St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Letter from the Principal

Tuesday February 23rd 2021

Dear Families

Last Friday we had a fantastic school sports event. Congratulations to Blue House who won the sports shield and to Green House who won the spirit shield. Seeing our whole school gathered gives us great pride as a staff as we see the children encouraging each other, being happy for each other’s success and competing with fairness and great sportsmanship. Well done to our Sports Leaders Ollie, Archie, Jack (Blue), Luca, Emily, Chelsea (Red), Zac (Green) and Siara (Yellow) who led their teams on the day. You were a great example to all in the way you helped your team to have a go at everything despite their abilities. You gave a really strong message about the importance of participation and being the best you can be! Once again we were well supported by our parents and grandparents. We are very grateful for how you always give so generously of your time. A special thanks to our staff who supported the children on the day especially our wonderful sports teacher Tracey Ryan who organised and facilitated a great event. An amazing achievement after only four weeks into the school year.

District Swimming

Our district swimming event has been rescheduled to take place this Wednesday 24th February. Good luck to our wonderful squad of swimmers who have trained hard for this event.

Joshua A, Zaylen L, Cooper K, Joseph W, Sam H, Lilly N, Jillian R, Emily S, Lachlan A, Joshua B, Ben F, Lorelei C, Violet G,
Gabi H, Thanushri S,  Niamh NiC, Ruby L, Alxys L,
Mia P, Skyla T, Kahsha W, Logan H, Ethan O, Samuel O, Justin R, Tom H, Bella F, Levi M, Daniel S,
 Heath T 
& Luca vdP

Parish Safeguarding Children Committee Meeting

A new committee has been established with parish and school representation to continue to strengthen and maintain the strong provisions we have in place to keep all children in our community safe. This committee will meet 4 times a year. I will keep the community informed of the topics discussed and actions taken over the course of the year. 

As part of our vigilance and commitment to child safety our school leadership team has recently participated in professional development about the new laws that will come into play from Monday April 19th for The Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) and Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS). 

The Victorian Government is progressing information sharing and family violence reforms to improve the wellbeing and safety of Victorian children and reduce family violence.

From Term 2 2021, the Child Information Sharing Scheme, the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme and the Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework will expand to include a range of Victorian education and care workforces (including schools).

Many organisations already work together to do this and many Victorian education and care workforces will become part of a system of sharing, requesting and using information about child wellbeing or safety.

It will allow professionals working with children to gain a complete view of the children they work with, making it easier to identify wellbeing or safety needs earlier, and to act on them sooner.

If you would like further information regarding these new schemes please feel free to contact me by making an appointment or via phone or email. 

cmason@sjferntreegully.catholic.ed.au

First Reconciliation Family Night

We look forward to welcoming our children who are making their Reconciliation this year and their families on Thursday 25th February for a faith formation evening at 7.00pm in the school hall.  

Baby News!

Congratulations to Winston (Prep G) who became the proud big brother of baby Jack.  Mum, Dad and baby Jack all well!

Twilight on the Green

Whilst we have been lucky to run some school events over the past few weeks (school camp, school sports), unfortunately we have cancelled our Twilight on the Green Picnic at this stage.  Hopefully we will be able to organise this event at a later stage in the year.

School Open Day and 2022 Prep Enrolment

Our school open day will take place on Wednesday 10th March from 9.00am-5.00pm. A hard copy note came home inviting parents to help out on the day with  school tours. Thank you to the generous parents who have already offered to help out on the day. Please invite any friends, family or neighbours who have a child eligible to start school in 2022 to come along and see our wonderful school in action. 

We already have children enrolled for Prep 2022. If you have a child who is eligible to start Prep in 2022 please make contact with the school office to complete an enrolment form. As an existing family with siblings in the school you are our first priority for enrolment. It is important that we know our incoming Prep siblings so we know how many places we can offer to new families. Offers for placements for Prep for 2022 will go out by the end of Term 1, 2021. 

School Calendar

We are aware that some families have had difficulty accessing our google calendar. We hope to have this rectified by the end of this week.

All dates for our school year are on our google calendar. The calendar can be found on our school website www.sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au under the current parents/calendar tab. Any changes to these calendar dates will be advertised via the school newsletter. 

Diary Dates


Week 5February
Thurs 25th First Reconciliation Family Night at 7.00pm


Week 6March
Tues 2ndSwimming Squad Training - 8.00am
Fri 5th Year 3/4 & First Friday Mass at 11.00am
Week 7
Mon 8th Labour Day Public Holiday
Wed 10th School Open Day - 9.00am - 5.00pm
Week 8

Catholic Education Week - 

Theme 'Faith in the Future'

Mon 15th Assembly - Year 3/4FM
Tues 16th 

Staff Professional Day -

No school for students today

Wed 17th

Casual Dress Day - Wear a touch of green

for St Patrick's Day - gold coin donation


School Fee Statements

School Fees for 2021 have been sent home with your eldest child today. Fees for 2021 are as follows:-

Fees - $1,400 per family

Maintenance Levy - $100 per family (discounted if you attend two working bees throughout the year)

Capital Fee - $80 per family

School Levies for 2021

Prep to Year 2 (per student) - $390

Composite Levy - $215

Swimming Levy - $100

Book Levy - $75

Years 3 & 4 (per student) - $390

Composite Levy - $215

Camp - $175

Years 5 & 6 (per student) - $575

Composite Levy - $215

Camp - $360

Fees can be paid via three instalments in Terms 1, 2 and 3 ($466/$466/$468).  If you pay your entire school fees by the end of Term 1, 2021 you will receive a $50 discount.

School Sports Victoria

School Sport Victoria will once again be offering the opportunity for students with emerging talent to register to trial for School Sport Victoria State Teams in 2021.

Registration to trial is now open and remains open until Monday March 1st 2021 for Boys Australian Football, Netball, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball and Boys Football (Soccer).

Registration to trial for most SSV 12 years and Under Team Vic teams to compete in School Sport Australian Championships is done through an online process managed by School Sport Victoria.

To be eligible, children registering to trial must be turning 10, 11 or 12 years of age in 2021.

Please be aware of the following:

- Students and families must consult with their Principal to ensure they have the skill level to trial and represent their school at a national championship level.

Registration forms can be obtained on the School Sport website - 

www.ssv.vic.edu.au

Any further enquiries can be directed to Mrs Tracey Ryan.

Camps, Sports, Excursions Fund (CSEF)

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF.  The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.  The annual CSEF amount per student is $125 for primary school students.  Attached below is the application form.

For more information about CSEF, visit: 

CSEF Information

CSEF Application Form 2021

Download

Collection Notice

2021 Student Residential Address and Other Information

A hard copy has also been sent home today to each family
Download

Canteen News

Canteen Helpers Roster


Wednesday February 24th 

Raelene Portbury

Friday February 26th

Rachael Wool

Jodie Flynn


Wednesday  March 3rd

Fleur Dow

Friday March 5th 

Michelle Neve

Nathalie Santilli

Di Thomas


Uniform Shop News

Parents & Friends News

Bunnings BBQ

Bunnings BBQ - Monday 8th March (Labour Day Public holiday)We’ve been fortunate enough to nab Labour Day public holiday for our Bunnings BBQ. Fingers crossed - with all the people DIY-ing that weekend - we will have a ripper of a fundraising day! As always, many hands make light work, so if you are able to donate a couple of hours on the day, please do. Keep an eye out for the volunteer notice coming home in the next week or so.
Thanks to JHL Accounting for sponsoring the BBQ.

Volunteer Form

Download

Dress Down Day for the Children - Wednesday March 17th

Wear green for St Patricks Day. Gold Coin donation – ALL proceeds given to charity.  The charitable donation initiative started in Term 4 2019 with ‘Five for the Fires’. As a school community we managed to raise a whopping $850 for the Red Cross Fire appeal. In 2021 we will work with the grade 6 leaders to determine where the money will be donated each term.

P&F Meetings

CHANGE OF DATE!!!!!

Our meetings will now be held on WEDNESDAY evenings.

The next meeting will now be WEDNESDAY March 3rd at 7.00pm in the staff room.

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

And from Tuesday 16 February until Monday 15 April you will receive a $10 or $20 Woolworths or JB HiFi eGift voucher.

Parish News

Community Notices

P&F Sponsors

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully