St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Letter from the Principal

Tuesday February 18th 2020

Dear Families

We are very proud to announce that our new website has been launched. It looks absolutely fantastic and really showcases our school in a positive and professional way. I wish to thank our staff, parents and students who were videoed. It is certainly worth a look. The website has all our dates for the year. 

It can be viewed at www.sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

School Camp

We welcomed back our happy campers on a very wet Friday afternoon. The staff and students were all beaming with stories of great adventures. The staff at Campaspe Downs commented that the teachers were the most organised and professional staff they had seen and the children were exceptional. Our own staff were delighted with the children also. Our Year 5/6s are an absolute credit to themselves, their families and our staff. I wish to thank Sue Cahill, Julie Gellie, Steph Gorman and Tracey Ryan for the time they generously gave to organising and facilitating such a successful school camp. It is always a big responsibility for the staff and I am grateful for the time they took away from their own families to ensure the children had such a positive camp experience.

Sustainability Initiatives

Our Year 6 sustainability leaders have been busy meeting with Mrs Butler to organise and lead sustainability initiatives for our 2020 school year. They led a whole school event today at playtime where we had our own clean up Australia Day campaign. They handed out gloves and supported all our students and staff to come together to clean up the school grounds. Well done to Ellika D, Mikayla O, Nathan H, Ava L, Casey K, and Imogen C who are our sustainability leaders for 2020. You are already having an impact on raising the awareness of our whole community on the importance of caring for God’s Creation. 

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. 

School Sports Day

Our annual St John the Baptist sports day will be held this Friday 21st February at Knox Athletics Track. All children in the school will participate in events to earn points for their house. We hope that you will be able to help out on the day either as a parent helper or as part of the cheering crowd in the stands. Seeing our Preps run their first race ever is an event not to be missed! The children will be taken by bus to and from this event. 

Prayers and Congratulations

Congratulations to Ollie B who will be baptised this coming Sunday the 23rd February at the 9.00am Parish Mass. We wish you every blessing Ollie as you continue your faith journey with the strength of the Holy Spirit to guide you. 

School Fee Statements

Fee Statements are currently being prepared and should be sent to families next week.  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 will also appear on your statement and 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.

Term 1 Diary Dates

Term 1 2020


Week 4February
Tues 18th Swimming Squad Training - 8.00-8.30am

Education Board Meeting at 7.30pm
Wed 19th Prep Rest Day - No school for Preps today

District Swimming
Fri 21stSJB Sport Athletics Carnival - Knox Athletics Track


Week 5
Mon 24th Preps full time attendance

Whole School Assembly at 2.30pm (Focus - 5/6G)
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


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.

CSEF 'Information for Parents' Sheet

Download

CSEF Application Form

Download

School Sports Victoria

Team Vic Trials - 12 Years and Under

School Sport Victoria will once again be offering the opportunity for students with emerging talent to register to trial for School Sport Victoria State Teams in 2020.

Registration to trial are now open and remain open until Sunday March 1st 2020 for Boys Australian Football, Netball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball and Boys Football (Soccer).

Registration to trial for most SSV 12 Years and Under Team Vic teams to compete in School Sport Australian Championships is done through an online process managed by School Sport Victoria.

To be eligible, children registering to trial must be turning 10, 11 or 12 years of age in 2020.

Please be aware of the following:

  • Students and families must consult with their Principal to ensure they have the skill level to trial and represent their school at a national championship level.

Registration forms can be obtain on the School Sport website - www.ssv.vic.edu.au 

Any further enquiries can be directed to Mrs Tracey Ryan.

Parents & Friends News

P&F Meeting

Thank you to everyone who attended last night's meeting.  Unfortunately, I was unable to make it in the end, but it was great to hear there was some new faces!  Ange

The Club Hotel - Charity Day

Raising money for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, The Club Hotel is hosting a fun day out for the family on Sunday, Feb 23 12-4pm. There will be a BBQ and spit roast, facepainting, showbags and jumping castle as well as live music. They’re a great support to the school so get on down and show them some love for a great cause.

BUNNINGS BBQ

We've had LOTS of volunteers to help on the day - fab work team! You should have been contacted by now, confirming your shifts. There's still room to volunteer (shorten someone else's shift) so don't be shy if you want to get involved!

Bunnings BBQ Volunteer Form

Download

Saturday March 14th - P&F SJB Winery Tour

Forms are coming home TODAY!!!

Sorry for the delay - with so many boutique wineries on the Mornington Peninsula, it's been challenging to find quality venues that would take a group of our size. Fear not, though, we are firming up the final details now, and tickets are officially on sale! Payment can be made via cash/card to Fleur in the uniform shop, or by cash to Cynthia/Jo in the office. Numbers are LIMITED, so don't delay - lock in your ticket ASAP!!

$115 covers your FULL day of tastings, lunch, transport and lucky door 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 Price List 2020

Download

Canteen Roster - Term 1 2020

Wednesday February 19th

Andrea Comport

Friday February 21st

School Athletics Day

No Canteen

Wednesday February 26th

Ange Hughes

Friday February 28th

Shamindri Aponso

Lauren Wearne

Natalie Conway




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