St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday February 24th 2026

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Introduction

Lenten Prayer

Loving God,

As we begin this season of Lent,                                                         

help us open our hearts to You.

Teach us to be kind, 

to make loving choices, 

and to care for those around us.

 May the ashes we received 

remind us to grow in goodness each day

and to follow the example of Jesus in all we do.

Guide our school community during these forty days,

so that our words, actions, and friendships reflect Your love.

Amen.

Year 5/6 Camp

Last week our Year 5/6 students enjoyed their three day camp at Portsea Camp. We were blessed with beautiful weather across the three days.

Our students were exceptional in the manner in which they participated in all camp activities. It was wonderful to see our students taking on challenges and stepping out of their comfort zones. To see students trying new activities, encouraging each other and embracing all that camp offered was truly outstanding.

We thank Mrs Brylie Johnson, Mr John Mitchell, Mrs Lisa Giuliano, Ms Melissa Davey, Mrs Susan Smith and Ms Elyse Harvie for the time taken away from their families to support of our students throughout the three days at camp.

A friendly reminder that our first School Closure Day is approaching quickly. Friday 6th March is a School Closure Day

Open Days for 2027 Prep Children

St John the Baptist Open Days for 2027 Prep Children

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

School Open Days will be held on:

Wednesday 11th March

Tuesday 17th March

Thursday 26th March

Thursday 7th May

Saturday 9th May - morning

Tuesday 2nd June

Use this link to book a place on one of our open days - https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/65r6w

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.

SNIP & SIP TUESDAYS ☕✂️Volunteers Needed – Help Us Prepare Maths Resources!

Our school is undertaking a daily Maths fluency program to support students in developing strong mental strategies.

We’re looking for volunteers to help prepare the resources needed for this program.

Parents/carers, grandparents and extended family members are warmly invited to get involved. Tasks include cutting, laminating and labelling materials.

No experience required — just willing hands!

Coffee, tea and biscuits provided.

Join us for our “Snip & Sip” sessions running each Tuesday morning this term.

When: Tuesdays - 8:45am – 10:30am

Drop in anytime — any time you can give is greatly appreciated!

Where: SJB Office Meeting Room

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jill Palermo (jpalermo@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au) 

ICT User Agreement

Each year families receive an ICT User Agreement Policy to share with their children and complete together.  The purpose of this policy is to provide a shared understanding and agreement between home and school with the purpose of ensuring safe and responsible use of all forms of technology.

The 2025 ICT User Agreement is due to expire on Saturday 28th February. Families would have received the 2026 ICT User Agreement through Nforma in the week commencing Monday 16th February. We ask families to take time to read the agreement with their child/ren and complete the agreement by Friday 27th February. This will ensure that students have continued access to their devices for learning.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Thank you to everyone who has donated uniform to the 2nd Hand Uniform shop over the last few weeks. The cupboard is now well stocked. See current stock list below. In 2026 the 2nd Hand Uniform Shop is open on Tuesdays 2:45 - 3:15pm. Cash only. Come in and see if we have what you need. 

Janice

Swimming Squad Training

Swimming squad training is now being held at St Joseph’s Secondary College.  The dates for squad swimming are 24th February and the 3rd and 10th March from 7:45am - 8:30am. Additional dates may become available should student engagement remain high. Further information about squad swimming will be communicated by our PE teacher Mr John Mitchell.

District Swimming

We wish all students competing at Friday’s Sherbrooke District Swimming Carnival at Belgrave Community Pool all the best for a day of terrific competition. Wishing everyone a fun day of swimming. 

Event:  Sherbrooke District Swimming  Carnival commences at 10am. 

Date: Friday 27th February 2026

Time of Departure from School: 9.15 am

Time of Arrival back at School: 2.15pm

Location: Belgrave Community Pool, 69 Best Street, Belgrave

Parent/Teacher Meet & Greet

Our staff have thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with families and the opportunity to get to know our students more through our Meet and Greet sessions. The Meet and Greet sessions are an opportunity for students, parents and staff to build positive relationships setting students up for a successful year ahead.

We thank all families for recognising the value of these sessions and making time to meet with staff. We greatly appreciate our home school partnerships.

Prep Information Evening

Our Preps have commenced school brilliantly. It is terrific to see them settle so well. To provide families with an insight into daily life in a Prep classroom and an insight into Learning and Teaching in Prep, we would like to invite you to an Information Evening. Please see the following information:

Prep Information Evening

                                   When: Tuesday 24th February @ 7pm - TONIGHT

                                   Where: Prep classrooms

Managing Big Feelings

We look forward to Carley McGauran sharing her expertise as a mother and psychologist in the area of ‘Big Feelings’. Carley shares practical tips and advice on how to nurture and support children with their feelings. We invite families to join this session with Carley. Carley has a wonderful way of normalising everyday circumstances that parents navigate and providing tips and suggestions for our toolkit as parents.

We hope you are able to make the evening.

Your registration link to share with parents: 

https://event.webinarjam.com/z3w5x/register/n1qlpa2r

SJB Family Camping Weekend

We warmly welcome all families to come together for a weekend of fun at the annual SJB family camping weekend.  Whether it is cabins, caravaning, camping in a tent, the aim is to include all.

We would love to see everyone who is able to join.

For communication purposes families attending are encouraged to scan the code below. One of our team members will then communicate with the group in preparation for the weekend.

Project Compassion Fundraiser - Organised by the Amelia & Hannah B

Audiri App

Audiri app is a simple and effective way to communicate school information with families.

As a school we will use the Audiri app to communicate reminders and events occurring throughout the school.

We ask that families install the Audiri app on their phones and then add St John the Baptist School. Information on how to add the Audiri app and St John the Baptist School can be found at the end of the newsletter.

NAPLAN

In the coming weeks our Year 3 and Year 5 students will participate in the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 

The NAPLAN assessment tasks consist of the following assessment tasks:

  • Reading

  • Writing

  • Conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)

  • Numeracy

NAPLAN is one aspect of St John the Baptist’s assessment and data collection used to monitor student progress and growth.  NAPLAN data is used in conjunction with school based data, student work samples and anecdotal records. All of this information is reflected upon in the planning of learning and teaching, as well as assessment and reporting.

We ask families to support our students as they prepare to undertake NAPLAN by encouraging them to give it their best.  This is all we ask of any of our students when entering all tasks.

Student Residential Address Data

Collection notice for parents and guardians
Download

St John's Netball Club

Wishing all our students and families a wonderful week.

Kelli Johnston

Term 1 Dates

February

24th - Prep Information Evening

25th - School Advisory Council Meeting @ 7pm - change of date

25th - Prep Rest Day

25th - Year 5/6 Excursion to ACMI

27th - District Swimming

27th - Assembly - 3/4HD - 2:45pm

March

1st - Prep Family Welcome Mass

2nd - Preps commence Fulltime 

3rd - Swimming Squad St Joseph’s Secondary College 7:45am - 8:30am (Year 3-6)

3rd - Carley McGauran Managing Big Feelings online session @ 7:30pm

4th - Year 3/4 Level Mass @ 9:15am

6th - School Closure Day

9th - Labour Day - School Closed

10th - Swimming Squad St Joseph’s Secondary College 7:45am - 8:30am (Year 3-6)

10th - Division Swimming

11th - Open Day #1 - Tours @ 9am, 10am, 4pm & 5pm

11th - NAPLAN commences

12th - Year 1/2 Level Mass @ 9:15am

12th - Division Swimming

14th - Term 1 Working Bee

16th - P & F Meeting -  SJB Staffroom at 7pm

17th - Open Day #2 - Tours @ 9am, 10am, 4pm & 5pm

20th - Harmony Day celebration

20th - St Patrick’s Day Schools Mass

23rd - PSGs

25th - Sacrament of Reconciliation @ 5pm

26th - Open Day #3 - Tours @ 9am, 10am, 4pm & 5pm

27th - SJB Family Weekend away @ Warburton

27th - Assembly @ 2.450pm

27th - Halogen Leadership Day - School Captains

30th - PSGs

31st - Regional Swimming

April

1st - School Photos - Summer Uniform

1st - SAC Meeting

2nd - Holy Week Stations of the Cross

2nd - Easter Raffle draw

2nd - Term 1 concludes @ 2pm

Tuckshop News

Open on Wednesdays & Fridays


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.


Tuckshop Roster - Term 1

Friday February 27th 

Carrie Canton

Katrina Horne

Mel Price

Friday March 6th

Nelson Serrao

Cassie Croning

Friday March 13th 

Mark Molan

Wade Palmer

Rients Huitema

Parish News

Chess at School

Community News

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully