ENewsletter

Tuesday May 19th 2026

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families,

Last Sunday was the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, a time where we remember Jesus commissioning the disciples to go out into the world and spread the message of peace for all and reflect on how we are living this mission.

Loving God,

As we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension,

we remember the moment Jesus returned to You

and called His followers to go out into the world

sharing love, hope, and peace.

Help us to live this mission each day.

Give us hearts that are kind,

voices that encourage,

and hands ready to help those in need.

May we always look upward with faith

and outward with compassion,

trusting that Jesus is with us

as we learn, grow, and care for one another.

Guide our school community to be people of light,

lifting others up just as You lift us.

Amen.

HAVE YOU ENROLLED YOUR CHILD FOR PREP 2027?

If you have a child ready for Prep 2027, we ask you to please put in an enrolment form as soon as you are able. This will assist us with preparing for Prep 2027. 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

Confirmation Reflection Day

Yesterday our Year 6 Confirmation candidates participated in a day of reflection as they prepare to take the next step in their faith journey and renew their Baptismal promise at the Sacrament of Confirmation. The students participated in a day of prayer and reflection and were fortunate to meet Bishop Thinh prior to their Confirmation evening.

We look forward to continuing to support and pray for our Confirmation candidates as they prepare to be sealed with the Holy Spirit at their upcoming Sacrament of Confirmation.

Some students shared their thoughts on the day -

The Reflection Day was fun with the new kids that came from our Parish. We enjoyed meeting Bishop Thinh and doing the art project. We learnt lots and practised what we will be doing and where we will be sitting on our Confirmation night. Thank you for the day.

Harvey & Oliver S

We are so grateful for the Bishop who came and talked to us about the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit. It gave us a better understanding about how you seal your relationship with God.

Another thing was the glass cups we made to look like stained glass. It was a beautiful experience for us Year 6's receiving Confirmation.

Thank you so much for the teachers who organised that special day! Ella & Jenna

SJB Athletics Day

It was wonderful to see our students enjoy a day of competition and fun at last week’s SJB Athletics Day at Knox Athletics Track. The sportsmanship and encouragement our students shared throughout the day was a credit to all. Congratulations to all students for their participation throughout the day. You were amazing!!

House places

Congratulations to MacKillop- Yellow House for coming first on the day and to Nagle - Green House for taking out the house spirit award.

We would like to thank Mr John Mitchell for his organisation of the day. A great deal of work, planning and organisation goes into such a day. Thank you John for your work with our leaders in rejuvenating the house names for each of the house teams. Selecting a name for each house with significant people within our Catholic Faith, Tradition or Parish is a wonderful initiative.

We would like to thank the many parent helpers for your support throughout the day. Your assistance contributes significantly to the success of the day. We couldn’t do it without you all. Thank you.

School Photos

School photos were distributed to students yesterday.

Some parents requested photos to be kept in the office for collection by them. These photos can be picked up when convenient.

Chicken Fence Project Complete! - Happy Chooks Indeed!!

A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring our new chicken fence project to life. After plenty of planning, digging, lifting and problem-solving, the project was successfully completed last Wednesday!

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our parent volunteers who gave up their time, skills and energy to support the project. Special thanks to Stuart, Lionel, Nelson, Andrew, Michelle and Sean for their outstanding effort throughout the build. Your support made a huge difference and has created a fantastic space for our chickens and students to enjoy for years to come.

It was wonderful to see such a strong community spirit in action, and we truly appreciate everyone who contributed along the way.

Our chooks are most fortunate to be living in their palace!!

Inform and Empower

On Thursday evening we were most fortunate to join Marty and Carley McGauran from Inform and Empower in an online session focusing on ‘Raising Kids in a Digital World’. Marty and Carley provided valuable insights into the digital world that children are navigating. They provide families with an understanding of the current digital climate, along with how to educate, support and raise conversations and awareness with children.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience as an E learning educator and psychologist leading the evening, this was a session that was most beneficial to families. Navigating the digital world in partnership with home and school provides our students with education and support they need to become digitally responsible citizens.

We thank Carley and Marty for sharing their expertise along with practical tips on how to navigate technology with our children. As Carley and Marty say, ‘Let’s get curious not furious’ with our children.

For families who were unable to make the session and would like to view it please see the link below:

Webinar Replay & Resources

informandempower.com.au/schools-webinars/2026

Tuckshop

Tuckshop will continue to be open on Fridays for families wishing to put in tuckshop orders.

We are thrilled to have Tracey back on deck with us and the tuckshop open.

Mater Christi & St Joseph's College Taster Days

Last Friday our Year 4 students ventured offsite to enjoy a Taster Day at Mater Christ or St Joseph’s College. Our students thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful morning gaining an insight into our feeder secondary colleges.

Term 2 Closure Dates

Families are asked to note in their calendars Friday 5th June as a School Closure Day followed by Monday 8th June as the King’s Birthday public holiday.

Beyond Educare will be offering OHSC on Friday 5th June for families wishing to access care.

Please contact the team at Beyond Educare to book your attendance.

SJB Cross Country

On Friday a number of our Year 3-6 students will compete in the district Cross Country at Lewis Park, Lewis Road, Wantirna South.

We wish everyone a terrific day of competition.

Term 2 Working Bee

Our Term 2 working bee will be on Saturday 13th June from 1:30pm - 4:00pm

Our focus for this day will be weather dependent. If you are available to assist on this day we would greatly appreciate your help.

Below is a list of jobs that we hope to complete on the day.

Painting of After school Care decking

Staining of After School Care decking

Top Asphalt area- Remove leaves around gutters on top playground, sweep mulch back in, clear rubbish, cut back trees/shrubs from parking bays

Clean all cobwebs from buildings

Bottom Carpark / Oval - clear gutters on carpark area, weed around slides and creek bed, clear rubbish

Paint drainpipe outside of B2

Sip and Snip in Meeting Room in Admin building

Fire extinguishers in OSHC need to be 1200mm from floor

Fire blanket in kitchen moved from behind the fridge

Lost Property

We have recently had a couple of items handed into the office that have been found on the yard that we are hoping to return to their owners. If someone has lost a Shoes and Sox voucher or a Harry Potter book these are in the office for collection.

Thank you to our lovely community members for handing these in to the office.

Car Parking Reminders

Kiss & Go - Families may access Kiss & Go from either the Forest Road or Selman Avenue car parks. We ask that families remain in their car ready to move along Kiss & Go in both areas.

Families may choose the loop Kiss and Go car park on Forest Road. Alternatively, the two car parks closest to the maintenance shed on Selman Ave are also Kiss and Go car parks. We ask that families wishing to leave vehicles to collect children use the car parking in the centre of both the Forest Road and Selman Avenue car parks. When leaving carparks we ask that families complete a full loop of the car park rather than a drive through car parks and turn left to ensure safety for all, along with a smooth flow of traffic on both sides.

Animal Alliterations by 5/6SJ

Student Awards - Friday May 15th

Second Hand Uniform Shop

The Second Hand Uniform Shop is open on Tuesday afternoons from 2:45pm. Families may purchase second hand items for $5 per item.

Inquiries in regards to second hand items may be sent to uniform@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

A recent stock list is attached for the 2nd Hand Uniform Shop. Donations of clean, official SJB uniform are always welcome and can be left at the office when convenient for you.

Janice

Wishing everyone a fabulous week ahead.

Kelli Johnston

Term 2 Dates

May

22nd - District Cross Country for Yrs 3-6

25th - St Joseph’s Lighthouse Program

26th - National Sorry Day Prayer Service

29th - Assembly @ 2:45pm - 1/2B presenting

29th - Sacrament of Confirmation @ 6:00pm

31st - The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

June

1st - Parents and Friends meeting @ 7pm

2nd - Open Day - Tours 9am, 10am, 4pm & 5pm

2nd - Division Cross Country - Yarra Valley Racecourse

5th - School Closure Day

8th - King’s Birthday School Closure

10th - Year 5/6 Level Mass - 9:15am

11th - Regional Cross Country - Yarra Valley Racecourse

13th - Term 2 Working Bee

15th - PSGs

17th - PSGs

19th - PSGs

19th - SJB School Disco

19th - School Assembly @ 2:45pm

19th - Semester 1 Reports shared

23rd - Parent/Teacher interviews - 2:30pm - 6pm

24th - Parent/Teacher interviews - 3:30pm - 5:30pm

24th - Feast of St John the Baptist

26th - Feast of St John the Baptist Celebration - Mass @ 11am

26th - Term 2 concludes @ 2pm

Tuckshop News

OPEN THIS FRIDAY

Canteen Roster

Friday May 22nd

Reeda Raydan

Kelly Brady

Jessica Carmichael

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter