Newsletter - 10 October 2024

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

One of the most important issues in society today is the way we care for, develop, value and celebrate our children and young people. As parents and teachers, we have the responsibility of working together to listen to what children are saying and most importantly to promote their well being.

Parenting is as challenging as it is rewarding. So, what might we do in our home environment to assist our children to be successful in the environments outside our home?  The answer is to continue to provide good nurture, with plenty of love and encouragement that has sensible structures and boundaries.

Changes in society over the last 30 years have resulted in changed structure for many families. In the past, the task of parents in raising children was probably eased by the informal supports of the extended family, having a network of friends among neighbours and from living in a community that shared common interests and aspirations.

Nowadays, as individuals and families, we are very mobile. We travel around the country and overseas for work, for affordable housing, for fun. We get around our city, town or suburb much more easily than our grandparents could. We become involved in cultural activities, sports and hobbies even though they may be some distance from our homes. We make friends with people who live a long way off and we use new communications technology to maintain relationships with them. This single factor of mobility has greatly changed family dynamics.

Evidence has been accumulating about the best ways to promote the well being of our young people. Children’s Commissioner Gillian Calvert suggest it is critical for young people to have strong connections with their family and with the institutions in their community especially with their school. “Strong relationships are the best way to maximise the possibilities that children grow up safe and healthy, that they will participate in education, culture and employment and they will not become involved in violence and crime”.

To make life better for our children, we don’t need to access the internet from our mobile phone, or be able to convert foreign currency to dollars in an instant.  We do need supportive families and communities. Time spent with your family is time well spent.

SOMETHING TO REFLECT ON                          

Show children that wisdom is to live healthily, to think positively, to read spiritual books, and to relax often enough. As a parent, recognize that it is difficult to educate some children to wisdom when they like to eat sweets, watch TV, and do only what they want to. As children grow, they are in a constant struggle between short- and long-term thinking, and as a parent, it is your role to guide them in learning how to tune into their deeper selves, to delay instant gratification, and to realize the virtues of self-discipline.

Lead by example: be strong, clear, and show them the value of freedom to make choices and to think for themselves. Children learn primarily by watching positive role models, with education supplementing what they have already learned from those they trust and love the most.

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal

FAMILIES LEAVING

At this time of the year, plans are being made for 2025 and the key factor upon which planning is based is enrolment facts and figures. Whether it’s class composition, number of classes, number of staff members or budget planning, it is essential to be as accurate as possible in predicting the number of students at Emmanuel come January next year. Can I ask then that you keep us informed about potential moves between now and the beginning of the year? Thank you for helping us to be well-prepared for the year ahead.

RE Matters

OCTOBER - MONTH OF THE ROSARY                                                                                   

“The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God…and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.” (Pope Saint Pius X)                                                                    

During October we are encouraged to pray this beautiful prayer and to reflect on the mysteries of our faith which it memorialises. Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday this month, students and staff are invited to gather in the chapel to say The Rosary at lunchtime. We will pray for peace in our families, our school and in our world.

“There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the praying of The Holy Rosary.” (Sister Lucia of Fatima)                                                                    

To find out more about The Rosary and how to pray it, go to: http://www.catholic.org/prayers/rosary.php

CELEBRATING FATIMA

Between 13 May and 13 October 1917, Our Lady appeared six times to three shepherd children near the town of Fatima in Portugal. On each occasion Mary emphasised the necessity of praying The Rosary. Our Lady explained that this would bring peace to the world.

Monday is the anniversary of the Sixth Apparition and the Miracle of the Sun. On this day in 1917 more than 60 000 people were there when the children saw ‘the lady’ and ‘the sun danced in the sky’. When asked what she wanted, Mary told the children “A chapel is to be built here in my honour.  I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue always to pray the Rosary every day.”

Each year around four million pilgrims visit the sacred sites, including the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima and the Chapel of Apparitions, in and around Fatima.

OCTOBER - WORLD MISSION MONTH

This month we will be celebrating SOCCERTOBER.

It is an opportunity for us to focus our attention on those less fortunate than ourselves and to be grateful for all that we have. Students in all classes will explore Catholic Social Teaching and participate in activities that promote justice, prayer and action. Together we can make a difference and help others.

With a focus on Mongolia, ‘Go and Invite Everyone to the Banquet’ is the theme of Catholic Mission 2024 appeal. Their goal is to help sustain and enrich the lives of vulnerable children by providing vital food, clothing, education and health support.

All classes will be setting goals related to ACTION, ATTITUDE AND GIVING. Students will be encouraged to be generous with their time, patience, assistance, cooperation and consideration. ‘An Attitude of Gratitude’ will be our MJR focus.

We are having a SOCCERTOBER raffle. Tickets are 50 cents each or 3 for $1.00. The winner will win a soccer ball for themselves and a soccer ball for their class.

Our exciting Walking Soccer Competition is also back in 2024. Tomorrow our Year Three and Year Four students will play their preliminary rounds. Year Five and Year Six classes will play next Friday, and the grand finals will take place the following Friday. It promises to be lots of fun!

MAKING JESUS REAL – THANKFUL THURSDAYS

“I complained I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.” (Unknown)                                         It is easy to take for granted all that we have. On Thankful Thursdays, students are encouraged to give thanks for their many blessings and to appreciate how lucky they are. Together we are fostering an ‘attitude of gratitude’ that is evident in word and action, in the way we treat each other and care for the beautiful world we share.

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

Our annual parish Christmas Raffle is back in 2024!  With $15 000 in Cash Prizes, tickets are great value at $5.00 each. The raffle will be drawn on Friday 20 December, just in time for Christmas. You’ve got to be in it to win it!

Tickets are available online, before and after weekend Masses and from St Joseph's Parish Office

(Monday - Friday 9am to 12:00pm - phone 49574855).

DAY FOR DANIEL - WEAR RED

On Friday 25 October we will join with the rest of Australia in acknowledging ‘Day for Daniel’. It is a child safety and protection initiative that aims to help empower our children to Recognise, React and Report if they feel something is not right. ‘Wear Red and Educate’ is the theme of ‘Day for Daniel’.

All students are invited to wear something red (t-shirt, socks, shoelaces, ribbons) with their school uniform on this day. It is not a free dress day. No donation is required for participation. Badges will be on sale in the week leading up to the day.  All monies raised will be forwarded to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.

For more information about the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and ‘Day for Daniel’ go to: 

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, updates and to book for weekend Masses go to the Catholic Parishes of North Mackay and Farleigh   Facebook page.

VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – JUSTICE

Justice is being fair in everything you do. It is standing up for your rights and the rights of other people.  It is taking responsibility if you make a mistake and making amends.  Justice means that every person’s rights are protected.  Without justice, people get away with hurting or taking advantage of others.  Without justice, the world can be a cruel and dangerous place – a place where people are judged by their gender, race, ability or religion.  When justice is practised, everyone has a fair chance to be seen for who they are.  With justice everyone gets a fair share.

“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”   (Micah 6:8)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Curriculum Corner

2025 BOOKLISTS/BOOKPACKS

Brooke Tomkinson

Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum

APA News

CLASSES 2025

Term Four will see staff arrange classes for the 2025 school year. This process is very deliberate and time consuming, but also very important to creating balanced classes throughout the school. I would like to provide parents with some of the underlying principles that drive our decision making:

1. We always aim to create classes that are balanced in need. We consider the academic, social, emotional, and behavioural needs of the children when placing them in a class. This is never straight forward and often needs considerable thought. A past practice has been that students nominate a friend, but as you can appreciate this is very difficult to accommodate in a school with 587 students. This practice will not be a deciding factor in class placements.

2. We consider the gender balance within the group, the body of knowledge that we have gathered on each child and any parent input that may assist.

3. We always endeavour to be just, fair, and compassionate to the needs of each child.

I invite parents to write to me if you have information about your child that may assist the staff in placing your child. While I always stipulate that parents are not able to request certain teachers and groups of friends, there is often information that, as a school, we are unaware of and would benefit from knowing. Please put your consideration in writing and send to the office addressed to Miss Rostirolla by the end of Week Three, Friday 18 October. 

I would also like to stress that our staff know their students very well and will do their very best throughout this process. I urge parents to trust us in making informed decisions that we consider will be the best for each child.

Geraldine Rostirolla 

Principal

BUS ZONE - NO PARKING

Please note - the area in front of the Emmanuel Bus Stop us a NO PARKING ZONE - BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL. Parents are asked NOT to park in this zone, as it is a safety issue when buses are double-parked due to cars impeding their entry into the Emmanuel bus shelter.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in keeping our Emmanuel community safe.

Amanda McDonald

Assistant Principal Administration

Strategic Priorities 2024

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 tab via the link below or on our school website.

Sporting News

SWIMMING CARNIVAL - LAST CHANCE NOMINATIONS

Our Year 2-6 Interhouse Swimming Carnival will be held at the Pioneer Pool on Thursday 24 October.

Permission/Nomination Forms were emailed to the parents of students in Year 2 and in Years 3-6 last week. Please complete the form/s giving permission for your child/ren to participate in the carnival. 

A form needs to be completed for each child, even if they are not participating in events.

Year 2 students will participate in NOVELTY EVENTS in the wading pool and on the grass.  Students who can competently swim are also invited to nominate in a WIDTH EVENT.

Year 3-6 students may compete in either width OR length events, not both.

Please Note: Points towards Age Champion are only awarded for length events. Only students who swim in 50m events will be eligible to swim in a relay.

Students swim in the age group that they turn in 2024.

Only students who are nominated by parents via the emailed form/s will be swimming on the day.

Forms must be submitted by 12:00pm on Friday 11 October.

A very big THANK YOU to parents who have already completed and submitted the form.

We are looking forward to another wonderful carnival. Parents and friends are encouraged to attend and cheer on the students as they vie for house points and a day of friendly competition.

PREP AND YEAR 1 - BLUE WATER LAGOON VISIT

While the rest of the school are at the pool, our Prep and Year One students will enjoy a visit to the Blue Water Lagoon. Information and permission forms have been sent home to the parents of these students.

AUSKICK

I am excited to announce that Emmanuel will be hosting Auskick this term. These sessions are an introduction to the sport of AFL and are open to all students at Emmanuel from prep to Year 6. This week all classes were lucky to have a taste of the program during their PE lesson. Thank you to Alex, Brett and Coby who delivered engaging and enjoyable lessons. The student had a great time. 

Auskick sessions will be held on the Emmanuel oval from 3:10 - 4:10pm on Friday afternoons. The sessions begin next Friday the 18^th of October and will run for 6 weeks. The cost of the program is $80 which includes 6 x 1 hour sessions and a backpack full of goodies for the kids. If you are on the fence about registering your child then the first session is free. Your child can come along to the first session then decide if they want to commit to the rest of the program. After the first session, students must then be registered and paid for to continue the program. 

I hope to see lots of Emmanuel students at the program next Friday! It promises to be a good time. 

LEAGUE STARS PROGRAM

A reminder that the League Stars program advertised in last week's newsletter starts next Wednesday October 16 at Northview State School. If you would like more information or would like to register your child please click on the button below:

CAPRICORNIA AQUATHON AND TRIATHLON TRIALS

Any student born in 2012 or 2013 who are interested in competing at the Capricornia trials for Aquathon and Triathlon please register your interest by speaking to Mrs Bottcher this week. The competition is held in Tannum Sands on the 27th October and nominations are due to Mrs Bottcher by 19th October.

Lisa Bottcher

HPE Teacher

Congratulations to Pascalle (4S) who has been selected for the Australian 10/11 Girls Futsal Team which will tour Malaysia next April. An amazing achievement Pascalle. Well Done!

Around the School

INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING

This week our students in 4D had the opportunity to meet via a ZOOM to ask thoughtful questions and learn about the life experiences and daily routines of our OzCare friends. These included how they stored food, the ages at which they left school, and the various hobbies they enjoyed.

The discussions around the different resources used when our residents were in school, such as slates and the occasional absent teacher, have been fascinating. Hearing stories of our OzCare friends spending the day playing in the creek has really brought their schooling experiences to life.

We would like to thank the OzCare residents and staff for continuing to foster this meaningful relationship. A special thank you also goes to Mrs Deeth and the year 4D students for their inspiring and knowledgeable questions.

These intergenerational learning opportunities are invaluable, and something our students always look forward to. 

HSC VariArty

This week our Year Six students were invited to HSC VariArty - a  Senior Art Showcase at Holy Spirit College. The range of wearable art, digital creations, and design work inspired our young artists and gave students the opportunity to reflect to tell a diverse array of stories.

The highlight of the event was the puppet show, which was highly enjoyable and a learning experience for our young students. It was wonderful to see our students so engaged and motivated to create such impressive works of art.

Thank you to Holy Spirit for making events like this possible. Opportunities like the Senior Art Showcase are invaluable in inspiring our students to explore their creativity and develop their artistic talents.

School Choir

Awards

Congratulations to the students pictured below who received Principal's Awards and our Student Representatives for Term Four.

Finance

TERM 4 SCHOOL FEE STATEMENTS

Term 4 School Fee Statements were emailed to all families on Tuesday 8 October, with payment due by 22 October. Statements can also be viewed via parent lounge using the ‘make a payment’ tab from the menu bar and clicking on the paperclip. If you did not receive your statement, please advise the finance office

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.

Notices

NON STATE SCHOOLS TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE SCHEME

The Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland. To find out more about eligibility requirements click here: 

CATHOLIC SCHOOL PARENTS AUSTRALIA (CSPA)

Please find below flyer with details of the Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) National Parent Survey 2024 on student wellbeing and learning.

The information from this survey will provide national, state and diocesan data which will be shared with  Directors of Catholic Education and others as appropriate.

SAFETY ISSUE – MACKAY BUCASIA ROAD

Parents who park in the parkland along Baxter Drive (ie: the grassed area opposite the Emmanuel Bus Stop) are asked to ensure they DO NOT enter or exit this area via Mackay Bucasia Road. We have been advised by Queensland Department of Transport that this is a significant safety issue and we ask that this practice does not continue. Mackay City Council have advised us that this area should not be utilised for parking in the morning or afternoon and that all vehicles need to park within the designated areas assigned for parking purposes outside Emmanuel Catholic Primary School and Holy Spirit College.

We appreciate and understand that there are considerable parking issues across both campuses, but would like to take this opportunity to remind parents that the preferred drop-off / pick-up site for Emmanuel students is the STOP, DROP, GO area, and parents are strongly encouraged to use this facility. Students are supervised until 3.30pm allowing for parents to delay pick-up of students so as to ensure a smooth flow of traffic within a timely manner. We thankyou for your assistance and cooperation in ensuring all members of our school community experience a safe and stress-free arrival to and departure from school.

CASH ONLY - Please remember to bring small change when purchasing from the Uniform Shop.

SCHOOL APP

Community News