Newsletter - 02 November 2023

From our Principal

Dear Parents,             

The following are some jottings made over the years while listening to people who are wiser than I am. There are “3 L’s” that our children really need – LOVE, LISTEN and LAUGH.

Love

Children today need a lot of love; often they put on a brave front and appear so self-confident. However, they need tons of love that must be sincere and honest. One of the best expressions I’ve heard is, ‘children have no defence against affection’. Yes, they need to know from us that God’s love is real and they should be able to see it in OUR lives – the more Christian we are the more loving they will be.

Listen

How many times have I heard children say – ‘No one listens to me!’ Yes, it could be true. Many times they are trying to tell us so many things, but we are too busy and too tired to listen. I often think children are God’s most precious gift to us, so let’s grow together and spend more time with each other. You know the good Lord gave us two ears and only one mouth – is He trying to tell us something?

Laugh

We see and hear so many sad stories today; let’s not be one of those sad stories, let’s spread happiness in our homes and to all we meet. I’m sure the Lord, Himself, was a happy and cheerful person – who would follow a ‘sadsack’?  He loved children, had many friends and His whole teaching was one of thinking of others; this makes us better people – the more unselfish we are the happier we will be. It’s great to listen to a good laugh. You know we have so many reasons to be happy, each one of us has been blessed in so many ways. If we sat down and thought of all the wonderful things in our lives, I’m sure we would be surprised. Children have a spontaneous laugh and are not afraid to do so; let’s become more like them.

I hope the comments above are a source of inspiration and renewal of the good intentions that so filled us when we invited our children to share our lives.

Our children are with us only for a short time. Before long they will set out on the journey of their own life. The question is, how hospitable were we to them during that short time?

“Lord, Help me to clear a space in my heart for other people. Let it be free from the everyday clutter of my personal activities. Let it be a place where loving, listening and laughing are readily available. Amen.”

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla 

Principal

RE Matters

WHAT’S IMPORTANT? – A REFLECTION  (Author Unknown)                    

MISSION CHAMPIONS

At Assembly last Friday, we announced and acknowledged our 2023 Mission Champions. These students consistently show their love for God and others in the way they greet, speak to and treat everyone in the school community. They honour our Core Values (respect, dignity, love, justice, honesty, faith) and practise virtues like kindness, generosity, helpfulness and consideration. Their words and actions Make Jesus Real and reinforce that God is truly with us at Emmanuel.

SOCCERTOBER

Our WALKING SOCCER Carnival was AMAZING! The sun was shining, the competition exciting, goals were kicked and teamwork on show. 3J and 3HD played off in the final of the Year 3/4 competition and 6T and 6K in the Year 5/6 competition. 3HD and 6K were crowned champions, and Jack, Mikito, Ollie and Lincoln named the carnival’s Best and Fairest.

A very big THANK YOU to Mr Steel for organising and coordinating the carnival. Thanks also goes to all staff and students who refereed games and assisted with the setting up and packing up of tents and equipment. It really was a wonderful way to wrap up SOCCERTOBER. We are already looking forward to next year.

CHILD SAFETY IN FOCUS

Last Friday our school community joined with the rest of Australia in acknowledging ‘Day for Daniel’.  It was great to see lots of students adding something red to their school uniform (t-shirt, socks, shoelaces, ribbons) and red balloons all over the school.  All classes revisited the key safety messages: RECOGNISE, REACT, REPORT.

For more information about the Daniel Morcombe Foundation and ‘Day for Daniel’ go to: 

SAVE THE DATES

With the end of the school year almost upon us, we have much to celebrate - our students, our year together and Christmas. Please mark the following dates on your calendar and plan to join the fun. More details in next week’s newsletter.

YEAR SIX CELEBRATION EVENING

Our Year Six Prayer Celebration which will take place in the Marist Centre on Wednesday 22 November at 6:00pm.  Parents are asked to bring a plate of food for a light supper which will be shared on conclusion of our time of prayer and thanks.  A celebratory cake will also be cut by our School Captains.  Please deliver your supper plates to the tuckshop prior to the commencement of our celebration.

All Year Six students are expected to attend this celebration.

Students are to wear blue day uniform.

YEAR FIVE PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

It is traditional for the parents of students in Year Five to set up and prepare for the supper that follows the Year Six Prayer Celebration. The Year Six parents supply the food. This year’s celebration will take place in the Marist Centre on Wednesday 22 November at 6:00pm. If you are able to assist or would be willing to co-ordinate the supper, could you please contact Mrs Kliese or the school office.

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 – KINDNESS

Kindness is showing you care, doing some good to make life better for others. It is being thoughtful about people’s needs. Kindness is showing love and compassion to someone who is sad or needs your help.  Kindness is treating yourself and others gently.  It is caring about the earth and all living things.

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

 (Mark Twain)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Emmanuel has always had AMAZING staff. Here are some of this year’s staff who were at school last Friday. Like our Mission Champions they lined up for a photo at the end of Assembly.

A very big THANK YOU to the Emmanuel P&F Assocation who along with the Sturgeon Family provided a fabulous morning tea for our staff last Friday. We appreciate your ongoing support and love working with you and your child/ren.

Curriculum Corner

Janine Refalo

Assistant Principal Curriculum 

APA News

PREP to YEAR 3 SWIMMING LESSONS – Commencing next week

Prep to Grade 3 Swim and Survive lessons begin next week 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

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Last Thursday, on a perfect spring day, students from Years 2 to 6 battled it out in the 2023 Emmanuel Interhouse Swimming Carnival. What was up for grabs? Victory and a lifetime of glory!

The day began with our newest competitors, ‘The Year 2 Tadpoles’, flying across the pool in their first swim race at Emmanuel. After toweling off, they joined the rest of Year 2 for novelty games in and around the wading pool.

Back in the 50m pool, competition was heating up. This year saw the largest number of students take part in width events. At the time the lane ropes were being positioned into place, nothing could separate the houses.

Trophies and Age Champion medals were presented to the following Houses and students at the conclusion of the carnival.

Champion House Trophy:  CASTLES     

Relays Trophy:  CASTLES                     

Spirit and Participation Trophy:  CASTLES

Congratulations to our Age Champions 

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A big THANK YOU to our AMAZING staff who were busy all day marshalling, supervising, scoring, lifesaving, timing, judging and working together to make sure that everything ran smoothly.  Special thanks to Luke Dodson and Dylan Steel who coordinated, set up and packed up the carnival.  We don’t know what we would do without you.

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It was great to some of our parents and friends joining us at the pool and cheering on all the students. 

Luke Dodson

HPE and Sport

FUN AND GAMES AT THE BLUE WATER LAGOON

While the rest of the school was at the Pioneer Pool, our Prep and Year One classes participated in their own water adventure at the Blue Water Lagoon.  There were lots of smiles, laughter, splashing and fun! Students enjoyed playing in the water and on the grass. 

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A big THANK YOU to our FABULOUS staff and the parents who volunteered to assist with this exciting activity. We could not have done it without you.

Around the School

YEAR FOUR INCURSION BEE EXPERT

On Monday 30 October, Year 4 were lucky enough to welcome a local expert beekeeper Paul Balchin. The Year 4 students have been undertaking a Science Unit of Inquiry entitled “Busy Bees”. During this unit, students have been uncovering the vital role of bees in the life cycles of all plants and animals on the planet. Students have also been exploring the interdependence of living things and the impact this has on food chains. Students are discovering how all living things are connected.

Paul came in and shared his extensive knowledge about bees, bee keeping and bee capturing. He spoke about the life cycle of bees and how they reproduce. Paul was very knowledgeable about different species of bees, their temperaments, their behaviour and hierarchies and how bees produce honey. We are so lucky that Paul was willing to share his passion and knowledge with us and leave us with some sweet treats! Bringing in outside experts into our classrooms brings our learning to life and only serves to make us more curious about the world around us.

Here are some fast facts that we learnt about bees:

• Bees have 5 eyes.
• Bees are insects, so they have 6 legs.
• Male bees in the hive are called drones.
• Bees fly up to about 45 km/hour.
• Female bees in the hive (except the queen) are called worker bees.
• Queen bees can lay up to 1,500 - 2,000 eggs per day.
• Bees feed their babies (larvae) “royal jelly” to survive.
• Losing its stinger will cause a bee to die.
• If we didn't have bees, local food production would suffer.
• Bees regulate the temperature of the hive by bringing in water and flapping their wings - like a self-contained air conditioner.
• Bees do not like black because evolutionarily they evolved around bears which have dark fur.
• Some species of bees were introduced with the arrival of the First Fleet 1788
• Bees are social animals, they like living in groups and working together to survive.

Year 4 students and Year 4 teachers

YEAR SIX CAMP

Our Year Six students are on camp at Seaforth and Cape Hillsborough this week. All the details and photos will be shared in next week’s newsletter.

SchoolTV

With everything happening in the world today and daily reports of it on the news, SchoolTV’s ‘Special Report: Discussing War and Conflict’ may be just what you are looking for. This short clip from Dr Michael Carr-Gregg provides helpful hints on how to approach difficult questions and discuss these distressing issues with children.

Click on the tab below or access through our school website.

School Choir

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.

2024 FAMILY DISCOUNT FORMS

The 2024 Family Discount/Confirmation of Enrolment form will be sent home on Monday with the eldest student in each family.  (These forms are on Green paper).

This document is required in order for families to receive their Family Discount in 2024. Please ensure you complete the form based on students year level and school in 2024. The form needs to be returned to the classroom teacher by Friday 17 November. It is a requirement that even single student families complete and return the form. If you have any queries, or do not receive your form, please contact Therese or Robyn in the Finance Office.

Notices

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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