SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - TERM 3 WEEK 2 2025

Our Parish

Our Parish

Fr Feleki – Parish Priest (Administrator)
C/- 94 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park, NSW 2570PO
Box 889, Narellan, NSW 2567
Ph: 4648 2226    Email: oranpark@dow.org.au
Web:   marymackillopparish.org.au
Facebook:  oranparkparish

Office Hours
Tuesday to Friday - 9am to 1pm

NB: While the Parish Office is open to visitors, if possible we encourage all enquiries to be directed to the Parish Admin team via email oranpark@dow.org.au or via phone 02 4648 2226

If the parish office is unattended, leave a message on the answering machine or you can send an email: oranpark@dow.org.au 

Parish Mass Times

Weekend Mass Times, Oran Park

• Saturday Vigil 5pm - preceeded by the Sacrament of Reconciliation from 4pm
• Sunday 8am
• Sunday 10am
• Sunday 12 noon - Chaldean Holy Mass
• Sunday 5pm

Week Day Masses, Oran Park

• Tuesday 7pm
• Wednesday 8am
• Thursday 10am - preceeded by Rosary at 9.30am
• Friday 9.30am - 1st Friday of the month will include Anointing of the Sick

Principals Report

Dear Partners in Mission,

Hope that you are well and have enjoyed an outstanding  week.

As a school community, we entered the commencement of Term 3 with the news of Fr David’s passing. St Mary Mackillop Parish, St Benedict's Catholic College and St Justin's came together at Wednesday's Vigil Mass in tribute to his outstanding service and contributions to our communities.  Last Thursday’s funeral further acknowledged Fr David’s work with many of our staff and several families in attendance for his farewell. 

Thank you again for your understanding, support and respect shown as we work together in building on Fr David’s legacy.

Heavenly Father,

We entrust to your loving care the soul of your faithful servant, Fr David John Catterall.

May his service to your Church and to your people be fulfilled in the peace of your heavenly kingdom.

Comfort all who mourn his passing, and inspire us to follow his example of faith and love.

Grant him eternal rest, O Lord,

And let perpetual light shine upon him.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Today we recognise and celebrate 100 Days of Kindergarten. Our Kindergarten students  have enjoyed an outstanding start to their primary schooling at St Justin’s as they continue to develop and grow in their Faith, Learning and Wellbeing. Team Kinder have been outstanding in their work in supporting both our students and parents throughout Semester 1. Thank you from our parents for their continued investment in and dedication to St Justin’s and their children. This is a wonderful milestone of our Kinder staff, students and their families. Congratulations Kindergarten 2025.

NAPLAN results (5 Domains - Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar/Punctation and Numeracy) were sent through to our students and their families on Tuesday. In reviewing these results we are able to celebrate the learning and growth of Year 3 and 5 students. In Year 3, Writing and Spelling were highlighted as domains of growth with over 70% of students achieving Exceeding or Strong. Year 5 achieved expected growth and achievement (improvements from 2023 and 2024 results) across the 5 Domains, with  Reading and Grammar/Punctuation being key areas of strength.

Our Athletics Carnival on Wednesday, was an outstanding success under extremely challenging and trying conditions for students, staff and parents. Despite this our students were able to participate and compete both at St Justin's for our Infants and Narellan Sports Hub for our Primary. Thank you to Ms Young, Mrs Middleton, Mrs Ellul, Mr Hawkins and our wonderful staff for their organisation, perseverance and ongoing efforts in making the carnivals such great events in light of the weather. Thank you to the parents and St Benedict’s College students that volunteered and were in attendance on the day. It is greatly appreciated. We wish the St Justin’s Athletics Team all the very best, as they represent our school at the Western Region Athletic Carnival on Friday 8 August.

During the holiday break, several projects were completed. These included painting of our Cola areas, installing a new air conditioning system in the Administration block, fencing Shrubies (student garden), extending the adventure space and resurfacing the Rocket Rope Climb area. Thank you to Rhys Williams (P&F President) and his team along with our whole school community who fundraised the $40,000 resurfacing of the Rocket Rope Climb area. Thanks to their support, we now have a safe, functional, and engaging space for our students to enjoy.

We also would like to thank the P&F committee and our parents and friends for generously purchasing, through fundraising, the school’s 2nd sensory pod at a cost of $8,500.00, which will be located in stage 2. These valuable pods allow heightened/unregulated students an opportunity to calm and reregulate to be learner ready.

This week we have celebrated Self Awareness Week. It is an opportunity for our students to reflect on,  identify and name the emotions that they are feeling. Thank you to Mrs Billett and our wonderful PB4L Team for developing a sequence of learning experiences to support our students learning in this space. 

Take care,
Brad Colquhoun
Principal

National Vocation Awareness Week

Vocation: A Listening Heart

National Vocation Awareness Week begins this weekend.

Vocation is not first about doing, it is about being—being who we are before God, in the quiet of our hearts. Each of us is called, not just once, but over and over again, to live in deeper communion and with a more faithful love.

Vocation begins not with answers, but with attention. It begins when we pause long enough to ask not only what should I do?—but who am I being called to become?

This call — God’s call — is not always loud. More often, it comes in whispers;

• a stirring in our heart,
• a sense of unrest or longing,
• a quiet clarity that emerges only when we stop to listen.

To listen is to turn our ear toward God — to make space for the still small voice that speaks not just in prayer, but in people, in moments, in the everyday.

As we listen, we are invited to discern — to sift through all the voices—the demands, expectations, fears — until we begin to recognise the voice of the One who calls us by name.

This is not always easy. The world is noisy. Our lives are full. But God is patient. God keeps calling. In the classroom, in the corridor, in the conversation after a long day — God is there.

However your vocation is lived out, and no matter the shape it takes, your life is a sacred response and every day offers a fresh chance to listen again.

• So pause.
• Take a breath.
• Let silence speak.

Ask again:
Who is God calling me to be, here and now?
What is mine to do today?

The answers may not come all at once,
but the One who calls you is faithful.

Diary Dates

Curriculum And Learning

Maths Club

Maths Club has commenced this term at St Justin’s and is currently being held during break times. Participation is open and voluntary, with students free to attend. We have started with Year 2 students and plan to gradually expand the program to include all year levels. The purpose of Maths Club is to foster a love of mathematics and help students recognise the role it plays in everyday life.

Chess Club - Term 3 and Term 4

Chess Club has been an amazing success with our students. Please see our Term 3 dates 23rd July to 25th September and Term 4 dates 15th October to 18th December and classes below.

If you wish for your child to join the Chess Club please see flyer below and you can enrol and pay directly to the Sydney Academy of Chess through the link with payment for each term. 

Year 1 and Year 2 - Use Code: W3YK9H7PP (Every Wednesday from 8am)

Years 3 to 6 - Use Code: W1B3HVBD8C (Every Thursday from 8am) 

** PLEASE NOTE: Year 3 to 6 will have chess on Wednesday 24th July, Wednesday 27th July and Wednesday 3rd September as make up lessons - NO LESSONS ON THURSDAY'S of these weeks.**

The Premier's Reading Challenge

This year, St Justin’s has had 113 primary students sign up to complete the challenge individually! What a great response from our students. It is not too late to sign up to the challenge. If your child is interested, please see Mrs Orazi or Mrs Giewald.

A special shout out to this primary student who has completed the challenge over the past fortnight:

Year 3: Audrey M

We now have 42 students who have completed the challenge! Remember you can keep reading and compete for the in-school prizes!

St Justin's Got Talent Returns in 2025! Friday 5th September 2025

Get ready! St Justin’s Got Talent is back and set to be a highlight of Term 3. After last year’s incredible showcase of student creativity and confidence, SJGT 2025 is ready to take things to the next level with even more opportunities for our talented students to shine!

This year, there will be 3 acts per grade:

• 2 acts selected by students through a class vote
  
  
• 1 act selected by teachers
  

🎬 Audition Details

• Auditions: Friday 15th August and Friday 22nd August 
  
  
• Location: School Library/Hall
  
  
• Group size: Maximum of 5 students
  
  
• Audition time limit: Strictly 3 minutes
  
  
• Students may only audition in one group
  
  
• Groups must consist of students from the same grade only
  

To be eligible to audition, each student must submit an Audition Form signed by a parent or caregiver. If a group is auditioning together, each member must submit a separate form.

Audition Forms MUST be submitted no later than Monday 3rd August. You may download a copy here or students may collect a form from the library (on the right hand side as you walk through the library door)

🎨 NEW in 2025 – SJGT Art Gallery!
This year we are excited to introduce an Art Gallery as part of the SJGT celebration. Mrs Zaborski will be curating a stunning display of student artwork created during class this semester. These pieces will be showcased during SJGT and considered in the judging for our Artist category.

🏆 SJGT 2025 Categories & Awards:

• Musicians
  
  
• Performers
  
  
• Artists
  
  

Each category will have a Winner and a Highly Commended award—recognising excellence, creativity, and stage presence.

Further information will be shared at the beginning of Term Three.

Mrs Megan Fulko 

Music Specialist 

St Justin's Got Talent - Front Cover Artwork Competition

 St Justin’s Got Talent – Front Cover Artwork Competition! 

Do you love to draw, paint, or create?
Here’s your chance to have your artwork featured on the front cover of the official 2025 St Justin’s Got Talent programme!

Last year, Sullivan H created an amazing design that was proudly displayed on the very first SJGT cover – and now it’s your turn!

We are looking for a brand new front cover for this year’s show, held on September 5th, 2025.

Your artwork must:

 Include the words St Justin’s Got Talent
 Include the date September 5th, 2025
 Be A4 size
 Be created in portrait orientation

 Entries are due by Friday 15th August.

They can be handed into the office or given directly to Mrs Zaborski.

Library News

Library and Information Week and Australian Children’s Laureate Week

This week, we joined with libraries across the country in celebrating Library and Information Week. The theme this year is: "To Read or Not To Read: Literacy Matters". It is a timely reminder of how powerful reading can be in shaping a child’s learning and future success.

This week is also the inaugural Australian Children’s Laureate Week, a new initiative by the Australian School Library Association and the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation, designed to inspire a love of reading and support school libraries, particularly in regional areas. In response to concerning literacy statistics, the week will feature author visits from current laureate Sally Rippin and past laureates, who will tour schools across the country to celebrate the power of stories and highlight the vital role of libraries and librarians in children’s literacy. Click this link to find out more about Sally Rippin.

 During the class library sessions, I see first-hand the joy and growth that comes from reading. When children have regular access to books and trusted adults to guide them (whether that’s a teacher, librarian, or parent) they develop the skills and habits that set them up for life.

 Why Does Literacy Matter?

Reading is more than just a school subject; it is a life skill. It helps children:

• Build empathy and imagination
• Grow their vocabulary and confidence
• Improve their ability to focus, think critically and express themselves
• Connect with the world beyond their own experiences

When children find stories they love, reading becomes something they want to do and not just something they have to do.

 How Our School Library Supports Your Child

Our library plays a key role in creating a reading culture that supports every child, no matter their starting point. Here’s how:

• We provide a wide range of books to suit the diverse range of readers at our school e.g. fiction, non-fiction, picture books, popular series, graphic novels and more.
• We help children discover stories that match their interests, spark curiosity, and challenge them just enough.
• We promote regular borrowing and encourage reading at home as part of each child’s routine.
• We support students in developing information skills, digital literacy, and a love of learning that goes beyond the classroom.

 What Can Families Do?

You do not need to be a reading expert to make a big difference. Here are some simple ways to support your child’s reading journey:

• Remind your child to pack their library bag on their library day (any reusable bag is suitable to be used as a library bag).
• When your child brings home their library books, talk to them about what books they have chosen and what it was about that book that appealed to them.
• Talk to your child about what their reading goal is this fortnight e.g. “Let’s read one chapter a night” or “We will try to finish these two books this fortnight.”
• Once your child has finished a book individually or with you, discuss what they liked, what surprised them, or who they’d recommend the book to.
• Visit your local library – Explore new books together and talk to your child about what they’re reading.
• Let them see you read – Your example is powerful!

Library and Information Week and our current laureate Sally Rippin, remind us that every child deserves the chance to become a confident reader. When schools, families, and libraries work together, we build not just strong readers, but curious, thoughtful, and capable young people.

Thank you for being part of your child’s reading journey. We look forward to seeing many books borrowed, stories shared, and reading goals achieved!

Happy Reading!
Mrs Jennifer Giewald

Library Teacher

Diverse Learning

As we move into Semester 2, I would like to thank our Diverse Teacher Mrs Foster for all her hard work with our Yr 1 team during Semester 1. Mrs Foster will move into another role within our school for Semester 2 and therefore welcome Mrs Turner to our Year 1 Team as their Diverse teacher. Mrs Turner currently works with our Year 2 team. We formally thank Mrs Foster for her efforts and dedication to our students and wish her all the best in her new role.  

Sporting News

St Justin's Athletics Carnival

Our annual athletics carnival was a huge success on Wednesday, July 3.  Despite the less-than-ideal weather, our students showed amazing resilience and fantastic sportsmanship. It was wonderful to see everyone getting into the spirit of friendly competition and fun. The infants did a great job showing off the skills they've been learning in Sport, and were supervised by our wonderful Mrs Middleton and Mrs Ellul.

Our Primary carnival was just as successful - It was great to see everyone competing in the sprint races, but even more impressive was the incredible sportsmanship on display. The cheers from the 100m straight were fantastic, with students enthusiastically supporting their classmates. Despite not being able to hold our usual field events, their enthusiasm didn't waver. 

Thank you to our amazing parent helpers and the St Benedict's crew with their teacher Mr Sapienza who came and supported us at the Narellan Athletics track - it enabled all our students to be timed efficiently. Thank you also to our long jump pit crew, who were expertly measuring everyone who wanted to jump.

A special thank you also to Mr Hawkins, Mrs Fulko and Ms Lauricella who spent their time out on the track starting all the sprint races.

Congratulations to our students who have made it through to the Western Region Athletics Carnival on Friday 8th August 2025 an event notification has been sent out. Wishing you all the best of luck.  

Ms Rochelle Young

St Justin’s Sport Coordinator

CEDoW GALA DAYS

Selection Process

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) organised Sport Gala Days provide our students with a chance to participate in friendly games as part of a St Justin’s team, competing against other local Catholic Primary Schools. These days are designed to be enjoyable, allowing students to have fun with their peers while applying the skills they've learned in Sports lessons in a fun competitive setting.

Throughout their sports lessons this year, students will be given the opportunity to express interest in participating in the upcoming Gala Days and need to nominate themselves. Mr Hawkins, the sports teacher, will observe all nominated students during their sport lessons to assess their understanding of the game rules and their demonstration of good sportsmanship, which will assist with the team selection process. Preference is given to Year 6 and Year 4 students for teams and if there are additional spots these are then filled by Year 5 and Year 3 students who have expressed their interest in participating. This ensures that students get an opportunity to attend a gala day (should they wish to) every 2 years.

If your child has been invited to participate in a St Justin’s Gala Day Team you will receive a Compass Event Notification for parents’ permission closer to the event date. Please note that students attending these Gala Days will require parental transportation to and from the venue. Additionally, events like these rely on parent volunteers to ensure their success, as without parent help we would be unable to support the number of teams in each day.

Upcoming Gala Days:

Term 3

CEDoW Soccer - Thursday 28th August 2025 (Back up Date 4th September 2025)

• CEDoW Basketball Juniors Yrs 3 & Yrs 4 - Thursday 18th September 2025
• CEDoW Basketball Seniors Yrs 5 & 6 - Friday 19th September 2025

St Justin’s are also looking forward to participating in other Gala Day style events this year that are competitive and not organised by our CEDoW. These days ARE competitive and therefore teams for these will be picked on student ability and skill in the sport. Students will be offered the opportunity to nominate themselves to trial for these events and teams will be organised by Mr Hawkins and Ms Young. If your child has been selected in a competitive sporting team, you will receive a Compass Event notification for parental permission closer to the event date. These days will incur a fee, to help cover the cost of the team registration. Parents will also be required to transport their children to and from the venue.

Upcoming Competitive Sporting Days: (Small fees payable)

Term 3

• Futsal State Championships (Qualifying teams)

Term 4

• Oz Tag - 31st October 2025 (Camden)
  

St Justin’s School Sporting Events

Upcoming School Sporting Events:

• Next level competitive pathway for selected students - Mackillop Western Region Friday 8th August

Primary Students Diocesan Representative Sporting Pathways

Students participating in the representative pathway events are highly skilled athletes, selected based on a range of criteria. This includes years of experience in their chosen sport, representative achievements, sporting club affiliations, and notable sporting accomplishments. These trials are not gala days or school-based carnivals. They are not designed for students “to come and try or for the experience” They are designed specifically for elite athletes who have demonstrated exceptional talent and are aiming to progress to the next level of competition; Regional→State→National. These are organised and run outside of our school, we just provide the information for the when and where of the event.

Parents will need to nominate their child for the 2026 year during the nominations period which opens from 2nd September to November 2025.

Upcoming Diocesan Representative Sporting Trial Dates for 2025

These upcoming trials are for selected students from the 2025 Diocesan Representative Sports Pathway who have already been nominated by their parents in 2024. These nominations are reviewed by CEDoW sport selectors unless St Justin’s have been asked to run an in school trial to gain further insight into nominated student abilities.

If your child has been selected by CEDoW Sport you will receive a Compass Event Notification for parent permissions closer to the event date. Please note these are CEO run events and therefore no St Justin’s staff members attend and students who attend will require parental transportation to and from the venue.

2026 Representative Sport Pathway Trial Nomination Information

Each year primary school children have the opportunity to trial for Wollongong representative teams, for the following summer and winter sports: Basketball, Tennis, Cricket, Touch, Softball, Football (Soccer), Rugby League (11 years and Open), Rugby Union, Hockey, Netball and Australian Rules. This gives students the opportunity to access higher levels of sporting pathways, representation and opportunities to progress into state representation. 

These trials are held annually and provide a pathway for students to the MacKillop selection trials. The selected Wollongong teams’ trial at MacKillop level against the Dioceses of Wagga, Canberra/Goulburn, Sydney and Parramatta. 

The Wollongong Diocese nomination process for 2026 will be open in Term 4 2025. Further information will be released closer to the date. 

If you have any sporting inquires please email sjop_sport@dow.catholic.edu.au

Ms Rochelle Young

Sports Coordinator

SLAM - Lessons Mindful Reading Reminder

Dear Parents and Carers,

Mindful Reading will continue this semester during SLAM lessons. Please remind your child to bring a book of their choice to read mindfully during changeover.

Thank you for your ongoing support in helping students make the most of this time.

 Why Read Mindfully?

• Promotes calm and focus: It creates a peaceful moment for students to settle and prepare for learning.

• Encourages student choice: Selecting their own book gives students ownership and enhances engagement.

• Supports transitions: Mindful reading helps students shift smoothly between activities, maintaining a calm classroom tone.

• Nurtures empathy and imagination: Reading thoughtfully fosters emotional awareness and creative thinking.

Warm regards, 

The SLAM Team

Administration and Awards

Brilliant effort everyone! 

We have four grades working their way up to 94% attendance rate, which will put them into a very doable position of achieving the school goal of 95% attendance!

Our other three grades are also working their way towards the school goal. Let’s make Term 3 the term for 100% attendance.

Awards System Update

Celebrating Our Students

We’re proud to see so many students earning Blue Merit Awards, a testament to their positive behaviour and effort.

With the increasing number of awards, we are updating how certificates are distributed:

• Blue Merit Award certificates will now be sent digitally via parent email notification. You are welcome to print them at home.
• Special Awards will be presented in the classroom, except for Kindergarten students receiving their 1st Special Award, which will be presented at the Infants Assembly.
• Principal Awards and the Principal Medallion will be presented at school assemblies.

You can view your child’s award progress anytime via Compass Chronicle. We appreciate your continued support in recognising and celebrating the efforts and achievements of our students.

You can view your child’s awards tally using an iPad or laptop (the mobile app has limited features):

How to View Awards on Compass Chronicle

1. Open Compass
2. Click on your child’s profile
3. The Chronicle home page will open
4. Click on the “Categories” tab Select “Awards and Merits”
5. Change the date range from “This Year” to “All” (top right corner)
6. This will now show you all awards received and your child’s total merit points tally.

Award Points System Breakdown 

Every 1 Blue Merit Award = 1 Point
Students accumulate points to earn Special Awards, Principal Awards, and eventually the Principal Medallion.

Medallion and Principal Awards

Congratulations to the following students for receiving their Medallion/Principal Award at our last Assembly.

Catholic Care Link

St Justin’s Catholic Primary School Facebook Page

Don’t miss out on following all our exciting news about events and learning on our St Justin’s School Facebook page:

Social Media Statement

The Catholic Education Office of Wollongong, Social Media Statement will become a permanent fixture as part of the school newsletter in order for Parents of the school community to be aware of the standards expected.

Parent-School Partnership 

Apple Devices - iPad, iPhone or Mac

- Open Books app - sign in using Apple ID if needed

- Tap GET to download the Book

- Access via the Books app Library once downloaded 

You will then have the option to download - Download the book from the Book Store and then read in books.

Android

Click this link to download as an ePub file and open in your favourite eReader app, like Adobe Digital Edition

P&F News

P & F contact email:

pandf@sjopdow.catholic.edu.au

Cash purchases only, No EFTPOS facilities. Please be kind to our P&F volunteers.

Community & Parish News

Dear St Justin’s Oran Park,

I hope this message finds you well.

My name is Atilio Brito, and I’m reaching out on behalf of Dads Speak, now officially recognised as a registered charity supporting fathers and families of children with special needs across Western Sydney.

We’d love your support in sharing details about our upcoming event designed to build meaningful connection and support for dads navigating this unique journey.
(We’ll also be soon announcing a special Family with the launch of our charity, which is on the Saturday, 27th September, Flyer to be sent out soon.)

 Wrestling Through Fatherhood: The Other Side of the Medal

Guest Speaker: Jayden Lawrence (Olympian)
 Saturday, 16th August
 6:00pm – 8:00pm
 Shine Shed South West Sydney
 Dinner Provided |  Dads-Only Event |  Free Entry

Jayden is an Olympian and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist who famously tore his ACL two matches before clinching bronze at the 2022 Games — pushing through pain with incredible mental resilience.

But it’s his journey off the mat that makes this night truly special. Jayden is a father to a child with special needs, and will share his personal experiences — the highs, the challenges, and the reality many fathers silently walk through.

This night is about:

 Encouraging dads to connect and feel seen
 Hearing a relatable and inspiring story
 Sitting down for a free meal in a warm, judgement-free environment
 Reducing isolation and improving wellbeing for dads who often carry unseen pressures

We’d be grateful if you could share the attached flyer with the dads in your school community who may benefit from this event. Spaces are limited, and registration can be completed via the QR code on the flyer or our socials.

Thank you for your continued support of families, and for helping us create space where dads feel connected and supported.