St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday March 7th 2023

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Introduction

Once again it was wonderful to see the strong partnership between home, school and parish in action on Wednesday night at the Family Reconciliation Evening.  It was great to see families attend the evening to support their child in their faith journey and come together to share, reflect and celebrate in their child’s preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

We thank Mrs Marialisa Mandarino, REL for all of her preparation of the evening and the Year 3/4 team for their support. Our terrific staff team led a most engaging and informative evening.

We look forward to supporting our students as they celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Thursday 30th March between 5pm-6:30pm. 

Open Days for 2024

St John the Baptist Open Days for 2024 Prep Children

Let your neighbours, friends and relatives know St John’s School Open Days are set.

School Open Days will be held on:

Wednesday 8th March

Thursday 16th March

Thursday 11th May

Alternatively families can book tours by phoning the office or through the school website.

We request that parents already with children in the school enrol as early as possible.

Emmaus College Visit

Last Wednesday we welcomed Ms Karen Jebb, Principal of Emmaus College along with past students of St John the Baptist School to meet with our Year 4 and 5 students.  Our students had the opportunity to gain an insight into secondary school from Karen and the students. This was a great way to support students in their transition to secondary school.

Clean Up Australia

Our wonderful Sustainability Leaders with Mrs Butler led Clean Up Australia Day last Thursday. It was wonderful to see our students being proactive and cleaning up around the school site.  The terrific team collected eight bags of rubbish around the school. Thank you to Mrs Butler, our leaders and all students who participated in keeping our school and Australia clean.

Working Bee

Thank you to all families who came along and assisted with our Term 1 Working Bee. Whilst Saturday afternoon was warm and humid, it did not deter a dedicated and hard working group of families. The full job list and more was completed.  It certainly is wonderful to have such a strong sense of community with so many families contributing to ensure that St John the Baptist School is kept in such immaculate condition. Our school certainly looks amazing and is ready for our first Open Day this Wednesday. 

I would also thank Ursula De Corrado for all of her organisation and work in preparing for Saturday’s Working Bee. Ursula’s work ensured that all equipment was ready for the afternoon.

Prep Family Welcome Mass

It was terrific to see our Prep families at Mass on Sunday morning. 

This was a great opportunity for our Prep families to come together and celebrate their child’s start to their school journey with the Parish community.  Thank you to all who attended.

Once again Father Thomas, Deacon Peter and the Parish expressed how pleased they were to see many families connecting with the Parish. 

District Swimming

The Division Swimming will be held at Croydon Memorial Pool, Cnr Hewish and Springfield Road, Croydon. Students are to be transported to and from  the venue by their families and be at the venue by 9.00am.

Permission slips have gone home to all students who have successfully moved into Division Swimming. To ensure participation please return permission slips to Mr John Mitchell, PE Teacher.

Congratulations to all students who have made it through to Division Swimming.  What a wonderful achievement. We wish you all the best as you participate in the next level of swimming competition. We are enormously proud of you.

Teacher Professional Learning

Each Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon staff participate in professional learning team (PLT) meetings. PLT meetings are important as they focus on developing teacher knowledge and capacity to ensure the highest possible learning and teaching outcomes.  PLT meetings commence promptly after school and require staff to be ready to commence on time.

We kindly ask that families refrain from meeting with staff on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons to allow staff to commence their meetings promptly.  Families are asked to make time to meet with teachers on non meeting days.

Operoo is Coming

Operoo is a digital platform that allows families to receive notifications of events and excursions digitally.  In the near future families will be asked to download the Operoo app onto their phones to enable them to provide permission for their child/ren to participate in events such as Shrove Tuesday, Athletics etc digitally.  Operoo stores students medical information and allergy requirements all through one digital platform.  Once Operoo has been implemented at St John’s this will replace paper versions of permission forms.  Operoo is a more effective, efficient and sustainable way for families and staff to manage permission for school events.

Labour Day Public Holiday - School Closed

A friendly reminder that Monday 13th March is a School Closure Day due to the Labour Day Public Holiday.

NAPLAN

In the coming weeks our Year 3 and Year 5 students will participate in NAPLAN.  

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, and is the only nationwide assessment that all Australian children undertake.

It’s a measure to see whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning, and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

The NAPLAN assessment period will commence Wednesday 15th March and conclude Monday 27th March. The Year 3 and 5 students will commence their NAPLAN program with Writing, followed by Reading, Conventions of Language and then conclude with Numeracy.

We wish our students all the best as they undertake the NAPLAN assessments.  We know that all students will try their very best in each of the NAPLAN assessments. Good luck everyone, we know you will be terrific.

Child Safe Practices - Working with Children Checks

St John the Baptist School is committed to providing a child safe environment and takes active steps to ensure any person authorised to conduct ‘child connected works’ does not pose a risk to their safety or welfare. To achieve this, the school implements screening processes, including Working With Children Checks (WWCC), to assess and verify their suitability. 

St John’s School ensures that non-teaching staff, contractors, volunteers and visitors are of suitable character and do not have a relevant criminal record that poses an unjustifiable risk to children. 

Teaching Staff & Casual Relief Teachers who are registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) undergo criminal record checks via their annual registration.

Volunteering to Assist with School Programs- WWCC

Parents would be aware that to assist with any of our school programs that all volunteers, parents/guardians/family members are required to have a current Working With Children Check on our school records.

Family members are to provide a copy of the WWCC to the school office.

COVID-19 Settings for Term 1, 2023

Please note the updated COVID-19 settings for Term 1, 2023:

It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff if they: 

  • have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild 

  • are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19  

  • are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19

  • The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians report their positive RAT result via the online form or by calling 1800 675 398.


Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead.

Kelli Johnston


Student Awards

Year PBM

Bethany G - for learning to read your Golden Words and writing numbers to 100! Keep up the wonderful learning and dedication to demonstrating your best work.

Eric J - for his kindness to others, and being a good friend to others. You make our class a happy place to be!

Lenny W - for always showing respect and kindness to others in Prep BM.

Year 1/2B

Zoe v B - for settling in beautifully to Year 2 and demonstrating a very good understanding of Place Value in maths sessions. Keep up the great work!

Aaron W - for settling in beautifully to Year 1 and demonstrating how well you can follow directions to complete written tasks. Keep up the great work!

Year 1/2D

Eliza H - for always displaying a positive attitude to learning and completing all learning tasks to an incredibly high standard!

Charlotte W - for being an active contributor in our class discussions. You are always showing enthusiasm to share your knowledge, thoughts and ideas. You are so valuable in our classroom community!

Year 1/2JM

Jake C - for your dedication to learning, especially in Mathematics. You have inspired us all with your positive attitude. Well done Jake!

Louis T - for working hard every day and giving you full attention to your work. We love the way you make connections in your learning. Well done Louis!

Year 1/2KC

Jay O - for making a great effort to improve his focus and effort in the classroom, and for working hard to improve his writing skills. You are a 1/2KC star, Jay!

Frankie S - for putting maximum effort into every task and showing inclusion and kindness to all, every day! You are a 1/2KC star, Frankie!

Amy C - for being a very helpful and responsible class member and for being inclusive in her friendships. You are a 1/2KC star, Amy!

Lawson D - for having a positive attitude to his learning and for sharing his warm smile with everyone. You are a 1/2KC star, Lawson!

Year 3/4D

Vivian C - for working hard on her goals in mathematics and displaying a strong mindset.

Brendan M - for great work in identifying the features of a news report in our Writing lessons.

Year 3/4G

Flynn B - for always demonstrating a positive attitude towards his learning and for being a friendly peer to all his classmates.

Year 3/4SC

Olivia B - for the dedication she brings to completing her learning tasks, and the resilience she is increasingly showing when she attempts new challenges.

Charlie K - for the passion he shows for growing as a learner and the way he warmly welcomes his classmates to join him in activities.

Year 5/6RJ 

Matilda H - for making a positive start to Year 6 by demonstrating a great attitude towards your learning and trying super hard with all of your work. Keep up the great attitude Matilda, well done.

Sebastian R - for making a positive start to Year 5 by demonstrating a great attitude towards your learning and trying super hard with all you work. Well done Sebastian!

Niamh NiC - for making a positive start to Year 6 by demonstrating a great attitude towards your learning and trying hard with all of your work. Excellent Persuasive writing piece as well! Well done.

Parents & Friends News

Easter

This year during the season of Lent as almsgiving we are asking for donations of easter eggs or easter related items so that we may curate multiple prizes for the Easter raffle. Donations can be delivered to the uniform shop anytime from tomorrow.  Tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks and the raffle prizes will be drawn on Wednesday 5th of April after the easter bonnet parade.

Hot Cross Buns

Once again we are lucky to have partnered with Glenfern Bakery and their delicious Hot Cross Buns.  We will be using TryBooking (link in Next newsletter) to sell our Hot Cross Buns and delivery will be at school on Wednesday 5th April to coincide with our Raffle and Easter Bonnet parade. Both chocolate and traditional buns will be available.

Election Day BBQ

On Saturday April 1st as SJB are a polling booth for the Aston by-election we will be operating a BBQ for egg and bacon rolls and sausages for voters to purchase on the day. If you are available to help out on the day please click the link below to our SignUp page to volunteer for a shift or a job! Last national election day we had a very successful BBQ and sold out of food, the atmosphere on the day was lots of fun, we only need an hour or 2 if you can help out. 

Click here - Sign Up Page

Knox Council Wellbeing Network - Parent Sessions

Parents & Carers Info Night

Download

Hey Dads & Father-Figures

Download

Knox Disability and Inclusion Expo

Download

Term 1 Dates for the Diary

March

8th      School Open Day Tours

10th     Division Swimming

12th     Labour Day School Closed

12th     Catholic Education Week

15th     NAPLAN commences

16th     School Open Day

17th     St Patrick’s Day

17th     St Patrick's Day Cathedral Mass

20th     P & F Meeting 

21st     Harmony Day

22nd     School Advisory Council

25th     Parish Trivia Night

27th     Athletics Day

30th    Sacrament of Reconciliation

April

2nd     Daylight Savings Finishes

3rd    Assembly 3/4G

6th     Holy Week Prayer Service

6th    Term 1 Concludes at 2.00pm

24th     School Closure Day - Faith in Education Focus

25th     ANZAC Day - School Closure

26th     Term 2 commences

26th     P&F Meeting at 7.00pm

Canteen News


Canteen orders can be placed via www.flexischools.com.au

Orders must be placed no later than 7.30am on the Wednesday or Friday.

Canteen Roster


Wednesday March 8th Friday March 10th
Claire Lewis

Alyson Whitnall

Carolyn Lonsing

Jacinta O'Dowd


Wednesday March 15th Friday March 17th
Ros DaviesCanteen Closed


Uniform Shop News

Parish News

SJB Netball Club

Community Notices

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully