St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

We had a very productive working bee on Saturday where work has continued on the portables.  We will be increasing by two classes next year with an additional Year 1/2 class and an additional Year 3/4 class.  These refurbished rooms will be our Year 5/6 classrooms in 2023.  A very big thank you to the following families who have so generously supported us in the renovation of these rooms:

Brightwell, Price (Jason), Croning, Serrao

Price (Chris), Parsons, Burns, Armstrong,

Dalton, Nicholls & Gee

Also a big thank you to the Jones and Walsh families who spread the stones up near the hall.

The Parents and Friends Association would like to trial a token system for our upcoming Fathers Day Stall.  Tokens are to be pre-purchased at a cost of $5 each.  Each child may purchase a maximum of 2.  If you are unable to purchase your child’s tokens from our P and F representatives on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 2.45pm, you can order them by putting your money in an envelope, clearly labelled with your child’s name and quantity required.  The tokens will be given to your child on the 30th August before they go to the stall.  

A very big thank you to our P and F Committee for all that they do to help raise funds and for the opportunities they provide for us to connect as a school community.

We have been very fortunate in being able to secure a presentation by ThinkUKnow on Thursday 25th August at 7pm and all parents and carers are encouraged to attend.  The session will conclude at 8:30pm however there will be opportunity after the session to ask any questions you may have.

ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence based education program delivered nationally to prevent online child sexual exploitation.  ThinkUKnow Australia is a partnership between the Australian Federal Police, Microsoft Australia, Datacom and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. 

The presentation will be delivered by David Stevens who is a member of the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The presentation is pro-technology and addresses topics including self-generated child abuse material, online grooming, image-based abuse, sexual extortion, and importantly encourages help seeking behaviour.

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about young people and the online environment, and how you can help them to be safe and responsible users of technology.

For more information, you can visit www.thinkuknow.org.au.

This session is for parents and carers only and therefore it is not appropriate for your children to attend with you. 

Attendance slip is attached below, please return ASAP.

Please note the Year 1/2BR assembly planned for August 29th has been cancelled and rescheduled to later in the year.

Written by Gordon L (Year 6)

As you might be aware, the year 5/6s have been assisting the St Vincent de Paul with their winter appeal. Each class has been given donation boxes for food, toiletries and all non-perishable items. They will be collected every week or two, and will be stored in a safe place until they are given to families in need in our community. We have already received so many donations! Thank you to everyone who has donated. Please remember that you don’t need to donate much, every little bit helps.

A huge thanks to Peter and Teresa, who are both Vinnies volunteers, who started the donation gathering from St John the Baptist. Thank you to all the parents that have helped out as well. Now many families can eat once again. Just a little reminder, all donations will be accepted up until the 1st of September, so please keep donating. Your kindness and generosity is helping others. Thank you.  

Written by  Peter and Teresa Finn and all members of the Ferntree Gully Conference

A huge expression of our appreciation to the school staff, the enthusiasm and organizing abilities of the Year Six leadership team and all students and families who have contributed to your most generous response to this appeal.

We sincerely congratulate you all.

Just a reminder that there is a school closure day on Monday September 5th.