St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Letter from the Principal

Tuesday December 1st 2020

Dear Families

It only seems like yesterday that we were hosting our leadership assembly for our current year 6s where they were presented with their badges and bomber jackets. Now it is time to say farewell to our 2020 Year 6 students as they prepare to graduate from St John the Baptist. This has been a year like no other for our Year 6s. The way they responded to remote learning was a credit to them and their families. They took every opportunity that was available to them despite the disrupted year. They were positive in their thinking, and actively sought each other out to ensure they all remained connected to their community. They led with compassion and understanding. Well done Year 6. Each of you has made your mark on our community. You will be fondly remembered for the way you embrace life, look out for each other and show respect and generosity to your teachers and whole school community. We wish you every blessing as you leave our school. We are very confident that you are ready for Year 7. The communities you are joining  are very fortunate to have such wonderful young people joining them.  

A special mention to the following families who have their youngest child graduating from our school this year. Farewell and thanks for being such valued members of our community: 

Atkinson, Di Bartolomeo, Doyle, Edmanson, Hansen, Hayman, Hume, Jacobs, Lankester, Mazzone, Patte, Potter, Thomas, Webster

Our Year 6s will be honoured at a final school assembly (delivered virtually) on Tuesday the 15th December followed by a whole school socially distanced guard of honour to conclude their day. We will also be celebrating with our Year 6s at their Graduation Mass in the evening followed by an outside gathering.

Prayers and Condolences

It is with sadness that we grieve as a community for the loss of one of our dear parents Damien Welch who sadly lost his battle with cancer last week. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Welch family. 

Kids Teaching Kids Environmental Conference

We had an exciting opportunity for our children on Monday with our sustainability leaders alongside Mrs Butler presenting at the Kids Teaching Kids Virtual Environmental Conference. The conference ran for the day, with both online speakers and workshop activities. As we were a presenting school, students from other schools took part in our workshop and created beeswax wraps for their schools. Speakers from government, education, Earthwatch Australia and Sustainability Victoria were involved in this online conference. Thanks so much to Mrs Butler for giving our children such an amazing opportunity. The event has been months in the making and children from many schools have worked hard to prepare for a variety of workshops which we were able to choose from. 

Continuing to Lead and Serve

We heard the very exciting news last week that two of our former school captains Riordan H-N & Grace S have been elected to lead their current school communities. Congratulations Riordan on being elected the school captain of Emmaus and to Grace for being elected as the vice school captain of Aquinas. We know you will continue to lead and serve with great wisdom and compassion as you did at St John the Baptist all those years ago in your respective school communities. 

Further easing of COVID restrictions

I am delighted to announce that we will return to our normal drop off and pick up procedures from tomorrow, Wednesday 2nd December. All children are now able to be dropped off and picked up in your pre-covid designated drop off and pick up points. Parents are welcome to walk onto the school grounds when dropping off or picking up their children. It will be fantastic to have our parents back onsite once more. It will be wonderful for our children to play again before school on the top basketball area as it will no longer be used for car parking. Welcome back one and all!

Important End of Year Dates

Thursday 10th December:

Christmas Nativity Play delivered virtually via Zoom. Details to follow. All in our community will be sent the link to share in our virtual Christmas experience. (In place of our carols evening)

Friday 11th December:

End of Year Reports home to families

Monday 14th December:

Students meet their new teacher and 2021 class grouping

Tuesday 15th December:

Last Day: Year 6

Socially Distanced Year 6 Guard of Honour

Year 6 Graduation Mass & celebration (from 5.00pm)

Wednesday 16th December: 

Last day of school (P-5) (3.10pm finish) 

2021 Start Dates

Wednesday  27th January:  Staff Return

Thursday 28th January:   Students Return (8.50am)

P&F Welcome back morning tea in the school hall: All families welcome!

Virtual Christmas Carols

Virtual Christmas Carols Information

Open the attached PDF to access the Zoom Link and more information about our Virtual Christmas Carols.
Download

Booklist Arrangements - Years 3 to 6

Booklists for Years 3-6 have been sent home with your child today.   They are also attached below for your reference.

Booklist Information

Download

Year 3 2021 Booklist

Download

Year 4 2021Booklist

Download

Year 5 2021 Booklist

Download

Year 6 2021 Booklist

Download

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Thanks to those families who have already sent in shopping vouchers for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal.  If you haven't yet done so, please send in vouchers to your child's class teacher or the school office by December 10th.

Any donations will be gratefully received.

Uniform Shop Update

Place orders no later than Monday December 14th for delivery before the end of Term 4.

Flexischools will reopen for online orders on Monday January 18th and I will be in the Uniform Shop all day Thursday January 21 to process orders before school commences the following week.

Fleur Dow


Canteen News


The last day that Canteen will be open for 2020 is Friday December 11th. 

There will be no canteen on the last day of school (Prep-Year 5) on Wednesday December 16th)

Canteen Helpers Roster

Wednesday December 2ndFriday December 4th
Jessie Stephens

Jodie Flynn

Rachael Wool

Wednesday December 9th 

Chantha Vann

Friday December 11th 

Amanda Hobba

Renee Armstrong

Anna Kristof

Camp Australia News

Community Notices

P&F Sponsors

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully