Issue 7 – 9 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

MISSION STATEMENT

St Rita’s School mission is to create a community which inspires a love of holistic, life-long learning grounded in the Catholic Christian faith. Childhood is celebrated and nurtured by caring adults. A student’s capacity for their best future is realised in the context of our small rural community. We provide a safe and supportive environment, characterised by strong, life-giving and respectful relationships with students, staff, families, parish and the wider community. The school strives to ensure we are living out the Mercy values.

PRINCIPAL’S PEN

Dear Parents and Carers,

On Saturday I had the privilege of attending the Safeguarding Children Conference organised by Cairns Catholic Education Services. The Guest Speaker was Brett Lee (No! Not the cricketer!) and I found his presentation to be both informative and concerning . For your children, the world of the internet is real and engaging, and most days they would be interacting with this source of information sharing.

As founder of ‘Internet Safe Education’ established in 2008, Brett delivers training, presentations and consultancy worldwide in the field of digital compliance including internet safety and cyberbullying. “Internet Safe Education also provides a community where parents, carers and those interested in the health, safety and well-being of children in an online environment can access the most up to date resources available worldwide”.

Source: www.internetsafeeducation.com

One simple ‘house rule’ Brett strongly advised parents to have at home is, “No technology in the bedroom”. This one clear rule would enable you to supervise your child’s use of the internet more fully and decrease the likelihood of inappropriate use of technology occurring. I encourage you to access Brett’s website and take advantage of the range of free resources. For parents, I believe the ‘Internet Safe Blog’ information particularly informative.

This week our Years 3 and 5 students take part in NAPLAN Testing. While the tests will no doubt provide a snapshot of the children’s learning; it is a fitting time to remind all parents and students that NAPLAN is just that - a snapshot. The results of these formal tests are only one of a comprehensive range of assessments which provide information on the individual’s learning and development. Each and every day, classroom teachers are determining children’s learning and formulating ways to assist the progression of this learning.

During NAPLAN this week, if your child is in Year 3 or 5, I would simply ask you to ensure your child is in bed early and is eating a healthy breakfast to give them every opportunity for optimal performance on the testing days. However, please do not place unnecessary stress on your child with negative conversations about NAPLAN, keeping the notion of these tests in perspective by encouraging them with positive talk about the tests so as to avoid unnecessary stress. “Do your best!” is all that should be expected.

This weekend, the second Sunday in May, we will celebrate Mother’s Day in Australia. It is a special day for showing our appreciation of mothers and mother figures. Although Australians follow the Mother’s Day traditions that stem from observances in countries such as USA and the UK, it is an Australian who is credited with having started the tradition of giving gifts on Mother's Day. Janet Heyden, a resident of Leichhardt Sydney, started a campaign in 1924 to collect gifts for lonely aged mothers.

St Rita’s is excited to be hosting a very special event for mothers on Friday 12th May. On this afternoon, the staff assists children in providing activities of pampering and relaxation for their mums, aunties and grandmothers. There will be craft activities, massages, story reading and afternoon tea. We are very much looking forward to having you join us for this afternoon.

Have a lovely Mother’s Day with your families!

Regards and blessings,

Judy Billiau

NAPLAN TESTING

NAPLAN TESTING for Year 3 and 5 students has begun at St Rita’s School this week, as it has in every school in Australia. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), tests are being conducted on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with catch-up tests on Friday, for any students who were sick earlier in the week.

The results of this testing provide a measure of how Australian schools and students are performing in the areas of reading, writing, spelling, language conventions and numeracy on a particular day in May. It is important to recognise that the National Assessment Program is not seen as the sole criterion for measuring student performance, but rather as a part of a broad range of measures used by teachers to inform the learning and teaching process.

APRE THOUGHTS

Happy Mother’s Day!

Whether they are present or absent, our mothers play a significant role in the lives of us all. Mothers shape the lives of their sons and daughters and form part of who children become; they are nurturers and protectors, offering love, guidance and encouragement. While Mother’s Day is a celebration to show appreciation for the significant women in our lives who have been motherly figures to us, let us not forget that for some, this day can be a difficult time where the heartache of what could have been or what was is etched into memories. We thank God for the presence of extraordinary women in our lives, whose love and patience is often unending, and pray for our mothers to whom we owe our lives.

Mark your calendars for two events taking place at St Rita’s to celebrate the beautiful gift that mothers are to the world: this Friday 12th May for our Mother’s Day Pampering Afternoon from 1:15pm and Thursday 18th May for the Prep/Year 1 Mother’s Day Liturgy at 8:45am. All are welcome to attend both events – mothers, grandmothers and aunties too! Blessings to mothers everywhere!

Gentle, Patient God

Today we thank God for the gift of mothers and mothering across the world.
Isaiah wrote that God is a mother to us, comforting and carrying us in her arms.
As one whom a mother comforts, so I will comfort you – Isaiah 66:13.

Gentle, patient God – thank you for your tender care.

Isaiah also wrote that God will never forget us and that he knows each one of us just as a mother knows her own children.
Can a woman forget her baby at her breast, feel no pity for the child she has borne?
Even if these were to forget, I shall not forget you. Isaiah 49:15

Gentle, patient God – thank you for your tender care.

David wrote that in God’s presence, he was quiet and at peace, trusting his God like a child safe in its mother’s arms.
No I hold myself in quiet and silence, like a child in its mothers’ arms. Psalm 131:2

Gentle, patient God – thank you for your tender care.

Jesus spoke of himself as a mother, longing to wrap his arms around us like a mother-hen gathering her chicks under her wings.
How often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings… Matthew 23:37

Gentle, patient God – thank you for your tender care.

ST RITA’S FEAST DAY CELEBRATION

Our School Patron Saint, St Rita of Casica was born ‘Margherita Lotti’ in 1381; an only child to parents Antonio and Amata Lotti, who were both well-regarded as peacemakers in their tiny village within the Umbrian Hills near Tuscany. As a child, Margherita - who became known as Rita - was drawn to religious life, though later succumbed to her parents’ wishes to marry Paolo Mancini, and bore two sons. Her unhappy marriage lasted for eighteen years.

Following in the example of her parents, Rita preached forgiveness after the murder of her husband by a rival family, and pleaded with her sons to do likewise, even though society’s expectations at the time would have been for the sons to avenge their father’s killers, so as to restore honour to their family’s name. Sadly, both sons fell ill and died from natural causes.

A widow and childless, Rita turned to her faith. She tried to enter convent life with local Augustinian nuns, but was refused entry until she brokered a peace deal between her husband’s family and their rivals. Her forgiving spirit triumphed over evil and she managed to have both parties sign a peace deal and heal the rift. She entered the Augustinian convent at the age of 36, where she remained for 40 years.

Fifteen years before her death, Rita prayed to share in Christ’s physical and spiritual burden of pain, and experienced a wound on her forehead, penetrating as a thorn from Jesus’ crown, that remained open until her death. In later years, as her health declined, she requested a rose from her family’s garden. Surprisingly, in the winter snows, a single rose was growing and it was presented to her by a relative. Rita believed this to be a beautiful sign of spring and beauty, and felt that God had delivered eternal life to her husband and sons who had all died in tragic circumstances. She too, looked forward to her eternal reward with them. St Rita died peacefully on the 22nd May 1457.

St Rita was widely known as the ‘Peacemaker of Casica’ and is the patroness of those in need. She modelled tender, compassionate love and merciful forgiveness towards others. Next Monday 22nd May, St Rita’s School will celebrate her extraordinary gifts of faith and love with a whole school Mass, commencing at 11:15am in the church. Please feel welcome to join us for this special occasion.

Maureen Gaul
Assistant Principal (Religious Education)

CASTING THE NET

Too much on your plate?

That caught your eye, didn’t it? It seems to me that nearly all of us, and especially parents and carers of families, seem to be racing through life with more on their plate than they can cope with. Demands and expectations seem to come from all directions: family, work, society, and yes the various media outlets we connect to. Then we have our own internal taskmasters who often make contradictory demands. It wasn’t meant to be like this. When Jesus said he wanted us to have the fullness of life, it wasn’t meant to be a blur that we can’t catch hold of.

Last Sunday was Good Shepherd Sunday and the Gospel reading called us to listen to the voice of Jesus as the primary influence shaping our lives. Now that is scary. Not because of what he might challenge us to take up but rather what we might have to put down. Many of the demands we put on ourselves give us a false sense of security or importance that really isn’t life-giving. When I grew up, there was a high expectation for women to have a well-run, clean to the point of pristine, tidy house. Thank God, Mum didn’t buy into that! She chose to do other things – like be a good cook. The point I want to make is that she chose, she chose for something she really wanted to do and what gave her life.

May I put a challenge to you? If you feel overwhelmed in your life, during this coming week take some time to ask Jesus, the Good Shepherd what it is you should drop out of your life. Then don’t fill it with something else. Just take as time to be. ‘Just to be is a blessing, just to live is holy.’ (Abraham Heschel)

Loving Jesus, people can expect so much of me. I can expect too much of myself. Help me to share with you all the demands that are made on me. Let your Spirit show me what is truly good for me and those around me and let me drop what I don’t need to do.

Sr Kym Harris osb

PARENT ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOP

SPORTS TEAM POLOS

This year, we have organised the Uniform Shop to sell the sports teams polo shirts for our two houses of Dalrymple and Palmerston. In the past, children have worn t-shirts and singlets that were in varying shades of red and blue, and without sleeves and collars they were usually not sunsmart. Our uniform supplier stocks cool, 100% Breezeway polyester mesh fabric, quick dry, sun protection antibacterial treatment polo shirts at the very reasonable price of $12.50. The children will be allowed to wear their ‘house polo’ every Thursday this term.

AROUND THE CLASSROOMS

School Stands Proud for ANZAC Day

The 102nd Anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, on Tuesday 25th April 2017, was remembered by staff and students of St Rita’s Babinda, by attending Babinda’s annual ANZAC Day community parade. “Parade...fall in!” was the command heard through the streets of Babinda as representatives from community groups formed lines, and marched through the main street of the town. As the bagpipes and drum sounded, the parade moved forward through the clapping and cheering crowds to the ANZAC Park Memorial.

People gathered around to pay respect to service men and women who fought for the freedom of our country and made the ultimate sacrifice for the people of Australia. These people battled for justice and defended our nation against the enemy. They moved away from their families and lived in harsh conditions for future peace and harmony. The speeches were presented by the School Captains of Babinda High School and other community members, and colourful wreaths were laid at the memorial.

After the parade, families were invited to share morning tea at the Babinda RSL hall. St Rita’s staff and parents served scrumptious sandwiches and delicious cakes. People were talking and laughing over their drinks, and children were playing as a slideshow ran, showing images of courageous men and women who were involved in war efforts. The day was emotional, but also a celebration of the bravery shown to bring about peace to Australia. ANZAC day - we will remember them! Lest we forget!

By Roisin Stager & Georgina Stone (Year 5/6)

POSTPONED: PARENT WORKSHOP

On Wednesday 24th May parents are invited to join us for a ‘Positive Behaviour Workshop’ which will be presented by Student Services personnel Ms Kate Pugh and Mrs Jane Bolton-Bound. The session will begin at 2:15pm and conclude at 3:00pm. This is a valuable opportunity for parents to learn more about managing a child’s behaviour in a positive way and how to assist children at home.

Please phone or email the Office if you are attending, secretary.babinda@cns.catholic.edu.au

DATE CLAIMERS

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

St Rita’s School congratulates those students who were awarded ‘Student of the Week’ at Assembly on Friday 5th May 2017.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

MULGRAVE SPORTS TRIALS

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

COMMUNITY NEWS