St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday November 29th 2022

Letter from the Acting Principal

Tonight we celebrate and thank the members of our School Board and Parents and Friends Community for all they have done this year.  I am very grateful to each of them who have been a wonderful support to me in my role as Acting Principal.  

I would particularly like to thank Alan as our outgoing Chairperson for 2022.  It is with a touch of sadness that we farewell Alan from our school community.  Alan has been a loyal parent and Board member over many years.  His generosity of spirit and his care for others is such a wonderful part of who he is.  He has helped to educate our students, shared his wisdom as a member of our board, supported us at countless school events and even fed us with his delicious cooking!  We will really miss Alan as part of our school community.  Thank you for all the wonderful contributions you have made over the years.  

Parents and Friends

The P&F have had another very successful year and have achieved their goals of both fundraising and building social connection within our community.  Thank you for all your generous donations and support of our fundraising events.  The funds have gone towards sporting equipment for our students, line marking of the half court  and playground toys.  A significant proportion of the raised funds will also go towards the naturescape works on the oval- that will begin over the holidays.  Our P&F has been very ably led by our president Michelle Cann.  Thanks Michelle for everything you have done to ensure we have a vibrant and connected school community as well as raising funds to help support the education of our children.  Thanks also to Fleur Dow who has been in the role of secretary this year and to all our members who have supported the work of the P&F this year.

The P&F have many ideas for next year and they are keen to hear from you as a parent community about the types of events you would be interested in supporting.  It’s not too late to be part of the P&F so if you are interested please speak with Michelle or email her parentsandfriends@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Thank You!

A very big thank you to the Albisser-Bennett family for their donation of our new basketball ring.  Thank you also to the Cann family for installing it for us.  Our children are so fortunate to be a part of such a generous and supportive community.  They are very excited to try it out!

Important End of Year Dates

Thursday 8th December - Sausage Sizzle and  Carols night  (Carols begin at 7pm with an opportunity to join us in  a sausage sizzle prior)

Friday 9th December - End of Year Thanksgiving Mass 11am

Wednesday 14th December - P-5 Meet your New teacher for 2023

Year 6 Graduation and assembly 12:30pm

Graduation Mass 5pm

Year 6 Last day of school -  finish 1pm

Thursday 15th December - Students conclude Term 4 at 2:30pm

2023 Start Dates

Friday 27th January - Staff return

Monday 30th January - Students return (8:50am)

Preps finish at 1:00pm

P&F Welcome back morning tea in the school hall: All families welcome!

New Baby!

Congratulations to the Williams family on the birth of Sierra.  Sierra is very lucky to have Skye (Prep) as her beautiful big sister.   Welcome to the world Sierra! 

Online Workshop with Andy Griffiths

The 3/4 students took part in an online workshop with Andy Griffiths last Tuesday. He explained how he always has a notebook handy to jot down ideas that he might find useful to use later in one of his books, such as his inspiration for the many characters in The Treehouse series. 

We also had a go at writing a ‘10 Word Story’ about ‘The End of the World’!

Here are a few for you to enjoy…

The video games exploded. I won’t live. Goodbye world!    (Teague)

The corrupted alien made a black hole to kill everyone.   (Josh)

Evil penguins, goblins, skeletons, dragons, chickens, and spiders destroy earth.     (Flynn)

Mario runs. Goomba runs. Goomba opens his mouth. Chomp. Chomp. (Sebastian)

Mermaids turn evil. Unicorns save the world by eating them.  (Zara, Izzy & Anneliese)

Evil rabbits turn the world into flowers and melted rock. (Amelia, Victoria & Sarah)  

An astronaut dropped his helmet on someone. “Ouch. That hurt!”  (Max)

Oh! No! Run. Dodge. Jump. Duck. Get in. Quick. Whoa!  (Emily)

Boom! We scrammed out of the house. We were nowhere!! (Jasmine)  

Lots of giant caterpillars, so humans got giant bug spray. (Austin)

Teachers go mad! Friends missing! Now it’s time to run!   (Millie)

June and Millie are missing! Will it be me next?  (Lilly)   

Oh no! Run! They’re  coming. Hurry up, they’re right behind us. (Poppy)   

Thank You from Parents & Friends of SJB

We’ve had an Amazing 2022 raising funds, building community and creating events in the P&F with so much support from all the school community.
The funds we have raised have enabled so many enhancements to our children’s play times in the form of line marking, sporting equipment and a contribution to the new playground development. We will discuss the equipment choice at our first meeting back next year so be sure to come along.Our balance is currently $35,000.00 thanks to our Fun Run, Sausage Sizzles, Easter Raffle and hot cross buns, Trivia night and mango drive.  Your support of our Scholastic book club has bought lots of resources for the classrooms and library.  And we have the opportunity to help and support our community through St Vincent de Paul and Caritas. We are hoping to provide support to St Josephs Primary in Rochester who have been devastated and displaced by the recent floods, at the beautiful suggestion of our social justice leaders.Next year we are continuing with our theme of “Healthy Bodies and healthy minds”  and are excited to see some exciting ideas our new PE Teacher Mr Mitchell may bring. Our focus on sustainability will continue with our support of products and local businesses for the Mother’s day and Father’s day stalls, with guidance from Mrs Butler.  If you have some ideas, talents, products or skills that you would love to share with us please get in touch with the P&F

Mango Fundraiser

Our delivery looks likely to be Thursday for our Mangoes and we will confirm via the Facebook Page.  Pick up will be from 2.30pm at this stage, just in time for some gorgeous weekend weather!

Carols BBQ

The P&F will be selling (gold coin donation) some yummy sausages and drinks from 5.30pm on Thursday 8th of December just before the Carols. Bring your cash along to also purchase raffle tickets to win an amazing Gingerbread House!  Any help on the BBQ that evening appreciated.

Dates for your Diary

Twilight Picnic on the the Green is on Friday 10th February 2023.  Music will be provided by Bec and Simon Russell and we are asking any other musical parents who would like to join in on the evening to get in contact. There will be opportunities for kids to play, sing and dance as well as the Mums and Dads too.  It is a wonderful event to welcome new families to the school and to see friends after the Summer break.  Cost $10 per family, bring your own dinner and picnic set up. We have a few suprises planned too!Note: As per our current Code of Conduct this is an alcohol free event.

Welcome Morning Tea

There is a lovely tradition on the first day of school, a welcome morning tea for new and old families in the school hall from 8.30am. Please come along and have a cuppa and a delicious treat to meet and greet some new families and friends.  If you would like to contribute a plate to the morning tea, please get in touch we would love any help.

Parent Information Session

Booklists for Years 3-6 2023

Below is the link to complete this year's Booklists for students in Years 3 -6, 2023.  Home Delivery or Click & Collect is available.

Lilydale Books - Booklists Years 3-6

School Fees 2023

School Fee statements for 2023 will be distributed to families next February.

Fees for the 2023 year are as follows:-

School Fees (per family)            $1,510.00

Capital Fee (per family)                   $80.00

Maintenance Fee (per family)      $100.00

Prep-paid Levies for 2023

Levy Document

Information regarding pre-paid levies for 2023 was sent home recently. Also attached below for your reference.
Download

CHRISTMAS FAMILY STORY TIME AND SINGING

VENUE: The Ferntree Gully Library

DATE;     Tuesday 6th. December 2022

TIME:     Commencing at 6.30 p m until 7.30 p m

 Dear Saint John’s Community,

For many years it has been a tradition that Saint John’s Choir has been invited to participate in, and perform at the Ferntree Gully Library Christmas event.

“CHRISTMAS FAMILY STORY TIME AND SINGING”

Once again our Choristers are invited to participate in the activities provided and to provide a   performance item for all who attend.

The Library staff will welcome all those who would like to come and join in the celebration and share the singing with the members of Saint John the Baptist Choir.

If you would like to join the Choir for this traditional activity please call the library and make a booking. All of Saint John’s students are welcome to join the Choir on this occasion.

Looking forward to this annual, joyful performance.

The members of The Choir and Mrs. Lorraine Costa

FTG Library Carols - Choir Attendance Slip

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Canteen News

Last day the Canteen will be open for lunch orders is Wednesday December 7th.

Canteen Helpers Roster


Wednesday November 30th 

Bel Hunt

Friday December 2nd

Shamindri Aponso

Lauren Wearne

Adriana Ambler


Wednesday December 7th 

Rachel Ben Last Day for Canteen

Friday December 9th

CANTEEN CLOSED


Canteen Price List 2022

Download

Uniform Shop News

Parish News

Community Notices

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully