Welcome to Term 2, 2023 Welcome to Term 2, 2023
Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome to Term 2, 2023. I hope that all families enjoyed a joyous Easter and a very happy holiday. I also hope that all students return keen to give their best in all they do. In our Year of Simplicity, this simple commitment will embrace lots of determination. In partnership with hard work will come the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve given your best. It will also allow each to reflect without any baggage or regret of ‘if only I had…’. In a world filled with distractions, the call to live a simple life of doing and being your best is not always easy. Whoever we are, this is all that can be asked; to live fully and as God designed, with no comparisons and with dignity.
Staffing
It is my pleasure to acknowledge and welcome, and in many cases welcome back into our community, the following staff:
- Natalie Claut (Head of Community Development)
- Drew Semple (Head of eLearning)
- Carla Wood (Teacher) whilst Terese Casey in on leave
- Declan Ryan (Acting Head of House – Marian)
- Joel Negline (Acting Head of House – Kildare)
- Joseph Guthrie (Teacher) whilst Chani Murtagh is on leave
- Davinder Kaur (Lab Assistant)
- Julie Herden (College Registrar) whilst Emma Ross is on leave
- Jen Fowler (Main Reception) whilst Janet Thomson is on leave
- Shandelle Caruana (Sports Coordinator)
Term 2 promises to be another Term filled with many opportunities for development across social, academic, sporting, cultural and spiritual pursuits. I look forward to sharing the ideas and efforts of all.
Yours sincerely
Ms Catherine Allen, Acting Principal
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews - Monday 24 April and Tuesday 2 May
Parent Teacher Interviews for all Year levels will be conducted on Monday 24 April and Tuesday 2 May from 3:30pm-8:30pm.
The Online Booking System opened on Wednesday 5 April at 7:00am and closes on Sunday 16 April at 11:59pm. An email has been sent to parents with instructions on how to book Interviews.
The information below gives an overview of the process:
- Year 5 and 6 interviews are 14 minutes long with the core classroom teacher only.
- Years 7 – 12 interviews are 7 minutes long with subject teachers.
We will use the ‘virtual’ interview format, utilising the online meeting platform, Zoom, which has been favoured by parents for these Interviews. Students are required to attend the interviews (where possible) as it is advantageous for them to also hear the feedback.
The purpose of the interviews is for students and parents to hear the feedback provided by teachers on the learning that occurred during Term 1. We thank our teaching staff for their diligence and resourcefulness in providing this opportunity to discuss your daughter’s learning progress in their classrooms.
Dates to Note
Early Term 2 Dates
- Monday 17 April - Term 2 commences
- Tuesday 18 April - Collins and Nagle Community Mass
- Tuesday 18 April - Parents & Friends Meeting
- Wednesday 19 April - Year 9 Retreat
- Saturday 22 April - Downey Park Club Netball commences
- Saturday 22 - Sunday 23 April - Cross Country Camp
- Monday 24 April - ANZAC Day Liturgy
- Monday 24 April - Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews
- Tuesday 25 April - ANZAC Day Public Holiday/Kalinga Park March (see below for details)
- Wednesday 26 - Friday 28 April - Year 8 Camp
- Thursday 27 April - Year 11 Retreat
- Monday 1 May - Labour Day Public Holiday
- Tuesday 2 May - Marian and Kildare Community Mass
- Tuesday 2 May - Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews
- Wednesday 3 May - Year 7 Immunisations
- Wednesday 3 May - Music Support Group Meeting
- Wednesday 3 May - The Think Project: Rebecca Sparrow in conversation with Allayne Webster
ANZAC Day - Tuesday 25 April
Students are invited to represent St Rita’s College at the upcoming ANZAC Day commemorations at the Kalinga Park Gates, Park Avenue, Clayfield. The Ceremony starts at 7:00am. Students are required to be in full school uniform. Please click here to register your child's attendance.
Rebecca Sparrow in conversation with Allayne Webster - Wednesday 3 May
The Think Project: Rebecca Sparrow in conversation with Allayne Webster
Join us to celebrate the release of Allayne Webster's new book, Selfie.
At a time when it is increasingly difficult for young people to distinguish between reality and digital distortion, Selfie invites us to reconnect with our true selves.
Event:
The Nano Nagle Library invites parents and children to join Rebecca Sparrow and Allayne Webster on Wednesday 3 May at 6:30pm at the St Rita's College Trinity Centre for a rich discussion on separating what’s real from the glossiness of the online world. This event is open to all Year levels, however the book’s target audience is middle grade/early young adult (11-14 year olds).
Tickets:
The $30.00 ticket price includes one copy of the book Selfie by Allayne Webster and attendance for one adult and child at the author event.
You may purchase additional copies of the book ($18.00) and additional tickets ($6.00) via Humanitix.
Book Collection:
St Rita’s College students can collect their copy of the book from the College Library prior to the event. All other patrons can collect their copy of the book on the night of the event at the Riverbend Books stand. Please bring your ticket as proof of purchase.
Primary Mother Daughter Evening - Friday 12 May
We are very excited to invite you and your daughters to our inaugural Primary Mother Daughter Evening.
At St Rita's College, our Mother Daughter events aim to celebrate the special bond between mothers and their daughters and provide an opportunity to acknowledge this bond as a community. Held on our beautiful College grounds, the evening will be tailored for our Years 5 and 6 students and their mothers. We look forward to a wonderful evening celebrating the special role of the mothers in our St Rita's Primary community!
- St Rita’s College Years 5 & 6 Mother Daughter Evening
- Friday 12 May 2023
- 5:30pm – 8:30pm
- Cove Lane, St Rita’s College
Tickets: $50 pp (Includes Canapes) - Cash Bar Available
Note: One ticket per person needs to be purchased for mothers and daughters, e.g. if you and your daughter plan to attend, two tickets will need to be purchased.
Dress: Smart Casual
Click here to book your tickets by Friday 5 May.
iPhone users: If the 'Buy Tickets' button does not appear at the Humanitix link, please select the 3 vertical dots in the top right hand corner and select 'Open in Browser'. The 'Buy Tickets' button should now appear.
Mother Daughter Dinner 2023 - Saturday 20 May
St Rita's College Mother Daughter Dinner 2023
Saturday 20 May 2023, 6:00pm for 7:00pm
Royal International Convention Centre, Halls A&B, 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills
A fabulous evening of dinner and dancing awaits Mums and Daughters of St Rita's for Years 7-12.
- $90.00 per person (plus booking fee). Includes two course meal. Cash bar.
- Dress Code: Cocktail
- Elite Photographics will be located in the concourse area from 5:30pm
Bookings are required by Friday 12 May.
Enquiries can be directed to Mrs Anna Martini at aamartini@optusnet.com.au
There are two booking options available:
- A Table of 10 of booking single seats. When booking a table, full payment for all 10 guests is required at the time of booking (seats cannot be 'reserved', for later payment). Please note: Tables can only seat a maximum of 10. The venue is unable to accommodate tables for 11 or 12, which has been possible in previous years.
- Booking individual tickets. If booking individual tickets and you wish to be seated at a particular table, please ensure you tell us who your 'Table Captain' is at the time of booking. If the person booking the tickets is the Table Captain, please place your name in that question box.
If not booking under a Table Captain name, every attempt will be made to seat you with families from the same Year level.
You will be asked to provide the name, email and mobile number for each attendee. Please take the time to enter this information accurately as it is required under the venue's COVID Safe event management plan.
This is an official College student event and behaviour rules apply. Alcohol will not be served to students of legal age.
Parenting Teenagers Presentation - Wednesday 24 May
Parenting Teenagers - presented by Dr Justin Coulson
Dr Justin Coulson is the co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance, the founder of happyfamilies.com.au, and one of Australia’s most trusted parenting, relationships and wellbeing experts.
At this event, Dr Coulson will offer practical, evidence-based tools for parents/carers, that will nurture positive wellbeing and relationships; the ‘little’ things that can make life more enjoyable and relationships more positive and confident.
- Date: Wednesday 24 May
- Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm
- Venue: St Rita’s College Eirene Centre
To register your attendance, please CLICK HERE.
Memorial Mass - Saturday 27 May
Rita's Longest Lunch - Sunday 11 June
- Rita's Longest Lunch
- Sunday 11 June 2023, 12:30pm - 4:30pm
- Hogan Place, St Rita's College
- Tickets: $50.00 Single (1 person) OR $90.00 Double (2 people)
- With live entertainment by Brisbane musicians, The Bentleys
Rita’s Longest Lunch is presented in the traditional European Long Lunch style where parents, alumnae and friends of St Rita’s can indulge in their preferred culinary experience along one grand table. Skilled food and wine lovers, contemporary cuisine artisans, or those who prefer a home brought hamper or even Uber Eats, will delight in this day out on Hogan Place at St Rita’s enjoying time with friends and live music.
Tickets cost just $50.00 single (1 person) or $90.00 double (2 people) by pre-purchase only.
Rita's Longest Lunch attendees can choose to BYO food or purchase through one of our preferred suppliers (details will be sent to attendees closer to the date). A selection of Champagne, Sparkling, Wine and Beer will be available for purchase at the event (EFTPOS or cash). Champagne may be pre-purchased with tickets by 10:00am on 7 June 2023 and collected from the Bar on arrival. Water is provided at each setting. No BYO beverage is permitted, including non-alcoholic.
Rita's Longest Lunch is an 18+ years event only and is not open to students.
College Uniform - Reminders and Updates
Formal Uniforms
Please be reminded of the correct dress and skort lengths. Please check your daughter’s uniforms comply with the following:
- Formal Dress – shortest length is the middle of the knee cap when looking straight ahead.
- Primary Skort – must be worn no shorter than 2.5cm above the knee cap at all times.
Blazers - Compulsory for Years 10-12 students in Terms 2 and 3
All Years 10-12 students are required to wear the College Blazer daily in Terms 2 and 3, at all formal events.
The Boutique sells Blazer Pockets and Brown Buttons for students that need to update their blazer from the gold buttons and the old pocket. These can be ordered via the Online Boutique.
Winter Uniform Items
The College Jumper may be worn with the Formal Uniform and the Sports Uniform. The Sports Jacket may only be worn with the Sports Uniform. It cannot be worn with the Formal Uniform.
Opaque Brown Tights may be worn with the Formal Uniform by all Year levels including Years 5 and 6. These can be ordered via the Online Boutique.
College Scarfs and Vests are available. College Slacks and Blouses are also available for Secondary students.
Sports Uniform
Tracksuits may be worn by Primary students to and from school on their designated weekly sports days only. Years 7-12 students can only wear the tracksuit with the sports uniform during school time, and not to and from school. Years 7-12 students may wear their tracksuit (in full), to sport and prior to their PE lesson, however, are expected to remove the tracksuit after warm up. 7/8 Leggings are now available for the cooler months. These may only be worn during PE lessons and students are required to wear their Sports Skirt over the leggings before/after PE lessons.
Bags
Students can no longer use the Unpadded Satchel from Term 2 onwards.
Everyday School Bags (to/from school and around the College) are as follows:
- Shoulder Bag
- Backpack (large or small)
- Tech Satchel
Sports Bags (Havasack, Sports Bag) are only to be used for their intended purpose – to carry sports gear to and from school.
Other bags, such as shopping bags, canvas bags or any bag that is not a St Rita’s badged bag, may not be carried outside an everyday school bag (except for DTE and Hospitality requirements).
If you bring your lunch to school, your lunch bag must be inside your school bag when travelling to/from school. Only St Rita’s Lunch Bags are permitted to be carried outside of any school bag. All school bags must be in a good condition.
Boutique Opening Hours
The Boutique will be open on Monday 17 April for any ‘Back to School’ needs.
The Online Boutique is open for orders throughout the holidays and orders can be collected from the first day of Term 2 - boutique@stritas.qld.edu.au
Normal opening hours for the Boutique from Term 2 are:
- Monday – CLOSED
- Tuesday to Friday – 7:30am-9:00am; 11:00am-3.30pm
Sport - Mr Josh White, Director of Sport
CaSSSA Sport
Term 2 CaSSSA Sport will commence in Week 1 with training for all teams. Competition will begin in Week 2. Participating students will be emailed a training and competition schedule. The weekly draw will also be available on MySRC and the College App.
Club Netball
Round 1 of Club Netball is on Saturday 22 April. The College will enter 19 teams this year.
Please email netball@stritas.qld.edu.au if you have any questions.
Sign up for Term 3 Sport (Secondary School Sport)
Nominations for CaSSSA Term 3 Wednesday Sport will open soon via MySRC and the College App.
Sport options for Term 3 are:
- Football (Soccer) (Years 7-12)
- Touch Football (Years 9-12)
- Basketball (Years 7-8 and Years 11-12)
Primary Sports (Years 5 - 6)
This Term we welcome a new Sports Coordinator to the team, Mrs Shan Caruana. Mrs Caruana will be busy rolling out sports for our Primary students as well as support for our Netball and Water Polo programs. Keep an eye out for the Touch Development Program sign-up for this Term, as well as other opportunities.
Speech and Communication
Speech and Communication Places Available this Term
Limited places have become available for new students to commence Speech and Communication this Term. Speech and Communication lessons are open to students in Years 5 - 12.
Speech and Communication is a destination for students to gain confidence and support with school oral presentations, to refine communication and elocution, and for opportunities to sit accredited AMEB examinations, participate in competitions and public speaking events.
With an expansive base of loyal students, the program has proven to shape charismatic, confident, and considerate communicators who have gone on to embrace new challenges and lead as captains.
For further information and to enrol, please contact Hannah Jones at hjones@stritas.qld.edu.au. Classes are held on a rotational timetable on Level 4 of the Trinity Centre, St Rita's College.
Please Note: This opportunity is for new students wishing to enrol - current students do not need to reenrol. Enrolment for new students wishing to commence this Term closes Friday 14 April. The Term 2 Timetable will be sent shortly thereafter. Limited places are available.
From the Pantry
Term 2 Pantry Drinks Update
From Term 2, the Pantry will no longer be serving cafe drinks (coffee, hot chocolate, etc.) after school.
The Pantry will still be open after school from Monday - Thursday until 4:00pm, with the snacks menu and cold drinks available.