Newsletter - 23 March 2023
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
The Lenten period is an important season in the life of the Church. We are given permission to ‘start again’ and to embrace the mystery of life in our quest to be better people. Lent is about both self and communal improvement and is a journey towards a closer relationship with others and with our God.
At Emmanuel, however, we never encourage students to be perfect, only to come to school to give their best and to work with everyone (not just our friends). Working with others doesn’t automatically mean that we will get along famously or have perfect days every day. In fact, conflict is part of daily life and is a healthy aspect of any community. Effective people resolve conflict in ways that protect relationships, honour feelings and lead to a resolution. They neither avoid conflict nor do they use power to dominate others or to ‘win’.
Emmanuel is a learning community and as such we are interested in supporting students to learn better ways to resolve conflict and think about their emotions. This includes learning conflict resolution processes and systems so that peaceful resolutions can be reached.
One process recommended by parenting expert Michael Grose that is both easy to learn and highly effective is the Face-Up conflict resolution process that is a variation on some common processes already in use.
The steps involved in the Face-Up process:
- Safety first: To ensure safety and integrity it is important that both children are calm. Give them time and some help to regain control if they are angry or upset. upset.
- Feeling second: Using I-messages children tell each other how they feel about the situation. “I feel awful when you don’t share your toys. I really feel like losing it because it is not fair.” Focus on the feelings and don’t let it get into recriminations or accusations.
- Repeat third: Sometimes this process is enough to get a resolution or at least an apology. Repeat this procedure if necessary so both children feel they have been heard.
- Resolve fourth: State the problem as you see it or as children identify it. Sometimes children just want to state their case and they will make their own suggestion about resolving it. “You can play with my old toys but I don’t want you playing with my new toys for a while. They’re special.” “Okay.”
- Make-up fifth: An apology or an agreement is often enough, however sometimes damage may need to be repaired or a follow-up talk from a parent about better behaviour may be appropriate.
In our journey towards Easter, working towards peaceful resolutions of conflict is one practical way of enhancing both personal and community relationships.
Wishing you God’s blessings throughout the Lenten season,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
RE Matters
THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS - A REFLECTION
A young man who had been raised in a family of non-believers was training to be an Olympic diver. The only thing he knew about religion came from an outspoken friend who was a Christian. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.
One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended to train. The lights were all off, but as the pool had large skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practise by.
The young man climbed up to the highest diving board. He stood on the edge of the board and turned his back to the pool. As he stretched his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body in the shape of a cross.
Instead of diving, he knelt down and asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs.
(Author Unknown)
SCHOOL MASS
Please join us at St Joseph’s Church tomorrow, Friday 24 March at 9.15am to celebrate our first Mass of the 2023 school year. We are really excited to be gathering at the church for this celebration. In recent years all of our Masses have been in the Marist Centre or in the Fr Bucas Centre at Holy Spirit College. All welcome.
Students need to wear blue day uniform. Girls to wear dresses please. We will travel to and from the church by bus.
Seating has been reserved for parents on the side of the Baptismal Font. The school office will be closed from 9.00am - 11.00am as all staff will be attending the Mass.
Parents are asked not to park in the bus bays directly in front of the church. This is a safety issue.
MARY SAID ‘YES’
This Saturday 25 March we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. On this day we remember that Mary opened her heart completely to the Divine Presence, that she agreed to be the mother of Jesus. She put her life entirely into the hands of God saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” Doing this changed her life, and ours, forever.
How can you say ‘YES’ to God today?
CELEBRATING WITH OUR PARISH
A children’s Mass, led by Emmanuel students, will be held at 9:00am on Sunday 26 March at St Joseph’s Church. Students wishing to participate should contact Mrs Kliese in the office. All welcome!
HOLY WEEK
Holy Week, which precedes the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, is the most important week of the church year. It starts on Palm Sunday, sometimes called Passion Sunday, and continues through Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday. During Holy Week we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, last supper, agony in the garden, betrayal, passion and death on the cross. We remember that Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb. The week that begins in celebration ends in despair. It is not until Easter Sunday that we rejoice in and recall Jesus’ resurrection.
This year, Holy Week falls in the first week of the school holidays. Our Year Six students will lead us in a special Prayer Celebration on Thursday 30 March. They will share the events of Holy Week and lead us through the Stations of the Cross. It will take place in the Marist Centre at 9:30am. All welcome.
CHRISM MASS INVITATION
Bishop Michael has extended an invitation for all to join in the celebration of the Chrism Mass, being held at 10:00am on Thursday 30 March at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Rockhampton. This is a marvellous opportunity for the Diocese to gather with our clergy as they conclude their time of pre-Easter gathering.
At the Mass, the Oils of Catechumens and of the Sick will be blessed, and the Chrism consecrated, to be used in Sacraments across all diocesan communities over the next year.
For those unable to attend in person, you can watch the Mass live, or later, via the St Joseph’s Cathedral YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/StJosephsCathRton
This is an important celebration for our diocese and as we lead into Holy Week.
Click on the tab below to see Bishop Michael’s Letter of Invitation.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Please continue to pray for our students who are preparing to receive the Sacraments. They will be confirmed by Bishop Michael McCarthy in June and receive Eucharist for the first time in July.
The parents of students enrolled in the 2022/2023 Sacramental Program should have received an email from parish secretary Chris Haines, in recent weeks, about the upcoming Information Evening. It will be held on Wednesday 19 April at St Joseph’s School Hall. Please contact Mrs Kliese if you did not receive your email or have any questions about the program.
TIME TO SWITCH OFF
Tomorrow we will take part in World Earth Hour’s school event. Lights, screens and all devices will be turned off in classrooms between 2:00pm and 3:00pm. In joining this action, we promote the care of our planet, reduce the use of energy and walk in solidarity with our with our brothers and sisters around the world who do not have electricity. This is in line with the Pope’s encyclical Laudato Si and Catholic Social Teachings.
You might like to consider participating in Saturday night’s Earth Hour from 8:30pm. ‘Time Out For Nature’ is Australia’s theme this year. Together we can make a difference.
To find out more about Earth Hour go to: https://www.earthhour.org.au/
To explore the 2023 theme go to: https://www.earthhour.org.au/Discover/take-time-out-for-nature
LENTEN CHALLENGE
FARMITAS continues to be lots of fun. Students are excited to buy tokens and parents are happy to report that their children have been doing lots of jobs at home to earn the money to buy them.
The class that buys the most tokens will lead the school in a special dance at Assembly in Week Ten.
CARITAS - PROJECT COMPASSION
‘For All Future Generations’ is the theme of Project Compassion 2023.
It reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.
For more information, about the work of CARITAS and projects that the 2023 Project Compassion Appeal will support, check out the Caritas Australia website @ https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/
RAFFLE – TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST!
Students are encouraged to buy tickets in our Easter themed raffle. This is a multi-draw raffle with several prizes. All money raised will be forwarded to the missions. Our Year Six leaders will be selling the tickets before school and at lunchtime each day. Tickets are 50 cents each or three for $1.00. The raffle will be drawn in the last week of school.
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 - LOVE
Love is at the centre of our being. It is the vital force that gives us energy and direction. It connects one heart with another. Love is cherishing others. Love thrives on acceptance and appreciation. It has the power to heal. You show love in a smile, a kind word, a thoughtful act or a hug. Love is contagious. Pass it on.
“Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
HARMONY WEEK
It has been a sea of orange this week at Emmanuel. There has been orange balloons on posts around the school, and lots of students and staff dressed in orange to mark Harmony Day on Tuesday 21 March. We had a lovely prayer for peace in the Chapel on Monday. Below are some of the photos included in the Harmony Week clip that has been shared in the library this week.
Be sure to check out School TVs special report: Celebrating Harmony Week.
Curriculum Corner
PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS
Janine Refalo
Assistant Principal Curriculum
APA News
CYBER - SAFETY TALK
Last week we were privileged to have Brad Huddleston, internationally respected speaker, consultant, teacher and author present to around 60 interested parents and friends here at Emmanuel. Brad was joined by Mackay District Crime Prevention Co-ordinator Sgt Nigel Dalton, from the Queensland Police Service. If you missed Brad’s presentation, here are some of the facts he shared:
One hour of screen time (iPad, tablets, gaming, TV) can have the same effect on a child’s brain as half a line of cocaine. When a person’s pleasure centre in the brain is continuously flooded with dopamine, a barrier forms and grows over time. Eventually, the barrier becomes so strong that normal amounts of dopamine can no longer reach the pleasure centre. This phenomenon is called the addictive process; it is the basic cause of all addictions. Any digital activity that goes beyond one hour is going to push the adrenal system beyond its normal limits. Does your child become angry, violent, depressed or refuse to do anything else when you take away their device? Are they bored without it? These symptoms are the side effects of addiction. Gaming, mobile phones and tablets are addictive. What about TV? Have you ever heard of Overstimulation Hypothesis? Watching TV or gaming on screens for an hour before school stimulates the chemicals in the brain, which then takes 3 hours for a child’s brain to return to appropriate levels for learning, which means your child’s brain isn’t ready to learn effectively until 11am!
However, it is not all bad news, there is hope and things can be reversed! Technology is a fantastic resource, but we need to ensure that we are using it effectively and appropriately.
Brad’s 3 BIG Tips:
- Take ALL electronic devices out of the bedroom.
- Ensure students receive 9.5 hours sleep per night
- No screens (including TV!) before school and 3 hours before bedtime
PERMISSION FOR PHOTOS
Some students do not have media permission, as per parental requests in our Enrolment Contract. As such, these students CANNOT be in the group photo taken with other awardees at the conclusion of our weekly Assembly. This, at times, causes distress for these students, when they are withdrawn from the photo. If your child does not have media consent, please speak with them about our school procedures, so that they are aware that cannot be part of this photo. Please do not hesitate to contact the school office should you wish to discuss this further, or change the permissions on your enrolment contract.
Amanda McDonald
Assistant Principal Administration
Strategic Priorities 2023
COVID Update
Sporting News
SPORTS NOMINATION FORMS
In 2023, there are a large number of sports which students will be able to nominate for and compete in. Please discuss the following list of events with your child. It will be crucial students collect and return permission notes before closing dates to ensure they do not miss out on their opportunity. Students will be notified via the morning bulletin when notes become available for collection. These notes will be available from Mr Dodson each day during lunch eating periods.
If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me on my school email: luke_dodson@rok.catholic.edu.au
Luke Dodson
HPE Co-Ordinator
From our Counsellor
MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness: it’s the buzz word for the 21st century. It seems as though every self-help guru and influencer are promoting its benefits through social media and book sales. Well, I can tell you that when it comes to the topic of mindfulness, they are absolutely correct. Extensive research into this technique confirms the benefits for our mental health.
‘Mindfulness, is the practice of being in the moment, being present and being open to what you're focusing on. Mindfulness is all about building resilience. It is not a replacement for therapy or medication for mental health issues but will hopefully reduce the need for it later on.’ Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.
The Smiling Mind app takes you through guided meditations. The CEO of Smiling Mind, Dr Addie Wooton, features as an expert on School TV with an informative video explaining the technique.
If you are looking for some great articles and fact sheets on the topic, you will find them on the Mindfulness page on School TV. While you are there, take the poll and let us know how often you practice mindfulness in your life.
Kindly,
Sharon Martin BVA, GDLT, MEd
School Counsellor
STEM
Greetings from the wonderful world of STEM,
This year has seen the commencement of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as a specialist subject at Emmanuel. We have been working hard discovering solutions for problems in the area of Science and have been learning how the world around us works. Many of the projects that the students tackle in STEM require materials for us to complete. A large focus of the subject also looks at recycling and reusing household items to improve our sustainability and minimise waste. Due to this focus, I would like to put out the call to families that if you have any of the following items around the house that you would normally dispose of, could they please be donated to the school for us to use as part of our lessons:
- shoe boxes
- large pieces of cardboard
- Empty 2L or 1.25L bottles
- Straws
- plastic or paper cups
- Paper or plastic plates
If you have any of these products that you would be willing to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. Items can be dropped off at the office.
Dylan Steel
STEM TEACHER
Around the School
SCHOOL DISCO - POSTPONED
Due to the recent rain activity and the state of the school grounds our school Disco which was to have been held this Friday 24 March, has been postponed until the first Friday of Term 2 (Friday 21 April). It has been decided to hold a day Disco for the students on the last day of this term (Friday 31 March) where students may dress up in their Easter attire. We thank you for your understanding and support.
YEAR SIX - FIGURATIVE WRITING
This term, students in Year Six have been experimenting with figurative writing. We ask the students to create writing pieces that are short, sharp and shiny! We move away from long narratives and focus on hooking readers in with strong vocab and language features using our five senses. The students were given an image and 20 minutes to complete a quick write – these are some of the examples:
Ashes everywhere falling, another ear splitting sound, a flash across the sky as fast as the blink of an eye. A howl from the deepest part of the forest. - Hayden
In the deepest, darkest forest, a wolf waited – silently for his prey. A blunt light appeared through the pitch black forest, frightening the dangerous wolf. All of a sudden, a cloud of great mist covered the forest like a blanket. The mist floated away leaving the wolf alone, frightened. - Aaliyah
In the deep dark forest a blood curdling scream, a horrifically terrified wolf, sharp, crackling rocks, tall tumbling trees and creepy chirping crows. The wolf waits. - Thomas
In the deepest darkest forest a furry wolf stood its ground looking left and right towards an endless field of trees that shook with fear. The shadows blanketed him like a swishing wave. - Makenzie
In the deepest part of the forest, a lonely defenseless wolf appeared from the raven black sky. Rotten oak trees surrounded him. An ear splitting howl from an animal pierced his ears. He knew he wasn’t alone. - Scarlett
In the deepest darkest forest, a wolf waited. He waited for hours on end, listening – he knew it was coming. He was ready. - Mila
Awards
Congratulations to the students below who received a Principal's Award in Week 8.
School Choir
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.
Finance
TERM 1 SCHOOL FEES - OVERDUE
Term 1 School Fees are now overdue. We would like to thank those families who have paid their account. However, if you have not paid, it would be appreciated if you could do so immediately. (This does not apply to those families who have a Direct Debit authority/payment plan in place). If you have not set up a direct debit authority with us and wish to do so, or if you are experiencing difficulties, please contact the Finance Office immediately.
CONCESSION CARD DISCOUNTS
Do you hold a current means tested Health Care Card? If so you may be eligible to receive a concession on your Tuition Levy. Please click on the link for the information sheet regarding Concession Card Discounts.
Lost Property
If your child/ren is missing any of the items pictured below, please have them check the Lost Property Box located in front of the Office by the end of Term 1.
Notices
VAPING - INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Please be advised of the free webinar being hosted by Catholic School Parents Queensland on Vaping with Tony Parsons, National Drug Awareness TONIGHT.
Please click on this link to register - https://www.eventcreate.com/e/vapingwebinar
Vaping is a term that we are hearing alot about in recent times. There is growing concern about the epidemic affecting young people in relation to the use of e-cigarettes and vaping. As this activity grows in popularity, most young people are unaware of the associated risks and the potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health.
At Emmanuel, we have zero tolerance of any vaping use/equipment at school, and any students who bring e-cigarettes or vaping materials to school will receive serious consequences. Parents are strongly encouraged to avail themselves of this excellent resource.
Prep enrolment details for 2024 are NOW required from our existing families. If you have a child due to commence Prep next year - born between July 1 2018 and June 30 2019 – you are asked to complete an ONLINE enrolment form available from the school website – https://enrol.enmrok.catholic.edu.au/primary-school-enrolment/start by Monday 17 April. It is essential that we have our current families accounted for so as to determine how many positions may be offered to new families seeking enrolment. If you have any queries or concerns in regards to this process, we ask that you contact the office. ALL ENROLMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE. Once enrolment applications have been received and processed by our Administration staff, you will be notified of an interview time around Term 3.
FULL-TIME POSITION VACANT - SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR
We are wanting to fill a full-time position for a School Crossing Supervisor at Emmanuel Catholic Primary School.
The position School Crossing Supervisor will be required to work five days per week in all weather conditions. The hours of work for School Crossing Supervisors are 1 hour and 30 minutes a day and usually comprise of 1 hour in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon, Commencement date (to be advised) with a Pay Rate of $30.34 per hour.
The successful applicants will be dependent on:
- The suitable outcome of a health assessment carried out by a GP of your choice according to the guidelines in the “Notes for Medical Practitioner” on the School Crossing Supervisor Scheme – Health Assessment Form; (this is paid by the Department)
- A Positive Blue Card Notice (This is also paid by the Department and means you do not need to have a blue card to apply for the position)
If you are interested in the position please collect an application form from the School administration or contact Karen Cantoni (Road Safety officer) on 49 518331.
The School Crossing Supervisors Application is to be returned to the School for the school Principal’s recommendation.
SCHOOL APP
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