The most important answers are often questions.
ST RITA’S COLLEGE
ACTION NOT WORDS
Prospectus
St Rita’s College is a school where character is formed, conscience is followed and girls with attentive hearts become women of action.
From the Principal
St Rita’s College is an independent Catholic school for young women from Years 5-12. It was established in 1926 by the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is now a Ministry of Mercy Partners.
It is a school where minds are opened, dreams are imagined and the Presentation traditions of compassion, hospitality, and simplicity establish foundations for the future. It is a place where students develop a sense of purpose that motivates them to lead a life dedicated to service - service to the College, to each other, and to the wider community.
As College Principal, I am deeply connected to our Presentation tradition, ensuring the foundational pillars of Compassion, Hospitality, and Simplicity as modelled by Venerable Nano Nagle, founder of the Presentation Order, remain at the forefront of a St Rita’s College education. Our students also embrace the life of St Rita of Cascia, the Saint of Impossible Causes as a source of inspiration, empowered by the pillars of Courage, Justice, and Hope.
At St Rita’s, our students are supported to develop a passion for learning, are empowered to understand the complexities of society, and become faith-filled, courageous, creative, respectful and ethical women of action, prepared to make their mark on our school community and the world.
We have high expectations of our passionate and supporting teachers, dedicated support staff and our 1230 students. We demonstrate, through action and words, the transformative power of education by nurturing high standards of spiritual, physical, emotional, and social growth to foster the development of the whole person.
I value fostering connections with our parents, alumnae and friends of the College, recognising their significant contributions to the St Rita’s College community. With opportunities for active engagement across all aspects of College life, current, past and prospective families build and maintain strong ties to the College.
Virtute non Verbis, Action not Words, is our College motto and is lived out by all members of our community through our social justice programs, a cornerstone of a Presentation education. These undertakings provide opportunities for students and staff to work together, providing outreach in our local and international community, as they experience first-hand the difference between charity and justice.
Through our comprehensive cocurricular program, our students explore and develop their interests and talents in sport, culture, and academic pursuits. I firmly believe that the wellbeing of our students is pivotal to their academic achievements, and that cocurricular opportunities enable students to cultivate a well-rounded education, bolstering confidence and resilience.
At St Rita’s, your daughter will experience a modern school with a rich tradition in academic and sporting excellence, cultural diversity and an unfailing commitment to social justice. The College is a place where change is embraced, expectations are high, and lessons last long beyond the classroom.
In teaching our students the courage to stand alone and the power of standing together, we challenge them to be women of action and not just words –Virtute non Verbis.
Mrs Maree Trims Principal, St Rita’s College
Virtute non Verbis. Action not Words.
Spirituality and Service Learning
Founded on the charism of Nano Nagle and inspired by the mission of the Presentation Sisters, St Rita’s College is a faith community that provides a Catholic education for young women.
Drawing upon the Catholic Christian tradition in ways that are mindful of local contexts and the multi-faith realities of contemporary culture, students receive a holistic education in which the Christian values of love and faith are central to learning, where creativity and critical thinking co-exist, and where self-respect is more precious than self-importance.
As a community that understands leadership as service, forgiveness as strength, and equality as paramount, students participate in formal and informal opportunities for worship, reflection, spirituality, and faith alongside service projects, social justice programs, retreat opportunities and immersion experiences designed to deepen their understanding of local and global issues.
Friendships they’ll never forget. Values they’ll never discard.
Student Life
Inspired by the tradition of the Presentation Sisters, we believe education is most effective when it occurs within an environment built on love, respect, and acceptance.
At the heart of our College support network is a Pastoral Care Program that encourages interaction between staff and students and facilitates partnership between the College and home.
Central to the success of our Pastoral Program is a vertical House structure which enables each and every student to be recognised as an integral part of the College community. From Year 5, each student is connected to one of eight Houses, before formally joining the Vertical House System from Year 7.
Students remain with their House Group throughout their time at St Rita’s building friendships across the Year levels, cultivating a considerate and caring school community. This structure is the hallmark of personal formation and a central component of life at St Rita’s College providing support, a sense of purpose, and belonging.
As each St Rita’s student grows and takes their place in the wider community, the lessons learnt and friendships formed on campus become invaluable assets that shape their journey and support networks throughout life.
Dreams in the sky. Feet on the ground.
Primary Years
Our Primary Years program fosters the development of students through age-appropriate and tailormade learning experiences, pastoral programs, and service and outreach opportunities.
These are designed to nurture inquisitive learners, build confidence, and grow character as students move through the College and into their teenage years.
Our Primary students are enthusiastic learners in and out of the classroom, enjoying the unique opportunities of St Rita’s College through a Primary lens. Primary teachers work alongside Secondary specialists to deliver the Religious Education program and the eight key learning areas of the P-12 Curriculum; English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health and Physical Education, Technologies, The Arts and Languages.
With a designated Primary Years playground and regular use of Senior Science laboratories, designated STEAM and Design rooms, Drama, Media and Visual Arts facilities, Music suites, and sporting facilities, our Primary Students enjoy all facets of our College and the many opportunities to be together as a whole College for days of significance including assemblies, Masses, and College celebrations.
Our Primary Years Cocurricular program provides students with opportunities to extend their learning, leadership, and interpersonal skills beyond the classroom. Students participate in competitive and social sport, learn and grow their musical understanding and performance ability, develop confidence and presentation skills through Speech and Communication and Debating, and build resilience and independence through our Outdoor Education program.
Primary Years students benefit from the provision of retreat, service, outreach and justice opportunities which set them on a path to become Women of Action.
A whole life in front of her. A whole College behind her.
Academic Life
A St Rita’s College student is encouraged to question rather than to assume, to challenge rather than to conform, and to take the lead rather than follow.
With a reputation for achieving impressive academic and vocational results, the College provides students with a holistic teaching and learning experience underpinned by the delivery of an informed curriculum, a focus on academic wellbeing, and delivery of purposeful pedagogy aimed to grow and maintain a culture of Academic Excellence.
Passionate, supportive, and creative teachers deliver a curriculum that is engaging, challenging, and contemporary to foster the development of the whole person. Students are further supported by extraordinary support staff, working to ensure they have the resources, guidance, and encouragement needed for a comprehensive and enriching educational experience to engage broad learning abilities.
Dedicated staff work in partnership with parents to foster a strong culture of lifelong learners where intellectual curiosity, academic challenge, and holistic knowledge development grows as students develop necessary skills for the future.
Great things are found beyond your comfort zone.
Outdoor Education
Our Outdoor Education Program for students in Years 5 - 10 extends student learning beyond the classroom and provides opportunities to participate in team activities to develop and enhance resilience, self-confidence, collaboration, organisational and leadership abilities.
Each program engages students in a world of active outdoor learning experiences, allowing students to expand their comfort zones, gain confidence, think critically, and demonstrate understanding and compassion.
Year 5
Students spend two nights in residential accommodation building team dynamics, developing resilience and independence.
Year 6
The Year 6 Canberra trip aligns with Australian curriculum requirements by covering civics and citizenship, history and heritage, science, the environment, art, and culture.
Year 7
Students spend one night in residential accommodation and experience a one night introduction to camping, with a focus on bonding with peers and having fun together.
Year 8
Students build on their previous experience and spend two nights camping out on a mountain top location overlooking Brisbane and Moreton Bay.
Year 9
Students participate in a Survival Skills camp, where they are challenged both individually and in groups to practice basic bush camp skills.
Year 10
Year 10 camp activities are purpose built for developing teamwork, communication skills and leadership qualities.
Growing her confidence, ready for the deep end.
Beyond the Classroom
We recognise that education extends far beyond academic learning, and know that balance is essential to a student’s growth and development.
A comprehensive cocurricular program provides students with a balance between study and play, action and reflection, and between participation and appreciation.
St Rita’s students are encouraged to enrich their learning by participating in our extensive cocurricular program. Students explore and develop their interests and talents in sport, culture, and academic pursuits as they seek learning experiences that inspire positive relationships and bolster confidence.
Sport
Our cocurricular sports program fosters accountability, dedication, and leadership in an environment which supports students to lead active and healthy lifestyles.
At St Rita’s College, we pride ourselves on providing opportunities for our students to participate, develop their skills and compete, also offering pathways to continue playing and coaching long after they finish school.
The College is a member of the Catholic Secondary Schoolgirls’ Sports Association (CaSSSA) and a top performer at the inter-school sporting competition, including Carnivals and multi-week team sports. These opportunities are further enriched by strong relationships with professional sporting associations and clubs.
Senior Sports
AFL, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Netball, Rugby, Swimming, Tennis, Touch Football, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo
Primary Years Sports
Swimming, Netball, Tennis, Touch Football, Water Polo, Strength & Conditioning
Specialist Programs
Strength & Conditioning, Sporting Excellence Program, Representative School Pathway, Sporting Association Partnerships
You don’t always need words to find your voice.
Our cocurricular music program is dynamic and extensive, encouraging students of all abilities to participate and progress their skills.
The Music Program at St Rita’s College provides opportunities for all students to be involved in music, while providing challenges and performance opportunities to develop their musical appreciation, understanding, and performance skills to the highest level.
The program commences with our Year 5 Music Immersion Program and extends to greater challenges and diverse opportunities as students advance their skills across Band, String, and Choir disciplines and Junior, Intermediate, Senior, and Extension Ensembles. Through the Music Program personal traits of leadership, perseverance, and discipline flourish as well as the skills of critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and teamwork.
St Rita’s offers an ensemble-based program where students learning an instrument are also involved in an ensemble. Group and individual tuition is provided by experienced teachers who utilise a sequenced instrumental curriculum. Students enjoy weekly lessons and perform in concerts throughout the year. All ensembles regularly work with guest clinicians and attend an annual Music Camp at the start of each year.
Progression and Development Opportunities
Australian Honours Ensemble Program (AHEP) Band Strings Choirs Junior
Ensemble
Voices
String Sinfonia Guitar Ensemble St Rita’s Chorale
Extension
Big Band Jazz Ensemble
Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Voices
Chamber Chorale
Other
Chamber Ensembles
Liturgy Choir
Liturgy Ensemble
Musical Pit Orchestra
State Honours Ensemble Program (QLD, Brisbane, SEQ, Primary)
All the world’s a stage.
Speech and Communication assists students to confidently use their voice as an effective tool.
St Rita’s College offers a contemporary elocution and public speaking program, with private and small group classes available. Whether a refinement of presentation skills is required, or a need to build confidence speaking and performing to audiences the self assurance, diction, elocution skills gained through Speech and Communication tuition are highly beneficial from the classroom to the stage, from the playground to the field.
Students can enrol in Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) and Australian Speech and Communication Association (ASCA) exams, along with eisteddfods and public speaking competitions.
Speech and Communication Debating
Participation in Debating and its intellectual exchange allows students to develop skills of critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking, and general confidence.
The College is a member of the Queensland Debating Union (QDU), including the elite Senior A competition, and the Brisbane Girls Debating Association (BGDA). St Rita’s students are regarded as prominent challengers in Debating and enjoy an excellent record of Finalsqualifying teams, made up of students among the State’s top debaters. The Debating program is well supported and coached by experienced internal and external staff, with several past students providing mentoring to current teams.
It takes a village.
Our Community
St Rita’s College is blessed with an enthusiastic and supportive network of parents, carers, alumnae and sponsors, with each group recognised for the significant contributions they make to the College community.
Through active participation in College celebrations, social events, fundraising initiatives, formal association meetings, support functions, alumnae events and volunteer opportunities, these key contributors develop and maintain a sense of connection and provide a supportive network that enriches the educational journey for all in our College community.
Parents and Friends
It takes an entire community working together with a common purpose to build a great school, and our active Parents & Friends’ Association, Music Support Group, and Sports SubCommittee remain deeply committed to supporting the College in its mission to inspire engaged learners, provide exceptional educational facilities and experiences for students, and to foster a sense of community for families.
Alumnae
St Rita’s College alumnae ties provide a network of support that extends far beyond graduation day. These ties span not only across Australia but across the globe, not only across cohorts but year levels and are a testament to the friendships forged at St Rita’s College. Our alumnae carry with them a sense of action, with many excelling in their chosen path and returning to the College to extend a guiding hand to current students. Whether they are sharing their professional experience, providing mentorship or contributing to our cocurricular program, all students benefit from the collective wisdom and ongoing connection of our passionate alumnae.
The courage to stand alone. The spirit to stand together.
We invite your family to take the next step towards joining our St Rita’s College community.
Applications for the College’s main entry years, Year 5 and Year 7, must be made online and are only accepted from the time your daughter is in Year 3. Enquiries for all Year levels are welcome, however these are subject to available places.
If you have any questions regarding the admissions process, College tours or require support to complete an online enrolment application, please contact our Admissions Team via enrol@stritas.qld.edu.au or phone (07) 3860 7186.
ST RITA’S COLLEGE
ACTION NOT WORDS