ENewsletter

Tuesday April 28th 2026

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families,

It was wonderful to see our students return to school for Term 2. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing students return to school fresh, happy and smiling ready for another term. Each term students work hard developing and navigating their social learning, building relationships, understanding their world and place in it, working hard academically and participating in an array of activities. Taking time for rest, recovery and rejuvenation plays a significant role in them returning to school ready for a new term. Our students commenced their term incredibly settled. To walk around the school seeing and feeling a sense of belonging, happiness and calm in our students is such a joy and privilege. This is something that we take great pride in and demonstrates the wonderful sense of partnership between home and school.

We wish all our students and families a wonderful Term 2 ahead.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service

On Friday morning we gathered as a school to remember all who have served and continue to serve in our forces, so that we may enjoy our wonderful country and freedom. Our students were once again outstanding in the manner in which they presented themselves at our prayer service. The sense of reverence, respect and remembrance was evident throughout the service.

This year parishioners from St John the Baptist Parish represented our parish and school at the Quarry Park Dawn Service laying a wreath in memory of all who have served.

Lest we forget.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Our SJB Confirmation Family Evening was held on Thursday 23rd April at 7:00pm in the school hall. We thank our Year 5/6 team, Mrs Marialisa Mandarino, Mrs Mary Makarucha, Father Thomas and Father Peter and families for a beautiful evening of reflection, learning and prayer as a community. We look forward to continuing to prepare our Year 6 students for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

We look forward to supporting our students in preparing for their Confirmation and in taking this next step in their faith journey.

Confirmation Stoles - Embroidery

Leanne will again be offering her services to embroider stoles for Confirmation. As she is heading overseas in May she would like any order/stoles dropped into the office no later than next week so she can do a bulk pick-up. She can be contacted on 0413 175 103 to discuss designs etc..

(Please note - this is just an example, not the design Leanne does)

Student Voice- SRC Spotlight!

Our SRC students have been incredibly busy throughout Term 1, working hard to gather ideas and suggestions for new lunch clubs at SJB. The students designed surveys, spoke with their classmates, carefully gathered the feedback, and presented their findings to school leadership. It has been fantastic to see their leadership skills develop so strongly in just one term.

Thanks to the initiative and effort of our SRC, we are excited to introduce two brand new lunch clubs based on student voice. Art Club will run on Wednesdays at second break, overseen by Mrs Renee Armstrong and led by Olivia H and Olivia B. Sports Club will take place on Thursdays at second break, overseen by Mr John Mitchell and run by our Sports Captains.

We are so proud of our SRC students and can’t wait to see what they plan next to continue improving our school community.

Mrs Brylie Johnson and Mr Christian der Kinderen

SNIP & SIP TUESDAYS ☕✂️

Volunteers Needed – Help Us Prepare Maths Resources!

We still have many resources to prepare for our school’s daily Maths fluency program.

Volunteers are needed to help prepare the resources needed for this program. Tasks include cutting, laminating and labelling materials.

Please 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

Alternatively, if you are unavailable on Tuesdays and would still like to help out in some way, please feel free to contact Jill Palermo. (jpalermo@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au)

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 May/June.

School Open Days will be held on:

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. Every day is Open Day at St John the Baptist School!! Please come and see us in action.

Enrolments for 2027 are filling quickly.

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

Staffing Updates

As a school we have some changes to our staffing that will occur in Term 2 and 3 as we support staff in their future endeavours and stages in life.

Mrs Marialisa Mandarino will be taking Long Service Leave on Fridays for Term 2 commencing this week. Marialisa has courageously stepped back into studying and will use Fridays to study during Term 2.

At the end of Term 2 Ms Melissa Davey will conclude her year with us at SJB as she prepares for the arrival of her first child. We are most fortunate to have Mrs Marialisa Mandarino and Mrs Franca Paduano stepping in to teach 5/6D for the remainder of the year. Marialisa will take the class for 4 days a week - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and Franca will be in the class on a Wednesday.

Mrs Chantelle Santamaria will commence in 3/4DM from this Friday for the remainder of the year.

At this time we are working towards filling the Italian role for Semester 2.

We are incredibly fortunate to have current staff members open to additional hours and change in their roles to support our students. We are most grateful to be able to provide our students with consistency across the school with our terrific staff.

🛠️ Community Help Needed – Chicken Fence Project! 🐔

We’re looking to improve our school chicken area by building a permanent fence (approximately 6 metres long), continuing our existing design using reo mesh and timber posts.

To make this happen, we’d love support from our school community—particularly with digging post holes deep enough to securely set the timber posts. If you have experience, tools, or time to lend a hand, your help would make a big difference!

We’re planning to commence this project mid-Term 2 on a Wednesday (exact date to be confirmed based on availability).

If you’re able to assist, please email cderkinderen@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au or speak with one of the staff. Even an hour of your time would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for supporting our school garden and helping us create a safe, sustainable space for our chickens and students!

Inform and Empower

We are most fortunate to partner with Marty and Carley McGauran from Inform and Empower to provide families with an online session focusing on ‘Raising Kids in a Digital World’. Marty and Carley provide valuable insights into the digital world that children are navigating. They provide families with an understanding of the current digital climate, along with how to educate, support and raise conversations and awareness with children.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience as an eLearning educator and psychologist leading the evening, this is a session that is most beneficial to all families. Navigating the digital world in partnership as home and school provides our students with education and support they need to become digitally responsible citizens.

SJB Cross Country

The SJB Cross Country will be held on Friday 1st May from 11:00am at Kings Park in Ferntree Gully. Students in Years 3-6 will be competing for their House colour and also to gain a place to run at the District Cross Country event on Friday 22nd May.

Families are asked to complete the nForma form to provide permission for their child to participate and be aware of the requirements for the morning.

We warmly welcome parents who are able to assist on the day.

Tuckshop Reminder

At this time the Tuckshop will be closed for Term 2. Our wonderful Tuckshop Co-ordinator, Tracey Walker continues to recover from recent surgery. We wish Tracey all the best for a speedy recovery.

Tracey is hoping to open the Tuckshop for our St John the Baptist Feast Day celebration on the final day of the term. Further updates will be placed in the newsletter as the term progresses.

Term 2 Closure Dates

Families are asked to note in their calendars Friday 5th June as a School Closure Day followed by Monday 8th June as the King’s Birthday public holiday.

The Village Circle - This Friday!

From little things, BIG things grow……

Last Friday we hosted our first Village Circle and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect yet gentle beginning. Friday saw three mothers connecting over cuppas, and our daughters quietly colouring together whilst also sipping away on their hot choccies. While I know it won't always be quiet play, the space we shared felt comfy and nourishing.

We meet again this Friday from 9am- 10am in the school hall.

I have big plans for this space, I’d love to chat to you about it. Please join me (and Elora) on Fridays and help be a part of creating something truly beautiful for our school community. I’ll put the kettle on.

C’ya on Friday

Brooke

Mother's Day Stall - Tuesday May 5th

Our terrific P & F team is busy preparing for this year’s Mother’s Day Stall. We are most fortunate to have a number of community members sharing their talents and making gifts for the Mother’s Day Stall.

All gifts will once again be $5.00. This year we will have a cashless system where families purchase $5.00 tokens prior to the Mother’s Day Stall. Children will receive their allocated number of tokens on the morning of Tuesday May 5th as they move into the stall

Tokens for the Mother’s Day Stall are now able to be purchased through Flexischool and will be available for purchasing until 11am on Monday 4th May.

Mother's Day Event

We warmly welcome all Mother’s, Nanna’s and special people to join us for our SJB Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea and family activity on Friday 8th May from 1:30pm. We will commence with an afternoon tea in the hall. Mums and special people will then move to the classrooms in family groups to participate in an activity with their children.

A nForma form has been shared for families to respond.

Athletics Day - Thursday May 14th

Exciting times as we prepare for the SJB 2026 Athletics Day. This year we look forward to unveiling our house team names. In 2025 the Year 6 leaders researched significant people in the history of St John the Baptist Parish and School to select names for each house. We look forward to sharing the house names selected by our students.

This year’s Athletics Day will be held at Knox Athletics Track, Bunjil Way, Knoxfield. Details for this year’s Athletics Day is outlined below -

When: Thursday May 14th

Where: Knox Athletics Track

Bunjil Way, Knoxfield

Time: Year 3-6 students 9:45am - 2:15pm

Prep - Year 2 students 10:30am - 12:50pm

Announcement of house places will take place on return to SJB.

Students are encouraged to join in the excitement of the day. Students may dress in the colour of their house, wear ribbons, nails, coloured zinc or hair (this is to be done prior to arriving at school). We ask families to prepare for the day prior to arriving at school. (The school toilets are not an area for coloured zinc or hairspray). House posters may be created & brought along for team spirit and cheering. These are the responsibility of students. (Coloured streamers are not to brought as these create a significant & time consuming mess to clean up at the end of the day.)

Eggs for Sale

Our amazing chickens continue to happily lay an abundance of eggs. If you would like to purchase fresh eggs please pop into the office.

½ dozen eggs - $4.00 or 1 dozen eggs for $8.00

Seeking Community Expertise and Assistance

We would love to have a netball ring set up on the lower carpark to provide our budding netballers with the opportunity to practice at school!

If we have any parent/s that would have the equipment and skill to cement in a sleeve for a netball ring into the asphalt we would love to hear from you.

Term 2 Winter Uniform Transition

Term 2 is when students transition to their Winter Uniform. Over the first couple of weeks if the weather presents as being warm families are able to make an informed decision in regard to uniform selection. Once the weather has changed and becomes cooler we will request that all students transition to Winter Uniform. Students are not required to wear hats at play in Term 2 and Term 3. We do ask that students are dressed in the correct uniform at all times, this includes the correct socks - navy, and shoes, along with Sports Uniform only being worn on designated days.

Please see updates of the SJB uniform as outlined below.

Winter Uniform

Winter Girls

Navy Pants or winter tunic (only available from Beleza Uniform Shop)

Maroon tracksuit jumper with School Logo

Long sleeved, sky blue polo neck shirt (ie, collar shirt with tab front) OR Navy tights OR knee-high navy socks

Black leather T-Bar OR lace up/velcro school shoes (no boots, track shoes or runners)

Winter Boys

Long navy gabardine pants

Long sleeved, sky blue polo shirt (ie. collar shirt with tab front)

Maroon tracksuit jumper with School Logo

Navy anklet socks

Black leather lace up/velcro school shoes (no boots, track shoes or runners)

Unisex Sports Uniform

All Year Levels

Navy blue microfibre sports shorts – no bike shorts, no netball skirts

Sports polo shirt with collar

Navy sports socks

Runners

St. John’s maroon tracksuit top (jumper)

St John’s school hat - Terms 1 & 4

St. John's School Bag is recommended and available.

Jewellery

Only studs/sleepers and a watch may be worn (Smart watches are not to be worn).

Hair Accessories

Permitted are: maroon ribbons, headbands, scrunchies or blue & white check, summer school uniform material only. Available in Uniform shop.

Warburton Family Camping Weekend 2027

After another successful Family Camping Weekend this year our terrific P & F team have made an early bird booking for next year’s weekend away. Please see details below and book now for 2027.

Child Safe Practices - Working with Children Checks

St John the Baptist School is committed to providing a child safe environment and takes active steps to ensure any person authorised to conduct ‘child connected works’ does not pose a risk to their safety or welfare. To achieve this, the school implements screening processes, including Working With Children Checks (WWCC), to assess and verify their suitability.

St John’s School ensures that non-teaching staff, contractors, volunteers and visitors are of suitable character and do not have a relevant criminal record that poses an unjustifiable risk to children.

Teaching Staff & Casual Relief Teachers who are registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) undergo criminal record checks via their annual registration.

Volunteering to Assist with School Programs- WWCC

Parents would be aware that to assist with any of our school programs, all volunteers, parents/guardians/family members are required to have a current Working With Children Check on our school records.

Family members are to provide a copy of the WWCC to the school office.

Tuning in to Kids

MACS Care Parent/Carer Newsletter

Child Safe Standard 3

Download

Wishing everyone a fabulous week ahead.

Kelli Johnston

Term 2 Dates

April

30th - Term 2 Level Newsletters shared

30th - St Joseph's Lighthouse Program

May

1st - Cross Country - Years 3-6 at Kings Park

2nd - Confirmation Commitment Mass @ 6pm

3rd - Confirmation Commitment Mass @ 10:30am

4th - St Joseph’s Lighthouse Program

5th - Mother’s Day Stall

5th - Inform and Empower Years 5/6

5th - Term 2 Level Newsletters shared

7th - Mater Christi & St Joseph's Production - Year 4 students

7th- Open Day Tours at 9am, 10am, 4pm & 5pm

8th - Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea @ 1:30pm

9th - Open Day Morning - Saturday

10th- Mother’s Day

11th - St Joseph’s Lighthouse Program

14th - Inform and Empower Raising Kids in a Digital World parent session

14th - SJB Athletics Day

18th - Inform and Empower Prep session

22nd - Cross Country for Yrs 3-6 at Kings Park

25th - St Joseph’s Lighthouse Program

26th - National Sorry Day Prayer Service

29th - Assembly @ 2:45pm

29th - Sacrament of Confirmation

31st - The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

June

1st - Parents and Friends meeting @ 7pm

2nd - Open Day - Tours 9am, 10am, 4pm & 5pm

2nd - Divisions Cross Country - Yarra Valley Racecourse

5th - School Closure Day

8th - King’s Birthday School Closure

10th - Year 5/6 Level Mass - 9:15am

11th - Regional Cross Country - Yarra Valley Racecourse

15th - PSGs

17th - PSGs

19th - PSGs

19th - SJB School Disco

19th - School Assembly @ 2:45pm

19th - Semester 1 Reports shared

23rd - Parent/Teacher interviews - 2:30pm - 6pm

24th - Parent/Teacher interviews - 3:30pm - 5:30pm

24th - Feast of St John the Baptist

26th - Feast of St John the Baptist Celebration - Mass @ 11am

26th - Term 2 concludes @ 2pm

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Thank you to everyone who has donated uniform to the 2nd Hand Uniform shop last term. The cupboard is now well stocked. 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.

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter