St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Letter from the Principal

Tuesday March 3rd 2020

Dear Families

Welcome to the first week of autumn! The month of February seems to have flown by so fast. When time goes quickly it is a good reminder for us to make the most of each day and to reflect on the people who make a difference to our lives and the impact that we also have on others. This year our theme at St John the Baptist is ‘Kindness is the Difference’. As we attended Mass last week for Ash Wednesday we were able to reflect on this theme as we began our Lenten journey. One concluding song was “Make a Little Difference.” If each of us in our community focus on being the best version of ourselves and strive to make a little difference in our community each day we will continue to live out our mission as a Catholic School and become more Christ-like in all our words and deeds. 

Swimming Champions

Good luck to our swimming team who will be competing in the Division Swimming Competition at Aquanation in Ringwood tomorrow. Thanks to our committed swim team (and their chauffeur Mums and Dads) and our trusty swim coach Mrs Ryan for your dedication and training to ensure you are fit and ready for competition. 

Parent Thankyou

Thankyou to all our parents for your wonderful support of our Bunnings BBQ on Saturday.  We are very grateful to the Rose, Corrales, Van Der Pol, Romero, Huitema, Barrand, Russell, Stephens, Dow, Kristof, Pellarini, Interdonato, Albisser-Bennett, Hughes, Webster, Brightwell, Ordenes, Ben and Ong families, and also Julie Gellie.

Level Mass

This Friday the Year 1/2s will be attending the 11.00am Parish Mass as a level. All welcome!

School Open Day and 2021 Prep Enrolment

Our school open day will take place on Wednesday 11th March from 8.00am-5.00pm. Thank you to the parents who have offered to help out on the day with school tours. Please invite any friends, family or neighbours who have a child eligible to start school in 2021 to come along and see our wonderful school in action. 

We already have children enrolled for Prep 2021. If you have a child who is eligible to start Prep in 2021 please make contact with the school office to complete an enrolment form. As an existing family with siblings in the school you are our first priority for enrolment. It is important that we know our incoming Prep siblings so we know how many places we can offer to new families. Offers for placements for Prep for 2021 will go out by the end of Term 1, 2020. 

Labour Day

Please note that Monday 9th March is the Labour Day Public Holiday in Victoria. There will be no school for the children on this day.

School Closure Day

Our Term 1 school closure day will be on Wednesday 18th March. The staff will be involved in a Professional Development Day. There will be no school for the children on this day. 

***All school calendar Dates can be found on our website 

www.sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Running Club

It's back!

It's back again......the St John the Baptist Running Club!

Come and join in on Tuesday mornings at 8.00am for a run to King's Park and back to school. It's a great way for everyone to become fit and active.

When:  Commencing Tuesday morning March 10th

Where: Meet at the school office at 8.00am sharp and return to school by 8.30am. Students need to sign in at the office before leaving.

Who: Any students in Years 3-6 who have a signed permission form, which is attached below.  Any junior students are welcome to join in but must be accompanied by a parent and have a signed permission form.

We welcome any students and parents to join in regardless of ability! We have a strong focus on fitness and being active. We really encourage students to come along and give it a go. Our aim of the Running Club this year, in conjunction with our Physical Education classes, is to start running gradually to improve each students own performance, building up to increase fitness and stamina.

Our Running Club will continue every Tuesday morning during our school terms. In case of inclement weather, we will do fitness work and exercises in the school hall.

Any parents who would like to join us are very welcome.

Please feel free to contact Mrs Tracey Ryan with any more enquiries. Hope to see you all on Tuesday morning.

Running Club Permission Form

This permission form must be completed before students can participate.
Download

Scholastic Book Club

Scholastic Book Orders are being sent home tomorrow with all students. Orders need to be placed no later than Thursday March 12th.  Please note all orders MUST BE placed online.  No cash orders.

Term 1 Diary Dates

Term 1 2020

Week 6 - March

Wed 4th Division Swimming
Fri 6th First Friday Mass & 1/2 Level Mass at 11.00am


Week 7
Mon 9th Labour Day Public Holiday
Wed 11thSchool Open Day
Thurs 12th Confirmation Family Night at 7.00pm
Fri 13th Regional Swimming
Sat 14th P&F SJB Winery Tour


Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

Do you have a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, then you may be eligible for CSEF. Please read the attached 'Information for Parents' sheet and if eligible download the form below and return to the school office.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)

CSEF Application Form

Download

Parents & Friends News

BUNNINGS BBQ

STELLAR effort at Bunnings last Saturday. We raised almost $1,800. Whoo hoo!! THANK YOU to ALL our helpers, especially Nige Nughes and Alan Ong for set up, and Carol & Wayne Albisser-Bennett for pack up.

Crack the Case!

**BREAKING NEWS**

We are opening up the bidding, so you can have AS MANY GUESSES AS YOUR LIKE, WHENEVER YOU LIKE!! $1.00 per number/guess. Over 7kg of chocolate to the lucky winner!!!

Saturday March 14th - P&F SJB Winery Tour

Only 11 more sleeps - keep everything crossed that the weather is like it was this weekend just gone! PERFECT winery touring weather.  There is still room, so get in quick to avoid the wait list!

It's an earlier start than normal, we will be LEAVING THE GULLY NO LATER THAN 9.10AM, so please make sure you are at the office car park no later than 9.00am.

Red Hill Estate have agreed to open their cellar door early, and we will have exclusive use.

We'll then head to T'Gallant where we will have another tasting, and lunch (Make sure you have advised us of any dietary requirements).

Barmah Park is our last Mornington stop.

We expect to be back in 'the Gully' around 4.00pm, and we are hoping drop off will be either at Paddy's or the Chandelier (if it's open in time!) So anyone who isn't able to make the actual tour can pop along there and join the fun!!


P&F Meeting

Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday March 16th at 7.00pm in the staffroom. ALL WELCOME!

Entertainment Digital Book PROMOTION!!!!!!

Click this link to help our school buy new play equipment for our kids

https://www.entbook.com.au/188321n.

The digital book is bigger and better than ever and is updated constantly and now more than ever saves you money, keeps the kids, husbands and wives entertained.

If you have never had the Entertainment Book before, you are in for a real eye opener as to how some people go out as often as they do and still save money.

CANTEEN NEWS

Canteen Roster - Term 1 2020

Wednesday March 4th

Kim Nanscawen

Friday March 6th

Rachael Wool

Jodie Flynn

Leanne Nugent

Wednesday March 11th

Michelle Freeman

Friday March 13th 

Fleur Dow

Margaret Golding




Camp Australia News

Parish News

World Day of Prayer

Community News

P&F Sponsors

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully