Issue 13 - 22 August 2018

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.

APRE THOUGHTS

Dear Parents and Carers,

Spirit of Community

At midpoint during Term 3, St Rita’s has been bustling with activity during the past three weeks to celebrate and honour significant community events. Interspersed within our Learning and Teaching programs recently, our school community has participated in NAIDOC Day cultural activities and Book Week adventures, and in the coming days, we will undertake a rich array of exploratory and problem-solving experiences through our Science Fun Day. It has been our delight, on each of these occasions, to welcome into our school other members of our local community: Miss Annie Wonga, an Aboriginal Elder of Bunna Binda (Babinda), was joined by parishioners during our NAIDOC festivities, the Babinda Community Kindergarten children were enthusiastic participants during Book Week (especially at cake time!), and staff and students from McDonnell Creek Primary School will join us this week for Science Week.

Community is at the heart of all that we do at St Rita’s! Through our connectedness, we build stronger and more supportive relationships, and spending time together allows us to share more deeply in the joy of living in community. We truly value the support of our families and friends, so parents please do come wherever possible to the many special events that we host, and feel very welcome to stay and enjoy all that is on offer. I must also acknowledge the tremendous efforts of our most excellent staff in bringing these events to fruition, through the selfless sharing of their talents and much personal out-of-school time. And thank you to all of our recent guests for their attendance, which make our celebrations even more outstanding!

Book Week Dress-up Parade and Activities

Last week’s Book Week celebrations were once again, a marvellous affair, and quite a spectacle to behold! Against a backdrop of sandy deserts, pyramids, sarcophaguses and hieroglyphs, staff looked impressive as they donned costumes with an Egyptian flair to suit the 2018 theme of ‘Find Your Treasure’. Likewise, children presented in a colourful array of costumes and paraded enthusiastically to portray their favourite book characters. There was much excitement to be had with the Dress-up Parade, literacy and craft activities, and shared morning tea with the children from the Community Kindergarten. To boot, each child had their own personal photo-shoot to capture their fancy dress! Imagine that!

Organised annually across Australia by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, Book Week showcases outstanding examples of Australian literature for children, and recognises the achievements of contemporary authors and illustrators, by way of shortlisting and awarding children’s books across various categories. The enjoyment of books and love of reading can never be underestimated as a powerful tool for increasing an individual’s knowledge and understanding of our world. We actively encourage all children to ‘find their treasure’ amongst the bookshelves of our school library and get busy with books!

NAIDOC Day Celebrations

NAIDOC Day too was another superb day of celebration at St Rita’s - this time, with an emphasis on various cultural activities. Our afternoon commenced with a liturgy which centred on the courage, wisdom and strength collectively shown by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in their cause to have greater equality, justice and recognition. In the liturgy, we gave thanks for the Indigenous women who have given so much to our country and our culture, and acknowledged the vital role that women play in meeting the spiritual and physical needs of their people. We pray that our Indigenous women are able to maintain a strong spirit of commitment to their culture, and continue to celebrate and promote its uniqueness and distinctiveness.

National Science Week

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology and thousands of individuals – from students, to scientists to chefs and musicians – get involved, taking part in more than 1000 science events across the nation.

It provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Australian scientists’ to the world of knowledge. It also aims to encourage an interest in science pursuits among the general public, and to encourage younger people to become fascinated by the world we live in.

Staff and students alike will come dressed as their favourite scientist, conduct experiments and examine some exciting scientific theories. Photos of this fun filled day will be in our next newsletter.

Father’s Day Afternoon

With Father’s Day fast approaching, St Rita’s would like to host a Father’s Day afternoon on Friday 31st August in honour of the father figures in our lives who offer us life-giving care. The afternoon will commence at 5pm with some sports games, followed by a barbeque dinner and movie screening. More information regarding this event will be forwarded by way of a flyer in the coming days. Until then, make time in your calendars for a fun afternoon with your children and brush up on your sporting skills to work up an appetite.

Blessing
God, our Father
Bless these men,
that they may find strength as fathers.
Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters
may honour them always
with a spirit of profound respect.
Amen

Completion of the Sacramental Program

The culmination of our Parish Sacramental Program occurred last Saturday evening at St Rita’s Vigil Mass, where two candidates received the Sacrament of First Eucharist. Receiving Holy Communion for the first time is the final Sacrament of Initiation. It draws recipients into their first experience of sharing intimately in the life of Christ and the unity of the Church, and, through the repeatable sacrament of receiving Eucharist, we are all sustained in our belonging to Christ, as members of the Catholic Church.

Congratulations to Daniel and Ryan, who have participated so willingly in our sacramental program throughout the year and to their families for supporting them through their faith journey. May I offer sincere thanks to Father Kerry Crowley and Father Bill Grundy for their spiritual guidance and assistance throughout this time. My thanks also go to the parishioners for their prayers and support shown to the candidates, and to the St Rita’s Parish Choir members for their preparations to ensure a memorable mass was enjoyed by all.

Date Claimer

Looking ahead to Term 4, please be advised that Monday 22nd October will be a Pupil-Free Day. On this day, parents will need to make alternate arrangements for the safe care of their children as no classes will be conducted while staff engage in Professional Development.

Bon Voyage

We wish Mrs Billiau safe travels as she takes a well-deserved four-week break on Long Service Leave commencing this week. In her absence, please direct any enquiries to your child/ren’s classroom teacher, Mrs Debbie Kurucz or to Mrs Gaul. We look forward to her return in Week 10.

Blessings,
Maureen Gaul
Assistant Principal (Religious Education)

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTS AND CARERS

Parents and carers are children’s first and most important teachers when it comes to relationships.

The ways you relate to your children and the guidance you provide helps develop children’s social skills. You can help children develop friendship skills and strategies by modelling effective social skills, providing opportunities for children to practise relationship skills and offering support when they go through difficulties. Taking the role of a coach helps children learn the skills they need for themselves.

The following suggestions may be helpful :

• Make time to play too
  Parents and carers can improve their children’s social skills by playing with them regularly. Letting children choose and lead the play allows you to be playful with them and encourages them to practise skills for cooperation and negotiation. Making time for play helps strengthen your relationship with them as well as their skills. Avoid criticising and make it fun!
• Allow your child to try all sorts of different activities
  Children who have a wide range of interests are more likely to have something in common with others and so find it easier to make friends and get along.
• Invite children for play dates
  Having friends over to visit helps children to establish friendships and practise their social skills. It also provides an opportunity for you to provide on-the-spot coaching for children who are still developing their friendship skills. Providing positive guidance and helping to structure activities (without taking over!) can be important when establishing new friendships.
• Talk with children about what is happening for them with their friends
  Find a relaxed time, like the drive home from school or after dinner, to talk about what is happening in your children’s friendship group. By doing this, you let them know that you are interested in their wellbeing, and this can also be an opportunity to share some of your experiences and to help them solve any problems they might have.
• Encourage positive, relevant strategies
  Parents and carers can talk about, and encourage, friendly and cooperative strategies that can help their child to develop friendships. For example, encouraging children to negotiate or compromise when trying to solve problems with peers is a strategy that is generally more positively received than aggression or verbal threats.
• Take a problem-solving approach
  Parents and carers don’t need to have the answers to all of their children’s problems. You can support your children to think through a problem for themselves by talking with them and asking some useful questions.

Excerpt: www.kidsmatter.edu.au/resources/information-resources

CASTING THE NET

Mary, mother of Jesus and our mother.

This Wednesday our church celebrates Mary the mother of Jesus in the Feast of the Assumption. Strange name that, but it is not about making an assumption in a situation we don’t understand (though it could look like that at first). In Old English ‘assume’ could mean being taken into so on this feast, we celebrate Mary being taken in to be with Jesus. There, with him, she cares for us. She knows how to truly care for us for in so many ways. She faced and lived gracefully so many of the challenges of human life.

A quick glance at her life shows us that she gave birth to her son in poverty – many have done that. She fled as a refugee – many have done that. She lived in a village with petty gossip – many have done that. She wondered what her son was doing with his life – many have done that. She watched him die a horrible death – many have done that. Through all the events of her life, both good and bad, she believed that God’s love was at work. She lived by faith, as we are called to do. Whatever challenges and sufferings came her way, even if she didn’t understand, she believed that God’s love could bring goodness and holiness out of the situation.

Because she was faithful to God in all these situations, we feel that she understands the difficulties of our lives and that she cares for us as she cared for her son, Jesus. In her all-embracing motherly love, we can see the love of God for us. Not only is she a model of faith, she comes close to us and shepherds us with the love of God.

Loving God, we praise and thank you for giving us such a model of faith in Mary, the mother of Jesus. As Mary was guided by your Spirit may she in turn give us your wisdom and love, especially in the dark days of suffering and confusion. We ask this in Jesus name, confident that you will hear us

Sr Kym Harris osb

AROUND THE CLASSROOMS

NAIDOC Day Celebrations at St Rita’s

Last Friday, at St Rita’s, our whole school celebrated NAIDOC Day. We started with a liturgy, and my Dad came to listen to me reading and to see me holding the flags. After the liturgy we all had some indigenous foods to eat and share, like damper and a taro and coconut slice. The damper was delicious with syrup, and the slice tasted amazing!

Once we had eaten, one of our teachers painted our faces with native animals. I chose the turtle, but others had lizards, platypi, snakes and dragonflies.

Later in class, we had rotations where we could dot paint, weave and sing an Indigenous lullaby. I decided to weave a long tail from coconut palm leaves, because I love animals. I painted a lizard and sang ‘Inanay’ with my friends in my group.

Our special guest for the day was Miss Annie Wonga. She is our local Aboriginal elder. She stayed for our liturgy and lunch, and left after we had our NAIDOC cake. Everyone felt happy on NAIDOC Day. It was lots of fun!

By Eva Masina Year 3

LESSONS IN THE LIBRARY

Premier’s Reading Challenge

School reader record forms must be returned to the library by Friday 24 August. Keep up the wonderful reading St Rita’s!

Michelle van Dugteren
District Librarian & Resource Teacher

LIBRARY LINKS

BONZA BOOK WEEK

‘Find your Treasure’, the theme for Book Week 2018, reminds us what a gift the ability to read is. At any time, by simply opening the pages of a book, we can escape to far off worlds and fantasy lands. We can become superheroes or wizards for a day; the possibilities are as endless as our imaginations are boundless. The joy to be found between the pages of a book is priceless, and a treasure we can continue to explore forever.

I would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to our wonderful families for getting into the spirit of Book Week. Thank you for supporting your children with the planning and making of their amazing costumes. Thank you also to those of you able to stay for our parade on Thursday morning. The smiles on the children’s faces were priceless.

This year, our Book Fair will be held from Monday 15th to Friday 19th October. The Fair is always eagerly anticipated and this year we will be show casing some wonderful gift ideas for Christmas. I will keep you updated as the date draws near.

Until next time……Happy Reading!

Lisa Calcagno
Library Assistant

DATE CLAIMERS

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

St Rita’s School congratulates those students who were awarded ‘Student of the Week’ at Assembly on Friday 17th August 2018.

BIRTHDAY CONGRATULATIONS

St Rita’s wishes Saffron Ripps and Hannah Lansdown all the very best for their recent birthdays. We hope you had wonderful birthday celebrations. Congratulations Saffron and Hannah!

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

COMMUNITY NEWS

BABINDA COMMUNITY KINDERGARTEN

ST AUGUSTINE’S OPEN NIGHT

ST JOSEPH’S PARAMATTA PARK FETE