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,      

This term our Year 4 students will receive their First Eucharist. This weekend they are invited to attend a First Eucharist Commitment Mass, which will take place during one of our four Parish Masses. Everyon'e welcome as ususal. First Eucharist will be celebrated on Saturday 3rd June 6.00pm Mass, Sunday 4th June 10.30am Mass and Sunday 4th June 5.00pm Mass. Please keep our students in your parayers as they continue on their faith journey.

Running Club

It was great to see the Running Club up and going again this week. Depiste the cooler weather, we had plenty of enthusiastic participants. A reminder that students need to be dropped off outside the front gates between 8:00am and 8:10am. 

Where's  Mr T

Can you find Mr T? He's hiding somewhere in the newsletter.

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.

Last week 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 – do the right thing 

Often we have visits from the City of Monash Parking Officers. The Parking Officers give parking infringement notices to vehicles (drivers) that break the parking rules in the area. Whilst the Parking Officers are there to enforce the laws, the main objective is to maintain safety and turnover of parking spaces. None of us like to be fined, but I’d like to think that we all try and do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do – it’s something that we remind our students on a regular basis – do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. 

Can we all please ensure we do the right thing? I know most of us do, but when one or two fail to cooperate, then frustration sets in. 

Drop off and pick up

In the morning, there is a teacher on yard duty at 8:40am. If you wish to drop your child off before 8:40 am, please use the Before School Care service provided by Camp Australia - we would hate for your child to arrive at school and no-one be here to care for them. Whilst there is usually someone here around 8:00am, it’s important to remember that staff are busy preparing for the day ahead or involved in meetings. 

After school, a teacher is on playground duty until 3:45 pm (3:30pm 0n Mondays). After this time, students who are yet to be picked up will be taken to the office.  We will attempt to ring their parents to make sure everything is ok. If, for any reason, you are running late, just give the office a ring and let us know. 

Please note that students should not be dropped off or picked up in the staff car park. In the morning and at the end of the day, the car park becomes a busy place with people walking in all directions.

After observing the 3:30 pm traffic in Grantchester Road, a few important reminders:

• Please observe the 2 minute parking bay. If waiting in this bay, drivers cannot leave their car.
• If waiting for a parking space, please never call your child to the middle of the road. It would be far safer to drive around the block and wait for a parking space rather than wait in the middle of the road.
• Please minimise the space between cars – often we could park more cars if we parked a little closer to each other.
• Never park in the driveways or on the nature strips of our neighbours – this can restrict the view of pedestrians and other road users. It’s also very disrespectful. 
• Stay calm and be patient – there are often many parks available after 5 minutes – a short wait in comparison to the waiting room at Monash Hospital.

Whilst these reminders are important to the safety of all concerned, they are the law. I ask that you all follow the rules and remain patient – everyone’s safety is important. After three years, I’ve never seen anyone get frustrated by someone doing the right thing.

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