T3 W9 Newsletter 2022

From The Principal

Dear Parents, Care-Givers, Staff, Parishioners & Students,

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.  One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.  His bed was next to the room's only window.  The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.  Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside.  The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young copules walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.  One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.  Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it.  In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed.  One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.  She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window.   The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.  Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. 

It faced a blank wall!  The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.  The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you." 

Lessons:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.

"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."

Principal's Messages

Wonder Recycling Rewards For Schools Closing This Week

The Wonder Recycling Rewards for Schools program is closing this Friday 9th September. If you have any remaining bread bags, could you please bring them in to the office by Friday.  Everyone's support with this initiative is greatly appreciated.  St Anne's currently has 1000 points to spend on sports equipment.

Book Week Colouring Competion Results

During Book Week the library ran a colouring competition. There were some amazing entries. After much consideration the final results are:

Prize Winners

Grace H - Year 1

Nait B - Year 3

Odessa - Year 6

Runners Up

Scarlett J - Prep

Lizzy S - Year 4

Stacey G - Year 6

Below are their incredible colourings. 

Student Protection News

The Good News

On Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day. This is a special day where we give thanks for the gift of fathers, grandfathers, uncles and those who are a fatherly figure. Being a father is also a life changing experience (as I have found out myself!)

I've been fortunate in my life to have my father, Dr Robert Presley, and my grandfather, Noel Dever (dec) as great role models.

Dad as a general surgeon, worked incredibly hard and always strived for excellence in his work. Dad's message of "do your job and do it well" continues to inspire me today as an educator. His thirst for ongoing improvement and continued learning is something that stands out to me. I remember times when he had to make sacrifices with family - often taking phone calls and having to race to the hospital to operate on someone urgently or working on a weekend. These sacrifices taught me how important his work was - placing the needs of the sick and ill first through being caring and compassionate. 

Noel, affectionately known as 'Papa', was a shining example of love, faithfulness and gentleness. As my grandma developed Alzheimer's later in her life, Papa became her primary carer. He would care for Grandma right up until her passing. Papa and Grandma were true to their wedding vows of 'be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honour you all the days of my life'. Papa's example taught us all about love - for your spouse, your children, your family and your neighbour. 

We give our thanks, Creator God, for the fathers in our lives.

Fatherhood does not come with a manual, and reality teaches us that some fathers excel while others fail.

We ask for Your blessings for them all and forgiveness where it is needed.

This Father's Day we remember the many sacrifices fathers make for their children and families, and the ways--both big and small--they lift children to achieve dreams thought beyond reach.

So too, we remember all those who have helped fill the void when fathers pass early or are absent; grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers, pastors and coaches and the women of our families.

For those who are fathers, we ask for wisdom and humility in the face of the task of parenting. Give them the strength to do well by their children and by You.

In Your Holy name, O God, we pray.

Amen.

We live in an era of extraordinary wealth in some countries contrasted against extraordinary poverty and need in other countries. Accumulation of possessions has become a driving force in our society. Flat screen televisions, iPods, multiple computers, games consoles, portable DVD players, multifunction mobile phones are all ‘must-have’ items.

The thought of surrendering such items may be almost impossible to consider. However, Jesus’ message about being a disciple calls to us. How can some people in the world surround themselves with such luxuries while others don’t have enough to eat? Does the love of ‘possessions’ blind us to the needs of others?

Our ‘possessions’ are all those things – material, emotional, and psychological – that we cling to and that we think give us our identity and status. Jesus called for a radical reinterpretation of status and position. He tells his listeners that they cannot truly be disciples if they continue to cling to those things that are considered important in this world.

They have to surrender the things that bind them to this world’s ideas of status and position before they can fully embrace the kingdom view of the world. As Jesus said, you have to really count the cost!

(c) Catholic Kids Media 2022. Video used with permission. 

Have a great week. God's love, peace and blessings,

Stuart.

Stuart Presley

Assistant Principal - Religious Education

stuart_presley@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Finance News

Term 3 School Fees are now overdue. Due date for payment was Monday 8th August. If you have not paid in full, and do not already have a payment plan in place, please contact our Finance Officer, Sandra Adams as soon as possible to discuss options. 

Sports News

Write article here

CONGRATULATIONS Track and Field  Athletes and Cricket Players!

Mitchell A and Lilly Z recently competed in Capricornia Track and Field Trials at the ARC in Mackay. Lilly's speciality is Shot Put and after attending a training session the week leading in, Lilly competed with nerves but did herself, family and her school proud! 

Mitchell has been training continuously striving towards State level competition all year. With a stoic effort, Mitchell has made the Capricornia Team and will travel to Brisbane in October to run in the 200m event. AMAZING effort by both athletes! We wish Mitchell all the best for upcoming trials in September for 100m to see if he can also qualify for State in this event. We wish Mitchell all the best in achieving his dreams!

Clancy S recently trialled in the Mackay District Cricket trials and made it into the Team for the Capricornia Trials. Clancy is passionate about his cricket. Keep it up Clancy!

Girls Rugby League Tackle workshop - Wednesday 24th August we welcomed Bede, a NRL Development Officer to St Anne's. Girls in Years 4-6 joined in a development session allowing them to learn safe tackle techniques. This was a fun session, inspiring a few girls to join in a Gala Day being held in Mackay on 16th September. 

NRL Workshops at St Anne's - Next Term we will be hosting another NRL development workshop for both boys and girls in all classes, this will not include tackling but is more a promotion of Rugby League. This will occur during PE lessons on 11^th and 12^th October. 

P&F News

UNIFORM SHOP SALE 🔥

To make way for our formal uniform minor changes that will begin occurring in 2023 we have reduced all of our current formal uniforms. Please note the formal uniform change isn’t a massive change and will be a gradual change across different stocked sizes over the coming years. There is no end date to the CURRENT formal uniform as yet.

Formal shirts - $20 reduced from $38 (sizes limited)

Formal Dresses - $40 reduced from $55 (very limited sizes)

Girls formal Skorts - $20 reduced from $35

Boys formal Shorts - $15 reduced from $25

OLD sports shirts are only $10! Limited sizes, cash only at the uniform shop on Fridays when open. (The new sports will be compulsory as of Jan 1, 2024)

These prices are set to stay for our current stock.

Our new formal uniforms will only be available in sizes 4, 8 & 10 for shirts, shorts & skorts and dresses will be stocked in all sizes at the beginning of 2023. Gradual stocking of all sizes will occur as the current uniform stock levels lower over the next year or so.

Prices are effective immediately on Flexi-Schools & at the uniform shop!

Uniform Shop Hours Term Three

Please see below uniform shop dates for this term: 

Week 3 - July 29th 8:15am-9am

Week 4 - August 5th CLOSED

Week 5 - August 12th CLOSED

Week 6 - August 19th CLOSED

Week 7 - August 26th 8:15am-9am

Week 8 - Closed

Week 9 - September 9th 8:15am-9am

Week 10 - September 16th order packing only CLOSED for garden party set up

Term 4

8th & 15th of October CLOSED due to eisteddfod commitments (orders will be filled at some point during these weeks )

Tuckshop Volunteers

The St Anne's Tuckshop is closed until a new convenor is appointed. 

St Michael's Parish News

On behalf of St Michael's Parish, we welcome home Fr Don White after his study leave in Rome. 

Student Leadership

Leadership is a quality that all students of St Anne's Catholic Primary School are encouraged and supported to develop.  These experiences ensure that students perceive themselves as leaders and have the opportunity and confidence to take on leadership roles and find their voice.

Newsletter Report by Ben  |   I have been noticing that people have been playing in the leaf pile at lunch time. Can we please respect the gardener’s hard work and stay out. Keep in mind, there might be snakes hiding in the leaves.

Good job to those who have been coming down to first lunch quickly. Can we please remember to do the same at second break also?

With less than half the year to go, remember to stay positive and keep up the good work. 

Students Of The Week

Congratulations To Our Students Of The Week  |  Ben T, Chelsea B, Deejay P, Jordan L, Travis S, Year 1G, Bryce G, Sophia J, Summer W, Nevaeh W, Payton H, Paige G, Xander B, Zan'eisha M, Taysha M, Axl B, Addison W, Lizzy S, Year 4HC, Samson M, Marcus S, Ben M, Zac G, Dain M, Stacey G, Tahliea H, Neena P, Clancy S, Mia Z, Mathew W, Sienna W, Jemma M, Chad K, Tate C, Bendan B

Birds Of A Feather

General Information

New Schoolzine App for Reading Newsletters

Schoolzine SZApp  |  As you are aware, at St Anne’s we have implemented a new format for our newsletter this year called Schoolzine. We encourage families to download the free SZApp which will enable you to easily see our newsletter on any device and receive alerts when the latest newsletter is available. The newsletter link will also continue to be emailed out to parents. 

Once thge SZApp is downloaded, please complete your registration, using our school passcode 4818. More instructions on how to install the SZApp are below.

Wonder Recycling Rewards For Schools

Harlequin School Bags

Community News