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.

Dear Families and Friends,

It has been another busy term at St Justin’s. Whilst it has been busy, we have much to be thankful for. We thank you all for your contributions and wish you all a very safe and Holy Easter break with your loved ones.

Stations of the Cross

Today Year 4 students led us in a special service of the Stations of the Cross. The students re-enacted each station with a prayer – very powerful. Thanks to the Year 4s for such a beautiful presentation.

Introduction:

Welcome to our prayer today, the Stations of the Cross.

We come together to remember the story of Jesus’ last few days.

We know that while this is a very sad story, it has a wonderful ending – Jesus’ Resurrection.

Station 1: Jesus Is Condemned To Death

Dear Lord, we pray for all the people who we have wrongly accused. Forgive us.

Station 2: Jesus Carries His Cross

Dear Lord, we pray we can be strong and do things even when it is tough.

Station 3: Jesus Falls The First Time

Dear Lord, we are sorry for the times we have hurt others and left them. Help guide us on our way.

Station 4: Jesus Meets His Mother

Dear Lord, we pray for those who are experiencing suffering and that they can get through those tough times.

Station 5: Simon Helps Jesus Carry His Cross

Dear Lord, we pray that we will help others when they are hurt.

Station 6: Veronica Wipes The Face Of Jesus

Dear Lord, we pray for those who are experiencing tough times. Help us to care and nurture them.

Station 7: Jesus Falls The Second Time

Dear Lord, we pray for the people that try really hard and get back up after they fall,

just like Jesus.

Station 8: The Women Of Jerusalem Weep

Dear Lord, we pray that we are able to cry for our pains and communicate our desperation for Jesus.

Station 9: Jesus Falls The Third Time

Dear Lord, we pray that we can encourage others in times when they struggle and want to give up.

Station 10: Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments

Dear Lord, thank you for the love of Jesus to get us through the tough times.

Station 11: Jesus Is Is Nailed To The Cross

Dear Lord, we all wouldn’t be the same without your sacrifice. Your fate was cruel but you are honoured for everything you went through. Guide us to be better people through the tough times.

Station 12: Jesus Dies On The Cross

Dear Lord, help us to forgive, even when it is hard to do.

Station 13: Jesus Is Taken From The Cross

Dear Lord, we pray that when people aren’t treated fairly, that they will always have someone to help them.

Station 14: Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb

Dear Lord, we thank Jesus for sacrificing his life for us. We also pray to Jesus, who forgives us for all the mistakes we have made.

Conclusion

The Way of the Cross reminds us that we are “protected” by God’s love.

We are given the task to be loving protectors of creation, every person especially the poor, ourselves and our families.

In this way, we will make the star of hope shine forth in our world.

The story of the Gum leave

Last week at the VACPSP Conference, I had the privilege of hearing Theresa Ardler speak. Theresa is the Director of Gweagal Cultural Connections - Indigenous and Spiritual Educator. Theresa is a Gweagal Aboriginal woman of the Eora region, Sydney her mother’s country. She grew up in her father’s country the Yuin nation Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay, ACT.

Theresa gave each of us a gum leave, which she asked us to study and then share our observations with others - each gum leaf was uniquely different. Theresa then asked us to hold our gum leaf up to the light, revealing the tiny veins that run from the outside of the leaf to the centre. Theresa then reminded us that each leaf is then connected to a branch, which is then connected to a bigger branch, which connects to a bigger branch and so on. The tiny veins on each leaf feed right down to the roots of the tree.

Theresa likened these veins on the leaf to our senses and faith – we are constantly receiving “inputs” and that helps make who we are. Like the leaf, we too are connected to other groups – family, class, work places, communities.

When I shared this story with our Year 5 and 6 students earlier in the week, we talked about how one kind deed to another, can transform not only the individual, but the class, the year level, the school, right hrough to the St Justin’s community. Likewise, an unkind word or act can impact on a whole community – we are all connect.

As we prepare to celebrate Easter, may we use this time to reflect on the good that we do, knowing that our words, our actions, our faith and our prayers, filter right through our community and beyond.

Good Friday

A reading from John’s Gospel:

• Jesus went out, carrying his cross, and came to “The Place of the Skull”.

• There they crucified him and two other men, one either side of Jesus.

• Pilate wrote a notice and had it put on the cross.

• “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,” is what he wrote.

• The chief priests said to Pilate, “Do not write “the King of the Jews,” but rather,

“This man said, I am the King of the Jews”.

• Pilate answered, “What I have written stays written.”

Prayer:

God of love and forgiveness,

we ask you to be with us as we journey with Jesus during his last hours on earth.

We join ourselves with Jesus on the Cross.

We listen in our heart to how we can be with Jesus at this time.

God, help us now to listen to your word to us.

We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thank you

We would like to send a very big Thank you to Mirna at Brumby's Bakery - Ashburton

for the generous donation of Mini hot cross buns.

Your donation and support is always very much appreciated!

Easter Raffle

Thank you to the families of St Justin’s for your generous donations and team of volunteers who helped with Easter wrapping for 2024. The hampers look amazing!

With these kind and generous donations, we've been able to create wonderful hampers to be donated to the Monash Childrens hospital, ICU nurses ward and Cumberland View Retirement Village.

We would also like to thank Bushy Park Big Watermelon for donating 2 x $50 vouchers to be included in the raffle.

Thank you to Bianca and her team of volunteers who helped out to prepare the flyers, hampers & count the raffle tickets.

Your help and support is greatly appreciated!

Monash Childrens Hospital

With these kind and generous donations the Monash Childrens Hospital have started to distribute eggs to nurses, kids and front line workers. This is much appreciated.

Term 2 Start Date

Term 2 will commence on Monday 15th April . Enjoy a well deserved break!

Winter Uniform

Most of us now would be well aware that the AFL Football season is well and truly underway. It’s hard to turn on the television or read the paper without seeing one of the 18 clubs represented. Without listening to the television or reading the newspaper article, we can easily identify which team is which simply because of their uniform. The uniform is a powerful symbol indicating which team a player belongs to.

Likewise, our school uniform is a powerful sign that we belong – we belong to the St Justin’s community and we too, should be proud. Please ensure your child is wearing the correct school uniform.

Winter Uniform Orders

To order you can purchase directly from Academy Uniforms shopfront. They are located at 2/810-818 Princes Highway, Springvale and their operating hours are Tuesdays - Thursdays 09:00am – 5:00pm and Saturday mornings 09:00am – 12:00 noon.

Alternatively you can order over the phone on 9574 1314 or you can order online via https://www.academyuniforms.com.au/

Select “ORDER ONLINE”

Choose “St. Justin’s” from the drop down list

Enter the Password “Wheelers Hill”

Reminder: Daylight Savings Ends Sunday 7th April

Daylight Savings Ends this Sunday 7th April, don't forget to set your clocks back and enjoy an extra hour of relaxation.

Instagram

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.

Please remember that if at any stage you take a group photo of students, it should not be published online unless permission has been granted.

Have a great weekend.

Take care,

Mr Patrick Torpey

Principal

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