Newsletter - 01 August 2024
From our Principal
Dear Parents,
‘Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.’
The worldwide atrocities that are dominating our world at the moment have provided extreme sadness and anger. It is difficult not to feel a sense of guilt for being grateful that our world is far removed from this:
- We do not experience the threat to our lives on a daily basis that innocent people in Gaza and Israel do.
- We do not experience the realities of civil war.
- We do not experience militant regimes that pretend to be democratic governments that lead to people willing to risk their lives by becoming refugees.
- We do not experience the risk of our lives based solely on having a religious belief different to those in power or who hold power.
- We do not experience such poverty that basic sanitation, hygiene and running water are uncommon.
- We do not experience whole villages of young girls being kidnapped and removed unsure of what horrific fates await them.
- We do not experience starvation, constant severe drought, hurricanes, twisters, tsunamis.
- We do not lack buildings, teachers, books, desks, pencils to educate our children.
- We do not experience serious violence, drug use or severe bullying and intimidation on a daily basis within our school.
- We do not experience teachers who fear for their safety as part of their day to day work.
Yes, our students do experience the disappointment of not getting all the friends they want in a class. Or the teacher they or their parents want! Or missing out on being selected in a team or for a student leadership position! Yes they do experience arguments and disagreements with friends in the playground.
If this is as bad as it gets, then our children are some of the most fortunate children in the world!
There is an emerging culture within society and to a lesser extent within schools, of self-entitlement.
‘I deserve this! This isn’t fair! I worked harder therefore I should get this! I am not going to put up with this!
The children in Syria, Israel, Gaza, the slums of India, the children working the rubbish tips in Thailand certainly deserve better than the cruel world and short life they have been given!
The challenges and problems we face are real and I certainly am not being flippant about their genuineness. At the same time wouldn’t it be great if we all just took a moment to put them into perspective, in light of the millions of human beings across this world who would do anything to experience the ‘problems’ we are facing in our day to day lives.
Wishing you every blessing for the coming week,
Geraldine Rostirolla
Principal
SCHOOL FEE ADVICE #4
Dear Parents and Carers,
Please find attached Advice #4, developed to inform our Catholic Education families of the school fee structure, from 2025 onwards. Previous Advice pieces outlined the new Federal Government Funding model (Gonski model), the impact on School Fees for Catholic Schools, and the need to align with the Federal Government’s means-tested Capacity to Contribute assessment of the school community.
As outlined in Advice #4, CEDR School Fees will be presented as an “All-Inclusive Fee”, rather than the
previous school fees model of Tuition Fees, plus several school-based levies and charges.
RE Matters
GOD WITH US – A REFLECTION
The man whispered, "God, speak to me."
And a meadowlark sang, but the man did not hear.
So the man shouted, "GOD, SPEAK TO ME!"
And the thunder rolled across the sky, but the man did not listen.
The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you."
And a star shone brightly, but the man did not notice.
And the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle!"
And a life was born, but the man did not realise.
So, the man cried out in despair, “Touch me God, and let me know that you are here!"
Whereupon God reached down and touched the man, but the man brushed the butterfly away ……. and walked on.
(Author Unknown)
God is with us – We just need to open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to see, hear and love him in the people we meet, the life we lead and the world we share.
This is our recontextualised Mission Statement. This visual simplified child-friendly version is accessible and easy to understand by all members of our community. Teachers regularly unpack this statement and discuss what it looks like, sounds like and feels like at Emmanuel with their students.
FEAST DAY
On the 6 August each year the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Transfiguration of The Lord. It is the Fourth Luminous Mystery of The Rosary and tells the story of Jesus being transformed, and of God proclaiming from heaven that "This is my beloved Son."
This feast celebrates the revelation of Christ's divine glory on Mount Tabor (Mark 9:2-10, Matthew 17:1-9, Luke 9:28-36).
The Transfiguration is our school feast day and each year we gather to remember and celebrate that ‘God is with us.’
Please join us in the Marist Centre tomorrow, Friday 2 August to celebrate. Our Prayer Celebration will begin at 9:00am. All welcome.
A reminder to parents that the school office will be closed from 9.00am - 9.45am as ALL STAFF will be attending our prayer celebration.
BEACH DAY – WALKATHON
Our annual beach day and walkathon will be held on Friday 9 August at Bucasia Beach. Each year this walkathon is held in conjunction with our Feast Day Celebrations and raises awareness of and money to support a justice initiative. All students are asked to bring a gold coin donation. All monies raised will be added to the funds raised through our ‘TAPITAS' and ‘Walk for Water’ challenges to support those who do not have water security.
Students will travel to and from Bucasia Beach Park by bus. They will participate in the walkathon and beach activities before enjoying a sausage-sizzle lunch, kindly donated and cooked by the Emmanuel P&F Association.
Students are to wear their SPORTS UNIFORM and bring their morning tea and a bottle of water. Every child must wear their SCHOOL HAT and is encouraged to apply SUNSCREEN.
If your child carries medication (such as an asthma puffer) this must accompany them to the beach.
THE EMMANUEL GAMES ARE BACK!
Students are currently ‘training’ for their class events. More details about ‘The Games’, events and medal presentation ceremonies will be shared in next week’s newsletter. Can’t wait? Ask your child/ren.
ST MARY OF THE CROSS PRAY FOR US
Mary Helen MacKillop was born in Melbourne on 15 January 1842. She was the eldest child of Alexander and Flora MacKillop. Mary had three sisters and four brothers.
Mary was a teacher. She loved books and learning and wanted all children to go to school. In 1866 Mary set up her own school. It was called St Joseph’s School. Mary loved God and wanted to teach everyone about Him. Mary showed her love for God by helping others. Mary helped people who were poor, lonely, homeless, sick or old.
Mary became a nun. She promised to work hard for God. Mary started the Order of the Sisters of St Joseph. The sisters worked together to care for people in need. They opened schools and taught people about God. Mary MacKillop kept her promise to God. She travelled around Australia and shared her love of God with others.
Mary MacKillop died on 8 August 1909. People remembered all the work that Mary had done for God. They asked the Pope to make Mary a saint. Mary MacKillop was canonised on 17 October 2010. She is Australia’s first saint. Her feast day is 8 August.
(written by Mrs Kliese and 1K, October 2010)
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 if they are safe or unsafe. Next week‘s lessons will include the naming of private body parts and body ownership. Our safety lessons will then be focusing on the second safety message: React.
It is important that these key safety messages 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.
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 – KINDNESS
“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” (Barbara De Angelis)
Kindness is showing you care, doing some good to make life better for others. It is being thoughtful about people’s needs. Kindness is showing love and compassion to someone who is sad or needs your help. Kindness is treating yourself and others gently. It is caring about the earth and all living things.
“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” (Bob Kerrey)
Noeleen Kliese
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Curriculum Corner
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.
Janine Refalo
Assistant Principal Curriculum
APA News
ASSEMBLY - CHANGE OF TIME - WEEK 4 ONLY!
SCHOOL PHOTOS
School photos will be distributed tomorrow (Friday 2 August) by classroom teachers. If your child does not receive their order please contact Qld School Photography (07 3216 6777).
EISTEDDFOD - SCHOOL CHOIR
SICKNESS AT SCHOOL
We are currently experiencing a large number students who are being sent to the office unwell. We find that children who become ill at school find it quite distressing and don’t want to be here. We are not equipped to deal with sick children for any length of time. It is very important that a parent is always able to be contacted for decisions regarding sick children.
It is most important that the information we have on record as home and current work numbers is accurate. It is distressing to staff and the student concerned when we are unable to contact anyone. It is also very important to have a back-up emergency contact who knows where to find you or who can take some responsibility for the situation. If your work or home phone numbers change please let the office know immediately. It is also helpful to let your children know where you might be during the day, especially if they are sent off to school not feeling 100%.
Amanda McDonald
Assistant Princiapl Administration
Strategic Priorities 2024
From our Counsellor
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 POSITIVE PARENTING tab via the link below or on our school website.
Sporting News
GIRLS CRICKET TRIALS
MDSS is not trialling for a 10-12yrs girls cricket team this year. For this reason, Capricornia are holding cricket trials via invitation only. Any girls born in 2012, 2013 or 2014 who play cricket have the opportunity to trial for the Capricornia team. Trials will be held in Wandal on Wednesday the 14 August. If you have a daughter that is a competitive cricket player and would like to attend these trials please contact Mrs Bottcher for more information.
Lisa Bottcher
HPE Teacher
Congratulations to Pia (3H) who recently competed in the U8 Central Coast Yeppoon Invitational against 30 athletes in Gymnastics and place 1st overall. She also competed in the U8 North Queensland Regionals and placed as the overall champion. Well done Pia!
Congratulations to Miguel, Fraser and Luke who recently played for the MDSS rugby league team winning the Ken Jones trophy for the first time in 8 years by defeating Rockhampton. Well done boys!
Congratulations to Fraser who represented Capricornia Rugby Union Team at the recent State Championships. He was awarded Man-of-the-Match in his final game against Brisbane. Well done Fraser!
Around the School
ROCK POP MIME
Congratulations to our amazing Rock Pop Mime team who performed last Friday night at the New Life Church! It was a fantastic night of family entertainment where 8 teams performed in the Primary School section. The Rock Pop Mime is an event organised by The Lions Rotary Club for primary and secondary schools in and around Mackay. It is a dancing, acting and lip syncing competition. The students are judged on several criteria including originality and creativity; miming; accuracy of movement; costumes; participant enjoyment and overall impression.
Our performance was entitled “The Greatest Show”. Our team of 25 students with four reserves, brought to life the story of P.T. Barnum as depicted by the movie "The Greatest Show". This story started in the humble beginnings of a poor child's dreams of fame, success and money. As the sands of time and windows of opportunities are seized, we see these dreams come to fruition. Cue an explosion of colourful circus characters trying to be torn down by the expectations of society. It was a story which encouraged standing up for the underdog and shining in the light of our truest selves.
We want to extend our thanks to the support given by the teachers at Emmanuel including Dayna Giarrusso, Chloe Ward, Amy Clark, Amy Jeffcoat and Larissa Simonsen and members of the leadership team. We would also like to express our gratitude to the families of the students involved as well as some other very generous members of our community. They helped with set and costume design and construction as well as with hair and makeup on the night. We are very proud of the way in which our students conducted themselves in the spirit of the competition. We are also proud of their performance which was outstanding but unfortunately we didn’t gain a place this year.
Official Placings
1st – St John’s Catholic Primary School with “Finding Neverland”
2nd - St Mary’s Catholic Primary School with “Hear Me Roar - Cruella's Origin Story”
3rd – St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School with “Moana”
KINDY BUDDIES
In celebration of Catholic Education Week, Year Six students were able to participate in a leadership activity with their Kindy buddies. Year Six students led the Kindy group with games such as Duck - Duck Goose, Hunter & Parachute games. Spending time with our kindy buddies is one of our favourite activities each week. Demonstrating the values of faith, love and hope we develop positive relationships with our Kindy friends.
YEAR 5 CAMP
Year 5 campers have returned from a lovely 'chilly' few days away at Kinchant Dam. A full wrap-up of camp will be in next weeks Newsletter.
School Choir
PLEASE NOTE: School Choir will be held on a WEDNESDAY until further notice.
Finance
TERM 3 SCHOOL FEE STATEMENTS
Term 3 School Fee Statements were emailed to all families on Monday 15 July, with payment now overdue. Statements can also be viewed via parent lounge using the ‘make a payment’ tab from the menu bar and clicking on the paperclip. If you did not receive your statement, please advise the finance office immediately.
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
NEEDED URGENTLY - MONDAY VOLUNTEERS
Please contact Ang in the Tuckshop or the office on 4994 8255 if you can assist
Please Note: It is imperative that volunteers DO NOT attend tuckshop if they are unwell or have anyone at home who is unwell.
Notices
2024 Non-Government Schools Census
Please find below information in relation to the Non-Government Schools Census:
CASH ONLY - Please remember to bring small change when purchasing from the Uniform Shop.
SCHOOL APP
Community News
