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 40 years of Catholic Education
Dear Families and Friends,
Welcome Prep 2025
It's hard to believe but on Friday next week, 29th November, we welcome our 2025 Preps for their final transition session for the school year. On this day they will meet their 2025 classroom teacher as well as the students who will be in their class for next year. This final session runs from 9:15am - 12noon and we look forward also to our Year 4 students joining the Preps for some of this session as well. We wish them all the very best.
- Friday 29th November: Prep 2025 Orientation morning (9:15am – 12:00pm)
Athletics Carnival
Today we had our Annual School Sports Carnival. Again this year it was during the day with a greater focus on our students having the opportunity to learn about the finer points of being part of a whole school Athletics Carnival.
Whilst we hope it’s a nice day for all, and the students have the opportunity to have fun, it’s also a great opportunity to learn – learn to be independent, be patient, to participate, to compete, to manage their emotions (good and bad), refining starts and finishes, what to eat and when, how to apply sunscreen, what to do with my hat while I’m running, etc. Sometimes learning happens through our experiences and those experiences allow us to develop skills and strategies that can be transferred to other situations in life.
Thank you to all our volunteers – your support is much appreciated. A big thank you to Mr Johnson for organising our Athletics Carnival, our Year 6 Sports Captains for their leadership and support throughout the day and to the amazing team of staff and helpers at St. Justin’s who support our students and each other during these special events.
Getting ready for 2025 - 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 nForma 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!
As always, thank you for your ongoing support.
School Closure Day
A friendly reminder of the following date:
- Thursday 28th November - Staff Professional Learning Day -School Closure Day
Planning for 2025
Planning for 2025 is well underway. If you do not require a place for your child in 2025 (except Year 6), please email the office as soon as possible: office@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au
Student Wellbeing
We have had a lot of children reporting to sickbay with vomiting/diarrhoea. Please be mindful of others and help prevent the spread.
How long should you stay off school with gastroenteritis?
Children are most infectious when symptomatic, but it is possible to pass on norovirus both before developing symptoms and after symptoms have stopped. This is why children should not attend school until 24 hours after the symptoms have stopped.
How long should you stay off school with pertussis (whooping cough)?
Children with pertussis (whooping cough) must not go to primary school and children’s service for 21 days after the onset of cough, or until they have received 5 days of appropriate antibiotic treatment.
Christmas Cheer
Christmas has always been a time of sharing and our children certainly enter into the spirit. It’s not unusual for students at St Justin’s to hand out Christmas cards, not just to their friends, but to all class members. Often attached to the envelopes and/or cards, are candy canes, a simple but effective way of wishing friends a “Merry Christmas”. Unfortunately, many candy canes contain traces of food colouring and/or nuts that many of our children are highly allergic too. Whilst we don’t want to be considered the “Christmas Grouch”, with the safety of all students at our school on our mind, we ask you to consider an alternative “gift”. We ask that Christmas canes be eaten at home.
Time to get ‘Sun Smart’
A reminder that St Justin’s is a 'Sun Smart School' and as a result, throughout October to the end of April, students are required to wear a sun protective school hat that protects the face, neck and ears. Please make sure that your child’s hat is clean, in good condition and clearly labelled. New hats can be purchased from Academy Uniforms. Students will also be encouraged to wear broad-spectrum water resistant sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and to be responsible for its reapplication throughout the day. Students are welcome to bring their own sunscreen (not to share) or apply in the mornings before coming to school. As always, students are also encouraged to have a drink bottle.
Crossing not covered for next week
Due to an ongoing shortage of School Crossing Supervisors, there will be no supervisor available to cover the following dates & times:
25-11-2024 08:20-09:00 - Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill
25-11-2024 15:20-16:00 - Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill
Have a great weekend and we look forward to seeing you all next week.
All the best,
Pat
Mr Patrick Torpey
Principal