Gabe's News Principal's Message, Jon Franzin - St Gabriels
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NEWSLETTER TERM 4-WEEK 8
Gabe's News Follow us
Principal's Message, Important Dates
Jon Franzin 9 December Last Day for Students
1 February Students Return 2021
Dear Parents, Friends and Students of St Gabriel’s,
Advent has begun—a time of reflection, preparation and anticipation. Reflection on the year drawing to a close,
preparation for all the events and activities Christmas and the holidays will bring and a growing anticipation that
comes with this time of year—building up to the great Christian feast of Christmas and all that this signifies -
peace, happiness, family and new life. This anticipation is experienced in the excitement of a child looking
forward to Christmas morning, through to the sense of tension being released in working adults as they start to
wind down from the stresses and strains of the year - looking forward to rediscovering our true ‘relaxed’ selves.
Thank you to all the members of our school community - students, parents, families, staff and volunteers - for all
your contributions to the school over the year, from simple and routine matters through to all the extras that
people provide without which a school cannot survive and by receiving, schools can achieve great things.
Year 6 Graduation
It was wonderful to present our Year 6 Graduates to the community and acknowledge this important milestone. I
thank Fr Fernando for leading our Graduation Mass last week and for the staff who contributed to the readings
and supporting our students with the presentation. We congratulate our Year 6 Graduates and we wish them all
the best as they embark on moving from Primary to Secondary education in 2021.
Parent Survey
A link for a parent survey will be sent home seeking feedback from our community. I would encourage all
parents/carers to complete this survey as we welcome your feedback, thoughts and opinions.
Planning 2021
Our planning for 2021 is well underway with classes being established for next year, timetables being created
and staff placements being considered. Along with this is the usual coming and going of staff which brings with
it a sense of sadness but also the opportunity for new staff to contribute to the ongoing story of our school.
4 DECEMBER 2020 1
NEWSLETTER TERM 4-WEEK 8 Farewells Follow us Both Ms Belinda Lu and Mrs Melissa Djurichkovic have informed me of their intention to resign from their positions at the end of this year to take appointments at other schools. Ms Lu, after 11 years of outstanding service, will move to Eileen O’Connor Catholic College and Mrs Djurichkovic, after 8 years of dedicated service, will move to St Lucy’s School, both continuing to contribute to special and Catholic education. I know they will be greatly missed by the staff, students and parents of St Gabriel’s and we wish them well for the future. Have a blessed and happy Christmas, travel safely, enjoy good times with friends and family and we look forward to welcoming everyone back at the start of the 2021 school year when students commence on Monday 1st February. Best wishes for the week ahead. Jon Franzin PRINCIPAL 4 DECEMBER 2020 2
NEWSLETTER TERM 4-WEEK 8
Deputy Principal's Message,
Jacqui Cashmore
Dear Parents and Carers
Well, we made it! The end of the school year is upon us and it not only signifies summer holidays, a time to rest and
the anticipation of Christmas ahead, but also a time to celebrate the learning, experiences and development of
students this year. All students are to be congratulated for their perseverance in the many changes to routine and
processes this year. I do believe the students have become a little more resilient as a result, so well done!
I would like to sincerely thank our staff who have shown commitment and determination in ensuring all students
remained engaged in their learning during the year here at school. Equally, I would like to extend our appreciation
to our parent community, accepting the vast change to their child’s routine and education delivery. We will
remember this year as one of great partnership and perseverance, and evidence that we truly are a strong
community.
As the school year draws to a close, please see some reminders and updates below.
Building Update
Already the progress on our new build has been rapid and so we would like to thank you all for your patience with
the carpark, pick up and drop off arrangements placed upon us. We are expecting there will be a lot of progress
over the school holiday break and upon return to Term 1. This is an exciting time and we will continue to update
you as the term unfolds. I will also keep you updated with photos throughout the break.
2021
As you know, we are keeping abreast of the forever changing COVID-19 restrictions and will be adapting our
calendar and programs accordingly so that students will have the best opportunities and experiences possible
next year.
Christmas Cards
If you have not had a chance to purchase these wonderfully created Christmas cards by the students, there’s still
time. Please send in $10 in an envelope to your child’s teacher if you would like to purchase these. They are $10
for a pack of 5. These will be available up until the last day of school.
Awards Day
We are holding our Awards Day ceremony on Monday 7th December in the Library. This event is students only
due to COVID-19. It will be professionally captured on video and the link to the video will be emailed home to all
families before Christmas.
Student Information Records
A reminder to families if you have not already returned these, to please return your rollover form containing correct
and up to date information of your child’ details so that the School can update its records. An email has been sent
home today reminding families to return these by no later than Tuesday 8th December. Thank you.
4 DECEMBER 2020 3
NEWSLETTER TERM 4-WEEK 8 My Community Project Please remember to take advantage of the My Community Project parent coaching sessions. We appreciate that holidays can be a stressful time of the year, so these online /phone sessions are a good opportunity to take advantage of. I would like to wish all our families and community a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I look forward to welcoming our new families to our community and seeing returning families in the new year. Stay safe and well. Jacqui 4 DECEMBER 2020 4
NEWSLETTER TERM 4-WEEK 8
Wellbeing with Parent News
Mr Gulli from Amanda
Dear Parents and Carers Dear Parents and Carers,
As we come to the end of our 2020 school year, we We have finally come to the end of the year and I
appreciate greatly the support and collaboration cannot believe how fast it has gone by. It’s amazing
throughout this challenging year. how much our children have grown and developed in
the past 12 months. These holidays would have to be
I trust that you all have a very safe and relaxing one of my favourites as it’s a time for giving, sharing
summer break. I have reattached the link to the and brings family, friends and loved ones all together.
wellbeing Headspace article from the previous On behalf of all the parents I would like to thank St
newsletter. Should you need any support please feel Gabriel’s for all the love, support, kindness and time
free to email myself on gulli@stgabriels.nsw.edu.au you have put into our children and parents. We are
forever grateful and very blessed to have you all as part
The students have had a great year despite the of our children’s lives. A nice way to stay in touch over
disruption and many challenges due to COVID-19 and the holidays is the Power Parents WhatsApp group that
I hope that they all enjoy their summer break. I have created for parents. If you are not on it and
would like to be a part of it please message me on 0415
Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2021. Merry 154 116. For those of you who are on it, I look forward
Christmas to all and take care. to hearing from you over the holidays.
Kind regards Another reminder that the Self Care and Nourishment
Gio program is still available and offers coaching services to
parents and carers for FREE. They are offering 10 x 50
minute sessions per adult in family via Zoom or over the
phone by appointment. There has been some great
feedback from parents in regard to the sessions. This
can be done in the comfort of your own home and no
one will know except for yourself. There is nothing
wrong with taking sometime out to help yourself. You
do not have to use all 10 sessions if you choose not to.
I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and
safe holidays and look forward to seeing you all in the
new year.
“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything”.
By Michael J Fox
From Amanda Nassour
(Liana’s mum)
4 DECEMBER 2020 5
NEWSLETTER TERM 4-WEEK 8
Around our School
4 DECEMBER 2020 6
NEWSLETTER TERM 4-WEEK 8
Around our Primary School
Religion in Term 4
This unit focuses on advent and Christmas.
Students strengthen their understanding of
Jesus and His importance to the world as
God’s son. Students will learn about the
season of Advent as a special time of
waiting for the birth of Jesus and the
importance it has in the church calendar.
Students listen and respond to the
Christmas story of Jesus’ birth, and build
their understanding of Christmas as a time
to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Excursions
Students will also explore the link of St
Gabriel as the school patron and the angel Our students have been out
Gabriel from the Christmas story. and about this week. Class
3/4H and 4/5/6Z went to
Featherdale Wildlife Park and
enjoyed getting up close to the
animals.
4 DECEMBER 2020 7
NEWSLETTER TERM 4-WEEK 8
Around our Secondary School
Year 7 and 8 have been going to
Zone Bowling in Castle Hill to
develop their bowling skills. They
have been learning to take turns
and identify on the board when it
is their turn. Some use the ramp
to bowl and some are able to
bowl without the ramp.
They have enjoyed cheering for
their friends and being out in the
community.
4 DECEMBER 2020 8
NEWSLETTER TERM 4-WEEK 8
School Holidays Scripture Camps-
https://sunsw.org.au/events/?type=camps
CHECK OUT THIS LINK FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IDEAS-
HTTPS://MYCARESPACE.COM.AU/RESOURCES/WHAT-TO-
DO-IN-THE-SCHOOL-HOLIDAYS
HTTPS://CASTLETOWERS.QICGRE.COM/PROMOTIONS/
2020/10/A-MAGICAL-CHRISTMAS-AT-CASTLE-TOWERS
Countdown:
3 Weeks Until
Christmas
4 DECEMBER 2020 9
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