St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Letter from the Principal

Tuesday April 20th 2021

Dear Families

It is with great joy that I welcome everyone back to school for Term 2. This time last year we were operating remotely so it is certainly an exciting prospect to be welcoming everyone to school onsite. Once upon a time we would have taken for granted the fact that children would physically attend their school grounds. Now after our experiences of 2020 it is something we will never take for granted again. Hearing the sound of children’s excitement as they return to school is a true blessing and something that I give thanks to God for each day. Welcome everyone to what is sure to be a fabulous term of learning and growth for each of us as we encounter all that lies ahead. 

Garden Upgrade and Development

Our new gardens and outdoor seating outside the school hall are looking fantastic. They will greatly enhance the learning for our children as we continue to build their understanding of how to care for God’s wonderful creation. Our earth is a fabulous resource that we have been given great responsibility for. We are all called to action to be stewards of our great land. This call to action is vital for our children in our community so that they can go forth as leaders of the future and take positive action in our world. 

Alleluia Day Mass

We look forward to celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus at our whole school Alleluia Day Mass on Wednesday 21st April at 9.15am. All families welcome!

Assembly

Our next school assembly will take place on Monday 26th April. 3/4SK will be sharing their learning with us on that day.  Years 3-6 will be attending.

School Review

This year our school will take part in the MACS School Review Process.

The Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools' (MACS) School Review process occurs every four years and is a key component of the School Improvement Framework (SIF).

The MACS School Review is conducted using the SIF Rubric as the core tool. It promotes an evidence and research based approach to planning for improvement within the school context and across all spheres (or domains) of a Catholic school. Schools incorporate ongoing monitoring, deep learning and focus on their impact in order to enable continuous school improvement.

Our school Reviewers name is Gaynor Robson-Garth (she was formerly the Principal of Siena College in Camberwell). Gaynor will be visiting our school on:

Tuesday 20th April: VRQA check (This is a compliance day for school registration).

Tuesday 27th April: Review Day 1 (meeting with staff/parents/students and visiting classrooms).

Thursday 29th April: Review Day 2 (meeting with staff/parents/students and visiting classrooms).

Monday 10th May: Dialogue & Engagement Day: Sharing Review Findings: Meeting with the Leadership Team

I would like to extend an invitation to any parents and carers who would like to meet with Gaynor and share your insights into the strengths and areas for improvement for our school. You would need to be available on Tuesday 27th April from 2.00pm-2.30pm. If this is something you would like to be part of please contact me via email cmason@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au. If you would like to be part of this parent focus group meeting but are unavailable at the time that has been allocated please let me know and we may be able to open up an alternative time on Thursday 29th April. 

We really welcome and value your input. 

Canteen News

Just a reminder that due to an increase in lunch orders the cut off time for ordering on flexischools will now be at 8.15am on the day. This extra 15 minutes will give Tracey and her team the time needed to prepare lunches for our hungry children!

Winter Uniform

As we may still experience some warm weather at the start of Term 2 the official changeover to our Winter School Uniform will be Monday 3rd May. Over the first two weeks of Term 2 parents may choose whether the children are in Summer or Winter Uniform depending on the weather. All children need to be in their Winter School Uniform as of Monday 3rd May. Our uniform shop is open on Monday morning from 8.30am-9.00am and Friday afternoon from 2.30pm-3.00pm. 

Winter Uniform Girls

Blue Winter tartan  tunic or blue winter tartan skirt

Navy trousers

Short or long sleeve sky blue polo top with school logo

Maroon tracksuit top with school logo

Navy tights, navy knee high socks

Black leather school shoes (runners are only to be worn on PE/class sport days)

Winter Uniform Boys

Grey school shorts or long pants

Short or long sleeved sky blue polo top with school logo

Maroon tracksuit top with school logo

Grey ankle or knee high socks

Black leather shoes (runners are only to be worn on PE/class sport days)

Early Dates Term 2

Tuesday 20th, 27th and 29th April: School Review

Wednesday 21st April: Alleluia Day Mass: 9.15am. All welcome!

Wednesday 5th May: School Photos (all children in winter uniform)

All Term 2 dates are on our google calendar which you can access via our website under the current parent tab 

www.sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Diary Dates


Week 1April
Wed 21st

Alleluia Day Mass at 9.15am

Sun 25th ANZAC Day


Week 2April
Mon 26th Assembly at 2.30pm - Focus 3/4SK


Week 3May
Mon 3rd MayWinter School Uniform to be worn from today
Tues 4th School Advisory Council Meeting at 7.30pm
Wed 5th School Photo Day
Thurs 6th Mother's Day Stall

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea and classroom visit at 2.00pm

First Eucharist Family Night at 7.00pm
Fri 7th Year 1/2 Level & First Friday Mass at 11.00am


Anzac Day

This Sunday April 25th is ANZAC Day

The following items are available to be purchased from the school office to support this year's ANZAC Appeal.

Badges $2 & $5

Wrist Bands $3

Pens $5

Key Chain $4

Bag Tag $4

School Photos

Wednesday May 5th 2021

Photo order sheets will soon be sent home with your child/ren.  These forms are personalised to each student in the school so please make sure you have received the correct form bearing your child's name.

Sibling photos will also be available and can be ordered up to 8.00am on photo day.

There will be no cash orders accepted.

Canteen News

Canteen Helpers Roster


Wednesday April 21st

Raelene Portbury

Friday April 23rd

Rachael Wool

Jodie Flynn

Wednesday April 28th

Fleur Dow

Friday April 30th

Lauren Wearne

Shamindri Aponso

Belinda Hunt



Parents & Friends News

Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser

HUGE thank you to Michelle Cann and Kathryn Camille for coordinating the Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser - another $300 in the kitty!!!!

And THANK YOU to Matt and the team at Glenfern Bakery - the Hot Cross Buns were DELICIOUS!

Term 2 Dates for the Diary - Stay tuned for further details

Wednesday April 28th - P&F Meeting

Thursday May 6th - Mother's Day Stall

Wednesday May 26th - Casual Dress Day (Sorry Day theme) - gold coin donation

Wednesday June 2nd - P&F Meeting

Thursday June 24th - Fun Run

Our next P&F Meeting is at 7.00pm on Wednesday April 28th in the staffroom. All welcome.

Entertainment Membership is Back!

Entertainment Membership – not sure you’ll get your money’s worth? Even if we aren’t able to travel more than 5km from home we don’t have to!

Takeaway - Rapture, Mad Patties, Cheesecake Shop, Forage, KFC, McDonalds, Subway, Sushi Hub, Pancake Parlour…over $100 in savings here

Activities - Knox Leisureworks, Zone Bowling, Bayswater Roller City, Goodlife Health Clubs, Curves, Genesis Health Clubs, Kreationz Cheer and Dance, Cameo Cinemas, Tunzafun, Timezone…over $150 in savings

Something for you - Salts of the Earth, Strike A Pose Photography, Urban Float, Big W, Cellarmasters, Woolworths, Dan Murphy’s, The Iconic, Country Road and JB HiFi…unlimited savings here!

Every membership sold contributes to our School’s fundraising. It’s a WIN WIN!

Entertainment Link

Combined Catholic Parishes Raffle 2021

Thank you to everyone who has supported the Combined Catholic Parishes Raffle for 2021.

This week is the last chance to purchase your tickets, so pop into the school office.

All proceeds from the sale of these tickets will be split between the Social Justice Group and St Vincent de Paul. Tickets $2.00 each  or $20.00 per book.



Community Notices

P&F Sponsors

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully