St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Yesterday the staff engaged in a day of Professional Learning with a focus on School Improvement.  As a team we reflected on the feedback from the School Review in each of the School Improvement Framework documents - Faith in Education, Leadership & Management, Learning & Teaching, Wellbeing and Community.  As a team we then shared the SJB School Improvement Plan for 2026 - 2029.

The remainder of the day focused on Learning and Teaching in the areas of Faith in Education, Mathematics and Literacy. 

We thank all staff for their engagement in the day of Professional Learning, as well as their dedication and commitment to ongoing school improvement at St John the Baptist School.

As a staff we would also like to take the opportunity to thank our wonderful Parents and Friends Committee for preparing a delicious lunch.  We greatly appreciate the efforts and kindness of all.

Our sincere thanks to the following families: Bennett, Davies, Dow, Hatter, Mills (Wearne), Amey, Fairbrother, Barrett, Raydan, Bickham, Srinivasan, Palmer, Burns, Portbury, Trimble, Martinez, Nugent, Lawson and Ulrich-Field and Susie D (for the personalised  gingerbreads).  Thank you to all for your kindness and generosity.

This week we will host our final 2026 Prep Transition session. Our future Preps have settled in beautifully and are ready to become school kids.  We look forward to introducing our Preps to their buddies.

During our transition session our families have met a number of members in our SJB community. We have been most fortunate to have Chris Guinane - SAC Chair, Janice Stiglich - Second hand uniform shop co-ordinator, Maxine Schimizzi - fellow parent and our Year 6 School Captains welcome our families, as well as share many aspects of the SJB community. 

This week we welcome Carley McGauran, Psychologist to our parent session. Carley will share tips on how to thrive, not just survive starting school. Carley’s relatable manner creates a safe and trusting environment that reassures families of the wonderful job they are doing as they prepare for their children to start school.

The SJB Christmas Carols evening will be held on Thursday 4th December. We look forward to a great evening and seeing our students shine.   

Our terrific P & F will be preparing a BBQ for families to order sausages in bread and drinks between 5:30 - 6:30pm prior to Carols commencing. 

This year families will pre-order their sausage and drinks through Flexischool between the 19th - 28th November. Families will place their entire order via Flexischool and then simply collect their order on the evening.  This will streamline the process and remove payment on the night. We ask families to please be aware that payment on the evening will be unavailable.

Please see the flyer attached for details. 

Our Prep 2026 families are warmly invited to the SJB playground on Saturday 22nd November between 11am - 2pm for an opportunity to get to know each other before the year commences. Bring your snacks and join a morning of fun.

A big thank you to Maxine S for organising this playdate.

Would any of our school families have a fold up baby change table that they would like to find a new home for?  We would like to keep one in our hall bathrooms to assist parents with babies who attend Mass or school events.  

If you can help us out please email Ursula -

udecorrado@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Pre-paid levies (per student) for the 2026 school year have been distributed today, payable by Friday December 5th.  

School Fee statements will be issued in February.  School fees for 2026 are as follows:-

Fees - $1,900 per family

Maintenance Levy - $100 per family (discounted if you attend two working bees)

Capital Fee - $300 per family

If you are the bearer of a concession card, please provide a copy to the office as you may be eligible to receive a Fee Concession in 2026.

We're excited to announce that our Annual VIP Sale will be running again soon for 2025!

 The sale will be running from Saturday 22nd of November to Saturday 29th of November at our Boronia store. Families can receive 20% off Beleza-branded items during this sale period, so it's a great opportunity for families to prepare for the 2026 school year and save on some of those back-to-school costs.

Wishing everyone a fantastic week.

Kelli Johnston

November

20th - Prep 2026 Transition Session No. 3

24th - Prep - Year 2 Swimming

25th - SAC and P and F Thank you evening

26th - Official School Building Opening

28th - Assembly @ 2:45pm 1/2HS presenting

December

1st - Prep - Year 2 Swimming

4th - SJB Carols Evening @ 7pm

6th - Gilwell Park Dad's & Kids Camping Weekend

8th - Prep - Year 2 Swimming

9th - Reports emailed to families

9th - Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival

9th - Year 3-6 FTG Library Performance @ 6pm

11th - Year 6 Graduation Mass

15th - Year 6 Fun Day

16th - End of Year Assembly

16th - Last day of 2025 school year concludes at 3.15pm

If you have any Size 4 or 6 uniform items, in good condition, that you no longer need, we'd love to receive them at the 2nd Hand Uniform Shop. We will be setting up a stall for the 2026 Prep families at one of the upcoming transition sessions and it would be great to have a range of items for them to purchase . Donations can be left at the office at a time that is convenient for you.

The 2nd Hand Uniform Shop is open Wednesdays 2:45 - 3:15pm. Cash sales only. Thank you to the families who have recently donated some items. Clean, offical SJB uniform donations are always gratefully received and can be left at the office when convenient to you. 

Janice

Tuckshop orders can be placed via http://www.flexischools.com.au

Orders must be placed no later than 7.30am on the Wednesday or Friday.

Friday November 21st

Brianna Lawson

Amy Chan

    Friday November 28th 

Belinda Bond

Katrina Horne

    Friday December 5th 

Mark Molan

Wade Palmer

Friday December 12th

Closed