Term 4 Week 9 - Thursday 12 December 2024

Principal's Message

This Week’s Gospel

Luke 3: 10-18

And the people asked him, saying: What then shall we do? And he answering, said to them: He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do in like manner. And the publicans also came to be baptized, and said to him: Master, what shall we do? But he said to them: Do nothing more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers also asked him, saying: And what shall we do? And he said to them: Do violence to no man; neither calumniate any man; and be content with your pay. And as the people were of opinion, and all were thinking in their hearts of John, that perhaps he might be the Christ; John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water; but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. And many other things exhorting, did he preach to the people.

2025 Classes and Staffing

K Green - Zoe Tsiouris 
K Gold - Brigitta van Reesch/Kaitlin Reedy 
K White - Rachel De Boni 

1 Green - Jessica Betterton 
1 Gold - Hannah Griffiths 
1 White - Andrea Gatt

2 Green - Daniel Flannery
2 Gold - Megan Rice 

3 Green - Emma Donaghue
3 Gold - Anna Stincic

4 Green - Jason French 
4 Gold -  Alana Morison 
4 White - Aman Kaur

5 Green - Brendan Mitchell/Kerrin Henderson
5 Gold - Bronte Hutchison

6 Green - Kathy Laudenbach
6 Gold - Jake Kucher/Claire Chater
6 White - Angela Sallecchia 

Fete Mufti Day

Friday 13December - Children are invited to come to school in non-uniform clothes in exchange for a gold coin donation to support our school fete.

Nativity

It was great to see a polished Nativity production. The students in ELC, Kindergarten and Year 1 as well as their teachers did a fantastic job. Thank you to all of our families for your support in making this successful. Thankyou also to Zoe Tsiouris, Bron Lewis and Kerri Kerr who facilitated this wonderful event.

Year 6 Graduation

What a wonderful celebration of a fantastic year with a great cohort. Here is my Principal’s speech:

Good evening, parents, students’ staff, and family members. Today we gather to celebrate the past 8 years of education from ELC to Year 6 at St Jude’s. Some may say that Year six cohorts are not really that different, and usually there are some familiar traits. The potential flexing of muscles and egos as they become the big fish in a little ocean, school yard romances, the deepening of voices and the opportunity to display a unique style of leadership. As I reflect upon this cohorts journey, I have seen significant growth in the past 12 months. As a group of students coming out of Year 5, they were often seen as meek, quiet, unassuming students, flying under the radar. Throughout their Year 6 journey, they have blossomed, each of them in their own way, into confident, kind, and caring young people, who have often demonstrated the highest level of support for the students under their care.

To our graduates, Year 6 has been a significant springboard, as you enter Year 7 and beyond don’t go back into the shadows, you have a voice, and if used in the right way, an ability to make a significant difference at your next school. As leaders, you have had more opportunities to shine, than any other leadership group in my time as Principal. Each challenge we have laid out in front of you, you have grasped with both hands and often experienced success. Have you been perfect? NO, but my hope is that you have learnt from your mistakes. You know that the world does not revolve around you, and you have consistently shown this in your care for others. As you look back on your years at St Jude’s, I hope you will remember not only the lessons you learned in the classroom but also the lessons you learned about kindness, respect, and hope. Here at St Jude’s, our aim has always been to nurture not just your academic skills but your hearts. We have taught you that God’s love is unconditional, that kindness is a gift we give to one another, and that our family and friends are a light that guides us through every challenge we face.

To our parents, those who are leaving our St Jude’s community, (please stand) and those who are continuing, thank you for the role you have played as our partner in helping guide your child. Our role finishes next Monday, however, you still have a way to go. If I can offer some advice, keep the lines of communication open, try to look for the good and seek every opportunity to be available if needed. Also, try to guide your child within an online world which is both helpful and harmful.

To our staff, in particular our Year 6 teachers. I could have got here without you. Your genuine dedication to

the growth of each of these individuals has been nothing but outstanding. Your care and support has enabled 2024 to be relatively smooth.

Last Friday night I watched my eldest daughter graduate from University and this coming Thursday, I will do the same for my son. Although 29 and 23 respectively it seems as though it was not so long ago in my mind that they were graduating Year 6. Maybe I even had hair back then. Parents, time will pass in the blink of an eye. Thank you Year 6, I have enjoyed journeying with you, you have been outstanding leaders, who model kindness in your daily interactions with other students, staff and members of our community. I’d like to wish you all the very best for 2025 and beyond and look forward to seeing you return for our 50th celebrations next year. God bless.

Finally, I would like to thank each of you for the significant contribution each of you have made to our school community throughout 2024. We are a better place because of you. Wishing each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. As always, thank you for your ongoing support

Cameron

Important Dates

Birthdays

School News

Ride and Walk to School Day - 13 December 2024

Tomorrow will be our last Ride and Walk to School Day for 2024. It is a great morning and will tie in well with our uniform free day.

 It is an initiative supported by the government to encourage both students and their parents to be more active and healthy in their daily commute to school and work.

St Jude’s will be participating with a whole school ride and walk to school morning on the day. We will have teachers stationed from 8:10am at the locations marked on the map. They will wait and meet students and parents and depart those locations by 8:25am to walk along the marked routes to school.

At school, the groups will be met with some great tunes pumping, a fruit station and a raffle ticket to go in the draw for some prizes.

It’s going to be a great morning to start off our final Friday at school for the year and we look forward to seeing as many people as possible getting involved in the action.

ELC News

ELC NEWS

Happy Birthday Marco T, Patrick R, Essie M, Abigail A and Michaela C

Our nativity concerts this week were a wonderful way to finish the year and celebrate the Christmas season. Thank you to our 2024 ELC community for making it such a wonderful year.  We wish the children well for their transition to St Jude’s, SJV or further afield. They have grown so much this year and we know how ready they are for new adventures. We wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and a relaxing break.

Uniform-free days

Friday 13December - Children are invited to come to school in non-uniform clothes in exchange for a gold coin donation to support our school fete.

Monday 16 December - The ELC will also have a non-uniform day on the last day of school, Monday 16 December. For those without younger siblings, we encourage you to donate your pre-loved ELC uniforms on the last day.

Fete News

Our amazing fete team are already gearing up for the Fete on 15 March and are looking for donations for the Plant Stall and the Trash n Treasure.  See the Fete section in the newsletter for more information on what and how you can donate.

Final ELC Fees

There is often a small difference between the CCS estimated on your account and the CCS actually approved for your child, resulting in small amounts owing at the end of the year.  We will email follow-up statements and will process an autocharge on Tuesday 17 December.  If your account is more than $100 in arrears we will give you a call before we process the autocharge. 

RE News

A note of thanks 

I would like to thank everyone who has reached out to me this year. Being new to the role, I had a much wider circle of parents and students to work with, a privilege and a big responsibility. I learnt more than I could have ever imagined and will look back fondly on my time acting for the year. 

Events to note

Thanks Giving Mass - Friday 13 December 12pm 

St Vincent's de Paul Christmas Appeal

We gratefully thank you contributing to the Vinnie's Christmas appeal. A representative will be coming to our Thanksgiving Mass tomorrow to further acknowledge our efforts in helping those in need this Christmas. 

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. Reconciliation registration is now open! Click this link to find out more including 2025 dates.  

May your light shine, please enjoy family time over these long awaited school holidays.
Jessica Betterton 

Library News

 Term 4 Week 9

*Thank you to the families who have donated books for our 5/6 Book Club charity .We have about 20 books to give. There is still time to add one more but please note that they must be NEW books. A couple have had other children’s names in them so are not suitable to pass on as gifts. I will donate these particular books to Lifeline.

Thank you also to those kind and helpful people who have offered their assistance in the Library throughout the year covering and/or repairing  books  Your talents are greatly appreciated!!

*Keep those Library books coming in please! 25 children still need to bring theirs in as soon as they can.

*This is my last newsletter as I am retiring from St Jude’s and Teaching. I’d like to take this opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed being here with such a warm and supportive community, and especially loved working with your children. Certainly I will miss them the most but hope that I may meet some now and again with a friendly hello.

Finally, thank you everyone for the good wishes as I leave and venture into new territory.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday, with every good wish for the new year ahead.

Happy reading! Verna Comley

Sports News

This term our whole school participated in tennis clinics. As part of these clinic sessions some Kindergarten students were lucky enough to receive their very own tennis racquet to encourage further engagement with the sport.

We congratulate these students and look forward to seeing these budding sportspeople flourish in the future.

Mulleyduds Uniform Shop

Uniform shop will be open Friday 31 January 2:30pm - 3:30pm and Monday 3 February 10am - 11am  

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

Thank you to everyone who volunteered this year in the canteen. Without your help our wonderful canteen could not continue. 

Community Council News

Mufti Day Friday 13 December

We’re having a Mufti Day, this Friday, to raise funds for our school fete!
Bring a gold coin donation and dress in casual clothes for the day. All funds go towards making the fete awesome!

Christmas Message

As the school year comes to a close, the Community Council would like to take a moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the amazing staff here at St Jude’s. Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our students have made this a memorable and successful year. We are so fortunate to have such a passionate team supporting our children’s growth and learning.

To all the families in our school community, we wish you a joyful and peaceful Christmas filled with love, laughter, and happiness. May this festive season bring you moments of rest and renewal, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities the New Year will bring!

Thank you for your continued support and involvement. Together, we make our school a wonderful place for all.

Many thanks,

Gemma Cabot

Stjudes.scc@gmail.com

Fete News

St Jude’s Fete Saturday 15 March 2025

MUFTI DAY

THIS Friday 13 December, wear non uniform to school and bring in a gold coin donation towards our 2025 School Fete!

PLANT STALL & TRASH N TREASURE

Drop offs for our plant stall and Trash n Treasure

Head to the shipping container in the carpark near the Shelter Shed on one of these dates/times.: 

Friday 13 Dec 24 - 3-330pm
Monday 16 Dec 24 - 3-330pm
Saturday 21 Dec 3-330pm
Sunday 5 Jan – 0930-1030am
Sunday 12 Jan – 0930-1030am

Alternatively small items can be donated in the crates at the ELC and Primary school front offices during school opening hours.

For the plant stall you can drop off:
- plant cutting
- bags of potting mix 
- spare pots, jars or funky containers for potting plants 

For trash and treasure you can drop off, in excellent used condition or new condition items such as:
- toys
- household items 
- garden items 
- smaller items 
- books
- DVDs
- Board games 

please no electronics, no child seats or baby baths, dirty/broken objects, clothing, rubbish or perishables. We like to make this stall as sustainable as possible with your help!