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 40 years of Catholic Education

Dear Families and Friends,

The Season Of Advent

This Sunday we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent, lighting the first candle, the candle of Hope. For many, Advent is a time of waiting for Christmas. But if Advent is a time of pointlessly waiting for Christmas then we’ve somehow missed the message. Rather than just waiting, Advent is about reminding ourselves that we have a job to do: working together to help create God’s kingdom here on earth.

What does this mean for each of us?

On Monday at 1.10pm we will gather as a whole school to welcome the Season of Advent, sharing an advent prayer. For more information about Advent, please refer to our Education in Faith page in our newsletter.

Welcome Prep 2025

Today we had our final Prep 2025 Orientation Day. The three hour session provided a wonderful opportunity for our “almost Preppies” to experience the kind, caring nature of Miss Rachel Lea, Mrs Ange Loadman and Mrs Crough who will be our Prep teachers for 2025. A special thank you to many other members of staff who also helped out with the program – very much appreciated. I’m sure our 2025 Preps will hit the ground running.

Another special thank you to our Year 4 students who helped create such a caring and supportive environment for our new families and students at St Justin’s. I’m sure our Year 4 students will be outstanding buddies next year.

Middle School Social Justice Initiative

Year 3/4 Tote Bags

In Religion this term, the Year 3 and 4 students have been focusing on the Catholic Social Teachings, with particular reference to 'Caring for our Common Home' and 'Preferential Option for the Poor'. This has allowed students to think about ways they can make a difference to the world and others around them. As a result, the students have been designing 'Tote Bags' with inspirational quotes and images.

Next Friday 6th December, the students will be selling these Tote Bags for $4 each, with all proceeds being donated to Caritas Australia. The bags will be on sale during Grandparents Day activities from 10:00 - 11:00am, during recess and after school. It would be wonderful to see as many bags sold as possible, all for a good cause!

Thanks!

The Year 3/4 Teachers and students

St Justin’s Athletics Carnival

Last Friday we conducted our annual Athletics Carnival at the Bill Stewart Athletics Track, East Burwood. Despite the warm weather, our students still participated in a number of track and field events with great enthusiasm. It was a great day and thanks to a bit of "reshuffling" by Mr J and Mrs Snell, we were able to complete most activities before the real heat of the day. Thanks also to the management of Bill Stewart Athletics Track for allowing us to use their facilities whilst Knox Athletics Track is being refurbished - these facilities adre often booked well in advanced and it's not always easy to get access.

Thanks also to all those who were involved. A special thank you to all staff and volunteers, especially:

Mr Johnson, for ensuring the students were so well prepared for the carnival,
Our parent volunteer marshalls who helped with events on the day (without your help, the event couldn’t go ahead)
Members of the Parents and Friends, especially Tony, for providing the BBQ, and
Our wonderful Year 6 students who led, encouraged and supported all competitors on the day.

Thanks again for everyone’s support – much appreciated.

Final Meetings

Parents and Friends

Last Tuesday we had our final Parents and Friends Meeting for 2024. Whilst we only a small number, we had some big discussions about dates and ideas for next year. Thanks to all who could attend - much appreciated. We look forward to more joining us in 2025.

School Advisory Council

Next Tuesday we have our final School Advisory Council Meeting for 2025. This will be our Annual General Meeting and we welcome any interested parties to attend.

Celebration of Community

On Wednesday 11th December we invite all members of the School Advisory Council, Parents and Friends (P&F) and Fair on the Hill committee to come together and celebrate our achievments throughout the year. This will be a great opportunity to hear about the great achievements throughout the year by all parties - please join us in the staffroom.

Christmas Concert

Everything is now in place for our Christmas Concert to be held on Thursday 5th December commencning at 5:00pm. For more information, including the program, please refer to the Christmas Concert 2024 page in our newsletter.

Help care for our chickens!!

We are seeking help from our community to volunteer time during the holiday break to come up to school and help care for our chickens and water the vegetable garden. This requires a minimum of 30 mins and it is also a great way to entertain the kids for free during the holidays. For those of you who have helped before and are available and willing to help out again, please email me with time periods you are free.

For anyone new willing to give it a go but would like more information, please email Lisa Stewart by Thursday 12th December 2024. If you would like to` ` come up multiple days, that would be great.

Please include your email and mobile number so I can add it to the list.

lstewart@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au

The dates requiring volunteers include from:

Saturday 21st December through to Monday 27th January 2025.

Please consider offering to help - it is very easy and fun for the kids.

Thank you all in advance.

Pat Torpey, Lisa Stewart and the Sustainability Team.

Planning for 2025

Planning for 2025 is well underway. If you do not require a place for your child in 2025 (except Year 6), please email the office as soon as possible: office@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au.

For more information regarding 2025, please follow the link to Plans for 2025.

Getting Ready for 2025 - Student Information

Once again we ask that all families please consider if you have any new or updated changes in your personal details - phone numbers, address, emergency contact, medications for students etc. Please take the time to update these details on nForma so that we always have the most up to date information for your child. All students also received a Students Information Checklist, can we please as these be completed and returned to the office by the end of the school year. We also ask that you have all Medical forms and Medical Authority forms filled out and up to date . This is especially needed in cases of emergency. Thank you!

As always, thank you for your ongoing support.

Health Department Alert – Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

The Victorian Health Department recently issued a public notice in relation to an increasing number of cases of whooping cough (pertussis) in Victoria, particularly among children aged 10-12.

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness known for causing a cough, and can lead to life threatening infections in babies. Many babies who get pertussis catch it from older children and adults who might not even know they are infected.

Pertussis usually begins with cold-like symptoms, such as a dry cough (occurring in bouts), characteristic 'whooping' sound when breathing in, tiredness, runny nose, and low-grade fever.

Please speak to your doctor (GP) and seek a diagnosis if your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms. Early identification and separation are crucial in preventing the spread to other children.

Pertussis is mostly spread to other people by droplets from coughing or sneezing, so good hygiene practices and immunisations help prevent the spread. Immunisations are particularly important for infants and pregnant women. If pertussis is diagnosed, your GP will advise on appropriate treatments. If you have any questions, please speak to your GP. Read the full alert here: Increasing pertussis (whooping cough) cases in Victoria. health.vic.gov.au

How long should you stay off school with pertussis (whooping cough)?

Children diagnosed with pertussis are to be excluded from primary schools and children’s services for a minimum period of 21 days after the onset of cough, or until they have completed 5 days of a course of antibiotic treatment. The treating doctor will complete the required notifications to the Department of Health.

Student Wellbeing

We have had a lot of children reporting to sickbay with vomiting/diarrhoea. Please be mindful of others and help prevent the spread.

How long should you stay off school with gastroenteritis?

Children are most infectious when symptomatic, but it is possible to pass on norovirus both before developing symptoms and after symptoms have stopped. This is why children should not attend school until 24 hours after the symptoms have stopped.

Christmas Cheer

Christmas has always been a time of sharing and our children certainly enter into the spirit. It’s not unusual for students at St Justin’s to hand out Christmas cards, not just to their friends, but to all class members. Often attached to the envelopes and/or cards, are candy canes, a simple but effective way of wishing friends a “Merry Christmas”. Unfortunately, many candy canes contain traces of food colouring and/or nuts that many of our children are highly allergic too. Whilst we don’t want to be considered the “Christmas Grouch”, with the safety of all students at our school on our mind, we ask you to consider an alternative “gift”. We ask that Christmas canes be eaten at home.

Time to get ‘Sun Smart’

A reminder that St Justin’s is a 'Sun Smart School' and as a result, throughout October to the end of April, students are required to wear a sun protective school hat that protects the face, neck and ears. Please make sure that your child’s hat is clean, in good condition and clearly labelled. New hats can be purchased from Academy Uniforms. Students will also be encouraged to wear broad-spectrum water resistant sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and to be responsible for its reapplication throughout the day. Students are welcome to bring their own sunscreen (not to share) or apply in the mornings before coming to school. As always, students are also encouraged to have a drink bottle.

Have a great weekend and we look forward to seeing you all next week.

All the best,

Pat

Mr Patrick Torpey

Principal