Newsletter - 11 July 2024

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to school and to the start of a new term.  Isn’t it great to be back!  The holidays have been enjoyed and appreciated by everyone and there are lots of refreshed teachers enthusiastically back at school.  It was a pleasure to catch up with the students earlier in the week and hear just how many of them are pleased to be back at school. 

A quick look at the Term 3 calendar would suggest that we will be busy once again and as usual there are numerous activities planned for what will be an exciting ten weeks ahead.  We look forward to such highlights as Challenge Cup, Northern Suburbs Athletics Carnival, NAIDOC Mass and celebrations, Catholic Education Week, Feast Day Celebrations, Dance Fever, Father’s Day Prayer Celebration, to name just a few. 

This term we welcome Krystle Maguire from Central Queensland University who is completing her final Practicum and Internship before entering the workforce as a registered teacher.  We wish her all the very best in her chosen vocation and are sure that she will experience many enriching and wonderful moments over the coming weeks.

This week the Mackay community celebrates NAIDOC Week.  As a school community let us take the time to remember the history and culture of our beautiful country, Australia.  NAIDOC Week does not mean that we only celebrate and recognize our past for one week in a year.  This must be integrated and incorporated into all that we do as it does not stand in isolation.  Through the sharing and passing down of stories, we gain an appreciation and knowledge, as we acknowledge and develop an understanding of the past.

I wish everyone in our school community a tremendous term ahead in which we can all live out our motto: “God With Us.”

SOMETHING TO REFLECT ON  

From Meditations for Parents Who Do Too Much

If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.  (Rachel Carson)

Parents who do too much may try to do more for their children than there are hours in the day.  As a result, we end up depleted and frustrated and may feel as if we have failed.  The day begins with lists and wishes.  It ends with more lists and unfulfilled wishes. 

Our children need us as more than just “doers.”  If all we do is drive them to lessons, prepare them the healthiest snacks, buy them the latest toys, we are missing the point.  What our children need from us is our companionship.  If we forget this we will lose more than just hours in a day.

Lord, I will try to take time out today to rediscover what it is to be a child.  If I restore my sense of wonder, I may replenish my spirit and give my child a great gift.

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,

Geraldine Rostirolla

Principal  

SPIRIT OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION AWARDS

The Spirit of Catholic Education Awards are presented annually to recognise individuals or teams making an outstanding contribution to Catholic education in Queensland. We are delighted to announce that JAN WHELAN OAM, is the 2024 Spirit of Catholic Education Awardee for the Rockhampton Diocese.

Jan is a very special part of our Emmanuel family. Her long standing and ongoing commitment to and support of the liturgical and cultural life of our school is very much valued and appreciated. She willingly and generously shares the gift of herself and her fabulous musical talents with all of us.

 A very big CONGRATULATIONS to Jan on this very well deserved nomination and award.

Learn more about Jan's achievements at https://catholiceducationweek.com.au/catholic.../soceawards/

At Chapel Mass this morning we had a surprise visit from Fr Stephen Hanly. He has returned from Ireland and we hope to see him back at Emmanuel soon.

SCHOOL FEE ADVICE #3

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please find attached Advice #3, developed to inform our Catholic Education families of the new Federal Government Funding model (Gonski model) and the impact on School Fees for Catholic Schools. Advice #3 outlines the direct nexus between the Federal Government means-tested Capacity to Contribute of each school and School Fees. It also provides the CEDR School Funding Guiding Principles that inform the development of the new CEDR Adapted Cluster School Fee model, that will commence from 2025.

RE Matters

LIFE IS A GIFT - REFLECTION

NAIDOC WEEK 2024

Catholic Schools NAIDOC Mass: Tuesday 16 July

Catholic Education Week: 21-27 July

Feast Day Prayer Celebration: Friday 2 August

Beach Day: Friday 9 August

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK (21-27 July)

Catholic Education Week will be celebrated across Queensland 21-27 July this year. This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day.

The 2024 theme is ‘Communities of Faith, Hope and Love.’

Catholic Education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.

The Diocesan Catholic Education Week Mass, with Bishop Michael presiding, will be live streamed from St Joseph’s Cathedral Rockhampton on Thursday 24 July at 12 noon.

At Emmanuel we will be celebrating Catholic Education Week with a number of activities. Be sure to join us on Wednesday 24 July for our COFFEE & CHAT (7:30am-8:30am), Grandparent’s Prayer Celebration (9:30am) and Family Picnic Morning Tea (10:30pm). 

DANIEL MORCOMBE CHILD SAFETY CURRICULUM

Throughout this term, our school will be implementing the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum with students in all year levels. The curriculum is based on principles of best practice in child safety education and centres around three key messages: Recognise, React and Report. Through a series of lessons, students will learn how to recognise, react and report when they are unsafe or find themselves in situations that can have a significant detrimental effect on their physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing.

Recognise

The focus of lessons in all classrooms next week will be RECOGNISE - the first key safety message of the curriculum. Recognise is about being aware of your environment. Children, young people and adults can all learn to take notice of what is happening around them to help keep themselves safe. Everyone can use clues, such as the things we see, hear, smell or feel to help protect us from harm and keep ourselves safe. Clues can be simple things that warn us about a danger, like hearing a fire alarm or seeing smoke, that prompt us to react. We can also use clues to prepare for potentially unsafe situations.

When we recognise that there might be a safety problem, we can take steps to move away or reduce the risk or develop strategies that can help keep us safe.

It is important that the key safety messages of the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum: Recognise, React and Report are reinforced, both at school and home. I encourage you, wherever possible, to talk with your child about safety to help them stay safe now and in the future.

Information about the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum can be found at:

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.

Please Note: Weekend Mass at St Brigid’s Farleigh returns to Saturdays at 6:00pm.

VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – ENTHUSIASM

Enthusiasm is being cheerful, happy and full of spirit. It is doing something wholeheartedly, with zeal and eagerness – giving 100% to what you do. Being enthusiastic is being excited about something, looking forward to something. When you are enthusiastic, you have a positive attitude and people like to be around you. Enthusiasm makes life more enjoyable.

“Enthusiasm is the match that lights the candle of achievement.” (William Arthur Boyd)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Curriculum Corner

This year we will be celebrating NAIDOC Week next Wednesday 17 July, with classroom activities followed by a shared story and fruit snack in Peer Support Groups.  Our morning activities will conclude with a Whole School Reconciliation Walk.

SAVE THE DATE – PLEASE JOIN US IN OUR CLASSROOMS – THURSDAY 22 AUGUST

This year the theme of the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week is “Reading is Magic”. We are looking forward to celebrating Book Week on Thursday 22 August with a “Dress as your favourite book character day”. On this day all parents are invited into classrooms at the beginning of the day to read or listen to a student read their favourite books.  Each classroom will have a display linked to one of the 2024 CBCA Shortlisted Books for you all to see when you visit your child/ren's classroom.

We are delighted to inform you that  Emmanuel Catholic Primary School will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS competition this year.  

What is ICAS?  

ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’  higher order  thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling  Bee and Digital Technologies.  This year, students in years 5 and 6 have the opportunity, to participate in English (12-16 August) and Mathematics (26 - 30 August).

Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.  

We encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year.  All students must be registered by Friday 15 July, 2024.

Learn more about  ICAS here. (https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas)  

How to participate in ICAS  

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:  

1. Read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (com/products-icas) 
2. Read the terms and conditions here:(icasassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Parents-PPS-TsCs_final.pdf) 
3. Go to  Parent Portal to purchase tests here: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps
4. Enter our school’s access code – YKT454
5. Enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment. 

Please note that the ICAS tests shown for selection are at the school’s discretion.   

After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records.

ICAS Results and Certificates 

We will  notify you of the date(s) that we run ICAS at the school  and  when your child’s ICAS results are ready. Once we have received your child’s ICAS certificate, we will send it home with your child. The back of the certificate shows ICAS results and the login details, “TAP ID and Pin”, that you and your child need to enter the Results Portal orti.icasassessments.com/ortiStudent  

Janine Refalo

Assistant Principal Curriculum

APA News

STUDENT PROTECTION - SCHOOL CONTACTS

At Emmanuel any concerns or reasonable suspicions about a student’s safety and wellbeing or the behaviour of a staff member or volunteer which a student considers to be inappropriate, will continue to be managed in accordance with Rockhampton Catholic Education Student Protection Processes. The Student Protection Contacts at Emmanuel are:

Geraldine Rostirolla (Principal)

Amanda McDonald (Deputy Principal)

Noeleen Kliese (APRE)

Hayley Francis (School Counsellor)

Further information about Rockhampton Catholic Education's commitment to Student Protection is available here:  website: https://www.rok.catholic.edu.au/our-schools/student-protection/

STUDENT PROTECTION – USE OF TOILETS

At Emmanuel, we are committed to the safety of all students in our care. It is imperative that students understand the importance of using the toilet facilities at school in an appropriate manner. Classroom teachers regularly remind students of these behaviour expectations and use the poster (located in all school toilets) to ensure all students understand these important messages. We ask that you discuss these expectations at home with your children, so that we are all doing our part to keep children safe at school.

DESIGNATED TOILETS FOR PARENTS

At Emmanuel we have lots of volunteers, parents and contractors visiting our school each week.  Therefore, it is important that we provide toilet facilities for their use.  From a student protection perspective, we ask that parents do not use the student toilets.  There are two toilets designated for the use of all parents, toddlers and visitors.  These are the disabled toilets which are located at the back of the Library and beside F Block (Year 6 Classrooms and OSHC room) and at the end of R Block (Year 1 Classrooms).  There is a yellow sign on the doors of these toilets advising parents that they are welcome to use this facility. 

STOP DROP GO

BUS ZONE – NO PARKING!

Please note – the area in front of the Emmanuel Bus Stop is a NO PARKING ZONE – BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL. Parents are asked NOT to park in this zone, as it is a safety issue when buses are double-parked due to cars impeding their entry into the Emmanuel bus shelter.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in keeping our Emmanuel community safe.

STATE OF ORIGIN – WEAR YOUR TEAM COLOURS

It is State of Origin time again and we are having a dress up day to celebrate. Students are invited to come dressed in their ‘team’ colours on Wednesday 17 July (the day of the third game). All footy codes welcome - soccer, AFL, rugby league or rugby union. No donation required for participation. Just dress up and join the fun!

DANCE FEVER STARTS NEXT WEEK

Dance Fever returns to Emmanuel this term for all students in Prep to Year 6.  Experienced dance teachers will conduct lessons and assess progress as part of The Arts and HPE curriculum. Dance Fever will be held each Monday in Weeks 2-9. The cost of the program is $38.00 per student, and this has been included in Term Three school fees.  

We look forward to another fabulous year of Dance Fever. Let the music, the dancing, the learning and fun begin.

Amanda McDonald

Assistant Princiapl Administration

Strategic Priorities 2024

From our Counsellor

Welcome to term 3.

As we progress towards the end of the year, our Year 6 classes come ever closer to the end of their primary school journey.

This can be an exciting and nerve-wracking time for both students and parents.

It's a big step towards students becoming more independent.

Headspace are offering free online webinars to support parents and carers with this transition. If interested, please scan the QR code in the flyer below to book a session at a time most suitable to you.

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.

Be sure to check out the 'SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating NAIDOC Week' by clicking on the link below:

https://ecps.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-naidoc-week

Sporting News

NORTHERN SUBURBS ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

The Northern Suburbs Athletics carnival was attended by a large group of Emmanuel athletes on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Our team performed exceptionally well and came away with the Average Points Trophy for the second year running. We had one Age Champion and twelve athletes who have been selected to go on to the MDSS Athletics trials on Thursday and Friday next week. A big thank you to the Emmanuel Leadership Team for your support of this event. Also, thank you to Mr Dodson, Mrs Stevenson, Mrs Hume and Mrs Wheeler for attending the carnival and supporting our students. A final thank you to the parents for rearranging your day to make sure your children were there and ready to compete. Well done Team Emmanuel.

Congratulations to Archie (6T) who won Age Champion for 11 year old Boys at the recent Northern Suburbs Athletics Carnival. 

Congratulations to Josephine (5G), Luke (5G), Charlotte (5K), Cooper (5S), Reid (5G), Xander (5K), Ruby (6D), Mason (6D), Archie (6T), Harry (6D), Rhys (6D) and Maxie (6T) who have been selected in the Northern Suburbs Track and Field Team and will now compete at the MDSS trials.

CHALLENGE CUP

The Challenge Cup is on again and our netball and rugby league teams have travelled to Yeppoon for the competition. Catholic primary schools from around the diocese will be participating. We wish all teams the best for a fabulous celebration of sport and friendship. A full round up of games, photos and results will be shared in our next newsletter.

MDSS CRICKET TRIALS

Any boy born in 2014, 2013 and 2012 wishing to attend the Mackay District School Sports trials for cricket need to attend a meeting with Mrs Bottcher at Morning Tea on Monday 15 July in the Year 6 classrooms.

Lisa Bottcher

HPE Teacher

School Choir

PLEASE NOTE: School Choir will be held on a WEDNESDAY until further notice.

SWAP IT

We are now a SWAP IT school! Look out for weekly SWAP IT messages to help you 'swap' for healthier lunchboxes! Find tips on the SWAP IT website:

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

CASH ONLY - Please remember to bring small change when purchasing from the Uniform Shop.

SCHOOL APP

Community News