St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Letter from the Principal

Wednesday November 24th 2021

Dear Families

Last week we held our Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the School Advisory Council (SAC). Whilst our year has once again been disrupted I am grateful to our 2021 SAC members who are always a wonderful support to me in my role as Principal.

We have gratefully elected 3 new members to our SAC.  We welcome Kathryn Camille, Matt Cann and Bec Russell. Each newly elected member will bring great insight, wisdom and guidance. They will join the ongoing members of our team.

Chairperson: Alan Ong 

Secretary: Carol Albisser Bennett (newly appointed)

On-going Board Members: Father Thomas, Cathy Mason, Ursula DeCorrado, Daniel Dalton and Jodie Flynn.

I would like to extend a grateful message of thanks to Jodie Flynn who is stepping down from the position of secretary. Jodie has very ably taken minutes of our meetings and sent out agenda items. She has kept our SAC members abreast of all matters pertaining to our work together. Thankfully Jodie will remain on the SAC as a general member. 

Parents and Friends News

It has been a  busy time for AGMs with our P&F annual general meeting also held. The P&F have done an amazing job once more despite all the restrictions. The Fun Run was a phenomenal event raising a record amount of money thanks to the generosity of our community. The funds raised will go towards the playground development that is currently being designed by a landscape architect. Once the plans have been finalised I will share them with the community.  Our P&F has been very ably led by our wonderful president Ange Hughes. Ange has been in the role of President for the past 3 years. She has been a dynamo in her tireless efforts to connect our community through friendraising and fundraising. Ange has made the decision to step down as President. Thankfully she will still be part of the P&F as a general committee member. Ange’s enthusiasm and love of our school is infectious. She has had such a positive impact on our school community. It is with deep gratitude that we say thanks for all Ange has achieved.    Thanks also to Fleur Dow who has been in the role of secretary again this year. Fleur is very generously continuing in her role as secretary in 2022. 

I am delighted to announce that Michelle Cann has been elected to the role of President of the P&F commencing in 2022. Michelle will be a great asset in this role. 

First Eucharist

Congratulations to the following children who will receive Eucharist for the first time this coming week. Let us pray for these children as they take this next step in their faith journey. 

Brody, Marcus, Benjamin, Luka, Joshua, Lachlan, Sam Ellie, Joseph, Emily, Will, Ciara, Matilda, Ria, Aala, Skyla, Audrey, Christian, Ember, Isla, William, Lorelei, Shakira, Millie, Poppy, Alxys, Zaylen, Ruby, Venice, Sebastian, Cooper, Violet, Maryann, Beau, Josh and Jake

Thanks to our wonderful staff who have prepared the children for their Eucharist and to Father Thomas who will preside over each of the Masses. 

Staffing News

We have been very fortunate over the past few years to have Tracey Ryan in the dual role of a classroom teacher and Physical Education Specialist. Tracey has made the decision that next year she would like to dedicate her work solely to classroom teaching. This has created an opportunity in our school to employ a new Physical Education Teacher. I am delighted to welcome Tess Farry as our new PE teacher for 2022. Tess is an enthusiastic and passionate educator. Her vibrancy and love of teaching makes her an absolute asset to our team. Tracey will support and mentor Tess in her new role. Thanks to Tracey for all her work in PE over the past few years. We look forward to her having an even greater impact in the classroom in 2022. 

Year 6 Graduation

Tuesday the 14th of December will be a significant day at St John the Baptist as we farewell our Year 6 students. The order of events will be as follows:

Last day of school (Year 6) -  1.00pm finish

12.30pm: Whole school Year 6 assembly (delivered virtually at this stage).

12.45pm: Guard of honour (whole school socially distanced in class groupings); Year 6 parents wait under the sheltered area outside the main administration building. The guard of honour will conclude with the children coming through to their families.

5.00pm: Year 6 Graduation Mass. Neat casual dress - Families welcome. Density limits apply. 

6.00pm-8.00pm: Year 6 ‘Night Under the Stars’ Graduation Party - Students only - Outside gathering; games, dancing & dinner (all provided by the school/no cost to families.

8.00pm: Parents collect their children from the top carpark. 

QR Code Check-In and Face Masks

The government has updated their health guidelines regarding face masks for Victorian students. Face masks  are required for students in Year 3 to Year 6, only when indoors on school premises, unless an exception applies.  

Masks are no longer a requirement when outside for adults.  All adults entering school buildings are currently required to be in a mask according to the health guidelines.

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.

Important End of School Year Dates

Thursday 9th December:

Christmas Nativity Play delivered virtually via Zoom. Details to follow. All in our community will be sent the link to share in our virtual Christmas experience. (In place of our carols evening)

Friday 10th December:

End of Year Reports home to families

End of year Thanksgiving Mass 11.00am

Monday 13th December:

Students meet their new teacher and 2022 class grouping

Tuesday 14th December:

Last Day: Year 6 (1.00pm finish)

Socially Distanced Year 6 Guard of Honour (12.45pm)

Year 6 Graduation Mass & celebration (from 5.00pm)

Wednesday 15th December:

Last day of school (P-5) (3.10pm finish) 

Transition from Primary to Secondary

Parent Information Session

Year 5/6 Business Marketing Day

Kids Teaching Kids Earthwatch Virtual Conference 2021

Year 6 2022 Bomber Jackets

It is time to order the bomber jackets for our 2022 Year 6 students.  Forms were sent home last week.  If you haven't already done so, please forward payment ASAP. Payment is requested via direct deposit into the P&F account.  

Composite Levies 2022

Details regarding our Composite Levies for the 2022 school year were sent home last week. The information sheet is also attached below. Levies need to be paid no later than Friday December 10th 2021.  If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the office.

Composite Levies 2022

Download

School Fees 2022

School Fees for next year will be issued in February 2022.  Please see below details:-

School Fees - $1,430 per family

Maintenance Levy - $100 per family

Capital Fee - $80 per family

Total - $1,610 per family for the 2022 school year

Book Lists Years 3 - 6 2022

Book lists for Years 3 - 6 in 2022 were sent home last week. They are also attached below for your reference.

Year 3 2022 Book List

Download

Year 4 2022 Book List

Download

Year 5 2022 Book List

Download

Year 6 2022 Book List

Download

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Canteen News

Last day for Canteen orders this year is Friday December 10th

Canteen will NOT be open on the last day of term (Wednesday December 15th)

Canteen Helpers Roster


Friday November 26th

Carrie Canton

Katrina Horne

Nicole Kyriazis


Wednesday December 1st 

Alan Ong

Friday December 3rd

Kathryn Camille

Francesca Theodore

Cassandra Croning


Uniform Shop News

Uniform Shop Opening Hours End of Term/New Year

Please note - the last time you can come into the uniform shop to purchase uniforms this year will be Monday December 13th.  After this date, if you wish to order uniforms it can be done via www.flexischools.com.au.  Orders will be filled by Fleur on the first day back at school for students on Monday January 31st. The uniform shop will also be open on this day.

P&F News

FATHER'S DAY RAFFLE

First Prize - Bunnings $300 voucher - Ruby L

Second Prize - Bunnings $150 voucher - Carter R

Third Prize - Bunnings $50 voucher - Daniel Martin

Camp Australia News

Community Notices

P&F Sponsors

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully