Newsletter - 27 March 2025

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

The Lenten period is an important season in the life of the Church. We are given permission to ‘start again’ and to embrace the mystery of life in our quest to be better people. Lent is about both self and communal improvement and is a journey towards a closer relationship with others and with our God.

At Emmanuel, however, we never encourage students to be perfect, only to come to school to give their best and to work with everyone (not just our friends). Working with others doesn’t automatically mean that we will get along famously or have perfect days every day. In fact, conflict is part of daily life and is a healthy aspect of any community. Effective people resolve conflict in ways that protect relationships, honour feelings and lead to a resolution. They neither avoid conflict nor do they use power to dominate others or to ‘win’.

Emmanuel is a learning community and as such we are interested in supporting students to learn better ways to resolve conflict and think about their emotions. This includes learning conflict resolution processes and systems so that peaceful resolutions can be reached.

One process recommended by parenting expert Michael Grose that is both easy to learn and highly effective is the Face-Up conflict resolution process that is a variation on some common processes already in use.

The steps involved in the Face-Up process:

• Safety first: To ensure safety and integrity it is important that both children are calm. Give them time and some help to regain control if they are angry or upset.                                                                                        
• Feeling second: Using I-messages children tell each other how they feel about the situation. “I feel awful when you don’t share your toys. I really feel like losing it because it is not fair.” Focus on the feelings and don’t let it get into recriminations or accusations.
• Repeat third: Sometimes this process is enough to get a resolution or at least an apology. Repeat this procedure if necessary so both children feel they have been heard.
• Resolve fourth: State the problem as you see it or as children identify it. Sometimes children just want to state their case and they will make their own suggestion about resolving it. “You can play with my old toys but I don’t want you playing with my new toys for a while. They’re special.”  “Okay.”
• Make-up fifth: An apology or an agreement is often enough, however sometimes damage may need to be repaired or a follow-up talk from a parent about better behaviour may be appropriate.

In our journey towards Easter, working towards peaceful resolutions of conflict is one practical way of enhancing both personal and community relationships.

Wishing you God’s blessings throughout the Lenten season,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal  

A ‘MONTY THE MONSTAR FUN RUN’ booklet and parent information letter were sent home with all students last Wednesday.  It is time to REGISTER and create your online profile page!

Creating your online profile page is easy! Simply head to www.myprofilepage.com.au and click onto the register button.

A big THANK YOU to all the parents who have already registered their child/ren and started fundraising. Your support is very much appreciated.

A reminder that STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR COLOUR FUN RUN.  By registering your child/ren you are giving your consent for them to participate.

RE Matters

CHRIST HAS NO BODY

This beautiful prayer is attributed to St Teresa of Avila (1515–1582).

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.

HOLY WEEK

Holy Week, which precedes the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, is the most important week of the church year. It starts on Palm Sunday, sometimes called Passion Sunday, and continues through Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday.  During Holy Week we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, last supper, agony in the garden, betrayal, passion and death on the cross. We remember that Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb. The week that begins in celebration ends in despair. It is not until Easter Sunday that we rejoice in and recall Jesus’ resurrection.

Our Year Six students will lead us in a special Prayer Celebration on Wednesday 2 April. They will share the events of Holy Week and guide us through the Stations of the Cross.  It will take place in the Marist Centre at 9:30am.  All welcome.

LENTEN CHALLENGE

Our 2025 Lenten Challenge ‘THE BIG WALK’ has been lots of fun and an AMAZING success! Students have bought lots of footprints and parents have reported that their children have been doing lots of jobs at home to earn the money to buy them.

We have raised a total of $2254.65

Be sure to join us for Assembly tomorrow - The winner of the special ‘THE BIG WALK’ themed YETI water bottle will be announced and the class that has bought the most footprints and raised the most money will lead the school in a special dance.

SCHOOL MASS

Last Friday we gathered at St Joseph’s Church for our first Mass of the 2025 school year. It was a wonderful celebration! The children listened and participated prayerfully and sang beautifully. It was great to be back in the church and to see so many parents and friends of Emmanuel sharing this celebration with us.  

Fr Andrew introduced us to Luce, pilgrim mascot of the Jubilee Year, and explained that we like Luce are on a journey – a journey that will bring us closer to God. He also talked about the learning journey we will make this year and our call to be all that God created us to be.

A big THANK YOU to Fr Andrew for his continued support and encouragement, Mrs Whelan and Mrs Dale for sharing their amazing musical talents, our fabulous staff who prepared our students and all who contributed to the planning and organisation of this liturgy.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Please pray for our students who have enrolled in the parish Sacramental Program. They are preparing for the Sacrament of Penance.  

They will be confirmed by Bishop Michael McCarthy and receive Eucharist for the first time in June.

Please also include in your prayers the students who are preparing to be Baptised at Easter. They will participate in the Rite of Acceptance on Tuesday 1 April at St Joseph’s Church.

HARMONY WEEK – ‘EVERYONE BELONGS’

We have been celebrating HARMONY at Emmanuel this week. Students have participated in activities that promote respect and acceptance. Some classes have shared and discussed Mem Fox’s “I’m Australian Too”, while others have explored what harmony looks like, sounds like and feels like at home and school. Investigating diversity has allowed students to appreciate the contribution that each one of us can bring to the community.

We are looking forward to lots of students adding something orange to their uniform tomorrow. Staff and parents are invited to join the fun!

Students are invited to wear something orange (t-shirt, socks, shoelaces, ribbons) with their school uniform on Friday 28 March.  It is not a free dress day.  No donation is required for participation. 

For weekly Gospel readings, reflections and meditations go to http://www.prayasyoucan.com.au/

Download this week’s parish bulletin @ https://rok.catholic.net.au/parish/mackay-st-josephs/#

For Parish News go to the Catholic Parish of North Mackay and Farleigh Facebook page.

VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – COMPASSION

Jesus was compassionate. 

He healed the sick …..

Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. (Matthew 15:30)

He fed the hungry ….

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” (Matthew 15:32)

He taught us to forgive ….

So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)

We are called to do the same….

‘As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Compassion is noticing when someone is hurt or in need of a friend. It is feeling empathy for the pain of others. When you reach out to those in need or refrain from judging, you practise compassion. Our compassionate presence helps others to know that they are not alone, that they are valued and understood.  Without compassion the world is a hard and lonely place. Compassion helps us to be understanding of others and ourselves.

“Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the lives of others.” (St Teresa of Calcutta)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Curriculum Corner

THE POWER OF PLAY IN PREP AT EMMANUEL

Last week, our Prep teachers took part in a three-hour professional development session focused on Walker Learning and the significance of play in early education. At Emmanuel, we embrace a teaching model that combines structured and unstructured play, allowing students to explore concepts that have been explicitly taught throughout the week. Through a variety of thoughtfully designed activities, children consolidate their learning while engaging in joyful play.

These activities include role-playing, turn-taking, developing oral language, and enhancing fine motor skills—all of which help nurture crucial developmental milestones. Play isn’t just fun—it’s foundational!

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THE ART OF WRITING

Whether you're jotting down a heartfelt note, crafting a story, or organizing your thoughts, writing allows us to explore ideas, express emotions, and share experiences.

Writing provides our students an opportunity to pause, reflect and create. It helps us clarify our thoughts and transform ideas into something tangible and meaningful. From the joy of scribbling in a journal to the thrill of creating a captivating tale, writing has the power to inspire both the writer and the reader.

At Emmanuel, teachers are embracing the craft of writing to create opportunities for their students to write every day. This week I couldn't pass the opportunity to share some of Year 5G's writing pieces. These are pieces they created after watching a short film.

Albert L: Crunch

‘Crunch, Crunch’ Lincoln wandered across the grey dirt with a beautiful sunset in the sky but suddenly, a piece of paper flew across his face. He grasped for the piece of paper to see a picture of his idol, giving him motivation to go watch the rocket depart. As he walked over to a boulder that he could watch the rocket depart from, the clock ticked down from 5-0. When the clock hit zero, Lincoln excitedly gazed at an explosion screaming out of the bottom of the rocket and the rocket flying up into the sky. Lincoln grasped the paper in his hands as much as he could but in the distance he noticed a little green light coming from the grey clouds above as it grew into a green lightning bolt that collided with the rocket and ricocheted off straight in front of Lincoln! A miniature explosion made him blow back into the red dirt, giving him a stinging sensation and made his heart beat fast while he watched the rocket vanish into little red particles, leaving him in disappointment and sadness.

Braxtyn M: The Day Little Bro Got Big

As Lincoln sat down to watch the Metal rocket take off. Suddenly a mysterious green lightning bolt hit his idol in the rocket ship and disappeared. Lincoln was so terrified that his knees were wobbling, and his teeth were chattering! Suddenly the same lightning bolt hit Lincoln, and he felt a surge of electricity!! Lincoln  staring in the sky looking for his hero   

Kyan S: Crunch

Lincoln peacefully went and sat on a colossal rock and looked at the blurred picture. As he peered at the precious memory, he grinned happily. While the rocket launched, Lincoln watched on excitedly but then suddenly zap! A mysterious lightning bolt hit the ship and reflected and struck Lincoln. Lincoln felt all the sadness and the shocks through his skeleton.

Emily V: GROW

Lincoln walked to a rock in the safe zone holding his picture tight with both hands. As the countdown hit zero, the rocket launched into the air as Lincoln's eyes lit up with excitement. Halfway in the air, the rocket was hit by a vibrant, green lightning bolt at full speed. The mysterious bolt reflected off the rocket and onto Lincoln. He was shot high and far into the air. As he slowly sat up, small little bolts flickered around Lincoln , his eyes widened,  and a frown formed on his face.  The rocket was gone.

Spencer W:  Crunch

Bob rushed to get ready for his boring work, on the way he saw his biggest idol SAM. Small Bob went through the scary, traumatising, big crowd. Bob was pushing and pushing and pushing the crowd until Bob reached the last person of the crowd. The last person was a weird short old camera man trying to get the perfect angled photo of Sam. The cameraman was angry because it wasn’t a great photo to the camera man. Not for Bob nevertheless, that blurry, bad, deplorable Photo still meant Bob's whole dream to him. Bob went to an  old, anguished, desolated, venerable rock.

Brooke Tomkinson

Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum

APA News

ANZAC DAY MARCH

JEWELLERY AT SCHOOL

As per the Uniform List:

- Girls are permitted to wear only small sleepers or studs in the lobe of the ear – one pair only. NO drop

  earrings are to be worn, in accordance with Workplace, Health & Safety. 

- Boys are not permitted to wear earrings.

- A small cross and chain around the neck is permitted, preferably long enough to be worn inside the uniform

  for safety purposes. 

- Rings are not permitted under any circumstances.

- Fitbit / smart watches may be worn, however, communication / messaging functions MUST be disabled.

Amanda McDonald

Assistant Principal Administration

Strategic Priorities 2025

SchoolTV

There are lots of amazing resources available on SCHOOLTV to support and empower parents to better deal with the challenges of raising happy, well and resilient young people. For short video clips, articles and fact sheets, from leading specialists and key wellbeing organisations, check out the ‘ALL TOPICS’ tab via the link below or on our school website.

Sporting News

PINK STUMPS DAY

On Friday, 28 February, students and staff dressed in their brightest pink outfits and came together for a fun-filled day of cricket to support the McGrath Foundation.

We started the day with cricket skills sessions led by Bo from Mackay Cricket, where everyone had a chance to practice and improve. Afterward, we put those skills into action with two lunchtime games of cricket, filled with energy and teamwork.

Thanks to the generosity of our school community, we raised an incredible $1,091.00! These funds will go directly to the McGrath Foundation to help place Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia.

A big thank you to Bo from Mackay Cricket for helping to make our Pink Stumps Day such a success. We’re so grateful to everyone who participated and contributed!

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ATHLETICS

The Athletics carnival will be upon us before we know it! It will be held late Term 2. Last week we started our Athletics unit in PE lessons in Years 3 - 6 to prepare for this event. Education Queensland has deemed Discus as a high risk activity and therefore, students must have parental permission to participate in lessons and competition involving Discus throwing. CARA recommendations are followed very strictly at Emmanuel to ensure that all students participate in this activity safely. Please accept the permission form on Parent Orbit / Parent Lounge by the end of this term so that your child can participate fully in our Athletics unit.

NORTHERN SUBURBS CROSS COUNTRY

Next week we are sending a team of 18 students to the Northern Suburbs Cross Country trials. Students need to assemble at Fitzgerald State School at 8am. Please park in off street parking or Norris Rd Touch Footy Fields carpark. Please don’t park in the Fitzgerald State School car park as this will be completely full and congested. Students will need to meet Emmanuel staff in the middle of the oval at the tents. Parents may want to bring a chair to sit on. The event should conclude at 10:15am. Parents are responsible for transporting students to and from the event. Please see Emmanuel School staff to sign you child in and out of the event. Mrs Bottcher will be taking all necessary paperwork with her. Good luck to all of our runners!

MACKAY DISTRICT SCHOOL SPORTS - FORMS AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION

The following Mackay District Sport forms are available for collection from Mrs Bottcher. Nominations are due back to the SPORTS BOX in the LIBRARY by the due date with the levy payment.

• MDSS 10 - 12 yrs Boys and Girls SOFTBALL Trials (Due Friday 4 April)
• MDSS 11 - 12 yrs Boys and Girls RUGBY UNION Trials (Due Thursday 24^th April)
• Capricornia 10 - 19 yrs Boys and Girls GOLF Trials (Due Monday 28 April)
  

Students who wish to nominate should be clearly competent and have played a reasonable amount of the sport.

RUGBY LEAGE - CHALLENGE CUP PLAYERS NEEDED

Lisa Bottcher

HPE Teacher

School Choir

Vacation Care

Please see the Vacation Care Plan for the April School Holidays below:

Finance

Term One accounts were emailed to all families on 4 February. Payments are now overdue.

If you are making fee payments by Internet Banking, please ensure you use the six-digit Parent Code that appears on the top right hand corner of your Statement as your reference. Please contact the Finance Office if you have not received your statement, or if you wish to discuss making payments via a regular Direct Debit Authority.

Do you hold a current ‘means tested’ Government Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card? Parents/Carers with an eligible means tested Australian Government Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card can receive a 40% discount on the All-inclusive Education fee of all eligible students from the family (after any family discount has been applied). Please see information in the link below:

Tuckshop News

Please Note: It is imperative that volunteers DO NOT attend tuckshop if they are unwell or have anyone at home who is unwell.

SWAP IT!

WOW your kids with colour! View more recipe ideas here: www.swapit.net.au/recipes

Parent Orbit

The Parent Orbit app, which is connected to Parent Lounge, will improve our communication with each other as it offers a quick and easy way to receive notifications, view academic reports, book Parent/Teacher interviews, add and acknowledge Student Absences, view and pay School Fees, accept or decline excursions via the Events and Payments tile, update student details, email class teachers and much more.

Notices

Community News