St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Letter from the Principal

Tuesday March 16th 2021

Dear Families

A few weeks ago I had the great pleasure of being contacted by one of our former Principals Sister Una. Sister Una was the Principal of our wonderful school from 1989-1993. She had found a part of our story that dated back to when the school first opened in 1936. Reading the history that Sr Una so generously shared with me reminded me once again about what a long and proud history our school has. St John the Baptist Catholic School was established in 1936 by the Parish of St John the Baptist, and the education and care of students was entrusted to the Presentation Sisters (Victorian Province), at the invitation of the then Parish Priest, Fr T. McCarthy. Since its humble beginnings, our Parish school has consistently endeavoured to deliver to the children of our Parish, an inclusive education, within the Catholic tradition. 

There are so many people who have gone before us that have paved the way for the work we are now entrusted with today. This rich history has made us who we are. The dedication and service of the Presentation sisters has been a great foundation example of how life giving it is for each of us when we have the privilege of working in the service of others. To serve and lead our community is one of my greatest joys. Let us continue to live out our vision in partnership with each other as we: 

Reflect on the PAST

Embrace the PRESENT

Grow towards the FUTURE

Live in the SPIRIT and

Respond to GOD in all

Swimming Champions

Congratulations to our wonderful swim team who competed so well in the Regional Swimming Championships. They represented our school with a competitive spirit and openness to give their very best effort. The children showed courage as they battled their nerves at such a big swim meet. The team efforts of our relay teams and individual determination shown by each swimmer was admirable. Go team SJB!

SRC/Sustainability Leaders

We are building a stronger student leadership team this year with our SRC/Sustainability leaders being extended from P-6. The children were presented with their badges on Monday at our assembly. The pride and joy they felt to be welcomed as school leaders was wonderful to witness. Congratulations to the following children who will be leading our community:-

Harrison C, Siella G, Winston S, Eliza H, Flynn B, Anneliese S,

Charlize P, Archer C, Bella B, Teague D, Isla S, Lenny D,

Millie B, Lorelei C, Mia P, Logan H, Cooper L, Lucas S.

Ryan G & Isabelle N (SRC Leaders)

School Open Day and 2022 Prep Enrolment

We had a wonderful school open day. Enrolments are once again looking positive for next year. Many prospective families came through on the day and I have conducted tours on other days also. Prospective families commented how impressed they were with our student leaders who took tours on the day. The children spoke with confidence and pride about their school. 

Casual Dress Day

Tomorrow, 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 Caritas. 

Working Bee - This Saturday March 20th

We look forward to welcoming many families to our school working bee on Saturday 20th March from 1.30pm-4.30pm. It will be wonderful to work alongside each other as we clean and beautify our school grounds. 

Working Bee Attendance Slip

Please complete the attached slip if you will be attending the Working Bee on Saturday March 20th.  This will help assist us with planning for the day.
Download

Running Club

It's back, but on a different day!

Running Club will be commencing this Friday March 19th.

Students from Years 3-6 are able to attend running club as long as a permission form is completed (see below).  Junior students can also join in but must be accompanied by a parent and also have a signed permission form.

The students will use the bike/walk path that leads to Kings Park in Upper Ferntree Gully.  In the case of inclement weather, fitness work and exercises will be held in the school hall.

Running Club Permission Form
Download

Diary Dates


Week 8

Catholic Education Week

Theme - 'Faith in the Future'

Wed 17th 

Casual Dress Day - wear a touch of green for

St Patrick's Day - Gold coin donation


Week 9
Tue 23rdEducation Board Meeting at 7.40pm
Thurs 25th First Reconciliation at 5.00pm


Week 10April
Thurs 1st

Holy Week Prayer

Stations led by 5/6


Last day of Term 1 - 2.30pm Dismissal
Fri 2ndGood Friday


Term 2, 2021 commences on Monday, April 19th


Student Awards - Prep - 4

Prep BK

Jake C - for following directions promptly, participating actively in all class sessions and showing great progress with reading. You are a star!

Benjamin H - for following directions well and trying his best with feather art activities. You are a star Ben!

Ashlea J - for listening to the sounds in words and having a great go at writing her own sentences. You are a star Ashlea!

Kayden C - for looking after his stick insect so well and teaching the class more about it.  You are a star Kayden!

Prep M

Chelsea B - for being such a caring friend to everyone and for the amazing creativity you show when drawing. You are a star Chelsea!

Claudia A - for always listening with your whole body and always doing your very best. You are a star Claudia!

Year 1/2BE

Zac C - for excellent progress during mental computation maths activities to add addition facts to 10. Keep up the great work!

Vivian C - for excellent work to identify initial sounds when playing literacy games. Keep up the great work!

Sophia A - for excellent work during Guided Reading sessions demonstrating fluency, lovely expression and identifying new vocabulary words. Keep up the great work!

Thaaruni S - for excellent work during reading sessions to identify Magic E words. Keep up the great work!

Year 1/2BR

Patrick C - for becoming such a great leader and role model in the classroom. I have watched your kindness and willingness to help someone in need and offer kind words to all those around you at all times. Your positive energy lifts up the classroom each morning. You are a superstar!

Isabella H - for working so diligently during writing time. Your use of adjectives and conjunctions is pleasing to see in your narratives. You have such a strength in your creative writing. Keep building upon your narrative knowledge. I LOVE reading your stories.

Jeremy G - for putting in your best effort during mathematics lessons. You hard work is allowing you to show excellent progress in your addition and subtraction. Keep up the good work.

Bryce S - for your excellent persistence in writing. I have seen improvement in your conjunctions and adjectives allowing you to create some wonderful narratives during writing time. I am very proud of your hard work. Keep it up.

Year 1/2S

Oliver S - for your improvement on your hand writing! You have worked so hard this term to ensure you are forming your letters on the dotted lines. You have also been such a helpful class member this term and are always the first person to help other people.  Keep up the amazing work!

Flynn N - for your creative 'Mouserella' story. Your writing has included so much detail as well as some fantastic adjectives. You have also done so well to include our 'Word of the Week' in your writing each week. Keep up the amazing work!

Anneliese S - for your hard work and determination in mathematics. I am so proud of your ability to give more challenging tasks a go and learn from your mistakes. Keep up the amazing work!

Scarlett H - for your enthusiastic contribution to class discussions. You are always happy to share your ideas with the class and contribute your insightful ideas! Congratulations and keep up the great work!

Year 3/4FM

Emily S - for a positive attitude to learning in writing. You are writing an amazing fairy tale that includes so many wonderful ideas and components of writing. Your castle illustration to match is astounding!

Cooper K - for settling well into Year 3. You are capable of great things and it is wonderful to see you working hard to concentrate during learning time and the awesome level you are achieving when you are focused. Awesome!

Thanu S - for caring for so many of your classmates. Thanu, you are an amazing young lady who looks out for others to make sure they are included and feel welcome. You are such a pleasure to have in our class.

Millie B - for your high level of interaction during shared learning time. You are full of such amazing information and it is such a joy to listen to you share your knowledge. You share your knowledge with care and build upon others thinking. You are such a delight to have in our classroom!

Year 3/4SK

Ben F - for showing high engagement and consistent effort in all class tasks and always accepting feedback.  You are a star Ben!

Isla S - for outstanding effort to improve her Maths skills. You are a star Isla!

Lenny D - for warmly welcoming a new classmate, and drawing an outstanding split face portrait. You are a star Lenny!

Toby P - for fitting in so well into 3/4SK and always showing respect and a helpful attitude. You are a star Toby!

Anzac Day

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

Canteen News

Canteen Helpers Roster


Wednesday March 17th

Alan Ong

Friday March 19th

Belinda Hunt

Leanne Nugent


Wednesday March 24th 

Renee Armstrong

Friday March 26th 

Amanda Hobba

Anna Kristof

Melissa Moutien


Hot Cross Buns

Wednesday March 31st is Hot Cross Bun day in the canteen.  This is instead of normal canteen, so children will need to bring their own lunch on this day.  The order form will be sent home tomorrow with your child. The order form is also attached below.

Hot Cross Bun Order Form

Download

Parents & Friends News

P&F Social

Great to see so many people at Project Brewery on Saturday. Lots of fun and giggles were had and, given the weather, weren't we lucky not to be winery touring around the Yarra Valley!

Dress Down Day for the Children - TOMORROW 17/3/2021

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.

Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser

Fancy grabbing half a dozen buns, and helping the school raise some $? Stay tuned for details!!

A Choir for Mums

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

Combined Catholic Parishes Raffle 2021

Tickets are being sold from our school office.  All proceeds from the sale of these tickets will be split between the Social Justice Group and St Vincent de Paul.


Camp Australia News

Community Notices

Mater Christi College - Belgrave

Mater Christi College is a vibrant, inclusive and warm community where girls feel safe and build supportive lifelong friendships. After another year of leading academic and vocational outcomes, we are experiencing a surge in demand for places.

Parents of Grade 5 students are strongly encouraged to secure a place for Year 7 2023. Visit the college website to apply or arrange a tour.

Families seeking enrolment for 2022 should contact the College Registrar on 9754 6611 asap.

P&F Sponsors

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully