Finding the Balance

Finding a balance between your academic studies, pursing your passions outside the classroom and enjoying time with your friends can feel like a juggling act in itself.

At St Gabriel’s, we believe that finding the right balance is key, not only in supporting your academic studies but also in your personal development. We want to ensure that you have the space, time and opportunity to explore new interests, acquire new skills and enjoy the company of your friends.
 

Personal Development Opportunities

You will be able to participate in competitions, courses and workshops that will support both your academic studies and develop practical skills that will be useful throughout your life, including:

• Life Skill Programme:
• Moving away from home
• Financial management
• Managing your digital footprint
• Looking after your health
• First Aid accreditation
• Self-defence
• Safe driving
• Basic and advanced cookery
• Independent learning  
• Organisation & time management 
• Memorisation techniques 
• External competitions in business and debating
• Leadership and team-building opportunities
• World Challenge
• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (Gold)
• Peer mentoring training

Professional Development Opportunities

Microsoft has been engaged with St Gabriel’s over the past 12 months supporting Sixth Form students in identifying and exploring their personal career aspirations.

With the support of Mrs Hannah Trevis, Head of Sixth Form, we are now launching the Microsoft Mentor Scheme, which is specifically designed for St Gabriel's Sixth Form students. The mentor scheme is a platform to help ideate, shape and create a personalised career path by providing guidance and inspiration while also sparking curiosity. By connecting students with Microsoft mentors from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, this scheme will assist students in navigating their chosen career route.
 

Business Diploma

This year-long programme is designed to develop key business skills. Aspiring entrepreneurs and business people will take three units aimed at cultivating the essential skills for success in modern business.

The first unit introduces students to marketing and emphasises the importance of understanding customers’ needs and wants through market research. Ultimately, students will be able to develop an effective marketing plan.

The second unit delves into business performance, where students will learn about the three key business documents: the income statement, the statement of financial position, and the cash flow forecast. This unit will also enable students to evaluate the feasibility of business ideas and understand the relationship between risk and reward.

Finally, the third unit focusses on developing students' soft skills, an area that modern employers see as essential for hiring new talent. The key skills emphasised are teamwork, communication, emotional intelligence, leadership, and giving and receiving feedback.

Enrichment Carousel

Timetabled weekly, this is a bespoke provision, including activities such as life-saving, archery, grass sledging, golf, climbing, pottery, student cooking and paddle-boarding, allowing you to develop skills and competencies beyond the curriculum and socialise as a community.
 

Clubs and Activities

We run a full programme of clubs and activities that will enable you to pursue existing passions or try something new. As a group, you will have the opportunity to run and create your own clubs as well as those provided within the activities programme. You can link to our clubs and activities programme here. 
 

Sport & the Performing Arts

Sport and the performing arts are great ways to relax with your friends and can create space for you to unwind.

Sport
Sixth Form PE options are tailored to meet the demands and interests of those who are taking part. They are fun, invigorating and stress-free!  The course content is driven by the Sixth Form. 

Thursday afternoon is spent at Nuffield Health, Fitness & Wellbeing Centre, where students can join a spinning class, play badminton and squash and use the gym, swimming pool and sauna.

Competitive sport is also encouraged, and we have successful U18 teams in netball and football. Additionally, we have students who are competing at county and national level in their chosen sport and, where possible, we will support your academic studies alongside your sporting passion.

Performing Arts
LAMDA lesson are offered on a weekly basis. Other performing opportunities include the biennial school production, which is a much-loved event in the school calendar and has included shows such as Bugsy Malone, The Addams Family and Beauty and the Beast. The Sixth Form, with the help of tutors, also write, direct and produce Mummers' plays, which are performed to the whole school community as a traditional part of our end of year celebrations.

Music is at the heart of school life and the Sixth Form is no exception. Individual music lessons are offered on a weekly basis on all instruments, as well as singing, vocal coaching and music theory.  Sixth Form students are enthusiastic members of a variety of music ensembles including the popular senior vocal group, St Gabriel's Singers, pop and rock bands, orchestras, jazz band and Song Writing and Music Tech Club. Members of the Sixth Form are also encouraged to play a valuable role in the whole school community by acting as mentors for younger students in Senior and Junior School ensembles. The Music Department run a busy calendar of events including informal lunchtime concerts, workshops, evening recitals, biennial band for performing arts productions and annual summer Vocal Showcase, where Sixth Form students can share their talents and also celebrate and encourage others in their musical endeavours.

There are so many extra-curricular activities; there is something for everyone, no matter what their hobbies are.  The Sixth Form has a community spirit that improves communication skills and is supported by the Sixth Form team