St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday October 4th 2022

Letter from the Acting Principal

Welcome to term 4.  It is great to be back.  As always hearing the excitement of the children as they arrive is a highlight and it brings me great joy to see the children so  genuinely happy to be back in their school community.  

We welcome 4 new students to our school this term, William, Gretta and Lewis join us in Prep M and Ruby joins us in 1/2BR.  We also welcome Amanda Keeler who joins us working as a Learning Support Officer across our classes.  

It is with mixed feelings that I announce that Jo Devenish is retiring at the end of this year.  Whilst we are very excited that Jo will have the opportunity to travel more and do more of what she loves she will be greatly missed by our school community.  Jo has a long history at St John the Baptist, her children attended our school, she managed our canteen for 2 years and then began working in our front office in 2007. I know you will join me in wishing Jo all the very best as she begins the next exciting chapter of her life. 

Working Bee

We have a Working Bee scheduled for 22nd October 1:30 - 4:30.  Once again we are grateful for the time you generously donate to our school.  

Working Bee Attendance Slip
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2023 Class Groupings

As a staff we give significant time and consideration to your child’s class placement each year.  We look at the academic, social and emotional needs of all of the children and work on creating the most positive class groupings to ensure that each child will transition well into their new class and flourish throughout the year.  I am very grateful that for most part our parents trust the staff and the decisions we make for your child’s class placement.  In exceptional circumstances we understand that sometimes families may need to make a class placement request for their child.  

If you have a request for your child’s placement next year you will need to place it in writing via the email below, no later than Tuesday October 18th

udecorrado@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Prep 2023

Our Transition Program for our 2023 Preps begins on Tuesday 11th October from 9:00am-10:30am.  We are looking forward to welcoming many new and existing families and I am confident it will be a very positive start to their school journey.

Our Spelling Champion!

A very big congratulations to Christian (3/4SM) who came 13th out of 72 National finalists in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee and  has proven himself to be an exceptional speller!

Congratulations Christian…you are a very talented young man!

Our very own TV Star!

Carmel, our School Crossing Supervisor, is a member of the All Ability Netball team whose coach has been recognised for her contributions and hard work by the Panadol Care Collective.  Carmel can be seen shooting a goal in the background of their latest story. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xem-CqcDlEc

We may also see Carmel on Better Homes and Gardens in the near future!

School Uniform

All children are required to wear their full summer school uniform at the start of Term 4.  As part of our sunsmart policy the children are expected to wear a hat when playing outside.  Our no hat, no play policy will be implemented at the beginning of the Term.  I have listed below the correct summer school uniform and thank you for your support in ensuring that your child/ren come to school wearing their correct uniform.

Girls

Blue and white check dress

Maroon tracksuit top with School Logo

Sky blue anklet socks

Black leather T-Bar OR Lace up/velcro school shoes (flat soled)

St John’s school hat

Boys

Grey school shorts

Short sleeved, sky blue polo shirt with school logo

Grey ankle socks

Black leather lace up/velcro school shoes (flat soled)

St John’s school hat

Athletics Team

Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the Eastern Metropolitan Region Athletics on Thursday 20th of October.

  • Samuel (1500m)

  • Riley (High Jump and 200m)

  • Ria (Shot Put, 80m Hurdles and 4x100m Relay)

  • Ellie (Long Jump and 80m Hurdles)

  • Zaylen (80m Hurdles)

  • Lorelei (100m, 200m and 4x100m Relay)

  • Alxys (4x100m Relay)

  • Niamh (4x100m Relay)

Thank You!

A very big thank you to the Hughes family (1/2BR) for their generous donation that has been used to contribute to the purchase of furniture for our new classrooms.  Mark (Lacey's Dad) has also offered to organise our advertising boards for our Open Day next year which is gratefully appreciated.  

It is also with great appreciation that I thank the Albisser-Bennett family for their donation of a second basketball ring that will be installed in the top playground.  The children will love having another space to shoot goals.

Baby Congratulations

Annabelle Grace was born on Saturday 24th September at 3.15am weighing 3860 grams (8.5 pounds).  Big brothers Orlando (5/6RJ), Sebastian (3/4KC) and William (Prep 2023) are very proud of their little sister.

We also congratulate Seamus McD (Prep S)  on the arrival of his little sister, Maeve. Seamus was very excited to return this term with his special news.

Running Club

After a cold and wet Term 3, Running Club is back for Term 4 starting on Wednesday the 12th of October

All students are invited to attend Running Club; however, junior students (P - 2) must be accompanied by a parent. All students (P - 6) must bring a completed permission slip (see the attached document) before being allowed to attend any sessions (if you have previously returned a permission slip, there is no need to complete another one). Running Club will set out from the office at 8am, please don't forget to sign in using the book inside the office.

During Running Club, students will use the bike/walk path that leads to Kings Park in Upper Ferntree Gully. In the case of inclement weather, fitness work and exercises will be held in the school hall.

Parents are welcome to attend if they wish to enjoy a morning walk/run. 

I am excited for a fun term of Running Club and hope to see a big turn out each week. 

If you have any questions about Running Club please contact Tess Farry. 

Running Club Permission Form

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Parents and Friends of St John the Baptist School

Hope you all had a great term break and are ready for all the fun in Term 4!  Thank you for your wonderful support in Term 3, the fruits of your labour will be appearing around the school very soon.

Trivia Night

Please jump on and buy your tickets asap, you can purchase individual tickets or a table and ask your friends, we think it will be a fantastic night with lots of fun, laughs and prizes. Scan the QR code or use the link below. We will have games and a raffle on the night and can’t wait to see you all. - Parents and Friends

Dad's and Kid's Camping

We have confirmed our Dad’s and Kid's camping weekend for the 5th-6th November, more information will be coming home next week, so dust off those tents and shake out the sleeping bags!

Mango Fundraiser

We will be selling first of the season trays of Mangoes - more information will be in next week's newsletter.  These are direct from Bowen Farm, Kensington Pride Mangoes.  They are the most delicious juicy ones you'll get, better than the shops!!

Canteen News

Canteen Helpers Roster


Wednesday October 5th

Michelle Neve 

Friday October 7th

Katrina Horne

Jacinta O'Dowd

Nelson Serrao


Wednesday October 12th 

Rachel Ben

Friday October 14th 

Rients Huitema

Mark Molan

Troy Kristof


Canteen Price List 2022

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Uniform Shop News

Parish News

Community Notices

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully