Newsletter - 22 February 2024

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

“It takes a whole village to raise a child…”

(African proverb).

Villages/Communities/Schools need a variety of people with a broad range of ideas and talents to be successful. Just imagine the chaos if your rubbish wasn’t collected each week, or if the milkman wasn’t able to deliver the milk, or if all of our teachers stayed in the staffroom drinking coffee each and every day. Equally the most productive communities are the ones that work collaboratively as opposed to working as individuals.

When collaboration is “done well” everyone benefits and everyone wins. Just watch ants or bees build their communities. They rely on one another to create, collect and construct. When I think of our school I know there are a broad range of staff with a vast range of talents in many different areas. Each one of us relies on each of us to provide the best possible conditions for student learning. If we work in isolation we are far less effective than when we collaborate. Just as importantly we need parental support and ideas to enable the children of Emmanuel to have the role models that motivate and inspire their learning.  When we do this well our children will sense a comfortable and uplifting atmosphere and environment that allows them to be relaxed and optimistic about life. Our children might even agree with the comment, “Your actions speak so loudly, I can’t even hear what you are saying.” (Author Unknown).

We are indeed indebted to the parents, grandparents and friends who consistently volunteer their time, wisdom and energy to contribute by helping out within our school community. People who contribute to the common good of our community strengthen our school. Our children are the beneficiaries of your support. Schools should be an extension of your families. Schools should be places where children are able to be challenged, learn from others, learn about themselves, learn about the world and understand that they are a part of the world that they can contribute to. Schools are more effective when many people make contributions to children’s education.

The staff of Emmanuel aspire to provide the students with the best possible learning opportunities. Our teachers spend many hours planning, reflecting and preparing for our children. Teaching is not a 9.00am – 3.00pm job. There are so many additional responsibilities, meetings and preparations that are required of everyone. Our teachers don’t always get things right, but they will always strive to provide the best possible Catholic education for the students in their care. Regardless of their position within our school, all our staff are valued for their contribution to our school community.

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal  

MEET AND GREET

It was great to see lots of families popping in to classrooms, meeting with our staff and enjoying a sausage sizzle at our Meet and Greet on Thursday.  A big THANK YOU to our teachers for opening their classrooms and the P&F for organising the food and drinks. There were lots of smiles and happy students, parents and staff enjoying this time together.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 14

Next

RE Matters

PUT ON LOVE – A PRAYER

In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our choices, to pray more deeply, to experience sorrow for what we've done and failed to do, to become aware of the needs of others, to be generous in our support of those around us and to love one another as God loves us.

God, You gave us your son, Jesus, the perfect model of a loving life.

Teach us to see the world through his eyes;

To reach out to one another with his hands;

And to walk the path of justice with his feet.

Amen

LENTEN CHALLEGE

Around the world, over 2.2 billion people (one in three of us) do not have access to clean safe drinking water, while over 40% of the world’s population is affected by water scarcity.

In recent years, our Lenten Challenges have included ‘CHICKS FOR CAMBODIA’, ‘ANIMALS FOR OTHERS’ 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 do a job at home to earn the money needed to buy waterdrop tokens 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.

Students who buy waterdrops will receive a ticket, for each dollar spent, in a special TAPITAS themed YETI water bottle raffle. The prize will be drawn at the end of this Lenten Challenge.

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

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.

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

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Please pray for our students who are enrolled in the parish Sacramental Program. 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.

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 - COMPASSION

Compassion is noticing when someone is hurt or in need of a friend. It is feeling empathy for the pain of others. When you reach out to those in need or refrain from judging, you practise compassion. Our compassionate presence helps others to know that they are not alone, that they are valued and understood.

“Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the lives of others.”

(St Teresa of Calcutta)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Curriculum Corner

NAPLAN ONLINE DATES

Please see below the dates and times during which Year 3 and Year 5 students will be participating in NAPLAN Online:

Please Note: Year 3 WRITING remains a paper based test.

NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN tests are not pass/fail tests. At the classroom level, it is one of a number of important tools used by teachers to measure student progress.

In preparation for NAPLAN Online, students across all year levels are engaged in technology lessons and are exposed to the knowledge and skills required for successful participation in each of the components of NAPLAN, Writing; Numeracy; Reading and Grammar.

This year a Public Demonstration Site is available and will continue to be updated so as parents can assist their children to prepare for NAPLAN Online at home.  The site includes FAQ’s; Parent Information and Practice Tests.  If you are interested in looking at this site please follow the link provided.

The NAPLAN Online Practice Test will be conducted at Emmanuel on Wednesday 6 March (Week 7).  This is an excellent opportunity to fine tune any technical and logistical issues, as well as familiarise students and teachers with the online testing process prior to the official NAPLAN Testing Window.  The practice test is not an assessment of student knowledge and there will be no reporting of student results. Year 3 and Year 5 students are not being tested at this time, they are operating our technology devices to ensure the school’s technical capabilities and the NAPLAN Online Platform are ready in preparation for NAPLAN Online later in the Term.

Janine Refalo

Assistant Principal Curriculum

APA News

TIK-TOK USE

We would like to take this opportunity to remind parents of some key messages regarding Tik-Tok, and the use of this online platform.  We have recently dealt with some issues at a school level, and would strongly encourage parents to read the information in the following link, provided from the e-Safety Commissioner, if their child is using (or considering downloading) this app.

INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY FORM (ICT)

PREP - VISION SCREENING

The Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program will be screening (student's with consent) on Wednesday 17 April 2024. It is a Queensland Government service that offers Free Vision Screening to all children enrolled in Prep. Vision screening checks for common eye conditions which may affect your child's ability to see, learn and develop.

The following video explains the benefits of having your Prep child’s vision screened- “What is Prep Vision Screening?” 

For further information contact the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program on 1800 687 372.

Online consent will close Friday 8 March 2024

Amanda McDonald

Assistant Principal Administration

Strategic Priorities 2024

SCHOOL PRIORITIES AND GOALS

As mentioned in a previous Newsletter, each week a School Goal that aligns with the 2024 – 2026 School Priorities will be unpacked. This week’s goal is linked to the first of the four strategic planning domains identified by the Catholic Education Office, Rockhampton Diocese, which is, Catholic Identity.

1.1 Continue to strive and maintain Emmanuel as a dialogue school.

Goal for 2024: To move students from literal understandings to a post critical (symbolic) belief.

Various strategies will be implemented across the year to achieve this goal, with a focus on Professional Development for teachers in Term 1. 

During the January Pupil Free Week, Kristin Honeyball (Catholic Education Diocese Rockhampton) joined the Emmanuel CPS staff for a Universe Walk and workshop that focused on Science and Religion. The session began with a ‘science/history’ walk through the milestones of creation, continued through significant events (religious, cultural and social) and left us open to the ongoing evolution of the story, and wondering ‘What comes next?’ We reflected on the power and creativity of God and their place in an ever evolving and changing story. We were surprised and thrilled to find out that the first person to propose ‘The Big Bang’ was in fact a Jesuit priest who loved science and was awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics. Discussion about the Church’s position on evolution, The Bible and the teachings of Jesus followed. Kristin used the ‘Universe Walk’ as a springboard to revisit the ECSI Scales, review the RE Triangle, practise dialogue and to look at the role of recontextualisation in Catholic Schools today.

A very big thank you to Kristin for an interesting, engaging and thought-provoking workshop. Everyone loved it!  Here is what some of the staff had to say:

I thought Kristen’s PD was really interesting and informative. I love that it was a practical session and all participants got to be involved by either reading, walking and/or lighting the candles. This made it really engaging and memorable. The Universe Walk activity was relevant to our work on PCB and can be adapted to use in the classroom for both Religion and Science. I found Kristen to be a very engaging speaker. She was easy to listen to and very open to questions and comments.  

Great workshop! The Universe Walk was very interesting, engaging and a source of reflection.  It provided us with a great starting point for the discussions about Science and Religion which followed it.

 Universe Walk - A wonderful way to reflect on Science and Religion.

Creation – A story of faith and science.  No need to choose! I found the science of creation interesting and loved that it was a Catholic priest who first discussed the Big Bang Theory. Loved the Universe Walk! Thank you, Kristin.

Lots of students, and some adults I know, ask about the truth of The Bible and scientific fact. I have always had trouble knowing what to say. I don’t want to say the wrong thing. Kristin explained that you don’t have to choose. (faith and science not faith or science). This workshop was great!

I really appreciated that Kristin led us on the ‘walk’ and then gave us time to reflect on what it means for me. It was thought provoking and made me appreciate the power and creativity of God.

The Bible is not science and never has been.  It is a ‘story’ of love and faith. Science deals in ‘facts’, but they change too.  Context is important - how, what, why, when and who for?  Thanks Kristin.  Loved it!

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 and NS  RUGBY LEAGUE / TOUCH FOOTBALL TRIALS:

MDSS Touch Football - 27 February 

MDSS Rugby League Trials - 8 March 

NS Rugby League Trials - 1 March 

NORTHERN SUBURBS / MACKAY DISTRICT SCHOOL SPORTS - FORMS AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION

The following Mackay District Sport forms are available for collection from Mrs Bottcher. Nominations are due back to the SPORTS BOX in the LIBRARY by the due date with the levy payment.

• Northern Suburbs 10-12 years Boys FOOTBALL TRIALS (soccer) (Due Wednesday 6 March)
• Northern Suburbs Cross Country for students born 2014, 2013, 2012 (Due Thursday 7 March)
• Cap 10-19 yrs Boys and Girls GOLF TRIALS (Due Monday 11 March)
• MDSS 10-12yrs Boys and Girls HOCKEY TRIALS (Due Monday 11 March)
• MDSS 10-12 yrs Boys and Girls TENNIS TRIALS (Due Monday 11 March) 

Students seeking nomination must be of a high standard and have played a reasonable amount of the sport. These trials will be highly competitive.

Lisa Bottcher

HPE Teacher

Around the School

SPORTS FUN AT HSC

This week some of our students have enjoyed sporting activities and games organised by Holy Spirit College students as part of their assessment. We thank them for organising and sharing this fun with our students.

School Choir

We are pleased to announce that School Choir will begin next week 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 1 SCHOOL FEES - OVERDUE

Term 1 School Fees are now overdue.  We would like to thank those families who have paid their account.  However, if you have not paid, it would be appreciated if you could do so immediately.  (This does not apply to those families who have a Direct Debit authority/payment plan in place).   If you have not set up a direct debit authority with us and wish to do so, or if you are experiencing difficulties, 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

Prep enrolment details for 2025 are NOW required from our existing families. If you have a child due to commence Prep next year - born between July 1 2019 and June 30 2020 – you are asked to complete an ONLINE enrolment form available from the school website (link in button below) by Thursday 29 March. It is essential that we have our current families accounted for so as to determine how many positions may be offered to new families seeking enrolment.  If you have any queries or concerns in regards to this process, we ask that you contact the office. ALL ENROLMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE. Once enrolment applications have been received and processed by our Administration staff, you will be notified of an interview time around Term 3.

SCHOOL APP

Community News