Last Friday Xaverian House hosted Safer Internet Day. The internet provides so many opportunities and connections; some great and some risky. It is always good to review use of the internet and apps. 

Please see below for some resources provided by the eSafety Commissioner:

• The Safer Internet Day hub is a one-stop shop for resources, toolkits and activities. Whether you're an educator, parent, employer, or community leader, you'll find tools and information to promote online safety.
• Please explore: resources for parents, carers, and organisations working with families to support safer online spaces in your community.

Also, a reminder to RSVP to our parent information evening presented by Clinical Psychologist Dr Judith Locke on Thursday 3 April in Trinity Auditorium. This exclusive session for parents of Years 5-12 SRC students will see Dr Locke share research-backed insights and practical tools to support your child’s confidence, personal motivation, and ability to manage schoolwork demands. Learn how to foster a positive parent-child relationship and prepare your child for success in school and beyond. Click here to RSVP

School TV has provided a wellbeing barometer test that you might find interesting to complete. By participating in this survey, the school can identify areas of strength, uncover potential concerns, and pinpoint opportunities for early intervention. The survey’s findings enable a deeper understanding of young people’s lives, supporting a more tailored approach to improving mental and emotional wellbeing. Please remember, all responses remain anonymous and should reflect observations made over the last 12 months. Survey results are only reported on an aggregated basis.

Another free information session for parents/carers is available via an online workshop that will inform you about what’s influencing your student/s. With young people spending so much time online, what they see and do can impact their behaviours and beliefs. Online disrespect is one of the ways violence-supportive attitudes can start to develop. Stop it at the Start has partnered with Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman to help parents, carers and other significant adults of young people, aged 10-17 years, to better understand how the online world is influencing their views on respect and gender. It shares practical ways to help build relationships and start important conversations. Join facilitators, Jack Ryder and Kasey Miles, for a free interactive, evidence-based, 90 minute workshop, focused on connecting with young people and providing families with practical tools they can use day to day. The workshop will be held Thursday 27 February 2025, 7.00pm-8.30pm (AEDT). Register here.

Academic Assembly - Friday 21 February, 8.30am

We look forward to celebrating the Semester 2 academic achievements of many of our students at our College assembly on Friday 21 February. Congratulations to our students whose dedication will be recognised with presentations of Academic Improvement, and Academic Excellence, with students receiving green, red, and blue awards in Years 7 to 10, and bronze, silver, and gold awards to celebrate academic excellence in Years 11 and 12.

Visit MySRC to access the list of academic award winners.

We will also celebrate students who achieved Distinction or High Distinction in our SRC Honours Mathematics program. This program is a self-paced course which requires students to work through numerous topics at a higher level than their current curriculum and requires students to show initiative in researching how to complete set tasks. The course is offered through Education Perfect and overall results are determined in combination with their class results.

Sincere congratulations to all our award winners; all these students have displayed commitment, dedication and persistence to their study routines which has resulted in their success.

Term Overviews for Years 5 and 6 are now available via the on the Primary Parent Hub on MySRC in the Curriculum Documents section. 

Please peruse the document relevant to your daughter’s year level. The Assessments for all Primary students are now visible on the College Calendar. On the MySRC Dashboard, select your daughter’s calendar, then click through to find assessments in bright yellow.

Thank you to those who attended our online Primary Study Skills Session on Wednesday 19 February. A recording of the presentation will be made available on the Primary Parent Hub in coming days. We strongly encourage families to view this presentation to help alleviate stress around assessments and to help build strong, sustainable study habits at home to support student wellbeing. A special thank you to Ms Amanda Wallas, Head of Study Skills, for facilitating this event for our Primary families. 

Parents are reminded that the Before and After School Expectations apply to all Primary students in both Year 5 and Year 6.

Thank you to Year 5 Parents for following the Year 5 Morning Drop Off and Afternoon Pick Up Plan. Please ensure your Student Surname Card is clearly visible on the passenger side visor, not on the dashboard.

Year 5 parents are reminded that Year 5 Pick Up is from 3.20pm-3.40pm. Please do not wait or line up on Enderley Road until 3.20pm when the boom gate rises as this is causing significant traffic issues for our Secondary Pick Up area.

As part of our College community, Primary students follow the College Uniform Guide. Please refer to the Guide for all uniform requirements.

Skorts: We note that many Primary students have grown over the holidays. With the Formal Uniform Skort being an essential part of our Primary uniform, please ensure your daughter’s hem is no more than 2.5cm above the knee at all times. Skorts will need to be re-hemmed as your daughter grows and provision has been made for this periodic alteration in the skort design.

Hair: Hair is to be neat and brushed, with longer fringes (i.e. finishing below the eyes) kept off the face with brown snap clips or bobby pins. Hair ribbons must be white or brown.

Thank you for your support in ensuring our Year 5 students take pride in their uniforms and follow the College Uniform Policy.

Our Year 12 Drama students recently experienced Shake & Stir’s in-school production of George Orwell’s powerfully potent and profoundly popular allegory, Animal Farm. In this production revolution has taken place at Manor Farm. The animals have overthrown their human masters and assumed control of the farm. Led by the charismatic porker Napoleon and fuelled by enthusiastic camaraderie, a prosperous future free from the self-serving greed of humans is theirs for the taking. However, it is not long until the principles that promised equality become the shackles that bind the animals once again. This production serves as the stimulus for the current Year 12 summative assessment. Following the performance, students participated in a workshop with the actors where they could apply some of the dramatic elements they viewed as part of the performance. This was a great experience to prepare students for their Term 1 assessment.

Our Year 9 students were captivated by Grin and Tonic’s Edgar Allan Poe’s Hilariously Gruesome Tales of Mystery and Imagination. This imaginative production blends Magical Realism and Gothic Theatre, bringing Poe’s eerie tales to life through a unique mix of comedy, music, and the macabre.

The play follows two eccentric cousins determined to carry on their family’s legacy as a troupe of traveling actors. Through theatrical flair and dark humour, they reimagine Poe’s chilling cautionary tales, offering audiences a fresh and entertaining perspective on the master of the macabre.

As part of the Year 9 Drama curriculum, this professional performance provided students with a valuable opportunity to experience live theatre first hand, enriching their understanding of performance styles and storytelling techniques.

This week our Year 10 Drama class attended Queensland Performing Arts Centre to view Sister Act the musical. Based on the film, which quickly became a global phenomenon, Sister Act lit up the theatre and lifted all our spirits with its irresistible energy and joy! Students love viewing this professional show as part of their studies on musical theatre in Drama. 

Each year Hogan House raises funds to help The Presentation Sisters of Papua New Guinea. The Sisters have been part of the Aitape region in PNG since 1966. They assist this community in many areas of day to day living, in particular, by organising the school to educate the local children. Last year Hogan House raised $2500 to assist the Sisters to purchase learning aids for the school.

The Hogan House Donut Day is the platform to raise these funds. 
Orders must be placed before Monday 24 February (3:00pm) and collected during House Group on 7 March.

• Original Glazed Donuts for $24.00 - 12 Original Glazed Donuts
  
• Classic Assorted Dozen for $31.00 - 6 Original Glazed, 2 Chocolate Iced, 2 Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles and 2 Strawberry Iced

Click here to order by Monday 24 February.

Throughout the year each of our sister houses come together for a Community Mass. This week students, staff, and community members of Hogan and Xaverian joined in the Chapel for this special service of faith and fellowship. 

Each Community Mass is an opportunity to pause, celebrate, and connect. Our next Community Mass will be held on Tuesday 11 March at 8.00am for members of Cascian and Rosa Houses.

St Rita’s College was a sea of red and pink as Xaverian House hosted their Valentine’s Day Fundraiser. Students enjoyed tasty Valentine’s themed treats and face painting as they celebrated the spirt of friendship, connection, and love. 

This Xaverian House initiative raises funds for the Presentation Sisters Sacred Heart Tamil School in Chennai, India, where girls from low-socioeconomic areas can receive an education in their traditional Tamil language.

All current parents of St Rita’s College students are invited to attend the following parent support group Annual General Meetings to be held at the College.

Music Support Group AGM
Wednesday 5 March 2025 at 6:00pm in the Trinity Music Centre, St Rita's College.
Click here to nominate for a position on the MSG Committee

Sport SubCommittee AGM
Wednesday 19 March 2025 at 6:00pm in the Library, St Rita's College.
Click here to nominate for a position on the SSC Committee

Dr Judith Locke Parent Presentation

Thursday 3 April, 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Trinity Auditorium
Year 5-12 parents welcome

Discover essential strategies to help your child succeed with Clinical Psychologist Dr Judith Locke on Thursday 3 April. This exclusive session for parents of Years 5-12 students will share research-backed insights and practical tools to support your child’s confidence, personal motivation, and ability to manage schoolwork demands. Learn how to foster a positive parent-child relationship and prepare your child for success in school and beyond.

Click here to RSVP

The Pantry operates five days a week, during term time, offering breakfast from 7.30am each morning and lunch and afternoon tea service during school hours. After school options are also available until 3.45pm for students to purchase refreshments prior to cocurricular events or studying in the Library.

Qualified chefs prepare a weekly hot lunch menu, revised each Term, along with a selection of fresh wraps, salads, sushi, cold drinks and sweet treats. Pantry menus are available through the Qkr! App and on MySRC.

Pre-ordered lunches can be made via the Qkr! App, where you can place and pay for an order for a single day, or place and pay for orders for multiple days in a single week. All online orders are required by 9.00am for same-day orders.

Students in Years 7 -12 collect their online orders at lunchtime from the Pantry window, while Years 5-6 students have their lunch orders delivered to their classrooms. Students may also visit the Pantry during breaks to select and pay for their items. In store payment can be made via credit/debit card or cash purchases. Mobile phone payments are not accepted.

Parent and guardian volunteers are welcome and encouraged to support our Pantry operations. Full training is provided as volunteers work alongside our dedicated Pantry team. If you are able to offer your support and join the Pantry Volunteer Roster for a few hours during the week, the Pantry team would love to hear from you! Please register your interest via the Parent Volunteer Form.

Term Time Opening Hours

• Monday - CLOSED
• Tuesday to Friday - 7.30am to 9.00am & 11.00am - 3.30pm (closed between 9.00am and 11.00am).

Online Orders

Online Orders can be made any time during the school holidays via the Qkr! App and collected on return to school or during the return to school opening hours.

Orders received prior to 9.00am Tuesday-Friday will be available to collect from the Boutique from 11.00am the same day. Orders received after 9.00am will be available for collection the following business day after 11.00am.

The Boutique is staffed by Ms Laurinda Plant who can be contacted on 3860 7119 or via email at boutique@stritas.qld.edu.au.

This year our College will transition to cashless payment methods. This decision aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of financial transactions within our community by removing cash from the College grounds.

Many of you are already familiar with EFTPOS payment methods, which provide a secure and immediate way to handle payments.

Qkr (pronounced ‘quicker’) will continue to be our mobile app designed to provide a seamless and convenient online ordering and payment process for online ordering from our Pantry and Boutique.

QKR! Account

A Qkr! account allows parents and guardians to pay for Pantry (Tuckshop) and Boutique (Uniform Shop) items using a credit or debit card without pre-loading funds to a third-party account.

Download the Qkr! App from the App Store or Google Play and register an account to create student profiles.
Note: You may already have a QKR! Account as the platform operates across many schools.

New Families

Click here for step-by-step instructions for downloading the Qkr App to your device, creating student profile/s, and ordering and making payments. Parents who prefer to use web ordering can do so.

If you require assistance or have any questions, please contact the College IT Service Desk at helpdesk@stritas.qld.edu.

Returning Families

The first time you place an order in 2025, you will be asked to update your student’s details with their correct year level. You will also be asked to re-enter your students ID number. Student ID numbers can be found in MySRC, under your child's name and need to entered correctly during this step.

Do you know a family considering St Rita’s College for their daughter? Applications for Year 5, 2027 and Year 7, 2029 (students currently in Year 3) are now open - help us spread the word!

For further information or to apply visit www.stritas.qld.edu.au/enrolments/about-enrolment

It was wonderful to welcome our Year 7 families and new secondary families into the SRC Community at our Housewarming and Welcome BBQ earlier this week. From the Year 7 Parent Information Session to exploring House Group areas and meeting Heads of House and Year 12 Big Sisters, the night was filled with House spirit and College pride.

A big thank you to the new and returning families who joined us, and a special thank you the the P&F Committee and our Year 12 parents and P&F volunteers who hosted and served our Welcome BBQ - your generosity and hospitality make our community stronger! 

The P&F Committee invites all fathers and father figures of St Rita's College students, to attend the 2025 Fathers' Event.

Guests will enjoy a selection of Canapes, as they meet and mingle with other SRC fathers.
A cash bar will be available.

There will also be some great Lucky Door prizes available.

P&F Fathers' Event
Friday 14 March
6.00pm - 10.00pm
Albion Hotel, Lounge Bar
$25.00 +booking fee per person
Ticket sales close: Monday 3 March 2025 at 10.00am
Register Today

Our Primary students were enthralled with a performance from the Guitar Ensemble at the Primary Assembly this week. This ensemble comprises 15 acoustic guitars and a bass guitar with students from Years 6-12 who rehearse each week under the direction of Dr Libby Myers, our guitar specialist. The Guitar Ensemble performed Manha de Carnaval a Spanish influenced piece that was one of the first Bossa Nova compositions to gain popularity outside of Brazil. It was wonderful to present their performance to such an appreciative audience. We look forward to hearing more from the Guitar Ensemble at the Instrumental Informance Evening on Monday 24 March.

We are very fortunate to have a strong Choral team at the College and each year one of the highlights on the Choral calendar is the St Agatha’s Concert. This year’s concert will be held on Monday 17 March at 6:30pm in the beautiful acoustics of St Agatha’s Church. Performing will be our three core choirs, two extension choirs, the St Rita’s Community Choir, and selected vocal soloists. The performance will provide an insight to the high quality of our choral program from our youngest and newest members all the way through to our senior students. We look forward to you joining with our Choral community for a divine evening of choral repertoire.

Unless you have had prior involvement as a musician, it is often difficult as a parent to understand what is required to perform on stage. To assist, we will be presenting our Instrumental Informance Evening that will showcase senior instrumental ensembles to new music students and parents to the College. This will be a chance to meet other new parents and talk with experienced music parents who could offer some sage advice. You will gain an overview of the Band and Strings streams and hear some informative performances and demonstrations of what the experience is like for a musician, your daughter, in an ensemble.

Who: New Music students and parents to the College this year along with parents of performing students
When: Monday 24 March, 6:30pm in the Trinity Auditorium
What: Hear from the Head of Cocurricular Music, Strings and Band Coordinators, President of Music Support Group and our Music Student Leadership team.
Performing Ensembles: Concert Band, String Sinfonia, and Guitar Ensemble

Club Netball Training will begin in Week 6 of Term 1, an email will come out shortly with more information.

Vicki Wilson sign ups will be open next week, please keep an eye out for notification via MySRC and the Mobile app.

Information and nomination forms for representative sport are open for Term 1 and Term 2. Full information can be found on the Sport Page of MySRC.

Please visit the MySRC Policies and Procedures page  to read guidelines regarding Sports Teams Apparel (Gifts and Sponsorship) Guidelines - this applies to the purchase of gifts or gear for all sports teams.