Dear Parents & Carers,

I trust all families had a wonderful holiday and students had a well-earned rest. 

During Week 1, students in Years 3 and 5 received their NAPLAN results and reports went home to families. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. Each year staff analyse the NAPLAN data and how students have grown in their learning. NAPLAN is a different test environment and we celebrate that students did their best in this assessment and are proud of their achievements. 

The Parent/FACE SubCommittee Group ran a wonderful fundraiser and movie night on Saturday 26th July. Families were able to enjoy the movie 'The Wild Robot' on the new LED screen in the hall. Families were able to bring a beanbag and, enjoy popcorn and a steak or sausage sandwich from Rotary. A special thanks to Avon Valley Meats, who supplied the meat, Batter & Dough who supplied the popcorn cups, Gloucester Community Shop who generously donated funds to support the running of the event and of course all parents who organised. As a school, our fees are kept as low as possible and funds subsidise excursion costs and a number of other resources or opportunities. Thank you!

We wish Eli Fenning, Harrison Morton, Elliot Banyer and Jack Butchers all the best at Diocesan Athletics today. All boys are participating in the Small Schools Relay, Jack is participating in the 9 Year's 100 metres and Harrison in the Junior Boys High Jump.

During Term 4, our School Counsellor, Sascha Isaacs will be taking maternity leave. We wish Sascha the very best during this time and look forward to welcoming her back in Term 1. During this time, Cristen Challacombe, a School Counsellor who works in some of the other Manning Schools will be replacing Sascha. 

Peace & Best Wishes,

Amy Maslen

Princpal

TERM 3

Thank you to Cam from Touch Football NSW who ran a Touch Football Clinic on Friday 25th July. Cam ran through skills with all classes. Thank you!

Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN results were distributed on 23rd July. 

If you have any questions or require clarification on the results please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher, who will be able to support in interpreting results.

During Term 3, Sport will be on Mondays. Gloucester Basketball will be working with us on several Mondays on Basketball Skills. We thank Gloucester Basketball for working with our students. We will also participate in all of the local Sport Gala Days including the Todd Woodbridge Tennis Cup, for Years 3-6. This will be on Thursday 14th August and more information will be sent our via Compass. 

During Term 4, Swimming will be one of our focus areas for Sport. 

Mini Vinnies News

The Mini Vinnies fundraising events continue to be well supported by our school community. This term we will be having another event which is being organised by Revel, Eli, Dakota and Talya. The next event will be on Thursday 28^th August. More details coming soon.

It is wonderful to know that our students and families are so willing to share their gifts and talents with charity groups and people in need.

Word for the Week

Each week we have a special word and message written on our large outdoor blackboard in the covered area. These simple messages each week are helping our students to remember the essence of caring and sharing and striving to be the best person that they ca be. Some examples of the messages are Kindness, Family, Persistence, Acceptance, Humility. To assist the younger children, each week they have a special activity of “Finding Samson” which helps them to remember the special focus word and message.

Quote for Reflection (from Ernest Hemmingway)

Before you act, listen...

Before you react, think ...

Before you spend, earn ...

Before you criticise, wait ...

Before you pray, forgive ...

Before you quit, try ...

Next Thursday, 14th August at 2-3pm, in the library we will be holding a FACE session on Managing Screen Time. The session will be presented by Sascha Isaccs, School Counsellor and will cover screen time, possible strategies to support managing screen use for both children and adults. Tea and coffee and a light afternoon tea will be served. All parents and carers are very welcome. 

We will be celebrating book week this year Thursday 11th September (Week 8) with a book character parade and a Meerkat production of one of the Children's Shortliseted Books, 'The Garden of Broken Things'. The theme for this year is 'Book an Adventure'. Students are encouraged to dress up as a book character or in costume to match the theme. Costumes do not need to be expensive as many book character costumes can be created using everday clothing. More information will be sent out closer to the date.

 

Recently there has been much public discussion around the Australian Government's model of funding schools. Catholic Schools NSW have put together some data to explain how government funding for non-government schools—such as Catholic and Independent schools— supports your right to choose the best educational environment for your child while also reducing costs for Australian taxpayers.

Using the most recent data, the report outlines how funding these schools through a mixed education model reduces pressure on public education resources, with savings of up to $6.88 billion annually. The report highlights how school choice benefits families and the broader community alike.

To read more, find the report here: Money invested, Money Saved - July 2025 - Adobe cloud storage.

Attached is an updated uniform price list. Also we have a range of second hand items for gold coin donation.

Thankyou

Lisa Moore