T4 W4 Newsletter 2024

From The Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

One of Jesus’ favourite images for the Kingdom of Heaven is of a party. Admittedly he uses the terms ‘banquet’ or ‘wedding feast’ but then these are just fancy words for ‘great party.’  When we look at how Jesus uses the image of a party, we realise that to be a follower of his we need to develop party skills.

Firstly, we need to be able to join in.  That is, leave our work and our role behind and be free enough to be with people just as we are.

Secondly, we need to be able to celebrate, to be joyful.  Nobody wants to party with someone who brings all their emotional baggage along.  At these times, we need to be generous enough to leave our sorrows and preoccupations behind and share joy with others.

Thirdly, we need to look out for others.  We need to notice and encourage the shy ones, pass round the food and drink, let the weary get a space to rest.

Fourthly, we don’t have to be the centre of attention.  It is not ‘all about me’ but rather ‘about us’.

These skills can be used not only at parties but often when we are with our family, friends or community.  As we hone these skills, we will discover that the Kingdom of Heaven truly is in our midst and that we are revealing the face of God to others.

Loving God, you sent your Son Jesus into our world that we may learn how to join in your life of joy and love.  Send us your Spirit that we know how to share your joy and love with others.  We ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear us.

Sr Kym Harris osb

Principal's Messages

PRAYING WITH POPE FRANCIS | The Pope’s worldwide Prayer Network is an international movement more than 170 year old.  Each month, the Pope puts forward a prayer intention and asks Catholics around the world to join him in prayer.  These intentions cover all sorts of areas of life, encouraging faith, renewing hope, and calling us all to loving service.  The Pope’s intention for October is for evangelisation and for collaboration between different religious traditions.

Let us pray that believers in different religious traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice and human fraternity.

BOTTLE STALL | As part of our effort to support the Parish, we will be holding and running a Bottle Stall at the Parish Fair this year.  The fair is scheduled for Saturday 9 November 2024.

In conjunction with this, a competition is being held to see which class collects the most bottles.  The winning class will be decided after working out the average.  The class that achieves the best bottle average will be awarded a prize.  Please start sending in bottles now to your children’s class.  These can be bottles that have been bought from the shops, or you may wish to fill your own bottles.  Fillings need to be a minimum of $2.00 in value please.  Please help where you can.

You may fill bottles with: buttons, any sort of knick knacks, hair accessories, bath bombs, seed packets, lollies with wrappers, party surprises, soap, toy cars, balloons, beads, homemade jam, homemade chutney, pencils, erasers, money, fairy stones, miniature water pistols, jewellery, ribbons, candles ….. the list is endless. 

Please give careful consideration to not placing certain consumable items; including medication, cleaning products and sharp objects in bottles, as I imagine this stall will attract many, many children.

LEADERSHIP EVENING | Last Thursday we held a great leadership evening with our year five cohort and their amazing parents. This was part of their leadership journey and we thank our mums and dads for their support in getting their children to 'night school'. Thank you Ms Moloney for your detailed leadership around ensuring the success of tonight.  Special thanks is extended to those who were part of the panel – Ms Moloney, Mrs Gibson, Mrs Wojeski and Mrs Hazel.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

WORLD TEACHERS' DAY | World Teachers’ Day honours the dedication, hard work, and passion of teachers who play a crucial role in shaping the minds and futures of our children. It is celebrated this coming Friday, a very busy day for our staff.

At St Anne's we celebrate our whole staff on this day as we are united for a common goal, that of seeing children succeed.

I invite you to celebrate our staff! Write a note, pen a card, acknowledge is a special way those who have made a difference for you or your child.

World Teachers' Day is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the incredible work people in schools do every single day. By celebrating this day and showing your appreciation, you can help create a supportive and encouraging environment that allows staff to thrive and continue making a positive impact on your children's lives.

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10: 10

Week at a Glance

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.

Date Saver - St Anne's Centenary Week 2025

St Anne's 99 Years in Education

COVID Requirements

Student Protection News

Across The Curriculum

PAT TESTING

This term, students from years 1-6 have completed PAT testing for Mathematics and Reading.

Progress Achievement Testing (PAT) is a standardised assessment widely used in schools to measure students' academic progress and identify areas for improvement. PAT tests align with the Australian Curriculum and provide teachers with valuable data to inform their teaching. By administering PAT assessments, schools can track students' growth over time, identify learning gaps, and implement targeted interventions to support their success.

If you would like further information or your child's PAT test results, please email me and I am happy to assist : shona_gibson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Thanks

ICAS TESTING

Congratulations to the student who completed ICAS testing last term. Your certificates have arrived and will be presented during assembly in Week 5.

If you are interested in learning more about ICAS, or would like to know the difference between ICAS and NAPLAN, click on the attached link: https://www.icasassessments.com/blog/icas-vs-naplan-key-differences-for-parents/

READING COACH

Are you interested in a FREE online app to assist with your child's reading? Microsoft Reading Coach uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create personalised, engaging AI-powered reading fluency practice for all learners.

https://coach.microsoft.com/en-US

Children are able to choose their own character and setting, then AI will generate a personalised passage for them to read. 

The Good News

From the Assistant Principal: Religious Education

Ms Georgia Moloney

Mission Fair and Crazy Sock Day

This Friday is Mission Fair, Crazy Sock Day, Day for Daniel and World Teacher’s Day! Students are encouraged to wear some bright, colourful, borrowed or silly socks to school. Both Mission Fair and Crazy Sock Day are part of our efforts to raise awareness and funds for Catholic Missions, supporting those in need around the world. There will be fun activities, stalls, and delicious treats available at the fair, and all donations will go directly to supporting Catholic missionary work. We invite all families to participate and help make a difference. Thank you for your generosity and support!

Year 4 Prayer Celebration

This Friday, Year 4 will be leading the school in their Prayer Celebration at the beginning of Assembly. Please join us in the Hall from 8.40am.

Sacramental Program and Family Mass

On Sunday, 27th October, St Anne's will be hosting the monthly Mass at St Michael's Church in Sarina. We warmly invite families to join us. If you or your child would like to participate by reading prayers during the Mass, please contact Ms. Moloney via email to express your interest.

Additionally, a small group of St Anne's students, along with other members of the parish, have been preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Their special moment will take place after Mass on the same day. We extend our heartfelt prayers to these students as they continue their faith journey.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Term 4 marks the start of the Christmas Appeal for St Vincent de Paul Society and we invite you once again to join us in making a difference to people’s lives. Christmas can often be a stressful time of year for individuals and families, especially with the added financial pressures associated with the festive season. Every year the Society, with your support, helps families across Queensland celebrate Christmas. This Christmas, your support can help to alleviate some of the pressures families and individuals may be facing during this season.

The St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland is thankful and appreciative of the ongoing support your school community has provided throughout 2024, and you have helped us raise awareness around the issues of homelessness and poverty. Once again, thank you for a fantastic year. We look forward to another great Christmas Appeal!

The St Vincent de Paul Society is asking for volunteers to come and sort or pack hampers at their Office in Mackay. The dates and times are as follows:

Saturday 7th December            Sorting of the donations                          8.30am – 12.30pm

Saturday 14th December         Packing of the Christmas Hampers   8.30am – 12.30pm

Volunteers will need to contact the office and leave their name and contact details by email: office.mackay@svdpqld.org.au or phone on 4957 3955 (Mon, Wed & Friday 8.30am – 1.30pm). Someone from the Mackay office will then contact them to confirm the dates and times. Even if volunteers cannot spend the whole time, they are more than welcome to come for an hour or two. Every little bit helps.

Donations or tinned and non-perishable foods (e.g. cordial, tinned fruit, pasta, coffee, tea etc) can be placed in the basket in each classroom and will be presented to a member from St Vincent de Paul at our End of Year Mass.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like more information.

Stella Maris Seafarers

Each year, we collect toiletries to support the Seafarers in Mackay, offering them comfort and care while they are away from home. If you would like to contribute, we welcome donations of toiletries and/or empty shoe boxes, which can be sent to school with your child and given to their teacher for collection. Your generosity helps brighten the lives of those working at sea, and we greatly appreciate your support in this meaningful cause.

Finance News

Important Information regarding how School fee payments show on the Parent Orbit App  |  With the introduction of the new Parent Orbit App, parents are now able to easily see where they are up to with their school fee payments. However, an important thing to note is that any payments that have been made in the past 2 weeks may not show in the App, as they need to be processed to your account after the repayment is received and this is done in bulk every week or two. If it is longer than 2 weeks since you have made a payment and it is still not showing on the Orbit App, please contact the Finance Officer, Sandra Adams for it to be looked into. Sorry for any confusion this has caused.  

School Fees |  Term 4 School Fees have been issued with a due date of 31/10/2024. 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. 

Sports News

Swimming Carnival Volunteers Needed  |  With our Swimming Carnival, on the 25th of November, fast approaching we are putting a call out for any parents who are able to volunteer to help on the day. If you are able to help with marshalling, timing or recording results please let the office know. We also need parents to help with the P&F sausage sizzle being held at the carnival. Many hands make light work and every bit of help is greatly appreciated. 

INDEE M

Indee’s recent achievements with basketball saw her compete in under 12’s State Basketball Championship games which were held in Brisbane; they competed against teams from Brisbane region, Bundaberg, Toowoomba and Gold Coast.  Out of the 7 games the girls came away with a total of 5 wins and 2 very close games.

Indee has shown great improvement not only on the court but off the court with her caring nature, she is always reassuring her team members and keeping their spirits high by supporting them throughout the games.

On the court she is a valuable player that has the ability to play the ball to the correct player and is always about team and not herself as an individual.

Indee is always giving her best, on and off the court, this was recognised by her team members who voted for her as most valuable player for the carnival.  She got to keep the team mascot (a big stuffed bear wearing a team Shirt).  

Indee also received a mention in the Courier Mail where they named the top 60 players from between the boys and girls teams – Total of about 700 or so players.

The 60-Plus Stars of Basketball QLD U12 State Titles

Star player – Indee Mortimer – Mackay Comets

Inspirational Leader – Indee Mortimer – Mackay Comets

P&F News

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. 

Student Leadership

Newsletter Report By  Dustan ( Week 10 Term 3)  |   I hope that you are all having a good last day of term 3 but remember that you need your white shirt for the Colour Fun Run and that you have to have your hat on or you can't do it and just remember just because it is your last day doesn't mean that you don't have to listen to the teacher, so I hope you be good. 

Newsletter Report By  Lucy ( Week 1 Term 4)  | Firstly I would like to address that Mr Oches, the captains and myself have had a meeting where we were discussing about sporting equipment and sports bags. Soon you will be expecting a knock on your classroom door by some of the captains. We will be checking if you have the sporting equipment that you are meant to have, if not we will restock your sports bag and pump up balls if needed. 

On another note, please make sure you are sitting up straight, tracking the speaker and listening whilst we are at assembly. 

Also I want to say great work for remembering to wear your hat when you are outside, keep it up!

I am happy to report that the Year 6 bake sale was a huge success. We raised a lot of money to go towards the Year 6 camp. Thankyou to all teachers, parents and students who supported us. 

Lastly, just a reminder that Monday is a public holiday so  we come back on Tuesday next week. 

Newsletter Report By  Lucas ( Week 2 Term 4)  |  It is good to see everyone sitting down at lunch time. Remember no running in the under croft while we are at lunch.

Thankyou for keeping our grounds tidy and picking up any rubbish that may be lying around. It is nice to see you all taking pride in our school.

This week Years 5 & 6 had the opportunity to attend the Bright Future STEM Program. We had lots of fun learning and engaging with the activities that were on offer.

Please remember to keep listening to your teachers and enjoy your weekend. 

Newsletter Report By  Indee ( Week 3 Term 4)  |  I would like to start off with a reminder to wear a red shirt next Friday as a reminder of Daniel Morcombe, also silly socks. Please don't go out buying brand new socks because it doesn't matter, just wear crazy or mismatched socks! We have got a lot going on next Friday as well as Mission Fair. I know you are all excited but please remember to listen to the rules and not go crazy. 

Mercy Awards

Congratulations To Our Mercy Award Recipients Of The Week |  Maia A, Eleanor B, Heath B, Millie G, Benson P, Ryan K, Jasper H, Patrick Z, Ben G, Lincoln F, Bryce G, Sophia C, Paige G, Chiara M, Lucas N, Jemma M, Chris B, Savannah B, Lucas B, Year 6

General Information

Parent Orbit App Setup Guide

Community News