Term 3, Week 2

Dear Families of St Gabriel's

Welcome to Term 3
It's lovely to see you all again. This term we welcome a new class of Reception students and their families, and a new group of children who have started in Gabby's Angels, as part of their transition to start school in 2026.

In staffing, this term we welcome Vanessa WIlliams (pictured below) who is replacing Chelsea Wymond as the teacher for the students in Year 1W. This week, we said thank you and goodbye to Chelsea as she leaves St Gabriel's to commence in a new teaching role at St Francis at Wynn Vale. We wish Chelsea every blessing for her future, and we are grateful for her service to the St Gabriel's community. 

We also welcome Beatrice Tuyaga who has been appointed to St Gabriel's as an Education Support Officer.

Donut Day
Last week students and staff alike really appreciated the opportunity to wear their favourite AFL beanie or scarf on such a cold and wet day, and everybody thoroughly enjoyed their showdown donut. Thank you to our wonderful Community Group for coordinating this special treat, it was a fun way to finish the first week of the term.

Gym Temporary Closure
At the beginning of this week I wrote to all families on Seesaw advising that the Gym will be closed for the week owing to ongoing water leaks. To minimise disruption to student learning and OSHC programs, weekend work is also being undertaken at those times when water supply needs to be temporarily disconnected.

Due to water damage affecting various areas of the Gym, the space will remain closed next week to ensure safety and allow the necessary works to continue. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to restore this important learning and community gathering space.

Catholic Schools Open Week
Next week we look forward to celebrating Catholic Education's 'Catholic Schools Open Week' across our school. Celebrations will occur throughout the week including special prayer opportunities, a sausage sizzle lunch, additional play time and a Principal's Tour next Friday. We invite you to join us in the courtyard for community prayer and coffee on Friday 8 August, from 8.15am-9.15am.

Staff Spirituality Day 
On Monday 19 July, staff from St Gabriel’s School met at Good Shepherd Church for a day of reflection and prayerful encounter with each other and with God. 

All Catholic Schools have such days for their staff to help them continue the development of their own personal faith.  

Fr Selva was present and spoke to the staff about what it means to be part of a Catholic Community and in particular, a Catholic school. 

Fr Selva made a very interesting point about the classroom sometimes being church for the students.  Also, for staff to be able to share their knowledge of faith with the students, they must first have something to give. The day allowed staff to reflect on their own spirituality and connect with the person of Jesus so they can share something of this with their students. 

The St Gabriel’s Staff help to keep the Catholic story alive in our school.  They are teachers of the heart first, then they are teachers of the child in their care, then they are teachers of their subjects.  As you can see, spending time in reflection and self-development of the spirit is an important endeavour for our staff to be able to share the goodness of the message of God’s love for us all. 

Sacramental Celebrations 
Our parish will celebrate Confirmation and Holy Communion next week.  Many of these children are from St Gabriel’s School or St Brigid’s School.  Witnessing the excitement of the children about to receive their Sacraments has been delightful in the lead up to these ceremonies.  

On 6 August, these 16 children will receive the Holy Spirit to confirm their membership to the parish, the church, and their faith.  This will be followed of Saturday 9 August with the celebration of First Holy Communion and their full participation in the life of the church. 

We pray these children use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to bring light and love into the world.

School Prayer 
St Gabriel’s School has developed a School Prayer to supplement the identity and prayerful aspect of the school. 

Below is a copy of the prayer.  It can be used anytime for any occasion.  It is not replacing any part of our prayer life or school song; it is intended to enhance our school prayer life.  The prayer is bringing to mind our charism through our patrons. 

Saint Gabriel’s School Prayer 

Blessed Saint Gabriel,
you helped Mary understand that God wanted her to become the Mother of Jesus.
Help each of us at St Gabriel’s School to know what God is asking us to do in God’s name.
Guide the members of our school, to walk in God’s light, and
be awake to the needs of our community. 

Amen 

St Mary Mother of God… Pray for us.
St Gabriel the Archangel… Pray for us.
St Francis Xavier … Pray for us.
St Mary of the Cross MacKilllop… Pray for us
Venerable Jules Chevalier … Pray for us
Mother Marie Louise Hartzer… Pray for us 

Each year, Catholic Education survey their community (staff, students and families) through the LLL Survey administered by NSI Partnerships. The data gained is used to inform decision making moving forward, and understand where schools are performing well and where the areas of growth might be.

You are invited to participate in this short (3 to 5 minute) survey about St Gabriel's School performance. Similar surveys have been administered to staff and students to enable us to capture a community snapshot. All responses are confidential and will be used for school improvement purposes. Completion of the survey is on a voluntary basis.

All surveys are anonymous. All answers go directly to National School Improvement Partnerships, where the results are analysed for our school. Answers from individual surveys will NOT be reported to the school. National School Improvement Partnerships staff are bound by a Code of Ethics and follow strict professional conduct. To protect your anonymity, they do not report scores for groups of less than four parents or caregivers. This anonymous data will be provided to Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) for reporting and consideration of support for schools.

How to complete the survey

• For each statement, you are asked to rate how well you think the school is performing by selecting one of six responses.
• The responses are numbered 1 to 6, with number 1 being the lowest or worst rating and number 6 being the highest or best rating.
• If you have more than one child at the school, and your perceptions differ for each child, please respond with your perceptions related to the oldest child enrolled at the school.
• There are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers. Your opinion is what is wanted.
• Please answer all questions.
• Some statements may be fairly similar to other statements. Don't worry about this. Simply give your opinion about all statements.

To get started, go to www.NSIPartnerships.com.au and enter the access code: SGSLLLP

If you require more information or have any feedback, please contact the team at NSI Partnerships by email: LLL@NSIPartnerships.com.au

Enter the draw to win a new St Gabriel's Jacket for your child
Once you have finished the survey, a "Finish" screen will appear. Before you press finish, take a screen shot (or photo) of this message, and email it to info@sgs.catholic.edu.au by Friday 22 August with your name, child's name and year level, and you will be entered into the draw to win a St Gabriel's jacket for your child. A name will be drawn at random in Week 6.

A very valuable piece of feedback received from the Community, has been the desire for an up to date online calendar. We understand life gets busy, and we want to ensure that you have sufficient notice of upcoming events!

Not only will you find upcoming event dates in the Important Dates section of the eNewsletter, you will find an up-to-date list on our website. Coming home next week will also be a printed flyer which has the Term 3 calendar dates, for your knowledge.

If you have further feedback, please feel free to share this via our website.

In 2025 the Children’s Book Council of Australia is celebrating Book Week’s 80th anniversary and the theme is ‘Book an Adventure!’. 

Save the Date!
This years Book Week Parade will close out a full week of celebrations, and will be held on Friday 22 August from 9.30am. More details will come closer to the event.

Book Week Competition 
We are running a student Book Week competition as part of our school community’s celebrations.

Competition categories and guidelines:
There are three Book Week competition categories: 

• Reception to Year 2: Design a new A3 size front cover for a picture book you’ve read that took you on an amazing adventure! 
• Years 3 and 4: Create an A3 Book Week themed poster based on this year’s Book Week theme “Book an Adventure!” 
• Years 5 and 6: Promote this year’s Book Week merchandise connecting with the theme “Book an Adventure!” as part of Book Week’s 80th year anniversary celebrations. 

All entries are due by Friday 15th August (Term 3 week 4) and winners will be announced at a school assembly. Please include your child’s name and year level on the front of their submitted entry.

Please note that parents and carers are welcome to support their child/children with planning ideas for their competition entry but the work submitted must be children’s own work. 
 
If you have any questions about the Book Week competition, please speak to your child’s teacher. 

Playgroup will be held in the OSHC room located at the front of the School, while the Gym remains closed for remedial work to water damaged areas.

We look forward to welcoming you on Monday and Friday, via the Barrington Street gate (Front Office). 

Next week is Catholic Schools Open Week!

To celebrate, the Catholic Education office are running a competition!

Have you spotted any of the smiling faces - like St Gabriel's students Amay and Liana on Grand Junction Road and Hampstead Road - proudly representing Catholic Education South Australia for Catholic Schools Open Week (4-10 August)?
Post a photo of your child/children with any of the Catholic Schools Open Week outdoor advertising (bus shelters, shopping centre panels or billboards) to Facebook and use the hashtag #CatholicSchoolsOpenWeek to be in the draw to win a family pass to Monarto Zoo thanks to our friends at oOh!media!
The lucky winner will be chosen by random draw on Monday August 11 at 12pm.
Please be safe when taking photos in locations close to roads and make sure your post is public so we can see it.
For more information about Catholic Schools Open Week or to book a tour at your local Catholic school visit www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/openweek

This year, St Gabriel's celebrates 70 years.

As the school celebrated its 25th year, and moved into the 80s, the original hall was demolished and building of a new wing of classrooms and a canteen, was completed. This was the second wing of classrooms to house the growing enrolments.

In the late 80s the school began work on a third  wing running along the western boundary of the school. Two new rooms were built that included a chapel. These were completed in 1991.

In 1994 as enrolments crept up again, the administration block and library were completed.

Enjoy these photos of the building projects over these years.

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 resources are available via their website.

Focus Topic:  Anxiety and Worry in Children & Teenagers
presented by Madhavi Nawana Parker

This Parent Engagement Evening, hosted by Catholic School Parent SA, welcomed all parents and carers of children in Catholic schools.

Many children experience some degree of anxiety and worry. This session helps parents and carers learn to respond in a way that doesn’t further inflame the situation and reduce destructive thinking patterns and improve resilience and wellbeing.

Presented by Madhavi Nawana Parker of Positive Minds Australia.

View the video here.

Additional resources;

Link - Free Resources, Positive Minds Australia
Link - Books and eLearning – Madhavi Nawana Parker