Dear Parents and Carers

We have once again come to end of another busy term at St. Joseph's. Mrs Maslen is currently on Long Service Leave so I am writing this newsletter on her behalf. This term has be filled with range of activities which has made the term fly by. This term we have seen the students involved in formation experiences such as the Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop and weekly Masses. They have participated in Mini Vinnies Fundraising, Father's Day Breakfast, Script Writing for our new book 'Fire in the Tops', Bookweek, Year 5/6 Excursion, Public Speaking Competitions, Dio and Polding Athletics, Basketball for sport and Playgroup for the preschool and 2026 Kindy students. We also we welcomed new students and families to our school community.

We are extremely blessed to be in a school that all the students strive to reach their full potential. The students constantly follow our Vision Statement:

Last week also saw our school go through an Annual School Review. Around 20 CSO satff from all departments came to school to listen and witness how our school is delivering our Strategic Improvement Plan in the areas of Catholic Identity, Learning and Well Being. Mrs Maslen and myself spoke at length to the staff on where our school has come from, is at currently and what our future plans are for the school. The CSO staff were able to view the facilities of the school as well as see the incredible work that our teachers do in the class to give the students the best start as possible to their education. They also had the opprtunity to watch the students working in the classroom and to ask them what they liked about St. Joseph's and what changes they would like to see. It was a great opportunity to showcase the wonderful school that we have here in Gloucester.

I would like to share with you an article that was written by our Director of Catholic Schools Jaqueline Wilkinson about St. Joseph's Gloucester which was in a current newsletter sent to all staff in the Diocese.

Faith in Action: A School Community Living the Gospel

The annual school visit to St Joseph’s Gloucester this week showcased a vibrant and faith-filled Catholic community deeply committed to nurturing the whole child—spiritually, academically, and personally. At the core of the school’s mission is a Christ-centred education where Gospel values are not only taught but also actively demonstrated in classrooms, playgrounds, and staff interactions. This commitment is beautifully reflected in the development of the school’s new Vision and Mission Statement: 'To Learn, Grow, and Wonder,' which captures the essence of their educational and spiritual journey.

A strong emphasis on literacy and writing was evident throughout the visit. Students engaged in exciting opportunities to develop their creative and expressive skills, including a collaborative project with Anna Kerrigan, Education Officer from ASPIRE (Drama and Creative Arts), on a production based on their book Fire in the Tops, co-authored with Sami Bayly. This work is set to be released and shared with the community in Term 4. The school also welcomed author Therese Lloyd, who captivated students with stories from her books Arki and the Land of Light and Arki and the Cursed Caves, further enriching their love of literature. Teachers are using targeted rubrics and strategies to support students in becoming skilled and confident writers.

Strong partnerships with families and the parish were clearly evident, reflecting a genuine commitment to collaboration, mutual respect, and shared responsibility in the education of each child. It was a joy to witness a school that so clearly lives its Catholic identity and strives for excellence in all aspects of learning and community life. We take this opportunity to thank Amy Maslen, Adam McCann, and all the staff for welcoming us into their beautiful school.

On behalf of the staff I wish you all a safe and enjoyable holiday and look forward to the students returning back to school for Term 4 on Monday 13th October.

Yours sincerely,

Adam McCann