St Rita's Catholic Primary School opened in 1993 with 92 pupils from Preschool to Year 2. The school opened with five full-time staff and four part-time staff, and increased enrolments to 123 by the end of the year. Those first students, and many of the first staff members, have now journeyed beyond St. Rita's, and second generation of families are now seeking enrolment into our community of 540 students.
The community of St. Rita's has been founded by the enthusiasm for learning and hospitality of the Augustinian Fathers. Father Gerard Dullard was the first Parish Priest of St. Rita's, and Mrs Rhonda Thornton was the first Principal of the School. They worked together to build the school until Fr. Gerard McMorrow replaced Fr. Gerard Dullard in 1995, and the partnership between parish and school development continued. Fr Leo Burke provided pastoral ministry for 12 years until his retirement in 2014. St Rita’s School and Parish is now ministered by Fr Joseph Vattaparambil who joined the community in 2015.
At the end of 2001 Mrs Thornton moved to St. Martin's Carina and Mr Steve Dunne was appointed as the second Principal of St. Rita's School. Mr Dunne led the school through to 2009 with Ms Anne McKenny leading the school from 2010 to 2016.Our current principal is Mrs Carolyn Watson.
The school has been built in five stages. The first two stages being architecturally designed by H.A.Browne, and all other stages by G. & M. Consultants. The final building stage was completed in 1998, with provision for 600 students from Preschool to Year 6.
In 2011, St Rita’s benefitted from the Australian Government BER program and the Unitas Centre was built encompassing a school hall and Arts centre. Further to this an extension to the school resource centre provides flexible learning and meeting spaces for student support.
A refurbishment of the Administration Centre was completed at the end of 2016.
The community developed the school logo and motto of "Knowledge, Truth, and Love" in 1992. This gave the school clear direction and vision for their mission. A mission statement was formulated in 1994. It emphasises a basis of Christian values within a caring community, which nurtures the potential and uniqueness of each individual. The current Mission and Vision statement have been reviewed and renewed to reflect contemporary pedagogy and Catholic identity for 21st Century. St Rita’s Vision succinctly calls for all in the community to come each day to Know More, Do More and Be More.