Newsletter - 22 August 2024

From our Principal

Dear Parents,

How busy is your life?

Every now and then, we all need a little “stop and ponder” moment, just to take stock of how our life is going along.  The following few lines might give us a “ponder” or two on an all too familiar topic:

We’re too busy it seems                                                                                                                                                              to take time for dreams                                                                                                                                                               or to go for a walk in the sun.                                                                                                                                                    Too busy today, no time to play                                                                                                                                                 too busy just getting things done.

Too busy to watch the children play                                                                                                                                            we don’t hear half the things they say.                                                                                                                                     Will our hearts be filled with misgivings,                                                                                                                               when we learn we’ve been                                                                                                                                                        too busy for living?

Adapted: Too Busy - Hilda

It is true that the more we expect of life the busier it becomes and the more complicated and cluttered it gets.  Inevitably, this leads to less time we have available to appreciate the good things we have in life.  Confucius definitely had it right when he said, “Life is really simple, but we insist in making it complicated.”  There is a danger that family life can be affected, for at the end of a busy day each family member is both tired and overstimulated; each person is seeking love in a family, as well as healing and emotional nourishment.  All too often weariness, frustration and irritation boil to the surface and family conversation can become bitter and sharp instead of gentle and kind.  It’s a true case of not being able to give what we do not have, even when it is our loved ones who are in need of our giving.

Our “wants” and “desires” can cause our life to rush past us.  Probably, we all need to spend time on ourselves to ensure our physical and spiritual welfare and so that: “………Our hearts will not be filled with misgivings and we’ve not been too busy for living.” – Adapted version.

As the end of another term is drawing closer, there can be a tendency for aspects of the school uniform to become of a lesser priority.  I encourage all parents and carers to be actively supportive of correct uniform requirements and to please let us know where there are difficulties in meeting required standards.  At no time will an individual’s inability to meet these requirements be unacceptable and questioned where these difficulties are made known to the school.  Like any healthy partnership, your communication with school is essential.

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

THE LEAST – A REFLECTION

It was a cold Sunday in Winter. The church’s parking lot was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that several people were pointing and whispering among themselves as they walked towards the church.

As I got closer, I saw a man sitting up against the church wall. He had on a long threadbare trench coat, dirty pants and a woollen scarf. His toes were sticking out the holes in his old shoes. He wore a felt hat that was pulled down so that his face could not be seen. I assumed this man was homeless and asleep, so I walked past him and in through the front doors of the church.

Those of us seated in the pews were enjoying a quiet chat when someone mentioned the man who was resting outside. Some gossiped about who he was and where he had come from. We soon realised that no one had bothered to ask him and none of us had invited him in.

A few moments later, the organ started playing and we all joined in the opening hymn. We were waiting for the preacher to take his place when the doors to the church opened. In came the homeless man, walking slowly down the aisle with his head lowered.

People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle and up into the pulpit. When he took off his hat and coat, my heart sank. There stood our preacher. He was the "homeless man". No one said a word. The room was silent and still.

The preacher took his Bible and laid it on the stand.

"Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I'm preaching about today.”

(Unknown)

THE EMMANUEL GAMES

The excitement is building!  

The medals are ready, the bouquets assembled, the banners made, and the cheers practised. 

We are ready to celebrate our champions.

The Medal Presentation Ceremonies of the 14th Emmanuel Games will take place in the Marist Centre tomorrow, Friday 23 August. Gold, silver and bronze medals and bouquets will be presented. Parents are welcome to join the fun.

Prep - Year 2 | Medal Presentation Ceremony - 9:00am

Years 3 - 6 | Medal Presentation Ceremony - 11:10am

Please Note: Teachers will not be advising parents if their child is receiving a medal. We encourage you to come along and to cheer for and celebrate all the winners, just like our students will be doing.

CELEBRATING FATHER’S DAY

We will be celebrating and thanking God for the gift of fathers at a special prayer celebration on Thursday 29 August.  It will be held in the Marist Centre at 9:45am.

This time of prayer will be followed by a picnic and all dads are invited to join us 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 lots of fathers and father figures to our prayer celebration and picnic. Hope to see you there.

Our annual Mission Fair will be held on Thursday 5 September.  The staff has been busy planning and organising stalls for this year’s fair.  A list of stalls and activities will be included in our next newsletter.

Please encourage your child to do some jobs at home to earn their spending money for this exciting event. 

Tickets in the multi-draw raffle are now on sale. They are great value at a cost of 50 cents each or three for $1.00.  Our Year Six Leaders will be selling the tickets before school and at lunchtime each day. The raffle will be drawn after the Mission Fair.

TRASH AND TREASURE

The Year Six students will be running a Trash and Treasure stall at the Mission Fair and are looking for donations of pre-loved books, puzzles, toys, games, collectables and knickknacks to sell. They can be sent to school from tomorrow. The Year Six students will collect them from classrooms daily. Thank you for your support.

SOCIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY

The last Sunday of August is designated by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference as Social Justice Sunday. On this Sunday every year the bishops release their annual Social Justice Statement, which outlines the application of the Church's social principles to critical issues of the day.

In the 2024 – 2025 Social Justice Statement, “Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World”, Australia’s Bishops scrutinise the signs of our own troubled times, observe the violence around us, and ask why it is so. They also ask what is needed if there is to be peace.

In a world full of pessimism, they put their faith and hope in the possibility of peace.  Using scripture and the guidance of Pope St. John XXIII’s Pacem in Terris and Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti, we learn that peace is possible if we put our trust in Christ who is the way, the truth and the life and the Prince of Peace…… The statement also provides some suggested actions to help us to build on our commitment to be peacemakers locally and internationally.

For further details about the Social Justice Statement, visit the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council website at www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au  or click on the tab below for this year’s statement and resources.

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.

It is important that the key safety messages of the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum 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 – INTEGRITY

Integrity is standing up for what you believe is right. It is being honest and sincere with yourself and others.  You have integrity when your words and actions match. You fill your life and mind with love, kindness, reliability and service.  Integrity gives you self-respect, honour and a peaceful heart.

“No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat other people ultimately tells all.  Integrity is everything!”  (Unknown)

Noeleen Kliese

Assistant Principal Religious Education

Curriculum Corner

CELEBRATING BOOKWEEK

What a wonderful time we are having this week celebrating Bookweek. Today’s dress up day was lots of fun and a wonderful reflection of the children’s exposure to Literature. The school grounds were filled with characters from all sorts of books and the imagination and creativity involved in the costumes was amazing. A huge thank you to all of the parents who were able to join us in our classrooms to celebrate our love of reading at Emmanuel.

Be sure to check out next week's Newsletter and Facebook for some fabulous photos!

Janine Refalo

Assistant Principal Curriculum

APA News

DISCO SAUSAGE SIZZLE

The P&F will be cooking and selling sausages on bread for $2 each. Please pre-order your sausages for catering purposes only by 9:30pm Wednesday 30 August via the TryBooking link below. 

CASH payment is to be made on the night

CELEBRATING QUEENSLAND'S SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISORS FOR 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

This year, Queensland’s School Crossing Supervisor Scheme celebrates 40 years of keeping kids safe as they travel to and from school.

We'd like to say a big thank you to our wonderful School Crossing Supervisor, Peter, for everything you do for our students and our Emmanuel school community! You do a great job keeping our students and other pedestrians safe as they cross the road in peak drop-off and pick-up times.

Why not say a big thank you the next time you see Peter on duty! You can also show your appreciation for School Crossing Supervisors by slowing down, following directions and being courteous while travelling in our school zone.

Did you know?

• The School Crossing Supervisor Scheme is operated by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
• There are more than 2000 school crossing supervisors who operate over 1300 crossings at more than 700 Queensland schools.
• There has not been a single fatality on a supervised crossing since the scheme started in 1984.

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.

P & F News

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

Please Note: It is imperative that volunteers DO NOT attend tuckshop if they are unwell or have anyone at home who is unwell.

Lost Property

There are a large number of school jumpers currently in Lost Property. Unclaimed items will be donated at the end of Term 3.

Notices

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

SCHOOL APP

Community News