Newsletter - 12 May 2022
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
Society has seen many changes in the past century and the rate of change has dramatically increased since technological advances have become more accessible and affordable. Many of these changes have had a direct impact on our lives (mobile phones, 3D television, GPS tracking and navigation). Education too has been witness to change, although many educators believe that schools have been slow to change, relative to the needs of a very different world and different learners. Nonetheless, I ask you to take a moment to reflect on how different your child’s education is today compared to your education. How many more opportunities do children receive today? Today individual strengths and challenges are catered for and wellbeing and social skills are of most importance in the learning process. How much fun do your children seem to have when learning?
And so it should be different. Educators today have more information about the brain, the process of learning, human social and emotional development and the psychology and knowledge than ever before. Education systems, schools and teachers need to make the best use of this new knowledge and deeper understanding in order to improve learning outcomes for our future generations. This means changes need to be made to some out-dated practices and developing and adopting new strategies need to be embraced.
This leads us to the assessment, testing and reporting debate. With a deeper understanding of learning and human motivation, assessment and testing strategies too have changed. This week our Year 3 and 5 students have taken part in the annual NAPLAN tests. Due to Covid 19 and the postponement of these tests over the past two years, both of these year levels have not had the experience of participating in these tests.
Today we know that testing is only one small part of the assessment picture. To be fully informed requires observation and recording of the learning process together with an understanding of the purpose for assessment. Teachers today use a wide variety of strategies to better teach and assess children. NAPLAN is just a very small snapshot of a complex process. I am sure that each student took on the challenges presented during this testing period and put in their very best effort. Thank you to all the teachers for the way they ensured our children were ready for the experience both academically and emotionally!
Tomorrow we will celebrate the official opening of our new and refurbished facilities. This celebration will commence at 9.00am in the Marist Centre. Fr Stephen Hanly will officially bless each new facility and we will be joined by several special guests, including the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Karen May. Parents are most welcome to attend this special occasion. Please note that there will be no weekly assembly this Friday.
Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
RE Matters
GOD’S WIFE – A REFLECTION
It was a cold day in December. A small boy was standing outside a shoe shop on Broadway. He was barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold. A lady approached the boy and said, "Hello young man. Why are you looking so earnestly into that window?"
"I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes," the boy replied.
The lady took him by the hand and went into the store. She asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her. She took the boy to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with a towel.
By this time the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, the lady then purchased a pair of shoes for him. She gave the remaining pairs of socks to the boy and said, "No doubt, you feel more comfortable now?"
As she turned to go, the astonished child caught her by the hand, and looking up at her face, with tears in his eyes, answered the question with these words: "Are you God's wife?"
(Author Unknown)
CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY
On Friday, Year 6S lead our Assembly in prayer. They shared Scripture that showed that Mary, the mother of Jesus, believed in God, trusted God, and willingly answered God’s call. They explained that Mary was strong, loving and compassionate. The students told us what they love about their mums and encouraged us to pray for our mums, and to thank our mums, not just on Mother’s Day, but all year round. Their prayer also included a photo slideshow and John Burland’s beautiful hymn, ‘A Song for Mum’.
Our Mother’s Day picnic was a wonderful celebration. It was fabulous to have so many mum's at school to share the fun! A big THANK YOU to all who attended. We loved sharing this special time with you.
MONTH OF MARY - PRAY THE ROSARY - PRAY FOR PEACE
On 13 May 1917, Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal. It was an apparition that was repeated on the 13th of every month, for six consecutive months. Our Lady told the children,
"Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war."
Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday this month, students and staff will gather in the chapel at lunchtime to say The Rosary. We will pray for peace in our families, our school and our world.
To find out more about The Rosary and how to pray it, go to:
http://www.catholic.org/prayers/rosary.php
For more information about the apparitions go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeMq0SpGKrw
To hear the Our Lady of Fatima song go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d-vZj5Fecg
This May, all classes will be learning about Mary and praying various Marian prayers, including The Rosary. I encourage you to do the same.
“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)
2021/2022 SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Students participating in the parish Sacramental Program will be Confirmed by Bishop Michael McCarthy at the end of the month. Please continue to keep them in your prayers as they complete their preparation and receive the sacrament.
The Blessing and Opening of our building project/refurbishment will take place on Friday 13 May at 9:00am. This will take the place of our usual Friday morning assembly. Parents are warmly invited to attend.
PLEASE NOTE - School Office will be closed Friday 13 May from 9:00am - 10:00am
SAVE THE DATE - EMMANUEL’S BIGGEST MORNING TEA
Emmanuel’s Biggest Morning Tea will be held on Friday 3 June. We will be having a picnic and all members of our school community are invited. It will take place in the playground between the library and Year Two/Prep building at 10:30am. Please bring a chair or rug and morning tea to share with your children.
It will be a free dress day and all students and parents are encouraged to wear pink (breast cancer), blue (prostate cancer), yellow (bone cancer) or black (melanoma/skin cancer) and to bring a gold coin donation.
Some merchandise will be on sale in the week leading up to the picnic. More details in next week’s newsletter.
THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS
Acts 14:21-27
Paul and Barnabas journey extensively, returning to Antioch.
Revelation 21:1-5
John sees a new Jerusalem.
John 13:31-35
Jesus issues a new commandment, love one another.
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 - GRATITUDE
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and showing appreciation. It is a mindful acknowledgement of all that we have been given. When we focus on the abundance in our lives, we discover a greater capacity for generosity, cheerfulness and contentment.
“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.”
(Meister Eckhart)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Curriculum Corner
NAPLAN ONLINE DATES
NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN tests are not pass/fail tests. At the classroom level, it is one of a number of important tools used by teachers to measure student progress.
Please see below the dates and times during which Year 3 and Year 5 students will be participating in NAPLAN Online:
Janine Refalo
Assistant Principal Curriculum
Strategic Priorities 2022
APA News
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE TAKEN ON: Tuesday 24 May and Wednesday 25 May 2022
SCHOOL PHOTO INFORMATION
- Online orders - Do not require an envelope returned to your school
- Sibling Photos - Don’t forget to pre-order your sibling photos online up to 24 hours before photo day. We provide your school with a list of sibling orders right up to the day of photography, so no one misses out. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope first thing in the morning of the day of photography, so your school is aware you want the photo taken and can bring your children together in time for it. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at your school.
- Late fees - A late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately
- Package delivery - Photographic packages will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken
- Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past
- If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at: advancedlife.com.au/contact
SAVE THE DATE - WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY
As in previous years and weather permitting, Emmanuel students, staff, parents and friends are invited to participate in the Walk Safely To School Day by assembling in Tolcher St park from 7.45am on FRIDAY 20 MAY. From this point, at 8.00am, our group will cross Tolcher St, walk to the intersection of Phillip St and Bucasia Rd, then along the walkway running parallel to Bucasia Rd. The group will cross Baxter Drive at the supervised crossing, arriving at school by the first bell at 8.25am.
One of the many aims of the Pedestrian Council of Australia is to promote the health benefits of walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age. Please note that NO CHILD will be able to leave school grounds and join the walk on Friday morning after being dropped off to school. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing many members of our school community walking with us next Friday.
FLU SEASON REMINDER
As you are aware every year Queensland experiences an influenza or flu season. As we enter this season it is timely to remind parents and caregivers not to be complacent about flu. Queensland Health advises that where possible, people need to be vaccinated for the flu every year.
Flu is a virus more serious than the common cold and can be spread through talking, coughing, and sneezing. Symptoms include sudden fever, dry cough, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, headache, sore throat and a stuffy or runny nose.
If your child has flu-like symptoms, the following is advised:
- Keep your child home from school.
- Ensure your child washes their hands regularly with soap and water or sanitiser gel.
- Encourage your children when coughing or sneezing, to cover their mouth and nose with disposable tissues which should be disposed of immediately.
- Ensure they drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest.
- Consult your doctor if you are concerned about their symptoms.
Queensland Health Guidelines advise that individuals displaying flu like symptoms should stay at home until symptoms have passed.
Families should also reinforce the recommended protective actions listed above.
Increased awareness and ongoing attention to prevention and control measures, such as vaccination and good hygiene, are steps that we can all promote to reduce the impact of influenza.
Karla Falzon
Acting Assistant Principal Administration
Playground After School Rules
At the closure of the school day, all students are required to move immediately to the Pickup Zone. Students who are going to After School Care or walking /riding home are required to be on their way as soon as they are released from class.
The Pickup Zone is supervised by teachers. Other areas of the school are not supervised after school. Our school’s Prep Adventure Playground is out of bounds before and after school. Any play areas within the school must be supervised by staff members.
We ask parents to ensure that their children are not on this equipment before and/or after school. Our school rules must be adhered to by all students at all times. Students should not be running around or playing after school whilst waiting for parents. Parents who collect their child after school and remain on school grounds are reminded that their children are under their supervision during this time. We ask all parents to please adhere to these rules and thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
COVID Update
Principal's Awards
Term 2 School Fee Statements
Term 2 School Fee Statements were emailed to all families on Tuesday 3 May, with payment due by 17 May. 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.
Tuckshop News
Angie & Carly
Tuckshop
Notices
