St Justin’s Primary School acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia's First People and Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on which our school stands.

We pay our respects to the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, and their elders past and present, as we continue to proudly live and learn on their land.

Dear Families and Friends,

Our concept for our Faith Based Inquiry, which is our Religion and Inquiry lessons for this term is Relationships. Students will have the opportunity to explore important relationships in their life. They will also focus on:

How do we grow in relationship with others?

How do our relationships challenge us to grow?

An important message from the bible about relationships can be found in the New Testament when St Paul wrote letters to the Thessalonians.

This scripture passage is taken from 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5, verse 11:

“Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Students will be asked to think about this quote from the bible and the message it has for them in their life. How can this message help them to, “Let their light shine at St Justin’s?

Dear Lord,

May your goodness help guide our thoughts and actions.

At St Justin's help us to be friends that build others up, friends that influence their peers for good.

Help us to be a light for others and to be encouraged by friends who will stand with us.

Amen.

Principal's Conference

This week, Mr Torpey has been fortunate enough to be involved in a Principal's Conference in Darwin with colleagues from the East Central Zone Principal Network. This year our Principal's Network has held a strategic focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their histories, cultures, beliefs and ways of living. During the trip Mr Torpey had the opportunity to visit Litchfield National Park and embark on a Tiwi Islands Aboriginal Cultural Tour.

He also enjoyed some much warmer weather! Mr Torpey flies home tonight and we look forward to seeing him back at St Justin's on Monday.

Thank you to Miss Laura Leung and Mrs Snell who were Acting Principals.

Swimming Program

Today was the last day of our 2023 Swimming Program. We hope the students in Foundation to Year 4 enjoyed this very valuable experience and have become more confident swimmers.

We were very aware when we had to find a new swimming venue last minute, that Term 3 was not the ideal time due to the cold weather. However at short notice this time slot was the only availability Swimland had for 2023.

Staff and parents helpers have spoken very highly of the new venue and I have already been in contact with Swimland in regards to different dates and times for next year.

Whilst we know the students become tired, doing the intensive 2 week program Swimland confirms this is the most effective way to gain students confidence in the water and teach them to swim. This is the way the Swimland runs all their school swimming programs.

A big thank you to the many parents who volunteered their time to assist teachers and students over the last 2 weeks. We really appreciate your help! A special thank you also to our Year 4 Families for being very understanding and patient in regards to the students returning after the bell in the afternoon. This has already been taken into consideration for swimming program for 2024.

Student Code Conduct Form

It is now a requirement from MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools) that all students who attend a Catholic school complete the Students Code of Conduct. Our prep families have already completed this form.

Staff will go through this form with the Year 1 to Year 6 students and clearly explain the expectations of acceptable and unacceptable behaviours at school. Students will need to sign this document and bring it home for parents/guardians to read over and also sign and date.

This document ensure that students, parents/guardians and teaching staff all have the same understanding of the expectations around being enrolled in a Catholic School.

All Code of Conduct forms need to be returned to the classroom teacher one week after the form has been sent home.

We appreciate your cooperation in regards to the initiative that has been implemented by MACS.

Volunteer Documents

It is now a requirement from MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools) that all volunteers need to have a list of processes and documents that must be completed.

All families who currentley volunteer and have outstanding docuements will receive these in their students school bags to be filled out, signed and returned to the office.

We appreciate your cooperation in regards to the initiative that has been implemented by MACS.

Confirmation

This term our Year 6 students will receive the sacrament of Confirmation. During Confirmation, candidates will be ‘sealed’ with the Holy Spirit. Students will explore people who demonstrate saintly qualities and hopefully gain a greater understanding of the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit. To help prepare for Confirmation, Confirmation Commitment Masses and Reflection Day will be held in August, Confirmation Medal Masses in September with the Sacrament of Confirmation being held on September 6th at 5pm - 6T and 7pm - 6. Like anything we do in life, preparation is important. Sacraments are not a "tick" object in life, but rather part of our life journey - a journey shared with God and family.

Please keep our candidates in your prayers as they continue on their faith journey.

Please refer to the Education in Faith page for all date in relation to Confirmation preparation.

Semester 1 School Reports

Semester 1 Reports were emailed out to families on the last day of Term 2. It has been brought to our attention that several families have experienced difficultly or did not receive the notification email from Nforma on how to access reports.

If you have not been able to access your child/children's reports can you please email

Leanne Snell - lsnell@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au

Cough, Colds and COVID

As the wintery conditions continue, so do the reports of coughs, colds, flu and Covid. Can we please encourage parents to keep their children at home whenever they display the symptoms of being unwell. Thank you for your cooperation.

SJWH Running Club

A reminder that the St Justin's Running Club will recommence in Week 3 (Wednesday 26th July) after our swimming program. We look forward to seeing our Year 3 to 6 runners on the track.

Crossing not cover

A friendly reminder to please follow the safe road crossing procedure when at the School Crossing

STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK.

STOP one step back from the kerb or shoulder of the road if there is no footpath.
LOOK in all directions for approaching traffic.
LISTEN in all directions for approaching traffic.
THINK about whether it is safe to cross the road – when the road is clear or all traffic has stopped.

Where's Mr T

Can you find the new image of Mr T? He's hiding somewhere in the newsletter.

Have a great weekend and we look forward to seeing you all next week.

Kind regards,

Mrs Leanne Snell

Deputy Principal

Book Week & Library News

Wednesday 23rd August