School Newsletter - Issue 16, Friday 20th October 2023
Assistant Principal's News
Welcome Back
Welcome back to Term 4, a term that is always busy and full of lots of learning, excursions, events, and celebrations. It has been great catching up with the children over the past two weeks to hear all about their holidays and the adventures they had. We are glad they had a nice break and are refreshed for the last term of school. Later this term we will sadly farewell our Year 6 children. They have been fantastic leaders of our school this year and we look forward to sharing their last term at St John Fisher with them.
Smart Watches
This term we have noticed the increase of children wearing Smart Watches to school. While we are happy for children to wear these, we just want to remind the community of a couple of points:
- Smart Watches must be switched to school mode. If there is a last-minute change of plans or you need to contact your child, please contact the school office and we will pass the message on to you. There has been an increase in children texting and ringing home from school using smartwatches. If a child is caught using their Smart Watch at school for the wrong reasons, it will be taken to the school office and can be picked up after school.
- Smart Watches are the child’s responsibility. We know there is a significant cost with some Smart Watches. Please remind your child that they are responsible for them, and the loss or damage of these watches is not covered by the school.
Year 5 Leadership Day
Yesterday we had our Year 5 Leadership Day. St. Peter’s Youth Ministry group students came to St. John Fisher to guide us in our journey towards being leaders. Year 5 students separated into 8 different groups and worked in our workbook with our group leader from St. Peters. The Youth Ministry guided us as we learned about the qualities and skills of a good leader. We also learned about our strengths and how we see ourselves as leaders. Yesterday we started to design our Year 6 shirts and start planning for next year as a Year 6 leader.
As a Year 6 leader, I will try my hardest to cooperate with others, commit to hard challenges, listen to other people's ideas, and work hard to achieve things. I will inspire others and respect my teachers and the people around me. I will lead the school responsibly.
By Isla M
Kindergarten Orientation 2024
On Tuesday we welcomed our new Kindergarten children for 2024 to school for their first Orientation Day. It was a fabulous morning where children were able to experience some storytelling and interact with each other by participating in a variety of fun activities. We look forward to seeing them at school again over the next few weeks. We welcome all of our new Kindy's to the St John Fisher community.
2024 Year 5 Camp and Year 6 Excursion Dates
We have finalised the dates for the Year 5 camp and Year 6 excursion for 2024:
Year 5 Camp at Point Wolstoncroft – Wednesday 1st May to Friday, 3rd May, 2024
Year 6 Canberra Excursion – Wednesday, 12th June to Friday, 14th June, 2024
Stephen Lynch
Assistant Principal
Class Merit Awards
Growing in Faith and Knowledge Awards
Religious Education Co-ordinator News
As we mark Mission Month we join in prayer:
20 Uplifting Prayers for Community Outreach - Strength in Prayer
Mission Month
Catholic Mission, as the Australian agency of the Pontifical Mission Societies contributes funding and provides project support to critical church-run initiatives in Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America as well as remote dioceses within Australia. Catholic Mission creates opportunities for people to be formed in mission, and respond through prayer, fundraising and action, inspiring them to reach out, and give life—within Australia and around the world. All of us engage in mission when we proclaim our faith through our words, actions and lives.
Socktober
Socktober is a journey towards and celebration of World Mission Month. It is a comprehensive education, formation, and fundraising program that engages the heads, hearts, and hands of entire school communities in the global work of mission. Socktober uses the world game of soccer to form a connection between
students in Australia and the children they support with their fundraising, while also incorporating formation and education components throughout its entire structure. Through Socktober, students are invited to learn about, pray, advocate for, and financially support children and communities in need around the world.
At St John Fisher we are learning about the wonderful work of the Catholic Mission and will be having a ‘CRAZY SOCK DAY’ on the 31st of October. Students are asked to wear crazy socks and bring in a donation for the Catholic Mission.
We are looking for the most creative socks, that have been bedazzled at home, and that will be given a prize. (This competition is for homemade socks only)
Mission Mass
Mrs Lawicki and Mrs Benton took members of the Pastoral Care and Mission Team down to Sydney to participate in the Diocesan Mission Mass.
On Thursday, the 19th of October, four students from the St John Fisher Mission and Pastoral team attended the ‘Broken Bay Mission Mass’, held at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, Hornsby. In the Mass, we learned about how we can give to those who need it the most and open our hearts to them. It was explained that this can be done in many ways and includes donating and raising funds to help people have a better future ahead of them. We acknowledged how fortunate we are, and how we can make a difference in others' lives.
We celebrated the Mass by singing hymns such as Hearts on Fire, Hallelujah, and Hosanna in the Highest. Father Brendon led the Mass, and during the homily shared some inspiring stories with us.
We would like to thank all the hard work and effort that Mrs. Lawicki and Mrs. Benton put in to make this day possible.
The Mission Team. (Ella M)
Behavioural Expectations
This fortnight we have been focusing on Trying Our Best and Having a Growth Mindset 
We all have beliefs about our own abilities and potential. These beliefs are part of our mindset, which is so powerful it can fuel our behaviour and predict our success. Mindset shapes our everyday lives, helping us interpret our experiences and future possibilities.
In her research at Stanford University, Dr. Carol Dweck identified two different types of mindsets. A growth mindset occurs when we believe our intelligence and abilities can be improved with effort and the right strategies.
A willingness to confront challenges, a passion for learning, and viewing failure as a springboard for growth are all characteristics associated with a growth mindset. Not surprisingly, this type of mindset is strongly linked to greater happiness and achievement in life.
In contrast, those with a fixed mindset believe their intelligence and abilities cannot be altered in a meaningful way. As a result, mistakes are often seen as failures rather than opportunities to grow and learn. When stuck in a fixed mindset, we may fear new experiences, avoid risks, and feel the need to repeatedly prove ourselves over and over again.
Teaching a growth mindset to children is not an easy task but it could become one of the greatest contributions you make towards their success and happiness.
To help at home, here is a link to a fantastic 4-week program that helps parents unpack and teach the art of trying and not giving up.
How to Teach Growth Mindset to Children (The 4-Week Guide) – Big Life Journal Australia
3 STEPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF THIS GUIDE
- Prepare. Some easy planning can do wonders to create a relaxed atmosphere. Be sure you have the recommended resources (next page) before you begin. Though not required, they are designed to make this process much easier for you and more fun for kids.
- Set aside time. A dedicated time for the suggested activities will allow children to not feel rushed. Just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
- Spark their curiosity. When you show excitement about learning this new concept, children will be curious and will want to know why.
A Growth mindset is a lifelong journey and this guide is designed to help you begin. When you complete this 4-week program, continue implementing everything you learned in weeks three and four. In addition, your child can keep working on their Big Life Journal, listening to the Big Life Kids podcast, and using the free printables. Have fun learning.
Grandparent’s Day
On Friday the 27th of October, we are celebrating all the fabulous grandparents and grandparent figures in our lives. We are blessed to have these experienced, patient, and caring people around us, and give thanks for their tender loving care every day. We will be having open classrooms in the morning, a liturgy at 9.15 am, and then a morning tea. Grandparently figures are warmly invited.
Luisa Lawicki
Religious Education Co-ordinator
Library News
Book Fair
Book Fairs are an exciting way to encourage reading 
and to help school libraries grow their collections. A Scholastic Book Fair will be held in the Library next week to coincide with Grandparents Day celebrations. Students will get to see what is available during their Library lesson in week 3 and may complete a Wishlist of books or items that interest them. Any purchases made raise points for our school that can be used to purchase new books for our Library.
The Fair will be open for purchases in the Library as follows:
- Thursday afternoon (26th) 3 - 3:45 pm
- Friday (27th) 8 - 8:45 am, 10:30 - 11:30 am and 3 - 3:45 pm
The Book Fair is cashless. Purchases may be made via EFTPOS or credit card on the back of the Wishlist. If you decide to purchase any books via the Wishlist, it is essential that the list is returned to the Library to collect the books.Looking forward to seeing you at this community event.
Teresa O'Keefe
Teacher Librarian
Learner Diversity
Free Understanding Dyslexia
Download below for free from Sept 28th - Oct 31st 2023. This short course teaches the basics of dyslexia, including how to identify it, and how to help.
Understanding Dyslexia FREE parent edition
Check out the Nessy.com website for more info onDyslexia, the science of reading, game-based apps/programs to assist your child with reading, spelling, writing and number.
Tracie Woolford
Diverse Learning Teacher
Parent Engagement Co-ordinator (PEC)
Parent Helpers
Thank you to the amazing mums who spent the day with me on Wednesday cleaning and organising the hall kitchen. It looks absolutely fantastic.
Grandparents Day Helpers
If you are available to help on Thursday afternoon from 2pm or any time on Friday morning please let myself or Donna Montebello know.
Gingerbread House Orders
Don’t forget to order your gingerbread house kit. Kits are $30 
and can be made at our community night on Friday, December 1st, or taken home to make. To order follow the link below.
Teacher of the week
This week we meet one of our wonderful year 2 teachers, Ms Cherie Murray.
Kate Benton
Parent Engagement Co-ordinator (PEC)
Meet The Teacher
Book Club
Book Club
Book Club catalogues went home last week. 
Closing date for orders is Friday 27th October.
Mrs Bookclub
Amy
Flyers
Upcoming Events
| Term 4 | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Week 3 | 23rd October | 24th October | 25th Octber | 26th October | 27th October
|
| Week 4 | 30th October Year 6 Debate in LARC 11:30 am | 31st October
| 1st November | 2nd November Yr 6 Fun Day RE Day Yr 2 Teachers | 3rd November |
| Week 5 | 6th November St Peter's Taster Day Yr 5 2023 9:00 am - 2:30 pm | 7th November | 8th November | 9th November CSBB Parent Retreat | 10th November Parish High Tea 10:00 am |
| Week 6 | 13th November | 14th November | 15th November Yrs 5 & 6 | 16th November | 17th November St Joseph's Orientation Day |
| Week 7 | 20th November K - 2 Swimming Program | 21st November | 22nd November Pre-school Graduation Rehearsal 10:30am | 23rd November St Edward's Orientation Day | 24th November Little Fishers Playgroup Pre-school Graduation Rehearsal 10:30am |
| Week 8 | 27th November St Peter's Orientation & Testing Day 9:00 am - 2:00 pm | 28th November | 29th November | 30th November | 1st December Gingerbread House Making Night |
| Week 9 | 4th December | 5th December | 6th December Pre School Grad | 7th December | 8th December |
| Week 10 | 11th December Advent Liturgy 9:15am | 12th December | 13th December | 14th December | 15th December
|
