St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday July 1st 2025

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families

As we come to the end of another terrific term of learning there is much to reflect upon and celebrate. Our school theme ‘Hope Filled Community’ has certainly been evident throughout the semester. The students have responded to the introduction to the MACS Vision for Instruction across the school in an exemplary manner. 

The students have engaged in all aspects of learning throughout the term.  Whether it be engaging in rich literacy or numeracy learning, Religious Education, Inquiry Chemical & Physical Science lessons or Specialist lessons, our students have enjoyed a wonderful term of learning.

Some of the events our students have actively engaged in include: ANZAC Day Prayer Service, Cross Country, Level Masses, completion of the chicken coop & arrival of chickens, Secondary School Taster Days, Mother’s Day afternoon tea, Inform & Empower Cyber Safety lessons, Incursions, Excursions, Sacrament of First Eucharist, St Joseph’s Lighthouse program and expo, Winter Sports Gala, National Sorry Day Prayer Services & St John the Baptist Feast Day Celebration.

We encourage all students to try new things, give everything a go and that our greatest learning comes from making mistakes. Mistakes assist us to know what to do differently or try again, whilst  learning and building on what we already know. 

Congratulations to all students on a wonderful semester of learning. Our students have truly been outstanding in giving everything their best.

After a semester of such great learning we wish all students and families a well deserved break. We look forward to welcoming our students back to SJB on Monday 21st July ready for another semester of learning.

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.

St John the Baptist Feast Day Celebration

On Friday we joined together with the SJB parish to celebrate the St John the Baptist Feast Day. It is always wonderful to see our students and parish come together in celebration. Father Thomas’ homily called us to be like Jesus, to act from our hearts showing love and kindness, as well as like our Patron Saint, St John the Baptist and be brave. The morning mass was a most reverent and beautiful celebration.

As part of our feast day celebrations the students enjoyed a morning of tabloid games with the team from Kaboom.  The team at Kaboom always do such a wonderful job of creating a sense of engagement, fun and celebration. It was wonderful to see and hear our students being involved in such a great morning.

To further celebrate St John the Baptist Feast day our students were able to enjoy a special lunch by our tuckshop team.  Thank you to Tracey Walker and team for all of your work preparing a delicious lunch for our students.

The celebrations continued over the weekend as we were most fortunate to be joined at Mass on Sunday by Bishop Thinh Nguyen. Bishop Thinh and Father Thomas led the Parish in a  beautiful Feast Day celebration.  The Parish Choir welcomed our SJB School Choir in the celebration.  Congratulations to our SJB Choir on their beautiful performance on Sunday morning. We thank Bec Russell for preparing and leading our choir at Sunday’s St John the Feast Day celebration Mass.

Term 2 Conclusion - Early finish this Friday



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

Assembly 1 - 25th July @ 2.30pm Grandparents Celebration

To coincide with World Grandparents Day on Sunday 27th July our first assembly for the term we will be celebrating our Grandparents. This assembly will commence at the earlier time of 2:30pm. Our school leaders and 3/4D will lead us in prayer and an assembly celebrating our grandparents and the enriching role they play in families. We warmly welcome our grandparents to join us for this celebration.

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.

SJB Family Weekend

It was wonderful to hear that everyone had a great weekend.  Whilst it was definitely cold the rain held off. From all accounts the weekend was a huge success.  We thank Andrew Davies and Lionel Croning for organising such a great community event for our families to participate in. We would also like to thank Belinda and Andrew Davies for their wonderful sense of community and inclusiveness throughout the weekend. Belinda and Andrew organised a range of activities that appealed to all families. 

Camp Summary by the Davies Family

Hi everyone.

What a successful weekend our first family camp event was.  Such a great cross section from the wonderful families of all ages, even those not at school yet.  So good to catch up and socialise with our friends and get to know some new ones.   The turnout in such numbers was great to see especially in such mild conditions.

The weekend’s events started with a night walk along the Yarra, torches lighting the night sky and path.  There were some very excited little explorers out there.  Saturday morning saw us all head out for the scavenger hunt, in search of clues around the park.  Some even found some ducks along the way.  After that we made our way to the playground and oval for some soccer and the epic tug of war battles.  Fun was had by all.  The afternoon was at leisure, and some made the trip to find snow, others the redwood forest, or a trip into town for coffee and dinner.  Sunset saw us gather again for a pop-up outdoor cinema and some serious marshmallow activity.

Special mentions to Warburton Holiday Park for having us, Hudson for his responsible duties as fire warden stoking the firepits to keep you warm at the pop-up cinema and keeping you all safe.  Thanks also to Tim Grimshaw and Chris Ulrich-Field for taking on the lead for our sports activities and the inaugural tug of war challenge.  Thank you to Luke Nicholls and others for the firewood contributions.

Thanks to all that came along and supported this family event.  I was overwhelmed with the response we received, and it seems with such strong support it may end up being a fixture on the school calendar.

Andrew, Belinda and Thomas Davies.

Vale Sr Marie Therese Jones

Sr Marie Therese Jones aged 101 yrs, passed away on Tuesday 24th June. Sr Marie Therese was principal at St John the Baptist Parish for 6 years. In 1983 - Leadership of Community changed to having a Superior of the House and another Sister was Principal of St John the Baptist School. Sr Patricia Madigan was Leader of the Community and Sr Marie Therese Jones Principal of the School.

May Sr Marie Therese rest peacefully with our Lord.

Beleza Uniforms Headquarters Fire

Last Thursday Beleza Uniforms informed us of the news that their headquarters had been significantly damaged by fire. The fire included significant damage to uniform stock. 

Beleza have informed us that the SJB uniforms have not been directly affected. We may experience some delays as they work through the many aspects required after the fire, however access to uniform items will continue.

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.

ParentZone Pods

The ParentZone Teams are delighted to bring you TWELVE ParentZone Pods for you and the families you support. Each Pod identifies and explores common issues parents bring to our parenting groups and offers strategies to try in these situations.

Podcast Series 1

Episode 1 - Family Meetings

Episode 2 - Dealing with Anxiety

Episode 3 - Sibling Rivalry

Episode 4 - Getting Children to Listen

Episode 5 - How to respond to Kids' Behaviour

Episode 6 - How to stop yelling at your kids

Podcast Series 2

Episode 1 - Positive Discipline

Episode 2 - School Refusal

Episode 3 - Parenting our Teenagers

Episode 4 - Meltdowns vs Tantrums

Episode 5 - Couples parenting together

Episode 6 - Dads parenting today

ParentZone Pods can be found on our website  -  Apple  -  and via Spotify

Wishing everyone a wonderful end to the term, along with a warm and restful break.

Kelli Johnston

Term 2 Dates

Term 2

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

Term 3

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

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

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 July 4th

Melinda Price

Katrina Horne

Parish News

Beyond Educare News

More information below

Exclusive FreshlzBest Discount for our Community

Open the attachment for more information.
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Beyond Educare News - School Holiday Program held at St Simon's Rowville

Community News

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully