15 JUNE 2017

Dear Parents,

It was great to see the buzz around the school mounting in preparation for our Athletics Carnival. It reminds me of the work and struggles that our students go through on a daily and weekly basis. Some of our students seem to make running and field events seem so easy and natural, while others appear to be really working at the maximum capacity to travel only a few metres.

This is very similar to the academic path of many of our students. Some students find their subjects very easy, everything seems to fall into place and the results follow. They are high achievers and deserve all the credit they get. On the other hand some students really struggle and work through lesson after lesson and achieve to the best of their ability. This path can seem like a painful one, the home end can often have a lot of tension and feelings of frustration. It is at these times that our students need the most support and understanding.

It is also the time that they need to work through the difficult tasks and complete activities themselves. As a parent it is tempting to offer too much assistance, especially in the pressure of daily routine and activities. What we are trying to achieve for the children in our school is the opportunity for them to create independence, resilience and an ability to solve problems on their own. Our view of education has a number of elements and includes achievement for now and also preparation for the future. We want to prepare students for a future where they can solve complex problems, persist with tasks, feel success and also failure, this is a natural and important part of growing up. In the context of life any failures at school often are only small and are necessary to prepare children for the challenges life will throw at them.

Our task as teachers and parents is to guide and support our students through their work and study. On occasions we will see that a student is headed for a challenge or a failure and even after guidance and support that crash still occurs. The learning from that situation is often greater than a report card full of A’s.

Earlier this week we received the sad news of the passing of Sergeant Brendan Poustie, a police officer at the Northern Beaches Police Station. Brendan was involved in an accident whilst jogging late last week. Brendan and his wife Jakki and their children Liam (Year 4W) and Lucy (Year 2A) joined our school community eighteen months ago, having moved from the close knit community of Mt Isa. Jakki has been involved in the Parents and Friends Association and generously accepted the role of President at the beginning of this year. Brendan will be farewelled on Monday 19 June with a Requiem Mass commencing 12.00pm at St Joseph’s Church, Grendon St. Members of the P&F Association and Emmanuel Staff will be in attendance. During this difficult time and in the days to come, I ask our school community to keep Jakki, Liam and Lucy close to your hearts as they face life without their beloved husband and father. May Brendan be at peace with his loving God.

Wishing you every blessing for the coming week, Geraldine Rostirolla (Principal)

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION A fisherman was sitting on a beach under a palm tree.

He was relaxing and looking out to sea. A tourist

walking on the beach stopped to talk to him. He asked

the fisherman why he was not working. The fisherman

replied that he had caught enough fish for the day to

meet his needs and those of his family. Hearing this,

the tourist asked, "But what do you do with the rest of

your time?"

The fisherman answered, "I sleep late, fish a little,

play with my children and take a siesta. In the

evenings, I go into the village with my wife. We spend

time with our friends, have a few drinks and sing a

few songs. I have a full life."

The tourist interrupted, "I am a business man and I

can help you! You should start by fishing for longer

every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch

and with the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger

boat."

“What would I do then?” asked the fisherman.

"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you

can buy more boats and employ more people. Instead

of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then

negotiate directly with the processing plants and

maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave

this little village and move to the city. From there you

can direct your huge new enterprise."

"How long would that take?" asked the fisherman.

"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the

business man.

“What would I do then?” asked the fisherman.

"Well my friend,” answered the business man, “that's

when it gets really interesting. When your business

gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks

and make millions!"

"Really? “What would I do then?” asked the

fisherman.

"After that you'll be able to retire, live by the beach,

sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish,

take a siesta and spend your evenings drinking and

enjoying time with your family and friends."

“You don’t need to wait for tomorrow to be happy and

enjoy your life. Today is a gift - that’s why it is called

the present.” (Unknown)

MASS FOR BISHOP MICHAEL

During his recent visit to Emmanuel our school

captains presented Bishop Michael with a spiritual

bouquet. The ‘bouquet’ included prayers that would

be offered by our school community for Bishop

Michael’s intentions. Today Fr Stephen was here to

celebrate a Mass with us for the bishop. Students

listened and participated prayerfully and sang

beautifully. A big thank you to everyone who helped

to make this a wonderful celebration.

THIS SUNDAY The feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, also known

as Corpus Christi, celebrates and commemorates the

institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

Readings:

First Reading (Dt 8:2-3. 14-16)

Second Reading (1 Cor 10:16-17)

Gospel (Jn 6:51-58)

When we receive the body and blood of Jesus in the

Eucharist we become what we receive – we become

Christ’s body in the world. When Jesus called his

disciples, he called them to be like himself. He

reissues that call to be like him every time we receive

his body and blood in Eucharist. (Greg Sunter)

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM Please continue to keep these students in your

prayers as they prepare to receive their First Holy

Communion at parish Masses this weekend.

VIRTUE OF THE FORTNIGHT – JOYFULNESS Joyfulness is an inner sense of peace and happiness

that fills us with delight and hope. It allows us to enjoy

simple pleasures and to appreciate the gifts that each

day brings. Joy can carry us through the hard times,

even when we are feeling very sad. Joy gives us

wings.

“Joy is not in things ….. it is in us.” (Richard Wagner)

Mrs Noeleen Kliese

(Assistant Principal – Religious Education)

North Mackay Parish – St Joseph’s and St Brendan’s

First Communion

Practice

Friday 16 June 3:30pm

St Joseph’s Church

Celebration of First Holy

Communion

Saturday 17 June 6:00pm Mass

St Joseph’s Church

Sunday 18 June 7:30am Mass

St Brendan’s Church

Sunday 18 June 9:00am Mass

St Joseph’s Church

2017 International Competition for Schools (ICAS) Invitation

CURRICULUM CORNER

Children in years 5-6 are invited to take part in the

2017 International Competitions and Assessments for

Schools (ICAS). The ICAS competition provides

students with valuable practice at sitting formal

examinations, preparing them for compulsory state-

based assessments, assisting them to become more

comfortable in answering questions and managing

their time effectively under exam conditions. The

competitions form the largest independent

assessment program for schools in Australia, Asia

and the Pacific region.

At Emmanuel we will be offering the following

competitions this year: Mathematics and English.

The entry fees for the competitions are as follows:

English - $9.00 Mathematics - $9.00

If you would like your child to participate in one or more of these competitions, please obtain a permission letter from the office or your child’s class teacher, and return it completed and with the entry money by Tuesday 20 June.

Janine Refalo

(Acting Assistant Principal: Curriculum)

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL Yesterday the children participated in the Emmanuel

Interhouse Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to all

competitors for their dedication and behaviour.

Special thanks to the staff and parents who

volunteered their time and supported the competitors.

Without you we would not have achieved such a

successful carnival. A full wrap up of the carnival will

be in next week’s newsletter.

TWILIGHT CONCERT: On Monday 19 June, we will

be presenting a twilight concert in the Marist Centre.

The concert will begin at 5:30pm and should be

finished by no later than 6:30pm. There will be

performances by the school choir, along with

instrumental, vocal and dance solos from students in

Years Four - Six. Everyone is welcome to come along

for a lovely evening of entertainment.

A reminder for performers: Dress is smart casual. No

need to wear school uniform. Students are to be at

the hall by no later than 5:15pm.

SCHOOL CHOIR: Today marks our last choir

rehearsal for this semester. PLEASE NOTE: Our

rehearsal time will be changing next term. The new

start time will be 8:00am sharp and we will resume

rehearsals in week one of term three.

Yours in Music, Mrs Dale

MUSICORP CONCERT A concert will be held tomorrow, Friday 16 June at

12:50pm in the Marist Centre, showcasing the talents

of our Musicorp students. All Welcome!

MATHS CHALLENGE Solution to Week 8 Maths Question:

$5000

Week 9 Challenge: Maria has a choice of four toppings for her

pizza. (Bacon, cheese, olives and tomato

paste). How many pizza combinations are available if

Maria must choose at least one topping for her pizza?

TUCKSHOP ROSTER - WEEK

COMMENCING – MONDAY 19 JUNE

Monday 19 June Amanda Scriha

Tuesday 20 June HELP WANTED

Wednesday 21 June Vicki Brooke

Thursday 22 Jun SHOW HOLIDAY

Friday 23 June

Antoinette Schembri Julie-Anne Byrne

WEEK 9

Fri 16 Jun Assembly

School Disco

WEEK 10

Mon 19 Jun Twilight Concert – 5:30pm

Wed 21 Jun Netball and Rugby League Gala

Day

Thur 22 Jun Mackay Show holiday Fri 23 Jun Assembly

Last Day of Term Two

TERM TWO

Dress up as

your favourite

Disney character

Prep – Year 6

6pm – 8pm

Friday 16 June

P&F Sausage

Sizzle

$1/sausage on

bread

NO SCHOOL BANKING NEXT WEEK

MUSIC NEWS

DATE CLAIMER MACKAY SHOW PUBLIC HOLIDAY

THURSDAY 22 JUNE

HELP WANTED We are asking if any fathers who are free at 1:30pm

tomorrow, Friday 16 June, to help with setting up

fencing for school disco, to phone the school office.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

VIRTUE VOUCHERS FRIDAY 09 JUNE

Prep Jack O’Brien Alexis Muscat Isabella Lemm Harper Sanderson Lexie Adamson Thomas Schneider Yr 1 Jaben Kelly Cale Newton Charli Grant Yr 2 Lexi Worth Molly Phillips Catherine Vathikulam Liju Blake Battaia Demika Mezzen Yr 3 Brady Misztela Logyn Sammut Alvin Anuji Indie Webster Yr 4 Bella Hamilton Kasey Balchin Clint Gall Isabel Parnis Adam Grech Samantha Harmsworth Yr 5 Adriano Messina Maya Heke Madison Baguley Hannah Robertson Thomas Fry Yr 6 Jett Thomson Sandler Goldsworthy Nicholas Beardmore Eamonn De Thomasis Georgie Gosper