Before our school…

Our school is built on Dharug Country. There were many Indigenous clans living in the area known as Dharug (Dharug being the dialect spoken in large parts of what is now the Western Sydney region), and those that called Castle Hill home (or “Mogoaillee” as the area was then known to indigenous Australians) were the Bidjigal people. We respectfully acknowledge the ancestors and Elders past, present and emerging of the Bidjigal and Dharug people. Those who respected, cared for and called this land home for thousands of years before us.

Founded in 1922…

Over one hundred years ago (on 22nd September 1922) St Gabriel's School opened its doors to its first students. St Gabriel's started in an old homestead called Southleigh, as a boarding school for boys who were deaf. It soon moved into a larger brick structure built on that same land.

In 1973, it transitioned to a day school, and welcomed girls, continuing its work with students who were hearing impaired.

An integration program was introduced in 1976 where students attended St Gabriel's in the morning and their local mainstream school for the afternoon.

In 1979 a new orange brick school building was finished. It sat further toward the front of the block and closer to Old Northern Road. The land was subdivided and the old school buildings handed over to Parramatta Diocese to start a co-ed Secondary College (which is now known as Gilroy Catholic College and still neighbours us today). St Gabriel's continued to focus on primary education for students with deafness or hearing impairment.

In 2010, St Gabriel's criteria for admission was widened to include students with a range of special education needs, including children with vision impairment and Autism. At this time, the number of students was just 20.

The school started its transition to secondary in 2019, with its first Year 7 class. Major building works commenced in 2020 for the new Secondary School space.

In 2023 St Gabriel's will have completed its three new buildings and in 2024 the first Year 12 class will graduate. The school will have close to 200 students by the time it's K to 12.

While the school has gone through a number of changes over its hundred years, its mission today is still the same - nurturing independence and transforming the lives of its students.

Our History

  • OUR STORY

    Scroll to learn some of the history of St Gabriel’s School.

  • 1920

    The Christian Brothers found a suitable property in Sydney on which to establish the school at Castle Hill. Southleigh consisted of "a fine old residence, a cottage nearer the road and 35 acres of good land".

  • 1922

    June 10, two Irish Christian Brothers, Brother Joseph O’Farrell and Brother Damien Allen from the Cabra School arrived in Sydney with plans for the new building and years of experience teaching and caring for the deaf.

    July 10, the first sod was turned in the erection of the school at St Gabriel's.

    September 10, the foundation stone for the first block of buildings was blessed by Archbishop Kelly and the first student Patrick Kenna took up residence.

    School began on 22 September that year.

  • 1922

    This photo taken in September 1922 was the first class of St Gabriel’s Pupils.

  • 1923

    On Sunday May 6, the School was formally opened by Archbishop Kelly. There were 28 pupils.

  • 1924

    Boys on a day trip to Manly Beach.

  • 1935

    A swimming pool was built in the 1930s for the boarders to use. The pool was constructed by the students and Brothers.

  • 1937

    A fire destroyed the original Southleigh homestead which was the Brothers’ residence, The building was over 80 years old. A new residence was constructed.

  • 1940

    Students receiving speech training with the aid of the Multitone Hearing Equipment.

  • 1940

    An additional 16 acres of adjoining land was purchased in Marie Street.

  • 1946

    Matron Delaney and boys in dining room for supper.

  • 1947

    Silver Jubilee of St Gabriel’s was celebrated.

  • 1948

    Helen Keller visits St Gabriel’s School.

  • 1957

    A new hall was completed.

  • 1960

    Additional building works were completed and by 1961 there were 75 boys.

  • 1969

    Cued Speech was introduced.

  • 1972

    Golden Jubilee of St Gabriel’s was celebrated.

  • 1973

    The School changed from a residential day school for deaf boys to a co-educational day school. The first female students were admitted in 1973.

  • 1976

    An integration program was introduced where students attended St Gabriel's in the morning and their local mainstream school for the afternoon. The Early Intervention Unit (EIU) was established.

  • 1979

    St Gabriel’s School is moved from the old buildings, down the drive to a new building and Gilroy Catholic College was established in the old buildings. The “new” St Gabriel’s was officially opened in September.

  • 1982

    The Diamond Jubilee of St Gabriel’s was celebrated.

  • 1984

    Br Alan Kelly and Mrs Sue Robinson worked towards gaining registration for St Gabriel’s as a Secondary School.

  • 1994

    Elizabeth Kerr became the first layperson and first woman Principal.

  • 2007

    Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) is formed and takes on responsibility for the schools previously operated by the Christian Brothers.

  • 2009

    The Early Intervention Unit for hearing impaired students was closed as the school focused on providing primary school education.

  • 2010

    Criteria for admission was widened to include students with Intellectual Disability and Autism. The number of students is 20.

  • 2012

    St Gabriel’s community celebrates 90 years. Bishop Anthony Fisher OP conducts Mass in the School's Sacred space followed by a fete and market stalls.

  • 2013

    Major building works commenced to upgrade the interior of the building, create a new Open Learning Space, Library Space and school reception.

  • 2016

    New Strategic Plan 2017-2020 is developed. Mr Jon Franzin joins as Principal.

  • 2017

    The new sensory playground is built. New Master Plan is developed.

  • 2018

    Portable classrooms are in place for the commencement of Secondary School.

  • 2019

    Year 7 students commence Secondary School.

  • 2020

    Year 7 and 8 students through Secondary School. Major building works commence for the new Secondary School space located where the Brother's residents stood.

  • 2021

    Year 7, 8 and 9 students through Secondary School.

  • 2022

    The School is Kindergarten to Year 10. The Secondary School building is almost complete and is occupied whilst the Primary School and Hall are constructed. Mr Michael Farrell joins as Principal.

    St Gabriel’s celebrates its Centenary with a Mass and Afternoon Tea at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Parramatta. Alumni spent he weekend catching up and going on a tour of the “old” St Gabriel’s building which are now Gilroy College.

  • 2023

    Our four year development project is finished and at the end of the year the school now boasts three new buildings, including a secondary wing, a primary and administration wing and a multi-purpose hall.

  • 2024

    We welcome a new Principal, David Cook. The Principal now solely oversees St Gabriel’s School.