St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

It is wonderful to see our students being active, involved and thriving in so many ways.

Congratulations to all students who participated in District Cross Country at Crystal Brook Park, Cardinia Reservoir on Friday. True to form, all students represented St John’s in an exemplary manner. We are enormously proud of all students who participated and gave it their best shot. Such an outstanding job.  Students who are eligible for Division Cross Country are outlined in John Mitchell's report further down in this newsletter.

Our students once again presented themselves in a most reverent and respectful manner as we gathered as a school in recognition of National Sorry Day. We are enormously proud of how students conducted and presented themselves in reflecting on the hardship experienced by First Nation People.

Thank you to all of our wonderful staff for all of their work and efforts in organising and preparing these events with and for our students.  We are so very fortunate to have such dedicated and passionate staff.

On another note, it is terrific to hear our senior students enjoying the opportunity to carry out the afternoon voice over informing students that it is time to move to ‘Kiss & Go’. It is wonderful to enjoy our students relishing in the opportunity to take on their best Mrs Johnston voice over!! Keep it up everyone. You certainly bring a smile to our faces!!

Families are asked to note in their calendars Friday 6th June as a School Closure Day followed by Monday 9th June as the King’s Birthday public holiday. 

We thank Mrs Marialisa Mandarino for preparing a day of Faith Formation and Education for our staff. Like our students we are lifelong learners. Providing opportunities for our staff to learn and develop in the area of Faith in Education allows staff to continue to develop rich learning opportunities for our students.

The King’s Birthday long weekend is an opportunity for students and families to take a little mid term break to recharge for the second half of the term.  Wishing all families a warm and restful long weekend.

As we move towards winter, colds, flu and COVID will start to enter school environments. We ask families to keep unwell children at home to reduce the spread of viruses. Additionally, teaching children good hygiene practices of placing tissues in the bin after use and washing hands thoroughly is also important. 

As a community it is important to show how ‘We care for each other’ by providing unwell children with the time at home to rest and return to school well for the wellbeing of all.

The next Parents and Friends meeting is scheduled for Monday 2nd June at 7pm in the staffroom.  We look forward to planning for Term 3 events.

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 will be able to book their interview times through School Interviews site in the coming weeks.

Interviews will be held on: 

     Tuesday 1st July 2:30-6:00pm

     Wednesday 2nd July 3:30-5:30pm

We are excited to announce the details of our 2025 Art Show!

This year’s theme is “Our Place” — a celebration of the unique beauty, wildlife, and plant life of the Dandenong Ranges and the natural surroundings of our school. Students from all year levels have explored this theme through a variety of media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, and textiles, resulting in a vibrant and diverse exhibition.

The Art Show will be held on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th of September, with a special evening opening on Thursday the 11th for students and their families to attend and enjoy the exhibition together.  

We are also thrilled to share that The Hut Gallery and the Burrinja Cultural Centre have been invited to attend our Art Show. They will be selecting artworks from each year level to be displayed in their galleries, offering our students a wonderful opportunity to showcase their incredible work to the wider community.

Thank you to families who have raised concerns in relation to shortage of uniform items. We have made contact with Beleza to seek an understanding of the availability of uniform items.

Beleza outlined that maroon windcheaters are due in store by Week 7.  There is a challenge with track pants that is in the process of being resolved. Further communication will come in the near future.

Due to the delays with track pants all families will receive 20% discount on track pants. Please feel free to ask Beleza for this when in store.

Last Friday we had 44 students compete at the Sherbrooke/ Boronia District Cross Country event. All students completed the course and all students received a certificate of completion. Congratulations to all the students that participated. As a school St John’s came 5th overall and 4th in the small school competition. 

Some students were fortunate enough to qualify for the next level of competition. These students were Flynn B 9/10 Boys, Mya C 9/10 Girls, Judd P 11 Boys,  Annaliese S 11 Girls, Max F 12/13 Boys, Sophia A 12/13G. They will compete at Yarra Glen Racecourse on Tuesday June 3rd. We wish all our students every success for this event. 

John Mitchell  

We will be having a special St John the Baptist Feast Day canteen menu.

Students can choose 1 of the pasta and 1 drink option and then all meals will come with a large choc chip cookie.

The cost will be $7.00.

Orders must be placed no later than Monday June 23rd.

Please note - normal canteen service is unavailable on this day.

Orders can be placed now via Flexischools.

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

Wishing everyone a fabulous week ahead.

Kelli Johnston

Term 2

May

29th - Winter Sports Gala

29th - St Joseph's College Lighthouse Program

30th - Assembly @ 2:45pm - 1/2B presenting

31st - Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

June

2nd - Parents and Friends Meeting - 7.00pm

3rd - Division Cross Country

6th - School Closure Day

9th - King's Birthday Holiday

12th - Regional Cross Country

12th - St Joseph's Lighthouse Expo

12th - Review Dialogue and Engagement

13th - St John's First Aid Course Yr 3-6 students

16th - First Eucharist Reflection Day

20th - Assembly 2:45pm - 1/2JM presenting

22nd - Sacrament of First Eucharist @ 11am

24th - St John the Baptist Feast Day

27th - SJB Family Camping Weekend

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

July

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

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

4th Term 2 Concludes @ 2pm

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 May 30th

Lauren Wearne

Adriana Ambler

Belinda Davies

Friday June 6th

School Closure Day

Friday June 13th 

Maxini Schimizzi

Wade Palmer

Mark Molan