Term 3 Week 9 - Thursday 18 September 2025

School Uniform and Personal Presentation

Principals are aware, that the taboo topics, generally are school uniform and homework. This is generally aligned with the diversity of beliefs within the community. However, over the past few weeks, I have noticed some slight adaptations to our uniform in everyday wear. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify our uniform expectations. These expectations are not new and have remained consistent since your child enrolled at St Jude’s.

All uniform items—both winter and summer—must be purchased from the school uniform shop. We offer both new and preloved items to help reduce the financial burden on families.

Our uniform shop is open after each assembly and is run by a wonderful group of volunteer parents, so accessing the shop should be convenient. Additionally, you can place orders through Qkr!, and items will be delivered directly to your child’s class.

We have clearly defined sports and non-sports uniforms, which should be worn on the specific days indicated by your child’s class teacher. While we have both winter and summer uniforms, we allow greater flexibility due to unpredictable weather. However, on certain occasions—such as school photo day and the Year 6 Graduation—we ask all students to wear the same uniform. We also try to avoid mixing sport and regular school uniform.

Regarding school shoes, I’ve received some questions about this. On non-sports days, the expectation is that shoes are black. They don’t need to be leather; comfortable black sports shoes are perfectly acceptable. There are many options available at a variety of price points to suit everyone.

Click here to view the Uniform and Personal Presentation Policy 

Click here to view the uniform section of our website

The school uniform is a part of our community identity at St Jude’s. It encourages pride in our appearance and pride in our school. It assists with reducing or removing the challenges faced across society in relation to fitting in. If children are out of uniform for any reason, parents must provide an explanation to the class teacher.

I understand that some parents may not have reviewed these guidelines for a while and may have made incorrect assumptions. To assist with transition, I would ask that everyone works toward achieving these guidelines from the start of term 4. I would also like common sense to prevail, if you have just purchased a new pair of shoes, I’m not necessarily asking that you replace them straight away, please just be mindful of our guidelines with your next purchase. I also want to avoid family conflict, so am happy for you to say to your child, this is what Mr Reed expects.

If financially you are struggling with meeting the uniform requirements, please reach out to me. We also don’t live in a ‘one size fits all’ world, if for medical reasons, there is something here that doesn’t work with your child, I am happy to also chat about that. Thank you for your attention to these details and for helping us maintain a consistent and proud school appearance. Hopefully this will clear up any confusion.

Mini Missions Fete 

On Wednesday in Week 10, Year 6 will hold our annual Mini Missions Fete which will raise funds for Mwamba Academy in Kenya to help build classrooms, supply clean water and schooling necessities. There will be a variety of stalls selling delicious treats and fun experiences to our students.

This year, like previous years, the Mini Missions fete will be cashless. Students will use a 'helping hand' to purchase items from the stalls, which need to be purchased through Qkr! These helping hands are available for purchase on Qkr! until 12noon on Monday 22 September. 

The fingers can then be torn off and used at each stall. There is no limit to the number of ‘Helping Hands’ purchased for each child, however there will be no refunds provided on helping hands at the end of the Missions Fete.  Students will have an opportunity to put any remaining fingers they have left into a raffle which will be drawn at the end of the day.

We are looking forward to the wonderful stalls that Year 6 have planned and thank you in advance for your generous support. 

Grandparents Day and Fun Day - Friday 31 October 

This year, we're excited to celebrate our Feast Day and Grandparents Day on the same day!
To make the occasion even more special, we'll also be hosting our annual Walkathon, and students will enjoy the thrill of a Colour Run. It's set to be a joyful day filled with faith, family, fitness, and fun!

Click here to view the Grandparents Day invitation

Grazing Boxes Available for Grandparents Day!
Grazing boxes can be ordered via Qkr! for grandparents and their grandchild/ren to share during morning tea.
Orders close on Friday, 24 October at 12:00 noon – don’t miss out!

Walkathon sponsorship forms will be sent home this week, please click here to see the route map. 

50th Anniversary Celebrations 

Spread the word to past parents, students and community members  - our 50th Anniversary Celebrations are coming up on Saturday 8 November. 

Watch this space, the program for the afternoon will be released soon.  

Holiday projects

During the holiday period, we will have the 2 large soccer goal posts replaced with new, mobile soccer goals with nets. Thank you to our community council for funding this project as part of our oval upgrade. We are also having some of our trees trimmed and more garden tidy ups in preparation for our 50^th celebration.

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 Reed - Principal 

Happy Birthday to

Lara B, Mayar A, Roman S, Zara F, Abigail K, Emma N, Nehan M.  

Walkathon and Colour Run 

In conjunction with our School Feast Day and Grandparents Day celebrations on Friday 31st October, the annual St Jude's Walkathon will also be held. Students will walk the same route as last year. ELC, Kinder and Year 1 students will walk 2km, to the back of the Irish Club and return. Year 2-6 will walk to St John Vianney's School and return 5km. The route is along a concrete walking/bike path (click here for the map).

Students will be supervised by St Jude's teachers for the duration of the walk. Grandparents are invited to walk all or some of the walk with their grandchildren if they would like. There will be a drink station at the halfway mark, the car park at the back of St John Vianney's School and a second drink station at the back of the Irish Club. Sadly none of our much loved pets will be able to join us. Sponsorship Form and more information will be sent home this Friday to seek sponsorship over the holidays from trusted family and friends. We do not support knocking on stranger doors to ask for sponsorship. 

To add some fun to the event, students will finish the day by participating in a Colour run on the school oval between 2.00 until 3.00pm. Students are asked to come to school dressed in their colour run clothes, a white t shirt, old shorts/pants/joggers. A hat and/or pair of sunglasses are highly recommended. Students will need a clean set of clothes to change into after the colour run, to wear home. This can be non uniform.         

A meal deal will be available to order for lunch. See canteen section for further information

Students departing St Jude’s at the end of 2025

We currently have waiting lists in several year levels. If your child is leaving St Jude’s at the end of 2025, can I ask that you please let the office know asap by clicking here and completing the online form. This will assist in giving another family an opportunity to join our wonderful community.

Seb's Mullet for Cancer

Seb C in year 6 will be cutting his mullet to raise money for the Cancer Council. He has been growing it for the past 4 years! Please click here to support his campaign.

Year 1 Retreat

Today our YM team lead the Year 1 students in a short retreat, focused on recognising and acting with the presence of God. The year 1s had a great time with games and activities that helped them to reflect on their actions and how they can trust God. Thank you to Katie and the YM team who have dedicated their own time for many weeks, to prepare.

Bishop Pat Power

The Catholic and Canberran community is mourning the death of Bishop Patrick Percival Power, remembered as a “quintessential Canberran” whose six decades of priesthood were marked by compassion, humility and an unwavering voice for the poor and marginalised. His funeral will be held Wednesday 24^th September, 11am at St Christopher's Cathedral, Manuka.

ELC Important Dates 

Please note that primary school pupil free days DO NOT apply to the ELC. 

Friday 26 September – Last day of Term 3 for ELC

Monday 29 September – Holiday Program begins (48 week children only)

Monday 6 October – Public Holiday (ELC closed)

Monday 13 October – First Day of Term 4 for ELC (Turtles and Stingrays)

Thursday 16 October – First day of term (Lobsters)

SJV Side Show Alley and Lunch order – Friday 19 September

The Turtles and Lobsters will be attending the St John Vianney’s sideshow alley on Friday for a fun day to build community connections and raise funds for Catholic Mission. The ELC will cover the cost of the bus to SJV. A small donation for the Catholic Mission would be appreciated. 

Mini Missions Fete - Wednesday 24 September

Year 6 will hold our annual Mini Missions Fete to raise funds for Mwamba Academy in Kenya to help build classrooms, supply clean water and schooling necessities. There will be a variety of delicious treats and fun experiences for our students. Purchases will be made using ‘helping hands’, which must be bought in advance through Qkr! Orders close at 12 noon on Monday 22 September.

ELC Mufti Day – Thursday 25 September  (Tues 23rd for Stingrays)

To support the SJV Fete, the ELC will be having a non-uniform day on Thursday 25 September (Lobsters and Turtles) and Tuesday 23rd for Stingrays.  

SJV are asking for children to donate a family sized chocolate block (e.g. 200g Cadbury Dairy Milk) to stock the chocolate toss stall and would very much appreciate your support. 

End of Term Meal Deal - Thursday September 25

Meal Deal consists of a sausage, quelch stick and juice and a juice box for $6.50. Orders close Monday 22 September at 12 noon - no late orders will be accepted. The regular Canteen menu will not be available on this day. The canteen will be closed on Friday 26 September as this is a pupil free day at the primary school.

For your diary

Friday 31 October - Grandparents Day and Liturgy

Saturday 1 November – SJV Fete

Thursday 13 November - St Jude’s Kinder and ELC Orientation Day

Thursday 13 November - SJV Kinder Orientation Day

Book Swap - Week 10 

Our Year 5/6 Book Club is organising a Book Swap to be run in the library during recess in Week 10. 

Students are encouraged to bring 1, 2 or 3 books that are good quality and and within a year of being appropriate for them to read.

Students can drop off their books to the library on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at recess. 

The Book Swap will occur on Thursday 25^th September at recess.

Happy reading.

Mrs Hind - Teacher Librarian 

ACT Athletics Championships

Congratulations to Marlia B, Zara LF and Aurora R who represented the South Weston Region at the ACT Athletics Championships on Tuesday. The girls represented St Jude's proudly and gave nothing but their best on the day. We are awaiting on official confirmation of the results but are fairly confident Zara placed 3^rd in 10yrs Long Jump and did a personal best in 800m, and Marlia placed 3^rd in 12 Yrs Discus. We are immensely proud of Aurora, Zara and Marlia.

Uniform shop is next open  -  Pupil Free Day Monday 13 October 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

End of Term Meal Deal - Thursday 25 September 

Meal Deal consists of a sausage, quelch stick and juice box for $6.50

Orders close Monday 22 September at 12 noon - no late orders will be accepted. 

Regular Canteen menu will not be available on this day. 

Walkathon Meal Deal - Friday 31 October

Meal Deal consists of a hot dog, quelch stick and a juice box for $7.50. 

Orders close Tuesday 28 October at 12 noon - no late orders will be accepted 

Regular Canteen menu will not be available on this day. 

Canteen Volunteers Week 10

Wednesday 24 September - Antonella, Eve & Andy