Newsletter - 25 May 2023
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
As a woman, mother-figure and Principal, I am fortunate to regularly receive one of the greatest gifts children bring us, that of joy. Likewise, we adults can bring joy to children. The children here at Emmanuel are beautiful human beings and they bring us, the staff, much joy. It is a regular occurrence for me to receive compliments about the children in our school – how polite they are, how nicely dressed, how well behaved, how they sing so well, how they speak to adults without timidity, how reverent they are in Church. The children in our school always appear so joy-filled.
Joy has been described as the highest expression of a soul filled with God’s love. In 2008 when the Dalai Lama addressed the people of Australia, he had a common message: “If our mental outlook is weak, even the best facilities won’t bring us happiness in life. If you remain a compassionate person, honest and truthful, you will have inner strength, happiness and contentment.”
From a Christian perspective, we would agree that when we practise virtues in our lives, we build enduring character traits, qualities of the human spirit, the presence of God amongst us. Kindness, compassion, love, courage, friendship, peace, wisdom, dignity, patience, love – all lead us to inner joy. It is an inner sense of peace and happiness.
Life is a gift; it is ours to enjoy. However, we cannot control the outer circumstances of our lives – our health, livelihood, friends and family. Life creates an obstacle course of some sort for everyone. What we can do is learn to control our reactions to these events. We can choose what to think and what to do about the events life deals us. Some in society (through its advertising, television programs, celebrity etc) would have us believe that life has to be perfect before we can be happy. As parents, our natural reaction is to endeavour to solve the problems confronting our child/ren. But there is no such thing as a problem-free life. If we wait for life to be problem-free, we’ll never get to be joyful! Joyfulness is not the absence of problems – joyfulness is the attitude we carry regardless of our problems.
The wise author, Kahl Gibran tells us that “The deeper that sorrow comes in your life, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine, the very cup that burned in the potter’s oven?” Mother Teresa once said, “We may not be able to give much but we can always give the joy that springs in the heart that is in love with God”, as she ministered to the dying in the streets of Calcutta. What then breeds joy? How can we be joyful people and not people of anger and frustration?
Perhaps we can look “inside” for joy. Enjoy what we are doing. Appreciate the positives in our lives and the gifts within ourselves. Have a good sense of humour. Find creative, inexpensive ways to enjoy life. Feel an inner sense of peace when things are tough. And most of all, appreciate and love the joy which our children bring us on a daily basis.
“My heart is singing for joy this morning. A miracle has happened! The light of understanding has shown upon my pupil’s mind, and behold, all things are changed.”
(Anonymous - A Teacher)
Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
RE Matters
Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
Prayer – Come Holy Spirit
http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=331
Pentecost in 2 Minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5tr4pqWIo4
Holy Spirit Rock (based on Galatians 5:22-23) by Michael Mangan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_ZpnQnmmfI
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.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Please continue to pray for the large number of Emmanuel students who will be Confirmed by Bishop Michael McCarthy at special celebrations in the coming week.
CELEBRATING WITH BISHOP MICHAEL
Monday 29 May marks the 9th anniversary of the Episcopal Ordination of our Bishop, Michael McCarthy.
We congratulate Bishop Michael and pray for him as he continues to lead and guide our diocese. We thank God for the gift of Bishop Michael and all he brings to his role as Bishop of Rockhampton.
DIOCESAN FESTIVAL – LAUNCH OF THE DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLAN
Hosted by Bishop Michael McCarthy and the members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, this exciting gathering will give the faithful of the Diocese an opportunity to hear about the pastoral focus for our Diocese over the next five years. The Diocesan Pastoral Plan will encourage parishes and communities to clearly articulate and plan co-responsibility for the mission, bringing about the Kingdom of God right where we live and worship. It will also be an opportunity to hear of and share the wonderful mission and ministry activities already happening around our Diocese, in a festive and supportive environment.
More details in the link button below:
MONTH OF MARY
This May, all classes have been learning about Mary, and lots of students and staff have been gathering in the Chapel at lunchtimes to pray The Rosary.
Our Year Five classes have been exploring scripture and the titles of Mary, and have created their own images. They also explained why Mary is described as the Mother of God and Mother of the Church.
Look at some of the fabulous pictures Prep G drew and painted.
RECONCILIATION WEEK
National Reconciliation Week is a time to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Celebrated at the same time each year (27 May – 3 June), National Reconciliation Week commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey - the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.
For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future,
act today for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.
This year’s theme “Be a Voice for Generations” encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
We will be having our annual Walk for Reconciliation on Thursday 1 June.
Find out about National Reconciliation Week:
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF EMMANUEL
Please join us at St Joseph’s Church on Wednesday 31 May at 9.30am to celebrate 40 Years of Emmanuel. We are looking forward to sharing this time of prayer and thanksgiving with past and present students and families. 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.
PEER SUPPORT
Each year our Year Six students are responsible for leading the Peer Support program. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to demonstrate leadership and act as positive role models to the younger students in the school.
In our 40th Anniversary Year, Peer Support will focus on our school – our story, our history, who we are and what is important to us. Students will participate in activities that promote our Core Values (Faith, Dignity, Respect, Love, Honesty, Justice) and discover that ‘God with Us’ is at the centre of all we are and do at Emmanuel.
Peer Support will begin tomorrow, Friday 26 May. The groups will run from 8:40am – 9:10am and will be followed by a short Assembly at 9:15am. Awards will be presented in Peer Support groups and recipients will be congratulated at Assembly.
It is important that students arrive on time for school, so they don’t miss the start of Peer Support.
Please support this valuable program by discussing the content of weekly activities with your children. Be sure to ask them about what they learnt about our school and how they enjoyed working in their group. We look forward to another successful year of Peer Support here at Emmanuel.
FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES - NOT TOO LATE TO HELP
Each year Vinnies supports individual and families in our community who are in need. Unfortunately, with an increasing number of people seeking assistance, their stock of tinned and non-perishable foods is running very low. They have asked for our help. If you are able to assist Vinnies in their valuable work by contributing some of the needed food items, it would be very much appreciated. Donations can be dropped into the school office. They will be collected and distributed in the coming weeks. Many thanks for your generosity and prayers.
VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – ENTHUSIASM
Enthusiasm is being cheerful, happy and full of spirit. It is doing something wholeheartedly, with zeal and eagerness – giving 100% to what you do. Being enthusiastic is being excited about something, looking forward to something. When you are enthusiastic, you have a positive attitude and people like to be around you. Enthusiasm makes life more enjoyable.
“Enthusiasm is the match that lights the candle of achievement.” (William Arthur Boyd)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
The Opening and Blessing of Emmanuel Catholic School. – 1983
The Opening and Blessing of the Marist Centre, Music Centre and G Block - 2011
The Opening and Blessing of the Redevelopment Project (Administration, Prep, classroom blocks) - 2022
Curriculum Corner
NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME
Yesterday students in lots of classes joined students around Australia for the 2023 National Simultaneous Storytime. This year’s book, “The Speedy Sloth” written by Lauren Young and illustrated by Heath McKenzie, is a great story about a sloth named Spike who prepares for and enters The Great Race. The other sloths said it couldn’t be done, but Spike didn’t care, she was ready to run! Spike did her best and finished the race.
Year 1T watched the live reading of the story and followed the illustrator’s directed drawing of Spike the Sloth to create some great pictures. The class discussed Spike’s rainbow brain, his courage, determination and ‘can do’ attitude. In Drama, the students retold the story and made puppets.
A great celebration of books and reading!
Students in Year 3HD wrote some fabulous poems after reading the story. They used the following structure.
Title
Adjective + Title
Adjective, Adjective + Title
Adjective, Adjective, Adjective + Title
Action/phrase
Title
Janine Refalo
Assistant Principal Curriculum
APA News
JOHN PAAP SHIELD
Congratulations to our John Paap Football team on the first win of the season! What a fantastic game, with the Emmanuel boys putting in an outstanding effort against a strong Sarina team. Final score 18-12. It was a great birthday present for Mr Dodson! A big thankyou also to our co-coach Cameron Tomkinson for his guidance and help during training and the game yesterday. A reminder that there is no game next week.
Amanda McDonald / Brooke Tomkinson – Team Managers
WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY
On Friday 19 May our school participated in the Walk Safely to School Day when all primary school children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. Thank you to the Students and Parents who attended this event and we would like to give a special thank you to Sgt Murray Cavanagh for assisting us in the safe walk to school.
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
YOUR STRENGTHS
What are your strengths? And what strengths do you need to work on?
Strengths-based therapy is a type of Positive psychotherapy that I often use with students. The theory is that by identifying and acknowledging our internal strengths we can use these resources to face life’s challenges.
In a counselling session I will ask students to identify up to 5 strengths from an extensive list. Then we unpack each of them, looking at how they’ve been used in the past and anticipating how they may be used in future for academic, and social success.
If you would like to try an adult version at home, complete the free survey by clicking on this link: VIA Character Strengths Survey & Character Reports | VIA Institute. The top five will be interesting, but then take note of the ones at the bottom of your strengths list too, perhaps these are areas to improve upon.
Kindly,
Sharon Martin
School Counsellor
Around the School
WONDER - RECYCLING REWARDS
Help us collect bread bags so we can earn points to redeem on new RHSports equipment. Keep your empty bread bags and send them to school with your child/ren to place them in the Wonder's pink collection box located outside the Front Office, Prep area and Library.
Please ensure all crumbs have been removed from the packet prior to placing in the collection box.
School Choir
Awards
Congratulations to the students pictured below who received a Pricipal's Award in Week 5.
Tuckshop News
TUCKSHOP NEWS
With our Athletics Carnival coming up in just 3 weeks, it is time to prepare for our sausage sizzle and stall. We are asking for volunteers to help early to prepare salad items, operation of the stall and serving or cooking sausages on the bbq. All volunteers will be able to watch their children compete in events. Please contact Angie at the tuckshop if you are able to help.
Angela McGowan & Carly Nicholas
Tuckshop Conveeners
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 2 School Fees - OVERDUE
Term 2 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.
Notices
SCHOOL APP
Community News
Student travel rebate applications are only open in May for Semester 1 and October for Semester 2. Please visit https://schooltransport.com.au/ to check if you are eligible.