Dear Families and Friends of St Gabriel's

Catholic School Parents SA (CSPSA)
In November of 2020, the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools, created a new representative body called, Catholic School Parents South Australia (CSPSA).

CSPSA was developed in recognition that family life is increasingly busy and the purpose of CSPSA is to engage and support parents across all Catholic Schools in South Australia. CSPSA provides families with online resources, education and support.

At St Gabriel's we are a community of families and educators working together to promote a thriving learning trajectory for all students. We recognise that the home school partnership is vital to every child's success at school and aim to support families to be involved in their child's learning. 

As part of our continued commitment to supporting families we are introducing a new section in our newsletter. This section is called "Connections Corner" and is aimed at providing information and resources from CSPSA, as well as any information from our St Gabriel's Community Group. Our Community Group consists of parents from our school who are keen to work with the school to build community. We look forward to sharing further information about both CSPSA and Community Group in the coming newsletters and we hope that you find this section of the newsletter helpful.

Traffic Review
Since last year St Gabriel's Leadership Team and School Board have been working with the Port Adelaide and Enfield Council to undertake a traffic review relating to Barrington Avenue. The purpose of this review is to promote a safer environment for all members of our community.

Last term the Council facilitated a local survey about traffic concerns and has since confirmed that an emu crossing will be installed on Barrington Avenue. Further details about changes to traffic conditions on Barrington Avenue will be communicated once we have the date of the installation and further information about changes to signage.
 

Staffing 
Next week we say thank you and farewell to two members of staff who are leaving our school community. Thank you to Christina Hondros who taught our Term 3 Reception class last year and has been teaching Gabby's Angels this year. Christina has won a position at St Martin's. We also say thank you to Amber Dodson who was appointed to St Gabriel's in January to work as part of our Administration team. We wish Amber all the very best as she commences in a new role at St Augustine's.

Opening and Blessing of the Administration Building next Thursday at 1pm
I look forward to joining with students, staff, families and special guests next Thursday 29 May at 1pm for the official opening and blessing of the Administration Building. We look forward to welcoming numerous special guests to our wonderful school including, Archbishop Pat O'Regan, Executive Director of Catholic Education, Dr Neil McGoran and Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills. Further information and an invitation are below in the Newsletter.
 

Laudato Si Week 

This week we celebrate Laudato Si Week.  Children in Year 5 Frear have planted seeds in the garden outside their classroom and will watch eagerly to see these plants grow. 

Laudato Si focuses our attention to the care for our common home so all people can have their fair share of resources.  In particular we pray for the poor who receive less than their fair share of natural resources that most of us take for granted. 

Laudato Si Prayer 

Powerful God, 
You hold us and everything you have made in your loving care. 
You are in the whole universe and in every tiny creature. 
Pour out on us, God, the power of your love. 
And teach us to care for life and for beauty. 

Year 1 Assembly 

Today we were presented with a wonderful assembly from the Year 1 children. 

They reflected on Catholic Education Week and expressed how they have been able to Shine with Open Hearts. 

Their rendition of This Little Light of Mine was uplifting and full of Joy. 

The Easter Season Continues 

We continue the season of Easter, hearing from scripture about the works of the disciples in the formation of the early church. 

Year 3 students will attend Mass on Friday 23 May and the Gospel reading presents the conversation between Jesus and Peter where Jesus asks Peter three times if Peter loves him.  Peter replies three times that he does love Jesus. 

This affirmation of love for Jesus is the beginning of the formation of the church with Peter being asked to care for the followers of Christ.   When asked three times Jesus responds to Peter, “feed my sheep” John 21:17.

St Peter in his work to care for the followers of Christ at Jesus’ request, is recognised as the first Pope of the Catholic Church.  We have all witnessed history in the making this last week with the election of Pope Leo XIV, a spiritual descendant of St Peter. 

During Catholic Education Week, we recognised and celebrated the many ways Catholic education helps our students and school community shine. At St Gabriel’s School, the Year 2 students reflected on how they shine- through their acts of kindness, their commitment to learning, and their hopes for the future. 

Here are some thoughts from the students: 

“My hopes and dreams for the future are to be a doctor like my Mum and help others when they are sad or hurt.” 
-  Isabel, Year 2 

“I shine with an open heart because I help others and respect people too.” 
-  Vihaan, Year 2 

“My school helps me shine by helping me be safe and give my best effort.” 
- Larah, Year 2 

“My hopes and dreams for the future are to be a millionaire and help the homeless.” 
-  Lucas, Year 2 

“My hopes and dreams for the future are that we all take care of the world by picking up rubbish off the floor.” 
- Mason, Year 2 

As we reflect on these bright contributions from our students, we’re reminded that every child has a unique light to share. This week was a wonderful celebration of that light shining in our school and beyond. 

Students across the St Gabriel's campus participated in National Simultaneous Story Time on Wednesday, with many other students across Australia. 

At 11.30am, we all tuned in to listen to the focus book, ‘Truck Cat’ written by Deborah Frenkeland illustrated by Danny Snell.

The students also enjoyed various discussions and craft projects that ensued.

Next week, St Gabriel's will celebrate the official Opening and Blessing of the Jubilee Memorial Centre, the new administration building completed in 2024.

The name of the Centre (the administration building) is dedicated to many jubilees or anniversaries that have occurred during the construction of the centre and as we await the opening. 

These jubilees include: 

• The Year of Jubilee – Pilgrims of Hope 
• 200 years since the birth of Venerable Jules Chevalier – Founder of the Missionaries of God’s Love. 
• 140 years of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Australia. 
• 70 Years of St Gabriel’s School. 
• 60 Years of Good Shepherd Church 
• 20 Years of the Clearview Kilburn Parish, and 
• 180 years of Catholic Education in South Australia. 

As far as jubilees are concerned, our new administration centre at St Gabriel’s School was built in a time of many significant celebrations connected to our school’s identity and mission and is aptly named. 

This special occasion will see all students, staff and the community combine to celebrate. We are delighted to have The Most Reverend Patrick O’Regan DD, Archbishop of Adelaide opening and blessing the Centre, and other distinguished guests join us for the occasion.

The details of the event are below:

The Official Opening and Blessing of the Jubilee Memorial Centre
Thursday 29 May, 2025 at 1.00pm
St Gabriel’s School | 20 Barrington Avenue, Enfield SA 5085
The official proceedings will take one hour.
Please RSVP to info@sgs.catholic.edu.au.

We look forward to welcoming you to St Gabriel’s for this very special occasion.

We also acknowledge and appreciate the support of the Government of South Australia. This project was jointly funded by the South Australian Government under the Capital Grants Program, in the amount of $1,500,000.00, and the St Gabriel's School community.

Have you ever wondered how you can be more involved in the life of St Gabriel’s School?

Joining the Community Group is a great way for parents, grandparents and guardians/carers to contribute to the culture and life of the school. It is also a lovely way to experience and engage with your child in their learning environment, meet and get to know your child/s friends, and meet other parents as well!

Community Group meet twice per term and assist to organise and run various school events and celebrations that enhance community connection and engagement.

Everyone in our community has significant value to add, and we welcome everyone and appreciate their time and contribution.

If you are interested, please contact the school via email at info@sgs.catholic.edu.au.

Welcome to a new section of our Newsletter!

Working together - CSPSA Content

Catholic Schools Parents of South Australia (CSPSA) empower parents and carers through leadership, communication, advocacy and partnership.

As parents, we are the primary and continuing educators of children. It is recognised that there is a shared responsibility between parents and schools for the spiritual and social development of all students in our Catholic education system.

We believe that school and family collaboration is essential to successful spiritual, academic and developmental growth.

A number of useful resoures are available via their website.
 

Focus area of the week: When should you talk to someone at School?

Growing and learning bring opportunities and challenges for children, best addressed through strong family-school partnerships. Respectful, two-way communication helps identify and resolve issues early. Proactive teacher engagement, parental involvement, and effective use of technology support children’s progress and foster ongoing, constructive dialogue between parents, teachers, and schools.

"Real engagement between a family, a school and a child helps to ensure that an everyday issue can be detected and dealt with in a positive way".

Read more about this via their website, or download the information sheet.

In the first instance, speak to your child's classroom teacher in person or via SeeSaw. Further discussions can take place as required.