This week’s Gospel

Matthew 25: 1-13

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.

Kindergarten Orientation

It was wonderful to welcome our 2024 Kindergarten students to St Jude’s yesterday. The children spent time in classrooms involved in a number of fun activities. Whilst the parents and carers spent time in the hall in a meet and greet information session. Topics covered during this session included, school readiness, emotional regulation, Community Council, school uniform and Camp Australia. A big thank you to Kerri Kerr, Anna Carter, Karen Leighton and Renee McKee for organising and facilitating. We look forward to seeing the students back at St Jude’s on One Up Day.

Parent requests for 2024 classes

Soon we will begin allocating students into their class groupings for 2024. This is quite a complicated process which involves ensuring that they have a friend in their new class as well as making sure that academic and social needs are evenly spread across the year level. If you have a request, please forward it to me cameron.reed@cg.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible, preferably by Friday November 17. There is plenty of movement of staff across the system, as a result, staffing will probably not be finalised until just before One Up Day, so please do not put in a request for a particular teacher.

Walkathon

Thank you for the time and effort you have put into returning all monies. Final day for collection is next Tuesday 14 November. Prizes will be presented at morning assembly Wednesday 22 November. 

Community Council Disco

As you would be aware, the Community Council is organising a school disco to be held in St Jude’s Hall on Friday November 17. We have some further details regarding the school disco to be held in the school hall. Two sessions will be held:

• 5:30pm – 6.15pm (ELC – Year 2)
• 6:30pm – 8.00pm (Year 3 – Year 6)

The community council are unable to offer supervision due to the numbers of students expected. It is therefore requested that parents or carers remain to supervise students. Chairs will be available inside the hall, and for those who would prefer a quieter spot tables and chairs will be made available under the shelter shed, which will provide an opportunity for the adults to socialise.

For those that have emailed and volunteered the community council will be in touch as we still require some assistance. All students need to bring is a labelled water bottle.

At the completion of each of the Disco’s our DJ will have all students sit on the floor. We will then invite parents and carers to collect their children. We know in the past that parents have sometimes shared the pick up, we ask that you have the other parents send you a text confirming this arrangement. This can then be shown to the Disco coordinators if required. Students will have access to the toilets, but will not be allowed outside unless accompanied by an adult.

Thank you to Gemma and Nick from the Community Council Executive for organising this wonderful event for our students and families.

Save the date

Friday December 8 - St Jude’s Carols and Xmas picnic

Acting Canteen Manager

We have recently advertised for an Acting Canteen Manager for the duration of 2024. Katrina Howden has been successful in gaining the front office position at St Jude’s for 2024.

If you are interested in finding out more or applying, you can access more information via:

We have advertised the position on:

• Catholic Education Website - https://careers.cg.catholic.edu.au/en/listing/
• Catholic Education Intranet - https://careers.pageuppeople.com/832/ci/en/listing
• Teachers on the Net - https://www.teachers.on.net/

Or at

https://careers.cg.catholic.edu.au/en/job/502214/canteen-manager-st-judes-primary-holder-act

I am sure Katrina is also happy to elaborate on the role.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support

Cameron

Mini Missions Fete

Global School Partnerships facilitates partnerships between schools in Australia and schools in developing nations to enable students from across the globe to connect, share and learn with one another. We partnered with Surgeon Primary for many years and are pleased to hear that they are now at a stage where they can continue on their own. As such, St Jude's has partnered with a new school, Mwamba Primary school in Kenya. We look forward to seeing how we can help.

Why do we do it? Catholic Social Teaching calls us to work for the Common Good through the Works of Mercy. In being part of the Global Schools partnership, we become active participants in the call, recognising and respecting the Dignity of the Human Person. Its easy to have the ideas to help others, but acting on them can be more difficult. Through Global Schools, we form a 1 to 1 partnership to empower and resource another school in educating children. And education overcomes poverty. 

For more information on our new school: https://www.globalschoolpartners.org.au/mwamba

For information on GSP: https://www.globalschoolpartners.org.au/what-we-do

Next Thursday Year 6 will hold our annual Mini Missions Fete which raises money for our partner school in Kenya. All money raised will go towards building classrooms, clean water and toilets to help meet Global Sustainability Goals.

This year we will go cashless and use a 'helping hand' to purchase items from the stalls. You can purchase a helping hand on QKR! for $5. There are also an < $5 options. The fingers can then be ripped off and used at each stall. There will be no change given.

We are looking forward to the wonderful stalls that Year 6 have planned!

ELC NEWS

Happy Birthday Rupert W

It was wonderful to welcome the 2024 preschool children to the ELC today for their Orientation Day. Our current preschoolers were so excited to go to their Kinder Orientation Days at St Jude’s (and SJV last week). It’s wonderful to see how much they have progressed this year and how ready they are for primary school.

The 2024 St Jude's kinder children received a take home pack which included a shirt in their house colour. If the shirt is not the correct size and you need to exchange it, please take it to the primary school front office to swap. 

This week we have been super busy with our buddies from St Jude’s AND St John Vianney, we are so lucky to be able to spend time with our school leaders. On Tuesday we participated in the St Jude’s Cup, creating hobby horses in the morning followed by a race in the afternoon. Today our SJV buddies helped us decorate kites, the rain came and spoiled our plans to fly them. We will continue this activity on our next visit. Because of the unexpected rain, we were able to have an indoor picnic for morning tea and watched a video about the frog life cycle.

ELC Resource Fee Refund

Following government funding, Catholic Education is able to provide financial assistance to families supporting the delivery of our 2023 Terms 3 and 4 Preschool Program. You will receive a refund of the $85 resource fee paid for Terms 3 and Term 4 in your next statement.

Mango Update

Thank you for supporting our Mango Fundraiser again this year.  According to the farmers, this year’s mango crop has been full of surprises.  At this stage it looks like our mangos will be delivered in the week of 20 November (week 7) which is earlier than expected. We will keep you informed if this changes.

Walkathon

Thank you for supporting our annual Walkathon. If you have not already sent in your sponsorship money, you can still deposit it through Qkr! All money is due by Tuesday 14 November. The lucky ticket prizes will be drawn Wednesday 22November.

Week 5     

What’s been happening in the Library:

ELC have been comparing Fiction and NF books on the same topic eg pets

Kinder are making their own ‘Seasons in Australia’ booklet.

Year 1 are having fun with minibeasts  - poetry, stories and activities.

Year 2 are reading and responding to the book ‘Are we there yet?’ by Alison Lester

Year 3 are learning more about different parts of books and their functions eg index, contents, glossary etc

Year 4 have looked at puns, spoonerisms and nonsense poetry. 

They will now be revisiting genre and, in particular, genre in NF eg Myths and Legends.

Year 5 have been exploring A.B Paterson’s poem ‘Mulga Bill’s Bicycle’ with a variety  of activities, including learning to recite it.

Year 6 have completed a biography on a famous Australian, and now are ready to move onto their own autobiography!

*Finally, a big thank you to Mrs Donna Gordon for looking after, and caring for, our St Jude’s Library and classes in my absence.

Happy reading! Verna Comley

YEAR 3/4 NETBALL GALA DAY 

On Tuesday 42 Year 3/4 students participated in the Southside Netball Gala Day at Deakin Netball Courts. For many students this was their first gala day and what an amazing day they had. The most fun part of the day was playing against each other, as St Jude's was lucky enough to enter 4 teams. The students showed great resilience inspite of the warm weather and came away with a mix of wins, draws and losses. Special thanks to Sadie’s mum, Jane and Max’s mum, Beth for refereeing and coaching the teams. It was very much appreciated. 

YEAR 5/6 NETBALL GALA DAY   

Just a reminder that nominations close for the Year 5/6 Netball Gala Day tonight, Thursday 9 November at midnight. It would be greatly appreciated if all nominations could please be in on time as I need to send team lists on Friday morning. Nominations are being accepted via COMPASS. If your child does not wish to participate you can either click on decline or do nothing. Click on Attending to nominate your child.  Thanks for your support. 

Crotia FC 2024 TRIALS | JUNIOR BOYS & GIRLS

If you aspire to be playing NPL football in the future - then the 2024 Junior Trials at Canberra Croatia FC is for you, with the Club offering a complete pathway from Juniors through to Seniors. 

If this sounds like you, click on the link below or scan the QR Code to register ?

https://form.jotform.com/233058870735866

Opportunities to play for Canberra Croatia Football Club are available through the trial and selection process for the 2024 football season. All trials will be held at Deakin Stadium.

There is no cost to trial, however NO REGISTRATION – NO TRIAL!

Canteen Volunteers – Week 6

Wednesday 15 November – E. Dimanoski & D. Sadreddini

Thursday 16 November – S. Clouston, R. Buckley, Annette & I. Wilson

Friday 17 November– S. Monges, G. Cabot, S. Devonport, F&B Roberts & A. Alexander  

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

Uniform Shop Open  

Friday 17 November, 8.30am - 9.30am

 ***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. 

School Disco – Friday 17 November

It’s party time! The school disco is just around the corner.

• 5:30pm – 6.15pm (ELC – Year 2)
• 6:30pm – 8.00pm (Year 3 – Year 6)

This disco will be held in the school hall. Parents and carers need to remain on site to supervise students. Chairs will be available inside the hall, and for those who would prefer a quieter spot, tables and chairs will be made available under the shelter shed, which will provide an opportunity for the adults to socialise.

When a session ends, the DJ will instruct children to remain in the hall until parents/carers collect them. Please note there will be no food or drink available.

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.

Important Dates

Many thanks,

Gemma Cabot

Stjudes.scc@gmail.com

Save the date:   Saturday 16 March 2024

Our fete committee are gaining momentum as we approach the end of the year in preparation for our Family & Community Fete for 2024. 

If you are interested in helping out in any capacity (big or small) the committee would love to hear from you!

WANTED:          

Our Plant Stall Coordinators are seeking donations of:

1. potting mix,
2. spare 14cm pots,
3. cuttings. 

Trash & Treasure are hoping to seek donations of:

1. Excess plastic painters drop sheets for storing our lovely donations ahead of the fete

Stall Coordinators

Fete Site Coordinator

If you are able to help out with any of the above, please reach out to our Fete Coordinator Sarah Tonna 0414533117 or drop off donations in the tubs at the front office of the school.