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,
Whole School Jubilee Celebration
Today, we came together as a school community to celebrate the Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope.
The Catholic Church has declared 2025 as a Jubilee Year. A Jubilee occurs only once every 25 years and is a special opportunity for us to reflect on our faith, renew our spiritual lives and grow in hope.
Throughout the day, students participated in a range of meaningful activities centred around the Jubilee theme. These included exploring:
- What is a Jubilee?
- Why do we celebrate a Jubilee?
- What does it mean to be Pilgrims of Hope?
- What is the meaning behind the Jubilee logo?
Students in Years 3–6 designed their own Jubilee-inspired logos, while our Prep to Year 2 students illustrated a story explaining the meaning of the official Jubilee logo.
All students also took part in a beautiful Liturgy in the church, with our talented school choir leading us in singing the Jubilee song, Pilgrims of Hope. To conclude our celebrations, the Year 6 students faced off against the teachers in a friendly game of Volleystars, a highlight for everyone!
It was a wonderful day of faith, joy and community as we celebrated the Jubilee Year together.
Welcome Prep 2026
It’s hard to believe, but next Friday, 5th December, we will welcome our 2026 Preps for their final transition session of the year. During this visit, the children will meet their 2026 classroom teacher as well as the classmates they will be learning with next year.
This final session will run from 9:15am to 12:00pm, and we are also looking forward to having some of our Year 4 students join the Preps for part of the morning.
We wish all of our incoming Preps the very best as they complete this important step in their transition to school.
Year 5/6 Shark Tank Presentation - Market Day
The Year 5/6 students have begun planning for Market Day, which will be held on Wednesday 10th December from 9:30–10:30am.
In class, students worked in their assigned groups to develop and present a pitch to a ‘Shark Tank’. They created business plans along with prototypes and samples for the ‘sharks’ to evaluate. It was a tough panel, but all groups succeeded in securing investment in their businesses.
We look forward to sharing more information about Market Day in the coming weeks.
Italian Day
We’re all really looking forward to celebrating an Italian Afternoon on Thursday, 4th December!
Students will take part in a variety of fun cultural activities, including making ‘bruschetta’ and creating their own ‘St. Justin’s bomboniere’ otherwise known as small Italian party favours.
Bruschetta Ingredients:
- Bread
- Tomatoes
- Basil Olive Oil
- Salt
St Justin's Bomboniere Ingredients:
- Kool Mints
If your child has any food allergies or sensitivities to any of the above ingredients please update nForma in the medical Section and advise your child's classroom teacher and the office via email: office@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au by Tuesday 2nd December.
Grazie,Signora Cetrola
cetrols@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au
Mini Vinnies Christmas Fundraiser
Our Mini Vinnies Leaders are helping make a difference this Christmas by helping the St Vincent de Paul Society with their annual Christmas Fundraiser for those in our community who are less fortuante.
We would love to see the St Jusitn's community once again get behind this initiative by donating items for Christmas hampers.
Please refer to the Christmas Appeal page for more information on what items you can donate.
Thank for support with this important Fundraiser. It will make a big differenc to lives of some families this Chirstmas.
Important Dates
Whilst we have most dates in the calendar, some dates include:
- Monday 24th November - Whole School Assembly 2:35pm - Guitar Ensemble playing
- Thursday 27th November - School Closure Day
- Friday 28th November - St Justin's Athletics Carnival (Knox)
- Sunday 30th November - Week 1 Advent
- Tuesday 2nd Decemember - Parents and Friends Meeting / Christmas Gathering: 7:30pm
Please refer to Dates Ahead for a full list of important dates in Term 4
Professional Learning - School Closure Day
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 Thursday 27th November for Professional Learning.
Please note that these days are not taken lightly - they are essential for us to continue supporting our students at St Justin's.
Planning for 2026
Planning for 2026 is well underway. If you do not require a place for your child in 2026 (except Year 6), please email the office as soon as possible: office@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au
For more information on our plans for 2026, please visit "Plans for 2026" in our newsletter.
Beginning 2026 school year
In 2026, staff will officially commence the year on Tuesday 27th January. As we have organised in the past, the first two "student days" will be set aside for Teacher Assessment and Teacher Meets. These two days will be:
- Wednesday 28th January 2025
- Thursday 29th January 2025
On one of these days, each student will have an allocated time for a one-on-one session with their classroom teacher. This allows classroom teachers to undertake some individual assessments with each student and additionally provides an opportunity for each student to "check in" with his or her teacher before the school year begins. This enables connection to start between the student and their teacher.
Details for booking your student in for a session on one of these two days will be made available through an email to you in the coming weeks.
Friday 30th January 2026 - First day of school for all Prep to Year 6 students!
Getting Ready for 2026 - 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.
Guitar Ensemble
The guitar ensemble will be performing on Monday, 24th November, during assembly at
2:35 pm. Parents and friends are welcome to come and join us to watch.
2026 MACS Concessional Fees
Please be advised that the MACS Concessional Fee Policy is currently being reviewed and at this stage we have not been provided with information in regards to what changes may come with this. At this stage what we can confirm is that there will be an increase in fees for 2026 as shown in the table below:
As more information comes to hand we will keep you updated.
Final Parents and Friends Meeting for 2025
On Tuesday 2nd December, we are all invited to attend the last Parents and Friends Meeting for 2025 - a wonderful opportunity to continue planning for 2026. Our meeting will be followed by a special "Christmas celebration" - everyone welcome. We will meet in the staffroom.
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. This hat must be a St Justin's school hat. 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. Any student who forgets their hat will be asked to play in an undercovered area.
Enjoy a restful weekend with your families and stay safe!
All the best,
Mr Patrick Torpey
Principal