Newsletter - 09 October 2025

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

Welcome back everyone! I hope your time together over the past two weeks has been both enjoyable and relaxing. The start of a new term is always an extremely exciting time for both students and staff, particularly the final term of the school year. 

With only eight more weeks to go before another school year ends, there is so much happening between now and 05 December. The end of year is always a very hectic time filled with orientation days, farewells, graduations, report cards and so forth. Our Year Six students are looking forward to their last term in Primary School whilst also preparing for their Camp which will take place in the fourth week of term.

In the next few weeks we will be sending home order forms for School Packs – next year’s booklist, stationery and text books, already prepacked and delivered to school. Any orders you place will be delivered to school before the end of the year for you to collect. This is a great service to parents sponsored by our Parents and Friends Association. Thank you to those wonderful people who work so tirelessly for our school community. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

At this time of the year, plans are also being made for 2026 and the key factor upon which planning is based, is enrolment facts and figures. Whether it’s class composition, number of classes, number of staff members or budget planning, it is essential to be as accurate as possible in predicting the number of students at Emmanuel come January next year. Can I ask then that you keep us informed about potential moves between now and the beginning of the year? Thank you for helping us to be well-prepared for the year ahead.

On Tuesday we celebrated the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. October is the special month devoted to praying the Rosary.  Over the next few weeks let us ask Mary to pray for us through the prayer that we all know.  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.  Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

SOMETHING TO REFLECT ON                          

On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in response to the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie. Within 90 days, other European countries had taken sides to honor their military alliances and pursue their own ambitions. A single event escalated into World War I, one of the most destructive military conflicts of modern time.

The tragedy of war is staggering, yet our relationships and families can begin to fracture with only a few hateful words. James wrote, “See how great a forest, a little fire kindles!” (James 3:5). A key to avoiding verbal conflict is found in Proverbs: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (15:1).

A small comment can start a large fight. When we, by God’s grace, choose not to retaliate with our words, we honor Jesus our Savior. When He was abused and insulted, He fulfilled the prophetic words of Isaiah, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth” (Isa. 53:7).

Proverbs urges us to speak the truth and seek peace through our words. “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, . . and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (15:4,23).

A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life;
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless. - Anon.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal  

DAY FOR DANIEL - WEAR RED

All students are invited to wear something red (t-shirt, socks, shoelaces, ribbons) with their school uniform on this day.  It is not a free dress day.  Donations are welcome but not required for participation. 

Students in all year levels will also participate in Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson on this day.

For more information about the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and ‘Day for Daniel’ go to: http://www.danielmorcombe.com.au/

RE Matters

THE LUCKY ONES – A REFLECTION

If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep,

you are richer than 75 percent of the world.

If you have money in your bank, your wallet, and some spare change,

you are among 8 percent of the world’s wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness,

you are more blessed than the million people who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the agony of imprisonment or torture or the horrible pangs of starvation,

you are luckier than 500 million people alive and suffering.

If you are free to attend any meeting or gathering you want (political, religious, social),

then you are luckier than 3 billion people in the world.

If you can read this message,

you are more fortunate than 3 billion people in the world who cannot read at all. 

(Unknown)

OCTOBER - WORLD MISSION MONTH

With a focus on Zambia, ‘Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples’ is the theme of Catholic Mission’s 2025 appeal. It reminds us that together, we have the power to create change and build a more just world for people everywhere. It highlights hope and unity and emphasises that we can collectively turn our faith into action.

The Church is missionary by nature, and we are all called, especially in this Jubilee Year, to bring hope and God’s love to everyone, to be the eyes, ears, hearts, hands and feet of God in the world today.

This October we will be celebrating SOCCERTOBER at school.

It is an opportunity for us to focus our attention on those less fortunate than ourselves and to be grateful for all that we have. Students in all classes will explore Catholic Social Teaching and participate in activities that promote justice, prayer and action. They will be setting goals related to ACTION, ATTITUDE AND GIVING and encouraged to be generous with their time, patience, assistance, cooperation and consideration.

We are having our annual SOCCERTOBER raffle. Tickets are 50 cents each or 3 for $1.00. The winner will win a soccer ball for themselves and a soccer ball for their class. Some exciting ‘Mission Markets’ and a Coinline Challenge are also planned.  Please encourage you child/ren to do some jobs at home to earn their participation. All monies raised will be forwarded to the Missions. Together we can make a difference. 

Next Week’s Mission Markets will be ………….

Our exciting Walking Soccer Competition is also back in 2025. Our Year Three and Year Four students will play their preliminary rounds next Friday 17 October, the Year Five and Year Six classes will play theirs on Friday 24 October, and the grand finals will take place on Friday 31 October. It promises to be lots of fun!

P-2 students will also enjoy some SOCCERTOBER fun and games on Friday 31 October. More details to follow.

OCTOBER - MONTH OF THE ROSARY                                                                 

During October we are encouraged to pray this beautiful prayer and to reflect on the mysteries of our faith which it memorialises. 

The Rosary is the story of the New Testament. Through the beads we recall the joyful, sorrowful and glorious times in the life of Mary and Jesus. We follow Mary from the Annunciation, when the archangel Gabriel came to ask her to become the Mother of Christ, to the day she was crowned Queen of Heaven. We follow Jesus from the moment the Holy Spirit came upon Mary, through his childhood, his cruel death on the cross, the joy of Easter when he rose from the dead, to the day he ascended to Heaven in glory. We reflect on the teachings and miracles of Jesus.

Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday this month, students and staff are invited to gather in the chapel to say The Rosary at lunchtime. We will pray for peace in our families, our school and in our world.

“The Rosary has a peaceful effect on those who pray it, leading them to see the face of Christ in others, to recognise other’s grief and to yearn to make the world more beautiful, more just, more closely conformed to God’s plan.” (Pope John Paul II, 2002) 

To find out more about The Rosary and how to pray it, go to:                                                        http://www.catholic.org/prayers/rosary.php

CELEBRATING FATIMA

Between 13 May and 13 October 1917, Our Lady appeared six times to three shepherd children near the town of Fatima in Portugal. On each occasion Mary emphasised the necessity of praying The Rosary. Our Lady explained that this would bring peace to the world.

Monday is the anniversary of the Sixth Apparition and the Miracle of the Sun. On this day in 1917 more than 60 000 people were there when the children saw ‘the lady’ and ‘the sun danced in the sky’. When asked what she wanted, Mary told the children “A chapel is to be built here in my honour.  I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue always to pray the Rosary every day.”

Each year around four million pilgrims visit the sacred sites, including the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima and the Chapel of Apparitions, in and around Fatima.

To find out more about the Fatima Apparitions and the children go to:

http://www.theholyrosary.org/fatimaapparitions

To hear the Our Lady of Fatima song go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d-vZj5Fecg

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

Our annual parish Christmas Raffle is back in 2025!  With $15 000 in Cash Prizes, tickets are great value at $5.00 each. The raffle will be drawn on Friday 19 December, just in time for Christmas. You’ve got to be in it to win it!

Tickets are available online, before and after weekend Masses and from St Joseph's Parish Office

(Monday - Friday 9am to 12:00pm - phone 49574855).

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 – JUSTICE

Justice is being fair in everything you do. It is standing up for your rights and the rights of other people.  It is taking responsibility if you make a mistake and making amends.  Justice is about recognising the inherent dignity of every person. It is acting fairly, treating others with respect and kindness, and contributing to the common good. Justice is not just about laws and rules; it is a way of living in harmony with God’s will, seeking what is right and good for everyone. When justice is practised, everyone has a fair chance to be seen for who they are. They are not judged by their gender, race, ability or religion. With justice everyone gets a fair share.

“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

 (Micah 6:8)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

APA News

STUDENT PROTECTION - SCHOOL CONTACTS

At Emmanuel any concerns or reasonable suspicions about a student’s safety and wellbeing or the behaviour of a staff member or volunteer which a student considers to be inappropriate, will continue to be managed in accordance with Rockhampton Catholic Education Student Protection Processes. The Student Protection Contacts at Emmanuel are:

Geraldine Rostirolla (Principal)

Amanda McDonald (Deputy Principal)

Noeleen Kliese (APRE)

Hayley Francis (School Counsellor)

Alex Martin (OSHC Co-ordinator)

Further information about Rockhampton Catholic Education's commitment to Student Protection is available here:  website: https://www.rok.catholic.edu.au/our-schools/student-protection/

STUDENT PROTECTION – USE OF TOILETS

At Emmanuel, we are committed to the safety of all students in our care.  It is imperative that students understand the importance of using the toilet facilities at school in an appropriate manner.  Classroom teachers regularly remind students of these behaviour expectations, and use this poster (located in all school toilets) to ensure all students understand these important messages.  We ask that you discuss these expectations at home with your child/ren, so that we are all doing our part to keep children safe at school.

DESIGNATED TOILETS FOR PARENTS

At Emmanuel we have lots of volunteers, parents and contractors visiting our school each week.  Therefore, it is important that we provide toilet facilities for their use.  From a student protection perspective, we ask that parents do not use the student toilets.  There are two toilets designated for the use of all parents, toddlers and visitors.  These are the disabled toilets which are located at the back of the Library and beside F Block (Year 6 Classrooms and OSHC room) and at the end of R Block (Year 1 Classrooms).  There is a yellow sign on the doors of these toilets advising parents that they are welcome to use this facility. 

STOP DROP GO ZONE

CLASSES 2026

Term Four will see staff arrange classes for the 2026 school year. This process is very deliberate and time consuming, but also very important to creating balanced classes throughout the school. I would like to provide parents with some of the underlying principles that drive our decision making:

1. We always aim to create classes that are balanced in need. We consider the academic, social, emotional, and behavioural needs of the children when placing them in a class. This is never straight forward and often needs considerable thought. A past practice has been that students nominate a friend, but as you can appreciate this is very difficult to accommodate in a school with 596 students. This practice will not be a deciding factor in class placements.

2. We consider the gender balance within the group, the body of knowledge that we have gathered on each child and any parent input that may assist.

3. We always endeavour to be just, fair, and compassionate to the needs of each child.

I invite parents to write to me if you have information about your child that may assist the staff in placing your child. While I always stipulate that parents are not able to request certain teachers and groups of friends, there is often information that, as a school, we are unaware of and would benefit from knowing. Please put your consideration in writing and send to the office addressed to Miss Rostirolla by the end of Week Three, Friday 24 October. 

I would also like to stress that our staff know their students very well and will do their very best throughout this process. I urge parents to trust us in making informed decisions that we consider will be the best for each child.

Geraldine Rostirolla 

Principal

STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES 

Congratulations to the following students who have been elected by their peers as Student Representatives for Term Four.

6D - Leela T and Hudson B

6WD - Charlotte H and Hunter T

6M - Shaneilia G and Nakulan A

Badges will be presented to these students at Assembly tomorrow, Friday 10 October 2025.

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

EMMANUEL OZTAG

Congratulations to all our Oztaggers who began the season yesterday afternoon. Emmanuel have entered a total of 9 teams into this competition which is absolutely incredible. A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteer parent delegates Mrs Harvey, Mrs Harmer, Mrs Bryan, Mrs Lewis, Mrs Tomkinson, Mrs Carter and Mrs Hokins. Our school community is very thankful for your time and generosity. Please remember to check the Mackay Oztag website for the draw each week. The draw is live and available under the "Junior" tab. Draws will be updated every Sunday. Make sure you follow Mackay Oztag on Facebook for all of the latest news and updates. If your child is unable to attend a game, please make every effort to notify your parent delegate. With enough notice, a replacement player may be found. Looking forward to ten weeks of fun, friendship and fitness! Here are a few happy snaps from this week.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Our Interhouse Swimming Carnival will be held at the Pioneer Swim Centre on Thursday 23 October. The carnival is for all students from Years 2-6, with students competing in the age group that they will turn in 2025.

Permission/Nomination Forms were emailed to the parents of students in Year 2 and in Years 3-6 in term three. These Forms are now CLOSED.  No late nominations will be accepted.

Only students who are nominated by parents via the emailed form/s will be swimming on the day.

A very big THANK YOU to parents who have completed and submitted the form/s.

Year 2 students will participate in width events in the main pool and/or novelty events in the wading pool and on the grass. They will then return to school mid-morning (approx. 11:00 am).  All other students (Years 3-6) will return to school around 2.00pm, ready for dismissal at the usual time of 3:00pm. Students will travel to and from the pool by bus.

Reminders:

• SLIP! SLOP! SLAP!
• A LARGE water bottle is a must.
• Students need to bring sufficient food and water to see them through the day.  A packed lunch is essential.
• The pool canteen will have snacks available from 11:00am.
• Leave all valuables (iPods, games, smart watches etc.) at home.
• No coloured zinc or crepe paper is allowed, as this interferes with the pool.
  
• Only students who have been nominated by their parents via the Google Form will be participating/swimming in events.
• Program will be attached in next week's newsletter.
• The marshalling area is out of bounds to everyone except the competitors.
• A designated parent area is allocated on the eastern side of the pool. Please bring a chair/rug and umbrella for shade would be advisable.
• The Year 2 novelty area will be roped off – parents are asked not to sit in this area.
• Parents are responsible for non-school age children – they cannot be in the wading pool.
• We ask that student swimming attire be brightly coloured – NOT the same colour as the pool
• Entry is free for parents

We are looking forward to another wonderful carnival. Parents and friends are encouraged to attend and cheer on the students as they vie for house points and a day of friendly competition.

100m FREESTYLE EVENT

This year at the swimming carnival there will be an open 100m Freestyle event. This event will be open to Emmanuel students in Year 3 to 6 who can competently swim 100m and are currently competitive swimmers or students who attend regular swimming lessons. There will be a meeting held at morning tea tomorrow in the 6M classroom for any students interested in competing in this event.

PREP AND YEAR ONE - BLUE WATER LAGOON VISIT - TBC

We have not yet received any communication from the Blue Water Lagoon to confirm a date for our Prep and Year One visit. 

Students in Prep and Year One will participate in a 'fun day' at school on Thursday 23 October. Teachers will send home correspondence early next week with more information.

Lisa Bottcher

HPE Teacher

School Choir

Year Two students are welcome to attend School Choir in Term Four. We look forward to seeing you there!

Awards

Congratulations to the students pictured below who received an award in Week 10.

Finance

2026 SCHEDULE OF FEES

The 2026 Fee schedule is now available 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.

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

NON STATE SCHOOLS TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE SCHEME

The Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland. To find out more about eligibility requirements click here: 

CASH ONLY - Please remember to bring small change when purchasing from the Uniform Shop.

Community News