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,

Mass of Installation - Fr Andrzej Madry CR

Congratulations to Fr Andrew who was installed as Parish Priest of Good Shepherd on Sunday. Fr Andrew was appointed as Parish Priest of Good Shepherd last year and was officially installed by Archbishop Peter Comensoli on Sunday. Fr Andrew will also remain as Parish Preist of St Justin's. During the Mass, Fr Andrew renewed his Promises of Ordination and was officially presented with the keys of the church.

Reconciliation

Next week our Year 3 students will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. This is a very special time in the children’s lives and we ask that you keep them in your prayers. We thank the parents of these children who have prepared them at home and supported the work done at school by the teachers. Reconciliation will be held next Thursday for both classes commencing at 6:30pm in the church.

As we continue on our Lenten Journey. . .

Life can be a difficult ride, and each of us at times will know the pain, trouble, loneliness and struggle. That’s why it is important for us to practise love and kindness. But when we are going through our own difficulties, when we are tired or feeling taken for granted, we might wonder what’s the point?

What’s the point of being kind? What’s the point of continuing to be caring, helpful and polite? Have you noticed that emotional states are contagious? Hang around an angry person long enough and some of that will rub off on you. The same goes for depression. Uncaring acts beget more. Selfishness breeds isolation, disrespect, contempt and ugliness. Just as negative emotions have a negative impact in our lives, our emotional state and our thoughts travel from us like ripples on a pond. They radiate energy that affects everything and everyone around us. Eventually some of that energy will be reflected back to us, perhaps weaker, perhaps greatly magnified…

Therefore . . .

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Open your mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on your tongue. (Adapted from Proverbs 31:26)
Let us do good to everyone. (Galatians 6:10)
Put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:14)
Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
Do not grow weary in good. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

Working Bee

Thanks to all those who were able to attend our working bee last Saturday. Whilst we didn't have a big turn up, we were still able to achieve heaps. Whilst Working Bees are a great tiem to get things done, they are also a terrific time to catch up with others and share a few laughs. Thanks again to everyone involved – much appreciated. Our next working bee will be held next term – keep an eye out for the invite.

2024 Catholic Education Week

Next week we celebrate Catholic Education Week (CEW). CEW for Melbourne will be held from 10th March to 20th March 2024. This year the theme is “In the light of Christ”. Part of the celebrations include the Mass of St Patrick for Schools and Concert (15th March) and a Visual Arts Exhibition.

Year 4 P Assembly

Today Year 4P presented to our school at assembly. Their focus was on the St Justin's Positive Expectations which we are trying to follow. Along with role plays and a song about our positive expectations, the students presented an acrostic poem based on our last positive behaviour - we care. Thanks Year 4 for a wonderful assembly, not only beautifully presented, but a very important message delivered. Well done.

..... WE CARE

W - We are welcoming. It means including others in our games and accepting others for who they are.

E - Encouraging. Encouraging means bringing out confidence in others and helping them shine bright.

C - Cool. Cool is not being popular or better than someone else. The real meaning of cool is helping others and treating others the way you want to be treated

A - Amazing compliments. Saying nice things to each other or a smile to brighten someone’s day. Every little bit counts

R - Respect. Respect can be shown in different ways. For example respecting each others differences

E - Empathy. Understanding how someone feels and help them when they need it.

School Photos – Wednesday 13th March, 2024

Please note that our school photos will take place on Wednesday, 13th March. As always, please ensure that students are dressed in full school summer uniform, including school shoes and have well-groomed hair. Order forms were emailed to families and need to be finalised by Wednesday morning. Please remember if you want to have a sibling photo to complete this order also.

Enrolments 2025

If any current school families require an enrolment form for 2025, please contact the office as enrolment packs are now available. 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.

Thanks to all who were able to help with our Open Day. Visitors were very impressed with:

our confident, articulate Year 6 leaders who conducted tours throughout the day,
our beautifully presented school, including the grounds and clean, open and bright classrooms
our calm and engaged students
our friendly staff and parent helpers
pretty much everything really.

Thanks again to everyone for your amazing support. We know that such a feel cannot be created for one day; it's something that we continue to build on every day. We are very blest.

School Safety

As we work to create a safe environment for us all, a reminder to parents that supervision of students commences at 8:40 am and concludes at 3:45 pm. If any child needs supervision outside of these times, please contact Camp Australia. Whilst we would never leave a child unattended, I would hate a child to be left at school or arrive early and there is no one here. Please also note that side gates into the school will be locked at 9.30am and unlocked at 3.00pm. If you are running late, please enter via the school office and sign your child in. All visits to the school must enter via the school office. We appreciate your support.

Running Club

Just a reminder that Running Club takes place every Wednesday at 8:10am – meet on the top basketball court. A reminder to parents to please drop your child / children off outside the school gate and not the staff car park. Cars coming and going can create a very dangerous situation.

Now on Instagram

SJ's Aerobics Team

Use of Photographs

Thanks to all the families who have completed the permission 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 challenging to use group photos in the future. Our newsletter may look a little different, but I'm sure it will still be a great read.

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

Easter 2024