Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

As this is our final newsletter for 2023, I have spent time this week during my commute reflecting on the year that has been at St Gabriel’s.

It has been truly wonderful to see the completion of our building project which began at the end of the 2021 school year.  Our Foundation students and staff have loved working in their new learning spaces.  We now have a dedicated STEM room which will be utilised 4 days a week from 2024.  Finally how beautiful it is to celebrate the weekly Parish Mass in our new multipurpose and chapel space with the light shining through the lead light effect windows.

We have had a very successful year with providing a number of opportunities for the students that we have not been able to over the past few years.  

Our children have celebrated much success in the sporting arena this year.  We have had a number of children represent the school at State level in: swimming, cross country, athletics and basketball.  A big thank you to Mrs Aitken for her work and support with much of the organisation and attendance at these events.  

The last weeks have been a celebration of the Arts at St Gabriel’s which began with our sensational whole school production “The Great St Gabriel’s Mystery”.  This production gave so many of our children the opportunity to showcase their acting and dancing skills. This week they are showcasing the many skills they have learnt in Visual Arts over the year at our Art Exhibition.   A  big thank you to Miss Grumley and Mrs Shea for all the work you have put into these 2 amazing events.

As you will be aware there are some staffing changes for 2024 and while we farewell some familiar faces from the team we look forward to welcoming some new faces.  We wish Mrs Edey, Mrs Ellis, Mrs Fahey, Miss Materia and Mr Mildenhall all the very best in the next chapter of their lives.  We welcome back Mrs Pearson, Mrs Jones and Mrs Reggardo for 2024.  We also welcome to the St Gabe’s team: Mrs Peterson, Miss Awty and Mrs Mainella.

On behalf of the staff of St Gabriel’s, I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.  Have a safe holiday and we look forward to welcoming you all back at the end of January.