St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Letter from the Principal

Tuesday September 7th 2021

Dear Families

I hope everyone had a happy day on Father’s Day celebrating and paying tribute to all the special men in their lives. To our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and significant male role models we say thanks for your love, care and support. I thought you would enjoy the reflections of some of our children as they pay tribute to the wonderful male role models in their life.

I love my dad because he loves me a lot and he looks after me. I hope he stays as nice as he is       Ruby

I love my Dad because he makes me feel good about myself, and makes me feel safe      Ellie

My dad is as smart as an elephant. He is as sleepy as a snake. He is as funny as an alpaca     Teague 

My Dad is terrific because my Dad and I both go for Hawthorn and we are MAD AFL!! My Dad is the best because he loves me       Sam

He is as tall as a giraffe. He is as protective as a tiger. He is as happy as a hippo       Liora


Book Week Excitement


Josh and Lachie took their love of reading to a whole new level during book week. They shared their fantastic movie retell that they created with the author Maggie Hutchings. To their great delight they received a message back from the author herself.

Fantastic work boys and keep up the great reading!

Fun Run - Prizes have arrived!

Please read information below regarding collection of items

If your family ordered prizes following the Fun Run you can collect them from school. In order to limit numbers entering the school office unnecessarily, we ask that families park in the top carpark, ring the school office on 9758 1013 and we will deliver them to your car. You can come at any time during office hours. Alternatively, if your child is due to attend school on-site this week, you may collect them at drop off or pick-up.

Scholastic Book Club Orders

Book Club orders can also be collected via the same method as above for the fun run items.

QR Code Check-In and Face Masks

Everyone over the age of 12 years of age (with the exception of our enrolled students) is required to wear a face mask both inside and outside as per Victorian Government COVID restrictions. 

The Government has recommended that primary aged children wear masks This has not been mandated, however, we will support children to wear a mask if families feel like this is something your child can manage.

If you are entering any school buildings it is a Victorian Government mandate that you check in via our QR code. We are limiting access to buildings for our families until we have further easing of restrictions. We are also asking families not to gather before or after school. Whilst this is hard as we enjoy being together hopefully our caution will keep everyone in our community safe and hopefully able to gather once more in the not too distant future. Thankyou for supporting us to implement our COVID safe plan by observing these protocols. 

Stay home when unwell

The most important action our school community can take to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is to ensure that any unwell staff and students remain at home and get tested, even with the mildest of symptoms. 

Students with underlying conditions (such as hay fever or asthma)

If a student has persistent symptoms due to an underlying condition such as hay fever or asthma, the student should still be tested for COVID-19 if they develop symptoms that are different to or worse than their usual symptoms. Students whose symptoms are clearly typical for their underlying condition can continue to attend school. Parents/carers should also consider getting a medical certificate from the child’s treating GP to confirm that it is safe for them to attend school with persistent symptoms that may overlap with some of the symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough or runny nose. 

Young children with persistent mild symptoms

For younger children (in Prep to Year 2) who have had a negative COVID-19 test that was taken after they developed symptoms, the decision about return to school should be made in conjunction with the child’s treating GP. If the GP is satisfied the child has recovered from their acute illness, is otherwise well and does not need a repeat COVID-19 test, the child can return even if they are not completely free of symptoms. Any worsening of symptoms will require review and repeat COVID-19 testing, if considered appropriate by the doctor. Students with a negative COVID-19 test whose symptoms have completely resolved do not need a medical certificate to return to school.

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