Children transition into St Joseph’s Gloucester during Terms 3 and 4, the year before commencing Kindergarten. Our Early Birds Program is very popular and the children visit ‘big school’ every Thursday during these two terms for the school day. They participate in all activities the school has scheduled for the day and interact with all students from Kindergarten to Year 6 in all areas of the playground. Many children travel to and from ‘big school’ on the school bus with older brothers and sisters.

Our Early Birds Program takes place in our Learning Hub and follows the principles of the Diocesan Early Learning Policy – the importance of play, welcoming and inviting indoor and outdoor spaces, building positive relationships and the ability to meet challenges with the support of friends and teachers. Our transition program also offers the opportunity for parents and carers to become involved in their child’s education at an early stage and to make new friends with other parents and carers. Children who take part in our Early Bird program commence Kindergarten full of confidence, ready to tackle their formal school years.

Students transitioning from Year 6 to Year 7 at St Clare’s High School in Taree have the opportunity to visit St Clare’s at various times throughout the year, prior to them beginning high school. St Clare’s has an open afternoon in Catholic Schools’ Week, to which all Year 6 students and their parents are personally invited. This is followed by various opportunities for the students to visit St Clare’s as the year progresses – days that focus on Leadership, Gifted Education, Peer Support and Spirituality. These days give the students from Gloucester the opportunity to socialise with Year 6 students from Holy Name Forster, St Joseph’s Wingham, St Joseph’sTaree and St Joseph’s Bulahdelah as well as to become familiar with the St Clare’s setting. Students usually travel on the school bus to St Clare’s on these days and always return enthusiastic and excited about their choice of high school.