This week’s Gospel: John  10:1-10

Jesus said:
          “Amen, amen, I say to you,
          whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
          but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
          as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
          he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
          because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
          they will run away from him,
          because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
          the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
          I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
          but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
          and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
          I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Cross Country Carnival

As you would be aware, our St Jude's Cross Country carnival is scheduled to occur next Friday, May 5. This date also clashes with the MacKillop Year 7 trial day which will involve many of our Year 6 students. As such we will postpone the run for all students in the Under 11 and 12 age groups (Year 5 and 6) until a later date. Students in ELC – Year 4 will still happen as planned. Students who are not attending the MacKillop day and who are in these age groups will take on leadership roles in assisting with the ELC - Year 4 carnival. If your child is attending the MacKillop day, please don’t order the Cross Country meal deal.

Staff Professional Learning Day - 24 April

All staff gathered at school last Monday for a day of professional learning. Our K – 2 staff focussed on analysing data from both Dibels and InitailLit. Both of these programs are tied to Literacy. The analysis of this data enables staff to identify strengths and areas for development. This then leads to teaching and learning experiences which have greater relevance to individual student needs. K – 2 staff also spent some time unpacking modules from a writing program called The Writing Revolution. They then used what they had learnt to develop writing tasks which complement the other literacy programs we use and support student developmental needs. The implementation of these programs put us right at the front of literacy teaching and learning when comparing to other schools. Our staff in 3 – 6 worked with Brian Parker, exploring SHARP Reading. For many years, within education circles there has been a misconception that students learn to read in K-2 and once they reach year 3 they just apply these skills to different contexts and content. This is incorrect. All students, even the most competent of readers in Primary school still have skills linked with reading which require teaching.

In the Years 3 – 6 SHARP Reading section there is still a small focus on decoding, however, there is a greater focus on learning skills to assist with comprehension. These skills are applicable to students in middle and senior Secondary schooling. Brian Parker is the co creator of SHARP Reading, a product which has been around for roughly 20 years, developed in New Zealand. It is now widely used across New Zealand, Asia, Europe and parts of Australia. Brian has spent all of this week working with staff in 3 – 6 and giving us the skills to be able to implement this program once he has left. Yesterday, he spent time working with members of our school Executive, training them to become on-sight experts. I can honestly say, there is nothing like SHARP Reading in other schools in Canberra, I have personally seen the excellent results SHARP Reading brings in my previous school and I am excited to be part of another ground breaking initiative.

Holiday Works

Over the break we had our footpath along the car park extended, please use this as opposed to walking down the middle of the car park. We also had significant upgrades to our Wifi. CE covered the cost of this, well over $100,000 worth of work was completed in both upgrading our system as well as improving Wifi access.

School Uniforms

Firstly, thank you to our volunteers who again gave up time in the holiday break to process orders. As we move towards cooler weather, please make sure that your child has enough Winter uniform to keep them warm. Jumpers or sloppy joes (sorry I am showing my age) which are not supplied by the uniform shop are not acceptable. I also am aware that during the Winter months there is a preference for students to have longer hair, please ensure that it is neat and tidy, out of their eyes and if long, is tied back or up.

Enrolment Period

As I have previously mentioned, enrolments across all schools are becoming more competitive. The continual development of schools within Molonglo, combined with aging populations in Duffy, Holder and Weston continues to present challenges. At the writing of this newsletter we have 408 students, which is a good number. Generally schools with student populations between 380 and 450 are ideal. Enrolments are already open, so if you have a child at ELC or know of someone who is looking to enrol, let them know they can start the process today by accessing the enrolment forms via our website. We have organised a letter box drop in our designated areas and will again put up the corflute signs, however, the greatest recommendation comes from word of mouth, so please talk to your friends. For the remainder of 2023 we will be accepting enrolments in Years 2 – 6. At this stage, we will be accepting enrolments in all year levels for 2024. If you have any queries, please contact the front office or email me directly. Our school Open Day will be Tuesday May 2, with tours from 9:15am – 11am and 4pm – 6pm. We will also be offering tours each Tuesday in May between 9:30am and 11am.

Afternoon Pick up

A general reminder that the pick up area at the front of the hall, during the afternoon is not for everyone. This area should really just be for:

• Families with 3 or more children
• Families with babies or younger siblings where getting out of the car is challenging
• Families with students with injuries (on crutches etc)

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Cameron

First Communion Dates

Info Night Tuesday 2 May 6pm at SJV

Commitment Mass Saturday 10 and  Sunday 11 June - Any Mass

Reflection session Tuesday 13 June 6pm at SJV

Sacrament Saturday 17 June or Sunday 18 June 5pm at SJV and 9am at SJH

Term 2 Celebration Dates

ELC NEWS

Happy Birthday to Lyla G, Nadha C, Roy L, Laura B, Lucas W

Welcome back to Term 2, we hope you enjoyed the holiday break. The children who attended our holiday care program enjoyed a range of activities including Easter themed fun, cooking, bike riding, birthday celebrations, a pyjama party and a teddy bears picnic. A big thankyou to our wonderful educators who run such an engaging fun filled program.

Cross Country Carnival

The St Jude’s Cross Country Carnival will be held on Friday 5 May. A meal deal will be available consisting of a hot dog, juice and Quelch stick for $7.00. Orders need to be placed via Qkr! no later than COB Monday 1 May. If you are able to assist with preparing the meal deal, please email katrina.howden@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Gymnastics

We are very excited to begin our gymnastics program conducted by qualified instructors at Woden Valley Gymnastics Club. We are very lucky to have such a great facility so close to our school. Please return your permission notes as soon as possible. Fees for gymnastics will be added to your next account statement.

Open Day

The St Jude’s Primary School and ELC Open Day will be held on Tuesday 2 May. There are 2 sessions, 9:15am- 11am and 4pm-6pm. If you know any families with children approaching preschool age, invite them along to have a look at our amazing ELC! 

2024 Online Enrolments

Online enrolments are now open for Catholic schools and ELCs via the relevant school websites. A reminder to all ELC families that you need to submit an enrolment form for Kindergarten in 2024. Please note, if you are considering a second year of preschool, please contact your class teacher as soon as possible.

Primary School Enrolment Zones

Enrolments are now open for our primary schools (St Jude’s and St John Vianney’s) for 2024.

• If your residential address is Holder or Duffy you are zoned for St Jude’s for primary school.
• If your residential address is Stirling, Fisher, Waramanga, Chapman or Rivett you are zoned for St John Vianney’s.
• Weston and Molonglo are shared zones and families can choose which school to apply for. Please note this does not guarantee you a place at that school.

Enrolments are based on a priority system.

It’s Reading Challenge term! The theme is 

‘Reading around the World’ We are focussing on the different continents of the world (except for Antarctica  which will be free  choice to gain bonus points). We will be looking at both Fiction and Non-Fiction books. Children will choose their countries within each continent and record the titles etc on their sheets. (with help as needed)

Kinders, Years 1 & 2 will be working through a booklet at school in Library time.

Years 3 & 4 will receive a recording sheet and map and have the challenge explained to them during Library this week or next.  Years 5 & 6 will have their copies on their Chromebooks so they can access from home or at school. Many resources will be on display at school but I encourage Years 5 & 6 especially to use SORA (online books) or books at home or in their classroom, or to go to a local Library to borrow additional books.

Children will have all term to do as much as they can. I will collect sheets from them at the beginning of next term as some classes have missed the start this term. This gives an extra 2 or 3 weeks to achieve their reading quota. Rewards will be given as children finish their sheets and overall class winners will receive an additional prize.  The aim is keep reading, learn new things and have fun!

HELP if you can

I am trying to create a huge wall display of countries around the world and would greatly appreciate the loan of any of the following to build it up – souvenir type teatowels, postcards or posters from countries or even material that might form a backdrop. I have flags and language cards and some artefacts that I can hang up. Perhaps some dolls might be good also as I can put them on display on a table inside the Library. If you can help, please send to the Library with your name on the items or bag so I can return them to you later. *Please do not send anything breakable or valuable.

Thank you!

Cross Country Meal Deal

Cross Country Meal Deal is now able to be ordered through Qkr!, consisting of a Hot Dog, Juice and Quelch Stick for $7.00. Vegetarian and additional hot dogs are available.

Orders need to be placed via Qkr! no later than COB Monday 1 May.

If paying by cash, please use the order form and return to the front office.

Menu Items

You may notice on Qkr! that flavoured milk is unavailable – we are still experiencing delays from suppliers.  

Canteen Volunteers – Week 2

Wednesday 3 May – R. Tanner, J. Long & E. Dimanoski

Thursday 4 May – R. Buckley, more volunteers needed please

Friday 5 May – Cross Country – S. Devonport, G. Cabot, E. Eyles, S. Monges

More volunteers are needed for this term, if you are available to assist on either and Wednesday, Thursday or Friday please email katrina.howden@cg.catholic.edu.au

Term 2 has commenced, and so has the two week transition to Winter Uniform. Now is the time to be trying on your winter gear and making sure it fits - all children must be in winter uniform no later than Monday 8 May (Week 3). Donations of pre-loved uniforms are always accepted via the front office.

Orders can be placed on Qkr!, or via email (for secondhand items) to: uniform.stjudes@gmail.com

The long sleeve sports polos are now fully stocked and ready for orders via Qkr! **This polo IS NOT COMPULSORY. It is an optional extra for the winter months, for children who feel the cold. 

***Our only out of stock item at the moment is navy blue tights in size 4-6. We anticipate the arrival of these within the coming week***