St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

A big congratulations to Amelia in Year 6 on being invited to join the Australian Ballet School ITP training program for 2027. Amelia competed in the Youth America Grand Prix in Sydney and has been offered an acceptance-scholarship for the Legacy Masters-Aus Prix Summer program in January. 

Congratulations Amelia on your most wonderful achievements.

We look forward to participating in our SJB Fun Run to Promote Mental Health Awareness on Friday 30th October. The benefits of being active, moving, relationships and connection play a significant role in having positive mental health and wellbeing. Families will have received an nForma note outlining the details of the afternoon.

We look forward to seeing our SJB community come together for the afternoon. We would greatly appreciate parent helpers to assist at check points on the run. If you are able to assist us on Friday 30th October from 2.00pm, please outline this through nForma.  Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

We look forward to welcoming our 2027 Prep families and students as they start their journey with us at St John the Baptist. The following dates below are important dates for our Preps and their families:

Parent Information Evening - Wednesday October 28th - 7.00pm

During Week 4 our students will be participating in dance lessons run by Dance Curriculum.  During the daily lessons, each year level will learn a challenging, age-appropriate dance routine, along with a full-school dance. The sessions will focus on developing coordination, timing, and performance skills in preparation for our evening concert on Thursday 29th October. 

We have divided our families into 2 groups and you should have received an email last week advising which group your family is in and what time your concert is.

We look forward to an entertaining experience that allows our students to showcase what they can achieve in a short period of time. 

This year, we have trialled various Learning Enhancement Groups, with a particular focus on extending students’ learning in Mathematics.  It has been wonderful to see the love of Maths come alive in so many of our students.  We are currently evaluating our trials and will soon begin planning for what Learning Enhancement programs might look like in 2027. 

We would like to extend a heartful THANK YOU to Lana Nunis, who planned and facilitated our weekly Year 5/6 program for the majority of the year.  We are grateful for her time, dedication and support.  Her work in planning and providing opportunities to challenge and extend our students has been greatly appreciated.

We are very blessed at SJB to have so many parents/carers who volunteer their time and talents with our school community!

Families wishing for their child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation in 2027 are asked to make contact with the Parish Office this term if their child has yet to be baptised. 

To ensure there is plenty of time for children to be baptised prior to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, families are requested to contact the Parish Office as soon as possible.

As we plan ahead for 2027 classes, we ask any families who know that they will not be returning to SJB in 2027 to inform the school as soon as possible.

kjohnston@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Through our Religious Education lessons staff have been supporting our Year 5 students to transition to Year 6 School Leadership roles and our Year 6 students to transition to life as Year 7 students. They were joined recently by Mr. Carlos Escobar - Director of Faith and Mission, Avila College and father of Liliana (Year 1) who volunteered his time whilst on leave to guide our Year 5/6 students in rich discussions around their goals, hopes, challenges and fears and form links between lived experiences and our Catholic Faith. Through connections to scripture and prayer, Carlos led our students in deepening relationships with themselves, others and God.

This year’s Dads and Kids camping weekend at Gilwell Park has been scheduled for two nights away due to popular request. Families can purchase their tickets via Flexischools. Tickets are $40 per person. 

Dads mark the date in your calendar and save the date for a terrific weekend with your children and SJB community.

As we move into warmer weather we now transition into summer uniform.  

Students are to wear sports uniform only on their designated days.  Please check your child’s level newsletter for clarity of days.  Students are to wear navy socks and black school shoes with their regular uniform. Runners are not to be worn with regular uniform.

Students with hair that is able to be tied back are to have hair tied. Jewellery accepted is small sleepers or stud earrings. A necklace with a cross may be worn, however this is to be tucked under polo tops or school dresses.

We thank all families for ensuring students wear the correct uniform and our students for wearing their uniform with pride.

Girls

Blue and white check dress

Maroon tracksuit top with School Logo

Navy blue anklet socks

Black leather T-Bar OR Lace up/velcro school shoes (flat soled)

St John’s school hat

Boys

Navy school shorts

Short sleeved, sky blue polo shirt with school logo

Navy blue ankle socks

Black leather lace up/velcro school shoes (flat soled)

St John’s school hat

Please see the summer uniform outline below:

October

21st - Inform & Empower session - Year 5/6

21st - School Advisory Council @ 7pm

23rd - Assembly @ 2:45pm Prep PS

26th - School Concert Week

28th - Prep 2027 Information Evening

29th - All Saints Day - 9:15am Mass - Whole School with Parish

29th - SJB 2026 School Concert Evening - Concert A - 5:30pm & Concert B - 6:30pm

30th - SJB Fun Run - Mental Health Awareness

30th - World Teachers' Day

November

2nd - School Closure Day

3rd - Melbourne Cup Day - School Closed

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

6th - Gilwell Park Dads and Kids weekend - Friday & Saturday night

9th - Inform & Empower session - Year Prep

10th - Year 3/4 Incursion Mini Boss

11th - Remembrance Day (Prayer Service)

12th - Prep Transition # 1- 9:00am - 10:30am

13th - Assembly @ 2:45pm

16th - School Closure Day

19th - Prep Transition # 2 - 9:00am - 10:30am

24th - SAC & P&F Thanksgiving evening

26th - Prep Transition #3 - 9:00am - 10:30am

26th - Carley McGauran Psychologist presentation Prep 2027 families 9:00am-10:30am

27th - PSGs

27th - Assembly @ 2:45pm

29th - First Sunday of Advent - Hope

30th - PSGs

December

1st - Online Music School - Concert Performance @ 6:30pm

3rd - SJB Carols

4th - PSGs

6th - Second Sunday of Advent - Peace

8th - Year 3 - 6 Life Ed. Human Development Sessions

8th - Reports live to families

10th - Year 6 Graduation @ 6pm

13th - Third Sunday of Advent - Joy

14th - Year 6 Fun Day

15th - End of year Thanksgiving Mass @ 9:15am

15th - Final Day 2026 School Year - school concludes @ 3:15pm

20th - Fourth Sunday of Advent - Love

25th - Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Day

Orders are to be placed via Flexischools - www.flexischools.com.au

Friday October 23rd

Mark Molan

Nelson Serrao

Friday October 30th

Katrina Horne

Mel Price

Friday November 6th

Jess Carmichael

Amy Chan

Reeda Raydan