Mini-Woolworths store opens at St Gabriel’s School in Castle Hill

A new Woolworths store has opened in Castle Hill with a unique twist, it’s exclusively for students at St Gabriel’s School.

Students Azaan Husain, 13, James Garland, 13, and Shari-Anne Pearson, 12, at Gabes Fresh Food. Picture: John Appleyard

• St Gabriel’s School welcomes first high school students
• $3.6 million in funding for St Gabriel’s School

A new Woolworths store has opened at Castle Hill with a unique twist — it is exclusively for students at St Gabriel’s School.

Gabe’s Fresh Food was opened this month at the school which caters for children with disabilities.

Student Shari-Anne Pearson, 12, with a basket of groceries from the mini-supermarket. Picture: John Appleyard

The mini-supermarket has been supported by Woolworths and Fujitsu who donated working check outs, shelves stocked with food and goods, and plenty of Woolworths baskets and accessories.

“Gabe’s Fresh Food is a very special version of a Woolworths store,” Angelo Clayton, Woolworths Group general manager of IT, said.

“It has real products, real ticketing, signage, uniforms and name badges for the students to immerse themselves in an authentic supermarket experience — a fantastic way to learn a great number of skills.”

Chloe Kovacevic, 12, browsing the grocery isle.

The supermarket has proved a huge hit at the school.

It is hoped the supermarket will help students learn skills for future employment and also give them confidence being around a supermarket.

St Gabriel’s principal Jon Franzin said it was a fantastic addition to the school.

“We are very excited by the authentic learning experience,” he said.

Giuseppe Piperata, 12, and Shari-Anne Pearson, 12, remember a vital item, tomato sauce. Picture: John Appleyard

“We see use of the payment registers as increasing student’s communication and numeracy skills, skills that are transferable to the workplace and for life.”

Baulkham Hills Woolworths is restocking the mini-supermarket with fresh fruit and other items that need replenishing while Fujitsu look after the check out machines.

A similar supermarket was opened about a year ago at sister school St Edmund’s College in Wahroonga.

James Garland, 13, using the scanner at the checkout. Picture: John Appleyard

The Hills Mayor Michelle Byrne was also on hand for the grand opening.

St Gabriel’s School was recently approved to expand from a primary school to a K-12 school and welcomed its first batch of Year 7 students this year.

The Catholic school currently caters for about 80 students but will cater for 180 when it is redeveloped.

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