From the P&F Association
P&F Welcome – Term 1 – Week 6
Mid Term Update
As we reach the midpoint of the term, the Parents and Friends’ (P&F) Association is delighted to share updates on past and upcoming events, reflecting our vibrant school community’s spirit and engagement.
We continued the term’s initial success with coffee catch ups for Year 3, Year 7 and Year 10 parents, held respectively at Quarte Café in Strathfield, Hearthe in Stanmore and Artisant in Burwood. These gatherings provided wonderful opportunities for parents to connect, share experiences, and support each other in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
In addition, the recent P&F General Meeting on 28 February was a productive session where we discussed school developments, upcoming events, and initiatives aimed at enriching our children’s educational experience. We extend our gratitude to all attendees for their valuable contributions and insights.
Looking ahead, we have exciting events on the horizon, including the International Women’s Day celebration on 7 March (day of this article release) and the 130th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The P&F will also be supporting the Santa Sabina College Discovery Tours and will be wrapping up the term by wrapping up gifts for the P&F Mother’s Day stall. These events are fantastic opportunities to learn, engage, and contribute to our community’s growth.
Furthermore, we encourage all parents to participate in the upcoming year group catch-ups. These informal meetings are a great way to meet other parents in your child’s year group, exchange ideas, and foster a sense of community and belonging. Details of these catch-ups are below and will be shared in the respective year group chats.
Thank you to everyone who has participated and volunteered in our events so far. Your involvement is what makes our Santa Sabina community so special. Let’s continue to support each other and work together to create a positive and enriching environment for all our families.
The P&F Association
Upcoming Events
🎉 130th Anniversary Gala Dinner – Friday, 22 March – Fullerton Hotel
Dear Parents!
Santa Sabina College is thrilled to invite you to the 130th Anniversary Gala Dinner, a night of celebration, reminiscence, and community spirit.
It’s time to book!!
📅 Date: Friday, 22 March
⏰ Time: 6:00pm
📍 Location: The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
This gala is not just a dinner; it’s a celebration of our journey, achievements, and the wonderful community that makes us who we are. It’s an evening to dress up, enjoy great food, and make lasting memories with the Santa Sabina community.
Table bookings:
- Book a whole table for 10. A perfect opportunity to get together with friends, year groups or sporting teams!
- Prefer to mingle or new to the College? Simply click on the link below and you will be able to detail who you would like to sit with or your year group that you would like to be seated with and we will organise it for you.
🌟 Don’t miss this chance to be part of our historic 130th Anniversary celebration. Book your spot now and join us for an unforgettable evening!
We can’t wait to celebrate with you. See you at the Gala!
Warm regards,
SSC P&F Association
Parent Catch Ups
Past Events
Parents and Friends (P&F) General Meeting
The recent Parents and Friends (P&F) General Meeting held on Thursday 28 February at Santa Sabina College’s Benincasa was a testament to the vibrant community spirit and active engagement of our parents and staff. Chaired by P&F President Ben Middleton, the meeting saw the participation of the College Executive and numerous parents, alongside constructive discussions on various topics, including the confirmation of Parent Representatives for 2024 and the planning of Term 1 and 2 events.
Highlights from the meeting included updates from College Principal Paulina Skerman on the College’s recent activities and future plans, a review of the successful Welcome Drinks event, and the finalisation of the 2024 Events Calendar. Special thanks were extended to Sia for her wonderful welcome cookies and the tireless efforts of the Mother’s Day committee. The meeting also touched on financial updates, communication strategies, and upcoming parent education opportunities. It concluded with decisions on new P&F Executive roles and discussions on initiatives such as a sustainability company for second-hand uniforms.
The meeting underscored the importance of community involvement, with a forward-looking approach to enhancing the educational and social environment at Santa Sabina. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 22 May 2024. For those who were unable to attend, the minutes will be posted on the P&F page in Veritas Online.
Year 7 Parents Morning Tea Catch Up
On the morning of Friday 23 February 2024, Year 7 parents had the pleasure of congregating at the cozy Hearthe café in Stanmore, where they were treated to an array of great coffee and scrumptious Australian-infused scones and cakes. A special note of gratitude goes to the host, Christopher The, a Year 7 parent, whose hospitality and welcoming space allowed for this wonderful gathering. Such events underscore the strength and camaraderie within our parent community, making these moments cherished and memorable.
Year 10 Parents Morning Tea Catch Up
On 1 March 2024, Year 10 parents met at Artisant in Burwood for a casual coffee morning. It was a well-attended event where parents exchanged insights and shared laughter over quality coffee and pastries. The meet-up served as an excellent platform for strengthening community ties within the year group, proving once again the importance of parent involvement in our school’s collaborative environment. These gatherings continue to be a key element in fostering the supportive network that is vital for our children’s success at Santa Sabina.
Parent Education
Working collaboratively with your child and their learning by Debra Brodowski
The school year is well and truly under way! School activities are under way, friendships are being made, learning is undertaken. One of my observations as a parent is how much change has occurred with the education system over the years! Thankfully, there are new ways of teaching concepts, the curriculum has been overhauled, and child development principles have been updated.
There may be times throughout your child’s learning journey where you may be curious about learning outcomes or what may be occurring in the classroom environment. Working in partnership with the class teacher and the school has so many benefits for your child’s learning journey. Indeed, child development research consistently notes that school and parents working in partnership allows the child to:
- develop efficacy positive self-esteem
- develop a growth mindset, have a willingness to overcome challenges, and be motivated to learn
- be positive about school
- improve their learning outcomes.
To assist this occurring, parents supporting their child’s learning at school can be achieved with some of the following ideas:
- Check in with your child regularly to understand what they are learning and see what they find easy or challenging. If they are struggling with an idea, piece of homework, or learning area:
- Talk with them about how they may have learnt the idea in class and what they remember.
- Ask if there were any online resources that were used to assist learning the concept. Perhaps you could go over them together.
- Ask if there is there a peer or a study group partner who can assist with learning the concept.
- Suggest that your child go back to their teacher the following day to explain the concept/idea/learning outcome.
- Be supportive of their work by helping them to create and maintain a study and revision plan.
- Keep in mind that school is about academic learning, however of importance in the world is social and emotional learning which also occurs in the school environment.
- If there are additional questions that you have that haven’t been resolved between you and your child, check in with the teacher to:
- Understand what might being observed at school
- Understand how you as a parent may be able to support the school in your child’s learning
- Ask if there are any other resources or connections of support that may assist in developing your child’s learning.
Working in collaboration with your child and the school can assist your understanding of what might be occurring in the learning environment and enrich your child’s schooling experience.