Term 3 Week 6 - Thursday 28 August 2025

Sacrament of Confirmation

The Archbishop presided over a beautifully reverent ceremony where over twenty of our students received the Sacrament of Confirmation. There was a high level of respect and reverence in the Church and the Archbishop moved through the ceremony talking with the congregation about the journey to Confirmation. His conversation was invitational. An invitation for all to reconnect with the Church. Thank you to Cathy and Lee Schneider who led the program as volunteers working within the parish. As it is a Parish celebration, coordinating students from both Parish schools, Marist as well as other schools in our community is no mean feat. Thank you also to our families. Parish programs rely greatly on the energy and commitment of families to journeying. We are blessed with many families who are committed to dedicating their time to support their children. Thank you also to Brigitta our REC and Katie our Youth Minister, for the roles each of you played in unpacking Confirmation and preparing our students.

Book Week

The fun continues with our Book Fair starting tomorrow afternoon. Book Cow have provided us with a great selection for you to purchase from. Further details are outlined in the Library section of the Newsletter. This is always a great opportunity for early stocking fillers for Christmas. Thank you to Mrs Hind for all the wonderful things you are doing to promote reading.

Father’s Day Celebrations

As you will have seen, On Friday September 5 we will be holding our Father’s Day breakfast. Breakfast will be a sausage sizzle, pastries, tea and coffee and a fruit box. There is an RSVP later in the newsletter. Please include your children in these numbers as we will then be able to include them in the catering. If Dad can’t attend, we would love to have a significant male from your child’s life. Once breakfast is over, the students and teachers have organised some activities in the classrooms. These will finish by 10am. The ELC students will then lead a Father’s Day liturgy in the Church. All ELC Dads are welcome to join us. 

New St Mary MacKillop College Principal Announced  

As you may be aware, Mr Michael Lee completes his time as Principal at the end of 2025. After a thorough recruiting process, with what I am told was a very strong field, Mrs Jacqui Heffernen has been appointed. Having known Jacqui for over 35 years, I can honestly say that Jacqui is a genuinely nice person who has a proven track record as a leader in Catholic Education. To read more about Jacqui head to https://www.mackillop.act.edu.au/index.php/news-events/college-news/item/jacqueline-heffernan-announced-as-new-principal

St Jude's 50th Celebrations

 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.

Happy Birthday to

Olivia H, Amal L, Arthur F, Aari R, Ava S, Rosie C, Joey L, Aiva J, Pru C.  

Prime Minister's Spelling Bee 

Congratulations to the following Year 6 students who will progress to the state finals of the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee competition.

What a great effort!

Calling any business owners who would like some free advertising!

Year 6 has their assembly this 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.

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.

Save the Date - Grandparents Day 

ACT 12&U Boys Hockey Championships

Last week Brayden L represented not only St Jude's School but the ACT at the 12&U Hockey Championships in Bendigo, Victoria. Brayden's team played 6 games throughout the tournament against NSW, VIC, Queensland, SA, Tas and WA. They came away with 1 win, 2 draws and 3 losses and came a creditable 5^th place overall. What a wonderful achievement and experience for Brayden playing against the best 12 year old hockey players in Australia. Well done Brayden, we are extremely proud of you and look forward to what the future holds for you. 

Congratulations Sasha! 

Sasha A competed in the ACT State Championship last weekend in Level 4 gymnastics for Southern Canberra Gymnastics team. He achieved an outstanding result – winning 2 gold medals, 2 bronze medals, and a silver medal overall.

Congratulations!

A warm congratulations to our newly confirmed Confirmation Candidates who last night, received the Sacrament of Confirmation, completing their initiation into the Catholic Church.

During this special Mass, our young people were sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit through the anointing with sacred Chrism and the laying on of hands. This powerful sacrament strengthens them to live as witnesses of Christ, guided by the Spirit’s gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, courage, knowledge, wonder and reverence for God.

May the Holy Spirit guide you, strengthen your faith, and inspire you to live as a true witness of Christ. 

ELC News

A huge thank you to our St John Vianney’s year 5 buddies who spent the morning at the ELC on Tuesday before a brisk walk back to school. The children had a wonderful time reading, playing and building connections with their SJV buddies.

ELC Staffing

We are sad to say farewell to Kajsa Aquilina this week. Kajsa has been an amazing member of our ELC team and we wish her well in her new role.  Luckily she will still be available to work with us occasionally during the holidays. Amanda Hibbens will be joining us in the Stingrays room.  Amanda has worked with us during holiday care and brings a wealth of experience.

Fathers Day Stall

The Turtles and Stingrays will have the opportunity to purchase a gift for Dad at our Fathers Day stall on Tuesday 2 September (4 September for the Lobsters). If your child would like to participate, please send $2- $10 in a labelled envelope on the day.  Shhhhh don’t tell dad!

Fathers Day Celebrations

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.

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

The Stingrays will have a ‘Stay and Play’ session on Monday 8 Sept from 9am – 10am for Stingray fathers and special friends.

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

Congratulations Book Week Competition Prize Winners

Book Cow Book Fair

Our Book Cow Book Fair is coming!

Where: St Jude's Library

When:  

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

Payment: Cash or card, online payment option here

Thank you for supporting our school library.

Scholastic Book Club

South Weston Athletics Carnival

Last Thursday the following students represented St Jude's at the South Weston Carnival at Phillip Oval.

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 7

Wednesday 3 September -  Felicity, Renee & one more volunteer please

Father’s Day Stall

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. Gifts will range in price from $2 to $10. 

We have enough volunteers at the moment but if you would still like to help out please reach out. Volunteers will be contacted by the end of the week. 

Thank you again for being such a supportive school community!

Many thanks,

Gemma Cabot

Stjudes.scc@gmail.com 

ACT Dragon Boating’s next gen program will be opening for registrations soon with the junior paddling program commencing in week 2, Term 4. Dragon Boating is a wonderful team sport developing fitness and importantly team building skills.

The sport is open to all from ages 10 up.  More information can be found click here.