Thursday 16 June | 4.30pm - 6.45pm

Senior School & Sixth Form are invited
to dress up in a rainbow of colours
and donate to Stonewall.

Donate Now

"I wanted to come up with a challenge that would be interesting, achievable and above all enjoyable. I really hope this challenge will promote reading for pleasure throughout the school."

mrs borzoni - librarian

From reading a book about summer or sports to listening to an audiobook or discovering a new author, there is a whole range of challenges to engage and expand reading horizons. 

On completion of each challenge, pupils complete a record sheet and form tutors will sign off on each completed challenge. Happy reading!

Purple for Polio Day - Friday 26 March 

To help raise funds to eradicate polio from the world.

The local Rotary Club kindly donated some purple crocus corms to St Gabriel's which were planted in the lawn of the Sixth Form Centre. We are hoping they will  bloom this spring and provide a reminder to all of us to support this cause and raise money for polio vaccinations. 

On Friday 26 March Senior School and Sixth Form pupils are able to  wear home clothes, preferably with at least a dash of purple, and pay a small donation to the appeal.  https://www.rotarygbi.org/tag/purple4polio/

Have fun and send your  photograph to Mrs Chicken (achicken@stgabriels.co.uk) by Friday 26^th February.

To support local families in need we are taking inspiration from the Sir Captain Tom 100 campaign. 

So we’re challenging our community to help us donate (at least) 100 items per year group.
The recommendation is 4 Items per pupil to be bought into school on:

Tuesday 4 May – Friday 7 May

To learn more about their critical work, watch a video from: West Berks Foodbank

For the preferred items visit: https://westberks.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/

For The Captain Tom Foundation 100 idea visit: https://captaintom.org/captain-tom-100

Challenge - record an audio clip of yourself describing a positive moment in the day. As an example, listen to Nigel Slater discussing his little happy moment: BBC Radio 4 - Today, Nigel Slater : The joy of crumpets

Email it to Mrs Wellard-Hughes by 28th March.

The Task

Present a plate with only a tea cake, to a restaurant standard with decoration and the presentation techniques you have learnt in Food Technology lessons, on the theme 'Teacake Travels Around the World'. Your idea, using ethically sourced ingredients, should reflect tastes, traditions, sights and/or smells of your chosen country or culture.

It's a fun (and delicious!) way to get creative during lockdown.

3 Categories

• Under 14
• Over 14
• Most novel

Entries (good quality photo of your dish and statement to explain how it meets the brief) to be emailed to Mrs Zogaj by 31 March.  Mrs Zogaj and a mystery judge will be selecting the St Gabriel's entries that will go forward to the National Competition.

Suggested recipes for garnishes from Mrs Zogaj, along with the competition instructions can be downloaded below. A food styling guide will be shared with pupils by email.

As with our other fundraising events this year, donations can be made via a JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stgabrielsnewburywearyellow2020

To donate visit: justgivingpyjamaday 

Open to all Junior and Senior Pupils

Make and decorate a Christmas cake and send a photograph
to Mrs Chicken achicken@stgabriels.co.uk
by Monday 7^th December.

There will be prizes!!!

To find out more about our entrance examinations contact: admissions@stgabriels.co.uk

Thank you for your donation, it will help us support this worthy charity who help people with cancer live life as fully as they can, providing physical, financial and emotional support. 

Pupils are asked to complete 6 activities from 5 sections, at home, record their results and send them in (using a Forms link), with points awarded for their House, further details are given in the guide below.

The 5 sections are:

• Stamina
• Strength
• Distance
• Speed
• Endurance

All pupils in Years 2 -13 are encouraged to take part.

Everyone needs to select six activities in total, choosing from the five sections.   

Pupils may do their activities across the week or set aside an afternoon to complete it as a sports event. 

Learn more about what is expected in the Activity Guide below.  

Mrs Brazendale has also created a video to help pupils with the correct techniques:  Sporting Technique Video 

Our next Bag 2 School collection will be taking place on Friday December 6 from 8am until 9:30am. Please bring your unwanted, good quality clothing and other items to the outdoor classroom in the Junior School playground for recycling.

Items from the following categories are accepted:-
• Clothing
• Paired shoes (secure with an elastic band)
• Bags and handbags
• Hats and scarves
• Ties
• Jewellery
• Lingerie
• Belts
• Soft toys
• Household linen and curtains
• Household towels
• Household bedding (bed sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers)

Unfortunately the following types of item cannot be taken:-
• Duvets and blankets• Pillows and cushions• Carpets, rugs and mats (including bath, shower and toilet mats) • Curtains • Towels • • School uniforms with or without logos • Corporate clothing and workwear 

Collection bags are available in school for your items, but other plastic bags are accepted.

Save the date!

Senior School 2020 production of the Addams Family at Arlington Arts, Newbury.

For tickets please visit Arlington Arts

10.30-3pm 

http://buytickets.at/stgabrielsschool/310407

Hot food will be served outside in the Junior School Playground (weather permitting) from 6.30pm, and is included in the price of your ticket.

There will also be the opportunity to purchase toffee apples and glow sticks, so do bring some change with you!

The Bonfire will be lit at approximately 7.15pm and the Fireworks, by SELSTAR, begin around 7.30pm.

Tickets may be purchased online until midnight on Thursday 7^th November (£10 adults, £7.50 children and £30 for a family of 4).

Tickets may be purchased from the School office or on the gate on Friday 8^th November, however these tickets will be available at a slightly increased price. To help the traffic flow, and to allow us to estimate how much food is needed, please do try and organise your tickets beforehand.

 Car parking is always interesting on Bonfire Night – so PLEASE try and bring one car per family and consider sharing where possible. Cars will be parked ‘ferry style’ to maximise available space. Your patience when parking and leaving would be much appreciated.

Regrettably, when all the available car parking space is filled, we will have to ask you to find alternative parking.

These events only succeed with the support of parent volunteers. If you are able to give your time in any capacity to support the event, whether it be car parking, marshalling, or helping clear up, please email  chair@stgabrielspta.co.uk.

 We look forward to welcoming you.

We are pleased to tell you that we will be working with the NSPCC, the UK’s leading children’s charity, who will be delivering their ‘Speak out. Stay safe’ programme on Monday 23 September 2019. This is a nationwide programme for every primary-school-aged child in the UK and Channel Islands. With the help of their friendly mascot Buddy, they will be presenting an assembly to the Junior School children (Years 1-6) as well as a workshop for Years 5 and 6.

What is the ‘Speak out. Stay safe’ programme?

Through child-friendly, interactive assemblies and workshops the NSPCC specially trained volunteer will give our children information about how to keep themselves safe from harm and how to get help if they have any worries, sensitively discussing issues like bullying and sexual abuse, without using scary words or adult language.

We have studied the content of the materials and heard from other schools who have participated and are extremely confident that they are appropriate for primary-school-aged children. By the end of their visit, we’re convinced children will feel empowered – knowing how they can speak out and stay safe.

If you would like any more information about the ‘Speak out. Stay safe’ programme you can visit the NSPCC website www.nspcc.org.uk/speakout  or come in to speak Peter Dove, Head of Junior School.

The Ocean5 team will put their bodies, minds and souls to the ultimate test by taking on one of the world’s greatest physical challenges, rowing unaided for 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. For further information on this challenge ahead of this talk please visit https://theocean5.com/

We are delighted to invite parents to our Swimming Gala to celebrate our pupils' swimming skills as they strive to help their House win the House Cup.

Refreshments will be served throughout the Swimming Gala.

We are delighted to invite you to St Gabriel's GCSE and A level Art Exhibition. 

We will be showcasing our students' talented work in: Art, Graphic Design, Textiles and photography.

On arrival, please enter through the main entrance to the Square Hall for refreshments and musical performances.

Parents and grandparents of Sandleford and Reception children are encouraged to join us on an animal themed fundraising toddle in our beautiful grounds.

The Book Fair will run from Tuesday 4 June until Monday 10 June.

Open at lunchtimes in Gabbies from 12.45 - 1.10 and Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 June  also open from 4.00 - 4.30

All purchases made will help us to earn some new books for the library. Look out for the promotional posters around the school!

Refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon and
the school will be open for former pupils and members of staff to visit and reminisce.
To confirm your attendance, please email ami@stgabriels.co.uk
or call Ami Kail on 01635 555680.
We look forward to welcoming you back to St Gabriel’s.

Some of our Y13 musicians have been practising their pieces for their final concert at St Gabriel's in the sunshine, in between revising for A level examinations. We do hope you will be able to join us.

For further details about the work of the Penlee Lifeboat please visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/penlee-lifeboat-station

Thank you to Megan Webb from our alumni for creating this excellent poster.

• Junior children  play doubles with an adult family member 
• Matches are played on mini tennis red sized courts with soft (red) balls

Save the date! 26 April 4.30-6.30pm

National Theatre Connections 2019

'A group of classmates is torn apart by the opportunity to perform their own dance. As they disagree and bicker, two distinct physical groups emerge and separate into opposing teams.
When a strange outsider appears – out of step with everyone else – the divide is disrupted. A contemporary narrative dance piece about individuality, community and heritage.'

To book your tickets and find out more visit: 

Performance at the Theatre Royal Bath

Performances at St Gabriel's

Parents and visitors are welcome to join this event -  please email: stucker@stgabriels.co.uk to confirm numbers.

Their dates are below and attached is their 2019 brochure.

• Easter:                 Monday 8 to Thursday 18 April
• Summer:             Monday 22 July to Friday 23 August

Ultimate Activity Camps offer exciting activity day camps for 4-14 year olds with over 40 activities every week delivered by engaging and enthusiastic staff who will instruct and encourage children to try new activities and make new friends – and naturally have lots of fun!

During the summer, they will also offer Ultimate Survival which offers fun and adventurous outdoor day camps where children aged 7 to 14 years will try exciting outdoor activities and games, and learn new skills along the way, there is even an optional Camp Out on the Thursday Night!

Please visit www.ultimateactivity.co.uk for details and their Early Booking Offer (ends 12 March) - you can also call them on 0330 111 7077 (local rate).

A wide range of gifts and craft stalls will be present to enable you to start your Christmas shopping and enjoy the festive delights.

Stallholder booking queries should sent to chair@stgabrielspta.co.uk