Head of Primary P-6
Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.
— John 20:21
As a faith-filled community, we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension, marking Jesus’ return to his Father and reminding us of His ongoing presence in our lives. Students reflected on how they, too, are called to rise to lead, love, and serve within our school and wider world. We look forward to celebrating the Feast of Pentecost on 8 June. We prepare to remember the powerful moment when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, filling them with courage to share the Good News. Pentecost reminds us that we are called to be people of peace and hope.
National Reconciliation Week
This year’s theme, ‘Bridging Now to Next,‘ invited us to pause and reflect on our shared history and journey toward reconciliation. Students engaged in reading, class discussions, storytelling and art to explore the significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Through prayer and dialogue, we reaffirmed our commitment to a more just, equitable, and reconciled Australia.
Safety on Kiss and Ride
Ms Skerman and I have addressed the importance of safety and respectful driving during drop-off and pick-up times on Carrington Avenue on several occasions. Unfortunately, unsafe behaviour continues, putting the safety of our children at risk.
I am once again urging all families to follow the road rules and parking guidelines. We must act before a serious incident occurs.
Kiss and Ride Zones are designed for your convenience and your child’s safety. These zones are specifically allocated for swift entry and exit, aiming to reduce congestion and enhance safety when used considerately by all families. They operate under the same conditions as no parking zones, allowing a brief stop of a maximum of two minutes for dropping off or picking up children. During this time, I kindly request that you remain in or close to your vehicle. To ensure everyone’s safety, please follow road rules and etiquette by using the designated crossings to cross the road and do not park in private driveways, including the neighbouring Uniting Church parking grounds.
Thank you to those who consistently do the right thing. I encourage you to help us maintain a safe environment by respectfully reminding others of the rules when necessary.
It takes a whole community to keep our children safe. Let’s work together to ensure Carrington Avenue is a safe space for everyone.
AIS Primary Numeracy Project
Last Thursday, Del Monte and Gioia House teachers participated in the fifth module of our ongoing professional development series in Mathematics. As part of this learning, our AIS Maths consultant Henrietta Miller observed several teachers delivering daily reviews in their classrooms. These observations provided valuable insights into teaching practice, with personalised feedback offered to support further refinement and consistency. This collaborative approach continues to strengthen our shared understanding of effective mathematics instruction, supporting our commitment to high-quality learning for all students.
Week 5 Assembly
Our Del Monte Assembly was a vibrant celebration of student voice. The Environment Action Team encouraged care for our Earth and our new playground spaces. The Social Justice Team launched our Annual Winter Appeal, calling on our community to support those in need. The Sports Team inspired excitement for the upcoming Athletics Carnival. A special highlight was the Kindergarten’s first-ever assembly performance, which brought joy and pride to families and peers alike.
Del Monte Learning Walks
Across all grades, parents were welcomed into classrooms to experience firsthand the depth and breadth of learning at Del Monte. Students proudly shared their writing, inquiry projects, creative arts and mathematical thinking.
Year 2 OEE – Tallong comes to Del Monte
Our Year 2 students experienced their very first overnight stay at school, marking an exciting step in developing independence and resilience. They participated in outdoor team challenges and team-building activities, culminating in a night treasure hunt. Thank you to our parent helpers for their generous support in preparing meals and ensuring a smooth experience.
Year 5 Outdoor Experience
Although shortened due to heavy rain, the Year 5 OEE camp delivered big on adventure. Students embraced outdoor challenges, enjoyed cabin life, and bonded around the campfire with marshmallows and storytelling. Special thanks to Chef Geoffrey for nourishing our campers with delicious meals, and Mr Walker for organising the outdoor education program.
Excursions to The Rocks
Year 2 and Year 4 classes embarked on excursions to The Rocks, enriching their History units. Year 2 students explored early colonial life, while Year 4 students examined Sydney’s historical landmarks through the lens of First Contacts and early settlement. These hands-on experiences brought history to life in meaningful ways.
Gioia House AI Day
Year 5 and 6 students participated in an exciting AI Day led by Annabel Cowley, a Canva software engineer and former Santa student. Students learnt how AI functions, explored its creative potential, and considered its ethical implications. The workshop empowered students to see how technology can enhance learning and design.
Thomas Aquinas Scholars
Our Year 6 scholars represented us proudly at the Da Vinci Decathlon at Knox, showcasing their talents in logic, creativity and collaboration. Meanwhile, young writers from across the Gioia House were inspired by authors such as Jeff Kinney and Katrina Nannestad at the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Already, they are weaving these insights into their own writing. Our Stage 2 and 3 scientists are enthusiastically exploring their chosen scientific inquiries, working through each stage of the scientific process to test their hypotheses. With curiosity and determination, they are preparing to submit their experiments and findings to the Young Scientists Competition.
National Simultaneous Storytime
Our Del Monte students joined thousands of children across the country in celebrating National Simultaneous Storytime with a reading of The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel. You could feel the excitement as students engaged in themed activities and eagerly climbed aboard the library’s very own ‘truck’ setup. A big thank you to Ms Doonan for her creativity and energy in transforming the library into an imaginative and engaging space, truly bringing the story to life and fostering a love of reading in our young learners.
Year 4 St Dominic the Adventurer
Year 4 students continue to develop their outdoor skills through the St Dominic the Adventurer program. Last week, students focused on building strength and confidence in rock climbing. They enjoyed the challenge of scaling the climbing wall, encouraging one another to reach new heights – literally and figuratively. They demonstrated perseverance, teamwork, and trust, embodying the spirit of adventure and resilience that the program inspires.
Year 4 milestones
A highlight came with the presentation of their personalised Year 4 polo shirts. With names and graduation year proudly displayed, the shirts mark a symbolic milestone in their journey toward leadership and transition.
Kindergarten and Year 1 InitiaLit Parent Workshop
This workshop is designed to provide valuable insight into the InitialLit-Foundation Program. You will learn why we have implemented this program and the research behind it, common language and teaching methods used in class, how we monitor student progress, and practical ways you can support your child’s learning at home.
It will also be an opportunity to ask questions and connect with our team as we partner to build strong foundations in literacy.
Workshop details:
Date: Wednesday 11 June
Time: 5:00-5:50pm
OOSH will be available for those parents who require care for their children during this time.
Location: Del Monte Hall
To help us with planning, confirm your attendance at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1412624
If you have any questions you would like to send us before the workshop, we will ensure that they are answered in our presentation. Please email your questions to d.mattick@ssc.nsw.edu.au
Years 2-6 ICAS Tests
This year, we are inviting students from Years 2 to 6 to participate in the ICAS English, Mathematics, Writing, and Spelling Bee Assessments. These assessments were developed by UNSW Global and are designed to target higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.
Please note that ICAS tests are optional. Parents may choose to opt in for one or more of the assessments based on their child’s interests and strengths.
Information about registration and dates will be shared directly with Years 2-6 families.
Years 3 & 4 Homework Club – Thursdays 3:20-4:20pm
Our first after-school homework help session commenced last Thursday, with six students enjoying the support and guidance in completing their homework. We have only FOUR places left to fill. If you are interested in nominating your child for the Homework Club, please email Neda Korman at n.korman@ssc.nsw.edu.au
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:
- Thursday 5 – Friday 6 June – Year 3 OEE at Tallong
- Monday 9 June – King’s Birthday Public Holiday
- Tuesday 10 June – K-6 Athletics Carnival
- Tuesday 10 June – Year 4 St Dominic The Adventurer, 3:20pm – 4:00pm
- Wednesday 11 June – K-6 CSNSW Mackillop Cross Country Championships
- Thursday 12 June – Primary Assembly – Music Department
- Wednesday 18 June – Year 3 St Dominic The Adventurer 3:20pm – 4:00pm
- Thursday 19 June – Year 3 Learning Walk, 1:45pm
- Friday 20 June – Year 1 Excursion to Elizabeth Farm
- Monday 23 June – Gala Concert Rehearsal
- Tuesday 24 June – Gala Concert Rehearsal
- Tuesday 24 June – Gala Concert (6:00pm – 8:30pm)
- Wednesday 25 June – Year 3 St Dominic The Adventurer
- Thursday 26 June – Primary Assembly – Dominican Awards
- Friday 27 June – Term 2 concludes
Important dates for Gioia House:
- Tuesday 10 June – K-6 Athletics Carnival
- Wednesday 11 June – K-6 CSNSW Mackillop Cross Country Championships
- Friday 13 June – Catch up Photos
- Tuesday 17 June – SCS Soccer Championships
- Monday 23 June – Gala Day Concert Rehearsal
- Tuesday 24 June – Gala Day Concert 6:00pm – 8:30pm
- Friday 27 June – Term 2 concludes