St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

"Gracious God, we give thanks for the opportunity to return to school. 

We ask for your blessings upon our students, teachers, and all who work in our school community. As we enter this season of shorter days and cooler weather, we pray for your protection and guidance. 

May our classrooms be places of warmth, learning, and fellowship. 

We pray for diligence as learners, for kindness and compassion towards one another, and for the strength to face the challenges ahead. 

May your light shine brightly in our hearts and minds, even as the days are shorter. 

We ask for your presence in every classroom, hallway, and activity, and that our school may be a place of joy, hope, and inspiration. 

In Jesus' name, Amen." 

Welcome back for Term 3.  We hope that all families enjoyed the break from routine and the opportunity to stay warm and do as much or as little as they liked throughout the two weeks.  The Term 2 holidays are always a great opportunity to stay indoors and not rush out into the cold, hang out in pyjamas, watch a movie, play some games etc.  It is always nice to return to school with daylight hours starting to extend. 

We look forward to many exciting events throughout Term 3.  This term we have the SJB Art Show to look forward to, as well as our Preps celebrating 100 Days of School, feeder secondary school productions, school excursions, Year 3/4 Camp, the SJB Disco, SJB Footy Day and more.  A wonderful term of learning and fun awaits.

As we return to school for Term 3 the SJB Building Program is moving along well.  We are not far off completion and being able to move into the new rooms. We are most grateful to the architects at Crosier Scott and the building team at Baxter Building for their ongoing professionalism and work throughout the entire project.  We look forward to sharing opening dates in the near future.

As we progress to opening up the new learning spaces the newsletter will provide updates of changes as we resume to regular pick up and drop off routines.

The current Kiss and Go system will remain in place for Week 1 and 2 of Term 3.  As the building program progresses we will communicate changes and return to regular parking availability.

We look forward to moving classes into the new building and use of the newly landscaped area.

This is an exciting time for us as a school. We are looking forward to sharing the opening of our new learning and play spaces with the SJB Community.

We thank our entire community for their ongoing support throughout this time.

We thank all families for submitting their enrolment forms for the 2026 school year. This is an exciting time for families as we start preparations for welcoming our new preps throughout Semester Two. 

Letters of acceptance have now been emailed to all families who have enrolled their child for the 2026 school year.  These should have been returned at the end of Term 2. If you have not yet returned your acceptance letter, please do so as soon as possible. 

We do have some limited places still available for Prep 2026. If you know of people seeking to enrol at SJB for 2026 please encourage them to contact the office as soon as possible.

To coincide with World Grandparents Day on Sunday 27th July our first assembly for the term we will be celebrating our Grandparents. This assembly will commence at the earlier time of 2:30pm. Our school leaders and 3/4D will lead us in prayer and an assembly celebrating our grandparents and the enriching role they play in families. We warmly welcome our grandparents to join us for this celebration.

It is time for students to start to prepare their disco moves and outfits as we look forward to a fun evening at the annual SJB Disco.

This year’s school disco is booked for Friday 1st August. We look forward to students having an opportunity to dance afternoon/evening away with their friends.

To streamline this year’s process and maximise student dance time, families can purchase their Disco tickets via Flexischools. Disco tickets are now available for purchasing.

Families are asked to respond to the Operoo form. 

Due to the increase in a range of food items Tuck Shop prices will increase to cover the increase in products. The SJB Tuck Shop has held prices for as long as possible, however we are now in a situation in which a price increase is necessary. At all times the tuck shop focus will continue to be providing affordable lunch options.

We ask families to please note the change in prices from the commencement of Term 3.

The students have been outstanding in the manner in which they are wearing the correct school uniform. We ask that students with the support of their families continue to wear the correct Winter School uniform at all times. This includes wearing sports uniform only on sports days and wearing the correct socks and school shoes at all times. Whilst we recognise that Year 6 students can start to outgrow uniform items, correct school uniform is a school expectation at all times. Wearing the correct uniform sends a strong message of school pride.

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 in good condition.

Enquiries in regards to second hand items may be sent to -uniform@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Please note: All winter windcheaters have been topped up with washed clean windcheaters.  Families looking to purchase these items may inquire with the second hand uniform shop. 

We request that families clearly label student clothing items to ensure that items are able to be returned to students. An iron on label or permanent recording of student names is highly recommended as these remain on items for the long term.

A big thank you to Janice Stiglich for her work washing and sorting the second hand uniform shop.

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 Friday 8th August.

Please see below instructions on how to place your order.

Catholic Network Australia (CNA) and Cyber Safety Project are hosting a free ‘AI & the Digital Generation’ webinar for parents and carers of primary and secondary school students on Monday 11 August 2025 from 7.30 to 8.00 pm.

 • Registration and further information are available via http://bit.ly/AICSP25

 • The webinar offers essential insights into topics including:

       − generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI companion apps

     − deepfakes and online misinformation 

     − AI safety at home

     − legal and ethical considerations of AI use.

 • The webinar will help parents and carers:

     − understand the online tools and technologies their children are using

     − build confidence in discussing AI, deepfakes and digital truth with  their children

     − learn practical strategies to encourage safe and ethical online  behaviour. 

As we return to school for Term 3 we commence in the heart of Cold and Flu season.  We ask families to take time to discuss with students how to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing as well as how to wash their hands.  Preventing the spread of winter illnesses benefits all in the community.

A number of families have contacted the office to inform us of student illness. We thank families for ensuring unwell students are able to recover at home and return to school well. We remind families in the event that your child is unwell please keep them at home to rest and recover.

We have 2 green sofas and a coffee table in the staffroom. Due to an expanding staff the sofas will be replaced with an additional staff table and seats to assist us with space for professional learning. If there is anyone in the community who would like the sofas and or coffee table these are free to a good home.

Please feel free to contact the office if you are interested in the sofas and/or table.

Welcome back everyone. It was great to see everyone back for Term 3.

Kelli Johnston

Term 3

21st - Term 3 Commences

25th - Assembly @ 2.30pm - Grandparents celebration presented by 3/4D

30th - School Advisory Council Meeting @ 7.00pm

August

1st - SJB Disco - P-Yr 2 5:30pm-6:30pm & Yr 3-6  6:45pm - 8:15pm

4th - P & F Meeting @ 7pm

6th - Mater Christi & St Joseph's Production

8th - St Mary of the Cross Feast Day

11th - Year 3/4 Excursion to Melbourne Museum

15th - Feast of the Assumption Mass @ 11am

18th - School Closure Day

22nd - Assembly 2:45pm - 3/4RS presenting

25th - Year 1/2 Excursion to Cranbourne Botanical Gardens

29th - Assembly 2:45pm - 5/6GM presenting

September

2nd - Father's Day Stall

3rd - 9:15am Year 1/2 Level Mass

3rd - 7:00pm School Advisory Council Meeting

4th - District Athletics - Knox Athletics

5th - Father's Day Breakfast

7th - Father's Day

11th - Year 3/4 Camp

12th - Year 3/4 Camp

17th - Division Athletics

17th - SJB Art Show

18th - SJB Art Show

18th - Year 5/6 Level Mass

19th - Footy Day

19th - Term 3 Concludes @ 2:00pm

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 July 25th

Lauren Wearne

Friday August 1st

Kelly Brooks

Friday August 8th

Maxine Schimizzi

Amy Chan

We are calling on all young people to become altar servers.   This ministry is open to all in our parish Year 4 and above who have received their First Holy Communion.  Training will be provided for those joining this special ministry as well as a refresher for our current young servers.  Please contact the parish office:  marymakarucha@stjohnthebaptist.net.au or the Parish Office on 9758 1029 with your interest or if you would like to have further information.

To highlight the importance of involving youth, see a reflection from the Holy Father about his time as a young altar server and how that experience shaped his Catholic identity during his childhood in Chicago. It’s worth a read: Pope Leo: Dialogues with Children – Building Bridges from an Early Age