Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Friends,

Our 2025 Kindergarten enrolment process is well underway. Over the past two weeks, we have conducted numerous interviews and had the pleasure of meeting prospective new families and students as well as siblings of our current students. These interviews begin with ‘Why St Joseph’s?’ Overwhelmingly, parents reported the positive reputation the school has in the wider community with many parents saying they had positive feedback from past and current students. We can all be proud of our school’s reputation and our strong enrolment application numbers this year. We believe in continuous school improvement and will continue to use data, research and contemporary best practice to ensure the faith, learning and wellbeing of our students continues to thrive.

Trinity Sunday

Last Sunday, the Catholic Church celebrated Trinity Sunday. This Christian feast is dedicated to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, the essence of God expressing itself in three persons: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the spirit of God. It is one of the few Christian feasts that celebrates a doctrine, not an event. In Western Christianity, Trinity Sunday always falls on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

The doctrine of the Trinity is often complex to explain to students. I have often been asked the question: How can God and Jesus be the same person? 

I appreciate this explanation:

The Father is the Person who gives the gift of himself to his Son. 

The Son is the Person who returns the gift of himself to the Father. 

The Holy Spirit is the Person who is the gift exchanged. 

One God, who is love, perfectly given and received in the persons of the Trinity. 

Tell Them From Me - Parent Survey - Closes tomorrow

Thank you to parents who have completed the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. This survey will be conducted annually and is an opportunity to share with us your thoughts, insights and recommendations for our school. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. 

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Parents have been sent the link via Compass. The survey will close tomorrow Friday 24 May.   

Captains’ Report

As we approach the midpoint of the school year, we are excited to provide an update on the latest happenings at our school. Each fortnight the School Captains, Vice Captains and House Captains meet to discuss initiatives underway. Looking ahead, we have an exciting lineup of events planned, including our Year 6 Tiny Forest Initiative. 

Our school is in the process of planning the implementation of our very own Tiny Forest on site, where students can enjoy shade and greenery from native plants donated and planted as part of Wollongong City Council’s program for schools. Keep an eye out for a new green space coming to our school soon! 

In the meantime, say hi to our friendly House Captains as they have commenced daily playground patrols. 

We look forward to continuing our journey of growth and success together. 

By Celie Swinnerton 

Annual Improvement Plan Update

Goal: Students will achieve continual growth in Mathematics as a result of shared curriculum expectations and collaborative processes ensuring alignment of curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment.

• Our Professional Learning Teams met to evaluate student progress using work samples and data as evidence.
• A system to store and track students’ mathematical progress was designed and shared for implementation

Recent Staff Professional Learning

Research tells us that the quality of the teacher is the greatest in-school influence on student achievement. Therefore high quality professional learning for teachers must be a priority to ensure improved teacher practice that leads to improved student learning growth. Professional learning undertaken by our staff over the past fortnight includes:

14 May 2024 - Instructional Coach Professional Learning Network

Mrs Grose

15 May 2024 - Principal and Clergy Day

Mrs Duffin 

22 May 2024 - Principal Network Meeting (half day)

Mrs Duffin 

23 & 24 May 2024 - ‘Love Maths’ Conference

Mrs Duffin, Mrs Grose & Mrs Walls

School Assemblies in Term 2

Our first school assembly for Term 2 will be held tomorrow, Friday 24 May from 2.00pm in the hall.  All welcome. 

Pupil Free Day

Our next Pupil Free Day will be held next Friday, 31 May, 2024.  

Kaylene Duffin

Principal, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

Principal Awards

Our Principal awards are presented to students fortnightly on the even week.  

The following students will receive their Principal Awards at our assembly at 2.00pm on Friday 24 May  (Term 2 Week 4). 

How does my child receive a Principal's Award?

Class teachers nominate students for Blue Merit Awards which are presented at the weekly assembly.  When five Blue Merit Awards have been received, students send them to the school office to be recorded and are then eligible for a Principal’s Award. When students attain their 4th Principal Award, they are awarded a Principal’s Medallion at an assembly. End of Term awards can be included as part of the 5 awards.  Please see the "School Handbook" for a full list of eligible awards.

Acknowledgement to Country

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