St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday August 13th 2024

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families

Each year on the 15th of August we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: A Celebration of Faith and Hope.  The feast commemorates the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life.  It is a celebration of Mary’s unique role and her faith and devotion.

A Prayer for the Feast of the Assumption

Heavenly Father,

You chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of your Son, and through her, 

you have given us the gift of salvation.  As we celebrate the Assumption, 

may we follow her example of faith, humility and obedience.

Grant us the grace to seek your will in all things and to look forward to the day

 when we too will share in the glory of the resurrection.

Through Christ our Lord.  Amen    

We warmly welcome our SJB community to join us at Mass on Thursday morning at 9:15am.

School Closure Day this Friday

We ask all families to note in their diaries that this Friday 16th August is a school closure day. This term’s Closure Day will be a focus on the MACS Vision for Instruction along with analysis of Student Wellbeing data. We look forward to a productive and engaging day of learning.

St John the Baptist School Disco this Friday

It was wonderful to see our students all come together for the annual SJB School Disco.  The students embraced the fun of the evening coming dressed ready to dance the night away.  Our DJ’s Kev and Lyn did a great job of engaging the students in the fun of the night.  

We thank our terrific P & F team for organising a fun event for all. 

Thank you to all staff who joined the SJB community for an evening of fun and dancing. We greatly appreciate you joining the night.

Prep Celebration - 100 Days of School

It was wonderful to see our Preps dressed up to celebrate their 100 Days of School.  It is hard to believe that our Preps have been at school for 100 days. We loved seeing our Preps dressed up for their day.

We thank the Prep team for preparing a day of celebration and fun all centred around the number 100. Thank you Miss Bulmer, Mrs Correlje, Mrs Lynch & Mrs Armstrong.

Prep 2025

Last week we commenced meeting with our 2025 Prep families and children.  We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know our new students for next year and look forward to welcoming them to St John the Baptist.

If there are families who have not yet submitted their 2025 enrolment forms we ask families to do so as we now commence preparations for 2025.

Father's Day Stall

The SJB Father’s Day Stall will be held on Tuesday 27th August from 9am.  Tokens will be able to be purchased outside the main classroom door entry next week at the following times:

Before School: Tuesday 20th August and Friday 23rd August

After School: Monday 19th August and Wednesday 21st August

We are still seeking helpers to assist with the Father’s Day Stall on Tuesday 27th August. If you are able to assist we would love to hear from you. Please email either Ursula or myself.

 udecorrado@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

or kjohnston@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au 

Bunnings - Father's Day Cake Stall

See the sign up links below

Volunteers Needed!

If you are able to help with either the packing or selling, or both, please sign up using the links below.

Sign up to help with packing on Friday August 30th

Sign up to help at the cake stall on Saturday August 31st

Gilwell Park Dad's and Kid's Camping Weekend - November 2024

We have made inquiries with Gilwell Park in regard to booking this year’s SJB Dads and Kids camping weekend.  At this stage we are proposing the weekend after the Melbourne Cup weekend - Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th November. We would love to have a few dads who would be happy to collaborate to co-ordinate the event for this year. It would be great to have some existing SJB Dads along with new SJB Dads to co-ordinate the event.

If you would be interested in assisting in the co-ordination of this year’s SJB Dad’s & Kids camping weekend please email either Ursula DeCorrado or myself at udecorrado@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au or kjohnston@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au 

Contacting the School Office

Should you need to contact the office via email for any reason, please use the following email address – office@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au. This email is monitored each day whereas the direct emails to Cynthia and Andi may only be checked on the part-time days they work.

Canteen Note

Families are asked to please take note that the Canteen will be closed on Wednesday 14th August.  The Canteen will reopen on Wednesday 21st August. 

SJB Production - Pirates of the Curry Bean

The students have been busily rehearsing for the SJB School Production of Pirates of the Curry Bean.  With the Production now only 2 weeks away we look forward to seeing our students courageously take to the stage and display their talents. The school production is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience being on stage and we wish them all a fabulous night.

Families still wishing to purchase tickets are encouraged to do so as tickets continue to sell quickly.

Production Update

Ticket Sales

Video Orders

Confirmation Reflection Day - Monday August 26th

Our Year 5/6 Confirmation candidates will come together with the Parish candidates on Monday 26th August for a day of reflection as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students will participate in a variety of activities to further enhance their faith development and understanding of the Sacrament. Students may dress in neat casual clothing as part of their day.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be on Thursday 29th August @ 6pm.

Healesville Sanctuary Excursion

Car Parking

We remind families that parking in the Parish car park is not permitted by families at all times. The Parish car park is strictly for parishioners.  We are exceptionally fortunate to have a number of car parking options available at SJB and request that families utilise these rather than the Parish car park.

We ask that families please be mindful of the busy times that the car park presents. We have received a couple of reports of minor incidents that we are most grateful for the vigilance of our community. Without such vigilance these situations may have had more serious outcomes.

Mini Vinnies Winter Appeal - Term 3

Recently, our Mini Vinnies Social Justice Team met to discuss the next steps in the SVDP Winter Appeal. There is much enthusiasm now to collect TOILETRIES for those in need. Please consider donating an item from the list below and sending it to school with your child. Each classroom has been allocated a collection box to fill and we hope to pass on these desperately needed donations to Peter and Teresa Finn of the Ferntree Gully Conference. 

You will notice that I have allocated  different categories of toiletries to each class. This is so we may gain a broad selection of items which we hope to package for individuals and families in need. 

However, if you wish to donate an item from another category, please feel free to do so. Simply place it in your child’s classroom donation box. 

Any donation will be gratefully received.

TOILETRIES NEEDED: 

Shampoo / ConditionerYear 5/6D & Year 5/6RD
Deodorants - all typesYear 3/4J & Year 3/4HM
Shaving productsYear 3/4GA & Year 3/4SJ
Hand Soap / body washYear 1/2KC & Year 1/2D

Dental productions

eg toothpaste, toothbrush, floss

Year 1/2JM & Year 1/2B

Hair and nail products

eg brush, comb, elastics, clips,

emery boards, moisturiser

Prep LC & Prep BA

Marialisa Mandarino

Faith in Education Leader

Wishing everyone a fabulous Week 5, enjoy the beautiful sunshine.

Kelli Johnston

Term 3 Dates

August

14th - Canteen closed

15th - Feast of the Assumption Mass

16th - Year 7 2026 Applications close

16th - School Clsoure Day

19th - Production Rehearsal Day at George Wood Centre

23rd - SJB Production - Pirates of the Curry Bean

26th - Confirmation Reflection Day

27th - Father's Day Stall

29th - Sacrament of Confirmation

30th - Father's Day Breakfast at 7.30am

September

1st - Father’s Day

2nd - MACSSIS Surveys Open

2nd - Prep visit to Ferntree Gully Library

4th-  District Athletics

4th - School Advisory Council

5th - Level Mass - Year 1/2

6th - Assembly 3/4HM

12th - R U OK Day?

13th - Division Athletics

13th - Assembly 1/2D

20th - Footy Day

20th - Term 3 Concludes @ 2pm

Student Awards

Uniform Shop News

The 2nd Hand Uniform Shop is open on Tuesday afternoons during Term 3.  Donations of clean, official SJB uniforms are most appreciated and can be left at the office. Thanks.

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 3, 2024


Wednesday August 14th 
CANTEEN CLOSED

Friday August 16th
School Closure Day

Friday August 23rd

Katrina Horne

Melinda Price

Carrie Canton


Friday August 30th

Leanne Gaunt

Claire Lewis

Emma Jenkins


Community News

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully