St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Tuesday November 12th 2024

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families,

As we move into the final weeks of the school year this is an exciting time for our Year 5 students as they consider applying for leadership roles for their final year as Year 6 students.

Whilst this is an exciting time for our Year 5 students there is no doubt that this can also bring some nerves too.

Over the past weeks our Year 5 students have prepared letters expressing their interest in leadership positions and they are currently preparing their speeches. The students will deliver their speeches next week for their selected roles.

It was a delight to meet with our Year 5 students to discuss what it means to be a leader, the expectations that come with being a leader and the opportunities that present for them as leaders. Our Year 4 and 5 students will have the opportunity to listen to the speeches from our candidates and then place their votes for who they believe should be appointed to the various leadership positions.

As we move through the leadership application process we recognise that some students will be successful in receiving their first choice of leadership positions, whilst for others there may be a little disappointment if they receive a role that was not their first choice. As a school we are proud of all students for putting forward their best effort and receiving their respective roles and we know that they will do an outstanding job.

We wish all our Year 5 students all the best as they prepare for their leadership speeches next week. Good luck everyone.

School Closure Day

Monday 18th November 

Focus: School Improvement, MACSSIS Data Analysis, MACS Code of Conduct

Remembrance Day - Monday November 11th

Yesterday we came together as a school in prayer for Remembrance Day.  This was an opportunity to remember and reflect on all who have encountered war.  Our SJB Leaders were outstanding once again as they led us through prayer.

Lest We Forget          

About Real Life Year 3-6 Sexuality Education

Our Year 3-6 students participated in their first About Real Life Session with Sue Pain last Friday.  The sessions were informative based on the Victorian Curriculum requirements and delivered in a sensitive manner

This week our students will participate in their second session with Sue.  We thank Sue for the most professional manner in which she delivers such a sensitive topic in such a safe and secure environment for all students.

Working Bee - This Saturday November 16th

We warmly welcome families who are available to assist with the Term 4 Working Bee this Saturday 16th November between 1:30 - 4:00pm.  We have a number of jobs to be completed around the school this weekend. A significant focus will be on maintaining our school playground and surrounds. 

Families are welcome to contact Ursula DeCorrado in regard to the Working Bee or jobs to be completed. Ursula may be contacted through her email:

  udecorrado@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Dads and Kids Gilwell Park Weekend Away

Last weekend our Dads and kids enjoyed the annual SJB Gilwell Park camping weekend.  The weather was great and a wonderful time was had by all.

Rumours on who the champion of snoring was have been most entertaining!! 

We thank Lionel Croning, Chris Lumsden and Nelson Serrao for all of their work, preparation and organisation for this year’s camping weekend.  We greatly appreciate all your work in creating a wonderful SJB community event.

Year 5/6 Inquiry Unit

The Inquiry unit this term for the Year 5/6 students is Innovation and Design. They prepared a business plan which included the processes of research, product development, costing, budgeting, marketing and pitching. They then sold their delicious Rocky Road.  All money they raised will be donated to the charity that the children will collectively select.

Year 3/4 Camp Recounts

Melbourne Stars visit SJB

Yesterday we were most fortunate to have staff and players from the Melbourne Stars visit SJB.  The Year 3/4 students thoroughly enjoyed the clinics and the opportunity to learn from the team from the Melbourne Stars.  Tess Flintoff #25 & Rhys McKenna #11 and the stars team all had a wonderful experience and really enjoyed spending time with the students.

We thank our Physical Education teacher Mr John Mitchell for organising this wonderful event for our students.

The Melbourne Stars would like to share the below offer for the game this Friday Night at the MCG.

 Kids go free and Adults receive 50% discount by clicking link below.

Ticketing Link - https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=MCGDOW0124

Code - WBBL50

Year 6 - End of Year Key Graduation Event Timetable

Christmas Carols Night - Save the Date!

The SJB Christmas Carols evening will be held on Thursday 5th December. We look forward to a great evening and seeing our students shine.   

Our terrific P & F will be preparing a BBQ for families to order sausages in bread and drinks between 5:30 - 6:30pm prior to Carols commencing. 

This year families will pre-order their sausage and drinks through Flexischool between the 18th - 29th November. Families will place their entire order via Flexischool and then simply collect their order on the evening.  This will streamline the process and remove payment on the night.

Please see flyer below for more information.

Prep 2025 Important Dates

Beleza Uniform News

Wishing everyone a terrific week ahead. It is difficult to believe that we are in Week 6 of Term 4.

Kelli Johnston

Term 4 Dates

November

14th - Prep 2025 Transition #2

14th - SAC & P&F Dinner invitation RSVP due November 14th

15th - Assembly @ 2.45pm - Prep BA

15th - About Real Life Session - Years 3-6

16th - Working Bee - 1.30-4.00pm

18th - School Closure Day - Staff Professional Learning

20th - School Advisory Council & P&F End of Year Dinner - 7.00pm

21st - Prep Transition Session #3

22nd - About Real Life Session - Years 5-6

25th - Prep-2 Swimming continues 🏊‍♀️

29th - Assembly Prep LC

December

2nd - P-2 Swimming continues 🏊‍♀️

5th - Carols evening BBQ 🌭

5th - Carols evening - 7pm 🎄

9th - P-2 Swimming continues 🏊‍♀️

9th - Semester 2 Reports emailed to families 📃

9th - Move up session No. 1

12th - Graduation Mass - 6pm 👨‍🎓

12th - Move up session No. 2

16th - Year 6 Fun day 🤸‍♂️

17th - End of Year assembly - 2:45pm

17th - Last Day of SJB School Year - 3:15pm

17th - SJB Family Gathering on SJB oval - 3:15pm

Uniform Shop News

The 2nd Hand Uniform Shop is open Tuesdays 2:45 - 3:15pm.

Items $5 each - cash only.

Donations of clean, official SJB uniform are always gratefully accepted and can be dropped at the office at your convenience. 

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 4, 2024

Friday November 15th

Belinda Davies

Wade Palmer

Friday November 22nd

Carrie Canton

Katrina Horne

Melinda Price

Friday November 29th

Troy Kristof

Mark Molan

Rients Huitema

Parish News

Community News

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully