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,

Confirmation

Next Thursday the majority of our Year 6 students will receive the sacrament of Confirmation. During Confirmation, candidates will be ‘sealed’ with the Holy Spirit. Students will explore people who demonstrate saintly qualities and hopefully gain a greater understanding of the Fruits and Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation Medal Masses will be held this weekend. Please keep the Year 6 students in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The Sacrament of Confirmation being held on Thursday 14th August at St Patrick's Cathedral 6.00pm. Like anything we do in life, preparation is important. Sacraments are not a "tick" object in life, but rather part of our life journey - a journey shared with God and family.

This weekend the Confirmation candiadites have thier Medal Mass. They students will attend one of the weekend mass and recieve their medal, which will be worn on their stole at their Confirmation.

Medal Mass Times:

Saturday 9th August at 6.30pm or

Sunday 10th August at 10.00am or 5.00pm

Please refer to the Education in Faith page for all date in relation to Confirmation preparation.

Saint Mary MacKillop Feast Day

Today we celebrated the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross with a Whole School Mass. Mary MacKillop is the first Australian to be recognised by the Church as a Saint. She was a hard worker who put the needs of others before herself. She exhibited something of the larrikin spirit: constantly in dispute with authority but pressing on, regardless. She used the strengths of others but also didn’t tolerate those who were not genuine. Her commitment to the schooling of children from poor and rural communities established a model of Catholic education that continues to today.

St Mary of the Cross’ motto was “Never see a need without doing something about it”.

Prayer:

Loving and gracious God,

you loved and cared for your servant, Mary.

Help us to follow her example and live with faith and hope.

May we always be confident that we can always trust in you

and be assured of your constant love and protection.

We ask this prayer in Jesus’ name.

All: Amen.

Year 1/2 Excursion to Healesville Sanctuary

Yesterday our Years 1 and 2 travelled to Healesville Sanctuary for an excusrion. A good time was had by all. Thank you to the Year 1/2 teachers for organising this great learning expareince for our students and also to the many parents helpers who gave up thier time to assit the students and teachers.

School Closure Day - Monday 11th August

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 Monday 11th August.

On this day, all staff will receive comprehensive training in the UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) Foundations program. UFLI is a carefully sequenced, evidence-based phonics program that equips educators with the tools to teach essential foundational reading skills.

Please note that these days are not taken lightly - they are essential for us to continue supporting our students at St Justin's.

Important Dates

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

Sat 9th & Sun 10th August - Confirmation Medal Masses
Monday 11th August - School Closure Day - UFLI Phonics Professional Learning Day
Tuesday 12th August - Assembly - 100 Days of Prep
Thursday 14th August - English ICAS Assessments Year 2-6
Thursday 14th August - Year 6 Confirmation - St Patrick's Cathedral 6:00 – 7:00pm
Friday 15th August - Year 2DC Assembly - Prayer for Feast of the Assumption

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

St Justin's 2025 School Production

The countdown is now on!!

Our whole School Production ‘The Down Under Road Trip’ is in full swing. Please take note of all the important information enclosed in this newsletter.

Respectful Behaviour

St Justin’s Primary School is committed to ensuring a respectful environment that is safe, positive, and supportive for all students, staff, parents and visitors of the school.

Parking

A reminder to all drivers to please be considerate when parking, ensuring that we park close to the curb and close to driveways, leaving enough room for others to park behind, if possible. We should never park over driveways – not only is it the law, but it is also disrespectful to our neighbours. Safety in and around the school is a responsibility we all share. If parking in the 2 minute zone, please stay with your vehicle – the 2 min zone was never designed for drivers to park and run down to the school.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation - safety is a responsibility that we all share.

Term 3 - School Closure Day

Friday 19th September is a School Clousre Day - the day after our school production.

The students last day of Term 3 will be Thursday 18th September.

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 Thursday 17th September.

There is an expectation that families make progress payments throughout the year and if intending to make payment on the due date that you reachout to the school to advise us so that we can plan ahead. 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.

All the best,

Pat

Mr Patrick Torpey

Principal

School Production

"The Down Under Road Trip"