St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday May 13th 2025

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families

On Thursday 8th May Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the Pope to succeed Pope Francis. The decision was announced after 133 cardinals deliberated for two days while partaking in the papal conclave.

The pontiff’s identity was announced approximately an hour after white smoke emerged from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. Cardinal Robert Prevost is the first elected pope from the USA, who has chosen Leo XIV as his papal name.

During his first speech as Pope Leo XIV, he conveyed a heartfelt message of peace and unity, echoing the sentiments of the Risen Christ. He emphasized the importance of building bridges through dialogue and encounter, urging us all to work together towards a world united in peace and charity. His words reflect his commitment to continue the mission of his predecessors and to lead the Church with humility and perseverance.

The choice of the name 'Leo' by our new Pope perhaps hearkens back to the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, who inaugurated modern Catholic Social Teaching with his seminal encyclical, Rerum Novarum. This document addressed the conditions of the working classes and advocated for the rights of workers, the responsibilities of employers, and the role of the Church in social issues. By choosing this name, Pope Leo XIV may be signalling his intention to continue and expand upon this rich tradition of social justice and advocacy within the Church.

Mother's Day Afternoon Celebration

As a school community we thoroughly enjoyed gathering

 together on Friday 9th May to celebrate Mother’s Day. Our

 students were thrilled to welcome Mums, Nannas, Grandmas,

 Aunties and special people into the classrooms to share in an

 art activity together and our Preps entertained all with their

 performance.  We hope that everyone had a wonderful 

afternoon and enjoyed the time together with their families.

2026 Prep Enrolments

HAVE YOU ENROLLED YOUR CHILD FOR PREP 2026?

If you have a child ready for Prep 2026, we encourage you to please put in an enrolment form as soon as you are able. This will help us with organisation purposes. To access an enrolment form:

  • Drop into the school office to collect one

  • Email office@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au and ask for a form to be sent home

  • Visit the enrolment section of our school website and download a form

Term 2 Working Bee - Community Task

After the great success of this year’s Easter Raffle and Election BBQ/ Bake Stall we are now in a position to purchase a shed to hold sand pit toys and sports equipment.Our focus is to place a long term solution on the oval to secure equipment for the students. We would like to have a concrete slab laid to secure the shed.  We are seeking assistance from members of the community to undertake this job as our Term 2 Working Bee.  This can be undertaken in times that suit our volunteers.  If you are able to assist with this project please contact Ursula de Corrado. udecorrado@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au 

SJB Choir

Choir will now be running on Wednesdays at first break.

Choir is open to all grade 3-6 students.

There are more spots available if anyone would like to come and try it out. 

Ms Russell

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. 

SJB Cross Country

Last Thursday our Year 3-6 students enjoyed participating in Cross Country at Kings Park. It is great to see our students participating and encouraging each other as they gave their best in Cross Country.  Congratulations to all students on your efforts. You were amazing.

Kelly Sports Clinics

Link to register - https://kellysports.com.au/kelly_events/view/37290

Please note that these sessions start at 3.25pm. 

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

Wishing everyone a fabulous week ahead.

Kelli Johnston

Term 2 Dates

Term 2

May

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

13th - St John's First Aid Course Yr 3-6 students

16th - First Eucharist Reflection Day

20th - Assembly 2:45pm - 1/2JM presenting

22nd - Sacrament of First Eucharist @ 11am

24th - St John the Baptist Feast Day

27th - SJB Family Camping Weekend

27th - St Joseph's & Mater Christi College Taster Days - Year 4 students

July

1st Parent/Teacher Interviews - 2:30 - 5:30pm

2nd Parent/Teacher Interviews - 3:30 - 6:00pm

4th Term 2 Concludes @ 2pm

Cross Country - Years 3-6

St John the Baptist PS Cross Country 2025

We held our St John the Baptist School Cross Country on Thursday 8th May in magnificent conditions at Kings Park. Congratulations to all runners who competed. The students had limited practice running for a few weeks before the event during PE lessons. Thankyou to the parents who stood out on the course to assist our runners around the track. We could not have ran the event without you so thank you!! There were some great performances by students who thought they could not run the distance so always have a go at hings and see what you can achieve !!

We will present ribbons to the top three placegetters soon and certificates to all that ran. The result of the House competition will also be revealed at this week’s assembly  and results published in next week’s newsletter. 

First, Second and Third place getters:

Uniform Shop

Its been a busy couple of weeks in the 2nd Hand Uniform shop, but I hope to have a stocklist completed this week. If you have any official SJB uniform items that your children no longer need, please consider donating them to the 2nd Hand Uniform shop. We are running low on size 8s and 10s in particular. Donations can be left at the office at a time that is 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 16th 

Cassandra Croning

Nelson Serrao

Friday May 23rd 

Anna Kristof

   Rients Huitema

Friday May 30th

Lauren Wearne

Adriana Ambler

Belinda Davies

Beyond Educare OSHC News

Community News

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully