School Newsletter - Issue 8 - Friday, 2nd June 2023
Assistant Principal's News
This is only a short newsletter this week, as Mr Arendse is currently in Canberra with our Year 6 children.
Canberra
Our Year 6 students are currently embarking on a remarkable educational journey as they experience everything on offer in the capital city of Australia, Canberra. This exhilarating and educational excursion provides the children with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich cultural and historical tapestry of our nation.
They have been busy exploring iconic landmarks like Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial to engaging in interactive exhibits at Questacon. Our young explorers have experienced an unforgettable blend of learning and fun. With memories of engaging museum tours, enlightening encounters with indigenous history, and the awe-inspiring beauty of Lake Burley Griffin, we know the children will return with a newfound appreciation for the diverse wonders of our remarkable country. 
Emma McBride, the Federal Member for Dobell (our electorate) came to visit us during hospitality at Parliament House. She spent a good half hour talking about her role, answering questions and playing multiple games of ‘scissors, paper, rock.’ We were most appreciative of the time she gave up to spend with us. The children had such an unbelievable time as we also saw full parliament sitting during question time yesterday. 
The children also visited Government House early on Friday and were lucky enough to meet His Excellency the Honourable Governor General David Hurley. His Excellency spent some time talking with our students before answering their questions. 
We applaud their enthusiasm and commend their eagerness to embrace new adventures that broaden their perspectives and foster a lifelong love for learning. We would also like thank Ms Amor, Mrs Woolford, Mr Perkins and Mr Arendse for taking the children on this fantastic excursion and for spending 3 days away from their families to support the children with this great experience.
Athletics Carnival - Friday, 16th June
The much-anticipated annual school Athletics Carnival is just around the corner! The carnival will take place at Mingara Athletics Track on Friday, 16th June. The day is sure to be action-packed and full of friendly competition, teamwork, and sporting spirit. Keep your eye out for a Compass notification next week that will contain all of the information for the day, as well as the online permission form.
Staff Development Day – Friday, 30th June
Just a reminder there is a pupil free day on the last day of this term, Friday, 30th June. This is a system wide staff development day where every teacher in our Diocese will engage with our system leaders in reviewing and discussing the Towards 2025 System Strategic Plan. From there, schools will have the opportunity to review their own annual plan to ensure it aligns with that of the system. These days are important to continually analyse system and school alignment and allow teachers the opportunity to review and reference their own professional plans.
Attendance - Extended Leave Forms
If you are planning to travel and your child will miss 10 or more school days, please complete the mandatory Extended Leave Form which can be found by following the link, or on our school website. This will ensure the days your child has off school are not marked as unexplained absences.
Stephen Lynch
Assistant Principal
Class Merit Awards
Religious Education Co-ordinator News
Pentecost
Thank you to Year 3 who prepared and led us in a beautiful liturgy to mark Pentecost.
Confirmation
Students from Year 3 and above have started to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. An information evening was held at St Cecilia’s, but if anyone missed it, here is the information you need.
You can enrol either via the QR code or fill in the attached enrolment form. Either email it to wyongparish@bbcatholic.org.au by Friday 2nd June, or bring it to the Presentation Mass on 3rd/4th June.
The Sacrament will be celebrated on the 15th of July at St Peter’s Catholic College. If there is a problem with this date, please let me know.
Here is some further information:
Confirmation Information and Enrolment Form
What to Remember on the Ceremony Day
If you have any questions, please call the parish office on 02 4352 1011 or email luisa.lawicki@dbb.catholic.edu.au
Seasons for Growth
We will be running Seasons for Growth in Term 3. Seasons is aimed at students who have suffered a loss due to eg death, divorce, separation etc. If your child would benefit from this program, please let me know as we are starting to compile a list of suitable candidates. If you would like to find out more about it -
click here for more information or contact luisa.lawicki@dbb.catholic.edu.au
Behavioural Expectations
To assist your child with the correct behaviours at school, we encourage you to use the same language that we do at home. We have been focusing on:
To make SJF a Happy Place
We Follow Instructions
Stop!
Take a step back, take a breath, look around.
Think
About how your actions may affect you or others.
Do
Follow instructions given respectfully.
What can you do to help the situation?
We all need to follow instructions, from teachers, our boss at work, the doctors and the police. Following instructions involves listening carefully and doing what has been asked, even if we don’t want to. Here is a great website that could help your child to listen and follow instructions at home.
Change of Date: St John Fisher Day
We always celebrate St John Fisher Day on 22nd June with a Mass. 
This year we will be having it on Wednesday 21st June at 9:15 am as it means that we can invite the parishioners to celebrate with us.
Wellbeing Week
We recognise that life is getting busier for all of us. At SJF we value highly the wellbeing of the students, staff and families and so next week is:
In recognition of this we would like you to join us in celebrating all that is good in our world especially our families and friends. The teachers are planning a few special activities for their students and have been asked to leave work quickly once the day is finished, so that they can spend some quality time with their families .
We ask that this week, you take some time out also to do something small but special as a family. Below is a list of activities that you could try. The aim for the week is to build strong relationships with your family, enjoy time together and most of all care for everyone’s wellbeing. You will see that the activities below are not impossible to do or expensive, but aimed at creating lasting memories by developing strong connections with those we care about.
Take some time this next week to think about those around you who make your life better just by being there. Or think about those people who go out of their way to help you. Why not start Wellbeing Week by saying thank you to those people and help build their positive wellbeing?
Activities to try:
How many can you do in a week?
Walk on the beach
Play a board game 
Paint a picture 
Go for a bike ride
Turn the TV off for the night
Go to the park
Let the kids help make dinner 
Play with bubbles
Write a story together
Skip 
Teach your dog a trick
Bushwalking 
Fly a kite
What else can you think of? Let your teacher know what you have been doing.
Luisa Lawicki
Religious Education Co-ordinator
Library News
The Premier's Reading Challenge
The Premier's Reading Challenge is gathering momentum and it's wonderful to see so many families getting involved. Congratulations to the following students who have recently passed the halfway mark in the PRC :
Nicholas C, Daniel M, Charlie S, Veronica S, Ollie M, Hartley O, Isabelle S, Emilia W, Taj E, Nick G, Carter K, William S, Aubree W, Harrison B, Taj C, Otis E, Poppie G, Adelaide K, Michael N, Leon S, Ella S, Taylor S, Skye S, Breanna A, Charlotte B, Darcy C, Mila H, Max J, Amelia L, Jai M, Danny S and Baylei W.
These students have completed the challenge over the past fortnight:
Francesca L, Maeve K, Kai N, Oliver S, Zoe K, Eliana W, Lily C, Sadie K, Eden P, Max B, Riley B, Isla G, Isla M, Olivia F, Sophie K, Aurora N, Olivia S, Laila W, Violett W and Lachlan B.
Well done on a massive reading effort!
Teresa O'Keeffe
Teacher Librarian
Parent Engagement Co-ordinator (PEC)
Sport & Cheer Heroes Disco
Thank you to all of the amazing parent helpers who stayed and supervised the disco last Friday evening. Especially Phoebe Brady who was our Disco Parent Team Leader.
We also appreciate the efficient drop off and pick up from parents.
The students had an absolute ball!
This was our only Disco this year, but stay tunned for a different exciting family event later in the year.
Little Fishers Playgroup
Next Wednesday, 7th June, we will have our final playgroup for the term. We will meet in the main hall from 9:15am to 10:15am for some fun activities and play.
SJF Advisory
Next Tuesday, 6th June, the SJF Advisory will meet for our Term 2 meeting. If you have any matters which you’d like addressed please reach out to myself or any of the other advisory members, who are listed on our school website.
Father’s Day Parent Team Leader
I am currently taking Expressions of Interest from parents who would be interested in taking on the role of Father’s Day Parent Team Leader. You would work in collaboration with me to help organise breakfast for our wonderful community of dads. Please email kate.benton@dbb.catholic.edu.au if you’re interested.
Kate Benton
Parent Engagement Co-ordinator (PEC)
Flyers
Upcoming Events
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| Week 7 | 5th June | 6th June | 7th June | 8th June | 9th June |
| Week 8 | 12th June
Kings Birthday PUBLIC HOLIDAY | 13th June | 14th June | 15th June | 16th June |
| Week 9 | 19th June | 20th June | 21st June St John Fisher Mass 9.15 am | 22nd June | 23rd June |
| Week 10 | 26th June | 27th June | 28th June | 29th June | 30th June |
| TERM 3 Week 1 | 17th July | 18th July | 19th July | 20th July | 21st July |
