Term 2 Week 7

Dear Families and Friends of St Gabriel's

Jubilee Memorial Centre Blessing
Thank you to all families who attended our recent blessing on Thursday 29 May. This was a wonderful occasion of blessing for our school community and the warmth and joy of being together for this occasion was a delight for all who attended. 

During the blessing Archbishop Patrick O'Regan invited a small group of students to bless the door of the Jubilee Memorial Centre before we entered the building, this was a very special moment and something I think that these children will remember into the future.

We were delighted that representatives from the Parish were in attendance, together with Father Selva and Sister Pat.  Five previous principals of St Gabriel's also attended the celebration, and there were various staff from the Catholic Education Office including, Dr Neil McGoran, Executive Director, and Sue Kennedy-Branford, Director of People, Leadership and Culture. Minister for Education, Training and Skills Hon Blair Boyer and Andrea Michaels local MP were also in attendance on the day.

We have much to be thankful for at St Gabriel's and it is my delight and privilege to be the principal of this wonderful school community.

Plans for the Future at St Gabriel's
As a community, it is important that we take the time to reflect upon the strengths and opportunities that we have, and how we will commit to the ongoing growth of our school community.

Early this term staff worked with me to reflect upon the strengths and opportunities for the future at St Gabriel's. 

On Wednesday this week we facilitated the same process with students. Two students from each class throughout the school attended a session with myself and our APRIM to have some really important discussions with students about what they value about our school and what they would like us to consider for the future. These two sessions were the highlight of my day as students from Reception to Year 6 really spoke from the heart.

Next steps in this important process will include a survey to parents and the Parish Pastoral Council.

The feedback from all members of the community will be used to establish our new Strategic Plan, which will be published and shared with our community.

I look forward to your active participation in this important process.

Barrington Avenue Emu Crossing Installation
Following ongoing consultation with the Port Adelaide Enfield Council, this week an Emu Crossing has been installed on Barrington Avenue. This is the first of a few changes that will be made to Barrington Avenue that are aimed at ensuring the safety of our students, staff and families.

To support the safety and wellbeing of all please:

• Remain in your vehicle at the Kiss and Drop
• Park close to the kerb so that other motorists can pass 
• Avoid parking where the bus stop is located

Once the crossing is operational the Port Adelaide Enfield Council will be closely monitoring driver behaviour and traffic flow, we ask that all motorists choose safe and responsible habits during drop off and pick up of children.

Staffing
At the end of this term we will farewell two long serving members of our staff team who have contributed outstanding service to our school community.

Recently Elisa Cosentino-Tassone has advised that she will not be returning to St Gabriel's in Term 3 as originally planned. After 37 years of outstanding service to this community, Elisa has decided to retire.

Margaret Stencil who is always that smiling and loving person to new and current families, is retiring after 37 years of tireless commitment.

Both of these staff will be greatly missed, as will our wonderful Finance Officer, Alison Boyce who will retire at the end this term following 25 years of outstanding work in Catholic Education with the last 5 years at St Gabriel's .

On Thursday 3 July at 9.15am in the Sacred Heart Centre (gym), we will celebrate the significant contribution and dedication of these retiring staff, an invitation will be sent shortly, please do RSVP via email to assist us with catering.

There are many celebrations in the church calendar remembering Saints, special occasions, even buildings. 

Some are extremely relevant to our school community which is why St Gabriel’s School will celebrate the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Friday 27 June. Mass will be celebrated at 11.30am this day in the Sacred Heart Centre. 

As in previous years we will be joined by students from OLSH College. 

This feast day is important because our school founders, the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (Mary) attribute their origins to the loving Heart of Jesus which was made flesh through Mary who nurtured and worshipped this heart of pure love. 

The symbolism of the heart includes: 

• The heart representing love for all humanity. 
• The thorns connecting to the crown worn by Jesus at his crucifixion. 
• The light radiating out of the heart representing our emergence into the light from the dark. 
• The cross representing the forgiveness of sins through the crucifixion, God’s ultimate love and covenant to humanity. 

We are looking forward to this most important and relevant feast day for our school.

As we head into Winter, St Vincent de Paul Society is seeking donations of non perishable food items and toiletries to assist people who will need some support at this time of year. 

If you are able to donate food items or toiletries your generosity would be most welcome. 

Items to donate: 

• Long Life milk 
• Canned vegetables 
• Cans of soup 
• Cans of tuna 
• Pasta 
• Pasta sauce 
• Tea 
• Coffee 
• Sugar 
• Flour 
• Sweet biscuits 
• Savoury biscuits 
• Toiletries – soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, deodorant 
• Warm sock or scarves 

Any contribution is welcome! 

Please donate your items to the school office or your child’s class, by Friday 4 July (last day of Term). 

We are currently enrolling students for Term 1 and Term 3 (mid-year) in 2027, 2028 and beyond.

Limited places exist for 2026, so if you require schooling next year for your child, please contact the office as a matter of urgency. 

If you have siblings at home that are turning 5 years old in these years, please contact the Front Office as soon as possible to secure a placement. 

Please refer to the link below from our School Website regarding information on Enrolment processes. 

We have recently reviewed our communication practices and how we share different pieces of content with our families, particularly, in relation to our newsletter. 

To better serve our community, we are implementing a new approach moving forward.
Starting this term, our newsletter will be published every three weeks, with three editions published per term. You will receive the next edition in Week 10.

Each edition will provide comprehensive updates on whole-school events, important information, key dates, and helpful resources. We aim to keep you well-informed and engaged with school activities.

Classroom-specific news and updates will continue to be shared by teachers through SeeSaw, allowing for more direct and personalised communication.

We hope this new format enhances your connection with our school community.

Your feedback is always welcome as we strive to improve our communications.
 

During Term one, the Year Three students participated in the “SA Refugee Week Youth Poster Awards” competition. The themes for the competition were multiculturalism, human rights, cultural diversity and welcome from the perspectives of refugees. 

Congratulations, Ella!
From over 305 entries, Ella's piece was chosen for the shortlisted artworks which will be on dispay at the Festival Theatre Foyer from 20 June to 26 July.

When speaking of her artwork, Ella said "I chose not to use colours to show how sad the family is to leave their home. The heart shows they're happy and hopeful to go to their new home".

The Year Three art pieces will be on display in the Gabby’s Angel’s windows during week 8 (17-20 June). Please stop by and have a look.

Working together - CSPSA Content

Catholic Schools Parents of South Australia (CSPSA) empower parents and carers through leadership, communication, advocacy and partnership. A number of useful resoures are available via their website.

Focus area of the week: Get off that computer, NOW!

Presented by Mark Le Messurier

This was more than a workshop on “cyber safety” – it addressed the delicate balance required to support kids to manage real life responsibilities, screens, social media and video games. 

Mark took attendees down a road that creates a balance between screens and other aspects of living a real life. Capturing a balance is a healthier approach than endlessly fighting, banning and being the controller of screens and devices... You need to be empowered – not scared off.

Presented by Mark Le Messurier - teacher, counsellor, author and public speaker. Mark works in private practice as a mentor to children and adolescents, and as coach to parents.

Watch the video here.