Volume 6 2025

On Sunday, 4 May Rosebank opened its gates to our community to showcase in particular, what a wonderful learning community we are. I say community first because we all know that when students are connected, when they feel a sense of belonging, this is where the most learning occurs. I remind our students regularly that they are the school and we shine when they shine. 

Open Day was a celebration of all that is achieved here through learning, including the arts,  sport and competition. Of course, this cannot happen without a dedicated staff and I thank each and every one for the tremendous impact they have on our Rosebank students. 

Thank you to every parent who supported our students' attendance at Open Day. You would have been so proud to see them act as tour guides, to watch them dance, sing, promote key learning areas and describe their passions. They represent themselves as confident communicators and great advocates for their school. A special thank you also to the more than 60 parent volunteers who came to support us. Your work has contributed to raising close to $10,000  which will go toward the ongoing improvements to the Downside rooftop. This area will become a versatile space for both Year 12 students and a hub for our hospitality and social events.

My Principal Address always gives me an opportunity to revisit my vision for learning which has remained steadfast to two Gonski priorities; 

1.) Equipping every student to grow and succeed in a changing world.
2.) Raising and achieving ambitions through innovation and continuous improvement.

We do this of course within a proud Catholic, contemporary, co educational community, one strongly backed by our Good Samaritan Benedictine heritage which ensures we remain a diverse community,  where all of God’s children are welcome.

Last week our staff heard from Mark A. Williams the author of The Connected Species. His work explores the importance of connection among human beings and the dangers of technology.

While I celebrate technology and the opportunities it brings in learning and how we as educational leaders are committed to harness these learnings and opportunities, I am completely opposed to our students having smart phones in their pockets or hands at school. We find that even if their phones are in their pockets, vibration from notifications operate as a distactor and Mark Williams confirms this. He argues that;

• As a society we are less productive than we were fifteen years ago. For every notification, be it a sound or vibration on the phone, (whether we follow up and read the message or not), we lose 90 seconds. 
• Face-to-face connection is vital  - more parts of our brain are active when we sit and chat with someone.
• Sleep is very  important - it helps our knowledge and memories shift from temporary memory into long term memory.  Mobile phones can be an inhibitor for sleep.

I would also add that overtired teenagers are not always at their best online, and this can impact how they interact with others.

I am asking for your continued support in this matter. Many students tell us that they carry their phones because their parents want to stay in touch during the day. Please rest assured that your child can be contacted at any time through our General Office, and we fully support students accessing their phones after the final bell rings.

At Rosebank, we strive to make our school a space free from mobile phones—a rare environment where our students can disconnect from digital demands. Thank you, as always, for your support in helping us maintain this.

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Last Friday morning, our community gathered in deep appreciation for the extraordinary women who shape our lives - our mothers, grandmothers, carers and all the special female figures who love, guide and inspire us.

Families gathered for a delicious, sharing special moments and meaningful conversation. Following breakfast, we celebrated Liturgy - giving thanks to God for the selfless love, strength and guidance of the women who shape our lives and our future. 

Mornings like these remind us of the powerful bonds that unite our community in faith, gratitude and love. 

To Our Amazing Parent Volunteers

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible team of 65 parent volunteers who brought energy, enthusiasm and generosity to this year’s Open Day Food Court. Their tireless efforts created a warm and welcoming atmosphere that truly showcased the spirit of our community.

Throughout the day, our parent team served up an impressive 1,800 sausage sizzles, scooped 13 litres of delicious gelato, and sold 400 cans of soft drink to hungry visitors. The ever-popular Cake Stall was completely sold out by day’s end, and the Mother’s Day Raffle raised over $1,200 on the day.

We are deeply grateful for the support of our parent community. Your contribution truly made a difference!

We also extend our sincere thanks to the Rosebank parents who kindly contributed soft drinks and delicious baked goods. We are also grateful to the Krebs family of Gema Group for donating fresh fruit for staff and students and our student snacks, and to Peter Makris of P&R Refrigeration Services for generously providing the Coolroom.

Early Entry 2025 Quick Reference Guide

A summary of 2025 Tertiary Early Entry programs and Early Entry Frequently-asked-Questions is available here

St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine Information Session

Date: Thursday, 22 May.
Time:  6–7pm.
Venue: Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park.

Earn your MD with the opportunity to study in up to three countries—the US, UK, and Grenada—and become a doctor in the US, UK, or Australia

Entry tests, GAMSAT or UCAT, are not required

This information session will cover:

• SGU’s MD program and international study tracks
• Admission criteria and application advice
• Support services and scholarships
• Q&A with our team

Find out more and register here

Sydney Trains Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

Students interested in an Electrical, Mechanical or Telecommunications Trade are encouraged to apply. 

Program 1:

The 2-day workshops will be held over a full weekend (Saturday & Sunday) from 8am to 4pm, at the Petersham training facility. 

  Workshop Dates: 

• Workshop 1: Saturday, 31 May – Sunday, 1 June 
• Workshop 2: Saturday, 21 – Sunday, 22 June 
• Workshop 3: Saturday, 5 – Sunday, 6 July 

To apply, please submit your resume to: sydneytrainsapprenticeships@transport.nsw.gov.au by close of business on Friday, 16 May 2025. 

Be sure to include in your email your top two preferences for workshop dates (e.g., Workshop 1, 2, or 3), based on your availability.

Program 2:

Transport's six-day Women's Pre­-Apprenticeship Program targeting female and non-binary students in particular;

Workshop Dates;

Monday to Wednesday across two weeks commencing Monday, 30 June

To apply, email: sydneytrainsapprenticeships@transport.nsw.gov.au with your Cover Letter and Resume. Please include at least 1 reference in your Resume.

In the early years of the 20th century, a young girl named Mona Daley captured public attention with her remarkable academic and musical accomplishments. Her name appeared twice in The Sunday Times newspaper in 1909, first in the 11 April magazine section under the headline Australia’s Clever Children, which recounted her extraordinary school days. Born in Richmond, New South Wales, Mona rose to prominence through a series of achievements that distinguished her as one of the most gifted students of her time.

By the age of 12, she had already earned the prestigious A.L.C.M. diploma—Associate of the London College of Music—becoming the youngest in Australia to do so. Her accolades continued rapidly: a gold medal for her piano performance, a scholarship awarded by Cardinal Moran, success in Irish history examinations, and high honours in both junior and senior levels of music theory. By age 15, she had achieved matriculation to the University of Sydney.

Despite the flurry of recognition and success in her early teens, Mona’s trail goes quiet for the next decade, save for a brief mention of her role as Clerk to the Executive Officer at Government House in Sydney. From a letter published in July 1909, we know she was then living in Burwood, just a short distance from St Mary’s Rosebank, where she had received her scholarship education.

Mona Daley’s story, pieced together from scattered records and newspaper clippings, offers a glimpse into the life of a gifted young woman whose early promise set her apart in Edwardian Australia.