St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday May 20th 2025

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families

The St John the Baptist Building Program is well underway. It is wonderful to see the building taking shape. The team at Baxter Projects are working tirelessly to see the building progress. We can see the brick work of the building near completion and we are now able to see the outline of learning spaces inside. Internally, plaster boards are being installed and externally areas are moving ahead quickly.  This is an exciting time for our school as the addition of six new classrooms and break out learning spaces can now be visualised when taking tours of the site.

We thank the SJB community for your ongoing support and understanding as we navigate changes to the site at this time.  We recognise the constraints with car parking and movement around the school as we navigate the program. Our community continues to be patient and supportive throughout.  We are most grateful to all for your ongoing understanding at this time.

The building program continues to run to schedule which will see us return to normality early in Term 3.  Exciting times await.

2026 Prep Enrolments

HAVE YOU ENROLLED YOUR CHILD FOR PREP 2026?

If you have a child ready for Prep 2026, we encourage you to please put in an enrolment form as soon as you are able. This will help us with organisation purposes. To access an enrolment form:

  • Drop into the school office to collect one

  • Email office@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au and ask for a form to be sent home

  • Visit the enrolment section of our school website and download a form

Term 2 Working Bee - Community Task

After the great success of this year’s Easter Raffle and Election BBQ/ Bake Stall we are now in a position to purchase a shed to hold sand pit toys and sports equipment. Our focus is to place a long term solution on the oval to secure equipment for the students. We would like to have a concrete slab laid to secure the shed.  We are seeking assistance from members of the community to undertake this job as our Term 2 Working Bee.  This can be undertaken in times that suit our volunteers.  If you are able to assist with this project please contact Ursula DeCorrado. udecorrado@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au 

S J B C H O I R

Choir will now be running on Wednesdays at first break.

Choir is open to all grade 3-6 students.

There are more spots available if anyone would like to come and try it out. 

Ms Russell

Term 2 Closure Dates

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. 

National Sorry Day Prayer Service

On Monday 26th May we will gather in prayer to remember and acknowledge the hurt caused to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, communities and culture.

Every year on 26 May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.

National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country. 

School Closure Day - Faith in Education

Student Illnesses

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.

SJB Cross Country



This Friday 48 Year 3-6 students will head to Crystal Brook Park to compete in District Cross Country.  We wish all students a wonderful day of competition.  We know that you will all give your best and will represent SJB in an exemplary manner.  Have a wonderful day.

SJB Family Camping Weekend

Preparations for the SJB Family Camping weekend are well underway.  We have had a wonderful response from the community. There is still good availability of sites but cabin availability is getting tight. There is a recommendation for those who have booked powered sites to move to the powered sites near the camp kitchen and oval to create a designated SJB area.

We wish all our families a wonderful weekend of camping.

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

Wishing everyone a fabulous week ahead.

Kelli Johnston

Term 2 Dates

Term 2

May

22nd - St Joseph's College Lighthouse Program

23rd - District Cross Country - Years 3-6 Crystal Brook Park

26th - National Sorry Day Prayer Service @ 9.00am

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

5th - District Winter Sports

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

Student Awards - Friday May 16th

Uniform Shop

The 2nd Hand Uniform shop is open Wednesdays 2:45 - 3:15pm. A recent stocklist is below. All items $5.00 - please bring cash with you. Donations of clean, official SJB uniform are greatly appreciated and can be left at the office when convenient.

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 May 23rd 

Anna Kristof

   Rients Huitema

Friday May 30th

Lauren Wearne

Adriana Ambler

Belinda Davies

Friday June 6th

School Closure Day

Parish News

Community News

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully