7 March 2025

Vision Statement

St Rita’s school is a dynamic learning community strengthened by our Mercy heritage and inspired through the teachings of Jesus Christ. We are connected and compassionate to the needs of our community and are proud of our local Wanyurr-Majay culture. We engage our learners through relevant and hands-on experiences, bringing joy and confidence to learning.  

PRINCIPAL’S PEN

Dear Families,

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent for Catholics and Christians. It is a period of forty days leading up to Good Friday. During this period, Christians observe Lent through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and abstinence.

As a child, this was the worst time of the year for me. Each year, my Catholic mother would make us give up something that was hard for us, such as sweet drinks, lollies, or video games. I would always dread this time of the year, particularly because my father would never give up anything, and I dearly would have loved to see him give up cigarettes!

As an adult, my perspective has changed. I look forward to Lent and use it as a time to remove many of the distractions or unhealthy habits I have in my life. It is a time for renewal and hopefully a time of growing closer to God.

On Shrove Tuesday, I informed my own children what they would be doing for Lent. Bek and I would have loved to choose 100 things, but we settled on five. This Lent, they will be giving up video games, flavoured milk, and YouTube. In addition to this, they will be making their own breakfast each morning (they have been spoilt, I know). We have also committed to a stronger adherence to consistent, nightly family prayer.

Although there were some objections from our children, I know the importance of this time and teaching them the importance of self-denial and viewing it as a positive thing, not a negative. To be the best versions of ourselves, we need to remove distractions so we can focus on what is truly important: our faith, family, friends, and work.

Saint Carlos Acutis (1991-2006), often known as the “Cyber Apostle of the Eucharist,” was very passionate about technology, particularly web design and programming. Even at his young age, he could see the dangers and distractions of gaming and famously allowed himself only one hour of gaming a week.

This self-discipline is something that I hope our young people can embrace in order to get the best out of themselves. Too much ‘time-wasting’ will not allow them the opportunity to better themselves at their chosen passions.

We were lucky enough to have Kerry Williams take our students for basketball lessons this week. Kerry is a Cairns local and played over 100 games of professional basketball with the Cairns Taipans. He is the assistant coach of both the Cairns Taipans and the Australian Men’s National team. We were very fortunate!

He spoke to our children about how important it is to be self-disciplined and dedicate oneself to their craft to refine their skills. He talked about the sacrifices he made in his teen years to focus on basketball instead of spending time with his mates. He may not have been the most talented player on the court, but he made sure he worked harder than those who were more talented and ultimately succeeded in reaching his goals.

Let this Lent be an opportunity for us all to develop our self-control, not give in to temptations, and ultimately work on ourselves to be the best people possible.

Commencement Mass

A big thank you to all who could attend our 2025 Commencement Mass last Friday. I was thrilled to announce our student leadership team for 2025. Congratulations to:

• Maddisyn – School Captain
• Jude & Kodi – School Vice Captains
• Leo & Riley – Sports Captains

I am looking forward to working with these senior students and developing their leadership abilities over the next school year. A special thanks to Fr. Kerry Crowley for presiding over the Mass and to Jonathon Price for expertly leading the music with his guitar.

Parent Welcome Afternoon

It was great to see a number of our families attending our 2025 Information and Pancake afternoon earlier this week. One of the points I spoke about in my presentation was the ‘Boulders’ that our staff have developed, which I will share below. These are just three reminders to parents, students, and staff about how we ideally will interact with each other. We would love it if parents could support and reinforce the idea of the student boulders with your child/ren at home.

Sports Report

Congratulations to Jude, who has been selected for the Cassowary Coast North Rugby League Team after his performance at the Rugby League Gala Day. Riley also performed well to be named a shadow for his team, and Abel and Leo also performed admirably for the combined St. Rita’s team.

Our basketball program is going well each Wednesday, and we are so lucky to have had expert coaches in Myra Donkin and Kerry Williams lead our children through these sessions. Their skills are improving each week. We are looking forward to the final two sessions.

It was fantastic to send a team of 12 students to Mirriwinni for the Small Schools Cross Country. I was very proud of how all our students performed, showing grit and determination on a very challenging course.

Congratulations to the following students for their notable performances:

• Danny - 1st
• Madeline - 1st
• Abel - 1st
• Riley - 1^st
• Jude - 2nd
• Jack - 2nd
• Michael - 2^nd
• Leo - 2nd
• Samuel - 3rd

We are so proud of all of you and wish those well who have qualified for the Cassowary Coast event.

**We wish Mrs Kurucz safe travels as she takes some much-deserved long service leave, to see some of our beautiful country. She will be back in Week 2 of Term 2. In the meantime, Mrs Julie Cross will take over her role in the office. Safe travels Mrs Kurucz!

Michael Rowe
Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents,

I’m delighted to share the incredible benefits of reading and how it can positively impact your child's development. Reading is more than just a pastime; it's a gateway to a world of knowledge, imagination, and lifelong skills. Let's explore some of the key benefits:

1. Boosts Cognitive Development
   Reading stimulates brain activity and enhances cognitive functions. It helps children develop critical thinking skills, improve concentration, and expand their vocabulary. The more they read, the more they learn!
2. Enhances Language Skills
   Exposure to different words, sentence structures, and writing styles through reading helps children improve their language skills. It enhances their ability to express themselves clearly and effectively, both in writing and speaking.
3. Fosters Imagination and Creativity
   Books transport children to different worlds, sparking their imagination and creativity. Whether it's a fantastical adventure or a historical tale, reading encourages children to think beyond the ordinary and explore new ideas.
4. Builds Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
   Reading stories about diverse characters and experiences helps children develop empathy and emotional intelligence. They learn to understand and relate to others' feelings, fostering a sense of compassion and kindness.
5. Improves Academic Performance
   Children who read regularly tend to perform better academically. Reading enhances comprehension skills, which are crucial for understanding and excelling in all subjects. It also instills a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.
6. Strengthens Parent-Child Bond
   Reading together is a wonderful way to bond with your child. It creates special moments of connection and provides opportunities for meaningful conversations. Plus, it's a fun and relaxing activity for both of you!

Tips for Encouraging Reading at Home:

• Create a Reading Nook: Designate a cozy, quiet space for reading.
• Set a Routine: Incorporate reading into your daily schedule.
• Be a Role Model: Let your child see you reading and enjoying books.
• Visit the Library: Make regular trips to the library to explore new books.
• Discuss Books: Talk about the stories you read and share your thoughts.

If you have any questions about how you can facilitate a love of reading at home, feel free to reach out.

Warm regards,
Sam Benvenuti
Deputy Principal – Leader of Learning and Teaching

COUNSELLORS CORNER

Yours in Counselling,  
Kind regards,
Carmel

DATE CLAIMERS

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

MUNRO THEATRE