Newsletter - 13 October 2022
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
Does anyone still watch the news on television? You would probably be better off if you didn’t; then you would be free from the daily recounting of catastrophe, from the cruelty and barbarism of war, from the bashings and robberies, from the impression that, individually, people don’t matter.
The following thoughts may cheer you up.
“You are a work of magnificence. You are a treasure. And you are called to do the work of God. Make the most of your go at life, because you are very rare.
“You are a single sunset; God dancing in the world. You are a poem, a sheer delight. You are a song; God is singing—now; not getting ready. All the way to heaven is heaven; not for later, but now.
“My life is God’s gift to me; God’s work. What I do with my life is my work, my gift to God. It can be a beautiful gift, a beautiful life. Whatever it is like, whatever I am called to be.
“Courage. You are called to be as game as Ned Kelly. As game as Caroline Chisholm. Follow the leader. God. Thy Kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven. Sometimes dreary but always, always alive.” (From “Someone Keeps Sending Me Flowers”)
Graham English, the author of those words, should be the newsreader each night! He could show video clips of how important people are, and, how they can reflect God to one another by the good choices that are available for them to make. Unless you believe in reincarnation, you do have only one go at life. So what you do now had better be good. It’s the only chance you get.
George Bernard Shaw made this eloquent statement:
“I want to be thoroughly used up by the time I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”
So, how are you going with your life and how optimistic are your children about theirs?
“God you are here, part of my one go at life. You are calling me. Most of all you listen to me. Help me to listen. Teach me to hear. And give me courage. Amen.”
Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
RE Matters
OCTOBER - MONTH OF THE ROSARY
“The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God…and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.” (Pope Saint Pius X)
During October we are encouraged to pray this beautiful prayer and to reflect on the mysteries of our faith which it memorialises. 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.
“There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary.” (Sister Lucia of Fatima)
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.
Today 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
OCTOBER - WORLD MISSION MONTH
This month we will be celebrating SOCCERTOBER.
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 Teachings and participate in activities that promote justice, prayer and action. Together we can make a difference and help others.
With a focus on Ethiopia, “You shall be my witnesses” is the theme of Catholic Mission’s appeal this year. Their goal is to support families facing malnutrition and food insecurity.
All classes have set goals related to ACTION, ATTITUDE AND GIVING. Throughout the month, students will be encouraged to be generous with their time, patience, assistance, cooperation and consideration. ‘An Attitude of Gratitude’ will be our MJR focus.
We are having an exciting 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.
SOCCERTOBER badges ($1.00) will be on sale in the library at lunchtime this month. The staff are also participating in a coffee challenge.
MAKING JESUS REAL – THANKFUL THURSDAYS
“I complained I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.” (Unknown)
It is easy to take for granted all that we have. On Thankful Thursdays, students are encouraged to give thanks for their many blessings and to appreciate how lucky they are. Together we are fostering an ‘attitude of gratitude’ that is evident in word and action, in the way we treat each other and care for the beautiful world we share.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Please continue to pray for all students who are enrolled in the parish based Sacramental Program and are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Penance for the first time next month
Please note: The Penance Family Workshops will take place at St Joseph’s School Hall in the coming week. Choose from Sunday 16 October at 10:15am or Wednesday 19 October at 6:30pm.
DAY FOR DANIEL - WEAR RED
On Friday 28 October we will join with the rest of Australia in acknowledging ‘Day for Daniel’. It is a child safety and protection initiative that aims to help empower our children to Recognise, React and Report if they feel something is not right. ‘Wear Red and Educate’ is the theme of ‘Day for Daniel’.
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. No donation is required for participation. Badges will be on sale in the week leading up to the day.
For more information about the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and ‘Day for Daniel’ go to: http://www.danielmorcombe.com.au/
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 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, updates and to book for weekend Masses go to the Catholic Parishes of North Mackay and Farleigh Facebook page.
VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – GENEROSITY
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” (Winston Churchill)
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. When you're forgiving, kind and gentle to people, you show generosity of spirit.
“Generosity isn’t an act. It’s a way of life.” (Chip Ingram)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Curriculum Corner
2023 BOOKLISTS/BOOKPACKS
Janine Refalo
Assistant Principal Curriculum
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
STUDENT COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
Congratulations to the following students who have been elected by their peers as Student Representatives for Term 4.
6K- Elliot Garnham & Logan Hamilton
6T- Evie LeGarde & Brendan Muzic
6S- Andy Gordon & Maddie Marks
Karla Falzon
Acting Assistant Principal Administration
Strategic Priorities 2022
COVID Update
Sporting News
EMMANUEL YEAR 2-6 SWIMMING CARNIVAL 2022
With the weather heating up, what better way to celebrate than with a swimming carnival! Our Swimming Carnival for Years 2 to 6 will take place in Week 4, THURSDAY 27 October 2022.
More details to follow in next week's newsletter.
The Arts
Linda Miller
Music Teacher
Awards
Congratulations to the students who received a Principal, Opti-Minds, Excellence in Music & Sing Out Awards in Week 1.
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.
Term 4 School Fee Statements
Term 4 School Fee Statements were emailed to all families on Tuesday 11 October, with payment due by 25 October. Statements can also be viewed via parent lounge using the ‘make a payment’ tab from the menu bar and clicking on the paperclip. If you did not receive your statement, please advise the finance office.
Notices
RESTRICTED ACCESS PARKING
Please be advised that access to the Carpark at the entrance to the Emmanuel Administration Building is restricted to Authorised Staff Personnel ONLY as per the attached signage. This carpark is provided for the Administration personnel of both Emmanuel and Holy Spirit College and is clearly signed on both poles situated at the entrance to Emmanuel. Parents whose children access the OSHC service are asked to NOT park in this area when collecting children of an afternoon or when dropping off children when attending Vacation Care. This also applies to the STAFF CARPARK at the rear of the Year 5 Classroom Block. Parking for parents is provided outside Holy Spirit College within the short-term carpark adjacent to the College, or at the Emmanuel STOP, DROP, GO area which are the designated areas assigned for this purpose. I ask that parents refrain from utilizing this area unless collecting a sick child from the school.
TRAVEL SUBSIDY
Student travel rebate applications are only open in October for Semester 2. Please visit https://schooltransport.com.au/ to check if you are eligible.
Community News
Learn To Skate!
If you are interested in learning to skate come on down to the Mackay Leisure Centre on Thursdays from 4pm to 5pm and get your skate on. The first lesson is free and all abilities and ages are welcome. For further information contact Mackay Roller Sports Association at mrollerhockey@gmail.com or phone Lyle Denman on 0432170997.