From the Principal

2025 (the weekend after the Melbourne Cup) 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,

It has been another busy term at St Justin’s. Whilst it has been busy, we have much to be thankful for. We thank you all for your contributions and wish you all a very safe and Holy Easter break with your loved ones.

Stations of the Cross

Today Year 4 students led us in a special service of the Stations of the Cross. The students completed Artwork for each station under the guidance of Mrs Jacinta Mulholland. They then read a scrpit with a prayer for each each station– very powerful.

Each Station Of the Cross was spaced around the school and all other students moved around with their teachers to listen to what happened to Jesus at each station.

Thank you to the Year 4's and their teachers for such a beautiful presentation.

Introduction:

It was in Jerusalem that Jesus suffered his passion and died on the cross, giving his life for us to save us from sin. It was there too, three days later, that he rose from death.
A short time later, the first Christians started to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem to pray at the place where Jesus died and rose to life. They followed the same way that Jesus had walked as he went to the cross.
The way of the Cross has fourteen stages called ‘stations’.
Each one is represented by a picture to show us what happened to Jesus.

The way of the Cross ends with Jesus being laid in the tomb.

Today we will pray the Way of the Cross using Artwork from our Year 4 students. Take time to think about what is happening to Jesus at each of the stations.

Station 1: Jesus Is Condemned To Death

Dear Lord, we pray for all those who are treated unjustly.

Station 2: Jesus Carries His Cross

Dear Lord, we pray for all those who face difficulties and burdens with courage.

Station 3: Jesus Falls The First Time

Dear Lord, when we fall, help us to rise and walk once more with you.

Station 4: Jesus Meets His Mother

Dear Lord, we pray that, as on the way of the cross you brought Mary and her Son together, all families may be united once again in a bond of love.

Station 5: Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

Dear Lord, help us to extend help willingly to our brothers and sisters when their burdens have become too heavy to carry.

Station 6: Veronica Wipes The Face Of Jesus

Dear Lord, we pray to love others as you have loved us.

Station 7: Jesus Falls The Second Time

Dear Lord, be with all of us who stumble and fall. May we always rise and serve you with love.

Station 8: The Women Of Jerusalem Weep

Dear Lord, we pray that in the darkness your light will guide us to extend a helping hand to another in distress.

Station 9: Jesus Falls The Third Time

Dear Lord, give us strength in hard times.

Station 10: Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments

Dear Lord, help us to strip away the need for more things. Help us to be more.

Station 11: Jesus Is Is Nailed To The Cross

Dear Lord, help us to live with compassion and love.

Station 12: Jesus Dies On The Cross

Dear Lord, God we are held in your hands.

Station 13: Jesus Is Taken From The Cross

Dear Lord, we pray that when people aren’t treated fairly, that they will always have someone to help them.

Station 14: Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb

Dear Lord, we wait for your coming this Easter.

The ‘Stations of the Cross’ will beheld in the school grounds on Good Friday 18th April at 10am.

Easter Raffle

Thank you to the families of St Justin’s for your generous donations and Bianca C, Michaelina D, Talar B, Marielle K, Alina C, Jackie C, Helen K, Amanda E, Amy B and Tammy F who helped with Easter wrapping for 2025. The hampers look amazing!

With these kind and generous donations, we've been able to create wonderful hampers to be donated to the Monash Children's hospital, ICU nurses ward and Cumberland View Retirement Village.

Thank you to Bianca and her team of volunteers who helped out to prepare the flyers, hampers & count the raffle tickets.

Your help and support is greatly appreciated!

Thank you

We would like to send a very BIG thank you to Mirna at Brumby's Bakery - Ashburton

for the generous donation of Mini hot cross buns.

Your donation and support is always very much appreciated!

Fair on the Hill Meeting

Last Wednesday we held our first Fair on the Hill meeting for 2025. As a result of an amazing turn up of some very enthusiastic people, we have decided to go ahead with the Fair on the Hill again for 2025. We are now in the process of booking rides and planning many of the other exciting activities - I'm sure it will be bigger and better than ever.

This is a great time to get involved as the event requires many helpers. Whilst we will be looking for volunteers for the day, we really need people to step up now and start planning. Help can come in the form of sponsorship, committee positions, stall coordinators, just to name a few. Now is a great time to rally your friends together and explore ways in which you can be involved - what great role modelling for our children. We wold love to see as many on board as possible - not only does many hands make light work, but it puts a smile on everyone's face, especially our children.

Our Fair on the Hill will be held on Saturday 8th November 2025 (the weekend after the Melbourne Cup - lock it in).

If you would like more information, please speak to Fr Andrew or Mr Torpey and keep an eye our for more information. We would love to have you involved.

Caritas

Thank you to the St Justin’s community for your generosity with donations towards Caritas. The classes that has raised the most money this week are:

1st place – 3MW $104.25
2nd place – 2DC $87.00
3rd place – 6SL $80.70

This year we raised a total of$678.00

Next term you will have an activity with Mr Snell for being so generous.

Well Done St Justin’s

Holy Week Mass Helpers

Easter is approaching and it is our tradition at St Justin’s to join with the wider community to celebrate these important events in the Church Calendar.

Please refer to the Education in Faith Page for dates and information on how your children can take part in these events.

ANZAC Appeal

Friday 25th April is ANZAC Day - a time when we not only acknowledging the men and women who have represented their countries during times of war, but also a time to pray for world peace. As Friday 25th April is a public holiday, we will conduct an ANZAC Service on Thursday 24nd April at 9:10am in the PAC -everyone welcome.

Our Year 6 Leaders have commenced support for the ANZAC Appeal and next term they will continue selling items for the ANZAC Appeal.

ANZAC Day appeal white badges - $2.00
ANZAC Day bronze hat badges - $5.00
ANZAC Day appeal bronze badges - $5.00
Blue bag tags - $4:00
Keyring - $4.00
Blue wristband - $3.00
ANZAC Cove Appeal Pins - $10

All donations go to the RSL ANZAC APPEAL to assist in providing for War Veterans and Dependents, Care of the Aged, Family Welfare, Vocational Guidance and Hospital Home Visiting.

Reminder: Daylight Savings Ends Sunday 6th April

Daylight Savings Ends Sunday 6th April, don't forget to set your clocks back and enjoy an extra hour of relaxation.

New Nets

Over the holiday break, the nets around the back oval will be replaced. Funds raised through last year's Colour Run and funds from this year's Colour Run (to be held later in the year) will fund the new nets and poles. The Parents and Friends are responsible for organising this event, along with many other events - we are grateful for their support!

Another project that will take place over the holidays is the installation of a speed hump on the driveway. We will also commence works on a new digital noticeboard at the front of the St Justin's Community. Funds from the Fair on the Hill will be used to support these projects.

Term 2 Start Date

Term 2 will commence on Tuesday 22nd April. Enjoy a well deserved break!

School Uniform

A uniform is a powerful symbol that helps connect us together, a symbol that we belong. Wearing the uniform correctly and proudly in any organisation is important. Likewise, our school uniform at St Justin’s is compulsory and all requirements are available from Academy Uniforms. Whilst students have a Summer uniform (Term 1 and 4) and a Winter uniform (Term 2 and 3), Melbourne’s weather doesn’t always fit nicely into the seasons and/or terms - it may be necessary to wear a summer or winter uniform outside of the assigned times. Students also wear a sports uniform on the day that is designated as their classroom sports day.

Likewise, our school uniform is a powerful sign that we belong – we belong to the St Justin’s community and we too, should be proud. Please ensure your child is wearing the correct school uniform.

Winter Uniform Orders

To order you can purchase directly from Academy Uniforms shopfront. They are located at 2/810-818 Princes Highway, Springvale and their operating hours are Tuesdays - Thursdays 09:00am – 5:00pm and Saturday mornings 09:00am – 12:00 noon.

Alternatively you can order over the phone on 9574 1314 or you can order online via https://www.academyuniforms.com.au/

Select “ORDER ONLINE”

Choose “St. Justin’s” from the drop down list

Enter the Password “Wheelers Hill”

As always, thank you for your ongoing support.

All the best,

Pat

Mr Patrick Torpey

Principal