St Justin’s Primary School Newsletter

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,

Important Dates 

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

  • Thursday 18th September - School Production 
  • Thursday 18th September - Last Day (night) of Term 3 - End of Term
  • Friday 19th September - School Closure Day  - No School for students
  • Friday 19th September - School Fees due to be finalised

 

Please refer to Dates Ahead for a full list of important dates in Term 3.

Wellbeing & Community Awareness Day

Today our school hosted a special Wellbeing and Community Awareness Day that brought together three important events:

 

  • Footy Colours Day – supporting children living with cancer
  • R U OK? Day – promoting mental health and meaningful conversation

  • Bullying. No Way! Day – standing together to create a safe and respectful school community.

     

Finals fever is certainly in the air along with the excitement and anticipation. To mark this occasion students were invited to come to school dressed in their favourite footy colours (any code), along with a touch of yellow (for R U OK? Day) and a touch of orange (for Bullying. No Way! Day). 

 

The day included classroom activities and discussions that encouraged kindness, inclusion, wellbeing, and resilience. It was a fantastic day for our school community to come together in support of some incredibly important causes.

 

Thank you to Mrs Wegmann and Mrs Loadman for leading us in this and for your ongoing support – it was a fun, colourful, and meaningful day!

Year3/4 Camp Toolangi Excursion and Camp

On Thursday our Year 3 students returned from their Camp Toolangi Excursion and our Year 4 students returned today from camp at Camp Toolangi. Located an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Camp Toolangi is a Yarra Valley school camp set on 12 acres of natural bushland adjoining the Toolangi State Forest.

 

By all reports, everyone had a great time. We thank all the staff who attended the Year 3 camp experience  and Year 4 camp. A special thank you to Mrs Pitt and Mr Mosele who coordinated the camp - a great deal of thought and paper work is required for camps, which starts months beforehand. Also thank you to Mr Johnson, Miss Torpey and Mrs Snell  for staying over night with the campers. It was a very valuable experience for our Middle School students!

School Production - ‘The Down Under Road Trip’ 

With only one week left, our whole School Production is in full swing. We're very much looking forward to the big show on Thursday 18th September. 

 

Please take note of all the important information enclosed in this newsletter. 

 

Again a special thank you to our Performing Arts Teacher Mrs Christy Riddiford, and the Production team for their work in putting our Production together for our students. 

Term 3 - School Closure Day

The end of term is quickly approaching and we remind you that school will conclude on Thursday 18th September, following our School Production. There will be no school on Friday for students. Staff will be invovled in a Professional Learning Day.

Chicken Holiday Helpers 

Cluck-a-doodle-doo! The holidays are almost here, and we’re in a bit of a flap—we need your coop-eration!

 

While we may rule the roost and strut our stuff in the veggie patch, we’re not exactly egg-sperts at watering cans or gardening gloves (no thumbs = no chance). That’s why we’re on the hunt for some hen-sational holiday helpers to keep us clucking along!

Here’s what we need you to do:

🥕 Top up our food and water so we don’t go peck-ish

🌿 Give our veggie patch a little sprout-support

🐓 Stop by, say hi, and share a cracking cluck or two!

 

🌼 Holiday Chicken & Garden Care Details:

📆 When: Saturday 20th September – Sunday 5th October

📍 Where: Our cosy hen home at St Justin’s

📧 Keen to help? Email chickens@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.auby Tuesday 16th September, and don’t forget to pop in your mobile number!

 

Even one day of help will have us clucking with delight—but if you can spare more than one, we’ll be egg-static!

 

Thanks a bunch for keeping our beaks busy, our garden green, and our feathers fabulous. You’re truly eggs-traordinary and un-beak-lievable!

 

With warm feathers, happy pecks, and a wing wave,

The St Justin’s Chickens 🐣

St Justin's Trivia Night 

On Saturday 25th October we have our annual Trivia Night and whilst it's designed to raise some funds, more importantly, it's designed to bring the community together and have some fun. A huge amount of work has gone into preparing for the night (thanks Carolyn and team). 

To book a table or a spot on a table, please access trybooking  

 

Looking forward to catching up with you there. 

MACSSIS

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS): Monday 1 September – Friday 19 September 2025

Throughout each year, we pause to listen to our students, families and staff to gauge how our learning community is travelling. This feedback is invaluable to our progress as effective school communities and is backed by evidence-based research and best practices. 

 

A significant and formal way in which we engage and gather data is through MACSSIS, the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys. 

 

I encourage you to read the Letter of Informed Consent

Fair on the Hill

Whilst our Annual Fair on the Hill is still some time away (Saturday 8th November 11:00am - 4:00pm) there has been an amazing amount of planning going on.

 

Please refer to the Fair on the Hill page for more information.

School Fees

A reminder that all School Fees are due to be finalised by Friday 19th September. 

 

There is an expectation that families make progress payments throughout the year and if intending to make payment on the due date we ask that you reach out to the school office to advise us so that we can plan ahead from a cash flow perspective.  With families keeping up with payments or keeping in contact with us in regards to fees or if you are requesting assistance this allows us to maintain activities and programs we already have in place at St. Justin's. We would greatly appreciate your support in regards to being on top of your fees.

 

As is our ongoing practice, should any family’s financial situation have changed, please contact Patrick Torpey or office staff on 9561 7644 or email office@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au to discuss your options.

Arrival Times

As you would be aware, we are experiencing high levels of absenteeism at the moment for various reasons. To help with the attendance recording procedure, we ask that:

  • any student arriving after the bell to please make their way to the office to receive a late pass. A parent/guardian is required to sign the student/students in via the Passtab (Ipad) at the office. The late pass will then be handed to the student to pass onto the teacher, who will mark the roll accordingly. 
  • Parents are not permitted to walk their student to class if arriving late. If required a staff memeber will walk your student to class. 
  • If, for any reason, your child will be absent from school, can you please notify the office before 8:30am via:
  1. The nForma App, 
  2. Phoning the office (9561 7644) and leave a message on the absentee line or 
  3. Emailing the office office@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au

 

Enjoy a restful weekend with your families and stay safe!

 

All the best,

 

Mr  Patrick Torpey

Principal