From the Principal

 We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which our school stands, 

the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.

Dear Families and Friends,      

Welcome back to Term 2.  I hope you all had a safe and Holy Easter. We have had a great start to the Term and it promises to be another busy one! Please take note of the listed dates for Term 2. 

ANZAC Service

On Wednesday our staff led our ANZAC Service in acknowledgment of  ANZAC day on Tuesday. It is amazing how everyone comes together on this day to remember our soldiers.  I hope you all took the time out as a family to discuss this important day with your children.

Our service, not only acknowledging the men and women who have represented their countries during times of war, but also a time to pray for world peace.

Thanks to all who were involved – I’m sure our soldiers would be very proud.

Thanks to all who supported our ANZAC appeal - very much apprecaited.

Lambs

For the first week of the holidays, my family and I had to care for my brother's farm in the mallee - a three thousand acre wheat and sheep property. It was a busy time as most of the ewes were lambing and over 100 lambs were born in the time we were there. Two of the lambs were abandoned by their mothers and we decided to take them home and bottle feed them - so far they are doing okay.

Yesterday, with the help of Tony and a few students, we built a makeshift yard next to the  chicken coop with the idea that they will come to school daily, at least for the next few weeks - we'll see how things go. Hopefully they won't make too much noise or escape.

One lamb is called Adam (Adam Lambert) and the other is called Wedgie (rescued from a Wedge tail Eagle attack). They are just over two weeks old. At this stage, they need to be fed at least three times per day - morning, night and once during the day.

Today the students seemed keen to watch and pat the lambs, which the lambs didn't seem to mind. I'm sure they'll enjoy each other's company.

If you have any concerns or issues regarding the lambs, as always, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Professional Learning Days

Wednesday 17th May 2023

Tuesday 13th June, 2023

As previously announced, on Wednesday 17th May 2023 we have planned a Professional Learning Day (school closure day for students). Our focus for this day will be Positive Behaviour for Learning.

Unfortunately, we have had to organise another day this term for Tuesday 13th June, 2023 - the day after the King's Birthday long weekend, with a focus on preparing for our School Review.

The School Review takes place every four years for all Catholic Schools and has two dimensions: 

1. Improvement: supports self-assessment and reflection of performance and growth in school improvement and informs planning for future growth. 
2. Compliance: an audit/verification process of the minimum standards for school registration and other State and Commonwealth requirements for Catholic schools is conducted for all schools engaging in the process of school review.

Yesterday our Leadership Team met with the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Regional Learning Services Team. It was decided that in order to prepare for our Review, a Professional Learning Day (school closure for students) would be needed. As a result, we will take Tuesday 13th June 2023, the Tuesday after the long weekend, as a Professional Learning Day for staff. All available staff will be involved.

Please note that these days are not taken lightly - they are essential for us, in supporting our students at St Justin's. 

Changes with the EBA

Over the last few months, schools across Victoria have been implementing changes to accommodate the new EBA. These changes will have an impact on schools as they try and support staff with a better work / life balance, ensuring a 38 hour week.

Here at St Justin's to implement the changes, doors to the classrooms will open at 8:50am in the morning. The gates will still open at 8:40am and teachers will be on duty at this time. Students are welcome to wait in an area supervised by a teacher - in the Undercover Area, Kitchen Garden Area and the Back Oval. If it is wet, students are asked to wait in the Undercover Area. Please be aware that if you need to speak to a teacher, you should email them to organise a time. Staff will endeavour to respond within 48 hours.

Parking

With the onset of winter weather, traffic congestion around the school will certainly increase. Can I please ask all drivers to be considerate when parking, ensuring that we park close to the curb and close to driveways, leaving enough room for others to park behind, if possible? We should never park over driveways – not only is it the law, but it is also disrespectful to our neighbours. Safety in and around the school is a responsibility we all share.

Can I also request – please, please, please don’t park in the two minute zone and walk down to collect your child or to drop them off. Please stay with your car so you can move off quickly when necessary. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated by all members of our community.

A reminder also that parking on the school/parish grounds is for staff and those attending Mass in the mornings. It should certainly not be used for drop off and pick up, unless prior arrangements have been made with the principal.

this issue and we are sorry for any inconvenience.

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”

School Crossing Reminder

A friendly reminder to please follow the safe road crossing procedure when at the School Crossing.

STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK.

• STOP one step back from the kerb or shoulder of the road if there is no footpath. 
• LOOK in all directions for approaching traffic. 
• LISTEN in all directions for approaching traffic. 
• THINK about whether it is safe to cross the road – when the road is clear or all traffic has stopped.

MACS Concessional Fees

Macs Concessional Fee Applications are due by Monday 3rd April 2023. Application forms are available from the office. 

Camp Sports and Excursions Fund

Have a great weekend.

All the best,

Pat

Mr Patrick Torpey

Principal