School News

 Happy Birthday

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

4 March - Mackinzie B Kinder, Coby C Year 2 and Harry B Year 4

5 March - Mahalia S Year 5

6 March - Scarlett J Year 1

7 March - Jake H Year 1, Airlie G Year 2 and Pippi B Year 5

8 March - Marcelo A year 4

9 March - Allegra B Year 3

12 March - Jack E Year 4 and Isabella B Year 5

13 March - Taj A Year 6

14 March - Jax V Year 3

16 March - Maeve B Kinder and Arabella P Year 4

Empowering Parents Information Session 

Please find a link to the recording of the parent information session with youth advocate, Daniel Principe, held late last year.

In this session, Daniel provided insights and tools to help parents support young people in analysing and challenging the complex sociocultural influences they face, particularly online. Our hope is that this video serves as a catalyst for open, meaningful dialogue to promote respectful relationships and flourishing.

English & Religion Books Coming Home For Sharing & Celebration!

Get ready to celebrate your child's learning journey in English and Religious Education! Next Friday (Week 9), your child will bring home their English & Religion book, filled with fantastic work and progress. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to share their learning with you and for you to provide encouragement and celebrate their achievements.

Inside their book, you'll find a Parent Reflection and Celebration Slip. We invite you to take a moment to leave a comment, share your thoughts, and acknowledge your child's efforts. We look forward to continuing our partnership and working together to help your child thrive and grow in their faith, learning, and well-being so they can truly live life to the full.

Please ensure that your child’s books are returned to school on Monday of Week 10. 

Example of a Parent Reflection and Celebration Slip

2026 NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual nationwide assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It is the only assessment taken by all Australian students, providing valuable insights into their literacy and numeracy skills.

In 2026, students at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Bulli will complete NAPLAN online, except for the Year 3 Writing Test, which will remain in paper format. The online format enhances the assessment process by allowing ‘tailored testing,’ where questions adapt to a student’s ability level, resulting in more precise and meaningful results.

NAPLAN complements existing school-based assessments. While it is important for students to take these tests seriously, we also want to ensure they feel comfortable and confident. To help students become familiar with the online testing platform, they will be given opportunities to participate in practice tests during normal learning time. These practice sessions will allow them to get used to the test format and navigation.

The official NAPLAN testing window begins on Wednesday 11 March 2026. At St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Bulli, the tests will be administered on the following days:

• Monday 16 March (Week 8): Conventions of Language

• Tuesday 17 March (Week 8): Numeracy

Students who are absent on their scheduled test day will have the opportunity to complete make-up tests within the test administration window, with the final date for make-up tests being Monday 23 March 2026. Please note Year 3 Writing catch-up ends on Monday 16 March 2026.

To further support students and families, we encourage exploring the NAPLAN Online public demonstration site for additional practice: https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site.

For more information, please refer to the attached flyer: "NAPLAN 2026 – Information for Parents and Carers."

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office for further information.

Miguel Aguilera

Assistant Principal

Equipment Requirement: Headphones

Please ensure your child has workable and suitable headphones or earphones that are compatible with their iPad. While Bluetooth headphones are acceptable, please be aware that Bluetooth connectivity can occasionally affect access to the testing platform. Plug-in headphones or earphones are recommended for a more stable connection.

If your child uses plug-in headphones, please ensure they have a USB-C headphone adapter to connect to their device.

2026 Book Club Issue 2

Students received our Book Club Issue 2, 2026, last week.  Issue 2 will close Friday 20 March 2026.

Books will be delivered in the week beginning Monday 30 March 2026.

2027 Enrolments - Online applications now open

Our online applications for Kindergarten 2027 are now open.

The online application form will be accessible from the home page of our school website

Sport

Term 1 Sports Uniform Days

Please note Years 3 -6 will be participating in gymnastics and acrobatic program, which is a 4 week program taking place on Mondays, commencing Monday 23 February and concluding on Monday 16 March  Sports uniform changes for Years 3-6 for this 4 week period.

2026 South Coast Swimming Carnival – St Joseph’s Bulli Team Report

On Thursday 26 February, our swimming squad represented St Joseph’s Bulli at the 2026 South Coast Primary Schools Swimming Championships held at Corrimal Swimming Pool. 

We are proud of the dedication, sportsmanship and effort displayed by all students throughout the day.

Overall Achievement

St Joseph’s Bulli won the Overall Male Pointscore, reflecting the strong performances and consistency of our boys across all age groups.

Individual Champions and 1st Place Finishes

Archer T had an outstanding carnival, placing 1st in the Male Open 100m Freestyle, Male Senior 50m Breaststroke and Male Senior 200m Medley. Archer was also named Senior Boys Age Champion.

Isikeli V placed 1st in both the Male 11 Years 50m Freestyle and Male 11 Years 50m Butterfly and was awarded 3rd Place 11 Years Boys Age Champion.

Anastasia P placed 1st in the Female 8 Years 50m Freestyle.

Allegra B placed 1st in the Female 9 Years 50m Freestyle.

Podium and Ribbon Results

Allegra B also placed 2nd in the Female Junior 50m Butterfly and 3rd in the Female Junior 50m Backstroke.

Isla J placed 2nd in the Female 11 Years 50m Backstroke and was awarded 3rd Place Senior Girls Age Champion.

Theo D placed 3rd in the Male 11 Years 50m Breaststroke.

Reg M placed 3rd in the Male 8 Years 50m Freestyle.

Hamish B placed 3rd (Independent) in the Male Senior 50m Butterfly and 4th in the Male 12 Years 50m Freestyle.

Sebastian R placed 4th in the Male Junior 50m Breaststroke.

Jack E placed 4th in the Male 10 Years 50m Freestyle.

Relay Results

The Male Senior 4 x 50m Relay team of Hamish, James, Isikeli and Archer placed 1st.

The Male Junior 4 x 50m Relay team of Sebastian, Ned, Elliott and Jack placed 4th.

The Female Senior 4 x 50m Relay team of Maddie, Alba, Mya and Isla placed 6th.

The Female Junior 4 x 50m Relay team of Allegra, Zara, Chelsea and Lacey were unfortunately disqualified.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge and thank Millie J, Josie M, Elliot S, Chelsea L, Zara P, Ned S, Madeline B, Alba J, Lara S, Mia R, James R and Grace M for their participation and support of the team.

Diocesan Qualification

All top four placegetters in each individual event, including qualifying relay teams, have progressed to the Wollongong Diocesan Swimming Trials on Tuesday 10th March at Corrimal Pool. We wish all of our swimmers every success as they move to the next stage of competition.

Thank you to our parents and carers for their assistance with transport and encouragement throughout the day.

Wollongong Diocesan Swimming Trials

Congratulations to all of the St Joey’s students who represented our school at the Wollongong Diocesan Swimming Trials on 10 March. All students demonstrated great sportsmanship and determination, and we are very proud of their efforts.

Following the Diocesan Selection Trials, a team was selected to represent the Wollongong Diocese at the MacKillop Trials on Wednesday 1 April at Homebush.

Congratulations to the Senior Boys Relay Team: Archer, Hamish, Isikeli and Jimmy. And Archer, Isikeli and Allegra, who qualified for the MacKillop Trials in their individual events.

We wish them the very best as they represent the Diocese at the next level.

St Joseph School Cross Country  - Whole School Carnival K-6 

We look forward to our whole school Cross-Country carnival which will be held in Term 1 on Friday 20 March 2026. Please save the date to spectate, support and/or act as a carnival official! More information will be shared later in the term. 

Canteen

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. 

Note:  Canteen is CLOSED MONDAYS

Flexischool Parent Support Line - 1300 361 769 (Hours: 7.00am-12.00 noon)

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Handbook

2025 Bus Timetable (Premier Charters)

PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning)

Ask your child about the weekly focus for students.

This week's focus:

Be Responsible  

Be organised and on time for recess, lunch and dismissal.

Prepare to leave the classroom 5min. before the first bell. Show gratitude in prayer for the food we eat and for those that have prepared it; Walk quietly with respect around the school in class lines; Be out on the playground seated on the FIRST eating and afternoon dismissal bells.