St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

It was terrific to welcome our students back for Term 3. The students were outstanding in the manner in which they settled back into their routines and school.  It was wonderful to see the students refreshed and ready for another great term of learning. After a long Term 2 the students were certainly ready for a break and opportunity to rejuvenate and recharge. We look forward to a productive term of learning and working together.

It was wonderful to see many of our grandparents join us at Friday’s assembly. Grandparents play a wonderful role in the lives of our children. It is terrific to extend our welcome to grandparents in our SJB community to celebrate them and their role in our families and community.

We thank Mrs Marialisa Mandarino and Miss Melissa Davey for their planning and preparation of such a wonderful community event.

Prayer to Saints Anne and Joachim

Holy Saints Anne and Joachim, grandparents of Jesus,

Come close to our grandparents and the elderly

Guide their hands and hearts to pass on to us, the young generations,

The meaning of the gift of life -

And follow your example they continue to teach us the origin of 

LOVE, HOPE & FAITH

Amen

We look forward to moving classes into the new building and out of the portables. The newly landscaped area will be open soon, however it is still currently under construction and is strictly out of bounds.

This is an exciting time for us as a school. We are looking forward to sharing the opening of our new learning and play spaces with the SJB Community.

We thank our entire community for their ongoing support throughout this time.

We thank all families for submitting their enrolment forms for the 2026 school year. This is an exciting time for families as we start preparations for welcoming our new preps throughout Semester Two. 

Letters of acceptance have now been emailed to all families who have enrolled their child for the 2026 school year.  These should have been returned at the end of Term 2. If you have not yet returned your acceptance letter, please do so as soon as possible. 

We do have some limited places still available for Prep 2026. If you know of people seeking to enrol at SJB for 2026 please encourage them to contact the office as soon as possible.

We look forward to this term’s Inform and Empower Digital Safety sessions. Students in Year 1-6 will participate in their sessions over the coming weeks. We encourage families to discuss the sessions at home.

It is time for students to start to prepare their disco moves and outfits as we look forward to a fun evening at the annual SJB Disco.

This year’s school disco is booked for Friday 1st August. We look forward to students having an opportunity to dance the afternoon/evening away with their friends.

To streamline this year’s process and maximise student dance time, families can purchase their Disco tickets via Flexischools. Disco tickets are now available for purchasing.

A friendly reminder that the disco is a mobile phone free event.  All phones are required to be handed in on entry to the disco and can be collected at the end of the evening.

At all times students are required to demonstrate the SJB School Expectations.

Due to the increase in a range of food items Tuck Shop prices will increase to cover the increase in products. The SJB Tuck Shop has held prices for as long as possible, however we are now in a situation in which a price increase is necessary. At all times the tuck shop focus will continue to be providing affordable lunch options.

We ask families to please note the change in prices from the commencement of Term 3.

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

Families donating items are asked to ensure that items are delivered washed and in good condition.

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

Please note: All winter windcheaters have been topped up with washed clean windcheaters.  Families looking to purchase these items may inquire with the second hand uniform shop. 

We request that families clearly label student clothing items to ensure that items are able to be returned to students. An iron on label or permanent recording of student names is highly recommended as these remain on items for the long term.

A big thank you to Janice Stiglich for her work washing and sorting the second hand uniform shop.

Year 5 families are now able to place orders for Year 6 Commemorative Jackets and Polos through Beleza Uniforms. To ensure that students receive their items in February families are required to place their orders by Friday 8th August.

Please see below instructions on how to place your order.

Catholic Network Australia (CNA) and Cyber Safety Project are hosting a free ‘AI & the Digital Generation’ webinar for parents and carers of primary and secondary school students on Monday 11 August 2025 from 7.30 to 8.00 pm.

 • Registration and further information are available via http://bit.ly/AICSP25

 • The webinar offers essential insights into topics including:

       − generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI companion apps

     − deepfakes and online misinformation 

     − AI safety at home

     − legal and ethical considerations of AI use.

 • The webinar will help parents and carers:

     − understand the online tools and technologies their children are using

     − build confidence in discussing AI, deepfakes and digital truth with  their children

     − learn practical strategies to encourage safe and ethical online  behaviour. 

As we return to school for Term 3 we commence in the heart of Cold and Flu season.  We ask families to take time to discuss with students how to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing as well as how to wash their hands.  Preventing the spread of winter illnesses benefits all in the community.

A number of families have contacted the office to inform us of student illness. We thank families for ensuring unwell students are able to recover at home and return to school well. We remind families in the event that your child is unwell please keep them at home to rest and recover.

Wishing everyone a great week.

Kelli Johnston

Term 3

29th - District Sports Final Netball

30th - School Advisory Council Meeting @ 7.00pm

August

1st - SJB Disco - P-Yr 2 5:30pm-6:30pm & Yr 3-6  6:45pm - 8:15pm

4th - P & F Meeting @ 7pm

6th - Mater Christi & St Joseph's Production

8th - St Mary of the Cross Feast Day

11th - Year 3/4 Excursion to Melbourne Museum

15th - Feast of the Assumption Mass @ 11am

18th - School Closure Day

22nd - Assembly 2:45pm - 3/4RS presenting

25th - Year 1/2 Excursion to Cranbourne Botanical Gardens

29th - Assembly 2:45pm - 5/6GM presenting

September

2nd - Father's Day Stall

3rd - 9:15am Year 1/2 Level Mass

3rd - 7:00pm School Advisory Council Meeting

4th - District Athletics - Knox Athletics

5th - Father's Day Breakfast

7th - Father's Day

11th - Year 3/4 Camp

12th - Year 3/4 Camp

17th - Division Athletics

17th - SJB Art Show

18th - SJB Art Show

18th - Year 5/6 Level Mass

19th - Footy Day

19th - Term 3 Concludes @ 2:00pm

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.

Friday August 1st

Kelly Brooks

Victoria Morrison

Friday August 8th

Maxine Schimizzi

Amy Chan

Friday August 15th

Katrina Horne

More helpers please

We are calling on all young people to become altar servers.   This ministry is open to all in our parish Year 4 and above who have received their First Holy Communion.  Training will be provided for those joining this special ministry as well as a refresher for our current young servers.  Please contact the parish office:  marymakarucha@stjohnthebaptist.net.au or the Parish Office on 9758 1029 with your interest or if you would like to have further information.

To highlight the importance of involving youth, see a reflection from the Holy Father about his time as a young altar server and how that experience shaped his Catholic identity during his childhood in Chicago. It’s worth a read: Pope Leo: Dialogues with Children – Building Bridges from an Early Age