Newsletter - 17 August 2023

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

‘Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect.  It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.’

The worldwide atrocities that are dominating our world at the moment have provided extreme sadness and anger.  These events have led me to feel a sense of guilt for being grateful that I and my world is far removed from this:

• We do not experience the threat to our lives on a daily basis that innocent people in Gaza and Israel do.
• We do not experience the realities of civil war.
• We do not experience militant regimes that pretend to be democratic governments that lead to people willing to risk their lives by becoming refugees.
• We do not experience the risk of our lives based solely on having a religious belief different to those in power or who hold power.
• We do not experience such poverty that basic sanitation, hygiene and running water are uncommon.
• We do not experience whole villages of young girls being kidnapped and removed unsure of what horrific fates await them.
• We do not experience starvation, constant severe drought, hurricanes, twisters, tsunamis.
• We do not lack buildings, teachers, books, desks, pencils to educate our children.
• We do not experience serious violence, drug use or severe bullying and intimidation on a daily basis within our school.
• We do not experience teachers who fear for their safety as part of their day to day work.

Yes, our students do experience the disappointment of not getting all the friends they want in a class.  Or the teacher they or their parents want!  Or missing out on being selected in a team or for a student leadership position!  Yes they do experience arguments and disagreements with friends in the playground.

If this is as bad as it gets, then our children are some of the most fortunate children in the world!

There is an emerging culture within society and to a lesser extent within schools, of self-entitlement.

‘I deserve this!  This isn’t fair!  I worked harder therefore I should get this!  I am not going to put up with this!

The children in Syria, Israel, Gaza, the slums of India, the children working the rubbish tips in Thailand or those in the Ukraine who are constantly under the threat of bombing from the Russians, certainly deserve better than the cruel world and short life they have been given!

The challenges and problems we face are real and I certainly am not being flippant about their genuineness.  At the same time wouldn’t it be great if we all just took a moment to put them into perspective, in light of the millions of human beings across this world who would do anything to experience the ‘problems’ we are facing in our day to day lives.

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla 

Principal                          

RE Matters

THE BURNING HUT – A REFLECTION

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none was forthcoming. As time passed, he managed to build a small driftwood hut in which to store his few possessions and to protect him from the elements.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up into the sky. The worst had happened - everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.

"God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a boat approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.

The weary man asked his rescuers: "How did you know I was here?"

They replied: "We saw your smoke signal."

It is easy to get discouraged when things are not going our way, but we shouldn't lose heart.  God is always with us, at work in our lives and loving us. Remember, the next time your little hut is burning to the ground -- it just may be the smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

(Author Unknown)

OUR FEAST DAY

The Transfiguration is our school feast day and each year we gather to remember and celebrate that ‘God is with us.’  On Friday 25 August we will have a prayer celebration in the Marist Centre and travel to Bucasia Beach for our annual beach day and walkathon.

FEAST DAY PRAYER CELEBRATION

This time of prayer will take place in the Marist Centre at 8:45am on Friday 25 August.  All members of the Emmanuel community are invited to join us to celebrate.

BEACH DAY – WALKATHON

Our annual beach day and walkathon at Bucasia Beach will follow our prayer celebration.  Each year this walkathon is held in conjunction with our Feast Day Celebrations and raises awareness of and money to support a justice initiative.  All students are asked to bring a gold coin donation which will be added to our ‘Walk for Water Challenge’ total collected at the Athletics Carnival.

Students will travel to and from Bucasia Beach Park by bus. They will participate in the walkathon and beach activities before enjoying a sausage-sizzle lunch, kindly donated and cooked by the Emmanuel P&F Association.

Students are to wear their SPORTS UNIFORM and bring their morning tea and a bottle of water. Every child must wear their SCHOOL HAT and is encouraged to apply SUNSCREEN.

If your child carries medication (such as an asthma puffer) this must accompany them to the beach.

ANDREW CHINN WORKSHOPS AND CONCERT

Australian religious songwriter and singer, Andrew Chinn, will be visiting our school on Wednesday 23 August.   “These Hands”, “Rainbow”, “Gotta Sing Gotta Pray” and “God Made the World” are some of our favourite Andrew Chinn songs. These and lots of his other songs are used in classrooms and liturgies around Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada every week. Andrew will work with students in all year levels, except Year Five who will be on camp, to prepare for an afternoon concert and singalong. Parents are welcome to join us for the concert in the Marist Centre at 1:45pm. We look forward to seeing you there.

CELEBRATING WITH OUR PARISH

A children’s Mass, led by Emmanuel students, will be held at 9:00am on Sunday 27 August at St Joseph’s Church. Students wishing to participate in the ministries should contact Mrs Kliese in the office.  All welcome!

CELEBRATING FATHER’S DAY

We will be having a picnic and all dads and grandads are invited.  It will take place in the playground between the Library and Year Two/Prep building at 10:30am on Thursday 31 August. Please bring a chair or rug and morning tea to share with your children.

We look forward to sharing this time with as many fathers and grandfathers as possible.

DANIEL MORCOMBE CHILD SAFETY CURRICULUM

Throughout this term, our school will be implementing the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum with students in all year levels. The curriculum is based on principles of best practice in child safety education and centres around three key messages: Recognise, React and Report.

It is important that these key safety messages are reinforced, both at school and home. I encourage you, wherever possible, to talk with your child about safety to help them stay safe now and in the future.

Information about the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum can be found at:

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.

Please Note: Weekend Mass at St Brigid’s Farleigh returns to Saturdays at 6:00pm.

VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – PURPOSEFULNESS

Being purposeful is having a clear focus, instead of being unsure of what you are doing or why you are doing it. You are acting purposefully when you have a goal you are working toward. You concentrate your mind and your efforts to achieve your goal. You have a positive attitude and don’t let obstacles stop you from doing what is important. Some people just let things happen. A purposeful person makes things happen.

“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” (Lewis B Carrol)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Do you remember Mayfair?  It was a fabulous community event held in the 1990’s.  Parents made various craft items, cakes and lollies, potted plants, set up and ran stalls and watched their children sing and dance. It was lots of work and lots of fun!

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Curriculum Corner

SAVE THE DATE – PLEASE JOIN US IN OUR CLASSROOMS – THURSDAY 24 AUGUST

This year the theme of the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week is “READ; GROW; INSPIRE”. We are looking forward to celebrating Book Week on Thursday 24 August with a “Dress as your favourite book character day”. On this day all parents are invited into classrooms at the beginning of the day to read or listen to a student read their favourite books.  Each classroom will have a display linked to one of the CBCA Shortlisted Books for 2023 for you all to see when you visit your child/rens classroom.

Janine Refalo

Assistant Principal Curriculum

APA News

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING AND VIOLENCE - FRIDAY 18 AUGUST

This Friday 18 August we will recognise the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.

Our Assembly prayer will focus on this important topic, and our Student Council will address some of the ways we combat bullying here at Emmanuel. Each class will also participate in lessons about tolerance, respect and learning skills to resolve conflicts. We will also be wearing ORANGE tomorrow, as a reminder that we must all work together to stamp out bullying at our school.

MACKAY EISTEDDFOD 2023

A VERY BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs Dale, Mrs Whelan, Miss Meg and all of our students who participated in choirs at this year’s Mackay Eisteddfod. Their hard work and dedication has resulted in wonderful performances and results. We received the following awards:

Year 2 and Under Choir – BRONZE

Year 3 and 4 Choir – GOLD

Year 6 and Under (School Choir) – SILVER

Year 6 and Under (Open – Hymn and Folk) – SILVER + the Adjudicator’s trophy 

WELL DONE EVERYONE! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

Amanda McDonald

Assistant Principal Administration

Strategic Priorities 2023

SchoolTV

There are lots of amazing resources available on SCHOOLTV to support and empower parents to better deal with the challenges of raising happy, well and resilient young people.

For short video clips, articles and fact sheets, from leading specialists and key wellbeing organisations, check out the POSITIVE PARENTING tab via the link below or on our school website.

Around the School

YEAR 4 EXCURSION TO THE MACKAY REGIONAL COUNCIL MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITY

Students in Year 4 have been studying a HASS unit entitled Wipe Out Waste. This unit centres around the key concept of sustainability and guides students to develop an understandings of:

• how the environment supports the lives of people and other living things;
• the impact that humans and their actions have upon the environment; 
• how people now and in the future use environments more sustainably.

As part of this unit, we were lucky enough to have both an incursion and an excursion focusing on our topic. On Monday 7 August, Year 4 had a visit from Bruce Thompson who is a Resource Recovery Education Officer at the Mackay Council. The students participated in a hands on experience whereby they sorted through rubbish to reflect on how we could better manage it. Students sorted a 5kg bag of rubbish into economic waste, soft plastics, recycling, compost, Containers for Change and general waste. The incursion was both informative and entertaining, as the students very much enjoyed sorting through the rubbish. 

The Year 4 classes travelled to Paget to visit the Mackay Regional Council’s Material Recovery Facility. They participated in two educational programs whilst we were there. The waste education program raised our students’ awareness of waste issues and they developed a clear understanding of the components of waste minimisation focusing on the 3R’s: Reducing, Reusing and Recycling. The water session provided students with information about our local water story, the water cycle and how our water is treated. It also provided students with valuable information on water conservation practices around the home and at school.

We hope that our budding environmentalists came home with top tips that we learnt. Here are some tips to help you make a difference at home.

This excursion was a valuable experience for our students and took their learning into the real world. We are lucky to have such opportunities available to us. Thank you to everyone involved in making it happen.

The Year 4 Teachers

YEAR 5 CAMP

Year 5 camp will take place 21 - 23 August at Kinchant Dam. 

Have fun everyone! We look forward to hearing about all your adventures when you return to school next week. 

STEM

SHOEBOXES FOR STEM

As always, we are very busy in STEM designing and creating new and wonderful things.

To ensure we are being sustainable as possible, we like to try to repurpose materials that would usually find their way into the bin. We are currently in need of shoeboxes for a design task. If you have any shoeboxes lying around the house that you would like to donate to STEM, we would greatly appreciate your donations. These can be left at the STEM room or at the office. Thank you for your continued support.

Mr Dylan Steel

P & F News

Awards

Congratulations to the students pictured below who recevied an award in Week 5.

Finance

TERM 3 SCHOOL FEE STATEMENTS

Term 3 School Fee Statements were emailed to all families on Tuesday 18 July, with payment now overdue.  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 immediately.

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