Issue 7 - 10 May 2023

Newsletter Articles

VISION STATEMENT

St Rita’s school is a dynamic learning community strengthened by our Mercy heritage and inspired through the teachings of Jesus Christ. We are connected and compassionate to the needs of our community and are proud of our local Wanyurr-Majay culture. We engage our learners through relevant and hands-on experiences, bringing joy and confidence to learning.

PRINCIPAL’S PEN

Hello Family and Friends,

Welcome to Week Four of Term two.

Recently I have been concerned at the number of students either arriving late or being absent, I would like to draw your attention to the cumulative effect of ongoing lateness and absence:

It is also important to note that s176 of the Education General Provisions Act 2006 provides information regarding consequences for parents and carers including possible prosecution and penalty. A copy of the Act can be found at

We ask that parents and carers actively support our policy for 100% student attendance.

Everyday counts, if you would like to discuss this further, please feel free to make an appointment to discuss.

We have now had Marcus from AFL QLD visit the school twice and it has been great to see the smiling faces on some of our students enjoying what he brings for the two hours he is with our students. I have noticed for some of our students who are not proficient with some of the skills Marcus is teaching, they can get upset and angry quite quickly. I would ask that if you could discuss strategies that they could use when they are feeling they are not being successful.

We are having difficulties uploading to Facebook now and with Michael away we can’t rectify it until his return and therefore please see below lots of photo’s that we have wanted to upload.

Next Friday, it is Walk safely to School Day. If you would like to take part in this, we will all be meeting at the Bill Wakeham Park at 8:05am for 8:15 departure – All parents and families are invited to join with the walk. For the students who attend we will have temporary tattoos for the children to apply, this is a great opportunity to incorporate safety and community spirit all in one.

On the 22nd of May we will be hosting St Rita’s of South Johnstone for the celebration of St Rita’s Feast Day. We are hoping to have a sausage sizzle and a few activities to celebrate the two schools coming together.

With Mother’s Day this weekend, it’s interesting to note that it is not an official liturgical celebration within the church, yet many of our priests and parishes will take the time to honour and pray for all the wonderful mothers in our life. We are looking forward to seeing you all on Friday to celebrate.

Please find the following prayer from the Diocese of Wollongong’s for Mothers’ Day 2020.

Lord Jesus Christ, you chose to put yourself—tiny, needy, and helpless—into the nurturing and watchful hands of a human mother. Since then, every act of mothering, both physical and spiritual, in every time and every corner of the world recollects Mary’s. Inspired by this example, we, too, honour our mothers and mother figures today. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers and nurturers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons, and daughters, honour them always with a spirit of profound respect. We ask this in your holy name.

Amen.

Have a wonderful week.
God Bless
Brendon Napier
Acting Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and carers,

Mother’s Day

Parents and friends, as Mother’s Day approaches us I wanted to share with you a beautiful poem by the wonderful Brene’ Brown, something that as a mother, I have personally found so beautiful to read – it is the “Whole Hearted Parenting Manifesto”

“Above all else, I want you to know that you are loved and lovable. You will learn this from my words and actions—the lessons on love are in how I treat you and how I treat myself.

I want you to engage with the world from a place of worthiness. You will learn that you are worthy of love, belonging, and joy every time you see me practice self-compassion and embrace my own imperfections.

We will practice courage in our family by showing up, letting ourselves be seen, and honouring vulnerability. We will share our stories of struggle and strength. There will always be room in our home for both.

We will teach you compassion by practicing compassion with ourselves first; then with each other. We will set and respect boundaries; we will honor hard work, hope, and perseverance. Rest and play will be family values, as well as family practices.

You will learn accountability and respect by watching me make mistakes and make amends, and by watching how I ask for what I need and talk about how I feel.

I want you to know joy, so together we will practice gratitude.

I want you to feel joy, so together we will learn how to be vulnerable.

When uncertainty and scarcity visit, you will be able to draw from the spirit that is a part of our everyday life.

Together we will cry and face fear and grief. I will want to take away your pain, but instead I will sit with you and teach you how to feel it.

We will laugh and sing and dance and create. We will always have permission to be ourselves with each other. No matter what, you will always belong here.

As you begin your Wholehearted journey, the greatest gift that I can give to you is to live and love with my whole heart and to dare greatly.

I will not teach or love or show you anything perfectly, but I will let you see me, and I will always hold sacred the gift of seeing you. Truly, deeply, seeing you.”

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

Counsellor’s Corner

It is through relationships we develop a healthy sense of self. Even in our busy, driven (and often isolated lives), we are all interdependent and connected with one another, whether that be through the school community, wider community or part of sports, social groups etc. As a result, there is fun, relational fulfilment, safety and hope in coming together.

As social animals, humans are dependent on healthy relationships. In fact, our children’s survival, wellbeing, and future outcomes are linked to the quality of relationship with their primary care giver (Dr Tina Payne Bryson, 2022). This is a powerful reminder of how important your role is as parent and what messages of value do you want to impart with your children that can have generational impact.

If we reflect on the last two years, our children have received societal message that have been dominated by fear. Fear of getting sick, fear of being with other people, fear of hurting our loved ones (particularly our elderly), fear of not being clean enough, fear of falling behind at school... the list could go on. It is no wonder mental health services are seeing spikes of stress and anxiety presentations throughout the world particularly in our children (Dan Siegel, 2023). Our children’s nervous system may have developed ques to be on guard and our protective centre of the brain could be miscuing messages of danger, resulting in our children exhibiting fear or anxious reactions such as fight, flight, freeze or faint, in times when there is no threat. The power and influence of our relationship with our child is more important than ever, so we can impart messages to our children on how to manage such fears, reconfirm learnings of safety and community connection to prepare our children to thrive now and in the future.

Triple P have released online support to guide parents to support their children with fears and anxiety. For more information and support please refer on line to the link below Or for further support and information regarding attachment parenting or support in nurturing a healthy relationship with your child, welcome to meet with your school counsellor Miss Jo who is at school on Tuesdays.

Yours in Counselling
Miss Jo

Bible Verses about Mother’s Day

Library News

Week 6 of Term 2 will see our Book Fair arriving, sure to delight as it always does. This year Book Fair will take place in the library, over five (5) days, Monday 22nd May to Friday 26th May. For your convenience, the library opening hours will be as follows:

8:00am – 8:30 am each morning, Monday to Friday
3:00pm – 3:15 pm each afternoon, Monday to Friday

I would love to see each of our families visit at some time during Book Fair week. If you are hoping to find some inspiration for birthday’s, Christmas gifts, and would like to keep your purchases a surprise, I would be happy to help. Don’t hesitate to contact me in person or Debbie in the office.

Kind regards,
Julie Cross
Library Assistant

DATE CLAIMERS

TERM 2 2023

P & F News

Dear Parents,

The P & F committee have organised a Mother’s Day basket this year. It would be greatly appreciated if you could donate an appropriate item to be added to this gift basket. Books of 10 tickets have been sent home. Your donations can be left in the office, if you require additional ticket books ask Debbie in the office.

Mother’s Day activities will be organised after the Assembly by Year 3/4 class at 1:45pm. The raffle being drawn at assembly.

** Please remember to return your ticket books sold/unsold to the Office by Friday morning.

Many thanks,
Maryjane Masina

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

MUNRO THEATRE

BABINDA GOLF LESSONS