Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Welcome to 2024
It has been wonderful to walk through the school this week and reconnect with students, parents and staff. I hope a relaxing break was had by all, with special moments shared over the Christmas season. I have enjoyed hearing a myriad of holiday stories from the children, telling them with eyes lit up and excitement in their voices.
Thankfully the building is 99% complete. There are a few final details to be ticked off, with most of the project complete. I would like to thank the Board and staff for their invaluable contribution to the project and to all community members for their patience and flexibility during the process. I think we would all agree, the final product was worth it.
We welcome our new students and their families to St Gabriel's School and wish them well as they start their learning journey with us: RED: Emilia,Areng, Isabella, Aashi, Francesca, Abigail, Aimy, Gia-Linh, Leandro, Yunay, Axel, Luka, Damian, Abraham, Ranfateh, Kabir, Hudson, Aiden REWN: Hannah, Alice, Lily, Ariana, Venisha, Prashavi, Neil, Elijah, Xavier, Havrlmert, Chad, Ethan, Ayaan, Seth, Anthony, Daoud, Timothy, Yash RE1T: Indie, Sophia, Paul, 2K: Sivalekshambika, Saanvie, 2H: Elyas 3PM: Amay, Raadaye 3B: Aarav, Ashley 4F: Ali-Redhha, Julie 4H: Yazhini, Naweed 5M: Willow, Isaac 5CT: Mohamed 6B: Abbas.
A reminder that next Wednesday, February 7, class teachers will be hosting an Open House for parents and carers to come in and say hello. Details sent home today in a flyer.
For those who missed it earlier in the week, I have included a letter from Dr Neil McGoran below. Whilst I am sad to be leaving, I am excited about the opportunity to work with, and support fellow principals in Catholic Education as a School Performance Leader.
Having spent the last few days with Mr Mark Simpson, I am confident the school is in good hands. Please find below the message from Mark to the school community.
Sean Hill
Principal
To the community of St Gabriel’s School, Enfield
Dear Community Members
I write to inform you that Sean Hill has been seconded to the Catholic Education Office for Term 1 as School’s Performance Leader.
I am pleased to announce that Mark Simpson has been appointed to the position of Acting Principal for this period. Mark will commence on Wednesday 31 January and work with Sean to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Mark was Acting Principal at St Raphael’s School, Parkside during Term 3 & 4 2023 and has held a variety of leadership positions through his career including, Education Advisor: Engagement & Wellbeing, Deputy Principal of Rostrevor College, and Principal of an Independent School.
Mark has a deep personal faith and will bring demonstrated commitment and enthusiasm for ensuring excellence in teaching and learning to the role.
Mark is looking forward to working in partnership with the students, staff, families and the parish community. I would like to express my gratitude to Mark for taking on this leadership position and wish him all the best as he prepares to lead St Gabriel’s.
Yours sincerely
Dr Neil McGoran
Executive Director
Message from Mark Simpson
Dear St Gabriel’s Community.
I am delighted and honoured to introduce myself to you in my role as Acting Principal of St Gabriel’s for Term 1. I am humbled and excited to be joining a school known for its strong community spirit, its caring and dedicated staff, and its commitment to collaborative learning. It is an exciting time to be at St Gabriel’s with as a school on a journey of improvement and not just the brand-new buildings.
I have learnt a great deal in my role as Principal over 10 years in several schools including most recently at St Raphael’s School, Parkside. I have been fortunate also to work in the Catholic Education Office as this has enabled me to see best practice in many of our 101 schools. Despite the occasional challenges, I love being a School Principal.
I believe strongly in the active partnership between school and home, and I encourage you to engage with St Gabriel’s through regular communication, school events, and various volunteer opportunities. Your support is invaluable in creating a strong partnership that contributes to the success of our students. I look forward to meeting you at the beginning and end of each day, at drop-off and in the yard and I will organise a more formal opportunity to meet with you soon.
My role is to maintain the excellent work that has been done by Sean Hill and the team and continue the school’s journey of improvement. Thank you for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children. I am looking forward to a successful and rewarding school term filled with achievements, growth, and memorable moments.
Regards, Mark
Acting Principal
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
WELCOME TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR
I wish to extend a warm welcome to the many new families who have joined the St Gabriel’s School community this year. To the continuing families welcome back and thank you for your support of what we do together for the education of your child.
MR HILL
No doubt there are many people who are saddened by Mr Hill’s news that he will not be with us this term. While we may be feeling disappointed, there is a good reason for why Mr Hill needs to take a position in the Catholic Education Office. Let us give thanks for what Mr Hill has achieved at our school and look with hope and expectation to a bright future.
OPENING SCHOOL MASS
The school is preparing for the Opening School Mass. We have been discussing that God is Love and if we know love we know God.
Showing Love of God looks like being a good friend, working to make a positive difference, sharing our talents, and caring for our world. We will begin the school year with prayer and song to ask for God’s blessings on us to help us have a good year.
Opening School Mass will be held at school in the Sacred Heart Centre ( Gym) at 11.30 am. Parents are most welcome to join us. There are no access restrictions so entry to the gym is very easy. There will be a parent seating area on the northern side of the gym.
SHROVE TUESDAY
On Tuesday 13th of February, the children will celebrate Shrove Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is the day before the church’s season of Lent, and we symbolically prepare for a time of prayer, fasting and alms giving. The pancake is a reminder of days gone by when rich, luxury foods were eaten and removed from the home to make way for a time of simpler and more conservative living to honour God.
Each child will receive a pancake with jam, honey, or sugar topping. Plain options will also be available as will gluten free options.
Classroom learning will also centre on the meaning of Shrove Tuesday and the season of Lent.
ASH WEDNESDAY
February 14th is the beginning of Lent and begins a time of preparing for the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. To prepare for the resurrection we spend time reflecting on our lives and think about what we can change in our life to be in a closer relationship with God. To remind ourselves of our own humanity and willingness to obey God, we place ashes on the forehead of each person at the liturgy with the words, ‘Turn Back to God’. We can read a similar act of repentance in the Book of Jonah in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Jonah 4:6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
The Ninevites in the Book of Jonah demonstrated a desire to obey God and humbled themselves by wearing plain clothes and covering themselves with ash. We can also show a commitment to God in the Lenten season.
Anyone can receive the ashes and rest assured we are aware of individual beliefs and wishes of children when receiving or not receiving ashes.
The ashes are a sign of us humbling ourselves before God and asking God to forgive us for our transgressions. It is a symbol of healing and a desire to turn back to God.
CLASS MASSES
When your child’s class celebrates Mass there will be a notification via Seesaw. The class will walk up the hill to the Clearview church, The Church of the Good Shepherd. This church is a 10-minute walk from the school. Parents are always welcome to attend.
Illness
As we are aware, there are many viruses including Covid in our communities at this present time. If you or your child are suffering from any respiritory symptoms, coughing, sneezing etc. we ask that you please do not come to school until you are well. Thank you for your support in this matter.
Student Attendance
You are reminded to ring the school/leave a message or Seesaw the teacher on the day your child is not attending school - please include the reason for non-attendance.
We'd be grateful if this could be done prior to 9am. Thank you for your support in this matter.
Keeping Safe
Please be aware that on our school website, there are key documents in relation to keeping all children in our school community safe from harm; physically, mentally and emotionally.
- Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
- Cybersafety: Keeping Children Safe in the Connected World
Labelling
Please check and ensure that your child's jumper/jacket, hat, drink bottle and small plastic containers are labelled so that they can be returned to them.
Uniform
Please note that uniform will be sold at the office on MONDAYS, TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAY. If using QKR - every day. Other days by appointment.
TERM 1 - STUDENTS ARE TO BE WEARING THE SUMMER UNIFORM
Please ensure that your child is wearing black laced up shoes with their everyday uniform.
Sneakers are not to be worn for everyday uniform and only to be worn with sport uniform
Clearview Snack Bar - Lunch Menu
Lunches can be ordered by using the Qkr! app - see below or purchasing paper bags and writing your child's name, class and order on the bag with money enclosed. These can be left at the office or given to your child's class teacher.
To view the 2024 uniform price list & policy and the 2024 lunch order menu, click the gallery below:
Important Dates
ASH WEDNESDAY
Community Group Meeting 9.15a.m. & 6.15p.m.
Community Group Meeting 9.15a.m. & 6.15p.m.
GOOD FRIDAY - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
EASTER SUNDAY
EASTER MONDAY - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
LAST DAY OF TERM 1
FIRST DAY OF TERM 2
Upcoming Events
World Read Aloud Day
Assembly
Carnavale Day
Whole School
School Board Meeting
7.00p.m.
Year 6 Aquatic Day
Year 5 Aquatics Day
Year 4 Zoo Snooze
Year 4 Zoo Snooze
World Book Day Buddy Reading
Assembly - Year 1
International Children's Book Day
Helpful Contacts/Links for families
QKR App – issue with new Android phones
There is an issue with being able to download the QKR App to new android phones.
The QKR technicians are working diligently towards a solution but don’t have a release date as yet. We will advise once resolved.
In the interim, any parents having android issues can make purchases via the QKR website below:
Qkr! by MasterCard (qkrschool.com)
Thank you for your patience.
Social