Gospel Reading: Mt 28:16-20

As for the Eleven disciples, they went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Jesus, they bowed before him, although some doubted. Then Jesus approached them and said, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples from all nations. Baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to fulfill all that I have commanded you. I am with you always until the end of this world."

Mother’s Day Celebrations

It was wonderful to have many mum’s, aunties, grandma’s, and other significant ladies. There was great excitement from all students in both sharing some of their learning and doing something special. Thank you to all who helped make Mother’s Day celebrations special. Thank you also to the dads who helped out in the canteen and with the clean-up. I hope each of you shared a special Sunday.

Director’s Visit

Mr Ross Fox, Director of Catholic Education visited St Jude’s this morning. He was impressed by our wonderfully polite students and the learning which is happening in all classrooms. The executive spent time elaborating on many of the wonderful things we are doing. We have been working really hard towards achieving the CE bold goals, in particular, Every child is a competent reader. Mr Fox also visited our youngest students at the ELC.  Some of the topics for discussion were, Molonglo, enrolments, staffing, IT, resources, and CE strategic plan. This was a great opportunity to showcase all the wonderful learning which occurs at St Jude’s.

St Jude’s Enrolment Period

Kinder enrolments are coming in thick and fast. If you know of anyone thinking about enrolling, please advise them to submit their application asap. We currently have spaces in Years 2 – 6 for 2023 and all year levels in 2024. Since the beginning of this term, we have welcomed 5 new families, with 8 children. As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, I had a conversation with Matthew Hutchison about Marist enrolments, and he confirmed, Catholic boys, coming from St Jude’s would not miss out on a place at Marist in Year 7.

As our enrolment period continues, we will have opportunities for tours each Tuesday morning in May from 9:30 am until 11:00 am. We had 4 more families tour this week. Our Year 6 leaders were fantastic tour guides. The enrolment period ends on 31 May. I will begin Kinder interviews in a couple of weeks.

Mulleygrubs Café

You may recall the following message, circulated via Compass:

Dear Parents and Carers,
I am sure you will agree, that we are fortunate in having Katrina as our canteen manager.
We have also been fortunate in having a great group of parents and carers who have assisted.
One thing we have overlooked is a back up plan if Katrina is not able to work.
We are seeking expressions of interest from members of our community who may be able to cover the odd day or two, should we require it.
If you are able to help out, please email stjudes.scc@gmail.com

Unfortunately, we received no responses. As a result, the Canteen will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday (24 & 25 May) of week 5. The usual Canteen menu will be unavailable on Friday; however, a meal deal will be available to order for those families interested.

The meal deal will consist of a Sausage, Juice and Quelch Stick for $6.50. Vegetarian and an additional sausage are also available. Orders need to be placed through Qkr!, cash order forms are available at the front office.

Orders will close strictly by COB on Thursday 18 May. No late orders can be accepted.  

Dance

Our students have been enormously enthusiastic in moving and grooving as their dance routines begin to take shape. We are enormously blessed to have Jan Simpson working with both our students and staff. If you missed this information in previous newsletters, our dance concert will be held early in Term 3. More information to come.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Cameron

ELC NEWS

Happy Birthday to Olivia. T and Max. R

Mother's Day Breakfast and Open Classroom

On Friday 12 May, we invited mothers, grandmothers and special friends to our classrooms. Thank you to all those Mum’s who were able to join us, it was a lovely morning.

Ryka – Indigenous Performer

We had our first incursion this week, Ryka is from Yidinji country and he shared some dress items, tools and instruments from his culture and taught us some new songs and dances. We also participated in a smoking ceremony and body painted symbols. The children were painted with ochre in the designs of ‘Javan’ freshwater eel and ‘Kabul’ salt water crocodile.

Early Childhood Conference

This week two of our teachers attended a conference for early childhood teachers about changes that have been made for the learning framework. I wanted to share a paragraph with you from the framework about the importance of play. At St Jude’s ELC we use a play based approach to learning and at times people don’t fully understand how crucial play is for developing brains. This paragraph explains it so well. 

Play-based learning capitalises on children’s natural inclination to be curious, explore and learn. Children actively construct their own understandings that contribute to their own learning. In play experiences children integrate their emotions, thinking and motivation that assists to strengthen brain functioning. They exercise their agency, intentionality, capacity to initiate and lead learning, and their right to participate in decisions that affect them, including about their learning.

Play-based learning:

• allows for the expression of personality and uniqueness
• offers opportunities for multimodal play
• enhances thinking skills and lifelong learning dispositions such as curiosity, persistence and creativity
• enables children to make connections between prior experiences and new learning and to transfer learning from one experience to another
• assists children to develop and build relationships and friendships
• develops knowledge acquisition and concepts in authentic contexts
• builds a sense of identity
• strengthens self-regulation, and physical and mental wellbeing.

Open Days and Tours

We had another successful Open morning on Tuesday and received very positive feedback from the families who visited. Families are welcome to drop in for a tour on Tuesday 23 May between 9:30 and 11am.

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 Stirling, Fisher, Waramanga, Chapman or Rivett you are zoned for St John Vianney’s for primary school.
• If your residential address is Holder or Duffy you are zoned for St Jude’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.

*All books from the last holidays should be returned to the Library by now.

Everyone in K-2 is encouraged to borrow every week, especially now as the Reading Challenge is happening. Years 3 – 6 should be mindful of regular borrowing and building up their reading stamina.

*Next week is National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) and this year the book is  The Speedy Sloth by Rebecca Young. Children in the lower grades will be listening to this story in their Library time, enjoying an activity and recording it in their Reading Challenges as well.

Year 5/6 Book Club is hosting a Book Swap in Week 6

Who: Years 1-6  

What: Bring 1 or 2 books from home that your parents have agreed to let you swap for others at school.

Where: Library at lunchtime, 11.15am – 11.45am

When: Bring your books in Monday (Week 6)

Swap on Wednesday (Years 1,2,3) and Thursday (Years 4,5,6) at lunchtime.

Conditions: Books must be in good condition & will be checked by Librarian. No colouring books, no Golden books. They must be books that both your child and other children (of the same age group) would want to read. We also have extra books for lots of choices! Should be fun!

Happy Reading! Verna Comley

Canteen Next Week

As mentioned in last week’s newsletter the Canteen will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday (24 & 25 May) next week. The usual Canteen menu will be unavailable on Friday; however, a meal deal will be available to order for those families interested.

The meal deal will consist of a Sausage, Juice and Quelch Stick for $6.50. Vegetarian and an additional sausage are also available. Orders need to be placed through Qkr!, cash order forms are available at the front office.

Orders will close strictly by COB TODAY, Thursday 18 May. 

No late orders can be accepted.  

Canteen Volunteers – Week 5

Wednesday 24 May – Canteen Closed

Thursday 25 May – Canteen Closed

Friday 26 May – G. Cabot, E. Eyles, S. Monges, S. Devonport & E. Susic

I am still in need of some volunteers this term, if you are available to assist on either a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday please email katrina.howden@cg.catholic.edu.au

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

If any item displays as 'OUT OF STOCK' please email the uniform shop and we will follow it up/order in the stock for you.

The long sleeve sports polos have been very popular!! Orders for these may be placed via Qkr! **Size 8 long sleeve polos have arrived and anyone who was waiting should have received theirs yesterday**.

This sports polo IS NOT COMPULSORY. It is an optional extra for the winter months, for children who feel the cold.