Term 2 Week 2

Welcome to Term 2!

Ms D'Angelo is on Leave 

As you would be aware from the communications last week, Ms D’Angelo will be away from St Gabriel’s until Thursday 15 May.  

Gemma will be in contact with the school during her absence and can be contacted via email at principal@sgs.catholic.edu.au if required.  

We wish Gemma a speedy recovery. 

Parking on Barrington Ave and Whittington St. 

We would like to remind parents that the parking spaces on the school sides of Barrington and Whittington streets are predominantly ‘Kiss and Drop’ zones between 8.00 am and 9.00 am and 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm as the council signs indicate.  Please remain patient and courteous when dropping off or collecting your children. 

If you need to stop for longer than 2 min, please fins a more suitable parking area and walk into the school. 

We are working closely with council to alleviate traffic concerns at peak hours but it is a matter for everyone to address and ensure the safety of children and other pedestrians. 

Easter

The Church continues celebrating the Season of Easter and will do so for the next four weeks.  This Season began on Easter Sunday with the Resurrection. We recalled the instigation of the Eucharist, having its origins at the Last Supper and subsequent fulfilment in the account of the travelers on the Road to Emmaus.  The travelers who were blind to the presence of Jesus, were made aware of his companionship and grace through the breaking of bread and sharing wine. 

A simple question we can ask ourselves in this Season of the Church is, how can we live in the light? This is what we are called to do as Easter People, to be beacons of light to show others The Way. 

Each religious foundation has seasons of light and peace and we are enriched by celebrations such as Holy and Eid which also summon light into their communities. 

Happy Easter is a greeting we can still offer one another until the Feast of Pentecost on 8th June. 

Outreach to the Needy 

This Term we will again be making soup for the needy over Winter.  Children will work in small groups of about 15 to peel, dice and add ingredients to soup pots under the instruction of a staff member.  The children will have a safety briefing before each cooking session to ensure their fingers are behind parring knife blades and peeler blades. 

There will be an opportunity for families to donate $5 via the Qkr! App to purchase ingredients for soup. 

The soup we make will be donated to the Sr Janet Mead Drop In Day Centre for the Homeless in the city. 

You will receive notification when your child will be helping with the soup making activity which usually lasts for about 30 minutes. 

Earth Care Squad 

The Earth Care Squad will be planting winter vegetables in the next few weeks.  The summer crops of pumpkins were very successful, and we trust the efforts for Winter will be as bountiful.  The Earth Care Squad members will receive their badges shortly. 

Pope Francis 

We are all aware that during the Easter celebration, Pope Francis lost his health battle that had been affecting him over the last few months of his life. 

As a Catholic school we join with the rest of the global Catholic Community in mourning his death. 

Archbishop Patrick O’Regan shared these words of sorrow and condolence to all catholic communities in South Australia. 

"With profound sorrow, the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide joins the universal Church in mourning the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. 

 A shepherd of deep faith, compassion and humility, Pope Francis dedicated his life to serving God’s people and advocating for the poor, the marginalised and the dignity of all human life.  

Pope Francis was a tireless witness to the Gospel, always reminding us of God’s mercy and calling us to a life of love and service. 

His leadership and pastoral heart have left an indelible mark on the Church and the world. As the Church enters a time of mourning, the faithful of the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide are invited to join in prayer and reflection, entrusting him to the loving embrace of our Lord."      

POPE LEO XIV 

The Catholic church is excited to announce the election of a new Pope. Pope Leo XIV was elected early today emerging from St Peter’s Basilica with the words, “Peace be with you”. 

The new Pope, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost OSA (Order of Saint Augustine) is an American Cardinal born on September 14, 1955 in Chicago Illinois.   

Pope Leo XIV has had much experience in ministry to the Word of the Gospel all over the world and was ordained the Bishop in Peru in 2013.  He was made a Cardinal in September 2023. 

Archbishop Patrick O’Regan has offered this prayer for Pope Leo XIV 

O God, shepherd, and ruler of all the faithful, 

Look favourably on your servant Pope Leo XIV whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd. 

Grant, we pray, that by word and example he may be of service to those whom he presides so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care, he may come to everlasting life. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,  

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

One God forever and ever. 

Amen 

Sacraments

Preparations for the celebration of the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation continue this Term. 

Meetings are held at the Good Shepherd Church at 6.15 pm beginning on May 7th. 

Subsequent meetings are held at the same venue and time on the 21st May, 4th June and 18th June. 

Fr Selva Celebrates 25 Years as an Ordained Priest 

On 30 April, the parish celebrated the 25th anniversary of Fr Selva’s Ordination. 

A memorable and joyful Mass was celebrated at Good Shepherd Church with with 15 of Fr Selva’s brother priests.  Included amongst the attending priests were the Vicar General Dean Marin and Fr Philip Marshall. 

The Philippino choir was a wonderful addition to the ceremony which was followed at St Gabriel’s School with a community meal. 

We give thanks for Fr Selva in our parish and look to support the work he achieves in bringing the word of God into our midst. 

Thank you and congratulations Fr Selva. 

School fee statements for term 2 have been sent home this week, please review to ensure you are on track to have your fee account paid by the end of November 2025.

Please be assured of the school’s support for your family during these difficult times. If you are having difficulty paying fees, please see below information or contact Alison to make a time to discuss assistance and payment options available.

School Card for 2025

School Card needs to be re-applied for on an annual basis. 2025 School Card application forms are now available online at the link below and from the Front Office, please apply as soon as possible.

For eligible families, St Gabriel’s School lower income fee will apply once School Card is approved:

• 1st child Lower fee of $1,380
• 2nd child Lower fee of $1,040
• and nil fees for further children.

A credit is applied to your account to reflect the lower fee and a revised statement sent home for you.

School Card Income Limits:

The tables below list the income limits for applications lodged in 2025 – based on the family's gross income in 2023/2024. To qualify for School Card, your family's gross income must be below a certain limit. This limit depends on how many dependent children you have. You will need to provide proof of income – such as payslips or Centrelink information.

Eligibility income limits for school card:

The School Card Scheme is administered by the State Government to provide financial assistance towards the cost of education for full time students of lower income families. Any parent/caregiver who would like more information about the scheme can contact the School Card section on 1800 672 758 (free call) to discuss or visit the link below: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/financial-help-scholarships-and-grants/school-card-scheme

Fee Remission for 2025

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 phone Alison Boyce on 08 8216 9902 to make a time to discuss your individual circumstances. We are here to support you and your family if you are experiencing financial difficulties, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.

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

On the last week of last term, the Year 4-6 classes had the pleasure of receiving a visit from Jack and Wren from ABC’s BTN Tv show. They discussed all about the history of BTN and helped us understand what it takes to be a TV presenter. It was a fantastic day full of learning, fun and a lot of laughs! How lucky are we!

Did you know BTN first aired on June 5th, 1968? That’s over 55 years!!

Did you know BTN used to be called Current Affairs but they changed it because the news wasn’t very “Current”.

Mother's Day 

The Community Group hosted a Mother's Day Stall and breakfast this week, which was enjoyed by all.

We hope that all the Mother's and significant females in the community enjoy their day on Sunday, and the gifts that the children have purchased for them.

Next week, we celebrate all the ways a Catholic Education helps to make our  students and school communities SHINE. We celebrate our love for teaching  and learning, the power of kindness and caring for each other and the hope  that shines in every student. 
Our schools are places where children grow in faith, friendship, and their  future aspirations. How do you shine? Let’s celebrate the joy and inspiration  that Catholic education brings to our communities! 

Students in Reception to Year 6 will be participating in NationalSimultaneous Storytime (NSST) on Wednesday 21st May at 11:30am.

NSST is a vibrant and fun event that aims to promote the value of reading andliteracy.

Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, family day cares, bookshops and many other places around thecountry.

The focus book for 2025 is ‘Truck Cat’ written by Deborah Frenkeland illustrated by Danny Snell.

You may find the below events of interest to you:

• Kildare College Tours, Term 2

Book a College Tour via the website: www.kildare.catholic.edu.au

• Strategies to Manage Bullying for Families

An information session presented by MADHAVI NAWANA PARKER at St Martin's Catholic Primary School. RSVP via email: parentnetwork@smg.catholic.edu.au

• Pregnancy, Baby and Childrens Expo

Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) are exhibiting at the PBC BABY Expo on May 17 + 18 at the Adelaide Showground!

Use discount code 93F95N to receive 50% off the ticket price per adult (children are free). Come and say hi to the team from CESA on stand H08. To book your discounted tickets vist: https://tickets.lup.com.au/pbc-adelaide-2025?cat=catregistration

Terms and conditions: Discount code is valid until 3:00pm on Sunday May 18; unless sold out prior. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Instagram/Facebook.