Assistant Head of Primary P-4 and Gifted Education Coordinator P-6
Pastoral Update
R U OK? DAY
Last Friday, students added a splash of yellow to their uniforms to celebrate R U OK? Day and highlight the importance of checking in on the wellbeing of others. As a Dominican community, we are encouraged to show care through simple acts of kindness, listening and friendship. As St Catherine of Siena reminded us, ‘Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.‘ Through compassion and genuine connection, our students help create a community where everyone feels seen, valued and supported.
One of the most meaningful ways we can support children’s wellbeing at home is by setting aside a few minutes each day for a calm, distraction-free conversation. These moments help children feel heard and can provide opportunities to share worries before they grow into bigger concerns. While it can be tempting to jump straight into problem-solving, one of the greatest gifts we can offer is our attention, listening with empathy, reassurance and understanding.
Recently, I overheard a conversation between a Year 3 student and their Prep buddy. The Year 3 student asked a simple yet powerful question: ‘What was the best part of your day today?‘ This interaction was a wonderful reminder that the questions we ask our children not only strengthen our connection with them, but also model how they can show care and interest in others.
Our children learn from the conversations they experience every day. By taking a few moments to check in with them, we are doing more than supporting their wellbeing in the moment. We are also teaching them the importance of empathy, connection and genuine care for those around them. Those small daily conversations can have a lasting impact and help to build a supportive community.
Resilience, friendship and compassion
Following our focus on R U OK? Day and the importance of looking out for one another, we now shift our attention to resilience, friendship and compassion; a theme designed to support students through the fatigue, heightened emotions and occasional friendship challenges that can naturally arise at the end of a busy and productive term.
Through classroom discussions and reflection, students will explore how resilience grows when we persevere through challenges, adapt when things do not go to plan and lean on the support of those around us. In the spirit of our Dominican values, we encourage students to approach themselves and others with patience, empathy and compassion, recognising that strong friendships and a caring community not only help us navigate life’s ups and downs but also build the resilience to face them with confidence.
Gifted Education update
ABC News in my neighbourhood
Congratulations to Joyce Wong (Year 1) on being named a winner in the ABC Education News in My Neighbourhood Competition for Term 2, 2026. This is a wonderful achievement and a testament to Joyce’s creativity, curiosity and communication skills.
We are incredibly proud of Joyce’s accomplishment and look forward to seeing her winning entry published on the ABC Education website. Well done, Joyce, on this outstanding success!
Maths Quest, Explorer, Games and Olympiad
Last week, students completed their final Maths Explorer, Maths Games and Maths Olympiad papers, bringing this year’s programs to a close. We commend all participants for their persistence, enthusiasm and growth throughout the year. These challenging competitions encouraged students to stretch their mathematical thinking, collaborate with peers and develop valuable problem-solving, reasoning and communication skills. We are proud of the confidence and resilience students have demonstrated as they embraced each challenge and celebrated their learning along the way.
Ms Lauren Petroni
Assistant Head of Primary P-4 and Gifted Education Coordinator P-6
