ENewsletter

Tuesday May 31st 2022

Letter from the Acting Principal

Each year as a staff we decide on a theme that will support us to grow stronger as a community and also support each of us to be the best person we can possibly be. As a community it gives us an opportunity to work collectively, in a focussed way, towards a common goal.

This year our theme is:

“Seek to Understand”

“When we seek to discover the best in others,

we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.”

This theme builds upon and connects with the learning of previous years. “Seek to Understand” is an extension of the work we have done as a staff to build our expertise in the area of dialogic teaching. We are committed to supporting our students in developing their skills in the area of active listening, connecting and building on each other's ideas and respectfully disagreeing if the need arises. “Seeking to Understand” another person requires careful listening, empathy and a deep respect and acceptance of others. A fundamental belief for Catholic schools is that each person is made in the image and likeness of God and it is through respectful and thoughtful relationships that each person in our community is able to experience a deep sense of belonging and acknowledgement.

“I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10)

Student Leadership

Tess Farry, our Physical Education teacher, and I have been working with our Sports Leaders to gather information about what sports equipment and playing areas our students would most like to have. The leaders have surveyed the students, compiled wish lists and created action plans on how the equipment would be best distributed and cared for. They will be sharing these plans with each of our classes this week. The P&F have funded the purchase of the sports equipment that was requested and also the new basketball half court that has been painted on the lower playground.

Thank You to our families for your ongoing support of our fundraising events as you have made our students very happy!

Cross Country

On Friday the 27th of May, the Cross Country team competed in the District Cross Country at Llewellyn Reserve. After cold mornings at Running Club, the team were well prepared and represented St John's with pride.

Well done to each member of the team and thank you to all of those who tried out.

The Cross Country team included -

Max F, Joe W, Coops K, Joshua A, Marcus N, Beau S,

Sam H, Ben F, Ashan A, Samuel O, Tom H, Riley F, Dallas D,

Logan H, Lucas S, Emily S, Maddie S, Poppy B, Millie B, Ellie H,

Tilly H, Nishala A, Alxys L, Ruby L, Skyla T, Lorelei C and Maryann S

Congratulations to Max, Ben, Ashan, Samuel, Riley, Poppy, Millie, Lorelei and Maryann who will be representing our school at the Division Cross Country at Yarra Valley Racecourse on the 7th of June. We wish you all the best on this day. Students needed to finish in the top fifteen competitors in their age group to qualify for this event.

A big thank you to Kathryn Forbes and Jo Stoica who travelled with and supervised the team on the day.

Running Club CANCELLED

Please note Running Club is CANCELLED this week (Wednesday June 1st). Looking forward to running again next week.

Kitchen Garden

3/4KC were the lucky class this week to participate in Kitchen Garden with our Sustainability Leader, Deborah Butler. The mouth watering smell of cannelloni and chocolate self saucing pudding wafted through the staffroom and it was wonderful to see the hive of activity as students referred to recipes, cut up ingredients, measured and mixed, stuffed cannelloni shells and served each other a delicious lunch.

Carpark

Just a reminder that families are to use the bottom car park not the top staff parking area. We have had instances where children have been left to walk in through the top carpark (near the church) unattended and this is very unsafe. Please either park and walk your child/ren up to their classroom or use the drop off zone if they are old enough to walk up on their own.

Soccer

We are very excited to announce that Soccer X are offering an after school Soccer Program next Term. Please see the flyer below for details.

Parent Teacher Interviews

This year we will be offering you the option of attending your Parent Teacher Interviews in person or alternatively online via Zoom.

Our Interviews will be held on :

1. Tuesday June 14th - 3.30-6.00pm

2. Wednesday June 15th - 3.30-6.00pm

3.Thursday June 16th - 2.00-8.00pm (school finishes at 1.00pm)

Bookings can be made through SOBS - an online portal. Please see link below:-

SOBS Online Booking Link

Bookings can be made from Wednesday June 1st at 7.00am.

When you select your time there will be a section where you can nominate your preference - online or face to face.

Reports will be sent home on Monday 6th June.

Premier's Reading Challenge

The Premier's Reading Challenge is an annual statewide initiative for school children up to Year 9, and children enrolled in an early childhood centre or program.

The challenge is not a competition but aims to improve literacy and encourage children to read widely for pleasure and learning. For students to successfully complete the challenge they must read or experience an allocated number of books based upon their year level during the reading period. We have registered our school each year and encourage families to sign up and support their children reach the set targets by 2nd September.

Children and students who complete the challenge will have their efforts recognised through the receipt of a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier of Victoria.

To enrol your child in the Premier's Reading Challenge please see the attached form.

Information for Premiers Reading Challenge

Sustainability Expo

Confirmation Family Night - This Thursday

2022 Sponsor & Candidate Information / Baptism & Confirmation Details

Please ensure this form is completed and submitted on Confirmation Family Night.

Download

Parish News

Parents and Friends of St John the Baptist School

Rainbow Fun Run

Rainbow FunRun is only 3 sleeps away!

Please get cracking on creating your profiles and collecting donations. We are just short of $6,000 and way off our goal so please share your pages on social media, via texts or email to all your family and friends.

We have a Special lunch prize to award to the Top Class…..drumroll.... "1/2BC great job!” You will get a special class lunch the week after the event. Followed closely by 1/2BR and then Prep S. Well done for creating your profiles and collecting donations.

Please invite all your Family and Friends to come along and support you on Friday. The FunRun will start at 2pm and conclude on the oval with an obstacle course! Please come along and cheer as well as giving us a hand to Marshall the obstacles.

If anyone is available to help with set up or pack up please email -

parentsandfriends@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au or send a text to Michelle on 0410400612

The Entertainment App

Click here to access our Entertainment App School Link

Canteen News

Canteen Helpers Roster

Wednesday June 1st

Renee Armstrong

Friday June 3rd

Shamindri Aponso

Lauren Wearne

Adriana Ambler

Wednesday June 8th

Jessie Stephens

Friday June 10th

Fleur Dow

Carrie Canton

Katrina Horne

Updated Canteen Price List 2022