Newsletter - 23 November 2023
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
The Church year is drawing to a close. It will soon be Advent, then Christmas … At this time of year the Church’s readings remind us that the earth as we know it is passing away and that Christ will come again at the end of time. What does this mean for our lives? It means we are to live each day with a sense of hope, expectation, vigilance and ready to meet the Lord at all times. Pope Francis says, “It means not allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed by distraction or by superficiality, but living in a full and aware way, with concern first of all for others”.
At this time of the year, you will notice that the agapanthus plants are just getting ready to flower. Indeed this purple flower (sometimes called “The Star of Bethlehem”) is a special reminder to keep our ‘eyes ahead’, to ‘get ready’ and to live primarily with a ‘concern for others’.
I think Advent is a beautiful and reflective season – focussed on waiting for the child Jesus and celebrating the Incarnation of God-with-us in human form. The scripture readings during Advent encourage us to “stay awake”, “watch” and “prepare”. There is a sense of great anticipation and hope.
As the school year draws to an end I look back on the many things that I am grateful for; these include…………..
- The many students, parents and staff members with whom it has been a privilege to walk this year, especially those who have faced hard times or the hard questions that life asks of each of us;
- The waves, smiles and greetings shared, without which everyday contact becomes dry and lifeless;
- The unforgettable sharing at staff prayer each Friday morning which tells me, more reliably than any survey, that relational trust is alive and very well in this workplace;
- A growing spirit of Unity and Service;
- The incredible facilities and resources that support our teaching and learning;
- Fr Stephen and Fr Andrew for their pastoral support of our community. An active partnership with Parish means so much to students, staff and parents.
- A peaceful mind, free from the stories that the mind likes to create and the unnecessary suffering that results;
- A community that pulls together when the going gets tough.
With the close of 2023, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Emmanuel staff for making it a pleasure to come to work each day. Their professionalism, generosity of spirit, care for students and their learning is second to none. To staff leaving Emmanuel – Sarah Thomas, Sharon Donnelly, Sherri Genninges, Dylan Steel, Patrice Baird, Pam White, Fran Borg, Sandali DeSoysa, Natasha Mallise, Suzanne Brewster and Jana Schweitzer - I say thank you for the privilege of sharing your personal and professional journey. Go with our best wishes and heart-felt thanks and prayers for a safe, happy and fulfilling future.
To students and families who are leaving us, especially the Year 6’s, may your journey be blessed with true friends, great learning, accepted opportunities and a giving heart. Most of all, may you personally know the great love that God has for each of you.
To you, our parents and caregivers, thank you for being valued partners in the education of your children and for your co-operation and support in building Christian community at Emmanuel.
And, finally, to staff, parents and students whose charitable and unselfish deeds, large and small, may have gone unseen and unheralded, the One who sees everything knows what you do, and I say thank you on behalf of us all. Truly, may the enduring peace, the unselfish love and the simple joy of Christ be yours this Christmas and always. Be safe everyone. I look forward to seeing you again next year.
As has been the custom over the past few years, our Final School Assembly will take place on Friday 01 December in the Marist Centre commencing at 12.00pm. Parents are most welcome to take their children home on conclusion of this assembly. Supervision will be provided for those students who are unable to be collected due to parental work commitments.
Wishing you God’s blessings for the final week of school,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
Thank you to the P & F for sponsoring this event
RE Matters
UNDERSTANDING – A REFLECTION
The angels and the saints were gathered together for a conference. God was the keynote speaker. All were inspired by God’s words!
During question time, one little angel brought before God a concern about how humanity was conducting itself on Earth. “They don’t appear to be very grateful or kind,” the angel said. “Many are poor, lonely, sick and marginalised and lots of them don’t seem to see or care. They love money and put ‘things’ before family and relationships, waste their time on work and devices, are selfish and lack compassion. Your beautiful world is dirty and dying, the climate is changing, and people are scared.”
Everyone looked at God.
“Lord,” the angel continued, “why do You keep giving humans so many chances and welcoming them back?”
The Lord, with enormous love in his eyes, simply replied, “It’s because I understand.”
REPORTING ON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
With report cards being available next week, it is timely to remind everyone about Religious Education and what it looks like in our school. Like all Catholic schools in the Rockhampton Diocese, Religious Education at Emmanuel includes the teaching, learning and assessment of the RE Curriculum and the Religious Life of the School.
Our RE Curriculum is organised into four strands – Sacred Texts, Beliefs, Church and Christian Life. It is taught and assessed like all other subjects. Ratings and comments on report cards will reflect what the student knows, understands and can do. Don’t be surprised to see comments about Scripture, the relationship between God and the Jewish people, history of the Catholic Church in Australia, the Sacraments, Care of our Common Home, the mission and ministry of Jesus, the Spirit of God and the prayer life of believers on Semester Two report cards.
Remember we are not assessing or reporting on student’s faith or belief in God.
The Religious Life of the School includes our Catholic identity and culture, how we pray, worship and celebrate and the ways in which we promote and support social justice and action. Our Feast Day Mass and Beach Day, Mission Fair, Lenten Challenges, Soccertober and Stations of the Cross in Holy Week are just some of the highlights.
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.
Tuesday 28 November Carols Evening
Thursday 30 November Thanksgiving Mass
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Our annual Carols Evening will be held on Tuesday 28 November. All classes from Prep to Year Six will be involved. Following the student’s performances, there will be some community singing, where all present are invited to sing along. Please join us on the grassed area in front of the Music Room for a 6:00pm start. All students are asked to meet their teachers by 5:45pm. It is a wonderful opportunity to gather in the last week of school to share in the spirit of Christmas. Hope to see you there. Don’t forget your Christmas t-shirt and Santa hat.
We will be collecting donations for the St Vincent de Paul’s Christmas Appeal, so please bring along some coins to help others less fortunate this Christmas.
PLAN B FOR CAROLS
We have been blessed with dry conditions this past few weeks and our grounds are looking great, however rain and a possible thunderstorm have been forecast for Tuesday evening. If this is the case, we will hold the Christmas Carols on Wednesday 29 November in the Marist Centre during the school day. Parents will be welcome to attend, however due to large numbers, Carols will be shared in two separate concerts at times to be advised. A decision will be made early next week, and parents will be advised via text message / email.
Obviously Plan B is not ideal, so please join us in praying for fine weather on Tuesday night.
THANKSGIVING AND FAREWELL MASS
Our tradition of celebrating the end of the school year with a Thanksgiving Mass will continue this year. Fr Andrew Hogan will join with staff and students to reflect on and give thanks for our year together. This Mass which will take place on Thursday 30 November at 9:00am in the Fr Bucas Centre at Holy Spirit College. All welcome.
Students need to wear blue day uniform. Girls to wear dresses please.
A reminder to parents that the school office will be closed from 8:50am - 10:10am as ALL STAFF will be attending the Mass.
We are looking forward to celebrating the year we have shared.
YEAR SIX CELEBRATION EVENING
On Wednesday evening, our Year Six students and their families gathered in the Marist Centre to reflect on and to give thanks for their time at Emmanuel. Fr Andrew reminded the students that God had given them many gifts and that they are called to use them, to ‘be a light for the world’. Miss Rostirolla acknowledged and thanked those parents whose association with Emmanuel will end next week.
Other highlights of the evening included the ‘Ceremony of Light’ and the presentation of certificates. Mrs Whelan and Mrs Rooney provided the fabulous music and Miss McDonald sang beautifully. It was a wonderful celebration!
A special thank you to the staff who prepared the sacred space and Marist Centre, our amazing musicians, and the small group of Year Five parents who kindly set up and served the supper that followed the prayer celebration. We appreciate your time, talents and support. You are AMAZING!
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
Each year our school supports The St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal in assisting needy families in the Mackay region. All classes are making up hampers of non-perishable food items / Christmas treats that will be presented to the parish St Vincent de Paul conference in the last week of school.
A big THANK YOU to all families who have already contributed Christmas goodies to these hampers and to those who will send them along in the coming days. Your generosity is very much appreciated.
Hampers will be collected from school on Wednesday 29 November.
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).
SOCCERTOBER RAFFLE
Congratulations to Chad in 4S who won a soccer ball for himself and one for his class.
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.
VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – UNDERSTANDING
“I am the thankful for the gift of understanding. It enlightens my viewpoint.” (Unknown)
Understanding is sympathetic and sensitive. It is being aware of other people's needs and feelings.
“If we could look into each other’s hearts, and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance and care.” (Marvin J Ashton)
When you understand you are tolerant, accepting and forgiving of yourself and others. Understanding gives us the power to care, to show compassion and to learn.
“People don’t always need advice. Sometimes all they need is a hand to hold, an ear to listen and a heart to understand them. (Unknown)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Curriculum Corner
REPORT CARDS FOR SEMESTER 2
A reminder to parents to please check that you can sign in to Parent Lounge prior to reports being released. If you have any queries, please contact our school office.
Report cards will once again be available through Parent Lounge from 5:00pm on Thursday 30 November
- To access Parent Lounge, open your internet browser and type in the URL for Emmanuel Catholic Primary School website: ecps.qld.edu.au
- Click on Parent Lounge under Quick Links.
- Click on the Parent Lounge icon.
- Login with your unique ID number and the password remains the same as previously used.
CHANGES TO REPORT CARDS
A Reporting Taskforce was formed by the Curriculum Team at Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton. As a result of their consultation, some changes have been made to ensure consistency for the core features of reporting across the Diocese. These changes will be in effect for our Semester Two, 2023 Report Cards.
The following informs you of changes made to this Semester's Report Cards:
- Prep achievement wording revised
- Year 1 - 6 achievement uses an A - E scale
- EFFORT AND ATTITUDE now replaces the previously used term 'Application'. A three-point scale is now used, Commendable, Satisfactory and Needs Improvement. This scale applies to student diligence, behaviour and engagement.
- SOCIAL AND PERSONAL LEARNING now replaces the previously used term 'Social Development and Work Habits'. A three-point scale is now used, Commendable, Satisfactory and Needs Improvement.
Janine Refalo
Assistant Principal Curriculum
APA News
CLASS PLACEMENT LETTERS - CHANGES MADE
Class placement letters will be sent home via email on Monday 04 December 2023. Please allow time to receive your class placement letter if you have multiple children here at school as they will be sent individually, over the course of the day, and this may take some time.
Please note: we ask that you ensure your email details are up to date.
PREP to YEAR 3 SWIMMING LESSONS
Prep to Year 3 Swim and Survive lessons are continuing at Marlins Swim Centre. These lessons are designed to ensure our children possess the basic water skills to operate safely around the pool. Please see the schedule below:
| Date | Classes |
Week 8 Friday 24 November | Prep S and 1T (Day 2) |
FINAL ASSEMBLY-FRIDAY 1 DECEMBER - EARLY PICK-UP PROCEDURES
At the conclusion of our final assembly, all classes will move with their teacher, back to their individual classrooms. Parents of students in all year levels are welcome to collect their child on conclusion of the final assembly (approximately 12.30pm).
Students leaving at this time must be signed out at their classroom. Should any parent be collecting a child or children from another family we ask that this information is communicated to classroom teachers via email.
If you are collecting your child during the lunch hour or the afternoon session, please sign out at the office as per normal procedures.
Supervision will be provided for those children whose parents are unable to collect them prior to 3:00pm due to work commitments.
MEDICATIONS KEPT AT SCHOOL
As per Workplace Health and Safety protocols, all medication stored at school must go home at the completion of your child’s last day of school this year. Medication cannot be sent home with students, so it is necessary for parents/caregivers to collect the medication from the front office. An important letter and necessary documents has been sent home to help families prepare for the return of medication and documentation at the start of the 2024 school year.
UNIFORM GUIDELINES
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 ‘ALL TOPICS’ tab via the link below or on our school website.
Around the School
YEAR FOUR VISIT TO OZCARE
Today, students in Year Four had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Ozcare Aged Care Facility to spend some time with the residents. Students in 4T, 4M and 4S travelled to Ozcare to share morning tea with the residents. They also performed some Christmas carols, poems and did some colouring in together. This was a lovely experience for both students and residents. The joy that this brought to all involved was evident in the big smiles on everyone’s faces throughout the morning. For 4T, this was the final time they will see the elderly people that they have been video calling each week this semester as part of the Intergenerational Learning Program. When asked what they loved about the visit, some of the student responses were:
- Colouring with them
- Making more friends
- Seeing happy faces
- Making people happy
- Giving out Christmas cards
The Year Four students would love to thank Anne and Marina at Ozcare for inviting us to spend time with the residents.
Sporting News
SURF LIFESAVING
Recently some of our students, Flynn, Rhys and Luke, participated in the 2023 North Australian Surf Lifesaving Championships (North Aussies) at the Mackay Aquatics and Recreation Complex and Mackay Harbour Beach. This exciting carnival featured lots of surf sport events, including beach flags and sprints, belt rescue, ski, Surf Ironman and Ironwoman events. The competition also featured a surf boat competition and pool rescue competition.
Year 5 student Flynn competed in individual and team events and achieved these AMAZING results:
1st Place – Board Race
1st Place – Under 11 Swim Team
2nd Place – Under 12 Swim Team
2nd Place - Mixed Cameron Relay
2nd Place – Open Water Swim
2nd Place – Patient Tow (Luke in Year 4 was his patient)
2nd Place – Individual Ironperson
3rd Place – Swim with Obstacles
Awards
Congratulations to the students pictured below who received a Virtue Voucher in Week 7.
School Choir
Tuckshop News
TUCKSHOP NEWS
Just a friendly reminder the Tuckshop will be closed on Thursday 30 November and Friday 01 December. We would like to thank our amazing volunteers that have assisted in the tuckshop this year. Without your help we would not be able to operate, so we really appreciate all that you do. Wishing you all a very safe, happy and blessed Christmas and New Year.
Angie & Mary-Anne
Tuckshop Conveeners
Notices
VACATION CARE - MESSAGE FROM ST FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
We have been advised from St Francis vacation care is now full and cannot accomodate anymore applications for the December / January holidays.
MACKAY TRANSIT COACHES REBRAND - KINETIC
Mackay Transit Coaches are now being progressively replaced with Kinetic branding. This will not impact current bus services and bus route numbers will be displayed in the vehicle windscreens. Please see below photos of new bus branding.
Holts Road, Pioneer Street returns to two-way traffic
Two-way traffic will return to Pioneer Street from Sunday (November 12) as upgrade works continue at the intersection of Holts Road and Pioneer Street. The works are being undertaken to improve safety and traffic flow, and are expected to be completed in mid-December, weather permitting.In the second stage of works at the intersection, traffic will again flow in both directions, however traffic control will be in place at Holts Road and there will be a reduction to the speed limit.
Work will take place between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. Some weekend work may also be required. 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.
Council apologises for any inconvenience. If you have any concerns, please contact council on 1300 MACKAY (622529)
For more information go to www.connectingmackay.com.au/pioneer-st-and-holts-rd-intersection
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