Issue 6 12 May 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 Families,

It was amazing to see our school community come together last Friday to celebrate Mother’s Day. It was a fantastic afternoon and a credit to our dedicated staff and students for making sure our Mum’s and special friends were well looked after during this time. I hope all our mums had a great day on Sunday.

Congratulations to our resident sport star, Latoya Ambrum who represented our school at the Cassowary Coast District Cross-Country Trials. Latoya qualified for this event after finishing 3rd at the Babinda Combined Schools Cross Country earlier this year. Latoya finished mid-field but can be proud of her efforts. She is a great example for others as she always gives things a go and always tries her best. Well done Latoya.

This week and next week our years three and five students are completing NAPLAN testing at school. NAPLAN is an annual assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It tests the types of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. This is done under supervision in our school library.

Next week we have a couple of big events at St Rita’s. On Thursday the 20th of May our students in years P-2 will be making their way to Babinda State School for Under Eights Day. This day promises to be lots of fun as our students will have the opportunity to mingle and complete a number of activities with other local students their age.

On Friday the 21st of May, our whole school will travel to St Rita’s in South Johnstone to celebrate the Feast Day of St Rita of Cascia, who is both of our schools Patron Saint. Please keep an eye on your emails as the permission forms for both of these events will be sent out in the coming days.

It has been noted in recent times that school attendance at our school is not as strong as we would like it to be. Please inform Debbie by text on the school mobile 0400 698 414 or phone 4065 9580 if your child is away sick. Please ensure that they are here at school, on time and ready to learn on the days they are healthy. If your child on average misses 1 day a fortnight, that equates to 4 weeks per year and nearly 1.5 years over 13 years of schooling. If you are having attendance issues with your child, please contact the classroom teacher or myself so we can work together to get your child to school every day.

Regards and blessings,

Michael Rowe
Principal

APRE THOUGHTS

Mary, Mother to All!

In the Catholic Church, the month of May is devoted to Mary, who is revered as the first disciple of Jesus, and a model of active faith and steadfast courage in accepting God’s Will. Mary trusted in the Word of God. She was bestowed the great honour of mothering Jesus - an honour that came at great personal cost, as at the end of his human life, she endured her son’s violent and shameful crucifixion. Though familiar with Jesus’ humanity, Mary also experienced the divinity of Jesus. Scriptures tell us that she was present as he performed his first miracle at the Wedding of Cana, and was witness to his resurrection.

In May, we celebrate the gift that mothers, and other female role models bring to us. Like Mary, mother-figures often embark on a journey of love, hope, compassion, and courageous leadership. As Mary did, all women are invited to place their trust in God, and respond to the Word of God. Mothers can be witnesses of hope and peace for the betterment of our world. Happy Mother’s Day to all women who nurture young and older persons alike!

Loving God,
We give you thanks for all who care for us,
Who have encouraged us and helped us grow,
Who have forgiven us,
And cared for us when we are unwell,
Who have supported us when times were hard,
Who have challenged us,
Who have told us about you.
Thank you, Lord.
Amen
Bath & Wells Diocese Children & Families Adviser

St Rita’s Feast Day Mass

Saturday 22nd May is the Feast Day of St Rita of Cascia. St Rita was widely known as the ‘Peacemaker of Cascia’ and is the patroness of those in need. She was a model disciple in her love of God, and led by example with tender, compassionate love, and merciful forgiveness towards others.

On Friday 21st May, our staff and students will travel to St Rita’s South Johnstone, to praise and thank our God for the life of St Rita of Cascia. We will arrive at the South Johnstone Parish by 9:30am to celebrate mass, then stay for morning tea and some fun activities before returning to school. Parents and friends of St Rita’s are warmly invited to join us for the occasion. More details concerning the organisation of this day will be communicated to parents in the coming week.

200 Years of Catholic Education

Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820. The first Catholic school in Australia was founded in October 1820 by Irish Catholic priest Fr John Therry and run by convict and lay person George Marley. The school, which Catholic historians believe was in Hunter Street, Parramatta, taught 31 students. By 1833, there were 10 Catholic schools in the colony.

Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school. This represents 777,000 students in 1,755 schools across the country and employing over 100,000 teachers and staff. Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities.

Source: https://200years.catholic.edu.au/about/ Accessed: Sunday 9th May 2021.

It is fitting that our national celebration occurs on the Feast Day of Our Lady Help of Christians, Australia’s Patron Saint, and the mother of our Church. From the humble beginnings, and through so many challenges educators and communities have held strong in their view that Catholic Education remain a quality option for our Young People. On 24th May, representatives from our school will attend St Monica’s Cathedral for the occasion, and share in the journey of Catholic Education as it continues in Australia.

Sacramental Program

As a reminder, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered this term. In order to prepare for the Sacrament, children, along with their parents/carers attend two information sessions, held on agreed days from 3:30pm – 4:30pm in the school library. If your child is in Year 4 or above, is baptised (or is to be baptised) and you would like them to participate in the program, please contact the school office on 4065 9580 to organise an enrolment form.

Blessings,

Maureen Gaul

LIBRARY LINKS

Continuing with our Term Two theme of Creativity, our primary library display board shows Vashti (The Dot by Peter H Reynolds) splashing beautiful colour to help brighten her world. She is eager to ‘make her mark and see where it takes her’.

A St Rita’s favourite, Stephen Michael King, is an author & illustrator continually making his mark in the literary world. Our library is fortunate to have a wide selection of books either written or illustrated by Stephen. His love of all things whimsical and childlike, make for gorgeous, creative stories all ages can enjoy. Stephen speaks of time spent creating in his studio as time “where any hint of adult logic stops and my trusted intuition takes over”. When asked at what age he started drawing, Stephen answered, “My mum, who loves books, has a story about me. She says that she brought a book home for me when I was about seven or eight years old. I didn’t like the pictures at all, so I spent a rainy weekend redrawing the whole book. She laughs when she tells that story”.

Leaf, Mutt Dog, One Blue Sock, Patricia and Henry and Amy are just some of our titles showcasing Stephen’s imaginative work. Stephen Michael King is our current Author in the Spotlight and his books will be on display in the library over the next fortnight.

If you’re out shopping, see if you can pick up one of Stephen’s titles to share with your children. It will be sure to be a much loved addition to your home libraries. Failing that, ask your children to borrow a library copy to enjoy together.

Until next time,

Lisa Calcagno
Library Assistant

SPORTS NEWS

Some very exciting sporting news happening this term, with our senior student Latoya Ambrum in Year 5. Latoya has been selected to play in Peninsula Under 10-12 years Boys and Girls Australian Football State Championships. The Championships will take place from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th of June at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns. Latoya is a very committed athlete who participates in a variety of weekly training sessions from her Wednesday Peninsula AFL training to Thursday AFL Club training and Sunday being her game day. She is also a club swimmer for the Innisfail Red Devils, diligently training twice weekly.

On Friday 7th of May, Latoya participated in the Peninsula Trials Cross Country in Innisfail. A great effort given as this was her first Cross Country running event at this level, coming in 19th place. St Rita’s wishes Latoya the very best in her upcoming sporting endeavours!

St Rita’s also has some upcoming AFL stars on the footy field, with Maddisyn Masina, Kodi Petryzsen and Leo Nelson playing for the Under 8’s AFL Cassowary Coast Crows and Jude Rowe playing for Under 9’s Cairns Cutters team. Elijah Geary, Eva Masina and Latoya Ambrum play for the Under 12’s Cairns Hawks team. AFL is an awesome team sport for both girls and boys, which focuses on footy ball skills, game play and importantly making new friends and being part of a team.

If your child is interested and is in the age group of Under 8’s (must have turned 7 years or 8 years this year). The Cassowary Coast Crows in seeking more players to join their team Under 8’s and 10’s team. Training is on Thursday afternoons from 4:00 – 5:00pm at the Innisfail Goondi Bend Sporting Complex. Game days are played on Sunday mornings in Cairns.

Please see Mrs Masina if you are interested.

Maryjane Masina
Sports teacher

DATE CLAIMERS

P & F News

Dear Parents,

Thankyou to all the parents who supported the Mother’s Day gift stall. We hope you enjoyed receiving the gifts specially selected by your children. There is still a small selection of gifts available. If anyone is interested phone Debbie in the office for details.

Our next P&F meeting will be held in the Library on Monday 24th May - 3:00 to 4:00pm. We will be discussing having a Disco in week 9 of this term. Everyone is welcome.

Kind regards,

Maryjane Masina
P&F Secretary

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

MUNRO THEATRE

MSF SUGAR CANE TRAIN AWARENESS