Gabie Madden: Emmaus Award for First Five Years of Teaching

25th August, 2025

Gabie is a devoted and dynamic educator at St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar whose professionalism, energy, and deep sense of purpose have made a lasting impression in her first years of teaching. Placing Christ and her students at the centre of her practice, Gabie teaches Religious Studies and HSIE with a strong focus on quality pedagogy and meaningful engagement.

Her commitment to student learning is evident in her use of effective, high-impact strategies that support all learners. Gabie integrates literacy, numeracy, digital tools, and the Clarity framework to create inclusive, responsive classrooms. She regularly collaborates with ‘Knowledgeable Others,’ especially the Pedagogical Mentors, ensuring her practice aligns with both school and Diocesan priorities. This thoughtful and intentional approach led to outstanding results in the 2023 Diocesan Religious Literacy Test, where her Year 8 Religious Studies class achieved exceptional outcomes.

Gabie’s influence at St Joseph’s extends well beyond the classroom. She is highly regarded by colleagues as a supportive collaborator and a reliable source of guidance. Her commitment to the whole child is evident in her leadership of social justice initiatives at the College including Socktober, Caritas, and various fundraising efforts, all rooted in the Josephite values of Justice, Compassion, and Service.

In 2024, Gabie designed and launched a new role within the College: Leader of Wellbeing and Transition. In this position, she has played a key role in supporting student wellbeing, managing programs like the Breakfast Club and “Queen Talk” for young women, all while assisting families and students through key points of transition in school life.

Gabie also contributes meaningfully to the spiritual life of the College, co-leading Retreats and Formation Days, while continuing to pursue her own professional learning with enthusiasm. Her coaching of school netball teams further reflects her dedication to student development and community building.

Gabie Madden exemplifies what the Emmaus Awards aim to celebrate: a faith-driven, committed, and impactful educator whose early career is already leaving a meaningful mark on Catholic education.

We warmly congratulate Gabie on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to seeing her continued growth and leadership in the years ahead.