{"id":21579,"date":"2026-08-04T11:31:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T01:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/?post_type=article&p=21579"},"modified":"2026-08-06T12:07:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T02:07:46","slug":"head-of-primary-p-6-36","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/article\/head-of-primary-p-6-36\/","title":{"rendered":"Head of Primary P-6"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.<\/em>
\u2014 Proverbs 3:13<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

If the first three weeks of Term 3 are anything to go by, we are in for a term of wonder, wisdom and no small amount of well-earned pride. Our Primary students have been busy proving that faith, intellect and spirit are very much alive and well in our school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last Friday, staff, students and families gathered together to celebrate St Dominic’s Feast Day, honouring the founder of the Order whose motto To praise, To bless, To preach<\/em> continues to shape everything we do within these walls. The Mass was a moving reminder that our school is, first and foremost, a community of faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day carried extra significance this year, doubling as the formal commissioning of our new College Principal, Mrs Elizabeth Brooks. There is something rather fitting about a new leader being commissioned on the feast of a saint so devoted to truth-seeking and service \u2013 a symbolic passing of the torch that set the tone for the years ahead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arriving on time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A gentle reminder to all families about the importance of arriving at school on time each morning, with students ideally arriving before 8:25am. Punctuality sets the tone for a positive and successful school day. Students who arrive on time have the chance to settle in calmly, greet their friends and enjoy those valuable moments of social connection before the bell rings. Arriving promptly also means students are present for important morning announcements and organisational information, helping them start the day informed and prepared. Most importantly, every minute in the classroom counts: latecomers miss out on the very beginning of lessons, where new concepts are introduced and instructions are given, making it harder to catch up and fully engage with the learning that follows. We thank all our families for their support in helping our students arrive before 8:25am, ready and eager to make the most of every school day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching minds how to wonder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the students were still finding their feet after the holidays, our staff were hard at work sharpening their own. In Week 1, the entire teaching team engaged in a critical thinking workshop with Dr Philip Cam, one of the world’s foremost voices in philosophical inquiry for children. The centrepiece of the day was deceptively simple: the difference between Should<\/em> and Could<\/em> questions. Could<\/em> questions fling open the door to possibility \u2013 what might be true, what might be tried, what might be imagined. Should<\/em> questions are more serious ones, wrestling with values, ethics and what ought to be done. Learning to tell the two apart and to ask each at the right moment is a skill that will quietly reshape classroom conversations, as teachers guide students not just to answer questions, but to ask better ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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100 days of Kindergarten<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Kindergarten, milestones come in smaller but no less mighty numbers. Our youngest learners marked their 100th Day of Kindergarten in style, celebrating ‘100 Days Brighter’ with all the enthusiasm you would expect from five-year-olds who have just realised they can count that high. It was a joyful, colourful celebration of just how far our littlest members of school have come since their very first day at school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Champions in spirit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the sporting front, our Gioia House Soccer team gave us plenty to be proud of. Their run to the final of the Sydney Championship was no accident, but the product of a season’s worth of early training, disciplined practice and players who showed up for one another match after match. Finishing as runners-up is a mark of real dedication: this group listened, learned and lifted each other up, turning individual effort into genuine team strength. Congratulations to the team and their coaches on a successful season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Grandparents Day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today, Del Monte was filled with warmth and joy as we welcomed over two hundred grandparents to celebrate Grandparents Day. This year’s theme, ‘I will never forget you<\/em>‘ (Is 49:15), chosen by Pope Leo XIV for the Sixth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to reflect God’s unfailing love for every person, even in the fragility of old age. It set the tone for a day of reflection on the quiet strength and enduring love grandparents so often embody. The celebration was brought to life by choir, string ensemble and poetry performances that reflected the love students have for their special family members. Smiles, laughter and a few happy tears filled the space as students’ presentations shone through in every song and step. Grandparents Day is more than an event; it’s a celebration of love that bridges generations and a reminder that hope is alive and well in the bonds we cherish most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gioia House Semester 1 Academic Awards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Week 1, we came together at our Awards Assembly to celebrate the achievements of our Semester 1 Academic Award recipients. These students have shown consistent effort, curiosity and a genuine love of learning across a range of disciplines, and their commitment to personal excellence, perseverance and growth is a true credit to their character. It is also a reflection of the dedicated teaching and supportive learning environment that make such growth possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also congratulate our Gioia House captains, Lina D\u2019Arrigo and Jesicca Princi, who delivered inspiring speeches reflecting on what contributed to their success \u2013 a wonderful insight into the values and effort behind their achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

YEAR 5<\/strong>
Alissa Amiouni \u2013 PDHPE
Ashley Chow \u2013 Music
Eloise Crisafulli \u2013 English, Mathematics, HSIE, Science & Technology, PDHPE
Celine Daher   \u2013 Religious Education, Drama
Irina Gao \u2013 Music
Anabella Gomez \u2013 Languages
Ahana Gupta \u2013 Science & Technology 
Kianna Lai \u2013 HSIE, Drama, Languages
Kaylee Liu \u2013 Music
Valentina Macri \u2013 English, Religious Education
Charly Merhi \u2013 PDHPE, Languages, Drama
Evelyn Metledge \u2013 Mathematics
Michaela Nguyen \u2013 Mathematics, Religious Education, Science & Technology
Soraya Ronsisvalle-Obaid \u2013 English, Religious Education
Sophia Tadros \u2013 Religious Education
Ivy Wilson \u2013 Drama
Audrey Wong \u2013 English, Mathematics, HSIE, Science & Technology, Languages
Samantha Wu \u2013 HSIE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Action Girl Pastoral Awards<\/strong>
Romey Dib 
Alana Tannous 
Sophie Tsoukatos
Hannah Yoo <\/p>\n\n\n\n

YEAR 6<\/strong>
Margaux Anderson \u2013 PDHPE
Mia Bogovic \u2013 English, Mathematics, Religious Education, Science & Technology
Alana Boumelhem \u2013 Visual Arts
Grace Calcagno \u2013 Languages
Soopia Chang \u2013 Science & Technology
Ariane Cutrupi \u2013 PDHPE
Lina D\u2019Arrigo \u2013 Religious Education
Alexis Djordjevic \u2013 Mathematics
Olivia Gan \u2013 Science & Technology
Scarlett Ghossein \u2013 HSIE
Riha Han \u2013 Visual Art and Music
Amara Jeyaganesh \u2013 English
Madalena Khoury \u2013 PDHPE
Romee Lee \u2013 Visual Arts
Aria Leung \u2013 Mathematics
Amelia Lin \u2013 Music
Marie Metledge \u2013 HSIE
Jessica Princi \u2013 English, HSIE
Niamh Quinn \u2013 Mathematics, Science & Technology, Languages
Marley Seeto \u2013 Languages
Jennifer Stanton \u2013 Religious Education, English, HSIE
Khalessi Staveris \u2013 Visual Arts
Amelia Tan \u2013 PDHPE
Laura Touma \u2013 Religious Education
Lydia Wang \u2013 Music  
Natalie Wong \u2013 Languages
Emily Zanella \u2013 Music<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Action Girl Pastoral Awards<\/strong>
Mia Li
Jasmine Nguyen
Marley Seeto
Natalie Wong <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gioia House \u2013 IPSHA Debating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A word of praise for our most eloquent speakers. Our Debating team faced Loreto Kirribilli in the fourth round of the IPSHA Debating competition and came away victorious in both debates. Whether arguing for or against, our debaters continue to demonstrate the very skills \u2014 questioning, reasoning and making a case with both logic and conviction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vex Robotics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a genuine first for our school, our Years 3\u20136 VEX Robotics teams competed in the opening round of competition at Trinity College. As a brand new initiative, there was no roadmap and no guaranteed outcome \u2014 only curious minds, some wiring, a great deal of trial and error, and a team of students willing to give it their all. They embraced the challenge with real enthusiasm and commitment. Congratulations to all students and a heartfelt thank you to Mr Wang and our parent volunteers, Mr Lin and Mr Wong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View photos and more details in Mr Wang’s article.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Interacting with Commonwealth Games Athletes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gioia House and Del Monte students enjoyed the delightful experience of interviewing Comonwealth Games athletes for broadacasting on YouTube. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read more here.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A sincere thank you to our staff, students, families and grandparents for making these first three weeks so special. We look forward to all that Term 3 still has in store for us.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs Stella Azizian<\/strong>
Head of Primary P\u20136<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CALENDAR EVENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Veritas Online<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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For detailed information about forthcoming College events, please refer to the communications sent directly to families via email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important dates for Del Monte and Gioia House:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Monday 3 August \u2013 Friday 7 August \u2013 Del Monte Book Fair<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Friday 7 August \u2013 Gala Dinner<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Monday 10 August \u2013 Healthy Harold Incursion begins<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Thursday 13 August \u2013 GH Children\u2019s Kindness Convention<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Tuesday 18 August \u2013 Fathers Day Stall Wrapping<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wednesday 19 \u2013 Friday 21 August \u2013 Year 5 Outdoor Education Experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Thursday 20 August \u2013 DM Assembly<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wednesday 26 August \u2013 Discovery Tour<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Thursday 27 August \u2013 Sport and co-curricular Photos K\u20136<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Friday 28 August \u2013 Book character Parade<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Monday 31 August \u2013 GH Father’s Day Stall<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Tuesday 1 September \u2013 DM Father’s Day Stall<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wednesday 2 September \u2013 DM Stage 2 Football Gala Day<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Thursday 3 September \u2013 Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Tuesday 8 September \u2013 Junior Ethics Olympiad<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wednesday 9 September \u2013 DM Stage 3 Football Gala Day<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Thursday 10 September \u2013 Year 3 Incursion<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Friday 11 September \u2013 DM Outreach \u2013 Crazy Sock Day<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wednesday 16 \u2013 Friday 18 September \u2013 Canberra\/Year 6 Outdoor Education Experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Thursday 24 September \u2013 Term 3 concludes P\u20136<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Friday 25 September \u2013 PTS Interviews P\u20136<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.\u2014 Proverbs 3:13 If the first three weeks of Term 3 are anything to go by, we are in for a term of wonder, wisdom and no small amount of well-earned pride. Our Primary students have been busy proving that faith, intellect and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":766,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","article_category":[3],"article_tag":[],"class_list":["post-21579","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article_category-highlights"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/21579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21579"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"article_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_category?post=21579"},{"taxonomy":"article_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/ssc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article_tag?post=21579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}