Principal’s Report for Community Council Meeting Thursday October 26, 2023.

School Events

Since our last meeting there have been a plethora of extra-curricular activities, including:

• Whole school participating in Gymnastics at Woden Valley Gymnastics club in T2 and tennis at the Weston Creek Tennis Club
• Book week
• Interschool debating
• Year 1 Excursion to the Dinosaur Museum, Kinder excursion to Questacon, Kinder and Year 6 Yoga, Year 5/6 dance workshop, Year 5/6 dance performance at Canberra College
• Teachers v’s Students netball
• Funky Friday Fundraiser for Mini Missions
• Father’s Day Liturgy, open classrooms and BBQ breakfast
• Referendum BBQ, Trivia Night
• Walkathon

Academic developments

Having implemented The Writing Revolution (K-2) and SHARP reading (3 – 6) we are seeing significant progress in each of these areas. Students in K-2 are continuing to focus on quality rather than quantity in their writing, with some very well structured sentences and paragraphs being created. Our 3-6 students are being exposed to a variety of genre in texts and are working collaboratively with their peers to both decode and interpret.

Our Year 2 teachers have commenced working with the students on structures of both Narrative and Persuasive texts. This is in line with preparing our students for Year 3 and NAPLAN. We continue to focus on setting the students up for success.

Maths is also going from strength to strength with our students continuing to focus on developing number manipulation skills. We are trialing Rocket Maths in several classes, this program has a focus on addition and subtraction in K – 2, Multiplication in 3 – 4 and integers, fractions, decimals and percentages in 5 – 6. All students are currently involved in PAT and Dibels assessments which provides relevant and timely data that enables our teachers to individualise and modify learning experiences. The assessment data additionally clearly identifies growth across a calendar year.

Resource Improvements

There are several ongoing projects which are coming to fruition. The concrete path to the portable classroom has been completed, the covered walkway will be completed over the next 3 or 4 Saturdays. This will limit both the noise and disruption to learning.

The Shelter Shed surface has been tidied up, with the old surface being taken away and a new asphalt surface being laid. The design for the surface has been finalised, it will include a large compass, hundreds square, alphabet worm, hopscotch and a variety of other activity-based tasks. The asphalt requires time to set before the top covering and painting can occur. We are further looking at sealing the netball court and having it professionally painted. Thank you to our Community Council and all parents who led/assisted with raising funds to enable this to happen.

The potholes in the car park have been filled and the road is a little smoother. The area near the sports shed has had the old garden bed removed and a new asphalt surface has been laid. This will be the new area to store the recycle and waste bins. We are currently working with a new provider who will be able to supply us with hoppers that align with our classroom bins – food scraps, paper, hard plastics and general rubbish to ensure we are managing our waste to aid in protecting our planet.

Last Tuesday, I met with representatives from Catholic Education to discuss the creation of a wheel chair friendly toilet/shower as well as further exploration of a school fence. It is important that our school has appropriate facilities for all of our community members to utilize. The addition of a fence is all about keeping our students and school ground safe. The discussions were very positive and both projects will go out to tender within the next month. A large majority of the cost of these items will be covered by the Building levy within school fees.

IT Update

I am continuing to seek clarification from CE in relation options for parents of students departing the school in 2023 to purchase the current device being used. At this stage, I have not received any further information. Unfortunately, I do not envisage that I will hear anything definitive soon. My suggestion would be, that if your child is leaving St Jude’s, particularly to attend Secondary school, then you might be better off liaising with the Secondary school to see what their requirements are in relation to devices. Once you have this information, you can make a decision on the best option for your child to utilise in a high school setting.

School Fees Update

CE are working towards all Catholic Primary schools having the same fees. There would potentially be one fee which covers everything. They are working with all school finance managers to ensure that we are able to continue to meet our budgetary requirements.

As you would be aware, from previous correspondence, there will be a significant reduction of Government funding in 2029. It is believed to be to the tune of a loss of $40 million. As such, it is expected there will be a gradual increase to ensure that the impact is minimised. This will most likely impact the sibling discount. Information will be shared through the newsletter as details are announced.

Upcoming Events

Keep an eye out for information on the following events through Compass and/or the school newsletter:

• Kinder orientation – November 8
• St Jude’s Feast day - October 27
• Grandparents day - October 27
• 2025 student leadership application – November 6
• Kinder retreat – November 17
• Yr 6 Graduation – December 12
• One-Up day – December 13
• Aqua park Year 5 and 6 – December 13
• Thanksgiving Mass and Candle Ceremony– December 14
• Student reports – December 11
• Swimming – 27 November – 8 December
• Parent Teacher Interviews – 27 November – 30 November

Sacraments  2024

Registration is now open, thank you to those who have already registered so quickly! 

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.

All candidates for 2024 are invited to a Gathering Masses on 11-12 November.

St Jude's Feast day and Grandparents day

On Friday 27 October, we will celebrate our school Feast day and well as Grandparents day which both land on the weekend. 

We will celebrate with Mass at 9am, which all Grandparents are invited to. Please be aware that our Church has limited space when the whole school attends and so it will take time to organise the students once seated. Grandparents and Grandchildren are invited to sit together where possible, whether it be with the class or in your own space.

At 10am, Grandparents are invited into the classrooms. 

At 10.45, Grandparents and all students will head outside for a BBQ picnic. Classes will be seated in different areas around the school, however to accommodate families with multiple ages, some students can move to their sibling's area. Grandparents will be served a sausage, or are welcome to bring their own lunch.

For catering purposes, could you please RSVP to the BBQ picnic: 

Christmas Eve Mass - Nativity 

Each year, Fr Michael celebrates Christmas Eve Mass with a Nativity at the Gospel. If your child/children are interested in playing the role of Mary, Joseph, Wise Men, Shepherds or Angels, please contact Brigitta at the school, or Danielle at the Parish to let us know. There will be a practise before the end of term. 

ELC NEWS

This week we welcomed ten tadpoles in each classroom at the ELC.  Thank you to Janice (Georgia’s mum) for collecting them for us. We look forward to learning so much about their life cycle over this term.

Mango Fundraiser

Once again the ELC are hosting the Mango Fundraiser.  Trays can be ordered on Qkr for $27 each.  Orders close on Monday 30 October. Farmers have experienced very low crops this year so trays will be a little smaller than last year – 4.5Kgs with 9-14 mangoes.

Trivia Night – This Saturday

The St Jude’s Trivia Night is this Saturday 21 October at 6pm in the school hall.  This is a great way to meet other parents and enjoy a fun night out.

St Jude’s Feast Day / Grandparents Day / SJV Sideshow Ally

On Friday 27 October we will be celebrating St Jude’s Feast Day with Mass at 9am. Grandparents are invited to our open classrooms at 10am to celebrate Grandparents Day.  At 11am we will then head off on or Excursion to SJV sideshow alley. Please return notes to the ELC as soon as possible (Turtles and Lobsters). The pizza lunch order is due by 3pm Wednesday 25 October, no late orders will be accepted.

On Monday 30 October, the Stingrays grandparents are invited into the classroom between 9am and 10am for grandparents day. Please invite your grandparents and special people to join us. 

Kinder and ELC Orientation

Orientation morning for St Jude’s 2024 Kinder and 2024 ELC will be on Wednesday 8 November and One Up Day is on Wednesday 13 December. St John Vianney’s 2024 Kinder Orientation will be on Wednesday 1 November. More information has been emailed.

SJV Fete

The SJV Fete will be on Saturday 4 November.  It is always a fun family day so be sure to come along. There will be jumping castles, laser tag, rock climbing, super slide, raffles, yummy food, a plant stall and much more.  ELC families can pre-purchase ride wrist bands for $25 (a $5 discount). 

How time flies! We’re already well into the second week of term and it is pleasing to see the students applying themselves to learning tasks so enthusiastically. A large number from each class are borrowing and retuning regularly, which is great to see. Keep it up!

This term in Library we are working on

K- *Seasons, *Kakadu, and *Christmas.

Yr1- Minibeasts

Yr2- Australian Landmarks                       

Yr3- Information Skills

Yr4- Literacy Devices

Yr5- Australian poetry

Yr6- Biography and Autobiography -Inquiry research

• Thank you to the family of Ben L for the kind donation of preloved books.

Have a great week,

Donna Gordon

Acting Librarian

This week our Year 3 and Year 4 students attended an Indonesian Incursion by fabulous Indonesian dancers, Pak Jack and Ibu Karina, from Suara Dance Indonesia. They were introduced to a variety of dances and songs from Indonesia. It was a very interactive experience for the students and great fun for all. Terima kasih (Thank you) Suara Indonesia Dance.

RAIDERS LEAGUE TAG GALA DAY

Canberra Raiders Football Club are organising a Southside Gala Day next Thursday 26 October. The venue will be Kambah 1 off Chirnside Circuit Kambah. First Games Kick Off  at 10.00am; Day Concludes – 2.10pm. Students will need to be at the venue no later than 9.15am please. St Jude's has entered 2 Year 3/4 mixed teams and 2 Year 5/6 mixed teams. A COMPASS notification will be sent out today with further details. Parents are asked to please give consent for their child/ren if interested visa COMPASS. No paper copy permission note will be sent home. Parents will be required to provide transport to and from the venue. School will be as normal for students not wishing to participate. This day will be non-progressional with scores therefore not being recorded on the day.

Canteen Volunteers – Week 3

Wednesday 25 October – E. Dimanoski & S. Auhl

Thursday 26 October – S.Auhl, R. Buckley and one more volunteer please

Friday 27 October – S. Monges, S. Devonport, E. Eyles, I. Shames & G. Cabot

Grandparents Day – Friday 27 October

Normal Canteen Menu will be unavailable. As it is Grandparents/ Feast Day each child will be provided with a Sausage and Drink for lunch.  

If you would like to volunteer in the Canteen, please get in touch katrina.howden@cg.catholic.edu.au

Uniform shop open:  

Tuesday 24 Oct 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Wednesday 8 Nov (Kinder Orientation) - 8:30am - 11:00am

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

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

Next Community Council Meeting

The next Community Council meeting will be held Thursday 26 October 6pm in the school hall and online. All are welcome. If you have a question or an issue you would like addressed at the meeting please forward through to the Community Council email by Friday 20 October for addition to the agenda.

2024 Fete

We will be holding our next Fete Committee next week. We are still seeking a volunteer to undertake the shared role of site coordinator. If you are able to assist please reach out to the Community Council email.

Calling all green thumbs!

Interested in helping to prepare for the garden stall at St Jude’s fete in 2024? The next few months are ideal for propagating plants to sell. Please contact jeanette.swayn@gmail.com or jennieholbrook1948@gmail.com if you are able to assist in any way (e.g. supply plant material to propagate, pots, potting mix etc. ) your assistance will be appreciated.

Trivia Night – Saturday 21 October, 6pm School Hall

Trivia night ticket sales are now live!

Tickets are $5 via Qkr!. Make up a table of up to 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.

Please send an RSVP indicating what table you are on (or happy to be placed) to the Community Council email.

Referendum Cake Stall & BBQ

Thank you to everyone who assisted with the BBQ and cake stall last weekend, from bakers to those who assisted on the day. Once again it was amazing to be back out in the community. We received lots of lovely comments from community members who made a special effort to come down to the school to visit the stall. It looks like the stall made approximately $2000, which is an amazing result.

School Disco – 17 November

We are very excited to offer a school disco this term. It has been a number of years since we have had one, and it is something that many families have requested. Specific timings will be confirmed soon, however there will be two sessions held on the evening of the 17 November – one each for the junior and senior grades. We will need volunteers on the night to provide general supervision, noting this event is not being run by school staff. Please contact the Community Council via email if you are able to assist.

Important Dates

Many thanks,

Gemma Cabot

Stjudes.scc@gmail.com