Introducing Stage 3
Building Connections, Continuity and Culture
Key points
- Rosebank College is introducing Stage 3 starting with Year 5 from 2027
- Families will have an opportunity to start at Rosebank in Year 5 or join the cohort in Year 7
- This opportunity will be offered to up to 90 students based on our existing enrolment criteria.
- Rosebank will be the only co-educational independent Catholic school in the area to provide education from Year 5 - Year 12
- We will not be significantly increasing the size of our student population and our long-term plan is to reduce the size of the secondary cohorts over time.
A New Era for Rosebank College
The Rosebank College Board is pleased to announce that Rosebank College will expand its educational offerings to include Year 5 in 2027, followed by Year 6 in 2028. This significant development marks a unique milestone, making Rosebank the only co-educational independent Catholic school in the area to provide continuous education from Year 5 through to Year 12. This allows us to bring our Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition to younger students in our local community.
This new Stage 3 program will provide a seamless transition from primary to secondary learning that focuses on building connection, continuity and community. By establishing a framework that supports students academically, emotionally and socially from Year 5 onward, students will be confident and capable, ready for the challenges and opportunities of high school.
The Rosebank Board and Leadership Team have worked closely together to develop this exciting strategy and will continue to work closely with our community as we prepare for this new development. We look forward to sharing all that shines here at Rosebank with a younger cohort and having a lasting impact on the next generation of Rosebank.
“There is already a pattern within the inner west where students change schools at the end of Year 4. And for a long time now, parents have been asking Rosebank to be part of this. Well, now we can say we will be.”
Iris Nastasi, Principal
Supporting Student Wellbeing
Rosebank College’s new Stage 3 program is designed to support students academically, socially and emotionally. Our approach prioritises a well-rounded educational experience, emphasising a smooth transition between stages, creating a culture of belonging and continuity from Year 5 through to Year 12.
By joining us in Year 5, students can build a strong sense of belonging and continuity, helping them thrive as they progress through their schooling journey. However, regardless of when you choose to join the Rosebank community - whether it is in Year 5, Year 7 or in any other Year group - we will ensure your child is well-supported during this time of change through our exceptional transition program.
Expanding Opportunities for Families
In addition to the social, emotional and educational benefits for students, the change also ensures long-term viability for the College and will keep up with the growing demand in the area.
Rosebank College is a highly sought-after school in the inner west, and the general demand for co-education, as well as the pattern of changing schools at the end of Year 4, is increasing. By adding Stage 3 for boys and girls, Rosebank will provide local families with an opportunity to join the community from an earlier age.
Purpose-Built Facilities
Stage 3 students will have their own dedicated space in the College with access to the facilities and resources that the wider College provides, including music and drama rooms, science labs, sporting facilities and diverse learning spaces. Additionally, plans are already underway to develop specialised learning areas with special care to maintain the learning and experience of our current students with minimal disruption.
FAQs
When will you introduce Stage 3?
We will introduce students in Year 5 from Term 1, 2027 and Year 6 from 2028.
My child is enrolled for Year 7 2029, how will this affect me?
If you are currently on the 2029 waitlist you do not need to do anything. The College will contact you to further outline your enrolment options. If you are currently on the 2029 waitlist you do not need to do anything. The College will contact you to further outline your enrolment options. The same enrolment criteria will apply for Year 5 as it does for all new students looking to enrol at Rosebank.
What if I don’t want to send my child in Year 5 2027, will this affect my child’s application for Year 7?
Your child’s enrolment will not be affected if you choose not to start in Year 5. The same enrolment criteria will apply for Year 5 as it does for all new students looking to enrol at Rosebank.
Rosebank already has a large student population, how will you fit more onto the campus?
We will not be significantly increasing the size of our student population and our long-term plan is to reduce the size of the secondary cohorts over time. Additionally, we will be maximising the spaces we already have as well as adding more learning areas for our current students.
Stage 3 students will have their own dedicated space in the College with access to the facilities and resources that the wider College provides, including music and drama rooms, science labs, sporting facilities and diverse learning spaces. Additionally, plans are already underway to develop specialised learning areas with special care to maintain the learning and experience of our current students with minimal disruption.
Why did Rosebank make this decision?
In making this decision, the Board would have been mindful of its responsibility to ensure the financial stewardship and ongoing delivery of high-quality education and the co-curricular experiences of Rosebank. This, coupled with both demographic and enrolment data, show a strong interest within our community for a co-educational and contemporary Catholic education. Additionally, there is a pattern in the inner west of students changing schools at the end of Year 4. By making this change, we are responding to our local community’s desire for Rosebank to become a Stage 3 school.
What will the fees be for Stage 3?
As you consider becoming part of our school community, we would like to give you a clear picture of how fees will work for Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6).
We expect that fees for Stage 3 will be slightly lower than those for Year 7, which is in line with how many schools’ structure their fees for Year 5–12 programs. However, it is important to note that government funding beyond 2027 is still uncertain. This may affect the final fees set for those years, but we will keep families informed as we know more.
To help make things more manageable, our building levy will continue to be charged per family—not per student. This means families with more than one child at the school will not be paying extra.
We will also be offering sibling discounts for Year 5 and 6 students who have older siblings already enrolled. We are currently finalising the updated sibling discount structure for 2027 and will share full details later this year. At this stage, we are planning for two levels of discount—one for the first sibling, and a larger one for the second and any additional siblings.
We are committed to keeping education affordable and accessible for all families.
I’m worried the change and the ongoing building works will affect my child who is already in high school. How will you mitigate this?
Over the past 20 years, the College has managed a substantial building program and not impacted the learning culture. Building works for this will be small-scale in comparison and we remain committed to our dynamic and always-improving learning culture.
How will the Kings Bay Village development affect Stage 3 Students?
Over the past few months, we have been actively working in close collaboration with Deicorp and the City of Canada Bay Council to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff throughout every stage of the project.
The Development Application (DA) is expected to be approved by the end of June 2025, with demolition scheduled to commence shortly thereafter. State Government approval is also anticipated within this timeframe.
Currently we are working with Deicorp and appropriate authorities regarding:
- Comprehensive traffic management planning
- Effective waste removal protocols
- Strict control of noise and vibration levels.
Our priority is to ensure minimal disruption to learning and school life. We will continue to monitor the project closely and advocate for measures that safeguard our College community, both during construction and after the development is complete.
How integrated to the rest of the College will the Stage 3 children be?
Students will also have access to the facilities and resources that the wider College provides, including music and drama rooms, sporting facilities and diverse learning spaces.
How many new students will be coming in this new cohort?
This opportunity will be offered to up to 90 students based on our existing enrolment criteria. We will seek an expression of interest from current families this Term - Term 2 2025 for enrolments in Year 5 2027.
What will the uniform be?
Details of the Stage 3 uniform will be made available in 2026.
Will the children be involved with College-wide activities like the Swimming and Athletics carnivals, Presentation evenings and Mass/Assemblies?
The College is currently a member of SCS competition and Stage 3 will become part of the program and take advantage of the broad range of activities and pathways including swimming, athletics and other sports.
The College is looking at ways to integrate our Stage 3 students with the wider College community but still give them many opportunities to thrive in their own cohort.
What are the leadership opportunities for Stage 3 students?
Stage 3 students will have leadership opportunities appropriate to their age, including class representative roles, peer support initiatives, buddy system and involvement in student voice activities that foster responsibility and confidence.
How will this benefit my child?
By starting sooner, your child will be able to build connections with Rosebank from an earlier age - this will help with their transition to secondary school. Our younger cohort will be able to access our state-of-the-art facilities while making friends and establishing strong bonds as they move to Year 7. Rest assured that regardless of when you choose to enrol your child at Rosebank, they will be well supported throughout their transition period and beyond. Our Year 7 transition program will remain of the highest quality.
How can I contact the College in regards to Stage 3?
You can contact us via email: communications@rosebank.nsw.edu.au.