate studies at UNSW"' said Moira.
Moira obtained her Master of Social Work and was employed by the Department Of Community Services. While working here, Moira was approached by the Regional Director to be one of two regional trainers responsible for training all the regional staff in the new Child Protection legislation which was introduced in 1988 During this time she obtained Graduate Diploma in Education (Religious Education) from the University of South Australia, majoring in Catholic Studies.
Moira's career took another turn in 1994 when she became an Investigator in the Office the Health Care Complaints and is NSWs longest serving health investigator. "'l have completed a Certificate IV In Government (Investigation) and have also been given investigation training by the federal and NSW Police," said Moira.
Spurred on by her passion in Religious Studies, Moira then completed a Bachelor Of Theology in 1998, majoring in Church History. Into the second semester her degree, Moira began her Master of Theology which she completed In 1999, and was the first woman to study at St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College at Redfern.
Moira was then asked by the Antiochian Orthodox Archbishop Paul Saliba to lecture his priests from Australia and New Zealand on issues ranging from the role of women in the Orthodox Church to the priest as a professional person. This led to Moira assisting Archbishop Saliba plan and establish the St Paul's College of Orthodox Theology.
Moira's quest to further her education saw her turn her attention to law. "I had always wanted to study law but never got around to doing so" said Moira. “I was accepted as a graduate LLB student at the University Of Technology, Sydney. I studied and worked full time.”
Two years, eleven months and seventeen days after starting her LLB studies, Moira had completed the LLB and a Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice and was admitted as lawyer in the Supreme Court of NSW on 17 February 2006, one day shy of her 53rd birthday. Moira attained her Master of Law in 2007.
Moira recalls her time at Rosebank fondly. "The late Sr Mary Ambrose was the boarders' mistress when I was in the School Certificate year (1968) and she was also the Latin teacher. I was the only boarder studying Latin and Sr Ambrose gave me extra tuition. Sr Ambrose decided that for many weeks before the School Certificate exam we would go through all the Leaving Certificate exam papers at Rosebank. Talk about Divine Providence! When I got into the Latin exam there was a huge sense of familiarity with the major Latin prose piece for translation and comprehension exercises. Sr Ambrose and I had translated the same selection a couple of days before. The comprehension questions were also the same. I happily did the exam. As I walked out of the exam room there was a most excited Sr Ambrose who was as pleased as I was!
I also remember the Centenary Mass in 1967; it was a rare privilege to be in the choir for this wonderful occasion".
With such an illustrious career, Moira offers the following advice to today's students; "Given that I have had several 'professional incarnations,' my advice would be to never see yourself trapped into one line of study or work and above all, never think that you are too old to do anything."
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Mr Robert Beazley
College Archivist
Community Links
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