This week’s Gospel: Mark 9:2-10

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

Cyber safety

My request last week was that you spend the week tallying the time that your children are online. I am hoping that you were able to do so. I am sure that you were possibly surprised. This week’s challenge is to make a list of all of the applications your child is regularly accessing. If they include snapchat, facebook, Instagram or discord then you might want to take a look at the age restrictions as well as the types of material readily available to them via these apps. I know that your children will say… 'well everyone else’s parents let them', but each of us as adults know that everyone else’s parents are responsible for your child. If you cant negotiate a fair solution with them, then at a minimum, negotiate that the must be in the same room as you when accessing the internet.  Enough of the lecture, if you want to know more, the eSafety Commissioner website is a great place to start. You may find this overwhelming and time consuming, so over the next few weeks I will share some links which are more specific. Perhaps even start with https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

The other thing that I would like you to work on is reducing the time that your child is online before school. There are plenty of other options. It might be a slow process, but realistically, there is no reason why they need to be online before school.

Principal’s Report for CC AGM 2024

Highlights of 2023

• Continual strengthening of the relationship between ELC and K-6. It has become almost seamless with ELC students and staff automatically included in everything we do. This build strong community relationships, further deepens professional dialogue and enhances a already thorough orientation and transition to the primary school.
• Improved academic achievement across the school as was evident in NAPLAN results placing us in the top 4 Catholic Primary schools in the ACT as well as through PAT and Dibels assessments which are CE led standardized assessments. The continual growth of the Catalyst project which includes IntialLit, The Writing Revolution, Spelling Mastery, Maths Rockets, Daily review, direct instruction and High Impact Teaching Practices, all enhanced by our fantastic Butterfly team
• An abundance of opportunities to develop and enhance student and staff faith formation, including Thursday Masses, Liturgies, Saint days specific to each year level days, Sacramental celebrations, liturgical celebrations focusing on the seasons of the year, staff and student daily prayer, walking meditation, youth ministry and greater outreach to support groups such as StVDeP, Catholic Mission and Global Schools Partners.
• Building Community through both Community Council and school led activities. We were never aiming to get back to pre covid days as the world and people have changed. However, there are plenty of opportunities for our community to be involved in school activities on a weekly basis.
• Strengthening facilities through the ongoing work on our gardens, addition of a covered walk way, re surfacing of the netball court and shelter shed. The further development of the IT program to refine teaching and learning opportunities with a focus on purposeful learning.
• Our wonderful staff who always put students first and go above and beyond. Our amazing students who genuinely care for each other, striving to be kind and to be better tomorrow in everything they do than they were today. And our highly supportive parent community who support our staff and recognize the professionalism and expertise of the teachers. Supported by both a highly energetic, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic executive and a caring and kind spiritual leader in Fr Michael.

Principal’s Report for Community Council meeting February 20, 2024

A busy start to 2024

• All students returned and have settled, in what has been an enormously busy start to the year for students, staff and parents. Some of the highlights include:
• Parent Information evening
• Parent teacher meetings
• Year 5 and 6 Camp
• Welcome picnic
• Start of school Mass
• Leadership ceremony
• Kinder and ELC first day
• 4 Days of staff PL
• Ash Wednesday Mass
• Swimming carnival
• Completion of multi purpose bathroom
• Completion of re surfacing of hard areas
• Preparation for school fete

From a financial position the school is in a sound position. We have an outstanding balance of $90,000 on our CDF loan, which is positive, considering it was over $500,000.00 four years ago. Our school fees collection is generally very good and we would like to thank our parent community for making this a priority.

In 2024 our significant financial commitments will include:

• Purchasing of class sets of novels for Years 3-6 in line with the CE English program.
• A sizeable commitment to the installation of a fence around the school to ensure our students are safe.
• Ongoing replacement of IT devices in line with our rollover schedule
• Contribution to the sensory garden
• We will also begin to look at costings for the oval and play equipment upgrades

Thank you Cathie Bailie

For the past 2 years, Cathie has held the position of Treasurer on the CC executive. Cathie has done an amazing job as treasurer and has often added valuable perspectives to discussions and planning. I would like to thank Cathie for her contributions. Rebecca Roberts has been elected into the position and Cathie and Rebecca have been working together through a smooth transition.

Fundraising Targets

At the Community Council meeting this week it was agreed that the next focus of fundraising would be the external spaces including the oval and the playground. The school oval has been in need of significant work for a number of years. In the past 12 months Holy Trinity Curtin completed a similar project. I have several meetings set up over the next few months to review their process and benefit from their process. Obviously, we will need to work through a tender and quote process. No work will be completed until the school is fenced. The fencing project is currently out for tender. This will be a significantly large project, as such, CE will play a large role in all facets of the project. As I have more information, I will share this via either Compass or the newsletter.

Assembly tomorrow

Our assembly tomorrow is being hosted by Year 3. A reminder that we will follow the same process of entry and exit for adults as we did for the Year 6 assembly.

A reminder that with school assemblies, parents and guests are asked to please wait outside, under the shelter shed and you will be welcomed into the Hall once all the children are seated. As a staff we have decided to start tweaking some of the things we do, to create greater predictability and reduce student stress. Our first change is in relation to assemblies. We are going to ask that guests not enter the hall until all students are in and seated. Once the students are in, we will invite all guests to join us. Please don’t interpret this as us trying to reduce your interaction. What we have seen is that when students enter a noisy space their senses are heightened and it causes anxiety and stress. We are trying to reduce or remove this.

This worked well at our leadership assembly, with many students commenting that it was much better. Assemblies will generally start around 2pmish, but we would like to have the students in and settled before guests come in. I know this may cause some guest stress as we all want to get the best seats, but at this stage, our focus is the students.

School Fete

Thank you to all involved in the organising committee. It is going to be another wonderful Community building opportunity which has been the work of a group of dedicated and hard working parents. Please keep an eye out for updates.

Thank you for your ongoing support

Cameron

Reminder

ICT and Photo Permission is due tomorrow, Friday 23 February. 

Thank you for your support thus far with Project Compassion. With each Water Walk our children gain a greater understanding of the most basic resources we take for granted.  So far our students have walked a collective 16km! Please use the QR code if you wish to donate. 

A gentle reminder that we do not have much time left until First Reconciliation (6, 7, and 9 March). Plese use this time to help your child prepare as best you can together.

May your light shine. 

ELC NEWS

Happy Birthday Alvin N, Isla S, Billy M, Izabelle B

This week we are learning about the season of Lent. On Shrove Tuesday each class made pancakes to share.  On Ash Wednesday Mrs Leighton placed a cross on our heads with ashes.  Throughout Lent, we will be learning about the importance of prayer, of doing kind things for others and we will be participating in Project Compassion to help people living in poverty. 

Fruit Shop

Next Wednesday our ELC ‘Fruit Shop’ will be open for business. You will no longer need to pack a fruit snack on Wednesdays. If you have fruits or vegetables growing in your gardens at home and would like to share, please do. Alternatively, if you see strange and exotic fruits or vegetables in the shops please let us know.

St Jude’s Fete

The St Jude’s Fete will be on Saturday 16th March.  This is a great fun day to meet other families and raise some funds for the school. This year the ELC will be hosting the hairspray stall.  Many hands make light work, so we’d love for you to get involved.  More information on how to volunteer will come soon.

Mufti Day 

Mufti Day (non-uniform day) is on Friday 1 March (week 5) for Turtles and Lobsters and Tuesday 5 March (week 6) for Stingrays.  The aim is to collect supplies and donations for our fete stall.  Children are invited to wear plain clothes and we ask that you donate a can of coloured hairspray and a gold coin.

Confirmation of Childcare Agreement

If you have not returned your Confirmation of Childcare Agreement please do so as soon as possible.  Another copy is available from the ELC office. These Agreements are a requirement of CCS.

Project Compassion

During Lent, we are learning about the importance of doing kind things for others. We will participate in Project Compassion, which raises funds to help people living in poverty in some of the most vulnerable communities across the world. ELC families are invited to donate.  Project Compassion boxes are located on the prayer table in each classroom.

ELC Fee Statements

ELC Fee statements are sent fortnightly on Tuesdays and direct debits occur on the following Thursday.  Please check the ‘Due Now’ amount at the top of your statement and ensure there are sufficient funds available in your account in order to avoid extra charges from Debit Success. Our statements are backdated so that you have a record of the payments made, and CCS received in the last fortnight.

ELC Parent Representative

Turtle class – Jane Jolly (Adeline’s mum)

Stingray class – Andrea Halverson (Banksy’s mum)

Lobster class – Kate Steen (Izzy’s mum)

You will receive an email from them shortly introducing themselves.

Term 1 Week 4

*Year 5/6 Book Club has started for this term and we are making plans for our term meetings and events. There will be a Book Swap for Yrs 2-6 to happen in Term 1. (Week 7)

Chinese New Year is just about to end so here are some photos of some of the work that the students at St Jude’s have done.

SPORTS NEWS

We are very lucky to have some sporting visitors to St Jude's next week. On Monday we will be part of the Raiders Blitz Tour where some of the current Raiders players will speak to the students about sport and fitness.

On Friday 1 March some players from the GWS Giants will visit St Jude's and run an outside session for some classes from 12-1.00pm.  

Swimming Carnival Ribbon Presentation

Swimming Carnival ribbons will be presented Friday 8 March at a special assembly commencing at 2 pm. Parents are very welcome to join us. We ask that you please wait outside the hall until the students are all seated. 

Canteen Volunteers – Week 5

Wednesday 28 February – Volunteers needed

Thursday 29 February –  S. Maiyo &  A. Hrest & one more volunteer needed.

Friday 1 March – G. Cabot, S. O'Halloran, E. Holbrook & S. Davenport

If you would like to volunteer in the Canteen in Term 1 please email office.stjudes@cg.catholic.edu.au

Shop Open this Friday 23 of February after assembly 2.45pm-3.30pm

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. 

Thank you to everyone who has donated pre loved uniforms to the shop. We do ask please that you only donate items that are fit for resale. We ask that if items are broken or significantly faded/stained that you please donate to a fabric recycling program. 

AGM & General Meeting

The Community Councils AGM and general meeting was held this Tuesday. I would like to acknowledge and thank Cathy Bailie who finished up her term as treasurer. Her hard work and dedication have been invaluable to the successful running of the Community Council. I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to Bec Roberts, our new treasurer. Thank you for putting your hand up to take on this role, it is very much appreciated.

Meeting minutes will be available shortly; however, I’d like to highlight a couple of items that we discussed.

As you may be aware, last year fundraising efforts were directed to the uplift of the shelter shed and netball court surfaces. We discussed what our fundraising will be directed towards this year, with a continued focus on the revitalisation of the outdoor spaces within the school. The priority for this year, was agreed to be resurfacing of the oval.

We also discussed a plan for the coming year, with events focused on fundraising (F) or community building (C). I am happy to share that the following events that the Community Council plan to facilitate are:

• Term 1
  • Welcome picnic (C) – complete
  • Fete (F)
  • Bulb sales (F)
  • Easter chocolate drive (F)
• Term 2
  • Mother’s Day stall (F)
  • Mother’s Day breakfast (C)
  • Trivia night (C)
• Term 3
  • Father’s Day stall (F)
  • Father’s Day breakfast (C)
  • Grandparents day (C)
  • Walkathon (F)
  • Election BBQ & cake stall (F) – TBC
• Term 4
  • Disco (C)
  • Xmas picnic (C)
  • Gingerbread drive (F)

Individual calls for volunteers to assist in each of these events will be made as required, but if one of these is already of interest please reach out.

Many thanks,

Gemma Cabot

Stjudes.scc@gmail.com