Term 3 Week 5 - Thursday 21 August 2025

Student mobile phone clarification

We understand that for some families, a mobile phone is an essential communication device between students and parents. However, our expectation is that between 8:20am and 3:30pm all communication via phone is through the front office. Any student who brings a mobile phone to school, needs to ensure that it is turned off and remains in their school bag (or classroom lock box). Students are only allowed to access their phone once they have left school grounds. If a child is unsure of afternoon arrangements, or needs to contact their parents, they are to go to the front office and their parents will be contacted.

Generally mobile phones have access to the internet (websites and apps) as well as the ability to take photos or videos. While at school we need to ensure students are only accessing approved sites/apps through school devices and that no photos/videos are being taken or shared. If a student accesses their phone during school time, it is to be brough to the attention of the Assistant Principal or Principal

Book Week  

It was wonderful to see all the fantastic book characters yesterday at our parade. A huge amount of effort went into many of these, and parents and carers would have played a very big role in this. See Library News to see some great photos. 

Thank you to Mrs Hind and our wonderful library staff for all the preparation, wonderful activities and the extra special effort you put into making the library a visual spectacular.

Students departing St Jude’s at the end of 2025

We currently have waiting lists in several year levels. If your child is leaving St Jude’s at the end of 2025, can I ask that you please let the office know asap by clicking here and completing the online form. This will assist in giving another family an opportunity to join our wonderful community.

Fire and Lock down drills

Part of keeping our students safe involves making sure they know what to do in an emergency. As such, we will be holding a fire and a lock down drill over the next few weeks. We make sure that the students know the process and they have always been very good at implementing this.

Order of Australia Award for St Jude’s students

Earlier this year we nominated our Prayer and Service Year 6 leaders team for and Order of Australia Award. Our students do outstanding things as part of their everyday lives and often they don’t receive acknowledgement or recognition because it’s just part of who we are. Click on the following links to access a copy of the certificate and an explanation of our achievements, acknowledgement in the Catholic Voice and a letter of congratulations to our students from the Director of Catholic Education. Thank you to Mrs van Reesch and Ms Katie Brasnett our youth minister for guiding our wonderful students. See below a copy of the award and the letters we received from David de Carvalho.  

Father's Day Celebrations

As you would be aware, we have our Father’s Day morning coming up. We will be serving a BBQ breakfast from 8:15 and all dad / significant males are invited. We are asking for an rsvp, which can be found further in this newsletter. When the bell goes, we would love to have our dads join their children in the classrooms. We have locked in a timeframe of up until 10am, which should assist those who need to get to several classrooms. You don’t, however, have to stay until 10. At 10am all students will head of to our ELC liturgy. We would love to have our ELC Dad’s come along.

 Father's Day Celebrations - Friday 5 September. Follow this link to RSVP for catering purposes. 

Happy Birthday to

Lia R, Ethan L, Mia E, Jevon J, Reon J, Annie W, Elliot S, Noah R, Fletcher M. 

ACT Rostrum semi final

Annie W proudly represented St Jude's at the ACT Rostrum semi final at Canberra Grammar on Monday evening. There were 10 excellent speakers who all gave very interesting 3 minute speeches on a variety of topics. The level of talent was exceptional. The judges decision was extremely hard with only a whisker separating 1^st and 10^th place. Unfortunately Annie did not progress to the grand final but was most definitely a winner in her own right. We are very proud of Annie and all the hard work she put into preparing for the semi final. Thank you to Annie's family for supporting her on this journey.  

Seb's Mullet for Cancer

Seb C in year 6 will be cutting his mullet to raise money for the Cancer Council. He has been growing it for the past 4 years! Please click here to support his campaign.

Students Leaving St Jude's 

We are in the planning stages for 2026. If your child will be leaving St Jude's at the end of 2025 (and is not in year 6) can you please click here and complete the online form.  

Calling any business owners who would like some free advertising!

Year 6 has their assembly on Friday 29  August. Part of the Assembly is preparing for our upcoming Mini Missions fete where we raise money for our sponsor school in Kenya, Mwamba. We have tied this to our Business and Economics unit where we are looking at businesses and how they operate. We would love to have any posters, corflutes etc for local or businesses owned by St Jude’s families displayed as our back drops for the assembly. If you have something that may be suitable, please contact the front office.

Save the Date - Grandparents Day 

Carparking at St Jude's

A reminder that the carpark at the front of the school is for ELC Families during the following times:

• 8.45am - 9.15am
• 2.45pm - 3.15pm 

Please pass this message onto any family or friends visiting St Jude's

Angus Withington (former St Jude's student) has been selected to represent Australia at the 2025 Junior World Track Cycling Championships in the Netherlands.  

Angus will be competing as a Track Sprinter in the Team Sprint and the Kierin.  

He is the only ACT rider to be selected in the team of 15.

There will be approx 350 riders from 45 countries across the world competing. Well done Angus!

Congratulations to our amazing Youth Ministry team, who, last night received an Order of Australia Group Certificate for Sustained Citizenship, Leadership and Achievement. Their active commitment to building the faith life of the school and their dedication to plan, prepare and lead students in prayer, liturgies, retreats and fundraisers is a wonderful example of the leadership being shown by many of our year 6 students.

Book week Stingrays and Turtles

This year’s theme is ‘Book an Adventure’. A huge thank you to all the parents/families for their help with their child’s costumes and for coming along to the parade. I wonder if you can find the green sheep?

Lobsters Book Week Parade – Friday 22 August

A reminder that the Lobsters are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character to celebrate Book Week. Lobster parents are invited to join the class for a picnic at the ELC afterwards.

Hats

As we’ve now reached August, hats are back on for outdoor play in line with our sun safety policy. Please remember to pack a labelled hat each day. 

Fathers Day - Friday 5 September 

St Jude’s primary school and ELC warmly invites step fathers, grandfathers, uncles and special friends to attend our Fathers Day celebration on Friday 5 September. Our breakfast BBQ will start at 8:15 followed by classroom visits. For catering purposes, please follow this link to RSVP to the breakfast by 1 September. 

• 8:15 am Breakfast BBQ (in the Primary School shelter shed)
• 9:00am Open classrooms
• 10:20am Father’s Day liturgy (run by the ELC children/staff) in the hall.

Father’s Day Sushi Meal Deal - Friday 5 September 

Meal deal consists of one sushi roll and a juice box for $6.50. The canteen menu will not be available on this day. Orders close Tuesday 2 September at 12pm. No late orders will be accepted. Orders via QKR only. 

For your diary

Grandparents Day – Friday 31 October

Book Cow Book Fair

Our Book Cow Book Fair is coming!

Where: St Jude's Library

When:  

• Thurs 28 Aug set up 
• Fri 29 Aug open 3:10 - 4.00 pm
• Mon 1 Sep open 3:10 - 4.00 pm
• Tues 2 Sep open 8:15- 8:50 am
•  Wed 3 Sep open 3:10 - 4.00 pm
• Thurs 4 Sep open 3:10 - 4.00 pm
•  5 Sep pack up

Payment: Cash or card, online payment option here

Thank you for supporting our school library.

Book Parade

Many thanks to our families, students and staff for a wonderful celebration of books and reading at our book parade. It was so heart-warming to see students from ELC to Year 6 wearing their costumes together. So many creative ideas!

Scholastic Book Club

Many thanks for your support of the library.

South Weston Athletics Carnival

St Jude's was well represented at today's South Weston Carnival at Phillip. Despite the initial rain the carnival went ahead. We have heard of some fantastic results so far as well as exceptional behaviour of all our students.  A full report and photos next week. Congratulations to everyone who represented St Jude's. 

ACT 12&U Boys Hocky Championships

Brayden L is currently in Bendigo, Victoria representing the ACT at 12&U Hockey Championships. From all reports the team is going well and having a great time playing a sport they all love. We look forward to hearing all about the championships on Brayden's return. 

Years 4 - 6 Boorowa Touch and Netball Carnival - October 24

Nominations have closed, team entries have been sent to Boorowa. A Compass event notification will be coming out next week to seek parent permission and payment. This will be a fantastic day for the St Jude's school community. 

Uniform shop will be next open Friday 29 August 2:45-3:15pm

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

Fathers Day Sushi Meal Deal - Friday 5 September 

Meal deal consists of one sushi roll and a juice box for $6.50. 

Sushi choices are crispy chicken, avocado and cooked tuna (selection of one). Additional rolls are available. Canteen menu will not be available on this day.   

Orders close Tuesday 2 September at 12pm   No late orders will be accepted. 

Canteen Volunteers Week 6

Wednesday 27 August -  Felicity, & two more volunteers 

Father’s Day Stall

We’re also seeking volunteers to help run our Father’s Day Stall on Thursday 4 September from 9:00am to 11:00am. It’s a fun and rewarding way to be involved and help students choose a special gift.

If you’re available to lend a hand, please send us an email.

Thank you again for being such a supportive school community!

Many thanks,

Gemma Cabot

Stjudes.scc@gmail.com