Tails in Time – History Club

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the Year 11 2025 History Club Ambassadors: Calliope Stewart, Monty Tam and Emily Wong. The History Club Ambassadors have planned wonderful events through the History Club in 2025. The History Club is open for anyone from Years 5-12. If you are interested in joining the History Club please email one of the History Club Ambassadors for information about our meetings and upcoming events.

The History Club Ambassadors met with Mrs Skerman to discuss the importance of dogs to the heritage of Santa Sabina College. The article below “Tails In Time: History of Dogs at Santa Sabina” reveals what they discovered.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Tails in time: History of dogs at Santa Sabina

From the school crest to carvings in old school buildings, Santa Sabina’s history is filled with dogs. While Casper might be the most recent furry friend to join the school, he’s far from the first. Over the years, several dogs, both literal and symbolic, have played a crucial role in shaping the school’s unique story.

In the Dominican faith, the dog carrying the torch represents St Dominic, and comes from ‘an old legend that Jane, Dominic’s mother, had a dream in which her son…lit up the world with the flame of truth’. In fact, the name Dominican in Latin is Domini Canis, translating to ‘Hounds of the Lord.’ This symbol is a central element of the school crest and can be found all over the school – on the top of the 1894 and 1917 buildings, on stained glass windows, and on our uniforms. Funnily enough, during the construction of the College, there was confusion as to whether the terracotta panel displaying the crest was depicting a dog or a lamb (the traditional Christian symbol) by the workmen!

In 1955, an Irishman, Patrick Doyle, began working as a gardener on the school grounds. With him, he brought his two dogs, Storm, and then Cindy, who were a part of Santa Sabina for 30 years, with very important responsibilities: to bring joy to staff and students!

After Patrick left, his cottage was renovated and relocated next to the oval, which you may recognise as Patricks Cottage as you go to sign off your name for Saturday morning volleyball!

We also, of course, include our school dog Casper in the history of Santa Sabina’s dogs, who perpetuates the dog motif and school motto of Veritas, and serves as an uplifting member of the community. To gain insight into the impact Casper has on our school, we had the privilege of interviewing Ms Skerman, who told us all about how he benefits the community, and that Casper is not our first school dog!

Ms Skerman explained that post-COVID lockdown, in 2021, the return to school was daunting for many students. Ms Skerman explained that to create a welcoming community after lockdown, Casper joined Santa! He helped ‘welcome children back to school’ and ‘give them some kind of excitement about coming to school’. Many students enjoyed Casper’s company in the mornings before school, which supported and motivated them to stride through the day with eagerness to learn and reminded them of our strong sense of community, especially right after COVID-19 when children ‘had gotten so used to being in that home environment’. Even currently, Casper helps foster a sense of community – Ms Skerman testified to Casper’s popularity – he is a ‘bit like a rockstar’, especially with younger students! Students love visiting Casper throughout the day, and he helps younger ones who may be shy to connect with Ms Skerman – ‘the dog makes me more approachable’. Additionally, Casper helps ease some of the students who may be upset in her office saying, ‘they would pat him while they are talking through their issues’.

When asked about the future of dogs in schools, Ms Skerman noted how Casper has inspired other schools and, ‘that there have been a lot more school dogs since Capser’, and how she has been contacted by other people asking about ‘our policy, our risk assessment, why we chose a labradoodle’, testifying to Casper’s influence on wellbeing not only at our school, but other schools too!

Whether he’s spotted making visits to students during recess and lunch, peeping over the balcony, or saying hello at assembly, Casper never fails to bring a smile to our faces. Not only does he honour St Dominic’s dog motif of truth, he supports our entire community and inspires passionate learning. We’re lucky to be able to include him in our school’s rich history!

Calliope Stewart
Monty Tam
Emily Wong
Year 11
2025 History Ambassadors