St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday May 17th 2022

Letter from the Acting Principal

The Premier's Reading Challenge is an annual statewide initiative for school children up to Year 9, and children enrolled in an early childhood centre or program.  

The challenge is not a competition but aims to improve literacy and encourage children to read widely for pleasure and learning. For students to successfully complete the challenge they must read or experience an allocated number of books based upon their year level during the reading period.  We have registered our school and encourage families to sign up and support their children to reach the set targets by 2nd September.  

Children and students who complete the challenge will have their efforts recognised through the receipt of a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier of Victoria.  

To enrol your child in the Premier's Reading Challenge please see  the attached form.

Information for Premiers Reading Challenge

During Term 1 our Year 3/4 students read a novel titled “Wandi”,  written by Favel Parratt.

A dingo cub is snatched from his family and home by a giant eagle, then dropped, injured and alone, in a suburban backyard. This is the beautifully woven story of Wandi, the most famous dingo in the   world. Told with wonder and heart by one of Australia's most beloved storytellers. 

Hatchett, Australia

As part of their unit of work the Year 3/4 students wrote to Favel Parratt to share their opinions of her book and what they had learned from her as an author that they could use to improve and develop their own writing.  Last week a package arrived and Favell gifted each of our students a writer’s toolkit in the hope that it will inspire them to keep writing their own stories.  It is wonderful to see our children writing for a genuine purpose and so lovely of Favel to take the time to acknowledge their work.  

Soccer Clinic

The rain didn’t dampen our Year 1/2 children’s enthusiasm last Friday as they participated in a soccer clinic run by Football Victoria.  They were very keen to show off their ball handling skills and you never know, we may just have the next Diego Maradona in our Junior school!

Baby News!

We are very excited to announce the safe arrival of Norah.

Congratulations to Quinn, in Prep, as she became a big sister for the second time. 

Welcome to the world little Norah!

School Closure Day

A reminder that our  school closure day is on Tuesday 24th May.  Camp Australia have confirmed that they will run a full day of care on this day.

Walk Safely to School Day

National Walk Safely to School Day is on Friday 20 May.  This day encourages all primary school children, their parents and carers to walk safely and regularly to school and seeks to promote road safety, health, public transport and the environment.  This event is part of National Road Safety Week 2022.

New Shade Sails

You may have seen that work has commenced on the installation of our new shade sails between the Year 5/6 building and the hall.  These shade sails were funded by a successful Grant application and will allow for this space to be used year round and will also support the cooling of the Year 5/6 classrooms.

No Canteen

There will be no Tuckshop on Friday 20th May

Introducing our Year 1/2 Teachers

This week I would like to introduce our Year 1/2 teachers:

Molly Brown - Year 1/2

This is my third year at St John the Baptist and. I am thrilled about the opportunity to learn and grow alongside my 1/2 class of 2022. The younger years have always been my passion watching the kids grow and develop both emotionally and academically. My aim as an educator is to create a classroom that values the development of the whole child as I acknowledge the importance of students’ social, emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. I endeavour to ensure each child feels welcome and safe in my classroom to feel both supported and able to take risks.

Outside of school, I love travelling and spending time with family and friends!

Michelle Bearder - Year 1/2

This is my 11th year teaching at St. John the Baptist. During this time I have been a Junior School Teacher which I have absolutely loved. I enjoy coming to school each day and it is so exciting to watch the children grow in their learning. At St John the Baptist there is a wonderful family feel to the school and everyone gets to know each other really well. Outside of school I enjoy reading novels, listening to music and I am a big movie fan.

Shari Correlje - Year 1/2

This is my second year at St John the Baptist. This year I am teaching our Year 1/2 students. I love teaching children and getting to know them as individuals. I value having strong connections with the families in the school. Building community connections is really important. I feel very grateful to be part of such a dynamic and vibrant school community.I enjoy spending time with my two children and my husband. We laugh often and enjoy every moment of all that life has to offer.

Deborah Butler - Year 1/2

My third year at St John’s will be filled with many milestones and memories.  This year I am teaching our Year 1/2 students. I look forward to working in partnership with you, as we guide your child on their learning journey. It is my aim that your child feels valued, respected and encouraged, this is achieved through preparation, targeted teaching, and fun along the way! I look forward to getting to know each child and building on their strengths.

I also hold the position of Sustainability leader and will be running whole school sustainability initiatives with the leaders from Prep-Six. We will investigate ways of caring for our local environment and look at ways of reducing waste around the school. My time out of school involves caring for my family, walks with my labrador, Patch and being part of a committee caring for the local Sanctuary and being an active member of the CEOM Environmentally Sustainable Development Committee (ESD).

Help Needed

Looking for a volunteer to stain the decking outside the Year 1/2 classrooms.  Unfortunately this job was unable to be completed at our last working bee and is dependent on good weather.  If somebody would be willing to complete this task for us it would be greatly appreciated.  

(All materials will be supplied)  

Victorian School Nursing Program (Primary)

Keera Waterston, a Visiting Primary School Nurse from the Department of Education and Training, will be attending the school to conduct Prep/Foundation student health screening assessments and to see children in Years 1 - 6 as requested by teachers and parents/guardians (only with parental consent).

The purpose of the visit is to provide all Victorian school entry aged children with the opportunity to have a health screening assessment, to link children, families and schools to services available in the community, and to provide information and advice about children's health and wellbeing.

Parents/guardians are invited to contact the Visiting Primary School Nurse if there are any issues they wish to discuss; Keera's contact number is below.

Parents/guardians of students in Years 1-6, who request for their child to undertake a health screening assessment by the Visiting Primary School Nurse, must complete a Primary School Nursing Program Student Referral form which is available from the school office. The completed Student Referral Form must be returned to the school office for collection by the Visiting Primary School Nurse.

All parents of a Prep/Foundation student have been given a School Nursing Program 2022 Questionnaire last week to complete and return to school no later that Friday May 20th, 2022.

Keera Waterston - 0455 099 461

Production Update

DATE: Friday 2nd September 

VENUE: George Wood Performing Arts Centre, Ringwood     

Rehearsals have begun with our cast of excited, energetic 5/6s. 

All other classes have learnt the Opening song and are enthusiastically starting to learn the choreography for their class item in their weekly lessons.

Costumes are being organised for each class and a note for any items required to be purchased or brought from home will be sent out in the next few weeks, e.g. a white T Shirt. If you’re free to assist our team of sewers, please let me know.

If you could please check your dress up box for any bright, colourful wigs, astronaut outfits, a Darth Vader costume or small fluoro flares, and let me know if you have any we could borrow, I’d appreciate it.

Stay tuned for further updates.

Sue Cahill

Running Club

A reminder that Running Club is back, running every Wednesday at 8am.

If your child is interested in representing St John the Baptist at the District Cross Country Carnival they will need to attend Running Club on the 11th and 18th of  May to participate in the team trials. 

All students are invited to attend Running Club; however, junior students (P - 2) must be accompanied by a parent. All students (P - 6) must bring a completed permission slip (see the attached document) before being allowed to attend any sessions.

During Running Club, students will use the bike/walk path that leads to Kings Park in Upper Ferntree Gully.  In the case of inclement weather, fitness work and exercises will be held in the school hall.

If you have any questions about Running Club please contact Tess Farry. 

Running Club Permission Form

Download

Parents and Friends of St John the Baptist School

Election Day Polling Booth - Sausage Sizzle

Thank you to all the families who have returned their volunteer forms, we will send you a confirmation text. We still need some help between 11.30-1pm, 1-2.30pm, 1.30-3pm, please send forms back or email to:-

Rainbow Fun Run

Hope everyone has started to setup their profiles for the Fun Run. If you haven’t had a chance, jump on to https://myprofilepage.com.au/ - find our school and setup and start collecting donations!

We are so excited to have an obstacle course this year and some other fun surprises!

The Entertainment App is Back!!!

Click here to access our School Link

Canteen News

Canteen Helpers Roster



Wednesday May 18th

Roslyn Davies

Friday May 20th

CANTEEN CLOSED


Wednesday May 25th

Nat Conway

Friday May 27th

Caroline Walsh

Amanda Hobba

Anna Kristof


Updated Canteen Price List 2022

Download

Uniform Shop News

Community Notices

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully