ENewsletter

Tuesday March 3rd 2026

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Introduction

Prayer

Loving God,

As we journey through this second week of Lent,

help us to open our hearts to Your presence.

Teach us to listen with kindness, to act with fairness,

and to notice those who need our care.

May our Lenten promises guide us

to make choices that bring hope, peace, and joy to others.

Strengthen us to follow the example of Jesus in all we do,

and bless our school community with compassion and courage.

Amen.

A friendly reminder that our first School Closure Day is approaching quickly. THIS Friday 6th March is a School Closure Day

Pupil Free Day - This Friday - OSHC Day Programme

Open Days for 2027 Prep Children

St John the Baptist Open Days for 2027 Prep Children

Let your neighbours, friends and relatives know St John’s School Open Days are set for March.

School Open Days will be held on:

Wednesday 11th March

Tuesday 17th March

Thursday 26th March

Thursday 7th May

Saturday 9th May - morning

Tuesday 2nd June

Use this link to book a place on one of our open days - https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/65r6w

Alternatively families can book tours by phoning the office, through the school website or the QR Code. Every day is Open Day at St John the Baptist School!! Please come and see us in action.

We request that parents already with children in the school enrol as early as possible.

SNIP & SIP TUESDAYS ☕✂️Volunteers Needed – Help Us Prepare Maths Resources!

Our school is undertaking a daily Maths fluency program to support students in developing strong mental strategies.

We’re looking for volunteers to help prepare the resources needed for this program.

Parents/carers, grandparents and extended family members are warmly invited to get involved. Tasks include cutting, laminating and labelling materials.

No experience required — just willing hands!

Coffee, tea and biscuits provided.

Join us for our “Snip & Sip” sessions running each Tuesday morning this term.

When: Tuesdays - 8:45am – 10:30am

Drop in anytime — any time you can give is greatly appreciated!

Where: SJB Office Meeting Room

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jill Palermo (jpalermo@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au)

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Thank you to everyone who has donated uniform to the 2nd Hand Uniform shop over the last few weeks. The cupboard is now well stocked. See current stock list below. In 2026 the 2nd Hand Uniform Shop is open on Tuesdays 2:45 - 3:15pm. Cash only. Come in and see if we have what you need.

Janice

Prep Information Evening & Welcome Mass

It was wonderful to see our Prep families attend an informative evening with our Prep team. Our students' learning journey is most enriched when we have strong partnerships between home and school. It was wonderful to see our families value this partnership and attend the evening to gain an understanding of a typical day in Prep and the Prep curriculum. It was terrific to see the wonderful sense of community amongst our Prep families.

On Sunday morning the SJB Parish warmly welcomed our Prep 2027 families at Mass. It was wonderful to come together as a parish and school community. Once again we thank Father Thomas and the SJB parish community for our strong parish and school partnership. We are most blessed to have such a wonderful sense of community.

We thank our amazing Prep team Mrs Karen Joustra, Mrs Chantelle Santamaria and Mrs Jill Palermo for all of their work and support in welcoming our Prep students and families to SJB.

We are most fortunate to have such dedicated and committed expert educators nurturing our families.

District Swimming

Congratulations to all of our students who participated in Friday’s District Swimming Carnival. We congratulate all students for their efforts in participating and we hope that you enjoyed the opportunity to meet students from the local area. Well done in representing SJB in an exemplary manner throughout the day. Congratulations everyone, we are incredibly proud of you.

Congratulations to the students who are through to Division Swimming next week.

District Swimming Report

Last Friday, a team of 29 students ventured to Belgrave Pool in anticipation to compete in the District Swimming carnival. All students did their best after early morning training for a few weeks at Carlile pool in FTG.

Our students gave fantastic support to their team and there were some special performances from some of our students that allowed SJB to finish third overall.

Students that have qualified for Division to be held next Tuesday 10th March, are Jenna G -12/13 Back and Free, Henry W-12/13 Back and Fly, Amelia B- 9/10 Free, Mya C -11Back and Fly.

12/13 Boys/ Mixed relay team - Jenna G, Olivia B, Henry W and Charlie K.

Thank you to all students and parents that contributed to the success of the SJB Swim Squad this year. Thank you to Carlile Swim centre and their coaches Maddy and Lauren.

Working Bee

Our Term 1 working bee will be on Saturday 14th March from 1:30pm - 4:00pm and we would love as many helpers as possible.

Our focus for this day (weather permitting) will be the lower playground.

Below is a list of jobs that we hope to complete on the day.

Spreading mulch in the playground

Spreading new stones along the dry creek bed

Oiling the wooden playground equipment

Adding new sand to the sandpit

Weeding the tyre/slide areas and along the creek bed

Trimming some lower branches on the trees (small branches)

Removing the ivy off the fence near Selman Ave

Please look out for an nForma notification that will be sent out tomorrow asking if you are able to assist us on the day.

Harmony Day - Friday March 20th

Managing Big Feelings - TONIGHT

We look forward to Carley McGauran sharing her expertise as a mother and psychologist in the area of ‘Big Feelings’. Carley shares practical tips and advice on how to nurture and support children with their feelings. We invite families to join this session with Carley. Carley has a wonderful way of normalising everyday circumstances that parents navigate and providing tips and suggestions for our toolkit as parents.

We hope you are able to make the evening.

Your registration link to share with parents:

https://event.webinarjam.com/z3w5x/register/n1qlpa2r

SJB Easter Egg Raffle

The St John the Baptist Easter Egg Raffle will once again be running in 2026. We ask each family to donate an Easter Egg or gift to this year’s raffle. The gifts will be used to create Easter hampers in which families can buy tickets for a chance to win. Raffle prizes will be drawn in the afternoon of the last day of term.

We thank Jess Pfeiffer & Brianna Lawson for organising this year’s Easter Raffle. Further details will come next week.

SJB Mother's Day Stall - Seeking Community Talents to Promote

Last year we had a wonderful response from families in the community sharing their talents with home made Mother’s Day gifts for our Mother’s Day Stall. These gifts were all beautifully made and were greatly enjoyed by all.

With Mothers Day soon approaching, our P&F team will soon commence ordering of some lovely gifts that will be available for purchase during our Mother’s Day Stall event. This year we would like to seek interest again from our creative community to see if anyone would like to showcase their talents by contributing any handmade items such as key rings,candles, chocolates, jewellery, bath salts or any other little gift ideas.

We would love the chance to recognise the talents of our community whilst contributing to a wonderful day. If you are interested in contributing please email the office at

office@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au by Friday 13th March. Your details will then be passed on to the P & F Mother’s Day Stall team.

St Joseph's College Lighthouse Program

Each year students in Year 10 from St Joseph’s College mentor Year 6 students from the neighbouring Catholic feeder primary schools. Collaboratively the students select a current issue or topic of relevance to investigate and then create a presentation to their families and communities through a celebration evening at St Joseph’s.

To participate in such a program is a privilege. Year 6 boys wishing to participate in the St Joseph’s College Lighthouse Program write an expression of interest to the Year 5/6 staff and leadership team outlining the reasons for why they would like to participate. Student applications are then carefully considered and students are selected to participate based on their applications.

Congratulations to the following students on their application and selection into this year’s St Joseph’s College Lighthouse Program: Henry W, Bryce S, Charlie K, Arthur B, Jeremy G and Jai PW.

Congratulations

We congratulate all our SJB Netballers who trialled at the recent Mountain District Netball Representative netball trials. It is always wonderful to take on new challenges.

Congratulations to Pippy, Siella and Keira on their selection into the Mountain District Netball representative team.

Congratulations - Wonderful SJB news!!

A big congratulations to Darcy in 1/2 on becoming a big brother again. This time to his new little brother, Tommy and to Betty in Prep PS on becoming a big sister again to her new little sister, Odette. Such wonderful news for both families on the safe arrival of their new family members. We wish you all every much love and happiness for the future.

SJB Family Camping Weekend

We warmly welcome all families to come together for a weekend of fun at the annual SJB family camping weekend. Whether it is cabins, caravaning, camping in a tent, the aim is to include all.

We would love to see everyone who is able to join.

For communication purposes families attending are encouraged to scan the code below. One of our team members will then communicate with the group in preparation for the weekend.

Alphabet Keyrings - Fundraising for Project Compassion!

We have had a great response to our keyring fundraiser. We have sold 122 already, with all money going to Project Compassion. We have plenty of keyring chains left, so more orders are very welcome! Order forms can be dropped off at the Office, with the correct money. The completed keyrings will be delivered to your classroom as we finish them - if yours doesn't arrive in the first batch, please be patient - it will be on its way to you soon! Amelia and Hannah

Audiri App

Audiri app is a simple and effective way to communicate school information with families.

As a school we will use the Audiri app to communicate reminders and events occurring throughout the school.

We ask that families install the Audiri app on their phones and then add St John the Baptist School. Information on how to add the Audiri app and St John the Baptist School can be found at the end of the newsletter.

NAPLAN

In the coming weeks our Year 3 and Year 5 students will participate in the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)

The NAPLAN assessment tasks consist of the following assessment tasks:

Reading
Writing
Conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
Numeracy

NAPLAN is one aspect of St John the Baptist’s assessment and data collection used to monitor student progress and growth. NAPLAN data is used in conjunction with school based data, student work samples and anecdotal records. All of this information is reflected upon in the planning of learning and teaching, as well as assessment and reporting.

We ask families to support our students as they prepare to undertake NAPLAN by encouraging them to give it their best. This is all we ask of any of our students when entering all tasks.

MACS Family Survey - Have Your Say

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) invites current families to take part in a

short online survey about school choice and their experience as a MACS family.

The survey explores what influences families’ choice of Catholic education, what supports

satisfaction and belonging, and what matters most at different stages of schooling. The

findings will help inform future planning across the MACS system.

Takes 10–15 minutes
Responses are confidential
A chance to win one of five $100 eGift Cards
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MACSFAMILY

Your voice matters. By sharing your experience, you are helping shape the future of Catholic

education for current and future families.

Prize draw terms and conditions:

https://www.edified.com.au/post/macs-parent-survey-prize-draw

MACS Care - Parent/Carer Newsletter No. 1

MACS Care Newsletter

Download

Barry Plant Boronia - Easter Colouring Competition

We are excited to share that Barry Plant Boronia is once again running their Easter Colouring competition. This competition is open to children 12 years and under, with 3 prizes to be won that will be drawn out of a hat!

1st Prize: Nintendo Switch Lite

2nd Prize: $100 Toymate Voucher

3rd Prize: Easter Egg Hamper

The artwork can be dropped into our office at 69 Boronia Road, Boronia, via email or at any of our Open for Inspections. We also invite you to The Basin Music Festival (March 20th-22nd) where we will have a Barry Plant Marquee set up at The Basin Triangle with art tables dedicated to those who want to enter the Easter Colouring Competition.

Please find attached the Easter Colouring sheet

Good luck everyone!!

Colouring Competition Form

Download

Wishing all our students and families a wonderful week and a terrific long weekend.

Kelli Johnston

Term 1 Dates

March

2nd - Preps commence Fulltime

3rd - Swimming Squad St Joseph’s Secondary College 7:45am - 8:30am (Year 3-6)

3rd - Carley McGauran Managing Big Feelings online session @ 7:30pm

4th - Year 3/4 Level Mass @ 9:15am

6th - School Closure Day

9th - Labour Day - School Closed

10th - Swimming Squad St Joseph’s Secondary College 7:45am - 8:30am (Year 3-6)

10th - Division Swimming

11th - Open Day #1 - Tours @ 9am, 10am, 4pm & 5pm

11th - NAPLAN commences

12th - Year 1/2 Level Mass @ 9:15am

14th - Term 1 Working Bee

16th - P & F Meeting - SJB Staffroom at 7pm

17th - Open Day #2 - Tours @ 9am, 10am, 4pm & 5pm

20th - Harmony Day celebration

20th - St Patrick’s Day Schools Mass

23rd - PSGs

25th - Sacrament of Reconciliation @ 5pm

25th - PSGs

26th - Open Day #3 - Tours @ 9am, 10am, 4pm & 5pm

27th - SJB Family Weekend away @ Warburton

27th - Assembly @ 2.45pm

27th - Halogen Leadership Day - School Captains

30th - PSGs

31st - Regional Swimming

April

1st - School Photos - Summer Uniform

1st - SAC Meeting

2nd - Holy Week Stations of the Cross

2nd - Easter Raffle draw

2nd - Term 1 concludes @ 2pm

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 1

Friday March 6th

Nelson Serrao

Cassie Croning

Friday March 13th

Mark Molan

Wade Palmer

Rients Huitema

Friday March 20th

Belinda Davies

Katrina Horne

Friday March 27th

Amy Chan

Kellie Brooks

Friday April 3rd

Closed

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter