Newsletter - 15 February 2024

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

Yesterday we celebrated Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent.  Each of our classes from Prep to Year 6 will have reflected on this significant event in our liturgical calendar and some of our students may even have made it home with ashes from last year’s palms smudged across their forehead.  When I was a child the ashes were a reminder of our mortality – “Remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return….”  Today our children are reminded by the ashes that they are loved and that we all have the capacity for change and renewal – “Remember you are a child of God” or “Turn away from sin and believe in the gospel!” are statements we say as the ashes are distributed to the children. Fortunately our children have a much clearer understanding of the symbolism of the ashes and the significance of the Lenten season that leads us to the Easter message.

As we enter the season of Lent we can sometimes pay too much attention to matters that are superficial and trivial and we can miss out on the important issues of life. The season of Lent is one of those times when the Church gives us an opportunity to address the important elements of our life in a practical way.  There is little point giving up chocolate or sugar in our tea if we continue to gossip about others, or blame and nag those who are close to us.  Nor is there much value in giving up a glass of wine with our meal if we are going to be moody and grumpy with those who love us.  Lent is not simply a time to make sacrifices but it is a time when we are called to make choices and to make a positive effect on those we love and care about in our daily lives.  So when making your Lenten promises, choose wisely and make sure it leads to a positive change.  Good luck with your choices!

Food for Thought

A Different Approach to Lent

Fasts have a tendency to be orientated toward things like giving up food or television. But there are many ways we can welcome Jesus’ healing touch. Here are suggestions you may want to consider:

1. Fast from Anger and hatred – give your family an extra dose of love each day.
2. Fast from Judging others – before making any judgements, recall how Jesus overlooks our faults.
3. Fast from Discouragement – hold on to Jesus’ promise that he has a perfect plan for your life.
4. Fast from Complaining – when you find yourself about to complain, close your eyes and recall some of the little moments of joy Jesus has given you.
5. Fast from Resentment or Bitterness – work on forgiving those who may have hurt you.
6. Fast from Spending too much money – try to reduce your spending by ten percent and give those savings to the poor.

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal  

RE Matters

THE STARFISH STORY – A REFLECTION 

One morning a man was walking along a beach when he saw someone up ahead moving gracefully like a dancer.  He smiled to himself at the thought of dancing on the shore and walked faster in the hope of catching up to the ‘dancer’.  As he got closer, he noticed that the someone was a young girl, and that she was not dancing at all. The girl was reaching down to the sand, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the sea.

He came closer still and called out “May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The girl paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean!”

“But why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” he asked.

To this, she replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they will die.”

Upon hearing this, the man said, “But do you not realize that this beach is very long and that there are starfish all along it? You can't possibly make a difference!”

At this, the young girl bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the sea.  As it met the water, she smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one.”

I encourage you to take the time today to do something that will make a difference in someone’s life ... and it doesn't have to be much …. and they don't need to know.  Just take a moment, do something special ... God will know, and you will know .... and that's enough.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Yesterday we gathered for our Ash Wednesday prayer celebration. The children participated prayerfully and reflected on the meaning of Lent for them as individuals and as part of a school community. They committed themselves to prayer, fasting and giving, offered their Lenten promises and were marked with a cross of Ashes. These ashes had been blessed at a parish Mass earlier in the day.

Year 6T dramatized the Gospel and we listened to Michael Mangan’s beautiful hymn, “Out of Ashes.”

It was lovely that so many of our parents and members of the extended Emmanuel family were able to join us for this celebration.

After our prayer celebration Mrs Kliese visited the Kindy to talk about Lent and distribute the Ashes. 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of forty days in our journey to the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter.  Find out about Lent and Ash Wednesday in the link button below:

Sacred spaces around the school have had a change of colour to reflect the new liturgical season.

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LENTEN CHALLEGE

In recent years, our Lenten Challenges have included ‘CHICKS FOR CAMBODIA’ and ‘FARMITAS’.  In 2024, we have a NEW and EXCITING challenge!  It is called TAPITAS and it is all about water.

We will be selling waterdrop tokens. Buying these tokens will allow us to support a school in Samoa where the collection and storage of clean drinking water is an ongoing issue.

Students are encouraged to buy a small waterdrop for $1.00, a medium sized waterdrop for $2.00 or a large waterdrop for $5.00 and make a real difference in the life of someone they don’t even know. Tokens bought will have the child’s name written on it and it will be added to the sacred space in their classroom. In doing this, we link the ‘gift’ to real world action and to the teachings of Jesus. “…. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink .…” (Matthew 25:35)

‘Preferential Option for the Poor’ is one of the Church’s Catholic Social Teachings.

Students who buy waterdrops will receive a ticket for each dollar spent in a special TAPITAS themed YETI water bottle.

The class that sells the most waterdrops and the classes that raises the most money will lead us in a special dance at Assembly later in the term.

40 ACTS IN 40 DAYS

“Aspire not to have more, but to be more."  (St Oscar Romero)

This Lent I invite you to join me in undertaking a challenge to enrich your life and the lives of others.

“Never see a need without doing something about it.” (St Mary of the Cross Mackillop)

Each day of Lent do something to improve the day of someone else.  It might be a smile, a welcome, a helping hand, a listening ear, a simple act of kindness, a prayer, your time.

“Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” (St Teresa of Calcutta)

I think it is a good idea to plan what you are going to do, but be assured that lots of opportunities to help others will arise during Lent. Be open, be spontaneous, be kind.

The second part of this challenge is to appreciate what you have and who you are. To be grateful is to thank God for his many gifts.

“What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?” (Unknown)

BISHOP’S IN-SERVICE

Our annual Bishop’s Inservice Day will be held tomorrow, Friday 16 February. This is a pupil free day and all staff will be attending.  The school office will be closed.

This year’s theme will focus on Social Justice and Action.  The speakers will include Bishop Michael McCarthy and Diocesan Director of Catholic Education, Miss Leesa Jeffcoat.  Staff will participate in a variety of workshops.

It is always a great day for personal faith development and all staff appreciate this opportunity to focus their attention and learn something new.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Please pray for our students who are enrolled in the parish Sacramental Program. They participated in the Rite of Enrolment at parish Masses last weekend and a Reconciliation workshop on Tuesday evening. They will be confirmed by Bishop Michael McCarthy and receive Eucharist for the first time in June.

Please also include in your prayers the students who are preparing to be Baptised at Easter.

CARITAS - PROJECT COMPASSION

‘For All Future Generations’ is the theme of Project Compassion 2024. 

It reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come.  It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues.

This Lent all classrooms will have a Project Compassion collection box and poster. Students will learn about their brothers and sisters around the world who are less fortunate than themselves and be encouraged to offer their prayers and practical assistance.

Don’t be surprised if your child asks you for a job, so they can earn some money to put in the Project Compassion box in their classroom.

For more information, about the work of CARITAS and projects that the 2024 Project Compassion Appeal will support, check out the Caritas Australia website below:

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.

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

APA News

INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY FORM (ICT)

The information below pertains to the ICT Code of Practice forms for Students in Early Learning (Years P-2) and Students in Years 3-6. It is important to read through ICT attachments (in the link buttons below) and 'accept' via Parent Lounge (see 'how to' guide in the link button below) as soon as possible. Accepting the ICT Code of Practice will allow the use of ICT within school.

BLACK FORMAL SHOES – REMINDER

Thank you to the large numbers of parents who have ensured their children are meeting the school requirements for black formal school shoes.  Please note the following styles of shoes are NOT acceptable formal footwear.

If your child is currently in breach of the Emmanuel uniform guidelines, we ask that this issue is rectified ASAP. 

COLLECTING STUDENTS FOR APPOINTMENTS

When collecting your child throughout the school day please allow enough time to sign them out and for them to arrive at the office. It is important to keep in mind that students are not always in their classroom and may take longer to make their way to the office. To minimise disruption to classrooms and maximise student learning, Administration staff will only phone classrooms for collection of your child upon your arrival at the office to sign your child out. Please do not phone ahead or email the classroom teacher asking administration staff / teachers to have your child waiting at the office for collection.

AFTER SCHOOL PICK UP MESSAGES

It is important to ensure your child/ren are aware of afternoon pick up arrangements before leaving home in the morning. Please refrain from phoning Administration to pass a message onto your child as a reminder of where and who will be collecting them in the afternoons. 

We understand circumstances change throughout the day and there are times that this cannot be avoided, however please understand that this is both time consuming and disruptive to classroom learning.

CLASS CO-ORDINATORS ROLE

Each class is required to have a parent act as “Class Co-ordinator” for the Year.  This position can be shared among several parents to support each other in the role.  The role of the Class Co-ordinator is to:-

• Welcome new families to the Class by making contact with them within 1 week of arriving at Emmanuel.  Contact details are provided by the School Administration.
• Organising and inviting parents of children in class to a social function once per term/semester.
• Co-ordinating support for families in need.

Please contact your child's classroom teacher if you wish to volunteer for this role.

Amanda McDonald

Assistant Principal Administration

Strategic Priorities 2024

Playground Rules

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.

Sporting News

EMMANUEL SPORT SELECTION PROCESS

As outlined in previous newsletters, Mackay and District School Sport (MDSS) have made some significant changes to the nomination and selection process for school representative sport. In 2024, there will be fewer sub-district trials (Emmanuel is part of the Northern Suburbs (NS) Sub-district) and more nominations straight to MDSS trials. Please see below the process used at Emmanuel to select students to trial for MDSS / NS trials, and other sporting competitions. As explained in this process, any student who is unable to make an Emmanuel School Trial for genuine reasons, and who are clearly competent and very experienced in the sport,  are required to submit an Application for Sport Selection form. This is attached to this newsletter, and also available on Parent Lounge, for future reference.

UPCOMING TRIALS

MDSS RUGBY LEAGUE / TOUCH FOOTBALL TRIALS:

MDSS Touch Football - February 27

MDSS Rugby League Trials - March 8

All students who have expressed interest in trialling for the MDSS Touch Football or Rugby League team (10-12 year olds) please note that our Emmanuel School Trials have taken place today and will continue next week. It is important that students bring the correct equipment (shoes, sports uniform etc)  needed for these trials. Students who are trialling must be clearly confident and competent.

EMMANUEL SCHOOL TRIAL DATES: 

• Thursday 15/02 big lunch – Skills and Drills Trial for Rugby League and Touch Football
• Monday 19/02 big lunch – Touch Football Trials (Game Format)
• Tuesday 20/02 big lunch – Rugby Leage Trials (Game Format)
  

NORTHERN SUBURBS TRIAL - RUGBY LEAGUE:

We have been informed that there will be a Northern Suburbs Trial for 10, 11 and 12 years BOYS rugby league to take place on Friday 1 March 2024. Students who are successful at the Emmanuel Rugby League Sports Trials will receive further details on Tuesday. 

If you have any questions do not hesitate to speak to Mr. Dodson or Mrs. Bottcher

MACKAY DISTRICT SCHOOL SPORTS - FORMS AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION

The following Mackay District Sport forms are available for collection from Mrs Bottcher who will be in the Tuckshop area at Morning Tea. Nominations are due back to the SPORTS BOX in the LIBRARY by the due date with the levy payment.

* MDSS 10-19 yrs Boys and Girls SQUASH TRIALS (Due Monday 19 February) 

* Cap 10-19 yrs Boys and Girls GOLF TRIALS (Due Monday 11 March)

Students who wish to nominate should be clearly competent and have played a reasonable amount of the sport

Lisa Bottcher

HPE Teacher

Awards

Congratulations to the students pictured below who received a Principal's Award in Week 3.

School Choir

We are pleased to announce that School Choir will begin on Tuesday 27 February (Week 6) at Emmanuel for interested students in Years 3, 4, 5, and 6. Choir will take place in the Drama Room from 8am each TUESDAY morning. We welcome back Mrs Jan Whelan and Miss Meg McDonald and are pleased to welcome Miss Nicole Thomson to our Choir team. We sincerely thank these ladies for giving their time to our students to foster the love of Music in our school.  All students in Years 3 – 6 are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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 ONE SCHOOL FEE STATEMENTS

Term One School Fee Statements were emailed out on Tuesday 6 February and are due next week on the 20 February. You can also view your statements by logging into your Parent Lounge account. If you have not received your account, please contact the Finance Office immediately.

CONCESSION CARD DISCOUNTS

Do you hold a current means tested Health Care Card? If so you may be eligible to receive a concession on your Tuition Levy.  Please click on the link for the information sheet regarding Concession Card Discounts.

Notices

SCHOOL APP

Community News