St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

A very big thank you to all for your continued support of the Covid safe practices that have been put in place under the directives of our Victorian Government and the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria.  

Many of you have collected your last two packs of RATs from the office for this Term.  These test packs are intended for the purpose of recommended surveillance testing twice per week.  

I ask that if you report a positive result you register it with the Department of Health and also contact us by phone or email so that we can let the rest of the school community know there has been a positive case onsite and that they should monitor for symptoms. 

Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19, have completed their 7-day isolation period and are subsequently asymptomatic do not need to undertake surveillance testing for eight weeks.  This has been extended from the previous time of 30 days.

Mask and vaccination requirements are still in place for those entering our school buildings.

Just a reminder that our first school working bee will be held this Saturday 1:30 - 4:00pm.  The weather looks promising so fingers crossed we will be able to complete the tasks listed below:  

• staining of the deck outside the Year 1/2 classrooms

• spreading mulch in garden beds around the school building

• re - filling the sandpit

• spreading soft fall mulch around the play equipment on the oval

• maintenance on cupboard hinges in the classroom block

• staining of doors / wall outside the hall toilets

• Tidy up of storage portable / lower classroom block

Tools required:

wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, gardening gloves, cleaning equipment

If anyone owns a portable welder and is able to weld a handrail could you please let me know as the railing near the church needs to be repaired.  

We also require someone with an electric sander to lightly sand the outside frames around our glass doors. If you are able to do this please contact me so that I can purchase the appropriate size sand paper.

We look forward to welcoming many families to our working bee.  

Tuesday 29th March - School Advisory Council Meeting 7:30pm

Friday 1st April  - Year 3/4 Level Mass

Saturday 2nd April - Working Bee 1:30 - 4:00pm

Friday 8th April - Holy Week Prayer Service 9am and repeated at 9:30am

This week through Project Compassion we learn about Rosalie, who lives with her husband and seven children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Forced to join the army when she was just 15-years-old, Rosalie experienced significant trauma and hardship during her years in the military. After she was demobilised from the army, Rosalie, like other ex-combatants, was left to fend for herself in the community.

With your generous support and through Caritas Australia's partners, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and Caritas Bukavu, Rosalie was able to connect with other members of her community and participate in business skills training to help her to reintegrate into society.

She joined a savings group which helped her with a loan to start her own small business selling second-hand shoes and natural remedies.

“I can eat, dress, maintain my health and help others. My children study and manage to eat twice a day. I have learnt to work hand-in-hand with other members of the community. Really, there is more joy in sharing with others.” - Rosalie

Watch a short film about Rosalie’s story here.

Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au

ANZAC items are available for purchase from the school office prior to ANZAC Day on Monday April 25th.

Badges available for $2 and $5

Wrist badges $3.00

Key rings $4.00

Bag tags $4.00

Pens $5.00

Orders will only be placed for paid orders. Cash accepted but preferable method of payment directly into Parents and Friends Bank Account - BSB: 083 347 A/c 472520725. Please use Surname as reference.

Order form attached below.

To assist your decision making in relation to your child's education for 2023 and beyond, please find below a link to the 136 page 2022 edition of the Catholic Education Guide.

CLICK HERE - Victoria School Guides