Issue 1 - December 2022
Click the box next to the volume in the top right corner above to enlarge the flipbook to full page. You can also view a standard PDF version by clicking the link listed below.
For PDF Download Version, click here
Accessible text version of Gabe’s Gazette Issue 1, December 2022.
Enjoy our latest school news. Keeping our supporters and community updated.
Creating Opportunities
Our Future Pathways Program is Vocational Educational Training (VET) providing opportunities for students with disabilities to find their passions within practical work experience. Through partnering with businesses, we want to create opportunities for students beyond St Gabriel’s and to achieve workplace recognised training, as well as social skills and financial literacy.
In 2023, we're excited to have our first Year 11 cohort begin their VET as part of the program. These are two-year courses conducted by our trained teaching staff, each containing set requirements and units that students will complete to obtain their VET certificate.
As part of the first phase of our building program, we now have a commercial kitchen for hospitality along with our Mini Woolworths for retail, and hope to introduce a mobile coffee van in the next year thanks to a generous grant.
We look forward to expanding our program in 2023 and 2024 through IT, office admin, retail, childcare and animal welfare. We also want to establish a café on site that is open to the locals along with the mobile facilities to take our hospitality trainees to local nursing homes and community events to supply coffee and food service. Watch this space!
We hope graduates will find empowerment and prosperity in their vocational passion, and for acceptance to be inspired and improved within the workplace.
Centenary Celebrations
On September 19 we celebrated our centenary at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
The community united together to celebrate the milestones that St Gabriel’s has achieved throughout the past 100 years.
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Vincent Long O.F.M. We were joined by over 300 people including past and current students, Principals, staff, representatives from other local schools, Edmund Rice Education, the Christian Brothers, and the wider community.
We were also joined by the Federal Member for Mitchell - Alex Hawke MP, State Member for Baulkham Hills - David Elliott MP and the Mayor of the Hills Shire Council, Dr Peter Gangemi.
Celebrations continued at the afternoon tea. It was heart warming to see all our current families mingling with so many of our Alumni who also joined on the day. We appreciate the past and present individuals who have helped shape St Gabriel’s infinite accomplishments and look forward to collectively embarking on the forthcoming journey.
A Blast From the Past
As a part of our centenary celebrations, we welcomed many of St Gabriel’s Alumni to their old campus - now Gilroy Catholic College, located next to the current St Gabriel’s. It was incredible to see old friends reuniting, telling happy stories of their school days and to celebrate such a monumental occasion. We would like to thank the Ephpheta Centre for helping us reach out to many alumni and co-organise a remarkable celebration that brought back many memories.
First Nations Immersion
The Primary students participated in the Dalmarri Incursion to complement their integrated unit of First Nations celebrations.
Jason from Dalmarri taught the children about numerous Indigenous artefacts. Students learnt how to play tapping sticks, while some played the didgeridoo. Others even tried throwing a boomerang.
The students also explored variety of Indigenous artefacts including emu eggs, stone axes, shields and wallaby blankets. They found the incursion a worthwhile experience, describing it as ‘the best day ever’.
To end the incursion, the students painted their own journey stones, and collectively painted a mural for St Gabriel’s that represents the school as community and ‘meeting place’.
End of Year Awards
To end a prosperous year of 2022 at St Gabriel’s each student was awarded with achievement and academic awards.
There were many proud parents and teachers, but most importantly there were countless smiles and cheers from all the students.
The Mayor of The Hills Shire Council, Dr Peter Gangemi was welcomed to St Gabriel’s to award one of the Year 8 students with the Hills Shire Community Award, for their participation and enthusiasm in a variety of school activities and community events.
We would like to congratulate each of the student’s eager participation in school and community activities, and for achieving their learning goals throughout the course of the year.
Christmas Family Night
St Gabriel’s students, staff and the wider community were filled with seasonal spirit at our inaugural Christmas Family Fun Night on Wednesday.
There was an abundance of smiles from the children as they participated in the event’s activities including Christmas-themed games, face painting and, the major highlight, having a photo taken with Santa.
There were 15 beautiful market stalls with goodies for Christmas. Plus, staff and parents helped cook up a sausage sizzle for dinner.
We would like to thank all the students, staff and community who came out to support and enjoy the event. As well as the companies that provided prizes for the event: Castle Towers, Bunnings Castle Hill, Harvey Norman, Macquarie Centre. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
