Newsletter - 12 October 2023
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
Only another seven weeks to go before another school year ends and there is much happening between now and 01 December, especially in the remaining three weeks of October. As outlined in last week’s newsletter, plans are currently being made for 2024 and the key factor upon which this planning is based, is enrolment facts and figures, therefore it is essential to be as accurate as possible in predicting the number of students at Emmanuel come January next year. I ask you then, to keep us informed about potential moves between now and the beginning of the year. I understand that, occasionally, unforeseen developments require a last minute change of plan, but, we would be grateful for any information that you could give us in relation to any move. Thank you for helping us to be well-prepared for the year ahead.
I would also like to take this opportunity to address the matter of class placement as this seems to be a concern for some parents at this time every year. Parents, please remember that there are 589 students at Emmanuel. Teachers, administrative and support staff and in particular, Mrs McDonald, put a lot of time and thought into class placements with many factors taken into account including friendships, spread of achievement levels, balance of girls and boys and student needs to name a few. Once classes are set, to make one change can affect many others.
As you can imagine it is not possible and not desirable either, for parents to get involved in the placement of their children into classes. Such an approach would pose numerous problems, so please trust that we do the best we can. Having said that, if you have significant information relevant to your child’s placement, please make this known, in writing, to me by Friday 20 October. This information will be taken into consideration as appropriate. Please do not request particular teachers unless there are exceptional reasons for doing so, keeping in mind that teachers may not remain on present year levels in any case.
Thank you to the very many parents who share relevant information, let us get on with the job at hand and then support their children in the decisions made, whether things go the way they prefer or not. We appreciate your trust and your children will thank you one day as well.
SOMETHING TO REFLECT ON
As part of our Catholic tradition, the Catholic Church dedicates the month of October to the Holy Rosary. I encourage all our families to come together and pray the Rosary during October.
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu and commonly known as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, was an Albanian-born Indian Roman Catholic nun. “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun.” Mother Teresa’s words resonate with me, simply because her wisdom, which was often reflected in her words, always provides me with great empowerment. I am in awe of how one so humble could work so tirelessly for those among us who most need our service and support.
“The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.”
Mother Teresa often spoke words like those above, the need for us all to be loved and to love. She called for all people to remove the great deficit of love found in our world. But she also clearly articulated that we should start first of all in our own homes and then to our own neighbours to remove the loneliness and to provide the love.
“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”
This term let each and every one of us strive to remove the loneliness of someone around us, to reach out and provide love to someone in our own community who is longing to know that someone else cares.
Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
RE Matters
OCTOBER - MONTH OF THE ROSARY
“The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God…and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.”
(Pope Saint Pius X)
During October we are encouraged to pray this beautiful prayer and to reflect on the mysteries of our faith which it memorialises. Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday this month, students and staff are invited to gather in the chapel to say The Rosary at lunchtime. We will pray for peace in our families, our school and in our world.
“There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the praying of The Holy Rosary.”
(Sister Lucia of Fatima)
To find out more about The Rosary and how to pray it, go to:
CELEBRATING FATIMA
Between 13 May and 13 October 1917, Our Lady appeared six times to three shepherd children near the town of Fatima in Portugal. On each occasion Mary emphasised the necessity of praying The Rosary. Our Lady explained that this would bring peace to the world.
Tomorrow is the anniversary of the Sixth Apparition and the Miracle of the Sun. On this day in 1917 more than 60 000 people were there when the children saw ‘the lady’ and ‘the sun danced in the sky’. When asked what she wanted, Mary told the children “A chapel is to be built here in my honour. I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue always to pray the Rosary every day.”
Each year around four million pilgrims visit the sacred sites, including the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima and the Chapel of Apparitions, in and around Fatima.
To find out more about the Fatima Apparitions and the children go to:
To hear the Our Lady of Fatima song go to:
OCTOBER - WORLD MISSION MONTH
This month we will be celebrating SOCCERTOBER.
It is an opportunity for us to focus our attention on those less fortunate than ourselves and to be grateful for all that we have. Students in all classes will explore Catholic Social Teachings and participate in activities that promote justice, prayer and action. Together we can make a difference and help others.
With a focus on Timor-Leste, ‘Hearts on Fire, Feet on the Move’ is the theme of Catholic Mission’s appeal this year. Their goal is to support vulnerable children facing health and wellness challenges.
All classes will be setting goals related to ACTION, ATTITUDE AND GIVING. Students will be encouraged to be generous with their time, patience, assistance, cooperation and consideration. ‘An Attitude of Gratitude’ will be our MJR focus.
We are having an exciting SOCCERTOBER raffle. Tickets are 50 cents each or 3 for $1.00. The winner will win a soccer ball for themselves and a soccer ball for their class.
The staff are also participating in a special coffee challenge this month.
MAKING JESUS REAL – THANKFUL THURSDAYS
“I complained I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.” (Unknown)
It is easy to take for granted all that we have. On Thankful Thursdays, students are encouraged to give thanks for their many blessings and to appreciate how lucky they are. Together we are fostering an ‘attitude of gratitude’ that is evident in word and action, in the way we treat each other and care for the beautiful world we share.
Our annual Mission Fair will be held TOMORROW.
There will be Lucky Dips, Trash and Treasure, Photo Booth, Ice-creams, Friendship Bracelets, Fairy Floss, Balloons, Badges, Coinline, Lolly Stall, Home Baking, Decorate a Biscuit, Lucky Duckies and lots of games and activities at this year’s fair. The Student Council and our Mini Vinnies group will also be helping out and running stalls.
Parents are reminded to send coins and not just notes. It is also a good idea to send along a shopping bag to put all their goodies in.
A big THANK YOU to all families for supporting this important and exciting event. Let the FUN BEGIN!
DAY FOR DANIEL - WEAR RED
On Friday 27 October we will join with the rest of Australia in acknowledging ‘Day for Daniel’. It is a child safety and protection initiative that aims to help empower our children to Recognise, React and Report if they feel something is not right. ‘Wear Red and Educate’ is the theme of ‘Day for Daniel’.
All students are invited to wear something red (t-shirt, socks, shoelaces, ribbons) with their school uniform on this day. It is not a free dress day. No donation is required for participation. Badges will be on sale in the week leading up to the day. All monies raised will be forwarded to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.
For more information about the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and ‘Day for Daniel’ go to:
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.
MONSTER CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
There may not be NORFAIR this year, but our parish is selling tickets in an amazing raffle. With a First Prize of $10 000, tickets are great value at $5.00 each. The raffle will be drawn on Saturday 16 December, just in time for Christmas. You’ve got to be in it to win it!
Tickets are available online, before and after weekend Masses and from St Joseph's Parish Office
(Monday - Friday 9am to 12:00pm - phone 49574855).
VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – GENEROSITY
“Generosity isn’t an act. It’s a way of life.” (Chip Ingram)
Generosity is one of the best ways to show love and friendship. You share freely, not with the idea of receiving something in return. Someone showing generosity is happy to give time, money, food, or kindness to people in need. When you are generous, you put others before yourself. When you're forgiving, kind and gentle to people, you show generosity of spirit.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” (Winston Churchill)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Mission Fair has always been FUN………….
Curriculum Corner
2024 BOOKLISTS/BOOKPACKS
Janine Refalo
Assistant Principal Curriculum
APA News
CLASSES 2024
Term Four will see staff arrange classes for the 2024 school year. This process is very deliberate and time consuming, but also very important to creating balanced classes throughout the school. I would like to provide parents with some of the underlying principles that drive our decision making:
1. We always aim to create classes that are balanced in need. We consider the academic, social, emotional, and behavioural needs of the children when placing them in a class. This is never straight forward and often needs considerable thought. A past practice has been that students nominate a friend, but as you can appreciate this is very difficult to accommodate in a school with 589 students. This practice will no longer be a deciding factor in class placements.
2. We consider the gender balance within the group, the body of knowledge that we have gathered on each child and any parent input that may assist.
3. We always endeavour to be just, fair, and compassionate to the needs of each child.
I invite parents to write to me if you have information about your child that may assist the staff in placing your child. While I always stipulate that parents are not able to request certain teachers and groups of friends, there is often information that, as a school, we are unaware of and would benefit from knowing. Please put your consideration in writing and send to the office addressed to Miss Rostirolla by the end of Week Three, Friday 20 October.
I would also like to stress that our staff know their students very well and will do their very best throughout this process. I urge parents to trust us in making informed decisions that we consider will be the best for each child.
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
Amanda McDonald
Assistant Principal Administration
Strategic Priorities 2023
Sporting News
SWIMMING CARNIVAL – LAST CHANCE NOMINATIONS
Our Year 2-6 Interhouse Swimming Carnival will be held at the Pioneer Pool on Thursday 26 October.
Permission/Nomination Forms were emailed to the parents of students in Year 2 and in Years 3-6 last week.
Please complete the form/s giving permission for your child/ren to participate in the carnival.
A form needs to be completed for each child, even if they are not participating in events.
Year 2 students will participate in NOVELTY EVENTS in the wading pool and on the grass. Students who can competently swim are also invited to nominate in a WIDTH EVENT.
Year 3-6 students may compete in either width OR length events, not both. Please Note: Points towards Age Champion are only awarded for length events. Students swim in the age group that they turn in 2023.
Only students who are nominated by parents via the emailed form/s will be swimming on the day.
Forms must be submitted by 2:00pm on Friday 13 October.
A very big THANK YOU to parents who have already completed and submitted the form.
We are looking forward to another wonderful carnival. Parents and friends are encouraged to attend and cheer on the students as they vie for house points and a day of friendly competition.
SchoolTV
For lots of helping Parenting tips be sure to check out School TVs via our school website or the tab below.
Around the School
INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING
This semester, students in 4T have had the incredible opportunity to participate in an Intergenerational Learning Program. This program sees students connect via video call once per week with our local OzCare Aged Care Home. In these sessions, students discuss various topics to discover more about the amazing lives of the residents. In Week 10 last term, the residents surprised the students by visiting them at school, where they taught them how to play ‘Tunnel Ball’ and brought the students treats.
This program has been an overwhelming success, with students learning about the skills of interaction, as well as expanding their vocabulary and bringing to joy others simply by sharing their presence. 4T is so grateful to have the opportunity to participate in Intergenerational Learning!
School Choir
YEAR 3 STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE AND ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO JOIN THE CHOIR.
Awards
Congratulations to the students pictured below who received Principal's Awards, AusKick prize and our Student Representatives for Term Four.
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.
Finance
TERM 4 SCHOOL FEE STATEMENTS
Term 4 School Fee Statements were emailed to all families on Wednesday 11 October, with payment due by 25 October. 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.
Notices
NON STATE SCHOOLS TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE
The Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland. To find out more about eligibility requirements click here:
Intersection upgrades at Holts Road, Pioneer Street
There will be one-way traffic only on Pioneer Street as council undertakes upgrade works to the intersection with Holts Road.
The work is scheduled to begin on October 16, weather permitting, with expected completion in mid-December.
While work is under way, there will be one-way traffic from the Pioneer Street and Holts Road intersection to the roundabout on Pioneer Street.
In the first stage of works traffic will flow from the south to the north in this section of road and detours will be in place. It will then alternate in the second stage to a north to south direction.
Work will take place between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. Some weekend work may also be required.
Traffic control may be in place at Holts Road and there will be some noise and dust disturbances with various plant and equipment on-site.
This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Black Spot program.
For more information go to www.connectingmackay.com.au/pioneer-st-and-holts-rd-intersection
Council apologises for any inconvenience. If you have any concerns, please contact council on 1300 MACKAY (622529)
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