Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Friends,

As Semester One comes to an end, I feel incredibly proud of our students. Every day, they walk through our gates ready to learn, keen to tackle new challenges, and truly wanting to grow. It's just as wonderful to see the positive connections they share with their friends and their joy as they greet each other each morning.

Staff are extremely privileged to work alongside your children each day. Our conversations, both learning related and informal, our observations of kindness, risk taking in learning and those ‘ah ha..!’ moments are truly special.

Our Annual Improvement goal this year is to challenge students in their learning to ensure continuous growth and achievement, and this semester gives us much to celebrate. Students have shown high levels of engagement, collaborating effectively whether learning independently or in group tasks. Just last week, 16 of our Stage 3 students participated in the inaugural Diocesan Octathlon, an academic competition across eight disciplines against three other local diocesan schools, and they achieved simply amazing results.

Our recent NAPLAN results also clearly indicate significant learning growth and achievement. While we're still waiting for full individual student data, both our Year 3 and Year 5 cohorts generally achieved 'exceeding' and 'strong' indicators across all testing areas. This is a very strong performance and testament to the efforts of our students and the commitment of our teachers. Parents will receive their child’s NAPLAN report next term.

School Cyclic Inquiry

Last Friday, our School Cyclic Inquiry concluded with the second panel visit. The panel provided interim feedback to the Leadership Team, highlighting some of our successes from the past four years and affirming some areas for strategic focus over the next four. From here, the panel will finalise their Report which will be signed off by myself, Executive Director, Peter Hill and the panel Chairperson. An Executive Summary will then be made available to our community.

I'd like to sincerely thank everyone who supported us during our School Cyclic Inquiry. Whether you completed the Tell Them From Me Survey, joined the Parent Listening session in Term 1, or attended the Focus Group session with panel members last Friday, your input is invaluable to St Joseph's improvement journey.

As well as parental contributions, student feedback was also sought for this inquiry. Students shared their insights on aspects of their faith, learning, and wellbeing through a school-based survey for Years 3-6 students, the Tell Them From Me Survey for Years 4-6, and a Student Focus Group session with panel members last Friday.

Once again the data was insightful with many positives and areas for us to consider moving forward. We are very proud of our students for their reflection and honesty during these feedbacopportunities. 

Visit from Executive Director, Peter Hill

On Monday, we were honoured to host Mr Peter Hill, Executive Director of the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong, for the day at St Joseph's. It was a great opportunity for us to share the progress of our strategic priorities and showcase the quality learning and teaching happening in our classrooms every day. Mr Hill appreciated the opportunity to connect with our student representatives and visit classrooms to engage with students and celebrate their learning firsthand.

Staffing

Welcome Mrs Hoile

This week we welcome Mrs Rachelle Hoile to the temporary full time position of Indentured Casual for the remainder of the year. Mrs Hoile is an experienced teacher who will be an asset to our team. 

Mrs Woods

We wish Mrs Cath Woods all the very best as she takes leave for the remainder of the year to travel around Australia. During this time, current School Support Officers, Mrs Rutledge and Mrs Milne, will assume Mrs Woods’ working responsibilities. We look forward to having Mrs Woods back in 2026.

2025 Annual Improvement Plan 

Recent Progress with our AIP Goal:

• Place Value Assessment Testing All students participated in the Place Value Assessment Tool or Pre Place Value Assessment Tool (Kindergarten & Year 1). This assessment occurs twice per year to track and monitor student growth. Teachers are currently analysing this data and the results will inform next steps in learning.

Recent Staff Professional Learning

Research tells us that the quality of the teacher is the greatest in-school influence on student achievement. Therefore high quality professional learning for teachers must be a priority to ensure improved teacher practice that leads to improved student learning growth. Professional learning undertaken by our staff over the past fortnight includes:

26 June 2025 - Data Literacy

Mr Aguilera & Mrs Van Gemmert

1 July 2025 - Collaborative Planning (Half day)

Mrs Clark, Miss Gemmill & Mrs Pirie

Returning in Term 3

Students will return to school in Term 3 on Monday 21 July wearing full Winter Uniform.

School Assemblies

Our End of Term Assembly will be held tomorrow Friday 4 July at 2pm.  All are welcome! 

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 tomorrow's assembly, Friday 4 July 2025 (Week 10).

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.

End of Term Awards

The following student will be presented their End of Term 2 Achievement Awards to students tomorrow Friday 4 July 2025 (Term 2 Week 10). Parents of students receiving End of Term Awards are welcome to join the assembly.

Academic Achievement Awards

Habits of Mind Awards

Saint Mary MacKillop Award

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