Gioia House

Tallong

where fun builds confidence and strength of character

WATCH COLLEGE PRINCIPAL PAULINA SKERMAN’S VIDEO INTRODUCTION TO TALLONG CAMPUS

I had an amazing outdoor experience and absolutely loved the food. My favourite activity was the flying fox because it was fun and it helped me overcome my fears. When I faced challenges, I took a deep breath and tried my hardest and I ended up going on the flying fox over the dam.

These are the words of Year 6 student Ivy Esber after Year 6 camp in May this year.

Our stunning outdoor education campus, Tallong, in regional NSW, is 97 hectares of rejuvenating and challenging bush experiences and beauty – the perfect backdrop for students’ social and emotional development. Encouraging children to connect with the natural world has been more important than ever in times of lockdown and pandemic.

Time in the outdoors at Tallong allows our students to challenge themselves and build their cooperation, openness and curiosity while also having fun with friends away from home. Our outdoor education program pushes them beyond personal limits to develop strength of character, confidence and a new awareness of their personal capabilities and potential.

In Terms 1 and 2, year groups from Santa Sabina were able to make good use of the facilities which had been revived after the breaking of the long NSW drought. Along with kayaking and mountain bike riding, there was the flying fox and the ropes courses to challenge and excite the girls.

Sierra Sparrow told Encompass her favourite activity was mountain bike riding:

‘Before we started this activity I was unsure if I could still ride a bike and even be able to even get on the bike because I hadn’t ridden a bike in two years and never one with gears’, she said.

‘This also made me improve my confidence and I was able to help out my fellow peers. I’m very happy that I received the opportunity to do this fun activity!’

Generations of Santa students tell us that Tallong is ‘their place’. When our COVID restrictions lift we look forward to sharing it again with more of our students, for unforgettable experiences that will set them up, with new confidence and resilience, to face life’s ups and downs.

TALLONG HAS A NEW WEBSITE. HAVE A LOOK HERE ➥ tallong.ssc.nsw.edu.au

Music from around world

In June we celebrated music from around the world in a jubilant gala concert at the Sydney Town Hall. The sell-out concert featured performances from 500 students, staff and guest artists and included the world première of a new piece, Aihtifal, by our accomplished ex-student composer Elizabeth Younan (Class of 2011).

Musical performance is one of Santa Sabina’s key strengths as we believe that it unites us, it makes us happy, and research also suggests it makes us smarter, more social, calmer, prouder, more confident, patient, resilient, disciplined and creative. All students in the Primary Years learn at least one instrument and all our musical students are inspired by our music staff to perform at great heights and lift spirits.

The entire concert, Music from Around the World, can be viewed on our YouTube channel – https:// youtu.be/YlgknzNy6RI and https:// youtu.be/wvK1qsU5glk.

Opposite page top left: Danielle Abbott, Primary Years Music Coordinator, conducts the Yr 3-4 Siena Singers. This page top right: Artistic Director Timothy Chung. Other photos: the students of Santa Sabina College’s ensembles, choirs and Symphony Orchestra.

WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO OF CONCERT HIGHLIGHTS