Verbis - Term 4, Edition 3 2023 Verbis - Term 4, Edition 3 2023
9 November 2023
Year of Simplicity - Travelling Lightly
From our College Leadership Team
Principal - Mrs Dale Morrow
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The statute you see below sits in the Orana room and many of you may have noticed it when visiting Trinity. I would like to share with you a little about how this carving came to be at St Rita’s College.
I purchased it when I was in Israel in 2019 on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I was so taken with the message that I decided to purchase it and bring it back to St Rita’s. It was inspired by the following piece of scripture:
Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come into you and eat with you, and you with me. Revelation 3: 20
Why was I so taken with it? Well, I loved the fact that this statute represents an invitation for us to accept Christ into our lives. If we choose not to, that is our decision but Jesus will never give up on us. He will keep knocking and asking us to let him in. If you have a good look at the statute, you will notice that there is no way to open the door from where Jesus is standing. The door must be opened from the other side – the side we are standing on.
This passage is often interpreted as a metaphorical message from Jesus to all of us, and it is meant to convey several important ideas:
- Invitation: Jesus is portrayed as standing at the door and knocking, which symbolises that He is inviting us into a relationship with Him. He wants to be a part of our lives.
- Choice: The passage asks us to make a choice - whether to open the door or not. This implies that having a relationship with Jesus is a personal decision, not something forced upon us.
- Intimacy: The idea of “eating together” in the biblical context signifies a close and personal relationship. By opening the door to Jesus, we are allowing Him into our lives in an intimate way.
The hope is that this statute will remind all of us who walk past it to think about Jesus knocking at our door and asking us to accept him into our lives. Jesus asks us to love one another and to love our God. In times of such turmoil in our world may we pray for all those who are suffering in wars and those who are dispossessed. We ask God to bless our world and for us all to act with kindness and love at every opportunity.
May you also keep the Year 12 students in your prayers as they come to the end of their external exams.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the Year 10 students who welcomed our incoming Year 5 students at their Orientation afternoon last week. I am always struck by the easy way our older students make our younger students feel welcome in their new school. As a community we have much to be grateful for.
God bless,
Dale Morrow
Deputy Principal - Students, Mrs Catherine Allen
As students head into exams and final assessments for the year, please be reminded that some resources are freely available to you. They contain a number of areas that might assist with exam jitters. You can find more here and here.
Today’s world invites us all to post our memories and happy moments online. Unfortunately theft of these images, as well as AI and deepfake manipulation can occur, concerns can emerge and impact negatively. 'Umibot' is an RMIT-based chatbot that Professor Henry and Dr Alice Witt developed to provide information, support and general advice on image-based sexual abuse. While anyone in the world can chat with Umibot, it was designed principally for Australians, including people under the age of 18. If a school student has experienced image-based abuse, they’re supporting someone who has (as a bystander or witness) or they’re concerned about something they have done, Umibot can provide research-based information on:
- What image-based sexual abuse is (eg, it’s not just ‘revenge porn’);
- Where to go for help (eg, counselling, specialist organisations);
- Reporting options (eg, the eSafety Commissioner, the police or digital platforms);
- How to get images taken down or removed (eg, platform specific reporting tools);
- Online safety and much more.
Dr Alice Witt is an alumnae of St Rita’s and is currently a socio-legal Research Fellow at RMIT University.
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching, Mr Martin Lobb
Reporting for Semester 2
Years 5–10
All results for individual tasks will be released for Year 5–10 students by Friday 1 December. Semester 2 Academic Transcripts will be available in MySRC for parents to download from the week beginning Monday 11 December. You will be able to print these Transcripts if they wish. This information will remain in the student’s MySRC profile until they leave the College. These results will be the overall results for each subject over the course of Semester 2.
Year 11
The Academic Transcript for Year 11 students, released in the week beginning Monday 11 December, will contain the overall results for Unit 2 – this will pertain to the tasks completed during Term 3, and in some subjects, it may include Term 2 tasks as well. Year 11 students have all commenced Unit 3 and this will be reported on, when confirmed, in 2024. Individual Year 11 subject task results for all Term 4, Unit 3 tasks will be released during Week 2 of the 2024 school year.
Assistant Principal - Mission, Mrs Erica Qureshi
Goodbye Year 12
Next week we celebrate with our Year 12 graduates the end of their schooling journey. I would like to share with you one of the readings that will be read at their Graduation Mass as it truly summarises all that we hope for these students as they journey from our St Rita’s gates for the last time as students next Friday. Significantly at the Mass, the reading will be read by Sr Elvera Sesta on behalf of the Presentation Sisters, the staff and the many women on whose shoulders our Year 12 students stand.
A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Take heed of this advice and we look forward to hearing from you all as you continue your remarkable journeys. In the words of all those who have gone before and remain, may you: Shine before us… Light the path… Heed the knowledge… (and) Go forth into the world and be!”
Primary Years News
Head of Primary - Ms Georgina Howard
Over the last few weeks, our Primary students have participated in Year 5 and Year 6 Retreats. Facilitated by Steph Unger from the Youth Ministry Team at BCE, our Year 5s and 6s were encouraged to Spread Joy and be The Fifth Gospel.
Throughout the Retreats, the girls shared their understanding of the ways in which they can bring, share and experience joy. The Primary energy resonated with this message and provided a wonderful platform for deep conversation and connection. We talked especially about the lives of Jesus and Mary, who chose to spread love and joy to all they encountered. The students spoke about how, as Christians, we are still called to live out lives of joy and be examples of the love of Jesus.
The activities were hands-on and engaging, with students sharing their new understandings and connections through song, dance, art, Lego and play. At the end of the day, students shared heartfelt affirmations with one another in recognition of the joy shared and received between peers. These were shared with others that were often beyond friendship and class groups, demonstrating the authentic connections experienced by the girls throughout the Retreat.
Thank you to Steph, Emily and Josiah from the Youth Ministry Team at BCE and all of our Primary teachers and staff for their willingness to support and engage with the students at the Retreats. A special thank you to the Primary students for their openness and courage to spread joy and be the fifth Gospel in our College community!
Children's Mission Day Liturgy
On Wednesday 25 October, St Rita’s Primary Years students were invited to attend the 2023 World Children’s Mission Day Liturgy at Corpus Christi Church, Nundah. Gianna, Angelique, Sasha, Charlotte and Sophia attended the Liturgy with Mrs Qureshi as representatives of our College community.
The girls were engaged and respectful participants in the Liturgy and represented our College with pride. A special thank you to Mrs Qureshi for organising this opportunity and attending this special Liturgy with our students!
Study Skills
In Term 1, Ms Amanda Walla presented a Study Skills Information Session for Primary parents. The presentation provided suggestions for stress and time management, preparation and planning and study tips to set students up for success. I encourage parents to revisit this presentation to support students during the busy assessment period ahead.
To access the presentation slides, please click here and scroll down to ‘Files’, selecting ‘Year 5 and 6 Parent Study Skills Presentation 2023.’
Thank you to Ms Wallas for narrating this presentation.
End of Year Primary Events
Year 5 Showcase
Year 5 families are invited to the 'Year 5 Showcase' being held on Wednesday 15 November from 3.30pm at the College. The afternoon promises to be full of fun and excitement as students share their learning journeys in Year 5.
All Year 5 students will perform as part of their Musical Theatre studies in Arts this semester.
If you are able to attend for all or part of the afternoon, please RSVP to Mrs Kerrie Hukins via primary@stritas.qld.edu.au
End of Primary Celebration
In five weeks’ time, our Year 6 students will complete their Primary schooling and become members of the St Rita’s College Secondary School community.
To mark this significant milestone, we invite Year 6 parents to our Year 6 End of Primary Celebration on Wednesday 22 November at 9.00am in The Trinity Centre.
Primary Awards
Congratulations to the following students who have recently received Primary awards:
Learner Quality Awards: Alyssa R, Sasha F, Alba S, Sofia C, Arabella P, Charlotte B, Hannah B, Kate R, Maggie H, Hannah M, Ava T, Imogen M, Emilia H, Claudia S, Bella F, Harper F, Ingrid N, Bridget M, Piper W, Kayla S and Ivy H
Pillar Awards: Chloe G, Grace P, Ebony A, Alyssa R, Emilia H, Charlotte P, Sophia B, Ivy S, Alba S, Claudia S, Amelia L, Liliana N, Rosemary M, Olive B, Beth C, Mikayla M, Isabella V, Alessia F, Isabella B
2024 Primary Sport
Please see the sports section below for information on 2024 sport trials and registrations.
- Current Year 5 (Year 6, 2024) submit your Year 6 2024 sport registration.
- Current Year 6 (Year 7, 2024) submit your Term 1 Wednesday CaSSSA Sport registrations.
Music News - Mr Craig Kennedy, Head of Cocurricular Music
Studio Concerts
There was a wonderful sense of energy at the recent Studio Concerts with many students performing solos and a very supportive audience filling the halls of the Music Centre. While some of this energy was obviously from nerves, it’s important for any performer to recognise that this is a natural reaction for everyone and it is only from taking these types of opportunities where we begin to understand that we are still able to perform, even with nerves. Speaking from experience, this feeling will likely never go away, but in time it becomes part of an exciting experience, and it starts to have less of an impact on the performance overall.
This sense of controlled nervousness was what I noticed most from students throughout the afternoon. Students were nervous but still performed and performed well. It is very satisfying to see students over the years of performing at Studio Concerts become more proficient with the art of performing as participating in these concerts helps enormously to normalise the situation. It is certainly apparent from the improvement across many students that these skills can be developed, and it was great to see so many performers from the earliest of beginners through to advanced students performing at their own level of excellence. Congratulations and well done to all performers.
Christmas Concerts
It’s that time of year again where you can dust off your Christmas accessories and enjoy one of our Christmas Concerts. There is sure to be something to suit everyone and we kick it off with our Have Yourself a Merry Jazzy Christmas concert on Monday 20 November, 3.30pm in the Music Centre. Performing at this concert will be the Guitar Ensemble and Jazz Bands.
On the following afternoon, Tuesday 21 November, you can come to one or all three concerts in the Trinity Auditorium. Our bands will perform at 4.00pm in Christmas Bands, followed by string ensembles at 5.30pm in Christmas Bows and rounding out the festivities at 7.00pm our choirs will be singing in A Christmas Chorale. Our performing students will be accessorising, and it would be well within the spirit for any audience members to adorn their favourite seasonal accessories too. We hope to see you there.
Senior Music Camp
At the start of each year our senior core ensembles board the bus to travel to Mt Tamborine for Senior Music Camp. Usually this would occur at the end of the first week of Term 1 however, due to Australia Day falling on the Friday at the end of Week 1 and the unavailability of the campsite on this day, it has been necessary to bring forward the dates for camp. Therefore, dates for camp next year will be from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 January, 2024. This camp is by invitation only and students who are members of a senior core ensemble will have received an invitation via Operoo this week.
Upcoming Events in Term 4
We would like to extend an invitation to anyone in our extended community to join us for any of our upcoming performances and events. You would be most welcome. For further details to see if there is something that may interest you, please click here.
Sport News - Mr Joshua White, Director of Sport
Interhouse Swimming Carnival
There is no better way to celebrate the end of the year than to attend the annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival. College branded swimmers and rash shirts are compulsory for all students.
This day promises to bring out the best in interhouse rivalry with students from Years 5-11 participating in a range of events from the traditional 50m Freestyle race to inflatable raft races.
Buses will depart the College from 8.30am on Friday 10 November and students will return to the College prior to the end of the school day.
Please click here for information regarding the upcoming Interhouse Swimming Carnival on Friday 10 November at Centenary Aquatic Centre.
Primary School Sport in 2024
Registrations for Term 1, 2024 Sport for Year 5 and 6 students are now open, click on the links below to register your interest in Touch football, Tennis, Swimming.
Click here for Year 5 2024 registration (New Year 5, 2024 students)
Click here for Year 6 2024 registration (Current Year 6 students)
For more information please email: scaruana@stritas.qld.edu.au
Netball
Registrations are now open for Club Netball 2024, with trials to be held the week before school commences in January.
Click here to register your interest in playing in the Club season.
Sign ups close on Friday 24 November.
All information about the season can be found in MySRC and the College App. For more information please email: netball@stritas.qld.edu.au
Swimming
Swim Camp
The 2024 Swim Camp will be held on 18 and 19 January 2024 at Tallebudgera Recreation Centre. Click here for further details.
To secure your spot for swim camp Click here EOI closes 21 November.
Please note we are only taking 40 students to swim camp
Students in Years 5 and 6 are welcome and encouraged to attend the 8AM. Swim session and the post swim brunch on Thursday 18 January. However, primary students will not be able to travel overnight on this camp.
Queensland All Schools Track & Field Championships
The All Schools track & field championships were held over the weekend of 4-5 November with St Rita’s having a good number of students participating. There were some very good results with the outstanding performances being:
Gold medal
- Rose A - U16 400m
- Rose A – U16 800m
Silver medal
- Sienna Y – U14 Long Jump (also a St Rita’s school record of 5.23m)
Bronze Medal
- Mia N – U16 Triple Jump
- Ashley C – U15 Triple Jump
Final
- Baley W – U17 400m
- Baley W U17 800m
College Notices
2024 Stationery Orders - Due Friday 17 November
Stationery and workbook requirements are published on the MK Educational Supplies website.
Instructions to place order:
- At the top of the MK Educational Supplies website select St Rita’s College and your child’s Year level, select Girl, then View Book List.
- Place a tick beside your child’s relevant subjects and tick beside A: General Stationary Requirements (additional to items for selected subjects). Please select all subjects and purchase all equipment listed for your daughter's year.
- Show Subjects: to reveal the required equipment and workbooks.
Stationery and workbook orders are due Friday 17 November 2023.
Nominated delivery dates will be shown at the top of the order form and emailed to you at the time of ordering.
- Home delivery will be from Monday 11 December. A tracking number will be provided once the order is dispatched.
- Store collection is from Monday 11 December - Saturday 23 December only, between 9.00am to 5.00pm (9.00am to 2.00pm Saturday).
The stationery items listed are the minimum requirements. Parents and Guardians are welcome to purchase suppliers other than MK Educational Supplies. Where brand, style or model is noted, this exact item must be purchased.
From Student Services
Expectations and Procedures
In order to maintain a smooth and secure learning environment, we have some important expectations and procedures to share.
Student Absences
- If your daughter is absent from school for a full or part day, please fill in and submit the Online Absentee form before 8:30am the day of the absence. If this is an anticipated absence (eg. a scheduled medical appointment etc) this form can be submitted ahead of time and you do not need to wait until the day of the absence to submit the form.
- The Online Absentee form must only be submitted by parents/guardians or an emergency contact on file.
Leaving the College during the day
- The person nominated to collect a student leaving early from school, are asked to park on Enderley Road and walk up to Student Services to collect them. If a parent has requested their daughter walk or drive themselves home, the College reserves the right to call to confirm their mode of transport.
Transport Options
- A reminder for all students who catch Red & White Buses to write their name on their bus ticket. In the event that a ticket is lost and handed in, named tickets can be returned to students.
Enrolment Applications for Year 5, 2025 and Year 7, 2027
As a highly regarded Catholic independent school for girls in Years 5 to 12, demand for places at St Rita’s College is always high. If you have family or friends interested in a St Rita's education for their daughter please encourage them to submit an application or register an expression of interest.
Enrolment applications for Year 5, 2025 and Year 7, 2027 (girls in Year 3, 2023) are currently open and will close on 25 January 2024.
Enrolment applications for entry into Year 5 or Year 7 can only be accepted from Year 3.
Applications are to be completed online via the College website.
St Rita's College Job Advertisement
St Rita’s College is seeking a Bus Driver on a casual basis to ensure the safe transport of students and staff between the College campus, school excursions, sport team trips and community events.
What we are looking for
- Current C-class, LR or MR licence.
- Proven experience and reliability in bus driving.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team with minimal supervision.
- A sound knowledge of surrounding road networks.
- Commitment to observe WHS and Child Safeguarding policies
Pay: Casual rate of $40.26 per hour with a minimum of two hour shifts. Some early mornings will be required.
For more information or to apply, please send your expression of interest and resume to Mrs Tanya Wrightson, Head of Human Resources via email hr@stritas.qld.edu.au
Important Dates
Upcoming Dates to Note
- Friday 10 November - Interhouse Swimming Carnival
- Saturday 11 November - Mother's Lunch
- Monday 13 November - Kildare Senior Farewell Dinner
- Tuesday 14 November - Year 12 Languages Dinner
- Wednesday 15 November - Year 5 Showcase
- Thursday 16 November - Year 12 Retreat
- Friday 17 November - 2024 Stationery Orders Due
- Friday 17 November - Year 12 Graduation Mass and Cocktail Party
- Monday 20 November - Have Yourself a Merry Jazzy Christmas
- Tuesday 21 November - Christmas Concerts
- Wednesday 22 November - Year 6 End of Primary Celebration
- Wednesday 22 November - Year 7, 2024 Library Orientation Afternoon
- Thursday 23 November - Year 9 Careers Day
- Friday 24 November - Christmas Liturgy and Last Day of School
- Tuesday 28 - Wednesday 29 November - Murgon Immersion
Upcoming Events
Service Roster
Big Brekky
Students are to meet the supervising staff member at Student Services at 5.55am. Students are to wear modest comfortable clothing.
Tuesday 14 November: Mr Guthrie will accompany Adele D, Olivia S, Sophia D and Liliana O
Tuesday 21 November: Mr Guthrie will accompany Charlotte W and Makayla W
Boutique News
Year 7, 2024
Students in the Secondary School are issued with a locker which needs to be locked at all times. As such, students will need to bring a combination lock to school on their first day (no key locks please). Locks can be purchased online via the Boutique or via any external supplier. The Boutique now offers a new combination lock which can be reset when students forget their combination. Our trusty Maintenance Team can unlock their lock with a master key and remind them of their combination instead of cutting the lock off to gain access to their locker. This saves the expense of buying additional locks throughout the year. The types of recommended locks are pictured below.
The Boutique has moved to Qkr!
Qkr! (pronounced 'quicker') is a mobile app designed to provide a seamless and convenient online ordering and payment process. The College first introduced Qkr! in January, with the launch of online ordering for The Pantry via the app. Now, we are proud to provide easy access to our online Boutique catalogue via the same platform.
Qkr! has replace our current online ordering website for the Boutique. Getting started is easy - simply download the Qkr! app on your Apple or Android device, then find St Rita’s College in the app, by searching for 'St Rita' and create a student profile for each of your children. You will be asked to provide your student’s ID number, so please have this ready. Click here for full step-by-step instructions. Parents who prefer to use website ordering can create their account and log in at: https://qkr-store.qkrschool.com/.
Product categories from the old website have been mapped over to Qkr!, for your convenience. We have also kept the option to arrange product fittings at the College, if required.
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 11.00 am.
Should you have any questions regarding the new ordering process, please contact our Boutique Coordinator, Laurinda Plant via: boutique@stritas.qld.edu.au.
Boutique Opening Hours
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 7.30am - 9.00am & 11.00am - 3.30pm
Term Time only - All orders placed over the school holidays will be available for collection on return to school.
Community Notices
Altru Fest
Sign up to volunteer for Altru Fest on Saturday 11 November 2023
The Annual Altru Festival offers immediate, onsite access to essential services, advocating for poverty-living, marginalised and at risk youth. Please click here for further information and click here to register for the event.
