Newsletter - 01 September 2022

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

This weekend we celebrate Father’s Day. It is a time to acknowledge the important role Father’s play in our lives. We not only acknowledge fathers but those who play the role of “Father” within their family.  Fathers and those who ‘father’ give an invaluable service to the development of children, grandchildren and all they come in contact with in their lives.

I think back to a time when I was out crabbing with my father at Seaforth.  Although dad was passionate about his work, he also loved to go fishing and crabbing in his spare time.  With no sons to share in his passion, I would often accompany him on these special trips.  I remember this one particular time – it was a beautiful summer’s day and I was quite young.  We were weaving our way in and out of the mangroves and had retrieved a number of crabs from the pots when suddenly one angry crab came loose and tried to attack me with his claw.  Dad quickly jumped to my defence and managed to secure the crab before it could cause any harm.  I had this overwhelming feeling of being protected and loved.  I don’t know what it was that gave me the maturity to think it at the time, but I strongly recall saying to myself in that instant ‘what a moment this is!’

I’ve often thought back on that golden or ‘graced’ time, and the overwhelming feeling tied up with it is being loved by and loving my father.  With Fathers’ Day this Sunday, let us take the opportunity to acknowledge the gift of fatherhood and the people in our lives who take that role.  Let’s remember to say thank you……you’re great……we love you…….you make a difference in our lives. 

Happy Fathers’ Day to all our Emmanuel Fathers and Grandfathers.  We hope your day is special and filled with many blessings.

SOMETHING TO REFLECT ON                

What my Dad means to me.....

A shadow in which to seek the shade,
For mistakes that over the years are made,

A gentle smile so easily given,
All errors of judgement, though few, are forgiven.

A feeling of love not visible to the eye,
But always there, with no question of why.

The room to grow and make my own way,
"I told you so" you'll never hear say.

Someone to look up to and aspire to be,

These are just a few of the things my Dad means to me.   

(Author Unknown)

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week

STAFFING ANNOUNCEMENT

I wish to advise that Mrs Karla Falzon who has been in the acting position of Assistant Principal Administration at Emmanuel this year, has been appointed to the role of Assistant Principal Curriculum at MacKillop Catholic Primary School from the commencement of the 2023 school year.

Karla's dedication and professionalism will be greatly missed by everyone at Emmanuel, and we wish her all the best in her new role and her future endeavours. There will be an opportunity next term for our school community to farewell and thank Karla for all that she has contributed to Emmanuel since 2012.

Geraldine Rostirolla 

Principal                   

RE Matters

ONE FOR THE DADS – A BLESSING

CELEBRATING FATHER’S DAY

We are having our annual Father’s Day picnic and all dads and grandads are invited. It will take place in the playground between the library and Year Two/Prep building at 10:30am on Monday 5 September. Please bring a chair or rug and morning tea to share with your children.

We look forward to sharing this time with as many fathers and grandfathers as possible.

SEASON OF CREATION

‘We are called to care for creation not only as responsible citizens, but also as followers of Christ!’

(Pope Francis)

The Season of Creation is an ecumenical season dedicated to prayer for the protection of creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles. It begins on 1 September and concludes on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October.

“Listen to the voice of creation” is the theme and invitation of this year’s Season of Creation. 

In his message, Pope Francis calls us to use the season to "cultivate our ecological conversion” and to pray together in “the great cathedral of Creation”. He warns that we are reaching “a breaking point" and must act decisively so that "we and future generations can continue to rejoice in creation’s sweet song of life and hope."

Some food for thought: ‘Sustainability: told as a Children's Fairy Tale with Beautiful Montage’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKWQuU0sHPw

MARY’S BIRTHDAY

On 8 September each year the Church celebrates Our Lady’s birthday. We do not usually celebrate the birthdays of the saints. Instead, we celebrate the day they died, because that is the day they were born to eternal life. But the birth of Mary is special. We celebrate her birthday because she came into this world full of grace and because she is the Mother of Jesus and our heavenly mother.

Why not celebrate Mary’s birthday by spending time as a family and saying a prayer for each other? There are lots of beautiful ‘Mary’ prayers to share, including the Hail Mary and The Rosary.

Follow the links to listen to some lovely ‘Mary’ songs:

Hail Mary – Gentle Woman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RERoQ1biLdE

Ave Maria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66zUY8UZn4M

MISSION FAIR

Our annual Mission Fair will be held on Wednesday 7 September. The staff have been busy organising stalls and we are all looking forward to another fabulous fair. There will be Lucky Dips, Trash and Treasure, Photo Booth, Ice-creams, Fidget Toys, Friendship Bracelets, Fairy Floss, Balloons, Badges Galore, Coinline, Lolly Stall, Home Baking, Pick of the Stall and lots of games and activities at this year’s fair. The Student Council and our Mini Vinnies group will also be helping out and running stalls.

Please encourage your child to do some jobs at home to earn their spending money for this exciting event. 

Parents are reminded to send coins and not just notes. It is also a good idea to send along a shopping bag to put all their goodies in.

Tickets in the multi-draw raffle are now on sale. They are great value at a cost of 50 cents each or three for $1.00.  Our Year Six Leaders will be selling the tickets before school and at lunchtime each day. The raffle will be drawn after the Mission Fair.

TRASH AND TREASURE

The Year Six students will be running a Trash and Treasure stall at the Mission Fair and are looking for donations of pre-loved books, puzzles, toys, games, collectables and knickknacks to sell. 

It is not too late to send items into school. A big THANK YOU for your support.

NEW SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

A meeting for the parents of Year Three students wanting to prepare for the Sacraments of Penance, Confirmation and Eucharist will be held at St Joseph’s Church on Wednesday 5 October. A letter detailing the parish program and registration requirements was sent home today.

Students will prepare for and receive the Sacrament of Penance in November this year and will be Confirmed and receive their First Holy Communion in 2023.

 If you have an older child wishing to receive the Sacraments as part of the 2022/2023 Program, please collect a copy of this letter from the school office.

AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST CHILD SAFETY LESSON (ABCSL)

Each year the Daniel Morcombe Foundation produce Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson. This year, the lessons will explore concepts of personal safety and removing the secrecy, stigma and mystery around private body parts, while also teaching children about body ownership.

Both editions (Prep - Year 3 and Years 4-6) of ABCSL will be live streamed on Tuesday 6 September, during National Child Protection Week (4-10 September) and students in all year levels will be participating. This also coincides with the implementation of the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum at Emmanuel this term. 

For more information about ABCSL and to view lessons from previous years go to: https://danielmorcombe.com.au/australias-biggest-child-safety-lesson-2/

For resources and information about child safety go to: https://danielmorcombe.com.au/fact-sheets/

To find out about the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and the key messages of the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum go to:  https://danielmorcombe.com.au/

DANIEL MORCOMBE CHILD SAFETY CURRICULUM

Throughout this term, our school has been 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.

Information about the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum can be found at:

https://education.qld.gov.au/curriculums/school-curriculum/Pages/danielMorcombe.aspx.

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, updates and to book for weekend Masses go to the Catholic Parishes of North Mackay and Farleigh Facebook page.

VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – EXCELLENCE

Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer. (Rick Pitino)

When you practice excellence, you are not content to give less than your best. You use your gifts and talents to improve, learn from your mistakes and strive to be your best self. Rather than striving to get everything just right, you strive to excel in your own way.

Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.  (Ralph Marston)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

National Child Protection Week (4-10 September) is an annual event starting on the first Sunday of September each year. The 2022 theme ‘Every child, in every community, needs a fair go’ aims to spread the message that ‘to treat all of Australia’s children fairly, we need to make sure every family and community has what children need to thrive and be healthy.’

National Child Protection Week is all about the ways that we can work together to build communities that support children and families. Children are safest when they are listened to, respected and believed.

“Child abuse and neglect is preventable. If we all work together as a community we can create an Australia where all children can grow up safe and well. What role can you play in supporting children and their families?” – Richard Cooke, CEO, NAPCAN

For resources and to find out more about this year’s campaign visit www.napcan.org.au 

Curriculum Corner

OPTI-MINDS SUCCESS

Congratulations to our Opti-MINDS team who put forward a polished performance last Sunday at the Mackay Regional Final at Mackay West Primary School.

Several Primary teams competed in the event in three categories amidst great excitement and collaboration. Our team received a Spirit of Optiminds Award in the Science Engineering division for their fantastic solutions, presentations and teamwork. Each team member invested their personal time during the week to prepare themselves for this commendable result. Well done to all team members below!

Of course, none of these successes happen without many other helpers. Thank you to all the parents who transported students to practise sessions over the last six weeks and helped with encouragement at home. Thank you also to Mrs Amy Jeffcoat and Mrs Sharon Kerr who facilitated this group and had to apply the most difficult skill that a teacher is ever asked to do - resist solving any of the problems for them so they can grow as creative learners themselves!

Certificates will be presented at Friday’s assembly next week.  Parents are most welcome to attend.

CELEBRATING BOOKWEEK

What a wonderful time we had this week celebrating Bookweek.  Friday’s dress up day was lots of fun and a wonderful reflection of the children’s exposure to Literature.  The school grounds were filled with characters from all sorts of books and the imagination and creativity involved in the costumes was amazing. A huge thank you to all of the parents who were able to join us in our classrooms to celebrate our love of reading at Emmanuel.

Students are enjoying visiting each other’s classrooms and looking at the displays of the CBCA Shortlisted books.  We are very proud of the students at Emmanuel as so many of them are always trying their best which results in a very high standard or writing and reading on a daily basis throughout all of our classrooms.

Janine Refalo

Assistant Principal Curriculum

TWO BUDDING AUTHORS

Our Book Week dress up day saw a variety of book characters, from Pokemon to Harry Potter and everything in between. But two budding authors decided to do something different this year. After spending some time writing their own story, ‘CF Secrets,’ Chloe and Franske from Year 4, decided to come as the characters from their own story, which they wrote and published! We love seeing this innovation and creativity in our students!

Maddison Thomas

Year 4 Teacher

APA News

DANCE FEVER SHOWCASE – PREP TO YEAR 2

We invite parents of Prep, Year One and Year Two students to attend their child’s Dance Fever class on Monday, 5 September.  These lessons will take place in the Marist Centre and provide an opportunity for students to showcase their newly taught dance moves to family. 

Please see the Dance Fever lesson times below:

• Prep – 11:40 to 12:10 pm
• Year One – 11:10 to 11:40 am
• Year Two – 9:15 to 9:45 am

BASKETBALL GALA DAY - EXPERIENCED PLAYERS YEARS 3 - 6

Next Monday, 5 September, we are sending a team of ten experienced basketball players to compete in the Primary School Basketball Gala Day.  Mrs McKinnon will coach the team and we look forward to sharing news of their day in next week’s newsletter.  

Sausages in bread are available for $2. Please preorder for catering purposes only via clicking the TryBooking link below. CASH payment is to be made on the night.

SCHOOL VIDEO PROMOTION RECORDING – 8 & 9 SEPTEMBER

Next Thursday and Friday, Emmanuel will host a team who will be recording our new school promotional content.  Over these two days, they will video a range of activities and learning areas to showcase what Emmanuel has to offer prospective families.  During the enrolment process, parents have identified media permissions; however, if you do not wish for your child to be captured in videos next week, please email enm@rok.catholic.edu.au by next Wednesday, 7 September.

Karla Falzon

Acting Assistant Principal Administration

Strategic Priorities 2022

COVID Update

CHOP FOR CHARITY

Amber Holmstrom of 4W recently had her lovely locks chopped in support of Variety – the Children’s Charity. She had 40 cm of her hair cut while her uncle also lost his amazing locks. Together they raised nearly $800, and their braids will be made into wigs to help those who have lost their hair as a result of treatment for cancer. Congratulations Amber on your selfless act of kindness.  You are amazing!

The Arts

CELEBRATING THE ARTS

Our Rock Pop Mine Team and Eisteddfod Choirs showcased their talents with a special concert in the Marist Centre last Friday. The ROCK POP MIME team shared their first prize winning performance of Mary Poppins. They were Fabulous! We all had lots of fun singing along with the much loved songs used in their dance.

All of our Eisteddfod Choirs and the Small Folk Group delighted us with their AMAZING singing. It was a wonderful celebration. We could all hear and see why Emmanuel was awarded the Choral  Championship  Trophy  for  Primary Schools and Mrs Miller was awarded the Carmel Daveson Award for the most accomplished Primary Choral Conductor.

A very big THANK YOU to all who contributed to providing these opportunities for our students and to our success in these exciting events.

Linda Miller

Music Teacher

Sporting News

CONGRATULATIONS to our team who played for and won third place in the John Paap Rugby League Competition. Thank you to Fitzgerald SS for a great game.

A big THANK YOU to the organisers of this competition and to all of our coaches, parents and supporters who have made our participation possible.

Good luck to St Mary’s CPS and Mackay West SS who will play in the Grand Final next week.

OSHC - School Holidays

Bookings are now open and available for the September School Holidays!

It has been predicted that Australia's east coast will see high amounts of rainfall, which is possible to result in flooding. I hope that the weather experts have this all wrong and we can enjoy some wonderful sunny weather this Spring! If not, some of our planned activities and experiences may be altered due to weather restrictions.

Please refer to the Activity Plan for the upcoming holiday break, it must be noted that there are two days which will attract an extra fee; this will be reflected in the bookings for these days and will be adjusted in your account if your child attends on that particular day.

With staffing restrictions, I will have limited spaces available, so please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

WHAT TO BRING TO VACATION CARE:

• Wide brimmed hat; clearly named and labelled.
• Water bottle; clearly named and labelled
• Spare clothes; clearly named and labelled; particularly for wet days and planned messy play.

• Lunchbox; ; clearly named and labelled. Children have more opportunity to snack and eat at Vacation Care, so please pack extra!! We will provide a small afternoon tea, usually fresh fruit platter and mixed savory snacks.

I am looking forward to an engaging, interactive and fun holiday period 😊

Monica Salter

OSHC Co-Ordinator

Term 3 School Fees

Term 3 School Fees are now overdue.  We would like to thank those families who have paid.  However if you have not paid your account, it would be appreciated if you could do so immediately.  If you are experiencing difficulties, please contact Therese in the Finance Office.

CONCESSION CARD DISCOUNT

Parents/Carers with an eligible means tested Australian Government Health Card or Pensioner Concession Card will automatically receive a 70% discount against the Tuition portion of their fees.  Please follow the link for further information regarding eligible cards.  If you require any further information, please contact the Finance Office.

Tuckshop News

Our very busy Tuckshop is ugently in need of more volunteers. At this point we have no one on our emergency list to cover volunteers who become unavailable. Please phone the office if you can help.

Please Note: It is imperative that volunteers DO NOT attend tuckshop if they are unwell, have anyone at home who is unwell or have been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19. 

Lost Property

We have a large amount of Lost Property located in front of the office.

Please have your child check if you are missing any items. If these items have not been collected before the end of Term 3, they will be donated.

Notices

Community News