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,

St Justin's Art Show

Thanks to all those who were able to support our Arts Show this week. We had some wonderful feedback, not only about the amazing artwork, but the care and time taken to display of all the artwork so beautifully.  Thanks to everyone involved - your efforts are very much appreciated. A special mention goes to the students who produced the amazing art work and helped to set up the PAC, especially our Arts Leaders and to all the staff who helped with the displays. 

We are so blessed to have an amazing Visual Arts teacher in Mrs Jacinta Mulholland.  She has not only guided the students to create the artworks and supported the concept but has also gone above and beyond to bring the Art Show to life in such a way that we could all immerse ourselves in the creativity of our students.  Thank you Mrs Mulholland for your passion and drive to help our students be the most creative they can be.   

 Also a big thank you to our Parents and Friends! We are so grateful for the lovely baked treats, tea towels and all the support with setting up and running the stall and BBQ for our Art Show. Your generosity, time and effort helped make the event a success, and we truly appreciate our amazing school community! 

Grandparents Day 

Thank you to everyone who was able to support our Grandparents Day. It was wonderful to see so many grandparents and special visitors joining us for the morning. The turnout exceeded our expectations!

A huge thank you to Mrs Laura Wegmann for coordinating the day and helping to organise the activities. Thank you also for the beautiful prayer and to all our staff for preparing the activities and creating such a warm and welcoming environment.

A special thank you to our wonderful Parents and Friends for providing such a beautiful tea and coffee station. Your generosity and thoughtful touches helped make the morning even more special for our visitors.

It was a lovely morning filled with smiles, special moments and treasured memories. We truly appreciate everyone who helped make our Grandparents Day such a wonderful celebration!

Congratulations 

Congratulations to all the students who represented St Justin’s at the Regional Athletics! We are so proud of you all for your efforts and achievements.

A special congratulations to Jackson D, who came placed second and has qualified for the State Athletics Championships! What an amazing achievement! We wish you all the very best at the next level! 

Important Dates

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

• Wednesday 28th October - Fair on the Hill Meeting 7:00pm
• Thursday 29th October - Students 1:00pm Finish
• Friday 30th October - Year 5/6 Cosmodome Incursion
• Friday 30th October - Melbourne Museum and IMAX 
• Saturday 31st October  - Working Bee - Fair On The Hill

Please refer to Dates Ahead for  more dates. Please note that dates do change from time to time.

Student Led Conferences

Student-Led Conferences will be held in your child’s classroom, with each session scheduled for 15 minutes. During this time, your child will have the opportunity to share and reflect on the learning goals they have been working towards during Term 3, as well as discuss their goals for Term 4.

There will also be an opportunity for you to speak privately with your child’s teacher about their progress, should you wish.

Student-Led Conferences will be held on: 

• Monday 26th October from 3.30pm
• Tuesday 27th October from 3.45pm

• Thursday 29th October from 2.00pm

   

Due to Thursday's Meetings commencing at 2.00pm all students will finish at 1.00pm.

2027 Prep Transition 

A big thank you to our new Prep families for attending our Parent Information Evening on Thursday. It was wonderful to have you join us! We look forward to welcoming our new Prep students for 2027 as they begin their Transition Sessions over the coming weeks.

Dates for these are as follows:

• Thurs 5th November 2026 - 9:15am – 10:45am: Transition Session 1 - Carley McGuaran

  (Students & Parent School Readiness Session in the PAC)

• Thurs 12th November 2026 - 9:15am - 10:15am: Transition Session 2 

  (Students & Parent Mathematics and Literacy Session)

• Friday 27th November 2026 - 9:15am-10:15am: Transition Session 3 (Students)
• Friday 4th December 2026 - 9:15am-12:00 noon: Prep 2027 Students Orientation
• Tuesday 2nd March 2027 - 7:30pm - 8:30pm: Managing Big Feelings Webinar (Parents only)

Fair on the Hill - Urgent Volunteers Needed

Our Fair on the Hill will be held on Saturday 7th November 2026 (the weekend after the Melbourne Cup - lock it in). Please refer to the Fair on the Hill page for more details.

It's time to help out the Community at our annual Fair on The Hill.

To signup as a volunteer, please be sure to scan the QR Code in the attached flyer, and we've also popped some up around the school to make life easy for you too!

TBC 9. 2026 FOTH Volunteer QR code only-2 (1).pdf

We look forward to seeing you there on a stall.

Regards,

St Justin's Fair on the Hill Committee

Planning for 2027

Planning for 2027 is well underway. If you do not require a place for your child in 2027 (except Year 6), please email the office as soon as possible: office@sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au

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 & antihistamine medications readily accessible.

The school will endeavor 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 our Emergency Management Plan,  our school considers how we would respond to an epidemic thunderstorm asthma ‘emergency warning’ during or immediately after dismissal for the day.

First Aid Room

We take this opportunity to remind families that the First Aid Room is a place where we respect our students privacy at all times.  

We respectfully request that you do not enter the First Aid Room unless you are invited in by a staff member.

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. Any student who forgets their hat will be asked to play in the Undercover area. 

The MACS Enrolment Agreement has been updated

Our Enrolment Agreement has changed effective from the 19th October 2026.  

Plesae review the updated document(s) are available on the St Justin's Website to familiarise yoruself with the changes. 

All the best

Patrick Torpey

Principal