Head of Primary P-6
As we move through the sacred season of Pentecost, we are reminded of the profound gifts of Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit and the renewal of our call to community, compassion and service. Scripture reminds us that the fruit of the Spirit is ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control‘ (Galatians 5:22-23). Just as those first disciples were sent out to share God’s love with courage and purpose, we too are called to carry that mission forward in our own community. Alongside this, Reconciliation calls us to reflect on our relationships with God, with one another, and with our First Nations brothers and sisters. In our school community, we strive to live these values each day, nurturing a culture of respect, healing, and togetherness.
Our Lady – Help of Christians
It was a joy to see our student leaders from both Gioia House and Del Monte participate in the Our Lady Help of Christians Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral alongside hundreds of primary students from other Catholic schools. This special celebration was a beautiful reminder of our shared faith and the importance of gathering as a community in prayer. Our leaders represented their school community with grace and reverence.
Author visit – Nadia Wheatley
Our Year 5 students were fortunate to welcome acclaimed author Nadia Wheatley, whose novel The Banner Bold serves as the foundation of their current English studies as a mentor text and connects meaningfully with their History unit on the Gold Rush. Nadia generously shared the inspiration behind her writing and offered a fascinating insight into her creative process. She spoke thoughtfully about the historical events of the era, her visit to Ballarat and shed light on the significant yet often overlooked role of women during this time. Of particular value to our students, Nadia shared her tips for writing a historical diary entry — skills they will draw upon directly as they complete their own diary entry for assessment. It was an enriching experience for all involved.
Del Monte Learning Walks
We were delighted to welcome Prep, Kindergarten and Years 1–2 families into our classrooms for our Learning Walks. This is always a highlight of the term, offering families a wonderful opportunity to step inside their child’s learning environment and gain a genuine sense of the rich experiences taking place each day. Students were visibly excited to share their work and engage in learning activities alongside their families. There is something truly special about seeing the pride on a child’s face as they show a loved one what they have been working on, and these moments beautifully reflect the strong partnership between our school and our families.
We look forward to welcoming our Year 3 and 4 parents in the coming week.
Prep Sciences
Without doubt, one of the most magical highlights of the past fortnight has been the Prep Science unit on life cycles. Each morning, children came skipping through the gates, eager to check on their newly hatched chickens and ducklings, watching them bathe, offering gentle pats, and marvelling at how quickly they grow. Alongside this, students also explored the fascinating development of silkworms. These hands-on experiences have brought the science curriculum to life in the most wonderful way, sparking curiosity, wonder, and a deep love of learning in our youngest students. We have also welcomed students from Mary Bailey House, St Lucy and other Del Monte grades. It has been an absolute delight to witness.
Year 4 Outdoor Education Experience
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to Mr Walker and the dedicated staff who planned and accompanied our Year 4 students on their outdoor education camp. Their careful organisation and genuine care ensured that every student had an outstanding experience – learning new skills, building resilience and forging lasting friendships. Outdoor Education is an invaluable part of character development and we are truly privileged to have Tallong as an extension of our school campus. Experiences like these shape our students in ways that reach far beyond the classroom.
Petting Zoo
Our Prep to Year 2 students thoroughly enjoyed a visit from our Petting Zoo incursion as part of their Science units. Thoughtfully designed to complement and enrich our Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 curricula, this experience brought learning to life in a hands-on, memorable way. Students had the opportunity to interact directly with a variety of animals – patting, feeding and observing them up close. The joy and curiosity on their faces said it all. The incursion was a powerful reminder that rich, real-world experiences lie at the heart of meaningful learning.
Writers Festival
Last week, our Gioia House Writers Club members had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Writers Festival at the Town Hall, where they were inspired by a talented line-up of authors and illustrators. Our Writers Club meets weekly, providing a dedicated and nurturing space for students who have a passion for writing to develop their own voice, explore their creativity, and share their ideas with fellow young writers. A heartfelt thank you to Ms Anetter for her enthusiasm and commitment in leading this enrichment program.
Action Teams
Our Del Monte and Gioia House Action Teams have been busy meeting to brainstorm fresh initiatives and develop thoughtful plans to bring them to life. It is inspiring to see our students take ownership of their school community, working together with purpose and enthusiasm to make our college an even better place. These initiatives ultimately enrich the experience of every student, and we look forward to seeing their ideas come to fruition in the weeks ahead.
Year 6 NSW Parliament visit
Our Year 6 students experienced learning beyond the classroom. As part of their studies in Government and the law-making process, students visited New South Wales Parliament House, where they had the opportunity to explore one of Australia’s most significant democratic institutions first-hand. A highlight of the visit was participating in a role-play simulation of parliamentary debate, allowing students to step into the shoes of elected representatives and experience the process of proposing, debating and voting on legislation.
The students also visited the magnificent St Mary’s Cathedral as part of their Religious Education studies, exploring the rich symbols and traditions embedded in this iconic place of worship. From the stunning architecture to the sacred artwork and liturgical symbols throughout the Cathedral, students gained a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and its living traditions.
Gioia House Instrumental Showcase
Congratulations to our Music team and students for an excellent Instrumental Showcase, where families were treated to a glimpse of the incredible progress our musicians have made. It was heartwarming to see so many parents take time out of their busy schedules to attend the open classrooms and celebrate their children’s achievements. The dedication of our Music staff and the enthusiasm of our students make these events truly memorable. Well done to all involved.
As we look ahead to the final weeks of Semester 1, there is much to celebrate and anticipate. We look forward to sharing Semester 1 academic reports with families in Week 10, honouring our outstanding Dominican Award recipients and coming together for our extraordinary annual Gala Concert. It promises to be a wonderful and fitting close to a rich and rewarding semester. Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our school community.
Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6
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 and Gioia House:
Thursday 4 June – Assembly
Friday 5 June – Year 3 Outdoor Education Experience
Monday 8 June – King’s Birthday Public Holiday
Wednesday 10 June – Year 4 St Dominic the Adventurer
Thursday 11 June – K-6 Athletics Carnival
Friday 12 June – SCS Mackillop Touch Football Trials
Friday 12 June –Year 4 Learning Walk 2:25pm
Saturday 13 June – Year 4 St Dominic the Adventurer Award at Tallong
Monday 15 June – SCS Conference 2 Football Championships (Round 2)
Wednesday 17 June – SCS Stage 3 Netball Gala Day
Wednesday 17 June – Year 3 Learning Walk at 2:25pm
Thursday 18 June – Friday 19 June – Year 2 Tallong comes to Del Monte
Thursday 18 June – Assembly
Monday 22 June – SCS Conference 2 Netball Championships (Round 2)
Tuesday 23 June – Gala Concert Rehearsal Sydney Town Hall
Tuesday 23 June – Gala Concert 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Wednesday 24 June – CSNSW Mackillop Cross Country Championships
Thursday 25 June – Dominican Awards Assembly
Friday 26 June – Term 2 concludes