College Principal

On 16 February 2024,130 years after first establishing Santa Sabina College, the Sisters took the final step in their evolving relationship with the school by transferring the buildings and land to Santa Sabina College and Dominican Education Australia (DEA). The transfer of property to DEA and the College signified the Dominican Sisters’ move from a role of governance and responsibility to one of accompaniment – a journey we continue together but in a different way.  We were joined by Trustees of Dominican Education Australia, members of the Santa Sabina Board of Governance, Dominican Sisters and the College Leadership Team to celebrate this significant moment in the life of the school.  

You will notice the new fence is up along The Boulevarde. We are working to have a secure campus and once we arrive at this point, Mr Gilmore will reach out with some extra information about accessing the College. Our aim is to keep cars and intruders off the College grounds and away from our children. To do this, changes will be made to how we operate but it is absolutely my priority to make this happen sooner rather than later. At this stage, there is no access to the College via the Chapel driveway except to some staff. Visitors coming to the College may park in the Siena Hall Car Park but will need to use the intercom on the gate or call College Reception. We will arrive at a point where students will be asked to swipe in to access the College via pedestrian gates but this is still being finalised. For big school events, after hours, gates will be opened where appropriate. 

This Friday is International Women’s Day and this year, the UN Women theme is ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.’ This is based on the priority theme for the United Nations 68th Commission on the Status of Women. Count Her In will examine the pathways to greater economic inclusion for women and girls everywhere. While important progress has been made, women still face significant obstacles to achieving equal participation in the economy, women’s economic empowerment and independence is central to a gender equal world. Throughout the week, our students will be exposed to conversations about the importance of equal access to education, employment pathways, financial services and literacy. Santa Sabina College is an environment where girls are given equal opportunity to build their capabilities and strengthen their capacity to learn, earn and lead but beyond our gates we need to continue to work to reshape systems and remove barriers so that all women and girls can realise their full potential. We can all use our voices to demand equal opportunity for women. 

Congratulations to our newly appointed Captains and Leaders. We wish them all the best as they take on their leadership roles. May they be examples of justice, compassion, humility and love, ready to reach out to others with kindness. 

Gioia House
Captains: Jorja Matthews and Valentina Dal Pra
Faith and Community: Chloe Charbel
Social Justice: Mariam Fajloun
Environment and Sustainability: Amelia Rigon
Wellbeing: Harriet Behan
Arts: Ellena Kapetanakis
Sports: Abigail Schutt
Gunagulla House: Charlie Jackson
Kurrawa House: Evelyn Wei
Mundawora House: Ines Bolger
Teangi House: Mia Khoury
Weelya House: Mariah Saade
Yetinga House: Evie Horwood

Del Monte 
Captains: Elijah Au and Marie Metledge

Finally, congratulations to Mr Luiz Ramalho, our Director of Sports and Co-curricular Activities, and his team for organising an excellent swimming carnival from Year 3-12 at SOPAC last week. I was delighted to see that spectator absentee levels were lower this year and that school spirit was at an all time high. Well done to the following students who were age champions:

Chloe Cruz: 8 Years Girls
Samuel Van Hore: 8 Years Boys
Michaela Nguyen: 9 Years Girls
Flynn Lee: 9 Years Boys
Romi Lee: 10 Years Girls
Luca Serafin: 10 Years Boys
Evie Lloyd-Jones: 11 Years Girls
Dana Park: 12 Years Girls
Addison Xu:13 Years Girls
Georgia David: 14 Years Girls
Mira Nguyen: 15 Years Girls
Olynda Lebeau: 16 Years Girls
Madryne Lebeau: 17 Years & over Girls

There were also 14 records broken by five students: Evie Lloyd-Jones – five records; Romee Lee – five records; Dana Park – two records; Olynda Lebeau – one record; Airin Tominaga – one record.

We also wish our Tennis teams the very best as they compete in the IGSA Tildesley Tennis Shield this week. 

Paulina Skerman
College Principal

Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

International Women’s Day: celebration, advocacy, protest

On Friday 8 March the world marks UN International Women’s Day. This week our students in Years 5-12 have been involved in a number of initiatives from our own Student Leadership panel at assembly, attendance at lunches, seminars and forums. A number of our students will also be attending the Ex-Students’ Association International Women’s Day event on Thursday 7 March. In all these environments the aim is to celebrate women, promote further steps towards equality, encourage, inspire and promote hope for a more equal future for all women around the world.

Back when I was a child there was such a thing as Children’s Day – in my world this was the last day of the Easter Show where the entrance fee and all show bags were half price. At the time, my grandmother was known to say ‘in this day and age every day is children’s day, you don’t need a special day!’ Some may say the same for International Women’s Day and we are lucky in a school such as Santa Sabina that this could be seen to be the case because of our primary aim of ensuring all students have equal opportunities and equal access to success. However, this is not the case for all women and girls around the world. At our International Women’s Day assembly on Tuesday 5 March, representatives of the Santa Sabina Girl Up club spoke to the assembly about gender equality issues they have been exploring as well as providing the audience with important information about the origins and purpose of IWD. Their words are worth repeating here.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress. 

This year’s theme emphasises the need to address economic gaps between men and women. By addressing economic inequality, we can also address related issues such as unequal career opportunities, lack of leadership and representation opportunities, and poverty. The theme aims to improve greater economic inclusion for women and girls globally by empowering them to learn, earn and lead. After all, how can we hope to reach gender equality without equal access to financial services, literacy, education and employment? 

For the first time, data on the gender pay gap has been released for over 5 000 Australian companies, linking previously anonymous data to specific companies. The average gender pay gap is 21.7% across all industries, with some industries having a pay gap of over 40%. That means that for every 78 cents a woman makes, a man makes $1 which indicates an underrepresentation of women in high paying roles and leadership positions, which are vital opportunities to ensure that women’s voices and perspectives are heard and acknowledged.

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to both acknowledge the issues concerning women’s rights while working towards addressing these inequalities, but also offers a chance to reflect on the positive improvements that are occurring. 

It can sometimes feel as if we sit through these assemblies each year, and are presented with a whole new range of problems that women across the world face with no tangible solutions; and although it is so important to be aware of these issues and working towards solutions, we also want to remind you that through collective, united action, whether it be advocacy, fundraising, political involvement and so on, change is being made. As the theme references, it is now our task to accelerate this progress.

While we stand here today with disappointment at the slow pace of progress, we also stand here today with hope. Hope that our united action can make a difference. Hope that the lessons and ideas that we learn and develop here will empower us all to forge our way in the world, in spite of the disparities that exist. 

Hope that we, the young women of today, will have the confidence and power to fight for the change that we wish to see for tomorrow.

The College looks forward to seeing the Girl Up club flourish and grow into the future.

Melanie van der Meer
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

Deputy Principal Operations

Traffic at pick up and drop off continues to be a problem on both Santa Sabina and Del Monte campuses.  The Kiss and Ride zones on Carrington Road and Jersey Road are strictly no parking zones between 7:30am and 9:00am and again between 2:30pm and 4:00pm. These areas are regularly patrolled by Burwood and Strathfield council rangers to encourage compliance.

I would like to also remind families that they need to be considerate to the residents in surrounding streets. We have had reports of cars parked across driveways blocking entry and exit of residents as well as Santa Sabina families parking in private car parking areas. I encourage all families to have a pick up and drop off plan to ensure that the measures in place in and around the College run as smoothly as possible.

The latest Targeting Scams report has revealed that Australians lost a total of $3.1 billion to scams in 2022. One of the more common scams involves the theft of your personal identifiable information to defraud you of money or to hack into a system to gain control of data. 

One of the most effective methods of protecting your personally identifiable information is using a strong password or passphrase. According to the e-safety commissioner, in developing a passphrase you should:

• Use between 12 and 20 characters with a mix of letters and numbers.
• Use a combination of words that aren’t predictable, but you can remember.

Where possible you should avoid:

• Using words that are personal to you such as pet names, birthdates, family members etc.
• Using a predictable combination of words like 123456
• Famous quotations
• Storing the passwords on your device unless using a password manager.

John Gilmore
Deputy Principal Operations

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Collaboration on the Learning Journey

The partnership between parents and teachers is pivotal in supporting a child’s educational journey. With the support of experts like Judith Locke, who presented to the teachers at the beginning of the year and then to parents this week, we hope to have a common language to ensure our students become capable and confident.  

Working together ensures consistency in expectations reinforces learning objectives, and provides a holistic support system. We have regular communication channels to support this collaboration like parent-teacher conferences, information evenings to facilitate open dialogue and share insights and observations about a child’s progress. While support is vital, there comes a time when we must allow the child to take ownership of their learning journey. Teaching students the skills to self-regulate, problem-solve, and manage their learning builds resilience and confidence. This was introduced in Judith’s presentation for the Prep to Year 6 parents but, more importantly, in the Years 7-12 parent session. Through our collaborative efforts, we can empower every child to reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

 On Wednesday 21 February, we welcomed approximately 60 parents and students from across the school to attend an Information Evening on the Diploma Course. This is offered to students as an alternative to the Higher School Certificate in Years 11 and 12. 

Ms Harris, the coordinator of the IBDP, ran the evening with the support of current and former students of this program. Ms Harris has a wealth of knowledge as she taught this program in the UK, South Africa, Swaziland and Hong Kong before joining Santa Sabina.

A highlight of the evening was listening to the current students talk about their extended essay projects. I have listed their research questions and look forward to reading them soon. 

To what extent do stereotype effects explain gender differences in mental rotation (MR)?
(Tanisha – Psychology )

To what extent do the main protagonists in Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable (1935) and Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger (2008) defy stereotypes inherent to the Indian caste system?
(Aditi – English – Lang Lit)

I wish I was her: Envying the Unattainable How does the representation of female envy in Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca and Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train reflect gender expectations?
(Molly – English)

To what extent do the dystopian societies depicted in Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and Lord of the Flies by William Golding demonstrate the internal conflict between conformity and individuality?
(Lucy – English)

Jacqueline Pugh
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Head of Primary P-6

In the quiet of Lent, let us listen more intently to God’s voice, reminding us that in the wilderness, we are not alone, for He walks beside us, guiding and renewing our spirit.

Welcome to Week 6 of Term 1 of the College newsletter! The last few weeks have been filled with exciting events within our school community. Teachers have engaged in invaluable professional development sessions, focusing on InitiaLit instructional strategies and pastoral care, to further enrich their teaching practices and support for our students. In our continuous effort to enhance communication with our families, we are pleased to announce the reworking and improvement of the Del Monte reporting format, ensuring clarity and comprehensive feedback on student progress. Reports will be released to parents at the end of Semester 1. 

We’ve celebrated the commissioning of Del Monte and Gioia House student leaders through special liturgies, showcasing students’ commitment to serve and lead. Our Kindergarten students brought joy and energy to Dom’s Plot with their delightful dancing performance, as a long-standing college tradition. As part of their journey, boys will have the opportunity to dance on the Plot once again when they reach Year 4, symbolising their growth and readiness for the next stage of their education. The girls, on the other hand, will revisit this tradition on a very special day – their graduation from Santa Sabina in Year 12.

NAPLAN

Earlier this term Years 3 and 5 parents were sent the information about NAPLAN. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point-in-time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. 

All students in Years 3 and 5 have been working on NAPLAN-like questions in Maths, focusing on one strand each week. The students have been exploring narrative and persuasive texts in English. Teachers used the NAPLAN public demonstration site to familiarise students with the types of questions and tools available in the NAPLAN Online tests. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN Online is not recommended. 

Intervention and differentiation

In our commitment to cater to each student’s unique needs, our teachers leverage assessment data, the latest research, and collaborate with Inclusive Education and Gifted coordinators to design tailored learning experiences. Our intervention programs in Literacy and Numeracy aim to strengthen foundational skills, employing proven methods like those from Macquarie University’s MultiLit and MacqLit Programs. These interventions focus on enhancing phonemic awareness, comprehension, and numerical understanding, fostering confidence and competence in these critical areas. Furthermore, our approach to differentiation within the classroom ensures personalised learning experiences that promote academic growth for all students, including the highly able and gifted. This strategy involves adjusting content, processes, products, and the learning environment to maximise individual engagement and ownership of learning. 

To support your child’s learning at home you could 

• Encourage reading: share and discuss books to foster a love for reading.
• Create a study space: set up a quiet, dedicated area for homework.
• Establish a routine: regular study times can improve focus and discipline.
• Build independence: foster a sense of ownership over their educational journey, gradually instilling the habit of independent learning.

2024 Leaders

Congratulations to 2024 student leaders and we wish them a great year ahead. Embrace every opportunity and enjoy your journey. 

Del Monte Captains
Marie Metledge
Elijah Au

Gioia House Student Leadership Team 
Valentina Dal Pra – Gioia House Captain
Jorja Matthews – Gioia House Captain
Chloe Charbel – Faith and Identity Leader
Amelia Rigon – Environment and Sustainability Leader
Mariam Fajloun – Social Justice Leader
Abigail Schutt – Sports Leader
Harriet Behan – Wellbeing Leader
Ellena Kapetanakis – Arts Leader

Gioia House Colour House Leaders 
Charlie Jackson – Gunagulla 
Evelyn Wei – Kurrawa 
Inez Bolger – Mundawora 
Mia Khoury – Teangi 
Mariah Saade – Weelya 
Evie Horwood – Yetinga

Parent – Teacher – Student Meeting

We look forward to meeting with you at our parent-teacher-student meeting to discuss your child’s progress on the days below. More information will be communicated in due course.

Del Monte: 14 and 16 May from 3:30pm  to 7:15pm
Gioia House: 21 and 23 May from 3:45pm to 7:30pm

Gracious God, as we journey through this Lenten season, guide our hearts closer to You. Help us to embrace the quiet moments of reflection, to seek forgiveness where needed, and to offer kindness and love in abundance. May this time of Lent renew our spirits, deepen our faith, and inspire us to walk in Your ways with renewed purpose and hope. Amen.

Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6

Calendar events

• Thursday 7 March – International Women’s Day Dinner, College Hall
• Monday 11 March – Years 2-6 Cross Country Trials
• Wednesday 13 March to 18 March: Year 3 NAPLAN
• Thursday 21 March – Harmony Day
• Friday 22 March – 130 Year Gala Dinner – Fullerton Hotel 
• Wednesday 27 March – Holy Week Liturgy at 9:45am
• Thursday 28 March – Holy Thursday (College closed)
• Friday 29 March – Good Friday Public Holiday
• Monday 1 April – Easter Monday Public Holiday
• Thursday 4 April – Easter Assembly at 2:30pm
• Monday 8 April – Years 3 to 4 Sydney Catholic School Mixed Netball Gala Day
• Friday 12 April – Last day of term
• Tuesday 14 May – Parent – Teacher – Student Meeting
• Thursday 16 May – Parent – Teacher – Student Meeting

Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6

Director of Community Relations P-12

Gala Dinner almost sold out!

Please join us at our Gala Dinner in the city on 22 March to celebrate our 130th Anniversary! If you do not have a table of 10 we would be happy to seat you with other parents from your child’s year group. We are anticipating a great night with plenty of entertainment and a gathering of parents, ex-students, staff and Dominican Sisters. Click on the image to book.

Our latest magazine – Santa Scholars

We have just produced our annual magazine showcasing our academic highlights. Click on the image to view or ask at Reception for a printed copy.

Enrolment for Prep and Kindergarten 2025 and Year 5 and Year 7 2026

Enrolment interviews for Prep and Kindergarten 2025 and Year 5 and Year 7 2026 are now open. If you need to enrol a student for these year groups please ensure you do this as soon as possible as places are filling fast. Applications can be made via the College website:

Yvette Graniero
Director of Community Relations

Director of Mary Bailey House

Out of Schools Hours Care (OOSH)

Staff changes

Jessica Fakhry is now on maternity leave. OOSH Administrator Frances Windon has moved into the position of OOSH Coordinator. Frances has worked at OOSH for several years and knows the staff, children and families well, so I’m confident that she’ll do well in this position. Frances will be working on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until April 2025.

Last month, Sophie Harte permanently joined the OOSH team. Sophie has worked at Kids@Weldon for several years. Sophie will work alongside Alisa Spada during Before School Care, After School Care and Vacation Care as an educator. Sophie is very excited about being at SSC OOSH and we’re equally pleased to have her.

Vacation care

We’ve just finalised the April Vacation Care program and it’s packed with new and exciting incursions. We’ve included an incursion with after school activity Bricks4 Kids and other incursions were selected by the children from FUN Day Out. There’s certainly a STEM theme running through the program. Please see below for full information.

Booking for vacation care open on Monday 11 March. If you book before the end of term, you’ll pay the permanent vacation care daily fee of $80 per child plus incursion and excursion cost. If you book during the school holidays the daily fee is $82 per child.

If you would like your child to attend vacation care, please contact OOSH Coordinator Frances at ooshmail@ssc.nsw.edu.au or call OOSH on 9745 7790 between 2:00pm and 6:00pm.

Vacation care is always an enjoyable experience for children. With a focus on leisure and fun, children always make friends and come home with stories to tell about their day at OOSH.

We look forward to seeing your child at OOSH during the next school holidays.

Jackie Baxter
Director of Mary Bailey House

Director of Development

Santa Sabina College 130th Anniversary Gala Dinner Raffle and Silent Auction

There are only a few weeks before we celebrate our 130th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Fullerton Hotel Sydney and we’re thrilled to announce the launch of our exclusive silent auction and College raffle.

This is your chance to bid for some incredible auction items or a chance to win amazing prizes very generously donated by members of our community. These include an advertising opportunity (donated by Wally and Suzi Muhieddine), diamond earrings (donated by Nader Jewellers), return flights and accommodation for two to the Gold Coast (donated by the Geagea family), accommodation at three venues (donated by the Laundy family) as well as many other prizes.

A list of gifts and prizes will be available when you register to purchase tickets in the auction and raffle via the button below. Our gifts and prizes cater for all kinds of tastes and interests.

On your behalf, I thank the various members of our community who have supported us and provided us with our gifts. Their valuable support has allowed us to offer you an opportunity to win one of the many prizes on offer.

Muhieddine Family, Patrick Nader and Family, Michleen Geagea and Family, Peter Hickey and Family, Strathfield Golf Club, Laundy Family, Kelly Gregory and Family, Patrick Gallagher and Family, Stacy D’Amico and Family, Turramurra Music, Infinite Edge Movement, ASICS Australia, Anthony Bouantoun and Family, Captain Cook Cruises, Jbeil Lebanese Restaurant, Rochester Street Butcher, Rugby Australia, Bricks 4 Kids, Art on Canvas, Sydney String Centre, LA Talent Academy, The School Photographer, Luna Park, The Spotted Orchid, Turramurra Music, Sydney Academy of Chess.

2024 Santa Sabina College Giving Day – 4 September

The College Giving Day is scheduled for 4 September 2024 and will replace our annual appeal this year. For 24 hours we will seek your support to raise funds for both the Scholarship and Building funds. As we get closer to this day, I will provide you all with information on how we can all get behind this day. I hope students, staff, parents, grandparents, ex-students and community members will support us. Thank you to all our community for your continued and valuable support. Please mark this date in your diary and support the College.

Bequests

There may be many in our community who are not aware of ‘The Orange Tree Society’ we have at the College. Therefore, I have included a brochure about the Society for you to read and understand. Named after the Orange Tree that sits proudly at the front of the school and without giving away too much, please have a read of the history behind it and a message from one of our ex-students who is a member of the society.

Please click on the logo above to view the brochure.

Advertise your business

I also want to remind you of the opportunity to advertise your business on the College website which is a great way to promote your business to our community.

Please complete the Google form to advertise your business. Alternatively, please contact me in the Development office on 97450232 or at giving@ssc.nsw.edu.au

George Ayoub
Director of Development

Tallong Campus

It has been an action-packed month to start our programming year here at Tallong. We hosted Loreto Normanhurst, Roseville College, Wenona, and in partnership with Southbound Adventures, our own Year 7 Santa Sabina students. The Year 7 Outdoor Education program has an important focus on ‘coming together’ as the students embark on their high school journey. During activities including canoeing, bushwalking, high ropes and camping under the stars many new friendships were formed, lasting memories were made and a lot of fun along the way. Thanks to Elise, Alec and Chris and all the teaching staff from Santa that supported the program. Thank you also to the Year 10 students who did an amazing job guiding the Year 7s throughout the week. 

The team at Tallong would also like to extend a huge thank you to all the Year 7 students for the contributions made during the Service component of the program. Several loads of debris were cleared from the gardens in front of the kitchen which is not only important for fire risk mitigation but also has the gardens looking fantastic. Thanks Team Year 7.

We kick off next month with the Year 4 Santa Sabina program. Following this we will be teaming up with Optimum Experiences to host our first program with the NSW/ACT Guide Dog Association. We are really excited by this new partnership and are looking forward to the learnings that will be had by all, including the team here at Tallong.

Steven Fox
Manager Tallong Campus

Lenten House Liturgies and Mass Schedule

Music in the Senior Years

Music in the Senior School (Curricular)

Our Year 7 and 8 students are diving deep into their performance tasks. Year 7 is mastering the parts of ‘My Paddle’ and ‘Land of the Silver Bird’, perfecting their presentations which they’ll deliver to the class in Week 6. Meanwhile, Year 8 is honing their guitar skills, delving into the world of The Blues, tablature, and chord charts. Currently, they’re tackling the 12 Bar-Blues in C and a captivating short Blues piece, which will be presented in week 11. 

Years 9, 10, 11 HSC and 12 HSC Music 1 students are in rehearsal mode with their accompanists, gearing up for their first elective performance assessment task of 2024. Year 9 will share their chosen repertoire with the class in a supportive environment. As for Year 10, 11 HSC, and 12 HSC Music 1, mark your calendars for our elective music recital on Monday 8 April in Week 11. We eagerly anticipate witnessing their musical prowess on display.

For our Year 12 HSC Music 2 students, it’s all about refining their core compositions in preparation for the final external submissions in September. Week 8 will see them submit their current work-in-progress for valuable feedback.

In the world of IB, our Year 11 students are embarking on the journey of composition, mirroring the style and essence of their chosen composer and piece for their EMIC portfolios. We eagerly await the fruits of their creative labour.

A round of applause for our Year 12 IB students! Their Higher Level Project Showcase was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing not only their compositions but also their depth of knowledge, emotional maturity and application of strong theoretical skills. We can’t wait to see their compositions and performances in their other portfolios.

Keep up the outstanding work, everyone!

Encore Showcase at the Sydney Opera House

Elective music students from years 9, 10, 11HSC, 11IB, 12 HSC and 12IB attended the highly anticipated ENCORE concert at the Opera House on Monday 4 March. 

This year’s performance is particularly special as we congratulate and celebrate the achievements of Eva Whitbread of our Music 1 class 2023. Eva performed ‘The Dance of Eternity’ by Dream Theatre on the drum kit as a part of her HSC program and was selected from thousands of performances across NSW to present her item at this prestigious event. Well done Eva on such an exciting and bold performance!

Encore was an amazing experience with a broad and interesting range of nominations that were all incredible to watch. It was great to be there to support Eva, as well as see the immense amount of support and love from other attending schools. The display of originality and uniqueness of the performances has encouraged me to push myself both as a performer and composer, to find my personality within music I have chosen to perform and create.
Eloise Dahm
Year 12 IB Music

I found the ENCORE concert this year extremely entertaining and diverse in terms of performances. The wide variety of genres of music from rock to jazz to classical was highly engaging and was inspiring to watch. Having Eva perform, representing SSC, was extremely exciting with her performance bringing grand energy not only from our school, but others alike. Overall, the experience was exceptional, with high energy and talent. 

Thank you for the opportunity to be able to view such wonderful compositions and performances. 
Mehthini De Almaida-John
Year 11 IB Music

Encore was an incredible experience for all music students, as we were given an insight of what we were to aim for in senior music years. It was an honour to be able to watch different styles of music played in such a unique and creative way. 
Mira Nguyen
Year 9 Music

ENCORE was such an amazing and enjoyable experience that showcased the hard work and dedication of all musicians from various backgrounds. To see other people like me who are passionate and enjoy the joy that music brings makes me feel very empowered and motivated to work hard and maintain my own passion with my music making.
Isabella Yang
Year 12 IB Music

‘Encore’ was an enjoyable and inspiring experience! Witnessing the performances of numerous talented musicians creatively expressing themselves inspired me to explore new avenues with my instrument, performance, and compositions. I’m truly grateful for the chance to have heard Eva, a drummer from Santa Sabina, deliver an amazing performance that truly engaged the crowd. I’m immensely thankful for the opportunity to have witnessed the talents of all these remarkable musicians. 
Isabella Petersen
Year 12IB Music

IB Music Showcase – Cadences of Life

Last Thursday evening – 29 February – at 5:00pm in the Blackbox Theatre for our IB MUSIC Showcase. Hosted by Ms Veronica Tsang and the Year 12 IB Music class, ‘Cadences of Life’ was a showcase of IB Music Higher Level Projects, with each work having undergone a rigorous process of composing, workshopping, collaborating, rehearsing, and refining. The showcase offered a musical journey featuring original compositions in a range of styles, exploring themes of grief and change, friendship and love. Congratulations on such a wonderful night of music making and sharing your incredible works and a huge thank you to Miss Tsang on her dedication and nurturing of our IB students. 

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

Authentic Learning – HSIE Business Breakfast Workshop

Successful business students are able to engage with innovation and to think creatively and critically to foster future-based entrepreneurial solutions. The authentic learning instructional model of the application of textbook theory within the contemporary real world encourages students to better understand business relationships and apply business concepts.

On Tuesday 5 March, Year 11 and 12 Business Studies and IB Business Management students were invited to attend the HSIE Business Breakfast Workshop at Santa Sabina. The HSIE Faculty was very lucky to secure Mr Michael Karakatsanis, Managing Director – APAC, Faber-Castell Australia, as the keynote speaker. Thank you to Mrs Vikki Cummins for developing this relationship with Faber-Castell Australia. 

Mr Karakatsanis generously gave very detailed answers with warmth and good humour to student questions about marketing strategies, operations and the key external and internal influences upon Faber-Castell in a post-COVID and highly digitalised world. This presentation including an interactive workshop was highly engaging and many of the ideas will be explored further within Business classroom lessons. This before-school event was a huge success and was attended by over 60 students and HSIE Business teachers. Thank you to Mr Karakatsanis for his time and 7:00am availability.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Science)

Student Reflections

The Business Breakfast offered a rich blend of insightful discussions and networking opportunities that fueled my enthusiasm for professional growth. The engaging atmosphere and diverse perspectives shared during the event left me both inspired and motivated to implement new strategies in my business endeavours.
Akyra Thai

Mr Karakatsanis kept us engaged and provided us with insights into his work within Faber-Castell. He acknowledged how the business must remain cost-effective while providing environmentally sustainable products. 
Sabrina White

This morning’s HSIE Business Breakfast was enlightening and engaging. We delved into the complexities of a global business, gaining valuable insights into its internal and external influences. It was a hands-on application of what we’ve been studying in our business studies course. 
Tina Cassimatis

The Business Breakfast was a very informative experience, it allowed me to see the operational strategies and influences behind the Faber-Castell business. Mr Karakatsanis provided business students with the strategies used by his business to maintain the quality of products while taking into account environmental considerations. 
Sienna-Marie Maroun

Year 7 Outdoor Education Experience 

Last week, Year 7 students embarked on an unforgettable journey during their Outdoor Education Experience at our Tallong Campus in the Southern Highlands. This annual tradition saw our students engaged in a myriad of activities, fostering friendships, enhancing resilience and learning in new and dynamic environments.

The Outdoor Education Experience offered students a diverse range of experiences. From exhilarating mountain bike riding to navigating high and low ropes courses, each activity presented opportunities for personal growth and teamwork. As students conquered challenges together, they not only built lasting friendships but also developed resilience as they moved out of their comfort zones.

Service and reflection were integral components of the experience, reminding students of the importance of giving back to our community and taking time for introspection. Engaging in Indigenous Education sessions provided valuable insights into our rich cultural heritage, fostering understanding and appreciation among the participants.

Canoeing along serene waters and hiking through trails allowed students to connect with nature. These outdoor adventures not only instilled a sense of stewardship for the environment but also provided moments of tranquillity and self-discovery.

One of the highlights of the camp was the unforgettable campout under the starlit sky. Gathered around a crackling campfire, students shared stories, laughter and marshmallows, forging memories that will last a lifetime. 

The overarching focus of the camp was to nurture holistic development in our students. By immersing them in diverse experiences, we aimed to cultivate resilience, foster friendships and ignite a passion for lifelong learning and the outdoors. Through these shared experiences, students not only grew academically but also emotionally and socially.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff, from both Tallong and classroom teachers at the College, who made this enriching experience possible. Their unwavering commitment to the wellbeing and growth of our students is truly appreciated.

As we welcome our Year 7 students back to school, we look forward to witnessing the positive impact of their camp experiences on their personal and academic journeys. May they continue to embody the spirit of adventure, resilience and positive friendships that define the Santa Sabina College community.

Elise Whiley
Dean of Pastoral Care and Head of Year 7 

International Women’s Day Assembly

On 5 March the Years 5-12 students attended our annual International Women’s Day Assembly, discussing this year’s theme, ‘Invest in Women: Count her in. Accelerate Progress’. International Women’s Day will be celebrated on Friday 8 March and gives focus to the rights and achievements of women all over the world. The school was fortunate to hear from various speakers, students and teachers who discussed how as a community, we can invest in women to take risks and make change.

Guest speaker Dawn Carroll, who is a senior manager in the architecture/project management/construction industry, shared inspiring insights into her experiences working in a predominantly male-dominated industry. The panel consisted of the College Principal Ms Skerman, English teacher Mr Di Ciaccio, St Patrick’s Inclusivity Prefect Joshua Santangelo, Wellbeing Prefect, Alysia and College Captains Molly and Lucy. We thank all our speakers for giving their time to make contributions and share their thoughts on the importance of empowering young women.

The Student Leadership Team

2024 Action Research in Full Swing 

Our 2024 Action Research Professional Learning Project is now in full swing. After a quick refresher course at the project launch in Week 3, 20 research groups have now formed across all Strathfield campuses including Mary Bailey House. This year, teachers identified their topics or puzzles of practice based on a range of College teaching and learning priorities including whole school literacy, the 5Rs (Resilience, Self-Regulation, Resourcefulness, Respect and Responsibility) and innovative practice. 

With current topics ranging from writing across subjects and the science of learning to applying AI to pedagogy and academic resilience in the middle years, teachers will now spend time refining their research question, engaging in research into current best practice and identifying and gathering the baseline data they will use to measure the impact of their intervention. While critical reflection and reiteration of teaching and learning practices is nothing new to teachers at Santa, the action research process will continue to provide us with the methodology to be more collaborative, strategic and measured as we strive to develop and implement evidence enriched, high impact pedagogical practices. Stay tuned…

Kate Corcoran
Action Research coordinator and Social Sciences Teacher

Visiting Fellows from Bhutan and Nepal

It was our pleasure to host the 2024 Australia Awards Fellows at the College a few weeks ago. Sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this group of educators travelled from Bhutan and Nepal to observe the range of pedagogical practices used in schools across Australia.

With a particular interest in inclusive education, the Fellows spent the morning visiting classrooms across all three campuses chatting with teachers and students and observing the strategies employed by our teachers to ensure all students’ learning needs are met. It was also wonderful to drop into the Lumination Lab where the visitors were able to take us on a virtual tour of their spectacular home countries and to chat with them over lunch to share professional practice and experiences. We wish them well for the remainder of their tour. 

Kate Corcoran
Action Research Coordinator and Teacher of Social Science

Prefect Afternoon Tea

On Wednesday 28 February, the College welcomed over 70 prefects and student leaders from local schools for a jam-packed afternoon of games and networking. An address from Ms Skerman and Casper preceded a round of Would You Rather, as small conversations began and connections were established. Each group was then handed an image they had to recreate, and with the best artists allocated drawing duties and the rest of us relegated to moral support, each individual picture came together jigsaw-style to form a collective image demonstrating leadership and connectedness. Family Feud, as the main event of the evening, brought out competitiveness and teamwork mentality. Despite some emphatic discussions about whether Taylor Swift should be included as one of the most influential leaders in human history, or if grapes could in fact be red, laughter and new friendships were abundant. Following these activities, we headed outside into the St Elizabeth’s courtyard for some great food (provided by the House Captains) and conversation, sharing things we have learnt so far on our leadership journeys and exchanging Instagrams to remain in contact. 

These Prefect Afternoon Teas are a tradition between Sydney schools and their student leadership teams, and are a great opportunity to learn and have fun. Every leader has a unique piece of advice or idea for another leader, and the sharing of our individual skills and experiences will allow for better student governance within a school environment. We had a great time and will be looking forward to attending more PATs in the coming year! Thank you to Ms Skerman, Ms van der Meer, Ms Kempers, leaders from other schools and Santa leaders for making it a fun afternoon. 

Molly Hoogland
On behalf of The Senior Student Leadership Team

Research for a health app

On exchange in Japan

During the summer holiday, with Julia, Venus and Hannah of Year 11, I had the chance to go on exchange to Soshin Girls School in Japan.

Japan has a rich and unique culture that I was eager to explore. From the moment I arrived, I noticed the cleanliness, punctuality, and respect for rules that is deeply ingrained in Japanese society. I also enjoyed experiencing traditional customs such as participating in tea ceremonies, flower arrangement, Japanese calligraphy and visiting historical sites like temples and shrines.

During my time in Japan, I made many friends, both Japanese and international students. These friendships allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the Japanese way of life and learn about different cultures through their experiences. Even on our first day, we had noticed the major differences between Australian schooling and Japanese schooling, however, after noticing the differences, each of us made an effort to adapt to them and by the first week we were all fitting in like the actual students at the school. The teachers at Soshin were also immensely guiding and had offered us a lot of help when we were experiencing problems such as language barriers. By attending a Japanese school, we were able to further understand local Japanese culture in a way that cannot be learnt from a textbook. We improved our Japanese skills by the daily chats with our host families, classmates and teachers. 

Living in Japan as an exchange student has taught me valuable life lessons about adaptability, resilience, and open-mindedness. It broadened my perspective and allowed me to develop a deeper appreciation for different cultures and ways of life. It also provided me with a global lens of viewing the world. 

When the last day of our exchange came, it was extremely sad to depart from the life that we just started fitting into. It was really sad to depart from our classmates and teachers that we have bonded with over three weeks. 

In conclusion, our experiences going to Japan on exchange amounted to a life-changing opportunity that allowed us to grow personally and academically. Despite the challenges, we cherish the memories and friendships that we had made during our time in Japan and am forever grateful for the opportunity to have experienced this incredible exchange experience.

Venus Iu, Julia Hoang, Cary Yeung and Hannah Gaul

Cary Yeung
Year 11

Celebrating HSC Legal Studies Discerning Scholarship

It is with great pleasure and pride that the HSIE Faculty celebrates the academic achievements of all Santa Sabina students from the 2023 HSC Legal Studies cohort. Emma Carroll placed Third in NSW for HSC Legal Studies from an academic cohort of approximately 10,400 candidates who completed this course across NSW. This is an outstanding academic accomplishment by Emma.

On Tuesday 20 February, Emma and her Legal Studies teacher Kate Corcoran were invited to attend the ‘Top 20 Legal Studies’ event hosted by The Legal Studies Association of NSW to acknowledge the academic merit of students who placed in the first 20 places of the HSC from across the state. This event also champions the teachers who are pivotal in supporting HSC students throughout their senior studies.

‘Legal Studies is an incredible subject and if you put the effort in it will pay off. However, that hard work is not done in isolation and to succeed you need to collaborate and cooperate’, Emma told VV.

‘Ironically, you need to care less about the material mark and more about being a passionate and interested individual because that is what will allow you to achieve, or essentially care less and love it more. The skills I’ve learnt in Legal have inspired me to undertake law and international relations at ANU, which I’m loving. My love and passion for legal has given me such a great foundation for university, which of course is in part due to the fantastic teachers at Santa – I could not thank my Legal Studies teacher, Mrs Corcoran, and my other teachers enough.’

A very big congratulations to Emma Carroll on her discerning scholarship and academic excellence.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

History Club and 130 Flashback

Introducing the History Club Ambassadors

The History Club returns in 2024! The History Club is a student led co-curricular that gives anyone with an interest in History in Years 7 to 12 the opportunity to participate in all things History! This year the History Club will be involved in many College activities as together our community commemorates 130 years of Santa Sabina College.

Thank you to all the students who came to visit the History Club stand at the Santa Sabina Co-Curricula Expo. The History Club will be meeting during Thursday A lunchtime in room 323 and everyone is welcome. I would like to introduce Remi Apostolopoulos and Anna-Maria Sulukojian from Year 11 who are passionate Historians. Remi and Anna are our History Ambassadors and will lead the History Club and contribute a regular “130 Flashback” History article to Veritas Voice to share our Santa stories.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

130 Flashback

Introducing ‘130 Flashback’ – your ticket to a journey through time! In this exciting new segment of Veritas Voice, we delve deep into History, unearthing fascinating stories, remarkable events, and influential figures from all 130 years of our Santa existence. From the founding Dominican Sisters to the impact of world wars and revolutions, ‘130 Flashback’ offers a captivating glimpse into the past, enriching our understanding of the world and its diverse tapestry of cultures, triumphs, and challenges.

Join us as we embark on a thrilling voyage through the archives of History, where every instalment promises to ignite curiosity, spark discussions, and inspire a newfound appreciation for the past of our College and our world. To shake the future we must know the past! So….Get ready to rewind the clock and take this exciting journey alongside you History Ambassadors Remi Apostolopoulos and Anna-Maria Sulukojian as we explore our school and our world like never before!

Remi Apostolopoulos and Anna-Maria Sulukojian
History Club Ambassadors
Year 11

Object Based Learning – Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs

Object based learning is designed to heighten student engagement in the study of History through the study of artefacts and material culture. Artefacts from past societies bring that world to life, stimulating student imagination and critical thinking in a way that cannot be achieved by two dimensional and digital recreations.

On Friday 1 March Year 10 History Elective students engaged with the international blockbuster travelling exhibition ‘Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs’ at the Australian Museum. This museum study was linked to an assessment task. Students were encouraged to work collaboratively to critically analyse sources with a consideration of the provenance of the sources and examine the purpose of the artefacts and what they highlight about Ancient Egyptian society. Students found this Museum Site Study fascinating and were amazed to be viewing objects that were over 4000 years old.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Student Reflection

Having the opportunity to visit the Ramses II The Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition was very exciting; we have been learning about the importance of artefacts in constructing history in class, and observing these Ancient Egyptian artefacts was a rare and rich experience. We learned about the prosperity that occurred in Egypt during Ramses’ reign, as well as what day-to-day life was like. I found it interesting to compare Ancient Egyptian society to that of Ancient Greece, which we studied last year, and as it turns out there are several differences I didn’t expect to find.

Calliope Stewart
Year 10

Gioia House Pastoral

Gioia House Action Girls

It has been wonderful to see the Gioia House students work towards being Action Girls through their words and actions each day. The students have been working on our Gioia House weekly focus, Compassion, identifying ways we be compassionate people at school, and home and how we can help people who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Congratulations to the following Action Girls who received their Award and Action Girl badge at our 5-12 Assembly this week:

Year 5:

Sienna Calvez
Zara Hraiki
Liz Ong
Chloe Perkins

Year 6:

Ines Bolger
Isabel Boustani
Georgia Ghossein
Elizabeth Saade

Gioia House Project Compassion Fundraising

As part of our Service Learning, the Gioia House students watched Caritas Australia videos which identified where Caritas funds are helping people in communities around the world who are less fortunate than ourselves. We discussed how fortunate we are to have clean accessible water and education that is available to everyone. The Gioia House students will lead a couple of fundraisers to raise as much money for a very worthy cause.

Last week, Gioia House students generously donated some delicious baked treats and lolly bags for our Project Compassion fundraiser. Thank you to the Year 6 students who volunteered to help sell the treats at recess and lunchtime. We also thank the Year 12 leaders who led the bake sale and helped it run efficiently. Many students gave generously and worked together to create a successful fundraiser for a much-needed cause.

The Gioia House students have also been asked to donate some Easter eggs or Easter novelty items (bowls, craft etc.) to help us make up Easter hampers. The students will be selling Easter raffle tickets for $1 each or six for $5. We will also have an Egg Guessing Jar competition, $1 per guess. Thank you in advance for supporting our Caritas Project Compassion fundraising initiatives.

Marisa Maks
Assistant Head of Gioia House 

Music at Gioia House

Music at Gioia House (Curricular)

Our talented singers from Gioia House are making strides in the combined 5/6 choir. Currently, they’re honing their skills with ‘Ciranda Da Lua’ and have just embarked on their journey with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Choral ‘Ode to Joy’, aiming for nothing short of excellence.

Meanwhile, Mini Maestros and Gioia House string lessons and rehearsals are in full swing, filling the air with delightful melodies and harmonies.

In their curriculum classes with Mrs Pensini, students are not only practising their vocal skills but also delving into theory and composition, nurturing their musical growth comprehensively.

Keep up the fantastic work, Gioia House!

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

Explicit Teaching – Word Study

Small group targeted word study program across Stage 3 is now in full swing. During spelling lessons, students are engaged in explicit teaching of the spelling rules and word meanings to support vocabulary growth and its application to reading and writing. 

Grouping ensures that we are meeting the needs of all students, through data informed analysis. It fosters a differentiated learning environment consisting of experiences that provide an appropriate level of challenge, and foster meaningful learning opportunities. These groups are fluid and students move between the groups based on their needs.  

Stephanie Yiorkas
Gioia House Curriculum Leader

STEM in 6 Milicic

This term in STEM, Year 6 is learning to code a video game using Scratch for a STEM video game challenge. This game can be either a clicker, pong or chase game and we are working collaboratively in the grade. The theme relates to stars, so we are exploring how to incorporate this into our games. We are learning to use different coding blocks and are assisted by tutorials to help us create our game along the way. We were all assigned roles for the challenge so that we could make the process of creating the game faster and more efficient. In this activity, we were instructed to use the engineering design thinking process which uses the core stages of empathise, define, ideate, prototype and test to organise our thinking. We are aiming to be successful in creating our game by adhering to the guidelines. This task helps us to learn to collaborate with others, communicate our ideas and express ourselves creatively.

Michelle Ho and Jorja Mathews
Year 6

6 Dunphy/Maks

During Religious Education lessons, 6DM have been learning about the Beatitudes. Students had to deepen their understanding of the Beatitudes and were given the task to show how we can apply the Beatitudes to our lives and give everyday examples. The students created posters to demonstrate their understanding and shared this with the class.

Eamonn Dunphy and Marisa Maks
Year 6 teachers

Year 5 – Santa Sabina and Dominican Heritage

 During our Interdisciplinary Unit, students began investigating the question ‘Who are we as a Dominican Community?’. To explore this, Ms Sulis took time out of her day to accompany Year 5 students around the school to examine the various buildings and their development over the last 130 years. 

Additionally, Year 5 visited the Mother Bertrand Walsh Museum to further explore our Santa Sabina and Dominican History/Community. The students explored the artefacts presented in the museum and made connections as to how these artefacts represent the SSC community and values.  

Year 5 teachers

5 Williams – Identity Interviews

During Interdisciplinary and English, Year 5 has been focusing on identity. Getting to know their peers’ identities, what makes up our identity and then starting to look at the Dominican and Australian identities. When learning about each other, students interviewed one another to find out more about their identities. This included their family structure, cultural backgrounds, family traditions and interests/hobbies. 5 Williams thoroughly enjoyed sharing some of their stories with their peers which also gave them the opportunity to build more connections in the classroom.

Bryony Williams
Year 5 Teacher

5 Yiorkas/Sulis – Science Lesson  

After a couple of introductory safety lessons in the Science Labs, 5 Yiorkas/Sulis had their first practical lesson. The wonderful Science teachers Mr Mountford and Ms Sheehan created a range of mini experiments that enabled the students to explore the various equipment they will be using within their practical sessions in the labs. Following the mini experiments, the students learnt to pack away the equipment in the specific locations around the lab. To conclude the lesson, we had a discussion about the importance of completing an experiment numerous times to gain accurate results due to elements of human error. We had a fun, engaging first practical lesson.

Stephanie Yiorkas and Jane Sulis
Year 5 teachers

Assistant Head of Primary P-4

Pastoral Care

Judith Locke Parent Information Evening (P-6)

Our Parent Information Evening on Monday 4 March with guest speaker Dr Judith Locke was a huge success. Judith is a clinical psychologist and author, who specialises in parenting issues. The evening focused on ways that parents can foster the development of young children’s resilience, self-regulation, resourcefulness, respect, and responsibility. These five essential skills help children become more capable and confident in school and beyond. The evening had a practical emphasis, with Judith presenting a vast array of practical strategies to build confidence and resilience in children, along with developing their social skills.

The five essential skills are lifelong skills. They are critical for success in work, in relationships and in life in general. As mentioned in the last issue of Veritas Voice, these essential life skills underpin and are integrated into our Pastoral Care program and are explicitly taught to the children across all year levels and are visible in all classrooms through our Primary Pastoral Behaviour Matrix and 5 Rs classroom posters.

For those who missed the evening or would like to learn more about raising confident and capable children, please visit Judith’s website https://confidentandcapable.com/ or learn more through Judith’s books, The Bonsai Child and The Bonsai Student https://www.bonsaichild.com/.

Community Time

This week, we used our Community Time to deepen the students’ understanding of one of the 5Rs by applying their knowledge to a real-life setting. Specifically, students explored the theme of Respect, by investigating ways that they can respectfully participate in school gatherings. Students worked collaboratively to unpack what respectful participation in school gatherings looks like, feels like and sounds like, with a particular focus on school assemblies. They considered how respect is shown through our College song by singing with our voices and using sign language to communicate the words, ways to listen respectfully to speakers and presenters and to how to use applaud respectfully.

Lauren Petroni
Assistant Head of Primary P-4

Curriculum Updates

I have been working closely with all the classroom teachers on focus learning areas to ensure students are being met at their starting point and explicit teaching is covered at every level. We are focusing on the improvement of knowledge and skills for each individual student which will be seen through our Targeted Grouping sessions. This term has started at full speed. Students have been assessed in Key Learning Areas in preparation for our grouping sessions. Years 3 and Year 4 have successfully begun their lessons in Spelling and the students are very excited to be working with their peers across the grade. 

Targeted Grouping Focus:

• K-2 will engage in Macquarie University’s Initialit program through groupings – while teachers will still administer Initialit programs every day, the grouping sessions will be facilitated three times a fortnight. This will begin this week and next week and is based on all data collected via Term 1 assessments
• Stage 2 Spelling and Vocabulary Development – teachers will facilitate these group sessions once a week and it will be done across the grade level. Small groups of 10-14 students are taken by classroom teachers, support teachers and learning support officers to ensure all students are being met at their starting point. 

Teachers will continue to reflect and review the benefits of these sessions and adapt accordingly. Last week, seven teachers were involved in further professional development in Macquarie University’s Initialit program to ensure it is being delivered seamlessly. We have seen great growth in children’s reading and writing skills across Stage 1 and look forward to the year ahead.

Excursions and incursions

Teachers have been working hard in searching for and booking interactive and engaging excursions and incursions for each grade across the Key Learning Areas. Bookings will be finalised in the coming weeks, we look forward to a rich year ahead of learning!

NAPLAN

Year 3 has been undertaking practice tests for Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy. The Year 3 teachers have been preparing the children by breaking down NAPLAN questions and explicitly teaching students how to read and answer a range of questions to ensure the students feel comfortable when sitting the tests. Here is a handy link to information for parents and carers on how best to support your child in preparing for NAPLAN. Please note, excessive preparation at home is not recommended. We are very proud of our students and we encourage them to do their best. 

Kate Bakhos
Curriculum Leader P-4

Religious Education

Project Compassion: For All Future Generations

Our Lenten journey is entering its mid-point. Throughout Lent, our school contributes to Project Compassion through fundraising and prayer. Our focus is on the word ‘more’ – how we can be more, do more and share more. Each week in Religious Education lessons our students learn about how our Project Compassion giving helps others in need. I invite you all to think about how you can not only give up something small for Lent but focus on sacrificing something for others, have conversations with your children at home to raise awareness and donate. Remember even the smallest donation makes a difference. Together we can make a positive change, now and for future generations.

Third Sunday of Lent

2 & 3 March

Samoa may be a country surrounded by water, but access to clean drinking water is scarce in some areas, with many families facing extreme hardship as a result.

Leaia lives with her five children, husband, brother and sister-in-law on the island of Upolu in Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water caused Leaia a lot of worry. Their home is not connected to a piped water system, so they had to rely solely on rainwater collected in old fridges. When their water ran out, Leaia had to walk with her young children to collect water in buckets and containers from a neighbour down the street. With the support of Caritas Australia’s local partner, Caritas Samoa, a water tank was installed at Leaia’s home. She and her family now have a steady supply of clean drinking water at home.

Next year, they will also have a toilet built, with the support of Caritas Samoa, which will further improve their health and living conditions. “We are very thankful and grateful for the water tank. It has helped us so much and made our daily life easier,” Leaia said.

Please donate to Project Compassion.  

Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow for all future generations.

You can donate through our Project Compassion donation boxes or by visiting caritas.org.au/project compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.

Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator

Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator P-6

Music at Mary Bailey House and Del Monte

Music at Mary Bailey House (Curricular)

As the students are becoming more independent and confident with expectations when using the percussion instruments, Mrs Pensini has included more instruments in this week’s lessons. Students were able to use egg shakers, drums and scarves. By playing with the scarves while dancing and moving to music, we can teach your children about boundaries and help understand what is around them. Music that has been chosen to move to is Classical music, which encourages the students to listen to a different genre of music than they may usually listen to. They have enjoyed listening to Saint Saëns and his composition of Carnival of the Animals. 

Music at Del Monte (Curricular)

Make a joyful noise to the Lord! Singing is always at the heart of what we do at the school that sings! We have been rehearsing our singing for respectful performances of the National Anthem, the College Song and our liturgical songs and hymns of praise. Using our voices respectfully means we are listening to ourselves and moderating our behaviour to make collaborative music, joyously. In Year 4 and our choirs we are focusing on learning our Gala Concert repertoire, some of which is in languages other than English, a new challenge for our students.  Other year groups are exploring the different instruments who belong in an orchestra, and their families. Instruments have lots of ‘cousins’, just like our own families do, and we notice what is the same and what is different. 

Phillipa Knight
Coordinator of Music P-4

Premier’s Reading Challenge

The Del Monte Library is thrilled to announce the commencement of the 2024 Premier’s Reading Challenge. It is a sensational program aimed at igniting a love for reading among students across all NSW. The challenge began last Monday, 26 February, and will conclude in Term 3 on Friday 23 August. Classroom teachers have login details if you wish to assist your child in completing the challenge by logging their books HERE. More details can be found on the Del Monte Library’s VO page.

At its core, the Premier’s Reading Challenge celebrates the transformative power of reading. In a world increasingly dominated by screens and digital distractions, fostering a passion for books and storytelling is crucial for the holistic development of our children. Reading not only enhances language and literacy skills but also nurtures creativity, empathy, and critical thinking. It opens doors to new worlds, broadens perspectives, and empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of life with confidence and understanding.

By participating in the Premier’s Reading Challenge, students have the opportunity to explore a diverse range of books and authors, discover new genres and embark on literary adventures that will enrich their lives in countless ways. With a curated list of age-appropriate reading materials, the challenge caters to students of all interests and abilities, ensuring that every child finds something that sparks their imagination.

We encourage parents, teachers and students alike to embrace the Premier’s Reading Challenge as a chance to embark on a journey of discovery, growth and joy through the pages of a book. Together, let’s inspire a generation of lifelong readers who are equipped with the knowledge, empathy and imagination to shape a brighter future for themselves and our world.

Happy reading!

Trish Doonan
Teacher Librarian

Year 4

Year 4 students have been excitedly working with their Kindergarten buddies over the past few weeks. They have spent time with their buddies during community time as well as supporting them on the playground. In community time, students have had the opportunity to introduce themselves, draw self-portraits of each other, read a story together, and teach their buddies how to write their names. Being a buddy is a valuable experience for students as they learn key skills of responsibility, resilience and respect. We look forward to continuing to cooperate with our kinder buddies throughout the year! 

Edward Wang, Catherine McGrath, Nicole Meehan, Calista Camarda
Year 4 Teachers

Year 3

In Week 4, Year 3 experienced their first Santa Sabina College Swimming Carnival at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. The excitement was in the air as the children cheered on the older students in their Houses. Students were involved with swimming in novelty races and some were involved in championship races. Well done to everyone who had a go and took risks! We can’t wait to find out the results from the day.

In Week 5, Yousseff Taouk, Chloe Cruz, Isabel Horwood and Audrey Tita also took part in the Conference 2 Swimming Championships at the Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre. There were many achievements across the day and we were very proud of their efforts in the races.

Chloe (1st place Freestyle, 2nd Place relay), Audrey (5th in Freestyle), Flynn (5th in Freestyle) have all progressed to the Sydney Championships to be held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Monday 25 March.

Kate Bakhos
Curriculum Leader P-4 & Year 3 Teacher

Year 2 Science

In Science, Year 2 students are studying living things and have been learning about how both animals and plants change and grow through their lifecycle. Students have conducted their own experiment of growing alfalfa seeds using the scientific model which included describing their aim, a hypothesis and the materials and method used. Every day over the last two weeks, students have enthusiastically watered their plants and jostled for the prime window-sill position to help their plants grow larger.  They have learnt how to be a scientist by observing their plants and reporting on its growth in their Science books. These results show the observable patterns of a plant and help students to describe and communicate a plant’s features throughout its life. After this experiment, students will take their plant home to continue its growth, or perhaps eat the sprouts for dinner!

Merissa Perivolarellis, Tina Nicotina and Cara Brigham
Year 2 Teachers

Year 1 – Religion

Year 1 has been learning about the Sacrament of Baptism. Students have learnt that Baptism is the first special Sacrament that welcomes us into God’s family. They shared pictures of their own Baptism, or events where they have been welcomed with their class. Students also participated in a story telling lesson where they watched their teachers demonstrate the steps of Baptism. The baptismal font, chrism oil, holy water, Easter candle and white garments were some of the objects that students were introduced to. They learned that the priest pours holy water onto the baby’s head while saying the special words ‘I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’. Students were then split into groups and worked on a collaborative poster to illustrate the symbols and items used during a Baptism. 

Kelly Garcia, Erin Horne and Yasmine Kaballan
Year 1 Teachers

Kindergarten Dancing on Dom’s Plot

On Friday 1 March, students from Kindergarten to Year 4 gathered with staff and parents in the Santa Sabina Chapel, to celebrate the commissioning of the incoming Student Leaders of the Primary Campus.

Following this special event, the Kindergarten students were invited to dance on St Dominic’s Plot. This is a long-standing tradition at Santa Sabina, originating many years ago, when the Year 12 girls were permitted to celebrate the culmination of their schooling by ‘dancing on Dom’s Plot’. 

In more recent years, this honour was extended to both the Year 4 boys at the end of their Primary Years, and to the Kindergarten students at the beginning of theirs, thus providing all students with two opportunities to participate in this special tradition, during their education at Santa Sabina. 

The Kindergarten students made the most of their first experience, by dancing joyfully to ‘This Little Light of Mine’, a song they have been learning in Religious Education. 

The students definitely let their ‘little lights shine’, and their faces reflected such excitement as they danced and sang. Ms Skerman and Ms Azizian had as much fun as the children and did a wonderful job in keeping up with the actions to the song! 

The Kindergarten students look forward to their next opportunity to dance on Dom’s Plot in Year 4 or Year 12.

Rebecca Saba, Vicki Spillane and Anna Donato
Kindergarten Teachers

Prep

In Prep, we use Macquarie University’s PreLit program as a component of our Literacy Program. Each week we read a familiar picture book and unpack some of the language used in it. So far this term we have read Dear Zoo, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Too Many Pears. The children enjoyed working in pairs to create a paper-chipped pear. They practised the skills of turn-taking and cooperating with a partner.

Monique Evans and Clare Wood
Prep Teachers

In-school co-curricular programs

This year, staff on the Del Monte campus will be offering a range of Co-curricular programs during lunchtime. These programs are designed to complement and enrich our students’ academic experiences by providing opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and community engagement outside of the traditional classroom setting. Whether students are eager to explore new hobbies, develop leadership skills, or simply connect with peers who share similar interests, these lunchtime activities offer a supportive and stimulating environment for all.

Each term, class teachers will nominate two to three students from each class who express a keen interest in a particular co-curricular program.

Please see below what co-curricular programs are on offer during lunch time in Term 1.

Ryan Dunlop
PE and Co-curricular Coordinator (P-4)

Physical Education

Throughout PE lessons in Term 1, students in Year 1 and 2 have engaged in various cooperative games carefully designed to promote teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. 

As the students worked together to overcome obstacles and achieve shared goals, they learned valuable lessons about effective communication, compromise, and the importance of collective effort. 

The unit has provided students with the opportunity to not only develop essential social skills but also lay the foundation for effective leadership. They have been learning to lead by example, communicate their ideas clearly, and inspire others through their actions. These are qualities that will undoubtedly serve them well as they continue to grow and mature.

Ryan Dunlop
PE Coordinator P-4

Director of Music

At Santa Sabina College, we place a tremendous emphasis not only on the robust development of key musical skills, but holistically speaking – on music as a critical expressive and communicative art form – part of what it means to be richly human.  

As a window into all the ways we seek every day to express the values stated above, I hope you enjoy the updates below, brimming full of exciting happenings in the Music Department from the past few weeks and looking to the weeks ahead!

For those who have enquired about our Santa Sings! Community Singing initiative communications will be coming to your email inbox soon as this fun endeavour begins to take shape. Sign up here if you want to join the 80 parents and friends who have expressed interest so far!

Wishing you a wonderful few weeks as we draw to the end of the term.

Amy Richardson 
Director of Music P-12

Australian Composers Day Camp

This past weekend saw our Australian Composers Day Camp take place across Saturday and Sunday, full of inspiring seminars and sessions with a very clear emphasis on finding and trusting your voice. Elective Music students from Years 9-12 and students from all over NSW joined us for this opportunity to experiment with the many potential access points to composition in the contemporary landscape. Sydney Conservatorium of Music staff Ella Macens, Dr Daniel Rojas and Dr Nick Russoniello were dynamic as they shared their experience and passion, and it is our hope that as a result of this investment, our Santa Sabina students won’t just continue their growth as exceptional technicians, but that they will find their own voice; decide what it is they want to say, and allow music to be the vehicle for this message to the world.

Barkindji Songwoman Nancy Bates composed a song with our girls on Saturday 3 March which was completed in under two hours, honouring our grandmothers and matriarchal figures – our Dominican Sisters included. It was a very profound and deploy moving exchange, and this work will be premièred at our 130th Anniversary Gala Concert at the Sydney Town Hall on 25 June 2024.

Cadences of Life – Year 12 IB Composition Showcase

On 29 February our Year 12 IB students presented their Higher Level projects as part of their Contemporary Music Maker projects for the Diploma in a showcase they titled Cadences of Life. The evening demonstrated an extraordinary standard of both composition and performance craft, and the students’ self-direction here was exceptional.  We congratulate all the IB Music students, and thank all the supporting staff who assisted them along the way.   

Welcome to our new specialists!

In light of the huge growth we are seeing in our Private Tuition stream, we are delighted to welcome some new tutors to our team!  Please join us in welcoming renowned percussionist, session musician and educator, Jamie Castrisos – who will be building a studio with a specific focus on Drum Kit in the contemporary music context. Jamie will be teaching at both Del Monte and in the Senior Campus, and we welcome expressions of interest from students who would like to learn kit with a world-class professional. Additionally, we are thrilled to have three new exceptional tutors for Violin and Viola – Amber Davis, Alexandra Arkapaw and Felicity Yau adding their excellence to our established programs here. These three specialists will also have some limited space in their private studios, and we invite you to register for lessons (using this link) to maximise this opportunity.

Semester One Recital Series

An important value for our Private tuition programs is to ensure we assist with goal setting and the provision of opportunities to develop performance skill, beyond the learning of the instrument itself. This is a wonderful chance for students to share with parents and friends in a safe and relaxed way, and we invite you to join us on Friday 15 March for our first co-curricular recital of the year starting at 3:45pm.

Encore!

We are immeasurably proud of Year 12 Graduate 2023, Eva Whitbread, who played to two packed houses at the Sydney Opera House on Monday evening, in a boutique shortlist of the tens of thousands of NESA HSC Music performances that took place last year. Eva performed her arrangement of Dance of Eternity by 80’s Progressive Metal Band Dream Theatre to a raucous reception! This is a coveted achievement and Ms Skerman, music staff and students were delighted to see her in action for one last time, supported capably by our Santa Sabina Music Specialist Tutors as her band.

Drum roll… MUSIC TOURS 2025!

In the coming weeks we will be announcing the details for the long-awaited Music Tours that are planned for 2025, and launching our information evening for interested parents and students. We are delighted to offer two tours in 2025 – a tour to Japan in the April school holidays for our Taiko and Japanese language students, and a larger scale tour to Italy in the September holidays that will be open to any Santa Sabina ensemble musician from Years 7-12. (Younger students may apply to attend but acceptance may be conditional and at the discretion of the College). Information to come!

REGISTER FOR MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES AT SANTA SABINA

A reminder of the process of enrolment for private tuition – you can register via the College App or using the link below for lessons in any of the following instruments – Piano, Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Voice, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, French Horn, Orchestral Percussion, Drum Kit, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Composition and Musicianship individual or group lessons.

And don’t forget that one of the best ways to apply new musical skills is in a Group Ensemble context! Our ensembles have also shown strong growth in numbers and committed attendance this year – with preparation for our 130th Year events kicking off across all streams! Jump on board with our ensemble program of choirs, bands and orchestras in 2024 by registering with the link below. 

SSC Partnership – Free concert tickets!

As part of our ongoing partnership with early music ensemble Consort 8 (featuring our former Director of Music, Timothy Chung) Santa Sabina students are offered free attendance at their forthcoming concert to be held in the Santa Sabina Chapel on 23 March 2024 at 6:00pm. A particularly exciting event for those Year 3 and 4 recorder players who might like to see different versions of their instrument! Look at these interesting Recorders that will be played at the concert!?

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 to Ms Suzanna Touma in the Music Office at s.touma@ssc.nsw.edu.au and we will be happy to assist you.

Sport and Co-curricular

It has been a very busy period in the Sport and Co-curricular domains here at Santa.

Saturday’s extravaganza has seen our students showing pride when representing the College across IPSHA sport (Years 3 to 6): Boys Basketball and Girls Football, IGSA Sport (Years 7-12): Water Polo, Touch Football and Tennis and our traditional Invitational Competition running here on campus.

CSDA Public Speaking kicked off on Friday last week at St Patrick’s College Strathfield with 10 speakers from Years 7-12. 

We also had a ball during our Years 3-12 Swimming Carnival at SOPAC and are looking forward to the representative pathways in Primary (Please see Mr Dunlop’s comments below) and Secondary Schools with the CGSSSA Competition running on 12 March. Congratulations to the students on the list below who will represent the College at the Senior Swimming Championships.

From 6 March to 8 March IGSA is running the traditional Tildesley Shield Tennis Tournament at the North West Sydney Tennis Centre.

We congratulate the girls in the list below for being selected to the team and having the opportunity to represent the College in one of the most prestigious tournaments in the school calendar year.

Reminders

Sports registrations have gone out for Term 2 2024.

Please see the communication sent to families here as it contains the link to access the activity selection calendar to enable choices to be made.

Registrations close on 22 March.

Primary Sport Update

Primary Representative Sport

Congratulations to the following students who have progressed through to the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Sydney Trials in their respective sports.

Elyana Lahoud                        SCS Conference 2 Soccer Team
Abigail Schutt                          SCS Conference 2 Soccer Team
Alessandra Ronsisvalle          SCS Conference 2 Soccer Team
Amanda Houltham                  SCS Conference 2 Netball Team

We wish these students all the best at their next representative trial.

Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 2 Swimming Championships

On Wednesday 28 February, 18 students across Years 2 to 6 competed at the Conference 2 Swimming Championships. All students did an amazing job representing the College and should be extremely proud of their efforts.

Congratulations to the following students who have progressed to the Sydney Championships to be held on Monday 25 March at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Year 3 – Audrey Tita, Chloe Cruz, Flynn Lee
Year 4 – Romee Lee
Year 5 – Abby Deng, Genevieve Lloyd-Jones, Grace Mackey, Charlotte McCarthy and Celine Nguyen
Year 6 – Emily Ng

A special mention to Romee, Genevieve and Charlotte for receiving medals in ALL their respective events. Romee (50m Butterfly) and Genevieve (50m Backstroke) also broke Conference records.

Primary Sport – What’s on in Term 1

Ryan Dunlop
PE and Co-curricular Coordinator (P-4)
Primary Sports Coordinator (P-6)

Volleyball update

The Volleyball representative program for this year is underway, the teams have all been selected and have begun their official training. Teams will compete in various competitions throughout the year. Of special note: Santa Sabina College has become an officially affiliated club with Volleyball NSW, becoming the first school in the state’s history to do so.

Lewis Jupp
Head Volleyball Coach and Coordinator 

Netball Update

New Rules

World Netball introduced an updated edition of the Rules of Netball in December 2023, which applies to international matches, and all affiliated competitions and events in Australia from 1 January 2024.  We will be holding an education session for our coaches and umpires about the impact the new rules and amendments to existing rules will have at a club level and how we will implement these changes.  

One of the most notable changes at club level will be the introduction of rolling subs.

ERNA

The 2024 season is almost upon us and while we anxiously await the outcome of ERNA’s club grading, I am pleased to say that we have allocated coaches to all 25 Santa Sabina teams. Training will commence in the week of 25 March, please check VO or the College App for confirmation of training days and times.

And if you haven’t already had the opportunity to manage your daughters’ netball team, then now is the time.  I will be reaching out shortly to garner interest in this very rewarding volunteer role. 

CGSSSA

Congratulations to those chosen to represent the College at this year’s CGSSSA competition which is being held on 27 March at Blacktown Leisure Centre. Training starts Wednesday 13 March, all details can be found on VO and the College App.

A special mention to the students who had to trial a second time to secure a position on the Opens team due to changes in the representative pathway structure, which is also now ‘aged’ based as opposed to year group based.  

These are important changes to the way our teams are selected and will greatly benefit our netball community by allowing our students to develop their skills at an age-appropriate level and increase the opportunities for those wishing to pursue a representative pathway. 

New Zealand Tour

Thank you to all the students who expressed an interest in participating in this program, hopefully the first of many. I am excited about the team that has been selected which brings together our experienced players and some of our talented, younger players. This will be an amazing opportunity for all of them and we look forward to seeing the girls work together as a TEAM. 

Together Everyone Achieves More.  

Joanne Gocher
Head Netball Coach and Coordinator

Luiz Ramalho
Director of Sport and Co-curricular Activities

VACATION CARE

Our April Vacation Care program is packed with new and exciting incursions. We’ve included an incursion with after school activity Bricks4 Kids and other incursions were selected by the children from FUN Day Out. There’s certainly a STEM theme running through the program. Please see below for full information.

Booking for vacation care open on Monday 11 March. If you book before the end of term, you’ll pay the permanent vacation care daily fee of $80 per child plus incursion and excursion cost. If you book during the school holidays the daily fee is $82 per child.

If you would like your child to attend vacation care, please contact OOSH Coordinator Frances at ooshmail@ssc.nsw.edu.au or call OOSH on 9745 7790 between 2:00pm and 6:00pm.

Vacation care is always an enjoyable experience for children. With a focus on leisure and fun, children always make friends and come home with stories to tell about their day at OOSH.

We look forward to seeing your child at OOSH during the next school holidays.

Jackie Baxter
Director of Mary Bailey House

Night Patrol

Night Patrol gives people in our community the chance to do something hands-on to help people in the community who are doing it tough. Originally we took food and hot drinks to people in the inner city to people experiencing homelessness, but recently our focus has changed to support people who are technically not homeless – but living in high rise social housing. They might have a place to live but have very little money left after paying rent and essentials for food. One lady reported having a fridge but she couldn’t turn it on because she couldn’t pay for the electricity.

Every four weeks various members of the Santa community – staff, students, parents, and ex-students and ex-parents – take the Vinnies van out and share sandwiches and hot drinks with residents who meet us on the green. We need at least 200 sandwiches each time – as well as little extras such as cakes/biscuits/brownies and bananas and packers of chips, boxes of fruit juice, etc. 

If you‘d like more information about joining us in the van, making sandwiches or providing some little extras, please contact me. You can commit to regular or one-off contributions; we have enough people helping so that you are not locked into every month – unless you want to be! And some people do. We are a very generous community!

Jane Sulis
Outreach Coordinator 

9745 7034
j.sulis@ssc.nsw.edu.au 

Winter uniform next term

A friendly reminder that winter uniform is required for Term 2. Please feel free to visit the uniform shop or order online to ensure you have your winter uniform ready. Students are welcome to visit the uniform shop before or after school, recess or lunch to try on uniform – all care will be taken to fit students correctly.

Please also note the uniform shop is cashless, all major cards are accepted.

Meredith Saade
Santa Sabina College Uniform Shop Manager
P: 9745 7045
W: www.midford.com.au
Book an Appointment: https://Midford.as.me/SantaSabinaCollege

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

P&F Welcome – Term 1 – Week 6

Mid Term Update

As we reach the midpoint of the term, the Parents and Friends’ (P&F) Association is delighted to share updates on past and upcoming events, reflecting our vibrant school community’s spirit and engagement.

We continued the term’s initial success with coffee catch ups for Year 3, Year 7 and Year 10 parents, held respectively at Quarte Café in Strathfield, Hearthe in Stanmore and Artisant in Burwood. These gatherings provided wonderful opportunities for parents to connect, share experiences, and support each other in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

In addition, the recent P&F General Meeting on 28 February was a productive session where we discussed school developments, upcoming events, and initiatives aimed at enriching our children’s educational experience. We extend our gratitude to all attendees for their valuable contributions and insights.

Looking ahead, we have exciting events on the horizon, including the International Women’s Day celebration on 7 March (day of this article release) and the 130^th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The P&F will also be supporting the Santa Sabina College Discovery Tours and will be wrapping up the term by wrapping up gifts for the P&F Mother’s Day stall. These events are fantastic opportunities to learn, engage, and contribute to our community’s growth.

Furthermore, we encourage all parents to participate in the upcoming year group catch-ups. These informal meetings are a great way to meet other parents in your child’s year group, exchange ideas, and foster a sense of community and belonging. Details of these catch-ups are below and will be shared in the respective year group chats.

Thank you to everyone who has participated and volunteered in our events so far. Your involvement is what makes our Santa Sabina community so special. Let’s continue to support each other and work together to create a positive and enriching environment for all our families.

The P&F Association

Upcoming Events

🎉 130th Anniversary Gala Dinner – Friday, 22 March – Fullerton Hotel

Dear Parents!

Santa Sabina College is thrilled to invite you to the 130th Anniversary Gala Dinner, a night of celebration, reminiscence, and community spirit.

It’s time to book!!

📅 Date: Friday, 22 March

⏰ Time: 6:00pm

📍 Location: The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

This gala is not just a dinner; it’s a celebration of our journey, achievements, and the wonderful community that makes us who we are. It’s an evening to dress up, enjoy great food, and make lasting memories with the Santa Sabina community.

Table bookings:

• Book a whole table for 10. A perfect opportunity to get together with friends, year groups or sporting teams!
• Prefer to mingle or new to the College? Simply click on the link below and you will be able to detail who you would like to sit with or your year group that you would like to be seated with and we will organise it for you.

🌟 Don’t miss this chance to be part of our historic 130th Anniversary celebration. Book your spot now and join us for an unforgettable evening!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you. See you at the Gala!

Warm regards,

SSC P&F Association

Parent Catch Ups

Past Events

Parents and Friends (P&F) General Meeting

The recent Parents and Friends (P&F) General Meeting held on Thursday 28 February at Santa Sabina College’s Benincasa was a testament to the vibrant community spirit and active engagement of our parents and staff. Chaired by P&F President Ben Middleton, the meeting saw the participation of the College Executive and numerous parents, alongside constructive discussions on various topics, including the confirmation of Parent Representatives for 2024 and the planning of Term 1 and 2 events.

Highlights from the meeting included updates from College Principal Paulina Skerman on the College’s recent activities and future plans, a review of the successful Welcome Drinks event, and the finalisation of the 2024 Events Calendar. Special thanks were extended to Sia for her wonderful welcome cookies and the tireless efforts of the Mother’s Day committee. The meeting also touched on financial updates, communication strategies, and upcoming parent education opportunities. It concluded with decisions on new P&F Executive roles and discussions on initiatives such as a sustainability company for second-hand uniforms.

The meeting underscored the importance of community involvement, with a forward-looking approach to enhancing the educational and social environment at Santa Sabina. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 22 May 2024. For those who were unable to attend, the minutes will be posted on the P&F page in Veritas Online.

Year 7 Parents Morning Tea Catch Up

On the morning of Friday 23 February 2024, Year 7 parents had the pleasure of congregating at the cozy Hearthe café in Stanmore, where they were treated to an array of great coffee and scrumptious Australian-infused scones and cakes. A special note of gratitude goes to the host, Christopher The, a Year 7 parent, whose hospitality and welcoming space allowed for this wonderful gathering. Such events underscore the strength and camaraderie within our parent community, making these moments cherished and memorable.

Year 10 Parents Morning Tea Catch Up

On 1 March 2024, Year 10 parents met at Artisant in Burwood for a casual coffee morning. It was a well-attended event where parents exchanged insights and shared laughter over quality coffee and pastries. The meet-up served as an excellent platform for strengthening community ties within the year group, proving once again the importance of parent involvement in our school’s collaborative environment. These gatherings continue to be a key element in fostering the supportive network that is vital for our children’s success at Santa Sabina.

Parent Education

Working collaboratively with your child and their learning by Debra Brodowski

The school year is well and truly under way! School activities are under way, friendships are being made, learning is undertaken. One of my observations as a parent is how much change has occurred with the education system over the years! Thankfully, there are new ways of teaching concepts, the curriculum has been overhauled, and child development principles have been updated.

There may be times throughout your child’s learning journey where you may be curious about learning outcomes or what may be occurring in the classroom environment. Working in partnership with the class teacher and the school has so many benefits for your child’s learning journey. Indeed, child development research consistently notes that school and parents working in partnership allows the child to:

• develop efficacy positive self-esteem
• develop a growth mindset, have a willingness to overcome challenges, and be motivated to learn
• be positive about school
• improve their learning outcomes.

To assist this occurring, parents supporting their child’s learning at school can be achieved with some of the following ideas:

• Check in with your child regularly to understand what they are learning and see what they find easy or challenging. If they are struggling with an idea, piece of homework, or learning area:
  • Talk with them about how they may have learnt the idea in class and what they remember.
  • Ask if there were any online resources that were used to assist learning the concept. Perhaps you could go over them together.
  • Ask if there is there a peer or a study group partner who can assist with learning the concept.
  • Suggest that your child go back to their teacher the following day to explain the concept/idea/learning outcome.
• Be supportive of their work by helping them to create and maintain a study and revision plan.
• Keep in mind that school is about academic learning, however of importance in the world is social and emotional learning which also occurs in the school environment.
• If there are additional questions that you have that haven’t been resolved between you and your child, check in with the teacher to:
  • Understand what might being observed at school
  • Understand how you as a parent may be able to support the school in your child’s learning
  • Ask if there are any other resources or connections of support that may assist in developing your child’s learning.

Working in collaboration with your child and the school can assist your understanding of what might be occurring in the learning environment and enrich your child’s schooling experience.

Ex-Students’ Association

The Ex-Students’ Association are proud to be hosting our Panel Evening in the lecture theatre tonight at 6:00pm.

We sincerely thank the College for their support and the P&F for partnering with us and their generous sponsorship.

We would also like to draw your attention to our forthcoming reunion for the Class of 1984:

Elizabeth Pooley
President

Confirmation at St Joseph’s Enfield

The Parish of St Joseph’s Enfield would like to welcome all children who
have not completed the Sacrament of Confirmation to attend the program
at St Joseph’s Enfield.

Fr Kim Ha
Parish Priest

Free Learner Driver Workshop

Burwood Council is running a free learner driver workshop to guide parents, carers and supervisors of learner drivers through the licensing process.

This event is jointly delivered in partnership with City of Canada Bay, Inner West & Strathfield Councils.

When: 6:00pm-7:30pm Wednesday 20 March 2024

Where: Online via Teams

How: Register with the council’s road safety officer on 9911 9912 or usha.arvind@burwood.nsw.gov.au

Young drivers are over-represented in the crash statistics.

Help them become safer drivers by encouraging them to:

• Know the road rules
• Observe all signposting
• Understand licence conditions
• Drive safely & park legally at all times

Visit the road safety stall at the Burwood Safety Expo on Saturday 16 March 2024 @ Burwood Park.

Usha Arvind
Road Safety Officer
Burwood Council

Holiday Coding and Robotics Camp

EdTech Group is holding school holiday camps in coding and robotics in various locations across NSW including one at Santa Sabina on 15 and 16 April. For more information see below: