Principal's Page

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

The Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition is an initiative of the Catholic Education Offices in Wollongong and Sydney, designed to celebrate and explore children’s creative and artistic ability in illustrating the Christmas story.

This exhibition and competition provides the opportunity for Years 5 and 6 students to share with the wider community a greater awareness of the role of the arts in Religious Education. Children can develop a deeper appreciation for their talents and recognise the value of the arts in expressing understandings of the Catholic faith.

On Wednesday evening the 2021 Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition Opening Night was held as a virtual event.  

Congratulations Torah B (Yr5) and Isla B (Yr6)  whose artworks were exhibited in the final exhibition among 39 works from Catholic schools across the Diocese. They will be receiving a Certificate of Exhibition at our assembly on Friday.

We are very excited to announce that Leila V (Yr6) and Caitlin A (Yr6) were announced as finalists. Their art will now be included in the Archdiocese of Sydney Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition. They will be receiving a Certificate of Artistic Achievement at our assembly on Friday.

Over the next few weeks, these artworks will be featured in the newsletter. This week, I am very proud to highlight Caitlin's work and her beautifully written reflection in our newsletter. 

As we draw closer to the season of Advent and then Christmas, you may like to take the time to share the art and reflections in your own family so that the Christmas Story- the birth of Jesus and the events that surrounded his coming into the world- may become the focus of Christmas.

'Olden Day Immigrants'

Caitlin Abela, Year 6

St Joseph's Catholic Parish Primary School, Bulli

My artwork was inspired by The Flight to Egypt when Joseph rushed to flee to Egypt with Mary and the newborn baby Jesus. I chose this because it demonstrates the clear faith of Joseph and the strong trust of Mary. I decided on this scripture because it reminded me of Ahn Do who is a famous author and artist because he became an immigrant because he had to flee Vietnam during a war when he was young.

I chose to use watercolours for the background so I could blend, mix colours and layer. In my image, I have three birds which are symbolising Mary, Joseph and Jesus. The background colours behind them show their qualities, while inside the birds I used special symbols and patterns. Behind Mary the background is full of pinks symbolising her love, Joseph has blues to show his trust in God and Jesus sits on a purple wash to show his royalty and grace.

My artwork is meant to show the emotions, feelings and qualities of the family and portray the fact that you don’t need to be well known in society to follow the ways of our Lord and become truly special in God’s eyes. 

Listen to Caitlin's description of her artwork below.

Caitlin Abela, Year 6 (Christmas Story Art Exhibition 2021)

Learning Leap into 2022 

The classes for 2022 have now been finalised. Students will spend time in their new class on Friday 10 December and teachers are looking forward to meeting with their new students. This is an opportunity for students to take a Learning Leap into 2022.

Thank you to those parents who have made written requests, addressed to the Principal, regarding any information that may affect the placement of their child into a class for 2022. Wherever possible efforts have been made to accommodate concerns and requests. No further requests can now be considered.

Allocating students into classes for 2022 is a complex process and what may seem like a reasonable request for a parent, may have unintended consequences for your child or other students. The academic, social and emotional needs of all students are considered, and teachers have a very good knowledge of their students and how they operate in the learning environment.

Classes will be announced to students on Friday 10 December. I know that parents will understand that no requests for a change of class will be considered once announced. Changing classes will affect other students and create an imbalance across the grade.

St Joseph, pray for us.

Jen Charadia

Principal

Principal Awards and Merit Awards

The following students will receive their Principal Awards tomorrow Friday 26 November 2021(Week 8).

Friday 10 December (Week 10) will be the last assembly that Principal Awards will be handed out for 2021. 

How does my child receive a Principal's Award?

Class teachers nominate students for Blue Merit Awards and are presented at the weekly assembly.  When five Blue Merit Awards have been received, students are 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.