St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday August 4th 2026

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families,

Ever-generous God,                                                                                           

You inspired St Mary MacKillop

to live her life faithful

to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

and constant in bringing hope

and encouragement

to those who were disheartened, lonely, or needy.

With confidence in your generous providence

and joining with St Mary MacKillop, we ask that you continue

 to guide us as Pilgrims of Hope.

We ask that our faith and hope

be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too,

like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage,

trust, and openness.

Ever-generous God, hear our prayer.

We ask this through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

“Never see a need without doing something about it.” – St Mary MacKillop

Congratulations Ms Davey


Congratulations to Ms Davey and Ish on the safe arrival of their little girl Flossie Ada. Flossie arrived safely on Friday 31st July. Both Melissa and Flossie are doing well and are home after a short hospital stay.

We look forward to meeting Flossie in the near future.

Before and After School Supervision

We are currently experiencing an increasing number of students onsite prior to 8:30am without adult supervision. Families are asked to please ensure that students are not onsite prior to 8:30am without parent supervision. Staff supervision commences on the upper quadrangle and the top area of the playground near the junior building at 8:30am each morning.

Additionally we are noticing students running to the oval after school without parent supervision. For safety purposes, students are required to be accompanied by their parents or an arranged adult when on the oval before or after school. We ask that parents please ensure that children are not on the oval without direct adult supervision.

Community Thank you

A big thank you to Clint Parsons and his apprentice, Archie for installing a netball post and ring on the lower car park area for our netball enthusiasts. SJB has a strong interest in netball. The installation of a netball ring is very much appreciated. Thank you

Sacrament of First Eucharist

Last week as a community we enjoyed gathering for the First Eucharist Family evening and commitment masses. Our First Eucharist candidates were exceptional in the manner in which they participated during the evening and across the weekend.

We now look forward to supporting our students in their faith journey at the upcoming First Eucharist Reflection Day and Sacrament.

First Eucharist Reflection Day - Monday 31st August

Sacrament of First Eucharist - Sunday 13th September, 3pm

Closure Day - Monday 17th August


Please mark in your calendars Monday 17th August for this term’s Closure Day.

Book Week 2026

This year the Children's Book Council of Australia's (CBCA) Book Week Theme is Symphony of Stories. This wonderful image has been specially created for Book Week by author, illustrator and composer, Matt Ottley.  This year students can get into the spirit of Book Week and love of reading and dress up. On Friday 28th August we will be having a whole school book week dress up day with a parade in the hall.   

After the parade parents are welcome to stay for a cuppa and chat in the hall.  We look forward to celebrating a love of reading at SJB.

School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS)

SVDP Winter Appeal - Term 3

Photography Community Talent

We are seeking expressions of interest from members of our community who have a photography talent and would be willing to take professional photos at our SJB First Eucharist in September. This year’s First Eucharist will be held on Sunday 13th September @ 3pm.

If this is something you would be able to assist with please contact Mrs Marialisa Mandarino.

mmandarino@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Father's Day seeking Community Talents

We are reaching out to our amazing community for anyone who may be able to share their talents for this year’s Father’s Day Stall. As per our Mother’s Day Stall we are seeking homemade gifts for our Dads for this year’s stall.  The Father’s Day Stall will be held on Tuesday 1st September.

Gift ideas in the past have consisted of beef jerky/coffee gift pack.  Our Mother’s Day gifts included car diffusers, drink bottles, magnets, cookies and more.

We would love to offer an array of homemade gifts made or shared with love for our Dads/special people.

If you are able to contribute a gift please contact the office in person or via email: office@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au 

Father's Day Brekkie


This year’s SJB Father’s Day Brekkie will be held on Friday 4th September from 7:30am.  We look forward to welcoming our Dads and special people to celebrate our Dads and the important role they play in our students’ lives.

Prep 2027 Family Meetings

We are most excited to meet our incoming 2027 Prep families and welcome them to St John the Baptist this week.  Meeting our new families and commencing our partnership with our parents and students ensures that we continue to extend a sense of community and welcome to all. Exciting times ahead.

If there are families who have not yet submitted their 2026 enrolment forms we ask families to do so as we now commence preparations for 2027.

Year 6 2027 Commemorative Jackets and Polos

Orders need to be placed no later than Sunday August 9th

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 Sunday August 9th.

Use the link below to access the order form (see document attached below for further information), our school code is C87295CB  -

https://direct.beleza.com.au/order

Information for current Year 5 students regarding bomber jackets for next year


Download

The Zones of Regulation

Dear Families,

We are excited to introduce The Zones of Regulation, an evidence-based curriculum that supports children's social and emotional development and builds lifelong emotional regulation skills.

The Zones of Regulation provides a simple, shared language that helps children understand, recognise, communicate about and regulate their emotions. Over the next three weeks, students at St John the Baptist will explore The Zones of Regulation during their Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons.

Through this learning, students will:

  • Develop emotional awareness.

  • Recognise body signals linked to different emotions.

  • Identify situations and triggers that influence their feelings.

  • Learn practical regulation strategies to help them feel ready to learn and engage positively with others.

Your support is an important part of your child's learning. Over the coming weeks, you will receive Zones Bridge Letters that summarise each lesson and provide simple activities and conversation starters to continue the learning at home. You can also learn more about The Zones of Regulation here:  https://zonesofregulation.com/how-it-works/

At St John the Baptist, we believe that strong emotional regulation skills are essential for students' wellbeing, learning and relationships. We look forward to partnering with you as your child develops these important life skills.

If you or someone in your family is experiencing mental health concerns, please refer to the attached Mental Health Services infographic for information about available support services.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards,

Mrs Brylie Johnson

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader 

bjohnson@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au  © 2024 The Zones of Regulation, Inc.

St John's Netball Club - Spring 2026 Registration

Come join in the fun ...

St John's Netball Club - Pie Fundraiser

St John's Netball Club - Pie Fundraiser

Order form
Download

Second Hand Uniform Shop

The 2nd hand uniform shop is open Tuesdays, 2:45 pm to 3:15 pm. All items are $5, cash only. A recent stock list is attached. We’d love donations of clean, official SJB uniform, particularly sizes 8+. These can be left at the office at a time that is convenient for you.

Wishing everyone a fabulous week ahead.

Kelli Johnston

Term 3 Dates

August

4th - AMC Maths Competition

5th - Prep 2027 Interviews

6th - Prep - Year 2 Healesville Sanctuary excursion

6th - Prep 2027 Interviews

7th - Living with Wildlife Incursion

8th - St Mary of the Cross Feast Day

11th - Inform & Empower Cyber Safety session Year 3/4

12th - Assumption of Mary Prayer Services at 8.50am

12th - Inform & Empower Cyber Safety session Year 5/6

14th - Living with Wildlife Incursion

14th - Assembly @ 2:45pm - 3/4DM presenting

15th - Feast of the Assumption

17th - School Closure Day

22nd - Book Week

27th - Prep & Year 1/2 Level Mass @ 9:15am

28th - Assembly @ 2:45pm - 5/6SJ presenting (rescheduled for October 16th)

31st - First Eucharist Reflection Day

September

1st - Father's Day Stall

2nd - SAC Meeting @ 7pm

4th - Father's Day breakfast

4th - PSGs

6th - Father's Day

7th - Prep - Year 2 Spelling - daily for the week

7th - PSGs

9th - Swimming - full clothing day

10th - R U OK Day - prayer service

10th - Year 3/4 Camp

11th - Year 3/4 Camp returns

13th - First Eucharist Sacrament @ 3pm

15th - PSGs

16th - Optional Parent Teacher Interviews

16th - Division Athletics

18th - Footy Day

18th - Term 3 Concludes @ 2pm

Tuckshop News

Open Wednesdays & Fridays

Orders are to be placed via Flexischools - www.flexischools.com.au

Canteen Roster - Term 3

Friday August 7th 

Nelson Serrao

Amy Chan

Friday August 14th

Mandy McEwan

Friday August 21st

Mark Molan

Wade Palmer


The Entertainment Book is back! Every membership sold, benefits the school

Parish News

Community News

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully