Newsletter - 26 October 2023

From our Principal

Dear Parents,             

HAPPY WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

For most of us, we are able to name one special teacher who had a significant impact on our lives and who has remained memorable to us over the years. This teacher may have inspired you to engage in your chosen career, provided you with opportunities that allowed you to develop your skills and talents, challenged you to step outside your comfort zone or saw something in you that no other teacher had ever seen.

Tomorrow all across Australia, society and most particularly school communities celebrate teachers/educators – the work that they do and the care that they demonstrate each and every day with the children they teach.

For Catholic teachers there is another important dimension ….. vocation - a calling to become part of something of great significance; to share in the Church’s mission. Teachers in Catholic schools share in the work of Jesus to reach out to others and spread the good news about life and its purpose.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our fabulous Emmanuel staff. This wonderful group of professionals demonstrates their dedication to the Church’s mission and the learning and development of your children each and every day.

Best wishes to all of our staff as we celebrate World Teacher’s Day on Friday. Despite all that technology can offer, the personal relationship between the teacher and student is vital to learning. I would like to encourage you to discuss with your child how they might be able to say thanks to their teacher/s.  A kind word, a short poem or story would add to every teacher’s day this Friday.

Thank you to ALL STAFF of Emmanuel for all that you do to ensure the best possible learning for the children in your care. Happy Teacher’s Day!

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla 

Principal

Thank you to our P & F for sponsoring this event.

RE Matters

ONE FOR THE TEACHERS – A PRAYER

ALL WE ARE CALLED TO BE

When I say SUPERHERO many of you will think of Batman, Flash or The Phantom.  If you are a Marvel fan you might think of Iron Man, Captain America or the big green guy…… but what about the superheroes of the church?  I am of course talking about the saints. They might not be members of the Justice League, have superpowers, be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, fly an invisible jet or even have a golden lasso, but they are heroes - heroes of kindness, mercy, compassion and love.

In November we celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls Day.  We remember those who have gone before us, those who have answered God’s call and those who have taken up the challenge and become the very best version of themselves. It is our challenge too!

We ask God to help us to live the life that He has called us to live.

Father, may the inspiration and example of the saints help and challenge us as we go about our lives now and always. Amen.

We trust in God’s mercifulness and ask Him to welcome our loved ones home.

Merciful God hear our prayer and console us. Strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters will share in Christ’s resurrection and attain the joy of eternal happiness in your kingdom. Amen.

MONTH OF THE ROSARY      

“The Rosary is a magnificent and universal prayer for the needs of the Church, the nations and the entire world.” (Pope John XXlll)                  

It has been wonderful to see so many students and staff gathering in the chapel to say The Rosary at lunchtimes this October. We have prayed for peace in our families, our school and in our world.

As the Month of The Rosary draws to a close, I encourage families to continue to share this beautiful prayer and to reflect on the mysteries of our faith which it memorialises. 

“Confidently take up The Rosary once again. Rediscover The Rosary in the light of the Scripture, in harmony with the Liturgy, and in the context of your daily lives.”  (Pope St John Paul ll)

To find out more about The Rosary and how to pray it, go to Catholic Online:

SOCCERTOBER

Our World Mission Month SOCCERTOBER activities are coming to an end. We have learnt about the work of Catholic Mission and this year’s focus country Timor Leste. We have raised funds and awareness, prayed and walked in solidarity with children around the world who are not as lucky as we are.

Tomorrow we will announce our 2023 MISSION CHAMPIONS and students in Years 3-6 will participate in an exciting WALKING SOCCER competition. We also draw our SOCCERTOBER raffle. See next week’s newsletter for all the highlights. A big THANK YOU in advance to Mr Steel for his organisation of this culminating activity.

ARE YOU RED RED READY FOR DAY FOR DANIEL?

Tomorrow 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 tomorrow.  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 – GRATITUDE

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and showing appreciation. It is a mindful acknowledgement of all that we have been given. When we focus on the abundance in our lives, we discover a greater capacity for generosity, cheerfulness and contentment.

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” (Meister Eckhart)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Our Swimming Carnivals  have always been lots of FUN!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 66

Next

Curriculum Corner

2024 BOOKLISTS/BOOKPACKS

If you wish to utilise this year's Book pack service, you can order online (TODAY) via the link below:

Book pack orders placed by Thursday 26 October, will be available for collection from school Monday 27 November 2:30pm-3:30pm and Tuesday 28 November 8:00am-9:00am and 2:30pm-3:30pm. 

ICAS CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to all students who participated in English and Mathematics ICAS tests last term!  All students are to be commended on applying themselves by approaching this challenging opportunity with a positive mindset and a willingness to persist and strive toward excellence.

All students below, will be formally recognised with the presentation of certificates at next weeks Assembly, Friday 3 November:

Please join us at next week’s Assembly to celebrate each of these students and their achievements.

Janine Refalo

Assistant Principal Curriculum 

APA News

PREP to YEAR 3 SWIMMING LESSONS – Commencing in Week 6

Prep to Grade 3 Swim and Survive lessons begin shortly at Marlins Swim Centre. A letter outlining dates / costs was distributed to students. These lessons are designed to ensure our children possess the basic water skills to operate safely around the pool.  Please see the schedule below:

What to bring:

PLEASE BE SURE TO NAME ALL ITEMS CLEARLY

• Togs (one-piece for girls)
• Towel
• Thongs
• Shirt to wear over togs to/from the pool
• Sunshirt (optional)
• Swimming cap
• Goggles (these are highly recommended from the Marlins Swim staff due to the amount of time in the water)
• Packed lunch and water bottle
• Bag to hold everything

It would be beneficial to send a LARGE AMOUNT of morning tea (Tuckshop may be ordered at first break ONLY). There will be a lunch break at the pool, please provide a PACKED LUNCH and WATERBOTTLE.

Amanda McDonald

Assistant Principal Administration

Strategic Priorities 2023

Sporting News

Lots of fun was had at today's Swimming Carnival. Please see next week's newsletter for a round up of the events and trophy winners.

SchoolTV

For lots of helping Parenting tips be sure to check out School TVs via our school website or the tab below.

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 a Virtue Voucher in Week 3 and Tia.S who was the winner of our Lucky Ducky prize from Mission Fair.

Tuckshop News

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Please ensure all Tuckshop orders are placed prior to cut off time - 8:40am.

There is an increase in orders that are being placed late and this is placing extra pressure on our very busy Tuckshop.

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 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.

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)

SCHOOL APP

Community News