Principal's Page

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week, Leila V in Year 5 shares with us her artwork and reflection on the Christmas story. Thank you Leila.

Journey Rising 

Leila V 

Year Five

‘Journey Rising’ is my interpretation of the scripture, ‘Journey to Bethlehem’ Luke 2:3-5. 

Just as Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem was filled with uncertainty and hope, we have journeyed through 2020 with similar feelings. 

The Eagle symbolises the journey made by Mary and Joseph. The patterns and text were inspired by the Bloomberg project, where contemporary artists created maps showing their ideas about the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. I chose to use felt tip pen and watercolor as I like the contrast between the soft colours (representing the time of Jesus) and the dramatic black ink (representing our modern world).

Although Jesus was not yet born, I have included small images such as the stable with manger, the Magi, and a crucifix pattern - as these are special events and symbols of hope that are to come. The words hope, faith, patience, bravery, courage and change have been included as these are things I think we all need.

Our world has changed and the future is unknown, but faith leads us forward and gives us comfort. The ribbon in my work represents Covid-19, dark and busy at the base - but rising in clarity and colour, showing hope for the future.

Last week we celebrated NAIDOC Week with classroom activities and concluded with a liturgy at our Monday morning Assembly. Please see the NAIDOC Week page in this week's newsletter. 

Year 3 and Year 6 celebrate their faith

Congratulations to our Year 6 students who celebrated Confirmation recently and also to our Year 3 students who hace made their First Holy Communion. These sacrament are a beautiful part of the journey in faith for our young catholics. Please celebrate with them by viewing the 'Our Catholic Identity' page of this newsletter.

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

Jen Charadia

Principal

Congratulations Mr A

Congratulation to Mr Miguel Aguilera who has been appointed to the substantive position as Assistant Principal at St Joseph’s. 

Miguel has been in the acting Assistant Principal position this year and I am very appreciative of the work he has done throughout 2020. Miguel has been outstanding in his leadership, with me, as we navigated our way through COVID-19 and remote learning this year. 

Miguel brings so much to building our school community and the parish. He is very supportive of students, parents and staff, and has worked closely with me to achieve our school goals for student improvement in learning, growth in faith, and the professional development of staff this year. 

Miguel is always willing to grow as a teacher and school leader. He is a man of deep faith and commitment. The staff and I have every confidence in him as the Assistant Principal and we look forward to continuing our work together, at St Joseph’s, to provide a quality Catholic education for your children.   

Have you heard of Comprehension Routines? 

Reciprocal Teaching 

Reciprocal Teaching is a strategy that is being used by students in Years 3-6. It involves discussion of a text using four comprehension strategies: 

Predicting

Questioning

Monitoring and 

Summarising

The students, as well as the teacher, take on the role of ‘teacher’ in leading the discussion about a text. The purpose of Reciprocal Teaching is to: 

• help students participate as a group to make meaning of a text
• remind and teach the students that the reading process requires continual use of these four strategies
• provide monitoring opportunities to discuss unknown or unfamiliar vocabulary, phrases or concepts.

Thank you to Mrs Kylie Grose who is the Instructional Coach for teachers here at St Joseph's. Kylie has been working with teachers to develop their skills in the teaching of Literacy where she has worked with them to develop comprehension routines in classrooms.

Next week we will share with you the comprehension routine called Literature Circles.

School Handbook

Principal Awards and Merit Awards

The following students will receive their Principal Awards at our afternoon assembly on Friday 20 November 2020.  Please note that our last Principal Awards will be Week 8 - Friday 4 December.

Acknowledgement 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.