St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Last Tuesday we had the privilege of listening to our Year 5 students present their leadership speeches for 2025. The Year 5 students presented their speeches to this year’s Year 4 and Year 5 students.  The students were outstanding in their presentation of their speeches. 

It was clear that each student wrote from their heart, were honest about their strengths, areas for growth and themselves as a person. The students covered qualities such as supporting others, supporting the community, listening to others, speaking publicly, being a learner, sharing humour, use of terrific vocabulary, writing positively and pure courage in publicly speaking to their peers and staff. The emphasis of service to others was a clear theme demonstrated by the students.  It was most refreshing to hear.

Congratulations to all our leaders for 2025 we are most excited to be working with you in 2025.

We are excited to announce the appointment of Mrs Anita Arslanian to the role of LSO for 2025. Anita will join our team at SJB for the commencement of next year. Anita will be employed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  Anita is an experienced LSO with a strong background in student wellbeing. We are most excited to have Anita join our team.

We have been most fortunate to be offered access to Carley’s webinar how to ‘Thrive not just Survive’. Carley provides practical advice for families on how to start school successfully as well as a number of general parenting tips. Families will find Carley easy to listen to and highly relatable as a parent of three children herself.

To join Carely’s webinar please see the link below.

Here is the link for your parents to register for the webinar (they will also receive access to the replay):

http://www.bit.ly/27nov2024

A number of students from Years 3-6 are busy preparing for this year’s Ferntree Gully Library Christmas Carols evening at the Ferntree Gully Library on Tuesday 3rd December. Congratulations to all students who are participating in this wonderful community event.

We thank Mrs Sue Cahill for all of her work in preparing the students for an evening of Christmas Carols with our local community.

Each year schools are now required to carry out a number of Literacy and Numeracy learning tasks to monitor student progress and growth.  These tasks are valuable in providing staff with information in relation to students' understanding, growth and areas for future teaching and learning focus. Whilst these learning tasks are most valuable, they require time and staff resourcing to be completed.  To complete these learning tasks  in a timely manner and minimise time away from classroom teaching St John the Baptist staff will use the first 2 student days to carry out the required tasks.

In the coming weeks families will be able to make a booking through School Interviews for their children to each have a 30 minute learning interview with their classroom teacher. 

We ask families to familiarise themselves with the dates below in relation to commencement dates for 2025.

Tuesday 28th January

Staff Professional Learning day

Wednesday 29th January 

- Preps commence  8:45 - 1:30pm. 

- Students Year 1 - 6 individual 30 minute learning interviews

Thursday 30th January 

- Preps onsite  8:45 - 1:30pm. 

- Students Year 1 - 6 individual 30 minute learning interviews

Friday 31st January

- Prep - Year 6 all students commence full time

The SJB Christmas Carols evening will be held on Thursday 5th December. We look forward to a great evening and seeing our students shine.   

Our terrific P & F will be preparing a BBQ for families to order sausages in bread and drinks between 5:30 - 6:30pm prior to Carols commencing. 

This year families will pre-order their sausage and drinks through Flexischool between the 18th - 29th November. Families will place their entire order via Flexischool (using their eldest child for placing their entire family's order) and then simply collect their order on the evening.  This will streamline the process and remove payment on the night.

Please see flyer below for more information.

The 2025 Twilight on the Green will be held on Friday 7th February on the oval from 5:30pm. We look forward to a family evening of fun, games and gathering as a community. Bring your picnic blankets, chairs, picnics, snacks or take away to have for dinner on the oval. To ensure a Child Safe environment this is strictly an alcohol free event.

Time: 5:30pm start

Cost: $15 per family

Kelly Sports session: 6 - 7pm

We are excited to announce Kelly Sports will be hosting a range of activities for students on the evening.  This is a great way for families to get involved and have some fun together with their children.

On the 10th of December the Yr 5/6 students will be running a market day stall in the hall at 2.15pm - 3.15pm. Each class will have the opportunity to attend during this time but we warmly invite families if they would like to attend our stall with their children. 

Prices start at $1 - approx $8 for certain items. We will be accepting CASH ONLY.

The following stalls will be available 

Second hand books 

Second hand toys 

MIC Essentials 

Second hand sporting goods - The Sporting Specacular

Soccer Game 

Bizzare

ATM Keychains

Bracelets

CAF - Lemonade and snacks stall

Slime stall 

Crafty Three

Fairy Floss in the cone

Throughout Term 4, as part of our Inquiry Unit, the year 5/6 students have been learning about developing a business plan & structure to develop products to be sold at a Market Day event in the last weeks of the term, with all money donated to a charity. 

The criteria has included: a product/stall proposal, a letter explaining their chosen product/stall, an advertising strategy, and refinements to their design.

 We need your help though …

We are seeking donations for the following items for our stalls

• Plastic bottle caps

• Second hand books appropriate to be sold at school

• Second hand toys/stuffed toys 

• Donations of clothes, shoes and other accessories. 

Wishing everyone a great week. It is hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner!!

Kelli Johnston

November

29th - Assembly Prep LC

December

1st - First Sunday of Advent - Hope

2nd - P-2 Swimming continues 🏊‍♀️

3rd - Carols performance @ FTG Library Yrs 3-6

5th - Carols evening BBQ 🌭

5th - Carols evening - 7pm 🎄

8th - Second Sunday of Advent - Peace

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

15th - Third Sunday of Advent - Joy

16th - Year 6 Fun day 🤸‍♂️

16th - Class moving 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

22nd - Fourth Sunday of Advent - Love

25th - Christmas Day - Merry Christmas to all

In the final week of this term, the 2nd Hand Uniform Shop will be open on the following days. Come and see if we have what you need for 2025. Bring cash with you just in case you see something you like. All items $5 - Cash only - No holds. 

Thursday 12th December 2:45 - 3:15pm

Monday 16th December 2:45 - 3:15pm

Tuesday 17th December 2:45 - 3:15pm

(Uniform shop will still be open on its usual Tuesdays also - 2.45pm-3.15pm).

Any items to donate can be left at the office, when convenient for you. Please only SJB official school uniform (no Anko or School Zone brands), no holes, tears or patches. 

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.