St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter

Letter from the Principal

Tuesday June 15th 2021

Dear Families

Welcome back and thankyou for delivering your children safely back into our care. I have been entertained by the stories the children have told me about their Mums and Dads teaching abilities. You all scored very high according to your children! The teachers are now very happy to take over the teaching baton. Like I have said before, schools are just not as much fun without children. The children certainly make the school! We can learn a lot from our children. They see the world through such a positive lens and they have arrived with an openness and genuine excitement at being back at school. Their laughter and the joy they bring is food for the soul. A day spent with your children is certainly a happy day!

First Eucharist

Unfortunately First Eucharist has been postponed due to the current restrictions on numbers in the church. We are hoping to reschedule the First Eucharist Masses for early Term 3. We will communicate these dates as soon as possible once we have permission to proceed with a greater number capacity.

St John the Baptist Day

St John the Baptist Day is on Thursday the 24th June. We were planning to also make this day Grandparents Day. With the current restrictions we are not able to go as a whole school to Mass. At this stage we will postpone our Grandparents Day and whole school Mass.  We look forward to welcoming our Grandparents later in the year. Our Fun Run that is scheduled for the afternoon of St John the Baptist Day will still go ahead as planned. The Fun Run at this stage will have to go ahead without spectators. I will update the possibility of spectators attending if there is any change to this advice. 

Parent/Teacher Interview Bookings

Just a reminder our Parent Teacher interviews are scheduled to take place on the following dates:

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)

Thanks to all the families who have booked a Parent/Teacher Interview via  SOBS, our online booking system, using the following URL P/T Online Booking Link.  

All parent teacher interviews will be delivered virtually via zoom due to the current COVID restrictions. Your child’s classroom teacher will have already sent a link for your scheduled meeting time.  If you have not received your link, please contact the school office or your child's class teacher.


Early Finish

Please note school will finish at 1.00pm this Thursday 17th June for the students due to our Parent Teacher Interviews.

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.

End of Term 2

Term 2 concludes on Friday 25th June at 2.30pm. School will resume for Term 3 on Monday 12th July at 8.50am. 

Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge is now open to all students.  All the details of how to participate are contained in the document below.

Canteen News

The Canteen is open every Wednesday and Friday.  Please place all orders via www.flexischools.com.au.  Orders need to be placed by 8.15am.

Canteen Helpers Roster


Wednesday June 16th

Renee Armstrong

Friday June 18th

Amanda Hobba

Anna Kristof

Melissa Moutien


Wednesday June 23rd

Ange MacKinnon

Friday June 25th

Jacinta O'Dowd

Taryn Hughes

Rients Huitema


Uniform Shop Hours

Parents & Friends News

Fun Run Update

We are in the homestretch for our fun run – that is taking place next Thursday.  Only 9 more sleeps – wooohooo!

Over $14,500 in sponsorships so far – AWESOME WORK TEAM SJB!!!

 Congratulations to the below children, who have gathered the most sponsors in their class!

You get a lunch order on Friday!!!!! (We’ll be in touch with details on how to order.)

Lawson D

PG


Carter R

PBK

Bella B

1/2BE


Harvey L

1/2S


Dusty T

1/2BR


JOINT WINNERS

Joshua B

3/4FM


Christian T

3/4FM


Zahra H

3/4FM


Sam H

3/4SK


Tom H

5/6CJ


JOINT WINNERS

Justin R

5/6CR


Michaela P

5/6CR


AND Don’t forget that today is TENNER TUESDAY!!!!

For every $10 donation received today, the recipient goes in the draw to win a family movie pass!!! (Draw and winner announced Friday afternoon).

 GREEN are STILL in the lead for the house tally, but only just! Red are catching up, and Yellow are very close behind them!

Bunnings BBQ - School Holidays

Thursday July 8th

Hoping to 100% confirm our BBQ is proceeding, and send home volunteer forms this week. Keep an eye out!

If you cant wait, and are desperate to let us know you can help, please get in touch  -

parentsandfriends@sjferntreegully.catholic.edu.au

Please join the SJB Parents & Friends Facebook page -

SJB P&F Facebook Link

or search 'SJB Parish Primary School'

Camp Australia News

Community Notices

P&F Sponsors

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully