T3 W4 Newsletter 2024

From The Principal

Dear Parents, Carer, Staff, Parishioners & Students,

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
 
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him when the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.  He then asked the students if the jar was full.  They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar he shook the jar lightly.  The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.  He then asked the students again if the jar was full.  They agreed it was.
 
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.  Of course, the sand filled up everything else.  He asked once more if the jar was full.  The students responded with an unanimous "yes."  The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.  The students laughed.
 
"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.  The golf balls are the important things---God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
 
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.  The same goes for life.  If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.  Play with your children.  Spend time with your parents.  Visit with grandparents.  Take time to get medical checkups.  Take your spouse out to dinner.  There will always be time to clean the house.  Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.  Set your priorities.  The rest is just sand."
 
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.  The professor smiled and said, "I'm glad you asked." 

 
The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.  https://www.michaelppowers.com/prosperity/mayonnaise.html

Gracious God,

In the quiet moments shared over a cup of coffee, we find solace, strength, and connection.  Just as there is always room for another cup, so too is there always room for deeper connection in our lives.

Help us to cultivate spaces of warmth and understanding, where hearts can open and souls can find solace.  May our conversations be filled with kindness and empathy, mirroring the richness of the shared cup.

In these moments of togetherness, may we find the strength to carry on, the wisdom to navigate life’s challenges, and the grace to appreciate the beauty in every day.

Amen.

Principal's Messages

THANK YOU  |  Thank you for sharing Catholic Education Week with us.  Your involvement and support made the week a resounding success.  We appreciate you taking the time to attend our Open Morning, Mass, and the Family Picnic, especially those who braved the weather for our outdoor event.

We were particularly grateful for your support as we celebrated our school’s values and our mission. Your presence and enthusiasm made the week truly special.

EISTEDDFOD CHORAL SPEAKING  |  News just to hand – years 2 and 5 have accepted the challenge to enter the Choral Speaking event of the Annual Mackay Eisteddfod.  As soon as we have other news, parents will be notified immediately.

Parent Orbit App  |  I would like to announce that we have an exciting new App, called the Parent Orbit App, which was launched last week. I urge you to please check your emails for instructions on how to download and use this App and download it as soon as possible. You will be able to submit absences, make changes to address and medical details, see report cards, pay fees and much more on this easy to use App. We will also be able to send you notifications easily straight to your phone about important matters that affect you or your child. The instructions on how to download and log into the Orbit App are also below for your convenience. 

Parent Orbit App Setup Guide

Year 6 Fundraiser - Meal Deal

Prep Enrolments for 2025

PREP 2025  |  Do you have a Prep student beginning in 2025?

We are now taking enrolments via the online system.  We encourage both existing and new families who have a child starting Prep in 2025 to lodge their enrolment application as soon as possible.  Applications are to be made via our online enrolment application available on our website via this link: https://www.sasrok.catholic.edu.au/   

Interviews being conducted now. 

Please contact the school office for further information or if any assistance is required.

Family Wellbeing Expo & Colour Run

Date Saver - St Anne's Centenary Week 2025

Book Fair 14th - 23rd August

St Anne's 99 Years in Education

COVID Requirements

Student Protection News

Across The Curriculum

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TREE PLANTING

On the 26th of July, Year Two and Four students from St Anne’s joined Mackay’s youngest green thumbs at Glen Park, Glenella to plant more than 1000 trees! It was a fabulous day out! Not only did the students help the environment by planting a tree canopy to eventually shield against the sweltering heat, they made the news!! Thank you to Mrs Gill, Mrs Cotter and all who assisted on the day. 

SPLAT

Splats are a great interactive number talk that can be used across a wide range of year levels. The goal is to work on subitizing & counting skills, parts of a whole and to encourage mathematical conversation. 

Time to figure out the missing parts covered by the splat... don't forget to explain your thinking!

How do you know? 

How might you draw the number underneath the splat?

The Good News

From the Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Ms Georgia Moloney

Catholic Education Week

Last week was a whirlwind of excitement as we celebrated Catholic Education Week with a host of activities. Monday kicked off with an Open Day, where it was heart warming to see so many parents visiting classrooms, actively engaging with activities, and sharing in their children's learning experiences.

The highlight of the week was undoubtedly Thursday, when the entire school gathered for our St Anne’s Feast Day Mass. Following this beautiful celebration, we were honoured to hear Sister Sally Bradley from Mercy Works speak in the Hall, inspiring us with her words.

After a busy and fulfilling morning, families and students came together in the under-covered eating area for a delightful picnic and cake, marking a joyous celebration of 99 years of Catholic Education at St Anne’s.

Also during the week the students were asked the following four questions. Their answers are in Red below . 

1. What makes St Anne’s a great school?

• The great teachers, Principal and other staff

• All the teachers and staff are kind 

• The great sports teams and school programs

• Kind students

• The playgrounds

• Because I get to play with Tilly the dog

     2. Why do you like attending St Anne’s?

• Because of the great educational programs

• Because I love seeing my friends and teachers

• I love learning

• Because we have teachers that are kind and care about us

      3. What makes St Anne’s different from other schools?

• Our religious beliefs

• Our school rules

• We learn about God and Jesus

• We try and be like Jesus

• Caring teachers

• We have rules that connect with Mercy Values

      4. How does St Anne’s show it is a Catholic School?

• We have crosses throughout the school

• The church is next door

• People praying

• The school logo

• We go to Mass

The Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion

This coming Sunday, five children, including two from St Anne’s, will be completing the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion at St Michael’s at 9 am. We are honoured to have Bishop Michael McCarthy presiding over the Mass. We warmly invite you to join us for this special occasion and to stay afterwards for a small morning tea celebration.

St Anne’s Family Mass

This past Sunday, several Year 3 students and teachers from St Anne’s made a wonderful contribution to St Michael’s Parish by reading and leading prayers during the 9 am Mass. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved. It is inspiring to see the strong partnership between the St Anne’s and St Michael’s communities continue to flourish.

Sr Sally Bradley Visit

Finance News

Concession Card Discounts  |  If you have an existing concession card discount,  please be aware that discounts are not automatically applied to new enrolments.  Discounts are applied to each student upon individual application and there is a form that is required to be completed each time.

If you have an existing concession card registered at St Anne’s and have more than one student, please contact Sandra Adams to confirm that discounts have been applied to each student. 

School Fees |  Term 3 School Fees have been issued with a due date of 06/08/2024. If you foresee any issue paying in full by this date, and do not already have a payment plan in place, please contact our Finance Officer Sandra Adams to discuss options. 

P&F News

Date Claimer - St Anne's Disco is on Friday 23rd August.  

Tuckshop

If you order Tuckshop for your child, please remember to still supply fruit for fruit break for that day, as well as second lunch if you only order first lunch Tuckshop. 

If you can volunteer to help in the tuckshop from 8:30 -10:30am on Thursday or Friday on the week your child's class is rostered, please contact the office. 

Year 6 Raffle

Mercy Awards

Congratulations To Our Mercy Award Recipients Of The Week |  Joseph S, Taytum C, Chet R, Julianna D, Bryce G, Xochitl H, Savannah B, Scarlett B, Brendan B

General Information

Parent Lounge Guide

St Anne's School Bags From Harlequin

Schoolzine App For Reading Newsletters

Community News