St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday June 24th 2025

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families

As we approach the end of the first semester we look forward to sharing and celebrating the growth and progress of all students.  We are enormously proud of all the work and efforts of our students throughout the semester.  Our students have thoroughly enjoyed engaging in all aspects of their learning.  It is wonderful to see their faces light up when sharing their learning and successes. Congratulations to all students on their outstanding efforts throughout the semester.

We thank the wonderful staff of St John the Baptist for their passion, dedication, teamwork and commitment to planning high quality learning and teaching with our students at the forefront.  We are most fortunate to have such a hardworking team of educators.  The staff have dedicated many hours and a great deal of work writing reports throughout the term. We hope that our families look forward to reading their child/ren’s achievements in their Semester One reports.

First Eucharist - Sunday 22nd June

On Sunday morning we gathered as a community to celebrate the Year 4 students receiving the Sacrament of First Eucharist.  The morning was a beautiful celebration. The students presented themselves in a truly outstanding manner.  Their reverence, participation and engagement in the Sacrament was indicative of how well prepared and proud the students were to be taking this step in their faith journey.

We sincerely thank Father Thomas for his unwavering support and warm welcome, as well as Mrs Marialisa Mandarino REL Leader, the Year 3/4 team, St John the Baptist staff, school families and community for creating such a memorable occasion for our First Eucharist candidates. 

Congratulations to all of our First Eucharist candidates.

Please note: We did try to take photos of all students receiving their First Eucharist, as well as some group photos in the hall.  If families would like a copy of photos please email the office to receive your copy. Where there are group photos we require permission from all parties to share the photos.

2026 Prep Enrolments

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 by last Friday. If you have not yet returned your acceptance letter, please do so as soon as possible. This will allow us to start forward planning early in Term 3.

Term 2 Conclusion



We ask families to please mark in their calendars that school will conclude at 2:00pm on Friday 4th July. 

Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

Parent/teacher/student interviews will be held on Tuesday 1st July and Wednesday 2nd July.  We encourage all students to attend interviews with their families. The focus of interviews is to celebrate the hard work students have undertaken throughout the semester, as well as the growth they have made as a result of their hard work. Families can book their interview time now through the School Interviews site using the link below:-

School Interviews link

Interviews will be held on: 

     Tuesday 1st July 2:30-6:00pm

     Wednesday 2nd July 3:30-5:30pm

Semester 1 Student Reports will be distributed to families on Friday 27th June. We ask that families who may have changed their email address to please ensure that you check with the office that your details are up to date and current.

On Tuesday 1st July there is an optional early finish at 1:30pm with interviews commencing at 2:30pm. Where possible we encourage families to collect their children early.

A friendly reminder that if you have a PSG for your child that this includes your Parent/Teacher Interview. Families who attend a PSG do not book an additional Parent/Teacher Interview. 

Semester One School Reports

Please refer below for an update to families in regards to the distribution of Semester 1 School Reports.  School Report details will be sent to the email address that you have provided to the school.

If you do not receive the newsletter via email then we do not have your up to date email address in our system.  Please contact Cynthia Schouten or Andrea Hayman via  office@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au to update your email address on our records.  

The Semester 1, 2025 reports will be distributed on Friday 27th June via email.  Student reports are one of the valuable links between school and home to allow you to gain an insight of how your child is progressing with their learning at St John the Baptist.

In the event that you do not receive your child’s school report please email: 

Wayne Daniell ICT Leader - wdaniell@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Kelli Johnston Principal - kjohnston@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au 

St John the Baptist Feast Day Celebration - Friday 27th June

As we come to the end of another busy term we have the opportunity to celebrate the Feast of St John the Baptist. The Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist is June 24th.  As a school we will celebrate the Feast of our Patron Saint on Friday 27th June.

To celebrate St John the Baptist Feast Day we have a wonderful day ahead planned. 

Please see the outline of the day below:

 8:50-9:00am   Prayer

 9-10:30am     Kaboom Tabloid Sports

 10:30am        Morning Tea - snack

 11:00am St John the Baptist Parish Mass

 12:00pm      Lunch including special Feast Day canteen lunch orders

 12:10   Regular day time schedule to continue

Families please note: Given that there is a change to timetabling for the day we ask that all students bring the morning tea for first break.  There will be a Special Lunch for Tuck Shop on after Mass. Further information is outlined below in the newsletter. We ask that families please be aware that students will receive their orders at 12:00pm. Orders for the special lunch were required to be finalised no later than yesterday. 

Feast of St John the Baptist Mass - 10.00am Mass Sunday 29th June

On Sunday 29th June a special Mass will be held at 10am to combine parishioners across the parish in celebration of St John the Baptist Feast Day.  We extend a warm welcome to all members of our school community to come together with the parish to celebrate our Feast Day as one.  We are most fortunate to be joined by Bishop Thinh Nguyen to celebrate this special occasion.

School 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.

Second Hand Uniform

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 good condition.

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

Lost Property


Please note: We have a significant number of maroon jumpers in lost property.  Many do not have names. At the end of term these items will be washed and placed in the second hand uniform to commence Term 3.

Wishing everyone a fabulous week ahead.

Kelli Johnston

Term 2 Dates

Term 2

June

24th - St John the Baptist Feast Day

27th - SJB Family Camping Weekend

27th - St Joseph's & Mater Christi College Taster Days - Year 4 students

27th - SJB Feast Day Mass & Celebration

29th - Bishop Thinh Nguyen attending 10am to celebrate St John the Baptist Feast Day

July

1st - Optional early finish @ 1.30pm

1st - Parent/Teacher Interviews - 2:30 - 5:30pm

2nd - Parent/Teacher Interviews - 3:30 - 6:00pm

4th - Term 2 Concludes @ 2pm

21st - Term 3 Commences

25th - Assembly @ 2.30pm - Grandparents celebration

30th - School Advisory Council Meeting @ 7.00pm

August

4th - P & F Meeting @ 7pm

6th - Mater Christi & St Joseph's Production

8th - St Mary of the Cross Feast Day

Student Awards - Friday June 20th 2025

Uniform Shop

A recent stock list for the 2nd Hand Uniform Shop is below. We would love donations of sizes 8 and 10, if they are in good condition and your children no longer need them. Donations can be left at the office when convenient for you. The 2nd Hand Uniform Shop is open Wednesdays 2:45 - 3:15pm. Cash only. 

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 2

Friday June 27th

Brianna Paxton

Amy Chan

Friday July 4th

Melinda Price

Katrina Horne

Parish News

Beyond Educare News

More information below

Exclusive FreshlzBest Discount for our Community

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Beyond Educare News - School Holiday Program held at St Simon's Rowville

Community News

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully