Hello. I’m Michael Rowe, and I love getting to be the Principal of St Rita’s, Babinda. This is my sixth year in the role, and I truly enjoy getting to know our students and families, supporting each individual as they set themselves up for future success, and encouraging strong character and positive learning habits.
This year, in addition to my role as principal, I am teaching Religion one day a week and Physical Education on Fridays—two subjects I am both enthusiastic and passionate about.
Away from school, I am a husband of 15 years to my beautiful wife, Bek. Together, we share four wonderful children: Evie, Jude, Abel, and Madeline. In my spare time, I love to travel and enjoy all things sport, particularly AFL.
I’m looking forward to sharing a fantastic 2026 with our wonderful school community as we celebrate 100 years of Catholic education at our great school.
I’m Sam Benvenuti, and I’m so grateful to be part of this school community as Deputy Principal, Leader of Learning and Teaching, and P123 Teacher. More than anything, I’m a mum first, and my two boys shape so much of who I am, both as a person and as an educator. Noah, who is almost two, is in that beautiful stage where every day brings a new discovery. Watching him learn so quickly and light up at the simplest things reminds me why early learning matters so deeply. Hudson, at ten, is a curious young boy, whose love of life and adventure remind me daily the power of curiosity, movement, and the joy of being outside.
I’ve always had a love for art, literature, travel, and food. anything that opens a window into another way of seeing the world. Experiencing different cultures, whether through travel or simply sharing new foods with family and friends, has strengthened my belief that diversity enriches our lives and our schools. creativity, culture, and connection are at the heart of how I approach learning and leadership. I’m also a lifelong learner and am currently in my final semester of my Master’s in Wellbeing at Griffith University. This study has deepened my passion for supporting the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—and for helping shape school environments where every student feels safe, valued, and excited to grow.
I look forward to partnering with you and your families as we support our children on their journey to becoming curious, capable, and compassionate young people.
I’m Vicki Jago, and every year is an exciting one! I have been at St Rita’s for a long time……27 years to be exact!! I am the Leader of Diversity, and assist students that require extra support, and with teachers to assist students in their class. This year I am teaching Yr 2/3 students English, and Yr 2/3/4 Math, three days each week.
I have been married for 41 years, to my husband Les, and have four grown-up children and three gorgeous grandchildren, two of who are twins – a boy and a girl. I get an absolute thrill each time I am with them, especially watching the videos of their new experiences.
I also enjoy singing and cooking and being with my friends. I’m always learning something new……especially in the line of Technology!!!
I love teaching, and love sharing my knowledge and experiences with other teachers.
Hello, my name is Maryjane Masina. I am the Upper Years (4, 5, and 6) teacher, working in a team‑teaching capacity alongside Mrs Sinton. Last year, I reached a significant milestone in my teaching career—20 years! Throughout this time, I have taught across all year levels and developed a strong ability to connect with students of diverse ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Our Upper Years classroom is a vibrant and supportive learning environment where curiosity, independence, and mastery are encouraged. I have been a passionate member of the St Rita’s school community for the past 12 years, and I love belonging to a school where each child is uniquely valued.
I truly believe that valuing education is the key to unlocking future opportunities, and I am grateful to play a role in your child’s learning journey.
I am happily married to Mr Masina, and we are both proud locals from Innisfail. I am now officially a mother of high‑schoolers! Our eldest daughter, Eva, is in Year 11, and our youngest, Maddisyn, has just begun Year 7. I am also a very proud Aunty to Latoya (Year 10) and Katara (Year 9). All four girls attended St Rita’s Babinda for their primary schooling and are now at GCC. I must admit—I’m loving the empty car this year!
When I am not at school, you will find me at the Innisfail Pool coaching. I am currently the Head Coach/ Secretary of the Innisfail Red Devil’s Swimming Club. I’m an early riser, so starting my day by training swimmers before their school day is something I absolutely love!
My creative outlet is baking. I actually enjoy the challenge—and even a little of the stress—that comes with cake making! My speciality is stacked cakes and biscuits… but shhhh, don’t tell anyone! If I ever won the lotto, I’d build myself a stainless‑steel kitchen and start a baking business with Maddisyn, who is my very loyal sous‑chef.
Renee Sinton – Upper Years Teacher (Mondays)
Hello, my name is Renee Sinton, and I have been teaching with Catholic Education – Diocese of Cairns (CEDC) for the past 20 years. I am excited to be joining St Rita’s this year and already feel warmly welcomed and part of the community – thank you to everyone for helping make the transition a smooth one. I am passionate about educating children and committed to ensuring that every student feels supported, challenged and capable of success. I particularly enjoy catering for diverse learning needs and extending students to help them reach their personal best, recognising that every child is unique and learns in different ways.
While I would love to work additional days, life is quite full at the moment as I divide my time between Cairns, where we live during the week as our children attend high school in Cairns, and Innisfail on weekends, where our family home and extended family are based. My husband and I have been married for 20 years and are blessed with four children aged 16, 14, and 13-year-old twins. I also assist with the bookwork for my husband’s construction business, which keeps me busy beyond the classroom. When I am not at work or running the children to their extracurricular activities, you will likely find me enjoying a coffee or crafting with friends, travelling in our caravan, fishing on the reef or spending days with my family water skiing at Tinaroo.
Debbie Kurucz – Administration Officer
My name is Debbie Kurucz. In 1979, my husband Joe and I left Adelaide with a caravan and a dream to travel around Australia. It didn’t take long for Cairns to capture our hearts, and we have called it home ever since. In 1988, we settled in Bellenden Ker and became proud Babinda locals.
We raised our four children — Jessica, Enika, Karina and Lincoln — all of whom attended St Rita’s. One very special year, all four were at the school together. Each of them received the Youth Encouragement Award in Grade Seven, a moment of immense pride for our family.
Over the years, I found myself constantly involved in school life — listening to students read, helping with fundraising, P&F events, fetes, sports days, working bees, carnivals, and gardening. Wherever there was a need, I was happy to lend a hand.
I officially joined the staff at St Rita’s in 2001, first as a general school officer, then supporting students with special needs, followed by eight years in the library, and eventually moving into the office in finance and administration.
My 33 years at St Rita’s have been truly meaningful. The school has been a major part of my life, and the memories, friendships, and experiences I’ve gained are ones I will always cherish.
Hello, my name is Jenni Stone, and I have been part of the St Rita’s School community since 2014. Now in my thirteenth year, I continue to love my role as a School Officer, supporting a student 1:1 as well as students across Years 4, 5 and 6. I am also very excited to be recommencing our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, which I’m passionate about for its focus on health, wellbeing, and hands‑on food learning. I feel blessed to work alongside our talented teachers—Maryjane Masina, Renee Sinton and Vicki Jago—supporting classroom learning, small‑group work, and rotations.
Outside of school, I’m Ben’s wife of 31 years and mum to four adult children who all attended St Rita’s and Good Counsel College. We are incredibly proud of our sons—Cliff (Navy electrician), Nick (Army plumber), and Harry (soon to join the Air Force as a carpenter). Our daughter Georgi also works part‑time at St Rita’s and is studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education full‑time. She is a recipient of the Cairns Catholic Education “Grow Our Own” scholarship, something we are immensely proud of.
In my spare time I enjoy the gym, swimming, cooking, needlecraft, and time with my family. I’m very much looking forward to a wonderful year in 2026, continuing to inspire each student to reach their true potential. I’m particularly excited about inspiring students with skills and knowledge through the SAKG program.
Georgina Stone – School Officer
I’m Georgina Stone, and I work as a School Officer here at St Rita’s Babinda. As I begin my second year in this role, I am working more in the P/1/2/3 classroom and am enjoying the fun moments of learning and laughter shared with our young learners. As a former student here, I am so fortunate to work alongside educators who taught me and support them to educate your child to achieve their true potential! While working as a school officer, I am about to begin my second year of studying my Bachelor of Education (Secondary) degree, majoring in Health and Physical Education and Psychology. I was fortunate enough to receive the 2025 Catholic Education Cairns ‘Grown Our Own’ teaching scholarship, which has provided me with support to work and study full-time. I have gained so much experience, advice, and knowledge already working within the primary setting, and am looking forward to continuing this throughout the early stages of my career.
When I’m not at work or studying, I enjoy getting coffee with friends as we try out new cafés in the region, exploring around local swimming holes and walking tracks, and going to the gym and the beach. As you might have guessed, I love being outdoors! Growing up in the wettest town in Australia, however, definitely brings days of staying indoors and immersing myself in quieter hobbies, including baking, reading, painting and watching rugby league or a good movie with my family.
I am looking forward to seeing what 2026 has to offer for us all!
Sunni Day – School Officer
My name is Sunni Day and this is my third year as a School Officer at St Rita’s Babinda. Previously, I was a Prep School Officer at Good Counsel Primary School in Innisfail. I was there for approximately 6 years and loved my time; however, as a born-and-bred Babinda girl, I jumped at the chance to work within my local community when the opportunity arose. I decided at the end of last year to continue my studies in Early Childhood Education so I enrolled as a part-time student.
I have four exceptional (almost grown) children who are my absolute greatest achievements. They have taught me so much, and I have grown to be a better, more patient person because of them. On the weekends, I love spending time with my family and friends, or sometimes just chilling out with a good Netflix series. I love my job, but I love love love the school holidays, as this is when my boys all come home from boarding school, university, and other commitments in Brisbane/Ipswich to spend time with my daughter and I. When we are all together, that is my idea of perfection!
I look forward to working with the students at St Rita’s Babinda this year and can’t wait to see all the fantastic things that they/we will achieve together.
Diviniti De Guzman – School Officer
I’m Diviniti De Guzman, and I feel truly blessed to be part of the wonderful St. Rita’s, Babinda team as a School Officer. I began my journey here at the start of Term 3 last year, and it has been such a joy to once again work with our little ones in primary—children overflowing with curiosity, adventure, and the purest kind of joy.
Outside of school, I wear another meaningful hat. I coordinate a small but dedicated team who, like me, teach religious instruction in our local State Schools—from Bartle Frere all the way to Lower Tully State School. I also gift my time to some volunteering at our beautiful Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Innisfail, which continues to deepen my faith and connection with our Catholic community.
I am a fitness enthusiast, martial artist, runner, and a lifelong learner at heart. I’m currently studying Nihongo (Japanese language), exploring the art of Taiko drumming, and working my way toward a Bachelor of Education Primary. I love cooking, travelling, connecting with people, and discovering more fun Aussie slang along the way!
Every day here at St. Rita’s fills me with gratitude. I’m always looking forward to another wonderful day surrounded by adventure, learning, and the loving support of our school community.
Jonathon Price – School Officer
Hello everybody, I’m Jonathon Price and I am a School Officer. I work primarily one-on-one with students and engage with students across the school during lunchtime duties and play. This is my second year at St. Rita’s Babinda, my fourth year in Catholic education including time at St. Rita’s South Johnstone and my ninth year working with young people after getting my first job in before and after school care!
I have a few other qualifications from bits and pieces I have done on my career journey, but the highlight at the moment is studying part time to be a teacher. It will take me a while, because I love keeping busy working at school – learning valuable skills and building relationships with students, workmates and families.
As far as life outside of school goes, I’ve been married to my wife Leisa for four years and we live in a unit in Innisfail. She and I find meaning from making a difference at our local Seventh-day Adventist church, singing and playing instruments as well as dreaming of owning our own home. I like eating food, playing soccer (when I’m not injured), volunteering at youth camps and trying to be a mechanic with the two cars at home (not always successfully) .
I love living in Far North Queensland – an awesome destination after growing up near Chicago in the USA and moving to live 15 years in Hervey Bay down south. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this school community and seeing growth in the kids – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Maybe I will even teach here someday?
Carmel Parisi – School Counsellor
I’m Carmel Parisi. I am the Guidance Counsellor for St Rita’s Babinda. Although this is my second year here at SRB this time, I actually started at SRB in 2014. At different times, I have been allocated different schools to support. This year, I am working at SRB on Monday and Good Counsel Primary School on the other days.
I am a qualified Social Worker with a Mental Health accreditation. I have worked in this field for over 20 years in a variety of different areas. This means not only can I support your children, I can also assist the grown ups with parenting and adulting.
I love spending time outside in the warmth of North Qld and being a “foodie”. I believe life is meant to be fun and filled with lots of wonderful, exciting experiences. Please feel free to contact me and chat about how I can best assist your children and your family.
