Newsletter - 2 May 2024

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

Below is an extract from a speech given by Christian Tsoutsouvas, when he was a 13 year old student, to the Year 7 and  8 classes of his school.  Christian has Asperger’s Syndrome and this speech is perhaps one of the bravest things I have ever heard of a student doing in a school.

“When I am walking alone through the school yard, I notice that many people start doing things such as pointing and laughing at me and talking to me as though I am 3 years old.  I don’t know – although I would like to – whether it is just plain immature behaviour on their part or if there’s something about me that appears odd to those who don’t know me.  I don’t want to embarrass those people by mentioning their names up here, but if any of you are in this room, do tell me privately if you think I’m an alien.  I will not be offended after all the names I have been called in the past, but I would like to know.  If not, I ask those people to please be more polite.”

Christian gave this speech because of the bullying he was experiencing and the way he was being made to  feel disconnected from his school by a group of students.  To do this as a young adolescent took an amazing amount of courage and certainly placed this student at risk of further harm and intimidation.  The bullying stopped.

We are all different and I would wager that most of us at one time or another can remember feeling alienated.  Perhaps not to the extent of Christian but to an extent where we did not feel we belonged or that we did not fit in with the others around us.  Christian performed an extraordinary act of courage to change his situation however I don’t think that would be possible for all of us.

Schools have in place policies and practices which are intended to keep all students safe and make sure they do not experience intimidation and bullying.  To the best of their ability, schools adhere to these policies and for the most part children are safe and feel connected.  Schools can have all the policies, slogans and programs to try and get all those in the community to treat each other with respect and dignity but they cannot watch and intervene with every interaction that happens in schools.

We work hard to develop students who have empathy with others and treat others as they would like to be treated without supervision or intervention.  We use Jesus as an example to our students and we hope that the Christian values of our Catholic Church are foremost in our student’s minds when they make decisions.  In short, we endeavour to lead our community to be responsible Christian people who interact respectfully with each other.

“Let us love, not in word or speech but in truth and action.”  (1 John 3:18)

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal  

RE Matters

THREE HAIRS – A REFLECTION

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today." So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.

"H-M-M, " she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today." So she did and she had a fabulous day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.

"Well," she said, "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a ponytail."  So she did and she had a great day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEAH!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"

(Unknown)

I read this story to a teenager I know and asked him what he thought it meant. This is what he said.

It is about being grateful, being happy with what you have and not wishing for more. You have to make the most of what you have, accept the things you cannot change and choose to be positive. It’s about life.

 What does it say to you?

MJR – MAKING JESUS REAL AT HOME AND SCHOOL

MJR emphasises the spirituality of the everyday, so lots of the things we do each day and week are Making Jesus Real in the world today.

We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can control what we think about it and how we respond to it! We can choose to be cooperative, considerate and kind or we can sulk, complain and blame others.

YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR ATTITUDE!

What will you do this week to Make Jesus Real in your home, workplace and community?

VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – POSITIVITY

Believe you can and you're halfway there. (Theodore Roosevelt)  

Positivity is being happy and good-natured.  It is having a confident and optimistic frame of mind. When we are positive, we enjoy the present moment and don’t worry about the future. We focus on doing and achieving and not on difficulties or failure. A positive attitude is one of joy, love and inspiration.

The most important thing you will ever wear is your attitude.” (Jeff Moore)  

MAY – MONTH OF MARY

FROM MARY we learn to surrender to God’s will in all things.

FROM MARY we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone.

FROM MARY we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God!

(Pope Saint John Paul II)

When I was at school we prayed ‘The Angelus’ every day. The Angelus bell would ring at noon and we would stand for prayer. The Angelus is based on the Annunciation story. It recalls that Mary said ‘Yes!” to God, that she agreed to be the mother of Jesus. Mary was scared and unsure, but she trusted God and answered His call.

Traditionally this devotion was repeated three times a day and gave ordinary people the opportunity to sanctify their everyday lives with regular pauses for prayer.

The Angelus (Traditional) 

CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY

On Friday 10 May, we will gather to celebrate, pray for and thank God for our mothers at a special prayer celebration in the Marist Centre at 9:30am. 

After our time of prayer, all mums are welcome to share a picnic morning tea with their children.  This will take place in the playground between the library and Year Two/Prep building at 10:30am. Please bring a chair or rug and morning tea to share with your child/ren. We look forward to welcoming as many mums as possible.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Students enrolled in the parish Sacramental Program will be confirmed by Bishop Michael McCarthy and receive Eucharist for the first time in June. Please continue to pray for all of these students and their families as they complete their preparation and receive the sacraments.

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

Curriculum Corner

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Janine Refalo

Assistant Principal Curriculum

APA News

NATIONAL WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY - Friday 10 May

The annual Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is a day when all primary school children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school.  This event will be held throughout Australia next FRIDAY 10 MAY.

As in previous years, Emmanuel students, staff, parents and friends are invited to participate in WSTSD by assembling in Tolcher Street park from 7.45am on FRIDAY 10 MAY.  From this point, at about 8.00am, police will ensure the safe crossing of Tolcher Street and Arthur Street, walking to the intersection of Phillip Street and Bucasia Road, then along the walkway running parallel to Bucasia Road.  The group will cross Baxter Drive at the supervised crossing, arriving at school by the first bell at 8.25am.

One of the many aims of the Pedestrian Council of Australia is to promote the health benefits of walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age. Please note that NO CHILD will be able to leave the school grounds on Friday morning to join the walk – parents are asked to drop students at the Tolcher Street park to meet teachers on Friday morning. Parents are most welcome to walk with us as well.  An added bonus is a shared breakfast which will be held as we enter the schoolgrounds after our walk.  A big thankyou to Mackay Regional Council for sponsoring this initiative.

For catering purposes, we ask that you register via the link below:

Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing many members of our school community walking with us next Friday.

UNIFORM IN COLD WEATHER 

With the cooler weather upon us, a reminder that the Emmanuel School jumper is to be worn.  The Uniform Shop has a large number of second hand jumpers for sale if you wish to purchase this item of clothing. Our Uniform Shop is open on Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30pm – 3:00pm.

SAVE THE DATE

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Tuesday 4 June and Wednesday 5 June

More information on how to order School Photos are to be advised

Amanda McDonald

Assistant Princiapl Administration

Strategic Priorities 2024

Strategic Planning and Improvement

Pastoral Support and Wellbeing is part of continual planning and reflection each day.  However, to ensure targeted and purposeful improvement is achieved, it is important to identify an area of focus in this domain.  Currently the Strategic Priority is “Students to be self-directed learners”.  The annual goal that assists us to achieve our ongoing strategic priority is “To develop and refine whole school practices to support student engagement, wellbeing and learning.”

To ensure student outcomes improve because of this planned strategic focus the following student target has been developed “By the end of 2024, students will develop a collective understanding of “Ready to Learn” scales and plans”. 

Strategies implemented in Semester 1 to work toward achieving our Pastoral Support and Wellbeing Strategic Priority; Goal and Target are:

• Trauma Informed Education professional development for teachers and teacher assistants
• Development of whole school expectations developed for Ready to Learn scales and plans
• Wellbeing Teaching and Learning focus group
• Ready to Learn Scales routines embedded in classrooms and explicit teaching to support new routine

From our Counsellor

MAY IS DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

What domestic violence means to you will depend on your life experiences.

Unfortunately, the prevalence of domestic violence means you are likely to know someone who has or is experiencing domestic violence.

Domestic violence is often misunderstood as a physical act of assault perpetrated by one partner towards another. This is not the case. Domestic violence can also include coercive control, stalking and harassment, and other forms of abuse.

For more information, click on the link below:

The Domestic Violence Resource Service (DVRS) is Mackay’s specialist service in this area. The women who work there can provide support with safety planning and advice, security upgrades, counselling for women and children, and support to safely exit a domestic violence relationship.

Uniting Care (ph: 1300 096 203) provide a program, to help males using abuse to change their pattern of behaviour and become the partner/ father they want to be.

If you, or someone you know needs help because of Domestic Violence, you can call DV Connect on 1800 811 811 (24/7), 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 (24/7) or our local DVRS on 4953 1788 (8:30am- 4:30pm, weekdays).

If you’d like further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me via the schools' details.

Hayley Francis

School Counsellor

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

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL - SAVE THE DATE

MACKAY DISTRICT FORMS AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION

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

• MDSS 10-12yrs Boys and Girls SOFTBALL (DUE Tuesday 7 May)
  

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

Around the School

P & F News

Our P&F Association will be running a Mother’s Day Stall on Wednesday 8 May. 

There will be a variety of gifts available, and they will range in price from $3 to $10 (one gift per child). 

It should be lots of fun! The students always love shopping at the stall for their mums.

Why not give your child/ren a job so they can earn the money to buy a gift?

Awards

Congratulations to the students pictured below who received a Virtue Voucher in Week 2.

School Choir

Finance

TERM 2 SCHOOL FEE STATEMENTS

Term 2 School Fee Statements were emailed out on Monday 22 April and are due on Tuesday 7 May. 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.

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.

Notices

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