Volume 8 2025

Good Samaritan Education Governing Council visit

In Week 5, we welcomed the Good Samaritan Education (GSE) Governing Council to Rosebank and brought together the principals of our GSE schools for rich discussions in conversasio, “Impelled by the parable of the Good Samaritan, guided by the Rule of St Benedict, inspired by the Sisters of Good Samaritan" (Good Samaritan Education, n.d.). While each GSE school is marked by its own distinctive spirit and character, we work together to ensure educational culture is one where our students feel safe, valued and welcomed, further enhancing our shared missions and learning goals. 



It was also a wonderful opportunity for us to collaborate and to showcase Rosebank. Our talented student tour guides, Mia Geagea (Year 12), Ben Gilligan (Year 11), Pia Monti (Year 8) and Austin Kelly (Year 8) showed their passion and pride for their school as they guided our guests through the grounds and corridors of Rosebank. They, and the general student community, received many overwhelming compliments from the Governing Council and fellow principals.



Thank you to Dr Paul O'Shea who elevated the College with his rich depth of historical knowledge and engaging character during the campus tour stops at the Chapel, Cemetery and Labyrinth.  

It was fitting that the group came together during Reconciliation Week, where students and staff participated in a series of rich and reflective activities that honoured Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories. Notable in the tour were the student-created paper hibiscus flowers, symbolising resilience and healing, which were placed in Birra Birra. The week concluded with the planting of a native hibiscus plant in Birra Birra to honour the Stolen Generations and reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation. 

Strategic Plan and Stage 3 Update 

Rosebank is currently developing a new Strategic Plan to guide the College into the future. Thank you to all parents who contributed to our recent survey—your feedback is invaluable and will help shape our direction. Our staff and the College Board are also playing an active role in the planning process, which is expected to continue through to the end of the year.

A key component of this plan is the expansion of our educational offering to include Years 5 and 6. Our dedicated Stage 3 committee is working on a new site masterplan, assessing enrolment projections and identifying opportunities to enrich the learning environment, deepen our mission and enhance the overall student experience. The specific location for Stage 3 will be determined as the strategic planning progresses. I am proud to lead a College that continues to evolve and respond to the changing needs of our community.

We recently sent out an expression of interest for Year 5 2027 to current families who have applied for Year 7 2029, and we are delighted that interest is strong, though we are yet to hear from some current families. If we do not receive a response, we will assume your preference is to begin at Rosebank in Year 7. We encourage all families to reply at their earliest convenience.

As a coeducational school, we will be offering an equal number of places for boys and girls. Please note that this balance may affect the number of available placements. Rest assured, whether students begin in Year 5 or Year 7, they will receive the same high-quality Rosebank orientation and experience.

College Developments 

We are also mindful that our neighbouring sites are about to change. Rosebank has been actively representing our community regarding the development of Kings Bay Village. We have been in consultation with both Deicorp, the developer, and Canada Bay Council and the State Planning Department and have registered our concerns regarding the management of noise, vibrations, dust and traffic.

The completed project should bring us a new pedestrian entrance/exit which will lead into the Kings Bay Village.  We believe also that the provision of parking within the retail precinct will allow our parents to drop off and pick up their children, while accessing the local shops. The building itself is set quite back from the College and will have minimal impact on sunlight and early indications show that the traffic caused by construction will largely be directed away from us and further down towards Stacey Street. 

We will continue to be active in conversations as the project develops

Thank you as always for your support.

Pentecost Sunday

Last Sunday, we celebrated the day the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, filling them with courage and wisdom to share the message of Jesus with the world (Acts 2:1–4). It marks the birth of the Church and reminds us that God's Spirit is alive and active in each of us. For young people, especially during this Jubilee Year of Hope, Pentecost is a powerful reminder that they are not alone, that the Holy Spirit is with them to guide, strengthen, and inspire. In a world that can often feel uncertain or overwhelming, Pentecost invites young people to be bold in faith, to use their gifts for good and to be hopeful witnesses of love, peace and unity in their communities. As part of this journey, young people are invited to encounter the Spirit in a special way by attending Walk with Christ on the Feast of Corpus Christi and the Purpose Festival, initiatives of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

Corpus Christi

The Corpus Christi procession, celebrated on Sunday,  22 June in the Archdiocese of Sydney, is a profound public witness to the Catholic belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. This annual event draws thousands of faithful who walk in prayer and reverence through the streets, honouring Christ's presence among us. Led by the Archbishop and clergy, the procession is both a celebration and a statement of faith, bringing the sacred out of the church and into the heart of the city. It invites all to encounter Christ anew, deepens Eucharistic devotion, and strengthens the unity of the Church as the Body of Christ. In a secular society, this powerful tradition offers a visible sign of hope, faith and love.

Purpose Festival

The Purpose Festival 2025, to be held on Wednesday, 2 July at Rosebank College is a significant event organised by the Sydney Archdiocese to inspire and engage young Catholics in their faith journey. Featuring international guest speaker Fr. Gregory Pines and local priest Fr. Greg Morgan, the festival offers a dynamic blend of spiritual enrichment and community celebration. 

Attendees can participate in Eucharistic Adoration, experience sacred music and enjoy various activities such as inflatables, praise and worship sessions, and a Catholic marketplace with diverse stalls. 

This festival serves as a platform for young adults and high school students to explore profound questions of faith, deepen their understanding of Catholic teachings and foster a sense of unity and purpose within the Church community. By bringing together elements of worship, education and fellowship, the Purpose Festival aims to invigorate the spiritual lives of its participants and strengthen their connection to the broader Catholic community. Rosebank students in Years 9 to 12 who wish to attend are to sign up here by Friday, 13 June.

ATSI Veterans Commemoration Service



The 2025 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration Service, held on Friday, 30 May at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney, was a significant event during National Reconciliation Week. Hosted by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans & Services Association and supported by the NSW Government, RSL NSW and the education sector, the service honoured the military contributions of Indigenous Australians from the Boer War to the present day. 

This 19th annual commemoration featured traditional military protocols alongside Indigenous cultural elements, including a smoking ceremony and participation by Elders, students, and current and former ADF members. The event also engaged youth through the NSW Government Regional Youth Program, enabling students from regional schools to attend and learn about the sacrifices and service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans. By integrating cultural traditions with military remembrance, the ceremony not only paid tribute to Indigenous service members but also fostered greater understanding and respect within the broader community. Thank you to Ms Henderson (Diverse Learning Teacher Assistant) and the students who represented Rosebank at this event.

Winter Appeal



The Vinnies Winter Appeal 2025 is now underway, offering Rosebank the chance to make a real difference in the lives of those doing it tough during the colder months. As temperatures drop, your generosity can bring warmth, comfort, and hope to people experiencing hardship. Donations of blankets, beanies, gloves and scarves are welcome and will be gratefully accepted until the end of the term. Please drop donations to the Ministry Office.

Term 2 has offered a wealth of opportunities for students eager to extend themselves beyond the classroom through extracurricular activities.

In Week 4, a group of Rosebank students took part in the Sydney Writers’ Festival, engaging with both local and international authors.

Seventeen students from Years 7, 8, and 11 attended the Secondary Schools Day held at The Concourse in Chatswood. Below are reflections from two passionate young Rosebank writers who were inspired by the experience.

Sydney Writers’ Festival

The Sydney Writers' Festival at Chatswood was a blast. We learnt so many amazing hacks and life lessons and took so many notes revolving around writing and publishing. Rosebank College students, along with 800 students from schools all over NSW, listened to presentations about the craft of writing and heard stories from some very famous authors. 

We heard from Mike Lucas who wrote What we all saw. He explained the term in writing called ‘a hook’, which is when you tell the readers just enough to keep them interested, for instance keep reading to find out what a writer’s favourite breakfast pastry is. We also heard from an author called Demet Divaroren who told us about her amazing novel called Blood Moon Bride which tackles hard hitting topics such as child marriage and cruelty towards women. 

One of the best speakers was Hayley Lawrence, who discussed how breaks from work can help us mentally and physically to fuel inspiration for writing stories. This included when she went to the Blue Mountains and visited Orphan Rock, while writing a novel about five young teenagers who, despite being close friends, lacked trust in one another. While trying to survive in an unforgiving environment, they learn the meaning of real friendship. She shared her author’s journey with us in an amusing and engaging way.

We also met Neal Shusterman, an American author who writes young adult fiction books. His books include Scythe, with the prequel coming out soon, All Better Now and Challenger Deep, a book we recommend reading. Coming to events such as this can change how we perceive the craft of writing. If you ever get the chance, we highly recommend experiencing it for yourself! 

And of course, a writer’s favourite breakfast pastry has to be ‘synonym buns’.

By Ryan Chu and Samuel (Year 7)

On Thursday, 22 May, a group of students and I attended the Sydney Writers’ Festival. The day consisted of a series of talented authors giving talks on how they discovered the joy of writing and the things that inspire them, as well as valuable insights on how, as students, we can construct our own stories. The common theme of the day was the importance of the first draft: each author emphasised the value of simply putting pen to paper and getting started. Each author stated that a first draft is always the first step to a great work and that no great piece of writing can be written without the rough draft. Though all authors gave excellent advice and had captivating stories to tell, my personal favourite was the talk given by New York Times bestselling author, Neal Shusterman. His passion for writing really shone through his words and inspired me to approach my own writing with more joy and enthusiasm. I even bought one of his books at the end! Overall, I had a wonderful time at the Sydney Writers’ Festival and would recommend it to any students with an interest in reading and writing, or those who are simply looking for a fun, educational day out with friends. 

By Sophia Maniaci (Year 11) 

College Colloquy

On the evening of Thursday,  22 May, students from the College Colloquy travelled to Parramatta’s newest venue, PHIVE Community Hub, to hear from respected scholar, philosopher and author A.C. Grayling, where he spoke about the state of the world and his latest book Discriminations. Below are reflections from two of the students who attended.

Listening to A.C. Grayling at PHIVE in Parramatta was both thought-provoking and insightful, as he explored the complexities of discrimination and ‘cancel culture’ in today’s society. Drawing from his recent book, he examined how cancel culture has evolved from historical practices of exclusion to the rapid digital judgements seen today. He discussed how, while holding people accountable is important, cancel culture can sometimes prevent open discussion and meaningful change. His perspective challenged the audience to consider whether cancel culture promotes justice or simply silences opposing views. Grayling emphasised the need for balance, urging people to engage critically with issues rather than dismiss them outright. His talk made me reflect on how social media amplifies quick reactions and how necessary it is to allow for growth, dialogue, and understanding in conversations about ethics and society. He also reminded us that society is not some exclusive club with a strict membership list—everyone belongs, and meaningful discussions should welcome all perspectives rather than shutting people out. 

By Eloise De Silva (Year 9)

A.C Grayling is a professor and author and has written books on philosophy, history, life and most recently discrimination. He was a Professor of Philosophy, is a representative to the UN Human Rights Council and a world-renowned thinker. According to the Times, “if there is any such person in Britain today as The Thinking Man, it is A.C Grayling”. At his recent talks in Sydney he discussed his book titled, Discriminations.

After the talk, I stopped thinking of discrimination as a single idea or simple concept. I began to understand it as a complex issue with many layers that require thoughtful attention. It is not just about recognising what discrimination is but also understanding how and why it happens—and what we can do to address it in society.

Some people try to hold on to their privilege by shifting blame onto others rather than taking responsibility. As humans, we often put ourselves first and in doing so, we may unintentionally reduce others in order to benefit ourselves.

One of the most important lessons I took away was that to reduce harmful discrimination, we must respect others’ rights and opinions. A society free of discrimination must allow freedom of expression, giving people the right to speak out against injustice and defend themselves.

However, this freedom also means that harmful ideas can be expressed. The way to counter them is not by silencing others, but by promoting better, more inclusive ideas that uplift rather than divide.

We live in a time when rights and inclusiveness are more widely recognised than ever and many people can speak their minds without fear for their lives. Yet, we still have a long way to go. True inclusiveness requires ongoing respect, understanding and a recognition that discrimination is a deeply rooted issue—one that can’t be solved with a quick fix.

By Ethan Fung (Year 9)

InnovatED


Now is the time to start thinking about InnovatED. This is every student’s opportunity to complete a project on a topic about which they are passionately interested. It might be something you’ve been fascinated by all of your life, it might be that thing your teacher mentioned in class that you want to learn more about or it might be something motivated by this year’s inspirational quote from Paul Coelho, is ‘the world is changed by your actions, not your opinions’. Successful projects will be displayed for the College community to view at the annual InnovatED Showcase in November. Students or groups of up to three students are welcome to contact Ms McArthur to register their interest or find out more about creating your dream project.

cmcarthur@rosebank.nsw.edu.au

We are excited to invite parents and families to our upcoming Year 7 Semester 1 Arts Day on Monday, 23 June.

We look forward to sharing this inspiring afternoon with you and celebrating the amazing work, creativity, achievements and growth of our talented Year 7 students!

Click here to RSVP or scan the QR code above.

We are delighted to welcome families back for another vibrant season of Rosebank’s Holiday Programs, running from Monday, 7 July to Thursday, 18 July.

Our July lineup is packed with creative, active and inclusive experiences designed for children aged 5 to 12. It is a fantastic opportunity for your child to build friendships, grow in confidence and enjoy the dynamic spirit of Rosebank College.

What’s New This July?

🎨 Adventure Arts (NEW!)
Let imaginations run wild! In this hands-on, nature-inspired art session, kids will paint, build and sculpt using natural materials. It’s the perfect messy, magical day for curious creatives.

💃 Dance Workshop (NEW!)
A fun, inclusive dance experience that encourages self-expression and confidence. Whether new to dance or already in love with movement, children will enjoy a joyful day of rhythm, creativity and connection.

🏀⚽ Our Signature Sports Line-Up
Specialised Sports: Football & Basketball
Two-day programs focusing on skills development, team play, and game understanding — all led by expert coaches and based on NSW curriculum frameworks.

Multi-Sport Program
This high-energy, three-day program is packed with exciting games and team-building activities across a variety of sports. Perfect for kids who love to stay active and try new things!

📅 Program Schedule
Week 1

• Multi-Sport (3 days): Tuesday, 8 – Thursday, 10 July
• Football (2 days): Monday, 7 – Tuesday, 8 July
• Basketball (2 days): Thursday, 10 – Friday, 11 July
• Dance Group A (1 day): Monday, 7 July
• Adventure Arts (1 day): Wednesday, 9 July
   

Week 2

• Multi-Sport (3 days): Tuesday, 15 – Thursday, 17 July
• Football (2 days): Monday, 14 – Tuesday, 15 July
• Basketball (2 days): Thursday, 17 – Friday, 18 July
• Dance Group B (1 day): Monday, 14 July
• Adventure Arts (1 day): Wednesday, 16 July

Program Pricing

• 2-Day Specialised Sports: $230
• 3-Day Multi-Sport: $250
• 1-Day Programs (Dance, Art, or Day 1 of Multi-Sport): $130
• Aftercare (Mondays only): $30 per day

Note: One-day bookings are available for the first day of each program only.

✅ How to Register
Spaces are limited and in high demand, especially for our new and specialised workshops. Register early to avoid disappointment by clicking here and creating your account.

Further information about our Holiday Programs can be viewed on our website.

If you have any questions or would like to register after the early cut-off, please contact us directly at holidaycamps@rosebank.nsw.edu.au.
 

Caulfield House has reason to celebrate as we raised nearly $2,000 for the Good Samaritan Foundation in Timor-Leste through Barry the Bee's Bake Sale. Parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins joined forces, unleashing their baking talents. The aroma of freshly baked goodies filled the air (and the Caulfield office) as the House came together in a display of generosity and deliciousness. From cupcakes to cookies, each treat was a testament to the spirit of giving and community spirit that defines Caulfield House. The funds raised will make a meaningful impact on the lives of those supported by the Good Samaritan Foundation, showcasing how a simple act of baking can create lasting change. Barry the Bee and Caulfield House extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this sweet success!

Isla Turney (Year 10 Caulfield) appeared alongside her fellow choristers of the Australian Girls Choir on the Channel 7 Sunrise program on Tuesday morning. 

They were there to accompany the comedic entertainer, Hans the German, during his performances while also being the programs' guest weather reporter.

Isla and the choir had a great time, even though it was a very early gig and a little bit chilly.