Volume 13 2025

Last week, I had the honour of attending NSW Parliament House with our two outgoing College Captains Lola McKenzie and Olek Szczerbicki. It is the final engagement I will attend with these two outstanding leaders and I could not be prouder of them. Our local Member for Drummoyne Stephanie Di Pasqua MP, gave us a tour of Parliament House along with student leaders from other schools in her electorate. She reminded them that to be an authentic leader they should be true to who they are, to be themselves, to back their aspirations and remember that being in a position to advocate for others is a privilege. I can only hope that our graduates will take this on board and advocate and lead with a Good Samaritan, Benedictine ear and heart. 

These final weeks of Term 3 are bittersweet as we prepare to farewell a remarkable group of graduating students who have given so much to shaping what we mean when we say, This Is Rosebank. Their contributions have been felt across PACE, open days, showcases, rallies, debating and public speaking competitions. They have achieved personal bests in their learning, created special projects and championed the needs of others. We will especially remember their initiative to host a twilight cinema for our new Year 7 students – a thoughtful idea designed to ease the transition into high school, foster friendships and extend a warm Rosebank welcome.

Over the next week, we will get the opportunity to say thank you to Year 12, to celebrate their achievements and join with their parents and families to acknowledge this great milestone.

Our final messages are always steeped in the story of the Good Samaritan. It allows us to circle back as a community to what has and always will be emphasised here; heart, compassion and justice. The parable reinforces that Jesus gives us no permission to define any person as ‘the other’. We celebrate that the Good Samaritan was counter cultural, a courageous individual who turned his back on the social mores of the time and defied society by kneeling by a person deemed to be the ‘other’. Kindness requires strength of character.

Following these reflections on leadership, advocacy and the values that shape our Rosebank community, it feels especially fitting to turn to one of our most meaningful gatherings of the year — the Men Who Matter celebration. This event embodies the same spirit of compassion, connection and courage we seek to nurture in our students.

Men who Matter Celebration

My sincere thanks to all who attended this event on Friday, 5 September. It was a beautiful morning of connection and faith as we welcomed over 350 fathers, grandfathers and significant men in our students’ lives. The Liturgy was both prayerful and deeply engaging. We are especially grateful for the wonderful contribution from current parent Mr Vardanega, whose personal reflection on fatherhood brought the Scripture to life in a meaningful and relatable way.

Hope, Help and the HSC

As the HSC approaches, both students and parents carry the weight of this moment. For students, it can feel like pressure and expectation; for parents, it can be the desire to support while sometimes feeling powerless to ease the load. In this shared experience, remember that education is not simply about results; it is, as Pope Francis reminded us, “an act of hope.” Each page studied and each word written is an investment in a future that will serve the whole community.

St John Paul II urged young people, “Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity." Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” For students, this means trusting in your preparation and courage. For parents, it means encouraging your sons and daughters to believe in themselves, especially when self-doubt creeps in.

Australia’s own St Mary of the Cross MacKillop reminds us, “Do your bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” In these weeks, those “bits of good” may be the quiet discipline of revision, the patience of a supportive word at home, or the simple faith to know that God is present in the midst of exams.

Together, as families, school and parish, we accompany our young people in prayer. May they always remember that their worth is not measured by numbers, but by the love of God and the hope they carry into the world.

St Joan of Arc Parish, Haberfield, has invited all Rosebank College HSC students to a special Mass of prayer and blessing as they prepare for their exams. This celebration is open to any HSC student and their family.  

Date: Sunday, 28 September at 6:00pm

We warmly invite you to contact the Parish if you would like to express your interest or involvement in this special event. Students who wish to assist with the readings are encouraged to reach out directly to Fr Thomas through the Parish Office on 9798 6657.

After Mass, the Welcome & Events Committee will host a pizza supper for everyone to enjoy. To assist with catering, please RSVP by Monday, 24 September on 9798 6657.

Saint Carlo Acutis

Carlo Acutis was born in London on Friday, 3 May 1991 and raised in Milan, Italy. From an early age, Carlo showed a deep love for God, developing a special devotion to the Eucharist, which he described as his “highway to Heaven.” At the same time, he was a typical teenager; he enjoyed playing soccer, spending time with friends and immersing himself in technology and video games. What made Carlo extraordinary was the way he united these ordinary aspects of teenage life with a profound holiness and desire to serve.

Gifted with an aptitude for computers, Carlo taught himself coding, video editing and website design. He used these talents not for his own fame but to evangelise. His most notable project was the creation of a digital exhibition documenting Eucharistic miracles from around the world, which has since travelled internationally and inspired countless people to rediscover their faith. Carlo demonstrated that the tools of the digital age, so often misused, could be harnessed to spread truth, beauty and goodness.

In October 2006, at just 15 years of age, Carlo was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. He offered his suffering for the Church and for the Pope, showing remarkable maturity and trust in God. He died only days later, on Thursday, 12 October 2006. His body rests in Assisi, and his witness continues to inspire people across the world.

Carlo’s life shows students today that holiness is not about being perfect or detached from ordinary life. He loved soccer, video games and hanging out with friends, yet he always placed Christ at the centre. His legacy invites young people to see that sainthood is possible here and now, in the middle of ordinary schoolwork, hobbies and friendships.

For students living in the digital age, Carlo provides a timely model. He reminds us that digital literacy is more than just being safe online, it is about using technology responsibly and creatively to make a positive impact. Carlo became what Pope Francis called “a digital missionary,” showing that the internet can be a place where faith is shared and lives are touched. His example challenges young people to reflect on how their digital presence can be used to build others up rather than tear them down.

On Sunday, 7 September 2025, Carlo Acutis was canonised in St Peter’s Square, Rome. This was an extraordinary moment in living history - he became the first millennial saint and remarkably, only the second saint to be canonised in the presence of his family (St Maria Goretti was the first!). For today’s young people, this canonisation is not a distant story from the past but a milestone they witnessed in their own lifetime, a reminder that sainthood is not reserved for the ancient Church but continues to unfold in our present age. Carlo’s life and canonisation invite us all, especially students, to live with courage, creativity and compassion, using every gift we have, digital and otherwise, for the glory of God and the good of others.

Loving God,

We thank You for the gift of Carlo Acutis, whose youthful faith shines brightly in our time. 

He loved the Eucharist, calling it his ‘highway to Heaven’, and used his talents to share your love through modern technology. 

May his example inspire us to live our lives with joy, faith and compassion. 

Help us to see holiness in the ordinary, to serve others generously and to seek Christ in all that we do. 

Through his intercession, may young people everywhere embrace the call to holiness.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Athletics Success 

Rosebank has enjoyed a record year with our athletics program. The Wednesday Runners Club and the ongoing athletics training program have reaped great results under the tutelage of our experienced international-level athletics coaches and we have increased participation across all levels. 

After the Rosebank Athletics Carnival, 93 students were selected to compete at the Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 2 Athletics Championships. Where a record number of students excelled, putting Rosebank at the forefront of event winner announcements as the day progressed. 

An incredible 44 students were selected to go on to the Sydney Athletics Championships as a part of the SCS Conference 2 Team. There we won a staggering 10 gold medals, 9 silver and 10 bronze. This was an amazing achievement for the College and our athletes should be applauded. 

Gold Medal Recipients:

Ayla Baraniak x 2

• Hugo Macri x 2
• Jake Lapi 
• Joshua Bartle
• Bianka Pavela 
• Raquel Boswell
• Archer Mckenzie
• Madison Allen 

Silver Medal Recipients: 

• Bianka Pavela x 2
• Amelie Wardle   x 2
• Luella Wilson 
• Sergio Duarte 
• Scarlett Hodder-Nabke
• Lily Winoto 
• Isaac O'Brien 

Bronze Medal Recipients:

• Bentley Luketic x 2
• Hartley Dutton x 2
• Dexter Wardle 
• James Digby
• Isadora Dy
• Isaac O'Brien
• Luella Wilson 

Today, we are sending 19 students to the NSWCCC Athletics Championships. We anticipate that this program will continue to grow as our new Year 7 students continue to develop their athletic prowess. Stay tuned for the results in the next newsletter.

Rosebank Netball Club Grand Final

Grand Final day of the Inner West Netball Association winter competition saw an incredible display of Rosebank talent and hard work on the court and just as much passion and energy on the sidelines from their parents and supporters.

A big congratulations to the U14 Div 3 Parrots (Year 8) who were Premiers and to U14 Div 1 Bluebirds (Year 8), U15 Div 2 Kookaburras (Year 9), Cadet Div 3 Sandpipers (Year 11) and Cadet Mixed Div 1 Cranes (Year 8-11) who were runners up.

Rosebank also had 10 students selected to umpire 16 Grand Final games, which is an incredible result and credit to the umpires and their hard work throughout the season and the finals series. 

Congratulations to;

• Imogen Calleja (Year 8)
• Isabelle Calleja (Year 10)
• Sophia Ferrara (Year 12)
• Olivia Gimenez (Year 10)
• Dakota Hammond (Year 12)
• Katia Reichle (Year 10)
• Sienna Roach (Year 10)

Congratulations to the coaches/ex-students;

• Alessandra Bertuccio
• Elizabeth Day
• Vanessa Giardina

Congratulations also to Imogen Calleja (Year 8) for being nominated for the Inner West Netball Association Debbie Talty Umpires Encouragement Award.

Gabriel Park shines at the NSW Senior State SC Swimming Championships

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of Gabriel Park (Year 9), who recently competed at the NSW Senior State Short Course Championships. Gabriel's hard work, dedication and commitment to training paid off in an outstanding performance on the state stage.

Competing against some of the state’s best athletes, Gabriel delivered exceptional swims, demonstrating not only talent but also determination and sportsmanship. 

Congratulations, Gabriel, on this fantastic achievement – you have made the Rosebank community proud! Your efforts inspire all of us to chase our own personal bests, in sport and beyond.

SCS Sydney Hockey Championships

Rosebank proudly sent two teams to the recent Sydney Catholic Schools Hockey Sydney Championships. Our Junior Girls team dominated the tournament, going through undefeated and securing the gold medal with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Bethany College in the grand final.

Our Intermediate Boys team narrowly missed out on a finals spot by just one goal, but delivered an exceptional performance throughout the competition. Both teams represented Rosebank with excellence and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.

Duke of Edinburgh Success

Congratulations to the following students who have recently completed their Bronze Duke of Ed Award. What a fantastic achievement! 

• Alexander De-Filippi (Year 10)
• Madeleine McGrath (Year 10)
• Nathan Olivera (Year 10)

As the Vice Captain of Learning for 2025-26, I am delighted to share the learning teams’ plans for the upcoming year with the Rosebank community. Our Curriculum Captains are highly passionate about their respective subjects and work hard behind the scenes to create exciting initiatives that aim to aid Rosebank students in their studies and inspire joy for learning. We have already seen some excellent learning initiatives this year, such as Maths at Lunch, History Helpers and the Archimedes Challenge.

We aim to cultivate a strong learning culture at Rosebank by collaborating across curriculums. Our goal is to make learning more engaging, interactive and collaborative. We look forward to sharing even more of our initiatives.

Coming up this term, is our HSC Major Works Showcase Assembly, at which our talented Year 12 students will present their major works to the Rosebank community. These Year 12s have worked tirelessly over the past year to create impressive pieces and this showcase will be a great opportunity to applaud their hard work, as well as inspire future HSC students.

On behalf of the student learning team, I would like to wish the Year 12s all the best for their upcoming HSC exams! You have worked hard and that effort should fill you with confidence. 

I would also like to extend these well wishes to my fellow Year 11s, who are in the middle of their Preliminary Exams. The Curriculum Captains and I look forward to providing these students with support and encouragement over this challenging period.

During their recent stay in Australia, our Italian exchange students immersed themselves in life at Rosebank and beyond, gaining valuable insights into our College culture and daily routines. They quickly noticed the unique school spirit, the smooth organisation of classes and the relaxed, welcoming learning environment that encourages students to participate and thrive.  

One of the first things we noticed was the strong emphasis Australian schools place on school spirit. Compared with Italian schools, there is a greater sense of belonging, with students showing pride in being part of their school community. This spirit could be felt in daily life, creating a welcoming and engaging atmosphere.

We were also impressed by the school organisation. Classes and activities ran smoothly and everything appeared well-structured. We particularly appreciated that school started later in the morning, making the beginning of the day feel more relaxed.

Another aspect that stood out to us was the use of uniforms. On the one hand, they were extremely convenient—there was no need to think about what to wear each morning. On the other hand, wearing the same clothes every day meant fewer opportunities to express ourselves through personal style. This balance between convenience and individuality was interesting to experience.

Overall, the learning environment in Australian schools felt more relaxed than in Italian schools. This more informal atmosphere helped students feel comfortable and confident in class, encouraging active participation.

We would like to end by sincerely thanking the College and families who welcomed us so warmly. Your hospitality made this experience unforgettable and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to learn, explore and grow during our time in Australia.

Registration for Rosebank's Term 3 Holiday Program is now open!

Our September/October Holiday Program runs from Monday, 29 September to Friday, 10 October, offering a variety of engaging and inclusive experiences for children aged 5 to 12. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to build friendships, express creativity, develop skills and experience the welcoming spirit of Rosebank College.

These holidays we are excited to offer the following programs:

Adventure Arts

A hands-on, one-day experience for young creatives who love to build, paint, sculpt and explore. Children will work with natural materials and create art inspired by the outdoors. This is arts and crafts with a wild, adventurous twist — perfect for curious minds who like to get messy and think outside the box.

Dance

A joyful, all-inclusive, contemporary dance workshop that builds confidence, rhythm and creative expression. Whether your child is just starting out or already loves to move, this one-day program offers fun, freedom and connection through movement.

Specialised Sport – Football

Designed to develop technical skills and game awareness, this two-day program includes one-on-one coaching and small group sessions. Participants will take part in a variety of activities—such as games, drills and skills workshops—focused on key areas. Children will work on running with the ball, one-on-ones, striking/passing and first touch.

Multi-Sport Program

Our signature three-day program features high-energy games, movement-based challenges and team-building activities across a variety of sports. It is ideal for kids who love to move and try everything.

Ready to Register?

Click the link to create an account and reserve your child’s place.  

Spaces are limited and expected to fill quickly, especially for our new and specialised programs. Rosebank Holiday Programs are a fantastic way for your child to discover new interests, build friendships and experience the vibrant Rosebank community in a fun, supportive environment.

For more information on program details and pricing, or to share with friends and family, please visit our website.