College Principal

As the weeks pass, filled with life at Santa, it is hard to distinguish my favourite moments. Was it dancing with the children of St Lucy’s, Mary Bailey House and Prep to the magical entertainment of our visiting Wiggles from St Lucy’s School, Wahroonga? Was it praying with the newly appointed Year 12 Class of 2027 as they accepted their badges as leaders and shapers of culture? Was it talking with Year 4 girls on a visit to the senior campus about their hopes of making new friends and creating a place of belonging in Gioia House next year? Was it welcoming prospective families to our Discovery Tours and witnessing the great pride with which our students and teachers shared the learning culture of Santa? Was it chatting with parents about weekend schedules, accompanying children to varied co-curricular activities and delighting in their growth, which brings so much joy? Was it listening to our students speak their informed opinions with conviction at the Festival of Speech? Or was it the singing of the Sisters of the Solomon Islands as they shared their culture and stories with our students, inviting connections as one Dominican family?

My favourite part is indeed being people in relationship with one another, sharing our hopes and discovering how we grow through dialogue and empathy. The Governor-General, in her words in response to the tragic incident involving Member of Parliament Helen Haines, spoke of our civic duty, reminding us that ‘Australians have good hearts’ and must continue to strive to ‘disagree well’ and ‘exercise our muscle of decency’. She reflected that words matter and that compassionate and robust debate is a healthy part of a modern democracy. ‘Words matter, whether spoken or in written form or increasingly in the virtual world.’ She calls us ‘to work together as a healing force’ for our world. It is my hope that our Dominican education and our commitment to civic decency add to that healing force in our country and for our future, building connection and purpose.

Such a vision starts with the education of children by families and schools. At Santa, our teachers’ professional learning is focused on teaching for thinking: thinking that requires listening to understand alternative perspectives, critiquing information and ideas to discern meaning, and ensuring the application of new knowledge is embedded in enduring values shaped by faith and love. Relational learning within a classroom matters, as it is the learning experience itself that shapes our students as thinkers.

Student transitions are an essential part of that learning process. They are too important not to be intentional in their design. Whether it be from MBH or Prep to Kindergarten, Year 4 to Gioia House, a new school for the boys, or Year 6 to Year 7, we have commenced our work in shaping these experiences for our current and new students so they are welcomed, known and supported as children and learners.

Students make many transitions each day at school: from family to school, from class to class, and from inside to outside. One observation I have made, and am discussing with our students, is their use of technology as a tool of distraction or habit. As our teenage girls arrive in the beautiful grounds of Santa Sabina, their heads can still be firmly glued to their phones. Similarly, when settling into a classroom, before greetings and instruction, there is the habitual opening of a laptop screen. This scrolling, whether aimless or purposeful, is often just a habit, a way to fill time whilst awaiting the next moment. Such habits can also encroach on the wellbeing of young people and, like any behaviours, need some guardrails to ensure good health and safety. I encourage parents to take up the opportunity to hear from an expert on parenting children and teens in an age of screens, Madonna King. We have provided this event free of charge to parents and carers as part of our commitment to partnering with you and recognising the impact of effective parenting on the wellbeing of young people.

I certainly see animated learning at Santa, where deep thinking is provoked through dialogue and carefully crafted collaboration, including the intentional use of technologies to enhance the thinking process. Without that intentionality, left to their own devices, quite literally, quick access to information can instil in students a sense of instant gratification from finding an ‘answer’ without understanding, and certainly without the brain muscle exercise that stimulates critical thinking, problem-solving and judgement. Faithful to our motto, Veritas, our Dominican education calls us to be seekers of truth. It is through these thinking activities that we discern truth and grow in wisdom, not simply accumulate facts. Our world has lots of information tellers; what it needs is thinkers. Thinking requires attention, daydreaming and discernment in order to respond to new and unfamiliar complexities with the mental agility and creativity to innovate solutions rather than simply generate ideas. I am excited by the collaboration of colleagues in reviewing the ways in which we use technologies to enhance teaching for thinking, while also making changes to habitual screen use in our classrooms and school environment. I want us to delight in learning as a relational activity, true to the spirit of Dominican disputatio.

I offer my congratulations to our Year 12 Class of 2026. This week, our HSC students are beginning to complete their examinations, while our IB students commenced theirs on Tuesday. Our students deserve to feel the pride of accomplishment achieved through effort, persistent routines, an optimistic mindset and intellectual curiosity. When these are embedded in the formation of their character through an education built on the values of love, compassion and justice for all, our graduates are ready to contribute their minds in service to our world. These attributes are their best features on their future CVs, no matter their final marks. Enjoy the rest and freedom after your exams. You deserve this time to dream. Though I must say how impressed I was listening to one new graduate telling me she starts her course to become a pilot in November! You have got to applaud when those dreams fire ambition. Go out and shape your world, girls!

All students from P–12 will soon come to the end of the academic year. I ask you, as parents and carers, to value learning right until the end. Our years are purposefully designed with a spread of assessment blocks that allow for teacher marking and meaningful feedback. This does not mean learning ceases after examinations. Our teachers develop a scope and sequence for the entire year, identifying the best opportunities for inquiry learning and experiential and place-based learning. The learning experiences of the next few weeks are indeed intentional, and the curriculum continues. Every lesson matters, every day.

Classes finish on Wednesday 2 December. We look forward to celebrating the 2026 year of learning at the upcoming College Speech Night at the State Theatre on Thursday 26 November. As has been our theme all year, you are invited to ‘Accept the Invitation’ to be part of this great celebration of learning in the Dominican tradition. I am looking forward to what I know will be a beautiful showcase of who we are and what we achieve together at Santa.

Mrs Elizabeth Brooks
College Principal

Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

Student Ambassadors at Eucharist28 Mass

This week, our four Student Ambassadors proudly represented Santa Sabina at the IEC Student Ambassador Commissioning and Two Years Out to Eucharist28 Mass held at St Brigid’s Catholic Church, Marrickville.

This special celebration brought together student ambassadors from Sydney Catholic Schools and Congregational Schools as part of the growing journey towards Eucharist28. The students joined with fellow ambassadors, teachers, clergy and members of the wider Catholic community for a meaningful Mass that marked an important milestone in the lead-up to this significant event.

We are incredibly proud of our Student Ambassadors for representing our school with such maturity and enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing them continue to share the message of Eucharist28 and inspire others within the College community.

Ms Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator P-6 

Reflections from our ambassadors

We had the privilege of being commissioned at the Eucharist28 Two Years Out Mass. As the representatives of Santa Sabina College, we were blessed by Bishop Umbers along with all of the Sydney Catholic School and Congregational Schools student ambassadors in both primary and secondary schools and in front of a congregation of a thousand people. Our Del Monte Ambassadors Rose Taouk and Adeline Tudehope were also selected for the offertory procession, as well as having Alicia process in with the St Mary of the Cross Mackillop banner.

It was wonderful to see so many students engaged and assisting with this mass, in preparation for their leadership in their own schools towards Eucharist 28. It was a profound experience, seeing all present embracing the gift that is the mass. The Gospel told of the 12 Apostles being selected from amongst all the disciples that had started to gather around Jesus. Like the selected Apostles, each of the school ambassadors are called to bring Christ’s light to every corner of the diocese, and having been blessed, we are enlivened and strengthened to live this calling as we approach the Eucharist 28 congress. We are very grateful and proud to lead our College community towards this once-in-a-lifetime experience that will be held here in Sydney in 2028.
Alicia Bouantoun and Verona Di Santo
Year 9

The Eucharistic Congress is a commitment to God and to us. When I was given the opportunity to be part of this role, I was very excited. I look forward to representing our school as an ambassador, attending special events, and hopefully having the opportunity to meet Pope Leo.

When Adeline and I had the opportunity to meet the Bishop at the IEC Student Ambassador Commissioning Mass, we felt very honoured to be part of the program. We are committed to following God and sharing His message with others.
Adeline Tudehope and Rose Taouk
Year 4

Dominican Sisters from the Solomon Islands visit Santa Sabina

The visit of the Solomon Islands Sisters on 20 October was a joyful celebration of our shared Dominican heritage and global community. Throughout the day, students and staff had the privilege of learning about their lives, ministries, culture and faith. The Sisters visited classrooms in Gioia House, Mary Bailey House and Del Monte, engaging students in meaningful conversations about education, vocation, service and life in the Solomon Islands. They also attended Year 7-11 House Meetings, where students welcomed them warmly and participated in panel discussions, asking thoughtful questions about their culture, faith journeys, ministries and the challenges faced by young people in their communities.

The interactions provided a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the wider Dominican family and to see firsthand the impact of the College’s ongoing support for Dominican ministries in the Solomon Islands. A highlight of the day was the shared lunch with students, where friendships were formed, stories exchanged and connections strengthened. The Sisters’ warmth, faith and generosity of spirit left a lasting impression on our community, reminding us of the importance of compassion, service, gratitude and our responsibility to stand in solidarity with others across the world.

Mrs Melanie van der Meer
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Year 11 

Year 11 Stepping Up Day marked an important milestone as students began their transition into Year 12. The day commenced with a Liturgy, during which students were presented with their Year 12 badges by Mrs Brooks and received a prayer card from Sr Jill. Students then rotated through three experiences: My Futures, which encouraged reflection on future pathways; mentor meetings with Santa Sabina staff, focused on goal setting and guidance; and You’ve Got This! Flourishing and Thriving in Year 12, which provided practical strategies to support wellbeing and success. Together, these experiences helped students approach their final year with confidence, purpose and a readiness for the opportunities ahead.

Ms Jacqueline Pugh
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Teaching for Thinking in Action

Last week, our teachers came together for the third session of our Teaching for Thinking Action Research Project. Each group shared key learnings from their recent professional reading session and the problems of practice that led them to their chosen focus area. The discussions were both rigorous and insightful, highlighting the breadth of expertise within the groups while also surfacing shared questions and opportunities for strengthening practice.

The conversation highlights were recorded and will form the starting point for our next session early next year. By exploring common threads across the discussions, teachers will sharpen their research focus and identify connections with colleagues pursuing similar questions, laying the groundwork for the next cycle of Action Research.

This work is guided by the Teaching for Thinking Framework and our commitment to deepening students’ thinking and understanding. By strengthening teaching practices that foster critical thinking, curiosity, collaboration and adaptability, we seek to develop the capabilities students need to learn effectively, navigate change and contribute thoughtfully and responsibly in a complex, uncertain and ever-evolving world.

We look forward to sharing more as these projects take shape.

Ms Kate Corcoran
Action Research Coordinator

Head of Primary P-6

The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, a time for us to reflect on the life of Jesus and the love of Mary. As we pray the Rosary, we are invited to slow down, to find peace in God’s presence, and to open our hearts to His grace. It is a prayer of hope, reminding us that through faith and love, we are never alone.

‘Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.’
– Luke 1:28

It is our students who make Santa such a special place, and they are true ambassadors of our College. A key highlight of last week was our Discovery Tour, where student representatives from each grade took part in a Q&A panel for prospective parents. Speaking openly about their experiences, our students shared what they love about their learning, their friendships and their teachers. Families were deeply impressed by their confidence, their genuine sense of belonging and the joy and love of learning that shone through as they spoke about their school. Thank you to our wonderful student representatives for representing the College with such warmth and pride. You made us all very proud.

Staff Professional Learning

The beginning of Term 4 has been a busy and exciting time of learning for our teachers. Over the past few weeks, staff have taken part in a series of professional learning meetings and planning workshops, diving deeply into the new Science and Technology Syllabus. Teachers have been unpacking the syllabus rationale, outcomes and content, while also developing scope and sequences and units of work for 2027. Throughout this planning, they have been intentional in creating rich opportunities for students to build their knowledge and skills, think critically and pose meaningful questions about the world around them. A key emphasis of these sessions has been strengthening connections across the curriculum. Teachers explored how students’ skills in creating written texts can be developed and reinforced through other Key Learning Areas, so that scientific inquiry also becomes an opportunity to explain, describe, analyse and reason in writing. Careful attention has also been given to ensuring continuity and progression from Prep to Year 6, so that each year builds purposefully on the learning that came before.

Primary Information Evening

We were delighted to welcome our new families joining the College in 2027 to our Primary Information Evening. It was a wonderful opportunity for families to meet our staff, learn more about life in the Primary School and begin connecting with one another as members of our Santa community. Families heard about our approach to teaching and learning, our pastoral care programs, unique opportunities and the Dominican values that guide all that we do. Many stayed afterwards to ask questions and share in conversation. Thank you to all the families who joined us and to the staff who helped make the evening so warm and welcoming. We look forward to beginning this journey together next year.

Continuing on our learning journey

As the year draws to a close, we have planned several Experience Days to support our students as they transition to the next stage of their learning journey, particularly our youngest students in Prep, who are getting ready to step into their first year of formal schooling. Our Year 4 girls recently enjoyed a special visit to Gioia House, where they met with Mrs Brooks, explored the learning spaces, shared lunch on the oval with our Year 5 and 6 students and, of course, bought treats from the College canteen. We now look forward to our Experience Day on Friday 6 November, when our Del Monte girls will join the new students for the day. It will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with one another and their teachers, and to learn more about Gioia House and the senior campus. Our Year 4 boys will take part in reflection and transition activities on Del Monte campus and will hear from former Del Monte boys about what to expect when they start at their new school next year. 

2027 Class Lists

Class lists for 2027 will be released to families in the final week of Term 4. We understand the anticipation that comes with the start of a new school year, particularly for students joining Santa Sabina for the first time.

While we strive to consider parent requests, class placement is a complex process that takes into account each child’s academic progress, social and emotional wellbeing, peer relationships and overall class balance. Our teachers invest great care, thought and collaboration in these decisions. Fostering new relationships is a key part of our educational process, helping students to expand their social circles and to understand that friendships can evolve. We appreciate your understanding of the complexities involved in class placement and remain committed to creating an enriching and supportive environment for all our students.

Loving God,
As we pray the Rosary this month, may our hearts be filled with peace and gratitude.
Through the intercession of Mary, help us to follow Jesus with faith and courage,
and to share Your love with those around us. 
Amen

Mrs Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6

Important dates in Term 4

• Friday 30 October – Colour Fun Day
• Wednesday 4 November – Year 5 2027 Parent Information Night
• Friday 6 November – Year 5 Experience Day
• Tuesday 10 November – Madonna King Parent Information Evening 
• Thursday 12 November – DM Assembly
• Thursday 12 November – Co-curricular Awards
• Saturday 14 November – Year 6 Dinner
• Monday 16 November – Del Monte Music Showcase
• Friday 20 November – Year 4 Big Day In (please note date change)
• Tuesday 24 November – Dominican Awards and Year 4 Graduation
• Thursday 26 November – College Speech Night
• Friday 27 November – K-2 Splash and Dash Carnival
• Monday 30 November – Advent Carols
• Tuesday 1 December – Del Monte Christmas Nativity Story and Carols
• Wednesday 2 December – K-4 Thanksgiving Mass and Year 4 Dancing on the Plot
• Wednesday 2 December – Gioia House Thanksgiving Liturgy and Picnic
• Wednesday 2 December – Term 4 concludes

Director of Community Relations and Strategic Engagement

Jane of Aza Playgroup

Our final playgroup of 2026 takes place on Friday 13 November at 9:00am. All families with children under five – from within as well as beyond the Santa Sabina community – are very welcome to join us. Please spread the word and note that bookings are essential (click on the image).

Save the date!

Bookings for Speech Night will open soon – please save the date for this important event on the College calendar.

Ms Yvette Graniero
Director of Community Relations and Strategic Engagement

Director of Outdoor Education, Tallong Campus

Meet Cheffrey: the heart of the Tallong kitchen

For well over a decade, students, staff and visitors to Santa Sabina College’s Tallong Campus have been welcomed by the delicious aromas and friendly smile of our much-loved campus chef, Cheffrey. His name is Geoff, but we call him Cheffrey.

Since joining the Tallong campus community in 2015, Cheffrey has become an integral part of the outdoor education experience. Whether preparing a hearty breakfast before a day of activities, serving nutritious lunches, or creating comforting dinners after an adventurous day, he ensures that everyone feels well-nourished and cared for.

Cheffrey’s passion for cooking extends far beyond simply preparing meals. He understands the important role that food plays in bringing people together. Many students remember gathering in the dining hall after a busy day, sharing stories and laughter over meals that Cheffrey has carefully prepared. His ability to cater for different tastes and dietary needs ensures that everyone feels included at the table.

Over the years, Cheffrey has served thousands of students, staff and visitors, becoming a familiar and trusted face at Tallong. His dedication, reliability and warm sense of humour have earned him the respect and appreciation of the entire Santa Sabina community. He is also known far and wide across the breadth of the client schools that visit Tallong. Siblings pass on stories of Cheffrey down through the years.

What makes Cheffrey truly special is the care he brings to every aspect of his work. From early morning starts to the final clean-up each evening, he takes pride in creating a welcoming environment where good food and good company go hand in hand.

We thank Cheffrey for his outstanding contribution to the Tallong Campus and for making every visit a memorable one.

Mr Kendal Hann
Director of Outdoor Education and Tallong Campus

Director of Mary Bailey House and OOSH

Mary Bailey House – a performance that sparked a connection

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming the St Lucy’s Fun Squad to Del Monte for a joyful concert that delighted children from Mary Bailey House, as well as students from the College Prep class and St Lucy’s satellite school. The Fun Squad consists of four enthusiastic Year 12 students from St Lucy’s at Wahroonga, who performed songs from The Wiggles and other favourite children’s groups.

Mary Bailey House preschoolers loved the Fun Squad, who had them laughing, singing and dancing throughout the performance. More than just a concert, the visit was a celebration of inclusion, connection and the sharing of talents across our wider community.

To thank the Fun Squad for coming to Del Monte, our preschoolers prepared a gift bag of special treats and wrote a card that read: ‘Thank you for doing the show for us. We loved it. Love, the Treefrogs.‘ They proudly delivered it to the cast and crew before the show.

Following the performance, the Mary Bailey House preschoolers were eager to learn more about the Fun Squad and had many questions that a St Lucy’s teacher was happy to answer. Their curiosity sparked an exciting new opportunity for connection, with the suggestion that our preschoolers write letters to the St Lucy’s students and receive replies in return.

What began as a memorable performance has already inspired the beginnings of an ongoing exchange between the students of St Lucy’s and the children of Mary Bailey House. We look forward to nurturing this connection and welcoming the Fun Squad back again in 2027.

Ms Jackie Baxter
Director of Mary Bailey House and OOSH

Director of Development

We are thrilled to announce that our Rosary Garden has won a 2026 Master Builders Association of NSW Excellence in Construction Award.

The outdoor learning area and playground for the Junior School earnt this award in the Private Schools up to $10 million category. The project involved the design and construction of new learning facilities for Prep to Year 4 students, alongside project managers Pier Property Corporation and architects m3architecture. Many donors from the College community gave generous support to the realisation of this project.

The intricate footpath was purpose-built with prayers and donor plaques placed along the walkway shaped to represent a rosary bead necklace. The louvre system learning area was intentional to maximise natural light, for year-round comfort.

Congratulations to all who were involved in this project which delivered a thoughtful and considered space for our students and staff.

There is still an opportunity to secure a plaque and have your name or your family name engraved as part of the Rosary journey.

Mr George Ayoub
Director of Development

Catechist Mass

The Sydney Diocese require a number of volunteers to teach Special Religious Education (SRE) classes in a local public school. Santa Sabina students currently support the diocese by training as assistant catechists and dedicating their study time to teaching religious education in a local public school. 

Recently, the diocese acknowledged the assistant catechists during a special mass at St Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday 11 October. Students from across the diocese along with their teachers and SRE volunteers were awarded and blessed by the Bishop.

Monique Francis reflected on her time as an assistant catechist throughout her preliminary year:

During my time as a catechist, I was fortunate to experience the joy and wonders of our Catholic faith working in the hearts of children, eager to learn and engage with scripture. I saw the joy in their faces as they learnt of the love of Jesus Christ and His great sacrifice, but I also witnessed their purity and innocence of understanding through their simple yet powerful questions. 

Teaching at the local primary school was an experience I will cherish because it invited me to view my faith through a more simplistic lens. The children reminded me that faith does not require complex thought or explanations, but rather, sometimes it calls for questions of curiosity and a heartfelt appreciation for God’s love. 

Through being a catechist, I was reminded that the role is not simply teaching the faith but also allowing ourselves to be internally renewed by it. As an assistant catechist with the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, I have had the opportunity to support the work of catechists in sharing the teachings of the Catholic Church. This role involves assisting with lessons, helping students engage with Scripture and catholic teaching whilst simultaneously finding meaning which we can apply in our lives every day. 

We encourage student participation in discussions and support the catechists in creating a welcoming environment where children can feel comfortable asking questions to explore their faith. 

Attending the catechist Mass was a particularly moving experience. Seeing so many student catechists gathered together was a wonderful testament to the vitality of our faith and the willingness of young people to serve their communities. It was encouraging to see the many students, as well as ourselves, who dedicated their time in service to others. 

Ultimately, my experience as an assistant catechist has been extremely rewarding and has taught me that faith is something we are continually called to share and rediscover time and time again. The children have reminded me of the essence of faith, one that trusts and asks questions to understand and remain open to Christ’s love.

We are grateful for the ongoing contributions of our students to the diocese and the commitment they have demonstrated in providing catechesis to young children.

Ms Carla Beshara
7-12 Mission Coordinator & Religious Education Teacher

A day of faith, formation and fellowship

Five of our senior students recently participated in Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Training with the Archdiocese of Sydney.

Joined by students from other Sydney Catholic Schools, our girls embraced the day with enthusiasm, reverence and a genuine spirit of service. It was wonderful to see them engage so fully in the training, connect with new people and thoughtfully take their first steps in this important ministry.

We are proud of the maturity and commitment they demonstrated as they answered this call to serve.

Ms Carla Beshara
7-12 Mission Coordinator & Religious Education Teacher

Music in the Senior School (Curriculum)

Year 7 Music

Year 7 students have completed their research and analysis of the music of a culture of their choice and have now begun presenting their findings as part of their final assessment. It has been fascinating to see the diverse range of cultures explored and the depth of understanding students have developed. Whether investigating their own cultural heritage or discovering a new tradition, students have approached the task with enthusiasm, curiosity, and genuine interest. We have been incredibly impressed by the quality of their presentations and the insights they have gained through their learning.

Year 8 Music

Year 8 students have completed their research and analysis of a film score and have now commenced their presentations. Through this task, students have developed an understanding of the powerful role music plays in shaping the audience’s emotional experience of a film. They have explored how composers use the musical concepts to create atmosphere, communicate meaning, and evoke specific emotions. It has been wonderful to see students engage thoughtfully with both the music and the storytelling process.

Year 9 Elective Music

Year 9 students are busily preparing for their upcoming performance assessment in Week 4, working closely with their accompanists as they refine their repertoire. As they continue to develop their technical skills and musical interpretation, students are also exploring how to communicate personal expression through performance. We wish them every success as they prepare for this important assessment.

Year 10 Elective Music

Year 10 students submitted their elective project in Week 1 ahead of the examination block. It has been exciting to see students engage so deeply with research, composition, and the creative process. Through a video presentation, students shared their research findings, musical analysis, compositional inspiration, and creative journey. The quality of engagement and commitment demonstrated throughout this project has been outstanding, and students should be extremely proud of their achievements.

Year 11 HSC & IB Music

Year 11 IB Music students are actively preparing for their Contemporary Music Maker Higher Level portfolio. They are currently collaborating with fellow musicians, developing plans for their projects, and engaging in valuable discussions to support their creative work. Alongside this, students are revisiting previous portfolio submissions and preparing for their final assessment of the year, the Experimenting with Music performance explorations. Their dedication and forward planning are setting strong foundations for future success.

Year 11 HSC Music students have commenced the Year 12 course this term and are already embracing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. In Week 6, they will undertake their first HSC assessment, a Performance and Viva Voce task. Students are refining their analytical skills in preparation for the viva component while beginning to select and develop repertoire for their final performance program. Working closely with their accompanists, they are building the skills and confidence needed for success in their HSC studies. We wish them all the very best for this first assessment of their HSC Music journey.

Message from the Director of Music

Write a Book in a Day congratulations!

Learning in the Library

Last term Santa Sabina students participated in Write a Book in a Day, where in 12 hours students write and illustrate a book for children in hospital to enjoy. 

Our junior team, Santa Force, comprised Emma Cooper, Lorelai Chung, Abby Deng, Scarlett Hoft, Annabelle Wong, Ishana Moore, Marie Lagis, Amelia Brogan and Lucy Middleton. Their book titled Withered Light, centres on the characters Araluen and Luke and is a story about the power of friendship and newfound family.

We are thrilled to announce that our senior team The Santa Scribes, Ruby Brannigan-Stuart, Hannah Chan, Tanvi Chava, Louisa Giugni, Laila Gregory, Frankie Martin, Sabine Santa Maria and Evelyn Touma, have been shortlisted for their book, A Diamond in the Dust.

The story follows the adventures of a little dingo who has ‘found herself far from home. In the heart of the Northern Territory, this story takes place in Uluru. She makes unlikely friends on her journey of self-discovery but also encounters a heartless pet groomer named Craig Bundtl who only has one thing in mind… The prize money in return for the dingo’s capture. Thankfully, she has Frank on her side, a grumpy shop owner with kind eyes who seems to have a soft spot for down on their luck dingos.’ (‘A Diamond in the Dust blurb).

The two works were spectacularly creative works. They can be found under WABIAD 2026 on the Veritas Online library page. This year WABIAD attracted 2477 teams from 572 schools who raised $1.26 million for childhood cancer research. Santa Sabina teams contributed $2839.00 towards this important cause. We are extremely proud of the commitment shown by all our participants and their families and friends.

Congratulations to the students for their outstanding effort and their mentor teacher Ms Marchetta. Winners will be announced on Thursday 12 November.

Author visit

Reading good books can help develop good writing skills. Exposure to good authors can help students develop an interest in reading.

On Monday 26 October, Gioia House students were visited by Sue Whiting, who talked about her writing process and her new book, Hill End Gold. She shared her love of books that started with reading Enid Blyton’s Famous Five adventures and that joyous moment of ‘finding the book that makes you want to read another’. Gioia House students were so excited to read Sue Whiting’s books, with all copies flying off the shelves.

Connecting reading and writing, Sue gave the students six photos and three minutes to collaboratively come up with their own stories. The students’ excitement was clear and the stories they created bode well for our next group of writers!

Authentic History learning through remembrance

For History students, classroom learning focuses on investigating the causes and consequences of major conflicts, including the World Wars, while examining the experiences of individuals and communities and the significance of commemoration and remembrance in Australian society. On Tuesday 26 October Year 10 History students engaged in a site study exploring either the Anzac Memorial Hyde Park or the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway.

Visiting historical war memorials provides students a powerful experiential learning opportunity to connect History classroom learning with the real experiences of Australians who served during times of conflict. These memorials tell the stories of individuals and communities affected by war. This is especially meaningful in the preparation for Remembrance Day on 11 November, when Australians pause to honour those who have served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Through examining primary sources such as artefacts and personal stories, students strengthen their critical thinking skills while gaining valuable insight into the human impact of war and the ways societies choose to remember, preserve and share these stories for future generations.

A huge thank you to the HSIE teachers who accompanied the students on the site study: Ms Allana Hempenstall, Ms Lara Hutcheson, Ms Isabella Guerin, Ms Beth Hutcheson, Ms Shirley Chan, Mr Richard Crittenden, Ms Sheryl John and Ms Lauren Jenkins.

Ms Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Student reflections

Visiting the war memorial in Hyde Park had a profound emotional impact on us, as the solemn atmosphere made us all reflect on the immense loss of life caused by war. The star-covered ceiling dome was particularly moving, as it symbolised the magnitude of lives lost and helped me understand the scale of sacrifice in a more personal and meaningful way. Rather than viewing the war simply as facts and numbers to memorise for an exam, the experience allowed us to recognise the real human cost of war and develop a deeper appreciation for those who lost their lives serving our country.
Rosie Khoury
Year 10

The visit to the Kokoda Track Memorial served as a compilation of information reinforcing what had been learnt in class. For example, the brutality of warfare was a prominent aspect of the Kokoda Track campaign that was discussed. The challenging terrain, the rampant disease and the insufficient medical care were only some of the hardships explained during the excursion.
Willow Harris
Year 10

Our excursion to The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway in Rhodes was a deeply meaningful and thought-provoking experience that strengthened our understanding of the courage, mateship, sacrifice and endurance demonstrated by Australian soldiers and Papua New Guinean allies during the Kokoda Track Campaign. Hearing veterans’ personal accounts and discovering the vital contributions of the Papua New Guinean carriers and guides, famously known as the ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’, gave us a deeper appreciation of the humanity, resilience and cooperation that sustained soldiers through unimaginable hardship, while the Walkway’s 22 stations, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and flowing water, brought the campaign’s history to life by connecting real faces to the names and sacrifices of those who served. Ultimately, this excursion taught us that the Kokoda Track is not simply a story of military conflict, but a powerful legacy of shared sacrifice, unwavering mateship and extraordinary endurance, inspiring us to honour those who fought and supported others in the pursuit of peace and freedom. Ultimately, this experience strengthened our appreciation for the sacrifices made by Australian soldiers and Papua New Guinean allies, reminding us of our responsibility to honour their legacy.
Elyssa Georges
Year 10

Volunteers needed for Communities for Communities Christmas Carols

Looking for a meaningful way to give back this Christmas season? Families and senior students are invited to volunteer at the annual Communities for Communities Christmas Carols event in Five Dock.

Communities for Communities (C4C) is a volunteer-run not-for-profit organisation with strong connections to the Santa Sabina community. Founded by a Santa Sabina parent, the organisation supports a range of local and international community projects, and many Santa Sabina alumnae are actively involved on its committee.

This year’s Christmas Carols event will be held on:

Wednesday 16 December 2026
5:00pm – 9:00pm
Halliday Park, Five Dock

Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of activities, including face painting, raffle ticket sales, event set-up and general event support. This is a wonderful opportunity for mothers and daughters to volunteer together, or for senior students to enjoy serving the community alongside friends.

Thank you for supporting this much-loved community event. Together, we can help make it a memorable evening for local families.

Ms Jane Sulis
Coordinator of Outreach

Assistant Head of Gioia House

Gioia House Action Girls

This week several students were presented with Special Action Girl Awards and badges in recognition of the positive difference they make within our school community.

Action Girls consistently seek ways to help and include others, demonstrate respectful behaviour and remain focused on their learning. They look beyond themselves, embracing opportunities to serve others through outreach and acts of kindness. Whether welcoming a classmate, showing compassion, contributing positively in the classroom or supporting community initiatives, these students model the values we strive to uphold every day.

Congratulations to our award recipients. We are proud of the example they set and the way they inspire others to make a positive impact in our school and wider community. Keep shining your light and making a difference!

Congratulations to the following Action Girls:

YEAR 5:
Georgia Hall
Madeleine Kazzi 
Serah Sara 
Lana Stacey

YEAR 6:
Magdalena Azar 
Olivia Bijjani
Amelia Cloran
Lydia Wang (absent from photo)

Life Education – Growing & Changing session

This week, Year 5 and Year 6 students participated in an engaging Life Education session as part of our Health and Personal Development ‘Growth & Development’ program. The session focused on helping students understand the physical, emotional and social changes that occur during puberty, providing age-appropriate information to support their growth and wellbeing.

Students were encouraged to ask questions in a respectful and supportive environment, with a dedicated Q&A session allowing them to seek clarification and build their understanding. The presentation helped students recognise that the changes experienced during puberty are a normal part of growing up and highlighted the importance of making informed and healthy choices.

This topic will continue throughout Term 4 as part of our PDHPE Growing and Changing unit. Through ongoing classroom discussions and activities, students will further develop their understanding of personal development, relationships, wellbeing and the changes that occur during adolescence. We encourage families to continue conversations at home to support students as they navigate this important stage of life.

Christmas donations

Supporting others in our community is a meaningful part of Outreach, and this term we are donating to St Paul’s Church, Burwood to prepare individual Christmas coffee and tea packs for families in need.

If possible, each student is invited to donate each of the following items to create an individual Christmas pack:

• 1 large mug
• 1 small to medium jar of coffee
• 1 medium box of tea bags
• 1 packet of biscuits
• 1 sweet treat/chocolates

(You can donate as many individual packs as you like. We hope to create around 200 individual Christmas packs.)

During a Community Time later this term, students will assemble these items into individual gift packs to be distributed to St Paul’s Church.

We are also seeking Woolworths, Coles, or Aldi gift vouchers valued between $10 and $30. These vouchers will help provide practical support to families and brighten their Christmas season.

Thank you for your generosity and support. Every contribution, big or small, will help bring comfort, joy and hope to members of our local community this Christmas.

Ms Marisa Maks
Assistant Head of Gioia House

Music at Gioia House (Curricular)

We look forward to welcoming families to the Gioia House Music Showcase (Santa Sabina Hall) on Wednesday 18 November from 12:00 noon – 1:00pm, where students will share the skills, musicianship and confidence they have developed throughout this year!

In preparation, our Gioia House Strings are rehearsing a combined Year 5 and Year 6 performance, showcasing both musical progress and the strong culture of collaboration that has developed across the grades!

Our Brass, Woodwind and Percussion students (aka ‘Mini Maestros’) are refining repertoire within their year-level groups, preparing performances that highlight the technical and musical growth achieved through their classroom instrumental program.

Meanwhile, Gioia House Choir continues to work on essential choral technique, ensemble blend and expressive performance aspects, preparing a selection of songs for both the showcase and our end of year Thanksgiving Mass that celebrates the enthusiasm and commitment shown by students throughout the year. All these vibrant learning experiences are anchored in the theoretical learnings of weekly music class time with Mrs Pensini – and we are grateful to our whole team for the way these diverse experiences are supporting our learners at Santa!

Wonderful things are happening, and we look forward to sharing the achievements of these young musicians with you!

Message from the Director of Music

What’s happening in Year 6

This term, students in Year 6 are looking at Australia’s Global Footprint and will be focusing on Exploring Diversity, Migration and Impact. The unit started with students exploring Australia census data, where they imagined Australia as a class of 100 people. They discovered that 67 would be born in Australia and 28 would speak a language other than English at home. They analysed data on age, language and country of birth. They learned that precise statements, backed by numbers, tell us far more than vague ones by using accurate terminology. In our second learning experience this term, students critiqued a deliberately confusing graph before creating their own column graphs and infographics about Australia’s population.

In our second learning experience, students explored why people migrate. They sorted scenarios into push and pull factors and read The Little Refugee by Anh Do and Suzanne Do. They analysed Anh’s family’s escape from Vietnam by boat and identified the push and pull factors in their journey to Australia.

Ms Marisa Maks, Mr Eamonn Dunphy, Ms Ann Milicic, Ms Georgia Wheatley, Ms Rebecca Seidman
Year 6 teachers

What’s happening in Year 5

Visual Literacy

This term, Year 5 students have been exploring Visual Literacy. As a provocation for learning, students used VR headsets to immerse themselves in simulated 3D digital environments. This experience encouraged students to closely observe visual elements and consider how images can evoke emotions, spark curiosity and influence their thinking. They shared their observations, expressed their emotional responses and discussed how visual techniques can create meaning for an audience. This engaging experience has provided a rich foundation for students to think critically about images and the ways visual texts communicate ideas and emotions.

Science

As part of our Science unit on plant and animal adaptations, Year 5 students have been investigating the structure and function of flowering plants by carefully dissecting a flower. They identified and examined the different parts of the flowers, including the petals, stamens, pistil and sepals, and discussed how each part helps the plant survive and reproduce. This hands-on activity assists in developing students’ scientific observation skills and deepens their understanding of how living things have specialised features that support their adaptation to their environment.

Ms Tiffany Anderson, Ms Wendy Anetter, Ms Alison Di Caccio, Ms Jane Sulis, Ms Monique Taylor and Ms Stephanie Yiorkas
Year 5 Teachers

Assistant Head of Primary P-4 and Gifted Education Coordinator P-6

Pastoral Update

Outdoor Wellbeing Trail

This term, our P-4 students will participate in an Outdoor Wellbeing Trail centred on the pastoral theme Growing Through Connection. Through a series of guided experiences in familiar outdoor spaces, students will explore how meaningful connections with people, place, nature, themselves and God help us grow, flourish and thrive.

Drawing on both Dominican values and Aboriginal perspectives, students will engage in activities that develop gratitude, empathy, deep listening, self-awareness, resilience and kindness. Across the term, they will reflect on questions such as Where do I belong?, How can I help others feel included?, How can I find balance in a busy world?, and How can I use my gifts to make a positive difference?

Students will gather in spaces such as Warami, learn about the significance of Dharug Country, practise mindful reflection in nature, explore how their amazing brains help them learn and grow, and discover how small acts of kindness and service contribute to a stronger community.

By revisiting the trail throughout the term, students will deepen their understanding that wellbeing is strengthened through connection. Our hope is that each child finishes the term with a stronger sense of belonging, greater self-awareness, and the confidence to contribute positively to the world around them.

Gifted Education Update

ABC Education success

We are delighted to share that Joyce Wong (Year 1) was recently recognised as a winner in ABC Education’s News in My Neighbourhood Competition for her piece, My Grandma on Zoom. As part of her prize, Joyce visited the ABC Education studios to record an upcoming episode of the News Time podcast, and her winning work will also be published on the News in My Neighbourhood website. Making the experience even more special, Joyce’s older sister, Joanna, who accompanied her on the day, was invited to record the introduction to the podcast episode.

We are incredibly proud of Joyce’s creativity, confidence and love of storytelling, and congratulate her for this wonderful opportunity.

Maths Olympiad High Achievers

Congratulations to all students who participated in this year’s APSMO Maths Games and Maths Olympiad competitions. These challenging problem-solving competitions encourage students to think creatively, persevere through complex tasks and develop their mathematical reasoning skills. We are proud of every student who embraced the challenge and extended their learning.

A special congratulations to the following students for their outstanding achievements:

High Achiever Medal
Jingxian (Lydia) Wang (Year 6) 

Top 10% Achiever – Gold Pin
Jingxian (Lydia) Wang (Year 6)
Aria Leung (Year 6)
Amara Jeyaganesh (Year 6)
Marie Metledge (Year 6)

Top 25% Achiever – Silver Pin
Soopia Chang (Year 6)
Mia Bogovic (Year 6)
Jonathan Lin (Year 3)

Ms Lauren Petroni
Assistant Head of Primary P-4 and Gifted Education Coordinator P-6

Religious Education in Del Monte

A Short School Prayer

Almighty God, We give you our school.
We give you all the teachers and staff who work here,
We give you all the children who study here.
We pray our school would be place of great discovery, adventure and creativity.
May it be a place where we love to learn and where we learn to love,
A place where everyone is respected and all are deeply valued.
We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 (A modern prayer from www.lords-prayer-words.com)

Welcome back to Term 4. We begin our term in the Month of the Rosary. October each year is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. The month begins with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, celebrated on 7 October.

The Rosary is a devotion in honour of the Virgin Mary. It is a sequence of prayers intended to help us grow in our faith as we come to understand more and more about the life, death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ, and about the Church and who we are in the Lord. The Rosary can be prayed in its entirety or just one decade at a time.

On the Del Monte Campus, we pray the Rosary together every Wednesday morning at 8:20am. Families are warmly invited to join us whenever possible as we gather in prayer and place our intentions before God through the intercession of Our Lady.

We encourage all families to take some time to pray the Rosary during this special month and reflect on the mysteries of Christ’s life and love.

The Dominican Sisters visit Del Monte

The Dominican Sisters spent an afternoon at the Del Monte campus, sharing in the life of our school community and strengthening our connection to the Dominican charism. The Sisters visited classrooms, answered students’ thoughtful questions, assisted with classroom activities and took the opportunity to explore our beautiful playground and surrounds. Students were delighted to spend time with the Sisters, learning more about their vocation and the values of prayer, study, community and service. A special highlight of the visit was the students in Year 2 learning a song and singing with the Sisters, which brought great joy to all. The afternoon was a wonderful celebration of faith, learning and community, leaving lasting memories for both the Sisters and our students.

Storytelling resources

As part of our Accepting the Invitation focus, we extend our sincere thanks to Ms Camarda and Ms McGrath for sharing their artistic talents and creativity in helping to paint and create our storytelling boxes. These storytelling boxes are a wonderful resource that help bring the stories of the Bible to life for our primary students, making Scripture more engaging, meaningful and accessible. Through colour, creativity and visual storytelling, students are able to deepen their understanding of God’s Word and connect more personally with the stories and teachings of Jesus. We are grateful for the time, care and talent that Ms Camarda and Ms McGrath have generously shared to make this valuable resource possible for our school community.

A blessing for our school community

As we journey through this final term of the year, may we continue to accept God’s invitation each day with open hearts and willing hands.

May Our Lady of the Rosary guide us in prayer,
St Dominic inspire us in study and truth,
and Jesus lead us in love and service.

May our school community be blessed with peace, joy and hope as we learn, grow and walk together in faith.

‘Let us go forward in peace, our eyes upon heaven, the only one goal of our labours.‘
– St Dominic

God bless

Ms Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator (P–6)

From the Curriculum Coordinators

Curriculum Overviews

Curriculum Overviews for Term 4 are available on Veritas Online. These documents provide families with an overview of learning across each key area this term. If you have any questions about the content, please feel free to contact your child’s classroom teacher for clarification.

Science Curriculum Planning

The teachers at Del Monte have been busy this week planning for the implementation of a brand new Science and Technology curriculum in 2027. 

Learning about Science and Technology provides a framework for students to know, understand and make sense of the world. The syllabus intends to build on students’ natural curiosity and inventiveness, providing opportunities to explore the natural and designed world, test ideas and make decisions based on data and evidence.

Teachers have been collaborating to plan interesting and engaging learning experiences for their students. We look forward to seeing these lessons come to life next year!

Erin Horne and Merissa Perivolarellis
Curriculum Coordinators and Classroom Teachers

Music at Del Monte and MBH (Curriculum)

At Del monte we have had the delightful opportunity to have take part in workshops with the Early Music group Consort 8. This professional group spent time with Year 3 Recorders and Year 4 Recorders, demonstrating different sized recorders and their sounds, and working on repertoire specific to each group. The students distinguished between an ordinary sound and a beautiful sound, listening to one another as an ensemble of many parts. It was a really joyous experience.

Year 1 have been learning about canons. They have performed the Fruit Canon in three parts! Kindergarten have been trying out some wibble-wobble jelly and composing using the names of their favourite cakes, and Year 2 have enjoyed playing hide and seek musical games using dynamics.

Message from the Director of Music

Year 4 welcomes Dominican Sisters

Last week, Del Monte had the wonderful opportunity to welcome the Dominican Sisters from the Solomon Islands to our school. The Sisters visited all three Year 4 classes and shared stories about their lives, their faith and the important work they do within their communities. Students were fascinated to learn about the Sisters’ mission of helping others through education, prayer and service. The Sisters spoke about what inspired them to become Dominican Sisters, explaining how their faith, love for helping people and desire to make a positive difference in the world guided their vocation. The visit provided a valuable opportunity for our students to deepen their understanding of service, compassion and the many ways people can dedicate their lives to supporting others. 

Ms Mersini Perivolarellis, Mr Edward Wang, Ms Natalie Bejar, Ms Leonie Trees
Year 4 Teachers

Year 3

Year 3 students recently participated in an exciting Digital Technologies lesson using Micro:bits to investigate and compare the temperatures of different outdoor surfaces around the school. Working in pairs, students carried a battery-powered Micro:bit to designated outdoor zones. At each location, they carefully held the sensor still for 30 seconds before pressing button A to display the temperature reading. They then recorded the location and temperature data in a table.

Students were highly engaged throughout the activity, applying their coding skills to program the Micro:bits and collect real-world data. They enjoyed comparing the temperatures recorded at each location and discussing possible reasons for the differences between surfaces. This hands-on investigation provided students with an authentic opportunity to develop their coding, data collection and analytical thinking skills while exploring how digital technologies can be used to gather and interpret information about the world around them.

Ms Kelly Garcia and Ms Louise Harris
Year 3 Teachers

Year 2

Our afternoon with the Dominican Sisters

On Tuesday afternoon, Year 2 had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with the Dominican Sisters when they visited our classroom. We were very excited to welcome them and learn more about their lives and vocation.

The Sisters joined us during our science lesson, where they helped us with our learning and encouraged us to think carefully about our investigations. We enjoyed working alongside them and sharing what we had been learning in class. They were very interested in our ideas and answered many of our questions. The Sisters also explored our beautiful playground with us. We loved showing them our favourite places to play and learn. It was special to spend time together, talk, laugh and learn more about one another.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was learning a song taught to us by the Sisters. We are grateful to the Dominican Sisters for visiting Del Monte and spending time with us. Their kindness, wisdom and joyful presence made the afternoon memorable, and we loved learning more about our Dominican heritage.

Ms Cara Brigham, Ms Christina Mazis, Ms Tina Nicotina, Ms Catherine McGrath
Year 2 Teachers

Year 1

Year 1 Explores the Wonder of God’s Creation

This week, our Year 1 students have been deepening their understanding of the gift of God’s creation by exploring ways to praise and thank Him for the beauty and goodness in our world.

To bring this unit to life, the children participated in a Creation Walk around our beautiful Del Monte Campus. Focusing on the natural awe and wonder of childhood, the walk encouraged students to look closely and listen with their hearts. From the texture of the bark on the trees to the morning sunlight, our young learners made powerful connections to how God calls each of us to care for the Earth and all its wonders.

As a Dominican community, we are called to recognise and care for creation, contributing actively to the common good. We look forward to seeing how our Year 1 ‘Creation Guardians’ continue to practise stewardship and gratitude in their daily lives.

Ms Margie Attard, Ms Calista Camarda and Ms Lorette Quinlan and Ms Grace Azzi 
Year 1 Teachers

Kindergarten

Religion in Kindergarten

Kindergarten students have been learning to understand and respond to Bible stories in Religion this term. This week, students gathered to listen to the story of Noah’s Ark and to explore what it teaches us about God’s love.

After listening to the story, students responded through art and writing. Using bright, bold colours, they used crayons and watercolours to paint Noah’s Ark and the rainbow, remembering the promise God made to Noah and to all of creation. Students then wrote about how the story of Noah’s Ark shows that God loves and cares for us. 

Ms Ella Reilly, Ms Erin Horne and Ms Brooke Napper
Kindergarten Teachers

Prep

We are delighted to be back for the start of Term 4 and have already enjoyed a range of engaging learning experiences together.

Recently, Prep welcomed Dominican Sisters from the Solomon Islands, who shared insights into their culture, community and daily life. The students listened attentively, asked thoughtful questions and enjoyed the opportunity to learn about a different part of the world.

We also had a special visit from Mr Ajaka (Alessia’s dad), who brought along a real dinosaur tooth to share with the class. The children were captivated by this remarkable artefact and eagerly explored their curiosity through questions and discussion as they learned more about dinosaurs and fossils.

On Friday, we were invited to join St Lucy’s and MBH students for a concert performed by The Fun Squad, a music group made up of Year 11 and Year 12 students from St Lucy’s. Their energetic performance featured a selection of Wiggles songs, accompanied by singing, dancing and live instruments. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and enthusiastically joined in with the music and movement.

It has been a wonderful start to the term, and we look forward to the many exciting learning opportunities and experiences that lie ahead. We are excited to continue sharing our learning journey with you throughout the term.

Ms Rebecca Saba and Ms Monique Evans
Prep Teachers

Italian ingenuity: students explore inventions that changed the world

Our students recently embarked on a fascinating journey through history, exploring the incredible impact of Italian innovation on our modern world. As part of their term research project, students dove deep into historical archives to discover how a relatively small Mediterranean peninsula became the birthplace of so many revolutionary ideas.

The classroom was buzzing with excitement as students discovered how Italian minds connected the global community. Students traced the origins of the telephone, highlighting Antonio Meucci’s early voice-communication designs and were captivated by Guglielmo Marconi’s pioneering work on long-distance radio transmission, reminding us all that our current wireless, hyper-connected world started with these foundational Italian breakthroughs.

The scientific discoveries did not stop there. Students looked at the history of the battery, invented by Alessandro Volta in 1800, and tracked the 13th-century evolution of eyeglasses, which transformed literacy across Europe. The musical and culinary innovation of Italy also took centre stage, with Bartolomeo Cristofori’s invention of the piano, alongside the delicious history of espresso machines and gelato.

Beyond just listing facts, our young researchers examined the traits that made these inventors successful: curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to look at the world differently. They designed detailed creative posters which bring history to life. We are incredibly proud of the dedication and creativity our students demonstrated throughout this unit. Thank you to all the families who supported their children with their research at home. Be sure to check out the spectacular display of their research projects currently lining the main school corridor!

Ms Daniela Panico
Italian Teacher

Paddle Pop Sticks positive behaviour initiative

I am sure you have heard by now about the Paddle Pop Sticks that have been creating excitement across Del Monte! This positive behaviour initiative recognises students who consistently demonstrate our College values through their words and actions, both in the classroom and on the playground.

Students are awarded Paddle Pop Sticks when they show kindness, respect, responsibility, perseverance, inclusivity and a commitment to learning. Each stick contributes points towards the student’s House, encouraging teamwork and a shared commitment to positive behaviour across the College.

The friendly competition has been embraced enthusiastically by students, who are eager to earn points for their House while making positive choices each day. Whether it is helping a classmate, showing respect to others, working diligently, or caring for our environment, every positive action contributes to the overall success of their House.

At the end of the term, the House with the highest number of Paddle Pop Sticks will enjoy a special treat as a reward for their collective efforts. More importantly, the initiative helps foster a school culture where kindness, respect and responsibility are celebrated and encouraged.

It has been wonderful to see so many students striving to live out our school values and working together to make our community an even more positive and welcoming place for all. We look forward to seeing which House will take out the title this term!

Ms Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator P – 6

Director of Music P-12

Term 4 is well underway and Holyrood is its usual humming home of activity at every moment it seems! Our lucky College neighbours must marvel as they walk past this building during the day.

As we head into the culminating term, our wonderful Music program is reflecting the highest number of enrolments on record. The numbers of course are only a small metric – but more vitally, I am proud to recount my delight at all the genuinely student-initiated music happenings springing up all over the place.  A wonderful chapter for us all to be at Santa!

String Breakfast Showcase

The final weeks of Term 3 provided many exciting moments! Our String Breakfast Showcase on Monday 21 September in the final week saw hundreds of our string players open the door of their rehearsals to friends and families – a great chance for us to show the learning continuum that exists here from Del Monte through to the senior-most years.

Australian Boys Choir visits Santa!

On the final day of last term, we were delighted to welcome the Australian Boys Choir from Melbourne as part of their national tour! College Choir were enriched through participating in a workshop experience before joining in performance with the boys in a special recital.  I will never cease to marvel at all the ways music can foster connections near and far!

Program Rollover – Looking Ahead to Music in 2027!

As we move towards the conclusion of the year, private tuition is in the process of being counted and reconciled to ensure all students redeemed their allocated 16 lessons per semester. Invoices will be generated for 2027 in early December, and credits will be applied where this is relevant.

Families are reminded that private lessons and ensemble enrolments all automatically roll over from one year to the next – to ensure continuity of learning and musical progress, and also for our specialists who are often mapping their workloads against other schools.  (We of course want Santa to be their priority!)

Changing or discontinuing anything in 2026?

If your child will not be continuing tuition in 2027, a reminder that written notice of withdrawal must be received at least four weeks prior to the commencement of Term 1.

Term 1 2027 Invoices will be due for payment by the first week back. Where insufficient notice has been provided for discontinuation, this liability will still apply in accordance with the T&Cs agreed at the time of enrolment. Thank you for clearly communicating your intentions with as much forewarning as possible! Reach out to the Music Office (9745 7710) before the end of term if you have any questions.

Read on below for information about the many exciting performances, celebrations and recognition events still to come as we wrap up another remarkable year of music-making at the College!

See you at 5:00pm this Sunday for Celebration of Music!

Celebration of Music Concert

Our annual Celebration of Music Concert will take place this Sunday at 5:00pm in the magnificent Verbrugghen Hall at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. This annual end of year performance showcases is a much-loved part of our program calendar, and we look forward to sharing the breadth and excellence of music-making across the College in Semester 2, bringing our P-12 school together through our ensemble offerings in one of Sydney’s premier concert venues.

Just a handful of tickets remain. Families are encouraged to secure tickets and join us for this special occasion.

A reminder to all participating families to ensure permissions have been confirmed through TASS and that recent communications have been carefully read, as they contain important rehearsal, performance and logistical information.

Open Recital Series Finale

Our final Open Recital for the year will be held on Friday 6 November at 3:45pm in Adams Holyrood. Throughout the year these recitals have provided students with valuable opportunities to develop confidence, refine performance skills and share their musical achievements with the wider community.

This concluding recital promises to be a wonderful celebration of individual growth and artistic accomplishment across the year.

Mentored Rock Band – debut performances!

One of the highlights of Term 4 will be the debut performances of two of our Mentored Rock Bands alongside the Veteran Year 12 Rock Groups Boulevarde 27, the Year 12 CAS Band and the Stage Band! These student groups have spent the year developing collaborative rehearsal skills, performance techniques and ensemble musicianship under the guidance of experienced mentors! Keep your eye out during lunchtimes for their pop-up concerts!

Co-curricular Awards Night

The College Co-curricular Awards Night on 12 November will feature performances by our Taiko Drummers and a selected Chamber Ensemble, celebrating both musical excellence and student participation across the College. In addition to the Awards Night for Years 7-12, Gioia House and Del Monte will have their own awards presentations in special assemblies with information to be communicated to parents from the Sports office soon.

From this year, music ensemble participation will contribute to the College’s existing Co-curricular participation recognition framework – with music involvement now helping students achieve Red, Black and Platinum Participation Awards. In addition, students who have achieved significant milestones within Diploma accreditation or auditioned national/international performance opportunities will be formally recognised for these outstanding achievements.

In addition, a new recognition framework will also be launched for our program within the St Cecilia Music Awards – seeking to honour some of the values that sustain musical excellence. A student from each consecutive year will be recognised with an award for perseverance, dedication, passion, collaboration, innovation and service – in recognising this broader journey of learning.

Del Monte and Gioia House Music Showcases

As we wrap up our Music Curriculum activities for the year in Curriculum Instrumental lessons, classroom and choral time, parents and friends are warmly invited to join Del Monte and Gioia House students for a special sharing time – as they take pride in conveying all they have learnt in Music in 2026!  Join us in the times below!

Del Monte Music Showcase (DM Rotunda)

Monday 16 November | 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Gioia House Music Showcase (SS Hall)

Wednesday 18 November | 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Advent Carols Service

Our year will conclude with one of the most cherished events on the College calendar, the Advent Carols Service, at 6:30pm on Monday 30 November.

This annual gathering promises once again to be a wondrous and sacred occasion as our community pauses to reflect upon the year that has been. Through music, prayer and reflection, we will celebrate the Advent season together, giving thanks for our shared accomplishments and preparing to enter the summer break with gratitude and hope.

We warmly invite all members of our College community to join us for this special evening.

Amy Richardson
Director of Music P–12

Director of Sport and Co-curricular

Sport, spirit and success: a remarkable season of achievement

The College community has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season, with students embracing a diverse range of sporting and co-curricular opportunities while achieving success at local, state, national and even international levels.

From weekly interschool competitions and representative sport to Debating, Public Speaking and club activities, our students continue to demonstrate commitment, resilience, teamwork and excellence in everything they do.

Hundreds of students in action

The commencement of weekly interschool sport has brought excitement and energy across the College, with teams proudly representing Santa in a variety of competitions.

Our secondary students have taken to the field, pool and courts in the IGSA competition with:

• one Water Polo team
• eight Tennis teams
• eight Touch Football teams.

Our Years 3-6 students have also begun their IPSHA season strongly, competing in:

• five girls’ Basketball teams
• two boys’ Basketball teams
• two Tennis teams.

Volleyball continues to flourish across the College. This season, Santa has entered:

• 10 non-representative teams
• all five representative teams.

Adding to this impressive participation, the College is coordinating a major Volleyball competition involving more than 160 teams, showcasing our commitment to providing high-quality sporting opportunities for young athletes.

Meanwhile, Tuesday evenings have seen nine teams from Years 4-10 competing enthusiastically in the IWNA Spring Netball Competition.

Celebrating Student Excellence

Our students continue to achieve remarkable success beyond the College gates.

Charlotte McCarthy (Year 8)

Charlotte placed second in her age group in the 5km event at the Queensland Open Water Championships on the Sunshine Coast.

Honey Kim (Year 10)

Honey delivered an exceptional performance in golf, winning first Nett in the Girls 15 Years Division with an outstanding score of -7. She also finished ninth in her age division and ranked among the top 15 female competitors overall.

Anastasha Harris (Year 10)

Anastasha represented NSW at the U15 Water Polo National State Championships, helping her team secure a silver medal. Her outstanding performances earned her selection in the Australian U16 Development Squad.

Faith Ata (Year 9)

Faith competed against leading university teams in Japan before helping the Australian Next Gen U16 team secure tournament victory.

Isabella Shiner (Year 8)

At the National Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships on the Gold Coast, Isabella achieved:

• First Place Freehand
• Second Place Clubs
• Third Place Ball
• Second Place Team All-Round

An exceptional national-level performance.

Freya Ingwersen (Year 8)

We also congratulate Freya on her outstanding success at the National Road Championships on the Sunshine Coast. Competing against the nation’s best cyclists, she claimed Silver in the Individual Time Trial, finished 4th in the Road Race and placed 10th in the Criterium.

A remarkable achievement reflecting hard work, resilience and dedication to her sport.

Aerobics Gymnastics success on the national and world stage

Chloe and Willow Lai (Year 10)

Representing the College at the AeroSchools National Championships, Chloe and Willow won Silver in the Upper Secondary Multiples Division.

Chloe and Willow Lai (Year 10) and Mina Ju (Year 11)

The talented trio then represented Australia at the Aerobic Gymnastics Junior World Championships and World Youth Competitions in Pamplona, Spain, where they secured an outstanding Silver Medal in the Junior Aerobic Dance Team event.

Volleyball program reaches new heights

Volleyball continues to be one of the College’s fastest-growing and most successful sports.

Congratulations to our Year 10 Representative Team (SAN02), who captured Gold at the VNSW Schools Cup Championships, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and determination over the two-day tournament.

Adding to the celebrations, SAN01 (Year 11) claimed Gold at the Volleyball NSW State Cup in the Girls U19 Division, an outstanding achievement against some of the strongest teams in the state.

Success continued at the recent CGSSSA Volleyball Tournament:

• Gold – Senior Team (Year 11)
• Bronze – Intermediate Team (Year 9)
• 4th Place – Junior A Team
• 5th Place – Junior B Team

These results are a testament to the strength, depth and dedication of our volleyball program.

Rugby Union recognition

Phoebe Clarke

Phoebe received well-deserved recognition for her talent and commitment, earning selection in both:

• NSW Junior Rugby Union Development XV Under 14 Girls
• NSW Junior Rugby Union Barbarians XV Under 14 Girls

An outstanding achievement and a wonderful opportunity to represent rugby at an elite level.

Success beyond the sporting arena

The College continues to shine in Debating and Public Speaking.

At the IGSA Festival of Speech, Santa finished 10th overall among more than 20 participating schools, a fantastic achievement in a highly competitive field.

Special congratulations to Willow Harris, Harriet Hoogland and Annie Cordony-Jones, who delivered an outstanding performance to win the Ethical and Religious Speaking Section.

A thriving co-curricular culture

Participation in sport and co-curricular activities remains stronger than ever, reflecting the vibrant and inclusive culture of the College.

This term alone, there have been 541 registrations across sporting and co-curricular programs, including:

• Athletics
• Boxing
• Fencing
• Fit Club
• Mandarin
• Strength and Conditioning
• Various programs across both campuses.

Importantly, these figures do not include participation in the Del Monte Clubs, meaning the overall level of student engagement is even higher.

Every registration represents a student choosing to challenge themselves, develop new skills, build friendships and contribute to the rich life of the College. Whether competing on the international stage, speaking before an audience, or participating in a weekly club, our students continue to embody the values of commitment, courage, excellence and community.

We congratulate all students, coaches, staff and families whose dedication and support make these achievements possible. The future of Sport and Co-curricular life at the College has never looked brighter.

Mr Luiz Ramalho
Director of Sport & Activities P–12

From the P&F Association

Term 4 is flying past! It may be the shortest term, but it’s certainly the busiest in the school calendar.

As you may be aware, Alissa Hunter, our Vice President – Senior, stepped down from her position earlier than anticipated. We called for nominations from our community to fill the role, and Kathleen Margi put her name forward. As there were no other nominations, Mrs Brooks, Principal, declared Kathleen elected as VP Senior at the P&F Executive Committee Meeting on Monday 26 October 2026. Congratulations, Kathleen – we are very excited to be working with you in your new role.

Annual General Meeting

We warmly invite you to join us for the P&F Annual General Meeting.

Date: Wednesday 11 November at 6:30pm (including drinks and canapés, hosted by Mrs Brooks)
Location: Benincasa, Secondary Campus, Santa Sabina College

Four positions are open for election. Please see below.

Election of Office Holders

An election for the following positions on the P&F Executive will be held at the AGM:

1. Secretary
2. Treasurer
3. Assistant Communications
4. Social Coordinator (Gioia House)

We are seeking nominations for the roles above. If you or someone you know would like to be nominated for one of these positions, please complete the Nomination Form below. Nominations for all roles listed above will be accepted up to and during the AGM.

During the meeting, we will hear from our Guest Speaker Ali Piccone, Head of Creative Arts at St Lucy’s and a current Santa Sabina parent. Ali will share insights into St Lucy’s and its partnership with Santa Sabina. 

Mrs Brooks will also be hosting drinks to say thank you to our 2026 P&F volunteers – all are welcome.

Colour Fun Run – this Friday!

This Friday is the most anticipated day of the year for our Primary students. The Colour Fun Run is going to be fun, loud, messy and colourful!

Thank you to our amazing community for getting behind the event – you have been incredibly generous in so many ways. We are still a little short of our $30,000 goal, so we ask you to dig deep and donate a little more to help us get there. All funds raised will go towards the cost of installing air conditioning across the College.

We look forward to seeing all our parents there on Friday from 1:45pm.

Jumana Commisso
P&F President

Past events

Kindy in the Jungle

Our Kindergarten families came together at Jungle Buddies in Five Dock for a fun-filled family social event! The children enjoyed a high-energy session of climbing, exploring and bouncing their way through the exciting indoor play space, with plenty of laughter and smiles along the way.

Strikes, Smiles and Year 2 Fun!

Some of our Year 2 families hit the lanes for a fantastic bowling night filled with friendly competition, plenty of excitement and lots of cheering! From impressive strikes to some unexpected gutter balls, every roll brought smiles and laughter. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to spend time together outside the classroom.

Upcoming Events

🌈 Colour Fun Run 🌈

IT’S ON TOMORROW – FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER

Get ready for a day of colour, laughter and unforgettable fun! Our annual Colour Fun Run is back, bringing students, parents and staff together for an explosion of colourful happiness. Expect plenty of running, cheering and colourful chaos as we come together to raise thousands of dollars for our school fundraising initiatives.

There’s still time to register and donate. All participating students must make a minimum donation of $10 which goes towards supporting our school and brings us closer to our $30,000 target.

Got some spare time to help out? Please join our volunteer WhatsApp group!

(https://chat.whatsapp.com/J2sfmz8mOou8t3FwKE9Kh9?s=cl&p=i&mlu=4&ilr=4&iam=2)

Year Group Catch Ups

As the year wraps up there are some wonderful year group celebrations planned. Please RSVP via the polls in your Year Group Whatsapp chat.

Year 6 and Year 4 Celebration Dinners

12th Annual Kopanang Christmas Market

Save the date!

Join us for the much-loved Kopanang Christmas Market, featuring a beautiful collection of contemporary, handmade gifts created by talented artisans from the Kopanang community in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Friday 20 November | 12:00 noon–8:00pm Official Opening by Mrs Elizabeth Brooks, at 5:30pm.
Saturday 21 November | 9:00am–3:00pm

Come along, find unique Christmas gifts, and support a community making a real difference.

Kopanang in Johannesburg South Africa has been supported by Santa Sabina for over 20 years. Since 2001 Kopanang has nurtured members to blossom into talented artisans to create contemporary and unique handmade items to sell. Earning income is vital for survival, self-determination and building a brighter future.

Kopanang is a faith community that supports itself in the best and worst times, it is a place of support where stories, faith and joy are shared – and lives are transformed through healing and hope.  

Your continued support is gratefully welcomed.

If you are unable to attend and wish to purchase giving cards, wine orders or any products, please email Stacey.Bannon@outlook.com

If you care to make a donation towards 2026 fundraising goals please see below details.

Bendigo Bank
Kopanang Friends Global
BSB 633 000
Account number 158 380 204

Please add your name and ‘donation’ as a reference.

Stacey, Toni and Sr Sheila
Kopanang Friends Group

Empower Night2 for Eucharist28

Together in Faith and Mission

I have called you by name, you are mine.
– Isaiah 43:1

Our staff began Term 4 with a day to pause, connect and put faith into action.

From prayer and reflection in nature to preparing meals and hampers for people facing hardship, our Staff Spirituality Day offered opportunities to deepen our faith and serve our wider community.

We also honoured the lives and legacy of our Dominican Sisters, connecting their example of compassion and service with our shared purpose today.

One group of staff participated in a Spirituality Day titled ‘Where Grace Grows’. The day offered a valuable opportunity to pause, step away from the busyness of school life and nurture our spiritual wellbeing through prayer, reflection and a renewed awareness of God’s presence in the world around us.

Reflection from Mrs Tina Nicotina, Religious Education Co-ordinator P-6:

Our day began at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney, where we enjoyed a guided tour of the Mary MacKillop Museum. We learnt more about the life, faith and enduring legacy of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, whose commitment to education, service and care for those in need continues to inspire us in our work as educators. We also had the opportunity to visit her tomb and spend time in quiet reflection.

Following our morning visit, we travelled to Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden in Lavender Bay, where we enjoyed lunch surrounded by the beauty and tranquillity of the garden. This peaceful setting provided an opportunity to pause, reflect and appreciate the wonder of God’s creation. We were invited to consider the message of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ and reflect on our shared responsibility to care for our common home.

We concluded our day with a liturgy, bringing together our reflections, prayers and experiences. It was a meaningful opportunity to strengthen our sense of community, nurture our spiritual wellbeing and return to our school community feeling refreshed and renewed in our mission.

The day reminded us that God’s presence can be discovered in the stories of those who have gone before us, in the relationships we share with others and in the beauty of the natural world. We returned with a renewed appreciation of our Dominican tradition and our shared calling to live out our faith through compassion, service and care for all creation.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who participated in Where Grace Grows. I am grateful for your openness to prayer, reflection and shared experiences, which made the day a meaningful opportunity for us to nurture our faith, strengthen our sense of community and recognise God’s presence in the world around us.

Support St Lucy’s

Please join us in supporting our friends at St Lucy’s as they raise funds to Tnd proceeds will go towards supporting the transport for our Central Coast students to and from school. 

his is a great end of year Christmas raffle with great prizes a

Get job ready – Burwood Library