Term 4 Week 2 - Thursday 23 October 2025

Grandparents Day / St Jude's Feast Day

These two events coexist every year on the Friday nearest the St Jude's Feast Day. On this day, we invite all of our Grandparents to celebrate Mass with us at St Jude's Church, starting at 9:15am. Once Mass is completed, all Grandparents are invited to join us in classrooms to be involved in an activity or see some of the wonderful things we have been learning about. This then brings us to morning tea, where Grandparents can join with their grandchildren to enjoy either a pre purchased grazing box or bring your own morning tea. After morning tea, Grandparents are welcome to join us on our Walk a thon. Many of our families have expressed to me the challenges of getting away from work. As such, where possible, we have tried to combine several events into single days. We will evaluate the impact of this after the day.

World Teachers Day

This also happens to be the same Friday as all the above events. As it is unlikely that the teachers will come up for air, we will celebrate and recognise this the following week. At St Jude’s we are extremely fortunate to have wonderfully hard working and committed staff, who love supporting your children with their learning.

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.

Thank you for your ongoing support and kindness toward all in our community.

Cameron

Happy Birthday to

Mahir M, Madeline P, Evie M, Aanvi A, Nicholas H, Aimee Z, Lucas K, Kayla W, Zara B, Isaac L, Dev M, Neik V, Ariana F, Ben B, Callum N, Hannah H. Quinn M, Violet C, Lachlan K, Mateo J, Emilia S, Aidan O, Sebastian C, Adelaide C-S, Patrick S, Johan M, Ciana DF, Rafiki A. 

See Compass post for more information. 

Colour Run - Thursday 30 October 

To add some fun students will finish Thursday 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, old joggers. A hat and/or pair of sunglasses are highly recommended. Students will need to bring a towel and a clean set of clothes to change into after the colour run, to wear home. 

Walkathon - Friday 31 October 

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 Forms and more information have been send home, to seek sponsorship. We do not support knocking on stranger doors to ask for sponsorship.  Permission on Compass is also required for your child to participate.

Students are to wear school sports uniform, with supportive sports joggers. Please ensure your child/ren has a hat. Sunscreen to be applied at home before coming to school and will be reapplied prior to the walkathon. Parents and grandparents are warmly invited to walk with their grand/child/ren.

A meal deal is available to order for lunch. See canteen section for further information. Orders close 12noon Tuesday 28 October. 

See Compass Post for further details

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.

Catholic Mission

October marks World Mission Month, a celebration of the global work of the Church and the dedication of missionaries, as they support children and communities in need around the world. 

Be part of our Socktober fundraiser for Catholic Mission, with Crazy socks every/any day throughout weeks 2 and 3. Crazy Sock and Hair Day on Tuesday 28 October, with a gold coin donation. 

St Jude's Feast Day

On Friday 31 October  we will celebrate St Jude's Feast day, with a whole school Mass at 9.15am and a Grandparents morning tea. All are invited.

Happy Birthday Jack R, Hugo C, Leon H and Willow P

Don’t miss your mangos – orders close 26 October

The mango fundraiser orders close this Sunday 26 October. To order:

• Go to your Qkr App – do not select St Jude’s Primary School
• In the search field, enter ‘ELC’ and choose ‘Catholic ELC Canberra-Goulburn’
• You may need to enter your name and ‘guest’ to set up your profile.
• Select ‘HOLDER ELC Mango Fundraiser’ and place your order.

St Jude’s Feast Day, Grandparents Day and Walkathon - Friday 31 October 

10:25am – Grandparents invited to visit their grandchild’s classroom/s

11:00am – Grandparents Day shared morning tea (Grazing Box available through Qkr)

The ELC will join the primary school for morning tea with grandparents. ALL ELC CHILDREN WILL NEED TO RETURN TO THEIR TEACHERS AT THE BELL PRIOR TO THE WALKATHON.

11:45am – Walkathon (Hot Dog Meal Deal available through Qkr!)

Orders for the Grazing boxes and Meal Deals close at noon on Friday 24 October. No late orders will be accepted. Regular canteen will not be available.

ELC Zoo Excursion – 3 & 7 November

We’re all going to the zoo!  Permission notes are in your notes pockets. Please return them to your teacher as soon as possible.

2026 St Jude’s Kinder Orientation - Thursday 13 November 9:15am – 11:00am

If your child is in the Turtles or Lobsters class, sign them into the ELC as usual and then parents head to the hall for the information session and morning tea at 9:15. Stingray parents can take their children directly to the hall. Children not attending St Jude’s in 2026 can come to the ELC as usual. More information has been sent via email.

2026 Uniform Packs

Order uniforms on Qkr! by COB Monday 10 November and it will be ready to collect on Orientation Day.

2026 SJV Kinder Orientation Day – Thursday 13 November

Orientation is from 9:30 – 11am. Emails have been sent to families with further information.  

SJV Fete - Saturday 1 Nov

The SJV fete is always a wonderful family day out.  See ELC notes pockets for information about ride wrist bands and the raffle.

Scholastic Book Club Issue 7

Orders close on 30 October, please order on Loop App only. Thanks you for supporting our library.

Manga Party

In Year 5/6 Book Club last week we had a manga party with the funds from an ACT Children’s Week grant. We shared Japanese inspired food and checked out some new manga titles purchased with the grant funds. 

Great Resource for Parents

The Your Kids Next Read Podcast is a wonderful resource for parents looking to help their children grow into readers and writers and find their next great read.

Congratulations to the Arawang Netball Association 2025 Junior Champions, The Swans!

The Swans played hard all season, ultimately demonstrating great grit and determination in the GF to defeat the previously unbeatable Arawang Primary Dragons. Congratulations girls on a wonderful achievement. Thank you to coaches and managers of all sporting teams involving our students. Your commitment, care and dedication often goes above and beyond.

We wish Sadie S in Year 6 all the very best as she competes in the 12&U School Sport Australia Games in Ballarat from 25th-31st October. Sadie is a member of the School Sport ACT Team.  Good luck Sadie!

Congratulations to Aurora R in Year 5 who has been selected for the School Sports 12&U Cricket Team. Aurora will compete in Ballarat as part of the School Sport Australia Games from 25th-31st October, representing the ACT. We wish Aurora a wonderful competition.  

Congratulations to Zara LF and Marlia B who both recently received a very special 3^rd place ribbon for their amazing efforts at the Act Athletics Championships. Zara placed 3^rd in the 10 years Long Jump and Marlia placed 3^rd in the 12 years Discus. 

Congratulations girls on your wonderful achievements.

Uniform shop is next open  -  Friday 24 October 8:45 - 9:15am  

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

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 3

Wednesday 29 October -  Antonella & Felicity

Please contact office.stjudes@cg.catholic.edu.au if you are able to volunteer

We are very excited to launch some of our 50th Anniversary merchandise. I would first light to acknowledge and thank an amazing anonymous donor who’s generous donation helped subsidise the 50th Anniversary jackets you may have seen our wonderful teachers wearing. Thank you so much for your generosity.

50th Anniversary Wine

We have joined with Prospect Wines to offer a selection of wines with our own label to help celebrate. There is a lovely selection of red, white and bubbly wine, which is delivered straight to your door! Grab a half dozen or split some with your friends. Click here to order straight from the website

Commemorative Bricks

We are also delighted to announce the chance to leave your mark at the school. You can order a fundraising brick to be place at the front entrance with our new flag poles next year. Order using the link below and then jump onto Qkr! to pay (in the Community Council Menu). Alternatively, contact school office to organise payment.

https://www.stoneengraving.com.au/sjps/

Picnic Blankets and High Bounce Balls

We also have some amazing merchandise available for purchase. This includes a picnic blanket and high bounce balls (perfect for a game of handball). These are available to purchase via Qkr! (in the Community Council Menu). These will also be available to purchase at our 50th Anniversary Celebrations on 8 November. 

Our school Fete is one of the biggest events of the year – but we can’t do it without your help! We're looking for enthusiastic and organised volunteers to take on key roles in the planning and running of this exciting day. Whether you love planning, counting coins, coordinating people or designing promotions – there’s a role for you!

Fete Coordinator

Leads the overall planning of the Fete, runs regular meetings and keeps everything on track.

Sponsorship & Raffle Coordinator

Seeks out sponsors, manages raffle setup, purchases prizes and ensures sponsors are recognised across Fete promotions.

Entertainment & Rides Coordinator

Books and manages rides and entertainment.

Display & Stalls Coordinator

Supports stall convenors, coordinates setup needs, and helps coordinate requirements for each stall.

Site Coordinator

Plans the layout of the Fete, ensures equipment and power needs are met, and coordinates setup and pack down with volunteers.

Communications Coordinator

Creates all Fete-related promotions including newsletter updates, social media posts, flyers, signage and on-the-day announcements.

Volunteers Coordinator

Coordinates volunteer recruitment and rosters before and during the event.

Stall Coordinators

Coordinates individual stalls. The specific stalls will be advertised at a later date.

We’d love to hear from you!

Community Council

Stjudes.scc@gmail.com