THE MAGAZINE OF THE SANTA SABINA COLLEGE COMMUNITY
December 2023
ENCOMPASS 2023 EDITOR Victoria Harper DESIGNER Liza Chow PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Walker COVER IMAGE Our inaugural Fra Angelico Festival held in November 2023 included a spectacular light show. CONTRIBUTORS George Ayoub • Stella Azizian Drew Babbage • Debbie Bachmann Jackie Baxter • Vicki Cummins Joseph Gittani • Yvette Graniero Kendal Hann • Victoria Harper Marisa Maks • Simon Mariner Elizabeth Pooley • Giovanni Portelli Paulina Skerman • Jane Sulis Melanie van der Meer • Brian Walker Lyn Zivic • Brigida Zagora Encompass is published by Santa Sabina College 90 The Boulevarde Strathfield 2135. The entire content is the exclusive copyright of Santa Sabina College, PHONE 9745 7000 WEBSITE ssc.nsw.edu.au Established in 1894, Santa Sabina College, an independent Catholic school, educates students to achieve personal excellence, act with justice and compassion, and embrace the future with an optimistic global vision. The College is co-educational from Prep to Year 4 and girls only from Year 5 to Year 12.
B
ENCOMPASS December 2023
I am so proud to present this issue of Encompass, the magazine of the Santa Sabina College community. It has been a very full year of learning, joy and community activities encompassing music, service, celebration, overseas travel, prayer, new initiatives and facilities. Our eight hectares in Strathfield and our 97 in the glorious bush setting of Tallong in regional NSW have been the backdrop for individual and community growth. Our Dominican Sisters, staff, parents, friends and students from babies to Year 12 have enjoyed a bright and productive year of achievements and strong wellbeing. Two of our ex-students (one also a current member of staff) have even been recognised by the Order of Australia. We have been well supported by the engagement and hard work of our Parents and Friends’ and Ex-Students’ Associations who gather our families and strengthen our community. Enjoy the community highlights presented in this magazine – testament to our College as a leader in holistic education, one that values discerning scholarship, the pursuit of excellence and one that educates the heart. Paulina Skerman College Principal
CONTENTS PURSUING EXCELLENCE – OUR COLLEGE PRINCIPAL...................................... 2 GALA CONCERT..................................................................................................... 4 FEAST DAY CELEBRATIONS – FOR OUR PATRON SAINT.................................... 6 FRA ANGELICO FESTIVAL...................................................................................... 8 WORLD YOUTH DAY – AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME................................... 12 EDUCATIONAL PODCAST – SHARING OUR KNOWLEDGE................................ 13 TALLONG – OUR OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMPUS.......................................... 14 A HOLISTIC EDUCATION – FOR HEART & SOUL................................................ 15 ANZAC DAY........................................................................................................... 15 SPORT – THE YEAR’S HIGHLIGHTS.................................................................... 16 A DOMINICAN TRADITION – SUPPORTING YEAR 12......................................... 19 LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT....................................................................... 20 WE WILL SHAKE THE WORLD............................................................................. 22 STUDENT INNOVATION – INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION............................... 24 TECHNICAL & APPLIED SCIENCES – NEW FACILITIES...................................... 26 SCIENTISTS WITHIN AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY............................................ 27 NEW WAYS OF LEARNING................................................................................... 28 SERVICE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.......................................................................... 29 GIOIA HOUSE – YEARS 5 & 6............................................................................... 30 SANTA MARIA DEL MONTE – PRIMARY YEARS................................................. 32 MARY BAILEY HOUSE – EARLY EDUCATION CENTRE....................................... 34 WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FAMILIES............................................ 36 AROUND THE PLOT – EX-STUDENTS’ NEWS.................................................... 38 ENCOMPASS December 2023
1
PURSUING EXCELLENCE – OUR COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
PRINCIPAL of the Year
S
anta Sabina College is proud to announce that College Principal, Ms Paulina Skerman was shortlisted as Principal of the Year in the Australian Education Awards 2023. This prestigious award – Excellence Awardee – recognises Ms Skerman’s exceptional leadership and the impact she has made on all facets of our community since her appointment four years ago. Paulina Skerman leads our College community with optimism and an unwavering commitment to the education, care and wellbeing of all members of the College community. Despite all of the challenges faced in recent years, she has led with distinction and under her visionary approach our College is flourishing with student enrolments increasing and exceptional academic results seeing our school maintain its standing in the top 50 NSW schools while also growing the International Baccalaureate Diploma
2
ENCOMPASS December 2023
PURSUING EXCELLENCE – OUR COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
Programme. Key to the school’s academic success is the attraction and retention of exceptional staff. Importantly, creating an environment where everyone belongs and feels valued is a key feature of Paulina’s leadership.
created to actively support parents in understanding their children and strengthening relationships. The series shares advice from experts and insights from students and staff in discussion with Paulina.
Paulina’s commitment to student wellbeing is recognised through our purposeful, data driven and widely supported ‘Santa Strong’ wellbeing program that prioritises relationships as a key factor in building a healthy community where children can learn effectively. Paulina is dedicated to nurturing young people to be world-ready, articulate and intelligent with courageous hearts, who are confident and strong enough to lead a better world.
Her commitment to an education that develops the whole person has seen her further strengthen our extensive cocurricular program to engage our students, keeping them active, healthy, stimulated and engaged.
Paulina recognises the need to engage in conversations with the intent to listen and to build unity. The podcast series Santa Dialogues is just one initiative of many that she has
Our community congratulates Paulina on undertaking to create an educational environment where every student thrives. This award recognises her belief that wellbeing is the foundation from which young people can achieve academic and personal success.
ENCOMPASS December 2023
3
HEADING – SUBHEADING
UNIQUE ARTISTIC VISION –
an entire concert dedicated to the work of women composers
4
ENCOMPASS December 2023
GALA CONCERT
O
ur 2023 Gala Concert, Sounds from Santa, shone the spotlight on women composers in a sell-out concert at Sydney Town Hall in June. The concert celebrated the rich heritage of Santa Sabina, featured 13 world premières including the work of student, staff and ex-student composers. The extraordinary evening was the culmination of the collective passion and work of our music staff, students and tutors. The original compositions of students, staff and ex-students included:
Illuminations Hannah Giles, Year 12
Four Minutes to September Julia McGann (Class of 2022)
Voces Praeludium Music Veronica Tsang, Santa Sabina staff Lyrics Ruby Bron, Year 12
Bang your Head to the Beat on the Drum Hannah Gaul and Grace Benedict, Year 10
Immerse Veronica Tsang, Santa Sabina staff
Reflexio Veritatis Jessica Filipovski, Year 12
Discography Ruby Bron, Year 12
Monos en la Luna (Monkeys on the Moon) Sophia Wong, Year 10
Arachne Antonia Touma, Year 12
Copy Cat Cordelia Highfield, Year 10
Sanctus Lucia Juarez, Year 11 and Elizabeth Younan (Class of 2011)
Free to Dream Isabella Petersen, Year 11
Forelsket Elise Armour, Year 11
Set the World on Fire Dedicated to every past, present and future member of Santa Sabina Elizabeth Younan (Class of 2011) Present in the audience were distinguished members of the music community including Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin, whose work was also performed. The performers included 600 students from Primary and Secondary Years and staff. ENCOMPASS December 2023
5
DOM’S DAY AND SANTA FEST
O
ur St Dominic’s Day celebration on Friday 28 July was a joyous occasion with the spirit of community taking on a contagious air throughout the day.
Our theme this year was ‘share your light with the world’ – Dominic was a man whose life was strongly marked by light. St Dominic received the light, lived in the light, and gave the light to the world through his new Order. Together as a Mary Bailey House to Year 12 community of students, staff, Dominican Sisters, parents, ex-students and even former staff, we were able to celebrate the moment of the birth of the Dominican Order and to consider the way this light has blazed through the centuries and still inspires who we are as a Dominican Community in Strathfield in 2023.
6
ENCOMPASS November 2023
FEAST DAY CELEBRATIONS – FOR OUR PATRON SAINT
Leading up to Dom’s Day was Santa Fest, where our Year 12 Student Leaders and House Captains, plus a band of enthusiastic Year 11 students, led our annual fundraising and fun activities to generate much needed funds for the Kopanang Community Trust in South Africa, where HIV/ AIDS affected women are empowered to learn new skills and support themselves and their families. Santa Sabina has supported this community for many years, and the amazing efforts of our Year 11 and 12 students and the support of the whole College means we are able to continue doing so. Santa Fest fundraising also supports the work of the Dominican Sisters in the Solomon Islands. Staff vs student Volleyball, busking, a pizza lunch, fairy floss and bake stall, teachers in uniform and the inaugural ‘throw a wet sponge’ at the teachers stall all provided community fun and enjoyment. It was a perfect opportunity for all of our students to let their light shine.
ENCOMPASS December 2023
7
HEADING – SUBHEADING
OUR INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY Fra Angelico Festival
O
ur inaugural Fra Angelico Festival was a unique way to celebrate and showcase the stunning work of our students in all artforms – visual, performance (music, drama and dance), fashion, design and textiles – against the backdrop of amazing and popular children’s activities, international eat street and the champagne lawn for adults. Marmalade made by members of the Ex-Students’ Association from the oranges of our famous Orange Tree was on sale and the Dominican Sisters sold beautiful handmade crafts in the Kopanang Christmas Market, supporting and empowering the
8
ENCOMPASS December 2023
women and children of Kopanang, South Africa. The children’s Silent Disco and the Lumination Labs activities were booked out and the light show on our heritage buildings was a rare and spectacular finish. Thousands came to the campus for an evening full of talent, joy, colour and community, provided by the Parents & Friends’ Association, the Ex-Students’ Association, the Kopanang Friends and the students and staff of the College. It was such a success on all levels and looks likely to become an annual event each November.
HEADING – SUBHEADING
ENCOMPASS December 2023
9
HEADING – SUBHEADING
10
ENCOMPASS December 2023
HEADING – SUBHEADING
ENCOMPASS December 2023
11
WORLD YOUTH DAY – AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME
Sydney Archibishop Anthony Fisher OP with Isabel Aunedi (left)
SANTA AT WORLD YOUTH DAY Responding to God’s call
I
n August, six Santa Sabina students and our Dean of Mission, Ryan Reyes, had the experience of a lifetime participating in the 16th International World Youth Day – the Catholic youth festival – in Lisbon, Portugal. Along with more than one and a half million other young Catholic pilgrims from around the world, Erin Allan, Antonia Abounajm, Lara Millward, Rochelle Dias, Isabel Aunedi and Sienna-Marie Maroun were inspired and nourished by their European trip which also included visits to sites of significance to our Patron Saint, St Dominic. In Lisbon, our pilgrims were joined by Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP who said, ‘World Youth Day highlights that God’s kingdom is for all humanity…so that we become Fratelli tutti, brothers, sisters, friends in Christ.’ The students were able listen to inspiring catechesis talks, celebrate Mass with the Archbishop in which Isabel read a Prayer of the Faithful, take up-close videos and photos of Pope Francis and pray the Stations of the Cross with hundreds and thousands of others.
12
ENCOMPASS December 2023
Towards the end of the week-long celebrations, our Santa pilgrims undertook a gruelling walk in the heat before sleeping under the stars at Lisbon’s Tejo Park. ‘We woke up to the beautiful sunrise and Pope Francis celebrated the final Mass for more than 1.5 million worshippers’, said Isabel afterwards. On retreat before returning to school, the students began by praying in the Shrine of Fatima, including the site of the apparitions, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and the Church of the Most Holy Trinity. They also participated in a candle light vigil with Santa Sabina alumni. World Youth Day was a great experience that will be cherished forever according to Isabel. ‘I am very fortunate to have gone on this pilgrimage – the wisdom and knowledge I have gained from this experience is more valuable than gold’.
EDUCATIONAL PODCAST – SHARING OUR KNOWLEDGE
SANTA DIALOGUES
The podcast to empower parents and children
S
anta Dialogues – our educational podcast series launched at the end of 2022 – has continued to resonate with listeners in 2023. The podcasts are demystifying some of the issues relevant to our students resulting in a positive impact on their learning, their wellbeing and their development. The first four episodes have covered • The Joy of Reading • Active Girls are Healthy Girls – Playing for Life • Making Big Trouble – Service, Social Justice and Advocacy • Music Makes the World Go Round. The series includes robust conversations among experts, staff and students. Listeners have been offered resources, tips and ideas for educating and empowering young people by those who educate, work with and understand them. In Episode 1, listeners hear about the importance of reading, ways that the College is building a reading culture and tips for parents on how to get their children hooked on reading. Students were delighted after this episode aired when a hot chocolate machine was installed for them in the library! Year 8’s weekly reading lessons now involve hot chocolates courtesy of the College. For students of all other years a gold coin is all they need to access this treat, especially popular on
cold mornings. There is one rule – the hot chocolate is an adjunct to reading a book! In the second episode the urgent need to engage girls in more active lifestyles is addressed. This episode highlights the ways in which we are working to engage students to form healthy habits for life by increasing their participation in sport and physical activities at Santa Sabina and how parents can be involved. (The College offers more than 20 co-curricular sports and supports our athletes through many pathways with some reaching national representation). In the third episode, panellists discuss how their commitment to social justice and care for our earth and its people drives them to act justly, take action and speak their truth. Santa Sabina students past and present are renowned for the humanitarian and social justice work they undertake as volunteers and in their professional lives. The fourth episode – Music Makes the World Go Round – explores the benefits of music education. Music has the power to enhance learning, improve wellbeing and bring joy. Santa Sabina College is renowned for its extensive music programs.
All podcasts are hosted by our College Principal Paulina Skerman who assembles a panel of experts from our College community together with staff and students in dialogue. Notable in the series has been the input of bestselling writer Melina Marchetta (author of Looking for Alibrandi and now on our Library staff), elite athlete Morgan Baxter (a College alumna), outstanding young composer Elizabeth Younan, an ex-student and our composer-in-residence and refugee advocate Sarah Dale (another alumna). All discuss the ways in which students can develop healthy habits and outlooks and work to benefit society as a whole. These panellists. speaking with students and staff, have inspired listeners from the College community and beyond, to help our students live their best lives. Santa Dialogues can be found on Spotify and on the College’s YouTube channel: @SantaSabinaCollege.
TALLONG – OUR OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMPUS
STRENGTHENING family connections
W
e held our inaugural Health and Harmony Mother Daughter weekend retreat at Tallong in May and it was a really beautiful event. The retreat was aimed at mothers and daughters from Years 6 to 8. Fifty mothers and daughters arrived at the campus for a weekend of yoga, basket weaving, embroidery, campfires, bushwalks, tree planting and insightful sessions from the author Madonna King on how to enhance connections between mothers and daughters. Loving connections were strengthened and it was a relaxing weekend with planned mindfulness activities and a rejuvenating time in the great outdoors. As always, the meals were delicious and our Chef Geoffrey created food for the soul as we sat about the fireplace sharing meals and sharing stories. Madonna King’s sessions on themes of friendship, confidence, communicating needs and feelings were thoroughly engaging and she drew upon her research with thousands of adolescents across Australia to highlight important issues for consideration.
14
ENCOMPASS December 2023
Our Tallong campus provided the perfect place to relax and connect. With little to no phone service and zero internet, the weekend proved an invaluable opportunity for our mothers and daughters to slow down, connect with each other and recharge. The weekend ended with a tree planting session where some playful metaphors were used to illustrate the raising of children. We need to prepare the soil for the sapling, fertilise it, nurture it, place guards and boundaries around it to protect it from the environment. We need to water it and tend to it. We also need to prune it back on occasion
and remove the weeds that can sometimes surround it. At some point the boundaries and guards need to be brought down, the stakes removed to help it stand tall. The sapling needs to be exposed to hardship, wind, rain, frost, otherwise it will not develop the grit, determination and resilience for it to thrive. So with these metaphors in mind, the mums and daughters chose a site on the campus to plant their tree and held a conversation with each other about what will nourish them going forward, and what will get in the way of them thriving.
A HOLISTIC EDUCATION – FOR HEART & SOUL
ANZAC DAY in the local community
A CO-CURRICULARS for all
T
he College’s co-curricular program has become something of a phenomenon, with dozens of voluntary activities on offer for the students before and after hours, as well as during lunchtimes.
One of the traditional activities early in the school year is the popular Co-curricular Expo which this year was held around Dom’s Plot. Students could sign up for activities including Dance Club, History Club, Superchefs, Global Politics, Model United Nations, Art Attack, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Environment Committee, Writers’ Club, CREATE and Social Justice Advocacy Club.
nzac Day is a significant national day and the College community commemoration was led by students studying IB History. The formal Commemoration Service was observed by our community through the College Assembly and included the Ode led by Molly Hoogland, The Last Post, one minute of silence for the fallen and Rouse played by our trumpeter Cordelia Highfield. As an inter-campus collaborative learning initiative, Year 11 IB History students worked with students from Gioia House to develop war poetry for an Anzac War Poetry Community Competition. Isla Choi’s poem was voted as outstanding and was included by Year 11 in the College commemoration. The Anzac Day Commemoration Service was reflective and an act of remembrance of those who have given all for their country and for others. Each year the students of Santa Sabina mark the important national holiday of Anzac Day at school in assembly as well as taking part in commemorations in the local community. At the Burwood Anzac Memorial on 25 April our College Captains solemnly laid a wreath in the Dawn Ceremony.
ENCOMPASS December 2023
15
SPORT – THE YEAR’S HIGHLIGHTS
SPORTS IN 2023 Aquathon, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Fit Club, Football, Futsal, Gymnastics (Artistic and Rythmic), Hockey, Netball, Rugby Sevens, Snowsports, Supersports (K-2), Swimming, Tennis, Touch Football, Triathlon, Volleyball and Water Polo.
Lily Stewart
OPPORTUNITIES TO EXCEL IN SPORT and to join a healthier lifestyle
A
t Santa Sabina College, we strive to provide the most positive experience in sport for our students from Prep to Year 12. We design our programs to make sport appealing to the students who want to further their skills and excel and to those who just want to join healthy practices and enlarge their social circle. We have a number of elite athletes who are supported by the College along their journeys, and given opportunities to represent their school, associations, state and country. In 2023 we were also very pleased with the number of students who had never played sport who joined for the first time and continued throughout the year. Fair Play, Commitment, Responsibility and Personal Excellence are the four pillars of all sports at the College. We endeavour to offer the highest quality of coaching by qualified professionals. We have developed a thorough training process for our coaches, which ensures our ex-students are upskilled and well equipped when coming back to take our teams to various competitions.
16
ENCOMPASS December 2023
COMPETITIONS IN 2023 Beyond the College events, our students participated in the following competitions: Catholic Girls Secondary Schools Sports Association (CGSSSA NSW), NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC), NSW All Schools and School Sport Australia in Secondary level. In Years 3-6 our students have the opportunity to compete in the Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 2 (Metropolitan) and Sydney Levels, Mackillop and NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (NSWPSSA). Santa Sabina College also takes part in Saturday Sport with the Independent Girls Schools Association (IGSA) in Secondary Level and for our Primary Students we join the competitions arranged by Independent Heads of Australia, NSW Branch (NSWIPSHA).
HEADING – SUBHEADING
Netball
Claudia Pickett
Volleyball
SNOWSPORTS Woowon Cho (Year 2) participated in the NSW State Snowsports Championships.
NETBALL
Ava Sinnott
Emma Wheadon
OTHER SPORTING HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: FOOTBALL Year 11 student Claudia Pickett represented NSW in Futsal and was selected to play for the CGSSSA Football team making it to the grand final of the NSWCCC tournament. Ava Sinnott in Year 6 played for the Mackillop team at the NSWPSSA tournament.
SSC 12 (Year 7) were crowned champions of their division in the ERNA Competition. Several teams made through to grand finals across Primary and Senior Schools competitions.
VOLLEYBALL The Representative Volleyball teams all had great success at the NSW Volleyball Schools Cup with a number of medals won (Year 8, SAN04, won two Gold medals consecutively undefeated). Year 7 student Wengxuan (Vivienne) Wang was selected in the NSW U14 team. Year 8 students Emily Morgan, Violet Addabbo and Mackenzie Bedford were selected for the NSW U15 team. Year 12 students Isabella Simurina and Izzy Cook won the NSW Beach Volleyball Schools Cup.
TENNIS
ATHLETICS
Santa Sabina College advanced four positions in the prestigious Tildesley Shield Tennis Championships run by IGSA.
Year 5 students Lilian Ayoub and Freya Ingwersen qualified for the NSW All Schools Athletics Carnival after outstanding performances at the Mackillop Athletics Carnival.
Ashley Duigenan (Year 6) was selected in the Mackillop Tennis Team playing at the NSW PSSA Tournament.
Caitlin Brennan (Year 10) and Janice Leelapatra (Year 12) placed second in the 400m hurdles and pole vaulting respectively in the NSW Junior Athletics Championships earning the right to represent the state at the National Championships.
Ashley Duigenan
Emma Wheadon (Year 12) participated in the NSW Australia Open U20 Track & Field Championships.
CROSS COUNTRY Emma Wheadon won Gold in the 18 years relay at the Australian Cross Country Championships where she represented NSW.
ENCOMPASS December 2023
17
SPORT – THE YEAR’S HIGHLIGHTS
COLLEGE SPORTS EVENTS IN 2023
Faith Ata
Touch Football
Basketball
Dance
DIVING Lucia Pappalardo (Year 10) competed in the NSWCCC Diving competition and came second in her age group – 15 years girls. She was selected to represent CCC at the NSW All Schools diving championships on 1-2 June.
GYMNASTICS Mina Ju (Year 8) was selected to represent Australia in the Aerobics Gymnastics World Cup Series in Portugal and Japan. She was also crowned the National Champion in the Australian Gymnastics Championships. India Matheson in Year 7 competed in the Australian Acrobatics Championships.
We held Swimming and Athletics Carnivals at Sydney Olympic Park and on campus. We also facilitated a Primary Cross Country Carnival on campus. The College also organised Sports Festivals for our littlest pupils from Mary Bailey House and Prep. The 2023 Sports Awards evening celebrated our students’ commitment and passion for sport and rewarded the high achievers and representative athletes. Our guest speaker and ex-student, Morgan Baxter (Class of 2011) shared her journey from Santa student to elite athlete, playing Water Polo for Australia. Our students had definitely taken inspiration during the evening’s Q & A session to continue with their lifelong sports endeavours.
DANCE Our competitive dance program grew this year with the involvement of more than 100 dancers across Years K-12. Our teams placed in 35 of 39 competitions. The College hosted a very successful CGSSSA Dance Championships where we won several medals, placing in the top three of different sections.
BASKETBALL The SAN03 team (Years 8 and 9) won their division in the IGSA Basketball Competition.
RUGBY SEVENS Faith Ata of Year 6 played in the Mackillop Rugby Sevens side – the first girl to be selected to the team.
TOUCH FOOTBALL Year 7 SAN05 won their division at the IGSA Competition and our Junior School Years 5 and 6 team was undefeated throughout the IPSHA Competition in Term 3. They have shown a great deal of support for one another and great sportsmanship each game.
WATER POLO Armani Jamieson (Year 11) was selected to the Water Polo Australia Cadet Squad Born ‘07.
TRIATHLON Annika Ingwersen (Year 11) competed in the NSW State All Schools Seniors Division coming in sixth and represented NSW in the Davenport Nationals in March.
18
ENCOMPASS December 2023
Annika Ingwersen
A DOMINICAN TRADITION – SUPPORTING YEAR 12
PRAYER COMPANIONS for Year 12
O
ur annual Sisters Morning Tea is a special tradition for our Year 12 students as they near the end of their schooling. It is an opportunity for them to meet with the Dominican Sister who has been their prayer companion during the year and thank them for their care and support. We are grateful for the impact our Sisters continue to have on the lives of our students. On behalf of the Prayer Companions, Sr Jill Shirvington OP said they were all expressing confidence in the students and giving them ‘a word of hope’ that the Dominican pillars of Prayer, Study, Community and Service will continue to shape their lives.
The students said how comforting and interesting it was to get to know their Prayer Companion at morning tea, ahead of their final exams. Scan the QR Code on this page for video highlights.
ENCOMPASS December 2023
19
HEADING – SUBHEADING
STUDENT LEADERS for 2023/24
I
n Term 3 Ms Skerman was delighted to announce our new College Leaders for the Class of 2024. Humility, intelligence, kindness, compassion, commitment, diligence and a love of their school are all characteristics shared by this awesome group of young leaders. Our students had to submit an application, present speeches, engage in interviews with relevant staff, and then students from Years 7-12 had the opportunity to show their support for their choice of leader. With an impressive 68 applications for only 20 leadership roles, it was heartening
20
ENCOMPASS December 2023
to see our young people putting themselves forward for these roles – it takes courage, confidence and resilience to have a go! In August our Recognition of Service and Commissioning Assembly was a special occasion where we thanked our outgoing leaders for their amazing service to the community over the last year. Our new leaders pledged to be guided by the spirit of truth, justice and generosity and to approach situations, whether successful or challenging, with enthusiasm, empathy and courage.
LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT
Congratulations to COLLEGE CAPTAINS: Lucy Gee and Molly Hoogland
‘I can promise every student that when you leave this
FAITH & MISSION PREFECT: Rochelle Dias
school, you will be a catalyst
SOCIAL JUSTICE PREFECT: Aditi Kamath
women will lead our society
WELLBEING PREFECT: Alysia Rostirolla ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY PREFECT: Bronte Sprotte ARTS PREFECT: Lucia Juarez SPORTS PREFECT: Charlotte Pugh GUNAGULLA HOUSE CAPTAINS: Isabella Catalano and Ella Hodge KURRAWA HOUSE CAPTAINS: Ava Karam and Georgia Long MUNDAWORA HOUSE CAPTAINS: Tamara Haddad and Claudia Pickett TEANGI HOUSE CAPTAINS: Chiara Afonso and Julia Lancuba WEELYA HOUSE CAPTAINS: Lara Millward and Apostoleia Moulos YETINGA HOUSE CAPTAINS: Claudia Care and Armani Jamieson
for change. Santa Sabina in the redefining of what it means to be a strong and intelligent woman. Let’s harness our potential and use it to traject ourselves into local communities and beyond. We know what we’re capable of, so let’s push some limits. I stand with unwavering faith in each one of you.’ – Lucy Gee We are also proud of the 50 other students who had the courage to nominate themselves for a leadership role. We observed that all students who applied for leadership roles had been actively involved in a range of activities – both school-based and community-based. The benefits of involvement in co-curricular activities
are well documented and a vital element of the holistic education offered at Santa Sabina. The impact of co-curricular activities leads to improved academic performance, multicultural awareness, cognitive development, psychological wellbeing, and leadership development. New College Captain Lucy Gee said, ‘My personal beliefs and values nurtured by the College and our Dominican ethos, as well as the 40 co-curriculars I have been involved in during my secondary years have equipped me with the necessary skills to fulfill a College Captain position.’ She has promised to inspire and uplift her fellow students. ‘I can promise every student that when you leave this school, you will be a catalyst for change. Santa Sabina women will lead our society in the redefining of what it means to be a strong and intelligent woman. Let’s harness our potential and use it to traject ourselves into local communities and beyond. We know what we’re capable of, so let’s push some limits. I stand with unwavering faith in each one of you.’
ENCOMPASS December 2023
WE WILL SHAKE THE WORLD
I
n March we marked International Women’s Day at our annual dinner at Le Montage celebrating the exceptional women from all generations in our community – a sisterhood of diverse talents, journeys, and achievements. We acknowledged and were inspired by the tenacity, strength and ability of each woman, all of whom are making a change in the world for women and for others. Our panellists included ex-students Johanna O’Rourke (1994), Katie Stevenson (2001), Peta Magee (2001) and Emma Duxbury (2000) together with Michleen Daud Geagea (current parent), and Paulina Skerman (College Principal). Having both the Ex-Students’ and Parents and Friends’ Associations working together created an outstanding event that engaged everyone present.
EVERY DAY IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY at Santa Sabina College
22
ENCOMPASS December 2023
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE
As our College Principal Paulina Skerman says, ‘At Santa Sabina, every day is International Women’s Day because we are constantly striving to put the needs of girls front and centre and we are the strongest advocates for ensuring our girls are empowered, inspired, motivated and educated to advance gender equality for themselves and for women globally.’ Our students are well aware that they have the privilege, power and responsibility to raise awareness and take action to protect the earth and its most vulnerable people and many of them are already taking action through various roles in the community to play their part for gender equality.
CAREER WOMEN’S Network Breakfast
O
n Friday 2 June, the College held our annual Career Women’s Network Breakfast for the benefit of our senior students. We are thankful to the ex-student and parent mentors – more than 100 – who generously provided wisdom and advice about all types of careers and university pathways to over 150 senior students. We particularly thank PR Manager Hannah Rayment (Class of 2006) for being our guest speaker and highlighting how networks are invaluable to career success. The event provided valuable mentorship opportunities as well as introducing students to the world beyond the gates of Santa Sabina.
ENCOMPASS December 2023
23
HEADING – SUBHEADING
SANTA STYLE –
an award-winning digital start-up to tackle fashion pollution
S
tudents in the Human Society and its Environment Department have become real-life entrepreneurs through the creation of a digital start-up social enterprise, Santa Style. As committed Dominicans, the students involved in this student innovation and entrepreneurial project are taking action towards sustainability. Santa Style has already captured wide attention with the student innovators invited to present at the UTS StartUps Summit in July as well as to other schools looking for innovation mentors. Santa Style has been awarded a grant of almost US$3000 from the Global Youth Action Fund. Once Santa Sabina students heard the shocking statistic that Australia represents the world’s second largest pollutant when it comes to fashion pollution, they wanted to do something to make a change.
24
ENCOMPASS December 2023
‘Santa Style was born as a way for Santa students to start a business from scratch by applying what they learn in the classroom to real life’, teacher Vikki Cummins said. Santa Style is a technology based, notfor-profit initiative, creating a circular model of clothing to ultimately reduce fashion pollution (the volume of fashion waste going into landfill) within our local community. Santa Sabina College families are able to donate preloved clothing, have this processed, and then made available for sale or swap on the e-commerce web site. All proceeds will support the work of the Dominican Sisters in the Solomon Islands and South Africa. In Australia, the average person disposes of 23 kgs of clothing to landfill each year. The environmental damage caused by fashion pollution is alarming. Our students did not want to
be bystanders and are bold, brave and committed to reducing this pollution. Already, Santa Style has rescued 75 kgs of clothes from landfill and our goal is to reduce fashion waste by 150 kgs this year. Santa Style is a testament that committed and inspired young people can make a meaningful impact every day to change the world leading to a brighter future for all. There are five divisions in the business and students work towards key goals in Finance, Operations, Technology, Human Resources and Marketing. The students are onselling donated clothes online. Student Lydia Kelly (Year 12 Business Management) said, ‘This is a fantastic experience as students are in the driver’s seat of our learning and are making the day-to-day decisions for this business. The girls in Marketing created the business name, set up
STUDENT INNOVATION – INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
At the UTS StartUps Summit we were able to see diverse, techenabled entrepreneurs in action, providing us with much inspiration and enlightening us as to the opportunities available in the areas of technology and entrepreneurship. Over 2 000 students from a range of different schools participated, and we were given the privilege of being able to present the Santa Style initiative to the entire conference. We presented a speech in which we outlined the journey of the Santa Style initiative including our challenges, highlights and inspiration. It was great to be able to spread awareness of the ongoing issue of fast fashion and provide a practical solution to the issue. Hopefully we were able to be an inspiration for many other schools to create their own initiative, tackling climate change.
an Instagram page: @santastyle. Our Operations team has started processing donated clothes. Those in the Technology team are learning new skills by building a wire frame for our online ordering system. Most of all, as students, we have gained a rich understanding of how a business works, everything from employee motivation, marketing strategies and how the business functions are dependent on each other every step of the way. We are learning in a way that makes sense, is fun, engaging and motivating.’ The business then moved on to its second phase – promoting the business and requesting all students donate good quality pre-loved clothes to be part of the change for stylishly shaking the world. In Term 4 the shop front opened and clothes were sold to community members.
Since this experience, other schools have contacted us seeking further information on Santa Style and guidance on how they could create their own StartUp initiative. On 20 July we were asked to be mentors to St Clare’s Waverley Year 8, who are embarking on an entrepreneurial journey in which they are creating their own sustainable initiatives.
We were able to provide them with advice on the process of creating a sustainable initiative and we hope to be able to continue to be mentors to them, supporting them in their projects. Drew Babbage Year 10
GRANT AWARDED Santa Style has won a $US3000 grant from the IB Global Youth Action Fund. The grant attracted over 500 applications from schools worldwide. This grant also awards student training on Social Entrepreneurship (an eight-week program) through the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and IB mentorship for the HISE Santa Style project. Being selected for the Global Youth Action Fund is an extraordinary recognition of our efforts to create a more sustainable world via a circular clothing model that disrupts the traditional retail fashion into a closed-loop system that minimises waste, reduces environmental impact, and promotes social responsibility. It’s an affirmation
that Santa Style, our studentled initiative, is recognised for making a positive impact on our local community, empowering Santa Sabina students, as young changemakers, to create meaningful change and to gently shake the world. Santa Style is featured in the IB Festival of Hope website as the only Australian school nominated among initiatives from 48 countries. The Festival of Hope is a community for young people, educators, global thinkers, artists, government leaders, and everyone else who feels the urge to be the change. It is a supportive space for talking big ideas, exchanging diverse views, and inspiring action.
ENCOMPASS December 2023
25
TECHNICAL & APPLIED SCIENCES – NEW FACILITIES
NEW FOOD TECHNOLOGY LEARNING SPACES
I
t was with great anticipation that we moved into our new Food Technology learning spaces at the start of Term 2 this year. After all the planning and consulting we are so excited to have these state-of-the-art facilities to work in. Not only did our existing room get a complete remodel but we also expanded into an additional room. The learning spaces have been designed to be multipurpose, allowing for both practical and theory lessons to take place in the same space. With shiny stainless steel materials throughout and induction cooktops, our students are working in modern, hygienic and highly functional workspaces.
26
ENCOMPASS December 2023
SCIENTISTS WITHIN AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY
THE SANTA SCIENCE SHOWCASE Innovation: Powering Future Industries
O
ne of the many ways we marked National Science Week was with a special community event – the inaugural Santa Science Showcase. Science Week’s theme of Innovation: Powering Future Industries was also the starting point of our brilliant and fascinating presentations. Many of our ex-students and current parents are working in scientific fields and six of them gave 10-minute addresses followed by perceptive questions from the audience of students, parents and staff. Our presenters shared technological developments in sustainability, pharmaceuticals, human health, land use planning and aerospace. The inspiring speakers were Angie Corbo: Technological Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Natalie Curach: Programming Biology and Implications for Health, Christopher Hodge: Vision Rehabilitation in Corneal Disease, Scott Partlin: Powering Australia & the World with 100% Renewable Energy, Isabella Salameh: X-Wing: Sustainability in Aerospace, and Susan Fox: Using Science to Inform Land Planning. STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – is the way of the future for humanity. Our Science Showcase was one way in which we help prepare our children for their future careers. As an added bonus, the event gave all of us many reasons to be optimistic about the future of human health and the health of the planet. As Scott Partlin memorably quoted the great anthropologist Margaret Mead: ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’
ISABELLA SALAMEH (Class of 2020) Science Showcase presenter Isabella has been living in the UK working for Airbus as an aerospace engineer. She has worked on 30 flying parts on an Airbus aircraft and is passionate about the aerospace industry. At work and at university Isabella has observed that not many women go into aerospace so she is interested in encouraging women into STEM, especially engineering. ‘I appreciate the support and encouragement I received as a student at Santa Sabina’, she said. Isabella is now living in Sydney and studying Advanced Physics at the University of Sydney.
ENCOMPASS December 2023
27
NEW WAYS OF LEARNING
OUR NEW LUMINATION LEARNING LABS
Our early adoption of emerging technologies
K
eeping students engaged in learning can often be a challenge for school teachers. But at Santa Sabina we are always ready to embrace cuttingedge expertise and resources which can improve student engagement. Our latest creative solution has been the installation of two Lumination Learning Labs – automated, multi-purpose and immersive smart classrooms supporting students to achieve exceptional results using Extended Reality, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. We are the first and only school in Sydney’s Inner West to build such labs. These state-of-the-art, fully flexible labs are transforming our teaching across all areas of the curriculum. Learning in these spaces, students are more engaged than before. They become immersed in their lesson, deepening their understanding, enhancing collaboration and creativity, and preparing themselves for the jobs of the future that do
28
ENCOMPASS December 2023
not exist yet. These digital technologies are expanding the possibilities of traditional learning environments, turning passive learning into learning that is active and experiential. The immersive experiences are allowing students to extend their reality, so they can learn and practise new skills while in a safe environment. Our Lumination Learning Labs are in use every day and across all curriculum areas. As a girls school we are aware that our Lumination Labs provide another and a unique opportunity to lift female students into the STEM sphere. We are challenging the national trend of declining participation by girls in elective STEM subjects as this exciting technology enlivens STEM lessons and attracts greater elective participation. Emerging technologies are an asset in Santa Sabina classrooms and allow our students to be well prepared for their future careers.
SERVICE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
JUSTLY SHAKING THE WORLD recognition for our students It has been wonderful to watch several of our exceptional Year 12 students receive prestigious and highly soughtafter external awards in 2023.
THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA YOUTH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Our College Captain 2022-2023, Ruby Bron has received The Order of Australia Youth Community Service Award. This award recognises community service by individual students that would not normally be recognised by their school systems, which usually reward academic, sporting and leadership achievements. Ruby’s community service and advocacy achievements have been vast and impressive as noted in the citation submitted with her nomination: As a young person, Ruby Bron, has demonstrated a level of social awareness, generosity and compassion that belie her years. She has demonstrated a capacity to harness and foster her skills, interests and talents and to use these for the benefit of others and our natural world. She has done this with a consistently humble approach, always keen to acknowledge those who have played a part in her projects and initiatives and ensuring that the focus is always the issue or challenge and not herself. Nominating Ruby for this award is an
opportunity for the College to shine a light on her considerable achievements in the area of community service.
THE MARIE BASHIR PEACE AWARD
Dean of Mission Ryan Reyes and Year 12 student Anna Le joined with students and staff across the Sydney Archdiocese at St Mary’s Cathedral for the Archbishop’s Awards for Student Excellence. Anna is the very worthy 2023 recipient of this award for Santa Sabina and we congratulate her. Below is Anna’s citation delivered during the ceremony.
In September, Year 12 student Sophie Way was one of six students in NSW to receive the Marie Bashir Peace Award. These awards recognise students who have made significant contributions to social justice, promoting harmonious relationships and peace in their school and community. The awards are open to all girls in Years 10 – 12 in NSW schools who have demonstrated a passion for social justice and work to bring the community together. The citation submitted with her nomination reflects Sophie’s passion:
Anna has been present in the faith life in her own parish and at the College for many years. She has been actively involved in the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement and is currently training to become a youth leader. Anna is a pianist for the choir in her parish and also contributes as a Minister of the Word and an altar server. She has also been involved in various fundraising initiatives for her parish. Anna is an enthusiastic advocate of prayer in her Homeroom and has been a reader at a number of College Liturgies. She has actively participated in fundraising initiatives and outreach activities for Caritas, St Vincent de Paul and various Dominican causes during her time at the College.
Sophie has given extensively of her time, energies and passions to make an impact in the area of ocean conservation and climate justice. As a young person, she has courageously used her voice to advocate for more funding and effective policies in these areas via her membership of a range of committees and groups including Ocean Youth, The Australian Museum Climate Solutions Centre Youth Advisory Board and the NSW Marine Parks Committee. She has spoken at special event launches, on panels and at a Business Leaders Summit – occasions that have required her to interact with adults in an adult world. Her capacity to garner the respect of others in these situations is outstanding.
ARCHBISHOP’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE
ENCOMPASS December 2023
29
GIOIA HOUSE – YEARS 5 & 6
YEARS 5 AND 6 PASTORAL CARE AND WELLBEING in Gioia House
S
anta Sabina students of Years 5 and 6 are based in their own learning space, Gioia House, a girls only sanctuary and launching pad. Gioia House is the perfect transitional environment between the Primary Years – which these students have almost outgrown – and their exciting transition to high school for which they are well prepared. Our Gioia House Pastoral program focuses on calling students to be Action Girls, where we encourage the students to display qualities of an Action Girl – being inclusive, respectful, honest, trustworthy and seeing a need and doing something about it. We understand the importance of giving our students the opportunity to focus on their wellbeing. We make it a priority to provide students with the tools and strategies they can use to help them deal with everyday situations. We also encourage the students to develop their home organisational skills, by packing their school bag and resources the night before, getting a good night’s sleep (between 8 – 10 hours is recommended) and making sure devices are put away at least an hour before bedtime and not kept in their bedroom to avoid distraction.
30
ENCOMPASS December 2023
Some of the Pastoral programs we offer include our Action Girl Pastoral Program where we focus on building selfconfidence and develop skills to deal with a variety of situations. We have our Rock and Water program which has been developed using Martial Arts principles where a series of exercises and games are practised to develop confidence and the ability to self-reflect. Our Gioia House Be Active session takes place once a fortnight, where students build on their team work skills and connect with all the students within Gioia House. We have enjoyed an afternoon of rotation sessions which included modified volleyball games, basketball and soccer. The girls enjoy getting together during our Be Active sessions. The GH community time buddy program, and Service Learning program are where students have the opportunity to be Action Girls and look for ways we can help others who are less fortunate than we are. We also take part in College community events such as carnivals, Harmony Day and Love Week.
GIOIA HOUSE – YEARS 5 & 6
STEM COLLABORATION with the boys of St Patrick’s College
W
e were delighted to welcome Year 6 students from St Patrick’s College Strathfield in late August for our inaugural Gioia House STEM
Gala Day.
Students heard from STEM experts and had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a range of technology and participate in practical problem-solving activities that encouraged them to think creatively and work as a team, collaborating and embracing diverse opinions. Head of Gioia House and award-winning teacher Stella Azizian organised the day so that the girls and boys could work together on STEM projects in an inclusive and collaborative environment. Promoting inclusivity, diversity and equal opportunities in STEM education and careers was the number one goal.
The SSC STEM Gala Day aimed to inspire, engage and educate students about the exciting possibilities within STEM disciplines. The day’s workshops and practical activities were designed to encourage creative thinking, problem-solving skills and digital confidence. The Year 6 students from St Patrick’s College joined us for the entire day. By bringing together boys and girls in this way, we aimed to break down gender stereotypes and encourage participation of all students in STEM fields. To balance out their demanding but enjoyable day, in the afternoon the students enjoyed mixed team football matches on our oval – watch out World Cup teams!
ENCOMPASS December 2023
31
SANTA MARIA DEL MONTE – PRIMARY YEARS
NOW YEAR 4 ARE ABSEILING!
I
n March at Tallong we were delighted to host our Year 4 students. These students participated in a range of activities that included mountain biking, the flying fox, campcraft sessions and, for the first time in the history of the Tallong campus for a Year 4 program, abseiling! At the base of the campus we have a seven-metre cliff which hovers just above Barbers Creek. These brave Year 4 students walked backwards down the cliff using ropes and friction devices and onto a platform that sits within the creek. While the activity is essentially very safe it is the perceived risk that challenges and energises the students into pushing towards the edge of their comfort zones. It was truly rewarding seeing our Year 4 students manage their fear and overcome it. Kendal Hann Director of Outdoor Education and Tallong Campus Manager
32
ENCOMPASS December 2023
SANTA MARIA DEL MONTE – PRIMARY YEARS
NEW OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PROGRAM for our Primary students
O
ur patron saint, St Dominic, possessed a strong instinct for adventure. He was daring both by nature and by grace. Dante calls him ‘il santo atleta,’ the holy athlete. He travelled widely, spreading the Gospel through words and actions to inspire change. In 2023 we launched a unique skills development program to our Years 3 and 4 students. This special co-curricular program requires participants to work towards special silver badges for service, skill and prayer. Once all levels are achieved, participants qualify for the final award, the red St Dominic the Adventurer badge. To obtain this ultimate award and complete the program, students must put into practice their new outdoor skills during an overnight stay (with their parents) at our regional outdoor education campus, Tallong, in the NSW Southern Highlands. Our young adventurers have been stretching their comfort zones and embracing adventure through activities such as nature sessions, rock climbing, shelter building, first aid for kids, knots, raft building, high ropes, art making and poetry writing. The Award is unique to Santa Sabina, a co-curricular activity which the boys and girls love! Images: Giovanni Portelli
ENCOMPASS December 2023
33
HEADING – SUBHEADING
MARY BAILEY HOUSE – Everyone belongs
I
n Mary Bailey House our pre-schoolers celebrate Harmony Week each year. These youngest Santa Sabina students learn about harmony, inclusiveness, respect and belonging.
In our initial discussion we asked the children, ‘What does harmony mean? How do we play in harmony?’, and this is what they said: Lasya: ‘You can play with other people that are different.’ Lasya: ‘You can play with different people, not just white people.’ Nina: ‘Some can be white, and some people are black, and some are brown.’ Educator: ‘Yes and boys and girls play together’. Educator: ‘Luca and Lola play together. They are a boy and girl, so different but play the same game’. Nina: ‘I like playing with Teddy.’ Teddy: ‘Yeah, I play with Nina and Roger.’ Nina: ‘Sometimes girls have short hair.’ Florence: ‘Yes, my nana has short hair.’ Educator: ‘Jasmine and Ariana have curly hair’.
34
ENCOMPASS December 2023
MARY BAILEY HOUSE – EARLY EDUCATION CENTRE
Jamison: ‘Fox has curly hair too.’ Educator: ‘Jamison, Phoebe and Laura speak Mandarin like Wendy. Layla and Alice speak Korean like Soon and Christina.’ Nina: ‘I say some Slovakian words’. Educator: ‘Yes and Benjamin speaks Spanish’. We read The Peace Book by Todd Parr, which talks about living in harmony, celebrating difference, acceptance and helping others and asked them to draw their understanding of what Harmony is and this is what they drew and said about their drawing. Lasya: ‘They are doing harmony. They look different.’ Miller: ‘ My daddy has black hair.’ Natalia: ‘My mum is different.’ Lasya: ‘It doesn’t matter if you are big or small.’ In another discussion we looked at the world map and talked about different
countries and the languages and clothes people wear in them, and this is what they said: Jamison: ‘Fox’s mum comes from America.’ Fox: ‘My mum comes from England.’ Nina: ‘My mum comes from India.’ Zendaya: ‘My mum was born in Sydney. My daddy comes from somewhere else. I can’t remember.’ Nina: ‘I was born in Slovakia. No, I was born in Hunter Street.’ Sophie M: ‘I have a Taiata.’ Nina: ‘My grandma comes from India.’ Jamison: ‘I speak Cantonese at home.’ Henry: ‘My dad comes from Australia.’ Fox: ‘I was born in England.’ Sophie M: ‘I was born in a hospital.’ Nina: ‘My grandpa was born in India too.’ Jamison: ‘Ariana’s mum comes from Brazil.’
Jamison: ‘Fox’s mum speaks English.’ Following this discussion, we asked the children to draw their thoughts. Nina: ‘I am drawing England. I’m drawing the land.’ Zendaya: ‘See how we are different. How can I draw that we are different? We make friends together.’ Fox: ‘We are jumping on the climbing frame. Jamison has flat hair and I have curly hair.’ Sophie M: ‘She is so cute (Sister Emily). She has light skin like me.’ Jamison: ‘We have different hair. We actually have the same skin.’ We believe that the cultural diversity of Mary Bailey House is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are. Jackie Baxter Mary Bailey House Director
Nina: ‘My dad comes from Slovakia.’
Mary Bailey House Our Early Education Centre is located in the grounds of the Primary Campus and is where we provide education and care to children aged from six weeks to six years. We are rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard and MBH has been proclaimed as a benchmark service by early childhood professionals and academics alike. Our educational program is founded on the national curriculum, The Early Years Learning Framework Australia, which aims to extend and enrich children’s learning from birth through to the transition to school.
ENCOMPASS December 2023
35
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FAMILIES
Father’s Day Breakfast
FROM THE P&F ASSOCIATION
W
hen I was in primary school, they told us the story of a king who took a stroll over the hills to meet his people. He met an old man in his nineties, riddled with arthritis, hunched over the ground. He was leaning over the soil carefully planting small trees in his field with the sun shining upon his back.
upon. The farmer planted for future generations just like the ones before him did and he was happy. This was happiness.
The king greeted the man and asked ‘I can see you smiling as you are planting these seedlings, but forgive me for asking, why are you planting these since you will clearly never live to see them as trees?’ To which the farmer swiftly replied: ‘They planted and we eat, and now we plant so they will eat’.
People often ask me why I joined the Parents & Friends (P&F) committee. Why do you take on this additional responsibility?
This is the story that is engraved in my memory, the one I often look back
36
ENCOMPASS December 2023
As parents at Santa Sabina College, we all are stewards of a strong and wonderful community we are blessed to have. A College community with roots dating back over 100 years ago.
The answer is quite simple. Everything we do, we do for our kids and their future. This includes growing and nurturing a community that they (our kids) can flourish in and for parents to enjoy too.
‘Parents to enjoy’ you say? Yes, as a parent, I understand it’s not easy making new friends and getting to know all the other parents in your kid’s year cohort. It can be quite daunting at times, and we all have busy lives constantly juggling priorities. Like the farmer, the P&F committee works towards strengthening our current community and sowing the seeds for the future. In collaboration with the College, the P&F committee is motivated to organise events that promote social connections among parents. The events provide opportunities to strengthen existing friendships and establish new friendships with other parents that can create a supportive network where
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FAMILIES
International Women’s Day
Fra Angelico Eat Street
experiences and advice are shared, fostering a sense of camaraderie. As I look back on the year that was, I remember the instantaneous camaraderie formed on the different occasions when volunteer dads came together to help serve food at the Mother’s Day breakfast event, and sharing stories at the BBQ at the recent Fra Angelico Festival. Amazing. Other events that the P&F committee helped organised in 2023 include: •
International Women’s Day dinner
•
Gioia House welcome lunch
•
Mother’s Day Lunch
•
Father’s Day Breakfast
•
Golf Day
•
Students’ Colour Fun Run
Colour Fun Run
These events were all great successes with attendances and participation far exceeding those in 2022. As we look forward towards 2024, the P&F stays committed to its core vision: ‘One College, One Community’, as we focus on ‘friend-raising’ – for now and into the future.
Golf Day
All the best. Joseph Gittani President Santa Sabina College P&F Association
Dads serving Mother’s Day Breakfast
ENCOMPASS December 2023
37
ALL THE NEWS HEADING – SUBHEADING
From around the Plot
Generations Breakfast
Generations Breakfast
Golden Girls & Boys
Careers Breakfast
38
ENCOMPASS December 2023
HEADING – SUBHEADING
Marmalade stall at Fra Angelico Festival
FROM THE PRESIDENT of the Ex-Students’ Association
T
he Ex-Students’ Association began 2023 with our International Women’s Day Dinner which we were delighted to co-host with the Parents and Friends’ Association and the College. Once again it was a tremendous success with a large cross section of guests attending. Emma Duxbury, Class of 2000, interviewed a diverse panel of ex-students and current parents. In a noteworthy development, we were able to secure sponsors for the first time, (Bank of Queensland Blacktown Branch and Belle Property Drummoyne) which allowed us to reduce the ticket price for our guests. We also included a photo booth, adding an extra touch of fun and enjoyment to the event. Our popular podcast series, Exceptional, has produced new episodes. Have you listened to the one on Professor Helen Beange? Hear about her time at Santa in the early 1940s and her pioneering work in developmental disability medicine. Mentoring is a significant role in which ex-students can participate. Many exstudents were mentors at the College’s Career Women’s Breakfast which was sponsored by the Association.
Community building is vital to our Association and in partnership with the College we have re-introduced the Generations’ Breakfast which brings together ex-students who are current parents at the College and their children. Ex-student grandparents, aunts and uncles are also invited. As well as continuing to sponsor our Centenary Scholarship for a student to complete her schooling at the College, we also donated to the bursary fund of the College Foundation. In partnership with the College we welcomed the Golden Girls and Boys at their reunion, particularly the Class of 1973. We held our popular raffle, raising funds for the Association. A special thank you to the College for organising this annual event, held on the last Friday in May. A major project we have undertaken this year is to update our Rules of Incorporation – thank you to the sub-committee for their work to complete this task. The Association has registered our new constitution with NSW Fair Trading. At our AGM, in line with our new Rules, the committee was elected for two years. I take this opportunity to thank every
member of the committee for their dedication and commitment. What a wonderful event the Fra Angelico Festival was. The Association invited Sr Sheila Flynn OP to speak to us about Fra Angelico and his preaching through the beauty of art. As part of our fundraising, we made marmalade. Every jar contains some of the Seville oranges from our tree in the College planted from a cutting from the tree in Santa Sabina, Rome. It is said that St Dominic himself planted this tree. Our Association continues to recognise a student in Year 10 through the Sr Marcia Hall OP Award for integrity. We also recognise two students in Year 4 who display the four Dominican Pillars – these students are given the Howard Brown Award and the Ashleigh Barnes Award. A special welcome to our newest ex-students who have just completed Year 12 and Year 4 – we wish you every success in your new ventures and hope to see you at our events in the coming years. Elizabeth Pooley President ENCOMPASS December 2023
39
Where are they now? ADRIANA INGEGNERI (2009) Adriana is currently working as a Lead Design Manager of Construction By Design – a design and construction company. One of her projects, on which she worked independently, was nominated and shortlisted in the Australian Interior Design Awards Workplace Category in 2022. ‘I really do thank my teachers at Santa Sabina for honing my creative skills in Design & Technology and Art’, Adriana says. ‘I believe that it was during my time at Santa that I really got to understand my path as a creative.’ Adriana married Timothy Nicholls in the Santa Sabina Chapel in 2021.
EMMA DUXBURY (2000)
International Women’s Day speaker Emma is a journalist at NOVA FM news and the founder and director of ED Media Management. She is also a newsreader and branding specialist. Emma holds a Bachelor of Communications (Broadcast Journalism) and was a speaker at this year’s Santa Sabina International Women’s Day dinner.
CLAUDIA CICCO (2022) Congratulations to professional footballer Claudia Cicco, Class of 2022, who was called up into the Young Matildas squad for the upcoming AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Round One Qualifiers in the Kyrgyz Republic earlier this year.
ELIZABETH BOVA (2007) Elizabeth Bova graduated as Bachelor of Podiatry from the University of Newcastle in 2012. Elizabeth is the principal of Foot Fix Clinic, and has recently set up a new podiatry clinic in Strathfield. For the last 10 years Elizabeth has worked for Sydney local health district including at Royal Prince Alfred, Concord, Canterbury and Balmain hospitals and Marrickville community health centre treating people with various foot and lower limb issues. Elizabeth has been an integral team member in two multidisciplinary teams in the high-risk foot clinic at Royal Prince Alfred hospital and the osteoarthritis chronic care program at Concord Hospital. Years of supervision of final year university students on clinic rotation, has enabled Elizabeth to share her range of experience, passion and commitment to the next generation of podiatrists. Elizabeth is passionate about helping others and is committed to providing a high standard of care for her patients. Elizabeth enjoys challenging cases and applies a practical and holistic approach. 40
ENCOMPASS December 2023
AROUND THE PLOT – EX-STUDENT NEWS
BELLA MERLINO (2022) Bella Merlino of the Class of 2022 remains tireless in her community service for dementia and is now also working to empower young women and promote equity and equality. This work was recognised by 7News as she was named a finalist in the 7News Young Achievers Awards. Her citation read as follows: Bella Merlino, Greenacre, is an advocate, fundraiser, filmmaker, and speaker on Dementia and serves as National Teen Ambassador for Diva which empowers young women with essential life skills and provides coaching and mentoring to prevent coercion and promotes equity and equality. Bella creates films to educate about the effects of bullying and cyberbullying and has worked with Reelise, a group working to empower young people to create a positive digital future.
DENICE HAMID (KELLY 1959) Denice, who attended Santa Sabina from 1946 to 1959 told us she’s ‘doing well at almost 81’ ‘I always wanted to become a sportswoman but was not really suited. But in my early 70s I became an Extreme Sportswoman! I’m now an experienced bungy jumper (21 jumps under my belt) and am booked to jump 260 metres in Central China when visas resume, setting a World Age Record! Can’t wait to do it! Santa taught me to “go for it” and I have!’
JAMAL BAKALIAN (KAYROUZ 2010) Jamal, who is Senior Solicitor & Commercial Group Leader at Streeterlaw in Sydney, was named a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards in the category of Dispute Resolution and Litigation. ‘I feel this career highlight is a testament to the wonderful teaching and nurturing I received during my high school years’, Jamal told Encompass.
HANNAH RAYMENT (2006) Hannah Rayment is a public relations manager who began her communications career agencyside in 2010, working in the healthcare team at Weber Shandwick. During this time, Hannah delivered integrated campaigns in both the human, animal health and wellness space. Hannah left the agency world in 2019 to pursue a job in the Public Affairs Branch of the NSW Police Force as a Media Liaison Officer before moving to Destination NSW where she currently works to build brand awareness and visitation to the wonderful state of NSW. Hannah is also the Vice-President of a local not-for-profit organisation, Communities for Communities, where she manages the fundraising and communications activity, as well as volunteers here and abroad. Hannah was our entertaining and informative guest speaker at this year’s Career Women’s Network breakfast. ENCOMPASS December 2023
41
AROUND THE PLOT – EX-STUDENT NEWS
MIKAELA STEVENS (2016) Mikaela Stevens recently became the Captain of the Women’s Volleyroos, representing Australia at the Asian Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup held in Indonesia in June 2023. Professional athlete and High Performance Facility Administrator at the Australian Institute of Sport Recovery Centre, Mikaela says her love for Volleyball started at Santa Sabina when she was in Year 6. She has fond memories of our school trips to Melbourne for the Volleyball Schools cup. ‘After finishing school I moved to Canberra to train full time at the Australian Institute of Sport as well as studying at the University of Canberra, where I completed my degree in Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation in 2021. Since then I recently moved to Sweden to play my first professional contract and my team finished fourth in the league! My Volleyball journey has been so rewarding but challenging at the same time, living abroad so far away from home and my family was one of the toughest parts but getting outside of my comfort zone has been well worth the experience. ‘Santa taught me to be a strong, independent woman and to be confident at speaking up and fighting for what we deserve. This is something I’m really proud to bring into my role in the Australian Women’s Volleyball team and I am very thankful to Santa for providing me with those skills and a platform to develop this from a young age.’
Reunions Class of 2022 In August we welcomed a record number of ‘Year 13s’ – the Class of 2022 – returning for an informal reunion and to collect their copies of Veritas 2022, the yearbook. The students gathered in the old boardroom of the College and caught up with some of their teachers, their College Principal and heard from Michelle Civitarese representing the Ex-Students’ Association Committee.
42
ENCOMPASS December 2023
AROUND THE PLOT – EX-STUDENT NEWS
SARAH DALE (2004) We are so proud of ex-student Sarah Dale (2004), Centre Director/ Principal Solicitor at the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS), who appeared in a recent episode of Australian Story – ‘After the Fall’ – on ABC TV. This is the remarkable story of evacuating children and staff from their Afghan orphanages following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Sarah is making a life-affirming difference to the lives of these and other refugees as the Centre Director and Principal Solicitor at Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS). She was interviewed by College Principal Paulina Skerman on our influential podcast – Santa Dialogues, (Episode 3 June 2023) ‘Making Big Trouble – Service, Social Justice and Advocacy’ which you can find on Spotify on our YouTube channel.
Class of 1983 On Saturday night, 14 October 2023, some 42 girls from the Class of 1983 met up at the Cabana Bar, Martin Place for their 40th school reunion. The girls travelled wide and far to catch up with their old buddies for the night: Linda Kaljuvee, Karen Stewart and Maryanne Cooper all from Queensland, Bernadette Spacel all the way from Bali. We shared many stories: some very sad but many others of great joy. Our old school captain (Eva Maree) retained her unwavering ability to unite us and arranged another get together for Christmas at her house early December. Looks like we won’t need to wait for our next official reunion to all catch up again. Santa girls forever.
ENCOMPASS December 2023
43
AROUND THE PLOT – REUNIONS
school days and catching up on our lives today.
Class of 1970 Golden Girls 50 year reunion – finally!
About 50 Santa and Del Monte girls gathered on Sunday 27 November 2022 to belatedly celebrate the 50 year anniversary of our HSC year – a celebration which had originally been planned for 2020 but was delayed twice by COVID restrictions. We gathered at the Sofitel and spent many hours together over drinks and lunch reliving many fond memories of our
Golden Girls and Boys Reunion Our annual Golden Girls and Boys reunion celebration brought together over 150 ex-students from the Class of 1973 and beyond. They celebrated with a Liturgy including performances from the College Choir of the Dominican Hymn and the old School Song. Following the Liturgy, ex-students moved to the Hall where they enjoyed lunch and reminiscing with classmates while visiting the archives display. All exstudents were also given a special handwritten card from Year 7 History students welcoming them back to the College. Thank you to the Ex-Students’ Association for your contribution. After lunch, ex-students were treated to tours of the College, visiting the old dormitories which now serve as classrooms as well as previously out-of-bounds areas for students of the ’60s and ’70s. Our students were so proud to showcase the College’s new TAS kitchens as well as our Design and Technology classrooms. A highlight was when students from the Class of 1973 shared memories of watching the 1969 moon landing in the same room where students of today were learning PDHPE. It was an honour to welcome back our ex-students and hear their stories, helping us understand and appreciate that our own story is a collective one formed in the spirit of community. It was also an opportunity to share the amazing education Santa Sabina continues to provide today’s students. 44
ENCOMPASS December 2023
Many of us reminisced about the final day in 1970 when the formal farewells were held at Santa following a full morning spent by our spirited year enjoying our friendships at Elouera Beach. We were sitting on the edge of a world of freedom and new experiences, in an era marked by opportunities for girls and women which were limited in previous generations. We were a privileged group as we had attended a private girls school where we were encouraged to pursue training and careers. We were ready although somewhat naïve! Our celebration enabled us to connect again with friends from our past and to share some of our journeys through joys and sorrows change and self realisation. At the same time,
AROUND THE PLOT – REUNIONS
we relived the laughter of our lives as children and teenagers together. Our dreams and enthusiasm for what the world might hold as we left Santa 50 years ago may have been tempered by reality to some degree but the challenges of the real world have generally been met by positivity and opportunities for growth and release of the power of the human spirit creating the rich tapestry of each of our lives. Our friendships forged over the years at Santa continued to nourish and support so many of us in our day to day lives. We look forward to increased catch ups in the years to come with a country celebration being planned.
Class of 1963 Forty incredible souls from the Class of 1963 reunited on 4 August. Amidst laughter, nostalgia, and cherished stories, this remarkable group of alumni shared a truly unforgettable lunch.
From sharing tales of school adventures to reminiscing about the good ol’ days, the bonds that were forged decades ago proved as strong as ever. It’s moments like these that remind us that time may pass, but the connections we create remain etched in our hearts. Here’s to the memories that never fade and to the friendships that stand the test of time!
ENCOMPASS December 2023
45
AROUND THE PLOT – ANNOUNCEMENTS
Births
Born 21 October 2020
Born 4 March 2022
Welcome Bronte Gibson
Welcome Chloe Leisa Holland
Family Louise Gibson (Mansfield 2010) and Robert Gibson
Family Danielle Holland (McNeil 1999) and Mark Holland
Born 15 November 2022 Welcome Hannah Lucy Giuffre
Born 24 November 2022 Welcome Emilie Younan
Family Elizabeth Bova-Press (Bova 2007) and Nikki BovaPress
Family Adrian Giuffre (Del Monte 1994) and Monica Giuffre, granddaughter of Olga Giuffre (Pastroudis 1977)
Family Sarah Younan (Vaccari 2007) and Daniel Younan
Born 3 December 2022 Welcome Kiara Rose Ruggiero
Born 9 January 2023
Born 31 March 2023
Born 23 May 2023
Family Natalia Grasso (2015) and Adrian Ruggiero
Welcome Sebastian Pow
Welcome Alessia Amira Arain
Welcome William John Britton
Family Emily Pow (2005) and John O’Callaghan and brother Leonardo Pow
Family Marisa Ronsisvalle (2003) and Samir Arain
Family Celia Britton (Johnson 2002) and Scott Britton, a brother for Madeleine
Born 30 September 2022 Welcome Oscar Hart Family Stephanie Shalala (2007) and Rory Hart
Born 19 October 2022 Welcome Ignatius Tom Bova-Press
Mothers’ Group Four young mothers from the Class of 2007 have babies born close in age and have formed their own mothers’ group, pictured from left Sarah Younan, Elizabeth Bova, Emilia Querin and Stephanie Shalala.
46
ENCOMPASS December 2023
AROUND THE PLOT – ANNOUNCEMENTS
Marriages
Date 16 May 2021 Couple Adriana Ingegneri (2009) and Timothy Nicholls Location Santa Sabina Chapel
Photo: @compassescape_photography Date 11 November 2023
Date July 2023
Couple Alana Kisner (2014) and Franco Bonsiero
Couple Jannel Ramos (2013) and Jeremy Cortes
Location Santa Sabina Chapel
Location Santa Sabina Chapel Bridesmaids Melanie Ngan, Erika Dwiputri, Alyssa Trajano (all Class of 2013)
Jubilees
We remember
We congratulate the following Dominican Sisters who celebrated the anniversary of their profession during 2023. 75 years Sr Anne Banfield OP Sr Patricia Bundock OP M. Collette Holz OP Sr Patricia Woodbury OP 70 years M. Gemma Young OP 60 years Sr Phillippa Jones OP
50 years Sr Patricia Bailey OP Sr Jenny Gerathy OP 25 years Sr Loretta Arohikeni OP
DOMINICAN SISTERS Mary Hughes O’Keefe (1939) 24 October 2022 Sister of Kathleen McCanley, Aunt of Sabina Cuming and Marie Cuming Maureen (M. Comcille) O’Connor OP 4 December 2022 Mary-Clare (M. Germaine) Innes OP 7 January 2023 Colleen (M. Alberta) Walsh OP 20 January 2023
Marie (M. Eusebius) O’Regan OP 30 January 2023 Ann (M. Margaret) Condon OP 2 June 2023 Sr Margaret Hill OP 3 September 2023 Sr Marie Therese Weeks OP 11 November 2023 Sr Helen Apthorpe OP 27 November 2023
ENCOMPASS December 2023
47
AROUND THE PLOT – ANNOUNCEMENTS
Cecily Backhouse (1947-2022)
Former student Cecily Backhouse (1947) who died on 10 September 2022 obtained the then Leaving Certificate in early 1948. Next, she graduated with a Law Degree from the University of Sydney in 1956 and later that year was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Bar in 1964 being the 12th female to be so admitted. Next, she was appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1986 which culminated in her being appointed to the District Court bench in March 1994 retiring in 2007. Another achievement was being President of the Women Lawyers’ Association in the mid 1960s.
A stellar legal career followed her admission to the New South Wales
Outside the law Cecily’s passion was horse racing. In fact, Race 4 at Rosehill
Order of Australia recognition for Santa Sabina alumnae
I
n 2023 two Santa Sabina alumnae were awarded Medals in the Order of Australia for community-oriented work that, for both of them, had its genesis in the Dominican ideals modelled to them as students. In both cases, their service to their communities has been lifelong and we are thrilled that they have been recognised in this way.
KERRIE GRAY OAM (1967) Kerrie Gray was recognised in the 2023 Australia Day Honours list, receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her contribution to the Northern Rivers community. Kerrie also received the Senior Citizen of the Year Award in the Ballina Shire.
48
ENCOMPASS December 2023
Kerrie started volunteering with the Red Cross in 1981 when a friend asked if she could spare a few hours to welcome refugees. That soon progressed to helping children from the Pacific Islands who were in line for specialised surgery. Kerrie was there for communities in northern NSW after the devastating bushfires of 2019. When flash flooding hit the communities surrounding her home town of Alstonville in early 2022, she helped run evacuation centres close to her own home. Kerrie told Encompass she began at Santa as a boarder in Santa Maria Del Monte in 1961 in 6th Class – in the Blue Dormitory and Blue colour house for school sport. She
AROUND THE PLOT – ANNOUNCEMENTS
on 28 September 2022 was named in her memory. In 1982 following a challenge by Cecily and a good friend, females were admitted for the first time as full Members to the then Australian Jockey Club. RIP Cecily. Phillip Boyd (Del Monte 1965)
continued into secondary schooling at Santa Sabina the following year also as a boarder but later her family moved to Sydney so she continued as a day student. ‘I wasn’t a brilliant student and the only prize I ever received was for “Fidelity to Duty” in 1st Year St Margarets. I still have the book with the bookplate and a card’, Kerrie says. ‘However, both school and home gave me a solid moral background to do my best for people around me. So you don’t have to be brilliant to make a difference in the world. Everyone is capable of helping in some way.’
JANE SULIS OAM (1968) Our long-serving Religious Education and Year 5 teacher and ex-student Jane Sulis was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List for service to the community and to education. Jane, our Outreach Coordinator, has been employed at Santa Sabina College for 21 years. During that time, Jane has been an exceptional educator and advocate. Her commitment to social justice, outreach and service is not just part of her job, it is a vocation that has influenced Santa Sabina staff, students and families. She has led countless service and social justice initiatives that support a large number of Sydney’s most vulnerable. The impact of her work opens the minds and hearts of people to what they can achieve for others when they had no thought of it prior to meeting her.
Jane’s generosity of spirit and commitment to advocating for those unable to do so addresses systemic social justice problems in her local community and educates others to have an attitude of fundamental respect for all people. Her advocacy provides solutions and structures that address the inequities of people in our community and provides them with tangible and long-lasting outcomes. Our school community is beyond proud of the work that Jane does in not only educating the next generation of social justice advocates but in supporting those in need. Jane herself is delighted with the award saying it recognises the importance of doing things in the community. ‘Any individual can make a difference’, Jane says. ‘So many people will say “I’m just one person, what can I do? I won’t make a difference to the big problem.” My approach is that although you can’t help everybody you can help somebody’.
‘...“I’m just one person, what can I do? I won’t make a difference to the big problem.” My approach is that although you can’t help everybody you can help somebody’. – Jane Sulis ENCOMPASS December 2023
49
HEADING – SUBHEADING
We are turning 130! A year of celebration in 2024
In 2024 it will be 130 years since the foundation of Santa Sabina College by six intrepid Dominican Sisters. The astonishing growth, development and flourishing of our College since then has led us to a place of exceptional and innovative education for girls, boys and young women across campuses in Sydney’s Inner West and regional NSW. In 2024 members of our community are invited to celebrate with us at these events.
Community Events Friday 22 March 6:30pm 130 Year Gala Dinner at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney Friday 31 May 10:30am Golden Girls and Boys Reunion Tuesday 25 June 6:00pm 130 Year Gala Concert at Sydney Town Hall Friday 2 August 9:00am Dom’s Day Friday 22 November 5:00pm Fra Angelico Festival
Discovery Tours for prospective families Tuesday 12 March 9:00am Thursday 23 May 9:00am Thursday 22 August 9:00am Wednesday 30 October 5:00pm 50
ENCOMPASS December 2023