St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday March 25th 2025

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families

Last week we celebrated Catholic Education Week across the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all MACS to celebrate their Catholic identity and the pivotal role they play within their local communities and the sector.

The theme for this year is ‘Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you’ (Isaiah 60:1) This aligns well with our school theme of “Hope Filled Community” as we are all called to be people of hope and follow the teachings of Jesus.

Mrs Mandarino and nine of our student leaders travelled to St Patrick’s Cathedral to celebrate Mass with schools across the Melbourne Archdiocese. After Mass our students and staff enjoyed the Concert in the Park for primary school students. 

We thank our amazing Year 6 leaders for representing St John’s in an exemplary manner and hope that they thoroughly enjoyed their day out.

Open Days for 2026 Prep Children

St John the Baptist Open Days for 2026 Prep Children

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

School Open Days will be held on:

Thursday 1st May

Saturday morning 3rd May

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.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Jay O, Luna and Marley W who celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism last Sunday. A wonderful occasion for these children and their families who have been supported by Fr Thomas and our parish staff. Baptism is the first of the sacraments of Initiation celebrated in our Catholic church and the first formal step in these children's faith journeys.

Social Justice Fundraising for Caritas - Amelia & Hannah B

What a huge success!! It was wonderful to see the success of Amelia and Hannah’s social justice initiative. The scrunchies sold out in no time, with many students still wishing to purchase scrunchies, we ask that students initially purchase one scrunchie to allow as many students as possible to make a contribution to Caritas.  Should there be additional scrunchies left, students will then be able to make an additional purchase.

Amelia and Hannah have been busy working with their family making more scrunchies due to popular demand. Scrunchies will again be available this Thursday at second recess unless sold out.

Amelia and Hannah will sell their scrunchies for $2.00 each at second recess on Thursdays for the next few weeks.  

We look forward to our community continuing to support Amelia and Hannah in this wonderful initiative.

School Photo Day

Personalised order forms were sent home last week

Athletics Day

Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful day for the annual SJB Athletics Day. It was terrific to see everyone embrace the excitement of the day and come dressed in their house colours. Our students thoroughly enjoyed all the events and gave their best effort. 

We thank Mr John Mitchell for all of his work and preparation for Athletics Day.  There is a great deal of work behind the scenes in organising such a day. We thank all staff and families who offered their support and supervision of students throughout the day.

Congratulations to YELLOW HOUSE on winning this year’s Athletics Day.

Congratulations to BLUE HOUSE on their spirit of the day and winning this year’s Spirit Award.

Presentation of Shields

SJB Athletics Day Report

The weather was perfect, the enthusiasm of the students was keen and  felt as soon as the buses arrived at the track and the staff encouraged and created a great atmosphere. Our SJB athletics day had arrived! The sports leaders had all created catchy slogans and every student gave their best. By the end of the day it seemed each student had collected a set of ribbons. 

There is a lot of work that goes into creating this day and it is always great to walk around seeing students having a go, surprising themselves at what they can do and doing THEIR best. So to every student that participated thank you. It looks like you had fun!

There were a group of parents that assisted with each group- thank you to all of them. We really cannot run these days for your children without this support. Thank you to Troy whom I lumbered the timing of each running race onto. Amy who ran the Team memory game and ALL THE OTHER parents that offered their help early which assists us in our planning. 

Looking forward to the next sporting event, the SJB cross country. Details to follow soon. 

Results - Team Spirit award- Blue House.

1st -  Yellow / 2nd - Green /  3rd - Blue /  4th- Red 

Regional Swimming

Congratulations to Henry W, Jenna G and Sophia A on their efforts at the Regional Swimming event. Jenna achieved a PB in the 11G freestyle event (36.73) finishing 14th overall in the Eastern Region. Sophia 12G backstroke (51.14) 17th overall and Henry 14th overall in the freestyle  (42.7). Great effort by all these students to get to Regional level. 

SJB Easter Egg Raffle

The St John the Baptist Easter Egg Raffle is running again this year. We ask each family to donate an Easter Egg or gift to this year’s raffle. The gifts will be used to create Easter hampers in which families can buy tickets for a chance to win.  Raffle prizes will be drawn in the afternoon of the last day of term.

We ask that all families donate their Easter gifts by Friday 28th March.

We thank Veronica Brightwell, Joanna Kirrane, Maxine Schimizzi & Amy Chan for organising this year’s Easter Raffle.  

The Easter Raffle will be drawn as part of the afternoon's celebrations from 1.00pm

Easter Events - Last day of Term 1

As we approach the last day of Term 1 we welcome families to join us for a number of events on the last day of term.  Please see the outline of the day below:

Holy Week Prayer Reflections: Families are welcome to join any of the Holy Week prayer reflections in the school hall.

Easter Bonnet Parade & Easter Raffle: 1:00pm Easter Bonnet parade & drawing of this year’s Easter Raffle. Easter Bonnets will be made in class by our junior students. We will gather as a community in the undercover area outside the administration building.

We thank our terrific P & F team for all of their preparation and work with this year’s Easter Raffle.

Term 1 Concludes: 2:00pm 

Easter Egg Surprise

We will be providing all children an Easter Egg on Friday 4th April as we conclude Term 1.  A letter advising all parents of this gift will be sent home along with the details being placed on Operoo.   Parents with children with dietary requirements will receive an alternate treat that their child may choose to eat.    We advise parents of this action as we are highly aware of our role to cater for children with allergies, whilst providing the opportunity for our children to receive a small gift from their teacher. 

Tuckshop - Hot Cross Bun Day - Friday April 4th

On Friday 4th April the regular Tuckshop menu will be replaced by Hot Cross Buns for the final Tuckshop session of the term.  Orders for Hot Cross Buns can now be placed through Flexischools. All orders are required to be placed by Wednesday 2nd April.

Students are encouraged to bring additional items in their lunch boxes on this day as the regular Tuckshop menu will be unavailable.

Easter Mass Schedule

Congratulations




Congratulations to our Crossing Supervisor Carmel who enjoyed a wonderful wedding day on Saturday.  Carmel and Malcolm enjoyed a beautiful day for their wedding. We wish Carmel and Malcolm a future of much love and happiness together.

ANZAC Day Badges



ANZAC Day this year is in the first week of Term 2. Families wishing to purchase ANZAC Day badges or wrist bands may purchase these items, ranging from $2 - $5  from the office. 

LEST WE FORGET

ANZAC Day Dawn Service

The Ferntree Gully Rotary Club & CFA invite the community to join this year’s Anzac Day Dawn Watch on Friday 25th April at Quarry Park, Quarry Road, Ferntree Gully at 5:45am for a 6:00am start.

If we have a family who will be in attendance and would like to lay a wreath on behalf of St John the Baptist School, please contact myself via email:
kjohnston@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

We would be proud and honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of SJB for all who have fought for our country.

LEST WE FORGET

Prep Picnic

Mother's Day Stall - Tuesday May 6th

Our terrific P & F team is busy preparing for this year’s Mother’s Day Stall. We are most fortunate to have a number of community members sharing their talents and making gifts for the Mother’s Day Stall. 

All gifts at the Mother’s Day Stall will once again be $5.00. This year we will have a cashless system where families purchase $5.00 tokens for the stall prior to the Mother’s Day Stall. Children will receive their allocated number of tokens on the morning of the Mother’s Day Stall as they move into the stall.

Tokens for the Mother’s Day Stall are now able to be purchased through Flexischools and will be available for purchasing until 9am on Tuesday 6th May.

Further information in regards to our Mother’s Day event will be shared in the near future.

Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and St John the Baptist Primary is excited to be participating. 

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 in recognition of the importance of reading for literacy development. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 6 September 2025.

Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 15 books.

The Premiers' Reading Challenge platform which parents use to record the books their child/ren have read offers a range of exciting features including:

  • access to a library catalogue (including book images and blurbs)

  • a modern user-friendly interface

  • rewarding students with badges as challenge milestones are achieved

  • the option for students to mark books as a favourite, give them a star rating or complete a book review

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklist and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit:
https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge

If you would like your child/ren to take part in the Premier’s Reading challenge please let Ursula know via email and I will register them and forward you your login details.

udecorrado@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Once you receive your login details you will be able to enter the books your child has read on the portal.

Please contact me if you have any questions or wonderings,

Ursula DeCorrado

School Library

Just a reminder for families that our school library is now open on two mornings a week so that parents are able to come in with their school child and share their love of books with them.  Our library will be open every Monday and Tuesday morning from 8.30am so that you are able to browse and borrow with your child if you wish.  The library is located in the main administration building.

SJB Family Camping Weekend

After the ongoing success of the SJB Dads and Kids camping weekend each year our terrific P&F have secured a SJB family weekend at Warburton Holiday Park. Warburton Holiday Park provides a variety of camping options to suit all families. Please see the flyer for details for the family weekend.  When booking, families are asked to mention they are part of the SJB Family Weekend. This will assist the park team with an understanding of the size of the group to expect. Families can check out the Warburton Holiday Park at: https://warburtonholidaypark.com.au/ 

Bookings can be made at: https://bookings12.rmscloud.com/Search/Index/8802/1/?Y=1

We wish all participating families a wonderful weekend away.

Barry Plant Boronia - Easter Colouring Competition

It’s time to get creative and enter an Easter colouring competition. There are great prizes to be won.

This competition is open to children 12 years and under, with 3 prizes to be won that will be drawn out of a hat!

WINNING PRIZES:

1st Prize: 12-month Zoos Victoria Adult Membership (Kids under 16 from same household join free with an adult membership)

2nd Prize: 2x Child Luna Park Melbourne Entry with Unlimited Ride Pass

3rd Prize: $50 Timezone voucher

The artwork can be dropped into our office at 69 Boronia Road, Boronia, via email or at any of our Open for Inspections.  

Please find attached the Easter Colouring sheets (there are two options - see below).

The competition closes on Tuesday 15th of April and the winners will be announced on the day at our Barry Plant Boronia office on our social media.

If you have any questions or queries, feel free to contact us.

Good luck everyone!!

Easter Colouring Competition - Option 1


Download

Easter Colouring Competition - Option 2


Download

Chess Club - Term 2

Wishing all our students and families a wonderful week.

Kelli Johnston

Term 1 Dates

March

26th - Sacrament of Reconciliation - 5.00pm

26th - School Advisory Council Meeting at 7.00pm

April

3rd - SJB School Photos

4th - Holy Week Prayer Services

4th - Easter Bonnet Parade & Easter Raffle Draw at 1.00pm

4th - Term 1 concludes at 2.00pm

Term 2

21st - Easter Monday

22nd - Term 2 commences

24th - Review Day 1

24th - ANZAC Day Prayer Service - 10.40am

25th - ANZAC Day - School Closed

28th - P&F Meeting at 7.00pm

30th - First Eucharist Family Evening - 7.00pm

Uniform Shop


The 2nd Hand Uniform shop is open on Wednesdays 2:45 - 3:15pm. All items $5.00 each. Donations of official SJB uniform items, in clean, good condition can be left at the office when convenient for 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 1, 2025

Friday March 28th

Brianna Paxton

Cassie Croning

Claire Lewis

Friday April 4th

Carrie Canton

Melinda Price

Katrina Horne

Beyond Educare - Holiday Program

Community News

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully