Issue 2 - 14th February 2023

Newsletter Articles

VISION STATEMENT

PRINCIPAL’S PEN

Greetings Families and Friends,

A little bittersweet, as this is my last newsletter until June as my family and I are fortunate enough to trek around the country the 3 months. After accumulating lots of Long Service Leave over the last 15 years in Catholic Education, a health scare last year was enough to prompt me to take some time out. Life is too short, and I need to start practicing what I preach to our staff. I’m a little hesitant to leave as I believe things are really kicking along nicely at our school, and the atmosphere is certainly one of positivity and dynamic learning. I’m sure everyone will be in good hands regardless.

I look forward to seeing much of this vast country of ours. Recently a question was posed to our Year 3-6 students. “Why do they call Australia the lucky country?” It is a very good question, and it’s easy to list the reasons why we are so fortunate. Yes, there have been mistakes in the past, but that is not unique to our country. History, I believe, is about learning from the past and working towards a brighter future, not to dwell on what has already happened. Apologise, forgive and move on. Easier said than done, I know, but the subject is also quite topical in our Catholic Church, as we approach the Easter season.

Next week marks the start of Lent. In the Christian Churches it is a period of abstinence for 40 days leading up to the death and resurrection of Christ, mirroring the journey of Christ, when he fasted and was tempted in the desert leading up to his crucifixion. We officially mark start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, when the ashes are received, the priest or other will say to the recipient, “Repent and believe in the Gospel”. Jesus today is often depicted as an all-loving, all-accepting man, which he was to an extent. However, what’s missing is his desire for us to repent, and to change our ways. To learn from our mistakes, seek forgiveness, and move forward. When he ate with sinners he never validated their lifestyle, he asked them to change their ways and to strive to be better children of God.

This Lent I will aim to grow closer to God and haven’t yet decided how I’ll deprive myself (it’s usually sugar related). Each year I challenge my children to give up desirable things for the duration of lent. One year when Jude was 5 he decided he would give up donuts. This was convenient for Jude as it is very rare that we would have donuts anyway, but I let him regardless as he was only 5. That year we decided to go to Adelaide for the Easter holidays. To our surprise they happened to be giving out free donut samples at Krispy Kreme. Jude’s eyes lit up and then he remembered. So I did what any good father would do, and ate his share too. A lesson learnt for young Jude, despite the protests of his mother!

Welcome Brendon

Next week I will meet with Brendon Napier, who will fill in for me in my absence. He will be acting Principal for the last 5 weeks of Term 1, and the first 7 weeks of Term 2. I will hand over important information to Brendon during this meeting, and I‘m sure himself and Ms Benvenuti will keep things progressing at St Rita’s. As well as our exceptional staff, I know the school will be well looked after.

Sports Uniform

This term we have been lucky enough to have secured expert cricket coaching for all of our students, each Tuesday for 6 weeks. Although our P-2 students should already be in sports uniform, our Year 3-6 students are also permitted to wear their sports uniform on Tuesdays if they wish, until cricket finishes later in the Term.

Skateboarding

After the raging success of last year, we decided to book further skateboarding lessons for our students. This Friday, every student will get the opportunity to partake in a skateboard session on our school Basketball court. The coaches will bring all the skateboards and safety gear, all we ask is that the students come in their sports uniform this Friday.

School Sports Spectacular

Our years 3-6 students have once again been invited to participate in the School Sports Spectacular in Innisfail on Wednesday the 1st of March. This is a tremendous opportunity for our children as they will be exposed to a range of sports throughout the day. These include basketball, hockey, AFL, league, union, tennis, netball, cricket, soccer, athletics, goalball and touch football. Sports uniform is to be worn on this day, a permission note will be emailed in the coming days.

Appreciations

Each Monday morning, I meet with all the students at St Rita’s, first thing, in the junior room. We recite our school prayer, go over the week’s events, go over the Term ahead, look at our school positive behavior focus and also take some time to celebrate our ‘Appreciations’. This is a great time in the week where the children get the opportunity to call out what they are grateful for. Family, food, shelter, friends, and pets are often common responses. As I mentioned earlier, it is a good habit to get into. To count our blessings and verbalise what we are appreciative for.

Saying this, I’d like to mention 2 fathers in our school community who have recently volunteered their time to our school which has certainly been noticed and appreciated. Thanks to Gavin Lansdown and Matt Owens who have both donated many hours of their time to maintain the grass and gardens in our school. They always do a great job, and the school certainly has a fresh feel after this has been done. If any other parents would like to help out with grounds and maintenance, please contact Debbie in the office.

A big thanks also to Joe Kurucz. Joe volunteered his time to cook our BBQ at the parents and family get together last week. Joe is the husband of Debbie and has no other affiliation to our school anymore. We certainly thank him for his time, and the sausages must’ve been cooked well, because not a single one was left.

Website

I have recently started the process of updating our school website. It may take me a while but I’d encourage you all to visit a particular page to find out more about some of our staff. I have asked staff to introduce themselves in their own words and provide and accompanying photo (not from school). We have a truly amazing team at St Rita’s, and this might give you a little insight into their personality and what makes them tick. I am very blessed to call these people my colleagues.

Farewell

A final farewell from me and the tribe. My last day will be next Friday the 24th of February and will return on Monday the 5th of June. I wish you all the best over this period, we will certainly miss everyone, and you will remain in our prayers. We will try and keep the children and staff updated with our travels. As always, please contact the school if you have any concerns, I’m very confident you will be in good hands.

Michael Rowe
Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and carers,

As we are fast approaching Week 8, I would like to share with you some facts about NAPLAN for Years 3 and 5. During this time many parents ask themselves “What can I do to support my child?”. Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of the school program and reminding them to simply do their best. Some familiarisation and explanation of NAPLAN is useful to help students understand and be comfortable with the format of the tests. Our teachers will ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the tests and will provide appropriate support and guidance. It should be noted that ACARA does not recommend excessive preparation for NAPLAN or the use of services by coaching providers.

How are the NAPLAN results used?

• Students and parents/carers may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers
• Teachers use these results to help identify students who require extra support
• Schools use these results to identify strengths and weaknesses to improve teaching programs, and to set goals for students in literacy and numeracy
• Leadership use results to review the effectiveness of programs and implement change if necessary
• Results are released to the community and can be seen via myschool.edu.au

Below is a schedule for our testing window in Week 8: Please note that in week six, students will follow the same schedule as they test out the assess form platform and become familiar with testing to run technical issues.

NAPLAN schedule 2023 – St Rita’s School, Babinda.

With that being said, I have worked in the space of NAPLAN for over seven years. At my previous school I administered the Year 3 test each year, with a different cohort. Whilst NAPLAN has many benefits it is important to remember that there are a number of things the test does not assess. Each year my co teacher and I would send out a letter prior to NAPLAN commencing..

"Soon, you will sit the NAPLAN test. Before you take this test there is something very important for you to know. "This test does not assess all of what makes each of you exceptional and unique.

"The people who score these tests don't know that some of you love to sing, are good at drawing or can teach others how to use a computer program. They have not seen the way that some of you can dance with grace or speak confidently to a large group. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them when they are sad. They don't know that you participate in sports, help your Mum and Dad or that you play with your little brother, sister or cousins. They do not know that you are caring, thoughtful and that every day you do your best. Because these attributes cannot be tested.

"The scores you get from this test will tell you how you did on that day, but they will not tell you everything. They can't tell you that you have improved on something you once found difficult. They can't tell you that you brighten up your teacher's day. They can't tell you how amazingly special you are.

"So come to school ready to do your best for the NAPLAN test and remember there is no one way to 'test' all of the wonderful things that make you, YOU!"

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

Counsellor’s Corner

Dear parents and carers,

The URSTRONG Friendology is the social emotional wellbeing program that St Rita’s have invested in and is accessible to St Rita parents with free parental membership. URSTRONG encourages kids to stand up for themselves in a kind, respectful way and helps them identify if a conflict is a Friendship Fire vs. Mean on Purpose which is helpful terminology and key to their success. Labels or innuendos such as ‘bully’ and ‘victim’ don’t help our kids, in fact research is teaching us these labels can impact a person’s identity with lifelong consequences.

It is hard to watch our children struggle, so messages of strength and respect for self are key from parents. It is important to empower our children with healthy conflict resolution skills and language to help them build positive identities and maintain healthy relationships.

Once we have helped our children to identify the difference between Friendship Fires vs. Mean on Purpose actions, we can then teach our children effective communication skills and strategies to respond. An example of this can be respectful ‘come back statements’ which are best practiced at home. Examples could be :-

“That’s rude”; “That’s not nice”; “We don’t act like that at St Rita’s”; “That’s not cool”; “That’s hurtful.”

Help your child to develop their own personal come back statement so they feel confident to respond and walk away to seek support if necessary. Try creating a statement that is not going to get them into trouble for saying and undo the learning of respectful language. Practicing an action plan builds coping abilities of resilience and confidence. This is empowering our children to stand up for themselves in a respectful way, which is an important skill that will reward them throughout life.

For further advice, research and skill development please use your free parental membership at URSTRONG Friendology, or discuss further with you School Counsellor Miss Jo.

What you think – YOU BECOME
What you feel – YOU ATTRACT
What you imagine – YOU CREATE BUDDHA

Warm regards,
Miss Jo

Hello, my name is Julie Schep

I am in my last year of study at CQUniversity in the Bachelor of Education degree, specialised in Early Childhood. Over Term 1, I am completing my last placement at this wonderful school in the Prep/Year 1/2 classroom.

I live in Babinda with my husband and my two boys. Both my boys went to St Rita’s, and we have wonderful memories of their time here.

My career in Early Childhood

I have been working in Early Childhood for over 15 years. I had my own Family Day Care and I have worked as a Kindergarten Teacher and Outside School Care Educator. I am also a Teacher Aide at Bellenden Ker State School.

My major interests

I like to work out at the gym and I enjoy riding bikes with my family- we love exploring new places! My family enjoys quiet times at home and going camping during the holidays, especially at creeks with lots of rainforests around and mountains to explore!

It is my passion to teach children from a variety of ages and backgrounds and finding their individual way of learning and helping them in reaching their milestones is my focus. I am looking forward to working with Ms Wilson and the children in the Prep-2 classroom and I hope to meet you soon.

Julie Schep

DATE CLAIMERS

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

St Rita’s School congratulates those students who were awarded ‘Student of the Week’ at Assembly on Friday 3rd February 2023.

BIRTHDAY CONGRATULATIONS

St Rita’s wished Ayden Lock, Leo Nelson, Ebony Geary, Daniel Logan, Izaac Shaw and Jessie Clumpoint all who celebrated their birthdays recently at Assembly on Monday 6th February. We hope you all had wonderful birthday celebrations Ayden, Leo, Ebony, Daniel, Izaac and Jessie!

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

MUNRO THEATRE

Back to school lunch box ideas workshop

Strategies for Bedtime Parenting Seminar

Circle of security Workshop

MUSIC LESSONS WITH JENNI

PIANO LESSONS AND THEORY OF MUSIC

Expressions of interest and enquiries for piano lessons and Theory of Music on Saturday’s

Please phone:- Bernadette Anthony on 0499 180 022
Or email:- bernanthony19@gmail.com