Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Friends,

Farewell to Executive Director, Peter Hill

After seven years leading Catholic Education in the Diocese of Wollongong, Executive Director Peter Hill was recently appointed to the position of Executive Director for the Archdiocese of Brisbane. He was officially farewelled last week at a gathering at the Catholic Education Office.

During his tenure, Peter visited St Joseph’s on a few occasions and was always genuinely engaged with our students and staff, taking a keen interest in their learning. Under his leadership, the Diocesan Light the Way Strategic Plan and Continuous Catholic School Improvement Framework were established. Both initiatives have been instrumental in sharpening our school's strategic focus, ensuring that our students’ faith, learning, and wellbeing remain at the heart of everything we do. I am personally deeply grateful for Peter’s visionary leadership and guidance. On behalf of the St Joseph's community, I wish him every blessing and success in his next chapter.

Update - eSafety, AI and Student Images

Recent guidance from the eSafety Commissioner has strongly recommended schools and education systems take steps to strengthen protections of student images that are posted on the school website or social media pages. The eSafety Commissioner’s advice is that, moving forward, schools should use “less identifiable images of students” on its online platforms such as its website, Facebook and Instagram pages and other digital platforms. 

What does the Commission mean by ‘less identifiable images’?

Examples of less identifiable images are: 

• images that do not feature full-face close-up images of students;

• pictures and videos/reels taken from behind or at a distance;

• images that use props such as books, artwork, learning devices, or technology that obstructs students’ full facial features.

In accordance with the above advice, A CEDoW photographer will be on site tomorrow, Tuesday 20 October, to take updated photos for our school website.

Additionally, Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong, has made the decision to  remove the school newsletter (and previous newsletters) from all diocesan Primary school websites effective from Week 3, Term 4.  Our school newsletter will be made available through Compass.

Keeping our students and staff safe will always be our top priority. While you will notice some differences in the photos we share on our Facebook page, please be assured that we will continue to celebrate the achievements of our wonderful students and staff and keep you up-to-date with what is happening at St Joseph’s.

A letter outlining these changes was sent to all parents today via the Compass Parent Portal.

2026 Annual Improvement Plan 

Goal: Students will be challenged to maximise their learning growth in Writing and clearly articulate their learning goals, know their next steps, and monitor their progress.

PROGRESS UPDATE:

All teachers will participate in two Collaborative Planning days aligned to our AIP this term. The focus of these sessions will include Instructional Coaches, Mrs Clarkson and Miss Boyd-Skinner, giving individual feedback to teachers based on Co-Teaching Cycles

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. 

Please find a snapshot of the professional learning our staff will attend over the coming fortnight:

19 October 2026

Governance & Management Day

Mrs Duffin

20  October 2026

Primary Curriculum Implementation Support

Mrs Clarkson & Mrs Smith

23  October 2026

Spotlight On Technology

Mr Aguilera & Mr Walker

Term 4 Assembly Schedule

Assemblies will be held in the hall from 2pm. All are welcome!

23 October 2026  - Years 3-6. Year 6 Sharing Learning

30 October 2026 -  Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2. Year 1 Sharing Learning

Kaylene Duffin

Principal

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

Principal Awards

Our Principal's awards are presented to students.

The following students from 3-6 will will receive their Principal Awards at our whole school assembly, Friday 23 October (Week 2).

The following students from K-2 will will receive their Principal Awards at our school assembly, Friday 30 October 2026 (Week 3).

How does my child receive a Principal's Award?

When students have received five awards from any combination of the following categories: Blue Merit, End of Term, Spelling Bee (1st , 2nd 3rd), Stage 3 Public Speaking (1st , 2nd 3rd), Stage 3 Diocesan Christmas Art Story (top three in Yr 5 & Yr 6) and St Francis of Assisi, they submit them to the school office to be recorded and become eligible to receive a Principal’s Award at the school assembly. Upon receiving their fourth Principal’s Award, students are presented with a Principal’s Medallion at a school assembly.

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