Although Term 2 is the shortest term of the year, it’s certainly been full of achievement, performance celebration and community. The latest Lamp Post video (below) features the highlights and some exciting new announcements.
Paulina Skerman
College Principal
It is a well-researched and documented fact that a sense of connectedness to school is a protective factor for young people. The positive impact on longer-term health and wellbeing and education outcomes is very apparent when students feel connected to and within their school environment. It is our job as educators to provide students with opportunities to have meaningful input into decisions and to drive new initiatives. By providing opportunities to show leadership at school we are able to enhance students’ sense of belonging and connectedness. These opportunities are also one way of enabling students to develop social competencies.
Hence, both our formal student leadership structures across Years 4-12 and the multitude of ways we are able to provide opportunities for leadership skill building have become an important part of our wellbeing framework at Santa Sabina. Our Year 4 leaders all hold leadership positions and contribute to key activities across the campus; leading assemblies, fundraising and inspiring their younger peers to get involved and demonstrate kindness towards each other. When a student leads the way, not only do others follow but they are also exposed to the skills and capacities they need to step into similar roles in the future.
In Gioia House our student leaders also act as role models and capacity builders. The leadership program at Gioia House encourages our badged leaders to walk alongside all Gioia House students in their leadership journey; encouraging collaboration and involvement in all activities. Our Year 7-12 Leadership Team and the House Captains this year have been enthusiastic in their leadership and have ensured that as many of them are coming up behind the student body encouraging and promoting involvement, as there are leaders striding ahead at the front – showing the way. Wellbeing Wednesday, a new initiative from our current Senior Student Leadership Team allows these traits to be clearly evident to the student body.
Term 3 on the Year 7-12 campus will see the start of the leadership election process for our new Year 12 leaders who will begin their leadership journey in Term 4 this year. Year 11 students will be hearing more about this in the first weeks of Term 3. The most important message they will be hearing is that this journey is not a solo journey – its intent is to bring others along with them so that all students’ leadership capacities can flourish and grow.
Melanie van der Meer
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care
The College receives a lot of feedback from residents of streets surrounding both Santa Sabina and Del Monte campuses regarding Santa Sabina families parking in their driveway during drop off and pick up times. Parking across a driveway can incur a fine from both local council and the police. The designated drop-off and pickup area at the Santa Sabina Campus (including Gioia House) is at the Kiss & Ride area on Jersey Road, while the designated pick-up area for the Del Monte campus is at the Kiss & Ride on Carrington Road.
Families should have received communication from Ms Skerman regarding Santa Sabina’s position on AI. As well as developing an AI framework, the College has examined current policy documentation with respect to Deepfake AI. With several examples of deepfakes being used against school students recently, the College has adjusted policies to reflect the rise of individuals using AI to harm others. The eSafety Commissioner defines a deepfake as ‘a digital photo, video or sound file of a real person that has been edited to create an extremely realistic but false depiction of them doing or saying something that they did not actually do or say.’
Years 3-11 Speech Night – Change of Date
Please note that our Speech Night has changed and will now be on Wednesday 27 November at 6:30pm at the State Theatre.
John Gilmore
Deputy Principal Operations
Term 2 has flown with so much happening on the Santa Sabina Campus. Students have participated in Model United Nations, Ethics, PISA testing, Debating, the Science and Engineering Challenge, the Big Science Competition, and the Junior Science Olympiad, just to name a few. As I write this last VV for the term, I am heading to the Town Hall for the spectacular Gala Night to showcase the music students’ talents.
For our Year 12 students, the next six months are crucial as they prepare to step into the world beyond school. To aid them in this journey, a career expo is scheduled for this Friday, offering a glimpse into the post-school opportunities. Additionally, teachers will conduct workshops on-site during the holidays, providing valuable guidance and support. The library will also be open to Year 11 and 12 students for the first week of the holidays from 9 to 3 p.m. Please note, students are required to sign in and out when using this service.
On Tuesday 23 July, we will recognise the students who have been awarded an Academic or Pastoral Award from Semester One. Parents of recipients are welcome to attend this assembly. Year 7-10 Assembly: 12.15pm in Siena Hall.
The reports will be accessible later this afternoon on Parent Lounge. Subject and Homeroom teachers can be contacted via email if parents have any concerns about their child’s report.
I’m sure that everyone is eagerly anticipating the upcoming break. I would like to take this moment to express my gratitude to the staff and students for their dedication and hard work throughout the semester. I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing break, and I look forward to seeing you all next term.
Jacqueline Pugh
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
As we come to the end of yet another bustling school term, it’s time to take a step back and reflect on the remarkable efforts and accomplishments of our students over the past nine weeks. Santa Sabina College is a unique place where students immerse themselves in rich academic, pastoral, and co-curricular experiences.
Congratulations to all students for their unyielding commitment to learning and enthusiastic participation in a range of sports, music, and co-curricular programs within and outside of the College. Our spirits soared witnessing our students come alive on stage during the College Gala concert this week. It was more than just a concert, it was a symphony of world-class performances, where every student stepped into the spotlight. The air was filled with the harmonious chords of instruments, the melodic echoes of singing, and the rhythmic sway of dancing. With numerous Del Monte and Gioia House students taking part in multiple performances throughout the night, the Gala was an exemplary display of the collective talent of our students and music faculty, serving as a source of immense joy for everyone.
Ms Skerman and I have repeatedly written to our families to request your cooperation in respecting the private properties around our school, including not using the neighbouring Uniting Church car park or parking in private driveways. Unfortunately, we continue to witness instances where families disregard traffic rules on Carrington Avenue, such as making illegal turns and blocking walkways. Such practices compromise the safety of our students.
For everyone’s safety, please use the designated crossing on Carrington Avenue. It is crucial to remember that our children are observing and learning from our actions; adhering to these guidelines sets a positive example and teaches them the importance of safety.
We acknowledge that many families have children participating in after-school activities at the Community Halls, such as Kumon and dance classes. Parents of students enrolled in these activities are permitted to park in the church car park. To facilitate coordination between the Uniting Church and the College, we ask these families to obtain a parking sticker from the Del Monte Reception. Please display this sticker on your family’s Kiss and Ride sign to be allowed parking access during after-school activities.
We have also contacted Strathfield Council to request that rangers be dispatched to ensure the safety of our students on Carrington Avenue during drop-off and pick-up hours. Please be aware that any parent who parks illegally or violates traffic regulations risks receiving a fine or having their vehicle towed.
We appreciate your ongoing cooperation and support in maintaining a safe environment for our students.
Our young philosophers recently took part in the Junior Ethics Olympiad. This unique platform provided our students with an excellent opportunity to navigate the challenging yet fascinating world of ethical dilemmas. It was a great experience for the participants, as they exercised their critical thinking skills, embraced collaborative discussions, and explored varied ethical perspectives. The passion and diligence demonstrated by our students were truly remarkable, making it a day of valuable learning and intellectual growth. We congratulate all participants for their commitment to lunchtime training and commendable performance, and we look forward to more such enriching experiences in the future. I also want to acknowledge all the hard work of the Senior student coaches, Kate Pitman-Fernandez, Emily Hirschhorn, and Eve Ardagna who generously shared their time and expertise with the Gioia House teams.
Congratulations to the Ethic Olympiad Blue Team for achieving second place and Black Team receiving an honourable mention from the judges.
Blue Team
Michelle Ho, Jorja Matthews, Sophie Ash, Rachel Michael and Elizabeth Saade.
Black Team
Valentina Dal Pra, Alannah Jabbour, Isabella Grasso, Alexandra Nakhle, Lillian Mackey and Petra Lam.
Semester 1 Academic Reports will be made available to parents on Wednesday 26 June. You will notice the improvement we have made to the reports, designed to provide parents with more comprehensive information about how their child is achieving specific learning outcomes. Semester reports allow us to honour students’ learning journeys. We invite you to read the teachers’ observations and celebrate your child’s accomplishments. Furthermore, we encourage a collaborative approach towards any proposed recommendations to further enhance your child’s progress. A huge amount of time goes into writing each student’s report. I thank each teacher for the considerable out of hours time put into these reports. Our commitment to your child’s learning goes beyond the academic reports. Our teachers will continue to reach out to you directly if there are any concerns or updates regarding your child’s progress in the classroom.
We hope the recent parent-teacher-student interviews have given you further insights into your child’s progress. Additionally, Year 3 and 5 parents will receive their child’s NAPLAN Individual Student Report at the beginning of Term 3.
Congratulations to all our students for their dedication and commitment, whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or on the performing stage. We celebrate every achievement, big and small, and are immensely proud of the progress each student has made. A special congratulations goes out to the recipients of the Dominican Award for Semester 1.
Kindergarten Isabelle Ghobrial
Year 1 Mansoura Taouk
Year 2 Melody Caesar Cho
Year 3 Mark Khawaja
Year 4 Dohhyun Park
Kindergarten Olivia Tang
Year 1 Lucas Nguyen
Year 2 Chanel Nasr
Year 3 Alicia Wu
Year 4 Daphne Nguyen
Kindergarten Braydon Zhang
Year 1 Serena Dong
Year 2 Gabriella Abbonizio
Year 3 Irene Jung
Year 4 Scarlett Ghossein
Kindergarten Madison Maralit
Year 1 Chanel Seely
Year 2 Samuel Van Hore
Year 3 Esther Sophia Ghobrial
Year 4 Alexandra Polycarpou
Kindergarten Leo Deng
Year 1 Sooah Cho
Year 2 Oscar Kochman
Year 3 Isabelle Lee
Year 4 Elijah Au
Kindergarten Matthew Korb-Wells
Year 1 Chloe Nguyen
Year 2 Aria Serafin
Year 3 Chloe Cruz
Year 4 Alexandra Manconi
Kindergarten Oliver Ghobrial
Year 1 Darren Chang
Year 2 Ollie Bezzina
Year 3 Yousseff Taouk
Year 4 Riha Han
We look forward to acknowledging the Gioia House Award recipients on Tuesday 23 July at 10:30am in the College Hall. Parents of students receiving awards will receive an invitation to join us at this special assembly to celebrate their children’s achievements.
On Friday 2 August, the College will gather as a community to celebrate the Feast of St Dominic, marking a special moment in our community and our shared heritage.
St Dominic founded the Order of Preachers in the 13th century, choosing the motto Veritas – Truth for his new religious order of friars and sisters. Dominic preached as Jesus had done and studied to be well informed about the world.
This year is particularly momentous as we also celebrate 130 years of Santa Sabina College and honour the pioneering Dominican Sisters who established the first Dominican foundation in Australia from Ireland. We are pleased to have our Archbishop, Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP, presiding over our Mass.
Event details:
Schedule:
Transportation and parking:
Morning tea and lunch:
On this special day, we celebrate as a community but also remember the wider community to which we belong. This year, we are asking students to bring a donation to the Dominican Sisters.
Pope Francis has chosen the theme ‘In old age do not forsake me’ from Psalm 71 for the 2024 celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
We are excited to invite grandparents to celebrate Grandparents Day with an open invitation to explore our classrooms on Tuesday 6 August.
Due to the large number of expected grandparents visiting, we ask that only grandparents attend this event unless they need to be assisted. We will hold two sessions for grandparents to enjoy a presentation from their grandchildren and visit their classrooms. During the lunch break and class visits, all grandparents from both sessions are welcome to join us for tea and coffee and visit our library to purchase a book.
Session One P-1: 12:00 noon – 1:00pm
Prep, Kindergarten and Year 1 presentation in the Del Monte Hall, followed by a visit to classrooms
Lunch Break: 1:00pm – 1:40pm
Sandwiches, coffee and tea are available to all grandparents
Session Two Years 2 – 4: 1:45pm – 2:45pm
Years 2, 3 and 4 presentations in the Del Monte Hall, followed by a visit to classrooms
We kindly ask that grandparents arrive at the allocated time. Grandparents are welcome to stay for alternative time slots if they have grandchildren in more than one grade.
Please fill out the booking form below before Monday 29 July.
On Thursday 8 August, we will celebrate ‘100 Days of Kindergarten,’ under the theme, ‘100 Days Brighter.’ This theme highlights the remarkable growth our Kindergarten students have experienced in their first 100 days at school. It signifies how they have brightened our community with their curiosity, joy and knowledge. To symbolise this theme of and progress, we invite students to come to school dressed in vibrant, colourful clothing.
Parents are warmly invited to join us for this occasion, which marks a significant milestone in our youngest learners’ educational journeys. The celebration will begin with a Liturgy, followed by a Morning Tea, providing an opportunity for families to connect and share in the achievements of their children. Throughout the day, students will participate in various fun and educational activities that not only reflect their learning but also look forward to the continued growth and brightness they will bring to our community.
We will send more detailed information and a schedule of events as the date approaches.
We look forward to concluding the term with our Primary Athletics Carnival this Friday. This event is more than just a display of sportsmanship, it’s a vibrant celebration that brings joy to students as they have fun and connect on the sporting field.
I want to take this moment to express my deep appreciation to the P&F Association and all the parent volunteers. Your unwavering commitment creates a dynamic community atmosphere and supports the College events. Special thanks also to the parents involved in supporting our outdoor education programs, excursions, and classroom activities.
Wishing all our families a wonderful holiday break filled with joy and relaxation.
‘Lord, we thank You for the blessings of this day and the promise of tomorrow.
May our hearts overflow with gratitude for Your endless generosity and love.‘
Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6
For detailed information about upcoming college events, please refer to the communications sent directly to families via email.
Important dates for Del Monte:
Important dates for Gioia House:
Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6
We invite all members of the Santa Sabina community to join us as we celebrate our patron saint on Dom’s Day next term, a special 130th Anniversary event.
Yvette Graniero
Director of Community Relations
Vacation care begins next week! If your child is looking for fun and exciting things to do during the upcoming school holidays, then look at our program, which was developed with OOSH children.
Every day begins with an engaging craft or cooking experience, is illuminated by an exciting incursion or excursion and rounded off with an entertaining film. What more would a child want or need to help them relax, have fun and play with friends these holidays?
Our incursions and excursions include some of the children’s ongoing favourite activities such as the Ultra Gaming Van, Kingpin Bowling, Exergames and Strathfield Park. We included the following new activities The Accidental Invention, Scientifix, Surreal Racing and Runaway with the Circus and brought back some old favourites like Laser Tag and the movies.
Eligible families are entitled to claim a Child Care Subsidy that will reduce the daily OOSH fee. Breakfast and afternoon tea are provided daily. Children are only required to bring morning tea and lunch, just like they would at school.
Primary and Gioia House students are all welcome to attend vacation care. They just need to be enrolled in OOSH prior to doing so. To enrol your child, contact our OOSH Coordinator Frances Windon at ooshmail@ssc.nsw.edu.au or call her on 9745 7790 between 2:00pm and 6:00pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.
Jackie Baxter
Director of Mary Bailey House
Join us for a day of golf, open to all, as we come together to build a strong community and create wonderful memories.
When: Tee off at 7:30-45am; Thursday 7 November 2024
Where: Strathfield Golf Club
The cost is $190.00 per person which includes breakfast, 18 holes, lunch and drinks. There are limited spots available so please book to avoid disappointment.
If you have any questions, please contact me on 0414 915 910 or giving@ssc.nsw.edu.au
We are seeking your support to assist us in making our Master Plan a reality.
The aim of Giving Day is to engage with the whole school community for 24 hours to raise as much money for both our Building and Scholarship funds.
WE need your support!
We are seeking lead donors who can provide us with a donation that others can match. A lead donor will enable us to double our money and we hope that it will be a catalyst for others to give. Please contact me giving@ssc.nsw.edu.au in the Development office to speak about the possibility of your support.
As Ms Skerman has announced in her latest Lamp Post video, the Development Application to construct our long-awaited undercover play and meeting area along with the Rosary Garden on the Primary Campus has been approved by Strathfield Council.
As you know there will be an opportunity for members of our community, families and others to purchase a Rosary Bead and have their family name placed on a plaque that will be placed on a bead. Further information will be provided about this in the future.
George Ayoub
Director of Development
giving@ssc.nsw.edu.au
0414915910
There is a distinct winter ‘freshness’ in the air at Tallong Campus. This ‘freshness’ has been felt acutely by the Tallong team as we have embarked on a deck cleaning project using high pressure hoses. It made a lot of sense with our rain tanks full and bucket loads of rain predicted over June. What we may have underestimated was the ‘freshness’ combined with the misty spray given off by the pressure hoses. Together the combination took the word ‘freshness’ to a whole new level.
Again, I tip my hat to the Tallong team who at times were rugged up under their wet weather gear during drizzly and COLD (ok I will use the word) conditions. Together they embraced the conditions to get the job done as part of just one of the objectives we have set out as part of our continuous improvement ambitions. We see the rewards for the hard work every day and I cannot thank the team enough for their efforts (photos below).
This week we are excited to finish Term 2 with the Year 11 Retreat themed ‘Living Wholeheartedly: The Gift of Grace’. The Years 11 and 12 Retreats have been part of the fabric of Santa Sabina College and Tallong Campus for around 20 years. The Retreats provide a wonderful opportunity for students to explore their spirituality alongside Veritas (Truth) in the Dominican tradition. For the students and staff who are visiting this week, just a little reminder, it is a bit ‘fresh’ down in the Highlands at the moment so make sure you pack your thermals and winter woollens.
To the whole school community: have a great holiday break.
Steve Fox
Manager Tallong Campus and the Tallong Team
Initial test patches that turn into 200+m of deck.
Once you get started it’s hard to stop.
Come and see our Year 11, Year 10 and Year 9 student actors performing the legendary Picnic at Hanging Rock in the Black Box Theatre next month!
Everyone at Appleyard College for Young Ladies agreed it was just right for a Valentine’s Day picnic at Hanging Rock. After lunch, a group of three of the girls climbed into the blaze of the afternoon sun, pressing on through the scrub into the shadows of Hanging Rock. Further, higher, till at last they disappeared. Will they be found or lost forever?
Thursday 25 July 2024 – Saturday 27 July 2024 at 7:00pm
Black Box Theatre
Santa Sabina College
In May, 53 students from Santa Sabina College in Years 7 to 10 participated in the 2024 Big Science Competition hosted by Australian Science Innovations.
This national competition presented a challenge for students to exercise their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The questions are aligned with the Australian Curriculum and do not test just factual recall, but are set in real-life, contemporary contexts, making them relatable and interesting.
We appreciate all our students who elected to participate and especially congratulate the following students who achieved exceptional results:
Year 9: Lillian Gill, Sabina Klar and Alannah Quinn
Year 7: Kyra Gomes
Year 8: Abigail Yang
Year 9: Sarah Ho
Year 10: Claudia Lee, Calliope Stewart, Emily Wong
Year 7: Alicia Bouantoun, Cadence Wong
Year 8: Chloe De Cruz Maundrell, Chloe Xu
Year 9: Mia Bek, Amelie McKee, Allegra Musca, Chloe Solmirano, Jay Maree Yu Healy
Year 10: Poppy Haigh, Annelies Notelaers
Students will be presented with their High Distinction and Distinction certificates during our College Assembly and all other certificates will be presented in class.
Science Department
All welcome!
The Microsoft Imagine Cup Junior is a global student competition designed to help Australian high school students learn about AI, understand the ethics behind the technology and innovate AI concepts that could make a difference for the Earth, Accessibility, Humanitarian Action or Cultural Heritage.
This learning experience has enabled students to understand the nature of Artificial Intelligence and the impact this technology can have on their future. Students worked through a series of modules to equip them with the skills and knowledge to innovate a new concept. Students worked in teams on a design thinking challenge to dream up a creative solution that uses AI to make a difference in the world. In addition students developed a functioning AI App and a two-minute presentation video demonstrating the concept.
The competition was an incredible opportunity for our Year 10 IST students to apply their knowledge and creativity in the field of artificial intelligence. While our students did not secure a win this time, their AI app designs were nothing short of outstanding. They demonstrated exceptional innovation and problem-solving skills, making us extremely proud of their efforts and dedication.
Throughout the competition, our students gained invaluable insights into the world of artificial intelligence. They learned about cutting-edge technologies, ethical considerations, and the practical applications of AI in various industries. This experience has not only enriched their understanding but also inspired them to continue exploring the limitless possibilities of AI. Congratulations to all the participants for their hard work and remarkable achievements.
Below are a few of the Apps designed for the Miocrosoft competition.
App Name: RoadPal App
Team members: Angelina Hanna, Zara Portolesi and Zara Ters
Main Concept: Statistically, 20% to 30% of all fatal car crashes in Australia are attributed to fatigue whilst driving. Additionally, around one in four crashes that involve only one car are caused by the driver falling asleep. Moreover, for more personal reasons, four years ago, our friend Veronique passed away when she was just 11, and as a close friend who was part of our school and grade community, we hold this issue close to our hearts. The fatal crash was due to the immature choices of a drunk driver, the 29-year-old drove into the four children – Veronique and her three cousins – after his ute mounted a kerb. This was not only due to his drunk driving but furthermore, the effect that the drinking had on increasing his fatigue. Thus, we have chosen to address the AI for good category: AI for Health. In order to address this issue, we have developed an app that is aimed at assisting all individuals driving, and more specifically, people who are driving for long periods of time. These individuals may experience fatigue and given that being distracted increases your risk of crashing, specifically, being distracted for two seconds whilst driving at 60 km/h means you are travelling 33 metres ‘blind’. The individuals who experience fatigue need stimulation in order to keep their brain functioning and by maintaining cognitive function and mental alertness, will, in turn, reduce feelings of tiredness. Additionally, basic human necessities such as food, water, sleep and caffeine will provide longer-lasting alertness and thus contribute to road safety.
App Name: LifeLink Assist
Team members: Florence Ata, Charlize Cencigh, Siana Pinto
Main Concept: To solve the issue of elderly people receiving and accessing inadequate care, we are producing an app called LifeLink Assist. LifeLink Assist is a health app targeted towards elderly people and used in collaboration with their caregivers. The comprehensive list of features housed in our app is dedicated to helping elderly users cope with daily age-specific challenges and aims to improve their overall quality of life. This app is like no other as it combines solutions to multiple challenges faced by the elderly, all accessible on one mobile platform. Sixty-one percent of people over the age of 65 own a mobile phone (National Library of Medicine, 2022), ensuring that Lifelink Assist is highly necessary, accessible, and convenient. Our app houses a selection of features that each target a struggle faced by elderly people. The pill reminder feature, for example, uses a range of complex AI programs such as pattern recognition to create repetitive reminders once the dates and times are set, guaranteeing that elderly users are keeping on top of taking their medication.
App Name: SunGuard AI
Team members: Isabella Kelly, Claudia Lee, Namina Sogore and Sophia Yparraguirre
Main Concept:
Our ‘AI for Good’ concept is an app that utilises artificial intelligence to raise awareness, reduce the risk and potentially even assist in early detection. The app name, SunGuard AI, will be available across all IOS and Android devices and allow users to access a range of services at the tip of their fingers. Features included, but are not limited to sun safety alerts that monitor the UV index, sunscreen recommendations based on user skin type, quick access to contact local medical clinics based on location and specialisation, UV and mole scanning technology that detects and diagnoses concerns and conditions and a virtual assistant that can answer any related questions, at any time.
Rosanne Sukkar
Dean of Enterprise & Innovation and TAS Teacher
We are very excited to invite Year 7 – 10 families to take part in our OpenBook reading initiative. OpenBook _ What will we discover?… is a buddy reading program for families to promote reading and conversation. Interested families are invited to sign up and choose a book from a robust selection centred around three key themes:
To enjoy during the winter holiday break, your book (two copies) will be sent home in a complimentary book bag, with discussion points to promote conversation and observation. It’s a chance to have a shared experience with your child; one that encourages connections and a great sense of belonging. Think of it as a family book club.
We have a selection of novels for all types of readers: avid, reluctant, discerning. Remember, that sometimes it only takes 20 minutes a day of reading to see a difference in the way your child engages with the world. What a better way for them to experience that than with you part of that journey?
When Term 3 resumes, students will be asked to return the novels and discussion cards, however, the bookbag remains with you as a small gift.
Last week we sent Years 7-10 families the Google form for those interested to sign up. If you missed the email you can find it here.
Please feel free to contact us here in the library if you have questions.
We hope you enjoy reading and discussing these great books.
Susan Lombardo
Head of Library (5-12) and the SSC Library team
s.lombardo@ssc.nsw.edu.au or library@ssc.nsw.edu.au
The Experience Engineering day, hosted by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), celebrated women’s contributions to the engineering workforce and introduced us to diverse career options within the sector.
Throughout the event, discussions on design thinking and project-based learning were led by a panel of engineers and graduates, and we were able to take part in workshops that allowed us to explore various engineering disciplines and their positive societal impact. A particular highlight of the day was the aerospace engineering activity, where we applied innovative skills in the construction of a model plane, gaining deeper insights into the expansive field of Aeronautical engineering. The STEM-focused activities enhanced our understanding of the engineering profession whilst growing our skills. Overall, the day provided a valuable opportunity for exploring career options beyond school. Everyone enjoyed the activities and the university experience was enriching!
Mia Bek and Allegra Musca
Year 9
On 12 June, Santa Sabina’s Japanese students were given the opportunity to meet students from Fujimigaoka high school as part of a cultural exchange.
The day was a great success in terms of allowing students from both schools to mingle; sharing language, traditions, gifts and learning about each other’s school life. The day’s activities were really interesting to engage with and my peers and I agreed about how special it was to be able to learn from the Japanese students to help expand our vocabulary. Furthermore, being able to reciprocate by helping them expand their English skills was enjoyable and reminded us of how beneficial learning a new language can be.
Meeting the students of Fujimigaoka was an amazing experience which enhanced my understanding of Japanese culture and inspired me to continue to pursue the language.
Alannah Quinn
Year 9
Senior high school students develop an awareness of the United Nations and the countries they represent at a simulated UN Assembly. The event provides an excellent forum for students to develop and practise their public speaking skills while debating topical world issues. The two-day event was organised by the Blue Mountains/Western Sydney Rotary District. This is an annual event attended by many schools in the area. Santa Sabina was represented by two well-prepared teams – Brazil (Jasmien El Khoury, Kate Pitman-Fernadez, Kelly Ghali, Aditi Kamath) and Saudi Arabia (Remi Apostoplolous, Anna-Maria Sulukojian, Zara Powter).
Below are some thoughts from the Santa Sabina participants:
Over the weekend, I was honoured to partake in a Model UN competition in Emu Plains with six other students. My team represented Brazil as we worked together to demonstrate our nation’s stance on global issues including International Trade, Information and Telecommunications, and Climate Change. Whilst we enjoyed the debating aspect, we were also able to grow alliances and friendships with other countries which assisted in us passing two of the motions which we had moved (spoken in favour of). Thank you so much to the teachers (Ms Harris, Dr Richardson, Ms Imber and Mr Henao) who trekked with us to Emu Plains and helped us prepare for the Competition. I strongly recommend the opportunity to any student interested in Debating, Politics, Social Justice or even just looking to understand how the United Nations Assembly functions.
Aditi Kamath
Year 12 IB
The Rotary Model United Nations was a fantastic experience to immerse in the global affairs and events that shape our modern world today. I, alongside Remi Apostolopoulos and Zara Powter, represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The resolutions and debates were interesting and valuable to discuss as they apply to current issues. The MUN conference provided me with a personal understanding of international relations by simulating realistic diplomatic situations.
Anna-Maria Sulukojian
Year 11 HSC
The key highlights of the MUNA for me were:
Jasmine El Khoury
Year 12 IB
Attending six rigorous resolution sessions, we were able to develop our public speaking, debating, and negotiation skills that allowed us to both engage in friendly competition, and in more serious, heated negotiation. Over the two days, we were able to vote for and against resolutions relating to real-life issues such as the Gaza vs Israel conflict, legislation against lethal autonomous weapons systems, and climate change. While representing Brazil and Saudi Arabia, we were able to express our respective countries’ viewpoints to pass or defer resolutions that we believed would be of benefit to our society. Additionally, we were able to formulate positive relationships with countries with the same viewpoints and ideologies as us, to communicate our certain stances on issues and to stand together in unity to pass and defer resolutions. Overall, it was an extremely interesting experience that allowed us to gain valuable insight into operations of the United Nations and ongoing communication between the international community.
Kelly Ghali
Year 11 IB
Julie Harris, Christopher Richardson, Gabriel Henao and Lauren Imber
Santa Sabina staff
The core of learning Geography in Year 8 is to encourage students to develop an understanding of the impact of human activity on the natural world and to encourage them to become responsible future citizens who value sustainability. Real world learning is a powerful instructional tool to foster student engagement, skill development and heighten the understanding of the interconnection of humans with their environments. To better illustrate how and why water quality can change students in Year 8 Geography actively participated in the story of ‘The Journey Of A River’. Throughout this journey, students contributed pollutants to understand the impact that human activity has on the environment. Thank you to our Geography Teacher, Natalie Fairfax, for developing this creative and highly engaging lesson.
Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Year 8 Geography students interacted with a story about a river’s journey from the source to the mouth of the ocean. The aim was to assist them in unpacking the impact people can have on waterways. Each student had a cup with ‘pollutants’ in it that, as the story progressed, they put into the river. This helped to visualise the way that land use can impact water. At the end of the activity, students were encouraged to reflect on their personal actions. They were empowered to consider ways to avoid these pollutants entering the water, and to think proactively about how they can reduce their impact more widely as a community.
Natalie Fairfax
HSIE Teacher
In our Geography class, we developed our knowledge by participating in a demonstration showing how our waterways get dirtied. Watching this is helpful for my learning as I am a visual learner. Listening to our teacher and assisting in this demonstration is a fun way to deepen my knowledge and understanding of this topic.
Anya Brodowski
Today in our Geography class we got to extend our knowledge through physical participation. Ms Farifax challenged our thinking as we built a physical model of how our rivers and streams are being polluted over time by humans. These types of lessons help my learning the most.
Xylah Bamji
In Geography, we learn content in fun and interesting ways, including using physical resources, such as the water containers. The whole class contributed to this activity. We learnt about how we can lessen pollution in rivers.
Charlotte Reavell
During this winter term break a group of students from Years 9 and 10 will be travelling to sunny Far North Queensland with Natalie Fairfax and me on the 2024 HSIE Sustainability Tour. The purpose of this experience is to give students an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of the importance of sustainability.
Students will work on sustainability projects with First Nations groups and engage in authentic fieldwork and geographical inquiry within the unparalleled UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. We look forward to snorkelling and swimming in the Great Barrier Reef to collect data, experiencing the Daintree Rainforest biodiversity, investigating our extraordinary environment through the lens of First Nations Peoples and marvelling at the unique flora and fauna such as crocodiles when attending wildlife parks and travelling by boat and the Skyrail Cableway.
The College will publish our updates on Instagram and Facebook while we are away.
Off we go on this fabulous adventure!
Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Santa Style is a student-led ethical community sustainability social enterprise initiative. In 2023 students designed this HSIE co-curricular as an ethical online business start-up with the sustainable goal to disrupt the cycle of fast fashion. To date Santa Style has saved over 75kg of fashion from becoming landfill and pollution through the Santa Style Boutique. Santa Style has won many awards for sustainability innovation.
This year students from Santa Style have stepped out and have presented at inter-school forums and have been recognised as changemakers within the broader community. Santa Style students have been invited to share innovation details and successes and in 2024 have appeared in:
A huge thank you to Vikki Cummins who draws on her corporate background to bring real-world perspectives in guiding student teamwork and problem solving within this HSIE initiative.
Santa Style girls are justly shaking the world!
Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)
At the start of Term 3, all students at the College aged between 15 and 19 years will be invited to take part in the 2024 Mission Australia Youth Survey.
The Mission Australia Youth Survey is a national survey and enquires about socio-demographic information; issues of national importance; engagement with school and post-school aspirations; mental health and wellbeing; sources of support and community connections; housing and financial situation; climate issues; as well as personal concern across a range of topics such as body image, bullying/emotional abuse, discrimination, and stress. Additional focus areas for 2024 enquire about social media use, loneliness and opinions relating to alcohol and drugs.
Your child’s participation in the Youth Survey supports Mission Australia’s advocacy to governments, community organisations and policymakers to develop programs that support young people in need. The College has also requested a report based on school-level data. This report will assist our school to develop relevant Pastoral Care programs that respond to the needs of your child and their peers.
Students will complete the survey during their timetabled Pastoral Care lesson. An information handout for was emailed to all relevant families and provides further information about the survey, including confidentiality.
Parental consent is required for students to complete the survey. If you have not yet completed the consent form, please do this before the end of term via the Parent Lounge. If you have any questions please contact Elise Whiley, via email e.whiley@ssc.nsw.edu.au.
Elise Whiley
Dean of Pastoral Care
When teachers use data to inform their practice, they have a clearer picture of what strategies are most effective in achieving the desired student outcomes. Over the past term, teachers across the three campuses have been engaged in this process as they measure the impact of the range of strategies they have introduced for their action research projects. Whether it be through classroom observation, formative or summative assessment, student surveys and interviews, teachers are using data to determine whether to maintain and build on their new strategies or to go back to the research and try something else.
For example, in their attempts to improve the structure and depth of senior students’ writing, members of our English Department including Mark Strong, Ingrid Eza-Smith and Chris Richardson, have been using exemplars with annotations and colour coding to model key techniques and components of good writing. Through writing practice, reflections and surveys, teachers are already noticing improvements in students’ understanding of how to approach a writing task to ensure their responses are better structured and supported and that they use language appropriate to the context of the question.
Kate Corcoran
Action Research Coordinator
Over the past few weeks, the students continued with our collaborative Action Girl Pastoral Program. In our class groups, we continued to focus on ‘Building Belonging’ and ‘Our Community, Our Actions – Beyond the School Gates’.
In our third session, the students were asked to recognise cultural influences and group dynamics with a sense of belonging. The students participated in a scenario card activity which focused on being confident in who we are, our cultural backgrounds, unique interests and qualities. We discussed how we can make people feel valued through our words and actions, and our unique qualities should be embraced. The students also had the opportunity to identify what challenges they faced and how we can work together to ensure we continue to be Upstanders and create a sense of belonging for everyone.
Our final collaborative session last week also focused on the impact we can have on our community. Students strengthened their understanding of our community and the benefits of community participation. We identified who belongs to our community and ways we can have a positive impact, through outreach and service to others.
The students were asked to think about what their ideal community would look like. In groups, the students were given Lego and asked to use their creativity and build their ideal community. It was interesting to hear the discussion in each group, how they worked together and focused on the diversity of people and other environmental factors that contribute to their community. As a group, the students shared their Lego models and described why they chose those community features and the one common aspect from each group was celebrating the diversity of people, different cultures, beliefs and abilities. The other common theme was serving others by providing for those less fortunate than ourselves and looking after our environment.
On Thursday 27 June we have invited guests to be part of a Q&A Panel to look at how we can have a positive impact on the community. The students have prepared some questions to ask the panel to hopefully be inspired to know they also have the ability to have a positive impact on their community.
Our Pastoral Q&A Guest panel members will include:
We thank our panel members for making the time to be with us today. We know this experience will inspire our students and allow them to understand that we each have a responsibility to look for ways we can show empathy for others, build resilience and build a sense of belonging for everyone.
Gioia House students gathered together to focus on Refugee Week. We discussed reasons why refugees need to flee their home country and looked at ways we can support people in need. Ms Sulis, our Outreach coordinator asked the girls to donate food and hygiene items which refugee communities are in great need at the moment. The Gioia House students will come together to pack hampers for the refugee community. We would like to thank the families who gave generously.
As part of our Personal Development and Health program, the Gioia House students attended a Life Ed Healthy Harold educational session.
The Year 5 classes focused on Respectful Relationships. The students investigated the importance of respectful relationships, including face-to-face and online connections. They explored how the physical and personal changes at this stage of life will impact their behaviour, emotions and relationships. They also learned to recognise, react and report disrespectful, unsafe and predatory behaviours online.
Year 6 learnt about making the right decisions. Students investigated a range of drugs, the laws around these drugs and the different ways they impact the body and brain. They identified strategies and skills to be safe and discussed influences on decision making and how to make the right choices.
After the Healthy Harold sessions, the students were given an information sheet that allows parents to have open discussions at home about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing holiday break.
Marisa Maks
Assistant Head of Gioia House
Year 6 Milicic recently made volcanoes in our Science lesson.
Students actively participated by building a cone-shaped volcano, adding baking soda and vinegar to produce a chemical reaction that caused their volcano to erupt dramatically. They discussed their observations and their interest and engagement contributed to a positive learning experience.
Ann Milicic
Year 6 Teacher
6DM has been studying the novel Blueback by Tim Winton throughout Term 2. As a culminating activity, they constructed poems to accurately represent the relationship between the characters and the environment.
Blue whirls, a gust of wind stirring
Entwined, a flourishing bond awakes
Wrapped with trust, tied with a bow
A boy and a groper
Abel yearns for the secrets uncovered
Secrets locked in tranquillity
Blueback, a book yearning to be read
But mysteries will always remain mysteries
Shores in solace, crowned with Karri trees
Abel returns, a soul planted in nature
Blueback, a pillar of life
Guardians over Abel’s true home
Winds of time, revealing an unworthy past
Nature’s skies unfolding wounds
But their bond is tied tighter still
Abel and Blueback as always
Forever
Annabelle Wong
Dazzling, crystal clear water
A colossal creature awaits
The navy-blue coloured fish
Connected to many unique traits
A youthful boy, filled with joy
Is joined by a groper of the bluest blue
Not knowing they would connect
But as time passed, their relationship grew
Longboat Bay, Abel and Blueback
As the rough waves meet the sand
The enchanting, endless ocean
Where the relationship still stands
Ella Needs
Swimming in the deep, crystal seas
Standing, listening to the breeze
A youthful boy, filled with joy
And an old groper, making connections
With many mysteries of the sea
Will he find out, I guess we’ll see.
The fish, the boy, the sand and the shore
All as one, still waiting for more
Leah Li
Where the sea meets the land
A connection stands
Longboat Bay, a place of peace and joy
And a big, blue fish
In the underworld a boy swims
He meets a groper and the friendship begins
A blanket of blue
A connection like glue
In a time of play, they remember those days
When they were surrounded by Longboat Bay
Abel and his mother patrolled the bay
And swam in the sun all day
A time to reflect
During the day they collect
Everlasting memories, kept for centuries
They keep it going and start new journeys
Elyana Lahoud
As the sand dances on the waves
A creature lurks beneath me
I spend the days playing games
Blueback, a gluttonous fish, as free as the sea
Abalone is the key to winning over the fish
I offers him some and he gobbles it up
I long for a friend, it’s more like a wish
If he could talk he’d say thank you
Charlie Jackson
Under the clear, dazzling water
A colossal creature thrives
In the deep, a dark blue an enchanting light
The water ripples
A boy dives
The young boy and a large groper
A friendship like no other
The gluttonous beast
A baby girl named Dora
A spiritual connection
Life continues for Longboat Bay
Valentina Gittany
It all started with a boy and a fish
Abel’s love for the ocean
The imposing, gluttonous jewel of the sea
Their connection strong as can be
Trying to figure out Longboat Bay
Searching to discover what he was looking for
Realising it was right in front of him
Now the Jacksons swim together as one
Georgia Ghossein
Sandy beaches that hold many secrets of the past
The sea, as clear as day, as blue as sapphire stones
A small boy, Abel, always thinking, always caring
Blueback, a midnight, gluttonous fish, older that time itself
Time would go by faster than they realised
But the wondrous friendship, forever lasting
Abel’s life changed, Blueback’s stayed the same
This time, the secrets of the sea could be seen.
Mariam Fajloun
Eamonn Dunphy
Year 6 Teacher
Students from Year 6 meet each week in differentiated groups to work on targeted strategies which will enhance their skills in Mathematics. This term some students have taken part in Maths Olympiad and Maths Games competitions which enable them to apply problem solving strategies to real-life mathematical situations.
After each competition students have the opportunity to discuss the problem solving techniques they utilised while listening to the techniques their peers used. Some students nominate themselves to explain their strategies to the group as a whole, further enhancing their skill set. As the term has progressed the students’ confidence and skill level in Mathematics has improved.
Brooke Panagopoulos
Gioia House Curriculum Leader
It has been a busy few weeks at Gioia House. The girls in 6A have had a lot of fun exploring multiplication and division in Mathematics, animal and plant adaptations, and geological events, such as volcano eruptions, during their fortnightly Science Lab lessons with Ms Nosworthy, and the importance in ‘Decision Making’ with our visit to the Healthy Harold Van as a part of our PDHPE unit.
It is wonderful to see the girls working collaboratively, asking deep, thought-provoking questions and exploring the processes of learning such a wide variety of information as a part of their very busy school days.
We are so grateful for these incredible hands-on, real life learning experiences and such opportunities are a wonderful way for the girls to explore new ways of thinking, how to collaborate effectively with others, and many other important skills and knowledge for their overall growth and development.
It has been an incredible semester of learning and we cannot wait to see what is in store for Semester 2!
6 McLaren have been exploring two-dimensional spatial structures in our new Mathematics unit. The girls explored how shapes can move through reflection, translation and rotation. In this exciting activity students followed instructions and used these movements to discover the hidden animal. The girls loved this hands-on activity, it was wonderful to see the discussion between the students where they discovered that when we use reflection, translation and rotation we change the position and orientation but not the size of the shape.
Sian Tierney
Year 6 Teacher
Year 5 has been learning about the properties of materials in Science. The students were given a range of materials such as straws, paddle pop sticks, tape and blu tac to design a boat that would hold 50g or more for 30 seconds.
The students were highly engaged as they discussed the best way to design a boat that would meet these criteria. The designs were tested and the most successful boat held 750g for over 30 seconds. Like true scientists, the students discussed ways they could improve their designs to make them even more effective.
Wendy Anetter
Year 5 Teacher
5Core1 has been delving into the UN Sustainable Development Goals during interdisciplinary unit lessons. Students have applied their research skills to explore the SDGs, gaining insights into global issues and their impact on both global and local communities. The students excelled in presenting their findings and proposed innovative solutions to the entire class.
Yu-Han Chen
Year 5 Teacher
As part of their Pastoral and PDH units of work, Year 5 visited Healthy Harold and were engaged in learning about respectful relationships. The students were immersed in great discussions throughout their time in the session and also enjoyed sharing their opinions on particular topics – as well as a pat from Harold at the end of the session!
Bryony Williams
Year 5 teacher
Year 5 Kostakis students have been exploring the book One Small Island by Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch and created introductions to persuade the audience to protect and care for Macquarie Island and places like it.
Macquarie Island is a microscopic island situated between New Zealand and Antarctica. It is also classified as a World Heritage area. Macquarie Island is a remote Island that was accidentally discovered by Captain Fredrick Hasselbrough in 1810. I undoubtedly believe that we should continue to protect Macquarie island and places like it as we are imperatively doing because there are native animals found nowhere else on earth and the animals that we brought are killing them as some have already become extinct. We are ruining Macquarie Island’s agriculture as we have brought disaster to this poor island with our animals chewing them to their fragile roots. We should have admiration and care for this beautiful little island. The Great Barrier Reef is a great example of what is happening to small islands like Macquarie Island. I strongly agree with this topic for all these reasons and you should too!
Zara Bakhos
In a world, so lush and green, Macquarie Island is under attack. It is imperative that we protect our valuable island and we must start NOW! Did you know that Macquarie Island is microscopic and is situated between New Zealand and Antarctica and lies in the Southern Ocean? The Island contains such beautiful, native and unique animals that are starting to move off the land because of us! The Island provides a valuable opportunity for scientific research. Our precious animals are getting killed because of the rodents which are ruining the fragile, vast agriculture. We need to acknowledge this and make a start for these significant animals on our land. Scientists are studying the island, trying to help maintain a safe island. They have done a lot of research to share with the world. We must keep the Island safe so that for the future generations, people have the opportunity to visit the island one day. We have the opportunity to protect the island but we don’t do it.
Ariana Cassimarty
Tayla Kostakis
Year 5 Teacher
Trust and respect are the two most important qualities in healthy friendships. Being able to trust someone means that you can count on them, they are reliable and they will always be true to their word. According to Brene Brown, ‘trust is not built in big sweeping moments. It’s built in tiny moments, every day.’
Students explored the theme of trust during their Community Time this term, by considering the small moments in their everyday lives where trust is built; such as telling the truth, looking after a friend’s belongings, taking turns when playing a game, waiting for a friend, or not talking behind a friend’s back. To assist students grasp the concept of trust more fully, the analogy of a jar of marbles was employed. This helped students see that trust can be developed in relationships through a series of small, cumulative acts, over a period of time. In friendships, trust fosters security and safety, which are essential for a sense of connection and belonging.
Over the past two weeks, all students from Prep through to Year 6 have participated in Life Education incursions inside the Healthy Harold van that has been parked onsite at the Del Monte campus. The team at Healthy Harold are passionate about equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to live safe and healthy lives. Students were delighted to meet Harold and learn about safety, social and emotional wellbeing, and physical health, as they attended lessons facilitated by a Life Education teacher, in class groups. Among the learning experiences were Friends and Feelings (Year 4), The Inside Story (Year 3), Growing Good Friends (Year 2), Ready Steady Go! (Year 1), My body matters (Kindergarten) and Harold’s Friend Ship (Prep and Mary Bailey House). Children face complex challenges and the health and safety of children is a joint responsibility. For more information about things you can do to help your child, please visit the Healthy Harold Resources for Parents & Carers webpage.
Lauren Petroni
Assistant Head of Primary P-4 and Acting Curriculum Leader P-4
On Thursday last week some of the Year 3 students celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation. Students were very reverent during the liturgy and families enjoyed having the opportunity to witness their children make their first Reconciliation.
Reconciliation is officially called the Sacrament of Penance. In the past, it was also called Confession. These titles are all aspects of the meaning of the Sacrament. The Sacrament of Penance is a celebration of God’s love and mercy. It celebrates the call to repentance after a process of conversion of heart. This includes confessing our sins and receiving the forgiveness of God through the ministry of the priest. Through this process, a person is reconciled with the Church and continues to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Congratulations to our Year 3 students who received their First Reconciliation this week.
Over the last few weeks, the Service Team has been working hard to promote the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. Thank you for all the donations for our Crazy Sock Day. The students enjoyed wearing their crazy socks. We are thrilled to announce that the Del Monte students raised $2245 for Vinnies!
Our school community came together with respect to commemorate National Reconciliation Week through a special liturgy. The liturgy provided a touching opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding of Australia’s shared history and the importance of acknowledging the injustices faced by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Through prayers, readings, and moments of reflection, we honoured the resilience and strength of the Stolen Generations and reaffirmed our commitment to reconciliation. Thank you to all those in our community who attended this meaningful experience, reinforcing the values of empathy, understanding, and unity within our school community.
From Sunday 16 to Saturday 22 June 2024, we will celebrate Refugee Week with the theme of Finding Freedom: Family.
This theme invites us to explore the stories of refugees who, despite the challenges they encounter, discover a source of freedom within the embrace of their families.
Whether it’s the unwavering support of parents, the protective love between siblings, or the communal strength found in extended and chosen families, neighbours, support systems upon arrival in Australia or the financial and emotional backbones that make the journey to safety possible, these connections become a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty. (https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/theme/)
For more Stories of Freedom: Family click on the link https://www.refugeeweek.org.au/stories-of-freedom/
Lord, we thank you, for another term as the community of Santa Sabina.
We have been blessed with the first light of dawn when each new day begins.
You bless us when the long day is over, and we snuggle down in our bed.
You bless us in our work and in our play each day.
Whatever has come our way you bless us in our smiles and in our tears.
Your blessing surrounds us in our successes and in our disappointments.
May the holidays be for us a time of rest and recreation to help restore and re-create us in your image and likeness, as we enjoy, time and togetherness in our families.
We pray for your continued blessing. Amen.
May the Lord bless you and keep you; may He smile on you and be gracious to you; may He look your way and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)
Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator P- 6 and Year 2 Teacher
Vacation care starts on Monday and runs every day during the winter break. If your child is looking for fun and exciting things to do during the upcoming school holidays, then look at our program, which was developed with OOSH children.
Every day begins with an engaging craft or cooking experience, is illuminated by an exciting incursion or excursion and rounded off with an entertaining film. What more would a child want or need to help them relax, have fun and play with friends these holidays?
Our incursions and excursions include some of the children’s ongoing favourite activities such as the Ultra Gaming Van, Kingpin Bowling, Exergames and Strathfield Park. We included the following new activities The Accidental Invention, Scientifix, Surreal Racing and Runaway with the Circus and brought back some old favourites like Laser Tag and the movies.
Eligible families are entitled to claim a Child Care Subsidy that will reduce the daily OOSH fee. Breakfast and afternoon tea are provided daily. Children are only required to bring morning tea and lunch, just like they would at school.
Primary and Gioia House students are all welcome to attend vacation care. They just need to be enrolled in OOSH prior to doing so. To enrol your child, contact our OOSH Coordinator Frances Windon at ooshmail@ssc.nsw.edu.au or call her on 9745 7790 between 2:00pm and 6:00pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.
I look forward to seeing your child at OOSH during the next school holidays.
Jackie Baxter
Director of Mary Bailey House
Year 4 students embraced the opportunity to engage in peer tutoring with their Kindergarten buddies during community time. They enjoyed reading with their buddies, teaching them how to decode tricky words and asking them comprehension questions. Year 4 students also created a range of mini-whiteboard activities for their buddies to complete, including spelling, numeracy and art. Year 4 enjoyed becoming mini-teachers and we look forward to teaching our buddies again in the future!
Catherine McGrath, Nicole Meehan, Calista Camarda and Edward Wang
Year 4 Teachers
Year 3 students have relished the opportunities to explore hands-on Mathematics investigations this term. Our new Mathematics syllabus encourages us to make connections between content while focusing on big ideas. We began our recent unit of work by looking at packaging and exploring three-dimensional nets. We then connected that learning to estimating and measuring the internal volume of three dimensional objects. We challenged ourselves to convert between litres and millilitres and reflected on the many ways our new learning is relevant in real-life application.
Year 3 students were excited to visit the Life Education van this term to meet Healthy Harold. Our lesson focus was The Inside Story where we investigated the benefits of healthy food, the functions of the body systems and factors that influence physical health such as exercise and medicines. This learning will be built upon in our Personal Development and Health lessons. The students enjoyed meeting Healthy Harold and made connections to how they can make healthy choices each day.
Margie Attard, Claire Pecker, Louise Harris and Brooke Panagopoulos
Year 3 Teachers
From 20 to 21 June, Year 2 had their ‘Tallong comes to Del Monte’ Outdoor Education Experience. The students were led through adventurous activities to introduce them to their future Tallong experiences. Year 10 Outdoor Education Leaders supported the students’ learning as they ran them through interactive and enjoyable activities for the day. Students are also given the chance to sleep over at school for a night away from home. The students were involved in:
Some may ponder why we expose students to Outdoor Education activities at an early age. Tallong has been a part of the Santa Sabina College for over 20 years and there is an embedded philosophy and understanding of the benefits of exposing students to outdoor experiences as part of their schooling years.
As the students progress in their years, they will experience Tallong in a number of different ways. They will canoe, climb on the high ropes, go camping and build new relationships. Tallong creates opportunities for students to develop independence as they learn to self-regulate and manage in a new environment. Another great reason for these experiences is that students create lifelong memories with their Year level. These are some of the core memories that students will never forget.
The benefits of nature-play are a core reason for the experiences at Tallong. Students are able to explore their imagination, be curious about their environment, exercise agency, expand their thinking and enhance their interest in learning. Play is vital for the growth and development of students as they learn to navigate relationships and new places.
As students are continuing to learn to be independent, the sleepover part of the program is vital for them to become more comfortable with being away from home. They learn to develop social skills, independence and resilience as they are exposed to new opportunities. The sleepover is also exciting because they get to sleep over at school with their friends!
The ‘Tallong comes to Del Monte’ program wouldn’t be possible without the support of parent helpers, teachers, Tallong staff and Year 10 Outdoor Education Leaders. I wish to thank you all for your kindness and support that led to the students having the best time. Thank you!
Chris Walker
Coordinator of Outdoor Education & Experiential Learning
This term, Year 1 has implemented Maths Groups in their classes. During these sessions, students enhance their mathematical skills through activities conducted in groups, pairs, or independently. They participate in diverse activities such as problem-solving, fluency tasks and interactive games to explore the taught concepts.
These sessions provide students with opportunities to work both independently and collaboratively with their peers, fostering problem-solving skills and also allow for students to develop crucial social and teamwork abilities.
Students thoroughly enjoy Maths Groups sessions and eagerly look forward to the engaging activities each time. We look forward to continuing Maths Groups in Semester 2.
Kelly Garcia, Erin Horne and Yasmine Kaballan
Year 1 Teachers
As Term 2 draws to a close, we recall the array of learning experiences and special events in which the Kindergarten students have engaged. They have certainly been involved in many varied and interesting learning opportunities from all subject areas this semester.
Our most recent was the visit to the Life Education van to meet Healthy Harold. Our lesson focus was, ‘My Body Matters – Healthy Eating’, supporting our Personal Development and Health Program, ‘My Healthy Body’.
The students learnt about choices and behaviours that promote good health, safety and wellbeing as they grow and change. They explored personal hygiene, healthy food choices, the benefits of physical activity and sleep, as well as ways to keep safe at home, school and in the community.
In Mathematics, we have been learning about creating visual data displays, exploring the attributes of two-dimensional shapes and learning about addition and subtraction.
In Digital Technology, we have been excited to learn about how to responsibly use iPads for our learning.
During Community Time, we enjoyed the opportunity to join our Year 4 Buddies for peer tutoring sessions, during which the students read to each other, quizzed one another with comprehension questions, wrote ‘tricky’ words and played spelling games.
As Term 2 concludes, we look forward to celebrating a special event to be held in early Term 3.
Thursday 8 August will mark the students’ first 100 days of Kindergarten. We will acknowledge this milestone with a special celebration themed ‘100 Days Brighter’, in acknowledgment of the curiosity and joy the Kindergarten students have brought to our school community.
We would like to wish our students and parents a safe, restful and enjoyable term break. We look forward to new and exciting experiences in Semester 2.
Anna Donato, Rebecca Saba, Vicki Spillane
Kindergarten Teachers
Our Prep students have only been at school for six months but have already experienced many firsts.
First time receiving a lunch order.
First time playing an instrument.
First time participating in Digital Technology lessons. During these lessons, Prep explored how to safely take photos using an iPad and the importance of asking friends for permission before taking their photo.
First time learning about our school’s patron saint, St Dominic. St Dominic grew up in Spain in a town named Caleruega with his mother Jane, father Felix and brothers Mańes and Antonio. Prep students are learning about St Dominic in preparation for their very first St Dominic’s Day, to be celebrated next term, on Friday 2 August.
Clare Wood and Monique Evans
Prep Teachers
One of the highlights of this term has been learning about the European currency, the Euro. Students in Year 4 have researched facts about the Euro, such as its history, the reasons why it was introduced in Europe and its value. Students were excited to observe and work with some real Euros from different European countries in class. It was interesting to discover some landmarks of European cities on coins and notes. And everyone has identified the Colosseum on the Italian Euro coins! Students also have compared the value of the Euro with that of the Australian dollar and have engaged in activities of money exchange with the use of a currency converter.
Daniela Panico
Italian Teacher
Del Monte was abuzz with excitement as bestselling children’s authors Tim Harris and Nat Amoore graced our campus for an engaging author talk with Years 2-4. The dynamic duo, known for their witty storytelling and relatable characters, captivated students and teachers. Their passion for storytelling and commitment to encouraging young readers shone through as they recounted their literary experiences. The highlight of the event was the Book Birthday Party, celebrating the release or ‘birth’ of their latest titles; Shower Lands 2: Feel the Freeze and Ratbags 5: Dummy Spit.
I don’t think anyone is going to forget how Ms Azizian or Ms Attard were tasked with taking on our little ‘ratbags’ who were trying to steal the pizza. Or how wonderfully Ms Petroni danced the waltz with Nat Amoore. The humour-filled presentation left the audience in stitches, and students couldn’t wait to get their hands on their books. As the event concluded, students lined up for book signings. It was wonderful to see so many students leaving with a cherished memory of the afternoon. The Book Birthday Party was a resounding success, celebrating literature, creativity and the joy of reading. We eagerly await more adventures from these incredible authors!
Patricia Doonan
Teacher Librarian
Students from our Year 3 Writer’s Club have been working together in a small group to develop and refine their writing skills. The NESA WriteOn competition provided the purpose and audience for the group. The Writers’ Club worked their way through the writing process over the term, starting with the generation of ideas and culminating in the feedback, review and publication phase. Students worked in pairs to assess each other’s writing according to the co-created success criteria and give targeted feedback using the two stars and a wish strategy.
Students from our Kindergarten Writers’ Club have been delving into great literature to stimulate their creativity and enrich their writing. The students were very proud to produce a persuasive poster to advertise a book they loved!
Maths Explorer Contest
Congratulations to our talented mathematicians in Del Monte who completed their second Maths Explorer Contest displaying persistence and teamwork.
Brooke Panagopoulos
Gifted Education Coordinator P-6
Tuesday night was one to remember as 650 performers took to the stage of the Sydney Town Hall in a musical extravaganza – our ‘Celebration of Humanity’. Featuring three world choral premières, massed items and many celebrated guest artists, our 2.5 hour spectacular showcased our Santa Sabina community at its best.
I wish to offer my thanks to all who attended and supported this event; to the community who joined us to sing; to the students who gave their all; and to our brilliant Music Department who work week in and out to provide world class music making experiences for our Santa Sabina students from P-12. I would also like to thank our College Principal Paulina Skerman for her enduring support for the Music program at the college.
Thank you all for helping make this a night to remember!
Please enjoy the images below of our Santa Sabina musicians in full flight, raising their voices and shaking the world.
Wishing you a safe and soul-nourishing break and starting to dream for a brilliant Semester Two.
Amy Richardson
Director of Music P-12
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New Co-curricular Enrolments are now welcome for Semester 2 and it is wonderful to see people inspired to take up music lessons as a result of their participation in the Gala Concert!
To enrol in an activity please use the link below:
ENROL IN A MUSIC ACTIVITY FOR SEMESTER 2
Invoices for those already in the private tuition stream will be issued shortly and we thank you for your prompt payment of this to ensure a seamless start to the coming term.
Please note that all Music activities automatically roll over unless a Notice of Change advice is formally offered. For activities that attract a levy, a minimum of four weeks cancellation notice is required to avoid a late fee.
Please reach out to the Music Office music@ssc.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions about the extraordinary programs on offer to every student at Santa Sabina College.
Amy Richardson
Director of Music P-12
As the term approaches its end I would like to thank our whole community for their help and support of the Sport and Co-curricular programs at Santa Sabina College.
We have noticed an increase in numbers and levels of engagement and competitiveness. A number of our IGSA Teams (2 Basketball, 4 Football and 2 Hockey teams) finished in the top 4 in their IGSA Competitions on Saturdays, our Super 8s Hockey team had an undefeated season and 16 Netball teams are currently in the top four positions in their ERNA Competition.
Three of our Representative Volleyball teams are in the top four in their divisions at the Sydney Volleyball League Competitions.
Once again, none of these would be possible without the hard work and dedication of the team in the Sport Office and the support of our students and parents communities.
Big congratulations to our Year 12 Volleyball team for coming first in the State Schools Cup last week, our Year 9 team (Playing in the Year 11 Division) for coming third in the Schools State Cup and finally Santa06 (Year 8) and Santa All stars for winning their Division at the Monte St Angelo Schools Volleyball League and Santa 04 (Year 09) for coming second in theirs.
I am also very happy to announce that our Opens and Under 14s Futsal Team made it to the semi-finals of the Futsal NSW Schools Championships.
It has been a very busy term but our students and community delivered a great season of Sport showing all the passion and pride while representing the College.
Annie Mullen has been selected and played in the NSWCCC Volleyball team making it through to the finals of the NSW All School Volleyball Tournament last week.
Annika Ingwersen has been crowned the NSW U20 Cross Country Champion.
Please click here and check a great coaching opportunity for our students in Years 5-12.
Sydney Uni Hockey Club is partnering up with Santa Sabina College and offering this development opportunity once more.
Registrations are Open for Sport and Fitness (as well as Mandarin lessons) – Co-curricular clubs are open.
Please see the communication sent to families here as it contains information about the Clubs and how to register.
We are still looking for Years 3 and 4 Touch Football players for the IPSHA Saturday Competition next term.
We are still looking for Years 10, 11 and 12 Football players for the IGSA Saturday Competition next term.
Please email me at l.ramalho@ssc.nsw.edu.au if you want your child to play and we will be in contact with registration guidelines.
I wish all of our community a great and safe Holiday break as I believe we are all looking forward to another great season of Sport in Term 3.
Luiz Ramalho
Director of Sport and Co-curricular Activities
Our SSC Rep Dancers kicked off their eisteddfod season over the last 2 weekends. All teams competed at the Extreme Dance Competition and our Seniors also competed at one of their biggest eisteddfods for the season, the Sydney Eisteddfod. Our dancers brought energy and enthusiasm to the stage but their sense of teamwork and community spirit is something that is noted both on and off the stage by all. Results were as follows:
Highly Commended: Infants, Primary Black, Senior Jazz Black, Senior Jazz Red, Senior Contemporary & Senior Hip Hop
2nd Place: Primary Hip Hop
Highly Commended: Senior Jazz Red
3rd Place: Senior Hip Hop
We are so proud of their efforts as they continue to improve each time they perform. Myself and the coaches would also like to thank our dance families who without their support, this would not be possible. It is also clearly evident the essence of community which our families bring to each eisteddfod and makes the experience even more special to be part of as a dancer and coach!
We can’t wait for more performances and eisteddfods in Term 3.
Bryony Williams
K-12 Dance Coordinator & Year 5 Teacher
If you are staying in Sydney these school holidays be sure to take advantage of the artistic, cultural and scientific experiences the city has to offer. The museums, art galleries, libraries and local councils offer a wide variety of free and paid activities (some more affordable than others) and unique study spaces.
Sydney tourism
https://www.sydney.com/
Free kids activities for families https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/free-school-holiday-activities
City of Sydney
https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/tags/school-holidays
City of Parramatta holiday activities
https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/school-holiday-activities
Sydney Olympic Park events and facilities
https://www.sydneyolympicpark.nsw.gov.au/news/august-school-holidays-at-the-park
Inner West Council Youth Programs
https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/explore/libraries/library-programs-and-events/school-holiday-programs#youthprograms
Art Exhibitions at the Art Gallery of NSW
https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/
ANSTO STEM workshops
https://www.ansto.gov.au/whats-on/ansto-school-holiday-workshops
UTS free STEM holiday workshops
https://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-engineering-and-information-technology/women-engineering-and-it/primary-and-high-school-programs/extra-curricular-stem/stem-x-holiday-workshops
Senior Students might be looking for a communal study space during the holidays – organise a meet-up with your friends and dedicate a few hours of a day out to study in these spaces.
NSW State Library
https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/visit-us/opening-hours
Green Square Library
https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/libraries/green-square-library
Darling Square Library
https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/libraries/darling-square-library
Matthew Mountford
Dean of Gifted Education
Our Drama Workshop on Monday 22 July is a wonderful way for children from Kindergarten to Year 6 to express their creativity and develop confidence in communication and performance. It will be an action-packed day full of fun and laughter. The workshop will be a fun way to start Term 3!
Rachel Hennessy
Speech and Drama
We invite you to join us at our special Dom’s Day celebrations for 2024.
The Santa Sabina College Uniform Shop will close for the winter term break on Friday 28 June at 4:00pm and will re-open for Term 3 on Monday 22 July at 9:00am.
Open Monday 22 July 9:00am-3:00pm
Normal trading hours resume from Tuesday 23 July 2024:
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
Online orders can be placed at www.midford.com.au. Please then select Santa Sabina College. Pass Phrase is SS1894. Orders are packed during opening hours.
Please note the Uniform Shop does not accept cash, payment is vis eftpos/credit card only.
In the Daintree Rainforest at Mary Bailey House, we aim to create a community of learners where our children are supported to individually and collectively embrace learning opportunities that prepare them for life after Mary Bailey House. In group activities, they support each other’s learning by being cooperative and working productively together while individual activities are designed to motivate children to strive to do their best. By providing our preschoolers with opportunities to build these skills, we not only support them in their transition to school but also assist them to be successful as they move through their formal school years.
Our recent observations suggest that disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic and other societal changes have created challenges for our children in their ability to practise important learning and life skills described by clinical psychologist Judith Locke (2021) as the 5Rs: Resilience, Responsibility, Resourcefulness, Respect and Self-Regulation.
To determine the nature of these challenges and the best strategies to respond to them, we have embarked on an action research project with a focus on self-regulation, the attribute our children seem to struggle most with.
Using a range of methodologies including time and event sampling, we have gathered data on how our children are responding to expectations when in small or larger group settings. This is an ongoing process, but early data is indicating that there is a decrease in the amount of time that children can stay focused on the group activity with an increase in behaviours such as calling out, physically interacting with peers and removing themselves from the activity.
In response to this data, we are using a range of practices to help children self-regulate their behaviour. Before asking children to engage in a group activity, we provide them with very clear instructions about what is expected of them in terms of their behaviour, the reasons for the expectations, the learning goals of the activity and what the consequences will be if they are unable to meet these expectations. Incidental strategies such as tight ropes to slow children down, individual mats to recognise the need for personal space, non-verbal signalling and ongoing recognition of appropriate behaviour are also used to reinforce our expectations and develop predictable routines.
Close partnerships with parents have always been an important component of our philosophy and success at Mary Bailey House. When the strategies we use to encourage positive behaviours are also reinforced by parents, children are much more likely to be consistent in exhibiting these positive behaviours. Below is an example of a practice parents can use to reinforce and support self regulation and our action research.
Whilst we love that children are excited to arrive at Mary Bailey House in the morning, rather than running in and disrupting the momentum of others at play, we encourage them to practise a calmer, more intentional entry to set the tone for the day. Parents can help us maintain this practice by running through the morning routine expectations with their child while in the car by reminding them to follow these steps:
This quick reminder each day in the car should help reinforce our morning routine protocols, building important skills in self-regulation and setting children up for a successful day.
We look forward to sharing more of our strategies with you as we progress through our action research and work together to help the children build the skills they need to be successful in their transition to kindy.
Kathryn Graham and Danielle Lomas
Mary Bailey House
References:
Locke, J., 2021 Life Education Queensland, https://lifeeducationqld.org.au/the-five-rs-for-success-at-school/
Dear Parents and Friends of Santa Sabina College
Just like that, Term 2 has come to an end!
The P&F Committee and our volunteers put together the final touches to the hugely successful Primary School and Gioia House Disco! A great deal of work happens behind the scenes to make nights like this a success. The disco would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the dedication, support and incredible attention to detail that our committee and volunteers put in prior to and on the night! A big thank you also goes to our parent photographer, Giovanni Portelli, for working tirelessly all night and capturing such beautiful photos of the children. It was wonderful to welcome families and build on the ever growing Santa Community.
Next term we have a number of events planned for the Kindergarten, Year 5 and Year 7 Mums and Dads night out! See the below Save the Dates. Further details will be provided shortly.
Finally, don’t forget that our Santa Trivia Night is on 23 August 2024! It will be an evening full of laughs, fierce competition and a chance to know our community better. We can’t wait to provide you with more details shortly.
We have several Catch Ups and Save the Dates below so please mark them in your calendar!
Have a wonderful break and we look forward to seeing you at our next event!
Warm regards
The P&F Association
🎉 Save the Date: Santa Trivia Night! 🎉
Are you the smartest person in the room? Prove it! Come along to the Santa Trivia Night for an evening of fun and a chance to put all your knowledge to good use!
🗓 Date: 23 August 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00pm
📍 Location: To be Confirmed
🌟 Year 8 Parent Dinner & Drinks! 🌟
Year 8 parents this night is for you! Put it in your calendar for an amazing night of socialising and a great deal of fun.
🗓 Date: Friday 26 July 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00pm
📍 Location: The Home Grounds- Five Dock
20B Barnstaple Road, Five Dock Park
🌟 Save the Date: Year 2 Family Catch-Up! 🌟
Hello Year 2 families! It’s that time again to get together and have a few laughs. Who knows maybe Gio may put in an appearance or two 😊 Save the date!
🗓 Date: Saturday 17 August 2024
⏰ Time: 6:30pm
📍 Location: To be confirmed
It’s been a while since the last catch up so we hope families can attend! Details of the venue will be confirmed soon.
🌟 Save the Date: Year 9 Dinner! 🌟
Join us for a special Mother and Daughter dinner. It is not often that our girls get to spend one on one time with mum so let’s take advantage of such moments. Mark it in your calendars. Venue to be confirmed shortly.
🗓 Date: Friday 26 July 2024
⏰ Time: 6:30pm
📍 Location: To be confirmed
🌟 Save the Date: Kindergarten, Year 5 & Year 7 Mums & Dads! 🌟
This is a chance for the new families joining our school to meet and mingle with each other and to meet other parents in their children’s year group. It will be a great opportunity to make new friends and to have a night out without the kids!
Mark it in your calendars. Venue to be confirmed shortly.
🗓 Date: Friday 9 and 16 August 2024
⏰ Time: TBA
📍 Location: To be confirmed
From our youngest Prep kids to our Year 6 kids the message was clear – the Disco was a success! The kids all had a ball and were able to express their various dancing styles. There were also some parents who pulled out some unique dance moves 😊
A huge thank you to everyone who assisted as without your involvement and support the event would not have been as successful as it was. Despite the heavy rain on the night, everyone pulled together and made it a night to remember for our beautiful Santa Community. The photos below speak for themselves.
Where did the last six months go?! Already half way through the year and ready for a mid-year break. How do you support your young people through this break? Help them cultivate skills in switching off. Resting, restoring, relaxing, rejuvenating, are all achieved through actively engaging in some downtime in your day/ week. We often confuse this downtime with scrolling on the internet/social media/ streaming services. Whilst these activities can have enjoyment value, they don’t allow our brains to switch off and rest.
Switching off means spending part of your day away from technology and:
Positive Psychologists call this feeling ‘flow’. Being in flow fuels creativity, calmness, and is energising.
This school holidays, support your young person to engage in activities that help them switch off. By doing so, this will help them to return to school in Term 3 full of zest and vigour, ready to take on new challenges!
Happy holidays!