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, as we continue to proudly live and learn on their land.

Dear Families and Friends,  

Well it’s almost here and with only one more week to go, we can hardly wait.

A huge thank you to those of you who have been able to answer the call and help in some way – with over 230 families in the school and 500 + parishioners, St Justin’s Fair on the Hill should be something special; something that we can all be proud of and I’m sure it will. 

We still need the support of you all, especially with our hot foods. To register, please complete the online form using the link below. (click on the image or scan the QR code to activate).

• Please return all raffle tickets as soon as possible - don't forget we are drawing early bird prizes leading up to our Fair. All tickets (sold and unsold) need to be returned by the end of next week. 
• Positions filled on the rosters - if you are able to help out for an hour or two, please feel free to add your name to the roster or check at the 'Welcoming Tent' located just near the pencils at the front of the school
• Cakes - baked goods for the cake stall can be dropped off Friday morning in the PAC. Please note that baked goods must be signed in by an adult. Check Fair pack for more information.
• We also need support in helping set up from 4:00 pm on Friday evening (followed by a bbq and drinks) and pack up on Saturday after the Fair from 4:00 pm onward (ring Tony DiIorio 0404 863 443 if you can help)
• Wristbands can now be purchased online via trybooking for discounted price. 
• Silent auction is live - we have some great prizes and experiences, including Principal for a Day, Deputy Principal for a Day, Ring the School Bell for a Day, PE Teacher for a Day, Out Doors Days with Mrs Stewart and Mrs Deegan, Lunch and Games with friends and staff members.

Again, I encourage you all to get involved. This is not just about raising money, it’s about building a community. It is a great way to celebrate together as a community.  

We hope to see you all there.

A reminder that all volunteers must have a Working With Children Check. 

For more information, please follow the link to our Fair on the Hill page

All Saints Day

On Wednesday, 1st November, we celebrated All Saints Day. On All Saints Day we remember all the people who have become Saints. On our Education in Faith page, we have an extract from our All Saints Day Liturgy, prepared by Mrs Snell and shared in each class. 

Plans for 2024

Plans for 2024 are well and truly underway. In 2024, we again anticipate 15 classes: 

• Year Prep x 2 – located in Rooms 5 and 6 (currently the Year 1)
• Year 1 x 3 – located in Rooms 1, 2 and 3 (currently the Year Prep rooms)
• Year 2 x 2 – located in the same area as 2023
• Year 3 x 2 – located in Rooms 9 and 10 
• Year 4 x 2 – located in Rooms 22 and 23
• Year 5 x 2 – located in Rooms 16 and 17
• Year 6 x 2 – located in Rooms 20 and 19

This structure allows for growth and student movement and provides opportunities for teachers to work in teams. Students and teachers will work closely, sharing spaces and strengths when appropriate. It is important to remember that all teachers have other administration duties alongside their classroom responsibilities, which may require them to be released on an ongoing basis.

A great deal of thought and planning also goes into the placement of each teacher. Often a classroom teacher can be considered “The Prep Teacher” or “The Year 5 Teacher”. However, this is not the case. Staff at St Justin’s have the training, and more importantly the passion, to teach students at a variety of levels. Next year, as with all years, there will be movement within the school and we hope to make announcements soon. In planning, it’s wonderful to hear staff talk about all students and not just those in their class or their year level.

A great deal of thought is also given to the placement of each child – a decision that is not taken lightly. We endeavour to provide each child with the opportunity to be part of a class that will allow him or her the best opportunity to learn. Consideration is given to each child’s social and emotional needs, ability, behaviour, friendship groups, etc.  Individual needs and a whole school perspective must be considered. However, having said that, with our connecting classrooms accessed via doors or sliding doors, our students are more able to engage and interact with students and teachers from other classes.

We are a community of learners and we learn for, from and with each other. This includes us all and not just a selection. It is exposure to a variety of personalities and qualities that help us develop as a whole person. In some schools, students are asked to nominate 5 or so ‘friends’ that they would like to be with in the following year. However, some schools have found that this has created a great deal of anxiety for students and it can send the wrong message that “I can only learn if I am with my friends”.

Likewise, some schools have asked parents to make any formal requests in writing. Again, this has created a great deal of anxiety with parents, some who feel the need to write something, simply because there has been an invitation. We believe that with our ongoing communication, staff are in a position to make an informed decision. Life is sometimes, not about being in the perfect situation, but making the most of the situation we are in.

With many goals still to be achieved until the end of the school year, we will continue with our plans for 2024.

Planning for 2024

Planning for 2024 is well underway. If you do not require a place for your child in 2024 (except Year 6), please email the office as soon as possible: office@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au

Regional Hooptime

On Tuesday, our All Star Boys and All Star Girls teams took part in the Regional Hooptime Tournament at the State Basketball Centre. Our teams made this competition after successfully progressing from the District competition held in Term 3.

Both of our teams gave their absolute all in all of their games. Both the boys and girls came up against some very strong opposition and to their credit, held their own. It was great to see both the boys and girls finish off the day with a strong win with Cristian S even hitting a halftime buzzer beater from behind the halfway line. 

It was a fantastic day with smiles on all the kids, coaches and parent supporters' faces. 

Mr Johnson

Preparing for the thunderstorm asthma season 

Every year between October and December, there is an increase in hay fever symptoms. During grass pollen season, there is also the chance of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event (a sudden increase in asthma cases associated with high pollen and an impending thunderstorm).

People at increased risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma include those with: 

• Asthma, 
• A past history of asthma, 
• Undiagnosed asthma (who have asthma symptoms, but have not yet been formally diagnosed) and hay fever (who may or may not have asthma).

Having both asthma and hay fever, as well as poor control and self-management of asthma, increases the risk.

To prepare for this season, we ask that students have a current asthma action plan (developed with the treating medical team) and an allergy plan if required − keep asthma medication readily accessible.

The school will endeavour to:

• avoid circumstances in which students and staff are outside in thunderstorms that occur between October and December, especially during the wind gusts that come before a storm,  
• designate first aid staff who have completed the relevant asthma training and are confident in administering asthma first aid,
• download the VicEmergency app to receive warnings of high-risk days and potential epidemic thunderstorm asthma events, recording that this has been done in the school’s emergency management plan (EMP) 

When renewing EMP, school is to consider how they would respond to an epidemic thunderstorm asthma ‘emergency warning’ during or immediately after dismissal for the day.

School Uniform

Can we please ask everyone to check the names on school uniform. It is easy for a child to pick up a jumper, jacket or hat thinking it is their own without realising it is someone elses. 

School Fees

A reminder that all School Fees are due to be finalised by Tuesday 31st October. 

With families keeping up with payments or organising for 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 regard to this matter.

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

Crossing not covered for next week

Due to an ongoing shortage of School Crossing Supervisors, there will be no supervisor available to cover the following dates & times:

30-10-2023 15:20-16:00 - Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill 

31-10-2023 15:20-16:00 - Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill 

01-11-2023 15:20-16:00 - Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill 

02-11-2023 15:20-16:00 - Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill 

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