St Justin’s Primary School Newsletter

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,

Prep BBQ

Last night we conducted our Prep 2025 Family BBQ. It was a beautiful evening, not just because of the weather, but more importantly because it was a great chance for our families to come together. Thanks to Tony Di Iorio for setting up and cooking, representatives from the School Advisory Council and Parents and Friends and to Miss Lea, Mrs Loadman, Mrs Snell and Fr Andrew for their wonderful support. I'm sure there will be many more enjoyable gatherings over the years.

Catholic Education Week 

Catholic Education Week runs from Sunday 16th March to Sunday 23rd March. 

Catholic Education Week is a special occasion for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne to celebrate their Catholic identity, highlight their important role in the local community, and emphasize the strength of the Catholic education sector.

 

This year’s theme draws from the motto of the Holy Year, the Year of Jubilee, and the Australian Catholic Youth Festival’s theme – ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.  

"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you 

(Isaiah 60: 1).

Open Day 

Our Open Day is planned for Thursday 20th March, running from 9am-7:00pm. This is a great opportunity for new families looking for a school for their children for 2026 to come along and see what St Justin's has to offer. We would love some volunteers, parents and students, to help run this day - we require at least two parents throughout the day to meet and greet and then some volunteer students from 3:30pm - 7:00pm to help with tours.

Please register below:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11Jo4pNWZa0Xv1KJ8uk2jOKDOQQ4SfdPK6dWtu37tzgM/edit?usp=sharing

Working Bee  Saturday 15th March

Due to extreme heat, we have changed the Working Bee start time from 1:00pm to 08:30am - 10:30am

 

If you are able to assist please contact Mr Torpey or Tony on 0404 863 443 or if you are keen to participate and haven't already registered please click on the link below:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mUe7-zFjvz1z9nXVKJTwuHbUVKxj6yU4J1NU4h6p6P0/edit?gid=0#gid=0

Existing Families - Enrolment for 2026

We are in the process of preparing our enrolments for 2026

Application are nowonline. If any current school families require an enrolment application for 2026 click on the link below:

 

https://www.sjwheelershill.catholic.edu.au/enrolments

 

Click on "Apply Now"

 

We would like these applications completed by March 20th 2025 so we have an idea of our numbers for 2026 before we offer places to new families.

Head Lice

There has been cases of head lice reported at school.

 

All parents are asked to check for and report any case of head lice so that the school can monitor the seriousness of the problem.  It is recommended that you regularly check your child’s school hat for live lice and/or eggs.

 

If your child has head lice, please treat the hair with approved head lice treatment and remove all eggs before returning your child to school.

 

For further information regarding treating head lice, refer to the Department of Health’s Head Lice fact sheet. 

Collecting Students during the School Day

We have had many enquiries as to how to arrange collection of students during the course of the day for appointments. Our preference is that appointments are made outside of school hours as every hour out of school is less learning time.  We understand that there are some times where this is not always possible.  Please ensure that you notify your child’s classroom teacher via Audiri or via email to advise them the following:

  • Pickup Time (Outside of Recess (11:05am- 11:45am) & Lunchtime (1:20pm – 2:00pm) as it is a challenge to get the students off the playground!
  • Advise whether your child will be returning after their appointment or if they will need to take their school bag home with them.

Once you have arrived at school to collect your child/children, it is a legal requirement that you sign them out via the iPad at the office.  You do this by choosing “Sign Out” and then “Student”.

 

You must then wait for your child who can ONLY be collected from the Administration (Office) area.

School Saving Bonus

School Savings Bonus  (SSB)

 

For non-Government Schools, the SSB is a $400 bonus for students receiving the means- tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) payment.  

 

Eligibility for the CSEF payment is based on a PARENT of the child/children attending St Justin's having a current and valid Australian Services Health Care Card (HCC). We are required to sight and then check this via a specific Dept of Education portal which confirms whether the card is valid at the time of application for CSEF.  

 

Unfortunately a HCC in your child's name is not accepted by the Portal as your child is not responsible for the payment of their fees, it is a parent responsibility.

 

SSB CAN ONLY be applied to the following:

  • Camps
  • Excursions
  • Outdoor Education Programs
  • Graduations
  • School uniforms  (paid invoice to be provided to the school for reimbursement against fees and we advise that the uniform must have been purchased from Academy Uniforms)
  • Textbooks

SSB CANNOT be applied to curriculum or other tuition charges such as stationery, sacraments, social activities, classroom and homework materials.

Camps Sports and Excursions Fund

As always, thank you for your ongoing support.

 

All the best,

 

Pat

 

Mr Patrick Torpey

Principal