Term 4 Week 8 - Friday 6 December 2024

Principal's Message

This week’s Gospel:  Luke 3: 1-6

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea, and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilina; Under the high priests Annas and Caiphas; the word of the Lord was made unto John, the son of Zachary, in the desert. And he came into all the country about the Jordan, preaching the baptism of penance for the remission of sins; As it was written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled; and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight; and the rough ways plain; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

2025 classes and staffing

It always saddens us when staff depart St Jude’s. Sometimes it is for family reasons, whilst other times it is to pursue other opportunities. Each of these have left a positive in print on the students and families in their care. We will take the opportunity to farewell the following staff, some of which will occur at our assembly tomorrow afternoon:

Cathleen Feerick – Transfer to St Thomas the Apostle, Kambah

Emily Stopp – Transfer to Rosary Primary, Watson

Keryn Thiele – Transfer to Holy Spirit, Nicholls

Verna Comley - Retiring

Sharrie Manera – Moving to full time work

Olivia Brown – Completing study

Jo Faichney – Family commitments

We would like to welcome the following staff to St Jude’s

Rachael De Boni, Alana Morison, Daniel Flannery, Bronte Hutchison, Emma Donoghue, Andrea Gatt and
Rachael Hind.

We are hoping to have many of these staff available for 1 up day on Wednesday December 11.

Graduation

Next Tuesday evening we celebrate the Graduation of our 2024 Year 6 cohort. This is always a special evening, that seems to come around far too quickly. I look forward to sharing Mass with the families, followed by our awards ceremony.

On leave

I will be away, Friday Dec 5 until Tuesday Dec 10, attending the Graduation of my eldest daughter. I will return to school on Tuesday and Wednesday for the Nativities, Graduation and One up day. Then fly out again for my son's Graduation on Thursday returning Sunday. Both events are interstate. I will be back for the student’s final day on Monday December 16. It often seems like yesterday that I was attending each of their Primary Graduations, however, at 23, 26 and 29 it is a long time ago. The timing is not ideal, hence the 4 flights, I cant believe that the Uni’s wouldn’t change the dates!

ACARA MySchool

With the release of ACARA MySchool information, St Jude's has been determined by ACARA on their list of top 20 'making a difference' schools in the ACT. This is based on NAPLAN 2023 and 2024 along with other considerations as determined by ACARA. Exact formula not completely known to us. Here is a link to an article published by RiotACT 

Parish Picnic

The Parish picnic is on tonight at St John Vianney's from 6pm. 

Class Lists and 1 up day

Class lists have now been finalised and transitions have already begun, especially for those students who find change, significantly challenging. We have made sure that every child has at least 1 friend from their list of 5. 1 up day happens next Wednesday, before lunch time. The students will go into their new classroom, meet their new class and their new teacher. Some of our new staff are not able to be here, however, I have asked them to create and send through a video message. We do 1 up day to help reduce anxiety and remove the possibility of worry over the break. For some children, this will move them out of their comfort zone, which, done correctly in a safe zone can be a fabulous opportunity for growth. We know that when they eventually get to High School, it is possible that they will have 7 different teachers in different classrooms and possibly with no one they know. Building resilience from an early age is really important. If your child comes home worried or upset, please reassure them, that our staff and students will look after them, keep them safe and help them learn.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support

Cameron

Important Dates

Birthdays

School News

Woden Valley Youth Choir

Woden Valley Youth Choir will be signing at Carols by Candlelight this Saturday, 7 December. Click here for more information. 

Musical USB's

We have discovered that some of the USB's that the musical stops with half an hour left. If you are having this issue please bring your USB to the office. 

School Fees 

As we are coming to the end of the year please ensure your fees are paid in full. School Fees are now over due. If you have a direct debit please make sure your final payment is by Friday 13 December. 

If you are having difficulties meeting your commitments please contact the office. 

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

Nativity Concert Tickets – 10/11 December, 1:30pm

The ELC children are getting very excited in the ELC-Yr1 Nativity concert on Tuesday 10th (Turtles and Stingrays) and Wednesday 11 (Turtles and Lobsters) at 1:30pm in the school hall. Please note the change of time to 1:30pm. This is a ticketed event. Please follow this link to CompassTix or copy this URL into your browserhttps://compasstix.com/event/a55c933c-2232-4d3e-b176-f4f4fa996f19. Please contact the office for the password. There is a limit of four tickets per household for the first round. More tickets may be available in the second round. Children in Year 2 - 6 will be attending the dress rehearsal prior to the above performances. 

Uniform-free days

Friday 13December - Children are invited to come to school in non-uniform clothes in exchange for a gold coin donation to support our school fete.

Monday 16 December - The ELC will also have a non-uniform day on the last day of school, Monday 16 December.  For those without younger siblings, we encourage you to donate your pre-loved ELC uniforms on the last day.

Friday 13th Pizza Meal Deal

Order via Qkr!  Orders closes Tuesday 10 December.

Christmas Cards and Candy Canes

With the Christmas season approaching we ask that ELC children do NOT bring candy canes to share with friends. If you choose to bring Christmas cards, they can be placed straight into the notes pockets.

Fete News

Our amazing fete team are already gearing up for the Fete on 15 March and are looking for help to run the ‘Spiral Potatoes’ and are looking for donations for the Plant Stall and the Trash n Treasure.  See the Fete section in the newsletter for more information on what and how you can donate.

Final ELC Fees

ELC fees have now been charged to the end of the year including Monday 16 December.  Account balances may change slightly due to the difference between CCS estimates and the CCS actually paid.  We will send another account statement and run another direct debit in Week 9 to pick up any small outstanding amounts.

RE News

Illuminate

A few weeks ago some students from our Youth Ministry team were fortunate enough to attend a faith formation day, Illuminate. This was held at JPC in Nicholls and involved 12 other Catholic primary schools. Our students had a great day, meeting new people, exploring their faith, and experiencing discipleship in a new way. 

Events to note

ELC-Y1 Nativity Performances- Tuesday 10 and Wednesday the 11  both at 1.30pm  

Graduation Mass- Tuesday 10 December 6pm 

Light Ceremony- Thursday 12 December 2.15pm 

Thanks Giving Mass- Friday 13 December 12pm 

St Vincents de Paul Christmas Appeal

We gratefully thank you contributing the following items for the Vinnie's Christmas appeal. Our efforts with the Winter Appeal are still being spoken of. 

It's not too late! The appeal will be going for one more week. 

Collection will be made at our Thanks Giving Mass on the 12 of December.

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. Reconciliation registration is now open! Click this link to find out more including 2025 dates.  

May your light shine, please take care during this busy time.

Jessica Betterton

Library News

We have a winning class!

Kinder T are the first class to bring back all their Library books! Well done Kinders! (and parents) Still got lots of books to come in so keep up the good work! Two other classes are close but some still have up to 10 children in their class yet to bring back Library books.

*This week The Book Clubbers have placed a decorated box outside the Library for collections of new (or as new) books to be donated to a couple of charities eg Roundabout / Chn’s ward at Hospital.Any contributions would be welcome!  Thank you to the two families who dropped in some books yesterday and today.

*The Library Jumble sale last week raised $515 to help support our Compassion child Winnie. What a great effort and everyone was happy! Win Win! For Winnie too!

*Library is closed next week – no classes. Stocktaking starts Monday

Happy reading!  Verna Comley

Sports News

School Sport Australian Cricket Championships

St Jude's student, Aurora has been in Adelaide this week competing in the 12 & U Girls School Sport Australian Cricket Championships. 

Day 1 started with a BYE, then 2 tough matches against Victoria and Queensland. Aurora was one of the top batters for the team. Day 2 saw a close game against WA, narrowly going down. Wednesday was a rest day from cricket and a chance to do some sight seeing . This morning the girls were back in action against the home side, South Australia. We would forward to hearing all about Aurora's experience on her return to school next week. 

Aurora was also selected to compete at the School Sport Australian Athletics Championships in Discus, but unfortunately had to make a choice between cricket and discus as they were being held at the same time. St Jude's is very proud of  Aurora and her achievements this year. 

THANK YOU.

Brendan and I wanted to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to all parents, grandparents and friends of St Jude's who have assisted with sport in 2024. We are extremely fortunate to have people in our community who consistently put their hand up to help at Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country Carnivals, coach and umpire at Gala Days and transport students to and from venues across Canberra. The students could not participate in these events without you. THANK YOU for your generosity of time and expertise. We look forward to doing it all again in 2025.      

2025 St Jude's Swimming Carnival  

A Compass notification has been sent to parents with information regarding the 2025 St Jude's Swimming Carnival.  Consent and race entries are due by 15 December. We are unable to take race entries at the beginning of next year due to the quick turn around of the carnival on 13 February (Week 2). Please read each question carefully as they relate to different age groups. 

Mulleyduds Uniform Shop

Uniform shop will be open 2:45pm- 3:15pm Friday 6 December

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

End of Year Meal Deal – Domino’s Pizza - Friday 13 December

The meal deal consists of two slices of Pizza, a Juice and Quelch Stick for $7.00.

Pizza choices are Hawaiian, Ham and Cheese or Cheese (selection of one). Additional slices are available. Canteen menu will not be available on this day.

Orders close Tuesday 10 December 12 noon

Orders need to be placed via Qkr! No late orders will be accepted. 

Canteen Volunteers week 9

Wednesday 11 December - Renee, & two more volunteers please

Camp Australia

Fete News

St Jude’s Fete Saturday 15 March 2025

MUFTI DAY

On Friday 13 December, wear non uniform to school and bring in a gold coin donation towards our 2025 School Fete!

Seeking a Volunteer for:

 - Food stall coordinator (Spiral Potatoes)

PLANT STALL & TRASH N TREASURE

Drop offs for our plant stall and Trash n Treasure

Head to the shipping container in the carpark near the Shelter Shed on one of these dates/times.: 

Friday 06 Dec 24 - 3-3:30pm

Friday 13 Dec 24 - 3-3:30pm

Monday 16 Dec 24 - 3-3:30pm

Saturday 21 Dec 3-3:30pm

Sunday 5 Jan – 09:30-10:30am

Sunday 12 Jan – 09:30-10:30am

Alternatively small items can be donated in the crates at the ELC and Primary school front offices during school opening hours.

For the plant stall you can drop off:

- plant cutting

- bags of potting mix 

- spare pots, jars or funky containers for potting plants 

For trash and treasure you can drop off, in excellent used condition or new condition items such as:

- toys

- household items 

- garden items 

- smaller items 

- books

- DVDs

- Board games 

please no electronics, no child seats or baby baths, dirty/broken objects, clothing, rubbish or perishables. We like to make this stall as sustainable as possible with your help!