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

Dear Families and Friends,  

Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday we celebrated Ash Wednesday. Our Years 3 and 4 attended our 9:15 am Parish Mass; Year 5 and 6 had a liturgy on camp and Years 1 and 2 participated in class liturgies. On this day, when we receive the ashes, it is a reminder for all on how we can follow in Jesus’ footprints. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent where we reflect and engage in the Christian tradition of changing ourselves and thinking of others during these 40 days

During Lent, our students are inquiring and learning about the wonderful work of Caritas Australia. Our children are learning how they can partake in social justice initiatives and are gaining a greater insight into how the Catholic Church is living out its Lenten season through the many charitable works that strive to bring about change for those living in unjust and impoverished situations.

Project Compassion boxes are available for our students in each of the classrooms, where our children are able to donate money to support those in need. This is a great example of how our students can demonstrate they are following in Jesus’ footsteps.

Year 5/6 Camp

This week our Year 5 and 6 students, along with 11 staff members ventured down to Phillip Island for thier annual School Camp. The camp provides a variety of exciting activities which help students build confidence, independance and teamwork. From what all reports, everyone had a great time, making new friends and trying lots of different and exciting experiences. It was also nice to hear the bus drivers refer to the students as 'a really nice bunch' - given that they work every day with students from all over Victoria, I think that was a very nice compliment.

A special thank you to Mrs Slonim for organising the camp - a lot of work goes into organsing a three day camp for over 100 participants. Thanks also to Mrs Lacey, Mrs D’Angelo, Mr Johnson, Mrs Wood, Miss Flarve, Mrs Mulholland, Mrs Snell, Riley Snell (Mrs Snell's son), Mr Mosele and Mrs Rubino. Thanks to the Year 4s for taking on the leadership roles and responsibilities in the absence of the Year 5 and 6s. Your support is much appreciated. Finally, thanks to the staff back at school who needed to make changes to accomodate those on camp - a real team effort.

Now on Instagram

Parents and Friends Meeting

Next Tuesday 20th February, we will hold our first Parents and Friends Meeting for 2024. We encourage you all to come along, to help with the organisiation of the event ahead. At this meeting, we also hope to finalise the executive roles for 2024 - if you would like to be involved, please let me know or come along on Tuesday. For more information, please refer to the Parents and Friends page in our newsletter.

There is no doubt that our children love seeing their parents involved with their school, as do the staff. It's also a great way for us all to get to know each other that little bit better.

Parent Information Night

Thanks to those who were able to attend our Parent Information Session on Monday night for the Years 3 and 4. Unfortunately our Year 1 and 2 Information session had to be postponed due to power outage. We will schedule a new date in the near future.

Open Day - Enrolments for 2025

We are in the process of organising our Open Day, scheduled for the 7th March from 9:00am - 3pm. This is a great opportunity for new families looking for a school for their children for 2025 to come along and see what St Justin's has to offer. At that time they can also collect an enrolment form.

We would love a few helpers who could help with the meeting and greeting side of things throughout the day. It's always nice for prospective families to have the opportunity to talk to exisitng families. We will send out a volunteer form in the next few weeks.

If any current school families require an enrolment form for 2025, please contact the office (enrolment packs will be available week commencing Monday 26th February). We would like these forms returned by March 18th March 2024 so we have an idea of our numbers for 2025 before we offer places to new families.

SJs Aerobics Team

Seeking Volunteers for Libary Book Covering

Mazenod College Day of Excellence

Today Fr Andrew and I had the privilidge of attending Mazenod College Day of Excellence, an assembly acknowledging the VCE Class of 2023. It was nice to see some of our former students acknowledged for their VCE results. It was also nice to catch up with Eugene Fredericks, parent of Andrew, current Chair, School Advisory Council, Mazenod and for Chair, School Advisory Council, St Justin's.

Use of Photographs

Thanks to all the families who have completed the permision forms to use (or not to use) photos. As many of our families have requested that photos not be used, especially on Social Media (which includes our newsletter which is published online) it will be very challeninging to use group photos in the future. Our newsletter my look a little different, but I'm sure it will still be a great read.

Drop Off and Pick Up

In the morning, there are at least two teachers on yard duty in the school grounds from 8:40am. If you wish to drop your child off before 8:40 am, please use the Before School Care service provided by Camp Australia - we would hate for your child to arrive at school and no-one be here to care for them. Whilst there is usually someone here from 8:00am, it’s important to remember that staff are busy preparing for the day ahead or involved in meetings. 

After school, a teacher is on playground duty until 3:45 pm (3:30pm on Monday). After this time students who are yet to be picked up will be taken to the office.  We will attempt to ring their parents to make sure everything is ok. If for any reason, you are running late, just give the office a ring and let us know. 

Please note that students should not be dropped off or picked up in the staff car park. In the morning and at the end of the day, the car park becomes a busy place with people walking in all directions.

Please ensure you follow all parking restrictions, including the 2 minute parking zones. We also ask that those families entering the school from Whalley Drive, use the pedestrian paths provided, we really want all pedestrians off the roads.

2024 - Student Information

Once again we ask that all families please consider if you have any new or updated  changes in your personal details - phone numbers, address, emergency contact, medications for students etc. Please take the time to update these details on Operoo so that we always have the most up to date information for your child. All students also received a Students Information Checklist, can we please as these be completed and returned to the office by the end of the school year.  We also ask that you have all Medical forms and Medical Authority forms filled out and up to date. This is especially needed in cases of emergency. Thank you!

Camps Sports and Excursions Fund

Toilets

There may be times when parents or grandparents need to use the toilet while visiting our school. To ensure the safety of all of our community, we ask that visiting adults use the toilet located near the office - please do not use the student toilets. This can then ensure the safety of everyone.

Where's  Mr T

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

Have a great weekend.

Take care,

Mr Patrick Torpey

Principal