ENewsletter

Tuesday September 8th 2026

Letter from the Principal, Kelli Johnston

Dear Families

It was wonderful to see our dads, grandads and special friends come together with our students on Friday morning to celebrate Father’s Day. The SJB Father’s Day breakfast is always a wonderful community event where we celebrate and give thanks for the important role they play in shaping our students.

We hope that our dads and special friends thoroughly enjoyed their bacon and egg rolls along with a cuppa on Friday, as well as the terrific gifts from the Father’s Day stall. It was wonderful to see our dads, grand-dads and special friends gather as a community to enjoy each other’s company ahead of Sunday’s Father’s Day.

We hope that you were thoroughly spoilt on Father’s Day and enjoyed quality time with your families.

Thoughts and Prayers - Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Bayswater

Our thoughts and prayers are with the community of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School on the sudden and tragic passing of their Principal, Ross Williams. May we hold Ross’ family and the OLOL school community in our thoughts and prayers over the coming weeks and months.

Ross has been part of our Catholic education community for more than 30 years, serving as a Principal and Deputy Principal for almost two decades. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, school community, colleagues and all who had the privilege to know or work alongside him.

May perpetual light shine upon Ross, and may he rest in peace.

R U OK? Day

This Thursday is national R U OK? Day. R U OK? Day is a registered public health promotion that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times.

R U OK? Encourages people to invest more time in their personal relationships and build the capacity of informal support networks - friends, family and colleagues - to be alert to those around them, have a conversation if they identify signs of distress or difficulty and connect someone to appropriate support.

Our lives, personally and professionally, come with different experiences and perspectives, and it’s important to prioritise our mental and emotional health, for ourselves, our families and ultimately, for the success of our students.

As a school we will gather in prayer on Thursday morning R U OK? Day. In support of R U OK? Day students may wear a splash of yellow - eg socks, wrist band, hair ribbon. Regular school uniform is to be worn, it is not a free dress day. It is a day of recognition of the importance of relationships and connectedness.

Sacrament of First Eucharist

We look forward to supporting our students in their faith journey as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist. A wonderful afternoon of celebration awaits for our candidates and their families.

Families of First Eucharist candidates will have received (via nForma) information in regard to professional photo opportunities for the Sacrament of First Eucharist.

Sacrament of First Eucharist - Sunday 13th September, 3pm

Eucharist candidates are asked to be onsite by 2:25pm for a group photo at 2:30pm

Reflection Day

District Athletics

Congratulations to all students who participated in the District Athletics day last Thursday. It was wonderful to see our students embrace the day and participate in a wide variety of events. We are extremely proud of the 50+ students who participated with wonderful sportsmanship throughout the day. You were absolutely outstanding.

We congratulate the following students on making it through to Division:-

Flynn B, Harrison C, Mya C, Jenna G, Siella G, James H, Brendan M, Xander M, Olivia P, Jade P, Judd P, Oliver S, Benji W, Charlie K

Primary School Nursing Program - Prep Students

Information pack coming home today with your child

Term 3 Optional Parent/Teacher Interviews

At St John the Baptist we strongly value our partnerships with our families and the importance of open communication. To continue our strong partnerships we have introduced an Optional Parent Teacher Interviews in Term 3. The Optional Parent Teacher Interviews may be booked by families or requested by your child’s class teacher, should they feel that it is important to meet with you.

Optional Parent Teacher Interviews will occur on Wednesday 16th September between 3:30 - 5:30pm and will be held in classrooms.

Interviews can now be booked through our new booking system - School Interviews via this link - School Interview Bookings

Families are reminded that should you have a PSG for your child that this takes the place of the Parent/Teacher Interview.

Year 3/4 Camp

This Thursday our Year 3/4 students will attend an overnight camp at Camp Allambee in Gippsland. Staff and students will depart on Thursday 10th September and return on Friday 11th September.

This is an exciting time for our students as they prepare for their first school camp.

We thank the following staff for their attendance and support of our Year 3/4 students at camp: Mrs Tracey Ryan, Mr Christian der Kinderen, Mrs Franca Paduano, Mr John Mitchell, Miss Danielle Cooke, Miss Elyse Harvie and Mr Brodie Jacobs.

Footy Day - 18th September last day of Term 3

To celebrate the end of another terrific term of learning and work we have scheduled Friday 18th September as Footy Day. The students can come in their footy colours from any football code for the day. We look forward to a fun day of activities, as well as a special Footy Day lunch.

Footy Day Lunch can now be ordered via Flexischools - students get a choice of a hot dog, pie or sausage roll and all orders come with a drink too for $6.50.

Please note there will be no normal canteen on this day.

Prep - Year 2 Swimming

Prep - Year 2 students commenced their 5 day intensive swimming program yesterday which will run through until Friday.

A reminder that on Thursday 10th September the children will be practising water safety skills. They will need to bring shorts and a t-shirt to be worn in the water. These should be packed to bring on the day.

Great Slogans by 5/6SJ

MACSSIS Surveys

A reminder to complete your MACSSIS Survey for the chance to win a $50 movie voucher (please send a screenshot of the completed survey to the office).

The survey was sent by Ursula DeCorrado last Tuesday - so check your emails.

Thank you to those families that have already completed their surveys.

Can you help? Do you have Rugby League balls/American Footballs?

If any families have rugby league balls or American footballs, we would like to borrow them for Footy Day on the last day of term.

Please send to the office.

Thank you.

John Mitchell

Term 3 and 4 Working Bees

Dear Parents,

We are very grateful for the many parents who have so generously given their time and expertise to assist us with many maintenance tasks. This has allowed for significant savings that we have been able to redirect to activities, incursions and resources for your children.

Below is the current job list.

If there is any task that you think you may like to sign up for please contact Ursula DeCorrado at

udecorrado@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Many thanks for your continued support and community spirit,

Ursula DeCorrado

Current Jobs:-

Oiling the deck around the portable
Painting timber railing around portable

Painting of decking outside OSHC

Staining of timber boxes near hall

Staining of timber boxes outside top classrooms and Admin area

Painting of downpipes outside new building

Did you misplace your book?

This book was found on the school grounds.

If it belongs to you, please collect from the school office.

Long Service Leave

During the final weeks of the term and beginning of Term 4 we have staff taking a period of Long Service Leave. Long Service Leave is an opportunity for staff to relax, reflect and rejuvenate after significant periods of service to education. We wish our staff wonderful times as they take their periods of LSL. Additionally we are extremely fortunate to have a group of strong CRTs supporting SJB with filling the positions of LSL during staff periods of leave.

Over the coming weeks the following staff will be taking LSL. We wish them great times ahead.

Mrs Susan Smith - 9th September - 18th September. Returning to SJB 7th October

Mrs Amanda Heidenrijk - 5th October - 21st October. Returning to SJB 26th October

I will additionally be offsite in the final two weeks of the term as I take two weeks long service leave. My husband I are looking forward to travelling through Vietnam for three weeks. I thank Ursula DeCorrado and the entire SJB team for their work as they work together to support our students and a number of events scheduled for the final two weeks of the term.

I look forward to returning in Term 4 for a wonderful final term of the year.

Gilwell Park Dads and Kids Camping Weekend

Save the Date - November 6th - 8th 2026

This year’s Dads and Kids camping weekend at Gilwell Park has been scheduled for two nights away due to popular request. Further details will be shared in the near future.

Dads, mark the date in your calendar and save the date for a terrific weekend with your children and SJB community

Second Hand Uniform Shop

The 2nd Hand Uniform Shop is open Tuesdays 2:45pm - 3:15pm. A recent stock list is below. Donations are always welcome and can be dropped at the office when convenient for you.

MACS Care Parent/Carer Newsletter 8

Child Safe Standard 8

Download

Zones of Regulation

Australian Girls Choir

The Australian Girls Choir are coming to SJB on Tuesday September 15th, to run a 30 minute workshop for any interested girls.

The workshop is fun and non-competitive, and involves simple singing and movement activities.

Parents are asked to register their child through the website via the QR code on the flyer, if you are interested in your daughter participating, forms are also available from the school office.

NB. Students are only permitted to participate if they have been registered through the website. The AGC will send the school a list of enrolled students.

Wishing everyone a fabulous week ahead.

Kelli Johnston

Term 3 Dates

September

9th - Swimming - full clothing day

10th - R U OK Day - prayer service

10th - Year 3/4 Camp

11th - Year 3/4 Camp returns

13th - First Eucharist Sacrament @ 3pm

15th - PSGs

15th - Australian Girls Choir visit @ 11:30am

16th - Optional Parent Teacher Interviews -3:30-5:30pm

16th - Division Athletics

18th - Footy Day

18th - Term 3 Concludes @ 2pm

October

4th - Daylight Savings Commences

5th - Term 4 commences

7th - Year 5/6 Summer Sports Gala

12th - Parents & Friends Meeting

16th - Assembly @ 2:45pm 5/6SJ

19th - School Nurse Visit

20th - School Nurse Visit

21st - School Advisory Council

23rd - Assembly @ 2:45pm Prep PS

26th - School Concert Week

28th - Prep 2027 Information Evening

2th - All Saints Day - 9:15am Mass - Whole School with Parish

29th - SJB 2026 School Concert Evening

30th - World Teachers' Day

Tuckshop News

Open Wednesdays & Fridays

Orders are to be placed via Flexischools - www.flexischools.com.au

Canteen Roster - Term 3

Friday September 11th

Kellie Brooks

Amy Chan

Friday September 18th

FOOTY LUNCH DAY

HELPERS NEEDED PLEASE

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter