Issue 1 - 2 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

VISION STATEMENT

St Rita’s School will be a compassionate and supportive community built on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, specifically incorporating the Mercy Values which are lived out. We will be a values-based community reaching out to and welcoming the wider community. Our strong school spirit will shine. St Rita’s will be a school in which every member is respectful of self and others.

PRINCIPAL’S PEN

Dear Parents,

Welcome to another school year and a special welcome to those who are joining us at St Rita’s for the first time. It has been noted by our staff, how great it is to see so many new faces join our school this year. We are thrilled to have 10 students starting prep with us and by all reports they have settled into school life seamlessly and enthusiastically. The Prep/One students are being led by Miss Anna Wilson who is also a new face joining us this year. Anna is originally from Brisbane and has relocated to the region to begin her teaching career with us. We wish her the very best as she pursues this important vocation.

We also have a number of new students in other grades and welcome Jessie (Year 1), Riley, Jude and Jaxon (Year 2), Brayden (Year 3) and Evie (Year 4).

Mrs Maureen Gaul (Monday-Wednesday) and Mrs Vicki Jago (Thursday-Friday) will be our teachers in the Year 2/3/4 class. Maureen will continue as APRE this year and Vicki will take on the role as Learning Support Teacher. Mrs Maryjane Masina will be our teacher for Year 5/6 class and continue to teach Health and PE across the school. Our teaching staff will be supported by our wonderful school officers Mrs Lisa Calcagno (Library), Mrs Donna Laurisden, Mrs Jenni Stone and Mrs Angela Middleton. Mrs Debbie Kurucz will continue as our school Administration Officer.

I personally, am very pleased to join St Rita’s staff as principal this year and am very fortunate to have such a friendly and professional team to work with. My family and I have lived in Horsham (Western Victoria) for the past 9 years and began our long drive up to FNQ on Boxing day, arriving on the 8th of January.

My wife Rebekah and I have four children, Evie (Year 4), Jude (Year 2), Abel (Prep) and Madeline (Kindy). So any parent who has ever driven with children before will appreciate just how long the journey would have been! Saying that we are feeling very blessed to be here and are very much enjoying exploring (and acclimatising) to this beautiful part of the world.

I am looking forward to get to know everyone that makes up our wonderful and diverse school community. Please do not hesitate in making an appointment to see me if any issues arise, or the classroom teachers for any queries and concerns regarding your child’s learning. We pray and hope that this year will be less interrupted than the last, however the staff and I are ready for whatever 2021 decides to throw our way.

This Friday, Fr Kerry will be joining us to officially launch our school year by celebrating our Commencement Mass. Mass will begin at 12.05pm at St Rita’s Catholic Church with families welcome to join us.

Looking forward to a joyful and productive school year at St Rita’s school in 2021.

Regards and blessings,

Michael Rowe
Principal

APRE THOUGHTS

Prayer for the Beginning of a New School Year

God of endings and beginnings, as we begin our journey together, we place our trust and hope in you.

You are our companion and friend.

Help us to learn from you how we can care for each other every day.

Amen.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW SCHOOL YEAR

Each New Year is a cause for celebration! What lies before us is sure to be a wealth of opportunities, experiences, and challenges. Welcome to our returning staff, families and students; it was a happy reunion returning to school last week to the many bright eyes and eager smiles! Welcome especially to our new staff, families and students who are new to our learning community and bring new energy and life to our school. We look forward to creating new memories together, making new friendships and leaving our mark upon history here at St Rita’s.

BEGINNING OF SCHOOL YEAR MASS

Parents and friends of St Rita’s School, you are warmly invited to celebrate our beginning of school year Commencement Mass, this Friday 5th February @ 12:05pm with staff and students. We welcome you to join with us in St Rita’s Parish Church, and celebrate our first coming together as a Catholic Christian community in the school year, and to commission our 2021 school leaders. Thank you to Fathers Kerry and Hillary who will preside at our mass.

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP AWARD

2021 YEAR OF ST JOSEPH

The liturgical year of 2021, which began on December 3rd 2020, has been declared by Pope Francis as the Year of St Joseph. While Scriptures focus more on Mary and Jesus, they still reveal much about the man who was St Joseph. Namely, Joseph was a devout Jew who adhered to rituals to follow the ‘Law of Moses’, and could trace his family back to the anointed King David of Israel’s people. Joseph was honourable, and gave respect to Mary by taking her as his spouse and in naming her child, Jesus, as his. He was their protector and provider, and a man of faith, courage and compassion. Thus, Joseph is a wonderful model for Christians, in particular, for father-figures.

To mark the announcement of the Year of St Joseph, Pope Francis published an Apostolic Letter Patris corde (With a Father’s Heart), to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. Should you wish to read it, you can find it through this link:

You are invited also to read the Year of St Joseph prayer card.

Blessings,
Maureen Gaul

TUCKSHOP

Tuckshop will be commencing in Week 3. Menus and volunteer rosters will be sent home this week.

Helping in the Tuckshop requires an hour or so of your time on a Friday morning. The menu is basic and not too involved. If you are able to volunteer it would be very much appreciated.

Regards,
Debbie

THANKYOU

I would like to say a big THANKYOU, to two of our parents Gavin Lansdown and Kevin Polzin. Over the Christmas and New Year holidays they carried out maintenance issues and lots of mowing and keeping our grounds looking wonderful for the children’s return to school. It is very much appreciated.

DATE CLAIMERS

BIRTHDAY CONGRATULATIONS

St Rita’s wished Uriah Tolson, Leo Nelson, Teelah Geary and Izaac Shaw all the very best for their recently celebrated birthdays before school commenced this year.

We hope you all had wonderful birthday celebrations Uriah, Leo, Teelah and Izaac!

Turn Your Trash into Cash!

The P & F is contributing to the St Rita’s sustainability initiative by organising the collection of recyclable containers that earn 10c upon return to Cash 4 Containers FNQ. The school is keen for parents to begin collecting at home, and bring them into the recycle bins at school.

Please view the poster in this newsletter to show which specific containers will incur the 10c refund. Although it seems like an insignificant amount paid for each container, it ‘all adds up’ if all families start collecting and sending in their containers. We thank you for your interest and support of this fundraising activity!

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

MUNRO THEATRE

MUSIC TUITION

Mrs Jenny Marks will be recommencing her keyboard, guitar and singing lessons on Wednesday 10th February 2021. You can phone Jenny on 4067 6157 or mobile 0424 756 157 for all enquiries and information regarding your child’s participation in this Music program which is held in school hours.

OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE

Outside School Hours Care is available to children at the Babinda State School. A bus is available to pick up children from St Rita’s in the afternoons and transport them to the State School. Please see Debbie in the office for any enquiries.