From the P&F Association
P&F Executive Meeting
In Week 5, the P&F held the final executive meeting for the year. We reflected on a triumphant 2023 and began laying the groundwork and foundations for the milestone 135th Anniversary of the college in 2024. The dedicated P&F volunteers look forward to fostering a supportive and engaging environment for our children and families next year.
P&F Annual General Meeting
On 13 November, the P&F held the AGM, a significant event which saw an impressive turnout of over 40 parent attendees from all three campuses. Highlights of the year were shared, including the remarkable achievement of raising $85,000 through various events, notably the Colour Run, as well as the Father’s and Mother’s Day stalls. These funds have been pivotal in supporting community events such as the well-attended Father’s Day Mass Breakfast, which saw over 600 attendees. In a significant move, the P&F will donate $35,000 towards the school, earmarked for new playground equipment at Del Monte.
Additionally, the AGM introduced the concept of a P&F levy as a new funding mechanism to further foster community building and fundraising. This proposed opt-in levy invites families to contribute $99 annually, offering a way for those unable to volunteer their time to still contribute significantly to our community. The levy is anticipated to drive higher levels of engagement within our community.
A key moment at the AGM was Principal Paulina Skerman’s unveiling of the Master Plan, which includes an exciting new indoor multi-purpose sports facility with an underground carpark, capable of hosting 2000 students for assemblies and over 600 for events.
Election of New P&F Leadership
The AGM concluded with the election of new P&F officers and appointments:
- President – Ben Middleton: Meet our dynamic new President, Ben Middleton, a man whose energy and passion for Santa Sabina College are truly contagious! Together with his wife Rachel, they are proud parents to five children. Their family proudly upholds a rich, four-generation legacy at SSC, with four of their daughters currently bringing that heritage to life – they will be in Years 5, 7, 10 and 12 in 2024.
Ben’s involvement with the College spans over eight remarkable years, during which he has become a cornerstone of our community. His roles as the SSC Hockey Coach and Parent-Child Weekend Organiser have showcased his exceptional talent in fostering community spirit and unity.
With a vision to weave stronger bonds within our community through vibrant events and initiatives, newly elected Ben spoke about his goal to bring warmth and inclusivity to our SSC community. His ability to connect, inspire, and lead is a beacon of excitement for the future of SSC. We’re eagerly anticipating the new era of community engagement and camaraderie that Ben is sure to usher in!
- Treasurer – Simon Chan: We are thrilled to welcome Simon as our new Treasurer. Simon, a proud father of a Year 10 student with a passion for Design and Technology, brings a rich tapestry of experiences and skills to our team.
His background in finance is just the tip of the iceberg. Simon is also an enthusiastic photographer and an adventurous skier, qualities that speak volumes about his energy and dedication. With his structured, disciplined approach and pragmatic mindset, Simon is poised to bring a fresh, innovative perspective to our financial strategies.
His commitment to enhancing our community and ensuring that we focus on the areas that matter most is not just promising, it’s inspiring. We’re confident that Simon will play a pivotal role in steering our P&F towards new heights of success and community engagement.
- Assistant Social Coordinators: We welcome Marie Gabrael for Primary, Meaghan Aldridge-Chow for Gioa House, and Janelle Powter for Senior.
Forthcoming inaugural Fra Angelico Festival
Looking forward, we are excited about the forthcoming Fra Angelico Festival. With the overwhelming support of over 50 parent volunteers and considerable donations, the Festival features food stalls, entertainment, a Champagne Lawn, and student performances, and is set to be a splendid finale to the year.
Despite featuring a Champagne Lawn, rest assured, this event isn’t centered around the Hazelnut Liquor Frangelico but rather celebrates artistic and spiritual heritage. Named after the Early Renaissance painter and Dominican friar, this festival will showcase the creative talents of our children, reflecting the spirit of creativity and faith embodied by Fra Angelico. We eagerly anticipate your participation in this celebration.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone in our community for your ongoing support and look forward to seeing you at the Fra Angelico Festival.
Yours in friendship
Daniel Pace
Communications Coordinator
P&F Committee
Outgoing President Joseph Gittani and Principal Paulina Skerman
Outgoing Treasurer Bryce Wilson and Principal Paulina Skerman
New P&F Executive Team
AGM
Forthcoming events
Fra Angelico
Dear Families
The Parents & Friends’ Association will be hosting the International Eat Street and Champagne lawn at the Inaugural Fra Angelico Festival on the 17th November 2023 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 Stall (Lebanese and Greek Food)
- Asian Stall
- Indian Stall
- Gelato 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.
Thank you
Santa Sabina College Parents & Friends’ Association
Year Group Catch-Ups
Year 6 Dinner Dance
ABOUT
We’re thrilled to extend an invitation to the much-anticipated Year 6 Dinner Dance! 🎈
Details:
• Date: 📅 Friday, 24 November 2023
• Time: 🕠 5:30pm to 9:00pm
• Location: 🏌️♂️ Strathfield Golf Club
Tickets:
• Adults: 💵 $70
• Child: 💵 $40 (Year 6 students only, please note: No siblings allowed) 🚫
Your ticket includes: 🎟
• 2-course meal 🍽
• Dessert 🍰
• Still and sparkling mineral water 🥤
• Soft drinks (exclusive for children) 🥤
• Tea & coffee ☕
This evening is set to be a memorable occasion for both parents and students as we come together to celebrate this significant milestone. As we bid farewell to primary school years and usher in the next chapter of their educational journey, let’s make it a night to remember. ✨
We look forward to a night of laughter, memories, and joyous celebration. 🥂 See you there!
Parent education
Maintaining Wellbeing At the End of the Year by Debra Brodowski
End of year is always an incredibly busy time…Finishing up the school year, planning for holidays, gearing up for Christmas. With so much going on, our typical daily routines can be upended with the need to squeeze in additional events, catch-ups, and deadlines into our already busy lives. This can all leave a family feeling stressed and exhausted trying to keep on top of it all. Added to this year is the cost-of-living pressure that families are feeling; how is this all going to be budgeted for?
There is a way we can maintain our wellbeing as we look to the end of 2023.
Focus on what’s necessary: there are many events and activities that are added to the calendar heading to the end of the year. Ask yourself, is it important to say ‘yes’ to all of these events and activities? Focus your attention on the events and activities that are important first, and then consider your options for those that are nice to do (but not necessary).
Focus on what’s important for now: there is a finish line that we all focus on at this time of year – ‘the end of 2023’. Alongside this, there are tasks, events, activities that as a family we decide that need to be realised ‘by the end of the year’. Ask yourself and your family ‘is this important to be done now or can it be pushed into 2024?’ By prioritising what’s important for now, you are able to reduce the load added for this year, which again allows us to feel less stressed and assists in maintaining wellbeing.
Focus on maintaining boundaries: self-care isn’t selfish; adding time into your family’s week for activities that focus on the family unit, or even down time where ‘doing nothing’ is the goal, is important to rest and recharge our energy to direct to the events and tasks that are necessary and important for now.
Enjoy this lead-up to the end of 2023; take hold of what’s important and of value to you, and head into 2024 with peace of mind and a feeling of being rest and restored.