Newsletter - 16 May 2024
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
Today I’d like to share with you some thoughts about the value of parent involvement in your child’s school. Positive parent participation demonstrates to children that you value learning as well as holding their school in high regard. In recent times it has been lovely to see the many parents who have been able to join us at our Friday assemblies. I thank you for taking the time to support these important school events.
If you want the best outcomes for your child, then it’s important that you become involved in as many aspects of your child’s education as practical. Whenever you join in the activities of our school community you are helping to break down the mystique about school that can exist. It communicates to your children that you value learning as well as their school. Children copy many of their parents’ views so your positive attitude to school and learning is catching.
Many primary schools, like Emmanuel, offer parents classroom and school opportunities such as rotation activities, art and craft work, reading with students, assisting with Multilit and Minilit, volunteering your services in the school tuckshop, being responsible for the second-hand uniform shop etc, however finding parents who are willing to take part in these activities is increasingly difficult. Participating as a parent can be much broader than helping out in the classroom. There is a range of simple things you can do at home that will assist teachers to maximise the learning of your child. These include talking with your child about their day, hearing young learners read, helping with homework and making sure kids go off to school happy, healthy and having had plenty of sleep.
Here are some more ideas to help you participate in your child’s education in positive ways:
- Find out what your school is trying to achieve for your child and show your support for its aims. Discover what sets your child’s school apart from others.
- Direct conversations through the correct channels such as your child’s teacher first, then the Principal. Gossip or thoughtless criticism within the general community can easily tarnish a school’s reputation.
- Become an advocate for your child’s school and promote its positive features throughout the wider community. Encourage your child to take pride in their school through your example.
- Attend school activities such as school Masses, prayer celebrations, concerts, sports events and other celebrations. Invite other members of the community along as well.
- Consult with your child’s teacher about practical ways that you can assist at school and at home.
Positive parent participation in school and learning is a proven contributor to student success. Let’s continue that great relationship staff and parents have here at Emmanuel throughout 2024.
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”
(Marcel Proust)
Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
COFFEE AND A CHAT
It was wonderful to catch up with parents for coffee and chat on Wednesday morning. Members of the SIT Team (School Improvement), who have been with us at Emmanuel this week, joined the fun and took the opportunity to speak with members of our community about our school. Our next coffee morning will be advertised via the newsletter and school app.
2025-2029 SCHOOL FEES COMMUNICATION PLAN
Dear Parents and Carers
Please find attached the first of a series of Advice pieces (included in last week’s Newsletter), developed to inform our Catholic Education families of the new Federal Government Funding model (Gonski model) and the impact on funding for Catholic Schools. Over the coming months, further Advice pieces will be shared, with each piece building on the detail of the previous. Please take the time to read each of the Advice pieces, to understand the impact of the changes on the funding for our school and School fees.
RE Matters
MARY MOTHER OF THE CHURCH
Mary was there from the very beginning, for the birth of Jesus and at the ‘birth’ of the Church.
The Monday after Pentecost is the Memorial Feast of The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. This feast day, instituted by Pope Francis, was announced and celebrated for the first time in 2018.
CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY
Last Friday, we gathered in the Marist Centre to pray for and thank God for the gift of mothers. Miss Rostirolla led our celebration, our students participated prayerfully, and Miss McDonald sang beautifully. A big thank you to all the mums and grandmothers who attended, and everyone who organised, set up for and contributed to this time of prayer.
It was great to see lots of mums at the Mother’s Day Picnic that followed our prayer celebration. We appreciate your participation and know that your child/ren loved having morning tea with you at school. There were all sorts of sweet and savoury treats shared and enjoyed.
LAUDATO SI’ WEEK
Laudato Si’ Week is a celebration of Pope Francis’s encyclical and a call to ‘Care for our Common Home.’
The theme this year is ‘Seeds of Hope.’ It encourages us to be seeds of hope in our lives and our world, and to be rooted in the Christian virtues of faith, hope and love.
FAMILIES HELPING FAMILIES
Each year Vinnies supports individual and families in our community who are in need. Unfortunately, with an increasing number of people seeking assistance, their stock of tinned and non-perishable foods is running very low. They have asked for our help. If you are able to assist Vinnies in their valuable work by contributing some of the needed food items, it would be very much appreciated. Donations can be dropped into the school office. They will be collected and distributed in the coming weeks. Many thanks in advance for your generosity and prayers.
FREE RICE CHALLENGE
This online quiz challenge, that rewards correct answers with donated rice, is an initiative of the United Nations World Food Programme. It is great to think that we can have fun, practise our skills, increase our knowledge and help to feed the hungry in our world at the same time. There are lots of different quiz categories. A great family activity.
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.
VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – CREATIVITY
“Creative people do not see things for what they are, they see them for what they can be.” (Unknown)
Creativity is the power of imagination. It is discovering your own special talents. Dare to see things in new ways and find different ways to solve problems. With your creativity, you can bring something new into the world. Creativity helps us to be all we are called to be.
“My dear young people, the Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity and the joy that is so characteristic of you.” (Pope Francis)
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
Oh, how I love the sky….
And moving through
The marvellous BLUE
NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 24th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.
Students will enjoy reading this book and completing activities during class time on Wednesday 22 May.
They are invited to add something blue (socks, ribbons, or shoe laces etc) to their uniform on Wednesday to celebrate the sharing of this book.
Janine Refalo
Assistant Principal Curriculum
APA News
SCHOOL PHOTOS
SIBLING PHOTOS – IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Parents who have ordered sibling photos are advised of a change in procedures to these photographs this year. Queensland School Photography schedule sibling photos before school on both photo days. Parents are encouraged to accompany your children to the sibling photos in the Marist Centre from 7:45am onwards.
Details are below:
Students with a surname A-L are to present in the Marist Centre on Tuesday 4 June.
Students with a surname M-Z are to present in the Marist Centre on Wednesday 5 June.
PEER SUPPORT
Each year our Year Six students are responsible for leading the Peer Support program. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to demonstrate leadership and act as positive role models to the younger students in the school.
Peer Support this year will focus on the important message of “Bullying – NO WAY!” Students will participate in activities that promote respect, understanding, fairness and inclusion. They will recognise what bullying is and isn’t; encourage others to behave assertively; practise showing empathy for others and examine ways to support their peers to be upstanders, not bystanders.
On Monday, our Year Six students participated in a training day which prepared them to lead the groups this year. Activities focused on teamwork, communication and leadership. We congratulate our Year Six students for a wonderful day where they showed great enthusiasm and a “Can-Do” attitude.
Peer Support will begin next MONDAY 20 May. The groups will run from 8:45am – 9:15am. It is important that students arrive on time for school, so they don’t miss the start of Peer Support.
Please support this valuable program by discussing the content of weekly activities with your children. Be sure to ask them about ways to stamp out bullying and how they enjoyed working in their group. We look forward to another successful year of Peer Support here at Emmanuel.
LATE ARRIVAL AT SCHOOL
Late arrival at school is a genuine problem for students. During the first ten minutes at school much work is done by teachers to orient students to the day ahead. Prayers are said and important instructions are issued. The Daily Bulletin is read to students and important notices on that Bulletin, including messages for individual students, regarding music lessons, sporting teams etc is read out. All classes read at the begining of the school day. Students who come late to school, miss this precious time and can find themselves in all sorts of trouble for not heeding these instructions. Late arrival at school ruins a student’s day and frustrates teachers. Of course, sometimes things happen and it can't be avoided and teachers have no problem with “one off” occasions. However, repeated late arrival at school is a serious issue for some students and affects their feelings about the day right from the beginning. Students who arrive late to school are to be signed in at the office by an adult as rolls are marked in the first few minutes of the day and attendance records sent to the office. Late arrivals need to have their records changed for the day.
Teachers who note a pattern of late arrivals will discuss it with the Principal and bring the matter to parents’ attention.
Repeated late arrival at school tells children that school is not important.
Parents are advised that when children are late, they (the parents) are to come to the office and sign them in / out via our electronic arrival / departure register.
WALK SAFELY TO SCHOOL DAY
A big thank you to all of our staff, students and parents who walked with us last Friday to participate in the Annual Walk Safely to School Day. Although the weather was dreary, the rain held off for the majority of the walk, allowing us to enjoy a brisk walk to school together. We sincerely thank Mackay Regional Council for providing us with some delicious snacks at the end of the journey, and also to Sgt Ross Dolan for ensuring we all made it to school safe and sound. Well done to all our walkers!
Amanda McDonald
Assistant Princiapl Administration
Strategic Priorities 2024
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
JOHN PAAP COMPETITION - WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
Emmanuel boys have been involved in the Wednesday afternoon school boys competition for four weeks. The boys remain undefeated with another great effort against Victoria Park SS. We are so proud of their efforts, team work and sportsmanship!
EMMANUEL SPORT SELECTION PROCESS
Lisa Bottcher
HPE Teacher
Around the School
ART CLUB
Every Tuesday at Emmaneul we welcome Year 1 and Prep students into the Year 6T classroom to create chosen pieces of artwork. This club offers the opportunity for our youngest students to explore a variety of creative activities under the careful guidance of some very helpful Year Six leaders. So far, art club members have made an ANZAC poppy, mother's day artwork and will be working on creating Chinese lanters. Our Year Six students welcome new members each week!
A very special thank you to Abigail, Zoe, Brooklyn, Harper and Anaya for creating and managing this club! We are very proud of your efforts girls!
Brooke Tomkinson
Year 6 Teacher
BOOKFAIR 2024
Tomorrow, is the final day of our Scholastic Book Fair. The library will be open from 8am - 1:30pm.
You and your child will have the opportunity to explore a huge range of afforable books featuring characters and subject's children love and want to read about. From newly released books and bestsellers to award-winning titles and perennial favourites.
This is also a great way for you to learn about and discuss your child's interests, and every book sold benefits our school, adding resources to our library and classrooms.
Scholastic Book Fairs help us show students the wonder of reading. After all, when children choose their own books, they will be more excited to read, and they will naturally read more.
School Choir
Finance
TERM 2 SCHOOL FEES - OVERDUE
Term 2 School Fee Statements were emailed out on Monday 22 April and fees are now OVERDUE. 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
SAFETY ISSUE – MACKAY BUCASIA ROAD
Parents who park in the parkland along Baxter Drive (ie: the grassed area opposite the Emmanuel Bus Stop) are asked to ensure they DO NOT enter or exit this area via Mackay Bucasia Road. We have been advised by Queensland Department of Transport that this is a significant safety issue and we ask that this practice does not continue. Mackay City Council have advised us that this area should not be utilised for parking in the morning or afternoon and that all vehicles need to park within the designated areas assigned for parking purposes outside Emmanuel Catholic Primary School and Holy Spirit College.
We appreciate and understand that there are considerable parking issues across both campuses, but would like to take this opportunity to remind parents that the preferred drop-off / pick-up site for Emmanuel students is the STOP, DROP, GO area, and parents are strongly encouraged to use this facility. Students are supervised until 3.30pm allowing for parents to delay pick-up of students so as to ensure a smooth flow of traffic within a timely manner. We thankyou for your assistance and cooperation in ensuring all members of our school community experience a safe and stress-free arrival to and departure from school.
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
