Head of Primary P-6
As we move through Term 3, I am thrilled to share some of the exciting activities and celebrations that have taken place and are coming up across Del Monte and Gioia House.
Gioia House Annual STEM Gala Day
On Wednesday 4 September Santa Sabina College will host its highly anticipated STEM Gala Day, designed to inspire, engage, and educate our students about the exciting possibilities within STEM. To build connections and to promote inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunities in STEM education, we are thrilled to welcome Year 6 students from St Patrick’s College to join us in a collaborative learning environment, breaking down gender stereotypes and encouraging all students to explore STEM fields. We look forward to a fun-filled day. Students are to wear school sports uniform on this day.
Enrichment Program
At Santa Sabina, we are committed to providing a rich and diverse range of enrichment opportunities for all our students. This year alone, we have implemented small group differentiated programs in English and Maths to ensure that every student is both challenged and supported at their individual level. These groups, which work within the classroom environment, are guided by our dedicated class teachers and supported by Ms Panagopoulos, our Gifted Education Coordinator, as well as Ms Meehan, our Diverse Learning Coordinator.
In addition to our core programs, we have introduced a variety of enrichment opportunities in Maths, such as Maths Explorer and Math Quest. These programs are designed to stretch our students’ thinking, foster a love for mathematics, and encourage them to engage deeply with the subject. We are continuously exploring new activities to expand our offerings as they become available.
Research has shown that students benefit greatly when they are not consistently pulled out of their regular classroom environment. By providing a balanced offering of enrichment opportunities within the classroom and in small group settings, students can access advanced learning without missing out on the essential social and collaborative aspects of their regular classes. This approach helps maintain a sense of belonging and ensures that students do not feel isolated from their peers. Furthermore, in-class enrichment allows students to apply their advanced skills in a real-world context, often leading to a deeper understanding and mastery of the content.
Giving Day – Mufti Day
All Del Monte and Gioia House students are invited to wear mufti clothing to school and bring a gold coin donation in support of our annual Giving Day. This is an important event in our community where we open our hearts by supporting the construction of our new Sports and Aquatic Centre, to make a meaningful impact on the lives of both current and future students.
Students must adhere to school expectations for casual dress: no nail polish, hair should be neatly tied, and midriff shirts or clothing with offensive prints are not permitted. Closed-toe shoes are also required.
Del Monte P-4 Mufti Day – Wednesday 4 September
Gioia House Mufti Day – Tuesday 3 September
Public Speaking program
Our Public Speaking Program at Del Monte and Gioia House is already underway. Students in Years 1-6 are actively engaged in writing and presenting their speeches during their lessons, developing their oral language and communication skills and expressing their ideas with confidence.
This program is designed to meet the Outcomes of the English K-10 NSW Syllabus, providing a structured approach to teaching and learning public speaking skills. Finals will be held at the end of the Public Speaking Program. The class teachers will select the finalists according to an agreed grade criteria. One finalist is selected from each class to compete in the grand final.
Del Monte Years 2-4 – Thursday 12 September
Gioia House – Monday 9 September 2024
Students in Year 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to present their speeches in a non-competitive finals event with students from St Patrick’s College.
Parents of students who qualify for the finals will be notified via email.
Science Week celebration
Last Friday, students from Prep to Year 6 immersed themselves in the wonders of science as we celebrated Science Week. It was a day filled with exploration, discovery, and most importantly, fun! Our students engaged in a variety of hands-on experiments, sparking their curiosity and deepening their understanding of scientific concepts.
From creating fascinating chemical reactions and learning about the properties of solids and liquids to generating a mini tornado and building models of cloud formation and rain, the students experienced the magic of science firsthand. They also explored how natural processes shape and change Earth’s surface by constructing their own structures, fostering a greater appreciation for the world around them.
At Santa Sabina, we are deeply committed to embedding STEM education in our curriculum. Science Week is just one of the many ways we encourage our students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and develop a lifelong love of learning in STEM.
Book Week – Reading is magic
This past week, our Gioia House and Del Monte students embarked on a magical journey during Book Week, fully embracing this year’s theme, ‘Reading is Magic.’ The week was packed with enriching experiences designed to ignite a love of reading and a deeper connection to the literary world.
Our Head of Library and Information Services has written a detailed rundown of the activities which were embraced by all students across the College.
Father’s Day Mass
Our Father’s Day Mass was a beautiful celebration of the special people who play such a vital role in our students’ lives. It was a time to honour and give thanks for the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who provide love, guidance, and support every day.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the mothers who volunteered their time and effort to organise the Father’s Day gifts for our students on both campuses. We truly appreciate all that you do to support our school.
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 29 August – Father’s Day Breakfast/Mass
- Wednesday 4 September – Giving Day
- Wednesday 11 September – MBH and Prep Athletics Carnival
- Friday 27 September – Term 3 Concludes
- Tuesday 15 October – Term 4 Commences
- Tuesday 15 October – K-2 Swimming Program commences
Important dates for Gioia House:
- Thursday 29 August – Father’s Day Mass
- Wednesday 4 September – GH & St Pat’s STEM Collaboration Day
- Monday 9 September – Public Speaking with St Pat’s
- Friday 13 September – Speak Up Competition
- Tuesday 17 – Friday 20 September – Year 6 Outdoor Education Experience and Canberra visit
- Friday 27 September – Term 3 concludes
Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6