ENewsletter

Letter from the Principal

Tuesday March 23rd 2021

Dear Families

I have taken many Prep tours over the past few weeks. When families come for a tour they often ask me what are the strengths of our school. It’s a great question to reflect on. I wonder what you would say if you were asked? For me it is a combination of many things. One of the biggest standouts however is the investment we make in each other. I witness strong relationships across our whole community. I see Grade 6 buddies making time on the playground to play with their Prep buddies, I see parents helping each other out by dropping off or picking up each others children, I see staff learning with and from each other to improve their practice, I see children greeting me with a smile and wishing me a good day, I see children on the playground inviting others to join their game, I see children in their classrooms offering to help someone with their learning, I see teachers working hard to get to know each child’s interests and the best ways they learn, I see parents volunteering to help at Bunnings BBQs, in the classroom, canteen, on open day and school working bees, I see families saying thank you and appreciating the wonderful teachers who teach their children, I see parents giving their children their unconditional love, I see a community who cares. Let us give thanks each day for our wonderful school that is made up of amazing people!

At the heart of who we are is not all the buildings but the person of Jesus Christ, who enters into our lives and who we then share with others.

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli

School Working Bee

We had a wonderful school working bee last Saturday. Thanks to our families who attended. We couldn’t keep our grounds looking so fabulous without your generous help and support.

Walsh, Cann, Caldwell, Gabbett, Camille, Hendricks, Molan,

Croning, Aponso, Heywood, Rhodes, Jones, Dwyer, Theodore, Pratt,

Trimble, Hughes, Brightwell, Deer, Loveridge,

Nelsen, Price, Parsons, Robe, Price, Armstrong & Kristof

(if you attended the working bee and did not place your name on the sign in form or your name does not appear above, please contact the office)

Emergency Evacuation Drill

Last Friday we held an emergency evacuation drill where we enacted a scenario of a fire at the school. We evacuated to our school oval. We have a drill every Term to ensure we have safe and clear procedures in place in case of a real emergency.

Unwell Children

We have had a few gastro cases in the school over the past few weeks. There appears to be a greater susceptibility this year of children having a more compromised immune system. Many medical experts have spoken out saying that this is a direct result of us all spending so much time at home last year. Now with the increased interaction in society there is a greater risk of infection. If your child is unwell with gastro or cold like symptoms it is important that they stay home for their own health and the health of others in our community.

Taster Day

Our Year 4s and 5s have participated in a taster day at St Josephs and Mater Christi today. It has been a fabulous opportunity for the children to experience in a small way what secondary school life is like.

District Tennis

Good luck to the following children who will be representing our school in the District Tennis Championships next Wednesday.

Sebastien H, Cooper L, Archie M, Logan H, Lachlan A and Josh A

First Reconciliation

Congratulations to our children who will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Thursday evening. May God bless you as you embark on this next part of your faith journey.

Shakira A-B, Lachlan A, Joshua A, Poppy B, Millie B, Lorelei C, Aala D,

Jake F, Ben F, Violet G, Ria G, Matilda H, Ember H, Ellie H, Sam H, Venice J,

Ciara K, Cooper K, Ruby L, Brody L, Alxys L, Zaylen L, Marcus N,

William P, Sebastian R, Isla S, Luka S, Emily S, Christian T, Skyla T

and Joseph W

Sustainability Expo

Our sustainability leaders will be presenting a Sustainability Expo in the hall for our students in the last week of term on Wednesday March 31st at 1.00-2.00pm. Each of the sustainability leaders will host a small stall promoting a sustainable action of their choice. Some students will be presenting on worm farms, recycling, reducing plastic, vegetable seedlings and recycled products. Make sure you ask your child how the expo was when they get home!

Diary Dates

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

Week 10	April
Thurs 1st	Holy Week Prayer Stations led by 5/6
	Last day of Term 1 - 2.30pm Dismissal
Fri 2nd	Good Friday

Term 2, 2021 commences on Monday, April 19th

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 24th

Renee Armstrong

Friday March 26th

Amanda Hobba

Anna Kristof

Melissa Moutien

Wednesday March 31st

Ange MacKinnon

Friday April 2nd

GOOD FRIDAY

Hot Cross Buns

Wednesday March 31st in the Canteen

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 is attached below.

Canteen Hot Cross Bun Order Form

Download

Parents & Friends News

St Patrick's Day Casual Dress

Thank you to all the greenies last Wednesday. We raised $187.30 for Caritas. Thanks everyone - awesome job!

Hot Cross Bun Fundraiser

We have partnered with Glenfern Bakery to bring you delicious packs of hot cross buns. Forms went home last week and need to be returned by this Friday March 26th. Packs will be available for collection on Wednesday March 31st.

P&F Fundraiser - Hot Cross Buns Form

Download

A Choir for Mums

Mama's Bag Womens Choir

The songs we'll learn in choir will be well known contemporary songs.

Absolutely no music experience needed, all you got to do is read lyrics and you'll be taught harmonies by Bec to copy. Bec is Etta's Mum, she's in grade 1/2B at SJB. Bec was a professional singer for many years before having 2 children, she's taught singing and directed high school choirs for many years and is now currently teaching primary school music.

Cost: $80 a term or you can pay $10 casually every time you rock up. (If you're keen to join and the cost is not doable right now, please let us know as we want this open to every Mama, the more the merrier).

Time: 7:30 - 8:30

Day: Every Tuesday in school terms

Where: SJB school hall

How the night will run: We'll warm-up our voices, learn a song or two, finish the night with a cuppa and chat.

If you'd like to trial a night to see if you like it first, please just rock up in Term 2, no payment required.

Benefits of singing:

· Relieves stress

· Stimulates the immune response

· Helps with sleep

· Natural anti-depressant

· Improves lung function

· Develops a sense of belonging and connection

· Enhances mental alertness, especially memory in people with dementia

‘For me singing is a way of escaping. It's another world. I'm no longer on earth’.

Edith Piaf

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. Tickets $2.00 each or $20.00 per book.

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.

St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully Newsletter