St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday November 11th 2025

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families,

On Remembrance Day, the 11th of November, we remember in 1918 at 11am, the guns fell silent; we pause to honour those who gave their lives in war, in peacekeeping and on operations. We remember all who have borne the cost of service. Since then, each year a sacred minute's silence is kept, not to glorify conflict, but to remember courage, to mourn loss, and renew our commitment to a more peaceful world. As we recall the names etched in stone and in our hearts, we stand with veterans and their loved ones, acknowledging the wounds both seen and unseen. We seek the strength to care for all affected by war.

God of peace and compassion, we remember the fallen, those who laid down their lives in the service of their country. Hold in your care all who grieve, all who carry scars of body, mind and spirit, we hold up to you, all who still serve. Grant us the grace to honour their sacrifice not only with words, but with lives that seek justice, mercy, and reconciliation. Give us the wisdom and courage to pursue peace and the strength to bind up the broken hearted. May our remembrance lead to hope, and our silence to resolve. We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today we came together as a school in prayer for Remembrance Day.  This was an opportunity to remember and reflect on all who have encountered war.  Our SJB Leaders were outstanding once again as they led us through prayer.

On Sunday our Year 6 School Captains represented SJB at the Remembrance Day Ceremony through the Boronia RSL. Patrick, Aiden and Amelia represented SJB as flag bearers at the ceremony. Our School Captains were exemplary in the manner they represented SJB, along with the respect and reverence they demonstrated. It is wonderful to see our School Captains being outward facing in our community and contributing to such significant events. We are most fortunate to have such outstanding leaders and models. Outstanding work team.

Lest We Forget

Monday 17th November School Closure Day - Focus: Review Feedback, School Improvement, MACSSIS Data Analysis

Art Show - Finalists Congratulations

Congratulations to Cillian Mc and Zoe V in Year 3/4 for being nominated as finalists in the Australian Conservation Foundation Art Show. Cillian and Zoe’s art works were selected as finalists out of 5000 entries.

Finalists will be celebrated and winners announced at the online celebration of Friday 28th November.  We look forward to watching and celebrating Cillian and Zoe’s wonderful pieces of art.

Congratulations on such an outstanding achievement.

We would like to thank Mrs Renee Armstrong for her work and support of all students in developing their artistic talents.



Their artwork is now featured on the competition's Facebook page, and voting is now open for the People's Choice award. We'd love your support! Please take a moment to visit the voting link below and cast your vote for their creations.  Renee Armstrong

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1230173525809965&set=a.1230259165801401

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1230174022476582&set=a.1230259165801401


Cillian and Zoe's artwork

Staffing Updates

As we come to the final weeks of the school year the planning processes for 2026 are well underway. We have a few changes to staffing for 2026. We look forward to celebrating our staff and all they have contributed to SJB.

Miss Laura Bulmer will depart SJB at the end of the year to return to study and further develop her knowledge in education. Laura has contributed enormously to SJB as a classroom teacher throughout the last 3 ½ years and has grown significantly as she stepped into the role of Mathematics Leader.

We farewell Mrs Amy Lavin and Ms Mary Westneat two of our current LSO staff. Both Amy and Mary are currently studying teaching and will be seeking to move into teaching positions next year. Congratulations ladies on completing your degrees. Such a wonderful achievement.

We sincerely thank Laura, Amy and Mary for the care, work and dedication they have invested in our students and school throughout their time at SJB. We wish the ladies all the best for their future endeavours and we look forward to farewelling them at the end of the school year.

We are excited to announce the appointment of Mrs Jill Palermo to the roles of Mathematics Leader and classroom teacher for 2026.  We are most fortunate to have an educator of Jill’s calibre join our team at SJB. Jill has a wealth of expertise in various leadership roles and will be a wonderful addition to our fabulous team.

We are further excited to announce that Mr Brodie Jacobs will continue in his role as LSO at SJB in 2026.  Brodie has been a wonderful addition to our team and we look forward to him continuing with us next year.

We are most excited to be able to share with the SJB community our team of Prep teachers for 2026. 

The Prep team for 2026 will consist of:

Mrs Karen Joustra - Monday - Friday

Mrs Chantelle Santamaria - Monday & Tuesday & Mrs Jill Palermo - Wednesday - Friday 

Both Karen and Chantelle are current members of our SJB team. We are excited to have Karen and Chantelle work alongside each other in Prep and to have Jill join them. We are most fortunate to have Jill move to SJB from Christ Our Holy Redeemer School, Oakleigh East. Jill is an experienced teacher who has a number of years experience in Prep, as well as background in a number of Leadership roles.  Welcome Jill.

Karen, Chantelle and Jill will oversee our Prep Transitions across the coming weeks.

Beyond Educare - Pupil Free Day - 17 Nov 2025

SJB Family Bowls Evening

Our wonderful P & F have been busy organising a fun family evening of bowls at the Upwey Bowling Club. We warmly welcome all families to join in a fun night of barefoot bowls. Family evenings are a great opportunity to socialise and meet families across the school as well support businesses in the local area.

Families wishing to attend the Family Bowls evening are now able to make payment through Flexischools.

Please see the flyer below for details. Happy bowling everyone!!

Community Assistance

Would any of our school families have a fold up baby change table that they would like to find a new home for?  We would like to keep one in our hall bathrooms to assist parents with babies who attend Mass or school events.  

If you can help us out please email Ursula -

udecorrado@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Beleza Uniforms

We're excited to announce that our Annual VIP Sale will be running again soon for 2025!

 The sale will be running from Saturday 22nd of November to Saturday 29th of November at our Boronia store. Families can receive 20% off Beleza-branded items during this sale period, so it's a great opportunity for families to prepare for the 2026 school year and save on some of those back-to-school costs.

Year 6 - End of Year Key Graduation Event Timetable

Christmas Carols Night - Save the date!!

The SJB Christmas Carols evening will be held on Thursday 4th 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 19th - 28th November. Families will place their entire order via Flexischool and then simply collect their order on the evening.  This will streamline the process and remove payment on the night.

Please see the flyer attached for details. 

Instrumental Music Lessons in 2026!

Gilwell Park Dad's and Kids Camping Weekend - Saturday 6th December 2025

SJB Family Camping Weekend - March 27-29th 2026

Wishing everyone a fantastic week.

Kelli Johnston

Term 4 Dates

November

13th - Prep 2026 Transition #2

14th - Assembly Prep BA presenting @ 2.45pm

17th - School Closure Day

20th - Prep 2026 Transition Session No. 3

24th - Prep - Year 2 Swimming

25th - SAC and P and F Thank you evening

26th - Official School Building Opening

28th - Assembly @ 2:45pm 1/2HS presenting

December

1st - Prep - Year 2 Swimming

4th - SJB Carols Evening @ 7pm

6th - Gilwell Park Dad's & Kids Camping Weekend

8th - Prep - Year 2 Swimming

9th - Reports emailed to families

9th - Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival

9th - Year 3-6 FTG Library Performance @ 6pm

11th - Year 6 Graduation Mass

15th - Year 6 Fun Day

16th - End of Year Assembly

16th - Last day of 2025 school year concludes at 3.15pm


The Entertainment Book App is back!

Uniform Shop

If you have any Size 4 or 6 uniform items, in good condition, that you no longer need, we'd love to receive them at the 2nd Hand Uniform Shop. We will be setting up a stall for the 2026 Prep families at one of the upcoming transition sessions and it would be great to have a range of items for them to purchase . Donations can be left at the office at a time that is convenient for you.

The 2nd Hand Uniform Shop is open Wednesdays 2:45 - 3:15pm. Cash sales only. Thank you to the families who have recently donated some items. Clean, offical SJB uniform donations are always gratefully received and can be left at the office when convenient to you. 

Janice

Tuckshop News

Open on Wednesdays & Fridays


Tuckshop orders can be placed via http://www.flexischools.com.au

Orders must be placed no later than 7.30am on the Wednesday or Friday.


Tuckshop Roster - Term 4

Friday November 14th 

Troy and/or Anna Kristof

Lauren Wearne

Friday November 21st

Brianna Lawson

Amy Chan

    Friday November 28th 

Belinda Bond

Katrina Horne


Parish News

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully