Head of Primary P-6

As we come to the end of a fulfilling Term 2, it has been wonderful to see the energy and joy across both campuses. Our Del Monte students have thoroughly embraced the new playground, which has quickly become a space for imaginative play, teamwork and active fun. One of the true highlights of the week was the Gala Concert, ‘Voice of Hope.’ This spectacular celebration of music brought together students from across the College in a stunning display of talent, creativity, and collaboration. The student performances were nothing short of inspiring, each one reflecting the hours of practice, the guidance of passionate teachers, and the joy that comes from making music together.

Dominican Awards

On Thursday, we had the honour of recognising outstanding student achievement through the Dominican Awards. These awards celebrate not only academic success but also the character and qualities that underpin meaningful learning. They acknowledge students who demonstrate consistent effort, perseverance, and a commitment to personal growth. Recipients include those who learn from their mistakes, show resilience in the face of challenges, and bounce back when things don’t go as planned. We also celebrated students who display resourcefulness and those who solve problems creatively, take risks in their learning, and strive to be their personal best every day.

Congratulations to the following Dominican Awards recipients:

St Thomas Aquinas

Kindergarten Andrew Lin
Year 1 Richard Saade
Year 2 Joseph Hoang
Year 3 Abigail Amor
Year 4 Natalie Sun

Blessed Fra Angelico

Kindergarten Sophie Chea
Year 1 Aaliya Fernando
Year 2 Abigail Barakat
Year 3 Clare McGregor
Year 4 Makenzie Wong

St Martin de Porres

Kindergarten Jade Jabbour
Year 1 Abraham (AJ) Gleem
Year 2 Zara Fajloun
Year 3 Adeline Tudehope
Year 4 Alana Tannous

St Dominic

Kindergarten Claudia Chong
Year 1 Orlando Chen 
Year 2 Riona Sengupta
Year 3 Alannah Mousu
Year 4 Damien (DJ) Abi-Hanna

St Albert the Great

Kindergarten Kabir Nair
Year 1 Alexander Sedicol 
Year 2 Evan Yip
Year 3 Aria Serafin
Year 4 Audrey Wong

St Catherine of Siena

Kindergarten Cormac Curnow
Year 1 Abbie Thompson
Year 2 Jude Khouzame
Year 3 Henry Li
Year 4 Jayden Nasr

Blessed Jane of Aza

Kindergarten Matteo Lozina
Year 1 Veronica Fabrizio
Year 2 Andrew Bechara
Year 3 Rose Taouk
Year 4 Gabrielle Chidiac

Year 3 Learning Walk

This term, our much-loved Learning Walks provided a wonderful opportunity for parents to step into the classroom and observe their children’s learning in action. Across Weeks 8 and 9, we welcomed families from Prep to Year 4. This week, our Year 3 parents joined us for a Maths Daily Review session, experiencing first-hand the engaging and interactive routines that support their children’s number sense and mathematical thinking. 

K-6 Athletics Carnival

Our Primary Athletics Carnival was a fantastic success, filled with energy, enthusiasm, and community spirit. It was wonderful to see so many families join us to cheer on the students and share in the excitement of the day. The weather was absolutely stunning, setting the perfect scene for a full day of races, games and fun. Students gave their all, whether sprinting down the track, participating in novelty events, or cheering for their peers. Thank you to Mr Dunlop, our staff and parent volunteers for making the day so memorable.

Year 5 Tallong at Santa

The Year 5 students enjoyed a special Outdoor Education Experience catch-up session, organised by Mr Walker to help the girls reconnect after their Tallong adventure was cut short due to unexpected weather. A highlight of the day was a surprise visit from Mr Geoffrey Sylvester, Chef of Tallong Campus, who arrived with freshly baked muffins and hot chocolates for the girls to enjoy at recess. 

Staff and Student Match

To finish the term with a touch of fun and laughter, students and staff took to the Del Monte Field for a friendly game of Goal Ball – a hybrid of Netball and European Handball. The teacher-student match brought plenty of smiles, cheering, and moments of healthy competition. 

Commencement of Term 3

School resumes on Wednesday 23 July.

As we look forward to a well-earned, three-week break after a busy term, we thank our students, staff, and families for a term filled with learning, growth, and shared experiences. Wishing you all a restful and joyful holiday break. Please take a moment to read the important information below regarding the start of Term 3.

P-6 Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews – Tuesday 22 July

Parents should now have received their child’s Semester 1 Academic Report. This provides a valuable overview of their progress and achievements during the first half of the year. To further support student growth, parents will have the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress and set goals for Semester 2 during the upcoming three-way interviews. If you plan to attend, please ensure you book your interview time on the parent lounge via the following link: Parent Lounge The interviews will follow a similar structure to those held in Term 2.

Gioia House Semester 1 Academic Awards

On Thursday 24 July, we will recognise the students in Years 5 and 6 who have been awarded an Academic or Pastoral Award for Semester 1. Parents of recipients have been emailed and are welcome to attend this assembly at 9:00am in the College Hall.

Years 2-6 ICAS Tests

We sent you a detailed letter last week regarding ICAS registration and the LockDown Browser. This is a friendly reminder that online registrations will close at midnight on Monday 28 July.

Crazy Sock Day – Thursday 31 July

As part of our ongoing commitment to social justice, Del Monte will be supporting the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW’s annual Vinnies Winter Appeal with a Crazy Sock Day. The Year 4 Social Justice Action Team are leading this initiative to raise much-needed funds to support individuals and families facing hardship. Donations will go towards essentials such as food, clothing, household bills and homelessness services, as well as helping vulnerable people find and maintain secure housing. Students are encouraged to wear bright, colourful socks with their school or sports shoes as a symbol of compassion, creativity and community spirit. We invite all families to support this initiative and give generously to help bring dignity and hope to those in need this winter.

Feast of St Dominic – Friday 1 August

The College will gather as a community to celebrate the Feast of St Dominic, marking a special moment in our community and our shared heritage.

Event details:

  • Date: Friday 1 August
  • Time: 8:30am roll call. Mass begins at 9:15am
  • Location: Del Monte students will walk with their teachers to gather at Dom’s Plot, Secondary Campus
  • Dress Code: Students in K-6 are required to wear their full winter uniform, including the College hat. Prep students should wear their Prep uniform.

Schedule:

  • Students should arrive at school at the usual time and will walk to the Secondary Campus for the Mass accompanied by their teachers.
  • Post-Mass, students from P-4 will return to Del Monte for class activities.
  • Students from Gioia House will participate in Dom’s Day celebrations on the Senior Campus.
  • Early Dismissal: Prep students will be dismissed at 12:30pm. K-4 students will be dismissed at 12:40pm. Usual dismissal procedures will be followed at Kiss and Ride and Warami.
  • Gioia House students will be dismissed at 12:45pm from The Boulevarde and Jersey Road.

Transportation and Parking:

  • Please avoid parking on Carrington Ave in the Kiss and Ride Zone to keep the area clear.
  • College buses will depart from Carrington Ave at 12:45pm.
  • The College OOSH service will be available from 1:10pm. Please book in advance.

Morning Tea and Lunch:

  • There will be no lunch orders available on Dom’s Day. Students must bring their morning tea and drink bottles. Children attending OOSH are required to bring their own lunch.

On this special day, we celebrate as a community but also remember the wider community to which we belong. This year, we are asking students to bring a donation to the Dominican Sisters.

100 Days of Kindergarten – Tuesday 5 August

We will celebrate 100 Days of Kindergarten under the theme 100 Days Brighter. This theme highlights the remarkable growth our Kindergarten students have experienced in their first 100 days at school. It signifies how they have brightened our community with their curiosity, joy and knowledge. To symbolise this theme of progress, we invite students to come to school dressed in vibrant, colourful clothing.

Parents are warmly invited to join us for this occasion, which marks a significant milestone in our youngest learners’ educational journeys. The celebration will begin with a Liturgy, followed by a Morning Tea, providing an opportunity for families to connect and share in the achievements of their children. Throughout the day, students will participate in various fun and educational activities that not only reflect their learning but also look forward to the continued growth and brightness they will bring to our community.

  • Date: Tuesday 5 August
  • Time: 9:30am – 11:00am
  • Location: Del Monte Hall. Please enter via Carrington Avenue.
  • Dress code: Wear bright colours. Parents are most welcome to dress up too if they wish!

Del Monte Grandparents Day – Thursday 7 August

The 2025 theme for the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, chosen by Pope Francis, is ‘Blessed are those who have not lost hope‘. Drawn from the Book of Sirach, it highlights the dignity of the elderly and the power of hope in the Lord. We are excited to invite grandparents to celebrate Grandparents Day with an open invitation to explore our classrooms. Further information will be shared in due course.

Online Safety

We encourage families to be vigilant and continue monitoring their children’s use of devices and online activities during holidays, especially the apps that have online game and chat factions. Please reinforce respectful communication while messaging or emailing friends. Please check the eSafety Commissioner website for advice on how to keep your children safe online.

Uniform

Students return to school in winter uniform. Please ensure your children are dressed in the correct uniform as specified in the student diary. Students must wear their blazers when walking to and from school. Please be reminded that jewellery and hair accessories are not part of our school uniform. Additionally, ensure that every item of your child’s uniform is clearly labelled to facilitate swift recovery in the event of misplacement.

Term 3 Co-curriular

Please see my email to Del Monte families

Important Dates Term 3

Santa Maria Del Monte
Tuesday 22 July 10:00am – 6:00pm Student-Parent-Teacher Interviews
Wednesday 23 July – Term 3 commences
Wednesday 30 July – Dom’s Day Rehearsal
Thursday 31 July – Primary Assembly 2:30pm-3:10pm
Friday 1 August – Dom’s Day 9:30am-12:30pm
Monday 4 August – Friday 9 August – Book Week
Tuesday 5 August – 100 Days of Kindergarten  9:30am – 11:00am followed by picnic
Thursday 7 August – Grandparents’ Day
Thursday 7 – 20 August – Healthy Harold Incursions
Friday 15 August – National Science Week Theme Decoding the Universe
Thursday 21 August – Discovery Tour
Friday 22 August – Book Character Parade 9:00am
Thursday 28 August – Sport and Extra Group Photo Day All day
Thursday 28 August – Primary Assembly 2:30pm-3:00pm
Tuesday 2 September – P&F Father’s Day Stall 
Thursday 4 September – Father’s Day Breakfast – 8:30am – 9:15am
Thursday 4 September – Father’s Day Mass (P-6) 9:15 – 10:15am
Thursday 11 September – Primary Assembly 2:30pm-3:00pm
Wednesday 24 September – K – 6 CSNSW Mackillop Athletics Championships
Friday 26 September – Term 3 concludes

Gioia House
Tuesday 22 July 10:00am – 6:00pm Student-Parent-Teacher Interviews
Wednesday 23 July – Term 3 commences
Thursday 24 July – 9:00am Semester 1 Academic Awards
Friday 25 July – Year 5 Incursion – Australian Planetariums
Wednesday 30 July – Dom’s Day Rehearsal 
Friday 1 August – 9:30am – 12:30pm Dom’s Day
Monday 4 August – K-6 Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 2 Athletics
Thursday 7 – 20 August – Healthy Harold Incursions
Wednesday 13 August – 5:30pm – 7:30pm Science Week Showcase
Friday 15 August – National Science Week Theme Decoding the Universe 
Thursday 21 August – Discovery Tour
Friday 22 August – 12:50pm – 1:30pm Book Week Character Parade
Monday 25 August – Co-curricular Photos 
Wednesday 27 August – STEM Day
Thursday 29 August – Father’s Day Mass/Breakfast
Monday 1 September – Father’s Day Stall
Thursday 4 September – 8:30am – 9:15am Father’s Day Breakfast
Thursday 4 September – 9:15 – 10:15am Primary Father’s Day Mass (P-6)
Thursday 11 September – 8:30am – 2:30pm Junior Ethics Olympiad
Tuesday 16 September – SCS Stage 3 Netball Gala Day
Tuesday 16 – Friday 19 September – Year 6 OEE & Canberra Visit
Wednesday 24 September – K-6 CSNSW Mackillop Athletics Championships
Friday 26 September – Term 3 concludes

A Holiday Blessing
May the road rise gently before you,
May peace watch over your home.
May love surround your family,
And joy light each step you take.
Go safely, and return refreshed
For you are held in grace.
Amen

Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6