Newsletter - 13 March 2025

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

A blind man had been waiting a while at a busy road for someone to offer to guide him across when he felt a tap on his shoulder.  “Excuse me,” said the tapper.  “I’m blind, would you mind guiding me across the road?”  The first blind man took the arm of the second blind man and they both crossed the road.  After the event, the first blind man, who was George Shearing the famous jazz pianist, commented: “What could I do?  I took him across the road and it was the biggest thrill of my life!”

This incident illustrates that sometimes taking a risk can help reduce our dependency on others and lead to the discovery of new capabilities and personal satisfaction.  When it comes to our children and risk taking, we would not want them to step out “blindly” when someone taps them on the shoulder and offers them a “dare”.  Part of raising our children is to help them to define boundaries.  It’s a balancing act that requires knowing when to let children take risks in safe environments, as against taking risks in situations where they could endanger themselves or others.

Taking risks allows children to understand the concept of trial and error.  Success will certainly build self-confidence within our children and, inevitably, failure will not only make them acknowledge their boundaries, but will provide them with opportunities to cope with the negative emotions that accompany failure.  Self-confident children have the inner fortitude to try new things, even if there is a possibility of failure.  So, if we can control our urge to step in and provide solutions, we may witness our children engage in creative thinking; also, we might witness our children explore their own abilities and rejoice in their own accomplishments.

Positive risk taking behaviour can be most beneficial to our children and the more practice they have with identifying risks and acting accordingly, the better prepared they will be to handle potentially dangerous situations and to solve problems in the future.  Of course, our children need to know how to differentiate between good, healthy risks, such as bush walking and bad destructive risks, such as sitting endlessly with computer games and being a possible candidate for childhood obesity.

Risk-taking allows our children to try new physical activities, test the limits of their physical, intellectual and emotional development and gain mastery over their bodies.  Risk-taking prepares our children for interaction with the real world beyond what might be our over-protective homes.  If our children are not exposed to risk-taking, they could become fearful and timid children who lack confidence and decision-making skills.

Wishing you God’s blessing for the Lenten Season,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal  

RE Matters

THE ALPHABET PRAYER – A REFLECTION

A shepherd boy was watching his sheep one Sunday morning when he heard the bells of a nearby church ringing.  As he watched the people making their way to Mass, he thought to himself, "I would like to talk to God too, but, what do I say?"

He had never learned to pray and did not know a single prayer. So, on bended knee, he began to recite the alphabet. He repeated this ‘prayer’ several times. A man passing by heard the boy's voice and saw him kneeling with his hands joined and his eyes closed.

He interrupted the boy. "What are you doing, young man?" he asked.

The boy replied, "I am praying sir."

The man seemed surprised and said, "But why are you saying the alphabet?"

The boy explained, "I don't know any prayers, sir, but I want God to take care of me, and to help me care for my sheep……and so I thought, if I said the alphabet, He could put the letters together into words, and He would know all that I need, want and should say!"

The man smiled and said, "Yes! You are right! God certainly will!" and he went on to church knowing full well that he had heard the finest homily he could possibly hear that day.

(Author Unknown)   

PRAYING THIS LENT

Prayer is one of the Pillars of Lent. Prayer is a dialogue. It can be talking to God, listening to God, praising God, or thanking God.  It can be silent, spoken, sung, confessed, or written. Prayer is being with God, being aware of God, sitting in the presence of God.  It develops our relationship with the God who calls us to relationship. Prayer is a gift from God.

Pope Francis tells us that praying does not have to be difficult, that you can pray anytime, anywhere and everywhere. Why not try his Five Finger Prayer? It is a simple and thoughtful way to pray each day. Using the fingers on your hand, start with the thumb and pray these intentions:

1. Thumb is the closest to you, so pray for those who are closest to you. They are the people you know the best and are easiest to remember.
2. Pointer (index) finger is next. Pray for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you. They need the support and wisdom to show direction to others.
3. Tallest finger follows. It reminds us to pray for our leaders, those in government and those who have authority. They need God's guidance. 
4. Ring finger is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for the poor, the hungry, the sick and suffering. They need your prayers. 
5. Little finger, the smallest of all reminds you to pray for yourself.

Check out the fabulous free app Laudate.  It is an amazing Catholic prayer resource, with Daily Readings and Saints of the Day, Order of the Mass, Traditional Prayers, Meditation, Catechism, Psalms, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Vatican Documents and much more.

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/

LENTEN CHALLENGE – DO A JOB, BUY A FOOTPRINT, BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU HAVE

Our 2025 Lenten Challenge ‘THE BIG WALK’ is off to a great start. Lots of students have already bought footprint tokens and they have been added to the sacred space in their classrooms. Buying these tokens will allow us to support communities around the world where the collection and storage of clean drinking water is an ongoing issue.

Students who buy footprints will receive a ticket, for each dollar spent, in a special ‘THE BIG WALK’ themed YETI water bottle raffle. The prize will be drawn at the end of this Lenten Challenge.

The class that buys the most footprints/kliometres 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.

Around the world, more than 2.2 billion people (1 in 3) do not have access to clean, safe drinking water, and over 40% of the world’s population is affected by water scarcity. Millions of people, mainly women and children, need to make long, sometimes treacherous, journeys every day to collect water.

Thank you for supporting this challenge – all funds raised will be forwarded to CARITAS, who work in communities around the world, where water continues to be a life and death issue.

SCHOOL MASS

Please join us at St Joseph’s Church on Friday 21 March at 9.15am to celebrate the beginning of another great year at Emmanuel.  Fr Andrew Hogan will be presiding. All welcome.

Year 1-6 students need to wear blue day uniform. Girls to wear dresses please. Prep students wear their usual uniform. 

We will travel to and from the church by bus.

Seating has been reserved for parents on the side of the Baptismal Font.

Parents are asked not to park in the bus bays directly in front of the church. This is a safety issue.

The school office will be closed from 9.00am - 11.00am as all staff will be attending the Mass.

Looking forward to celebrating with you.

FEAST OF ST PATRICK – 17 MARCH

Each year, people around the world celebrate St Patrick’s Day. For some it is about Irish dancing, potatoes and green beer, but for me it is all about the shamrock. I remember being intrigued as a child by the life of St Patrick and how he used a shamrock to describe God. He explained that ‘like the shamrock which has three parts, but is one leaf, our God is a triune God - Father, Son and Spirit,’ or as we discussed in Year 2C – Creator, Saviour and Always with us.

St Patrick is one of the patron saints of Ireland and his feast day is celebrated around the world on 17 March each year. Like St Patrick who shared Christianity with Ireland, the early Irish settlers and convicts brought Christianity to Australia.

On St Patrick’s Day and throughout the year, I wish you every blessing, love, laughter and the luck of the Irish.

For a video and more information about St Patrick visit Catholic Online or click on the tab below.

THE SOLEMNITY OF ST JOSEPH – 19 MARCH

St Joseph was the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus.  Although he came from King David’s noble lineage, St. Joseph lived a life of great humility and devotion to his Holy Family.  He was a simple carpenter who protected Mary and Jesus. Matthew’s gospel describes him as a “just man” (1:19).  He is the patron saint of the Universal Church, and people invoke his aid for workers, families, home buyers and sellers, and the grace of a happy death.

As a school in the St Joseph’s parish and in a diocese dedicated to St Joseph, this day has particular significance for us at Emmanuel. A special devotional candle can be found in the sacred space in all classrooms.

I invite all families to petition St Joseph to pray for the Church, families around the world, workers and all of us on Wednesday. St Joseph pray for us.

For a video and more information about St Joseph visit Catholic Online or click on the tab below.

HARMONY WEEK – ‘EVERYONE BELONGS’

Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Harmony Week is an opportunity to appreciate the multi-cultural nature of our society, from the oldest continuous cultures of our first Australians to the cultures of our newest arrivals from around the world, and to value the diverse contributions of all who call Australia home.

At Emmanuel we will be celebrating Harmony Week with a number of activities in Week 9.  

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 more information about Harmony Week go to: https://www.harmony.gov.au/

Harmony Week - Behind the News @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl-Wt6mktjI

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. 

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 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.

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

(John 13:34-35)

Generosity is one of the best ways to show love and friendship. You share freely, not with the idea of receiving something in return.  Someone showing generosity is happy to give time, money, food, or kindness to people in need. When you are generous, you put others before yourself. When you're forgiving, kind and gentle to people, you show generosity of spirit.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” (St Francis of Assisi)

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:

GRADE ONE WRITING - "IF I BUILT A SCHOOL"

Brooke Tomkinson

Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum

APA News

PLAYGROUND AREAS - AFTERSCHOOL 

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.

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.

SPECIAL REPORT: CELEBRATING HARMONY WEEK (Presented by Dr Michael Carr-Gregg)

‘Harmony Week is all about celebrating the fact that Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world. Our diversity is a great strength and helps us do things in different ways, reduce discrimination and accept difference.’ 

To learn more about Harmony Week, watch the Special Report (short video) outlined below.

Sporting News

ATHLETICS

The Athletics carnival will be upon us before we know it! It will be held late Term 2. Next week we will be starting 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 on Parent Orbit App / Parent Lounge by the end of this term so that your child can participate fully in our Athletics unit. 

GALA DAYS - BASKETBALL AND TOUCH FOOTBALL

We have two exciting sporting Gala Days coming up at the end of this term. These Gala Days are open to students in years 3, 4, 5 and 6. Students do not need to have playing experience to attend these Gala Days. As advertised on Parent Orbit, there was a meeting held today for any students interested in participating in these days and a note with all the details was handed out. If your child was absent and you would like them to participate then please email Mrs Bottcher or ask them to collect a note from me tomorrow. Notes are due back to the Sports Box in the library by Monday 17 March. For planning purposes, no late notes will be accepted.

WHITSUNDAY SCHOOL FUTSAL TITLES

There will be a meeting held on Friday, March 14, at morning tea for any students that are 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 years old that are interested in attending the Whitsunday School Futsal Titles in Term 2, Week 2. Please meet Mrs Bottcher in the 6M classroom to collect a note with all the details. Notes are due back to the Sports Box in the library by Wednesday 19 March. For planning purposes, no late notes will be accepted.

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.

• Northern Suburbs 10 - 12 yrs CROSS COUNTRY Trials (Due Monday 17 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.

CROSS COUNTRY TRAINING: A FANTASTIC FIRST SESSION!

The first session of Cross Country Training, led by the amazing Mrs. Deeth, was a huge success! With a fantastic turnout, runners from all levels came together for an exciting start to the season. From beginners to seasoned runners, the group showed incredible promise, and it’s clear that we have some committed runners!

Lisa Bottcher

HPE Teacher

School Choir

Vacation Care

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

Awards

Congratulations to the students pictured below who received a Principal's Award in Week 6.

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!

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