College Principal

Congratulations to our Student Leadership Team who hosted Love Week last week which culminated with Valentine’s Day. Love was in the air all week and wonderful activities were planned to celebrate God’s greatest commandment! On Monday the focus was on ‘loving yourself’, on Tuesday it was ‘love your culture’ and we were treated to busking at lunch time, Wednesday saw the focus turn to ‘loving the Earth ‘and students were treated to free ice cream if they brought a reusable cup and reusable spoon. On Thursday it was ‘love your friends and faith’ day with a special lunchtime Mass in the Chapel, and on Friday it was ‘love your school day’! Thanks to the Student Leaders who put energy and focus into organising fun ways for our students and teachers to strengthen relationships across our school community which has been especially important in welcoming our new students to the College. 

Over the next fortnight, students in Years 5-8 will engage in Pastoral Care lessons focused on the dynamics of online communication with the aim of creating a Year 5-8 Online Communication Charter. Students will examine the advantages and disadvantages of using digital devices for interaction. Following these discussions, each year group will complete a survey designed to collect data on their current digital practices and experiences, as well as their aspirations for safe and positive online interactions. The collected data will be analysed, and the insights gained will inform the development and launch of the Year 5-8 Online Communication Charter. This set of guidelines aims to educate and promote positive online behaviour, fostering safe and supportive digital environments. The charter will be subject to review in Week 10 of Term 4. It is important for parents to be aware that the Charter is unable to be enforced by the school and parents will be responsible for ensuring their children are adhering to the guidelines. Students have voiced their gratitude for these rules as they believe it will be better for everyone if online communication takes place at an agreed time, if at all. 

As part of their orientation program, Year 7 engaged in a Community Building and Interaction day last week. Students were invited to think about the importance and value of community and being active community builders. The day was led by the Lasallian youth ministry team and Year 7 Pastoral Care and Religious Education Teachers. Students were involved in fun and interactive games, problem solving activities and role playing. They also heard from Sr Jill Shirvington OP, a Dominican Sister who is closely connected to the College and is in fact an ex-student herself. Students explored how they are able to influence the culture in a community and deepened their understanding about the unity that we can find in diversity. 

The start of the school year has also provided us with many lovely opportunities to come together as a community. We were grateful to have parents join us for our various Welcome Masses and many parents and carers attended our Information Nights before attending our Welcome event around Dom’s Plot where they were able to meet their children’s teachers and connect with one another. We are also looking forward to hosting our Coffee and Conversation mornings with our Chinese and Korean families this week and there has been strong interest in attendance from our new parents of teen girls support group who will come together next week to Spill the Tea! Click on the invitation below if you have not yet responded and would like to join us.

Last week, we were happy to welcome back our High Achievers from the Class of 2024 and their families to celebrate their strong academic results. Our joint Duxes, Tanisha Chari and Rochelle Dias, spoke on behalf of their cohort and shared this important advice with our students, ‘if high school is a train, get off at every stop. Embrace every opportunity and take the leap to try out activities that might push you out of your comfort zone. Whilst high school may feel like it lasts forever long, it’s ultimately a fleeting experience. And so, we implore you all to seize every friendship and opportunity ahead of you, and make the most of your Santa experience.‘

Wishing you well for the year ahead.

Go gently.

Paulina Skerman
College Principal

Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

Faith and Mission at Santa Sabina in 2025

Finding Hope in our community

The 2025 academic year has begun with lots of excitement and new beginnings over the past few weeks and this has certainly been the case in the area of Faith and Mission at the College. Our opening Masses for  students were attended by parents this year and it was wonderful to see some of our families at each of these Masses. 

As we begin the Jubilee Year of Hope across the globe, our opening Masses, prayers and Liturgies all focused on this concept of living hopefully. This year, we join Catholics around the world who will be guided by the wisdom that the cultivation of hope is not about telling our students or ourselves that everything will be alright, that nothing bad will happen. It is about accepting that things are not always as we would like or want them to be BUT there is a way to find happiness, contentment and success in the life we find ourselves in. 

The hope we want to embrace this year is not a sentence starter… I hope that I can go on an overseas holiday. I hope… that I win the lottery. I hope….that I win my Basketball final. Hope as a Christian value is a stand alone word – it is trust, faith and confidence that God holds our best interests in his heart. When we stand in hope we stand together in the knowledge there is a purposeful future ahead – that is the one thing we can be sure of.

Our Student Leaders are also confident their leadership year of hope will lead to greater unity in our community. In our leadership teams in Year 4, Year 6 and Year 12 this goal of strengthening community through the lens of hope will be seen in many practical ways. You can read elsewhere about the Love Week initiatives that promoted connection and community throughout the Secondary Campus last week.

Growth in community and connection was also achieved as our Year 4 students undertook a leadership day in preparation to elect leaders for the P-4 campus. Gioia House students have also explored the concept of leadership and our Senior Leadership Team members in Year 12 have shared some of their experiences and wisdom with our younger students.

Interaction and connection have also been in focus for a number of year groups across the College. Years 3 and 5 students have taken part in interaction activities to foster new friendships and encourage cohesion and tolerance. Our Year 7 students also participated in a Community Building and Interaction day on Friday 14 February. This day had spiritual development as its focus and our Year 7 students were able to explore community in all its forms, including our Dominican community and heritage. 

The Mission Team at the College is looking forward to a year of liturgical and spiritual experiences and events that involve our entire community in strengthening and deepening their faith. 

Melanie van der Meer
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

NAPLAN

NAPLAN is scheduled for March this year and we have started preparing students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.  It is an online test (except writing in Year 3), and the IT team are supporting each student as they upload the Lockdown Browser for their device. Parents will receive a letter with the dates and equipment this week. It is a requirement that each student has a set of wired headphones (not Bluetooth). Parents can learn more about it in the NAPLAN information brochure for parents/carers. 

Year 11 Health and Movement Science (HMS)

The first of our two Year 11 Health and Movement Science (HMS) classes participated in a mandatory Depth Study Excursion, providing hands-on learning experiences to deepen their understanding of health and movement concepts. This was held at PhysXrehab in Cromer.  

Evelyn gave the following feedback when she returned to the College: ‘The excursion was a highly engaging and interactive experience for Year 11 HMS students, as we could then apply key health and movement concepts in a practical setting. We explored the interrelationship between skeletal, muscular, and biomechanical principles, gaining a deeper understanding of the body’s movement systems. We participated in exercises such as jumping, sprinting, and hurdles. Overall, the day was an excellent opportunity for hands-on learning and facilitated meaningful connections to our coursework and assessments.’

Year 10 Morrisby Profile Career and Aptitude Assessment Program

On Friday this week all Year 10 students will sit their Morrisby Profile assessment. This is a comprehensive tool designed to help students identify their strengths, abilities, and potential career paths. The program measures students’ aptitudes and provides personalised career suggestions, subject recommendations, and educational pathways. It is not influenced by educational or social background, ensuring an unbiased evaluation. The Morrisby Profile also offers lifetime access to information about apprenticeships, university courses, and potential careers, helping students make informed decisions about their future. This program is an invaluable resource for guiding students towards achieving their career goals.

Morrisby Profile Career Webinar for Parents

In order to assist the students and their families in getting the most out of this assessment, Emma Goodsir, the Educational Psychologist from Morrisby Australia, will be giving a webinar on Microsoft Teams on Monday 24 February 2025 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. This will be recorded for families who have prior engagements.

Jacqueline Pugh
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Deputy Principal Operations

With school back in full swing, I am sharing some important reminders for families to ensure that you stay connected to the latest news and events at the College.

Parents can subscribe to the Santa Sabina Parent Event Calendar and download this to your calendar of choice. This will ensure that you stay on top of all the events happening for the students across the College.  For instructions on how to access the calendar, log in to Veritas Online and follow this link which provides instructions on how to subscribe to the calendar on Google, Outlook and Apple Mail.

The College App is another essential tool for staying informed.  Parents are able to access the College Calendar, latest newsletters, check upcoming sporting fixtures and music lessons read parent notices and much, much more. Instructions on how to download the app are below.

Access to Veritas Online (VO) and Parent Lounge will enable Families to view Academic Reports, accept invitations to excursions and incursions, update student medical details, inform the College of Absences and provide information on assessment. If any families are having difficulty accessing Veritas Online, it is important to contact our dedicated IT Support team via email at itsupport@ssc.nsw.edu.au or by phone on 9745 7104 for assistance.

There have been numerous reports of late, on both Carrington Road and Jersey Road, of incidences of drivers performing three-point and U-turns over the double lines to exit the Kiss and Ride zone. This manoeuvre is not only illegal, but it puts students and other pedestrians in these areas at great risk of harm.  I urge all parents using these streets during drop off and pick-up to demonstrate patience and consideration to all users of the roads. Council Rangers and the Police are often present patrolling these areas, both in the morning and the afternoon, to ensure that drivers are complying with road rules.

John Gilmore
Deputy Principal Operations

Head of Primary P-6

Launching into a year of learning and friendships

Our school year began with a spiritually uplifting Welcome Mass, setting a reflective and joyful tone for the year ahead. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, as proclaimed by Pope Francis, we are called to embrace faith, renewal, and new beginnings. It was a beautiful way to welcome new and returning community members.

Adding to the celebrations, our Kindergarten students joyfully marked their school journey with dancing on Dom’s Plot, symbolising excitement and new opportunities.

We were also delighted to see so many families at our recent Information Evening and Welcome Drinks. This event provided a valuable opportunity for parents to connect with teachers, gain insights into the year ahead, and engage with our school community. 

It has been wonderful to see our students settle in smoothly and begin forming strong connections with their peers and teachers. The energy and enthusiasm across our classrooms and playgrounds are truly uplifting as students embrace new friendships, routines, and learning experiences with excitement and confidence.

This year, we are committed to strengthening and expanding our Enrichment Program, the Thomas Aquinas Scholars Program and the Diverse Education Program in Del Monte and Gioia House. These initiatives will provide students with enriched learning opportunities tailored to their strengths and needs. Additionally, we continue to implement the new English and Mathematics syllabus, ensuring our teaching aligns with the latest curriculum developments to support student growth and achievement.

AIS Numeracy Project

We are pleased to share our partnership with the Australian Independent Schools Association in implementing the AIS Numeracy Project. This initiative is focused on enhancing students’ outcomes in Mathematics by identifying learning gaps and providing targeted support. Our P-6 staff have participated in the first module of the project and have commenced conducting screeners to assess students’ mathematical understanding. The collected data will be thoroughly analysed to inform teaching and monitor student progress, ensuring a strong foundation in numeracy for all learners.

Knowing our learners

At the beginning of Term 1, our teachers have been actively gathering initial academic and pastoral data to understand our learners and inform our teaching. Through diagnostic assessments, observations, and discussions, we gain valuable insights into the strengths and needs of each student.

Del Monte teachers conducted initial meetings with parents before the school year commenced, while Gioia House teachers are currently making phone calls to connect with families. This collaborative approach ensures we provide tailored support and guidance for every child’s learning journey.

Interaction Day

Last week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students participated in a range of engaging activities designed to foster connections and teamwork. These experiences provided opportunities for students to develop friendships, collaborate with peers, and establish a strong sense of belonging within our school community. We look forward to more interaction opportunities throughout the year to strengthen these bonds.

Del Monte and Gioia House Student Leadership

Our Year 4 students have been introduced to a new and improved leadership structure, providing them with more leadership roles and opportunities to develop their leadership skills and foster a sense of responsibility, collaboration, and community among Year 4 students. 

Additionally, our Year 6 students were inspired by insights shared by our Senior Leaders, encouraging them to step forward and take on leadership roles.

This week, students will present their speeches, and voting will take place in Week 4. It is truly heartwarming to see so many students having the courage and enthusiasm to nominate themselves for leadership positions. We commend their commitment and look forward to commissioning our new student leaders in Week 5.

We are excited about the term ahead and all the learning, growth, and experiences it will bring. Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to foster a nurturing and dynamic learning environment for our students.

Naplan

Parents of Year 3 and Year 5 students will soon receive a letter outlining key details about NAPLAN 2025, which will take place from 12 March to 24 March. To support students, teachers integrate literacy and numeracy skill development into daily learning, provide opportunities for mock assessments, and equip students with test-taking strategies to help them approach NAPLAN with a positive mindset.

Parents can also support their child at home by encouraging a balanced routine, ensuring they get adequate rest, and fostering a calm and positive approach to the assessments. Reinforcing a growth mindset by reminding students that NAPLAN is just one measure of their learning journey can help them feel more at ease and confident in their abilities. 

Weekly Homeroom Gatherings

Years 3 and 4 students come together every Tuesday at 8:30am for their Homeroom Gathering, while Gioia House students meet every Monday at 8:30am. These gatherings set a positive tone for the week ahead, providing a time for prayer, important announcements, and messages of encouragement. They also serve as a valuable opportunity to foster school spirit, unity, and a sense of belonging within our community.

To ensure students fully benefit from these meaningful gatherings, we kindly remind parents of the importance of arriving at school on time. Punctuality not only helps students start the day calmly and with focus but also ensures they don’t miss out on these important moments of connection and inspiration. Thank you for your support in helping students develop strong routines that enrich their school experience.

Year 4 Outdoor Education Experience 5-7 March

To ensure a smooth outdoor education experience for our students, please ensure that all medical forms are updated by the due date. Refer to the letter set from Mr Walker for details.

Parent helpers 2025

If you would like to be a parent helper at the Primary Campus in 2025, please complete the Google form below.

We will then contact new parent helper nominees for an induction and share information about the sessions.

If you have any questions, please contact Neda via email: n.korman@ssc.nsw.edu.au

Co-curricular Program

Gioia House Co-curricular Activities include: 

Creative Experience Club – Mondays at lunchtime with Ms Trees. 
Writers’ Club – Mondays at lunchtime with Ms Anetter. 
Ethics Olympiad – Mondays at lunchtime with Ms Azizian. 
Performing Arts Club – Tuesdays at lunchtime with Ms Watkins. 
IPSHA Debating – Tuesdays after school 3:30pm – 4:10pm on with Ms Milicic and Ms Di Ciaccio.
Homework Club –Tuesdays after school in the SSC Library from 3:30pm – 4:15pm with Ms Kostakis. Kitchen Garden Club – Wednesdays at lunchtime with Mr Dunphy. 
Coding & Robotics – Wednesdays after school 3:30pm – 4:15pm with Ms Maks. 
Crochet Club – Thursdays at lunchtime with Ms Tierney. 

Teachers will conduct introductory lessons this week and the official start will be Week 4.

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord,
‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’
 Jeremiah 29:11

This verse beautifully aligns with our Jubilee Year of Hope, reminding us to embrace new beginnings with faith, courage, and optimism for the journey ahead.

Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6

Important calendar dates

Del Monte

Thursday 20 February – 3-6 Swimming Carnival
Monday 3 March – Commissioning of Leaders Liturgy 
Tuesday 4 March – Shrove Tuesday
Wednesday 5 March – Ash Wednesday 
Wednesday 5 March – 7 March Year 4 OEE at Tallong
Thursday 6 March – Discovery Tour
Wednesday 12 March – Monday 24 March – NAPLAN
Tuesday 18 March – Harmony Day celebrations
Friday 21 March – Harmony Day

Gioia House

Thursday 20 February – 3-6 Swimming Carnival
Tuesday 25 February – K-6 SCS Conference 2 Swimming Carnival
Monday 3 March – Commissioning of Leaders Liturgy 
Tuesday 4 March – International Women’s Day Assembly
Tuesday 4 March – Shrove Tuesday
Wednesday 5 March – Ash Wednesday
Thursday 6 March – Discovery Tour
Thursday 6 March – International Women’s Day Supper
Wednesday 12 March – Monday 24 March – NAPLAN
Tuesday 18 March – Harmony Day events
Friday 21 March – Harmony Day

Director of Mary Bailey House and OOSH

Out of School Hours Care (OOSH)

OOSH offers education and care to students from Prep, Primary and Gioia House. Currently located in the primary school seminar room, OOSH delivers three programs: Before School Care, After School Care and Vacation Care.

Before School Care (BSC)

Opening at 7:00am, the BSC program provides a smooth transition into school. The program is aimed at being slow-paced with relaxed indoor activities and breakfast being offered. Familiar educators greet and play with children before walking them to Prep or Warami depending on their age to join their class.

After School Care (ASC)

This commences as soon as school ends. Educators collect K-4 children from the hall and walk them to OOSH and Gioia House students walk across the overpass bridge on The Boulevarde to the seminar room. An educator meets Prep children in their classroom where they spend an hour together. ASC begins with afternoon tea followed with play both indoors and outdoors. The program is a lively and busy with opportunities for children to play, create, move, imagine and have fun with friends. ASC is open to children after participating in co-curricular activities. It closes at 6:00pm.

Vacation Care (VC)

This operates during school holidays from 7:00am – 6:00pm. VC has an activity program with engaging art and craft activities and an incursion and excursion program with exciting and interesting experiences. Breakfast and afternoon tea are provided by OOSH. Children need to bring a nutritious morning tea and lunch, as they do for school. 

OOSH aims to be a place between home and school, where children can relax and play with friends with the support of responsive educators. To learn more about and book your child into OOSH programs, email our Coordinator Frances Windon at: ooshmail@ssc.nsw.edu.au

Jackie Baxter
Director of Mary Bailey House and OOSH

Director of Outdoor Education, Tallong Campus

One of the best campsite teams around (I stay in 10 different ones per year across Australia).

What a great way to kick the year off at Tallong with some wonderful feedback like this!

Our first program for the year was the Canberra Brass band weekend retreat. The hills of Tallong were alive with the sound of brass band instruments as this community band were practising and rehearsing for an upcoming competition. As the coordinator was leaving she said, ‘we will definitely be back next year’.

Last week we hosted programs for Loreto Normanhurst and Roseville College with close to 370 people using the campus throughout the week. Some mixed weather made conditions challenging for the students but they all coped very well.

While driving out to our campsites earlier this year I came across a tree that had been hit by lightning, reminding me of the vast power of nature. We take risk management very seriously here at the campus and have strict lightning protocols in place should there be any around while we have students on the campus.

We are looking forward to a big term with programs in each week until April.

Kendal Hann
Director of Outdoor Education and Tallong Campus

Director of Community Relations and Strategic Engagement

We invite College parents and ex-students to be part of our 2025 Career Women’s Network, an initiative that connects our Years 10-12 students, as well as recent graduates, with inspiring mentors from the Santa Sabina community.

Mentors play a crucial role in guiding and empowering our students as they step into the world beyond school. We would love for you to join us at our signature Career Women’s Breakfast on Friday 16 May 2025, from 7:00am – 9:00am in Siena Hall. There will also be opportunities throughout the year to participate in industry-specific networking events, work placements, and mock interviews.

This network continues to thrive – at last year’s breakfast, over 110 mentors from diverse industries connected with our senior students and recent graduates, offering invaluable support, work experience, and career advice. Their guidance has helped open doors and build confidence, ensuring our students are future-ready.

Research shows that women are often hesitant to put themselves forward, particularly for leadership roles. This is why we are calling on our alumni and community members to champion our young women, to share wisdom, encouragement, and real-world insights. 

If you are interested in becoming a mentor at this exciting event or throughout the year, please fill out the form below. Your involvement could make all the difference in shaping the future of our students.

We look forward to working together again through this important initiative and building our Santa Sabina networks and connections.

Discovery Tour – 6 March

On Thursday 6 March at 9:00am we are welcoming future College families to explore our vibrant Strathfield campuses. If anyone you know is considering Santa Sabina for their child’s education they would be welcome to join us. Registration is essential: https://www.ssc.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/visit-us/

Recent publications

The Community Relations team has been busy over the summer holidays, producing two annual magazines: Encompass 2024, our community magazine, and Santa Scholars 2024 which highlights the year’s academic results. Print copies of these magazines are available – email us at communityrelations@ssc.nsw.edu.au – for a printed copy.

Yvette Graniero
Director of Community Relations and Strategic Engagement

Director of Development

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

While giving is nothing new at Santa Sabina, the possibility to have your gift memorialised in the fabric of the College is a rare opportunity.

Our Santa Sabina community has a long history of raising funds to support our students and College facilities – it is in our DNA. Our history books show that since 1925, the construction of all key buildings on campus was supported by philanthropic gifts from members of our community – these facilities benefitting generations of Santa Sabina students would not have been possible without such donations.

St Dominic devised the rosary after he was moved by a vision of our Blessed Mother, he preached the use of the rosary in his missionary work. A Rosary Garden is being constructed on our Del Monte campus in Phase 1 of our Master Plan and we are offering community members the opportunity to support the College’s rejuvenation.

We invite individuals, families, ex-students and other community members to secure a plaque to be part of this historic milestone and lasting legacy. Have your name recorded on a plaque and support current and future generations.

(There are only a limited number for each of the plaques. Once each of the plaques has been secured, they will not be available to others.)

For further information please contact me on 97450232 or giving@ssc.nsw.edu.au

Donation before 30 June

For any member of our community who would like to donate to the College Building or Scholarship funds, your support will be very much appreciated. I have provided you HERE with a link to our donations page for you to complete. Every donation above $2.00 is tax deductible and will assist us in making our Master plan a reality.

Bequests

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

Please click here to view the brochure.

Advertise your Business

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

Please click here to complete the google form to advertise your business. Alternatively, please contact me in the Development office on 9745 0232 or giving@ssc.nsw.edu.au

George Ayoub
Director of Development

Pastoral Care 2025

The secondary campus has been abuzz with excitement as the College warmly welcomed the Year 7 cohort, the Class of 2030. Their transition into secondary education was notably smooth, facilitated by a comprehensive three-day orientation program. This program enabled the Year 7 students to transition with greater ease to the new responsibilities and routines of secondary school life. They have adeptly learned to navigate their timetables and classrooms, and have embraced the use of lockers, which has contributed to their sense of maturity.

Their Year 11 buddies, along with the Student Leadership team, have played an instrumental role in supporting and mentoring the Year 7 students during this pivotal transition period. Their guidance and encouragement have been invaluable and will continue to be a cornerstone of the Year 7 experience.

The Year 7 Information Session and Welcome Drinks provided an opportunity for staff, particularly the Year 7 Homeroom Teachers, to engage with families. This event laid the foundation for strong, collaborative relationships and we eagerly anticipate future events that will further strengthen these connections.

Looking ahead, the upcoming Year 7 Outdoor Education Experience in Week 4 promises to be an exciting opportunity for students to deepen existing relationships, forge new friendships and challenge themselves beyond their comfort zones.

TASS Pastoral Care entries 

From Week 4, Years 7-12 parents will receive alerts in the Parent Lounge if their daughter receives a Pastoral Care entry for the following reasons: 

• All positive commendations
• Non-completion of homework
• Lack of preparation for class
• Punctuality
• Technology mis-use
• Chewing gum
• Uniform infringement
• PDHPE Uniform (incorrect/no uniform).

Parents will be required to acknowledge each Pastoral Care entry on the Parent Lounge. The College values parental involvement and by informing families about minor infractions early on, we can work together to address and modify behaviors, promoting student growth and development. Furthermore, sharing positive commendations can signifcantly boost students self-esteem and motiviation, encouraging students to continue to strive for excellence. 

Pastoral Care Themes Term 1 2025

The Santa Strong Pastoral Care Program is an all-encompassing wellbeing program, delivered in horizontal House groups by our dedicated Pastoral Care teachers on a fortnightly basis.

Each year, the program undergoes a comprehensive review, utilising student data collected through various survey tools such as the Resilient Youth Survey, Mission Australia Youth Survey, the Future Proofing Longitudinal study led by the Black Dog Institute and student evaluations. This data-driven approach ensures that the specific pastoral needs of each cohort are accurately identified and addressed.

The primary objective of the program is to cultivate mental fortitude, resilience and holistic wellbeing in all students, empowering them to thrive throughout their adolescence and into their future endeavours. Below, you will find the focus areas for each year group:

Elise Whiley

Director of Student Wellbeing 7-12
Head of Year 7

Music in the Senior School (Curricular)

The Senior School music program has had an excellent start to the year, with students across all Year levels engaging in dynamic and practical learning experiences.

We are pleased to welcome Ms Alana Thorne, who has joined the department for Terms 1 and 2. With her extensive experience and passion for music education, Ms Thorne is a valuable addition to our team, and we are fortunate to have her on board.

Our Year 7 and 8 students have been actively involved in hands-on activities, focusing on developing their aural and creative skills. Through practical engagement, they are building a strong foundation in musical literacy, performance and composition.

Year 9 students are delving into the world of theatre music, exploring the relationship between music and drama. Their studies will deepen their understanding of how music enhances storytelling and emotion in theatrical settings.

Year 10 students are exploring music from a local context by performing, analysing and studying music composed by Australian composers. Through this exploration, our students will be challenged to think outside the box when it comes to composition and perform music that will be unfamiliar to them.

For our senior students in Years 11 and 12, the year is already in full swing as they rehearse for performance recitals and develop their major composition works. Their dedication and creativity are evident, and we are excited to see their progress unfold.

With such a promising start, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for music in the Senior School. We look forward to witnessing the growth and achievements of our talented students.

Veronica Tsang & Jameson Choe
Acting Co-Heads of Curricular Music 5-12

More Music…

Santa Sabina College has so many extraordinary music happenings across our great school each year! Be sure to click the links below to be kept in the know, and to find out more about the Co-curricular opportunities available to our students across P-12! 

Love Week

The love that flows through your heart purifies not only your own spirit, but the love you share with others.
– St. Valentine

Last week our school community celebrated our annual Love Week leading up to Valentine’s Day. Love Week is a fun filled community based event that focuses on celebrating all forms of love. This is to encourage students to move away from the commercialised hype of Valentine’s Day and to challenge us to embrace love in all its forms and in all aspects of our lives; our friends, ourselves, environment, culture, faith, and school. 

It was double trouble on Thursday, with a joint celebration of loving our Friends and Faith. In appreciation of friendship, students shared photos and memories of themselves and their friends to be displayed across the school. During lunchtime mass, celebrated with Fr. Kim, staff and students came together to honour Christ as the epitome of love and sacrifice embodied in the Eucharist.

‘Love Your School Day’ came to a spectacular close with the sounds of engines revving as Year 12 announced their much anticipated Year 12 theme ‘2025: Ready, Set, Drive.’ Staff and students gathered to watch the Theme Launch on the field as Year 12 made a commitment to help each other, move forward together, and drive change together in their final year at the College.

We are so grateful for the incredible time we had last week, and we hope it served as a much needed reminder that…

…love actually is all around.

God Bless, on behalf of the 2025 Student Leadership Team

Maths help

Tails in Time – History Club

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the Year 11 2025 History Club Ambassadors: Calliope Stewart, Monty Tam and Emily Wong. The History Club Ambassadors have planned wonderful events through the History Club in 2025. The History Club is open for anyone from Years 5-12. If you are interested in joining the History Club please email one of the History Club Ambassadors for information about our meetings and upcoming events.

The History Club Ambassadors met with Mrs Skerman to discuss the importance of dogs to the heritage of Santa Sabina College. The article below “Tails In Time: History of Dogs at Santa Sabina” reveals what they discovered.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Tails in time: History of dogs at Santa Sabina

From the school crest to carvings in old school buildings, Santa Sabina’s history is filled with dogs. While Casper might be the most recent furry friend to join the school, he’s far from the first. Over the years, several dogs, both literal and symbolic, have played a crucial role in shaping the school’s unique story.

In the Dominican faith, the dog carrying the torch represents St Dominic, and comes from ‘an old legend that Jane, Dominic’s mother, had a dream in which her son…lit up the world with the flame of truth’. In fact, the name Dominican in Latin is Domini Canis, translating to ‘Hounds of the Lord.’ This symbol is a central element of the school crest and can be found all over the school – on the top of the 1894 and 1917 buildings, on stained glass windows, and on our uniforms. Funnily enough, during the construction of the College, there was confusion as to whether the terracotta panel displaying the crest was depicting a dog or a lamb (the traditional Christian symbol) by the workmen!

In 1955, an Irishman, Patrick Doyle, began working as a gardener on the school grounds. With him, he brought his two dogs, Storm, and then Cindy, who were a part of Santa Sabina for 30 years, with very important responsibilities: to bring joy to staff and students!

After Patrick left, his cottage was renovated and relocated next to the oval, which you may recognise as Patricks Cottage as you go to sign off your name for Saturday morning volleyball!

We also, of course, include our school dog Casper in the history of Santa Sabina’s dogs, who perpetuates the dog motif and school motto of Veritas, and serves as an uplifting member of the community. To gain insight into the impact Casper has on our school, we had the privilege of interviewing Ms Skerman, who told us all about how he benefits the community, and that Casper is not our first school dog!

Ms Skerman explained that post-COVID lockdown, in 2021, the return to school was daunting for many students. Ms Skerman explained that to create a welcoming community after lockdown, Casper joined Santa! He helped ‘welcome children back to school’ and ‘give them some kind of excitement about coming to school’. Many students enjoyed Casper’s company in the mornings before school, which supported and motivated them to stride through the day with eagerness to learn and reminded them of our strong sense of community, especially right after COVID-19 when children ‘had gotten so used to being in that home environment’. Even currently, Casper helps foster a sense of community – Ms Skerman testified to Casper’s popularity – he is a ‘bit like a rockstar’, especially with younger students! Students love visiting Casper throughout the day, and he helps younger ones who may be shy to connect with Ms Skerman – ‘the dog makes me more approachable’. Additionally, Casper helps ease some of the students who may be upset in her office saying, ‘they would pat him while they are talking through their issues’.

When asked about the future of dogs in schools, Ms Skerman noted how Casper has inspired other schools and, ‘that there have been a lot more school dogs since Capser’, and how she has been contacted by other people asking about ‘our policy, our risk assessment, why we chose a labradoodle’, testifying to Casper’s influence on wellbeing not only at our school, but other schools too!

Whether he’s spotted making visits to students during recess and lunch, peeping over the balcony, or saying hello at assembly, Casper never fails to bring a smile to our faces. Not only does he honour St Dominic’s dog motif of truth, he supports our entire community and inspires passionate learning. We’re lucky to be able to include him in our school’s rich history!

Calliope Stewart
Monty Tam
Emily Wong
Year 11
2025 History Ambassadors

Enrichment in 2025

Enrichment is one of the best ways to support student interest and for them to attain new skills. The College has a rich co-curricular life with opportunities in sport, music, debating and public speaking. The Enrichment program runs parallel to these activities, involving inter school competitions, incursions, excursions, exams and after-school training sessions.

Timing

Most enrichment training programs run on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays after school from 3:30- 4:30pm. This allows students enough time to use facilities and have a quick snack. Very rarely lunchtime meetings will be held that go for part of lunch – It is important for students to take breaks to eat and socialise every day.

Communication

Enrichment opportunities are routinely advertised on VO though the news function and by emails to students. Permission notes are sent via email and the parent portal.

Selection

Some enrichment activities are competitive and there are more students who want to participate than there are available places. Selection processes mimic the selection process in sports and other co-curriculars being based on merit, achievement and attitude.

Conflicting schedules

Our students are very busy. Before signing up for an enrichment activity it is important for students to consider their other commitments both inside and out of school.

Excursion and incursions

Some enrichment activities involve incursions and excursions that interrupt normal class time. These events are usually academically rigorous in their own right, but students who are missing too many classes for other events may be gently asked to reconsider.

A summary of some Enrichment Activities planned for 2025 can be found in the table below:

If students have events that they know of or areas that they are interested in exploring please get in contact to see if we can find a way to support student passions.

Matthew Mountford
Dean of Gifted Education 7-12

Save the Date – 2025 SSC Science Showcase

The Science department would like you to ‘Save the Date’ for our annual SSC Science Showcase to be held during Science Week on Wednesday 14 August. 

This year’s theme is ‘Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language.’ This theme seeks to uncover the mysteries of the universe by exploring the languages of nature and mathematics, and the field of quantum science

If you have attended previous showcases you will know that we feature guest speakers from a wide range of careers utilising scientific knowledge.

Look out for further details in Term 2.

Natasha Kempers
Head of Science

Experiential Learning – Year 8 Geography

Experiential learning is an engaging process where students ‘learn by doing’. In Mrs Cummins’ Year 8 Geography class students were involved in a structured interactive activity to learn about the impact of human pollution on water. Students were invited to simulate a waterway contaminated by pollution. Each student added a pollutant in a clear container of water to highlight and consider the impact of human activity on a river. Students engaged in critical and creative thinking to develop sustainability hypotheses and new strategies to maintain healthy waterways. A huge thank you to Mrs Cummins for highlighting the importance of the study of Geography within our everyday lives.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HISE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Teacher and student reflections

This hands-on lesson kept students engaged and focused, while emphasising the importance of maintaining healthy waterways. Through this activity, students participated and also developed their skills in following instructions, communicating ideas, and working collaboratively, demonstrating their deep learning and active involvement in Geography.
Vicki Cummins
Year 8 Geography Teacher

I really enjoyed this activity because it showed me how we humans treat our waterways. It taught me the importance of keeping our waterways clean.
Chiara Salvati
Year 8

The hands-on experiment was a fun way to get everyone in the class involved. It taught me that every little bit of rubbish adds up, and before we know it, what were once clean rivers can become polluted.
Jess Price
Year 8

I really enjoyed the interactive Geography lesson on water pollution. It helped me understand how all the different substances added can quickly impact the water in various ways. The activity made me think about ways that we can prevent pollution from occurring and the importance of why we have to protect our waters.
Verona Di Santo
Year 8

Immersive Learning – Virtual Site Study to Ancient Egypt

Immersive learning is powerful to engage students through interactive virtual learning. The Santa Sabina Lumination Labs are a fabulous resource which provides students studying History the opportunity to have virtual access to ancient sites from around the world within a lesson and engage in deep learning. Year 11 Ancient History students were given the opportunity to take on the role of archaeologist and virtually explore the tomb of Nefertiti to better understand the beliefs of ancient Egyptian society and investigate the importance of material culture to reconstruct past societies.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Student Reflections

Our Ancient History class used the Lumination Lab to virtually explore an ancient site and it was one of the most fun learning I have had at school yet! We had a lot of fun during this interactive experience. While wearing the headset I could see inside of the Egyptian tombs and also through the earphones begin to feel the experience. The virtual reality allowed me to walk around the tomb and touch the hieroglyphics on the walls. The experience really helped our Ancient History class learn and see the Egyptian tombs while still being at Santa Sabina. This is the next best experience other than going to Egypt physically.
Amelia Qasim
Year 11

Today in Ancient History we were in the interactive Lumination Labs. These labs utilise technology to create an immersive experience as we walked through the tomb of Nefertari. It was interesting to have this experience and to consider the importance of using material culture to highlight past societies.
Gabrielle Karakatsanis
Year 11

It was a really interesting to be able to read the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the tomb walls, and being able to go up and down the tomb stairs. This virtual reality experience was so much better than just looking on Google images.
Allegra Gibson
Year 11

The Lumination Lab was benifical because it has expanded my knowledge. We went through the tomb of Nefertari virtually and learnt alot.
Harper Harris-Roxas
Year 11

It was a highly immersive experience and it felt really realistic. I would recommend this to anybody who has an interest in Ancient History or Egyptian culture.
Amy Blu
Year 11

The Lumination Labs are very engaging and intriguing. The use of technology to go to an ancient site and explore it was absolutely astonishing. It is a ground-breaking experience and it is extremely educational.
Gabriella Capezio
Year 11

Careers Spotlight @ SSC

Welcome back to the 2025 school year. The Careers Education Program has commenced with students in Years 10-12 engaging in Year meetings, one to one meetings and exploring work experience opportunities.

Class of 2024 Achievements

Last week, we welcomed back the High Achievers from the Class of 2024 to celebrate their achievements. Congratulations to all Year 12 students from the Class of 2024 for their hard work, commitment and outstanding achievements. Students took initiative throughout the year with many receiving early entry offers and several scholarships awarded. Overall, students received:

• 70 early offers from UTS
• 53 early offers from Macquarie University
• 33 early offers from Western Sydney University
• 25 early offers from ACU
• 14 early offers from the University of Notre Dame
• 11 early offers UNE

An additional four students received co-op scholarships worth up to $25,000 per annum.

Year 10 Morrisby Profiling for students and parents

Please see the report of our Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning for more information.

Upcoming Events

Please click here for upcoming careers events and opportunities. I encourage students to get in touch if they would like any further information on these events or require any specific careers guidance around their interests and aspirations.

Eva Guirguis
Head of Future Pathways & Partnerships

Assistant Head of Gioia House

Welcome to all Gioia House families! We hope you had a delightful holiday break and enjoyed quality time with your loved ones. The new year has started wonderfully, with our Year 5 and Year 6 students settling in and showing great enthusiasm for the new school year.

5-8 Digital Communication Charter

This term, Gioia House Pastoral lessons will focus on Digital Citizenship skills and the various ways we communicate online. In the first lesson, students explored the benefits and drawbacks of online communication. They completed an online survey to identify the digital communication tools they use and any issues they have encountered. The Pastoral Lessons and Digital Communication Charter aim to help students develop safe, respectful, and responsible online habits. We will continue to encourage students to voice their opinions and actively participate in forming the Online Digital Charter. Once created, students will be encouraged to share the Charter with their parents at home.

Year 5 Action Girl and Connection session

On Thursday 13 February, Year 5 students participated in an Action Girl team-building session. This session aimed to introduce students to the concept of being a Gioia House Action Girl and provide opportunities to form new friendships, develop teamwork skills, and collaborate with others. Students engaged in a Lego-building listening exercise, emphasising the importance of clear communication and attentive listening. They also participated in a team Tower Cup challenge, where they built cup structures using only one hand and the provided materials. It was inspiring to see the different approaches each team took to find solutions, demonstrating excellent teamwork and success in building the cup towers. At the end of the session, students wrote special notes to their peers, highlighting the qualities they admired in each other. We reflected on the new connections made and identified ways to continue strengthening these friendships and reaching out to others daily.

Year 5 student reflections:

‘It was good to make some new friends today, I had lots of fun.’

‘It made me feel good to read the kind notes other students wrote about me’.

‘I had fun working with other students to build the cup tower.’

‘My friend and I actually built the same lego structure, we were so excited.’

TASS Pastoral Care entries 

From Week 4, Years 5-12 parents will receive alerts in the Parent Lounge if their daughter receives a Pastoral Care entry for the following reasons: 

• All positive commendations
• Non-completion of homework
• Lack of preparation for class
• Punctuality
• Technology mis-use
• Chewing gum
• Uniform infringement
• PDHPE Uniform (incorrect/no uniform).

Parents will be required to acknowledge each Pastoral Care entry on the Parent Lounge. The College values parental involvement and by informing families about minor infractions early on, we can work together to address and modify behaviors, promoting student growth and development. Furthermore, sharing positive commendations can signifcantly boost students self-esteem and motiviation, encouraging students to continue to strive for excellence. 

Safer Internet Day

On 11 February, Gioia House students participated in National Safer Internet Day, raising awareness of online safety issues and working towards a safer internet. Students attended a live webinar hosted by the eSafety Commissioner, learning about online safety, reporting misuse, and maintaining privacy online. They reflected on scenarios and identified appropriate ways to handle them. This webinar complements the Pastoral Program’s focus on Digital Citizenship skills.

Marisa Maks
Assistant Head of Gioia House

Music at Gioia House (Curricular)

Gioia House Choral 

Weekly choral sessions have launched with enthusiasm for our Year 5 and 6 students! A wide range of choral repertoire has been selected to challenge and engage our students across the coming semester – set to culminate in their participation in massed items at the Santa Sabina College Gala Concert at the Sydney Town Hall in June. Our Tuesday Gioia House Choir sessions work alongside core Music classes with Cecilia Mrs Pensini and the group instrumental sessions with our team of Music specialists. Student’s choral work this year will see them experiencing music from all over the world, while developing foundational aural skills and the ability to sing in parts. We believe that singing should be the basis of all music learning.

If your child is enjoying the curriculum choral experience, they may also enjoy participating in the College Choir that takes place before school every Tuesday.

Gioia House Instrumental 

The Gioia House Instrumental Program is underway for 2025! Year 6 students continue to build on what they learned last year by improving their individual technique and skill on their instruments and further developing their ensemble skills. In our large ensembles, students learn to listen to each other, listen to themselves, work as a team and sharpen the skills they need to succeed in our College ensembles (and beyond).

In Year 5, we had an exciting launch in Week 1 with all students hearing special performances by our College Music Tutors demonstrating the possibilities on a wide range of instruments. In Week 2, Year 5 had a special ‘Try Day’ in which they could hold, play and ask questions about instruments that they are interested in. In Week 3, all Gioia House Year 5 students received their instruments and loan forms! Let the adventures begin! 

Instrument Loan Forms 

If your child is borrowing a College instrument, please fill out Instrument your Loan Form and return it to the Music Office (or scanned and sent via email to music@ssc.nsw.edu.au) s soon as possible. Instruments are not able to leave school grounds until the form is returned – delaying your daughter in establishing her personal practice routines. 

Instrument Storage

When students arrive at the College for the day, instruments must be placed safely in the allocated storage areas in Holyrood before moving to their first scheduled activity of the day. Student ID cards are needed to access Holyrood and Student Services have confirmed these are being issued imminently.

Private Tuition

The majority of students in Gioia House Strings have kicked off their (required) Private Lessons in support of the Gioia House String stream. For students who have elected to study a Brass, Woodwind or Percussion instrument for Years 5 and 6, we are pleased to be able to offer a new ‘Instrument Taster’ pack of four one-on-one sessions with a music specialist. 

Though not compulsory for the ‘Mini Maestros’ stream, if looking for a way to maximise this new opportunity and support your child towards the best launch with their new instrument, do consider the College’s private tuition offerings. Whether electing a full semester of lessons, or just a little boost of 4 sessions, this support will go a long way to help them find confidence and joy in their music-making.

Supporting Resources

Supporting resources for both the Gioia House Choral and Instrumental programs can be found on Veritas Online, with resources and information to be updated across the coming term.

Veronica Tsang & Jameson Choe
Acting Co-Heads of Curricular Music 5-12

More Music…

Santa Sabina College has so many extraordinary music happenings across our great school each year! Be sure to click the links below to be kept in the know, and to find out more about the Co-curricular opportunities available to our students across P-12! 

What’s happening in Year 6

Students have engaged enthusiastically in our math warm up lessons.  We have utilised a range of activities to practice our times tables knowledge and a favourite activity is Time Table War. In pairs, students have a deck of cards that they divide between themselves.  They flip over the top card in their deck at the same time. The first student to say the answer to the multiplication of the two cards wins both cards.  If they call out the answer at the same time they receive a card each. It is an interesting way to demonstrate our understanding of our times table facts.

Ann Milicic
Year 6 Teacher

Students have begun the year with great enthusiasm and interest for a range of learning. Today we are looking at how illustrators use their skills to share stories by supporting the words through illustrations. This is often through their use of more or less colour or accentuating certain parts of the picture through colour choice. We also discussed the use of mediums and how this can change the message of the story. They are looking forward to creating their own words and images to share a story.

Leonie Trees
Year 6 teacher

The new year has kicked off with great enthusiasm, and our students have settled into their classes wonderfully. During the first week of term, as part of our pastoral care program, Class 6.3 reflected on the theme ‘What Kindness Means to Me.’ Thoughtful and mature responses were shared on a poster, sparking meaningful conversations among the students. These discussions not only helped students understand the importance of kindness but also fostered a sense of community and empathy within the class. We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to more opportunities for our students to grow, learn, and support each other.

Sian Tierney
Year 6 Teacher

The Feather – recognising symbols in texts and describing their meaning

As a component of a study into rich texts, Year 6 read and analysed the picture book – The Feather by Margaret Wild and Freya Blackwood. 6Maks/Dunphy were tasked with identifying imagery, symbolism and connotation within the text. Through the process of multiple reads and analytical discussion, the girls identified the importance of the feather and the larger idea, action or feeling associated with it, within different stages of the story. They then created a poster demonstrating their understanding of authorial choice to use the feather to express meaning and emotion.

Marisa Maks and Eamonn Dunphy
Year 6 teachers

What’s happening in Year 5

Year 5 has had a busy start to the term. They have spent time getting to know the students in their class and across the grade. They have met their Year 6 Buddies, learning more about them and discussing the qualities of an Action Girl. In Religion the students are learning about Scripture. They completed a quiz locating Scripture in the Bible and answering questions about this Scripture. The students are excited for the year ahead. Below is what they like about Gioia House so far.

Wendy Anetter
Year 5 Teacher

Year 5 have had an enthusiastic start to their first year in Gioia House whilst getting to know their classmates, peers and teachers as well as the routines of Year 5. During mathematics, they have been focussing on the big idea ‘The number system extends infinitely to very large and very small numbers’. To explore this concept, 5Watkins worked together in groups to represent decimal numbers and explore the relationship between tenths, hundredths and thousandths. Students very much enjoyed the activity and understood this concept deeply due to the hands-on experience they participated in with their peers.

Tayla Kostakis and Bryony Watkins
Year 5 Teacher

Year 5 has had an eventful and exciting start to the year. With so many new faces the students have had the opportunity to make new connections and have enriching experiences as they settle into their new routine. A highlight was the ‘Action Girl’ interaction day in which the girls experienced how the values of friendship and supporting one another are at the centre of what it means to be a Gioia House student.

Alison Di Ciaccio
Year 5 Teacher

Assistant Head of Primary P-4 and Curriculum Leader P-4

Pastoral update

Everyone Belongs and Building Connections

We’re hardwired for connection – it’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives. 

The absence of love, belonging and connection always leads to suffering. 

– Brene Brown

Students were warmly welcomed back to school with opportunities to reconnect with old friends and build new friendships, facilitated by our fortnightly pastoral theme ‘Everyone Belongs and Building Connections’. Children enjoyed spending time connecting with their friends through conversations and common interests such as building lego, solving puzzles and engaging in developmental play. Research shows that close friendships and a sense of belonging ‘are what keep people happy throughout their lives’ (Harvard, 2017). Allowing children to build these connections therefore, cannot be underestimated – it is an important driver of their wellbeing.

URStrong parent membership

To ensure you can support your children with the same language and strategies they are taught at school, we invite all parents to take advantage of the free Parent Membership for the URStrong schools platform. URStrong underpins the Friendology program which is integrated into PDHPE lessons and morning pastoral time from 8:30am and 8:45am. Membership includes access to hundreds of resources – including an eight-session video series. Further information about the URStrong program can be found in the URStrong Parent Information Flyer.

Curriculum update

Learning programs and initiatives

It was wonderful to see so many parents in attendance at our Parent Information Evening last week and share with you an overview of curriculum initiatives for the year ahead.

Last week, Del Monte teachers engaged in the first of eight modules of the Numeracy Project facilitated by Henrietta Miller from The Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AIS). Learning continued this week with Year 3 and Year 4 teachers meeting with our Scholastic Territory Manager, upskilling them on the Literacy Pro program that students will use at school and home to build reading stamina, fluency and comprehension, whilst also promoting a love of reading.

We look forward to sharing updates as we implement these and other initiatives throughout the year.

Lauren Petroni
Assistant Head of Primary P-4 and Curriculum Leader P-4

Music at Del Monte

Music at Del Monte

Our classes have been teaching each other and our new friends the sign language for the Santa Sabina College song. We are being respectful learners and listeners, helping one another to sing our liturgy and assembly songs.

The Laudare and Siena Singers have started rehearsing with great enthusiasm! We enjoy our songs and games and have started learning our special item for the Gala Concert at the Sydney Town Hall.

Phillipa Knight
Coordinator of Music P-4

More Music…

Santa Sabina College has so many extraordinary music happenings across our great school each year! Be sure to click the links below to be kept in the know, and to find out more about the Co-curricular opportunities available to our students across P-12! 

Religious Education

Prayer of welcoming

Heavenly Father, guide me through this year in all our words and actions.

We give you our school – Santa Sabina College.

We give to you our staff who work here.

We give to you all the children who learn here. We give to you our families, who place their trust in the work we do here.

We pray that our school continues as a great place of acceptance, learning, discovery, adventure, and creativity.

Amen

Year of Jubilee

Welcome to the Year of Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope! We are excited to embark on a truly special year with all of you – the Year of Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope! This year, we are called to be pilgrims, journeying together with hope as our guiding light. Just as pilgrims travel with purpose and faith, we too are on a journey of growth, learning, and spiritual renewal.

The Year of Jubilee invites us to celebrate, rest, and start fresh. It’s a time to reflect on God’s blessings, release what holds us back, and look forward to new opportunities ahead. As pilgrims of hope, we are reminded that no matter the challenges we may face, hope will lead us forward and keep us connected to one another and to God.

This year, let’s walk together in faith, supporting each other along the way. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or at home, let’s carry the spirit of hope, kindness, and joy, knowing that each step we take brings us closer to the light of love and learning.

We are so excited about all the experiences, growth, and discoveries that await us. Here’s to a year filled with new beginnings, shared hope, and the strength to shine as we walk together!

Opening School Mass

On Friday 6 February, the Del Monte campus celebrated our Opening School Mass. This Liturgy was celebrated by Father John Hayes and attended by many of our parents. The celebration concluded with the Kindergarten students dancing on St Dominic’s Plot. This tradition begins their Santa Sabina journey. 

ST. MARTHA’S PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2025

‘The Eucharist is the sacramental action of giving thanks and praise to the Father.’ ‘The ultimate act of faith for a Catholic is to receive the bread and wine at Mass and know that it is truly the Body and Blood of Christ.”’  ~
J. Springer 2010 p.50

FOR CHILDREN IN YEAR 3 OR OLDER AND
WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Parent information Session: 6:00pm Monday 11 August 2025

1st lesson:  3:45pm Thursday 14  or 3:45pm Saturday 16 August
2nd lesson: 3:45pm Thursday 21 or 3:45pm Saturday 23 August
3rd lesson: 3:45pm Thursday 28 or 3:45 Saturday 30 August
4th lesson + Rehearsal: 3:45pm Thursday 4 September or 3:45pm Saturday 6 September

Sacrament date: 12:00 noon Sunday 14 or 21 September 2025

CONFIRMATION 2025

‘Confirmation is the means by which the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the baptised candidate, just as the Holy Spirit was given to the apostles at Pentecost….The Holy Spirit draws the candidate closer to Christ. The Holy Spirit also strengthens the person to live as a witness of Christ.’
Springer, 2011 p.40

FOR CHILDREN IN YEAR 6 OR OLDER

Parent information Session: 6:00pm Monday 5 May 2025

1st lesson: 3:30 pm Saturday 10 May
2nd lesson: 3:30pm Saturday 17 May
3rd lesson: 3:30pm Saturday 24 May
4th lesson: 3:30pm Saturday 31 May

** REHEARSAL: 6:00PM FRIDAY 6 JUNE 2025

Sacrament date: 6:00pm Friday 13 June 2025

FIRST RECONCILIATION 2025

 FOR CHILDREN IN YEAR 2 OR OLDER AND
WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Parent information Session: 6:00pm Monday 20 October 2025

1st lesson: 3:45pm Thursday 23 or 3:45pm Saturday 25 October
2nd lesson: 3:45pm Thursday 30 October or 3:45pm Saturday 1 November
3rd lesson: 3:45pm Thursday 6 or 3:45pm Saturday 8 November
4th lesson + rehearsal: 3:45pm Thursday 13 or 3:45pm Saturday 15 November

Sacrament date: 6:00pm Tuesday 18 or Wednesday 19 November 2025

For more information please contact our Sacramental Team on 9746 6131
or sc@stmarthas.org.au

Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator P-6 

Digital Technologies

Safer Internet Day, held this year on 11 February, is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about online safety. In Australia, the eSafety Commissioner leads the day, calling all Australians to contribute to making the internet a safer and more positive space. A key focus of this day is to educate students on the safe use of technology and promote digital citizenship.

Students from Prep to Year 6 participated in a variety of activities. Year 1 students learned that the internet is a tool for learning, communicating, and having fun, but it’s important to follow certain rules such as using technology in a shared space, always asking for permission, and telling an adult immediately if something scary or inappropriate appears. They learned these rules through the story ‘Swoosh, Glide and Rule Number 5’, featuring sugar gliders as characters. Afterwards, they enjoyed making masks of the story’s characters!

Students in Years 3-6 participated in webinars hosted by the eSafety Commissioner. Year 3 and 4 students explored how to manage online friendships by applying skills of respect, responsibility, and seeking assistance and support. They identified the crucial social skills required for their online safety toolkit and learned how to apply these skills in online interactions. Year 5 and 6 students delved into the topics of fake information and fake friendships online, honing their critical thinking skills to recognise misinformation and disinformation.

Edward Wang
Leader of Learning Technology P-6

Italian

For all grades, the program of Italian started with the celebration of Love Week. In Years 2, 3 and 4, students researched facts on Valentine’s Day and learnt that it is mainly celebrated in Australia, Italy, France, the United States, UK, Canada, Mexico and Denmark.

Students discovered that it is believed that Valentine’s Day began in Rome, Italy, in 270 AD when the Bishop Valentino secretly celebrated weddings of people who loved one another and were not allowed to marry.

Everyone enjoyed learning new Italian words, such as ‘Amore’ (love), ‘Ti voglio bene’ (I love you), ‘Mi piace l’Italiano’ (I love Italian), while making some creative crafts.

Daniela Panico
Italian Teacher

Del Monte Library

Welcome back to a new and exciting school year! We hope you had a wonderful break and are ready for a fantastic year of learning and discovery. We are thrilled to share some exciting updates and important information from the Del Monte Library.

New Shelving for Picture Books

Over the break, we installed new shelving for our picture book collection. The books are now frontward facing, making them much more accessible and appealing to our young readers. We believe this change will encourage students to explore and enjoy our diverse range of picture books even more.

2025 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge

We are excited to announce that the 2025 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge will begin on Monday 24 February. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to engage with a variety of books and develop a lifelong love of reading. We encourage all students to participate and take on the challenge!

Important Password Update

For security reasons, the Department of Education and Training (DET) has reset all passwords. This means that existing passwords will no longer be valid. Staff are locked out of the system until 24 February as well and as a result we are unable to provide passwords sooner. We will be distributing the new passwords during library lessons during Weeks 3 and 4 and a copy will also be provided to the classroom teacher. Please ensure your child receives their new password prior to logging into the PRC Student Portal.

Reading Together

Finally, we would like to remind parents of the importance of participating in reading with your child. Reading together not only supports your child’s literacy development but also creates special bonding moments. Let’s make reading a shared and enjoyable experience and most importantly, don’t forget your library bag!

We look forward to seeing you in the library and wish you all a wonderful year ahead.

Happy reading!

Patricia Doonan
Teacher Librarian

Year 4 Leadership Day

Year 4 students have participated in a Leadership Day to enlighten their understanding of their role as leaders of Santa Maria Del Monte.

The morning commenced with a range of activities which exposed students to well-known leaders in our current society, and ultimately encouraged them to then critically reflect on what type of leader they strive to be. Throughout the day, students were privileged to hear from a range of leaders from the Secondary Campus. The leaders discussed what inspires and keeps motivating them within their leadership roles and also provided further insight into qualities that make up an effective leader. Year 4 Leadership Day proved to be a significant success, leaving students pondering on qualities that make them an effective leader and excited for their leadership roles ahead!

Merissa Perivolarellis
Year 4 Classroom Teacher

Year 3

Year 3 has experienced an inspiring, exciting and interactive beginning to Term 1. On Friday 14 February the students experienced a day of exploration through literature, kinesthetic activities and STEM. Underlying this experiential day was the purpose of forming strong friendships with our new students and renewing existing ones within the grade. The day started by using an analogy – how can a bridge connect and build relationships? Students explored ways to form human bridges in mixed groups and problem solved ways to achieve this goal.

Following this, students engaged in a STEM task which involved planning and making a structure in a small group with limited resources. The goal was to design a structure that would support a special friend – a soft toy. This task stretched students’ thinking while navigating their group work skills.

To conclude the day, Year 3 recorded skills gained on colourful strips of paper, then constructed a paper chain to create another bridge. This encouraged a sense of belonging for all students in Year 3. 

Louise Harris and Catherine McGrath
Year 3 Teachers

Year 2

Welcome to Year 2, 2025, an amazing year of learning, growing, and having fun together. The Year 2 students have made new friends and have built a strong classroom and grade community. The Pastoral Focus: Everyone Belongs and Building Connections – ‘Love Your Friend’ has been a great way to get to know each other and learn how to work as a team.

Cara Brigham, Tina Nicotina, Louise Moseley, Brooke Panagopoulos and Margie Attard 
Year 2 Teachers

Year 1

Year 1 has been off to a flying start in 2025! During literacy and maths groups students have been developing their communication, collaboration and problem solving skills while practising what they have been learning in class independently and with guided instruction from their teachers. 

Kelly Garcia, Erin Horne and Clare Wood
Year 1 Teachers

Kindergarten

The Kindergarten students have experienced a positive start to their first year of school. Between dancing on St Dominic’s Plot, making new friends, and sorting objects according to different attributes during their Mathematics lessons, the students have certainly been busy!

In just three weeks, the Kindergarten teachers have observed a significant improvement in the students’ independence in following daily routines, including ensuring they unpack their belongings each morning, eat their lunch and pack their school bags in the afternoon.

The students are learning the importance of being respectful and safe learners and this is being reflected in their interactions with one another and with members of staff. They are gradually developing resilience as they learn to manage their emotions when saying goodbye to their parents in the morning.

We are grateful to the parents of our Kindergarten students for your continued support in encouraging and fostering these important life skills in your children. 

We look forward to working alongside you this year in supporting your children on their educational journey. 

Anna Donato, Alana Ivancsik, Brooke Napper and Vicki Spillane
Kindergarten Teachers

Prep

We are thrilled to have your youngest students join our Prep cohort and embark on this exciting journey of learning and growth. The first few weeks have been filled with joy, curiosity, and a lot of new experiences. Our Prep students are settling in wonderfully, making new friends, and exploring their new environment with enthusiasm. It has been a delight to see their smiles and hear their laughter as they engage in various activities.

We understand that starting school is a big step for our young learners, and it can be quite tiring for them. You may notice that your children come home feeling more tired than usual. This is completely normal as they adjust to the new routine and the many exciting things they are learning each day.

We encourage you to ensure they get plenty of rest and maintain a consistent bedtime routine to help them recharge for the next day. Your support at home is invaluable in helping them transition smoothly.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead filled with learning, growth, and wonderful memories.

Rebecca Saba and Monique Evans
Prep Teachers

Director of Music P-12

Music at Santa Sabina

From Mary Bailey House to Year 12: off and racing for 2025!

I would like to offer a special welcome to anyone new to our College community, and reiterate our heartfelt commitment to helping your child become quickly established and maximise all the music opportunities that a Santa Sabina education affords! Along with our new students, we are pleased to see so many Santa girls and boys enrolling to try something new this year. We look forward to seeing these journeys unfold—whether in private vocal or instrumental lessons, or in the new ensemble you have joined.

Our mission is that every graduate will leave the Santa Sabina gates convinced of the value of music to their lives and empowered with ways to meaningfully engage with it forevermore.

There are still places available in most of our offerings. Explore opportunities and register for an Ensemble or Private Tuition via this link:

Read on to learn of all the exciting initiatives you will find in Music at Santa over the coming weeks and months. You can also hear about happenings in the Music Curriculum space, with Veritas Voice posts in each section of our College. 

We wish you a year filled with music, hope, and every good thing.

Amy Richardson
Director of Music P-12

music@ssc.nsw.edu.au

Preview Documentary Screening

On Friday 28 February (from 3:30pm in the Lecture Theatre), an exciting opportunity has arisen for our community to spend time with Barkindji Songwoman (and powerful force for good) Nancy Bates. We have been granted the rights to offer a rare screening of her groundbreaking new documentary SONGS INSIDE.

Based on Nancy’s transformative work in Adelaide Prison (with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and other high profile cameos!) this film showcases the power of Music to create hope, and to bring restoration.

Older students are welcome, but guardians are responsible for their care. 

The documentary is yet to be classified, but is recommended for ages 15+.

Contemporary Music Streams at Santa

Next Thursday 27 February, we are excited to be hosting a lunchtime launch session for brand new Contemporary Music and Industry offerings at Santa Sabina. If you are interested in forming a Rock Band, starting a Music business one day – or learning about engineering live and recorded sound – we can’t wait to tell you about all the co-curricular offerings in the pipeline for 2025! Come along to hear how you can get involved.

Italy Music Tour 2025

This year, we are preparing for a Music tour to Italy from 26 September – 8 October. The 2025 Italian Music Tour will give students the special opportunity to sing Mass in the Basilica di Santa Sabina Rome, St Peter’s Basilica Rome and St Mark’s Basilica Venice and the chance to take part in workshops with leading Italian choirs and orchestras. In addition to these experiences, there will be the chance to perform in beautiful venues in Rome, Florence and Venice.

As well as these once-in-a-lifetime learning and performance opportunities, the tour will also explore the fascinating, historic and picturesque cities of Rome, Siena, Florence, Padua and Venice, with some delicious local food to be enjoyed along the way!

If you are new to the College and would like to know more about this opportunity, please reach out to music@ssc.nsw.edu.au and we will be happy to assist with any information you require.

For students who are already enrolled in this tour, detailed information will be provided soon. Stay tuned for updates on the itinerary, important dates, and rehearsals and repertoire. We look forward to an exciting journey together!

Summer Music Fun!

We commend all the Santa students who took the opportunity to audition and participate in various Music extension programs held across the state over the summer! Students and staff contributed as part of the SYO Summer School (held at Santa Sabina); Gondwana Choral Summer School; and the USYD Opera & Music Theatre Lab. If you would like to know more about opportunities over the holiday periods, reach out to the Music Department and we would be delighted to let you know of relevant happenings over Sydney.

Music Theatre Opportunities

As we lean into Music Theatre offerings at Santa, we are happy to share one exciting avenue for extension that is available to our senior Santa Sabina College students. Our own Santa Sabina voice tutor Tanith Bryce helps facilitate a fantastic program called the Opera and Music Theatre Lab at the University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music each year. This week-long intensive course (dubbed ‘boot camp’!) for singers aged 15-25, accepts auditions annually, and includes extension in singing, dance, and acting, and masterclasses with experienced opera and music theatre industry professionals.

In January, one of our talented Year 12 students, Cary Yeung, attended this program and excelled in her performances. The course culminated in a Showcase concert at the newly reopened Footbridge Theatre at USYD.

Opera and Music Theatre Lab is held annually via the Open Academy at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Santa Sabina encourages vocal students to apply for this development opportunity. For more information, visit the Conservatorium website.

Let’s go – 2025! 

We will be sharing more in coming weeks about our Open Recital Series for families and friends of our Private Tuition students; and our April Australian Composers Day to take place at the end of this term. Plans for our Gala Concert at the Sydney Town Hall in June are already simmering away, and we are looking forward to another incredible year of Music making at Santa Sabina College.

Amy RIchardson
Director of Music P-12

Director of Sport and Co-curricular

Happy 2025!

As the year starts and we are (as always) very busy I would like to thank the students and parents community for the outstanding efforts towards engaging and participating in Sport and Co-curricular Activities.

Our Co-curricular Expo on 4 February was a huge success where more than 40 co-curricular clubs were on display with our dedicated team of teachers around the beautiful Dom’s Plot.

We are also very happy to start Term 1 Saturday Sport Competitions:

• Two IGSA Water Polo Teams – 19 players
• Seven IGSA Touch Football teams – 81 players
• Ten IGSA Tennis – 45 players
• Eight Years 3-6 IPSHA Girls Football teams – 60 players (Year 6 this year plays nine a side, in comparison if it was five a side as per last year, we would have 10 teams)
• Two Years 3-4 IPSHA Boys Basketball –14 players 
• Invitational Volleyball – 21 teams – 168 players

We are hosting here at Santa the Invitational Volleyball Competition – expect more than 120 teams (including SSC to play)!

On Friday 14 February members of our Swimming team competed at the MLC Invitational Carnival against Danebank, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, MLC, Wenona and SCHOLS.

Swim Club, Boxing, Athletics, Fencing, Badminton Skills, Mandarin and Fit Club – 133 students are enrolled across all programs.

Expressions of Interest have been sent for Debating and Public Speaking. Ms Tiana Pangallo is starting to organise trials and coaching earlier this year to ensure training is provided and stronger teams enter the competitions (CSDA and IGSA/ Archdale).

Represenative Sport

As many as 106 students have registered to try out for the College Representative Volleyball program that started this Monday, 17 February.

In our Dance Rep program 216 students have registered to audition – Ms Watkins is finalising selections and organising teams to start a very promising season.

Netball trials started last week – teams will be selected to play the IWNA competitions and at the College Representative Pathways.

Ms Gocher has also organised a very successful ‘Come and try Netball’ day at Del Monte on Saturday 15 February.

Individual Students’ Achievements

Mackenzie Badford, Emily Morgan, Violet Addabbo, Annabel Cantali, Frankie Martin and Alexis Gittani in Year 10 as well as Jet Martin in Year 8 have placed either 1st, 2nd or 3rd at the VNSW Youth Beach Volleyball Tournament which ran during the schools holidays representing NSW Phoenix.

Alessandra Ronsisvale (Year 7) – National Club Futsal Championships – Grand Final winner and MVP. Selected to represent Australia in Barcelona in November.

Luiz Ramalho
Director of Sport and Co-Curricular Activities

Meet our amazing school psychologists!

Our fist profile in the new series ‘Meet the staff’

At Santa Sabina we’re incredibly fortunate to have three dedicated and compassionate school psychologists who are always here to support our students. They are committed to providing comprehensive pastoral care for Prep to Year 12. Let’s get to know them a little better:

Tania Rugiero has returned to Santa Sabina this year, after three years away, in the new position of Lead Psychologist. With a warm smile and keen listening skills, Tania specialises in leading the team which is helping students navigate their emotions and build resilience.

‘I have been working as a psychologist for close to 20 years in community settings, in private practice and more recently in schools’, Tania says.

She strongly believes in early intervention in mental health – ‘hence why I find working with adolescents so rewarding’, she says. 

While Santa Sabina has always had a range of policies and reporting lines in place to ensure that every child’s needs are met with care and attention, Tania is bringing a fresh approach to student wellbeing as she looks at ways to further enhance our support systems. Her role includes streamlining our processes and fostering seamless collaboration across all areas of pastoral care.

This initiative ensures that our students receive the best possible support in a cohesive and integrated manner. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected community where every student feels valued and supported.

When not at work, Tania cherishes quality time with her kids, family and the family Labradoodle Enzo. She is also a ‘foodie’, loving eating out with friends, enjoys the beach, going on long walks and mindful activities such as tapestry and meditation.

Soo Lim – When you first meet registered psychologist Soo, her lively and easygoing manner is immediately striking! She has worked with children professionally for four years now in a clinic setting and at Santa Sabina. Known for her approachable nature, Soo is passionate about promoting mental health awareness and creating a safe space for students at Gioia House and on the Primary Campus – Santa Maria del Monte.

She brings a wealth of experience and a positive attitude, always ready to offer guidance and support to those in need.

After hours, Soo loves hosting dinners for her friends and family. She also spends a lot of time reading and baking.

Greta Chiera – Greta has been working at Santa Sabina since the challenging days of COVID-19 and is well qualified to support any students suffering anxiety and stress, having worked with children for 10 years.

Greta holds Master’s degrees in both Counselling and Social Work, is a qualified Mental Health social worker and has a background in childhood trauma counselling. When not working, Greta enjoys spending time with her family and enjoys socialising with friends. She can often be found out in the fresh air, going for walks or gardening.

Together, Tania, Soo and Greta form an incredible team committed to the wellbeing of our school community. Here are their top five tips for strong mental health, no matter your age:

1. Stay connected: build strong relationships with friends, family, and teachers. Social connections are vital for emotional support and happiness.
2. Practise self-care: take time for activities that you enjoy and that help you relax, whether it’s reading, playing sports, or simply taking a walk.
3. Stay active: regular physical activity can boost your mood and energy levels. Find a sport or exercise routine that you love.
4. Mindfulness and relaxation: practise mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help manage stress and stay focused.
5. Seek help when needed: don’t hesitate to reach out to our school psychologists or other trusted adults if you’re feeling overwhelmed. It’s okay to ask for help. Parents can pick up the phone to chat with Tania on 9745 0210. Alternatively they can discuss any issue with their daughter’s Head of House. Students seeking help can make use of the self-referral form on Veritas Online.

The three psychologists also interact with numerous other College staff to keep our students feeling safe: with the College Nurse Karen Peeters, the face of Student Services Maria Dilworth, the Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care Melanie van der Meer, the Dean of Wellbeing and Head of Year 7 Elise Whiley, Deputy Head of Gioia House Marisa Maks, Deputy Head of Del Monte Lauren Petroni and the Heads and Assistant Heads of House.

At Santa Sabina College, student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where every student feels valued, heard, and empowered to thrive. Our wellbeing approach is grounded in strong policies, proactive strategies, and a culture of care and our commitment to student welfare is both comprehensive and continually evolving. Our Wellbeing Matters article, published in 2023, highlighted our multi-faceted, systemic whole school approach to wellbeing. Our Santa Strong Wellbeing Framework details the ways in which our whole school approach is achieved.

Victoria Harper
Publications and Marketing

From the P&F Association

Welcome back to our families and students to what will be an amazing 2025! A special welcome to all our new families to the College. We look forward to meeting you over the next few weeks.

The first few weeks of Term 1 have been quite busy. The P&F hosted the Welcome Morning Teas for our new families joining the primary and senior school and then we had Ms Skerman’s Welcome Drinks kicking off the year to a great start. We hope that you made new connections, shared experiences and were able to see how vibrant our community is.

We have several P&F events planned for 2025 that we are excited about. Our first major event is the International Women’s Day Supper on 6 March 2025. See details below.

Other events (just to name a few) are outlined below:

• Trivia night
• Disco Night – Prep to Year 6
• Mother’s Day Lunch – Save the Date details below
• Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Breakfast & stalls
• Colour Fun Run – Prep to Year 6

Outside of these events your Parent Representatives have been working hard to get year groups catching up very soon, keep an eye out for invitations. They are very excited to catch up with familiar faces and meet new ones. If you haven’t done so make sure you connect with your Year Group via the Santa Sabina College WhatsApp by completing the online form to ‘Join Groups’ found on Veritas Online .

To hear more of the great things that the P&F Association are doing for our community, please join us at our General Meeting to be held on 26 February 2025 at 6:30pm. Details below.

The P&F Executive Committee are excited to be back again for another fun and eventful year. We hope that our events strengthen friendships and allow new ones to form. However, a great deal of behind the scenes work is undertaken to ensure our events run smoothly and are enjoyable for all. We can’t do our roles without the help and support of each parent and carer. We will be calling out for volunteers throughout the year, and we would greatly appreciate it if you can assist us in any way possible. Please reach out to us if you have any questions. We look forward to a great year ahead.

Warm regards

Jumana Commisso 
Communications Coordinator
P&F Committee

Upcoming Events

Parents and Friends (P&F) General Meeting 

We would love to see as many of you as possible attend our first Parents and Friends (P&F) General Meeting of the year.

🗓 Date: Wednesday 26 February 2025

⏰ Time: 6:30pm 

📍 Location: Benincasa, Secondary Campus, Santa Sabina College (within Building 4, see map below)

This meeting is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together, share ideas, and discuss plans to support our school and children. Your input and participation is invaluable to us. If you have any items you would like to add to the Agenda, please send them to the P&F Secretary, Mary, via email at secretary@ssc.nsw.edu.au  by 5:00pm, Wednesday 26 February 2025.

We look forward to seeing you there.

International Women’s Day

The Santa Sabina College Ex-Students’ with Parents and Friends’ Associations are again hosting an exciting IWD evening at the College. This year the P&F are thrilled to be sponsoring all College students by covering half of the ticket cost, meaning students can now access this inspiring event for just $25 each!

We have also invited some of our most recent graduates to return to the College and connect with our current students including Olympian Bridget Clark (2020) and Annabel Cowley (2018) Canva Software Engineer and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Ambassador UTS.

This year’s theme, ‘March Forward for ALL women and girls‘ promises an evening of insightful discussions and panels, followed by supper and drinks in the Siena Centre.

📅 Date: Thursday 6 March 2025

⏰ Time: 6:00pm 

📍 Location: Santa Sabina College – Lecture Theatre – TAC Building, 90 The Boulevarde, Strathfield

Places are filling fast, secure your spot now and celebrate our Santa Sabina College Women.

SAVE THE DATE – Mother’s Day Lunch

We can’t wait to see all our mothers, grandmothers and carers celebrating all things mum!

🌟 Prep, Kindergarten, Year 5 & Year 7 Mums’ & Dads’ Night out! 🌟

This is a chance for both new families joining our school and returning families to meet and mingle with each other in their children’s year group. It will be a great opportunity to make new friends and to have a night out without the kids! 

Please respond to the below Expression of Interest by Thursday 20 February to be included. The P&F look forward to welcoming everyone to each night. 

Mums’ Night Out

📅 Date:    Friday 14 March 2025

⏰Time:     6:30pm 

📍 Location:     Organica Concord

Cost:        Approx $60 – includes canapes, prosecco & up to four cocktails 

Please register your expression of interest via the link below and we will contact you directly with confirmation and final payment details.

Dads’ Night Out

📅 Date:     Friday 21 March 2025

⏰Time:       6:30pm for a 7:00pm start

📍 Location:     North Strathfield Kingpin Bowling

Cost:        Approx $60 – includes one hour bowling, food & welcome drinks

Please register your expression of interest via the link below and we will contact you directly with confirmation and final payment details.

Parent Education – Debra Brodowski

Hope

Hello all and welcome to 2025!

I’m Debra Brodowski (call me Deb) and my role within the P&F is Parent Education Coordinator. I have been a member of the Santa Sabina community since 2016, with my daughters both now in high school (where did the time go!). My day job is as a Psychologist, so combining my day job with my all-the-time job as a parent, I hope to share with you some thoughts to consider whilst you are here with your child at Santa Sabina College.

Twenty twenty-five is shaping up to be yet another big year… A year of firsts for everyone, wherever you may be on your parenting journey at the College.

Twenty twenty-five for the Catholic community is also a special Jubilee year, which occurs every 25 years. To mark the Jubilee year, Pope Francis has declared the theme to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. I treasure this theme as hope is such a fundamental characteristic for us to hold as a community.

How do we instill hope in our young people though? For some, it’s part of their character and something that comes without effort. For most, it’s something we need to practise to embrace; it’s easy to be caught up in negativity in the world today.

Teaching hope is a valuable gift, it’s the belief that things can get better, even when times are tough, and that we have the power to make a positive difference in our world (we will shake the world!). Some ideas to consider when nurturing hope in our young people include:

• Encourage their ideas and dreams. Support their hopes and dreams and encourage them to try.
• Support them to solve problems with them when challenges emerge. Listen and support them. Be present. It is particularly important not to ‘clear the way’ for your young person when challenges arise, but be a partner in problem solving, support their ideas, encourage solutions, and celebrate when the obstacle has been overcome. This approach fosters a positive mindset and where hope is nurtured.
• Talk openly about your own feelings. This is an important part of role modelling hope. Sharing your own challenges, demonstrating that sometimes ‘it’s ok to not be ok’ and how you overcome these challenges in your own life shows that challenges can be overcome.
• Support self-compassion. Being kind to yourself, particularly when mistakes are made, helps show your young person to learn how to forgive yourself and move forward.

It is important to tailor these key strategies to the age of your young person as well as their individual differences.

By consistently nurturing these qualities, it can help your young person develop a strong sense of hope and resilience, allowing them to forge forward through 2025.

International Women’s Day invitation

Jane of Aza Playgroup

Our Jane of Aza Playgroup for families with children under 5 years old is on again in 2025! Current and future families, ex-students and local community members are all welcome at this free-of-charge event. Registration is essential: https://www.trybooking.com/CXYUU

St Lucy’s at Santa Sabina

St Lucy’s satellite classes for Kindergarten and Year 1 have now started! St Lucy’s is 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.

Volunteers needed at St Pat’s Parish