Newsletter - 23 June 2023
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
As we come to the end of another term there have been so many opportunities to celebrate the wonderful things that happen in our school and our community each day. It is also a time to reflect that there are some occasions where things do not always go as planned.
I think it is important for us to remember that our young children at Emmanuel are trying to do the best that they can with the information they have now. Our parents at Emmanuel are trying to do the best that they can with the information they have now. Our teachers at Emmanuel are trying to do the best that they can with the information they have now. We are all trying to reach for the right rope with the information that we have now. There are times however where we all manage to reach out and take a hold of the wrong ropes.
Our belief at Emmanuel is to never give up. To not stop trying. If we don’t get up each day believing there is still hope to help us, then we are in the wrong form of employment or we have chosen the wrong school for our children and we need to seriously re-evaluate our choices. Hope is the most important gift that we can give our children. That tomorrow or the next day things can be different or better.
Children who are hopeful are happier. They are more satisfied with life. They even do better with academic and athletic achievement and success. Hopeful kids have better relationships.
Our children are our future. They need us to guide them and provide them with feelings of safety and love. They need structure and boundaries more than spankings and harsh words. If they are treated with patience and compassion they will learn patience and compassion. If they meet the world with hope and confidence they will feel loved and protected.
My hope for everyone over the next couple of weeks is that you take time out of your busy lives to enjoy and appreciate your children. There is never a better time than right now to spend time with those you love. As we close the term, I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you, our parents, for your generous support and involvement in so many ways.
FAREWELL FR STEPHEN
Last Friday our school community farewelled a dear and beloved friend and pastor, Fr Stephen Hanly. Just over 8 years ago Fr Stephen was appointed as Parish Priest of St Joseph’s. From that point in time, he has been an integral and important part of our Emmanuel family. Fr Stephen has celebrated many milestones with us, having been a regular visitor to our school and sharing in Eucharistic celebrations with both Emmanuel and Holy Spirit College communities.
It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to have had Fr Stephen as part of our life journey, touching us in so many beautiful and memorable ways. We thank him for the extraordinary love and commitment that he has shown us during this time and for so generously sharing a part of his life journey. It is no secret that Fr Stephen’s greatest gift is his connection with young people; I have no doubt that he will be forever etched in the memories of our students.
We wish him all the best as he leaves to undertake some Formation time in Dublin and pray that he will go on to find new treasures each day. We will miss him terribly and pray that God will lead and guide him on the next leg of his life’s journey. May the blessing of Christ be upon him and all that he does, forevermore.
Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Wishing you every blessing for the vacation period,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
RE Matters
HOLIDAY TIME – A REFLECTION
Vacation means ‘time away’. It is time for rest, renewal, a break from responsibility and a time to settle back and realign your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual centre of gravity.
Enjoy the time with your family.
EMMANUEL SAYS THANK YOU
Last Friday we farewelled Fr Stephen Hanly with a wonderful celebration. Our farewell included some of what Fr Stephen has brought to our community over the last eight years. – prayer and blessings, beautiful singing, dramatic Scripture, relatable stories and lots of fun. There was music, clapping, dancing, balloons, streamers, hula hoops, bubbles, fairy lights and ribbons. As Miss McDonald led the singing of ‘Teach Me to Dance’ Fr Stephen danced with Miss Rostirolla, Mrs Brandon and lots of students who came forward to join him. We also shared a special clip made especially for the gathering. It featured students from all year levels sharing their memories of Fr Stephen, words that described Fr Stephen and thanking Fr Stephen for being who he is.
We thank Fr Stephen for the gift he has been to our school community and wish him God’s blessings as he begins his next adventure. As Prep C said in the clip, “We love you Fr Stephen. We will miss you.”
REPORTING ON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
With report cards being available this afternoon, it is timely to remind everyone about Religious Education and what it looks like in our school. Like all Catholic schools in the Rockhampton Diocese, Religious Education at Emmanuel includes the teaching, learning and assessment of the RE Curriculum and the Religious Life of the School.
Our RE Curriculum is organised into four strands – Sacred Texts, Beliefs, Church and Christian Life. It is taught and assessed like all other subjects. Ratings and comments on report cards will reflect what the student knows, understands and can do. Don’t be surprised to see comments about Scripture, the relationship between God and the Jewish people, life in First Century Palestine, the mission and ministry of Jesus, the Spirit of God and the prayer life of believers on Semester One report cards.
Remember we are not assessing or reporting on student’s faith or belief in God.
The Religious Life of the School includes our Catholic identity and culture, how we pray, worship and celebrate and the ways in which we promote and support social justice and action. Our Feast Day Mass and Beach Day, Mission Fair, Lenten Challenges, Soccertober and Stations of the Cross in Holy Week are just some of the highlights.
REFUGEE WEEK
This week is Refugee Week. The theme this year is ‘Finding Freedom’.
This week the pope encourages us to reflect on the kind of society we want to live in today and leave for those who come after us. He challenges all to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate those who flee in search of safety, freedom and peace. Pope Francis asks us to pray for those who are displaced and those who accompany them on the journey.
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.
Jesus welcomed and included everyone, and we are called to do the same.
Please join with people around the world to pray for those who must flee their homes in the quest for freedom, safety and a better life.
Listen to the story ‘Room on Our Rock’ for two points of view.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXHymkbaTIc
For more information about and resources for Refugee Week go to:
https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/refugee-week-2023-theme-finding-freedom/
https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2023/06/20/world-refugee-week-resource/
NAIDOC WEEK 2023
NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements. It is also an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.
This year, NAIDOC Week will be celebrated 2 - 9 July and the theme is:
‘For Our Elders’.
At Emmanuel we will recognise NAIDOC Week in the second week of Term Three with various activities. Our Year 3-6 indigenous students will participate in the Mackay Catholic School’s NAIDOC Mass.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Students participating in the Sacramental Program will receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time next month. Please continue to keep them in your prayers as they complete their preparation and receive the sacrament.
PARISH FAREWELL FOR FR STEPHEN
A Celebration Mass to farewell Fr Stephen will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Church on Wednesday 28 June at 6:00pm. It is in the first week of the school holidays. It would be great to see lots of Emmanuel families there to give thanks for the gift that Fr Stephen has been to our parish and school community. He has often talked of his dream for a 100 strong children’s choir and this is our opportunity to help make it happen. All welcome!
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 – EXCELLENCE
The road to EXCELLENCE is always under construction. (Unknown)
Excellence is doing your best. It is giving your very best to any task you do or any relationship you have. Excellence is effort guided by a noble purpose. It is a desire for perfection. It is giving careful attention to every job, and to the people you care for.
Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better. (Pat Riley)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Some photos of our Preschool – Do you recognise any of these faces? – Can you name the years?
Curriculum Corner
SEMESTER ONE REPORT CARDS
A reminder to parents to please check that you can sign into Parent Lounge prior to reports being released this afternoon. If you have any queries, please contact our school office.
Report cards will once again be available through Parent Lounge from 4:00pm today (Friday, 23 June).
- To access Parent Lounge, open your internet browser and type in the URL for Emmanuel Catholic Primary School website: ecps.qld.edu.au
- Click on Parent Lounge under Quick Links.
- Click on the Parent Lounge icon.
- Login with your unique ID number and the password remains the same as previously used.
The goal of the reporting process is to support student learning progress by providing parents and carers with clear, individualised information about:
- the learning expectations for the student
- the student’s achievement against expected standards
- how well the student is engaging with expected learning
- progress that has been made since the last reporting period
- strengths that the student has demonstrated and areas of challenge that may require more attention
- ‘next steps’ that will help the student improve.
The semester report is one part of a feedback loop, along with regular and consistent written and verbal communication such as on-going feedback on tasks, parent-teacher interviews, and daily opportunities for parents to discuss questions and concerns with teachers. The report reflects an on-balance judgement about the quality of student learning, based on evidence collected during the reporting period.
This year we will be celebrating NAIDOC Week on Monday 17 July from 11am to 1pm. Celebrations will begin with the launch of our RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan). During our 11am Assembly we will have performances by the 4MK Torres Strait Islander dancers, and an overview of key RAP actions will be shared by Samone Penola (Regional Indigenous Education Liaison Officer). Following Assembly students will participate in a variety of activities lead by our Year 5 and 6 Indigenous students and Deadly Choices representatives.
We look forward to sharing our RAP launch assembly with Indigenous elders and invite all of our parent community to join us for Assembly at 11am.
NAIDOC Celebrations will continue Tuesday 18 July, when our Indigenous students (Year 3 – 6), student leaders and Leadership Team attend the Catholic Education Northern Region NAIDOC Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
We are delighted to inform you that Emmanuel Catholic Primary School will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS competition this year.
What is ICAS?
ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies. This year, students in years 5 and 6 have the opportunity, to participate in English (14 – 18 August) and Mathematics (28 August – 1 September).
Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.
We encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year. All students must be registered by Friday 28 July, 2023.
Learn more about ICAS here. (https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas)
How to participate in ICAS
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:
- Read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (com/products-icas)
- Read the terms and conditions here:(icasassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Parents-PPS-TsCs_final.pdf)
- Go to Parent Portal to purchase tests here: (shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps)
- Enter our school’s access code – TFE076
- Enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment.
Please note that the ICAS tests shown for selection are at the school’s discretion.
After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records.
ICAS Results and Certificates
We will notify you of the date(s) that we run ICAS at the school and when your child’s ICAS results are ready. Once we have received your child’s ICAS certificate, we will send it home with your child. The back of the certificate shows ICAS results and the login details, “TAP ID and Pin”, that you and your child need to enter the Results Portal orti.icasassessments.com/ortiStudent
Janine Refalo
Assistant Principal Curriculum
APA News
Amanda McDonald
Assistant Principal Administration
Strategic Priorities 2023
COVID Update
Visual Arts
Many of the projects in Visual Arts require materials for us to complete. I would like to put out the call to families that if you have unwanted magazines you would be willing to donate, it would be greatly appreciated. Magazines can be dropped at the office.
Patrice Baird
Visual Arts Teacher
From our Counsellor
FAREWELL
Dear Parents,
The time has come for me to bid you all farewell. While my time here may have been short, the impact this incredible school community and your amazing children have had on me is immeasurable.
I want to express my gratitude for welcoming me and allowing me to be a part of your school. It has been a joy to have witnessed the growth, resilience, and brilliance of your children, and an honour to support them in their social and emotional endeavours.
I wish you and your families continued success and good mental health.
Kind regards,
Sharon Martin
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.
Awards
Congratulations to the students pictured below who received a Principal's Award in Week 9.
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.
Notices
SCHOOL APP
Community News
