Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Carers

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.

• Teacher professional learning focussed on the research of Collaborative Professionalism which will underpin the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of our improvement plan 

Staff Professional Learning

Ensuring our staff are implementing effective evidence based teaching practices that result in student engagement and continuous achievement is reliant on rigorous professional learning. This year, professional learning opportunities for staff will be directly related to our Annual Improvement Plan and central to the faith, learning and wellbeing of our students.

With the introduction of the Revised NSW English and Mathematics Syllabuses across K-6 from this year,  teachers will be provided with many opportunities to build their knowledge so that they can confidently and competently deliver them to promote effective and genuine learning. 

Please note, when teachers attend professional learning courses within the school day, they plan the learning for a casual relief teacher to facilitate. This learning builds on the regular teaching program to ensure continuity of learning for students. Each week, I will keep the community informed of staff professional learning activity within the newsletter. 

Wellbeing School Support Officer

I am delighted to announce Mrs Cecilia Welch will work in the role of Wellbeing School Support Officer, Monday - Thursday for the remainder of the year. We have been able to extend the number of days Cecilia will be working this year due to the Student Wellbeing Boost. This funding is a one-off grant from the federal government that aims to support students following the mental health impacts caused by the COVID pandemic.

Contacting Staff

Parents are always encouraged to meet with teachers to discuss their child’s schooling. We ask that these conversations are arranged via the school office rather than speaking with the teacher before or after class without an appointment. This is to ensure communication is given the time it deserves. Thank you for your support with this.

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year. The NCCD is a collection that counts: 

the number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability and the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.

Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. This ‘help’ allows them to access education on the same basis as a child without disability.  Schools provide this information to education authorities. 

Please read the attached information and be informed about this important data collection.

Information Sheet for Parents and Carers in Catholic Schools

Shade Sail Tender - Seeking suitability qualified Shade Sail contractors 

We are pleased to advise that the Catholic Education Office Wollongong has approved the expenditure for purpose built shade sails to cover a portion of the synthetic grass area, made up of funds provided by the P&F and School.

We will be tendering for this project, and seek recommendations from our school community for suitability qualified Shade Sail contractors. If you would like to recommend a business, please email the school office by Tuesday 5 March info@sjbdow.catholic.edu.au.

Awards

Blue Merit Awards- these are awarded every Friday to two students from each class in recognition of achievement in school life.  

PB4L Awards- these are awarded every Friday to one student in each class.

Principal's Awards- students are eligible for a Principal’s Award once they have received 5 blue merits and/or PB4L awards.  The 5 awards are then forwarded to the school office and the student's name will be included in the newsletter prior to the presentation of the Principal's Award at Assembly. Principal's Awards are presented fortnightly for presentation at Assembly.  

Principal's Medallions are awarded on attaining 4 Principal’s awards. 

End of Term Awards are presented to nominated students from each class. These awards may be included as one of the 5 awards to gain a Principal's Award. The end of term awards are:

• Academic Achievement - for an outstanding learning gain in a nominated Key Learning Area
• Mary MacKillop Award - for an outstanding display of Catholic values
• Habits of Mind Award - for outstanding use of the habits of mind for learning.

In addition class teachers also use class rewards systems to encourage expected behaviours, acknowledge effort in learning or for the care and support of others.

Kind regards,

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

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 8 March (Term 1 Week 6). 

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.