As you may be aware, the College was in the media this week in relation to the removal of a public memorial that was placed outside the entrance of the College.
On the advice of mental health experts including Headspace, who are working with the College, we removed the memorial because of the concerns that were raised about the impact this could have on our children in such a prominent position. I have reached out to Charlotte’s family to begin conversations on how we may be able to find a permanent and loving way to remember Charlotte. We guarantee she will not be forgotten. If you have any further concerns relating to this please reach out.
Just before the recent holidays, the Class of 2024 graduated as strong, compassionate and independent women. We are so proud of this beautiful cohort.
Term 4 has started with Year 12 HSC and IB Examinations which have so far run smoothly. We also welcomed our new friends to our satellite school, St Lucy’s @ Santa, who are undertaking an orientation program for the rest of the term before they formally commence next year.
Together with the Board, we have appointed Rohrig to commence building works on the Primary campus with the hope that most of the work will be completed over the holiday break to minimise the impact on our students next year. We are hopeful that the rotunda will be completed by the end of Term 1. Our application for the Wellbeing precinct which will include the pool and gymnasium is now with the council and we hope that this will be approved in the new year.
I fully endorse the article included in our newsletter this week by Debra Brodowski who is the National Manager – Psychological Services for the Centre for Corporate Health. Deb regularly contributes to our newsletter in her capacity as the Parent Liaison for our P & F Association. I know that Deb has recommended some reading for you, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, and I would like to add to your list by suggesting another good book with similar themes which I am working my way through – Raising Anxiety by Judith Locke and Danielle Einstein. There is growing evidence that points to social media access causing immense harm to young girls. The authors state that ‘adolescent girls who are heavy social media users are more likely to be at increased risk of self-harm, depression and lower levels of self-esteem after using apps like Instagram or Snapchat, one study shows around two in ten girls will feel worse about themselves. Their dissatisfaction will be about their friendship, body image, social status and popularity.’ p.79) I will be addressing this further with parents at different times when we meet now and early next year. We monitor devices at school and have firewalls to prevent access to these apps, but they must also be monitored in the home. I would encourage all families to purchase a flip phone for their child if they want to be able to contact them when they are travelling by public transport to and from school. The danger of having access to everything and anyone at their fingertips in the privacy of their bedroom is something all parents should understand. If we worry about them walking outside alone at night, then we should be worried about them if they are unmonitored and on social media apps at home. Their access to strangers is a huge risk.
I would like to extend my thanks to the P&F for their recent efforts. The Colour Fun Run was a huge success as was the P&F Trivia Night. These were great opportunities for our community to come together and enjoy each other’s company. I am also grateful to Janelle Powter who is a Senior School Social Coordinator who has been working tirelessly to establish a secondhand uniform store for our current and future families. I encourage you to read more about their fantastic initiative in the P&F section of this newsletter. Please donate where possible.
Our Years 3 and 4 students had a wonderful time completing their St Dominic the Adventurer Journey at Tallong with their parents a few weeks ago. Congratulations also to our musicians who performed magnificently at our Celebration of Music Concert at the Conservatorium last weekend and to those girls who entered the Independent Girls’ Schools Association (IGSA) Festival of Speech recently improving their overall position by five levels from last year to finish 10th out of 27 competitor schools.
We have many community events to look forward to as we approach the end of the year including Speech Night on 27 November. This is a compulsory event for students from Years 3-11. We will host our Sports Awards Dinner on 15 November and we will once again hold the Fra Angelico Festival showcasing our students’ work and this will be on the evening of 22 November. The year will close with our Advent Carols which will be in the Chapel on 2 December.
Go gently.
Paulina Skerman College Principal
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care
The Salamanca Process handed down for our times
At Santa Sabina College, our commitment to social justice is deeply rooted in the principles of the Salamanca Process, a historical framework that emphasises witnessing, assessing, researching, preparation, action, reflection, and prayer. This model, inspired by the courageous actions of the Dominican friars in the early 16th century, is designed to foster a profound sense of empathy, responsibility, and active engagement among our students.
Sr Sheila Flynn, OP our Director of Formation at the College, presented to our parent and ex-student community on Monday evening 28 October. Her presentation was entitled ‘The Salamanca process handed down for our times’ and explored the synergy between the strong academic and service learning framework Santa Sabina College promotes for each student to reach her fullest potential and the ‘flip side’ of learning that has justice at the heart of service to those most vulnerable in our world through the Salamanca story, established by four Dominicans sent on mission to Hispaniola at the turn of the 15th century which provided the foundational framework of Human Rights as we know it today.
The Staff DEEP (Dominican Ethos Enrichment) Program will also provide an opportunity for all staff to hear Sr Sheila’s presentation on Thursday 31 October. This will allow our staff body to come to a better understanding of how The Salamanca process is a work of ‘encounter and dialogue’ and will challenge all of us to think about how we live what we do, and why we do it. The challenge is, not just to think differently, but to act differently. If we can rise to this challenge then we can confidently challenge our students to do the same.
The Salamanca Model at Santa Sabina College is a modern embodiment of the historical Salamanca Process. By integrating service learning into our curriculum and encouraging both collaborative and individual actions, we aim to cultivate a generation of students who are not only aware of social injustices but are also equipped to take meaningful action against them. This model ensures that our students develop a holistic understanding of social justice, grounded in historical context and enriched by personal experience and reflection.
Through the Salamanca Model, we honour the legacy of the Dominican friars and their unwavering commitment to justice, compassion, and human dignity. Our students are inspired to follow in their footsteps, becoming voices for change in their communities and beyond.
Melanie van der Meer Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care
Deputy Principal Operations
Speech Night will be held at the Sydney State Theatre on Wednesday 27 November. A reminder to families that attendance for all students in Years 3 to 11 is compulsory. Prize winners, musicians, dancers and 2025 College leaders will be required to attend compulsory rehearsals at the State Theatre during the day on 27 November to prepare for the big night.
The College has finished the final stage of the fence project by sealing the Rosary Lodge gates. Students wishing to enter the College after 9:00am will be required to enter using their student identification card. Students will be able to enter via all pedestrian gates on The Boulevarde and at the Jersey Rd gate near the Crossing. The driveway on Jersey Rd is not a walkway and should be used as an entry.
Mr Ramahlo has recently sent families the structure of the new Co-curricular Awards. The College is excited to be able to recognise students who enhance the life of the school through their participation in Representative Sports, Saturday Sport, Debating, Public Speaking, Enrichment Activities and Outdoor Education. Families will be notified soon if their student qualifies for one of these awards and the Co-curricular Awards Night will be held on Friday 15 November.
John Gilmore Deputy Principal Operations
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
Year 11 students had a stepping-up to Year 12 day on Wednesday, 23 October. The day started with a liturgy where students received prayer cards from the Dominican Sisters and a Year 12 badge. Following this, each student met with their academic advisor to discuss their HSC or IB Diploma pattern of study and set goals for the year ahead. The day concluded with a careers session with Ms Guirguis before separating into their respective program meetings in the HSC and IB Diploma. The students have responded well to the feedback and guidance as they plan for the next 12 months.
Year 10 Examinations started this week and will continue into next week, marking a crucial milestone for students in the lead-up to their Senior Studies next year. Practising for exams has proven to be highly beneficial, as it helps our students familiarise themselves with the format and types of questions they will encounter, building confidence and reducing anxiety. Last term, the ‘Ace Your Exams’ workshop by Elevate provided invaluable strategies for planning and preparing. Students learned techniques for effective time management, active revision, and stress management, all of which are essential for performing well. Below is a list of further support offered by the Elevate group for academic resilience.
Register for Elevate’s Parent Webinar Series this term
Elevate Education delivers high-impact workshops to our students that help to develop their study skills, motivation, and exam preparation. Over the next term, you’re invited to join their parent webinar series, where you can help support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they’re learning at school.
Upcoming Webinars:
How To Help Your Child Alleviate Stress – 13 November 6:30pm (AEDT)
How You Can Build Resilience in Your Child – 27 November 6:30pm (AEDT)
How You Can Set Your Child Up for Success – 11 December 6:30pm (AEDT)
We wish the Year 9 students and teachers well as they embark on their experiential learning next week at camp.
Showcasing Action Research within and beyond the College
Our Action Research Groups gathered during the professional learning time last Thursday to deliver another round of impressive project showcases. As teams shared their experience of using research, evidence and innovation to tackle a problem of practice, we were reminded of the dedication, creativity and determination of our teachers to improve the learning outcomes of their students. In sharing both the challenges and successes of their research, the audience was provided with a snapshot of the new knowledge that has been gained and potentially transferred to other areas of learning across the College. The broad and varied range of research topics included: Strategies to develop meaning from spoken text, Using experiential learning to enhance the understanding of Drama theory, Building self-regulation in Preschoolers, Supporting teachers to develop positive learning environments, Building a music literacy continuum and Strategies to effectively implement targeted groupings in the Stage 2 Spelling Program.
Also during this week, our Action Research Coordinator, Kate Corcoran, delivered a workshop to participants at the NSW Association of Independent Schools Educational Research Symposium. This workshop was designed to share some of our successes and learning as the second year of our whole school Action Research Program winds up. With a focus on regular reflection and continual adjustment of practice, Kate was able to share some strategies on how to get this program started to ensure it has a significant impact on student outcomes. It is wonderful to see our Action Research Program showcased as a model for effective and high impact professional learning.
Jacqueline Pugh Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
Head of Primary P-6
Welcome to Week 3 of Term 4! We’ve had a busy start to the term, and we’re excited to continue building on this momentum with many more engaging activities and events ahead. We’re grateful for the strong support from our families as we work together to create a memorable and enriching experience for our students.
Celebration of Music
On Sunday night, we were privileged to witness a breathtaking performance by our Del Monte and Gioia House students at the Sydney Conservatorium. Each child illuminated the stage, captivating the audience with their remarkable talent and dedication. These performances were a true testament to their hard work and commitment, filling both parents and teachers with immense pride.
A huge thank you to our extraordinary music teachers for their unwavering dedication and effort in nurturing these young talents. And, of course, congratulations to all the performers for their outstanding showcase.
Instrumental Workshop with Consort 8
Year 3 and 4 Instrumental students of Recorder and Strings enjoyed a workshop with Renaissance group Consort 8. They workshopped a piece with Consort 8, learnt a dance from the period, as well as explored the different styles of Renaissance instruments including recorders of many sizes and a lute.
Gioia House Instrumental Program
We look forward to welcoming families to our instrumental classrooms on Wednesday 13 November 2024, at 11:30am in Santa Sabina Hall. This is a fantastic opportunity for families to experience firsthand the exceptional program offered to students at the College. For more details, please refer to the email sent by the music department this week.
Gioia House Maths Olympiad
Congratulations to Annabelle Wong, who obtained a perfect score of 20 out of 20 along with only 126 students from the 36,860 who completed the Junior Division Maths Olympiad this year. This placed her in the top 0.34% of participants. She will be awarded with a special Gold Medal.
Congratulations to all students who participated in the Junior Division Maths Olympiad 2024 program. The Top 25% in Maths Olympiad goes to Victoria Hidalgo, Pheodora Jayaseelan, Gabriella Tadros and Emily Ng.
Gioia House Maths Challenge Games
Congratulations to all students who participated in the Maths Games 2024 program.
The top six scorers are Leah Li, Abby Deng, Valentina Da Pra, Annabelle Lee, Sophie Ash and Eloise Lai.
Gioia House IPSHA Debating
The Gioia House IPSHA Debating season concluded with the highly anticipated Gala Debating Day on 25 October 2024. Hosted by William Clarke College in Kellyville, this event showcased the talents of many young debaters who addressed contemporary issues with insightful arguments. Once again, our students received high praise from adjudicators for their creative thinking and eloquent debating skills.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ms Anderson for her dedication and hard work with the students this semester. Congratulations to all the students who committed to this co-curricular program.
2025 Class Lists
The class list will be released to families in the final week of Term 4. We fully appreciate the apprehension that often accompanies the start of a new school year, especially for students new to Santa Sabina College. While we strive to accommodate all parental requests, it’s important to recognise that student placement is a complex process. We value parents’ insights and consider these requests when appropriate. Our teachers invest significant thought and effort into organising classes and engaging in extensive discussions, reflection, and review. Class placements consider various factors, including academic aptitude, social skills, physical and emotional wellbeing, student compatibility, and current friendship groupings. However, fostering new relationships is a key part of our educational process, helping students expand their social circles and understand that friendships can evolve.
We appreciate your understanding of the complexities involved in class placement and remain committed to creating an enriching and supportive environment for all our students.
Understanding the impact of chat apps
Research shows that excessive use of messaging apps can lead to anxiety and hinder face-to-face communication skills. Dr Kristy Goodwin, a leading expert in digital wellbeing explains, ‘Children’s brains are impressionable, and constant digital engagement limits their ability to develop empathy and problem-solving skills.’ Digital detoxes, she suggests, are essential for teaching balance, helping children recognise the role of technology as a tool rather than a distraction. Children who rely heavily on online connections may struggle with building strong, in-person relationships.
Parents play a critical role in guiding their children’s use of devices, especially with chat apps and social media, which require close monitoring due to potential risks. Research highlights that young children lack the maturity to fully understand the complexities of online interactions, making parental guidance essential. Dr Goodwin, says, ‘Parents are the gatekeepers of their children’s digital world, responsible for setting boundaries and helping them develop safe online habits.’ Judith Locke, a psychologist specialising in child development, echoes this, noting that unrestricted access to social media and messaging apps often leads to impulsive behaviour and emotional stress.
Developing real-world skills
Dr Judith Locke, the author of The Bonsai Child, emphasises that heavy messaging app use can hinder resilience, as children miss out on face-to-face challenges that teach emotional regulation and conflict resolution. Research supports that children engaging in regular, in-person activities experience higher happiness levels, stronger social skills, and better academic performance. Locke recommends encouraging real-world interactions like family activities and team sports to build these skills.
Practical steps for parents
Set device-free times: Establish tech-free zones at mealtimes and two hours before bed to reduce screen reliance.
Encourage offline activities: Promote face-to-face playdates or group activities for social skills.
Model healthy tech use: Show children balanced screen habits by setting your own device boundaries.
Limit chat app access: For younger children, limit time on messaging apps or consider supervised alternatives.
Introduce digital detoxes: Schedule screen-free weekends or school holidays to foster creativity and focus.
Teachers are frequently tasked with addressing issues that originate online outside of school hours, often over weekends or holiday breaks. Incidents that occur on social media or through messaging apps can spill over into the school environment, impacting students’ relationships and class dynamics. As a result, teachers find themselves dedicating significant time to investigating online conflicts instead of focusing on their primary responsibilities of teaching and resource preparation. We kindly ask families to collaborate with the school by setting clear boundaries and fostering responsible online behaviour. This will help ensure that school time remains dedicated to learning and student development.
Years 3 and 4 BYO Device
If you are thinking of purchasing a computer as a Christmas gift for your child, here are the specifications for BYODD.
Co-curricular Activities Registration
There is still time to register for Term 4 Co-curricular activities. Register here. This information can also be found on the parent VO page.
Wednesday 30 October – 5:00pm-7:00pm – Twilight Discovery Tour
Wednesday 6 November – 5:00pm-7:00pm – Year 5 Parent Info Evening
Friday 8 November – 8:30am – 3:20pm Year 5 & 7 Experience Day
Wednesday 20 November – Festival of Music
Friday 22 November 5:00pm-9:00pm – Fra Angelico Festival
Wednesday 27 November – 8:30am – 5pm – Year 3-11 Speech Night Rehearsal Day Award Recipients
Wednesday 27 November – 6:30pm – 8:30pm – Years 3-11 Speech Night
Wednesday 4 December – 12:00 noon-2:00pm – GH Thanksgiving Liturgy and Picnic
Director of Community Relations P-12
Fra Angelico Festival
After the immense success of our inaugural Fra Angelico Festival of Arts last year we are thrilled to invite you to join us again this year for an exciting evening showcasing the arts in all forms expressed at Santa Sabina – music, dance, visual arts, design, spectacular light show on our heritage buildings – as well as entertainment including the kids disco, our Lumination Labs, the Champagne Lawn, Eat Street and produce stalls. It promises to be another great evening for our entire community.
The Disco (a sellout last year) has sessions for all ages beginning with Prep:
Last year, we installed two Lumination Learning Labs – automated, multi-purpose, and immersive smart classrooms designed to support students in achieving exceptional results through Extended Reality, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality. We are proud to be the first and only school in Sydney’s Inner West to offer such innovative labs. These labs transport students to the streets of ancient Rome, or they can venture into the depths of the ocean to study marine biology, and even journey through outer space to explore the universe. PLEASE NOTE PARTICIPANTS MUST BE 10 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.
We are excited to announce a new date for our Back to the Boulevarde event, and we hope you can join us!
Date: Saturday 30 November 2024 Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm Location: in the Boardroom and around Dom’s Plot, 90 The Boulevarde Strathfield Parking: plenty of parking is available on surrounding streets
We are excited to announce that our next Jane of Aza Playgroup, celebrating all things Christmas, will be on Friday 15 November.
Families from the Santa Sabina College community, including current and future families, ex-students, and local community members, are all welcome. The Jane of Aza Playgroup is free of charge, but registration is essential.
Accompanying children: Yes, one adult per child must be in attendance at all times. Playgroup is a wonderful opportunity for parents to spend quality time with their child and network with other parents.
Organisers: The playgroup is hosted by the Community Relations team at the College.
Age range: All babies and children under five years of age are welcome to participate.
Come and have fun, dance, sing, and make music with our wonderful Director of Music, Amy Richardson. There will also be activities scattered around the room, including play-dough, toys, books, Christmas crafts, and morning tea.
Yvette Graniero Director of Community Relations
Director of Mary Bailey House
Bird Spotting at Mary Bailey House
During the week commencing 14 October, Mary Bailey House children participated in Birdlife Australia’s Aussie Bird Count. This involved children from 18 months to five years old looking and listening for birds on the primary school field. Once they’d spotted one, they then needed to identify the bird using a bird chart.
After each 20-minute bird watching exercise, playrooms came back to the centre to talk about the features and sounds of every bird they spotted. They then logged their observations with Birdlife Australia. Across the week eight different birds frequented the primary school grounds that included Magpies. White Ibis, Crested Pigeon, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Noisy Miner, Rainbow Lorikeet, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and House Sparrow.
During and after the week, books and figurines of birds were offered in playrooms for the children to research while learning further about birds. This annual event provides Birdlife Australia with information about the birds that inhabit Strathfield but also a meaningful opportunity for children to learn about our local environment.
Jackie Baxter Mary Bailey House Director
Director of Development
Santa Sabina College Community Golf Day
Once again, the College along with the P&F would like to invite everyone in our community to join us for the annual Santa Sabina College Golf day. Open to all, the golf day aims to build a strong community connections, provide an opportunity for our community to enjoy a day together and create wonderful memories.
As we approach the Golf day it is your last opportunity to be part of this College event, and entries will close on Sunday night 3 November. There are still spots available for anyone who is thinking of joining us at Strathfield Golf Club.
When: Thursday 7 November 2024 Where: Strathfield Golf Club Time: Tee off at 7:30-7:45am.
The cost is $190.00 per person which includes breakfast, 18 holes, lunch and drinks.
If you have any questions, please contact me on 0414 915 910 or giving@ssc.nsw.edu.au
George Ayoub Director of Development
Tallong Campus
Well after 12 months of travelling around Australia in a camper trailer with my two boys and wife it sure is good to get back to Tallong!
We have had an action-packed few weeks with a diverse group of clients using the campus over the past month. A Canberra-based Buddhist retreat, Monte Sant Angelo College and Oxley College have all spent time at the Tallong campus.
We have also been host to our very own Dom’s Award participants and this weekend just past, a small group of College parents and children attended the Parent Child weekend retreat. With a smaller than normal group in attendance our legendary Cheffrey produced what may go down in history as one of the yummiest meals yet! Fresh Mex over a campfire! Eleven-hour slow-cooked pork and beef brisket was just the beginning of our Saturday night meal which we had around our campfire. Words can’t describe how superb this experience was so perhaps some photos will do the evening justice.
Kendal Hann Director of Outdoor Education, Tallong Campus
SHAPE nominations!
Congratulations to our Year 12 students whose major works in Technological and Applied Studies have been nominated for possible inclusion in the HSC NSW Showcase of outstanding works – SHAPE. Well done Abigail Salmon and Daniella Scarcella for Textiles and Design; Tina Cassimatis, Georgia Rowda and Verina Tadros for Design and Technology!
Christmas outreach – time to open our hearts
Next week, we embark on our traditional Christmas outreach, with various projects in different parts of the College. This is an opportunity to model the generous attitudes you want your children to develop.
Students in the senior school will be learning about the work of CatholicCare’s HOPE program, which supports young single mums and their families. In response, we will be looking for a mix of basic items, such as nappies and wipes, and some special treats to make Christmas special. Perhaps something to pamper mum and an educational toy for bub. Each homeroom will be given a list of suggestions to choose from and a family profile, with the bub’s age so that each Homeroom can plan what they will do to make Christmas special for their family.
I am sure that any of the people we seek to support would love a gift card for Woolies or Coles; Target or Kmart, so they can have the dignity of choosing something they would love but can’t afford. [Two $25s are better than one $50, to spread the joy around.]
You can find out more about the HOPE program at the CatholicCare website – it’s much more comprehensive than it sounds above! On the site is a wonderful video – only three minutes – that shows the lifesaving difference that HOPE has made for one young mum, Tiana.
If you want to experience the true meaning of Christmas, give something to someone who can offer nothing in return.
Jane Sulis Coordinator of Outreach
Seeking mentors for mock job interviews
We are seeking mentors to participate in the upcoming Year 10 Encounter Program.
As part of our Future Proofing Workshops, which aim to prepare students for the workforce, we will be hosting a mock interview workshop. During this session, students will have 5-10 minutes to practise their job interview skills by speaking with an ‘interviewer’. The goal is to help students develop confidence and communication skills as they discuss their interests, hobbies, strengths, and areas for improvement with an adult they haven’t met before. While we will provide question prompts on the day, you are encouraged to ask your own questions as well.
We are seeking volunteers to assist with the workshop from 8:30am to 11:00am on Friday 29 November. To ensure each student has the opportunity to participate in a one-on-one interview, we need a number of mentors. If you are available to assist us, please complete this form by Monday 4 November to sign up and volunteer your time. Your expertise and support in helping our students is greatly appreciated.
Brittany Poynting Acting Dean of Innovation & Enterprise
Eva Guirguis Head of Future Pathways & Partnerships
Un’amica di penna
It is one thing to sit at a desk, conjugating verbs; but to use the grammar, vocabulary, and expressions learnt in the classroom and apply them to a real conversation – to laugh, to share stories, to exchange ideas – that is when you immerse yourself into another culture, another world, another way of life, and that is when the learning truly begins.
A pen pal, or ‘un’amica di penna’ in Italian, has allowed me to apply my language learning to a place beyond the classroom – where it belongs – connecting with the authentic rhythms of everyday Italian conversations. Through our exchanges, I have not just gained language proficiency but a deeper understanding of the customs, values, and idiosyncrasies that make up the face of Italian culture, things that one can only grow to learn through genuine personal connections.
On a personal level, conversing with a pen pal has helped me overcome the instinctual fear and embarrassment that often come with learning a new language. The fear of making mistakes or sounding too foreign might discourage you from continuing your language journey. However, through these brief, everyday exchanges, that hesitance is gradually replaced with genuine excitement and motivation to keep improving. Writing to a pen pal makes you realise how much progress you’ve actually made, encouraging you by revealing just how capable you are.
I feel extremely fortunate for my experience writing with my pen pal. It has granted me the opportunity to employ my language skills in a context beyond textbooks and classrooms and to be able to travel the world through words alone.
Tamara Jabbour Year 11
Silver Adventurous Journey
The Silver Adventurous Journey for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award took place during the spring term break in Brisbane Water National Park on the Central Coast. Thirty-two students explored new territories and pushed themselves during this journey as they hiked amongst the spring flowers and beauty around them. They slept in Pindar Cave and enjoyed the views of waterfalls along their route.
Well done to the students who challenged themselves and completed this part of the Silver Award!
Christopher Walker Coordinator of Outdoor Education & Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning – National History Challenge Awards
The National History Challenge is an engaging competition that inspires students who are studying History from across Australia to delve into the past through research and inquiry-based learning.
Acting as historians, students can investigate their communities, examine their own and their families’ histories, and explore global and Australian historical ideas using creativity to communicate historical analysis. The theme for the 2024 competition was ‘Crisis and Response.’ The panel of judges for this competition include historians from Australian museums and educational bodies such as the Department for Veterans’ Affairs, History Teachers Association and Asia Education Foundation. The following History Elective girls were recognised for their outstanding efforts producing a range of creative historical inquiries including composing a Jazz song about the Great Depression and presentation on the USSR’s use of propaganda.
A huge congratulations to the following History Elective students who achieved a Young Historian Bronze Award.
Year 9 History Elective Molly Bonner Mira Nguyen Alannah Quinn Olivia Zaknich
Year 10 History Elective Eve Ardagna Lily Nguyen Calliope Stewart
Student Reflections
The opportunity to take part in the National History Challenge as part of History Elective was a fun and immersive experience. It allowed for us to be creative and helped us to develop our abilities in collaboration, independent research, curating driving questions and assembling a project using historical skills, which is valuable to all aspects of study at school. Our project was on Soviet propaganda, allowing my partner Eve and I to combine our interest in visual arts with Russian history. I would definitely do it again! Thank you so much for this experience Ms Zagora!
Calliope Stewart and Eve Ardagna Year 10
Brigida Zagora Head of HSIE
History Excellence – The Australian History Competition Awards
The Australian History Competition stands as the largest and most prestigious national contest for History students. It aims to challenge participants to showcase their analytical, creative, and interpretative historical skills. This year, over 32,000 students from schools across Australia took part.
I am thrilled to announce that in 2024, Santa Sabina History students excelled, earning Merits, Credits, 20 Distinction awards, and six High Distinction awards across Years 7, 8, and 10. Special recognition goes to those students who demonstrated exceptional historical excellence, achieving High Distinction and Distinction Awards.
Year 7 Alicia Bouatoun – Distinction Mulan Deng – High Distinction Amanda Liu – High Distinction Emma Lizier – Distinction Aaliyah Ngo – Distinction Jessica Price – Distinction Ashleigh Sedgers – Distinction Isla Socratous – Distinction Lousie Thill – High Distinction
Year 8 Hayley Chan – Distinction Annie Cordony–Jones – Distinction Phoebe Cunneen – High Distinction Elyssa Georges – High Distinction Karissa Poon – Distinction Una Quinn – Distinction Chloe Xu – High Distinction Abigail Yang – High Distinction
Year 10 Poppy Haigh – Distinction Christie Huang – High Distinction Ellie Kwon – Distinction Claudia Lee – Distinction Sienna Maciel – Distinction Annelies Notelaers – Distinction Charlotte Salameh – Distinction Calliope Stewart – Distinction Monterey Tam – Distinction Emily Wong – Distinction
Brigida Zagora Head of HISE (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Assistant Head of Gioia House
Action Girls
The Gioia House students gathered together to celebrate our Action Girl Awards. Our Gioia House leaders led the gathering with prayer, shared upcoming Term 4 initiatives and student reminders. As a Gioia House community, we celebrated the many wonderful qualities our nominated Action Girls have displayed, such as: showing compassion and kindness in their interactions with others, being inclusive, being an upstander, taking part in service opportunities, demonstrating a positive mindset and trying their best each day. Ms Skerman presented the Action Girl Awards and badges to the Gioia House students.
Congratulations to the following Action Girls:
Year 5 Victoria Akkawi Sienna El-Agha Zoe Garrett Emily Liang Lucy Middleton Addison Nasr Marla Samaan Sydney Truong
Year 6 Ovilia Chamoun Deanna Deligiannis Ava Jacobson Scarlett Matheson Sophie Partlin Amelia Rigon Laura Sara Abbey Schutt
Outreach
During the Staff Spirituality Day, we took part in different acts of service within different charities and organisations. The Gioia House staff visited St Vincent De Paul Lewisham and Ryde. We assisted in making sandwiches, preparing snack packs, hygiene packs and helped with general tasks. The coordinators of SVDP shared what services they provide the community and identified their areas of need. They informed us that there is a shortage of deodorant supplies for the community which is why we have asked the Gioia House staff and students to donate deodorant sprays or roll-on deodorant. Another SVDP initiative at Christmas time is to prepare lolly bags to distribute to families in the community to give to their children at this time of year. If you are able to donate a bag of lollies (any type )that would be greatly appreciated.
Our small acts of kindness can have a big impact on someone else’s day. Thank you in advance for your generosity and compassion for people in our community who are not as fortunate as us.
Community Time
Last week our Gioia House Focus for the week was ‘Service’. The students were asked to identify ways they serve others in the community or at school. We had a discussion to share the different ways they can demonstrate Acts of Service. The students updated their Personal Service Log and set personal goals they would like to achieve this term to serve others, especially in the lead up to Advent.
It has been an exciting start to Term 4 and we are looking forward to an event filled and rewarding last term of the year together.
Marisa Maks Assistant Head of Gioia House
What’s happening in Year 6
Mathematics – 06CORE1
This week in Mathematics the students have been focusing on Chance and Probability. The students had to work in pairs to develop a Fair Game and also and Unfair Game. The students identified that a fair game is a game in which there is an equal chance of winning or losing. Therefore we can say that if a game is fair the probability of winning is equal to the probability of losing. Students rotated through the activities and had to play each game and determine if the game was Fair or Unfair.
Marisa Maks & Eamonn Dunphy Year 6 Teachers
Science – Light Bulb Experiment 6CORE2
We have been experimenting in the Science lab with light bulbs and circuits. First, we figured out what a conductor and an insulator was. We knew that the red and yellow wires were conductors, therefore electricity could pass through. When we plugged the red and yellow wires in the power pack and then connected them to the light bulb it lit up because the power had travelled through the wires and into the light bulb. Then we tested to see if different items eg metal paper clip or a rubber were conductors and could complete a circuit. We did this by connecting crocodile clips onto the red and yellow wires and plugging the wires in the power pack. We really enjoyed participating in this activity because it challenged our thinking and we discovered how electricity could pass through conductors and why electricity couldn’t pass through insulators. Emily Ly and Lauren Brown Year 6
Leonie Trees Year 6 Teacher
Three-Dimensional Objects – 6CORE3
Earlier this term, the 6 Core 3 class delved into the study of three-dimensional objects, with a particular focus on prisms and pyramids. The students constructed skeletal models using toothpicks and Blu-Tack. After modelling their three-dimensional objects, they explored the properties of these structures, including vertices, edges, apex and faces. This hands-on activity facilitated the identification of these properties: the toothpicks represented the edges, the Blu-Tack joining three toothpicks formed the vertices, the Blu-Tack where all the toothpicks met represented the apex, and the negative spaces framed by the toothpicks constituted the faces. The students found this activity both enjoyable and insightful.
Sian Tierney Year 6 Teacher
06CORE4 – Welcoming Term 4
Year 6A is buzzing with learning that is palpable throughout the classrooms. Students are diving headfirst into science lab lessons, where they’re conducting fascinating experiments and discovering the wonders of force and electricity. Wide Reading lessons in the library with Mrs Marchetta are igniting imaginations, with students exploring diverse genres and engaging in thought-provoking discussions about their favourite books. Philosophy group discussions are pushing the boundaries of the girls’ young minds, encouraging critical thinking and debate on life’s big questions. These sessions are fostering a culture of curiosity and open-mindedness, as students learn to respect and consider different viewpoints, while working in their collaborative groups toward a common goal. Additionally, the girls are working with Sr Sheila on a special art project, to culminate their time in Gioia House, and acknowledge the experiences and memories they will take with them into the Senior School and beyond.
In the midst of all this, there’s a strong sense of community between the girls. Students are collaborating on group tasks, supporting each other’s learning journeys as they revise for assessments, and celebrating their achievements together. Term 4 is proving to be an exciting and enriching time in Year 6, with a unique blend of academic rigour, creative exploration and the strengthening of new friendships!
Tiffany Anderson Year 6 Teacher
What’s happening in Year 5
Exploration of visual literacy – 05CORE1
This term, Year 5 students have begun their exploration of visual literacy by studying the book The Island. In 5Core1, students tapped into their creativity to predict the story based solely on the cover. Some analysed the colours used, envisioning the story as a tragedy, while others speculated that it might be set in ancient times when only black-and-white cameras existed. As the term progresses, students will continue to develop their skills in interpreting visuals.
Yu-Han Chen Year 5 teacher
Examining Fibres in Science – 05CORE2
During Term 4 Year 5 will be examining fibres. They began with exploring what fibres are and how these are used.The students also identified natural and man made fibres. During Science the students looked at different fibres under a microscope. The image below shows what students observed through the microscopes. They observed the difference between natural and synthetic fibres.
Students’ Observations:
Abby: When the wool is freshly cut from the sheep it is naturally oily and has small scales where the oil is stored.
Addison: The silk looked thin and smooth.
Perla: The cotton had small lines on it.
Wendy Anetter Year 5 Teacher
English – 5CORE3
During our English lessons, Year 5 has been focussing on figurative language and how we can use this to evoke emotion within our writing. Students explored a range of similes, metaphors and personification within their reading then had a go at writing their own. We even went outside and described our environment around us using these figurative language features. The students thoroughly enjoyed creating their own figurative language examples and sharing them with their peers.
Bryony Williams Year 5 Teacher
Religion – 5CORE4
During our Religion lessons, Year 5 has been focusing on the concept of Holy Orders and its significance within the Church. Students explored the different levels of Holy Orders, including deacons, priests, and bishops, and discussed the responsibilities and commitments associated with each role. As part of their learning, the students created posters about the Sacrament of Holy Orders. These posters detailed what the sacrament entails and highlighted the roles of priests, deacons, and bishops. This hands-on activity allowed students to creatively express their understanding and share their insights with their peers.The students thoroughly enjoyed this project and showed great enthusiasm and curiosity throughout the lessons.
Tayla Kostakis Year 5 teacher
Christmas at Gioia
The Christmas outreach project this year in Gioia House, will be supporting the work of the St Paul’s Parish Pantry, in Burwood.
The Action Girls will decorate calico bags with festive images and then fill them with basic needs – and a few little extras – to help those in need to get through the Summer holiday period when the pantry is closed.
We invite you to make those Santa Sacks bulge!
There are many people of Chinese background who know nothing of our traditional Christmas fare, so this year for the first time, St Paul’s is making up bags with more culturally appropriate food – as well as the usual bags. So you will be asked to choose items from Groups A, B and C to get the range we need.
It is sobering to realise that the treat requested is a small bottle of sesame oil and a block of chocolate! Amidst our preparations for Christmas, we can easily forget that there are people in our local community for whom 25 December is just another day of struggle – trying to make ends meet on minimum wages or welfare. Let’s brighten their lives!
Perhaps each time you shop for your family over the next few weeks, you can add something for this appeal and your child can bring in items gradually, to avoid heavy bags. Multiples of the same item are fine; we need to make up about 250 bags.
LIST A This is the basic bag for 250 people
Long Life Milk Cereal (not oats) Tuna – sustainably caught – medium or large Rice (small – any type) 2 min. noodles Packet of biscuits
LIST B is for Chinese people or anyone not celebrating Christmas – for 200 people
LIST C for those celebrating Christmas – for 50 people
Christmas Pudding Long Life Custard Tinned ham Block of cake – Christmas or otherwise Block of chocolate
If you want to experience the true meaning of Christmas, give something to someone who can offer nothing in return.
Jane Sulis Coordinator of Outreach
IPSHA Debating Gala Day
Friday 25 October 2024
The rooms were buzzing with energy and excitement as students from about eight schools gathered for the IPSHA Debating Day held on 25 October 2024. The event, hosted by William Clarke College, Kellyville, saw many young debaters tackle contemporary issues with vigour and insightful arguments. The topics under debate included, ‘that YouTube is Better Than Television’ and ‘that Pet Shops Should Be Banned in Australia.’
The day kicked off with the contentious topic of whether YouTube surpasses traditional television. Arguments for YouTube highlighted its vast content variety, accessibility, and the platform’s interactive nature, allowing viewers to engage directly with creators. On the other hand, television proponents emphasised the medium’s quality content, regulation standards, and the nostalgic communal viewing experience it offers. Students exhibited exceptional research skills, critical thinking, and eloquence as they navigated this debate, showcasing their ability to analyse modern media landscapes comprehensively.
The second debate, addressing the potential ban on pet shops in Australia, brought forth passionate perspectives. Those in favour argued about the ethical concerns associated with pet shops, such as animal welfare and the promotion of adopting from shelters. Opponents, however, contended that pet shops provide a regulated, reliable option for acquiring pets and support local businesses. Throughout the discussion, students demonstrated outstanding empathy, respect for differing viewpoints, and in-depth understanding of ethical and economic implications, reflecting their maturity and depth of thought.
The adjudicators commended the Santa Sabina students for their remarkable ability to articulate their views convincingly and respectfully, highlighting the development of invaluable life skills like public speaking, research, and critical analysis. Additionally, I would like to congratulate the girls for their dedication, effort, and sportsmanship. It was a wonderful day!
Tiffany Anderson Year 6 Teacher
Assistant Head of Primary
Pastoral Update
Welcome back to Term 4. I hope you enjoyed spending time with family and friends and are feeling rested and rejuvenated, ready for the busy Term ahead.
Over the past two weeks, students have enjoyed spending Pastoral and Community Time learning about relationships and forming meaningful connections. These have been addressed under the themes of Honesty and Conversations, Connections and Spreading Kindness Online.
Honesty
Young people are growing up in a complex world; a world that is vastly different to the world in which most adults grew up. In this context, it is vitally important that schools and families work together to support and guide students to adopt attitudes and behaviours that build community and foster respectful relationships.
Trust, honesty and respect are at the heart of all healthy relationships. The theme of honesty draws together learning from our Friendology curriculum and our school motto, Veritas. In Friendology, we teach students how to be brave and how to have open, honest conversations with their friends. Our school motto, Veritas, teaches students to be truth seekers. Both Friendology and Veritas encourage students to speak their truth and to stand strong in their values.
We also teach students to show kindness in their actions and in their interactions with others. This culture of kindness allows children to feel safe and accepted for who they are. It fosters a strong sense of community and of belonging for all individuals within our community.
In helping children learn to tell the truth, it is important that they do so with kindness and honesty. Sometimes honesty means admitting that we have made a mistake, taking responsibility for our own wrongdoings, apologising and restoring the relationship. A real apology requires acknowledgement of the hurt caused to the other person, taking responsibility for the damage caused and a commitment to address the harmful behaviour to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Conversations, Connections and Spreading Kindness Online
Conversations and connections are the building blocks of all relationships. Building on our theme about Honesty, students learnt about showing kindness in their words, through their conversations with others. This includes both face-to-face communications as well as the conversations they have online.
Whichever mode of communication is being used, the most important thing students need to realise is that words matter and that every time we are treated with kindness or we treat someone else with kindness, we are increasing the trust and respect in our friendships. When navigating friendships in the digital world, we must interact with others in ways that are respectful, kind and reflect our values.
Students were challenged to spread kindness through their in-person and online conversations, including iMessages and chat functions within gaming and other apps. Teachers helped students understand that this can be achieved by using kind words and by being an upstander who gently helps to remind others when they fall short or have missed the mark. For example, if someone posts something inappropriate online, they could respond by saying, ‘that’s not kind/that’s not nice. I’d really appreciate it if you could take it down.’ They could respond with their ‘feet’ and ‘walk away’ by leaving the chat when someone is inappropriate.
This concept was brought to life in Pastoral and Community time by putting kindness into action in the conversations and connections with others, making our community a better place through random acts of kindness. They created Kindness Jars filled with ideas for acts of kindness at school or at home, being part of our Chat Mat activity, building conversations and connections on picnic rugs and identifying ways they can be the best version of themselves when they interact with friends in an online environment.
The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety.gov.au) website provides a range of advice to navigate thisoften-challenging area for families.
Understand your child’s gaming experience by having conversations, watching or playing together.
Talk with other parents and carers from school. This could be a good opportunity to learn more about how their children use an app or game and strategies to manage the technology.
Curriculum Update
ICAS Assessments
Each year, students from Years 2 to 4 are given the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills through participation in the ICAS English, Mathematics, Writing and Spelling Bee assessments. Whilst participation is not compulsory, a special mention goes to those students who achieved very highly as listed below:
ICAS Spelling
Distinction Angela Li (Year 4) Jay Park (Year 4) Aishani Rajit (Year 4) Natalie Sun (Year 3) Audrey Wong (Year 3) Alicia Wu (Year 3) Brian Wang (Year 2)
Credit Annabelle Chang (Year 4) Ashton Chung (Year 4) Aria Leung (Year 4) Jacob Phan (Year 4) Kira Tang (Year 4) Michaela Nguyen (Year 3) Siobhan Chung (Year 2) Brooklyn Maralit (Year 2) Sam Oli (Year 2) Sebastian Portelli (Year 2) Joseph Hoang (Year 1)
ICAS English
Distinction Alfred Jin (Year 4) Irene Jung (Year 3) Siobhan Chung (Year 2) Oscar Kochman (Year 2) Isla Thompson (Year 2) Jonathon Lin (Year 1)
Credit Sofia Brodowska-Nidelkos (Year 4) Ashton Chung (Year 4) Angela Li (Year 4) Marie Metledge (Year 4) Jessica Princi (Year 4) Aishani Rajit (Year 4) Claire Yang (Year 4) Mya Charbel (Year 3) William Lu (Year 3) Valentina Macri (Year 3) Natalie Sun (Year 3) Audrey Wong (Year 3) Mackenzie Wong (Year 3) Alicia Wu (Year 3) Gabriella Abbonizio (Year 2) Abigail Amor (Year 2) Ethan Fahmy (Year 2) Axel Leung (Year 2) Shreya Panyam (Year 2) Brian Wang (Year 2) Joseph Hoang (Year 1)
ICAS Writing
High Distinction Jessica Princi (Year 4)
Distinction Marie Metledge (Year 4) William Lu (Year 3) Natalle Sun (Year 3) Sophia Tadros (Year 3)
Credit Alfred Jin (Year 4) Riha Han (Year 4) Rishaan Panyam (Year 4) Valentina Macri (Year 3) Mackenzie Wong (Year 3) Noah Raffaele (Year 3)
ICAS Mathematics
High Distinction Alfred Jin (Year 4) William Lu (Year 3) Siobhan Chung (Year 2)
Distinction Ashton Chung (Year 4) Renhou Hu (Year 4) Aria Leung (Year 4) Marie Metledge (Year 4) Jay Park (Year 4) Irene Jung (Year 3) Flynn Lee (Year 3) Michaela Nguyen (Year 3) Alicia Wu (Year 3) Oscar Kochman (Year 2) Axel Leung (Year 2) Shreya Panyam (Year 2) Sebastian Portelli (Year 2) Jonathan Lin (Year 1)
Credit Andre Jayaseelan (Year 4) Liam Nguyen (Year 4) Cosmo Ko (Year 3) Natalie Sun (Year 3) Sophia Tadros (Year 3) Audrey Wong (Year 3) Maximos Brodowski-Nidelkos (Year 2) Sabrina Commisso (Year 2) Ethan Fahmy (Year 2) Alessandro Pace (Year 2) Brian Wang (Year 2) Joseph Hoang (Year 1)
Lauren Petroni Assistant Head of Primary P-4 and Curriculum Leader P-4
Religious Education
Christmas Giving Appeal for 2024
As part of our Term 4 outreach initiative, students will take part in lessons to introduce our Christmas Giving Appeal for 2024. The students will listen to the story Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed, illustrated by Doug Chayka (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007) They will visit the statue of Mary and Jesus in the beautiful Del Monte front garden and reflect about refugees who flee their country and home because of fear of persecution, war or injustice. Students will discuss how they could help a person feel welcome in our community. What would they say? What could they do in our school?
Over the next four weeks, we are asking every family to give non-perishable food donations to our Del Monte Christmas Appeal. The donations will go to the House of Welcome at Granville, a community service supporting refugees and their families who are not permitted to work while they wait for their visas to be processed. The House of Welcome provides holistic support that nurtures hope, advocates for justice and promotes self-reliance, whilst acknowledging the dignity and the rights of each individual. Donations can be sent to school with your children and placed in their classrooms. Our Year 4 Social Justice team will collect the donations each day.
Lord, no refugee is a stranger to You, and no one is ever far from Your loving care. Watch over children and families as they travel to camps or relocate within their country. Shelter their souls and their bodies. Heal the hearts of refugees who have endured unimaginable tragedy and trauma.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble
Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Tina Nicotina Religious Education Coordinator P-6
St Dominic the Adventurer Award
The St Dominic Adventurer Award Weekend took place recently at Tallong. It was a wonderful celebration of all the work and achievements of the Year 4s who have been working towards their badges over the past two years. Students have completed a number of afternoon sessions in preparation for their Badge of Skill, Badge of Prayer and Badge of Service. The Badge of Skill is about learning outdoor skills. The Badge of Prayer is about developing their relationship with nature and reflecting on their experiences in the outdoors. The Badge of Service is about activities that are benefiting the community, for example the First Aid Course that they completed this year.
At Tallong, the students worked towards their final badge, the St Dominic the Adventurer Badge. This badge is a representation of all their work, commitment and energy that they have given to the program. At Tallong, the group completed the High Ropes Course, built a catapult using their outdoors skills and learnt to build a fire! It all came together with the Award Ceremony.
I wish to thank all the parents who were involved and volunteered their time for supporting the program. We look forward to next year’s event!
Chris Walker Coordinator of Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning
Year 4
This term, students in Year 4 have been engaged during Friendology exploring ways to be kind to each other online. They have collaboratively brainstormed how to be respectful and positive when communicating with others. Students discussed how to respond to different forms of social media posts and messages. They practised using emojis to express feelings that communicate positive messages. Students also designed posters to promote spreading kindness online. This is part of their eSafety training about being responsible digital citizens.
Catherine McGrath, Nicole Meehan, Calista Camarda and Edward Wang Year 4 Teachers
Year 3
Year 3 students are learning about oral storytelling with a focus on Indigenous cultural narratives. They have enjoyed engaging with the text Our Dreaming by Indigenous multimodal artist Kirli Saunders. The children are exploring multimodal storytelling by composing and presenting their own stories in different ways. These examples show the quality writing Year 3 students are producing as they explore cultural narratives.
Hey little one, follow me by the trees. I want to tell you a story about how you make friends, for this is the park where I made my first friend.You can make friends too if you try. Once you make a friend you will never forget it. Even if you lose a friend, they will stay in your heart. Sophie, 3 Pender
Ni Hao Laura, walk with me through the green lakes and the warm breeze of China.
You see Laura, you were named after a story. When I was small I used to call myself ‘dou dou’ when I was called ‘gou gou’. So our mother called you Dou Dou.
We keep our culture alive through stories and pictures. Every year my family celebrates Zhong Qiu Jie (Mid Autumn Festival) by eating yue bing (mooncakes) and jiao zi (dumplings).
Now Dou Dou our culture is our path, lined with lily pads, this is how we keep our culture alive. Kaylee 3 Paterson
It was a long time ago, about 1891. My great nonno was a prisoner of war. By then the soldiers had captured many people and my great nonno was one of them. Another man was named Michele and he was a very good man. One day the police were going to kill one prisoner and let another one go. Michele knew my nonno had a family to go to so he said to the officer that he was the one who wanted to die. Before my nonno was set free he told Michele he would name his son after him. Noah 3 Lawson
They have been learning the significance of Aboriginal peoples’ connection to Country, language and traditions. They have produced visual glossaries to define and understand Gundungurra dialect and its connection to storytelling.
The children are enthusiastic in their exploration of Indigenous culture and language and demonstrate curiosity, respect and appreciation for our Indigenous brothers and sisters as they learn.
Margie Attard, Louise Harris, Brooke Panagopoulos and Claire Pecker Year 3 Teachers
Year 2
In the first week back to school in Term 4, our Del Monte assembly was led by Year 2. The students started rehearsing from the end of Term 3 and continued this throughout the holidays to help create an impressive and engaging experience for all students and families. Students had assigned roles for the assembly, including reading, presenting signage, singing and dancing.
With summer not far away, the theme of the assembly was sun safety. Students explained the sun safety practices when outside in the Australian sun, being ‘Slip, slop, slap, seek and slide’; slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek some shade and slide on some sunglasses! Year 2 brought in their hats, sunglasses, shirts, zinc cream and other ideas from home and sang and danced to a sun safety song.
We will continue this learning and theme in our PDH lessons to help students be aware of the risks of the sun and to help ensure students protect their skin. We will also learn about water safety, and pool and beach safety. Well done Year 2 for helping all students and families remember to be safe in the sun this summer.
Cara Brigham, Tina Nicotina and Merissa Perivolarellis Year 2 Teachers
Year 1
Reflecting on Year 1’s introduction to Readers Theatre, it is clear that our weekly reading group sessions have been both productive and enjoyable. Throughout the semester, students have made remarkable progress in several key areas.
Acting skills were the focus as students embraced their roles, bringing characters to life with enthusiasm and creativity. Their voice projection improved significantly, allowing them to deliver lines with clarity and confidence. This not only enhanced their performances but also boosted their self-assurance in public speaking.
Students also developed a keen awareness of space, learning to use the ‘stage’ effectively and interact with their peers in a dynamic way. One of the most notable achievements was the improvement in reading fluency. Regular practice and the fun, interactive nature of Readers Theatre helped students read more smoothly and expressively, making the text come alive for their audience.
Looking ahead, we are excited to further develop our props and characterisation this term. By adding these elements, we aim to enrich our performances even more, providing students with new opportunities to explore their creativity and deepen their understanding of the stories they present.
Kelly Garcia, Yasmine Kaballan and Erin Horne Year 1 Teachers
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten students have commenced the final term of their first official school year with energy and enthusiasm.
The extent to which the students have matured throughout the year was evident in the way they organised their time and belongings during the recent swimming program at Enfield Aquatic Centre.
The students listened respectfully to their swimming instructors and improved both their confidence and skills as they participated in small group lessons. Class teachers and other supervising staff members were impressed by the responsible and independent way in which the Kindergarten students conducted themselves during the two-week program.
It was wonderful to see the connections being made between ‘theory and practice’, as the students demonstrated the learning they have acquired during their Health lessons at school, by moving safely both in and out of the water and observing and discussing safety messages and signs on display within the centre.
The students also created their own posters, communicating actions they can take to ensure their own safety when in or around water.
Brooke Napper, Rebecca Saba and Vicki Spillane Kindergarten Teachers
Prep
Term 4 has begun, and it’s shaping up to be a quick and exciting term filled with lots of learning! The Prep students are diving into new concepts and having a blast along the way.
Maths: Exploring Capacity
This term in maths, we are learning about capacity – how much a container can hold. The students have been introduced to important vocabulary such as ‘empty’, ‘full’, and ‘half full’. These terms help them describe and compare the amount of space different containers can hold.
To make learning about capacity fun and interactive, the students have been engaging in hands-on activities. They’ve enjoyed filling up different-sized containers using a variety of materials like sand, and rice. These activities not only help them understand the concept of capacity but also develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Looking Ahead
As the term progresses, the Prep students will continue to explore more about capacity and other exciting topics. They are eager to learn and discover new things every day, making the last term in Prep a truly enriching experience.
Monique Evans and Clare Wood Prep Teachers
Italian at Del Monte
In cooperation with Co.As.It. Brisbane/Melbourne/Sydney, IAWCC and Il Globo TV, students have participated in the XXVI edition of La Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo (Italian Language Week in the world), celebrated globally from 14 to 20 October 2024.
Within the theme ‘L’italiano e il libro: il mondo fra le righe – Italian and the Book: the world between the lines’, all class groups have engaged in the reading of some books in Italian and have learnt about some of the most famous Italian buildings, products, traditions, and historical sites.
Students in Prep, Kindergarten and Year 1 have enjoyed a virtual trip throughout Italy with ‘la macchinetta rossa’ (the red little car) and the Italian dog Pimpa. Year 2 groups have learned about the birth of Rome and the legend of Romulus and Remo, while Year 3 and Year 4 have explored the story of the Roman city of Pompeii. Inspired by these stories, everyone has shared some very original drawings and texts on their dream trips to Italy.
Daniela Panico Italian Teacher
Del Monte Library
Reading for pleasure
When children immerse themselves in stories, especially those they choose themselves, they begin to see reading as an enjoyable activity rather than a chore. The more books they explore, the more they are exposed to a variety of concepts and ideas, which in turn fuels their imagination and creativity. This can lead to better problem-solving skills and innovative thinking. Regular reading, particularly shared reading between child and parent, enhances vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills, helping children become more articulate and confident in expressing their thoughts. Reading is also a wonderful way to unwind and relax, providing a mental escape from the pressures of daily life, which helps children to de-stress and improve their mental health. Through stories, children experience different perspectives and cultures, fostering empathy and understanding, making them more compassionate individuals. A love for reading nurtures a lifelong habit of learning, instilling curiosity and a desire to explore new topics, which is invaluable in our ever-changing world.
Benefits of graphic novels
These visually engaging books are often unfairly portrayed as having minimal literary merit, but they offer something special for everyone. Graphic novels combine text and illustrations, helping children build vocabulary and develop visual literacy skills by learning to interpret and understand visual information. The vibrant artwork and dynamic storytelling in graphic novels can captivate even the most advanced readers, making reading enjoyable and accessible to all students. Despite their format, graphic novels often tackle complex themes and emotions, providing deep, meaningful stories that resonate with readers of all ages.
Fostering a love for reading in our children is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. Whether it’s through traditional books or graphic novels, the benefits are immense and far-reaching.
Happy Reading!
Patricia Doonan Del Monte Librarian
Director of Music
Welcome to Term 4!
From our littlest ones in Mary Bailey House to our newly minted Year 12 students, across the College over 100 musical items are being diligently prepared to present to our community in a myriad of formal events before the year is through.
Celebration of Music Concert
On Sunday, over 300 students from within our P-12 Co-curricular programs took to the stage of Verbrugghen Hall at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music as we celebrated 130 years to the day that a news article appeared in a local publication telling of the first ever music concert by Santa Sabina students. From its earliest beginnings to the strong program with nearly 30 ensembles we see today, the seeds sown 130 years ago have indeed flourished.
We congratulate all performers for their dedicated work which produced a concert of diverse genres and setting a strong and exciting trajectory for our next 130 years. Taiko drums hailed the opening of the event with the original work Tori Daiko, followed by our newest Zheng ensemble who offered a sparkling performance of Fighting the Typhoon. The program featured the Australian Premiere of Malay-inspired choral work La-Li-Lei by Dr Tracy Wong; In Paradisum from Fauré’s Requiem in the 100th year since his passing; Ernest Bloch’s Concerto Grosso and Beethoven’s rousing 5th Symphony to close the concert. A particular highlight of the evening was Year 9 student Celine Choi’s superlative offering of Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto with our Symphony Orchestra.
It has been an incredible year of music-making so far, and there is much still in store before the year is out.
Join us for the events and performances below as we bring 2024 to its closing cadence.
Amy RIchardson Director of Music P-12
Chamber Recital – North London Collegiate School (Korea)
This Friday, 1 November 2024, we are delighted to be hosting a Camerata String Ensemble from Jeju Island, Korea. The North London Collegiate School will be arriving as guests in our Symphony Orchestra rehearsal before shadowing classes for the morning. They will spend the afternoon preparing a Chamber Recital of beautiful works for our community in our Chapel. Everyone is welcome to attend this free performance as we celebrate the global community and the international connections that music richly affords us.
Date: Friday 1 November 2024 Time: 3:45pm Venue: Santa Sabina Chapel
Mozart’s Sister Feature Film and Performance
Members of Chamber Orchestra have received the exciting invitation to perform before a special screening of the new Australian docufilm Mozart’s Sister – screening on Sunday 3 November 2024 at the Palace Norton Street Cinema in Leichhardt.
The documentary is an exploration of the life and accomplishments of Maria Anna Mozart, the lesser known older sister of Wolfgang Amadeus. The film purports the urgent need to create value and space for women composers, in a field in which there remains such inequitable gender representation. The film’s producer, Madeleine Miau is delighted by the partnership with Santa Sabina College, and prominent Australian composer Jessica Wells is looking forward to collaborating with our students in the year to come (with an important collaboration also planned for our Gala Concert in 2025).
Date: Sunday 3 November 2024 Time: 12:30pm Santa Sabina Chamber Orchestra Performance Film: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Venue: Palace Norton Street, Leichhardt
Santa Sabina Recital Series
The final recital of the year will be held next week! Nearly 30 students from our co-curricular stream will be showcasing their current works of study. From our smallest Kindergarten instrumentalists to our Diploma-awardees, these informal soirees provide a tremendous opportunity for students to grow in their performance craft in a rewarding and supportive environment. Please join us!
We are pleased to be holding a learning showcase for our Gioia House Instrumental Program Ensembles to demonstrate the progress our students have made over the year! We are excited to present this opportunity for parents and carers to see their child’s learning in context within these curriculum ensembles, and look forward to sharing light refreshments with you prior to the performance in the Hall.
Date: Wednesday 13 November 2024 Venue: Santa Sabina Hall Time: 11:15am – Morning Tea 11:30am – Concert start time
Santa Sabina Community Choir
The Santa Sabina Community singers are excitedly preparing for pop-up performances as part of the Fra Angelico Festival and the Advent Carols service at the end of the year.
Our next rehearsal will be this coming Monday 4 November in Holyrood.
Community Choir Rehearsals
Monday 4 November | 7:00pm – 8:00pm Monday 18 November | 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Community Choir Performances
Friday 22 November | Fra Angelico Festival Monday 2 December | Advent Carols
Italy Tour 2025 – Meeting!
Further to the email at the end of Term 3, we are pleased to confirm our first meeting as a consolidated tour group. Parents and students alike are invited to attend as we discuss plans and present repertoire that we will be rehearsing for this tour. There is no need to bring musical instruments to this meeting. Please see email and the Parent Lounge for relevant communication pieces to this end.
As part of the Fra Angelico Festival of Arts being held on Friday 22 November, the Music Department is delighted to once again take the opportunity to showcase many of our curriculum ensembles and programs from Prep to Year 6, in addition to the talents of our Rock Band, Stage Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Taiko Ensemble, Chamber Choir and Taiko Ensembles.
EVERY CHILD FROM P-6 WILL BE PERFORMING at this exciting community event, in addition to several other invited ensembles across the College. An information letter will be sent home to families shortly with all the details pertaining to these performances. Thank you for your support – we look forward to this showcase of student work!
Advent Carols
Save the date! College, Chamber and Community Choirs are already sinking their teeth into the magnificent festive repertoire that will bring our year to a close in this beloved annual tradition.
Date: Monday 2 December 2024 Time: 6:30pm Venue: Santa Sabina Chapel
Register for Music opportunities at Santa Sabina
What skills and experiences might still be waiting for you as part of your holistic schooling journey? In addition to signing up to be part of our ensembles (choirs, bands and orchestras) you can now register via the College App or by using the link below for lessons in any of the following instruments:
Piano, Harpsichord, Harp, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Voice, Flute, Recorder, Zheng, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, French Horn, Orchestral Percussion, Drum Kit, Guitar, Bass Guitar and individual or group tuition in Composition or Musicianship!
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.
From the P&F Association
Dear Parents and Friends of Santa Sabina College
Welcome to Term 4. We hope that you had a restful break and are ready for a jam packed term. Only three weeks in and we have had a number of successful events, and plenty more lined up. Whilst it is only a short term, it will be a very busy one. We look forward to working with our SSC community by connecting with each other and growing stronger as a school.
Colour Fun Run
The Colour Fun Run was everything you could ask for – fun, colourful and messy! The joy on the kids’ faces running through the foam and purposely waiting to be aimed at with paint spray was priceless. We even had our own Casper join in the fun.
Thank you to our team of volunteers who helped cook our BBQ for the kids’ lunches and then all hands on deck during the run, ensuring the event ran without any issue.
Big thanks to our spectacular photographer, our own SSC Super Dad, Giovanni Portelli, who spent the afternoon taking photos from the most interesting angles capturing the kids, parents and staff who attended the colour fun run! The photos can be accessed here.
Santa Sabina College P&F Trivia Night
Last Friday, the P&F hosted the Trivia Night for 2024. It was such a fun evening, catching up with friends and meeting parents across all cohorts. The competition was fierce but highly entertaining. Even more so when you could buy your answers from our Trivia Master 😊
Miz Tutti’s pizzas were amazing, but we think the firm favourite of the night was that Nutella pizza!
Thank you to all who came and supported the P&F. We owe a great deal to our sponsors who made the night that much better. Your contribution and commitment to the P&F and our community is greatly appreciated.
A heartfelt thanks to Nice Bite Orthodontics, our major sponsor for the night and the following families for their donations with prizes for the raffle and the lucky door prizes: Lambert/Addabbo family, Hickey family, Magri family, Laing Family and the Zanon family.
Santa Sustainable Threads
Upcoming: Fra Angelico Festival – 22 November
Mark 22 November on your calendars for an evening of cultural indulgence. The Fra Angelico Festival promises to be an evening of delights with performances and artwork from students across the College. Enjoy the Champagne Lawn and our International Eat Street showcasing food stalls from Italian to Indian, Mediterranean delights (Lebanese and Greek) to Asian flavours, and of course, a Gelato stall to sweeten the experience. Highlights also include a Fashion Parade, Silent Disco, Kids’ Activities, a mesmerising light show, and much more.
P&F Annual General Meeting
A reminder that the AGM will be held at 6:30pm on Wednesday 13 November 2024.
Election of Office Holders
An election for the following positions on the P&F Executive will be held at the AGM:
Vice President (Senior)
Treasurer
Gioia House Social Coordinator
Del Monte Social Coordinator
Parent Education
If you or someone you know would like to be nominated for one of these positions, please contact Ben Middleton for more information at president@ssc.nsw.edu.au and complete the Nomination Form found here. Nominations will be accepted up to and during the AGM.
Each parent, teacher and child plays an important role in keeping the community together and grounded. We look forward to seeing you at the AGM and our upcoming events.
Yours in friendship,
P&F Committee
Past events
Colour Fun Run
The Colour Fun Run on 18 October 2024 was a fantastic afternoon that brought joy and copious amounts of energy for all the children from Prep to Year 6! Thanks to our SSC community, we raised $15,500. This is an impressive amount raised in such a short period of time. The children enjoyed their sausage sizzles in their classrooms before moving to the Del Monte Field for a chance to get sprayed as they ran through the obstacle courses and of course who could resist that foam! A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved! However, given the feedback we may consider having a parent fun run next time around!
SCC P&F Trivia Night
The Trivia Night was a resounding success. The parents and staff had an engaging and fun filled night without children! Lots of eating, answering questions and when the Quiz master gave us some curly questions we bought our answers!
We all managed to get to the end of the night with some dignity and even the bottom team didn’t do too badly! It was great to see Ms Skerman, Ms Azizian and the leadership team join in the fun and it was a lovely way to connect with our community. Congratulations to the winning trivia team – Hockey Doodle Doo!
The Trivia Night raised $5,400! This is an amazing result. We rely on events like these to be able to contribute back to the students and the school. Thank you for your support!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Fra Angelico
The Parents & Friends’ Association will be hosting the International Eat Street and Champagne Lawn at the Fra Angelico Festival on the 22 November 2024 from 5:00pm – 9:00pm and would love if we could please get some volunteers to help us with running the food stalls or serving alcohol on the Champagne Lawn.
The International Eat Street stalls include:
Italian Food Stall
Mediterranean Stall (Lebanese and Greek Food)
Asian Stall
Indian Stall
Gelato Stall
The Champagne Lawn will be serving alcohol and we would love any volunteers who have RSA to help serve alcohol in this area.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Alex Cantali at vpsecondary@ssc.nsw.edu.au or on 0414582876.
The success of this event would not be possible without the generosity and support of our wonderful parent volunteers. Please contact Alex if you would like to join our amazing team and volunteer for this fantastic community event.
Year Group Catch Ups
Year 4 Farewell Dinner
It is with great excitement that we invite Year 4 students and their parent/s to attend the Year 4 Farewell Dinner, a special night facilitated by the Year 4 parents. Please join us on this memorable evening, to farewell our boys and usher our girls on their way to Gioia House. This will be a night Year 4 will remember forever!
Details: Date: Friday 8 November 2024 Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm Location: Canada Bay Club Tickets: $50 per child | $120 per adult
What’s Included: For the adults: Share cheese and antipasto platters, pizza, pasta, meat skewers & dessert. For the children: Pizza, chicken schnitzel and churros!
Year 6 Dinner Dance
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate our Year 6 students and their journey through primary school at the stunning new function room at The Concord Club.
Details: Date: Friday 29 November 2024 Time: 6:00pm to 9:30pm Location: The Concord Club – Function Room Tickets: $45 per child I $75 per adult
Your ticket includes:
three course dinner (entrée, main and celebration cake)
DJ entertainment.
This evening is set to be a memorable occasion for both parents and students as we come together to celebrate this significant milestone.
PARENT EDUCATION with Debra Brodowski
Book Review and Recommendation
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (2024)
I’ve not yet shared a book recommendation on this forum. I feel that recommending a book to someone is deeply personal; my taste may be different to yours, you might not like what I recommend.
I find that when I am recommended a book though, it feels like a gift to treasure, not only is the other person forming a sense of connection with me by suggesting a book that I might like, but it also allows us to deepen our connection whereby even if I read the book and have a different experience of it, I can share my thoughts and feelings, which is yet another experience to treasure. My most wonderful friendships have a foundation of speaking about books.
Indeed, this book was recommended to me by a friend, and I am truly grateful to them.
So here I go, launching myself into forming a connection with you.
The Anxious Generation by Psychologist Jonathan Haidt had a huge impact on me. He writes about how the advent of the smart phone in 2007 has changed how our children experience childhood and the impact this has had on their wellbeing. He speaks of the pre-smart phone era (with its associated lack of social media, limited gaming, and limited access to online content) as the ‘play based childhood’. In contrast, Haidt describes the smart-phone era as the ‘phone-based childhood’.
The rise of the ‘phone-based childhood’ has meant that our children have less time for a ‘play based childhood’, one that involves unsupervised play, opportunities for outdoor exploration, and chances to extend and grow through taking risks (I reflect on my childhood where I spent my afternoons at the park, at the creek, only returning for dinner). Screen time use does not allow our young people develop the essential life skills of interacting with others, overcoming disagreements, problem solving, having ‘adventures’. These cannot be learned through a ‘phone-based childhood’.
There have been extensive studies on the impacts of social media, screen time, and gaming on the wellbeing of our young people; I have written about it in previous articles. Indeed, whilst technology has had benefits to our lives, there is clear evidence that connects the rise of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges with the unregulated use of screen time by our young people. Monitoring access and time spent on screens is essential to mitigate this.
With this in mind, Haidt’s book, which I highly recommend, has some key takeaways for our parenting of our young people:
The phone-based childhood means that our young people have less opportunity to try, and even fail. By overprotecting our young people from discomfort or challenges, this does not allow them to foster a sense of resilience and emotional strength.
Haidt introduces the concept of ‘safetyism’, defined as creating a culture of prioritising safety above all else leading to the perception that the world is more dangerous than it actually is. This can increase anxiety and make your young people more sensitive to perceived threats. The book talks about how we can support our young people to work through challenges to reduce anxiety and thereby build resilience. I reflect on the opportunities that our young people are exposed to when they visit Tallong, giving them an opportunity to stretch their comfort zone, explore, and build resilience.
In shifting attention away from the overuse of smart phones/social media/gaming/social technology, we are able to help encourage our young people to foster autonomy, independence, and a growth mindset; working through challenges with ‘I can’t do this yet’ and then experiencing true pride when they can proudly declare ‘I did it!’ after achieving something that they have worked hard at.
There are so many more wonderful ideas in Haidt’s book, more than I am able to share with you here. I do encourage you to take a look, and consider some of the ideas he shares.
From the Ex-students’ Association
We are excited to invite you to this year’s Fra Angelico Festival on the College grounds on Friday 22 November 2024 from 5:00pm. Celebrating the arts of our community, the evening also features food and produce stalls, the Champagne Lawn, entertainment for all ages and the spectacular light show on our heritage buildings.
An important Festival activity this year is an opportunity to showcase your photographic talents in the Santa Sabina College Ex-Students’ Association Photography Exhibition and Competition! This competition promises to celebrate the artistry and creativity within our community under the theme of ‘People and Places’.
Competition details:
Theme: People and Places
Categories:
iPhone/Smartphone Photography: capture moments using the convenience of your smartphone.
Open Photography: unleash your creativity with any type of camera equipment. All skill levels are welcome!
How to enter:
Choose up to three of your best photographs that fit the theme ‘People and Places’.
Submit your entries via email to exstudents@ssc.nsw.edu.au by 12:00 noon, Friday 15 November 2024.
Please include your full name, category of entry, contact information and, if you are an ex-student, your cohort year with your submission.
Important dates: Submission deadline: Friday 15 November 2024 Judging: Monday 18 November 2024
Prizes: Exciting prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category. All selected photographs will be showcased in our exhibition, celebrating the talent of our community photographers.
Exhibition details: Date: Friday 22 November 2024 Location: Fra Angelico Arts Festival, Santa Sabina College
This competition is open to all members of the Santa Sabina College community and our local neighbours. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, we encourage everyone to participate and share their unique perspectives on ‘People and Places’.
We look forward to receiving your entries and celebrating the beauty of our community through the lens of your camera. For any inquiries or further information, please contact email – exstudents@ssc.nsw.edu.au.
The Santa Sabina Ex-students’ Association
A fairer distribution of wealth this Christmas
Increasingly, people are complaining about Christmas rather than enjoying it. A common complaint is having to buy presents that may not even be appreciated and will add to the huge pile of plastic and packaging going into landfill. Another issue is the $1.4 billion worth of unclaimed gift cards!
One way to avoid this problem is to send our money to where it will do good, rather than merely adding to the profit margins of big retailers.
Here are two suggestions to promote a fairer distribution of wealth this Christmas:
Give Meaningful Gifts: Instead of giving Grandpa yet another pair of socks or a book he won’t read, consider buying an item in his name and giving it to someone in need… gifts like a goat, a training course, a water tank, or education for a villager too poor to afford such life-changing items. Many organisations working in developing countries, such as Caritas, offer these options. You can order gifts online, and Caritas will send you a card with details of the gifts you’ve chosen, allowing you to write a personal message inside. It’s easy and thoughtful! LINK to the web page.
Support Ethical Trading: Shop in person for handcrafted items imported from countries where handcraft is still valued and practised, such as Peru. Many agencies have set up cooperatives that employ women, providing them with alternatives to less desirable ways of making money. Close to us, a shop in Summer Hill offers a great range of alternatives to plastic, mass-produced gifts. Look online or drop in—it’s a great excuse for coffee and cake at one of the many cafes in the shopping area! I bought a pair of socks that helps to protect the sloth in South America and there is a range of the cutest cat beds you’ll ever see!
119 Smith Street Summer Hill.
Jane Sulis Coordinator of Outreach
Kopanang Universe Canticle
The internationally acclaimed artwork, The Kopanang Universe Canticle, is to be exhibited in the Curved Corridor at Santa Sabina College on Wednesday 20 November at 5:00pm.
All members of the College community are invited to view this stunning work and come on a journey with Sr Sheila Flynn OP who will explain the genesis and creation of the Canticle which marries religion, science and art in an experience not to be missed.
Led by our own Sr Sheila, the 31 embroidered panels were created by 17 women from the Kopanang Community Trust in South Africa and depict the story of cosmic evolution. The Canticle is not only a technical, creative and educational achievement but also is one of original invention as during the creative process the women invented several of their own stitches.
‘Women found their souls in the embroidery’, said Sr Sheila.
From creation through plankton to the stars to the emergence of modern human beings to oil spills and global warming, the panels feature delicate beading and hand-stitching on a black background.
A canticle is defined as a song of praise. The panels of the Kopanang Universe Canticle can be seen as colour songs. The women sang as they embroidered.
The Canticle has been exhibited to thousands across the USA, in South Africa as well as in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
For those unable to attend on 20 November, the Canticle will also be on display at the College’s Fra Angelico Festival on Friday 22 November from 5:00pm.
Santa Sabina College has supported the Kopanang project for the last 20 years. During that time our students have experienced life-transforming immersions in South Africa – working on this project as well as in the Dominican Montebello School in Kwa Zulu Natal.
Global Relationships and Influence
Kopanang Christmas Market
St Lucy’s at Santa Sabina
St Lucy’s is now enrolling for Kindergarten and Year 1 in their satellite class starting in 2025, located in the beautiful St Dominic’s Building on our Santa Sabina campus in Strathfield. This satellite program is designed for eligible students aiming to transition to a mainstream school. For enquiries, please contact enrolments at enrol@stlucys.nsw.edu.au or visit www.stlucys.nsw.edu.au.
St Lucy’s Fundraising Dinner and raffle
Come and give your support to St Lucy’s School by attending our Fundraising Gala Dinner on Saturday 16 November 2024.
Ticket prices: 1 Ticket for $10 | 3 Tickets for $25 10 tickets for $75 | 15 tickets for $100
Drawn on 5 December 2024.
The aim of St Lucy’s 2024 raffle is to raise funds for technology, resources and programs that will build independence for St Lucy’s students.
Please share this with your friends, family and work places.
Communities for Communities
Communities for Communities would like to extend an invitation to teachers, parents and the school community to attend TWO upcoming events in Canada Bay.
First, Comedy for a Cause will take place on Friday 8 November. Enjoy a night of laughs for a good cause, with four comedians delighting the audience in the name of charity. Proceeds will go to C4C’s projects here in Australia and an overseas build in Cambodia.
The annual Carols in the Park will take place at Halliday Park Five Dock on Wednesday 18 December. Join in the festivities and enjoy kids activities, food and of course plenty of amazing entertainment and carols with a visit from Santa.
