Newsletter - 27 February 2025

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

I share this story about Choice and Consequence with you:

‘Five wise men got lost in the forest.

The first one said:

- I will go left – my intuition tells me that.

The second one said:

- I will go right – there is a reason why right comes from the word rightness.

The third one said:

- I will go back – we came from there, it means I will go out from the forest.

The fourth one said:

- I will go straight – we should move forward, the forest will end and something new will open.

The fifth said:

- You are all wrong. There is a better solution. Wait for me. He found the tallest tree and climbed into it. While he was climbing everyone else scattered towards their own sides. From above he saw where they should go to leave the forest faster. Now he could even see in what order the other wise men would reach the end of the forest. He climbed higher and saw the shortest way. He understood the problem and found the best solution! He knew that he did everything right. And the others were wrong. They were stubborn and they didn’t listen to him. He was the real Wise Man! But he was wrong.

Everyone was right. The one who went left, found himself in the thicket. He had to starve and fight with wild animals. But he learned how to survive in the forest; he became a part of the forest and could teach others the same.

The one who went right, met thieves. They took everything from him and made him steal with them. But after some time, he had woken up something in those thieves that they had forgotten – humanity and compassion. The remorse was so strong in some of them, that they also became wise men.

The one who went back, made a pathway through the forest, which soon became a road for those who wanted to walk in the forest without being afraid of getting lost.

The one who went straight, became a pioneer. He visited new places and opened wonderful new possibilities for people, amazing healing plants and magnificent animals.

The one who climbed into the tree, became a specialist at finding shortcuts. People turned to him when they wanted to find the fastest way to deal with their problems, even if it didn’t lead to any great personal development.

This is how the five wise men reached their destiny.’

Briefly, this story illustrates a few of life’s realities. Stuff happens, decisions are made and certain consequences follow. Some choices are seen as ‘right’; some as ‘wrong’. Values are placed on choices made. If it is avoidable, responsibility may be denied or excuses made or the blame shifted to others. Even when the consequence is unavoidable, bemoaning the outcome or calling it unfair can follow. We learn little or nothing from the whole experience.

Children can be masters of this sort of self-deception. They also are pretty good at convincing parents that their versions of events are the true and accurate versions. This is not as outrageous as it sounds. Children are like the rest of us. Who really wants to own up, tell the whole truth and potentially expose oneself to criticism and punishment and, what we believe, may be a lessening in the eyes of those we love? And yet that is exactly what is required in order to grow towards moral maturity and responsible adulthood.

It is the role of parents and teachers then, to use wisdom and detachment to calmly get to the truth, have children own and take responsibility for their actions and to accept the consequence that follows. It is our role to help them learn from their choices. That’s what childhood is about – learning and growing into caring, responsible maturity. Over-protecting and defending children in such circumstances does not honour or assist their journey.

In the story, we are shown that each wise man made a choice and each suffered the consequence of that choice. The man who climbed the tree thought he was the wisest as he avoided the pitfalls that befell the others; however, it is not always those who pass trouble-free through childhood who are best prepared for what lies ahead. Each wise man was prepared to learn a valuable character lesson from his ‘mistake’ and, accordingly, became stronger and better-equipped for the future. They did not give into despair, believe poorly of themselves or give up.

I believe that we should view the mistakes made by children in the same way. Yes, we do all we can to teach children to make wise and appropriate choices but ‘stuff happens’ and mistakes are made. That’s fairly normal. To give children the idea that perfection is expected – in one’s own children or in other people’s - is to set them up for failure and low self-esteem, to say the least. Here is a far more positive and realistic message to give children: ‘You are not perfect but you are capable, caring and resilient and we love you, mistakes and all. You will make mistakes but when you do, take responsibility for them bravely, make amends sincerely for the harm you’ve caused, learn your lesson well and move on with hope and confidence.’

In this way, good things can come, even when the road taken leads to thicket or thieves.

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal  

RE Matters

GOD’S WIFE - A REFLECTION

It was a cold day in December. A small boy was standing outside a shoe shop on Broadway. He was barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold. A lady approached the boy and said, "My little fellow, why are you looking so earnestly into that window?"

"I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes," the boy replied.

The lady took him by the hand and went into the store. She asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her. She took the boy to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with a towel.

By this time the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, the lady then purchased a pair of shoes for him. She gave the remaining pairs of socks to the boy and said, "No doubt, you feel more comfortable now?"

As she turned to go, the astonished child caught her by the hand, and looking up at her face, with tears in his eyes, answered the question with these words: "Are you God's wife?"

(Unknown Author)

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.

‘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)

LENT

Lent is one of the major liturgical seasons of the Catholic Church.  It is a special time of preparation for Easter.  Lent is a time of penance. It is observed with prayer, fasting, abstinence and almsgiving.  Lent is about conversion - turning our lives more completely over to Christ and His way of life. It is a quiet season of reflection.  The church is draped in violet and praying the ‘Stations of the Cross’ is a common devotion.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent which continues until Holy Thursday. On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes on our forehead in the form of a cross.  The ashes are made from the palm leaves left over from last year’s Palm Sunday celebrations. They have been dried out and burnt and mixed with some blessed oil. The practice of tracing a sign of the cross dates back to Old Testament times, when ashes were placed on people who consciously desired to turn away from their selfish ways and enter into a more life giving and wholesome relationship with God.

More information on Lent and Ash Wednesday can be found @ http://www.catholic.org/lent/

ASH WEDNESDAY

Please join us on Wednesday 5 March for our Ash Wednesday Prayer Celebration. It will be held in the Marist Centre at 9:00am. Ashes will be distributed.

LENTEN CHALLEGE

In recent years, our Lenten Challenges have included ‘CHICKS FOR CAMBODIA’, ANIMALS FOR OTHERS’, ‘FARMITAS’ and ‘TAPITAS’.  In 2025, we have a NEW and EXCITING challenge!  It is called ‘THE BIG WALK’ and it is inspired by the Jubilee Year and our ongoing commitment to support individuals and communities who walk for water and/or are impacted by water insecurity each and every day. Like Luce, the pilgrim mascot of Jubilee 2025, we will be on a journey – a journey that will bring us closer to God and help others at the same time. 

We will be selling footprint tokens. These footprint tokens will represent the kilometres that people, mainly women and children, must walk on a daily basis for water. Students are encouraged to buy a one kilometre footprint for $1.00, a two kilometre footprint for $2.00 or a five kilometre footprint for $5.00 and make a real difference in the life of someone they don’t even know.  Tokens bought will have the child’s name written on it and it will be added to the sacred space in their classroom. In doing this, we link the ‘gift’ to real world action and to the teachings of Jesus.

 “…. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink .…” (Matthew 25:35)

‘Preferential Option for the Poor’ and ‘Solidarity’ are two of the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching. 

Students who buy footprint tokens will receive a ticket for each dollar spent in a special ‘THE BIG WALK’ themed YETI water bottle.

The class that sells the most footprints/kilometres and the class that raises the most money will lead us in a special dance at Assembly later in the term.

We are looking forward to finding out how far we can walk this Lent to help others.

Buying these tokens will allow us to support individuals and communities around the world, where water continues to be a life and death issue.

CARITAS - PROJECT COMPASSION

‘Unite Against Poverty this Lent’ is the theme of Project Compassion 2025. 

This Lent all classrooms will have a Project Compassion collection box and poster. Students will learn about their brothers and sisters around the world who are less fortunate than themselves and be encouraged to offer their prayers and practical assistance.

Don’t be surprised if your child asks you for a job, so they can earn some money to put in the Project Compassion box in their classroom.

For more information about the work of CARITAS and projects that the 2025 Project Compassion Appeal will support, check out the Caritas Australia website @ https://www.caritas.org.au/

To make a donation or to find out more about this year’s Lenten Challenges (The Long Walk for Water, Give It Up for Lent, Host a Lent Event) go to  https://fundraise.projectcompassion.org.au/

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Please pray for our students who have enrolled in the parish Sacramental Program. They will participate in the Rite of Enrolment at parish Masses this weekend and a Reconciliation workshop on Tuesday evening.

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. 

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 – KINDNESS

Jesus was kind – He welcomed, included and accepted everyone.  He ate with sinners and tax collectors. He taught us to love one another, to act with justice and to forgive each other.

Kindness is showing you care, doing things to make life better for others. It is being thoughtful about people’s needs. Kindness is showing love and compassion to someone who is sad or needs your help.  Kindness is treating yourself and others gently.  It is caring about the earth and all living things.

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” (Mark Twain)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Curriculum Corner

NAPLAN ONLINE DATES

Please see below the dates and times during which Year 3 and Year 5 students will be participating in NAPLAN Online:

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND OUR SCHOOL....

In alignment with our 2025 school priority “to enhance the writing performance of all
students”, we have focused our efforts within this area to actively engage our
students and foster their writing skills.

Writing inspired by the stimulus “fire”
The fire flitted in front of my eyes, my heart beating with fear, the closer my hand went to the
fire, I felt the heatwave throughout my arm. I could taste a smoky crispness, an ember
burning off the wood. (Xander)

The smell of smoke made the boy open the window. A grey cloud of fog surrounded his
house. He rushed outside thinking they were making a barbecue. Looking up, seeing the
fire his heart began to pump. (Diana)

A blood curdling scream pierced through the rustic house, a blaze lit up the house. Smog
filled the kitchen, embers crackled - chaos filled the room. The blaze melted through the
thickly painted walls, paint dripping like a candle on a birthday cake. (Lailah)

As I realised the oven exploded my lungs started to compress. It felt like my lungs had
shrunk into mini cotton balls. Fear was swallowing me whole. My bones were shaking like
they couldn't hold my weight anymore. I was smothered with ash, smoking sizzling ash.
(Liam)

The air in LA was polluted with nasties. Homes were burning. The sound of popping flames
& people crying filled the air. Belongings turning into ash. (Grace)

I stood in the steamy doorway, taking small steps towards the lifeless ashes as the roaring
fire left me in the dust with no hope. (Leela)

As I ran through the forest of flames, my hat caught on fire and burnt into dust as I brushed
off the ashes and escaped the first task of bane. (James)

Brooke Tomkinson

Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum

APA News

STOP, DROP, GO ISSUE

SING OUT!

Students in Years 4-6 are invited to attend the Kodaly Mackay and District Primary Schools SING OUT! program held at Fitzgerald State School on Wednesday 2 April - Friday 4 April.

Forms were sent home with interested students today and need to be returned with payment to the school office by MONDAY 3 March. If your child is wanting to participate in this program and did not receive a form today please contact the office immediately.

Please note: if your child is attending SING OUT! it is the responsibility of parents to transport your child to and from Fitzgerald SS.

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.

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/ren after school and remain on school grounds are reminded that their child/ren 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

From our Counsellor

Welcome to Week 5, this Week I am focusing on… ALL THINGS TECH

I’ve popped what I hope, is a helpful collection of resources below.

The Esafety commissioner has developed a suite of resources to assist you as parents and carers, to keep your children safe online.

There are videos, books, information sheets and more on topics such as parental controls and cyber bullying:

Parent resources | eSafety Commissioner

I have also created an updated list of emotional health and wellbeing apps you might want to consider:

Contact me with any questions between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday on 4942 5999. Sincerely,

Hayley Francis

School Counsellor

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

It’s PINK STUMPS DAY at Emmanuel tomorrow, 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.

Badges ($2.00) and keyrings ($3.00) will also be available again tomorrow.

NORTHERN SUBURBS CROSS COUNTRY

Northern Suburbs Cross Country will be held at Fitzgerald State School on Wednesday the 26 March. Students born in 2013, 2014 and 2015 are eligible to attend. Students wishing to attend need to be able to run the following distances without stopping.

12 year olds (2013)- 3km

11 year olds (2014)- 3km

10 year olds (2015)- 2km

Any student interested in attending the Northern Suburbs Cross Country trials are invited to attend a meeting on Friday 28 February at Morning Tea in the 6M classroom. 

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 TENNIS Trials (Due Wednesday 5 March) 
• 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.

Lisa Bottcher

HPE Teacher

School Choir

Finance

Term 1 Parent 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 - 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