Principal's Page

Dear Parents and Friends,

Pope Leo XIV's Inaugural Message: A Call for Peace and Unity

In his first address from St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV set a clear direction for his papacy, centred on peace, dialogue, and unity. He opened by echoing Christ's greeting: "Peace be with you all."   Pope Leo XIV warmly acknowledged Pope Francis, expressing his desire to continue his predecessor's legacy and noting: "God loves us, God loves you all, and evil will not prevail!"   

 

A key theme was his call for a united Church.He stressed building bridges through "dialogue and encounter," urging all to work "as one people always in peace."  

Pope Leo also outlined his vision for a missionary Churchthat is always open to receiving with open arms for everyone. He underlined the need for closeness to the suffering and called for continued prayers for global peace.   

 

His initial message clearly focused on humility, love, and a commitment to moving forward together, bringing Christ's light to a world in need.   

 

Let us keep Pope Leo in our prayers as he begins his papacy.

World Support Staff Day

Last Friday, we honoured our School Support Officers as we celebrated World Support Staff Day. We are blessed to have such caring, passionate and hard working School Support Officers and we deeply appreciate all that they bring to St Joseph’s. 

 

Their professionalism and flexibility ensures the smooth running of our school and enhances our students’ faith, learning and wellbeing. From Before School Transition, to support in the classroom and on the playground to the school office - We truly value the vital role these staff members play in our school community.

 

2025 Annual Improvement Plan 

Goal: Through quality assessment, students will be challenged in their learning, to ensure continual growth and achievement.

  • Teacher’s Learning Walk - during last week’s staff meeting, teachers walked through all classrooms to celebrate and share evidence of Worked Examples and Learning Walls. This was a great opportunity to visit other classrooms and learn from each other

     

  • Moderating - yesterday, teachers worked in Professional Learning Teams moderating students’ work samples and assessments in Mathematics.

     

  • Peer Observation Cycles -  Instructional Coaches - Mrs Grose and Miss Boyd-Skinner, facilitated Peer Observation Cycles which will continue over the next few weeks. Grade teachers along with Instructional Coach observe each other’s teaching practice and provide feedback to improve instruction.

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:

 

13 May 2025 Instructional Coach Network Day

Mrs Grose & Miss Boyd-Skinner

 

14 May 2025 School Cyclic Inquiry - Self Review Report (half day)

Mrs Duffin, Mr Walker, Mr Aguilera, Mrs Clarkson, Miss Boyd-Skinner, Mrs Grose

 

14 May 2025 - Religious Education Coordinator Network Meeting (half day)

Mr Walker

 

19 May 2025 PB4L Network day

Miss O’Donoghue & Mrs N Parker

 

19 & 20 May 2025 Phonological Awareness Professional Learning

Mrs Kallinikos, Miss Negus, Mrs Liplyn, Miss Wragge, Miss Papaleonidas, Mrs Matthews, Miss Gemmill, Mrs Clark, Mrs Greenwood, Mrs Kors, Mrs McMahon, Mrs Grose, Miss Boyd-Skinner

 

20 May 2025 - Learning in Leadership course

Mr Aguilera

 

22 May 2025 - High Potential and Gifted Learning

Mr Aguilera & Mrs Pirie

 

21 - 23 May 2025 Australian Catholic School Principals Conference

Mrs Duffin

 

Uniform Requirements

Thank you for ensuring students are wearing correct winter uniform. Students are also required to wear their school hat on the playground each morning and at all times when outside. Shirts should be tucked in at all times, except during break times.

School Assemblies

School assemblies are held fortnightly (even weeks) at 2pm in the school hall. Our next school assembly will be held tomorrow, Friday 23 May.  All are welcome!

Parents & Friends Association 

The Term 2, P&F General Meeting will be held Thursday 29 May in the school hall at 7pm. Everyone is 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 tomorrow's assembly, Friday 23 May  2025 (Week 4).

Year 2 
Stella A1st
Cassian Q2nd
Tom A2nd
Abbygail F2nd
  
Year 3 
Harrison B3rd
  
Year 4
Charley M3rd
  
YEAR 6 
Malakai L6th
Elle A6th 
Hartley B6th
  

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