College Principal

As we move further into the season of Lent, our community finds itself in a time that invites reflection, renewal and quiet courage. Lent sits gently within the rhythm of the school year; it calls us to pause amid the activity of classrooms, sport and performances and consider who we are becoming. In the Christian tradition this season encourages prayer, generosity and thoughtful self-discipline; not as acts of deprivation, but as opportunities to grow in compassion, patience and gratitude.

For our students, Lent offers an invitation to reflect on how they live alongside one another each day. Pope Leo has spoken about the importance of fasting not only from food, but from harsh or hurtful words so that we may create space for words that build hope and peace. In a school community such as ours, these small daily choices matter. A generous word, patience with others and a willingness to include those around us shape the culture of the College and help ensure that Santa Sabina remains a place where each person is known, valued and supported.

This spirit of reflection sits alongside the energy of the term. From the excitement of the Swimming Carnival to the steady focus within classrooms, our students have approached College life with enthusiasm and determination. Experiences such as these remind us that education extends well beyond formal lessons; resilience, teamwork and leadership are formed just as powerfully beside the pool, on the stage or on the sporting field.

Earlier this month, many of our students and staff engaged with the UN Australia celebration of International Women’s Day. As a girls’ Secondary School, this moment carries particular significance. It reminds us both of the progress that has been made in advancing opportunities for women and of the work that remains. Around the world many girls are still denied access to education, safety and equal participation in society. Our task as educators is therefore clear; to ensure our students leave Santa Sabina confident in their abilities and prepared to contribute to a more just and equitable world.

I would also like to commend our students for the calm and maturity they demonstrated during their NAPLAN assessments. As families may have seen reported nationally, schools across Australia experienced technical difficulties within the online platform. Despite these interruptions, our students approached the situation with patience and composure. Their conduct reflected the resilience and adaptability that are such important qualities for young people to develop.

We were delighted to host Trustees, Board Chairs and Principals from Dominican Education Australia to our school last week for the first meeting of the year. It is always wonderful to connect with our colleagues across the country and discuss issues that impact all of our ministries. This provides a valuable opportunity to learn from and support one another. I was extremely proud of our IT Team who presented the Santa Sabina College Technology Blueprint which has been created to carefully reflect on the role of technology in shaping the future of education. Our Santa Sabina College Technology Blueprint provides a clear framework to guide how digital tools, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are used within our learning environment. The Blueprint places ethics, wellbeing and human judgement at its centre; ensuring that technology strengthens learning rather than replacing the essential relationships between teachers and students. It also prioritises digital literacy, cyber safety and responsible use so that our students develop both the skills and the wisdom required to navigate an increasingly complex technological world. Preparing young people to think critically about technology, while using it creatively and responsibly, will be one of the defining responsibilities of education in the years ahead.

Finally, in this Harmony Week, we are reminded of the richness that diversity brings to our College and to our nation. Santa Sabina is a community shaped by many cultures, languages and stories; this diversity strengthens our shared life and deepens our understanding of the world. At a time when division and conflict are visible in many parts of the world, the commitment to racial harmony and peaceful coexistence has never been more important. Harmony Week invites us to reaffirm that every person deserves dignity, respect and a true sense of belonging within our community.

Go gently

Paulina Skerman
College Principal