ENewsletter

Tuesday April 29th 2025

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families

It was wonderful to see our students return to school for Term 2. We thoroughly enjoy seeing students return to school fresh, happy and smiling ready for another term. We can never underestimate how tired they are at the end of a term. Each term students work hard developing and navigating their social learning, building relationships, understanding their world and place in it, working hard academically and participating in an array of activities. Taking time for rest, recovery and rejuvenation plays a significant role in them returning to school ready for a new term. Our students commenced their term incredibly settled. To walk around the school seeing and feeling a sense of belonging, happiness and calm in our students is such a joy and privilege. This is something that we take great pride in and demonstrates the wonderful sense of partnership between home and school.

We wish all our students and families a wonderful Term 2 ahead.

ANZAC Day Prayer Service - Thursday April 24th

On Thursday morning we gathered as a school to remember all who have served and continue to serve in our forces, so that we may enjoy our wonderful country and freedom. Our students were once again outstanding in the manner in which they presented themselves at our prayer service. The sense of reverence, respect and remembrance was evident throughout the service.

We thank the Giangiulio family for representing St John the Baptist School and Parish at the Quarry Park Dawn Service and for laying a wreath in memory of all who have served.

Lest we forget.

Open Days for 2026 Prep Children

St John the Baptist Open Days for 2026 Prep Children

Let your neighbours, friends and relatives know St John’s School Open Days are set for May.

School Open Days will be held on:

Thursday 1st May

Saturday morning 3rd May

Alternatively families can book tours by phoning the office, through the school website or the QR Code. Every day is Open Day at St John the Baptist School!! Please come and see us in action.

We request that parents already with children in the school enrol as early as possible.

Term 2 Closure Dates

Families are asked to note in their calendars Friday 6th June as a School Closure Day followed by Monday 9th June as the King’s Birthday public holiday.

Election Day BBQ and Cake Stall - Saturday May 3rd

Thank you to all families who have offered to support the Election Day BBQ and Cake Stall this Saturday. A fun and busy day awaits us. This is a great community initiative and opportunity to show our SJB community at its finest. Families assisting on the day will be receiving communication this week. We look forward to a wonderful SJB event.

Baking Stall

We ask families who are providing baked goods for Saturday’s Election Day to please place items on a disposable plate, wrapped with an outline of ingredients placed on the outside of the package for buyers to read.

All baked goods are asked to be delivered to the tuckshop in the hall on Friday 2nd May.

First Eucharist Family Evening and Commitment Masses

We look forward to a wonderful evening on Wednesday with our students and families preparing for First Eucharist. A friendly reminder that our First Eucharist Family Evening will commence at 7:00pm in the hall.

Students and families preparing for First Eucharist are asked to attend one mass over the weekend of Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May as a commitment to their preparation for First Eucharist. We look forward to celebrating our First Eucharist candidates with the SJB parish.

SJB Cross Country

The SJB Cross Country will be held on Thursday 8th May from 12:30pm at Kings Park in Ferntree Gully. Students in Years 3-6 will be competing for their House colour and also to gain a place to run at the District Cross Country event on Friday 23rd May.

Families are asked to complete the Operoo form to provide permission for their child to participate and be aware of the requirements for the morning.

We warmly welcome parents who are able to assist on the day.

Mother's Day Stall

Our terrific P & F team is busy preparing for this year’s Mother’s Day Stall. We are most fortunate to have a number of community members sharing their talents and making gifts for the Mother’s Day Stall.

All gifts at the Mother’s Day Stall will once again be $5.00. This year we will have a cashless system where families purchase $5.00 tokens for the stall prior to the day. Children will receive their allocated number of tokens as they move into the stall on the morning.

Tokens for the Mother’s Day Stall are now able to be purchased through Flexischool and will be available for purchasing until 9am on Tuesday 6th May.

Thank you to all families who have already purchased their tokens. The use of Flexischools for such events creates a seamless and easy to access option for all families.

Mother's Day Event

We warmly welcome all Mother’s, Nanna’s and special people to join us for our SJB Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea and family activity on Friday 9th May from 1:30pm. We will commence with an afternoon tea in the hall. Mums and special people will then move to the classrooms in family groups to participate in an activity with their children.

We look forward to a wonderful afternoon celebrating our special ladies.

Kelly Sports Clinics

In Term Two Kelly Sports will host Monday afternoon clinics after school at SJB. The clinics will commence in Week 4 as of Monday 12th May.

Further information will be available shortly.

School Car Parking Adjustments

An enormous thank you to all of our community for taking the adjustments to Kiss and Go and access to school in their stride. It is wonderful to see the respect and care for our entire community as we navigate changes for Term 2.

At all times the safety of our students and community are our top priority. This requires additional patience, tolerance and understanding. We are enormously grateful to everyone for taking this same approach. Thank you.

Second Hand Uniform

The Second Hand Uniform Shop will be open on Wednesday afternoons from 2:45pm. Families may purchase second hand items for $5 per item.

Families donating items are asked to ensure that items are delivered washed and good condition.

Inquiries in regards to second hand items may be sent to -uniform@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Chess Club - Term 2

Wishing everyone a great week ahead.

Kelli Johnston

Term 1 Dates

Term 2

April

30th - First Eucharist Family Evening - 7.00pm

May

1st - Open Day No. 4

1st - Review Day 2

1st - St Joseph's College Lighthouse Program

3rd - Open Morning - Tours @ 9am, 9:45am & 10am

3rd - Election Day - SJB Hall Polling Centre

3rd - Election Day BBQ & Cake Stall

3rd - First Eucharist Commitment Mass - 6.00pm

4th - First Eucharist Commitment Mass - 9am & 11am

6th - Mother's Day Stall

6th - Inform & Empower Year 1-4 session

8th - St Joseph's College Lighthouse Program

9th - Mother's Day afternoon tea in the hall

9th - Mother's Day Family Art Activity in classrooms at 2.30pm

11th - Mother's Day

12th - Kelly Sports Clinics Years 3-6

13th - Inform & Empower Years 5/6

14th - Prep Level Mass @ 9.15am - Families welcome to attend

14th - School Advisory Council

15th - St Joseph's College Lighthouse Program

16th - Assembly @ 2:45pm - 3/4KS presenting

22nd - St Joseph's College Lighthouse Program

23rd - District Cross Country - Years 3-6 Crystal Brook Park

26th - National Sorry Day Prayer Service @ 9.00am

29th - St Joseph's College Lighthouse Program

30th - Assembly @ 2:45pm - 1/2B presenting

31st - Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

June

2nd - Parents and Friends Meeting - 7.00pm

3rd - Division Cross Country

5th - District Winter Sports

6th - School Closure Day

9th - King's Birthday Holiday

12th - Regional Cross Country

12th - St Joseph's Lighthouse Expo

12th - Review Dialogue and Engagement

Uniform Shop

The 2nd Hand Uniform shop is open Wednesdays 2:45 - 3:15pm. With winter uniform starting, come in and see whether we have the items you need. Please bring cash along in case you see something you like. All items $5.00 - socks and tights are free. Donations of clean, official SJB uniform are always welcome and can be left at the office at a time convenient to you.

Canteen News

Open on Wednesdays & Fridays

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

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

Canteen Roster - Term 2

Friday May 2nd

Maxine Schimizzi

Fleur Dow

Katrina Horne

Friday May 9th

Brianna Lawson

Amy Chan

Emma Jenkins

Friday May 16th

Cassandra Croning

Nelson Serrao

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter