ENewsletter

Tuesday October 29th 2024

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families

All Saints Day

This Friday 1st November we will join the SJB Parish community for Mass at 11am to celebrate All Saints Day. We warmly welcome all families to join us at Mass.

The feast of All Saints is an opportunity for us to gather together to remember and give thanks for all saints. It is an opportunity for us to reflect and give thanks for all we can learn from saints.

Today we rejoice in the holy men and women of every time and place.

May the prayers of saints be an example of holy living,

Turning our thoughts to the service of God and neighbour.

The work of your hands is shown in your saints,

The beauty of your truth is reflected in their faith.

May we who aspire to have part in their joy

Be filled with the Spirit that blessed their lives,

So that having shared their faith on earth

We may also know their peace in your kingdom.

SCHOOL CLOSED ...

Monday 4th November - School Closure Day

Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

Monday 18th November - School Closure Day

About Real Life Sexuality Education Program - Years 3-6

Sexuality education begins at home and is supported by schools as part of a broader health curriculum aimed at maximising children’s wellbeing. About Real Life programs provide an excellent trigger for family discussion about body safety, human sexuality and respectful relationships.

Sessions are planned for students in years 3 - 6 at St. John the Baptist primary school in November and you are invited to attend an information evening regarding these programs.

Date: Thursday, October 31, 2024, 7 – 8pm (please be online from 6:50pm)

Meeting Link

This adults only presentation will detail the content for the sessions and provide an opportunity to ask any questions you may have before they commence.

I look forward to speaking with the parent community at St. John the Baptist Primary.

Sue Pain

Where families do not have a gmail account to access the parent session they may login into their child’s SJB Google account and log onto the session.

Year 3/4 Camp

The Year 3/4 students enjoyed a fabulous two days away at Phillip Island camp. It is always terrific to see and get to know our students outside of the classroom environment. Camp is always a wonderful opportunity to enhance our relationships with the students, build a sense of teamwork and unity, try new experiences, step out of our comfort zones and get to know each other better. We congratulate the Year 3/4 students on the manner in which they tried new things and gave everything a go.

We thank the following staff for their attendance and support of our Year 3/4 students at camp:

Mr Christian der Kinderen, Mrs Lisa Giuliano, Mrs Amanda Heidenrijk, Mrs Emily Johnston, Mrs Susan Smith, Mrs Sue Davey and Miss Sophie Ryan.

Prep 2025 Important Dates

We look forward to welcoming our 2025 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:

Inform & Empower

Our Year 1-6 students will continue their Cyber Safety sessions this term with Inform and Empower. Please see the focus for this term’s Inform and Empower sessions.

Year 6 Leaders - 2025

Over the coming weeks our Year 5 students will prepare to apply for leadership positions for the 2025 school year. We look forward to hearing students share their visions for leadership at SJB in 2025. Selecting to put yourself forward as a leader requires great courage. We congratulate all students who show the courage to apply for a leadership role for next year. Being selected as a leader is a privilege, with such a privilege comes great responsibility. We look forward to seeing our students shine as leaders and leading our school through example.

Good luck everyone!!

Working Bee - Rescheduled to the 16th November due to building program requirements

We have been most fortunate to have had great support from the SJB school community at this year’s Working Bees. We have one more Working Bee for the year. The Term 4 Working Bee will be held on Saturday 16th November between 1:30 - 4:00pm.

Families are welcome to contact Ursula De Corrado in regard to the Working Bee or jobs to be completed. Ursula may be contacted through her email: udecorrado@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Dads and Kids Gilwell Park Weekend Away

We have a terrific team of Dads organising this year’s Gilwell Park Dads and Kids weekend away. We ask that all families attending the Dads and Kids weekend please confirm via the QR code below.

For planning purposes registration and payment are required by Thursday 31st October.

See booking link/QR Code below

Book In Here

Link to book in for the Dads & Kids Camping Weekend -

https://www.trybooking.com/CVRHE

Levies for 2025 School Year

Please see below details of the 2025 Levies. Please note that these must be paid no later than Friday November 29th.

Students in Years 3-6 will not receive a book list for 2025. Instead, all books/stationery will be purchased in bulk and distributed to students by classroom teachers.

Download

SJB 2025 Sacramental Program

In 2025 the Year 3 students will be preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Year 4 students will be preparing for their first Eucharist.

We ask families who have not yet had their child baptised and who are seeking for their child to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist in 2025 to please make contact with the Parish Office prior to the end of this year.

Wishing everyone a great week.

Kelli Johnston

Student Awards - Friday October 25th

Rocky Road for Sale - Friday 1st November - Year 5/6 Inquiry Unit

On Friday 1st November, the Year 5/6 students will be selling Rocky Road at a table outside the office area at 2.30pm. If children would like to purchase the Rocky Road, the cost will be $2 a piece. Students will need to bring the correct amount of money when purchasing the Rocky Road. Our Inquiry unit this Term is: Innovation and Design can solve problems in a creative way. This has part of a business plan, which has included all the processes of research, product development, costing, budgeting, marketing, and pitching.

All money raised will be donated to the charity that the children will collectively select.

St John the Baptist Swimming Carnival

Last Tuesday, our 3-6 students had the opportunity to compete in our school swimming carnival. All the students had a great time in competing in the four strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

Our novelty events of crocodile relay and ball recovery added to the excitement and loudness of the day! Thankyou to Aquatic Achievers for allowing us to access the pool. Thank you to the many parent helpers that stepped up to assist us in recording results, timing and judging.

In the end the results overall were:

1st : Gold house

2nd: Blue house

3rd: Green house

4th: Red house

Year Levels 3/ 4 - 1st : Gold, 2nd: Blue 3rd: Green 4th Red

Years Levels 5/6 - 1st: Red 2nd: Gold 3rd: Blue 4th: Green

Year 1/2 Level Butterfly Adventure Experience

During our Term 3 Biological Science Inquiry topic, the 1/2 classes studied lifecycles. Mrs De Corrado made inquiries on our behalf to see if we could have a chrysalis in each of our classrooms. Unfortunately last term the weather was not warm enough and the company Butterfly Adventures was unable to send us the kits at this time. However, the company said they were able to send the kits out to our school this term. The kits arrived in Week1 and we were so excited when Mrs De Corrado presented them to us.

We lovingly looked after the chrysalis, spraying it with a fine mist of water every two days. This was an amazing learning experience for our students and also us as teachers to be a part of this miracle of God’s creation.

We carefully noted the changes over the days as the chrysalis changed from a green colour to eventually darken. When it had darkened in colour the beautiful orange wings of our Monarch butterflies could be seen. When the chrysalis was transparent we knew it was nearly time for our butterflies to emerge.

All of the butterflies emerged successfully in each of the 4 classrooms and we gave them a mighty send off on our school grounds. We hope to spot our magnificent butterflies over the coming days. This has been an experience that we will never forget and have truly appreciated.

Join Me for an Introduction to Permaculture Workshop!

I am excited to invite parents and community members to an Introduction to Permaculture workshop on Sunday, November 3rd. This workshop will be run by myself and Jane Coleman from Earth and Soul Permaculture and promises to be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about living in the right relationship with the planet and how permaculture principles can be applied in our own lives and gardens.

Whether you're new to the concept or looking to deepen your understanding, this workshop will offer practical insights and inspiration. You'll learn how to work with nature, create sustainable systems, and make the most of the resources we have.

Date: Sunday, November 3rd

Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: 19 Paternoster Rd, Cockatoo

To secure your spot, please register through the following link:

Permaculture Workshop Link

I look forward to seeing many of you there! Let’s grow together and learn how we can contribute to a more sustainable future for our children and community.

Warm regards,

Christian der Kinderen

Term 4 Dates

October

30th - Prep 2025 Information Evening at 7.00pm

31st - About Real Life Session Yr 3-6 - Family Online Session

31st - Prep Ferntree Gully Library visit

November

1st - All Saints Day Mass @ 11am

2nd - Asbestos removal from SJB building

4th - School Closure Day

5th - Melbourne Cup Day - School Closed

7th - Prep 2025 Transition Session #1

7th - Year 3/4 Level Mass @ 9.15am

8th - About Real Life Session 1 Yrs 3-6

8th - Yr 7 2026 placement offers to be finalised

11th - P-2 Swimming continues 🏊‍♀️

11th - Remembrance Day - Prayer Service @ 10.45am

14th - Prep 2025 Transition #2

15th - Assembly @ 2.45pm - Prep BA

15th - About Real Life Session - Years 3-6

16th - Working Bee - 1.30-4.00pm

18th - School Closure Day - Staff Professional Learning

20th - School Advisory Council - 7.00pm

21st - Prep Transition Session #3

22nd - About Real Life Session - Years 5-6

25th - Prep-2 Swimming continues 🏊‍♀️

29th - Assembly Prep LC

December

2nd - P-2 Swimming continues 🏊‍♀️

5th - Carols evening BBQ 🌭

5th - Carols evening - 7pm 🎄

9th - P-2 Swimming continues 🏊‍♀️

9th - Semester 2 Reports emailed to families 📃

9th - Move up session No. 1

12th - Graduation Mass - 6pm 👨‍🎓

12th - Move up session No. 2

16th - Year 6 Fun day 🤸‍♂️

17th - End of Year assembly - 2:45pm

17th - Last Day of SJB School Year - 3:15pm

17th - SJB Family Gathering on SJB oval - 3:15pm

Remembrance Day - ANZAC Poppy Appeal

Appeal Merchandise on sale now in the Office

$5 - Slouch Hat Pin

$5 - Pen

$5 - Poppy Pin (Premium)

$4 - Poppy Key Ring

$3 - Wrist Band

$2 - Poppy Pin (Standard)

$1 - Poppy Pin (Budget)

Uniform Shop News

The 2nd Hand Uniform Shop is open Tuesdays 2:45 - 3:15pm.

A current stock list is below.

Items $5 each - cash only.

Donations of clean, official SJB uniform are always gratefully accepted and can be dropped at the office at your convenience.

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 Helpers Needed

Are you able to help in the Canteen on a Friday morning. New volunteers are very welcome and it’s only for a couple of hours, very easy and fun! Please pop in and see Tracey in the canteen on either a Wednesday or Friday morning if you can help out.

Canteen Roster Term 4, 2024

Friday November 1st

Nelson Serrao

Cassie Croning

Friday November 8th

Lauren Wearne

Claire Lewis

Friday November 15th

Belinda Davies

Wade Palmer

Parish News

Full story: Link - A Crusade for Peace: Melbourne Men Unite in Prayer

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter