School News

Happy Birthday

Wishing all our students a very happy birthday who celebrated their special day over the holiday break and last fortnight.

7 February - Liam T Year 6 and Zoe C Year 5

9 February - Chelsea L Year 3, Millie J Year 1 and Isla H Year 1

10 February - Georgia P Year 5 and Olive V Year 4

12 February - Harlequin P Year 2

15 February - Amelia W Year 1

17 February - Charlotte R Year 4, Lucy M Year 4 and Blake B Year 6

19 February - Emmett G Year 4 and Maggie F Year 2 

SJB Middle Leaders 

At our school, each stage has a dedicated Middle Leader who supports students, teachers and families in their learning journey. Part of their role is to liaise with teachers, students and families about faith, learning and wellbeing. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s learning or wellbeing, we encourage parents and carers to make contact with their child’s teacher. Open communication and collaboration is our priority to support every student’s success. There may be times when you wish to speak to a member of the school leadership team, so we encourage you to contact the relevant Middle Leader for your child’s stage. Please see the SJB Middle Leaders below. Our SJB Middle Leaders look forward to working in partnership with all families this year. 

Home Reading 

Home reading began this week for Years 1 - 6. An information sheet was sent home regarding home reading expectations. Thank you to all students and parents who have established positive routines to ensure home reading is completed, and recorded. A reminder that logs are returned to school on a Friday so teachers can monitor this homework. 

Did you know that researchers discovered that reading for 20 minutes a day means reading about 1.8 million words a year? This highlights the importance of daily reading, so your support is greatly appreciated with home reading, as these routines will benefit your child. 

Multiclass Sporting Pathways & Opportunities

Multiclass Sporting Pathways & Opportunities are available for students who meet the criteria and wish to pursue this pathway. Students are welcome to participate in the school sporting carnivals and diocesean carnivals without classification. However, to progress through the pathways in the multiclass categories to the MacKillop and PSSA levels, athletic classification is required. We have put together an information sheet with some resource links in this attachment. 

Kindergarten Parent Welcome Night

Parent Handbook

Important Notice Regarding Allergies and Anaphylaxis 

The safety of all students whilst at school is critical and we do what we can to prevent any incident that causes harm to any student. Many of you will know someone who is affected by anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.

There are many students across the school with severe allergies to either peanuts, eggs, or seafood and fish. These food items have the potential to put these students at risk. The school asks for your support in helping to make school safe for these children.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School asks that food containing nuts or nut products, sesame or eggs not be sent to school with your child. This includes Nutella type products. Please consider these children when packing crunch and sip, recess and lunch each day for your child.

In addition, Year 6 parents are requested not to send seafood or fish products to school including canned fish such as tuna. 

To further reduce the risk for these children, products containing nuts are not sold in the school canteen. Also, fish products will not be available to Year 6 students to order for lunch, either online or over counter purchase.

You can also assist by clearly labelling your child’s food containers and drink bottle with their name.

No Sharing of Food Policy

At St Joseph’s we have a ‘No sharing of food’ policy and we ask that you reinforce this with your child.

If you have any queries or concerns about the management of those at risk of anaphylaxis, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you for assisting us in caring for students at risk of anaphylaxis.

Year 5 E-Safety Webinar 

Be an eSafe kid: Back to school – Truth or trap? Investigating fakes online

Last week, Year 5 students recognised “E-Safety Week”.  A week to draw attention to ways that we can be safe online. Students engaged in a Webinar presented by the E-Safety Commissioner around the topic of “Truth or trap? Investigating fakes online.” During this time, the students were given the tools to:

• use critical literacy skills to challenge fake information such as misinformation and disinformation

• identify fake online identities and imposter accounts 

• use strategies to address harmful or dangerous situations online

• identify a variety of support pathways. 

Here is what Year 5 students had to say about the webinar and their take-aways. 

• Alba- Trust your feelings and check with a trusted adult. 

• Zane- Take a screenshot of something that you need to report and report the behaviour to the app and your parents.

• Jimmy- Be aware of the dangers online and know that you’re not alone. 

• Georgia- It is important to be safe online.

• Toby- The key information was how to spot an impersonated account by looking out for these clues: not responding to facetimes, sending negative messages, being pushy and trying to get personal details. 

• Quade-  Never fully trust people online. 

• Edwin- Call a friend before you play to check if everything is ok.

• Evie C- Check with your parents before your chat.

• Harry- If you feel uncomfortable online, take a screenshot, tell a trusted adult and report it.

• Arya- Pay close attention to little details to determine if someone is who they say they are. 

• Eloise- Don’t share personal information (Address, age, school) with anyone online. 

The Fathering Project at St Joseph’s Bulli

At St Joseph’s Bulli, we are proud to be part of The Fathering Project, an initiative that supports dads and father figures in building stronger connections with their kids. Research shows that an engaged, present dad makes a lasting impact, and this group is all about helping us be the best fathers we can be, while having a bit of fun along the way!

We hold monthly dads-only catch-ups, providing a relaxed and informal space for dads to connect, share experiences, and support each other in the journey of fatherhood. It’s a great chance to meet other dads in our school community, take a break, and gain new insights into being the best role model for our kids.

Join us for our next gathering! Whether you’re new or have come along before, we’d love to see you there. No pressure, no expectations just good company and great conversation.

When: Thursday 20 February at 6.30pm

Where: Woonona Bulli RSL

Contact: Benn 0419966000 if you can’t find us.

NAPLAN 2025

This year our Year 3 and 5 students will sit NAPLAN from 12 March 2025.  

Information in regards to NAPLAN 2025 Parent and Carers Information will be sent out through COMPASS in the coming weeks.

2025 Enrolments - Online applications now open

Our online applications are now open.

You will be required to use our new online enrolment platform, called Funnel, removing the use of all paper forms. Please take note, particularly for sibling applications. The online application form will be accessible from the home page of our school website

2025 School Fees

School fees for 2025 have now been invoiced and statements will be emailed tomorrow, Friday 7 February.

• If you are paying your fees upfront, full payment is due by 28 February 2025.

• If you are paying your fees via weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly, your first instalment is due 28 February 2024.

If you wish to pay via instalments and have not requested to do so, please complete the form below.

From the commencement of the 2025 school year, the management of certainaspects relating to school fee accounts in Primary Schools has been transferred to the School Fees Liaison Office at the Catholic Education in Wollongong.

What does this mean for families:

Your school’s administration office is your first place for enquiry regarding school fees. School staff will provide information regarding instalments, methods of payment, giving access to an Application for Fee Concession and attend to other general enquiries.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty or need to make an arrangement for payment of your school fee account, please email sflo@dow.catholic.edu.au with your name and the school in which your children are enrolled. The School Fees Liaison Office will then contact you directly to offer assistance.

Please note that each school has a dedicated School Fees Liaison Officer to provide a personalised service to individual families. This Officer will also have a close relationship with your school.

If you require further information about this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact your school’s administration office.

If you have not previously completed or wish to change your frequency of payments in 2025, a Request to Pay via Instalments form must be completed.

Lost Property - Please collect from School Office

Important Update for all Parent/Grandparent Volunteers & Contractors

New Visitor Management System for School        Sign-Ins

We are excited to announce the implementation of a new Visitor Management System designed to streamline and enhance the safety and efficiency of signing in at our schools. This system will change the way parents and visitors sign in, ensuring a smoother and more secure process.

Important Steps for All Parents:

Token for Onboarding Process: If you have previously provided the school with your Working With Children’s Check number you will receive an email with your token via email shortly. If you would like to start volunteering, please click on the link provided below to complete the new on boarding process. 

Clearance for Volunteering: Once you have completed the onboarding process, you will receive clearance from the Child Protection team from the Catholic Education Office, allowing you to volunteer in our schools.

Quick Sign-In App: To make the sign-in process even simpler, we have introduced a quick sign-in app available for download from both the App Store and Google Play Store. This app will allow you to sign in quickly and efficiently whenever you visit the school.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we transition to this new system. Our goal is to ensure the safety and security of all students, staff, and visitors. Should you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the school office

Book Club, Issue 1 2025 - CLOSES MONDAY

Book Club Issue 1 will close on Monday, 24 February for delivery in the week commencing Monday 3 March. 

School Photo Day - Wednesday 9 April

School Photo Day will be held on Wednesday 9 April 2025.  Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following this link .

Important Information:

• School photos are to be purchased online 

   

• Sibling Photos - sibling photographs must be ordered online prior to the day of photography.  A photograph will not be taken without an order. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at the school. 

• Late fees/additional charges will be applied for purchases after photo day

   

• Photos will be returned to our school for distribution approximately six weeks after photos are taken.

Sport

Sports Days

SJB Swim Trials 2025 

On Monday the SJB Swim Trials were held at Corrimal Pool. We were fortunate to beat the rain and be able to complete all events that required selection for our Diocesan Pathways. A special thank you to the amazing parent volunteers and the dedicated staff who ensured the swim trials ran smoothly. We are also very grateful to those who remained at school and supported staff and students before or after the event. We give thanks for the wonderful community we have at St Joseph’s! 

Fantastic results were achieved, and the students had fun, which is most important. It was a wonderful display of school spirit and participating students are to be congratulated for their representation of our school. The presentation of the winning house, war cry winner and age champions will be made during assembly tomorrow.  Our SJB Swim Squad for the South Coast Carnival will also be announced. The following students will form our SJB team for the South Coast Swimming Carnival on 4 March, 2025. 

SJB Swimming Trial Results 

Congratulations to the houses for winning the overall points score and war cries.

Photos of House War Cries

OVERALL AGE CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to the following students who were recognised at the W4 Friday assembly for their outstanding efforts in the pool at the SJB Swim Trials. 

New Record 

Congratulations to Archer T, who broke school records in the 11 yrs 50m Freestyle (32.28)

South Coast Swimming Carnival  

The following students are invited to compete at the South Coast Swimming event as part of the St Joseph’s Bulli team. Information regarding the carnival on 4 March, at Corrimal Pool will be sent out via a Compass event, so parents/ carers of the student below are asked to look out for this if you have not seen it already. 

SJB South Coast Swimming Representative Squad  

Lacey A, Allegra B, Arlo B, Zoe Ca, Abigail C, Mya C, Isla J, Alba J, Stella K, Chelsea L, Josie Mc, Zara P, Mia R, Lara S, Hamish B, Theo D, Jack E, Lucas M, Saul O, Sebastian R, Ned S, Elliot S, Archer T, Isikeli V, Keon W, Madeline B, Lachlan M, Hartley B

Relay Teams 

(Note: Juniors - Quickest times for 50m out of U8, 9 & 10s / Seniors are the quickest times out of the U11s & 12s)

We wish these students the best of luck as they compete in March! 

Kylie Grose / Christine Smith 

Sport Co-ordinators 

Canteen

PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE CHANGED YOUR CHILD/REN GRADE

Open Monday to Friday for recess and lunch.

Cash purchases for snacks and drinks can be made at recess and lunchtime. Snacks and drinks can also be ordered via the new platform FlexiSchools.

Lunch orders

Orders for lunch can only be made through Flexischools.  Please note that orders close at 9.15am daily.  Orders cannot be placed after this time.

Flexischool Parent Support Line - 1300 361 769 (Hours: 7.00am-12.00 noon)

CANTEEN SPECIALS - TERM 1

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Handbook

2024 Bus Timetable (Premier Charters)

PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning)

Ask your child about the weekly focus for students.

This week's focus:

Let’s get ready for learning!

This week, new playground equipment was introduced to the playground. Our students have been enjoying interacting with these during break times. We are continuing to gather student voice to make our playgrounds as enjoyable and interactive as possible.