Newsletter - 15 September 2022
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
How can we be present to each other today?
We all need to be reminded regularly that we matter to others and we need to remind others that they are important to us. Gestures such as a loving hug from a parent or perhaps a smile from a friend or even a stranger, gives us a special warm feeling. Such gestures remind us that we are special to others. Being ‘present’ to others when they are talking to us, sharing some news or just saying hello is another powerful way that we demonstrate to others that we care about them.
With the pace of life today it is very easy to forget both. We have even gone so far as a society to use terms such as ‘multi tasking’ to give ourselves permission to not be fully ‘present’ to others both in the context of family and work. Everyone needs to be valued, to be noticed and to be loved. How can we be ‘present’ to our families, friends and colleagues today?
Being present to others may not look the same for everyone. It may be stopping when we say hello and having a brief chat, or asking about a friends family or new job or it could be a heartfelt hug, doing a favour for someone, helping around the house or yard, giving an unexpected gift to a friend, being a good listener, or reaching out to those who will never personally know us but who are in need.
In his gospel, John challenges us “Let us love, not in word or speech but in truth and action”.
As we come to the end of another term. I look back at the many memorable occasions that were shared with our school community. Great things don’t just happen on their own. They are the result of a positive attitude, hard work, planning, enthusiasm and especially team work! Thank you parents and family members for your support of our work with your children. A huge ‘THANK YOU’ to our P&F team and helpers whose enthusiasm and tireless efforts for the school are very much appreciated and valued.
To the staff of Emmanuel who go ‘above and beyond’ in their sacred work, my deepest gratitude for all you do to bring our students to a deeper and more loving relationship with our God and your dedication to instilling a love of learning in their hearts and minds. God’s blessings upon each and every one of you!
With the holidays once more upon us, I wish you all a restful few weeks, enjoy your time together as a family and take the opportunities to spend quality time in each other’s company. It has been a very busy term and students and staff alike deserve a break to recharge their energies and return full of vitality for the final term of the year. Whatever your plans …….. stay safe, enjoy the break and return to the last term refreshed and renewed!
I hope you all have a wonderful two weeks with your children and may God continue to bless you and keep you safe.
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
RE Matters
WHAT’S IMPORTANT? – A REFLECTION
A fisherman was sitting on a beach under a palm tree. He was relaxing and looking out to sea. A tourist walking on the beach stopped to talk to him. He asked the fisherman why he was not working. The fisherman replied that he had caught enough fish for the day to meet his needs and those of his family. Hearing this, the tourist asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
The fisherman answered, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children and take a siesta. In the evenings, I go into the village with my wife. We spend time with our friends, have a few drinks and sing a few songs. I have a full life."
The tourist interrupted, "I am a business man and I can help you! You should start by fishing for longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch and with the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."
“What would I do then?” asked the fisherman.
"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy more boats and employ more people. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to the city. From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."
"How long would that take?" asked the fisherman.
"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the business man.
“What would I do then?” asked the fisherman.
"Well my friend,” answered the business man, “that's when it gets really interesting. When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"
"Really? “What would I do then?” asked the fisherman.
"After that you'll be able to retire, live by the beach, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying time with your family and friends."
“You don’t need to wait for tomorrow to be happy and enjoy your life. Today is a gift - that’s why it is called the present.” (Unknown)
Enjoy every minute!
MISSION FAIR
The Mission Fair was held last Wednesday, and we are excited to report that it was an AMAZING success! The students enjoyed visiting the stalls, playing the games and filling their bags with goodies. We raised more than $7000. That is equivalent to providing 20 cows or 177 goats or 177 pigs or 7088 chickens to families in other parts of the world who are not as fortunate as we are.
Congratulation to our Piggy Bank Challenge champions. At the end of the Mission Fair, Year 2JR had the most money in their piggy bank and 3HB had the most coins in theirs. Both classes enjoyed their prize on Friday.
The ‘Fun and Games’ raffle was drawn yesterday and thirty-three lucky winners took home prizes. Vincent in 1J was really excited when he found out that the bear’s name was Ted Junior and would be going home with him.
The ‘Trash and Treasure’ stall was very popular again this year and everyone who visited had fun seeking out a bargain. A big thank you to all who donated goodies to this stall. Lots of children found treasures to take home.
Special thanks to our Year Three students who spent many hours making friendship bands for their stall. It was an amazing effort and a fabulous ‘service learning’ activity. We can’t wait to see what they will come up with next.
Our Mini Vinnies group ran the freerice.org stall at this year’s fair. This online challenge that rewards correct answers with free rice is an initiative of the United Nations World Food Programme. Students who visited the stall collected 14 200 grains of rice – that is more than two cups of rice. It is great to think that we can have fun, practise our skills/increase our knowledge and help to feed the hungry in our world at the same time. You might like to visit this website in the holidays. There are various categories and levels of difficulty. It is worth the effort, for you and for others.
A big THANK YOU to our creative, hardworking staff who organised and managed the stalls, painted fingernails, baked goodies, provided prizes and supervised the activities. Our Year Six students are also thanked for their efforts and enthusiasm. They manned stalls, sold tickets, badges and balloons, helped staff with set up and clean up and supported younger students to navigate the fair. We are so proud of them. A number of students and student groups also set up and ran stalls at this year’s fair. A big thank you to Sophie for her fidget toys, Ruby for her slime and the Year Five students who organised the ‘What’s in the Box’ and the Ring/Basket Toss games. You are amazing!
Together we are contributing to family life and making a difference in the lives of others. Well done and thank you everyone.
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 recently.
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.
WORLD REFUGEES & MIGRATION SUNDAY
Migration today is not a phenomenon limited to some areas of the planet. It affects all continents and is growing into a tragic situation of global proportions. Not only does this concern those looking for dignified work or better living conditions, but also men and women, the elderly and children, who are forced to leave their homes in the hope of finding safety, peace and security. (Pope Francis)
The Holy See has set aside Sunday 25 September, as a special day to remember and pray for Refugees and Migrants. This year’s theme is ‘Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees.’
To read the Pope Francis’s message click on the link below.
World Day of Migrants & Refugees - Migrants & Refugees Section (migrants-refugees.va)
To view the 2022 resource kit click on the tab below.
‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.’ (Mark 9:37)
Remember, the Holy Family were refugees. They fled from Herod into Egypt and stayed there until it was safe to return home (Matthew 2:13–23). They knew danger, fear and alienation and they knew what it was to be safely home.
Please join with Catholics around the world on Sunday 25 September to pray for those who must flee their homes in the quest for freedom, safety and a better life.
A children’s Mass, led by Emmanuel students, will be held at 9am on Sunday 9 October at St Joseph’s Church. Students wishing to participate in this ministry should contact Mrs Kliese in the office.
Claim the Date: Students who register for the upcoming Sacramental Program will be asked to participate in the Rite of Enrolment and receive their books at one of the Masses on this weekend (8/9 October).
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 – CREATIVITY
God, the creator, is the source of all creativity. In creating man in His own image, He gave us the gift of creativity too.
Creativity is the power of imagination. It is discovering your own special talents. Dare to see things in new ways and find different ways to solve problems. With your creativity, you can bring something new into the world. Creativity helps us to be all we are called to be.
“Creativity is God’s gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God.” (Julia Cameron)
MONSTER CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
There may not be NORFAIR this year, but our parish is selling tickets in an amazing raffle. With a First Prize of $10 000, tickets are great value at $5.00 each. The raffle will be drawn on Friday 9 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 2:30pm phone 49574855).
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
APA News
CLASSES 2023
Term Four will see staff arrange classes for the 2023 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 588 students. This practice will no longer 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 21 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
DANCEFEVER INTERSCHOOL CHALLENGE
Tuesday night, our Dance Fever Challenge Team of 50 students represented Emmanuel at this event. It was such a proud experience being able to witness the enthusiasm, dance skills, positivity and teamwork consistently displayed by our students. A lot of our students made it into the grand finals for the partner dances, with several being awarded place ribbons. As a team, Emmanuel won a trophy for best dance technique. The night ended with students inviting their families to the dance floor for an end of event dance. What a fabulous celebration of dance for Emmanuel to participate in. Well done everyone!
SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
Karla Falzon
Acting Assistant Principal Administration
Strategic Priorities 2022
COVID Update
The Arts
SING OUT
Last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, twenty Emmanuel students from Years 4, 5 and 6 participated in the Sing Out Festival, held at Victoria Park State School. These students rehearsed as part of a 100-strong massed choir, made up on primary children from various school in the Mackay District. The students were led by renowned conductor and composer, Mr Paul Jarman. On Friday afternoon, students performed for parents, teacher and community members, a program of four pieces that they had learned over the three days. We congratulate the students on their behaviour, positivity and participation and thank Mrs Miller for her leadership with Sing Out!
Linda Miller
Music Teacher
Principal's Awards
Congratulations to the students who received an Award in Week 9.
OSHC - School Holidays
ALTERERD HOURS OF OPERATION: VACTION CARE, SEPTEMBER 2022
Dear Families,
I regretfully inform you that our hours of operation will be altered this vacation care, September 2022. Due to staff restrictions, we are only able to operate from 8am – 4pm Monday - Friday.
We understand that this is not ideal for all families and apologise for added stress and inconvenience this may cause, however, we are required to stay within OSHC legislation in relation to the staffing ration required per child.
Bookings are almost at capacity; it would be appreciated if you could let me know immediately should you no longer require bookings with us.
Please note that Thursday 22 September has been declared a public holiday for Australia, we will not be open for operation on this day.
Please contact me to discuss further if you have questions or concerns.
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
We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to the special mums, dads & grandparents who have volunteered their time helping in the tuckshop. Your efforts are very much appreciated. We cannot keep up with demand without parental assistance. Due to work and family commitments we will be needing more assistance in Term 4, so please consider helping just one day a month.
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.
Notices
Community News
The Renegades Basketball Club are looking for new members who would like to play basketball over the summer season. The club can even cater for other sporting teams who wish to play together as a team as part of the Renegades Basketball Club. Please see the flyer above for details.
