Newsletter - 20 March 2025
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
The word bullying is an emotive word particularly within education. Whilst I do not diminish the seriousness of bullying as an issue, I do know from experience that in some situations we are too quick to use the word or call a student ‘a bully’ when that may not exactly be the case.
When I was a child growing up, there were times when my siblings and I would often argue and tears would result from one of us annoying the other. I doubt that any of us would label this as bullying. Yet we can be very quick to do exactly that when there is one moment or one child involved in a shared conflict with our child/ren within the school setting.
There will always be some people with whom we find it easier to get along, whether that be in the workplace, with our relatives or people we know, or within a school. There could be situations where there are arguments or disagreements, however the situation is not one where bullying is taking place.
The Department of Education defines bullying in schools as “repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more person.”
But just as importantly they also identify what bullying isn’t. “Conflict or fights between equals and single incidents are not defined as bullying. Bullying behaviour is not: children not getting along well, a situation of mutual conflict, single episodes of nastiness or random acts of aggression or intimidation.”
Schools need to have proactive and reactive strategies and programs in place to support all people involved in bullying situations. Having students, parents or teachers throwing the word ‘bully’ or ‘bullying’ around loosely can be just as detrimental for the individuals involved as other factors already at play!
Our school focuses on proactive strategies and aims to develop and enhance a positive school culture that supports responsible personal behaviour and actively discourages bullying. Teachers use the “teachable moments” in everyday situations to regularly address and reinforce positive behaviour and to guide students to build and restore respectful relationships when required.
Our community should be extremely proud of the fact that by and large our place is a positive, supportive and extremely welcoming place. We will continue to thrive and grow the better we work together, with the same approaches and understandings about the important elements of helping our children grow into functional and healthy young men and women.
Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
A ‘MONTY THE MONSTAR FUN RUN’ booklet and parent information letter were sent home with all students yesterday. It is time to REGISTER and create your online profile page. Let the fun begin!
RE Matters
FASTING THIS LENT - A REFLECTION
During Lent we are called to fast, to pray and to give.
What is fasting? Fasting is giving up. It is going without something.
How are you going to fast this Lent? What are you going to give up?
Why not give up unkind and negative words ……..
And take up using positive words that encourage others.
Why not give up being selfish ……..
And take up being kind and helpful.
Why not give up overlooking others ……..
And take up including others and making them feel welcome.
Why not give up arguing with your brothers and sisters ……..
And take up enjoying time with them.
Why not give up being slack or lazy ……..
And take up doing your best and being your best self.
Why not give up boasting and showing off ……..
And take up being quietly proud of yourself.
Why not give up unhappiness ……..
And take up enjoying the love and beauty around you.
Why not give up gossiping and talking about people ……..
And take up chatting about your adventures and dreams.
Why not give up the words ‘I’m bored!’ ……..
And be grateful for a brain, for education, and for every opportunity to learn.
Why not give up grumbling and complaining ……..
And take up be thankful for all that you have.
Why not give up worrying ……..
And take up trusting that God loves you and has a plan for you.
“Aspire not to have more, but to be more." (St Oscar Romero)
LENTEN CHALLENGE – DO A JOB, BUY A FOOTPRINT, BE GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU HAVE
Our 2025 Lenten Challenge ‘THE BIG WALK’ continues to be lots of fun. Students are excited to buy footprint tokens and parents are happy to report that their children have been doing lots of jobs at home to earn the money to buy them.
To date, students have bought 642 footprint tokens raising $1766 to help CARITAS support communities around the world where water continues to be a life and death issue.
Keep up the great work everyone. You are contributing to family life and making a difference in the lives of people you don’t even know.
WALK ON WEDNESDAY – JUSTICE IN ACTION
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.
This LENT, a number of our students and staff have been participating in Walk on Wednesday. They do this in solidarity with the millions of women and children around the world who must walk for water every day. Well done to all participants. Your efforts have helped to raise awareness and increase understanding of this issue.
SCHOOL MASS
Please join us at St Joseph’s Church tomorrow, Friday 21 March, at 9.15am to celebrate the beginning of another great year at Emmanuel. Fr Andrew 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.
| Friday 21 March | School Mass (St Joseph's Church - 9:15am) |
| Friday 21 March | Earth Hour School Event (2:00pm-3:00pm) |
| Saturday 22 March | Earth Hour (8:30pm - 9:30pm) |
| Tuesday 25 March | Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord |
| Friday 28 March | Harmony Day at Emmanuel - Wear Orange Day |
| Wednesday 2 April | Holy Week Prayer Celebration and Stations of the Cross |
TIME TO SWITCH OFF
Tomorrow we will take part in World Earth Hour’s school event. Lights, screens and all devices will be turned off in classrooms between 2:00pm and 3:00pm. In joining this action, we promote the care of our planet, reduce the use of energy and walk in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world who do not have electricity. This is in line with the Pope’s encyclical Laudato Si and Catholic Social Teaching.
You might like to consider participating in Saturday night’s Earth Hour from 8:30pm. Together we can make a difference.
To find out more about Earth Hour go to: https://www.earthhour.org.au/
MARY SAID ‘YES’
On Tuesday 25 March we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. On this day we remember that Mary opened her heart completely to the Divine Presence, that she agreed to be the mother of Jesus. She put her life entirely into the hands of God saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” Doing this changed her life, and ours, forever.
“Follow Christ and live the Gospel as Mary did.” (Marist Sisters)
We can learn so much from Mary - her choices and actions literally brought God into the world. If we choose to do God’s will, we too can bring Christ to all those we meet. Doing the work of God is not always easy, but is always fulfilling, ‘for it is in giving that you receive.’
How will you say ‘YES’ to God today?
A beautiful ‘Mary’ hymn to delight and inspire you.
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 next week.
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 – GENEROSITY
‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me……Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’’ (Matthew 25:35,36,40)
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. You are forgiving, kind and gentle.
“For it is in giving that we receive.” (St Francis of Assisi)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Curriculum Corner
NAPLAN COMPLETETION
Congratulations to our Year 5 and 3 students who have completed a fortnight of NAPLAN testing. To celebrate their hard work, students enjoyed a special treat—a packet of Smarties, recognizing them as true "smarties"! We are extremely proud of our students.
DRAMA NEWS
This term in Drama, the Year Five students have been learning how to perform with masks. The students decorated their mask during Visual Arts with Miss Jeffcoat and imagined a character that they could become while wearing it. In Drama, we are using our masks to create a performance for an audience. We have had so much fun creating and performing with masks!
Brooke Tomkinson
Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum
APA News
ANZAC DAY MARCH
Once again, our school has been invited to participate in the ANZAC Day March to be held on Friday 25 April.
Prep to Year Six students will be required to assemble in The Caneland Central drop-off area along Matsura Drive before the March at 8:00am.
Either drop your child off in the allocated drop-off area or walk your child to the ground-level car park. Look for the Emmanuel banner and staff members (we will be situated in the carpark opposite the Australia Post Entrance to Canelands). The march will start at 8:30am and move onto Victoria Street and march along Wellington, Gordon, Macalister and Alfred streets. Following the march, students can be collected as per dispersal map below, on the Mackay Central State School Grounds.
Emmanuel Year One to Year Six students are to wear their BLUE SCHOOL UNIFORM (school blue dress for girls) correct socks and clean shoes. Prep students wear their usual Prep uniform. The school hat is essential. Students may wear medals of their parents, grandparents and other ancestors on their right breast.
EMERGENCY MEDICATION:
If parents deem it necessary for students to carry emergency medication when attending the march, this must be communicated VIA EMAIL to enm@rok.catholic.edu.au by TUESDAY 22/04/25. We will then make arrangements with you to ensure your child’s teacher or a member of Administration collect the labelled emergency medication from you when you arrive at the march.
Further important details regarding drop off and dispersal procedures are attached in the link's below:
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) in the link below:
Sporting News
ATHLETICS
The Athletics carnival will be upon us before we know it! It will be held late Term 2. This week we started our Athletics unit in in Years 3 - 6 HPE lessons to prepare for this event. Education Queensland has deemed Discus is 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 permission on Parent Orbit / 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
The second round of notes were sent home for these events this week. To secure your child's place on a team, please ensure you return the permission slip and money by the due date. Please email Mrs Bottcher if you have any questions.
NORTHERN SUBURBS CROSS COUNTRY
Next week we are sending a team of 18 students to the Northern Suburbs Cross Country trials. Students need to assemble at Fitzgerald State School at 8:00am. Please park in off street parking or Norris Rd Touch Footy Fields carpark. Please don’t park in the Fitzgerald State School car park as this will be completely full and congested. Students will need to meet Emmanuel staff in the middle of the oval at the tents. Parents may want to bring a chair to sit on. The event should conclude at 10:15am. Parents are responsible for transporting students to and from the event. Please see Emmanuel School staff to sign your child in and out of the event. Mrs Bottcher will be taking all necessary paperwork with her. Good luck to all of our runners!!
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.
Lisa Bottcher
HPE Teacher
School Choir
Vacation Care
Please see the Vacation Care Plan for the April School Holidays below:
Finance
Term One 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
Community News
UNIFORM SOLUTIONS - Easter Store Closure
Uniform Solutions will be closed from the 18 April 2025 - 28 April 2025.
