St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Letter from the Principal

Tuesday June 1st 2021

Dear Families

As Victorians we have been asked to adjust once more to the ever changing landscape that comes from living through a global pandemic. Some people may feel wearing masks is an inconvenience, whilst others feel like that is an easy adjustment. For some, the thought of cancelling much anticipated family and friend gatherings brings great disappointment, whilst for others they welcome the quiet and solitude that comes from such restrictions. What it highlights once more is that life is interpreted and responded to in many and various ways. Our uniqueness and the way we respond to life should be something we value. The diversity and difference that we experience through encountering each other is what makes our lives so rich. Across our world the experience of this pandemic is equally as diverse. I was speaking with a parishioner recently. She was telling me that her family in Sri Lanka are currently in a strict lockdown. Their schools are closed. With their school closures however there isn’t the infrastructure in place for their teachers to deliver online learning for their students. What a challenge that would be. Children at home without the opportunity for ongoing learning. It helps put in perspective the many blessings we have by virtue of living in Australia. We are indeed a fortunate people with the resources and infrastructure in place to navigate remote learning once more. Thank you to our wonderful staff for the positive way they responded to the news that we were once more moving to remote learning. They always have your children at the centre of all they do. Thank you to our families for the support you are offering to your children and to our staff. You are quite remarkable. A special thanks to our children who are showing great resilience and a positive mindset as they adjust once more to learning from home. I have each of you in my prayers and hope that we are all together once more on Friday. 

Student Voice

Tonight we had an exciting event on our school calendar. Our school captains and SRC/Sustainability leaders from Years 3-6 were supposed to be presenting at our staff meeting and School Advisory Committee Meeting on the topic of Sustainability. The children had prepared this meeting and were to be the main facilitators over the two meetings. Unfortunately due to our 7 day lockdown we have had to postpone the evening. We will try and reschedule for next Term. 

Lighthouse Expo

As part of our community partnership with St Joseph’s our Year 6 boys have worked with some Year 10 boys from the college in the Lighthouse Project. They were planning to share their learning on Thursday evening. This event has been cancelled until further notice. 

Parent/Teacher Interview Bookings

Last week a letter came home outlining our reporting process for mid-year reports and interviews. As our interviews run for 20 minutes per student we will hold the interviews over the following days to accommodate the length of time:


Tuesday 15th June: 3.30pm-6.00pm

Wednesday 16th June: 3.30pm-6.00pm

Thursday 17th June: 2.00pm-8.00pm 

(School will finish for the students at 1.00pm on Thursday 17th June)

Bookings will go live on Monday 7th June and can be made using our SOBS online system using the following URL P/T Online Booking LinkThis link will not be available until the 7th June at 8.00am.

We would appreciate all families booking an interview time. It is vital for positive learning outcomes for your child that we have strong communication between home and school regarding their growth as learners. Reports will come home to families on Friday 11th June. 

Royal Flying Doctors Service Incursion

Canteen News

Canteen Helpers Roster


Wednesday June 2nd

Closed

Friday June 4th 

Nicole Kyriazis

Katrina Horne

Francesca Theodore


Wednesday June 9th 

Jessie Stephens

Friday June 11th

Belinda Hunt

Leanne Nugent

Caroline Walsh


Parents & Friends News

Fun Run Update

We have a whopping $10,060 in sponsorships already – WHOOP WHOOP! Keep up the fab work, team. Our kitchen garden is going to be AMAZING!!! 

Green house are still leading the charge in the house tally – goooooo green! 

Congratulations to class 12BR who had created the most profiles by COB last Thursday. You have earned yourselves a FREE DRESS DAY on Tuesday 15th June!!! 

NEW COMPETITION

The child (in each year level) with the most sponsors (actual sponsors - not $ raised) by COB Monday 14th June wins a…..wait for it….LUNCH ORDER!!! Winners will be announced on Tuesday 15th June, and lunch orders can be redeemed on Friday 18th June! 

Keep up the AWESOME efforts everyone!

 

Bunnings BBQ - School Holidays

Thursday July 8th

We have locked in Thursday July 8th for another Bunnings (Scoresby) BBQ.

Keep an eye out for the volunteer forms that will come home in the next couple of weeks.

If you can spare an hour or two, please do.  Many hands make light work!

Please join the SJB Parents & Friends Facebook page -

SJB P&F Facebook Link

or search 'SJB Parish Primary School'

Camp Australia News

Parish News

Open after weekend masses

P&F Sponsors

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully