Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Friends,

As the year 2024 draws to a close, I would like to farewell the following students and staff: 

Firstly, to our Year 6 students. It is always with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to the leaders of our school as they take the next steps in their learning journey at high school. These students have embodied our vision Truth & Light and now are ready to take all they have learned into the next chapter of their lives. We are very proud of them and they will be missed. 

Secondly, we send a prayerful farewell to Mrs Cathy Bailey and express our congratulations to her on her retirement. Mrs Bailey has had a long association with St Joseph’s as both a parent and School Support Officer and her presence in our school will be greatly missed. Her support as Lead Photographer, and her contributions to the success of our Year Books, are greatly appreciated. Cathy has also played a significant role in the preparation and organisation of our school Sport carnivals and is a ‘gun’ facilitator of learning in the classroom. We congratulate Cathy on her retirement and wish her health and happiness for the future.

Finally, we farewell Mrs Koby Allan who has accepted a teaching position at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Albion Park for the 2025 year and Mrs Annie Harris has also accepted a part time teaching position for 12 months at St Paul’s. We wish Koby and Annie every success. They will be missed.

I would also like to welcome the following staff to our community in 2025:

• Ms Angela Boyd-Skinner - Middle Leader 2

• Mrs Lauren Mitchell - PE Teachers

• Miss Sofia Papaleonidas - 1M Class Teacher

• Miss Zoe Williams - Indentured Casual

We are blessed to have these teachers join us next year and I look forward to everything they will bring to our community.

Staff 2025

Parish Priest

Fr Patrick Vaughan

School Leadership Team

Principal - Mrs Duffin

Assistant Principal - Mr Aguilera

Religious Education Coordinator - Mr Walker

Middle Leader 2 - Mrs Grose, Ms Clarkson, Miss Boyd-Skinner

Senior School Support Officers - Mrs Karen Gallagher and Mrs Margot Riley

Diverse Learning Support Teacher - Mrs Van Gemert

STEM/Library - Mrs Pirie

Creative Arts PPT - Mrs Brooks

Physical Education PPT - Mrs Mitchell

Diverse Learning Needs Teachers

Mrs Liplyn, Mrs Matthews, Mrs Kors, Mrs Rollestone, Mr Barr, Mrs Walls

School Support Officers

Mrs Vincent, Mrs Woods, Mrs Laxton, Mrs N Parker, Mrs McMahon, Mrs Rutledge, Mrs Parsons, Mrs Milne, Mrs Welch

Office Staff

Mrs Malys

Indentured Casuals

Mrs Lena Harritos

Miss Zoe Williams

Student Leadership for 2025 - House Captains

I am pleased to announce the following formal Year 6 Student Leadership roles for 2025:

Polding House (Red) Captains : Harper A & Charlie S

MacKillop House (Blue) Captains: Layne B & Brock C

McCabe House (Green) Captains: Hartley B & Saul O

O’Reilly House (Yellow) Captains: Alana Q & Will G

Congratulations to these students!

Once again, I would like to acknowledge and express my deep pride in every student who nominated for these roles and who prepared and presented speeches. I am very grateful for these students who took part and expressed their willingness to lead in Year 6 next year and very proud of the courage all students showed in doing so. I am looking forward to working alongside all Year 6 students next year in their varied leadership roles.

Christmas Art Story

The Search for the King, 

Brock C- Year Five

My artwork reflects the scripture passage Matthew 2:9-12, ‘The Visit of the Magi’. I chose this scripture passage because it shows that sometimes even if you try to hide people may find you, just as if you hide your emotions from others but they may find it. I chose to make King Herod in the light because he is the most important character in my artwork. Putting him in the light makes him stand out. I chose each colour for a reason; yellow is cowardice because King Herod was a coward by sending people to search for Jesus and not himself, black is the power he has but he uses it for bad, purple for the royalty - after all he is the King. Lastly green is for the safety his guards offer him.I created my artwork using coloured pencils and poscas. My personal connection is that at times I try to hide my feelings but my mum always figures it out. Just like how they tried to hide Jesus but the King figured it out.

The Birth of Jesus

Jack A - Year Six

My artwork was inspired by the scripture passage ‘The Birth of Jesus’ (Matthew 1:18-25). I also took inspiration from a sunset on the beach. Mary and Joseph look down lovingly upon their new son. Mary kneels beside her child and Joseph stands protectively above them. Mary and Joseph have been chosen to guide and protect baby Jesus. My mum and grandfather also help to protect and guide me to be the best that I can be.I used chalk pastels and water colours to blend the colours in my artwork. I chose a mix of cool colours in the sky to contrast against the warmth of the land, star and sun. Mary, Joseph and Jesus remain quite neutral to create the sensation of restfulness and a realistic-looking lighting effect. Their light can be a guide for all. I used Poscas to make the stars and sun stand out to signify the end of the day but the start of a new beginning.

Thank You & Merry Christmas

As this is our final newsletter for the year, I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the entire St Joseph’s, Bulli community for their support this year. I do not take for granted the trust that this community has shown me and I appreciate that together we have been able to work in genuine partnership to develop the faith, learning and well being of our students.

I would also like to thank the staff for their constant support and for their commitment to providing quality education. To our teachers, school support officers and office staff for their hard work and to the Leadership Team and Father Patrick for their counsel and support this year.

Wishing everyone a healthy, safe and blessed Christmas.

Learning Leap into 2024

Students spent time in their new classes on Monday and teachers were excited meeting with their new students. 

Students who were away on this day were emailed their class letters.

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 received their Principal Awards at last Friday's assembly (13 December).

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.