From the Principal

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, and emerging as we continue to proudly live and learn on their land.

St Justin's Primary School - Celebrating over 40 years of Catholic Education

Dear Families and Friends,

First Eucharist

This term our Year 4 students will receive their First Eucharist. Last weekend they attended a First Eucharist Commitment Mass as part of their preparation. On Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June, students will attend First Eucharist Medal Mass, which will take place during one of our Parish Masses. Also on Tuesday 3rd June students and parents will attend a Eucharist Workshop Meeting in the PAC at 6.45pm to 7.45pm.

First Eucharist will be celebrated on Saturday 14th June 6.30pm Mass, Sunday 15th June 10.00am Mass and Sunday 15th June 5.00pm Mass.

Please keep our Year 4 students in your prayers as they continue on their faith journey.

Celebrating Reconciliation Week with Nikki Visaj Movement – You’re Invited!

We are thrilled to share some exciting news! Thanks to a last-minute cancellation, we were incredibly fortunate to secure a visit from Nikki Visaj Movement to help us celebrate Reconciliation Week on Monday, 26 May.

Although the notice is short, this is a special opportunity we couldn’t pass up. We warmly invite our families and community members to join us in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) at 2:15PM for a Whole School Indigenous Event, where our students will present a moving and meaningful ceremony.

This unique event centres around the phrase “Liyan Nyikina,” meaning to connect to Country and spirit, and encourages students to engage with Aboriginal culture and heritage through contemporary dance. It is a powerful complement to our Reconciliation Week learning and supports our commitment to embedding Aboriginal Histories and Cultures in line with the Australian Curriculum.

The program is guided by Sermseh Bin Laad, a proud Nyikina artist. Sermseh brings a wealth of cultural knowledge and creative expertise, using dance to explore deep themes such as connection to Country, the impact of colonisation, and the power of storytelling. He is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal sovereignty and uses the arts to amplify First Nations voices.

We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to sharing it with our wider school community.

Thank you for your support — we hope to see you there!

Student Led Conferences

We wish to thank everyone for their participation in the Student-Led Conferences that occurred this week.

A huge thank you also to our teaching staff who have worked so positively with the students to make these conferences happen.

National Volunteer Week

This week we acknowledge National Volunteer Week. This special week highlights the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go.

National Volunteer Week 2025 celebrates the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’. Volunteering creates lasting relationships that enrich lives and strengthen communities. It fosters community engagement, connection and belonging.

Whilst we area aware of the many volunteer organisations in our wide community, lets not forget the many volunteer organisation within the St Justin's community, including our own Parents and Friends. Most times, a request for the Parents and Friends to do something eg: a hot lunch, would be better met with an offer to help. I'm amazed at how many students requests in the playground "Would you like some help Mr T" or "Can I help you Mr T?" An offer of help can often greatly appreciated.

A blessing for volunteers

Lord,

We thank you for the work of these volunteers.

Please bless their efforts and grant them strength to
continue making a difference in the lives of those in need.

May their service be a source of healing, hope and compassion.

We ask that your peace and joy fill their hearts as they serve your will.

Amen

Important Dates

Whilst we have most dates in the calendar, some dates include:

Friday 30th May - St Justin's Feast Day Mass 9:15am
Friday 30th May - P&F Hot Dog Lunch
Saturday 31st May - First Eucharist Medal Masses 6:30pm
Sunday 1st June - First Eucharist Medal Masses 10:00am or 5.00pm
Tuesday 3rd June - First Eucharist Workshop Evening 6:45 – 7:45pm
Friday 6th June - School Closure Day - RE Professional Learning Day
Monday 9th June - Kings Birthday - Public Holiday
Tues 10th - Weds 11th June - Year 5 Camp

Please refer to Dates Ahead for a full list of important dates in Term 2.

School Closure Days

Ongoing professional learning is essential for St Justin's to keep abreast of the latest in education. Please note there will be no school for students on these days.

Term 2 Friday 6th June - School Closure Day - RE Professional Learning Day

Term 3 Monday 11th August - School Closure Day - Staff Professional Learning Day Focus:UFLI Phonics

Lunch Box Reminders

St Justin’s Primary School seeks to provide, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment. We are not a Nut Free school but we encourage parents to be mindful of sending nut products and be conscientious in the selection of snacks that your child brings to school. Please be mindful we do have students in our school who are allergic to nuts and are Anaphylactic.

We appreciate your support in this.

Notification of student absences

We take the opportunity to remind all families that student absences should be reported to school via nForma or by phoning the office prior to school commencing to assist our teachers and staff in meeting their duty of care to our students for accurately recording the whereabouts of all students on school days.

Student Absences are to be reported in the following way:

Leave a message via Student Absence on 9561 764

Log into nForma - Select student - Mark Attendance and follow the drop down box options to submit absences.

We appreciate your support with this advice.

All the best,

Pat

Mr Patrick Torpey

Principal