St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Letter from the Principal

Tuesday February 25th 2020

Dear Families

Last Friday we had a fantastic school sports event. Congratulations to Blue House who won the sports shield and to Yellow House who won the spirit shield. Seeing our whole school gathered gives us great pride as a staff as we see the children encouraging each other, being happy for each other’s success and competing with fairness and great sportsmanship. Well done to our Sports Leaders Kane D, Charli M and Jamie R (Blue), Lachlan L and Ben T (Red), Kate E and Jordan H (Green) and Finn S and Carmi M (Yellow) who led their teams on the day. You were a great example to all in the way you helped your team to have a go at everything despite their abilities. You gave a really strong message about the importance of participation and being the best you can be! Once again we were well supported by our parents. We are very grateful for how you always give so generously of your time. A special thanks to our staff who supported the children on the day especially our wonderful sports teacher Tracey Ryan who organised and facilitated a great event. An amazing achievement after only four weeks into the school year.

Swimming Champions

Congratulations to our swimming team who represented our school last week in the District Swimming Competition. The training on Tuesday mornings certainly paid off with the children bringing home ribbons in many events. Good luck to Imogen C, Lorelei C, Bella F, Logan H, Ruby L, Samuel O, Eliane P, Angus P, Daniel S, Heath T, Kahsha W, Tom H, Ethan O, Mia P & Skyla T who will now compete in the next stage of this event. 

Thanks so much to our parent supporters who braved the cold and wet conditions to cheer on our squad. A special thanks to Ash Potter who provided a tarp to keep our swimming champions dry. 

Ash Wednesday Mass

There will be an Ash Wednesday Mass this Wednesday 26th February at 9.15am. Ash Wednesday is an important holy day in the liturgical calendar. This day marks the beginning of Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. All welcome.

Parent Thankyou

Thankyou to the overwhelming response we have had for parent volunteers for our P&F Bunnings BBQ on this Saturday 29th February. We are very grateful for the time you are giving to support this fundraising event.

Bushfire Appeal

Well done to everyone in our community who generously donated money for our Bushfire Appeal. Many children contributed out of their own pockets. It’s wonderful to see young people recognising the importance of giving to those in need. We raised a total of  $133.85. 

Champions of the School

Congratulations to Riley F and Lorelai C who have both won through to the state championships in Athletics. Riley won a gold medal in the under 10’s high jump at the Eastern Metro Region Little Athletics. He also broke the Box Hill club’s under 10 high jump record and qualified to go to the state championships in March. Lorelai qualified for the 100m, 200m, 400m and high jump for the State Track and Field championship on March 14th/15th.

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

Student Awards


Prep B
Ella Settling in to the Prep year so beautifully and making fantastic connections between letters and sounds.  Keep up the great work!
Bryce Excellent participation in class discussions and great work identifying letters and letter sounds. Keep up the great work!


PrepKB
Olly PFor being a good listener during learning time and being a kind friend to others. Well done Olly!
HarperFor listening well during learning time each day, and for drawing beautiful, colourful pictures. Fantastic effort Harper!
BellaFor being friendly to everyone and for looking after her glasses well. Awesome effort Bella!
Oliver SFor being such a generous and kind classmate to all and for listening well during learning time. Fantastic effort Oliver!


Year 1/2B
FlynnAlways displaying his best work when doing individual tasks as well as group work. Flynn always has a big smile on his face and is willing to give everything a go! Amazing work Flynn.
ArcherShowing persistence and enthusiasm with each mathematical task especially during our topic on patterns where he displayed his ability to make 'growing', 'shrinking' and 'AB patterns' using unifix blocks
IslaHer excellent participation during class discussons. Isla is always raising her hand in class and having a go. Isla is a great team player and shows great leadership when doing group work. Keep up the great work!


Year 1/2S
AnnelieseYour improvement of your handwriting! You have demonstrated a fantastic ability to listen to feedback. You always put in effort into your writing and should be proud of what you have achieved! Keep up the great work!
JoshuaYour improvement in your handwriting. It is clear you are focusing and taking your time to improve your letter formation. Keep up the good work Joshua!
SamYour hard work during mathematics lessons. You demonstrate persistence and outside the box thinking to solve more challenging problems. Keep up the good work!


Year 3/4FD
Gordon LFor an amazing start to the year. Your dedication and desire to improve in both maths and literacy has been sensational to witness. Your efforts have been faultless. Keep working hard Gordon!
NoahFor fantastic concentration levels in class, in particular during writing time. You are demonstrating brilliant ideas in writing and using such interesting vocabulary. We enjoy reading your narratives Noah, keep up the hard work.
VeniceFor working so diligently during writing time. Your use of vocabulary and tier 2 words is pleasing to see in your narratives. You have such a strength in your creative writing. Keep building upon your narrative knowledge, we really enjoy reading your written stories.


Year 3/4SK
CiaraFor her determined effort to complete set tasks to a high standard, and for her beautifully expressive reading. You are a star Ciara!
Oscar For making accurate inferences in reading, and working hard to complete independent tasks. You are a star Oscar!
FaustinaFor writing interesting sentences with strong verbs, drawing amazing sea creatures, and being a friendly and kind classmate to all. You're a star Faustina!
JakeFor reading with beautiful expression and accuracy, and showing high engagement in all class tasks. You are a star Jake!


Year 5/6CR
Mia RoseFor working well so far this term to demonstrate positive learning behaviours as a student in the Senior School. We look forward to you continuing to share your ideas in class discussions in your learning journey this year.
JamieFor working hard to demonstrate positive learning behaviours this year as a  leader in the Senior School. Keep sharing your views and opinions Jamie, you have a lot to offer!


Year 5/6G
Finn For being kind to all and being a wonderful leader
SiennaFor welcoming our new students and working independently on challenging tasks.


School Fee Statements

Fee Statements have been sent home today.

Fees for 2020 are as follows:-

Family Fee - $1,400.00

Capital Fee - $80.00

Maintenance Levy - $100.00 (discounted if you attend two working bees)

Levies should have been paid last year, if you have not done so, levies should be paid as soon as possible.

Levies

Years Prep-2

Levy - $215.00

Swimming - $100.00

Junior Books - $75.00

Years 3-4

Levy - $215.00

Camp - $175.00

Years 5-6

Levy - $215.00

Camp - $360.00

Fees can be paid in instalments of -$466 / $466 / $468 over three terms.  If you wish to pay the entire amount in Term 1, 2020 you will receive a $50.00 discount.

Contacting the School Office via Email

If you wish to contact the School Office via email, please use the following address:-

office@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Cynthia and Jo work different days and if you send to their specific email, i.e. the newsletter comes via Cynthia's email, your email may not be seen until they return to work on their given days.

Alternatively, you are always welcome to telephone the office on 9758 1013.

Term 1 Diary Dates

Term 1 2020


Week 5

Tues 25th Swimming Squad Training - 8.00-8.30am
Wed 26th Ash Wednesday Mass at 9.15am

Beginning of Lent
Sat 29th Bunnings BBQ

Knox Festival
Sun 1st MarchKnox Festival


Week 6March


Tues 3rdSwimming Squad Training - 8.00-8.30am
Wed 4th Division Swimming
Fri 6th First Friday Mass & 1/2 Level Mass at 11.00am


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

A glorious 22 and sunshine forecast for Saturday - so hopefully Bunnings Scoresby will be busy with DIY/gardeners!

We have a couple of shifts available lunchtime/afternoon, so if you can spare an hour, please let me know - Ange 0428 415 928

Crack the Case!

Guess how many??!!

LOTS of excitement at assembly yesterday, as we launched our Easter Crack the Case!!

A big perspex box FULL to the brim of Easter eggs and chocolates.

Guess how many are in the box, and it's YOURS!!! The number is somewhere between 351-750.  That's a LOT of chocolate!!

It's $1.00 per guess, and to keep it fair, everyone can have 1 guess a week......UNTIL Monday March 23rd when they can have as many guesses as they like, until all the numbers are gone.

The lucky winner will be announced on Friday March 25th.

HUGE thanks to Empower Bower Therapy and JHL Accounting who have sponsored this event.

Saturday March 14th - P&F SJB Winery Tour

We are already filling our second bus for the winery tour!

BREAKING NEWS - Red Hill Estate are opening their cellar door early for us - so we will have an exclusive/bespoke visit with them, first thing!

We will now be meeting at school at 900am, as the buses will need to leave no later than 9.10am.

At this stage the itinerary is - Red Hill Estate, T'Gallant (includes lunch), Barmah Park.

This event is not exclusive to parents - bring along your friends, and enjoy a FUN day with LOTS of laughter and prizes!

Entertainment Digital Book PROMOTION!!!!!!

Buy a membership before 29th February and receive an extra 4 MONTHS FREE.

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 February 26th

Ange Hughes

Friday February 28th

Shamindri Aponso

Lauren Wearne

Natalie Conway

Wednesday March 4th

Kim Nanscawen

Friday March 6th

Rachael Wool

Jodie Flynn

Leanne Nugent




Parish News

World Day of Prayer

Trivia Night

Community News

Mater Christi Tours

Bring your family and friends to our School Tour on Friday 28 February departing 9.30am. Mater Christi girls consistently achieve region leading VCE and vocational results.  A visit will enable your family to witness our vibrant, inclusive and warm community.  Visit materchristi.edu.au to book your tour.

P&F Sponsors

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully