Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Carers

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

Tomorrow, St Joseph’s is participating in the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence (NDA). The NDA is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative for schools, connecting schools and communities to implement workable solutions to prevent bullying.

Research has shown that strong school connections and positive relationships can help to prevent bullying. 

When students feel a sense of belonging and connectedness at school, they are more likely to enjoy school, trust and respect their teachers, and be concerned about and help others (Australian Education Research Organisation 2023).

Tomorrow, we will help grow connections by participating in a variety of activities and an afternoon school assembly promoting inclusiveness, respect and community belonging for all students.

Planning for a safe and supportive school community requires a whole-school community approach. Whole-school responses to bullying prevention build positive and supportive school environments by incorporating strategies for intervention at all levels, inclusive of students, teachers, parents and carers. 

Three key characteristics outlined in the national definition of bullying distinguish bullying behaviours from other negative behaviours which are not bullying. The key characteristics of bullying include:

1.    power imbalance

2.    deliberate intent to cause harm, and

3.    ongoing and repeated behaviour.

While the following behaviours are not bullying, they may still be serious and require intervention at home and at school:

·      arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance)

·      single acts of social rejection or unkind behaviour, or

·      isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence.

It is important for our whole-school community, including our staff, parents, carers and students to have a clear understanding of the definition of bullying to be able to correctly identify and respond to incidents of bullying. The full national definition can be found on the Bullying. No Way! website.

Tomorrow is not a once-per-year, one-off event. Our students are learning about respectful relationships year-round in their Personal Development lessons. 

To help promote smiling and happiness, tomorrow for our anti bullying day we are encouraging students to wear a coloured accessory. Students can choose an accessory with a colour that makes the, happy. Examples of accessories might be: a hat, a tie, bracelet, hair ribbon, glasses etc.

Thank you to all staff but particularly Mrs Lantry, Mr Matthews and Miss O'Donoghue for organising our day on Friday.

St Joseph's 'Go Matildas' Day

We had a fantastic day yesterday as we celebrated the amazing Matildas and their

 remarkable achievement in making it to the World Cup Semi-Finals.

Students and staff pulled out their green and gold gear for our Matildas Accessory Day. The front gate and school were decorated by students, staff and some very helpful parents and a grandparent. Every grade participated in a penalty shoot-out competition throughout the day.

Imogen H, Zoe R, Minerva B shared - via a whole school Zoom, a reading of the picture book We Are The Matildas- a story about friendship and teamwork.

Thanks everyone, we had so much fun.

For all things at St Joseph's, we give thanks.

Mrs Jen Charadia

Principal

Principal Awards - Friday 25 August 2023

The following students will receive their Principal Awards on Friday 25 August (Term 3 Week 6) at 2pm.  

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.

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.