South Johnstone is a small rural township situated 100 km south of Cairns and 9 km south-east of Innisfail. St Rita’s caters for students from Innisfail, Kurrimine Beach, East Palmerston, Mena Creek, Mundoo, Moresby, Mourilyan and South Johnstone. We are a small school providing a Catholic education in a rural setting. The township of Innisfail has a Catholic Secondary School (Good Counsel College) and a State College that amalgamated with the TAFE in 2011. Within 10kms of South Johnstone there are numerous State Primary Schools, as well as Good Counsel Primary School. Agricultural industries and support services are predominant in the local area. It is these industries that are the primary source of employment for the families with children attending school at St Rita’s. The school opened in 1932, operating from the building adjacent to the school in Green St, which presently hosts a long-running playgroup and regular church meetings. The school moved across the road in 1933 to where the present building is situated. The Sisters of Good Samaritan staffed the school up until 1977 when the first lay principal was appointed. From this time, to the present, solely lay people have staffed the school. The face of the school has changed over time, with the addition of new classrooms, a purpose built Prep facility and state-of-the-art undercover multi-purpose hall. St Rita’s is proud to be a community school, with a reputation for having a strong family focus. St Rita’s is blessed with a committed Parents and Friends Association. The hardworking P&F provides much needed financial support through various fundraising ventures. The P&F also assist with organizing social activities that aim to bring families together. New families have commented on how welcoming the parent body is and how the support that is offered helps them to make a smooth transition into school life.