Term 2 Week 7 - Thursday 13 June 2024

Principal Message

Gospel

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how. The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

First Eucharist

This coming weekend, we have a large number of students receiving their First Communion. It is a culmination of the Parish / family based program, developed by the Parish, with the support and guidance of the Archbishop. I look forward to joining with families at the 5pm celebration at St Jude’s on Saturday and the 9am celebration at St John Vianney’s on Sunday. Please keep our candidates in your prayers. Thank you to Jessica Betterton (REC) and the parish team for the roles you have played.

Unexplained Absences

We have anumber of unexplained absences. If your child is away can you please ensure an attendence note is placedon Compass for any absent days.

Term 2 Parent Teacher InterviewsDear Parents and carers

Term 2 Parent Teacher Interviews will be held Week 9, 25-27 June (Tues-Thurs). Bookings are now open. 
This year we are offering the choice of 15 minute face to face OR 15 minute online interviews. Meetings are available between 8.00-8.45am and 3.30-7.00pm Tuesday and 8.00-8.45am and 3.30-5.00pm Wednesday and Thursday.
Online interviews will be through TEAMS. If you would like an ONLINE interview please email your child's class teacher. You must have day and time booked in COMPASS before you email. Your child's class teacher will then send a TEAMS link to you prior to the meeting time for you to join the meeting at your designated time. 
If your child's class teacher does not receive an email from you they will expect you face to face in your child's classroom.  
Bookings will close midnight Wednesday 19 June.   

Nude Food Days

Our Year 6 Peer leaders, responsible for Sustainability, have come up with Nude Tuesday’s. They are asking, that on each Tuesday, students bring unpackaged foods. Any waste is returned home. It has been amazing to see the difference this is making to the collective waste we have at school. It is a great opportunity for home and school to work together for the betterment of our environment. Thank you for your ongoing support with this initiative.

An interesting read

As part of my ongoing reading I am currently working my way through The Anxious Generation by Jonathon Haidt. The main message is that access to smart phones and social media have had a disastrous consequence on the mental health of children. It is research based, so is well founded. There are some interesting recommendations, whilst others stretch the bounds of reality. If nothing else, it makes us again reflect on the access Primary school children have to smart phones and social media, which is again a focus for both of the main political parties in Australia.

Enrolment Period

Enrolment period is officially closed, however, we will continue to accept applications in most year levels. We do have some year levels with waiting lists. If your child is leaving St Jude’s either soon or at the end of the year, can you please let the front office know as soon as possible.

Community Council General Meeting

Next week we will hold the second of our general meetings. I would normally have my report ready for this newsletter, however, we have an Executive meeting tonight, so I will circulate my report via compass before next week’s meeting.

Coaching at St Jude’s

You may be aware that each of our executive have been trained as coaches and are working with each of our teachers on continual improvement. The focus at the moment is on Checking for Understanding. Teachers meet with their coach and work through a process which includes regular observation, self and coach review and forward planning. Teachers have commented that they are loving the additional support from our executive.

Thank you for your ongoing support

Cameron

Important Dates

Birthdays

School News

Scholastic Book Club Issue 4

Issue 4 of Scholastic is now open. Orders close Friday 21 June.

https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx

Car Park

Just a reminder that the space next to the disabled car park, near the front office, is NOT to be parked in. The space next to the disabled carpark (Striped yellow) is a void carpark. 

The car park at the front of the school is for ELC parents at drop off and pick off time.

RE News

Vinnie's Winter Appeal 

A final thank you for your support of the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. Together we have restocked the Vinnie's pantry with around 7 car boots worth of food and winter woolies! Mr Peter Wynter, President of SVDP for our area, came to Mass last Thursday to thank Years 5 and 6 personally for their efforts. The Vinnies night patrol van will also be visiting next Thursday as a way of making the children's contributions more meaningful to them. 

Sacramental update

Is your child eligible for a sacrament? In the Parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation sacraments are completed in Years 3, 4 and 6. Click this link to find out more. A warm invitation to all for First Eucharist Mass, this weekend the 15 (St Jude's 5pm) and 16 (SJV 9am).

May your light shine.

Jessica

Preschool News

ELC NEWS

Happy Birthday Flynn D, Charlie S, Grace C, Elijah M, Arlowe G and Antoni K

Illness

There are lots of illnesses in the community at the moment including Covid, RSV and influenza. As always, it is important to keep children at home if they are unwell and advise the ELC.

Reports

ELC reports will go home next week along with the children’s portfolios and parent teacher interviews will be held over weeks 9 and 10.  Booking sheets will be on the classroom doors. Please return your child’s portfolio at the interview so that we can continue to build on their ELC learning journey.

Walkathon – Friday 28 June

Our annual Walkathon will be held on Friday 28 June starting from St Jude’s school oval.  ELC, Kinder and Year 1 students will walk 2km. Parents are very welcome to walk with their children or help at checkpoints along the way.  Please let us know if you can help.  Check your notes pockets for sponsorship forms. The Turtles class theme is community helpers and the children will be making headpieces to wear on the day. The Lobsters are invited to dress up as superheroes. The Stingrays will have their Walkathon on Monday 1 July.

Walkathon – Meal Deal

A meal deal is available for the Walkathon on 28 June. Sausage, Juice and Quelch Stick for $6.50. A vegetarian option and additional sausages are available. This is now available to order on Qkr! Orders close Monday 24 June at 12noon. No late orders can be accepted.

Library News

The chilly days have arrived, and it is great to see the library being used more at lunchtimes.

There has been some confusion regarding Library Day for Kindergarten, with students not bringing their bags and books in. From now until the end of term, KF will have library class on Tuesdays. KT and KV will have their lesson on Fridays.

Thank you to the kind grandmothers who collect new books for covering regularly.

Also, thanks go to Emmett P and Max P for donating many pre-loved books.

Have a peaceful week,

Donna Gordon

Sports News

South Weston Cross Country Results

Congratulations to the amazing St Jude's runners, at the South Weston Cross Country Carnival last Tuesday. All students put in 100% and made St Jude's proud. Their sportsmanship and commitment were second to none. From this carnival 9 students are eligible to participate in the ACT Cross Country Championships this Friday 14 June at Stromlo. We wish all our runners the very best of luck. 

Mulleyduds Uniform Shop

Shop Open Friday 14 of June 2.30-3.15pm 

For second hand requests please email to: uniform.stjudes@gmail.com. Please include your child’s name and classroom for us to deliver to. **Please do not make payment for secondhand items, until we reply to your request confirming stock is available.

Mulleygrubs Cafe News

Camp Australia

Holiday Happenings