Volume 7 2025

The Power of Possibility at Rosebank

At Rosebank College, we are no strangers to ambition, creativity and bold collaboration. Each year, our community comes together to produce something that not only showcases the extraordinary talents of our students and staff, but also speaks to something deeper — the values we live by and the dreams we dare to pursue.

This year’s musical, Mary Poppins, was far more than a nostalgic nod to a beloved tale. It became a powerful reflection of our College's spirit — a production that challenged us technically, emotionally and creatively. With its intricate score, sophisticated choreography and rich character work, Mary Poppins became the most ambitious and refined musical Rosebank has ever staged.



But more importantly, it became a testament to what can happen when a community believes in itself. Just like Mary Poppins herself — firm in ideals, unshakable in purpose and infused with magic — our cast and crew showed that when belief and action combine, anything is possible.
 

This article explores not only the story of the production, but the enduring themes of Mary Poppins that resonate deeply within our community: the strength of self-belief, the importance of dignity and kindness, the power of education, and the courage to dream with a plan.

Because here at Rosebank, we know that true magic begins with belief — in ourselves, in each other and in the future we are shaping together.

Mary Poppins has become more than just the story of an old fashioned nanny in England in 1910. Her character was brought to life expertly through our recent production, an incredible challenge, a complex score, seemingly intrepid characters, expert dancing and by far the most sophisticated musical Rosebank has ever produced. 

It is once again another example of what is possible at this great school when we combine our talents. When we believe in the words of Mary Poppins, anything can happen.

Anything can happen when the dream is tangible. 

I have no doubt there were times when the possibility looked grim, but with a spoonful of self belief, talent and hard work, the staff and students combined to show brilliance and again showed that anything can happen.

I must admit I have not thought about Mary Poppins in years.  She always represented the old story of a conservative nanny who sorted out a privileged English family.  It is only because it has become a success of Rosebank that I have started to explore its themes.

Mary Poppins is a self sufficient woman, independent, uncompromising in her ideals, She stands up to all challenges, and backs herself. The family she encounters is dysfunctional. has stressed out parents and disengaged children who push the boundaries, and are often badly behaved. 

It is actually not that far from all of our experiences of parenting and childhood. Yet what Mary Poppins brings is unwavering idealism. And she was ahead of her time. The story was created when 'Disney princesses' were shown to the world as people who were almost always dependent on the presence of a 'prince' to rescue them.

Mary Poppins needs no rescuing, she is the rescuer, descending from the heights to make it clear that a woman does not have to depend on anyone to shape her life. 

And despite the passing of time, her message resonates here too. Mary Poppins treats everyone she encounters with kindness, regardless of their social or economic status. She encourages Mr Banks to treat his employees with respect and fairness, reminding us all that treating others with dignity and empathy is a timeless and universal principle. And one we stand by here at Rosebank too.

But of course it is a fantasy, 'because Mary Poppins brings magic, she floats in with her umbrella on the east wind and departs in her own time the same way but in another direction. Here we are being asked to suspend our disbelief, to believe in something that is not logical And yet she continually reminds us  that anything is possible. 

Where then we still look for the magic in our world? Surely her magic is.. Self belief.  You have to believe something is possible before you can make it possible. 

There is a danger for us that we close the doors to possibility too quickly, that we do not allow ourselves to imagine or dream what is possible. 

I think it is education that opens doors to possibilities to make things happen. And Rosebank  education combines the magic of self belief with the awesome belief that God backs us too.

I can do all things through he who strengthens me.

Perhaps education is the magic. What a privilege I have had that my education opened doors for me. 

Mary Poppins is a no nonsense character, and she would warn you all  there is a difference between a dream and a wish. Any projection for your future without a plan, a strategy, a pathway, an investment, is just a wish, and wishing, wishing will not get us there. 

Table Tennis Triumph

On Tuesday, 13 May, Rosebank sent seven teams to the Sydney Catholic Schools Table Tennis Championships. Our junior boys were the reigning champions and once again came home with the trophy after a very spirited display. This outstanding result lifted the other Rosebank teams to all finish above expectations. 

Four of our talented players — Owen McKinley, Jack Fitzpatrick, Isaac Alouan and Alex Qiu — have qualified to compete in the SCS Sydney Table Tennis Championships. They will proudly represent Rosebank on Tuesday, 3 June. 


Rosebank Shines at the SCS Cross Country Championships

On Wednesday, 21 May, Rosebank proudly took 48 students to compete in the SCS Cross Country Championships. It was a remarkable day for our athletes, with fourteen students successfully qualifying for the next stage — the NSWCCC Cross Country Championships, to be held on Wednesday, 11 June.

Standout performances included:

• Jaden Kane, who claimed 1st place in dominant fashion, finishing more than 150m ahead of the runner-up.
• Josh Bartle, who secured an impressive 3rd place finish in the same race, overcoming recent foot injuries to power through.
• Ayla Baraniak, who took 1st place overall, braving torrential rain and beating both the field and the elements.
  
  

This outstanding effort keeps Rosebank at the top of Conference 2, and our progression of fourteen athletes more than doubles last year’s total of six — a testament to the dedication and determination of our team.

The success is no doubt thanks to the commitment of our runners, the early morning sessions with the Runners Club, and the tireless efforts of our exceptional coaches. Thank you for leading this campaign with such energy and passion.

We now shift focus to athletics, Let’s keep the momentum going! 
 

Outstanding Results at the NSWCCC Swimming Carnival 

Congratulations to Gabriel Park

Gabriel was named the NSWCCC 14 Years Swimming Age Champion following an outstanding performance at the carnival! 

Gabriel's results were all personal bests.

• 1st in 100m Backstroke
• 2nd in 50m Backstroke
• 3rd in 100m Freestyle
• 5th in 50m Freestyle
• 5th in 50m Butterfly

Diving success for Mia Colussi

Congratulations to Mia Colussi - who represented NSWCCC at the NSW All Schools Diving Championships last week. Mia won the 12 Years 1m and 3m Springboard event and was placed 6th in the Platform Competition. Great Work Mia.

Congratulations to Adriano Sorrentino 

Adriano won a silver medal in the 4 x 50m Freestyle MC Relay.

A big congratulations to our Junior Boys 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay Team

Theo Gordon, Gabriel Park, Caleb Gan and Fergus Beresford-Harvey wrapped up the season ranked 6th among all schools in NSW. An incredible achievement!

Our annual Showcases and Drama Performances are almost here! 

Get your Music Showcase tickets using the QR code on the poster above or click here.
 

Get your Dance showcase tickets using the QR code on the poster above or click here.
 

Poster designed by Callum Reeves (Year 10) 

Get your Stage 5 Drama Production tickets using the QR code on the poster above or click here.

Rosebank students perform in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Earlier this term, three of our female Drama students performed in Trinity Grammar School’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This thought-provoking play, based on the bestselling novel by Mark Haddon, explores the world through the eyes of Christopher Boone, a young boy with an extraordinary mind. Among the talented cast, our Rosebank performers brought exceptional depth and energy to the stage.

Sophia Maniaci, playing the role of Siobhan, delivered a compelling performance that showcased her emotional range and nuanced understanding of character. Whether delivering intense dialogue or responding in silence, Sophia brought a grounded authenticity to her role, captivating audiences with every scene. Her stage presence was mature and composed, reflecting both dedication and a strong grasp of the play’s complex themes.

Melanie Modrin, in the role of Judy, impressed with her versatility and commitment to characterisation. She portrayed her role with a sensitivity that added dimension to the story, offering moments of both lightness and gravity. Melanie’s timing, expression and connection with the ensemble made her performance not only convincing but also deeply memorable.

Isabella Giuntoli, as Mrs Alexander, brought a vibrant energy to the production, balancing dramatic intensity with moments of warmth and humanity. Her dynamic performance helped to drive the emotional rhythm of the play. Isabella’s confidence and control on stage were evident, and her ability to fully inhabit her character drew praise from both peers and audience members.

Together, Sophia, Melanie and Isabella contributed to what was an engaging production. Their dedication in rehearsals and commitment to storytelling were clear throughout the entire performance.

Congratulations to these talented students on their outstanding achievement and for representing Rosebank in such a fabulous way. Bravo!

Ausgrid’s 2026 Apprentice Program

Recruitment opens Monday, 2 June 2025.

Find out more and apply here



The UBS Cadetship Program 

This cadetship offers Year 12 students the chance to gain real-world, paid working experience in the financial services industry while studying at university. 

Please access the application link via the website. Applications close Thursday, 31 July 2025, at 12pm.

Please refer to details about the program, including eligibility criteria, application details, and benefits.

UAC Digital

The University Admission Centre (UAC) has updated their how-to-apply videos on the UAC Digital YouTube channel.

• How to start your application is a simple video on how to create your account to apply.
• How to apply for uni through UAC for Year 12 students is a step-by-step guide for students as they complete their UAC application.
  
  
  

A Whole-School Approach to Pedagogical Impact

On Friday, 11 April, all teaching staff at Rosebank came together for a dedicated Teaching and Learning Professional Development Day, united by a common purpose: to sharpen and strengthen Critical Thinking across all stages of student learning.

We welcomed Chris Morris, Teaching and Learning Specialist from AISNSW, to lead this day of professional growth, starting with a powerful and interactive keynote presentation. Rosebank teachers then engaged in three focused workshops, to translate theory into practice.



1. Explicit Teaching for Critical Thinking - Facilitators: Chris Morris and Dorian Kipriotis
This workshop examined how Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction can be leveraged to build students’ critical thinking capacity. 

2. Rosebank Organising Thinking Routine - Facilitators: Jennifer Jackson and Louise Luck
This session introduced the Rosebank Graphic Organiser Routine, designed to help students map their thinking.

3. Socratic Circles for Collaborative Thinking - Facilitator: Matt Couani
Focusing on Socratic Circles and Collaborative Questioning, this workshop demonstrated how structured dialogue can foster deep reasoning, empathy, and critical engagement with content

We thank all facilitators and staff for their energy, insight, and commitment to our shared mission of empowering critical thinkers for a changing world. The Day was not only a step toward enhancing student learning—it was a powerful reminder of the passion, dedication and creativity that define our staff.