School Newsletter - Issue 3 - Friday, 10th March 2023

Dear Parents and Carers, 

I hope that you have managed to keep cool over the last week, it certainly has been very different to this time last year! 

Lenten Prayer

Loving and gracious God.

Here I am, asking for the water of Your lifegiving
presence to fill me up.

Holy Spirit, renew me and refresh me.
Where I feel stuck in parched and
monotonous patterns, send new life and
new possibilities. Come, Holy Spirit, into all
the areas of my life that need reawakening 
or re-energising.

As I reflect on Your word today, may Your
Holy Spirit reveal to me the saving power of
the life, death and resurrection with Him
be renewed; my trust in Him deepened;
and my joy increased. Amen

Taken from:
Jesus Our Light and Our Life, Becoming One in Christ 2023 Lenten Program Diocese of Broken Bay 

Lent

During this time of Lent, we ask that you reflect on ways that you can not only become closer to God but also reach out and support those less fortunate than ourselves. You can do this in many ways, it might be by giving money to the poor, sharing a meal with someone, or as simple as forgiving someone who has wronged you. We never know what others are feeling, and so this Lent take the time to walk in Jesus’ footsteps and become more like him. 

Project Compassion 

Last year SJF had a massive fundraising campaign that saw us raise over $1000 for Project Compassion. This year this project is still extremely important to us as we see the work that Project Compassion does as invaluable.

Vision 
Justice, dignity and hope for humanity and all of God’s creation. 

Mission 
The Caritas Australia mission is to work in partnership with communities in Australia and overseas to achieve their development goals and thrive, keeping in the spirit of the Gospel. 

Values 
Caritas Values are at the heart of everything we do. They're what keep us accountable and on the right track to a better world where all people can live out their full potential.  

Project Compassion boxes have been sent home to each family and we ask that, as a family you raise money by doing jobs or chores. Money will be collected and counted by our Mission Leaders and the totalled at the end of Lent.  

Harmony Day to Support  a Local Charity 

To celebrate Harmony Day on Tuesday 21st March, students can wear orange mufti or wear orange accessories and bring in a gold coin donation (or more if they would like). We will start the day at 9.15 am with a liturgy run by our talented Mission Team, and then students will do different activities in class highlighting the importance of acceptance, diversity and unity.

This year it is also an aim of ours to support a charity locally. Therefore, we are partnering with the parish by donating money raised to ‘We Care Connect'. Which is a local charity who support children in our community that need help. 'We Care Connect' is a grass-roots local charity powered by volunteers helping kids in poverty.

As you’d all agree this is a very worthwhile charity, especially as it is local. See website for more information. 

We Care Connect 

Opening School Mass 

On Monday 27th February, we celebrated our Whole School Opening School Mass with parents, parishioners, and families. It was a wonderful celebration where we welcomed the newest members of SJF, the Kindergartens and acknowledged the Year 6 students who, after saying their Year 6 Pledge affirming their commitment to their roles as leaders, were then presented with their leadership badges.  
Year 6 blessing the Kindergarten students.

The Year 6 Leadership Teams are as follows: 

STEM Leaders 
Archie, Cruz, Finn,
Christiano, Jackson, Senan and Finnian

Environmental Leaders
Clara, Clancy, Evan, Isla, Lachlan and Thomas

Creative Arts Leaders 
Jasmine, Bronte, Gabby, Indya, Matilda, Quinn, Isabelle, Ella, Isla, Alaura, Sophia and Ella 

LARC Leaders 
Charlie, Jax, Joshua, Lachlan, Mackenzie, Finnian, Thomas, Sophia, Callen, Ivy and Indya 

Sports Leaders
Angus, Ashton, Benji, Kael, Connor, Emmet, Flynn, Harper, Jonah, Hayden, Kade, Kai, Callen, Mia, Kai, Noah and Finnegan 

Pastoral Care and Mission Leaders
Alaura, Ivy, Nathaniel, Isla, Ella, Ella, Isabelle and Giselle 

Congratulations to our Year 6 Leaders for 2023, it is wonderful to see you all step up and share your skills and talents with the school.  

Prayer and Faith Formation 

To support our commitment to the faith formation of every student in our school, each class was also presented with a prayer box, so that teachers can create sacred spaces within each classroom to pray and reflect around. This initiative was very kindly supported by Christine Greentree who generously gave her time to sew prayer clothes.  

What a fantastic day we had last Friday for our Cross Country. A fun day was had by all.
Congratulations! A great effort from all the boys and girls who ran in the hot conditions. Well done everyone. 

Just a big thank you to the parents that volunteered to help on the day. Events like this cannot happen without people like you, so thank you again.

Also, I would like to thank the staff for the help and assistance on the day and a big thank you to Mr Perkins and Mrs Amor and all the Year Six students who organised the fun activities to make the day a big success. Thanks guys, a great job well done.  

"Little Fisher’s” Playgroup

Yesterday we had our fist playgroup of the year. We welcomed a wonderful group of children from both our school and local community. They enjoyed playing and creating together. We are looking forward to our next Playgroup session on Monday 27^th March. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
kate.benton@dbb.catholic.edu.au

We welcome all our SJF families to join us for our inaugural BIG ARVO! This year’s theme is ‘A Night at the Movies’, so kids, it’s time to dress up as your favourite movie character!

When:                      Friday March 31st, 6-8pm
What to bring:    BYO picnic dinner, $2 coins for the                                       canteen, 20c coins for the chocolate
                                 toss game, and a big SMILE!

There will be a disco, face painting, movie themed activity stalls and more!

This event is alcohol and smoke free, and is for St John Fisher families only. 

We hope to see you all there!

Hi Families of K-Yr 5 students,
Our Annual Big Arvo is due to be held on Friday 31st March.
We would love the support of parents / carers and are hoping that every family could please donate 1 or 2 small prizes. Suitable for children in K-Yr 5.
Small prizes can be found at Kmart, Big W and Dollar shops starting from as little as $1:00.
If you can please place them in a bag labelled “Big Arvo” and send them into the school office over the next few weeks.
Thank you

Hi Year 6 Families,
For the upcoming Big arvo on the 31st March, we are asking for Year 6 students/parents/carers to please donate towards the:
Charlie and the Chocolate factory Coin Toss stall.
If you can please place your donations in a bag labelled “Big Arvo” and send them into the school office over the next few weeks)
We would love:
      Blocks of chocolate
    Wonka candy/chocolate
    Large lollipops and wrapped candy (Think Charlie and the Chocolate            Factory   style)
Thank you

Book Club Issue 2

Students should have received their Issue 2 Book Club catalogues this week. Just a reminder that the closing date for this issue is Friday 24th March. 

Mrs Bookclub
(Amy)

The Wyong Catholic Parish invites you to join their team as a casual Youth Coordinator working up to 4 hours per week. The role does allow for flexibility with the working schedule, however you’ll need to have availability for weekends and evenings.

This is an exciting role where you will build and maintain a parish youth group, encouraging young people to engage and participate in parish youth activities, ensuring a sense of fun, community, belonging and faith for the youth and young adults in the parish. The role works with the Parish team to build a strong youth network, encouraging, supporting and assisting volunteers to assist in the youth ministry.

Please apply by sending a CV and brief cover letter addressing role requirements via email to wyongparish@bbcatholic.org.au

Applications close Friday 17 March.

Thank you