From the P&F Association

Dear Parents and Friends of Santa Sabina College

P&F Annual General Meeting

On 13 November, the P&F held the AGM, a significant event which saw an impressive turnout of parent attendees. Highlights of the year were shared, including the remarkable achievement of raising community engagement, spirit and substantial monies throughout the year at various events, notably the Colour Run, as well as the Fathers’ and Mothers’ Days’ stalls.

As at the date of the AGM, the projected P&F cash balance was $68,702. These funds have been pivotal in supporting community events such as the well-attended Father’s Day Mass Breakfast. Further, the P&F will donate $5,000 towards the school for Giving Day.

Below is the net contribution of key P&F Events showing how all the hard work that goes into organising and running these events can help raise funds for the P&F.

Event Name	Funds raised	Expenses	Net funds raised (funds received less expenses)
Combined Mother’s Day events	41,848	(37,342)	4,506
Del Monte Disco	6,740	(4,188)	2,552
Combined Father’s Day events	16,689	(15,529)	1,160
Trivia Night	9,506	(4,053)	5,453
Colour Fun Day	16,628 Net of campaign fees	(1,140)	15,488
Subtotal:  Key events listed above	91,411	(62,252)	29,159

Election of New P&F Leadership

We take this opportunity to welcome out newly appointed P&F officers who were elected at the AGM:

• Vice-President – Alissa Hunter
• Social Coordinator Del Monte – Meaghan Aldridge
• Assistant Social Coordinator Del Monte – Daniella Tudehope
• Assistant Social Coordinator-Senior School – Alex Cantali
• Social Coordinator Gioia House – Christina Metledge
• Parent Education – Debra Brodowski (re-elected)

A big welcome to Alissa Hunter (she is back!), Daniella Tudehope and Christina Metledge. The P&F Committee cannot wait to work with you. You all bring in so much experience and are a wealth of knowledge!

The position of Treasurer is still open. We welcome any person wanting a chance to join the P&F and be involved and continue the great work of our treasurer Simon who has stepped down.

A special note of gratitude is reserved for our outgoing Treasurer, Simon Chan – his meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the P&F. We cannot thank him enough for your hard work in making sure we were kept in check!

Whilst Alex Cantali has stepped down from her role as Vice-President of Senior School we are so lucky that she is willing to remain involved and support the P&F as an assistant Social Coordinator. Our thanks to her for all her hard work as the VP of Senior School. She has worked so tirelessly over the years and ensured that events were running smoothly.

A big thank you also to Sia Zanon (who stepped down earlier this year as VP for Primary), Meera (assistant Treasurer), Babitha Toal and Tatiana Rafaelle.  Their vision for SSC has not only enriched our community but also laid a foundation for future success. Our thanks for their service to our children, our parents, our P&F and our community.

A heartfelt thanks also goes to our resident parent photographer – Giovanni Portelli. He goes above and beyond to take photos of our children at different events throughout the year. We are so grateful for the time and dedication that he gives to us as a community.

Upcoming: Fra Angelico Festival – 22 November

Mark 22 November on your calendars for an evening of cultural indulgence. The Fra Angelico Festival promises to be an evening of delights with performances and artwork from students across the College. Enjoy the Champagne Lawn and our International Eat Street showcasing food stalls from Italian to Mediterranean, Lebanese to Asian flavours to our BBQ, and of course, a Gelato & Aciai stalls to sweeten the experience. We can’t wait to see you on Friday!

Yours in friendship,

P&F Committee

Past events

Year 4 Farewell Dinner

The Year 4 students and parents had their Farewell Dinner recently. It was a special night facilitated by the Year 4 parents. Special thanks go to Faye Phan, Ramona Akkawi, Manel Falhoun and Christina Metledge for putting together such a memorable evening, farewelling our boys and ushering our girls on their way to Gioia House. 

Upcoming events

Fra Angelico volunteers needed

The Parents & Friends’ Association will be hosting the International Eat Street and Champagne Lawn at the Fra Angelico Festival on 22 November 2024 from 5:00pm – 9:00pm and would love if we could please get some volunteers to help us with running the food stalls or serving alcohol on the Champagne lawn. 

 The International Eat Street stalls include: 

• Italian Food Stall 
• Mediterranean Lebanese Stall  
• Asian Stall 
• BBQ Stall 
• Gelato Stall
• Aciai Stall

The Champagne Lawn will be serving alcohol and we would love any volunteers who have RSA to help serve alcohol in this area. 

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Alex Cantali at vpsecondary@ssc.nsw.edu.au or on 0414582876. 

The success of this event would not be possible without the generosity and support of our wonderful parent volunteers. Please contact Alex if you would like to join our amazing team and volunteer for this fantastic community event.

Year Group Catch Ups

Year 9 Dinner

The Year 9 Christmas Catch Up is on 24 November! It will be a great way to unwind, relax and end the year with friends.

Details:

• Date: Sunday, 24 November 2024
• Time: From 5:00pm
• Location: Massey Park Golf Club

Year 6 Dinner Dance

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate our Year 6 students and their journey through primary school at the stunning new function room at The Concord Club. 

Details:

• Date: Friday, 29 November 2024
• Time: 6:00pm to 9:30pm
• Location: The Concord Club – Function Room
• Tickets: $45 per child I $75 per adult

Your ticket includes: 

•  three course dinner (entrée, main and celebration cake)
• DJ entertainment.

We look forward to a night of laughter, memories, and joyous celebration. 🥂 See you there!

PARENT EDUCATION with Debra Brodowski

Taking a step back can help us move us forward: the importance of rest and reflection in Term 4.

The busy-ness of Term 4 can make some families feel like they are burning the candle at both ends, leaving them feel exhausted. Our young people become tired and cranky (and so do we!) and the end of year celebrations start to feel like a whole lot less fun. As a family, it is critical to be able to find time for rest and reflection to help our bodies and mind restore and renew for the days and weeks ahead.

Incorporating rest and reflection into our lives does not require drastic changes. Small, consistent efforts can make a significant difference.

• Practice gratitude: teaching your young person the art of gratitude can assist in stepping outside of the self, finding events or moments (big or small) to be grateful for in the day. This can help reset thoughts and bring a sense of calm amidst the chaos.
• Connecting spiritually: having a routine to connect spiritually, be it through prayer or another form of reflection, can assist your family establish a higher context and reason for being, allowing for a sense of calm to be established.
• Journalling: setting aside time each day or week with your young person to journal thoughts and reflections can provide clarity and serve as a record of growth and achievements.
• Find time to connect with nature: spending time in nature can be incredibly restorative. Take a walk in the park, garden, or simply sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. Nature has a way of grounding us and offering perspective.
• Prioritise sleep: ensure that as a family you are all having enough sleep each night. Establish a bedtime routine that helps unwind and signals the body that it’s time to rest. This could include reading a book, practising mindfulness, or simply enjoying a quiet moment.
• Schedule break days: During busy periods, try to find times where there is a rest day/rest afternoon. These can assist you and your young person to reset your mind and body.

Rest and reflection are not just about taking breaks; they are about enhancing our ability to contribute effectively and sustainably to ourselves, our families, and our school community. By making these practices a priority, we not only improve our own wellbeing but also create a more resilient and harmonious environment for everyone involved. Committing to, and embracing, rest and reflection, even amidst the busiest times of the year, can transform our lives and the lives of those around us.