Newsletter - 13 February 2025

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

Emmanuel…..

“A Community of Communities”

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” (Mother Teresa)

A community is defined as a group of people who have something in common.

Our school is made up of a number of communities, these include class communities, the parent community and staff community. Together we form the Emmanuel Catholic Primary School community. Just as we also belong to our own family communities all of us have a vast range of communities that we are a part of.

The core reason for all of our being at Emmanuel is to provide the best possible Catholic education for the children of Emmanuel. Successful communities have several aspects and qualities in common. These include:

• A clear and realistic set of community goals. (Our Mission Statement and Strategic Plan provides us with this)
• Members of the community are supported by other members of the community, and they understand their role in the community
• Patience and consistency
• Trust and loyalty
• A willingness to deal with some of the more complex and personal aspects of community
• Respect and flexibility
• Honesty and integrity

All of us are challenged, at times, by other members of communities we belong to. That is part of being human. Challenges help us grow and learn. Just as children learn to read, learn how to walk and learn how to behave appropriately, all at differing rates, we too will not always respond in the same way.

Our challenge will always be to demonstrate respect for ALL members of our community regardless of who they are and what they do. At Emmanuel respect is illustrated by how we act with and speak to and about others. We are challenged to choose our words and actions wisely. I urge everyone within our school community to treat each and every member with the same level of respect that we do for our closest family members.

This week and the weeks ahead I ask that you look around our school community and notice the wonderful characters within our school community, all of which bring special strengths and talents.

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal  

RE Matters

THE ECHO – A REFLECTION

A son and his father were walking in the mountains. Suddenly, the son fell, hurting himself on a rock and screamed: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

To his surprise, he heard a voice repeating, "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Curious, he yelled: "Who are you?"

Back came the same answer: "Who are you?"

Angered at the response, the boy screamed: "Coward!"

Back came the same reply: "Coward!"

He looked at his father and asked: "What's going on?"

The father smiled and said: "My son, pay attention."

And then he yelled to the mountain: "I admire you!" The voice answered: "I admire you!"

Again the man yelled: "You are a champion!" The voice answered: "You are a champion!"

The boy was amazed but did not understand.

So his father explained: "People call this echo, but really this is life. It gives you back everything you say and do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want to be treated with kindness, treat others with kindness. If you want more co-operation in your team, become more co-operative. If you want to be respected, respect the ideas, opinions, beliefs and feelings of others. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life. Life will give you back everything you have given to it.

“Smile, and the whole world smiles with you - Be the change you want to see in the world.”

(Author Unknown)

JUBILEE 2025 – PILGRIMS OF HOPE

In the Catholic Church, a Jubilee or Holy Year is a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation, in which people are invited to come back into right relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation.

How will we celebrate the Jubilee Year in the Rockhampton Diocese?

Click on the tab below to read Bishop Michael’s Pastoral Letter.

Did You Know?

An important part of the Jubilee tradition was the cancellation of debts, giving those who had become overwhelmed by unpayable debts a fresh start (Deuteronomy 15).

Pope Francis has identified debt cancellation as a vital element of Jubilee 2025 celebrations saying: “More than a question of generosity, this is a matter of justice.”

The Jubilee Year is an opportunity to respond to God's call to turn to him and to pursue justice. In the Jubilee Year of 2000 many Christians joined together to call for cancellation of debt owed by the world's poorest countries.

‘Let us pray that this Jubilee strengthen us in our faith, helping us to recognise the Risen Christ in the midst of our lives, transforming us into pilgrims of Christian hope.’ (Pope Francis)

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Like all Catholic schools in the Rockhampton Diocese, Religious Education at Emmanuel includes the teaching, learning and assessment of the RE Curriculum and the Religious Life of the School.

Our RE Curriculum is organised into four strands – Sacred Texts, Beliefs, Church and Christian Life. It is taught and assessed like all other subjects. Ratings and comments on report cards reflect what the student knows, understands and can do. 

The Religious Life of the School includes our Catholic identity and culture, how we pray, worship and celebrate and the ways in which we promote and support social action and justice. Our Feast Day Mass and Beach Day, Mission Fair, Lenten Challenges, Soccertober and Stations of the Cross in Holy Week are just some of the highlights.

YEAR SIX LEADERSHIP INDUCTION PRAYER CELEBRATION

Each year we come together to acknowledge, commission and congratulate our School Captains, House Captains, Student Representatives and Year Six students. This prayer celebration will take place in the Marist Centre tomorrow, Friday 14 February, at 9:00am.  All families and friends of our school community are invited to attend.

BISHOP’S IN-SERVICE DAY

Our annual Bishop’s Inservice Day will be held on Friday 21 February. This is a pupil free day, and all staff will be attending.  The school office will be closed.

This year’s theme will focus on Prayer and Worship. The speakers will include Bishop Michael McCarthy and Diocesan Director of Catholic Education, Mr Michael McCusker.  Staff will participate in a variety of workshops.

It is always a great day for spiritual formation and professional learning, and all staff appreciate this opportunity to focus their attention and learn something new.

CHILDREN’S MASS

This month’s Children’s Mass will be celebrated at 9:00am on Sunday 23 February at St Joseph’s Church. Students wishing to participate in the ministries should contact Mrs Kliese in the office. We are looking for readers, singers and students to bring forward the gifts. All welcome!

These Masses are always a wonderful celebration and a great opportunity to support and thank our parish. Fr Andrew always has a fabulous story and lesson to share, and the congregation love to see and hear us singing and celebrating with them.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Each year our parish runs a program to assist parents in preparing their child/ren for reception of the Sacraments of Penance, Confirmation and Eucharist (First Holy Communion). The next program will commence with Registration and a Parent Information Session at St Joseph’s Church on Tuesday 25 February 2025.

A letter detailing the parish program, registration requirements and important dates was sent home with all Year Three students at the end of last year. If you have an older child wishing to receive the Sacraments as part of the 2025 Program, please collect a copy of this letter and information from the school office.

Students who have been Baptised will prepare for and receive the Sacrament of Penance in April and will be Confirmed and receive their First Holy Communion in June.

Please Note: There is also a program for students who would like to be part of the Sacramental Program but have not been Baptised. The parents of these students are invited to attend the same Parent Information session at St Joseph’s Church on Tuesday 25 February 2025. An alternate registration form will be available at this meeting.

Please contact Mrs Kliese via the school office if you would like further information about either program.

Bishop Michael will preside at next week’s Chapel Mass. We are looking forward to welcoming Bishop Michael back to the Emmanuel / Holy Spirit campus and would love to share this celebration with you. Help us fill the chapel and pray for our community.

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.

We show respect by speaking and acting with courtesy. We treat others with dignity and accept them for who they are. We honour the opinions and feelings of others and the rules of our family, school and nation. Respect yourself and others will respect you.

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Curriculum Corner

INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY FORM (ICT)

The information below pertains to the ICT Code of Practice forms for Students in Early Learning (Years P-2) and Students in Years 3-6. It is important to read through ICT attachments (in the link buttons below) and 'accept' via Parent Lounge or Parent Orbit App (see 'how to' guide's in the link buttons below) by tomorrow Friday 14 February 2025. Accepting the ICT Code of Practice will allow the use of ICT within school.

NAPLAN

Brooke Tomkinson

Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum

APA News

CAR TAGS

Car tags are to be placed on your FRONT LEFT SUNVISOR when moving through the STOP DROP GO. This assists us in enabling ease of communication allowing for the smooth flow of traffic.

If you have misplaced your family car tag, please contact the office on 4994 8255 for a replacement.

INTERVIEWS WITH TEACHERS

Parents are strongly encouraged to maintain close contact with their child’s teacher. It is most beneficial to all parties if this can occur. Teachers are available for informal chats before and after school, however, teachers all have playground duties before and after school along with staff meetings, year level meetings, various committee meetings and sports training responsibilities. Teachers often use time before school to prepare, hear reading or help with homework. Catching them on the hop is not ideal, and all teachers would prefer parents to write a note or email, to ask for some time, even if it is only a few minutes just to make sure they are available and to give the issue the appropriate amount of attention required.

SICKNESS / HEADLICE / SCHOOL SORES

Students who are ill are sent to the office by a teacher. We find that children who become ill at school find it quite distressing and don’t want to be here. We are not equipped to deal with sick children for any length of time. It is very important that a parent is always able to be contacted for decisions regarding sick children. 

Children with contagious illnesses should not attend school and we are guided by Education Queensland guidelines.  In cases of head lice or impetigo (school sores) parents are contacted and students isolated until taken home. 

ABSENTEEISM

WOULD YOU LET YOUR CHILD MISS A YEAR OF SCHOOL?
One day off each fortnight is equal to missing more than a year of schooling by the end of Year 12.
A reminder to our families to develop good habits with your child by ensuring they always attend school, unless there is a reasonable excuse. The more time your child has at school, the more likely they will achieve in their learning.

Amanda McDonald

Assistant Principal Administration

Playground Areas - After School

At the closure of the school day, all students are required to move immediately to the Pickup Zone. Students who are going to After School Care or walking /riding home are required to be on their way as soon as they are released from class. 

The Pickup Zone is supervised by teachers. Other areas of the school are not supervised after school. Our school’s Prep Adventure Playground is out of bounds before and after school. Any play areas within the school must be supervised by staff members.

We ask parents to ensure that their children are not on this equipment before and/or after school. Our school rules must be adhered to by all students at all times. Students should not be running around or playing after school whilst waiting for parents. Parents who collect their child after school and remain on school grounds are reminded that their children are under their supervision during this time. We ask all parents to please adhere to these rules and thank you for your understanding and co-operation.

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

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 BASKETBALL Trials (Due Monday 17 February)
• Northern Suburbs 10 - 12 yrs Boys and Girls RUGBY LEAGUE Trials (Due Monday 17 February)
• 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 LEAGUE

Yesterday, our Under 12, 11, and 10-year-old boys participated in a trial coaching clinic with Cutters Pathways. This was a fantastic opportunity for our young athletes, who thoroughly enjoyed learning new skills, playing with their friends, and working alongside a 'real life' Cutter's coach! We extend our thanks to Cutters Pathways for their outstanding community engagement and support. 

PINK STUMPS DAY

Lisa Bottcher

HPE Teacher

Welcome Certificates

Welcome to our new students at Emmanuel Catholic Primary School 2025.

Finance

Term 1 Parent Accounts were emailed to all families on 4 February with payment due next on Wednesday 19 February.

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.

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

Prep enrolment applications for 2026 are NOW required from our existing families. If you have a child due to commence Prep next year - born between July 1 2020 and June 30 2021 - you are asked to complete an ONLINE enrolment available on the school website (link in button below) by Friday 14 March 2025.

It is essential that we have our current families accounted for to determine how many positions may be offered to new families seeking enrolment. Any sibling enrolment applications received after this date will not be guaranteed a position due to the large number of applications received.

If you have any queries or concerns in regards to this process, we ask that you contact the school office.

All completed enrolments in the system by Friday 14 March 2025 will receive correspondence from Administration to schedule an interview time mid year 2025.

Community News