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 to the 2023 school year. I hope that you were able to spend quality time with loved ones over the Christmas break. A special welcome to you all. 

Welcome new families

We warmly welcome all new families to our school. The Preps seem to have settled in really well and hopefully feel at home. They have quickly adapted to their new learning spaces and seem to be enjoying the playground (even though I was asked at 11:30am on the first day - "How much longer?")

St Justin's Community Expo

We warmly welcome you all to our Expo next Tuesday, 7th February from 6:00pm - 7:0pm (Prep families from 5:30pm). This will be the first for St Justin's and will hopefully bring our whole school community together. Students will be able to take other family members on a tour of the school, introducing them to their teachers and showing them their rooms. We will have other displays set up in the Undercover Area, providing lots of information about our school. We even have a free sausage sizzle. We would love to see all families there, even if only for a few minutes. For catering purposes, can you please register via the QR Code on the flyer below. Thank you

A Blessing for the New School Year

Thanks to Michael McGirr and Caritas for allow us to share this blessing for the New School Year

Beginning of the School Year Mass

Next Thursday 9th February commencing at 2:15pm, we will conduct our Beginning of the School Year Mass. At our Mass, staff and Year 6 Leaders will be formally Commissioned by 

Father Andrew. Everyone welcome.

Building Works

Our building works continue to be on schedule, with the Prep and OHSC / Italian Rooms completed, along with the new retaining wall. Next week we hope to see the steel work arrive for the new stairs and Undercover Area, the deck and ramp finished to Year 2 classrooms and work commence on the swale drain behind the back oval.

Morning Arrival

Developing independence and responsibility in a child at a young age helps them develop lifelong problem solving strategies for the future. Being independent and responsible for their own things helps them approach challenging situations with greater confidence. Often as a parent, we want to do as much for our children as possible, because it’s too hard for them, we don’t have enough time, we are afraid of what others might think or we are afraid that they might get hurt. However, doing too much for our children can deny them the opportunity to learn valuable problem solving skills and resilience for the future.

Can we please ask that all students carry their own bag to and from school each day? This will assist our students in developing a greater sense of responsibility, ownership and confidence in tackling challenging situations, not only in the classroom, but on the playground as well.

We also ask that students take full responsibility for their own things. In the morning we ask students to enter the classroom, greet their teacher and unpack their bag ready for the commencement of the school day. They are then free to make their way outside to play with their friends.

Drop off and pick up

In the morning, there are at least two teachers on yard duty in the school grounds from 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 from 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 on Monday). 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.

Please ensure you follow all  parking restrictions, including the 2 minute parking zones. We also ask that those families entering the school from Whalley Drive, use the pedestrian paths provided,  we really want all pedestrians off the roads.

Crossing not covered for next week

Due to an ongoing shortage of School Crossing Supervisors, there will be no supervisor available to cover the following dates & times:

06-02-2023 08:20-09:00 - M7 Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill  

06-02-2023 15:20-16:00 - M7 Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill

07-02-2023 08:20-09:00 - M7 Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill 

07-02-2023 15:20-16:00 - M7 Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill 

08-02-2023 08:20-09:00 - M7 Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill 

08-02-2023 15:20-16:00 - M7 Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill 

09-02-2023 08:20-09:00 - M7 Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill 

09-02-2023 15:20-16:00 - M7 Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill 

10-02-2023 08:20-09:00 - M7 Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill 

10-02-2023 15:20-16:00 - M7 Corner Jells Road & Grandview Road Wheelers Hill

Mobile Phones / Smart Watches

Mobile Phones / Smart Watches

As you would be aware, over the years there have been great developments in mobile devices, including mobile phones and watches.

In 2020, the Department of Education and Training (DET) developed a policy around the use of mobile phones in schools. Mobile phones are defined as: a telephone with access to a cellular (telecommunication) system, with or without a physical connection to a network. For the purpose of the policy, ‘mobile phone’ refers to mobile phones and any device that may connect to or has a similar functionality to a mobile phone such as smart watches. 

In accordance with DET’s Mobile Phones Policy, issued by the Minister of Education, personal mobile phones must not be used at St Justin’s Primary School during school hours, including lunchtime and recess, unless an exception has been granted. Students are encouraged not to bring a mobile phone to school, including Smart Watches, unless there is a compelling reason to do so, ie: they are travelling independently to and from school or an exemption has been granted. Where students bring a personal mobile phone to school, 

St Justin’s Primary School will provide secure storage. Students, parents & carers must note that St Justin’s Primary School does not maintain accident insurance for accidental property damage or theft. 

For more information, please refer to our policy on our schol website.

Uniform

Today we spoke to all students in Years 3 - 6 about School Uniform. We highlighted the fact that a uniform is a powerful symbol that helps connect us together, a symbol that we belong. Wearing the uniform correctly and proudly in any organisation is important. Likewise, our school uniform at St Justin’s is compulsory and all requirements are available from Academy Uniforms. Whilst students have a Summer uniform (Term 1 and 4) and a Winter uniform (Term 2 and 3), Melbourne’s weather doesn’t always fit nicely into the seasons and/or terms - it may be necessary to wear a summer or winter uniform outside of the assigned times. Students also wear a sports uniform on the day that is designated as their classroom sports day.  

Summer:

Option 1: blue short sleeve shirt, grey shorts, grey socks, black shoes, 

school bomber, jacket, school hat

Option 2: school dress, white socks, black shoes, school bomber jacket, school hat

Winter:

Option 1: grey pants, school jumper, bomber jacket, grey socks, blue shirt (long 

sleeve or short sleeve), black shoes 

Option 2: winter tunic / grey pants, blue shirt (L/S or S/S), school jumper, bomber 

jacket, grey socks/grey tights, black shoes

P.E. Uniform

St Justin’s polo, St Justin’s sport shorts / track pants, white sports socks, runners

Optional: Bomber Jacket / School Jumper / Rugby Top

Hair ties are to be in school colours of maroon, light blue or white.  All long hair must be tied back. 

Uniform Shop

Uniforms are supplied by Academy Uniforms located at 2/810-818 Princes Highway, Springvale. Their hours of operation are Tuesday to Thursday 9.00am-5.00pm and Saturday 9.00am-12.00pm.  

Parents can visit the store and buy directly from Academy Uniforms or parents can order uniform items online:

1. Go to www.academyuniforms.com.au
2. Select ‘order online’
3. Choose St Justin’s from the drop down list
4. Enter the password ‘Wheelers Hill’

Uniforms ordered online can be delivered directly to your home which will incur a delivery fee, collected directly from the store, or delivered directly to the school (free of charge) on a Thursday and these uniform items will be sent home using the classroom bucket system. 

If at any stage your child can not be in full school uniform, please don’t hesitate to send a note to the classroom teacher.

Camp Sports and Excursions Fund

School Fees

School Fees will be issued to all families week commencing Monday 20th February 2023.

Sun Smart

A reminder that St Justin’s Primary School is a Sun Smart School and as a result, all students are to wear their school hat that protects the face, neck and ears during breaks or lessons, throughout September to the end of April. Sun screen should also be applied at home before coming to school. 

Over exposure to the sun presents a serious health risk. Students must, therefore, be educated regarding healthy UV exposure balance to help with Vitamin D and suitable sun protection, in order to be protected from overexposure to the sun whilst at school. 

Students and teachers are encouraged to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun through strategies which use a combination of sun protection measures whenever UV Index levels reach 3 and above. 

Sun protection should be used whenever UV levels are 3 or higher, especially between the months of mid-August to the end of April. During this time, parents should send appropriate sun screen to school and ensure that their child has a suitable hat. 

Please refer to our website for more information.

SJWH Dad's Night Out

Staffing for 2023

STAFF 2023

Fr Andrew Madry - Parish Priest      

LEADERSHIP                                                  

Mr Patrick Torpey - Principal                                                                     

Mrs Leanne Snell - Deputy Principal .9 / Religious Education Leader    

Miss Laura Leung - Deputy Principal .1 / Numeracy/Literacy Leader

TEACHING          

Mrs Lucy D’Angelo - Year Prep DB (Mon-Wed)

Mrs Lisa Braybrook - Year Prep DB (Thurs-Fri) 

Miss Laura Leung - Year Prep LR (Mon-Tues and every 2nd Wed), Literacy / Numeracy Leader (Thurs-Fri), DP .1 every 2nd Wed

Mrs Deb Rowlings -Year Prep LR (Thurs-Fri and every 2nd Wed)

Mrs Joelle Lake - Year Prep J

Mrs Samantha Lutgens -Year 1L

Ms Meg McCallum Year -1M 

Miss Belinda Dalach Year - 2 D              

Mrs Angelique Loadman Year - 2 L  

Mrs Deb Wood - Year 3 WM (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri)

Mrs Jen McGrath - Year 3 WM  (Wed), STEAM Teacher (Tues) 

Miss Genevieve Jones - Year 3J         

Mrs Carmel Pitt - Year 4 PD (Mon, Tues, Wed)

Mrs Rachel De La Haye - Year 4 PD (Thur - Fri)

Mr Nicholas Mosele - Year 4M          

Mr Chris Giosis - Year 5G

Miss Lisa Chiappalone - Year 5 CI (Mon-Wed) Student Wellbeing Leader (Thurs)

Mrs Helen Interligi - Year CI (Thurs-Fri)  

Mrs Belinda Slonim - Year 6B 

Mr Trevor Snelling - Year 6T

 ADMIN

Ms Donna Coelho - Administration (Mon - Fri)

Mrs Belinda Rubino - Administration (Mon, every second Tues, Thurs - Fri) 

Mr Johnny Tran - Business Manager (Thursday)

SPECIALIST

Miss Anne Livera - Learning Diversity Leader (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri)

Mrs Louise Skues - Reading Recovery / Literacy Learning Intervention (LLI) (Mon-Thurs)

Mrs Anne Deegan - Sustainability / Kitchen Garden (Tues, Thurs)

Mrs Christy Riddiford - Performing Arts (Tues - Thurs), Choir and Drumming Beats

Mrs Laura Wegmann - STEAM Teacher & Information Resource Centre (Tues - Wed), Digital Technologies (Thurs)

Mr Clinton Johnson - Physical Education and Health (Mon - Fri)

Mrs Silvana Cetrola - LOTE - Italian (Tues - Thurs)

LEARNING SUPPORT

Mrs Carmel Sullivan - Learning Support Officer (Mon, Thurs, Fri)

Mrs Milena De Lillo -Learning Support Officer (Mon - Thurs)

Mrs Mary Cedro - Learning Support Officer (Mon-Thurs)

Mrs Lisa Stewart - Learning Support Officer (Mon - Wed, Fri)

Mrs Sandra Pascuzzi - Learning Support Officer (Tues - Fri)

Mrs Christina Patti - Learning Support Officer (Mon & Fri)

Miss Lisa Phillips - Learning Support Officer (Wed-Thurs)

Miss Michaela Torpey - Learning Support Officer (Mon, Tues, Fri)

SCHOOL SUPPORT

Mr Tony Di Iorio - Maintenance / Gardener

Mrs Gina Cristiano - School Support

Mr Albert Axaiq - School Support - Music

2023  OPEROO - Medical Information

We ask that you have all medical forms and Medical Authority forms filled out, up to date and uploaded to Operoo. This is especially needed in cases of emergency. Thank you!

Again, welcome everyone - I'm sure we'll have another amazing year.

God bless.

Take care,

Mr Patrick Torpey

Principal