Gospel – Matthew 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’ Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

Year 6 Debating

Over the past 4 weeks our students have been involved in inter school debating involving students from Catholic schools in Gowrie, Calwell and Kambah. Each of the debates have been adjudicated by Year 10 students from MacKillop Catholic College. Our students have presented well structured and thought out debates, often presenting great rebuttals. Thank you to our year 6 teachers for facilitating this.

Student’s departing St Jude’s at the end of 2023

I have been informed of a couple of families who are either moving interstate or overseas. Many of our year levels have waitlists and student numbers also impacts on budget and staffing. If you know that your children wont be at St Jude’s in 2023, can you please contact Natalie in the front office as soon as possible.

School Photo Packs

School photo’s were handed out to students this week (if an order was placed).

If you have any feedback/concerns regarding your child’s portrait, class photo or sibling photo, could you please take a screenshot and email our Community Council - stjudes.scc@gmail.com

For any further photo queries, please contact MSP Canberra canberra.office@msp.com.au

Holiday projects

Stage 1 of the shelter shed will occur in the September holidays. This involves the removal of the current surface and the replacement with asphalt. Once this is completed, we will need to wait for the next part of the project, which will be painting and sealing.

The other building project is the installation of a covered walkway between the portable building on the oval and the shelter shed. This should then complete the new classroom project.

School Oval

The oval is presenting some ongoing issues. We are currently working with a consultant in relation to the best way forward. The oval was recently sprayed to remove the large number of Bindi’s and other weeds. As a result, it hasn’t received its usual amount of water. Unfortunately, we could not put this off as we needed to have it done just before we head into the growing season. Over the past week and the coming weeks, watering will be rectified and the ground will again become softer. Longer term, we are looking at coring, top dressing and re seeding the oval. It is yet to be decided what time of year is best, based upon access, usage and seasonal weather. We have allocated some funds in next years budget and it is likely that we will be also reaching out to the community for support. Another challenge is the out of school use. Many families, not from our community also use it. Unfortunately, the watering system has been vadalised, we are hoping to have this repaired in the next few days. As previously mentioned, we are also working with CE in relation to a fence around the school, which should also assist with both protecting and nurturing our assets.

Start of Term 4 Date

Term 4, for students, begins on Monday October 9. The pupil free day for Term 4 is at the end of the term, Friday 15 December. This will enable teachers to complete first aid requirements as well as meet and plan in their new teams.

Camp Australia Holiday Program

If you are requiring care during the upcoming holiday period, reach out to Camp Australia as they have a great program planned and have vacancies.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Cameron

Funky Friday - Friday 22 September

On the last day of term 3 we will be holding a Funky Friday. Your child can come to school with a wacky hair-do, funky socks and mufti clothes. To participate in our Funky Friday your child will need to bring in a gold coin donation. We will come around and collect the coins from your child’s classroom on the day. The money that we raise will be donated to the Catholic Mission. They are a group of people that teach kids in poor countries about the Catholic faith and they provide food for the centre of child development. The money will help make a difference in communities, children’s lives and also future church leaders around the world. So dress up your child and get in on the fun! Crazy hair, wacky socks and mufti clothes.

Thank you for supporting the Catholic Missions.

-The Prayer and Service group.

Sacraments 2024

Eligibility for each Sacrament is as follows:

Reconciliation - open to students who have been baptised in Year 3 or above.

First Eucharist - open to students who have made their Reconciliation in Year 4 or above.

Confirmation - open to students who have received their First Eucharist in Year 6 or above.

If your child has not received an invitation this week, and you would like them to receive one of the Sacraments, or if your child has received an invitation for the wrong Sacrament, please let me know. We encourage you to read the information (on the back of the invitation) and visit the Parish's website for more information. The Parish website is: https://stjjvwestoncreek.blogspot.com/ 

It is possible to receive more than one Sacrament in the same year, however, the Sacraments usually need to be made in order. These questions and other general enquiries about the Sacramental program are best directed to the Parish Office via email: SacramentalOLA@cg.org.au

Sacraments_2024.pdf

ELC NEWS

Funky Friday - Friday 22 September

On the last day of term 3 the Prayer and Service group (senior students) will be holding Funky Friday. Your child can come to school with a wacky hairdo, funky socks and mufti clothes. We are asking for a gold coin donation to participate. The money raised will be donated to Catholic Mission who teach children in poor countries about the Catholic faith and provide food for the Centre of Child Development. The money will help make a difference in communities, children’s lives and also future church leaders around the world. So dress up your child and get in on the fun! Crazy hair, wacky socks and mufti clothes.

ELC School Photos

The much-anticipated school photos have finally arrived and have been sent home this week. If you have any feedback, please send it through to the ELC office elc.stjudes@cg.catholic.edu.au

Gymnastics -Term 4

Earlier this term parents were asked to indicate if they would like their child to participate in another term of gymnastics at the Woden Valley Gymnastics Club. It was an overwhelming YES! Permission notes for a term 4 gymnastics program have been sent home this week, please return ASAP.

Kinder and ELC Orientation

Orientation morning for St Jude’s 2024 Kinder and 2024 ELC will be on Wednesday 8 November. Further information will be emailed very soon. St John Vianney’s 2024 Kinder Orientation will be on Wednesday 1 November. Watch this space for more information.

ELC School Holiday Program

There are places available in the ELC Holiday Program.  Casual bookings are available for $150 per day. The Holiday Program runs from 8am – 5:30pm. ELC uniforms are not required. Families are still required to pack food for fruit break, lunch, afternoon tea and a late afternoon snack. The canteen is not operational during the school holiday periods.

ACT Athletics Championships

A huge congratulations to Zara LF, Sonny C, Noah M, Lexie B and Jack V who competed at the ACT Athletics Championships on Tuesday at the Australian Institute of Sport. These students were one of the top 16 students in ACT in each of their events which is absolutely amazing. The St Jude's community is so proud of the achievement of these students, and the way they conducted themselves representing our school. Well Done!

Congratulations Willow M!

Willow competed in the Irish Dancing ACT State Championships. She danced 3 dances in both hard and soft shoe and placed first in the intermediate category and second overall. 

It’s been another busy and productive term in the Indonesian room. Some of the fun ways we have engaged with Indonesian language and culture this term include:

Dice and drawing games, class books, fruit tastings, speaking games, collaborative collages, class toys, board games, bingo and outside games!

Kinders are expert counters from 1-10 and are enjoying practising their colours and body parts. Year One can read Where is the Green Sheep? in Indonesian and have been practising using prepositions. Year 2 are amazing at recalling body parts using songs and games. Year 3 can name zoo animals and describe some features of animals. Year 4 can ask and say where and how they want to get around town. Year 5 and 6 have been working hard to learn how to bargain for fruit at a market using Indonesian rupiah.

Well done everyone for your hard work and positive attitude to learning another language.

Canteen Volunteers – Week 10

Wednesday 20 September– E. Dimanoski

Thursday 21 September – L. Gardiner, R. Buckley and more volunteers needed please  

Friday 22 September – S. Monges, S. Devonport, G. Cabot and more volunteers needed please  

Last Day of Term Meal Deal – Domino’s Pizza - Friday 22 September

The meal deal consists of two slices of Pizza, a Juice and Quelch Stick for $6.50.

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.

If your child requires a Gluten Free Option, please email katrina.howden@cg.catholic.edu.au for this to be organised.

Orders close COB Monday 18 September

Orders need to be placed via Qkr! If paying by cash, please use the order form and return to the front office. No late orders will be accepted.

Term 4

The volunteer roster for Term 4 is currently being prepared if you would like to come and assist in the Canteen – please get in touch.

Uniform shop open 

Friday 15 September - 2:30pm to 3:30pm

Friday 22 September - 2:45pm to 3:15pm (after assembly)

SUNDAY 8 October - 9:30am - 11:00am (SCHOOL HOLIDAY SHELTER SHED OPENING)

***THE UNIFORM SHOP TABS ARE NOW UPDATED - CHECK THEM OUT ON QKR!***

For any and all uniform needs, orders can be placed via the Uniform Shop tab on Qkr!

Email to: uniform.stjudes@gmail.com for any second hand items. **Please do not make payment for secondhand items, until we reply to your request confirming stock is available. 

If there is ever an issue with an order, please email the uniform shop and we will endeavour to fix this as soon as possible. Similarly if items are missing from Qkr! or marked 'stock not available', please let us know and we can order stock with relatively quick turnaround times. 

2024 Fete

Thank you to those who volunteered to be on our fete committee. We are holding our first (virtual) meeting 7pm tonight If you are thinking of joining our fete committee please reach out using the email below and we will email the link. We welcome you coming along to the meeting to see what is involved.

Trivia Night – Saturday 21 October, 6pm School Hall

We are very excited to be able to hold a trivia night for parents, carers and friends. Tickets are $5 (Qkr! details to be released soon). Make up a table of 10 or register to be placed on a table. These events are a great way to meet new families at St Jude’s. Come dressed as your favourite hero (super or every day). There will be prizes for best costume and table decorations. BYO food and drinks. Each table to provide a prize for the pool, this can be big or small – it’s just something to add to the fun. RSVP to the CC email.

Referendum Cake Stall & BBQ – Saturday 14 October

The school hall will be a polling venue for the upcoming referendum. If you are able to assist with a BBQ to be run please get in touch. Even an hour or so would be of great assistance. Don’t worry if you can’t help out on the day – we are also calling all bakers to prepare yummy treats to sell at the cake stall. Drop off for items will be the day before.

Important Dates

Many thanks,

Gemma Cabot

Stjudes.scc@gmail.com