St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

All schools are subjected to an audit process each year. We were audited last week by Deloittes and our school was complimented by the auditors for the financial position the school is in and the quality of the processes we have in place to ensure this continues. I wish to acknowledge the work that Cynthia and Jo in our office complete on a daily basis and our school business manager Hannah. They are all excellent in the work they do and meticulous in complying with the rules that govern our school. The auditors were most impressed with their work. 

One point the auditors check is the collection rate of school fees. As a Catholic school our income is dependent on 4 sources- State and Federal Funding, School Fees and Fundraising. If we are to continue to provide a quality education it is essential that school fees are paid by our families. If you are having any difficulties paying fees please make an appointment to see me. It is vital that we have the conversation so that I can best support your family. 

This week marks a very important date on our St John the Baptist calendar. Our very own Miss Gorman is getting married on Saturday 6th March to Nathan. We are very excited for you and Nathan Steph as you celebrate the occasion of your wedding. We had our own mock wedding yesterday to mark the occasion. We love an excuse to celebrate and have fun. Wishing you every blessing Miss Gorman and we look forward to welcoming you back as Mrs May!

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. 

Our Term 1 school closure day will be Tuesday 16th March. The staff will be involved in a Professional Development Day in the area of Mathematics. There will be no school for the children on this day. 

On Wednesday 17th March the children are invited to wear casual clothes (with a touch of green) for a gold coin donation. All money raised will go to a charity nominated by the student body under the guidance of our Year 6 Social Justice Leaders Sienna, Siara & Bella and our Religious Education Leader Marialisa Mandarino. 

School Fee Statements were sent home last week.  Some families prefer to set up an 'Automatic Credit Card Payment' arrangement.

If you wish to use this option, please download the attached document.

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

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.