Issue #11

In reflecting on the past two terms, I am grateful for the time I have spent at St Gabriel’s.

I have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the staff, students, parents and caregivers, parish, and community. From my first day onwards, I have felt welcome and supported. My heart fills with pride every time I show new families or visitors around the school, and they see the friendly students and caring staff and working together in classrooms. Enrolments have increased during my time as Principal and increasing enrolment tours augur well for the school's continued growth. Our students continue to flourish, and the measurements of school performance indicate our success in key areas.

Particular thanks to those I have worked most closely with including Bernie Meixner, Mel Niejalke, Matthew Burness, Anita Marino, Jacki Williams, Alison Boyce, Margaret Stencel, Cvetka Petrovski, Karina Carman, Annette Boyle, MJ Manalo, Andrew Aldridge and the School Board, and FR Selva.

Thank you to our wonderful, dedicated staff - the most important part of any successful school. The high level of care of St Gabriel’s staff provide each day ensures the wellbeing and learning of our students.

Thank you to the parents, caregivers, and community for your support. It takes not just a village to raise a child but a village working together. The success of the school more broadly is testament to the contribution of every member of the St Gabriel’s community working together to support the growth of our students.

It has been a privilege to serve as your Principal.

I will cherish my time at St Gabriel’s

Best wishes,

Mark

Reminder of the Staff Reflection Day 22nd July 2024 (day one of next term)

Staff Reflection Days are important opportunities for staff to explore their faith journey, our commitment as a Catholic school and deepen their relationship with God. Thank you for your understanding in allowing staff the time on this day for reflection.

Social Media

As you would be aware, our Premier Peter Malinauskas has spoken of the possibility of creating legislation to move the legal age to 14 years old for social media platforms. While social media has many benefits, it is important to know that social media platforms including Snapchat, Discord, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok are currently recommended for children 13 years old and over. I have observed little benefit but considerable harm in primary age children accessing social media.

Celebration of the Sacraments 

Ephesians 1:13 

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” 

This week our parish is celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Eucharist with families and children from our parish.  Some of the children attend school at St Gabriel’s and some at St Brigid’s. Others attend schools from different areas but are part of the parish. 

The celebration of Sacraments is a joyful occasion in the parish as it is a time to welcome new members into the worshipping community. A bit like welcoming someone into your family.  There is joy in celebrating a special event with others because something significant is happening in another person’s life.  A bit like being happy for people who are being married, we are happy and wish the newly weds a happy and fruitful life together. It may remind us of a significant moment in our life and bring us back to that time of our own happy memories. 

The Sacraments reunite parishioners and families with their own Sacraments and most importantly, it strengthens our own faith.   

Jesus is present in the Sacraments for the children celebrating Confirmation and Eucharist, and so, in a real way Jesus is present for us also.  The joy we receive when Jesus is present is immeasurable.  There is a sense of awe and wonder to know that Christ is with us in this real and most powerful way. 

So we congratulate the children celebrating their Sacraments this week and wish them happiness and strength as they receive the Holy Spirt and the Body and Blood of Christ. 

We also give thanks to these families for allowing us to share in the joy of the Risen Christ and being witnesses to Jesus’ love for us all. 

Congratulations to:

• Christina 
• Martin 
• Joel 
• Amelia 
• Elia 
• Tien 
• Marc 
• Hamish  
• Hilary  

On receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist. 

The Earth Care Squad have decorated wooden flowers to help beautify the courtyard. 

We have painted them and attached them to the wooden tree in the courtyard.  Have a look next time you are in the school. 

We are about to plant some more vegetables as there are a few spaces in the vegetable patch.  The seedlings we have planted are enjoying the rain we have received. 

The Earth Care Squad are continuing to help keep food scraps in the correct bins.  The squad members will either put food scraps in the worm farms or in the bins with green lids. 

The chickens are enjoying life and give us lots of eggs.  They are a favourite for children to visit at recess and lunchtime and our senior Earth Care Squad members dor a great job putting them away at night and filling their water dispenser. 

Check out what OSHC has planned for the July Vacation Care:

Vacation Care July 2024

Read what's happinening in OSHC: 

Term 2 OSHC Newsletter

To find out more about the School Fees and School Card, click the link below:

School Fees & School Card 2024

Fee Remission for 2024

Parents/caregivers experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to apply for fee remission ASAP.  Please email accounts@sgs.catholic.edu.au for a fee remission form or collect from the School Office if you wish to apply. 

We assure parents/caregivers that all details provided will be kept strictly confidential.  

If you are having difficulty with meeting your fee obligations or have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Alison Boyce (Bursar) or Mark Simpson (Principal) on 8216 9900. 

Thank you,

Alison Boyce

accounts@sgs.catholic.edu.au

Direct Ph: 8216 9902