College Principal

The fastest growing participation sport in America right now is Pickleball – described as a mix of pingpong, tennis and badminton. It is also taking off in Australia. According to The Australian newspaper (11 September 2023), it is a scaled down version of tennis with a court about a quarter the size of a tennis court and apparently, ‘it’s bringing out the worst in everyone.’ The journalist, Gerard Baker, reflects that frequent angry clashes are often features of the game and that the players’ behaviour reflects a broader disintegration in civility. He goes on to say that in this game, as in our world, he is seeing a soul sickness eating away at the very bonds of community. He writes that in a post-COVID world, it feels like people are more willing to openly confront each other, when in the past restraint and civility held sway.  

I begin my newsletter with this story because this behaviour is the antithesis of who we are as Catholic Dominicans. Timothy Radcliffe, priest, scholar and Dominican friar who served as a master of the Order of Preachers urges us to ‘find the charity and love to reach across and listen deeply so that together we may draw nearer to the light.’ As educators in the Dominican tradition, we teach our students to contemplate, to discern, to reason and to treat one another with dignity. There cannot be respect when we respond with aggression, rudeness or anger. Confrontation and angry clashes are exhausting, they put everyone on the defensive and show a lack of humility. The strength and connection in our community is born from love and every time we fail to treat each other with dignity it diminishes all of us. Santa Sabina College is a community that values restraint and civility. Our children need to learn that not everyone needs to know their opinion on everything, all the time. Sometimes, it’s better to be quiet. They need to learn that good manners are not a thing of the past, that ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘I am sorry’ are ways we show respect and forgiveness. And they need to learn that aggression, frustration and anger are not behaviours we want to exhibit if we want to win friends and influence people. I don’t think we will be introducing Pickleball to our suite of co-curricular activities any time soon!

As the term comes to a close, we turn our attention to our Year 12 students who will complete their formal education with us next week. Next Monday they will attend their Year 12 Formal, and on Thursday 21 September we will hold the Graduation Assembly at the College around Dom’s Plot in the morning then we will attend the Graduation Mass and Dinner in the evening. It promises to be a week of lovely memories and I look forward to celebrating these milestones with our parents, teachers and all of our students. 

The Generations Breakfast was well attended last week and it was wonderful to see ex-students, parents, grandparents, aunts and siblings return to the College for this lovely tradition. Thank you to the Ex-Students’ Association for generously providing breakfast for everyone. 

We congratulate all of our sportspeople for their commitment to a wide variety of sporting and co-curricular activities in which they have participated and excelled this year. It was lovely to honour them all at the Sports Awards Dinner last week. Huge thanks to Mr Ramalho, our Director of Sports and Activities, for his leadership as well as Mr Dunlop, Primary Sports Coordinator and the amazing team in the Sports Administration Office. 

The inaugural Santa Sabina College Sports Lunch will be held on 10 November at Strathfield Golf Club, starting at midday. Please join us at what we hope will be a spectacular event. We have a great MC, guest speakers and much more at the event. The unveiling of the Master Plan will begin a new era of growth at the College, both for the Primary and Senior campus. We would like to fill Strathfield Golf Club so I do hope you can find the time to make this special event in our Calendar. You can book here.

Congratulations STEM experts Mia Khoury, Gabriella Khalil, Harriet Irwin and Annabelle Wong from Year 5 who have been shortlisted in Arludo’s National Game Design Challenge with their design Galaxy Jump. Help the students get to the national finals by voting here: https://arludo.com/gdc2023/

Go gently

Paulina Skerman
College Principal

Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

Awards Season at Santa Sabina

It has been wonderful to watch several of our exceptional Year 12 students receive prestigious and highly sought-after external awards in the last week. 

The Order of Australia Youth Community Service Award 

Last week also saw our College Captain Ruby Bron receive The Order of Australia Youth Community Service Award. This award recognises community service by individual students that would not normally be recognised by their school systems, which usually reward academic, sporting and leadership achievements. Ruby’s community service and advocacy achievements have been vast and impressive as noted in the citation submitted with her nomination:

As a young person, Ruby Bron has demonstrated a level of social awareness, generosity and compassion that belie her years. She has demonstrated a capacity to harness and foster her skills, interests and talents and to use these for the benefit of others and our natural world. She has done this with a consistently humble approach, always keen to acknowledge those who have played a part in her projects and initiatives and ensuring that the focus is always the issue or challenge and not herself. Nominating Ruby for this award is an opportunity for the College to shine a light on her considerable achievements in the area of community service.

Archbishop’s Award for Student Excellence

Friday 8 September saw Mr Reyes, Dean of Mission and Year 12 student Anna Le join with students and staff across the Sydney Archdiocese for the Archbishop’s Awards for Student Excellence. Anna is the very worthy 2023 recipient of this award for Santa Sabina and we congratulate her. Below is Anna’s citation delivered during the ceremony. 

Anna has been present in the faith life in her own parish and at the College for many years. She has been actively involved in the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement and is currently training to become a youth leader. Anna is a pianist for the Choir in her Parish and also contributes as a Minister of the Word and an altar server. She has also been involved in various fundraising initiatives for her Parish. Anna is an enthusiastic advocate of prayer in her Homeroom and has been a reader at a number of College Liturgies.  She has actively participated in fundraising initiatives and outreach activities for Caritas, St Vincent de Paul and various Dominican causes during her time at the College. 

The Marie Bashir Peace Award

At the end of September, Year 12 student Sophie Way will be one of six students in NSW to receive the Marie Bashir Peace Award. These awards recognise students who have made significant contributions to social justice, promoting harmonious relationships and peace in their school and community. The awards are open to all girls in Years 10 – 12 in New South Wales Schools who have demonstrated a passion for social justice and work to bring the community together. The citation submitted with her nomination reflects her passion:

Sophie  has given extensively of her time, energies and passions to make an impact in the area of ocean conservation and climate justice. As a young person, she has courageously used her voice to advocate for more funding and effective policies in these areas via her membership of a range of committees and groups including Ocean Youth, The Australian Museum Climate Solutions Centre Youth Advisory Board and the NSW Marine Parks Committee. She has spoken at special event launches, on panels and at a Business Leaders Summit – occasions that have required her to interact with adults in an adult world. Her capacity to garner the respect of others in these situations is outstanding.

It is most definitely award season at Santa Sabina not just because of the honour of several of our students receiving such amazing acknowledgements but also because next week will see all of our Year 12 students awarded with their graduation certificates. We look forward to acknowledging all their achievements and taking a very special opportunity to say thank you and good luck to this amazing cohort of young women. 

Melanie van der Meer
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

The end of Term 3 is almost here. The Year 12 students have started reminiscing over their journey at the school. We commemorated some of these students’ work in Design and Technology, HSC and IB Visual Arts, History Extension, English Extension, and IB Diploma Extended Essays on Wednesday evening. Seeing such diverse works showcasing their interests, passions, and perspectives was fascinating. I would also like to recognise the Music and Textiles students whose work was exhibited and performed for parents earlier this term. The sustained practice and motivation required for project work will undoubtedly set them up for future endeavours. Our Year 12 students have another week of events to celebrate their time at the College before they embark on a tight study routine in the lead-up to the examinations. The teachers continue to run holiday workshops to ensure they are match-fit for the final examinations in October.

Year 11 students have completed their examinations, marking the end of the Preliminary Course for the HSC and a continuation of formative feedback for our IB Diploma students. The teachers are now working through the marking and feedback process for the students. 

Year 10 students have chosen their pattern of study for the Senior Years. This year, we are introducing final Year 10 examinations in Term 4. We often hear students hit exams in Year 11 with anxiety and stress as they did not know what to expect. We cannot control the final HSC or IB examination timeline, and students do have multiple examinations within a day and on consecutive days. So we will start in Stage 5 with examination blocks supporting students with study preparation and examination techniques. 

At Santa, our academic program is about more than just examinations, and I would like to recognise the excellent learning opportunities that have occurred since my last VV article. 

On Thursday afternoon last week, I helped our Year 2 students as they experienced their first Camp with Tallong at Del Monte. Camps are part of our academic programs, addressing outcomes in many curriculum areas such as PDHPE, Science and HSIE. This was an excellent entry point into the Outdoor Education program at Santa Sabina for our younger members of the College. There were times when some students were nervous about sleeping away from home, but the familiarity of the Del Monte Campus and being with friends helped alleviate these feelings. 

Over the last few weeks, I attended the Year 9 and Year 10 Music Recitals after school to hear the repertoire, the students have been working on in the Music Elective course. Unfortunately, I do not get to go on all the experiences, but hearing from the students on their return is a joy. These have included the Year 12 Legal Studies trip to Canberra to the High Court and Question Time at Parliament House, Year 10 BStreetsmart excursion about road safety, Year 12 Chemistry students experiencing a virtual Spectroscopy Workshop run by Sydney University PhD students, Year 8 Geography students exploring Strathfield for their unit on Places and Livability, the Year 9 Students also studying the Urban environment travelling to Barangaroo and Newtown, Year 12 Geography field trip to Green Square and Bicentennial Park and the Year 11 IBDP Spanish students’ cultural evening at Mas Tinto Restaurant. I would like to recognise the teachers who have made these events successful. I wish the students, teachers and our families a safe and restful term break. 

Finally, I am pleased to include below the report of our Action Research Coordinator Kate Corcoran on the professional learning showcases our teachers presented to their peers this month.

Jacqueline Pugh
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Action Research Showcases

Our Action Research Groups gathered during our professional learning time last Thursday to deliver another round of impressive project showcases. As teams shared their experience of using research, evidence and innovation to tackle a problem of practice, we were reminded about the dedication, creativity and determination of our teachers in their quest to improve the learning outcomes of their students. In sharing both the challenges and successes of their research, the audience was provided with a snapshot of what can be achieved when teachers work together to gather evidence and seek better ways of engaging and responding to the needs of our students. The broad and varied range of research topics included: Improving Reading Engagement in Years 5-12, Developing Academic Resilience in Maths, Building Competent Writers in Years 3-4, Strategies for Reading Extension in Years K-2, Building Confident Speakers in Languages and Building Scientific Skills in Years 7-10. A special thanks to all of the groups who presented and to the enthusiastic and supportive audience members whose questions and insights during the closing discussions will be valuable in building on and transferring this knowledge to other areas of learning across the College. 

Kate Corcoran
Action Research Coordinator

Deputy Principal Operations

We are continuing to work on streamlining our systems and a part of this is utilising features of our existing platforms. I am pleased to announce that families will now be able to pay for excursions and events via the Parent Lounge Events and Payments feature with plans to expand this to paying Students’ Fees for Term 4. Part of the current IT strategy at the College is to minimise the number of logins required for all users and to utilise the capabilities of our existing platforms.

The security of our College network is a high priority. One strategy that the College has put in place to minimise the opportunity of foreign cybercriminals trying to infiltrate our network is through placing a geographical block on our internal programs, which includes Veritas Online and Parent Lounge. This means that if families are travelling overseas and need access to these programs, they will not be available. To remedy this, it is essential that families get in contact with the IT team, and they will be able to remove these blocks for the individual accounts. IT can be contacted at itsupport@ssc.nsw.edu.au.

Santa Sabina is an extremely busy place and as a result we can sometimes overlook events that are happening. There are three ways that families can access the College calendar to check the happenings across the school. The first way is via the Veritas Online calendar, which can be accessed by clicking on the calendar tile on the top menu after logging in to VO. The second is by accessing the calendar tile on the College app. Finally, families can subscribe to the Santa Sabina Google calendar. Instructions on how to subscribe are available on Veritas Online by clicking on College Information and then pressing on the Timetables and Calendars tile.

Traffic in and around Santa Sabina during pick up and drop off continues to be a challenge. The priority remains the safety of our students when entering and exiting the College. To assist us with keeping our students safe it is important for all stakeholders – parents, students, staff, and the wider community – to work together when on the roads near the College. We receive regular feedback from local residents of families blocking driveways when dropping students at school. We please ask that when parking in and around the school we follow the signs. There are also several instances of drivers failing to pay attention near the traffic lights on The Boulevarde putting our students at extreme risk and countless near misses on students crossing roads wearing headphones while walking. As a community, I ask that we respect each other on the roads and be aware that schools are unpredictable places when driving so additional care and attention is required while in these zones. 

John Gilmore
Deputy Principal Operations

Head of Primary P-6

As another term edges towards its end, moments of gratitude become prominent in our minds. Indeed, there have been many moments to be thankful for this term. I’m filled with a deep sense of gratitude for the warm reception I’ve received since my recent appointment as the Head of P-6. I appreciate not just your support, but also the questions and concerns you’ve raised during the Meet and Greet meeting on Tuesday night. Your active involvement shows your deep commitment to our school. As I’ve often said, education is a partnership, and your feedback helps us all move closer to our common goals.

My interactions with the Del Monte students have been nothing short of enlightening. 

This week gave me a chance to visit classrooms and become better familiarised with both our teachers and students. Each smile I encountered along the way touched my heart, reinforcing my belief in the specialness of Del Monte campus.

Our Year 2s have shown remarkable courage and resilience with their Tallong experience at school. It’s a significant milestone for them, marking their growth and independence.

In another exciting development, our Year 4 students enjoyed a tour of Gioia House with Ms Skerman. The tour included secret passages and a trip to Ms Skerman’s office. They are eagerly awaiting their 2024 journey across the bridge to the senior campus.

Today, our campus was awash in yellow for R U OK? Day, an initiative close to our hearts. The activities organised served a dual purpose: fostering a sense of community while emphasising the importance of emotional wellbeing. Witnessing our Community Leadership Team take charge during the assembly was indeed a proud moment.

I’m thrilled to say the anticipation for the P-5 Crazy Colour Day on the Senior campus this Friday is building up. It promises to be an exciting and colourful end to an incredible term.

Gioia House has been a hub of activity. Our Monday Homeroom gatherings continue, as these occasions are pivotal in setting the tone for our week. These meetings allow us to celebrate our achievements and provide necessary updates to our students. 

The buzz of excitement from our recently held STEM Gala Day is still in the air. Hosting the Year 6 boys from St Patrick’s College, we witnessed a delightful blend of young minds. With zest for innovation and collaboration, our Gioia students showcased exemplary teamwork, joining forces with the boys from St Patrick’s to brainstorm and tackle real-world challenges. The day was not just a testament to their intellectual capabilities, but also their ability to work cohesively and respectfully. The feedback from staff, visitors, and students alike has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are already brimming with ideas for the next gala in 2024.

Yet, the spirit of competition was not only limited to Science and Mathematics. Our eloquent Gioia Public Speaking finalists journeyed to St Patrick’s College, showcasing their oratory prowess in the inter-school public speaking finals. Their articulate and confident delivery was a joy to witness.

Congratulations to the Year 6 leaders who represented us at the IPSHA Social Action Expo. Their presentation on Action Girl community service initiatives not only shed light on our school’s efforts but also gathered insights from other schools and charitable organisations. Here are the students’ reflections on the event.

While at the Social Action Expo, I was inspired by how many schools participate in making the world a better place. I observed all the different and interesting programs schools had set up.

The B Kinder program amazed me with how the mother, while suffering greatly from the death of her daughter, was able to use her daughter’s energy to inspire others and bring happiness and joy. Thinking about this, I understood that being courageous meant using a weakness to your advantage, meaning turning a weakness into a strength or something more powerful. Doing this makes you feel appreciative and happier than before since you are able to assist others. From this experience, I learnt how we can take part in social action in our daily lives and schools. This skill is very useful and I strongly believe that more people should take social action more seriously. – Audrey Williams

During my time at The King’s School, I felt that I had learned a lot about other charities and easy ways to help our local community. One thing that inspired me greatly was the ‘B Kinder’ foundation. This was inspiring because it showed people that when this mother was going through a devastating time, she found hope in the situation. This small spark of hope is now a foundation for many people and children to learn from and be inspired by. Something that I have learned a lot from this experience is how to help my local community. This can be shown through other schools, charities, or foundations that are set up to help anyone and everyone who is in need. A great example of this is Cana Farms, which helps people restart their lives by giving them shelter, food, and a job. – Alegra Cencigh

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to visit The King’s School. I really enjoyed the experience because I could also meet some new people. The thing I enjoyed the most was the Cana Farm Presentation because it taught me to be grateful for what I have in life and to try and help the homeless through our school fundraisers. Every time I go to the city I feel so sad because in every street there is always somebody sitting on the side path alone with no money, no food and no shelter. I know for a fact that if most of the homeless people knew about Cana they would go there because they would know that they would feel supported for who they are and what kind of person they are. I really felt bad about the B Kinder presentation because I know what it feels like to lose a loved one and it is a heartbreaking situation. This presentation really inspired me to keep going in life because if you stop in a hard situation it will just keep building up and get harder each time.  – Chloe Wahbe

On 6 September, seven of the Gioia house girls went to The King’s School for a Social Action Expo to represent our school. We showed everyone what charities, fundraisers, events we hold and how much money we raised for each event. I learned a lot about what other people do for their school. I listened to all of the guest speakers like B Kinder – unfortunately her daughter Billie Kinder passed away so her mother made a foundation called B Kinder and something so sad became something where you can make all children happy and positive. Another guest speaker was Cana foundation – Cana is when they are giving the homeless who are less fortunate a second chance. The last guest speaker was School Aid – they focus on young children experiencing the power of giving and empowering everyone to be courageous and kind. – Verona Di Santo

At the The King’s School Social Action Expo Day. We had the opportunity to display all the wonderful charities and initiatives Santa Sabina College participates in. Collectively, we were able to give insightful information about the activities we partake in to benefit the less fortunate, all in the topic of Action Girl. A total of 18 schools were there to showcase and learn about many fundraisers and events students and their schools engage in. I had a very enjoyable and informative experience representing our school, all while listening to guest speakers, other schools and valuing this enlightening chance. – Sienna Pirina

Sport is often seen as a physical activity, a means of staying fit and active. But there’s a depth to it that goes beyond just the physical; it encapsulates teamwork, determination, resilience, and a camaraderie that’s hard to find elsewhere. Last Saturday, I attended the finals where our Year 5 and 6 girls showcased their skills in Netball. As I stood on the sidelines, I was in awe. It wasn’t just the refined skills or the strategic play that captivated me, but the intangible essence of teamwork and unity. Each pass, each strategy, each defensive move echoed the countless hours of training, the dedication, and most importantly, the trust they placed in one another. Congratulations to our girls on a fantastic season. Your efforts on the court have been a testament to what young individuals can achieve when they work together with a shared purpose.

As I write this, our Year 6 students are engrossed in their Outdoor Education Experience at Tallong. Away from the digital screens and immersed in nature, they’re not only learning outdoor skills but also discovering more about themselves. And rest assured parents, they’re relishing the meals and are in safe hands. 

I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to staff for their hard work and parents for your ongoing support and partnership. Congratulations to all our students for their commitment to school work and co-curricular programs. 

In the wisdom of Proverbs 22:6 which says, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it,’ I stand before You, deeply thankful for the privilege to guide and nurture the young minds entrusted to our school.

For every lesson taught and every discovery made, for the joys shared in success and the lessons learned in setbacks, Lord, we give You thanks. As Paul expressed in Philippians 4:6, ‘In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,’ I bring forward our school community in gratitude.

I thank You for our dedicated staff, our passionate students, and our supportive parents. May we continue to be a beacon of light and knowledge, reflecting Your eternal love and wisdom.

May we remain forever grateful.

Amen

Calendar dates – Del Monte

• Friday 15 September – 2:05pm  Colour Fun Run  Senior Campus
• Monday 18 September – Year 1 Excursion – Sydney Olympic Park 10:00am–2:00pm
• Tuesday 19 September – 9:30am Public Speaking Competition DM Hall
• Thursday 21 September – 4:45pm–5:45pm Prep – Year 1 Disco, 6:00pm–7:30pm Y2-4 Disco
• Friday 22 September – Term 3 concludes
• Tuesday 10 October – Term 4 commences

Prep 5-day Experience Days

• Thursday 23 November 9:15am–10:30am – Day 1
• Tuesday 31 January 9:15am–12:30pm – Day 2
• Wednesday 31 January – 1^st Day

Prep 3-day Experience Days

• Tuesday 21 November 9:15am–10:30am – Day 1
• Tuesday 30 January 9:15am-12:30pm – Day 2
• Wednesday 31 January – 1^st Day

 Prep 2 days Experience Days

• Thursday 23 November 9:15am – 10:30am – Day 1
• Thursday 1 February 9:15am – 12:30pm – Day 2
• Friday 2 February – 1^st Day

 Prep 2 days Experience Days

• Tuesday 24 October 9:15am–12:00 midday – Day 1
• Thursday 2 November 9:15am–12:00 midday – Day 2
• Thursday 2 November 9:30am–10:00am – Parent session
• Wednesday 31 January – 1^st Day

Year 5

• Wednesday 1 November 6:00pm – Parent session
• Friday 3 November 9:00am–3:00pm – Student day

Calendar dates – Gioia House

• 13-15 September – Year 6 Outdoor Education Experience at Tallong
• Monday 18 September 7:20am–8:20am – Gioia House & Sinfonietta & Open Rehearsal for Parents
• Friday 22 September – Term 3 concludes

Term 4

• Tuesday 10 October – Term 4 commences
• Wednesday 1 November 6:00pm 18 September 7:20am–8:20am
• Friday 3 November 9:00am–3:00pm – Student day
• Wednesday 6 December – Gioia House Thanksgiving Liturgy, followed by Picnic

We have fun while learning.

Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6

Director of Mary Bailey House

Our preschoolers responded to Primary Years librarian Mr Dell’s invitation to support the Aussie Friends of the Poor’s mission to the Philippines by donating empty bottles.

With assistance from their teachers, the children worked together to support the mission. They wrote signs and a message to families about the bottle collection. They eagerly brought in bottles from home and placed them in the MBH recycling boxes. Once per week they counted the bottles, tallied them, and then carried them to the library to give to Mr Dell to turn them into cash through Return and Earn.

Last week, the children counted the last of the bottles and added them to the final tally. Over the course of Term 3, the children had collected 494 bottles. The children were so pleased with their efforts and proudly took them to the library one last time to give to Mr Dell. They then wrote a sign about their achievement for MBH parents and visitors to read.

MBH preschool teachers chose to engage the children in this work as it aligned with their project which is titled, No one is too young to make a difference.

Jackie Baxter
Director of Mary Bailey House

Director of Tallong Campus

This week we welcome the Year 6 students from the College for their Year 6 Tallong experience. We have some warm days ahead, so a reminder for the Year 6 students to pack their hats and water bottles. This week we will have rangers from our local National Parks and Wildlife Service present some very engaging sessions as well as the usual Tallong highlights and some special meals created by our famous Cheffrey.

Over the past few weeks we have hosted programs for MLC Sydney, St Pats College in Campbelltown and SCECGS Redlands.  In the last week of term we will have Year 12 students from Marist College Canberra onsite doing their annual retreat. It really is wonderful to have a venue such as Tallong that is so versatile. Students from Year 3 through to Year 12 and numerous community groups utilise the facilities and the program design knowledge of the staff who work at our campus.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce Mr Steve Fox to our community. Steve will be our Tallong campus manager for the next 12 months. I will be travelling around Australia with my family in a camper trailer and will be returning in Term 4 of 2024. Steve brings a wonderful and diverse set of skills and experiences to the role and I feel very confident that our campus is in safe hands.

Just a reminder to any families thinking of attending the parent/child weekend in Term 4 at the Tallong campus. Our capacity is capped at 60 people for this weekend and places are filling up fast. The weekend is designed for Santa Sabina College parents and their children from Year 3 upwards on Saturday 11 November and Sunday 12 November. The charge of $345 per person includes food, accommodation and outdoor education activities. If you book four or more places, the fourth and subsequent places will be discounted by 50%. Bookings can be made online: https://www.trybooking.com/CKZOU

Kendal Hann
Director of Outdoor Education and Tallong Campus Manager

Director of Community Relations P-12

The Santa Sabina community has been much in evidence in recent days as we invited our community onto campus to celebrate several special occasions.

The Thursday before Father’s Day was a big morning for everyone as we welcomed our fathers and father figures to celebratory Masses and a big breakfast provided by the P&F.

Our annual Sisters Morning Tea is a special tradition for our Year 12 students as they near the end of their schooling. It is an opportunity to meet with the Dominican Sister who has been their prayer companion during the year and thank them for their care and support. We are grateful for the impact our Sisters continue to have on the lives of our students.

Last week we celebrated the ex-student relatives of current students over a relaxed breakfast before school in the amphitheatre. We have many multi-generation families in our community!

Yvette Graniero
Director of Community Relations

Director of Development

Santa Sabina Sports Lunch

As you all know the Sports Lunch that is scheduled for 10 November is shaping up to be a great event in the College calendar. Along with a number of great prizes on offer we have a guest list that will not only entertain you but provide you with some insights into the world of elite sport.

Below is but a snapshot of those we plan to have at our lunch and coming off the back of the Rugby World Cup, there will no doubt be some very interesting stories to hear.

MC – Nick McArdle

Nick McArdle began his career in sports reporting on country television at Port Pirie, South Australia, before moving into radio on the Austereo network in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney.

McArdle has covered the Olympic Games in Sydney and Athens, the Winter Olympics in Turin, and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and Melbourne, and was a regular on Australia’s overseas cricket tours, including the Ashes of 2001 and the 2003 World Cup.

Nick McArdle has worked at Fox covering numerous sports including Cricket and Rugby. He now works for STAN sports hosting the Rugby coverage of Super Rugby, Test Rugby and just completed the Rugby World Cup.

Guest – Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones is currently the Australian Rugby Coach and has just completed the RWC in France with the team. Eddie started his career at Randwick where he played Hooker before taking on a coaching role with various teams, including Brumbies, Teams in Japan and the Japanese National team. As Australian Head Coach he took the team to the RWC Final in 2003 in Sydney, Australia. After stints with several other countries, Eddie is now back as Australian Head Coach.

Nobody can match his drive and commitment to excellence.

Guest – Ms Lynn Anderson

Lynne Anderson (Moore 1973 ) an ex-student of Santa Sabina College is an Australian sports administrator. She has been the Chief Executive Officer of Paralympics Australia and Chair of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

She is currently on the National Officiating Committee where she is a staunch advocate for the advancement of match officials in sport.

Guest – Charmain Steventon

Charmain Steventon is a former Australian Rugby Union player. She made her test debut for Australia in 2001 against England. She has also represented Australia in Rugby Sevens. Steventon competed for the Wallaroos at the 2002 Rugby World Cup in Spain. She was named on the bench for their final pool game against the Black Ferns.

Steventon was appointed as Director of Women’s Rugby for West Harbour Rugby in 2022.

Guest – Bjorn Baker

Bjorn Baker is a leading Sydney racing trainer. Bjorn’s professional, yet fun style of training means Bjorn has established a reputation as one of Sydney’s leading race trainers, consistently producing winning results from a relatively small team of horses.

Table Sponsors

To sponsor a table or to book seats please click on the button below or contact me at g.ayoub@ssc.nsw.edu.au or on 0414915910.

George Ayoub
Director of Development

Music in the Senior Years

Years 9 and 10 Elective Music students successfully completed their performance recitals and should be very proud of their achievements. Stage 4 Music students have completed their written aural task and have now moved their focus to learning the keyboard for their performance assessment early in Term 4. Year 12IB have submitted their EMIC portfolios and are completing their other portfolios by the end of Term 3. 

Wicked!

Elective Music students will be attending the evening performance of Wicked on Wednesday 20 September at the Lyric Theatre. This is a valuable immersive opportunity for our learners, enriching them towards a diverse appreciation of musical styles, building strong analytical frameworks while strategically supporting the topic of Theatre Music studied in Year 9 Elective Music.

HSC Final Practicals completed!

Year 12 HSC have just completed their final external HSC performances. We would like to congratulate Cordelia Highfield and Eva Whitbread for their tenacity and dedication in their preparation throughout the course. Thank you to Mr Choe for his work with the girls. Thank you to the SSC Stage Band and their tutor accompanists; Paula Lu, Dane Connor, Winston Weng, Nick Southcott and Joseph Wherrett for all their work with our girls. 

IB Music news

Congratulations to our Year 12 IB students on their final submission of their EMIC portfolios! They are continuing to work hard on their CMM, PM and EWM portfolios to be submitted by the end of Term 3. Thank you to their dedicated course teacher, Ms Veronica Tsang; Composer-in-Residence, Elizabeth Younan; Associate Artist & Pianist, Paula Lu; and our Studio Engineer, Jason de Wilde for the many hours invested to assist our girls towards their finish line.

Froukje Werlemann-Godfrey
Music Teacher
Head of Curricular Music 5-12

More Music…

There are so many exciting music happenings across our great school each week! Be sure to click the links below to be kept in the know, and to find out more about the extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities available to our students across P-12! Private lessons, ensembles – there is something for every student at Santa.

Japanese speaking contest

On 2 September, Taylor Dao of Year 12 attended the 53rd Japanese Speaking Contest at UNSW.

‘In the context I discussed the changing nature of culture in our modern world. Focusing upon the evolution of ‘sushi’, with the assistance of my teacher and peers I was able to craft my speech ‘The Good, The Bad, The Oishi’. This experience was highly valuable to me, not only providing an opportunity to expand my language skills, but also allowing me to delve deeper and explore my own ways of thinking. As a result, I found that my participation in the contest has added depth to my Japanese speaking, and was a necessary experiencing in maturing my language ability.’ – Taylor Dao

Ayako Shiragaki
Japanese Teacher

Year 12 Legal Studies visit to Canberra

To wrap up their HSC studies, the Year 12 Legal Studies classes were treated to one last night at Tallong before spending the day in Canberra.

Beginning with a visit to the High Court of Australia, students were reminded about the various roles of our highest court in interpreting Australia’s Constitution, making judgements on Constitutional breaches and hearing appeals from the states’ highest courts. They were also able to sit in on a High Court trial to see this process in action.

From there, they travelled over to Parliament House for a private meeting with the Federal Member for Reid, Sally Sitou, who shared some of her experiences (and challenges) of working in Parliament House as well as her endeavours to represent the interests of her electorate, Australian women and her political party.

The trip ended with a visit to Question Time in the House of Representatives where the students witnessed firsthand what an onlooking journalist described as ‘question time chaos’. If the vibrant discussion on the bus ride home was anything to go by, the trip not only consolidated their understanding of the workings of the Australian Legal System, but also further inspired many of the students to pursue studies and careers that will allow them to be leaders in the decision-making processes that work towards a more just, fair and equitable society. 

Kate Corcoran and Alec Robertson

Digital Immersive Tools in Year 12 Ancient History

As part of the 12 Ancient History Revision Master Class Series students experienced the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum through immersive digital learning tools to critically examine conservation, restoration and site preservation. Students worked with Jonathan from Lumination to use simulation technology to experience a digital field trip as a tourist while in the classroom. To enhance the think, pair, share activities Year 12 Ancient History students worked collaboratively with the authentic audience of Year 9 History Elective students to reconstruct the sources and address conservation issues. History students from both Year 12 and Year 9 were actively engaged in learning and enjoyed using the mobile handheld devices. Year 12 students will be able to apply the historical interpretations and deep learning from this revision in the upcoming Ancient History examination.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Student Reflection

The opportunity our Year 9 History Elective class had to join the Year 12 Ancient History students in exploring Pompeii and Herculaneum through the use of Virtual Reality was exciting, and allowed me to gain insight into the significance of studying Ancient History through the awe delivered by the sites we virtually visited. We visited sites such as Pompeii’s Forum Baths and the Temple of Isis, and gained insight into everyday life and the social structure of the time. Being able to discuss history with the Year 12 students was also highly valuable. Overall, the virtual reality experience was lots of fun and allowed us to appreciate all of the engaging activities the study of Ancient History has to offer.

Calliope Steward
Year 9 History Elective

On Monday the Year 12 Ancient History class had the opportunity to experience a virtual trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum, to assist our understanding of the topic Cities of Vesuvius. We were grouped with the Year 9 History Extension class to share our knowledge and expertise to help develop their learning and prepare them for when they may learn it themselves. This experience was eye-opening as it allowed us to grasp the realistic scale of buildings and architecture instead of simply imagining their size from words on a page or photos that fail to capture their excellence. I believe that this virtual stroll through the Campania region helped me to better appreciate my studies and reaffirm my love for ancient history.

Vivi Pilarinos
Year 12 Ancient History

12 History Extension – Enrichment Through Perspective

Year 12 History Extension students had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the subjective nature of the construction of history through a seminar with an academic historian. Professor Curran generously gave his time to share his expertise and his contemporary university perspective. Students will be able to use these valuable academic insights within their HSC History Extension examination. 

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE

In our History Extension lesson we had the privilege of discussing historiography with Professor James Curran, a historian at the University of Sydney and writer for the Australian Financial Review. Throughout the extension course we have been studying key questions surrounding the construction of history, including what the purpose and aims of the historian is and history’s relevance in today’s society. Hearing from Professor Curran provided an invaluable insight into the work of historians in academic settings, and his own perspectives on the use of history. Professor Curran discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence such as Chat GPT in modern constructions of history, the influence of postmodernist theories on history and the intersection of history and current affairs among other things. This will be useful to our upcoming HSC examinations and also in shaping our general understanding of the historical discipline. We are incredibly grateful that we had the opportunity to discuss this with Professor Curran, and thank Ms Jenkins and Ms Zagora for their organisation of the seminar. 

Emma Carroll

Year 8 History Medieval Museum Exhibition

The Year 8 History Medieval Museum Exhibitions in Weeks 7 and 8 were fun and interesting. Our task was to study a specific topic relating to Medieval Europe: Crime and Punishment, Military and Defence Systems, and Towns, Cities and Commerce. We enjoyed creating museum exhibits and presenting to an audience. Here are some of our reflections:

After researching medieval towns, cities and commerce, I created a Lego model to display my findings. This involved me creating a Lego church, farm and several houses which I decorated with thatched roofs made from painted fake grass. I was then able to showcase this to an audience of Year 7 and Gioia House students. It was enjoyable to present my learning to the younger students after spending so much time working on the project and to be able to explain the common features of towns. 

Alannah

I chose to study crime and punishment, in particular burning at the stake. For this I researched Joan of Arc, a young woman living in Medieval Europe during the 1400s. She believed strongly in God and heard messages from saints to take back France. She led France to victory against the English but soon was captured by the English allies and after a year of being in captivity she was burnt at the stake for witchcraft and heresy. I made a Barbie doll representing Joan of Arc burning at the stake. 

Sienna

I created a board with a map recreating Thomas More’s novel Utopia, as well as recreating coins that showcased medieval trade. I loved how everybody worked so hard on their presentations and how they were all so detailed and interesting. 

Mackenzie

I made a digital display on Minecraft of a medieval home that had two structures, one for the family and the other for animals which they would kill and eat or use as clothing/fur. I loved learning about the things these homes were made of and the materials used. 

Aria

I made a pair of scaled-down longswords out of paper and paddle-pop sticks. The most interesting thing that I learnt was actually the different characteristics of longswords.

Harper

I made a 3D model of Bodiam Castle in Sussex, England. I did this using cardboard and hot glue. I was surprised by how creative everyone was and I was glad we could share as everyone could learn from each other.

Mia

I made a website about the evolution and uses of castles. I enjoyed coding with Javascript because it is a very neat language. I also enjoyed researching the different types and uses of castles. My favourite presentations were the Minecraft presentations. I also liked Ally’s shield because it looked really cool. Sierra’s arrow was another of my favourites, since it was majestic and made of actual tree. 

Emma

Alannah Quinn and Sienna Di Santo
Year 8 History Students

HSIE Cultures of Thinking in Action – Commerce Market Day

To encourage challenge and learning for understanding in Commerce, students in Year 10 were given the opportunity to work collaboratively as a business to design a product to sell to the greater Santa Sabina community through the Commerce Market Day. Modelled on the Cultures of Thinking Framework, (Harvard University Project Zero) students were able to engage in a real world project to apply the theory of a Business Plan. Explicit consideration was given to the four business functions of operations, human resources, finance and marketing. Through this project students were able to clearly understand business success through profit. Mrs Cummins, Ms Ma, Mrs Lombardo and Mr Crittenden must be acknowledged for their work with Commerce students throughout this project.

Brigida Zagora 
Head of HISE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Our real-life market day at school allowed us to apply creativity and fun into the learning experience for commerce. We were able to design unique products, create  marketing strategies, and engage in friendly competition with other groups. This hands-on event encouraged us to be innovative adding a sense of excitement and enjoyment to the study of Commerce.

Miela Ocello, Caitlin Merrick, Olivia Glass

At market day, my group and I really enjoyed the process of making our slime products and selling them. Not only was market day a really fun experience, it also taught us a lot about how to run a business and how to use the skills we have learnt in Commerce to sell and promote our products. In addition to selling to our target market (younger students) we also were able to sell to a wider range of year groups, even teachers! Overall, we have learned a great deal from this experience and were able to apply our knowledge and skills to create a unique and innovative business. 

Micaela Ghosen, Alexandra Algie, Ava Casonato, Gemma Touma

Market Day was so interesting to see what groups had created. I enjoyed ‘window shopping’ and ultimately buying. There was a strong sense of purpose knowing that all proceeds are donated to Sr Shielia’s cause to help women in Africa.

Claire Carroll

The Santa Sabina real-life market day experience has provided students with a valuable opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to practical situations. Students have gained a wide range of skills and insights that will serve them well in future endeavors, whether in business, or other aspects of life. The Santa Sabina Commerce Market Day has made learning more engaging and enjoyable for students.

Vikki Cummins, Richard Crittenden, Beth Meldrum and Susan Lombardo
Teachers

Year 12 Geography students in the field

Over the past few weeks, Year 12 Geography students have spent some time in the field carrying out geographical fieldwork to support their studies of Urban Places and Ecosystems at Risk. During this time, students have considered the social, environmental and economic impacts of urban renewal in Green Square and explored the biophysical interactions and management of intertidal wetlands at Sydney Olympic Park. Below is a reflection from a Year 12 student.

Eva Guirguis
Geography Teacher

Recently, our Year 12 Geography class visited Green Square to explore urban dynamics of change. To begin, we met with a City of Sydney Town Planner to learn about the current and future plans for Sydney and more specifically Green Square and we were able to view the models showing the future development sites. We then visited the Green Square Town Centre and various parts of Zetland where we recorded the impact of urban renewal in the area. Walking around the precinct to understand the history, economic benefit, layout and sustainability provided our class with insight into what our city could possibly look like in the future.

This week, we also took part in fieldwork at the Homebush Bay intertidal wetlands as a part of our topic ‘Ecosystems at Risk’. Whilst we were there, we were fortunate enough to have our guide, Danielle, impart her extensive knowledge on the history and management practices of the wetland and surrounding areas. The day consisted of mapping land use change in the area using Geographic Information Systems, exploring management strategies such as the waterbird refuge where migratory birds from China and Japan spend the summer and using fieldwork tools to conduct first hand investigations around the health and ideal biophysical conditions for mangroves such as measuring water, soil and air quality. 

Both fieldwork experiences have provided us with invaluable information to consolidate our learning in class and prepare us for our upcoming HSC exams. – Raquel Molina

We wrote a book in a day

Yesterday a group of our Year 7 and 8 students took part in Write A Book in a Day, a fundraising initiative by The Kid’s Cancer Project.

Starting at 8:00am and ending at 8:00pm, the girls spent the day planning, writing, editing and producing a novel with set parameters (two characters, a dragon, a sport field, a treasure hunt).

Showcasing a combination of illustrations and words, it will be judged by a panel of writers as part of a national competition. Most importantly, the books will be read by kids between the ages of 10-15 years who are currently in hospital. If you’d like to donate, here is a link: https://writeabookinaday.com/team-sponsorship/?id=1546

Melina Marchetta
Teacher Librarian

GIOIA HOUSE PASTORAL

R U OK? 

During Community time, the Gioia House students gathered together with their Colour House and buddies. The students were asked to identify times when they feel overwhelmed and feel like their ‘bucket is full’. We then identified and named the people in our lives who we can trust and talk to. We also spoke about some people who do not seek help, what signs do we need to look out for? The students were able to share some verbal and non-verbal signs such as ‘when your friend withdraws from the group’, ‘they seem sad’, ‘they do not attend their sport training etc’, ‘they seem angry’, ‘they’re quiet’. Students were then taken through the process to check in and ask people if they’re okay. Students were reminded of the importance of listening and encouraging others to talk to their trusted adults. During this session, the students participated in ‘conversation bingo’ identifying different ways we can start conversations with each other. We then completed a wall mural asking students to share how they are going to start an important conversation and ask ‘Are you okay?’

Action Girls Rock and Water Pastoral Program

The focus for our Action Girl Rock and Water program this week was on our breathing. We discussed the breathing and balancing techniques from our last session and the students were asked if they had personally used this technique over the past couple of weeks. Some student responses included: 

‘Yes, I found I focused on my breathing to slow it down before I had to present my speech in front of the class.’

‘I was feeling a bit nervous before my Netball game, so I closed my eyes to focus on my breathing and it worked.’

‘My brother wasn’t listening to me, so I focused on my breathing before I replied to him.’

It has been pleasing to see the students make connections with the Rock and Water sessions and apply them to their everyday life.  The message for this session was:

‘Exhaling brings you back to the balance and makes you feel more confident.’

‘Be Brave’ Resilience Performance

The Gioia House students will be attending a performance ‘Be Brave’ which focuses on developing positive strategies to cope with emotions and adapt to change at school, at home and online. After the performance, the students will participate in follow-up activities as part of our Action Girl Pastoral program. 

Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable Term 3 holiday break. 

Marisa Maks
Assistant Head of Gioia House

Music at Gioia House (Curricular)

Gioia House Choir is continuing to work on repertoire in preparation for the Fra Angelico Arts Festival and their final Mass next term. During their instrumental time, they are continuing to develop their ensemble, technical and performance skills, moving towards planned performances in Term 4. 

Sinfonietta & Gioia House Open Rehearsal

Facilitated by Ms Victoria Jacono-Gilmovich, Monday’s Open Rehearsal will be a wonderful opportunity for parents of students in the Gioia House Strings program to hear their progress. It’s one thing for us to invite parents to end-of-year concerts and performances, but we believe so greatly in the importance of the home and school partnership for the journey, not just the destination! We look forward to having you with us! A coffee van will be onsite from 7:15am.

See you there!

Froukje Werlemann-Godfrey
Music Teacher
Head of Curricular Music 5-12

More Music…

There are so many exciting music happenings across our great school each week! Be sure to click the links below to be kept in the know, and to find out more about the extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities available to our students across P-12! Private lessons, ensembles – there is something for every student at Santa.

Learning about Morality & Justice with Sr Sheila

Year 5 students are looking deeper into the Religion topic of ‘Morality & Justice’ with the assistance of Sr Sheila. They explored the meaning of ‘Morality’, being the rules/guidelines of a situation/action being right or wrong and they also looked at ‘Justice’, if things are fair and equal for everyone.

They completed two activities. The first one looked at the importance of building someone else up. They discussed ways of how they can do this such as being kind, listening to others, including and inviting others etc. The students also explored some ways of how a person can bring someone down to understand that sometimes our words and actions can affect those around us without even realising. For this activity they created a cut out version of the right and left hand on colour paper. Their dominant hand being the qualities that build a person up and their other hand, some qualities of how we might bring a person down. The students then cut out their hands and stuck them together, around a bowl as this resembles the ‘vessel of hope’. 

The second activity was based on a commitment for the future. The students had to think deeply and make a promise to put in effort to achieve this commitment. In a few weeks when we revisit these commitments, if they are achieved they will place their commitment in the ‘vessel of hope’ that they created together. 

During this lesson, the students were able to explore and understand even more about ‘Morality & Justice’. They thoroughly enjoyed this lesson with Sr Sheila and have promised to achieve their commitment. 

Tayla Kostakis
Year 5 Teacher

Speak Up Interschool Competition

On Friday 8 September, the Gioia House Speak Up students participated in the Interschool competition between St Ignatius Riverview and Santa Sabina College. The students were committed and worked hard all term to write and prepare their speeches. They presented their speeches in a confident and clear manner and should be commended for their outstanding effort. I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate Madison Taouk who was awarded as the runner-up with her speech, ‘Winning isn’t everything’. 

Congratulations to the Term 3 Speak Up team:

Leah Han
Pheodora Jayaseelan
Maria Khoury
Laura Sara
Alexis Taouk
Madison Taouk
Eva Rose Youssef
Stefania Zanin

Marisa Maks
Assistant Head of Gioia House

BOOK WEEK

Students in 5MS and 5W explored the books which were shortlisted by the Book Council of Australia. In groups, students were able to choose one book to read and created a book review shaped as a dodecahedron. The challenge was to review different aspects of their book, create their display and then assemble the pieces together. The students did an amazing job and had a great time exploring different books.

Marisa Maks
Assistant Head of Gioia House

Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge   

Bebras was very challenging. The questions were in sections of easy, medium and hard. Some of the questions were debatable within my team and others we all agreed on. Some of the questions were so hard that we had to take a guess and if we had enough time, we would go back to the question. We only had a time of 45 mins which some consider is not enough and others consider too much and had a lot of extra time. Another thing is the Bebras Challenge this year was very exciting, we got to work as a team or individually. This Challenge enabled us to think outside of the box. It was very helpful for our growing minds. We had to think and work as a team, answer multiple questions, think quickly and make decisions. This challenge is a great opportunity for others to show their strengths as the questions are different to ones we do in class. This challenge was so much fun and we love BEBRAS!

Annabelle Gittany and Emma Elphick 

I liked how we got to work in groups as a team doing team work together.

Ella M

I liked how Bebras challenged me and got me to think of new and different strategies.

Georgia M

I liked working with my group because we worked really well together and we got a lot of good answers done.

Alexia T

I liked how we used teamwork and how Bebras challenged us all to use our knowledge to its fullest.

Zahra T

I like this challenge because it has taught me how to think outside of the box.

Lucinda O

Leonie McLaren
Year 6 Teacher

Medieval Showcase

Last week Year 6 visited the Medieval History showcase in the library. The Year 8 students shared their knowledge with the Year 6 students on Medieval History through presentation slides and sculptures. The students were engaged and learnt a lot from the Year 8 students about the Middle Ages. 

Student reflections: 

I loved learning about the ways people were assassinated in medieval times. It was very interesting and quite creative. The presentations were fun to interact with, especially the one where they built a wooden frame to replicate the real one. I got to put my head inside it as well.

Sybella

I really enjoyed seeing what it is like to live in medieval times and see how they adapted to the different circumstances they were in. It was really interesting to see the different ways they had to live. I especially enjoyed being trapped in the head lock thing.

Lillian

Monique Taylor
Year 6 Teacher

Poetry 6 Taylor

This term, Year 6 has been studying poetry. Students have enjoyed exploring and creating different types of poems such as cinquain, haiku, limerick and magnetic.

Charlotte’s poetry reflection: ‘This term in English we were focusing on writing different types of poems. Something I enjoyed about this was having a challenge. Writing poems was hard as we had to follow rhyme schemes and syllables. Even though I found this hard I was still able to complete the tasks and I also had a lot of fun doing it.’

Poetry examples:

Blanket Cinquain Poem

Blankets
Warm, safe
Tightening, snuggling, relaxing
All tucked up now
Cozy

Lily

Man from LA Limerick

There once was a man from LA
Who ate the whole buffet
He grabbed the fork 
And stabbed the pork
Then ate the humongous cafe 

Sybella

Girl with Shells Limerick

There once was a girl with shells
Who would sell it outside hotels
If you wouldn’t buy
She would let out a cry
You have fallen under her spell

Sophia

Spring Haiku

Fun games in the sun
Blooming flowers wonderful and well
Enjoying ripe fruits

Jamie

Spring Haiku

The sun has come out 
Warming up everywhere now
Time to eat some fruit 

Annabelle

Monique Taylor
Year 6 Teacher

Oz Kids in Print

Sybella and Claire in 6 Taylor submitted to the Oz Kids in Print magazine and their writing was selected to be published in the magazine. Claire submitted a short story called ‘I’m Just Different’ and Sybella submitted three poems, which were all selected to be published, ‘I am Bold and Daring’, ‘The Journey to Mudgee’ and ‘ANZAC Day Poem’, all of which were published. Congratulations to both Sybella and Claire on their successful writing. 

Spring has sprung at the Kitchen Garden Club

In the Kitchen Garden Club, we are involved in many fun activities. Leading into spring, we planted three varieties of tomatoes and two varieties of sunflowers that we are eager to share with Gioia House. 

During our sessions, we participate in planting and taking care of all of our plants, which range from broccoli and carrots to passionfruit and blueberries. The Kitchen Garden Club teaches transferable gardening skills that can be used in our own gardens. We learn when vegetables and fruits are ripe and ready for harvesting, as well as how to and what to compost. 

We look forward to welcoming novice gardeners into our practical and enjoyable club.

Alicia BouAntoun

Poetry 6AD

6Azizan/Dunphy have been looking at nature through a poetic lens. Here are some seasonal examples:

Spring – Sienna Pirina

The pink buds sprouting through the warm breeze,

Calmness, purity and tweets puts me at ease.

The songs and cries of birds are here,

With the calming fragrance of nature so near.

Dollops of rosy flowers, spread across fields of grass,

Spring has arrived, there’s peace at last.

Winter – Verona Di Santo

The white snow falls from the cloudy sky,

It is time for hot chocolates and roasted marshmallows.

Watching a movie while snuggling in blankets,

This is what makes me happy on a cold, Winter’s day.

Spring – Isabelle Middleton

Colours blooming everywhere,

Fun and laughter in the air,

Happiness everywhere.

Birds chirping, animals scattering everywhere,

Salty water and pollen flying in the air,

Coloured patterns everywhere.

Winter – Audrey Williams

The cold, whispering breeze tickles my delicate nose,

Footprints softly sinking into the crisp, white snow.

The tips of my numb fingers wipe flakes of snow from my face,

Sending them crumbling to the frozen pile below.

Cool, mysterious, refreshing,

Winter is here.

Cherry Blossoms – Aria Guild

Colours, raining down,

Fuschia on green.

A delicate carpet,

Covering the ground like pink snow.

Cherry Blossoms

Students from 6 Azizian/Dunphy

Mathematicians designing homes

During Mathematics lessons Year 5 students have been focusing on calculating and measuring length, perimeter and area of a range of objects and spaces. Students enjoyed authentic learning experiences by using a range of measuring tools to measure outdoor spaces as well as one another’s heights. The students then also applied their knowledge of this to be engaged in an inquiry-based learning activity to design the floor plans of their own home. The students were given clear guidelines for what their homes needed to include and thoroughly enjoyed the mathematical process of this task. They came to understand the importance of precision when measuring and calculating the perimeter of their house.

Bryony Williams
Year 5 Teacher

Writing Poetry in 6 McLaren

In English we have been looking at writing poems. We got the chance to pick any poet and we had to analyse things about their life and impact on society and poetry. Also while researching about the poem we had to find figurative language that was used in the poem for example a metaphor from my poem would be ‘So I am sunk deep drowned in harshness’. We have also been writing haiku poems, magnetic poems and an ‘I am From’ poem. I have really enjoyed this English unit because you can see how many different ways poems can be formed and said. We haven’t finished this unit yet so we will see what poem we will be learning about next.

Georgia

I enjoyed the poetry unit, my favourite type of poem that we analysed were haikus because they super hard yet super simple because you have to make sure all of the syllables are accurate

Lucinda O

I really like poetry because it is a different way to share your ideas and be creative

Emma E

I loved learning poetry because it is creative and fun to write. My favourite thing about poetry is being able to make my poems rhyme.

Eden M

Haiku examples:

Insects

The small little bugs,
On the ground or in the sky,
Cicadas buzzing

Ciara

The Stars

The sky’s silent words
Big and small all are welcomed
Glittering spirits

Estelle

Beach

Cold beach, having fun
Boogie boarding the big waves
The hot sand on my feet

Mikayla

Students from Year 6 McLaren

STEM successes

As Term 3 comes to an end, I would like to commend our students for immersing themselves into their STEM units this term. 

The students were introduced to a range of national competitions in light of Science Week. I am proud to say that Miah Cardoza from Year 3 received Highly Commended for her submission to the University of Wollongong’s T-Shirt Design Competition. 

Furthermore, our Year 5 girls had the opportunity to submit a science game design to gaming company Arludo and out of 250 applicants, one group was shortlisted. Please vote for our team ‘Da Gurls’ by heading to https://arludo.com/gdc2023/

Take a look at our students diving deep into inquiry and investigation.

Kate Bakhos
Leader of Learning Technology P-6

The Voting Process – McLaren

In Year 6 McLaren we are studying Federation, Democracy and the election process. Last Friday we held an election about which vegetable was the best. We made campaign posters, and prepared and presented election speeches.

We learned how votes are confidential and you only get one chance to vote so every number you write has value. We learned how an election is run, how the ballots are counted and how to tell if they are formal or informal. We also learnt about preferential voting and how it can make a big difference in the final count.

Capsicum won the final vote. Lettuce came second.

Capsicum’s speech was very energetic.

Annabelle G

I think Lettuce’s speech was fun and informative.

Emma

It was fun to re-enact the election with all the jobs.

Zahra

It was a great experience and we now understand how the voting process works.

Lucinda

We learnt how the vote counting works and what votes can’t be registered because they are incorrect. Like if you tick or cross the boxes on the ballot paper it is incorrect and it won’t be counted. When we learnt about preferential voting and then did it it was very interesting and with help from our great teacher Mrs McLaren it really became clear how the Government works.

Jet

6 Milicic Science Rube Goldberg Task 

Our class has been busy planning and constructing Rube Goldberg machines as part of our Science unit on energy transformations. The machines need to demonstrate energy transformations and transfers, all with the aim of completing a simple task. We are looking forward to testing our creations and seeing if they can complete the task we have planned for. 

Ms Ann Milicic
Year 6 Teacher

Poetry by Year 6 Milicic

We have been exploring different types of poems in English. Here are some student examples 

Candles

Warm, bright,
melting, soothing, flickering,
sweet aromas filled the room,
a wick coated with wax

Kyra Gomes

Kitten

Mischievous, affectionate
snuggling, pouncing, meowing
sleeping curled up in a ball
Feline

Scarlett Pane

School

Advance, safe
Solving, challenges
Colourful, entertaining
Academic Learning 

Victoria Hasrouny

Candy

Delicious, syrupy
Trick or treating, giving, presenting
Exciting, fun
Sweets

Wynn Hu 

Bookweek

5A and 5K students listened to the story The Treasure Box by Margaret Wild. It is the story of a boy’s journey. In this story the boy Peter learns what is most precious and that what he treasures the most is a book given to him by his father. The students discussed what was most precious to them and if they could only take one thing on a journey what this treasure might be. Here are some of their responses.

Wendy Anetter
Year 5 Teacher

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

God our Father, you made the family a community of love.
Bless our fathers as they follow your Son, Jesus.
Let their faith, hope, and love shine in our families,
and show us the way to you.
Strengthen our fathers as they
serve our families and communities.

On Thursday 31 September,  we celebrated a beautiful Father’s Day liturgy with our dads in the Santa Sabina Chapel. Father’s Day gives us an opportunity to recall and affirm the particular gifts that fathers bring to families. This includes our personal fathers, grandfathers, uncles and important father figures.  We hope all the dads, grandfathers, uncles and caregivers enjoyed a wonderful day.

In the words of Genevieve Loyd Jones, one of our Year 4 students,

Having a dad is a great privilege. What I love about my dad is that he comforts me and helps me with my schoolwork and my sports. So sometimes I get angry or sad but my dad always finds a way to cheer me up. I love going camping with my dad. He helps with the tents and makes a big fire to roast marshmallows. My dad is spectacular at cooking. He makes the best spaghetti bolognese in the world. It’s always good to have someone to trust and love. My dad is amazing, he has sacrificed a lot for me and he works nonstop to help me get a better education and helps me be a better person. So these are some amazing facts about my dad.

Sacramental Program of First Communion

In the sacrament of Holy Communion, we remember what Jesus did for us in his life, death and resurrection. We remember particularly the Last Supper, that final meal Jesus shared with his disciples. At that meal, Jesus gave us the Eucharist so that we could remember him in a special way. When we receive Communion, we believe that we receive the person of Jesus into our very beings. We become one with him, and we become one with each other. As a community, we become ‘the body of Christ’

 We pray for our students who have received the Sacrament of First Communion during the last few weeks or will be receiving the sacrament very soon.

Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator P-6
Acting Co-Assistant to the Head of Primary Campus P-4 and Year 3 teacher

Music in the Early Years

Music at Mary Bailey House (Curricular)

In the next few weeks at Mary Bailey House, we will be working on incorporating familiar Indigenous songs into our repertoire. Indigenous songs help the children to have an understanding of First Nations perspectives and to build our own connection to Country. We use modern takes on traditional instruments, such as claves, to work out the difference between ‘keeping the beat’ and ‘showing the rhythm.  

Music at Del Monte (Curricular)

Singing for the Del Monte Fathers’ Day Mass has been a work in progress this term in our music classes. We learnt all the songs – from memory – and were ably accompanied by the ‘Del Monte Band’ consisting of drums, strings and piano. Everyone sang 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) with such joy! We are looking forward to keeping up the good work of engaging with liturgical music and further sharing God’s gift of music with our community.

Year 3 space composers!

Using a variety of resources, the students in Year 3 have continued their space adventure. They have composed their own space rhythm using objects they might find in space as inspiration (asteroids, constellations, planets etc). The students have many questions about space and are incorporating these ideas into their compositions.

Prep Music Classes

Streamers are helping us to use our left and right hands separately. We have favourite songs which we frequently request to sing, and enjoy dancing and moving to the beat.

(Instrumental) Music Learning Walks

Wildly successful, we loved welcoming our parents and carers to our lessons on Monday, and placing some of our Music learning in context! Thank you to family and friends who came along to watch our learning in action.  

Private tuition

Over 30 world-class music tutors grace the tuition rooms at Santa Sabina, when in between their own music-making pursuits, they are keen to invest in the next generation of musicians. There are places available in a wide range of instrument studios. If you would like to learn more, email music@ssc.nsw.edu.au or speak to your Music Teacher who will point you in the right direction.

Phillipa Knight – Music Teacher
Coordinator of Music P-4

More Music…

There are so many exciting music happenings across our great school each week! Be sure to click the links below to be kept in the know, and to find out more about the extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities available to our students across P-12! Private lessons, ensembles – there is something for every student at Santa.

Year 2 Tallong Comes to Del Monte

Last week, Year 2 engaged in our first school camping experience through the Tallong comes to Del Monte Program. We participated in a range of exciting camp activities such as: Campsite Tent Set Up, Group Skipping, Pass the Hoop, Scavenger Hunt, Half Pipe, Nature Art Session and Shelter Building. Our fun activities were led by our wonderful, supportive Year 10 leaders and Mr Walker. We were lucky to have a delicious dinner and generous breakfast through the support of our P&F. It was so exciting to be able to sleep at school with our friends – we set up our sleeping bags next to each other and we shared stories. 

On our final day of Tallong Comes to Del Monte, we reflected on our experience through the two stars and one wish strategy around a virtual campfire. To conclude our camp experience, following the season of Creation and the theme of nature, Mrs Nicotonia prepared a beautiful Liturgy to celebrate giving thanks to God.

Stephanie Yiorkas
Year 2 Teacher

Book Week 2023

Book Week captured the imagination of all our children. The author visit during Book Week introduced our students from Prep to Year 4 funny, action-packed stories written by Adrian Beck. Our annual Book Week character parade Friday 25 August was a great success with some amazing costumes worn to showcase the 2023 theme Read, Grow, Inspire.

The Book Fair gave our students an opportunity to celebrate reading by purchasing their own books.

Tina Nicotina

Religious Education Coordinator P-6, Acting Co-Assistant to the Head of Primary Campus P-4 and Year 3 teacher.

Italian

Prep

For students in Prep, the most loved topic of Term 3 has been ‘Birthdays’. Children have been engaging in the preparation of a surprise birthday party for their beloved Italian class pet, Toby. The party was a success, with everyone naming party items in Italian and singing the song ‘Tanti auguri’ (Happy birthday). Such a joyful moment!

Kindergarten

One of the highlights of Term 3 in Kindergarten has been learning about ‘Pinocchio’, the protagonist of a classic Italian tale. Students have loved reading about the adventures of the wooden puppet, performing a lively action song in Italian and engaging in a role-play using some finger puppets.

Year 1

‘Pinocchio’ has been the favourite topic in Year 1 and children have enjoyed reading the book in English and in Italian. They have also discussed the moral message of the story: ‘Be brave, truthful and unselfish’. Everyone had a lot of fun making their own puppets while learning the vocabulary for parts of the body in Italian.

Year 2

This term, students in Year 2 have particularly enjoyed learning numbers up to 20 in Italian. Everyone has enjoyed playing group games, exploring pronunciation and even performing some maths tasks in Italian!

Year 3

Among the topics presented in Term 3, Year 3 students have particularly loved learning and working with numbers in Italian. After learning vocabulary, everyone has enjoyed creating an individual set of cards and playing various games with their friends. Such a great atmosphere in the Italian classroom! 

Year 4

One of the most popular activities in Year 4 has been learning how to introduce and describe people in Italian. After exploring vocabulary, pronunciation and intonation, students have engaged in creating and performing role-plays with their friends. It has been so exciting to listen to everyone speaking Italian and helping one another with vocabulary, while having a lot of fun!

Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator P-6, Acting Co-Assistant to the Head of Primary Campus P-4 and Year 3 teacher

Gifted Education – Del Monte Enrichment K-4 – Term 3 2023 

The inspiration for this term’s enrichment has come from the The National Museum of Australia’s History Maker’s Challenge’. This enrichment has centred around the Key Learning Area of History and has involved students researching/learning a defining moment in Australia’s history and showcasing their understanding via a video. Students have been collaborating with others to produce a video that showcases their defining moment and have had creative choice in this process. The moment chosen in history could be of importance to our school, community, nation, or the entire world. It could be a moment that is life-changing or place-changing and could have taken place last year or last century. We are aiming for these videos to be submitted into The History Maker’s Challenge for 2023. 

Caddie Ruster
Gifted Education Coordinator P-4

Director of Music

One of our Dominican pillars is Community, and it has been such a joy these past few weeks to see all the ways that Music plays a central role in fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness at Santa Sabina. Whether in our Music Learning Walks on Monday where hundreds of parents and friends came to observe our Del Monte Curriculum Music offerings in action; Stage Band adding some swing to the Leadership Assembly; Voice students performing for the Sisters in the Regina Mundi Convent; or our Chamber Strings and Taiko Drummers serenading us as we gathered ahead of the Sports Awards last week. The community and school partnerships are richly fostered here, and our musicians find such joy when they can share music with those they love.  

Thank you to those members of our community who attended our Chamber Ensemble Recital in the beautiful Santa Sabina Chapel on Tuesday Evening, where a range of beautiful works was offered, old and new within the small ensemble context. 

Next Monday, the last of the term, we look forward to seeing our community for the Gioia House Strings & the Sinfonietta Ensemble Open Rehearsal to take place in the Santa Sabina Hall. Though an early start, a coffee van will be parked out the front from 7:15am to satisfy the caffeination needs of our parents and teachers!

Ex-student Caitlin Murphy and the London Philharmonic Orchestra

It is wonderful too, to celebrate all the ways Santa musicians are engaging with the community and world beyond the Santa Sabina gates. We greatly value our partnership with the Sydney Youth Orchestra, and we celebrate the rich and unique opportunities afforded to our Santa Sabina students through this affiliation. Here is a video that features Caitlin Murphy (Class of 2020), working with Sir Simon Rattle and members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in a recent project at the Sydney Opera House.

As we head into the holidays, I wish our whole community a safe and refreshing break.

Amy Richardson
Director of Music P-12

Co-curricular and extracurricular music

New instruments on offer in our Music Tuition Program!

We are excited to introduce Kaela Phillips who has commenced with us as our resident Harp specialist. Kaela has been playing the harp for over 17 years and attended a performing arts high school pursuing music, before going on to complete a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and a Master’s of Music Studies in Harp Performance at the end of 2021. She now teaches and plays harp full-time for events and with orchestras as well as solo performances. Kaela is passionate about her craft and would love to share it with you too! 

We are also taking enquiries for Term 4 2023 or Term 1 2024 Private Tuition commencement across the full range of instruments offered in our program. We are thrilled that due to the high number of world class tutors currently on our Music staff, we are able to accommodate new starters for tuition in:

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double Bass
• Voice
• Flute
• Clarinet
• Oboe
• Bassoon
• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• French Horn
• Harp
• Piano
• Orchestral Percussion
• Drumkit
• Guitar
• Bass Guitar
  
  

For more information about private tuition or any of our P-12 Music offerings, please contact Ms Suzanna Touma in the Music Office via music@ssc.nsw.edu.au, or reach out to a Music Teacher with any questions you have, and they will be happy to offer guidance.

Concert for the Sisters

The Sisters in the Regina Mundi Convent were treated to a musical showcase by some of our young voice students. A wonderful chance for students to gain performance experience, and with a delightfully appreciative audience. The students finished with a sung blessing for our Sisters, and were moved when the Sisters sang a Dominican blessing in return. The concert presented a wide range of repertoire from French Art Song to Music Theatre and plans are afoot for further performances for these important members of our community.

Father’s Day Mass

Both Father’s Day 2023 Masses held moving moments and thoughtful reflections, as we celebrated the crucial role Fathers play in our Santa community. The ‘Del Monte Band’ did a wonderful job supporting the liturgy for the P-4 Mass, and for the 7:30am Mass, our Chamber Singers led the communal music time with some wonderful reflective and participatory hymns.

Friday Recital

Congratulations to all the solo performers in last Friday’s Recital in the Adams Room in Holyrood. Featuring students from Del Monte all the way through to the seniormost years, the cool breeze in the air with the sun setting behind the leadlight in the Adams Room, Holyrood made for the most enjoyable afternoon soirée! We look forward to hosting more recitals next term as the year draws towards its summer end.

Music for our Sports Awards 

The Sports Awards was a wonderful celebration of the dedication and grit our Santa girls show every week at school, and the Music Department enjoyed being part of this evening. Thank you to the musicians who gave their time to provide background music while the community gathered for canapés. The Chamber String ensemble’s Mozartian offerings were well received by all, and the Taiko Performance by the Cherry Blossom Trees was most exciting as a call to attention to commence the night’s proceedings.

Chamber Recital

On Tuesday evening, music lovers found quiet solitude in our Santa Sabina Chapel to enjoy beautiful works performed by Chamber Choir, Brass Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Junior & Senior String Trios, String Quartets and Piano Trios and the Primary Chamber Strings. From Kate Miller-Heidke to Felix Mendelssohn; Antonín Dvořák to Natalie Nicholas, a diverse program was thoughtfully offered by our Santa Sabina students.

Honour Roll

Congratulations to Aiden Curran (Year 4) who achieved a Pass with High Distinction (A+) in her recent AMEB examination for Fifth Grade Double Bass. 

Musicianship Classes

Musicianship Mondays are continuing to run for the remainder of 2023, as part of a pilot program. While in this trial offering phase, enrolment remains FREE for 2023!  Classes happen during lunch in Holyrood, and are a wonderful opportunity to assist students as they:

• develop theory and aural skills 
• develop music reading skills
• build on what they are learning in lessons and ensembles  
• help prepare for AMEB exams, laying foundations for further musical exploration.

Reach out to Ms Werlemann-Godfrey or music@ssc.nsw.edu.au for more information on joining this valuable enrichment class.

External Strings opportunity

A reminder about ‘The Metropolitan Orchestra Junior String Camp 2023’: a three-day music camp in the September school holidays for string players aged between 7-12, and playing at AMEB Grade 2 standard and above.

Find out more

If you would like to know more about one of our music offerings across the school (be it choirs, bands, orchestras or private tuition) please reach out via music@ssc.nsw.edu.au or reach out to Ms Suzanna Touma in the Music Office directly s.touma@ssc.nsw.edu.au and we will be happy to assist you.

More Music

There are so many exciting music happenings across our great school each week! Be sure to click the links below to be kept in the know, and to find out more about the extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities available to our students across P-12! Private lessons, ensembles – there is something for every student at Santa.

SPORT AND CO-CURRICULAR

Term 3 Sport Wrap Up

This term was another busy term of sport and cocurricular in the College with many tournaments, carnivals and gala days across both campuses. All teams train and play exceptionally well with three basketball teams, two hockey teams, one football team and eight netball teams who progressed through to finals!

Congratulations to the SSC12 Netball team who recently won their ERNA grand final last weekend and good luck to the SAN03 Basketball team who will play SCEGGS Darlinghurst in their IGSA grand final this weekend!

Cate Crampton
Acting Assistant Director of Sport

Sports Awards Evening

It is always refreshing when we stop to reflect and celebrate our staff and students’ achievements in sports at the College.

The Sports Awards evening on Thursday 7 September  was a very successful event where we were able to celebrate the efforts and commitment our students have shown towards sport at Santa. We were also able to recognise our very high achievers in the most various sports domains in the state and national levels.

The night started with our Primary Years students receiving their awards for representing the College in the Conference 2, Sydney and State Levels with the Catholic Schools Pathways. We continued with our Senior students being recognised for their achievements within the CGSSSA and NSWCCC. Our numerous state and national representatives received awards for their remarkable performances during the year and the night finished with the Team of the Year Award presented to the Senior Jazz Dance Team and the Athletes of the Year awarded to Deon Aldridge-Chow (Year 4) and Faith Ata (Year 6) – Primary and Emma Wheadon (Year 12) – Secondary.

The entertainment was also a highlight with our dancers putting on a great show for the audience and our International Acrobatics representative, India Matheson, impressing all of us with very delicate but yet challenging moves on the stage.

I would like to thank our special guest, Morgan Baxter (Class of 2011) for showing the audience that Santa students can make it to a world stage in their preferred sport. Lily Carr, our Sports Prefect, for being a great MC running a very smooth presentation. I also thank the College Sports Department and the College staff and Leadership team for their support and all the work behind the scenes ensuring the event would be one to remember and a special thank you to Ms Joanne Gocher who took the leadership in the night’s organisation, ensuring every detail was accomplished to perfection, providing our students with one event that not only recognised what Santa Sabina College students are capable of but built lifelong memories in all of us.

Luiz Ramalho
Director of Sport and Co-curricular Activities

Representative Sport 

NSW State Snow Sports

During Week 6 our College Snowsports representative Woonwon Cho (Year 2) competed at the NSW Interschools Snowsports State Championships. Woowon had a fabulous time and enjoyed racing against tough competition!

CGSSSA Dance

On Wednesday 23 August our four Senior Representative Dance Teams competed at the CGSSSA Dance Championships which were held at the College. Our Dance teams competed with teamwork, improved performance skills and true camaraderie. We also had four soloists compete at solo events throughout the day which was an amazing experience. The results were as follows:

3rd Place – Charlotte Reveall (Jnr Solo)
3rd Place – Senior Contemporary
2nd Place – Senior Jazz
1st Place – Senior Hip Hop

Primary Athletics

Congratulations to Jayden Agius, Isla The, Freya Ingwersen, Alessandra Ronsisvalle, Lillian Ayoub and Stefania Lazanja who competed at the Sydney Catholic Schools Pre-Post Athletics Championships on Friday 1 September. Congratulations to Freya, Alessandra, Stefania and Lillian who have all progressed to the Mackillop Athletics Championships coming up on Monday 18 September. This is an amazing result for the College and we wish these students all the best at the upcoming meet.

Year 5 and 6 Sydney Catholic Schools Netball Gala Day

On Tuesday 29 August, 90 students from Gioia House attended the Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 2 Netball Gala Day. Santa Sabina entered 10 teams with all girls giving it their all throughout the day. Whether it was practising skills, making new friends or trying the sport for the first time, all girls represented the College beautifully, displaying great sportsmanship at all times. We hope this day was a positive experience for all involved and we look forward to attending similar events in the future.

Senior Representative Opportunities – Term 4

If you wish to represent the College in any of the following sports, please complete the expressions of Interest forms below. Further Information regarding each event is on the form. 

Cricket
Aquathon
Touch Football

Cate Crampton
Acting Assistant Director of Sport

ERNA Netball 

Saturday saw the completion of the 2023 Winter Competition at Meadowbank. It was a fabulous day with four from 25 Santa Sabina teams playing grand final matches with one team securing a victory.  Congratulations to SSC12 who won the 14/3 division with SSC07, SSC08 and SSC18 runners up in their respective divisions and SSC21 collecting a trophy for winning 11/3 division B. A special thanks to Ms Skerman, Ms Azizian, Mr Ramalho and Muffin the Mascot for braving the crowds and supporting our teams on the day.

There are many people who need to be thanked for helping to ensure that this season was a successful one, including but not limited to our unassuming umpires, passionate coaches, reliable and resilient  managers, our generous volunteers and our dedicated parents, friends and relatives, all very loyal Santa Sabina supporters.

Good luck to the students who trialled for the U12 ERNA 2024 representative team on Sunday 10 September and to the U13 and U14 students who are trialling on Sunday 17 September. We also wish our U14 team the best of luck in the ERNA spring/summer night competition starting 10 October.

Please keep an eye out for information about the Net, Set, Go program which will be offered to our 7-, 8- and 9-year-old students in 2024.

Joanne Gocher
Netball Coordinator 

Dance 

The final weeks of the representative Dance program have been the busiest and most fun yet! We had teams competing at four different eisteddfods within one week which is a true testament to their professionalism and passion for what they do. I would like to thank the Dance families for being so supportive and committed to the dance program throughout the whole year, but in particular that week. Our dancers competed at the following eisteddfods, against very tough competition, and achieved the following results:

DanceSpec:
Highly Commended: Infants Dance Team, Primary White Dance Team
3rd Place: Senior Contemporary
2nd Place: Senior Hip Hop
1st Place: Primary Hip Hop Team, Primary Black Dance Team

Dancelife Unite:
4th Place: Senior Contemporary Team
2nd Place: Senior Musical Theatre, Senior Jazz, Primary Hip Hop Team
1st Place: Primary Black Dance Team, Senior Hip Hop Team

Hills Dance Spectacular:
Highly Commended: Infants Dance Team & Primary White Dance Team
4th Place: Senior Jazz
3rd Place: Senior Contemporary, Senior Hip Hop, Primary Hip Hop
2nd Place: Primary Black Dance Team

Our dancers also celebrated their achievements and end of season at their annual end of season awards breakfast on Tuesday. Our prestigious Dedication to Dance Award was also presented to a student who has shown great commitment and dedication to representative dance throughout her time at the college. This year our recipient is Juliette Stournaras (Year 12, 2023).

Our representative dancers have had an amazing season and we look forward to an even bigger and better season in 2024!

Bryony Williams
Dance Coordinator

Co-curricular 

Please note that we still have spots available for the following programs in Term 4:

• Run Club
• Fit Club
• Recreational Dance
• Boxing

Please check the activities selection information sheet for how to proceed with registrations.

Term 3 Co-Curricular Activities finishing dates:

Please note that Sports Training, FitClub and Boxing will finish on the Friday, 15/08.

Spring Holiday Tennis Camp

Arludo Game Design Challenge

Four students from Year 5 – Harriet Irwin, Annabelle Wong, Gabriella Khalil and Mia Khoury – have been busy during their lunchtimes learning about game design. They have spent time planning and designing a game called Galaxy Jump. They submitted this to the Arludo Game Design Challenge. From 250 applicants, 36 were shortlisted and their game was one of them. Help the girls get to the National finals by voting. (You can vote for the same team every 24 hours). So keep on voting. You can vote for their team ‘Da Gurls’ and their game here.

Wendy Anetter
Year 5 Teacher

Japanese Cultural Exchange Opportunity 2024

For over 30 years, Santa Sabina has enjoyed hosting Japanese exchange students from Japan in Term 1. These exchanges have provided a valuable learning experience for both hosted and hosting students and fostered many ever-lasting friendships.

The students are looking forward to this opportunity to live in Australia and share customs, traditions and culture with Australian families. The students will be arriving around 3 February and expected to depart the first week of April. We are asking Santa Sabina families to host for two to five weeks during this time. The exchange student will contribute a weekly fee of $250 to each host family. 

A meeting will be held towards the end of Term 4 to introduce host families to each other and to answer any questions you may have. In the past, Australian families have thoroughly enjoyed the hosting experience and have recommended it to others. We thank you in anticipation of your assistance.

If you would be interested in hosting one of these students next year, please email either Ms Shiragaki: a.shiragaki@ssc.nsw.edu.au or Mrs Whittemore: s.whittemore@ssc.nsw.edu.au. Arigatou!  

Samantha Whittemore
Japanese & PDHPE Teacher

Introducing Paul Dao, ICT Manager

Staff Story

Our new ICT Manager Paul Dao is no stranger to Santa Sabina. He has been a College parent since 2014 and now in 2023, just as his daughter graduates, Paul is making the transition from College parent to College staff member. A seasoned education IT manager and Santa Sabina parent since his daughter was in Year 3, Paul knows the exact experience our parents and students have with our IT systems. He also knows the IT systems of other schools, having spent the last 10 years immersed in the industry.

As ICT Manager Paul is overseeing the IT needs of students, staff and families with his team of help desk, AV and database staff.

Paul’s love of information technology began at school when he studied the then brand new HSC elective of Computer Science.

‘I was the lucky one’, he says, having been in the first cohort to study computing as an official school subject in NSW.

He loved the course and went on to study computer science at university, gaining a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Technology Sydney. The course covered programming, documentation, simulation and computing languages. His career in computing followed, beginning with programming educational and other software in small software houses.

However, ‘the software industry in Australia went into a dive’ with the launch of Apple’s App Store – the software ecosystem which democratised apps and meant (American) educational software was now available at minimal cost. Expensive local content and programming could not compete.

Paul moved on to become a school IT Manager and this is where he found his niche.

‘I love working in a school because each day is different. There is such a broad range of IT tasks you do in a day – it’s never boring!’

Paul’s broad experience and interest in helping teachers and students allow him to keep abreast of all aspects of computing rather than specialising in a narrow area. At Santa Sabina he is looking forward to continuing to improve the resources of our classrooms such as our Smartboards and forthcoming Lumination Labs. Better systems for automated content sharing are also in his sights.

Above all working at Santa Sabina is his ‘dream job’.

‘I always wanted to work here. As a parent looking in from the outside, the school looked like a good place to work, professional and fast-paced.’

Beyond the IT Department and Santa Sabina, Paul spends his time with his family and also enjoys gardening. He also keeps up to date with technological developments, especially in cyber-security.

Victoria Harper
Publications and Marketing Officer

Uniform Shop holiday trading hours

The Santa Sabina College Uniform Shop will close for the school holidays on Friday 22 September at 4:00pm and will re-open on Friday 6 October.

Term 4 Extended Trading Hours

Friday 6 October Open 9:00am-4:00pm

For appointments and online orders please go to www.midford.com.au and select Santa Sabina
College. Pass Phrase is SS1894. Online Orders are packed daily during opening hours.

The Uniform Shop will return to normal trading hours from Monday 9 October 2023.

Normal Trading Hours

Monday                                           8:00am – 4:00pm
Tuesday                                           1:00pm – 5:00pm
Wednesday                                     8:00am – 4:00pm
Thursday                                         1:00pm – 5:00pm
Friday                                              8:00am – 4:00pm

From the P&F Association

Dear Santa Sabina College Community

As we approach the end of Term 3 we’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible sense of community displayed during our recent events. The Father’s Day Mass and breakfast saw an impressive turnout, showcasing the tight-knit bond of our Santa Sabina family. A special thank you to the mothers who went above and beyond in volunteering their time and effort for the breakfast: Sia, Christina, Alex, Trish, Babs, and Tatiana. Your commitment is a testament to the camaraderie and spirit we cherish within our community.

Equally memorable was the Year 6 High Tea. It was a joy to witness the students and parents come together, celebrating milestones and forging deeper bonds.

Looking ahead, we’re buzzing with excitement for the upcoming Colour Run! Expect a day of vibrant fun with a sausage sizzle, a live DJ setting the mood, delectable donuts, and a photographer to capture all those magical moments. And for our younger stars, mark your calendars for the Del Monte Disco, where they’ll dance the night away, shining bright in neon.

Events like these epitomise the essence of our College, emphasising the relationships we build and the memories we create. As we continue to mark these special moments on our calendar, the unity and support of our community remain our driving force. Thank you for being a steadfast part of our college journey.

Yours in friendship
P&F Committee

Father’s Day Volunteers

Year 6 High Tea Collage

UPCOMING EVENTS

Colour Run

Hey Santa Sabina families!

It’s Colour Fun Run time! 🎉 Get ready for an electrifying day packed with fun, food, and frolic. Here’s the quick lowdown:

🍔 1:00pm-2:00pm: Dive into the Del Monte Family BBQ. Let’s eat, mingle, and kickstart our colorful day!

🎨 2:00pm-3:00pm: The big event! Colour Run explodes onto the senior campus hockey field. Ready, set, dash!

🏃‍♀️ 3:20pm-4:00pm: Years 6-11, it’s your turn to shine and sprint amidst the colors.

🍩 Craving something sweet? Head to the donut store. 📸 Capture vibrant memories with our on-site photographer. 🎶 And groove to the beats with our DJ spinning live!

So far, we’ve dazzled with a whopping $17,500 raised. But we’re aiming for the stars with a goal of $30,000. Share your fundraising link, push those donations, and let’s smash that target!

Thanks for your incredible energy and effort. Let’s come together, celebrate big, and hit our goal. See you on the field! 🌟🎨🏃‍♂️🎶🍩

Del Monte School Disco – Shine Bright in NEON!

Let’s light up Del Monte Hall! 

We’re excited to invite our Del Monte stars to the dance floor for an evening filled with music, dance, and neon lights. Details are as follows:

Date: 21 September 2023
Location: Del Monte Hall

Theme: NEON! Don’t forget to dress in your brightest colours.

Session 1: Prep, Kindy, and Year 1
Time: 4:45pm – 5:45pm

Click here to get your tickets for Session 1 

Session 2: Years 2, 3, and 4
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Click here to get your tickets for Session 2

Tickets: $15 – Each ticket includes delicious pizza and a popper drink

Get ready to groove, move, and show off your neon vibes!

See you there, shining stars!

Santa Sabina Golf Day

A great opportunity for parents and friends to connect across the College community and grow friendships over a round of golf.

When: Tee off at 7:30am; Thursday 12 October 2023
Where: Strathfield Golf Club
Tickets: $189pp (inc. breakfast+18 holes + lunch + drinks).

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

Any questions, please contact

George Ayoub: 0414 915 910; or

Joseph Gittani: 0400 413 431

https://www.trybooking.com/CJCTY

Year Group Catch Ups

Prep Family Catch Up on 15 September 2023

Reminder that Year 7 Parents Dinner & Drinks on 15 September 2023 has been postponed

Parent Education

R U OK? Day by Debra Brodowski

R U OK? Day is a national day of acknowledgement and action that is close to my heart. A conversation with someone about their wellbeing, can not only change a life, it can save a life. The theme for R U OK? Day 2023 is ‘Here to Hear’. R U OK? Day will always reinforce that whilst it is a national day of acknowledgement and action, every day should be dedicated to looking out and supporting the wellbeing of others.

For me, this year’s theme has many important elements for us in supporting our young people:

• Are we taking the time to tune in to our young people, what they are saying, how they are behaving, and noticing any changes that might be shifting in their wellbeing?
• Are we taking the time to ask R U OK? in a timely manner so that we can support them?
• When our young people are talking, are we taking the time to understand what’s going on for them? Not fix it for them, but be a sounding board to help them work through whatever challenges may be present for them?
• Are we hearing our own words when speaking with them? Our words can have a profound impact on the wellbeing of our young people; both positive and negative, the impact being dependent on the our own words used?
• Are we role modeling behaviours that are aligned with the ‘Here to Hear’ message. Do we stop and listen to others? Or are we thinking about our response, what we need to do next, what we want to hear? All of these lose the opportunity to really listen to what’s happening to others and how we can support.

Why is this all important? Poor mental health for our young people remain high; we have a powerful role to play to support them.

Wanting to ask R U OK? and not sure where to start? R U OK? Day have a wonderful acronym that we can adopt – ALEC:

Ask, in a quiet space, free from distractions, from a perspective of empathy and care ‘R U OK?‘ Listen. Listen not just to the immediate ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘I dunno’ response. Listen to what’s happening in their world; the challenges, the feelings, all of it. Take the time to listen.

Encourage action. It is so important to be the connector of support. This does not mean jumping in and doing something for them; it means asking ‘what’s a step that you could take to fix this?’ If stuck, I always like to say something like ‘What sort of things have you been learning about this to work through this?’ Our kids are switched on, they’re smart, they’re connected. Help them help themselves rather than jumping in and fixing something for them. 

Check in. Because you care, because you want to see the best for your young person, keep checking in to see how things are going for them? Do they need a little more help? Connect them to other supports. Things are going great? Celebrate their resilience in working through the challenge with them and express your gratitude that they could speak to you about it.

Our kids are amazing, and we are all motivated to see them grow up to be equally amazing adults. Learning how we can be ‘here to hear’ and asking R U OK? at the right time will have remarkable positive benefits for our young people.

R U OK? Who will you ask today?

Ex-Students’ Association

Notice of Special General Meeting – 19 September 7:30pm

Venue: St Elizabeth’s, Santa Sabina College or via Zoom. If you wish to attend via Zoom please email exstudents@ssc.nsw.edu.au.

Please update your email address for voting by electronic ballot. Visit https://www.ssc.nsw.edu.au/community-life/ex-students/ 

Special Resolutions:

1. That the Association be known as ‘Santa Sabina College Ex-Students’ Association’.

2. That ‘The Rules of Incorporation (Constitution) updated 2023’ be adopted in its complete form.

An email will be sent to all registered email addresses, including the proposed Constitution and a list of changes, a ballot paper and instructions.

To contact the Association please send an email to exstudents@ssc.nsw.edu.au

Letter to Members Explanatory Note

2023 Rules of Incorporation (Constitution)

Podcast series on EXCEPTIONAL

A new podcast will be coming out soon and if you haven’t heard our others, please tune in! Stories, conversations and wisdom from the Santa Sabina ex-students’ community.

We would also like to share with you our latest podcast with Dr Helen Beange AM. In this episode you can hear about Helen’s time in the early 1940s as a Santa student, her career in disability medicine and why she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal. 

The third podcast in the Exceptional series is an interview with Ann-Maree Mulders. An ovarian cancer survivor, Ann-Maree became her own advocate in what has been a hard journey through surgery, treatment and healing. Other episodes include Sr Judith Lawson OP, former College Principal and human rights advocate, and ING CEO Melanie Evans.

LISTEN VIA
https://podcasts.apple.com/…/exceptional/id1613301850…
https://open.spotify.com/show/20i8HAMMd1rkZZIpuiE1KP…
https://omny.fm/shows/exceptional/ann-maree-mulders

Save the dates:

Special General Meeting Tuesday 19 September 2023

Annual General Meeting Thursday 26 October 2023

Melbourne Cup Luncheon Tuesday 7 November 2023

International Women’s Day Thursday 7 March 2024