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16 NOVEMBER 2017
Dear Parents, Where has the year gone to? Only a few weeks of the school term remaining! However, when you look into faces you can see from the lines of weariness that a year has gone by and it will be great to have a break from the usual daily routine. I suppose the quick passing of a year illustrates in some way how brief the measure of our own life really is; the author of Psalm 102 further illustrates that a couple of thousand years haven’t made much difference to the way in which people have their ups and downs: “Good Lord where are you? If you really do exist, why don’t you come out of hiding and do something about this creature in distress. I am physically weary, I am mentally depressed, I am spiritually defeated. I can’t eat, can’t sleep. I feel like discarded refuse in the back alley; like yesterday’s rubbish shuffled around by the wind.” If you’re feeling as bad as the psalmist seems to be, then thank heavens for holidays. They allow for a change in routine and if you’re lucky, a change in scenery. Also, they allow some time for “peace and quiet”. In times of serenity when the hustle and bustle is far away, it is possible to answer the question “Good lord, where are you?” and maybe like the psalmist you can experience the answer. Hopefully, the remaining weeks of the school year will be a time of enjoyment and cooperation so that the rewards of a year’s fine effort can be experienced by everyone to the very last day. During these final weeks of school it is important that we all continue to support each other in a positive way that allows everyone to stay settled and calm. It is also essential that we continue to maintain the high standards that we have set for ourselves and the children. Thank you for your ongoing help and support with the children to ensure that we all continue to support and respect each other, follow school policies and keep our communication channels open. Wishing you every blessing for the coming week, Geraldine Rostirolla (Principal)
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION WHAT’S IMPORTANT? – A REFLECTION
While on holiday in Poland, an American tourist paid a
visit to a renowned rabbi. He was astonished to see
that the rabbi’s house was only a simple room filled
with books, a table and a single bench.
“Rabbi,” asked the tourist, “Where is your furniture?”
“Where is yours?” replied the rabbi.
“Mine?” asked the puzzled American, “but I am only a
visitor here. I’m only a visitor passing through.”
“So am I” said the rabbi.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole
world and forfeits his soul” (Matthew 16:26)
Money can buy a house, but not a home;
A bed but not sleep;
Status and fame, but not inner confidence and lasting
security;
Comfort, but not peace.
All our possessions are useless at the moment of our
death. All that we take to eternity is the love that we
have sowed and the life we lived before our God and
neighbours.
(Unknown)
THANKSGIVING MASS
Emmanuel has a tradition of celebrating the end of
the school year with a Thanksgiving Mass. It is always
a special time for memories and reflection. We
farewell students and staff who are leaving Emmanuel
and present hampers of Christmas food (collected by
the students) to the St Vincent De Paul Society for
distribution to needy families.
This year’s mass will take place at St Joseph’s
Church on Thursday 30 November at 9:30am.
Please mark this date on your family calendar and
join with us to celebrate our year together.
ADVENT Advent begins on Sunday 3 December. It is the
liturgical season of anticipation and hope that begins
the Liturgical Year and prepares us for the celebration
of Christmas. Sadly Advent is often forgotten in all the
excitement of Christmas. Please find below some
fabulous resources that explain the season and
support its celebration.
Find out more about Advent @
http://www.catholic.org/advent/advent.php?id=5
Advent Videos, Prayers and Reflections
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/advent
Watch the short animation “What is Advent Again?” @
http://www.resourcemelb.catholic.edu.au/object.cfm?o
=128
The “Xt3 Advent Calendar 2017” app features a daily
reflection, bible quote and multimedia item.
YEAR SIX GRADUATION
Our Year Six Graduation Mass will take place at St
Joseph’s Church on Tuesday 21 November at 6pm.
Parents are asked to bring a plate of food for a light
supper which will be held in the Parish Centre on
conclusion of the Mass. A celebratory cake will also
be cut by our School Captains. Please deliver your
supper plates to the Parish Centre prior to the
commencement of our Liturgical celebration.
All Year Six students are expected to attend this
celebration. Students are to wear blue day uniform.
MASSES AND LITURGIES Please find listed below upcoming Liturgies and
Masses. Fr Stephen will be here to celebrate year
level Masses at 9am on the dates indicated. Parents
and families welcome.
Thursday 23 November Year Five Mass
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMS
Please pray for the students who recently received
the Sacrament of Penance for the first time. Their
sacramental journey will continue next year with
Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
Each year our school supports The St Vincent de
Paul Christmas Appeal in assisting needy families in
the Mackay region. In our current economic climate it
is more important than ever that we recognise the
needs of those families in our community who are
under financial and emotional stress. Our support
allows them a little relief during this joyous time of the
year.
Each class will make up a hamper of non-perishable
food items that will be presented to the parish St
Vincent de Paul Society at our Thanksgiving Mass.
Your generosity will be much appreciated. Suitable
hamper items include:
Tinned ham
Boxed Christmas cake
Christmas fruit mince pies
Tinned fruit
Tinned vegetables
Assorted biscuits
Packets of jelly crystals
Bottles of softdrink
Large fruit juice poppers
Cordial
Large packets of lollies
Nuts
Christmas decorations
THANK YOU to all families who have already
contributed Christmas goodies to these hampers.
They will be very much appreciated by those who
receive them.
VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT –
THANKFULNESS
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it, is like
wrapping a present and not giving it.” (Unknown)
Thankfulness is being grateful for what we have. It is
an attitude of gratitude for learning, loving and being.
Appreciate the little things that happen around you
and within you every day. Think positively.
Thankfulness brings contentment.
“It is not happy people who are thankful. It is
thankful people who are happy” (Unknown
Mrs Noeleen Kliese (Assistant Principal – Religious Education)
CAROLS EVENING An invitation is extended to all Emmanuel families to
join us on Monday evening 27 November at 6:00pm
sharp for a Christmas carols sing-a-long on the lawn
area outside the music room. Please bring your chairs
or a blanket to sit on and lend your voices to the
children as we sing some well-known (and not so well
known) Christmas carols. During the evening the Year
Six students will ‘take the hat around’ to ask for
monetary donations for the St Vincent de Paul
Christmas Appeal which will be presented at our end
of year Thanksgiving Mass. Our school choir and
each individual year level will lead us in singing a
carol in what should be an entertaining night. Don’t
forget to wear your Christmas hats and bring along
your singing voice.
YEAR FIVE CAMP The key areas of our camp are Leadership,
Teamwork, Challenge and Resilience. We take the
students away to challenge themselves and to step
out of their comfort zone so they can share the
leadership skills they possess inside
themselves. What a wonderful group of students we
have prepared to lead our school next year. The lead
up to camp was full of anticipation of what the famous
G-Swing was like and again it was the most talked
about part of the camp. As we drove into the camp
grounds, talk soon filled the bus. Students finally
came face to face with the mighty challenge. “That
doesn’t look high Mrs Beardmore!” “No way am I
going on that!” “Cool, when can we go on that?”
filtered down the bus. We met Mez our camp
coordinator and she explained how we will all face
some of our fears while there. For many it was
height, others being away from home, others was
being away from their creature comforts like air con
and technology. When you put fear in perspective, it
really is False Evidence Appearing Real. (Even the
teachers and helpers feared not being able to function
on only a couple of hours sleep!) But with coffee and
a positive attitude, we all got through. Though the
High Ropes were not as high as the G-Swing, it
posed others challenges for us. The G-Swing allowed
you to sit in a harness and be pulled up the 20m and
release the cord, but the High Ropes needed you to
climb the 10m and then step out onto a wire with the
trust of those below keeping you safe. Whatever the
FEAR was, we all took one step further then we
thought we could. At the dam, there were a few rafts
not considered sea worthy, but the fun of doing
something with others was the winner. Again we
could not have gotten through without the help of Mr
Geoff Baguley, Mr Brenden Craig, Mr Mark Crofts,
Mrs Tim Desbois, Mr Mark McGrath and Mr Larry
Owens. A wonderful group of patient, enthusiastic
and supportive fathers. Thank you for joining us.
Thank you also to the Emmanuel staff members who
accompanied us on the Year Five camp.
Mrs Angela Beardmore
MUSIC NEWS School Choir will again be held in the music room at
8:45am next Thursday, 23 November. This will be our
final rehearsal for the year before our ice-cream party
break up! If there are any choir students who would
like to join us at year 6 Graduation Mass, that would
be wonderful. The mass will be held at St Joseph’s
church on Tuesday 21 November at 6pm. Students
are asked to be there by 5:45pm wearing something
smart casual. It would be great to have a strong group
of singing voices to help lead the hymns alongside
myself and Mrs Whelan.
Students in grades 2-5 were treated to a fantastic
instrumental showcase yesterday by Josh and the
team from Musicorp. If your child has been inspired
by the demonstration and wishes to learn a
woodwind, brass or percussion instrument, please
see Mrs Maunder at the office for more information.
We also have Mr Jim who offers guitar lessons and
Mrs Jansen for strings.
Preparations are well under way for our Emmanuel
Carols night. Each year level will be performing a
beautiful, traditional Christmas Carol and we will finish
the night with some of the more commercial type
carols all together. It’s going to be a wonderful night of
song and celebration. Hope to see you all there!
Yours in Music, Mrs Dale
SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS
This year for the annual Mackay and District Schools
12 Years & Under Sportsperson of the Year
presentation, Emmanuel has five of its sporting stars
nominated. Congratulations to the following students:
Conor Mezzen (Swimming), Jake Bryan (Rugby
League), Cooper Spencer (Hockey), Kalen Morris
(Cricket) and Flynn Battaia (Rugby League) The
presentation will be held on Tuesday, November 21 at
Sky’s Function Centre, Magpies Sporting Complex.
Good luck to all!
SCHOOL BANKING Please note next Thursday, 23 November will be the
last day for school banking for 2017.
We would like to thank Mrs Michelle Vella, Ms
Renae Borg and Ms Lisa Finnigan for kindly
volunteering your time. Your help throughout the
year has been greatly appreciated.
VACATION CARE - OSHC Emmanuel Outside School Hours Care is currently
taking enrolments for vacation care over the
December/January school holiday period. We wish to
advise families and caregivers that we will be closed
from Monday 25 December 2017 and will re-open on
Monday 8 January 2018. If you would like to enrol
your child, or have any queries please do not hesitate
to contact us
TUCKSHOP ROSTER – TERM 4 WEEK 8 COMMENCING – MONDAY 20 NOVEMBER
Monday 20 November
Nicole Murray
Tuesday 21 November Amanda Webber
Wednesday 22 November
Alice Symons
Thursday 23 November
Jason Wheeler Kelsey Wallace
Friday 24 November
Donna Ellis Marie Schembri
TUCKSHOP NEWS Please note, our tuckshop ceases operations for the
year on Wednesday 29 November. Keep in mind
some menu items will become unavailable as this
date approaches. I would like to take this opportunity
to thank our wonderful parent volunteers who have
assisted in the tuckshop this year. We wish you a
safe, happy and Holy Christmas. We look forward to
seeing you in 2018.
Mrs Angie McGowan
(Tuckshop Convenor)
WEEK 7 Fri 17 Nov Assembly – 9.00am Swimming – Year 2W/3J
WEEK 8 Mon 20 Nov Swimming - Prep J/Prep P Tue 21 Nov Swimming - Prep J/Prep P Year Six Graduation Mass Wed 22 Nov Swimming - Prep S/1M Thur 23 Nov Swimming - Prep S/1M Year 5 Mass Fri 24 Nov Swimming - 1G/1W
WEEK 9 Mon 27 Nov Year 6 Orientation Day – HSC Christmas Carols Tue 28 Nov Swimming - 1G/1W Wed 29 Nov Swimming - 3C/3P Thur 30 Nov Thanksgiving Mass Fri 01 Dec Last Day of School
BOOKPACK COLLECTION The dates and times for bookpack collections is as
follows:
Tuesday 21 November - 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Wednesday 22 November - 8.00am – 9.00am
- 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Please note all bookspacks MUST be collected
by an adult.