St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday February 14th 2023

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Introduction

We thank all staff, parents and children for ensuring such a positive commencement to our school year. It is wonderful to see our students so settled and ready for learning each day.

It is great to be able to wander around the school across the day and see students engaged in their learning. We look forward to an exciting and engaging year of learning.

Beginning of School Year Mass

Last Friday as a school we came together for Mass to celebrate the beginning of the school year. Our students were simply outstanding.  From entering the church respectfully, to reading and responding throughout the Mass, receiving communion or a blessing, singing, all students should be enormously proud of the manner in which they presented themselves.  We especially thank our Year 6 students for demonstrating their leadership and modelling to their Prep buddies who attended their first School Mass. Our Beginning of School Year Mass is another example of the terrific start to our school year. We thank our REL Marialisa Mandarino for all of her work preparing the Mass and the staff for their work in preparing the students.

Twilight on the Green

What a huge success!! We thank the Parent and Friends Committee for all of their work that went into preparing such a welcoming and wonderful event for the St John’s school community. Thank you to Bec and Simon Russell, along with Fleur, Peter and Jacinta for sharing their musical talents and for creating a wonderful atmosphere for all to enjoy. We were most fortunate to have perfect weather for the evening.

Landscaping Naturescape and Playground

On Monday 6th February the landscaping of the naturescape and playground commenced.  This will be a fabulous place for our students to be creative and adventurous during their recess times once complete. In the interim there is much for our students to observe and be inquisitive about as the project progresses.

Year 5/6 Camp

It was great to see our Year 5/6 students packed and ready for 3 fun filled days at Camp Rumbug in Foster. Our Year 5/6 students departed  for camp on Monday morning and will return to school on Wednesday 15th February. We look forward to a wonderful 3 days and hearing many camp stories from our staff and students.

Tuckshop Begins

Tuckshop begins Wednesday 15th February.  The tuckshop will operate on Wednesdays and Fridays. Tuckshop orders can be placed by visiting Flexischools - www.flexischools.com.au

See below on how to register for Flexischools for canteen and uniform ordering.

Want to order from the Canteen?

Athletics Day

Friday February 24th 2023

Preparations are underway for the St John the Baptist Athletics Day at Knox Athletics Track (Bunjil Way, Knoxfield). The Year 3-6 students will be at the track for the full day and the Prep-2 students will be at the track from approximately 10am - 1:30pm.  Mr Mitchell is currently working with students to prepare for a day of fun. We invite families to join us for a day of colour and fun!!

Shrove Tuesday and Lent

Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Tuesday) is next Tuesday 21st February. Where classes are cooking pancakes, ingredients will be communicated and permission sought from families for students to eat pancakes. 

The season of Lent commences the following day with Ash Wednesday. As a school we will attend Mass at 9:15am. Families are welcome to join us as a community at Mass.

The season of Lent is significant within the Catholic faith. The season of Lent is a liturgical season consisting of 40 days commencing on Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Thursday.  The liturgical colour of the Lenten season is purple.

During Lent some things families may like to do with their children include:

  • Entering in prayer - quiet meditation, prayer of thanks, songs.

  • Give up or do something kind for 40 days

  • Read stories about Easter

Open Days for 2024 Prep Children

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 for March.

School Open Days will be held on:

Wednesday 8th March

Thursday 16th March

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.

Sacramental Calendar 2023

We ask families to please place the dates for this year’s Sacraments in your calendars. Sacraments are important milestones and celebrations in our students' faith journey.

  • Please note there has been a slight change to the time for the Sacrament of Eucharist.

SacramentImportant Dates
Reconciliation

Family Evening - March 1st - 7 - 8pm

Sacrament of Reconciliation - March 30th    5 - 6.30pm

First Eucharist

Family Evening - May 10th - 7 - 8pm

Reflection Day - June 5th

Sacrament of First Eucharist - June 10th - 3pm

School Closure Days

School Closure dates have been set for the following dates.  We will try to keep to these dates as much as possible. Occasionally dates may be subject to change due to the availability of presenters.

Monday 24th April - Faith in Education

Monday 7th August - Teaching and Learning

Monday 6th November - Report Writing

Monday 20th November - School Improvement

Prep Rest Days

 A friendly reminder that the following Wednesday is a ‘Rest Day’ for our Preps - Wednesday 15th February.

Our Preps will commence full time at school from Monday 20th February

Teacher Meet & Greet

We thank all families for their attendance at last week’s Meet and Greet sessions. This was a great way to share information between home and school with the focus on building positive partnerships.  It was terrific to see so many students present at the sessions being active contributors to the discussions about themselves as learners.

Working Bee - Saturday March 4th - 1.30-4.00pm

We look forward to welcoming parents to the first working bee of the school year on Saturday 4th March from 1:30pm. Families can register for the Working Bee by completing the reply slip below or emailing office@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Working Bee Reply Slip

Download

Sustainability News

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.

School Advisory Council

The School Advisory Council provides a forum for discussion and discernment, where the parent/guardian voice and perspective are available to inform and support the decisions made by the Principal and Parish Priest for the good of School and Parish where the wellbeing and outcomes for students is paramount. 

The main duties of the School Advisory Council are to:

  • Support the Catholic ethos of the school.

  • Assist in planning for the future development and direction of the school in consultation with the Parish Priest and Principal.

  • Assist on the setting of priorities through the use of the school's Annual Action Plan and School Improvement Plan.

  • Assist with the process of School Review which occurs on a four year cycle.  

  • Advise on finance-related matters such as school fees and building/maintenance programs.

  • Assist on issues such as enrolments, School improvement plans and enrolment trends

  • Giving advice about the school Master Plan

  • Assist with activities that promote the school within the parish and the broader community.

The Council meets on a minimum of 6 occasions per year. 

Your commitment requires:

  • Membership for 3 years.  

Please note that membership on the School Advisory Council ceases once a Council member no longer has children enrolled at the school. 

  • Attendance at scheduled Advisory Council meetings for each year

The aim of the SAC is to provide advice to the School Leadership and Parish Priest in order for them to provide the optimum educational and spiritual environment for our children. The Council meets at regular intervals during the school year to discuss and address a range of relevant issues pertaining to the school.

Parents interested in becoming a member of the School Advisory Council are asked to email myself with the following information:

I _________________________________ (full name) am interested in becoming an School Advisory Council member.

Children enrolled at St John the Baptist School (include Grade level):

____________________________________________________________

Contact no. ___________________________________

Date.           ___________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________

Wishing everyone a terrific week ahead.  

Kelli Johnston

School Fee Concessional Program

Support for families experiencing financial hardship is available via the School Fees Concessional Program.

 It is available to families that meet one of the following criteria:-

 ·        Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage

·        Holders of a Department of Human Services Health Care Card

·        Holders of a Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card

·        Holders of a Department of Home Affairs Proof of Identity Card  (ImmiCard)

·        Refugees, where the child has attended a school within Australia for less than five years

·        Experiencing genuine financial hardship

 If you believe you are eligible, please complete both the forms below or call into the office to obtain a copy.

 Please return the completed form to the school office ASAP.

 

Concessional Fee Application Form

Download

CSEF Application Form

Download

Parents & Friends News

Twilight on the Green

What a wonderful night last Friday, perfect weather and great turn out of 65 families! Brilliant entertainment as always by Bec and Simon and so lovely to have Fleur and Pete Dow perform together, Jacinta O’Dowd’s dulcet tones, as well as dark horse Naomi O’Carroll!
Thank you to all that came, families and teachers. It was fantastic seeing all the kids have a ball.

Mother's Day Stall

Calling all makers and crafters, do you have a side hustle or small business that we may partner with? If so, please send us a message to

 parentsandfriends@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

P&F Meeting

Monday February 20th at 7.00pm in the staffroom

Please come along and help us with our year's planning and events, everyone welcome.  The P&F is a fun way to help build this beautiful school community and the vibe from Twilight is such a reflection of this.

Skoolbag App

Skoolbag app is a simple and effective way to communicate school information with families.

As a school we will use the Skoolbag app to communicate reminders and events occurring throughout the school.

We ask that families install the Skoolbag app on their phones and then add St John the Baptist School. Information on how to add the Skoolbag app and St John the Baptist School can be found below.

Wishing all our students and families a wonderful year ahead at St John’s.

Term 1 Dates for the Diary

February

14th     Year 5/6 second day at camp

15th      Year 5/6s return from camp

15th      Prep Rest Day

20th      Swimming Squad St Joseph’s Secondary College 8:00am - 9:00am

20th      Preps full time at school

20th      School Assembly - School Hall 2:30pm

21st      Shrove Tuesday

22nd      Ash Wednesday Mass 9:15am

24th      School Athletics Day - Knox Athletics Track

March

1st      First Reconciliation Family Night

2nd     Clean Up Australia Day

3rd     First Friday Mass Yr 3/4  - 11am

4th      Term 1 Working Bee 1:30-4:00pm

5th      Prep Welcome Mass

6th      Assembly - 5/6FJ

8th      School Open Day

10th     Division Swimming

12th     Labour Day School Closed

12th     Catholic Education Week

15th     NAPLAN commences

16th     Open Day

17th     St Patrick’s Day

Canteen News

First Day in the Canteen

The Canteen is open this Wednesday February 15th.  Canteen is available every Wednesday and Friday.

Orders can be placed via www.flexischools.com.au

Change to Cut-Off Time for Orders this year

Please note, due to increasing numbers in lunch orders, it will be necessary to bring the cut-off time for ordering forward.  The latest time orders can be placed will be 7.30am.

Canteen Roster


Wednesday February 15th Friday February 17th
Jessie Stephens

Cassandra Croning

Nelson Serrao

Jodie Flynn

Wednesday February 22nd Friday February 24th 
Nat Conway

Athletics Day - no canteen


Canteen Helpers Volunteer Form

Are you able to help in the canteen this year.  If so, please complete the form attached and return to the school office.
Download

Uniform Shop News

SJB Netball Club

Community Notices

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully