Happy Birthday

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

15 August - Mia P Kinder, Charlie P Year 1, Isobel B Year 2, Ossian A Year 5 and Ashleigh C Year 1

16 August - Zara P Year 3

18 August - Indianna G Year 5

21 August - Montana D Kinder and Isabelle E Year 1

23 August - Lachlan C Year 2

25 August - Hudson P Year 3

26 August - Sadie A Year 4

27 August - Alexander R Year 3 and Charlie S Year 6

Spring Fete Logo Design Competition

Last term the students were invited to participate in the Spring Fete Logo Design Competition for this year's upcoming School Fete. Many students chose to participate and put their creativity to the test in coming up with their own designs. I am very pleased to announce the following student winners for each class:

KJ - Tilden W	KM - Andie D
1J - Alyssa H	1M - Jasper B
2J - Miles C	2M - Elliot S
3J - Bella G	3M - Aspen G
4J - Zachary S	4M - Ivy B
5J - Cristiano H	5M - Archer T
6J - Noah D	6M - Pria M

Each of the class winners will receive a $5 voucher to spend as they wish at our School Spring Fete on Saturday 20 September.

The overall winner will receive an unlimited rides wrist band to be used at the Fete and their Logo Design will be used on promotional material and advertising. I am very happy to announce that our overall winner is Noah D from 6J. Congratulations Noah and enjoy the rides at the School Fete!

Reconciliation Week

In Term 2, students in Year 3 participated in a poster competition for Reconciliation Week, supported by the St Vincent De Paul Society.

The theme this year was Bridging Now to Next. Students were asked to create an artwork that showed their understanding of what Reconciliation is to them.

We are very excited to announce that Ashlyn G (3M) has been awarded 3rd prize for her artwork!

She will be presented with a prize pack and a gift voucher at the next school Assembly. Winning posters will also be featured in upcoming Vinnies NSW publications and displayed at various Vinnies locations throughout NSW.

Congratulations Ashlyn!

Kindergarten Incursion 2025 - ‘Radical Reptiles’

Kindergarten students had a fantastic day on Monday with the Raptor Reptiles. They were captivated the whole time and learnt fascinating insights into the lives of our spectacular Australian wildlife. Students were lucky enough to get up close and personal to a Shingle Back Lizard, Bearded Dragon, White Lip Tree Frog and even a Carpet Python Snake. This amazing learning links with their Science and Technology unit of work - Living Things.

Increase Sickness at School

Over the last two weeks there has been an increase of sickness between students, including Influenza A, RSV and general unwellness. We ask that if your child/ren have any symptons to please keep them at home.

Please note that NSW Health states that if your child/ren presents with vomiting or diarrhoea, it is encouraged that sick children should be refrained from attending school for at least 48 hours after their symptoms have ceased.

Father’s Day Celebration: Thursday 4 September

With overwhelming positive feedback from our Mother’s Day Celebration, we are hosting the same for our Father’s and Father figures. The morning will begin at 7:45am with breakfast, followed by a Liturgy in the church at 9:15am and a performance by the Choir.

During this time, we will also display a photo slideshow of all our dads, and father figures. The morning will conclude with open classrooms, an opportunity for students to showcase all the work that they are proud of!

Information regarding the SJB P&F Father's Day Stall can be found under the Parents & Friends tab.

If you would like to contribute one photo (in JPEG format) of yourself and your child/ren to our slideshow please email (info@sjbdow.catholic.edu.au) to the school office by Monday 1 September 2025.

We are looking forward to seeing all of our fathers and father figures!

National Child Protection Week – Parent Information Sessions by CatholicCare -Understanding and Managing Anxiety - Friday 12 September

In recognition of National Child Protection Week (7–13 September 2025), CatholicCare’s School, Student and Family Program (SSFP) will be offering parent engagement initiatives.

This year’s theme, “Shifting Conversation to Action”, reinforces the message that every child in every community needs a fair go. Our focus is on helping parents translate meaningful conversations into practical actions that strengthen the safety and wellbeing of their children.

To support this, St Joseph's Bulli will be hosting a one-hour complimentary parent presentation by CatholicCare, details are as follows:

Topic:	Understanding and Managing Anxiety: Practical tools for parents and carers
When:	Friday - 12 September 2025
Time:	12:45pm-1:45pm
Where:	School Hall (enter via office)

When do students go into summer uniform?

Students change from winter to summer uniform from Monday Week 8 Term 3, 8 September 2025.

NOTE: Parents may use their discretion in the two weeks (Weeks 8 & 9) following the change over should the weather be too cold or too hot.

Girl's School Uniform

Summer

Blue school pattern tunic, white above ankle length school socks, black polishable leather shoes.

Alternate Option: This option includes a navy coloured culotte (now in stock at Lowes) and a custom school blouse with a school logo (see diagram). Lowes has advised that they are confident stock of the blouse will be in store from Monday 28 September.

Sports

Navy shorts, school sports polo shirt with crest, school tracksuit (jacket and pants), white above ankle-length socks and predominantly white joggers with white laces.

NOTE: The sports jacket is only to be worn on sports days with the sports uniform. On very cold days it may also be worn with the summer or winter uniform but over the school sloppy-joe. The school sloppy-joe should be the first choice for warmth.

Boys School Uniform

Summer

Grey shorts (not cargo type), blue short-sleeved shirt with school logo, grey socks, black-polishable leather shoes.

Sports

Navy shorts, school sports polo shirt with crest, school tracksuit (jacket and pants), white above ankle-length socks, joggers

Book Club - Issue 6

Student received Book Club Issue 6 yesterday. Issue 6 will close for orders on Friday 12 September for delivery in the week commencing Monday 22 September.

2025 Premier Reading Challenge

Premier's Reading Challenge 2025 has been extended Friday 19 September 2025. If your child would still like to participate in the challenge this year, there are two options available for how you can log your children's reading.

Blank Reading Logs are available for pick up from the library any morning before school starts. You can fill these in at home as books are read and then drop back off at the library and Mrs Pirie or Mrs Parker will enter these books into your child's online reading log.

Alternatively, you can email the school to request your child's digital login details and enter their reading at your own convenience.

For any further questions please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Pirie.

Sport

2025 Diocesan Athletics Trials

It was a successful day at Beaton Park for the athletics selection trials last Tuesday 19 August. The weather, after a wet start, produced some light showers throughout the day but nothing to stop all events from being successfully conducted. Congratulations to all the SJB students who compete with great skill, determination and sportspersonship. Thank you to Mrs Brooks and Mrs Mitchell for supporting the students at this event. We wish the following students who will represent the Wollongong Diocese at the Mackillop Athletics Championships, Homebush in September the very best of luck:

Chloe M, Saul O, Indigo P and Harriet V

Mini Athletics Carnival (Kindergarten and Year 1)-Thursday 11 September

Mini Athletics Carnival for Kindergarten and Year 1 will take place on Thursday 11 September from 11.30-1.00pm.

HSC - Physical Activity & Sport Studies Teaching Visits (PASS)

For many years, we have been fortunate to have students from Holy Spirit College (HSC) completing the Year 10 Physical Activity & Sport Studies (PASS) coaching program with our school. These visits provide our students with micro-teaching PDHPE skills based lessons.

This year, these micro teaching lessons will once again take place in Term 3 during week 5, 7 and 9. Primary Years 3-6 will participate in the sessions alongside class teachers, HSC PE teachers and students, on days that coincide with their current Term 3 Sport uniform days. See the schedule outlined below.

Monday 9.30-10.30 am
Week 7 - 1 September	Year 3 & Year 4
Week 9 - 15 September	Year 3 & Year 4

Friday 12.00-1.00 pm
Week 7 - 5 September	Year 5 & Year 6
Week 9 - 19 September	Year 5 & Year 6

Kylie Grose / Christine Smith

Sport Co-ordinators

Sports Days - Term 3

Kindergarten

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Tuesday & Thursday

Monday & Tuesday

Wednesday & Friday

Monday & Friday

Monday & Wednesday

Tuesday & Friday

Thursday & Friday

Canteen

FRIENDLY REMINDER: PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE CHANGED YOUR CHILD/S CLASS TO REFLECT THEIR CLASS FOR 2025

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)

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:

Call out disrespect!

If a student is being disrespectful to yourself or someone else.

Stay calm; Let them know that what they are doing is not acceptable; If they are still not respectful ask an adult for help.

Everyone at St Joseph’s deserves respect!

Community Services

LOWES - 4 Days ONLY - 20% off School wear

Illawarra Surf Life Saving Club Open Club