Term 4 Week 2 - Thursday 24 October 2024

Principal's Message

This week’s Gospel is:

Luke 6:12-16

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and he passed the whole night in the prayer of God. And when day was come, he called unto him his disciples; and he chose twelve of them (whom also he named apostles). Simon, whom he surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon who is called Zelotes, And Jude, the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was the traitor.

Judy loves reading: 

Archdiocesan Assembly

Last weekend over 350 people gathered at St Clare’s on Saturday to reflect and discuss the forward direction for the Catholic Church in our Archdiocese. There were also regional gatherings outside of Canberra. All schools and Parishes were represented, Karen Leighton, Jessica Betterton and I represented our school. I had the pleasure of leading a table group which had a very diverse membership. As such, there was a great deal of respectful listening and sharing. The three focus areas were Encounter, Discipleship and Mission, and for each of these areas we were asked to discuss:

• What are the challenges and opportunities to our community?
• What are the paths to pursue as a community?
• What are the good practices that already take place in our community?

Those who attended a Sunday Mass last weekend were read a letter from the Archbishop as a follow up from Saturday’s events. Earlier in the year, there were several round table events, where parishioners were able to attend to be part of an information gathering and reflective experience. All that has gathered is currently being collated, which is an enormous job. I’m assuming this will be circulated once completed.

Grandparents Day / St Jude's Feast Day

These two events coexist every year on the Friday nearest the St Jude's Feast Day. On this day, we invite all of our Grandparents to celebrate Mass with us at St Jude's Church, starting at 9:15. Once Mass is completed, all Grandparents are invited to join us in classrooms to be involved in an activity or see some of the wonderful things we have been learning about. This then brings us to lunchtime, where Grandparents can join with their grand children to enjoy a BYO shared lunch. After lunch the Grandparents can head off. Our students will then go and play. After play we have some whole school sport rotations for the student to participate in and an ice block for each student. We would like to apologise for the short notice on this event. Term 3 was absorbed by the Musical and we took our eye off the start of Term 4.

Community Council Trivia Night

On Friday November 1, we will be hosting a community trivia night in the St Jude's school hall. Last years event was a huge success with more than 10 tables. This is not a fund raiser, but a community building event. We already have several tables registered. Take a look in the newsletter for more details.

St Jude's 50th Anniversary Planning meeting

Everyone is invited to join with us and share your ideas at our planning meeting which will be held in the school library and online next Tuesday evening, beginning at 6pm. The school is turning 50 in 2025 and we need your help and ideas to plan. We understand that this message wont have spread to those who are not directly linked to our community, however, we have also placed it in the Church bulletin and we know once we have begun planning, word will spread about what has been decided.

Student’s departing St Jude’s at the end of 2024

I have been informed of a couple of families who are either moving interstate or overseas. Many of our year levels have waitlists and student numbers also impacts on budget and staffing. If you know that your children wont be at St Jude’s in 2025, can you please contact Katrina or Renee in the front office as soon as possible.

Thank you for your ongoing support and kindness toward all in our community.

 Cameron

Important Dates

Birthdays

School News

School Fees 

School Fee statements have been emailed this week. School Fees are due by Friday 8 November. If you have a direct debit please make sure your final payment is by Friday 13 December. 

School Photos

Friday 1 November, Catchup Portrait Session, Sibling Photos (8:30am - 9am), Preschool Day 2 (Lobster and Turtle Classes) and Year 6 Graduation photo.

Students not returning 2025

Any students who will not be returning to St Jude's in 2025 (excluding current year 6 students) please follow the link to complete a form. 

Please contact the office if you have any questions.

ELC News

ELC NEWS

This time of year often brings an interest in creation and life cycles.  We have welcomed 2 tanks of tadpoles into the ELC and the children are fascinated to watch them grow and develop into frogs.

School Photos

Lobster and Turtle photos will be on Friday 1 November (week 3). Sibling photos will be available between 8:30am and 9am.

St Jude’s Feast Day and Grandparents Day Tomorrow – Turtles and Lobsters

St Jude’s Feast Day and Grandparents Day will be celebrated on Friday 25 October beginning with mass at 9:15. Grandparents are then invited to visit the classrooms from 10:15. If you would like to stay for picnic lunch, you are welcome to bring your own picnic lunch, blanket etc and join the children on the oval.

Grandparents Day – Stingrays

The Stingrays will be celebrating Grandparent’s Day on the Monday of week 4 (November 4) with an open classroom. Please invite grandparents to attend if they are able.

Mango Fundraiser – Orders Close on Monday!

The ELC are doing our famous Mango fundraiser again this year. Trays of Bowen Kensington Pride mangos direct from tropical North Queensland will be delivered to the ELC in Term 4, Week 8  (week starting 2 December). Trays are approximately 7kgs and contain between 12 and 20 mangoes. Trays are $29 each on Qkr!

2025 ELC and Kinder Orientation

St Jude’s Orientation morning for children enrolled in ELC or Kinder for 2025 will be held on Thursday 7 November.  More information has been emailed to families. St John Vianney’s Orientation morning is Tuesday 29 October.

RE News

We look forward to welcoming grandparents for Mass (9.15am), Classroom Visits (to follow), and a picnic lunch to celebrate St Jude's Feast day and Grandparents' day tomorrow, the 25th of October! This is a wonderful day of thanksgiving for these wonderful people in our lives and the contributions they make.  

Sacramental update

Is your child eligible for a sacrament? In the Parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation sacraments are completed in Years 3, 4 and 6. Reconiliation registration is now open! Click this link to find out more including 2025 dates.  

May your light shine. 

Jessica Betterton

Library News

Term 4 Week 2

*Thank you to the Roberts and Shum, Carroll and Cooper families for donating some books to our Library last week. Obviously a Spring clean was happening at some homes. We appreciate your thinking of us!

Thank you also to Mrs Hawkins (grandmother of ex students Mary & Sophia Sigala) for donating a bagful of “spare bags”

*Tomorrow I am taking 3 teams of Year 5&6 students to The Readers’ Cup Challenge at Evatt. They are: Frank C, Emmett P, Laksmi S, Hannah M, Sadie S, Kelsey A, Georgia M, Ashley T, Ella R, Ellie T, Santoshi S, Grace C, Luke H. They have been reading a series of books for this and are very keen to participate. We wish them luck but most of all, we hope they enjoy the experience and have fun! Thank you to the parents who have offered to help transport our students. The other 5/6 Book Club children will be having a similar type quiz at school next week, based on the CBCA shortlisted books from this year.

*Many emails have gone out this week to remind individual children that their books from last term (and beyond) are overdue and should be returned to the Library.

This term will be a shorter term with only 9 weeks. The last week for borrowing will be Week 6, with Weeks 7 & 8 for returns only, so it is good to make the most of every week.

Happy reading!

Verna Comley

Sports News

Raiders League Tag Gala Day - Year 3-6

Nominations for this day will close tomorrow 3.30pm on COMPASS.  This day is open to girls and boys in Years 3-6. The gala day will be held at Kambah 1 Oval commencing at 9.15am and concluding at 2.10pm. Parents are required to provide transport for their child/ren to and from Kambah. St Jude's has entered 3 teams in the Year 3/4 division and 3 teams in the Years 5/6 division. 

ACT NETBALL GALA DAYS

ACT Netball will be hosting a Year 3/4 Gala Day at Arawang Netball Courts on 19 November and a Year 5/6 Gala Day also at Arawang on 21 November. This is open to boys and girls.  Please keep an eye out for nominations on Compass in the coming weeks. 

Catholic Interschool Table Tennis Championship

St Jude's is holding the 2024 Catholic Interschool Table Tennis Championship. We had many students come to try outs this week and we congratulate all students on having a go. The following students have made the team and they have been notified. We look forward to a wonderful day Friday 8 November (Wk 4).

Mulleyduds Uniform Shop

Uniform shop will be open 2:30pm- 3:30pm after each grade assembly.

For second hand requests please email to: uniform.stjudes@gmail.com. Please include your child’s name and classroom for us to deliver to. **Please do not make payment for secondhand items, until we reply to your request confirming stock is available.

Mulleygrubs Cafe News

Community Council

Trivia Night – Friday 1 November

For parents, carers and friends. 6pm in the school hall. Tickets $5 each via Qkr! Halloween themed – prize for best costume and table decorations! BYO food and drinks.

Make up a table of 10 or register to be placed on a table. Don’t know anyone, now is your chance!

Each table to bring a present to add to the prize pool!

Please rsvp to: stjudes.scc@gmail.com by the 25 October with your name and your table (or if you’d like to be placed on a table).

Community Council Meeting - Tuesday 29 October

The next Community Council meeting will be held on Tuesday in the library and online at 6pm. The meeting will focus on next years events in celebration of the 50th birthday for our wonderful school.

We welcome everyone, and would love to hear your ideas on how to make next year special.

Join the 2025 Fete Committee: Represent Your Year Level!

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers from each year level to join us! This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a fun and successful event while representing your year cohort.

We need one representative from each year level to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and that the fete reflects the interests and ideas of our entire school community

We captured many lessons learnt from last year including contacts, templates and plans, so you won’t be starting from scratch.

Thank you for those who have already volunteered. If you are interested in being on the fete committee, please let us know.

Many thanks,

Gemma Cabot

Stjudes.scc@gmail.com