Issue 10 - 20 June 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

Greetings Families,

Another busy term has almost been completed, and we have continued to see our children grow and mature as the time has passed. Lately I have been drumming into the children the importance of a good attitude towards life and in particular their learning and ways in which they treat others.

Over the last few weeks I have shared with them stories from Neale Daniher, a former footballer and coach who maintains a brilliant attitude even with his MND diagnosis. I shared with them the story of American Basketballer, Carmello Anthony, who overcame personal hardship in his life to make a success of himself. What I shared with them on Monday however, might have been the most impactful.

I shared with everyone an episode of the children’s show, Bluey. Bluey has been on my TV many times in my household, but I must admit, I don’t often take much notice. I was recommended to watch the ‘Cricket’ episode and being a sports lover, I decided to give it a go. I urge you do the same, you can stream it on ABC iView. The small 7 minute show had so many simple messages and metaphors to life, and how we can adapt a positive mindset. My favorite quote from this particular episode came from Rusty’s dad, who wrote a letter to his fictional son while he was serving in the army.

“As you grow up, you’ll face harder things than a cricket ball, and you’ll have two choices. Back away and get out, or step in front, and play a pull shot. Just keep your eye on the ball.”

That in a nutshell summed up the message we are trying to pass on to our children. How do we cope with adversity? Life isn’t always fair, as much as we would like it to be. Bad things happen to good people and some things are just plain scary. Our next generation needs to be tough and resilient. Our young people to learn to navigate life’s tricky situations. In ‘Bluey language’, to step in front and play a pull shot, rather than back away and get out.

I strongly believe that helping our young people navigate life’s challenges and not to wallow in self-pity, is going to give them the best chance at a bright and successful future.

Of course, this isn’t a new message. Christians all over the world know this, as our number one example, Jesus Christ, showed us that we can’t run from adversity, like he didn’t run from the cross. Pain and suffering seems a cruel, but an important part of our life on earth, at least for Christians. We are challenged to embrace it and grow as individuals. It’s our love for others, our attitude and our character that matters most, and for Christians, the belief that they will be rewarded with eternal life.

I leave you with this prayer, attributed to St Francis of Assisi. It is a beautiful prayer and an almighty challenge as it asks God to help us transform our lives, to be better and more loving people. To put ourselves last.

I pray that everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday break with your children and can’t wait to see everyone again in Term 3.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.
—St. Francis of Assisi

Michael Rowe
Principal

Principal Awards

Congratulations to all the children who received my Principals Award at Assembly on 9th June. This certificate is awarded to children with 90% and above Attendance in Term 2. Congratulations, well done.

Sports Report

Small School Athletics

What a fabulous day we had at Babinda State School for the annual Small School Athletics Carnival. I was really proud of the sportsmanship shown across the day from all the schools that were competing. We competed against Mirriwinni, McDonnell Creek, Bellenden Ker & Bartle Frere State schools and luckily, the rain held off for most of the day.

Our school finished 4th out of the 5 schools overall. Unfortunately for us, we had quite a few children away sick on that day which negatively impacted our overall score. We certainly competed very well as a school and won many events and races.

I must acknowledge the performances of Evie, Katara, Jude, Maddisyn and Riley who were all named Age Champions on the day. Our leaders where exceptional, and another highlight was the St Rita’s War Cry at the start of the day which was almost perfectly executed. Many of our children will have qualified for the Cassowary Coast meet however we are yet to receive any details of this just yet.

AFL

We are also very proud of year 6 student, Katara, who recently competed at the state titles for AFL in Maroochydore. Katara is an avid AFL player and spends her weekends dominating for the Gordonvale Suns. She has done extremely well to represent Peninsula for the second time this year and from all reports played well throughout the carnival.

Cricket

We are very excited to enter a St Rita’s team into a Cricket Gala Day at St Andrew’s Redlynch next term. This is a year 4/5 competition, and our school will compete against other Catholic schools in the Diocese to help celebrate Catholic Education week. We will form a team and start training early next term.

Sporting Schools

Next term our students will be expertly coached in both Dance and Rugby League as part of our PE program. Sian from ‘Step it Up Crew’ will again join us from Wednesdays in Week 2 to teach our students various dance routines which they will showcase in Week 6. From Week 4, we will have Rugby League coaching on Tuesdays as part of the Sporting Schools program. Exciting times ahead, our students certainly get some great opportunities at St Rita’s.

Counsellor’s Corner

As we welcome the end of Term 2, I look forward to the next 2 weeks of not having to rush in the mornings, make lunches or have uniforms ready. This is a time to ‘just be’ with our kids. ‘Being with’ is an important parent practice, supported by years of research as outlined in the parent program Circle of Security (COS). No need for fancy trips, expensive experiences, or entertaining toddlers. Children crave and desire our time and attention. In fact, it is a biological need to survive and thrive in which children will innately seek out connection and safety with their care giver. How simple is that – just our time? So, whatever you do (even if it is an expensive or inexpensive experience) enjoy your time with your loved ones. Be the Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, Kinder person in the parent / child relationship and find the joy in each other, make memories, strengthen relationships, and improve generational bonds by ‘being with’ one another. For school holiday ideas and suggestions, we have included lots of local holiday activities and guides; and for further information on Circle of Security (COS) welcome to speak with your School Counsellor or visit the link below

School Counsellor
Miss Jo

Around the Classrooms Prep/1/2

Win them over!

Wouldn’t you like to have a bearded dragon as a pet? I would!

Bearded dragons are cute and cuddly. They blow up their mouths like a frog. Bearded dragons feel rocky and scaly. Their faces look so cute.

I will play hide and seek with my bearded dragon and piggy in the middle. I love playing these games.

My bearded dragon and I will be best friends. We will go fishing and my bearded dragon will sleep with me. My bearded dragon will go to school with me.

A bearded dragon makes the perfect pet because they are cute, can play and be best friends.

By Samuel Shaw
Year 2

Win Them Over!

I like dogs because they are cute.
I like to snuggle dogs.
I do not like bees because they sting you.

by Georgia Bennett
Prep

Win Them Over!

PPPPPL…EA…..SE Mum & Dad can I have watercoli dog! They are an instant friendly dog!

I’ll play…… hide & seek fetch and tag. It would be way more fun if we did it in the rain!

If there is left over meat I can feed it to the dog. Like roast lamb and beef.

Lastly, I can walk it down the streets! I can take it to the dog park and I can take it in the car everywhere we go.

A dog makes the perfect pet because we can play, feed it and take it anywhere.

By Abel Rowe
Year 2

Library holiday activities

EFTPOS

For your convenience St Rita’s now has eftpos available. We hope this will make things a little easier for you to pay school fees and purchase uniforms. Tuckshop will still be cash only.

Kind regards,
Debbie

DATE CLAIMERS

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

St Rita’s School congratulates those students who were awarded ‘Student of the Week’ at Assembly on Friday 9th June 2023.

BIRTHDAY CONGRATULATIONS

St Rita’s wished Michael Burrows and Carleigh Geary who celebrated their birthdays recently at Assembly on Friday 9th June. We hope you all had wonderful birthday celebrations Michael and Carleigh!

MSF SUGAR CIRCULAR TO PARENTS

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

SMALL SPROUTS THERAPY

Small Sprouts Therapy is a paediatric speech pathology practice located in Mount Sheridan, Cairns. We provide evidence based speech pathology assessment and therapy services to children aged 0-12 years, and their families.

We have recently opened an Outreach clinic in Babinda and are working from Babinda Family Health on Tuesdays, weekly. We are taking on new clients and do not currently have a waitlist for our Babinda Clinic!

Clients can self refer through our website  Small Sprouts Therapy  or call us on 0435 835 334. We look forward to working with your families in the near future. 

Kind Regards,

Rachael Pierotti & Grace Johnston
Certified Practising Speech Pathologists

MUNRO THEATRE

CASSOWARY CHARGERS RUGBY CLINIC July 6th

Have a Go! All abilities PE Day

Little Athletics Winter Carnival