Newsletter - 21 March 2024

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

(The following is an excerpt from the book “Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Author: Carol McCloud and Illustrated by David Messing.  It is a guide to daily happiness for Kids and thought that I would share it  with you.)

All day long, everyone in the whole world walks around carrying an invisible bucket. You can’t see it, but it’s there. You have a bucket. Each member of your family has a bucket. Everyone carries an invisible bucket.

Its purpose is to hold your good thoughts and good feelings about yourself. You feel very happy and good when our bucket is empty. Other people feel the same way, too.

It’s great to have a full bucket and this is how it works; You need other people to fill your bucket and other people need you to fill theirs.

So, how do you fill a bucket?

You fill a bucket when you show love to someone, when you say or do something kind, or even when you give someone a smile.  That’s being a bucket filler. A bucket filler is a loving, caring person who says or does nice things that make others feel special.  When you make someone feel special, you are filling a bucket.

But, you can also dip into a bucket and take out some good feelings. You dip into bucket when you say or do mean things, or even when you ignore someone. That’s being a bucket dipper. A bully is a bucket dipper. A bucket dipper says or does mean things that make others feel bad.

Many bucket dippers have an empty bucket. They think they can fill their own bucket by dipping into someone else’s…. but that will never work. You never fill your own bucket when you dip into someone else’s, but guess what…. when you fill someone’s bucket, you fill your own bucket too!  You feel good when you help others feel good.

All day long, we are either filling up or dipping into each other’s buckets by what we say and what we do.  You love your Mum and Dad.  Why not tell them you love them?  Your caring words will fill their buckets right up.  Watch for smiles to light up their faces.  You will feel like smiling too.  A smile is a great bucket filler.  Just remember that everyone carries an invisible bucket, and think of what you can say or do to fill it.

Here are some ideas for you.  You could smile and say “Hi!” to the bus driver.  He has a bucket too.  You could invite the new kid at school to play with you.  You could write a thank-you note to your teacher.  There are many ways to fill a bucket.  Bucket filling is fun.

When you’re a bucket filler, you make your home, your school and your neighbourhood a better place to be.  Bucket filling makes everyone feel good.

At the end of each day, ask yourself, “Did I fill a bucket today?”

Wishing you God’s blessings throughout the Lenten Season,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal  

RE Matters

THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS - A REFLECTION

A young man who had been raised in a family of non-believers was training to be an Olympic diver. The only thing he knew about religion came from an outspoken friend who was a Christian. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.

One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended to train. The lights were all off, but as the pool had large skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by.

The young man climbed up to the highest diving board.  He stood on the edge of the board and turned his back to the pool. As he stretched his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body in the shape of a cross.

Instead of diving, he knelt down and asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs.

(Author Unknown)

CELEBRATING WITH OUR PARISH

We have been invited to participate in the ministries at the Children’s Mass which will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Church on Sunday 24 March at 9:00am. It is Palm Sunday, and we are looking for students to read, bring forward the gifts, sing in the choir and wave palms. It would be great to see those involved in the Sacramental Program participating. Members of the School Choir are encouraged to attend.  All students, families and staff welcome.

We will be sitting near the organ. Please bring a small palm to wave.

MARY SAID ‘YES’

On Monday 25 March we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. On this day we remember that Mary opened her heart completely to the Divine Presence, that she agreed to be the mother of Jesus. She put her life entirely into the hands of God saying, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.” Doing this changed her life, and ours, forever.

How can you say ‘YES’ to God today?

HOLY WEEK

Holy Week, which precedes the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, is the most important week of the church year. It starts on Palm Sunday, sometimes called Passion Sunday, and continues through Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday.  During Holy Week we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, last supper, agony in the garden, betrayal, passion and death on the cross. We remember that Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb. The week that begins in celebration ends in despair. It is not until Easter Sunday that we rejoice in and recall Jesus’ resurrection.

LENTEN CHALLENGE

TAPITAS been lots of fun and an AMAZING success! Students have bought lots of water drops and parents have reported that their children have been doing lots of jobs at home to earn the money to buy them.

The winner of the special TAPITAS themed YETI water bottle will be announced at Assembly tomorrow. The YETI water bottle has been engraved and very kindly donated by JAFFADILLS – Unique Laser Designs & Engraving. We thank them for their clever design and support of our TAPITAS Lenten Challenge, and look forward to finding out who will win this fabulous prize.

The class that have bought the most waterdrop tokens and raised the most money will lead the school in a special dance at Assembly tomorrow.

Raffle – TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST!

Students are encouraged to buy tickets in our water themed Project Compassion Easter raffle. This is a multi-draw raffle with several AMAZING prizes. All money raised will be added to our TAPITAS total. Our Year Six leaders will be selling the tickets before school and at lunchtime each day.

Tickets are 50 cents each or three for $1.00. The raffle will be drawn in the last week of school.

A big THANK YOU to our staff who have donated the prizes, which include rubber ducks, water blasters, water toys, pool rings, Easter treats and lots more.

TIME TO SWITCH OFF

Tomorrow we will take part in World Earth Hour’s school event. Lights, screens and all devices will be turned off in classrooms between 2:00pm and 3:00pm. In joining this action, we promote the care of our planet, reduce the use of energy and walk in solidarity with our with our brothers and sisters around the world who do not have electricity. This is in line with the Pope’s encyclical Laudato Si and Catholic Social Teachings.

You might like to consider participating in Saturday night’s Earth Hour from 8:30pm. Together we can make a difference.

To find out more about Earth Hour go to: 

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Please continue to pray for our students who are enrolled in the parish Sacramental Program. Some of them will be Baptised during the Easter celebrations, while others will be confirmed by Bishop Michael McCarthy and receive Eucharist for the first time in June.

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.

HOLY WEEK IN OUR PARISH CHURCHES

It would be wonderful if your family could experience the richness of the Holy Week and Easter liturgies in our parish churches this year.

Second Rite of Reconciliation will be celebrated at St Joseph’s Church on Tuesday 26th March at 5.30pm. This time of prayer will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and conclude with Benediction.

VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – LOVE

Love is at the centre of our being.  It is the vital force that gives us energy and direction.  It connects one heart with another. Love is cherishing others. Love thrives on acceptance and appreciation.  It has the power to heal.  You show love in a smile, a kind word, a thoughtful act or a hug. Love is contagious. Pass it on.

“Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth.  Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.”  (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Curriculum Corner

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS 2024

Janine Refalo

Assistant Principal Curriculum

APA News

Strategic Priorities 2024

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

FUTSAL COMPETITION

Futsal teams for the Term 2 competition have now been formed.  Letters regarding teams / details have been sent home today.

MACKAY DISTRICT SCHOOL SPORTS - FORMS AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION

For students who have been given Mackay District Sport forms please be aware that nominations are due back to the SPORTS BOX in the LIBRARY by the due date with the levy payment.

• MDSS 10-12yrs Girls FOOTBALL (soccer) (DUE Monday 25^th March)
• MDSS 11-12yrs Boys and Girls RUGBY UNION (DUE Friday 19^th April) 

Students who wish to nominate should be clearly competent and have played a reasonable amount of the sport. Due to MDSS restrictions, there will need to be a school trial for some sports. Please see Mrs Bottcher for more information.

EMMANUEL SPORT SELECTION PROCESS

Lisa Bottcher

HPE Teacher

From our Counsellor

Emmanuel Catholic Primary School is running Seasons for Growth; a group wellbeing programme in Term 2 and is now accepting referrals for this programme. 

Groups will be made up of up to 7 children, a further group may occur in Term 3 depending on demand.

If you would like your child to participate in this programme, please contact your class teacher or school counsellor, Hayley Francis; Hayley_Francis@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Hayley Francis

School Counsellor

School Choir

Vacation Care

Please see the Vacation Care Plan for the Easter Holidays in the image below:

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 28 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

Hi parents/guardians!

I am Chelsea Jansen, Instrumental Strings Tutor, teaching Violin and also teach the Cello. I would love for you to consider your child learning strings at Emmanuel with me and help us grow a string community at the school. I have 10 years teaching experience at local Catholic Education schools, conducting school string ensembles, am a performer with extensive performance experience and studying at the Conservatorium of Music. I provide my students with a tailored-approach learning experience and expose students to a wide variety of music with a passion for developing their music skills whether for specific goals or purely fun and enjoyment. I offer both private and group lesson options (groups only subject to availability). For enquiries and further information, please contact me on 040 223 1740 or email chelsea.jansen@outlook.com. As soon as an instrument is organised (I will help you with this), students can have an immediate start!

Community News