Newsletter - 21 August 2025
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit”.
All parents, at some point in their parenting vocation, have wondered if it’s worth the effort to keep talking, urging, cajoling, pleading with their children about a whole range of reasonable expectations. Well, the answer is YES, but don’t expect instant results on all fronts: you plant the ideas, keep nurturing them and trust that they will be alive and well in your children when you are not there to witness their existence.
It is important for parents to be consistent in teaching children, otherwise how can children learn what their parents value, if children are not made aware of their parents’ values through their judgements about what children can or cannot do. Telling a child what should be done is one thing, but true learning takes place when it is both observed in parent behaviour, as well as lived by the children.
When discipline is used to reinforce parental expectation, it should be regarded, firstly, as teaching not punishing: it is guiding children to make good choices: it is educating them about self-respect and respect for others: it is setting limits which require consistency, patience and self-confidence on the part of parents. The way you treat your children, determines how they will treat you. Children by their nature are demanding of parents in so many ways and parents spend so much time trying to mould their children’s minds that sometimes they feel like they are losing their own.
One of the greatest struggles for working parents is recognising that, so often, children’s demands mask what they are really craving: their parent’s attention. The great temptation is to give into children’s demands, which buys relief and which parents can justify because they are working so hard. However, if children are allowed to grow up believing, “I want, means I get” in the sense of a pay off, then they are being set up for a lot of problems, as they become more responsible for their own life and for the choice of actions towards other people. Every child needs parental attention and it is expressed well by the child who says, “Mum, let’s play darts. I’ll throw the darts and you say, “Wonderful”.
The mission of a Christian family is to love. Loving as Christ taught us to love means commitment and protection, accepting others with their gifts and weaknesses, as well as teaching others to love by word and example. The love of parents for each other and for their children, is the foundation for all education and the formation of their family in Christian values and social virtues. When God’s Spirit is allowed to be at the centre of a family, that family will reflect God’s tenderness, faithfulness and compassion both within and to other families.
Albert Einstein might have had the modern family in mind when he wrote:
Out of clutter find Simplicity,
From Discord, find Harmony.
In the middle of Difficulty
Lies Opportunity.
Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
RE Matters
I WANTED TO CHANGE THE WORLD – A REFLECTION
When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.
I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.
When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town.
I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.
Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself. I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Our impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.
(Author Unknown)
This story reminds me of the movie “Evan Almighty.” Newly elected Congressman Evan Baxter wanted to change the world. He prayed to God to give him the opportunity. God listened to and answered Evan’s prayer, but not in the way that Evan thought He would. After lots of twists and turns, the building of an ark and a very big flood, Evan realised that the best way to change the world was one Act of Random Kindness at a time.
“Never see a need without doing something about it” (St Mary of the Cross Mackillop)
DANIEL MORCOMBE CHILD SAFETY CURRICULUM
Throughout this term, our school will be implementing the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum with students in all year levels. The curriculum is based on principles of best practice in child safety education and centres around three key messages: Recognise, React and Report.
It is important that these key safety messages are reinforced, both at school and home. I encourage you, wherever possible, to talk with your child about safety to help them stay safe now and in the future.
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 – INTEGRITY
“Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered.” (Dr Seuss)
Integrity is standing up for what you believe is right. It is being honest and sincere with others and yourself. You have integrity when your words and actions match. You fill your life and mind with love, kindness, reliability and service. Integrity is living by your highest values.
“The things you do when no one’s looking are the things that define you.” (Unknown)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Curriculum Corner
ICAS ASSESSMENTS ARE UNDERWAY!
A big thank you to all the students who have registered for this year's ICAS assessments!
Upcoming ICAS schedule:
* Mathematics: 26 August
We wish all our students the very best for this competition.
BOOK WEEK 2025 - FRIDAY 29 AUGUST
Brooke Tomkinson
Assistant Principal Curriculum (Acting)
APA News
CHOIR SUCCESS!
Congratulations to our Year 3 – 6 School Choir, who participated in the Annual Mackay Eisteddfod last Thursday. The students sang beautifully and represented our school with pride. We congratulate them all on their hard work and commitment, and are pleased to share the following results in the two sections entered:
Choral Singing for Primary Schools (Hymn and Folk): GOLD
Choral Singing for Primary Schools (Year 6 and Under): GOLD
A big thank you to Mrs Jan Whelan and Miss Nicole Thomson for their guidance and support in training our Choir this year. Our School Choir will continue rehearsing each Wednesday morning from 8am – new members are always welcome. All members of the Emmanuel school community are welcome to attend.
YEAR FIVE CAMP
Camp One has returned from a lovely few days at Kinchant Dam. Camp Two arrive home tomorrow, Friday 22 August 2025. A full wrap-up of camp will be in next week's Newsletter.
SCHOOL DISCO - THURSDAY 04 SEPTEMBER
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.
Sporting News
MDSS INTERSCHOOL CRICKET COMPETITION
The Emmanuel Cricket team had another strong win in round 2 of the MDSS Interschool Cricket season. They defeated Beconsfield State School 189 runs to 73 runs. Congratulations to Miller, Wes, Griff, Jarryd, Connor, Jean-Pierre, Vinshu, Zethius and Daxton!
HARRUP PARK COLOURING IN COMPETITION
For the month of August, Harrup Park is running a fun Colouring-In Competition for all young cricket fans from Prep to year 6. How to enter:
Students can collect a colouring in sheet from Mrs Bottcher
Students take it home and colour it in with their brightest ideas
- Parents need to fill out the details at the bottom of the page
Students hand their completed sheet to Mrs Bottcher by Wednesday August 27
Harrup Park staff will draw winners at the end of the month. Each winner will receive a cricket prize pack and have their masterpiece proudly displayed at Harrup Park!
EMMANUEL OZTAG TEAMS
The visit from Oztag development officers Courtney and Gordon earlier this term has generated a lot of interest in Oztag throughout the school. Emmanuel will be working with Mackay Oztag to potentially put together some school teams. This week, I will be handed out notes to students who are interested in playing Oztag for Emmanuel. These notes were handed out during PE lessons. If your child/ren are interested in playing Oztag in a team with other Emmanuel students please fill out the note and return it to the sports box in the library no later then Friday 29 August so we can work with Mackay Oztag to finalise teams.
Season Details:
- $95 per player + $20 yearly membership fee
- 10-week season (10 games) starting Wednesday 8 October
- Wednesday afternoons from 4:00pm
- No training required
- Runs for the duration of term four. There will be one game played in the first week of the school holidays when State Schools are still at school.
- This competition is open to all students 5 years and over
- Teams can be boys, girls or mixed
- Teams must have a minimum of 11 players, 8 on the field
IMPORTANT: Please be aware that this competition needs parents to volunteer in order to be successful. Teams will not be able to register without a parent delegate. The parent delegate's job is to manage the team and sub students on and off during games. Emmanuel school staff will not be present to supervise this competition.
Thank you to those who have already returned their Oztag forms. Emmanuel and Oztag staff will now work together to finalise teams. We will be in touch soon with details on how to register your child.
Lisa Bottcher
HPE Teacher
School Choir
P & F News
Finance
2026 SCHEDULE OF FEES
The 2026 Fee schedule is now available in the link below:
Tuckshop News
TUCKSHOP NEWS
Due to work commitments and illness, the tuckshop is in need of volunteers for Mondays and Tuesdays. Please contact the office if you can assist on these days, even just for a few hours once a month.
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!
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
CASH ONLY - Please remember to bring small change when purchasing from the Uniform Shop.
Community News
