Newsletter - 20 February 2025

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

‘Everyone is responsible for their own choices. There is power in choosing. There is a special power in knowing I am the chooser at every moment in every situation. When I do not take action, even when I do not make a decision, I am choosing not to decide, I am choosing not to take action.' (Tom Harley)

Resilience appears to be one of the most sought after qualities for happiness in our lives. No matter our age we will need to face set backs in our lives and the ability to bounce back from these set backs is a test of our resilience. Our decisions and choices influence the outcomes we reach and will build and shape, character. How we instil this value of resilience in others is not easy, particularly as parents.

Schools provide a safe environment for learning. However if we assume that students will not face challenges at school then we are sadly mistaken. The fact is that just like in society, students will meet other learners, both students and teachers, who are different to them. They will face challenges at stages with their learning. Yet how each student deals with these challenges will be different. It would be wonderful to ‘bubble wrap’ our students so that they do not face these challenges, so they are protected and do not have to experience the uncertainty of making choices and facing something new and different.  It would be reassuring for us as parents but we would be crippling the learning capacity of our students by not working through the skills and strategies needed to become resilient. If we do not work on this with our students then it will ultimately affect their ability to become responsible members within the community.

We need to be clear that our school environment is safe, engaging, caring and supportive for student learning. We aim to support our students through all their new learning experiences, whether that be academic, emotional, social or spiritual, but it is ultimately through experiencing new learning that our students will develop resilience. We by no means expect students to learn resilience in isolation, as it takes a lot of support, but this support comes through conversation and a safe environment to make decisions and choices which we can learn from and reflect on, not the avoidance of something new and different. This process sets our students up for success in a sustainable and on-going manner.

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal  

Yesterday, we welcomed Bishop Michael McCarthy (Bishop of Rockhampton), Mr Michael McCusker (Director of Catholic Education Rockhampton), Fr Raju and Mr David Paul (AD Schools - Northern Region) to Emmanuel. Our visitors met with the Leadership Team and toured the school. They enjoyed meeting our students and staff, answering questions and finding out about what is happening in and around our school. We thank them for their time and ongoing support of our community and look forward to welcoming them back to Emmanuel soon.

RE Matters

THREE SIMPLE QUESTIONS – A Reflection

The famous philosopher Socrates was visited by one of his acquaintances. Eager to share some juicy gossip, the man asked Socrates would he like to know the story he just heard about a friend of theirs. Socrates replied that before the man spoke, he needed to pass the “Triple Filter Test”.

“Have you made absolutely sure that what you were about to say is true?”

The man shook his head. “No, I actually just heard about it, and…”  Socrates cut him off.

“Is what you want to say something good or kind?”

Again, the man shook his head. “No! Actually. Just the opposite. You see…” Socrates lifted his hand to stop the man speaking.

“Is this information useful or necessary to me?”

A little defeated, the man replied, “No, not really.”

“Well, then,” Socrates said, turning on his heel. “If what you want to say is neither true, nor good or kind, nor useful or necessary, please don’t say anything at all.”

CHOOSE LOVE!  ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’ (John 13:34)

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.

Did you know……?

The 2025 Jubilee has a mascot name Luce, which means ‘light’ in Italian.  She is intended to engage a younger audience and guide visitors through the Holy Year.

Luce represents the Catholic pilgrim.  She wears a yellow rain jacket (the colour of the Vatican flag) with a green sailboat logo to protect her from the elements, dirty boots that bear witness to the path she has already travelled, a Missionary Rosary that shows the importance of prayer on her journey, and she carries the traditional pilgrim's walking stick in her hand. With her blue hair and eyes, she is a symbol of HOPE and JOY!

Luce reminds us that the Jubilee is a journey, a pilgrimage of the heart towards light and purpose, a Holy Year to celebrate and ‘walk together in faith and unity’.

‘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)

BISHOP’S IN-SERVICE DAY

Our annual Bishop’s Inservice Day will be held tomorrow, 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 this 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!

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.

YEAR SIX LEADERSHIP INDUCTION PRAYER CELEBRATION

Last Friday we gathered in the Marist Centre to acknowledge, commission, congratulate and pray for our School Captains, House Captains, Student Council Representatives and Year Six students. Fr Andrew led our prayer celebration, Shaneilia shared the Acknowledgment of Country, Year 6M dramatised the Gospel, Leadership Commitments were made, and badges presented. 

A big thank you to Fr Andrew, Mrs Whelan, Miss McDonald, the Year Six Teachers and all who contributed to the planning, organisation and setting up of this celebration.

It was wonderful to have our students and so many members of our school community there to celebrate with us.

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.

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Curriculum Corner

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.

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.

• 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.

PINK STUMPS DAY

It’s PINK STUMPS DAY at Emmanuel on Friday 28 February. Students are invited to wear something pink and are asked to bring a gold coin donation. Together we will raise awareness of and funds to support the McGrath Foundation.

The McGrath Foundation helps individuals and their families affected by cancer through the provision of Breast Care Nurses. These nurses provide invaluable physical, psychological and emotional support from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment. To find out more about the McGrath Foundation or to make a donation, please follow the link below.

To make this day even more exciting, our staff and students will play a limited overs game of cricket on Friday afternoon. Parents and friends are invited to join the fun! Be sure to come along to watch the game and remember to wear something pink.

Badges ($2.00) and keyrings ($3.00) will also be on sale from Monday.

Lisa Bottcher

HPE Teacher

Finance

Term 1 Parent Accounts were emailed to all families on 4 February. Payments are now overdue as of 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.

SWAP IT - Add a splash of rainbow

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

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