Issue 12 - 17 August 2022

Newsletter Articles

VISION STATEMENT

PRINCIPAL’S PEN

Dear Families,

Week 6, and we kicked off our week with the ‘Feast of the Assumption’ liturgy. The Feast of the Assumption, celebrated on August 15, acknowledges the Catholic teaching that Mary, born free of original sin, was assumed, body and soul to be with her Son and God in Heaven.

Feast of the Assumption

Mary is a Saint that is honoured by believers, both past and present, in the Catholic tradition. She is considered not only to be the Mother of Jesus, but Mother of the Church. We held a very peaceful and reverent liturgy on Monday morning with our students reading beautifully throughout the service. Our parish later celebrated Mass together at our church at 5pm in the evening.

Welcome

A special welcome to Moua Lee, who has joined our staff as a school officer this week. Moua was successful in attaining a position at our school and we look forward to the gifts and talents she brings to our staff group. She will work with us full-time until the end of year and will spend time within each classroom. Outside of school, Moua is in her 4th year of studying education and plans to become a teacher. She is very creative and tutors’ students from all over the country online in her spare time. We wish her the very best in her appointment, please say hello and make her feel welcome if you see her around our school.

Melbourne

Last week we were blessed to be able to send both Ms Benvenuti and Ms Douglas to Melbourne to attend the Edutech conference. The conference draws educators from all over the country together to share their ideas, and innovations in classroom and school management. On the Friday, they attended both St Gabriel’s and St Stephen’s Schools in Reservoir to observe their schools learning and teaching philosophy, and were hosted by Gemma Goodyear, an external consultant we have used over the last 12 months. Gemma is principal of both schools. Our teachers enjoyed their Melbourne experience immensely and we look forward to them implementing some of these initiatives at St Rita’s in the future weeks.

Science Week

This week is National Science Week, and this year’s theme is ‘Glass - more than meets the eye’. On Friday, we will be celebrating Science Week as a school by hosting a variety of activities for our children to enjoy. Our children are very fortunate to have specialised Science lessons each week, and I thank Mrs Jago for the time and effort she puts in each week to presenting highly interesting and engaging science lessons. I’m sure you children will have a great experience on Friday.

Book Week

A reminder that it is book week next week and our dress up parade is on Tuesday the 23rd of August at 9:00 am. This year’s theme is ‘Dreaming with Eyes open’. Again, we will have activities celebrating this special occasion. Special thanks to our interim librarian, Mrs Cross and our teachers on their wonderful job on organising these memorable days.

Sports

Tennis and dance continue to be a winner for our students, with a high level of engagement and interaction being reported. It is great that they have the opportunity to learn these new skills. I’m looking forward to the 1st of September for the dance showcase for parents and hope you can be there.

Well done to all our students who recently finished their AFL seasons for the Gordonvale Suns and South Cairns Cutters. It is great that many of our students participate in sports outside of school and this is a great way to meet new friends, learn new skills, and learn all about teamwork and resilience. I know of students at our school who currently participate in a wide range of sports including swimming, AFL, Rugby League, gymnastics, basketball, boxing, soccer and dance. Best of luck to Maddisyn Masina who is preparing for her ballet recital in Brisbane in the coming weeks. By all reports, both Maddisyn and her dad have her routine almost perfected.

Personal Health

As many of you will already know, I’ve had some interesting times in the past couple of weeks with my own health and have been away from school quite a bit to recover. The good news is, I am predicated to make a speedy recovery and will be back on the job full-time from next week. I would like to express my gratitude with all who have checked on my family’s wellbeing and by offering your thoughts and prayers. Our staff has done an amazing job covering for me over the last couple of weeks and I cannot thank them enough. The school and I have also been well-supported by CES who have been sure to send staff to help us as needed. I have been deeply humbled by all the offers of support and prayer, thank you.

Michael Rowe
Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Dear parents and carers,

Last week, Miss Douglas and I had the pleasure of attending the EDTECH 2022 conference in Melbourne. EduTECH is the largest trade show and conference for the entire education lifecycle across Australia. We were very fortunate to connect with some of the most innovative minds in the industry. The conference focuses on three main themes: Digitisation, Creativity and Diversity. Miss Douglas and I certainly enjoyed the many forums and speakers which discuss many ways education can be implemented in the 21st century, and a range of key take aways for our school staff and students. Whilst Miss Douglas and I attended many forums, a few highlights are listed below:

Forum: Thriving by design

An interesting discussion by Meg Durham, a wellbeing Educator, Speaker and Coach for “Open Mind Education”. Meg is an advocate for promoting energy, clarity and confidence for Teachers and Students. In her forum, she discusses how “Thriving by design” is a consistent approach to how we reflect on our own limitations, expectations and not just survive but thrive.

• The ripple effect our everyday choices have on the way we feel, function and relate to others.
• How to move beyond our excuses and take more deliberate action.
• The five patterns of behaviour that are keeping you wired and tired.

Forum: Solutions for whole-school wellbeing

With a large focus on whole – school wellbeing since the pandemic, this forum discussed ways in which staff must take care of themselves

Dr Mark Merry, Principal, Yarra Valley Grammar
Kate Dullard, Principal, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School
Tim Waley, Executive Consultant, TES

“Wellbeing is always a key concern in schools. The wellness of leaders, staff and students are inextricably linked and constantly interacting, so when pressure hits one area, it affects all of them. It’s no surprise, then, that the events of the past two years – which have placed schools under greater pressure than in living memory – have taken a toll. Our Wellbeing Report, substantiates this. Although Australian teachers continue to be confident, motivated and retain strong relationships with their students, they are struggling with spiralling workloads, and feeling that their voices are not heard. Through the TES survey, Findings conducted with a number of teachers found in a well-being report that a number of strategies can be implemented to ensure solutions for whole – school wellbeing.

• Improving teaching methods and learning outcomes across all subjects
• Promoting gender equality, inclusiveness and equity
• Demonstrating how new technologies - like robotics, VR, AR, drones, 3D printing, data analysis and artificial intelligence – can be integrated into mainstream learning
• Enhancing STEM education
• Offering equal opportunities for regional schools to attend EduTECH by offering discounted tickets and on-demand PD
• Fostering a national culture of life-long learning

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

Counsellor’s Corner

Past, Present or Future Thoughts Drive Emotional Mindsets

Wellness is supported by the balance of our past, present and future thoughts.

Past: - If we spend most of our time thinking about past mistakes or actions, this can lead us to feel low and depressed about our self

Future: - If we find ourselves preoccupied with future events or worrying about things that haven’t occurred yet, then this can lead us to feel anxious or stressed

Present: - If we find ourselves constantly living in the moment, not reflecting on the past or preparing for the future, we can become unmotivated and unfocused.

As emotionally intelligent Beings a balanced world view is achieved through thought processes that equally: reflect on the past, be prepared for the future and mindful of the present. If you start to hear your child’s self-talk dominated in one area (past, present or future) gently remind them of the power of their thoughts and role model a more balanced thought process to support general wellness.

“It isn’t good to let our thoughts disturb us or worry us at all.” - St. Teresa of Ávila
“what you think you become” – Guatama Buddha.
“Children are what they hear” – Anonymous

Be mindful of the balance of your own thoughts and voice – “what dominant messages are you sharing?”

Warm regards,
Miss Jo
School Counsellor

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 August 2022.

BIRTHDAY CONGRATULATIONS

St Rita’s wished Jax Thomson and Abel Rowe all the best for their recent birthdays. We hope you both had wonderful birthday celebrations Jax and Abel!

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK AWARDS

During Catholic Education Week the staff at St Rita’s were asked to select students that they thought were worthy of receiving the Spirit of Catholic Education Award. The very deserving students were Yazmin Lock, Leo Nelson and Ebony Geary. These fine young people who consistently demonstrate the spirit of generosity, selflessness and thoughtfulness to others in our school community. Congratulations!

P & F NEWS

Turn Your Trash into Cash for our school

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 bin at school.

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!

Thank you

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

MUNRO THEATRE

Well Women’s Clinic – Babinda Hospital

(This clinic is available to Medicare eligible clients)

Tuesday 30th August, 2022
All services are provided by a specially trained Women’s Health Nurse.
For appointments phone 4067 8200