Head of Primary P-6
As we settle into the new term, we reflect on the vibrant and meaningful events that have brought our school community together over the past three weeks.
Year 1 Outdoor Learning
Our Year 1 students recently participated in an outdoor learning adventure. Despite the cold morning, the children were fully engaged in their activities. They loved reading while wrapped in blankets, solving maths problems with their soft toy friends by their side, and exploring the environment in beanies and gloves. The chilly weather didn’t dampen their enthusiasm, and their joyful spirits made the day a wonderful success.
St Dominic’s Day
Last Friday, the entire College gathered to celebrate St Dominic’s Feast Day. This special occasion was marked by a sense of unity and reverence as we honoured St Dominic’s legacy and his enduring influence on our values and education.
Grandparents’ Day at Del Monte
This week, we warmly welcomed over 350 grandparents to Del Monte for Grandparents Day. This special occasion was dedicated to celebrating the invaluable role grandparents play in our children’s lives. The day was filled with joy as children put on a wonderful show for their grandparents. The choir, string ensemble, and dancers entertained our visitors, and the Kindergarten students delighted everyone with their singing. This event provided us with an opportunity to acknowledge and honour the wisdom, love, and support that grandparents provide to our students.
100 Days of Kindergarten
Today, bright colours were seen everywhere as we celebrated a significant milestone in our Kindergarten students’ journey – their first 100 days of school. Our theme for this event was ‘100 Days Brighter’, and it couldn’t be more fitting. Each day that our children have spent at Santa Sabina College, they have grown brighter, not just academically, but also in their character and spirit. In these 100 days, we have witnessed their transformation from tentative newcomers to confident learners. They have embraced new challenges, made new friends and explored the world around them. More importantly, they have learned to be curious, kind, and resilient. ‘100 Days Brighter’ is not just about the knowledge they have acquired, it is about the light they bring into our lives and the school with their infectious enthusiasm and boundless energy. It is about the bright future they promise as they continue to learn and grow.
Professional Development
As we progress through the term, our Del Monte and Gioia House teachers have been actively engaged in various professional development activities aimed at enhancing the quality of education and improving student outcomes.
Implementing new English and Mathematics Curriculum
Del Monte and Gioia House teachers have dedicated significant time to planning teaching and learning experiences aligned with the new English and Mathematics syllabus. They have emphasised explicit teaching and assessment, ensuring that students receive clear instruction and regular feedback. This approach promotes a deeper understanding of core concepts and the development of skills.
Action Research Projects
In addition, our teachers are working in teams on various action research projects across the campus. These projects are designed to improve both academic and wellbeing outcomes. Through collaborative inquiry and evidence-based practices, they are developing strategies to enhance student engagement and success.
Adjustments and Differentiation
Recognising the diverse needs of our students, our teachers have also engaged in professional development focused on adjustments and differentiation. This training equips our educators with the skills and knowledge to tailor their teaching methods and materials to meet the unique needs of every student. By differentiating instruction, we ensure that all students, regardless of their abilities, have equitable access to meaningful and challenging learning experiences.
At Santa Sabina College, we are committed to continuous improvement.
As we celebrate Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop’s feast day this week, we reflect on her enduring legacy of faith, courage, and compassion. Saint Mary MacKillop’s principle, ‘never see a need without doing something about it,’ encourages us to be attentive and respond with love and care to those around us. Her dedication to justice and education inspires us to support and nurture our children with the same commitment.
May her spirit guide us in fostering a compassionate and supportive school community.
Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6
Gioia House Semester 1 Academic Awards
YEAR 5 ACADEMIC AWARDS
Zara Bakhos
English
Theresa Bassil
Drama
Madison Baxter
Drama
Marissa Bijjani
Interdisciplinary 1
Sienna Calvez
Japanese
Jocelyn Carroll
Music
Ariana Cassimaty
PDHPE
Esther Chiew
Maths
Emily Cooper
Action Girl
Aiden Curran
Music
Alana Dib
Religion
Kate Hennessy
Action Girl
Emily Korb Wells
Music
Genevieve Lloyd-Jones
PDHPE
Elena Magri
Italian
Chiara Mazza
Spanish
Charlotte McCarthy
PDHPE
Lucy Middleton
PDHPE
Tiana Nahas
Religion
Celine Nguyen
Maths
Evangeline Notaras
Action Girl
Elizabeth Ong
English
Chloe Perkins
Drama
Marla Samaan
Music
Grace Welsh
Interdisciplinary 2
Phoebe Clarke
English
Interdisciplinary 1
Emma Cooper
Action Girl
Religion
Sydney Truong
Interdisciplinary 2
Maths
Zara Hraiki
English
Maths
Religion
Petra Lam
Drama
Interdisciplinary 1
Interdisciplinary 2
Ava Lapanaitis
French
Interdisciplinary 1
Interdisciplinary 2
YEAR 6 ACADEMIC AWARDS
Sophie Ash
Interdisciplinary 1
Harriet Behan
Action Girl
Ines Bolger
PHDPE
Katarina Brodowski
Music
Anastasia Bucciarelli
Italian
Chloe Charbel
Religion
Isla Choi
Japanese
Valentina Dal Pra
Religion
Deanna Deligiannis
Interdisciplinary 2
Annalise Elias
Action Girl
Leah Han
Music
Charlie (Charlotte)
PDHPE
Ellena Kapetanakis
Visual Arts
Audrey Khoury
Action Girl
Leah Li
Visual Arts
Emilie Ly
Visual Arts
Alexandra Nakhle
PDHPE
Tamika Nicholson
PDHPE
Amelia Rigon
Maths
Elizabeth Saade
Interdisciplinary 1
Evie Santa Maria
Music
Isabella Shiner
Music
Georgia Ghossein
Action Girl
Interdisciplinary 1
Isabella Grasso
English
Maths
Michelle Ho
French
Interdisciplinary 2
Pheodora Jayaseelan
Interdisciplinary 2
Maths
Jorja Matthews
Interdisciplinary 1
Religion
Rachel Michael
Visual Arts
English
Gabriella Tadros
English
Spanish
Annabelle Wong
Interdisciplinary 2
English
Maths
Religion
CALENDAR EVENTS
For detailed information about upcoming College events, please refer to the communications sent directly to families via email.
Important dates for Del Monte:
- Thursday 8 August – 100 Days of Kindergarten
- Tuesday 13 August – P&F Father’s Day Stall Wrapping and Author Visit
- Tuesday 13 August – Author Visit
- Wednesday 14 August – St Dominic the Adventurer Year 4: Tree ID 3:20pm-4:00pm
- Friday 16 August – National Science Week Day
- Wednesday 21 August – St Dominic the Adventurer Year 3: Clean Up and Make Art 3:20pm-4:00pm
- Thursday 22 August – Discovery Tour
- Friday 23 – Friday 30 August – Book Week
- Friday 23 August – Character Parade 9:15am-10:00am
- Tuesday 27 August – Father’s Day Stall
- Thursday 29 August – Father’s Day Breakfast/Mass
- Wednesday 4 September – Giving Day
- Friday 27 September – Term 3 Concludes
Important dates for Gioia House:
- Friday 16 August – National Science Week
- Tuesday 17 – Monday 23 August – Book Week
- Thursday 22 August –Discovery Tour
- 23-30 August – Book Week
- Friday 23 August – Book Week Celebration
- Monday 26 August – Father’s Day Stall
- Thursday 29 August – Father’s Day Mass/Breakfast
- Wednesday 4 September – STEM DAY collaboration with St Pat’s
- Public Speaking with St Pat’s – 9 September
- Speak Up Competition – 13 September
- Tuesday 17 – Friday 20 September – Year OEE & Canberra Visit
- Term 3 concludes – 27 September
Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6