Newsletter - 31 August 2023
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
This weekend we celebrate Father’s Day. It is a time to acknowledge the important role Father’s play in our lives. I was fortunate enough to be blessed by a wonderful Father who had a huge influence on my life. He was not a man who could show his affection easily, but I know that he loved us all deeply. I am forever indebted to him for the many sacrifices he made for our family so that we could be where we are today.
I think back to a time when I was out crabbing with my father at Seaforth. Although dad was passionate about his work, he also loved to go fishing and crabbing in his spare time. With no sons to share in his passion, I would often accompany him on these special trips. I remember this one particular time – it was a beautiful summer’s day and I was quite young. We were weaving our way in and out of the mangroves and had retrieved a number of crabs from the pots when suddenly one angry crab came loose and tried to attack me with his claw. Dad quickly jumped to my defence and managed to secure the crab before it could cause any harm. I had this overwhelming feeling of being protected and loved. I don’t know what it was that gave me the maturity to think it at the time, but I strongly recall saying to myself in that instant ‘what a moment this is!’
I’ve often thought back on that golden or ‘graced’ time, and the overwhelming feeling tied up with it is being loved by and loving my father. With Fathers’ Day this Sunday, let us take the opportunity to acknowledge the gift of fatherhood and the people in our lives who take that role. Let’s remember to say thank you……you’re great……we love you…….you make a difference in our lives.
Happy Father's Day to all our Emmanuel Fathers and Grandfathers. We hope your day is special and filled with many blessings.
PRAYER FOR FATHERS
God our Father, We give you thanks and praise for fathers young and old.
We pray for young fathers, newly embracing their vocation; May they find courage and perseverance to balance work, family and faith in joy and sacrifice.
We pray for our own Fathers around the world whose children are lost or suffering; May they know that the God of compassion walks with them in their sorrow.
We pray for men who are not fathers but still mentor and guide us with fatherly love and advice.
Happy Father's Day to all our Emmanuel Fathers and Grandfathers. We hope your day is special and filled with many blessings.
Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
RE Matters
ONE FOR THE DADS – A BLESSING
CELEBRATING OUR DADS
Today we hosted our annual Father’s Day picnic and lots of dads and grandads joined the fun. A big THANK YOU to all who attended. We hope you had a lovely time with your children and grandchildren, and that Sunday is a day filled with love, laughter and happiness. Be sure to check out all the photos in next week’s newsletter.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CARE OF CREATION
Pope Francis has designated 1 September as the annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. He hopes this day will be a time for individuals and communities to reaffirm their personal vocation to be stewards of creation, to thank God for the wonderful handiwork which has been entrusted to our care, and to implore God’s help for the protection of creation.
Pope Francis Asks Us to Pray for Creation on 1 September
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19v0A19DDXs
A Prayer for Our Earth (from Laudato Si: On Care of Our Common Home)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJz0ZuxxMI0
SEASON OF CREATION
‘We are called to care for creation not only as responsible citizens, but also as followers of Christ!’
(Pope Francis)
The Season of Creation is an ecumenical season dedicated to prayer for the protection of creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles. It begins on 1 September and concludes on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October.
"Let Justice and Peace Flow" is the theme and invitation of this year’s Season of Creation.
“In this Season of Creation, as followers of Christ on our shared synodal journey, let us live, work and pray that our common home will teem with life once again. May the Holy Spirit once more hover over the waters and guide our efforts to “renew the face of the earth.” (Pope Francis 2023)
Some food for thought:
‘Sustainability: told as a Children's Fairy Tale with Beautiful Montage’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKWQuU0sHPw
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
At this time of the year, we are usually giving out notes and advising families that the Sacramental Program is about to start. This will not be the case this year. The parish program has been reviewed and restructured and will not begin until early in the 2024 school year. Candidates will prepare for and receive the Sacrament of Penance in Term One and be Confirmed and receive Eucharist for the first time in Term Two. Watch this space for more updates and details.
CATHOLIC IDENTITY CONVERSATIONS
Yesterday we welcomed Kellie Jenkinson and April Roth to Emmanuel. They were here, as part of the school improvement process, to discuss our Catholic Identity and to examine and validate our report. Our visitors considered our ECSIP (Enhancing Catholic Identity Project) data, the implementation of the Religious Education Curriculum and the Religious Life of the School. They toured the school, met with staff, students, parents and Fr Andrew, spent time in classrooms and shared their findings. Their recommendations will help guide the continued enhancement of our Catholic Identity. We thank Kellie and April for their commendations, encouragement and support.
FEAST DAY PRAYER CELEBRATION
We celebrated our school feast day, The Transfiguration of the Lord, with a special prayer celebration and picnic at Bucasia Beach. A big thank you to everyone who helped to make it such a wonderful day. The prayer was reverent, the sun was shining, the beach was long, the sausage sizzle was delicious, and a great time was had by all.
AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST CHILD SAFETY LESSON (ABCSL)
Each year the Daniel Morcombe Foundation produce Australia’s Biggest Child Safety Lesson. This year, the lessons are all about consent. They will focus on the concepts of my body, my choice and asking permission, and provide strategies that children can use when they need to seek, give or deny consent.
Both editions (Prep - Year 3 and Years 4-6) of ABCSL will be live streamed on Tuesday 5 September, during National Child Protection Week (3-9 September) and students in all year levels will be participating. This also coincides with the implementation of the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum at Emmanuel this term.
For more information about ABCSL and to view lessons from previous years go to: https://danielmorcombe.com.au/keeping-kids-safe/keeping-kids-safe/australias-biggest-child-safety-lesson/
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 – UNITY
“So powerful is the light of unity, that it can illuminate the whole world.” (Unknown)
Unity is inclusiveness. It helps people work and live together peacefully. When you practice unity, you feel connected to everyone and everything. It is achieved when we value each other. The joy of one is the joy of all. The hurt of one is the hurt of all. The honour of one is the honour of all.
“Where there is unity, there is strength.” (Unknown)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
We have celebrated lots of Father's Days over the years. Enjoy looking back....
APA News
BASKETBALL GALA DAY - UPDATE
Permission notes and medical forms were distrubuted on Monday to students who have returned an expression of interest form. For your child to be included in a team, ALL MONEY AND THE PERMISSION FORM will need to be returned to the school office in a clearly marked envelope by Monday 04 September. No late entries will be accepted.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
Parents are advised that School Photos were distributed to students yesterday. If your child did not receive their order, please contact AdvancedLife Photos: https://www.advancedlife.com.au/
If parents ordered photos to be collected from the office, these are also awaiting collection, but will only be released in person to the parent who placed the order.
SING OUT – MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA
Emmanuel have five eager singers who will be participating in the Sing Out Music Workshop and Concert this Sunday through to Tuesday. We hope that Miabella, Keira, Lila, Ivy and Isabella all enjoy this wonderful experience. Parents and Friends are invited to the Culminating Concert, with details listed below:
DANCE FEVER SHOWCASE
- Showcase for Dance Fever will be held on MONDAY 11 SEPTEMBER (WEEK 10) in the Marist Centre. ALL STUDENTS are encouraged to wear House Colours for the day. Parents are welcome to attend. Timetable is as follows:
- Year One (8.45 – 9.15am)
- Year Two (9.15 – 9.45am)
- Prep (9.45 – 10.15am)
- Years 3 – 6 Showcase (1.50 – 2.50pm).
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.
Choir Showcase
Today our Eisteddfod Choirs performed their songs in a special showcase. It was great to have some families and friends of Emmanuel here to celebrate with us. A big thank you to Mrs Whelan, Mrs Dale and Miss McDonald who prepared our choirs for their participation in the Mackay Eisteddfod. We are very appreciative of their talents and gernerosity.
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.
Lost Property
Please see below image of lost property items. Several of these items are not clearly name or un-named.
Unclaimed items will be donated at the end of Term 3.
Notices
NORTHERN BEACHES - BUS CHANGES
SCHOOL APP
Community News
