Principal's Page

Principal and Director's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

As Term 2 draws to a close, we wish to provide you with an update on what you can expect when Term 3 begins, and invite you to share your perspective on our response to COVID-19 so far. 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT IN TERM 3, 2020

Firstly, thank you for your patience, your kind words and the practical ways you have supported St Joseph's, teachers and your child/ren’s learning this year. It’s because of your generous commitment to doing everything required to keep yourself, your child/ren and our school community safe, that we are in the positive position we are now.

We have seen a number of activities reintroduced for our students in recent weeks, with more to come in Term 3 (please see the list below). This is a direct result of your perseverance and support. We know at times this has been extremely challenging and you have our sincere gratitude.

Throughout this term, St Joseph’s has worked closely with the Catholic Education Office to further strengthen our COVID-19 response plans and protocols. We will continue to maintain a COVID-safe environment, with a range of health and safety measures remaining in place, including increased daily cleaning, additional hygiene products, physical distancing requirements, and strict infection control procedures.

While we hope and pray that we are through the worst of this pandemic, we continue to live with COVID-19 and we must remain vigilant in our response to this virus. We have prioritised the safety of our community because we have each done our part—staying home when we’re sick, adapting to new rules and restrictions, and looking out for each other. And as we continue to light the way together, we can look forward to seeing even more enriching experiences safely returning to school in the second half of the year.

If your child requires a COVID-19 test over the school holiday period there is no need to report the test or a negative result to the school. Should your child receive a positive COVID-19 result, please phone or email the school immediately.

INVITING YOUR PERSPECTIVE

COVID-19 has presented significant disruption to daily routines, plans for holidays and family gatherings, and of course, to school life. But thanks to your understanding, partnership and generosity of spirit—working alongside our committed teachers and school staff—we can be proud of what we have achieved together under difficult circumstances.

As Catholic educators, we always seek to reflect and learn with wisdom and discernment. With that in mind, we invite you to share your perspective on the communication and support you have received over the last two terms. If you would like to participate, you can access the short survey here. Your response will remain confidential.

Finally, we would like to remind you that all families impacted financially by COVID-19 are invited to apply for a COVID-19 fee concession if required. We hope this term break is a time of rest and refreshment for you and your child, and we look forward to welcoming you back to school in Term 3.

Sincerely,

Jen Charadia                                                                                                    Peter Hill

Principal                                                                                                             Director of Schools

                                                                                                                              Diocese of Wollongong

THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WILL BE ALLOWED FROM BEGINNING OF TERM 3 (SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE CHANGE BASED ON GOVERNMENT ADVICE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN):

• School assemblies and liturgies (not Eucharistic celebrations), limited to 15 minute. Unfortunately we were not able to host external visitors, including parents, at assemblies.
• Day field trips to outdoor locations with no physical distancing requirements
• Students attending other schools for essential curriculum related reasons or placements (e.g. auditions or placement tests).
• Incursions/external adult providers at the school to support delivery of curriculum (e.g. sport skills development programs).
• Masses and liturgies (subject to alignment with directives from the Bishop of Wollongong)
• School photos
• All school sport and activities including competitions, aligned with current health advice
• Inter-school student events and competitions such as public speaking
• Incursions involving external adult providers maintaining physical distancing and hygiene aligned with the health advice of the day
• P&F meetings – strong preference for online where possible.
• Parent/teacher meetings – schools may continue to use Zoom video-conferencing where appropriate, while maintaining an emphasis on the relational aspect of parent/teacher meetings.
• Staggered Parent/carer school dismissal pick-up arrangements will continue at the school taking into consideration adult physical distancing requirements. Green and Gold Houses at 2:40pm and Red and Blue Houses at 2:55pm.
• Parents/carers should not be on school grounds or at school events without principal’s permission.

THE FOLLOWING EVENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE REVIEWED AND CONSIDERED. FOR NOW THESE EVENTS MUST REMAIN ON HOLD:

• School camps- Year 5 Canberra trip has been post-poned
• Excursions (other than field trips explained above)
• Parent attendance at assemblies and other school events
• Group photos for staff
• Parent volunteers – e.g. parent reading helpers (note: canteen volunteers are already permitted)

ACTIVITIES THAT REMAIN CANCELLED, DELAYED OR NOT YET PERMITTED:

• School-based activities that involve large gatherings of adults are not permitted at this time. These include parent/community gatherings such as parent functions, working bees, fundraisers, large parent information evenings, and large on-site events such as Grandparents and Great People Day. These large gatherings and the following activities will continue to be reviewed and assessed based on AHPPC and NSW Health advice and may be permitted at a later date.
• For the latest information on suspended Catholic Schools NSW Sports events, please visit the CSNSW website.

I wish all families, teachers and staff a break from school that is life giving, joyful and enjoyed in the warm embrace of our loving God.

For all things at St Joseph’s, give thanks!

Jen Charadia

Principal

School Handbook

Principal Awards and Merit Awards

The following students will receive their Principal Awards in Term 3 Week 1 2020.  The online or onsite assembly date is to be advised.

Zoe A Yr3 - 2nd

Milla K Yr3 - 3rd

Astin K Yr1 - 1st

Claire H Yr6 - 5th

Milla H Yr4 - 3rd

Olivia M Yr4 - 3rd

Lorelei G Yr2 - 2nd

Neve M Yr5 - 5th

Neala C Yr6 - 7th

William M Yr4 - 6th

Hudson M Yr3 - 1st

Fred D Yr4 - 4th

End of Term 2 Achievement Awards

End of Term 2 Achievement Awards will be presented in Term 3 Week 1 2020.   The students who will receive this particular award, their names will be published next Term.

Acknowledgment to Country

St Joseph's Bulli acknowledges and pays respect to the Dharawal people past and present, the traditional custodians of the land on which our school is built.