Encompass 2022

ENCOMPASS

Our strong community spirit

This year marks the first ‘normal’ year for me as College Principal of Santa Sabina College where classroom learning has taken place in a normal pre-COVID way on our beautiful campus. Sports, co-curricular activities, celebrations and community events have returned as we have been able to re-connect in person with joy and gratitude. We have hit the ground running!

Our community is a generous one – our current parents, past parents, ex-students and friends of the College contribute so much to the life of this 128-year-old school. Events such as Dom’s Day and our Gala Concert emphasise our community spirit and excellence in endeavour which I have been thrilled to see. Our students, more than 1300 and aged from 6 weeks to 18 years, have come together with our staff and strong College community on their journey to become outstanding young people who will make the world a better place.

Encompass is our annual community magazine which highlights milestones at the College as a whole and, within that, on each of our city and regional campuses –Mary Bailey House, Santa Maria del Monte, Gioia House,

NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR MULTIMEDIA

THE LAMP POST – PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE

In this new video series College Principal Paulina Skerman shines a light on what's happening at the College. From its vantage point, for almost 120 years, our lamp post has watched the comings and goings of the College. Term after term. Year after year.

ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS TO HELP FAMILIES

We are excited to announce our very own podcast series, the Santa Dialogues.The choice of the name for the series is based on the modern theological use of the term dialogue – ‘the pursuit of truth is a shared journey of discovery’. The series will include robust conversations among experts, staff and students focused on issues that affect the education and healthy development of children. Listeners will be offered resources, tips and ideas for educating and empowering young people by those who educate, work with and understand them.

PAULINA SKERMAN College Principal

Secondary Campus and Tallong. Encompass documents and celebrates the news of ex-students and the support of the Parents and Friends’ Association. Now that the COVID restrictions are behind us, we’ve even had a bumper year of ex-student weddings in our glorious Santa Sabina Chapel which remains our spiritual heart.

DOM'S DAY Back to normal!

Once a year our whole College community comes together as we celebrate the feast day of our patron saint. St Dominic’s Day is always met with feelings of anticipation and joy and none so much as in 2022 after a hiatus of being able to gather during COVID restrictions. This year we celebrated a Eucharistic Mass led by Fr Gavin Foster. Our Mass was a celebration of the dreams that have driven the Dominican Story from before the time of Dominic’s birth and which continue to inspire Dominicans around the world. The six Dominican Sisters who founded our College in 1894 certainly had big dreams. These were all dreams of aspiration and inspiration. All members of our community have dreams that will flourish as we embrace the mercy, solidarity, harmony and truth that have inspired the Dominican Dreams of those who have gone before us.

Above and opposite page: Students from all years and our Dominican Sisters participated in our traditions of Dom's Day, including Year 12's crowning of our statue of St Dominic.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

The quality of musical expression at Santa Sabina never ceases to amaze us. Each student has the opportunity to perform in several significant events during their time at the College, culminating in our annual gala concert held in the Sydney Town Hall. At this year's concert, featuring more than 500 students, we celebrated everything bright and beautiful about our amazing world. We shared with a full house our spirit of hope and joy in an ever-changing and challenging world, and marvelled at all that life offers through song and dance from various musical traditions and eras. Each piece reflected a part of God's creaton and the beautiful ways we relate to the world and each other.

Music's educational, social and emotional benefits are immeasurable. Santa Sabina is very proud to support the aspirations of students through the music program, many of whom continue to study and perform music at a tertiary level after Year 12.

Opposite page top left: Artistic Director Timothy Chung (also this page top right) conducts the finale featuring our Symphony Orchestra, choirs and dancers. Other photos: the students of Santa Sabina College’s ensembles, choirs, Symphony Orchestra and selected Representative Squad dancers.

WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO OF CONCERT HIGHLIGHTS

Casper turns one

and continues to improve our wellbeing

Casper the College Wellbeing dog is one of the delights of daily school life at Santa Sabina. He turned one this year and celebrated with some of his friends from Year 1. Students in other years also make regular visits to Ms Skerman’s office at lunchtime for pats and hugs. He is certainly spreading love and joy and being his best self. Santa Sabina has been Casper’s home since he was just 10 weeks old and his favourite pastime is being with our students. Casper undergoes training, he is hypoallergenic and we have a risk assessment and policy in place which authorises him to be the only dog allowed on our school grounds. He does an amazing job of calming children and opening up lots of important conversations, building trust between Ms Skerman and students, who are relaxed when they chat with her, while they give Casper a cuddle. We know our children are in a safe environment when they feel free to speak to trusted adults about issues of concern in their lives.

In 2022 the College’s outdoor education campus in the Southern Highlands – Tallong – swung back into full operation after the previous two years were affected by COVID and Term 1 programs were affected by flooding. The students coming to camp brought with them a huge abundance of energy and excitement and as they embarked on age-appropriate challenging programs including bushcraft skills, canoeing, bushwalking, flying fox, low ropes element, team building activities, problem solving sessions and mountain biking. Early in the year we purchased a fleet of purpose built mountain bikes for use in a junior school outdoor education program. These bikes have super fat tyres and a low centre of gravity to allow small children to experience the joys of riding a bike.

Each year group’s Outdoor Education program at Tallong forms an integral part of the sequential nature of the students’ experiences in which they learn to lead themselves and others and become stewards for the natural world. Year 10 students can train to become our outdoor education student leaders and assist at camps for younger years.

Our Tallong campus is not only used by students of Santa Sabina College (Years 3 to 12) but also by many other schools from Sydney and Canberra, this year including Roseville Girls College and SCEGGS Darlinghurst. Some of these schools come to the Tallong campus for retreat-style programs and many come here to utilise the skills and expertise of our staff to run their school’s outdoor education program. The campus is also a preferred venue for third-party outdoor education providers such as Lands Edge, The Outdoor Education Group and Southbound Adventures for upper primary year level outdoor programs. It is a very special space for the students of the College and a wonderful asset to have.

We are also incredibly lucky at Tallong to have the amazing Cheffrey (Geoffrey our chef) working for us. He has been busy creating a new lunch item – slab pizzas. Some of the toppings include the classics like ham and pineapple, pepperoni, BBQ chicken but there are also gourmet options including pulled pork, beef brisket and brie, roasted vegetables and fetta, and meat lovers.

SCAN HERE TO SEE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR’S YEAR 7 CAMP.

ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT in the great outdoors

The bonds between us

If there is one day in the school year that defines the College, the sense of community and the impact of a Santa Sabina education, that day is surelyGraduation Day.

The music, certificates, formality and fun are also underscored by smiles and tears as our departing Year 12s realise this is their big goodbye to their school days at Santa.

The powerful sense of belonging so evident on 20 September was shared by parents with cameras, brothers in their own school uniforms, our staff and our students who had gathered together in the sunshine. It is a longstanding College tradition to recognise the achievements

of each Year 12 student in this way. Events on Graduation Day 2022 included a formal final assembly (outdoors for a change, around St Dominic’s Plot) with Graduation Certificates and stoles for each departing student, an informal and fun student concert, the presentation by Year 11 students of a single rose to each departing student, and a poignant and moving Mass in the Santa Sabina Chapel, packed to capacity with proud family members and College staff. Finally there was the Graduation Dinner at Waterview in Bicentennial Park, with speeches and farewells, wonderful company and conviviality between friends.

PRAYER

COMPANIONS

Above left and lower right: Outgoing College Captains Sienna Ters and Clare Moses Top right: Graduation Mass in the Santa Sabina Chapel

The College was founded in 1894 by nuns of the Dominican Order whose descendants, our Dominican Sisters, remain involved in student life.

NETWORKING BREAKFAST

Career Women’s Network STEPS UP

After the success of our inaugural Career Women’s Network Breakfast in 2021 we expanded the program this year to provide further benefit for senior students. Our annual CWN breakfast featured ex-student, Melanie Evans, CEO of ING Bank, as our guest speaker. From the Class of 1994, Melanie was inspirational as she shared her story from bank teller, at a Bankstown Square branch, to CEO. With more than 100 mentors, our Year 11 and 12 girls were able to network with people from a diverse range of industries and establish ongoing mentor/mentee relationships.

Two further microevents followed in the form of roundtable breakfasts specifically targeting students interested in careers in both Medicine and Economics.

Our Medicine Roundtable breakfast provided valuable insights into careers

in the medical profession. College community member and paediatrician Dr Duc Van expertly led our panellists – Evie Younan (Class of 2017) postgraduate medical student, Dr Andrew Skerman, GP, and Professor Patrick McNeil, Macquarie University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Medicine and Health – who generously shared their vast and varied university and career experience. We also welcomed a number of other medical practitioners from our community.

Diverse panellists at our Economics Roundtable Breakfast shared insights from their different experiences in the public sector, private sector and academia. We were also thrilled to welcome so many fabulous community mentors who attended. These industry networking opportunities are invaluable in supporting our students in life beyond Santa Sabina.

Main photo: Mentors and senior students in discussion at the Career Women's Network breakfast in the College Hall

At the forefront of climate action

Social justice is at the core of a Domincan education and students of Santa Sabina College have a decades-old tradition of championing causes to improve life on earth. So we expressed our concern about the future of the planet through joining the international School Strike 4 Climate. A group of environmentally passionate students, along with the support of Director of Mission and Pastoral Care Ms Melanie van der Meer and the Dominican Sisters, organised and planned a lunchtime strike within the College grounds. Year 11 student Tamanna Anand described her involvement:

'Although attending the strike was a personal choice, it was an astounding and fantastic turnout. Overall, this event turned out to be an excellent idea and enabled numerous

students to stand up and contribute to making a difference.'

In addition to this, our newly appointed Social Justice Prefect Olivia Nakhle (pictured opposite page, top left) is a prominent campaigner for action on climate change. We are proud to share this article from AEU, recognising her leadership and activism: https://news.aeuvic.asn.au/ in-depth/not-just-small-change/

Olivia also credits Santa Sabina and the Dominican Sisters for supporting her development as a climate change activist and for encouraging students to participate in the recent School Strike 4 climate.

‘I am very grateful and feel very privileged after all the insightful discussions we have been having about the environment and climate change,’ she told Encompass

College Captains for 2022/2023 Ruby Bron and Maree Sialepis with College Principal Paulina Skerman

Our new student leaders Welcome

In response to the stronger prevailing need for wellbeing initiatives after the COVID pandemic, our College Leaders now include the new position of Wellbeing Prefect. Our student leaders for 2022/2023 were appointed from a cohort of outstanding young people, many of whom have a strong track record of academic diligence, a broad involvement in the co-curricular life of the College, a commitment to service and social justice advocacy and more than that, they are young women who are very good humans.

They are expected to show a clear love for their school, a commitment to the values we hold dear as a Catholic Dominican community, experience in leadership and a record of commitment to service and social justice. Our finest student leader is someone who is articulate, confident and kind with a strong sense of integrity and humility. We also look for students who can develop and initiate worthwhile projects and who can take their fellow students on the journey to continue to keep our community connected.

OUR SANTA SABINA COLLEGE STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR 2022/2023

Ella

Tilly

Erica Comito and Emma Carroll

Full STEM ahead in Gioia House

Research shows that when girls reach their pre-teen years their interest in Science and Maths drops off. In Gioia House our program includes activities and opportunities to continue to keep them engaged. In August, the girls donned lab coats for a Science Symposium to celebrate National Science Week. They undertook experiments and witnessed demonstrations that sparked their curiosity and enabled them to question why. They were challenged to beat gravity; use chemical reactions to make raisins dance and blow up balloons; test the density of liquids through the construction of lava lamps and rainbows; test aerodynamics through paper

aircraft construction; test engineering principles while constructing bridges.

The students walked away with a greater understanding of the how and the why of everyday phenomena.

Learning digital technologies in Gioia House assists our girls by ensuring, first and foremost, that they have the knowledge and skills to access and use technology in a safe manner. Digital Citizenship lessons have become a priority as we explored online friendships, social media and ways to seek help. Beyond this, our rigorous program equip s the students with hands-on experiences as we prepare them for jobs that do not yet exist. From

discovering game design and coding their own online video game, to exploring alternative input devices and creating their own game controller, there is always excitement and buzz in the classroom.

Beyond the lessons and activities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, the se Year 5 and Year 6 students enjoy a strong sense of belonging in their special place within the College’s Secondary Campus. Students here thrive in a joyous, optimistic and safe learning environment, full of energy and a desire to learn and experience all that Santa Sabina can offer.

Joy on the Primary Campus

As we welcomed our new Head of Primary P-4, Joanne Giannini, we also took the opportunity this year to introduce enhanced educational offerings to our youngest students. Supporting our youngest learners with the right foundations including hands-on, purposeful, real-world approaches to their learning is now taking place through an ever-increasing variety of opportunities to engage and educate.

In addition, throughout the Primary Campus this year, everything we did was overlaid with the theme of joy. Joy in our learning, joy in our relationships, joy in the service of others, joy in our experiences, joy in community events.

Before and after the school day we provided opportunities to extend the learning activities of the day through the expansion of the co-curricular program. These opportunities are based on the individual passions and interests expressed by the students and also by their parents. We understand the hassle of driving around town with little ones for extracurricular dance, music or sporting programs after school – having all these activities in one place brings benefits for students and parents alike. ‘Never see a need without doing something about it’ –St Mary MacKillop

‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others’ – Gandhi

At Santa Sabina College, one of our Dominican Pillars is service. St Mary MacKillop, Australia’s patron saint, called on us ‘to never see a need without doing

something about it’. So, this year we reached out in service to assist St Joseph’s at Woodburn, which is in the Lismore diocese.

St Joseph’s was devastated by recent floods and, tragically, lost its beautiful school. So, the St Joseph’s community set up a school in a local church and utilised demountable classrooms in Evans Head. This allowed the children to get back to a form of normality as quickly as possible. In addition to losing their school, half of the school families also lost their homes, businesses and everything they owned.

After reaching out to Jeanette Wilkins, the Principal of St Joseph’s, to ascertain how we could best assist, Mrs Wilkins mentioned that her students would really appreciate small gestures of care. As student service actions are so very important at Santa Sabina we provided each of the students at St Joseph’s with a care package that we made as a school community. Families made generous donations and students were actively involved in preparing and packing the care packages for each of the students and staff members at St Joseph’s.

Mrs Wilkins wrote a heartfelt thank you, expressing that the care packages and gifts were absolutely overwhelming and very much appreciated. Mrs Wilkins expressed that the kindness and generosity shown to the students, staff and community by the Santa community will remain a treasured memory and the children made a video to express their gratitude

Our Year 1 class used the St Joseph’s service initiative as inspiration for their entry into the Mathematical Association of New South Wales Incorporated (MANSW) competition. They won first place in both the NSW competition and the national competition. The best Year 1 maths investigation in Australia for 2022!

The competition involved students formulating their own questions about the service initiative to form mathematical investigations. They began by exploring the height of the flood waters. Next they analysed the number of students and donations collected by our school. Then the students used their mathematical skills to examine the different

properties and masses of the donations.

Finally, the students took on the role of the courier driver and used their digital technology skills to code the Bee-Bots to follow the route from Santa Sabina College to St Joseph's Woodburn.

Throughout the investigation, the students engaged in a variety of mathematical concepts and skills that further enhanced a hands-on, purposeful, real-world approach to Mathematics. Our Investigating with Mathematics tasks meet new syllabus outcomes allowing for a deep understanding of the world by applying the concepts and skills explicitly taught to solve student questions.

HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF OUR CO-CURRICULAR CLUBS

PRIMARY ART CLUB

Our Year 4 co-curricular artists have been experimenting with new techniques and media including watercolour paint, ink and gelli plates. We love these original and individual artworks!

YEAR 4 BASKETBALL

Boys in Year 4 enjoyed learning about teamwork and fair play in co-curricular basketball in Term 2 this year. In competition they also learned game tactics and positions on the court.

FINE MOTOR CLUB

Did you know that finger strength is important for everyday tasks such as opening packets, cutting, writing and manipulating materials? Kindy and Year 1 students in this club have lots of fun while strengthening their hands and fingers.

CRYSTAL GROWING CLUB

Fostering an early interest in chemistry while having fun, club members used alum and distilled water to create seed crystals that looked like diamonds! They practised scientific skills and learned about patience because it’s tricky to grow crystals.

ROBOTICS AND CODING CLUB

Lego, block coding and iPads brought creativity to life in this club for Kindergarten to Year 2. We built robots, sharks and insects and coded them to make noises and carry out tasks.

SCIENCE CLUB

Our Years 2 & 3 scientists engage their curiosity and extend their thinking through experimentation, hypothesis and investigation.

Rebuilding social development after COVID

We vi ew children as part of a democratic community, where they can be; be themselves, be understood, be valued, be heard, to experience joy, wonder, challenge and discover while feeling connected to others and the natural world through play and inquiry.

MARY BAILEY HOUSE VISION STATEMENT 2022

At Mary Bailey House the restrictions of the pandemic lockdown are a distant memory as the social, physical, cognitive and language development of our youngest students continues apace in an award-winning and joyful environment.

A typical day in our Early Education Centre (catering for six-week-olds to six-year-olds) involves reading, storytelling, the creative arts, tending the vegetable garden, dancing, yoga, learning Italian, numeracy play, construction in the block area, imaginative and outdoor

play in the recently revitalised play area.

Mary Bailey House has distinctive learning spaces – Daintree Rainforest (three- to six-year-olds), Lilly Pilly Gully (two- to three-year-olds), Cradle Mountain (six weeks to two-year-olds). All are safe havens and supportive spaces where children learn through play and are provided the highest quality care and education.

In its extensive outdoor play areas, Mary Bailey House also has four distinct garden areas: the Veggie Garden at the back of the centre, the Bush Tucker Garden, the Herb

Garden hanging on the fence and Memorial Succulent Garden. For Planet Ark School Tree Day in July the older children attending the Centre repotted and named plants in our Herb Garden.

Outdoors, the children spend much time challenging their gross motor skills, using the obstacle course equipment. They enjoy bouncing and jumping on the trampoline which helps develop their agility, core strength and coordination. During these experiences they display confidence in their skills and demonstrate their ability to share the equipment with others. In 2022 we have noticed the children becoming more agile. They are developing increased coordination and balance as they have been practised every day. The older children have also had the opportunity to explore natural spaces beyond MBH on regular visits to the Del Monte (Primary Campus for Prep to Year 4) playing fields.

The Yarnin Circle has been exploring Aboriginal culture through story sharing, a component of the eight ways of learning. They have read Dreamtime stories, listened to

stories using traditional symbols and understood stories through painting. They have learnt to tell their own stories using various media including video and traditional storytelling methods.

Indoors, the children are provided with materials and resources to support them as they test theories and make sense of the world. They draw, paint, manipulate dough and experiment with writing. In 2022 the older children have learnt about the formation of letters as they experiment with writing their names and letters to their peers. They show an understanding that writing can be used to convey messages and communicate with others. Similarly, they are beginning to show an understanding of interpreting the shapes, lines and forms and representing them in drawn form. They are using a combination of visual information and verbal cues to recreate representational images with many complex details.

Mary Bailey House, where our youngest students explore through play and inquiry, is consistently rated as Exceeding the National Quality Standard.

Janice Leelapatra

Stamina, speed, strength, skill and spirit

The College’s sport programs provide balance and diversity for all our students from Prep to Year 12, meeting the needs of all our students regardless of skill and fitness levels. Elite athletes are nurtured and given opportunities to represent not just their school but also our associations, their state and even their country. For all players and participants we promote fair play, a sense of commitment, responsibility and personal excellence. Professional coaches and ex-student assistant coaches run our programs.

SPORTS IN 2022 INCLUDED

Aussie Rules, Aquathon, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Fit Club, Football, Futsal, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Rugby Sevens, Snowsports, Softball, Supersports (K-2) Swimming, Tennis,

Touch Football, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo.

Our teams play in these competitions: Catholic Girls Secondary Schools Sports Association NSW, NSW Combined Catholic Colleges, NSW All Schools, Australian All Schools and for Years 3 – 6 there are also the competitions Cook Cluster, Inner West, MacKillop and NSW Primary Schools Sports Association.

We held Swimming and Athletics Carnivals at Sydney Olympic Park and on campus – carnivals include our littlest pupils from Mary Bailey House and Prep. Our special Sports Awards evening celebrated all our sports while rewarding individual commitment and achievement. Our guest speaker and ex-student Bridget Clark (2020) shared her journey from Santa student to elite athlete, playing Rugby Sevens for Australia. She inspired our students to follow their dreams.

Lily Stewart (left)

OTHER SPORTING HIGHLIGHTS

FROM 2022 INCLUDE

FOOTBALL

Year 12 student Claudia Cicco was selected in the Australian All Schools Football team. Claudia was also selected in the Young Matildas Squad and received a professional contract with the Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand, to play in the A-League 22/23 season.

ATHLETICS

Emma Wheadon of Year 11 represented NSW in the Australian Cross Country Championships in Adelaide.

Year 6 student Scarlett Chidiac won 1500m at the Mackillop championships in September, qualifying her to

compete in the forthcoming NSWPSSA championships. Lily Stewart was the joint 15 years Age Champion at NSWCCC Athletics Championships. Lily, along with Caitlin Brennan and Janice Leelapatra competed at the NSW All Schools Athletics Championships with Janice placing second in the Pole Vault. Janice’s result has qualified her to compete at the Australian All Schools in December.

SNOWSPORTS

We took 50 students from Years 9 to 12 for a fantastic weekend of skiing and snowboarding in Thredbo – many were beginners – all had a great time.

NETBALL

Several teams won their grand finals: Year 10 SSC 3, Year 8 SSC 10 and Year 6 SSC 16.

VOLLEYBALL

The Representative Volleyball teams have all had great success at the NSW Volleyball Schools Cups with a number of medals won. Year 7 students Emily Morgan, Mackenzie Bedford and Violet Addabbo were selected in the NSW U14 Volleyball Team. Elizabeth Buckley (U16), Jennifer Yang (U19), and Isabella Simurina (U19), were also selected to represent NSW in their respective age groups. In addition, Isabella, Jennifer and Isabella Cook were selected to represent NSW in Beach Volleyball this year.

TENNIS

Our Senior Tennis team won silver at the NSWCCC Tennis Championship. Peter Domingo in Year 4 was crowned runner up in the u12s Tennis ACT junior championships.

IPSHA Touch Football team

Claudia Cicco

Emma Wheadon

Primary Hip Hop

DIVING

Lucia Pappalardo represented the Combined Catholic Colleges in the NSW All Schools Diving competition on 3 June gaining fifth place in the U14 Springboard. From these results, Lucia has been selected in the NSW team for the All Schools Championships.

GYMNASTICS

India Matheson of Year 6 competed in the State Acrobatic Gymnastics Senior Championships in a trio who earned a bronze medal overall and went on to compete in the Nationals. Sisters Sophie (Year 9) and Isabelle Lee (Year 6) competed in the Rhythmic Gymnastics Senior State Championships qualifying to represent the NSW State team at the Australian Gymnastics Championships in May.

DANCE

Our Dance troupe has grown to include more than 100 dancers from across all years and all teams won medals at competitions and eisteddfods during 2022. We hosted the CGSSSA Dance Championships and won many team and solo sections.

BASKETBALL

The Year 8 07 team wrapped up the season totally undefeated.

CRICKET

Elizabeth Buckley of Year 10 represented NSW in the U18 Indoor Cricket Team. Lizzie was the youngest player in the team.

RUGBY SEVENS

Faith Ata of Year 5 played in the MacKillop Rugby Sevens side, making the Grand Final of the

tournament, going down by one try to Hunter. Faith was selected into the NSW Merit Team on the day.

TOUCH FOOTBALL

The SSC IPSHA Touch Football team, made up of students from Years 4-6, went through their season undefeated and showed great sportsmanship with each win.

GOLF

Honey Kim, Year 6, won the MacKillop Golf Championships and qualified for the NSWPSSA Championships held in September.

WATER POLO

Armani Jamieson and Abbie Crakanthorp were selected in the Born’07 and Born ’08 Waratahs Water Polo teams to compete at the Junior National Championships.

Liam Amendolia, Arney Lebeau, Raymond Nakhel, William Kategiannis

Heer Arora

When you walk through a storm, Hold your head up high And don't be afraid of the dark. At the end of a storm, There's a golden sky, And the sweet silver song of a lark YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE.

All my family knows how much I love this song. I sing it quite often: in the car on my way to work, on the ferry and when I drop off my daughter at school in the morning. The lyrics sing to me, and resonate with me even more so after the past two COVID-riddled years and lockdowns. Now there is a golden sky. Let’s celebrate.

I remember my daughter’s first day of school like yesterday, and even though she is now in high school, I still cherish that memory and every opportunity I have to spend time with her. She often tells me memories of school fetes and barbecues. Who knew that these relatively easy actions from us parents would become core memories for our kids? I continue to repeat the lyrics to this famous song to her in the mornings and remind her that when you are part of a community, you will never walk alone.

People often ask me why I joined the P&F. In a very tumultuous world that is incredibly busy, a world riddled with the stress of making life happen, of responsibility and discipline, of attending work meetings and events, of raising three children… why would I add to the workload and join the P&F ?

The reason is quite simple. Everything we do, we do for our kids. Actually, we do it to create memories that we will cherish with our kids. We only get one shot at being parents, and we want to grab every opportunity we have to spend time with our kids, with BOTH hands. We want to be part of their lives and them to be part of ours. Being part of this amazing cohort of parents, all with the mutual love

for the College and drive towards our children’s wellbeing, has enriched our days in so many ways. I have met so many amazing parents over the last year. It has been a busy year with the following events, and more to come:

● Primary Years Welcome Picnic and BBQ hosted on the beautiful Del Monte grounds

● International Women's Day Dinner

● Gioia House Welcome Lunch

● P&F College annual ball

● Mother's Day breakfast

● Mother’s Day lunch

● Father’s Day breakfast

● Fathers Golf day

● Students’ colour run

I know all of us have had those moments when we are at a supermarket or Bunnings and we bump into someone from the College, usually recognisable from the College uniform. You feel an instant connection to that family. You are drawn to say hello. That feeling, right then and there, that feeling of being drawn or connected to someone is the best feeling in the world. It’s belonging to the College, to a community that you are a big part of. It’s nodding to a fellow parent, carpooling or even meeting after a soccer game for a coffee or meal. These are the moments that I will always cherish. At times I may be walking by myself, but I am not walking alone.

As we look forward towards 2023, the P&F stays committed to its core vision: ‘One College, One Community’, as we focus on creating opportunities for people to establish new friendships, and strengthen existing ones.

JOSEPH GITTANI President, Santa Sabina College P&F Association

All the

news from

Around the plot

From the President

One of the exciting new initiatives of the Ex-Students’ Association in 2022 was our International Women’s Day Dinner co-hosted by the Parents and Friends’ Association and the College. (See the full report on page 34). A great cross section of people attended, to listen to the panel of six speakers, interviewed by Bianca Balzer. We also launched our first podcast in our series, Exceptional. Two new members of our committee are the driving force behind these initiatives. Our association is very appreciative of their hard work and enthusiasm.

I wish to thank everyone on our committee for their ongoing dedication and commitment.

Our fellowships for younger ex-students is our fundraising priority for this year. These fellowships are to assist with undertaking research, educational travel, professional development or humanitarian or aid work. Thank you to all those who have donated and supported us through our raffles.

Mentoring is a significant role in which ex-students can participate. We played an important part in the Career Women’s Network Breakfast and the round table sessions.

As well as sponsoring our Centenary Scholarship for a student to complete her schooling at the College, supporting the wider Dominican community has always been part of our mission. This year we donated to Zara’s House in Newcastle and to the Sisters’ Congregation in Vietnam.

In partnership with the College we welcomed the Golden Girls and Boys at their reunion, particularly the class of 1972. A special thank you to the College for organising this annual event, held on the last Friday in May.

Our Association continues to recognise a student in Year 10 through the Sr Marcia Hall OP Award for integrity. This year we have two new awards, for two Year 4 students, named after prominent Del Monte ex-students, Howard Brown OAM and Ashleigh Barnes.

A special welcome to our newest ex-students from 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.

POOLEY

ELIZABETH

President, Santa Sabina College Ex-Students' Association

Ex-Students' Association Committee members: Sara Crane, Alexis Poole, Michelle Civitarese, Elizabeth Pooley, Johanna O'Rouke, Sr Pauline Riley OP and Loretta Muratore

International Women’s Day

DON’T SHRINK TO FIT

The nuns who taught me at Santa Sabina said never take no for an answer – my entire life I’ve been grateful for that’. So said renowned broadcaster and academic Monica Attard (1976) at the International Women’s Day networking event presented by the Ex-Students’ and Parents & Friends’ Associations of Santa Sabina College on 8 March 2022.

Joining Monica on the podium of panellists were television journalist Bianca Balzer (2011), health administrator Lynette Foskett, mechanical engineer Lucy Guerin (1995), technology executive Ruth Santangelo and College Principal Paulina Skerman. The life and career journeys of each speaker were touched upon, while the

tales of inevitable small collisions with misogyny were contextualised into larger career successes. Together the panellists, all Santa Sabina alumnae or parents, shared wisdom with an audience of students, staff, ex-students, Dominican Sisters, current and former parents who were seeking to celebrate exceptional women and spark action to ‘break the bias’ for all women.

With advice from the panellists on staying authentic, believing in yourself and supporting all women for whatever choices they make in life, Paulina Skerman summed it up memorably saying, ‘Don’t shrink to fit, you have to be yourself.

Lucy Guerin, Monica Attard, Ruth Santangelo, Lynette Foskett, Paulina Skerman, Bianca Balzer

Above: Annmaree McGrath (1963) Below: Bella Merlino, Lily Chahoud, Anna Millward, Clare Moses, Loredana Leonard

Belinda Civitarese, Alissa Hunter, Alex Cantali, Carmel Lombardo, Daniella Di Santo, Corinne Mansour, Caterina Fara, Christine Saade, Lisa McGhee-Dann

ANN MAREE WHENMAN (ARNEMAN 1972) Academic and Educator

Ann Maree Whenman is a Santa Sabina ex-student, former staff member and former College parent. She says that although her relationship with the College started as a student, ‘what followed formed much deeper and more enduring memories’.

Ann Maree wrote to us about those enduring memories: My story with Santa Sabina has been intertwined with my life story for over 55 years now.

As part of the ‘Class of ’72’ I attended the College as a student from 1967 to 1972. I was Sports Vice-Captain in Year 11 and a Prefect in Year 12. Many of the groups I participated in involved students from across different years groups – Special Choir, YCS, Legion of Mary, Swimming Squad and even the College’s first Cricket Team (1968)!

My sister (Dr Kathryn Arneman) was also a student at Santa Sabina – from 1970 to 1976 (she was an exchange student in Canada in 1975).

After completing my teaching degree and working in State schools for a few years, I returned to the College as a Science/Chemistry teacher in 1979. I was Year 8 Year Coordinator in 1981 and later that year I left to have our

first child, Luke. My Year 12 Chemistry students described themselves as 'honorary aunts’!

Luke and I were invited back to the College on many occasions for significant events such as graduations and St Dom’s Day.

Time passed and in 1993, I returned to Santa Sabina as the first Pastoral Care coordinator, appointed by Sr Judith Lawson OP [then Principal]. I had added Religious Education to my teaching portfolio by then. This time I was a College staff member from 1993 to 1998. During my time in the Pastoral Care role I was asked (by Sr Judy) to prepare for and lead the 7-12 transition from a horizontal (year cohort) to vertical pastoral care (house) system. This was completed and implemented in Term 4 1997. (At that time some said it would never last a year!)

During these years my daughter, Amy Whenman (Class of 2001), commenced her time as a student at the College – in 1996. I had another role in the College community, that of parent. I returned to SSC, as a parent, for Amy’s graduation celebrations in 2001. Amy’s wedding was celebrated in Santa Sabina Chapel in 2009.

My journey as educator after 1998 took me on a different path, away from school, into adult education in Parishes in the Diocese of Broken Bay (Northern Sydney/ Central Coast) and then to Australian Catholic University as a Lecturer in Religious Education in the Postgraduate program until my retirement in 2019.

In many ways, I see my student days at Santa Sabina as a personal foundation for the life choices I have made in terms of vocation – education and family.

‘My time at Santa Sabina College – somewhat more than "student days"’

The 1970 Cricket team – Ann Maree is in the back row on the right.

EXCEPTIONAL The podcast

Three outstanding Santa Sabina ex-students are the cornerstone of the exciting initiative of the Santa Sabina College Ex-Students’ Association: Exceptional, the podcast.

These are the stories of three inspirational women, presented in their own words as they respond to the incisive questions – a gift to the College community and the world at large

AN INTERVIEW WITH EXCEPTIONAL PODCAST HOST, SARA CRANE (CLASS OF 2000)

You may have heard Sara Crane’s voice putting ex-students with inspirational stories under the spotlight in the Santa Sabina Ex Students’ Association's new podcast series – Exceptional We took the opportunity to turn the microphone on our podcast host, Sara Crane.

What is your day job?

I’m the senior solicitor for Legal Aid NSW at the Hunter Drug Court.

What was the motivation behind the podcast series?

To share stories from around the globe and keep us connected during the pandemic.

What makes a good interview?

Someone ready, willing and able to answer the questions. To put shyness aside and talk themselves up. They deserve it. I’ve been really proud of people pulling themselves out of their comfort zone and aiming high in their answers to help the podcast craft compelling stories. These stories deserve to be told and they made my job a delight.

Any stories that surprised you?

Yes, Sister Judith Lawson’s overseas study at Boston College and getting into concerts for free. (Free tickets on a Sunday)

This is your first year as a member of the committee of the Santa Sabina Ex-Students’ Association, what motivated you to join the committee?

To connect with like-minded women,

make new friends and learn about community and governance.

Any highlights from your first year?

The International Women's Day dinner hosted by the Ex Students' Association, the College and the P & F. It was wild weather that day and I was travelling three hours to be there (I don’t live in Sydney). I was determined to be there for the launch of the podcast so drove through the torrential rain. Once inside I had a warm and fabulous night.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about joining the committee of the Santa Sabina Ex-Students' Association?

The Association is what you make of it. Get in and make it fabulous. The sky is the limit (kind of within reason) and you won’t regret it because it will take you back to a very happy place and time in your life. You’ll also have the time of your life organising events and talking things over with people from different years that you never knew – yet feel kindred with.

Exceptional the podcast series shares stories, conversations and wisdom from the Santa Sabina ex-students community. You can catch

up on episodes featuring Sr Judith Lawson OP OAM (former principal and human rights advocate); Melanie Evans (CEO ING Australia) and Anne-Maree Mulders (ovarian cancer survivor and advocate) on Spotify, Apple and omny.fm. If you have a story to share or feedback please let us know at santaexstudents@gmail.com

SCAN HERE TO FIND ALL PODCASTS IN THIS SERIES

Sr Judy with Sara at school

THIRTEEN YEARS OF SUPPORT IN South Africa from Santa Sabina

ASanta Sabina education, embedded with Dominican values and traditions, has historically encouraged post school participation in social justice initiatives.

For over 13 years, a group of Year 11 students and staff from Santa Sabina College were granted the opportunity to experience a very different life through immersion within the Kopanang Community in the Tsakane township outside Johannesburg, South Africa. The immersion, led by Sr Sheila Flynn OP, has been described as ‘life changing’ and ‘eye, heart and mind opening’ by students

who have since shared their experiences with their peers, families, and work colleagues.

Over the past three years, the global pandemic and travel restrictions has placed a hiatus on this immersion opportunity. Despite this impact and geographical distance, there remains a pervading personal connection and motivation for Santa Sabina students, ex-students, teachers, past and present parents, Dominican congregations and the wider Santa community to reach out to the families of Kopanang.

Assistance provided from our Santa community

-

TOZI

has been tangible, through the fair price purchase of handicrafts produced by the women and targeted donations that include school uniforms, creche fees, food crisis supplies, home maintenance and more. Many readers may already have their walls adorned with Kopanang embroideries purchased at the annual Christmas market, fete stalls and fundraisers.

For those who don’t know the history of Kopanang; Sr Sheila Flynn OP, now an integral member of our own Dominican Sisters community in Australia, was living in Johannesburg during apartheid and witnessed human decimation from the HIV-AIDS pandemic, leaving orphaned children to be raised by grieving and poverty impacted grandmothers. In this context, in 2001, Sr Sheila gathered a group of the grandmothers, secured premises to meet, and there they shared their stories, tears, fears and inspiration for self-determination and a brighter future. The desperate and immediate goal of these grandmothers was to earn income to put food on the table to feed their family. Kopanang (meaning ‘gathering’) developed into a safe, loving and supportive environment where social and financial needs were supported by the generous support of global donations and the production and sales of beautiful embroideries. Kopanang Community Trust continues to thrive today with over 50 women at Kopanang and the sister projects Ingomusu and Bundu. Hundreds of children are supported through Kopanang everyday.

As a follow on from the student immersion program, in 2014, Natalie Virgona (2007) and her mother Toni Virgona; Natasha Fox (2009) and mother Barbara Fox (James Year 9 1974); Kirsten Mustica (2009); Carolyn Kennedy (Needs 1979), Helen Jones (staff 2005) and this author (1985), travelled to Kopanang thereby establishing an inaugural ‘adult Immersion’. Living and sharing with the women motivated the establishment of Kopanang Friends Global (KFG) in Australia to provide a more formalised and structured platform for receiving and distributing

targeted donations and supporting the goals of the Kopanang community.

Prue Armstrong (1985) was supported by the Ex-Students’ Association, Dominican Sisters congregation and KFG to travel to Kopanang and to spend an extended period supporting the development of roles within the leadership team.

Lucy Virgona (2010) and Charlotte O’Carrigan (2006), as lead designers at Bonds, have secured an extremely generous donation of $10,000 worth of underwear, including ‘period/absorbent’ underwear to promote female dignity and sustainable product access in the Kopanang community.

Tozi Makoba sums things up: ‘Kopanang Friends' support has touched many people lives and will significantly contribute to make a difference in our community. You have given us the right of dignity – the panties will sustain us for a long time. We will be able to attend school and work since there will be no need to stay indoors due to lack of sanitary products.’

In September 2022, I returned to Kopanang with Sr Sheila, where there was great joy amongst the women and children who received lunch, Bonds underwear donations and stationery packs for all the children. This was all made possible through school fundraising and personal donations. We were rewarded with an outpouring of gratitude, joyous faces and beautiful singing.

The 2022 Christmas Market will be held at Rosary Lodge on 18 and 19 November. The women of Kopanang stayed focused during long COVID lockdowns over 2020 and 2021 to produce embroideries. Come and have a look at the beautiful work they have created during these past two years.

Please ensure your details are registered by emailing kopanangfriends@aapt.net.au to secure a personal invitation to the market.

STACEY BANNON (1985)

‘Kopanang Friends' support has touched many people's lives and will significantly contribute to make a difference in our community. You have given us the right of dignity – the panties will sustain us for a long time. We will be able to attend school and work since there will be no need to stay indoors due to lack of sanitary products.’

MAKOBA

Where are they now?

JACQUALINE RAAD (2003)

Once Jacqualine had competed a Bachelor of Human Resource Management at Macquaire University, she started to work at VEOLIA Australia as a HR Coordinator. Jacqualine progressed in the company taking on the role of HR Advisor and then found her home in Organisational Development. It became clear Jacqualine’s strengths and passions were in people development. Balancing the role of wife, mum and leader, Jacqualine gave it everything she had to make it all work. She also discovered on leaving school that she was hearing impaired.

Jacqualine’s purpose in the workplace is to be there with colleagues in moments of self-discovery and support them in their growth journey – helping leaders make the sustained changes they want and need to see.

The most important thing in Jacqualine’s life is her faith. Occupations can come and go, but the love of Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

CAITLIN CATALANO (MCKAY 1997)

With the intention of forging a career in media, Caitlin dived straight from school into undertaking a combined Bachelor of Media/Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree at Macquarie University. Her intended career path took a turn when she accepted a graduate role at an international law firm, and again when she gave up practising law to try her hand in a business development role at a national law firm. Fast-forward 17 years and Caitlin is still at that firm, working with teams who undertake some of the Commonwealth’s most high-profile and sensitive legal work. Her two degrees retain ongoing relevance in her current field and demonstrate that study can open up endless possibilities and take you in a variety of directions. Even more significant to Caitlin is the strong grounding she received as a Santa Sabina girl, which her two daughters are now experiencing as the fourth generation of strong, determined and truthseeking Santa Sabina girls in Caitlin’s family.

Career Women’s Network Mentor

Career Women’s Network Mentor

VALENTINA GUARNA (2021)

Valentina won the Inner West Young Creative Awards (16-18 years division) for her Year 12 Major Art Work ‘Shared Vision’. Valentina is currently at UTS studying Management in Digital Creative Enterprise.

CATHERINE ROBINSON (1994)

Catherine completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Sydney then went on to complete her Master's in Medical Ultrasound whilst raising a family of five children. Catherine works as an obstetric sonographer in a private women's imaging clinic in Sydney. She is also an international ambassador for Radiology Across Borders (RAB), a role in which she trains doctors and sonographers in developing nations. Recently Catherine completed a Master of Teaching (ACU) and with this, is currently developing WSU's first postgraduate obstetric ultrasound course.

VANESSA GIRIBALDI-LAHOUD (1993)

After graduating from Santa Sabina College, Vanessa completed Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees. After commencing as a secondary teacher in south western Sydney, she decided to pursue her passion for supporting student wellbeing and child protection. Vanessa has held various corporate positions with the Department of Education including as a policy and child protection officer and overseeing student attendance and behaviour at a whole of organisation level. In 2015, Vanessa joined the Health, Safety and Staff Wellbeing Directorate of the Department and today is a Specialist Program Director, leading a large multi-disciplinary team in supporting school communities across the state to mitigate and manage high risk taking behaviours of students. Vanessa has three children who currently attend Santa Sabina College and who keep her on her toes with parenting and working full time!

Career Women’s Network Mentor

ELISE WHILEY (2001)

Inspired by her educators at Santa Sabina, Elise completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science degree and Graduate Diploma of Education (PDHPE) at the Australian Catholic University and has since taught PDHPE at schools across a range of sectors in Sydney. She has primarily worked in curriculum leadership as Head of PDHPE and re-joined the Santa Sabina College community in the aforementioned role in 2020, a position she describes as a true homecoming. Elise studied The Science of Wellbeing through Yale in 2020, cementing her passion for fostering the holistic care of young people, particularly in a postCOVID-19 world. She is currently the Dean of Pastoral Care at Santa Sabina and enjoys promoting positive, fulfilling and evidence based wellbeing programs for students in Year 7-12.

Career

Women’s Network Mentor

ERIKA PAWLEY (1992)

Erika is a leading urban planner with extensive experience in strategy development and implementation. She holds a Bachelor of Town Planning from the University of New South Wales, and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Erika is passionate about people, places and collaboration. A key theme in all of her projects is bringing together diverse stakeholders from the private sector, local and state Government and institutions, to work in partnership to develop and deliver strategies to enable places to reach their full potential.

Erika is currently the Project Director at Leamac Property Group. A Santa education laid the foundation for Erika’s collaborative approach in the male dominated property sector, and she is proud her daughter is now also a Santa girl.

DANIELLE FUNSTON (1999)

After graduating from Santa, Danielle completed a BA in Communications and a Law (Honours) degree at UTS. During her time at university Danielle worked in the Santa music department in a Head of Strings role, where she led string ensembles, co-conducted the Symphony Orchestra and taught students violin at both our Primary Years and Secondary Years campuses.

Since graduating from university Danielle has worked solely as a lawyer in private practice, making partner at K&L Gates at the age of 33. Danielle is now a partner at national firm Maddocks where she specialises in Restructuring & Insolvency and general commercial law. She is a director of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association and a proud director of St Lucy’s School Wahroonga – our Dominican cousin – a role which she cherishes.

Danielle has two daughters, with her eldest Audrey in Year 5 at Gioia House this year.

HELEN HISLOP (1997)

Helen completed a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney and worked in Sydney for two years before moving to the UK. Fast forward 10 years, a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy and two children later, Helen is back in the inner west and managing health care for the aged community services for Sydney local health district.

FARRAH BEHAN (1996)

Farrah completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Finance and Economics at the University of NSW. Farrah has worked in the finance industry for over 20 years and has held various roles in Australia and Hong Kong across Project Finance, Institutional Banking and Debt Capital Markets businesses. Currently Farrah is a Director of Infrastructure Finance at HSBC Bank Australia. She is an advocate for workplace flexibility for working parents, including being Chair of HSBC's Parents and Carers Network. Farrah has also completed a Master’s of Applied Finance at Macquarie University.

Farrah is a mother of two children and her daughter is excited to be starting at Gioia House in 2023. Farrah loved her time at Santa, which provided her with a love of learning and lifelong friends.

Career Women’s Network Mentor

50 YEAR REUNION

CLASS OF 1972

GOLDEN GIRLS AND BOYS REUNION

We were thrilled to welcome our Golden Girls and Boys back to the College campus in May for an in-person reunion, after two years affected by COVID restrictions. Around 100 ex-students who left the school 50 or more years ago enjoyed Mass, lunch and an archives display.

40 YEAR REUNION

The Class of 1982 held its 40 year reunion at the The Royal Oak Hotel in Balmain in October 2022.

A total of 55 classmates attended, travelling from interstate and overseas.

40 YEAR REUNION

It was an exciting night, with a buzzing atmosphere...rumour had it the group were asked to leave the venue at midnight, and a few may have kicked on!

A wonderful reunion!

The Class of 1972 had a wonderful afternoon at the Kirribilli Club in late October.

1 YEAR REUNION

YEAR 13

Many members of the Class of 2021 came back to school this year to collect their yearbooks –Veritas 2021 – and bring us up to date on their first year out of school. The first official reunion with many more to come!

THE CLASS OF 2002

The Class of 2002 had its 20 Year reunion on 10 September at Camperdown Commons. Such a wonderful day with more than 60 peers joining our celebration of strong, successful, independent women, it was a chance to reconnect and reminisce on the wonderful years spent together at Santa!

20 YEAR REUNION

Marriages

Date19 March 2022 Couple Victoria Agnese and Jesse Baldini (who met in Kindergarten at Del Monte in 2000) Location Santa Sabina Chapel

Date 1 October 2022 Couple Daniela Burland (2008) and Adriano Serbati Location Santa Sabina Chapel

Date 24 September 2022 Couple Ophelia Torres (2012) and Scott Gardner Location Santa Sabina Chapel

Date 27 March 2022 Couple Rebecca Shalala (2012) and Patrick Romano (who met in Del Monte) Location Santa Sabina Chapel

Date12 March 2022 Couple Rachel Luscombe (2014) and Adrian Sacco Location Santa Sabina Chapel

Date 22 January 2022 Couple Natalia Grasso (2015) and Adrian Ruggiero

Date 9 July 2022 Couple Kirsten Musica (2009) and Joshua Von Bischoffshausen

Births

Born 26 February 2022

Welcome Georgia Lucia Giuffre

Family Marc Giuffre (Del Monte 1995) and Amanda Giuffre, granddaughter of Olga Giuffre (Pastroudis 1977)

Deaths

Born 29 September 2022

WELCOME Thomas Michael Poynting

FAMILY Alison Perestrelo (2008) and Michael Poynting

BORN 28 March 2022

WELCOME Frederick Vuckovic

FAMILY Felicity Vuckovic (Mulcahy 2003) and Andrew Vuckovic, brother for Oliver, Vincent and Theodore

BORN 30 April 2022

WELCOME Gabrielle Susan Clare Ellis

FAMILY Katie Ellis (White 2006) and Andrew Ellis

We Remember

Dominican Sisters

Sr Geraldine Maher OP

29 November 2021

Sr Marie Dominique Tran OP

17 January 2022

Sr Valerie Grimson OP

18 March 2022

Jubilees

We congratulate the following Dominican Sisters who celebrated the anniversary of their profession during 2022

Sr Jacquiline Kubebatu OP

9 April 2022

Sr Elizabeth Lusby OP 30 April 2022

Sr Helen Rankin OP 9 July 2022

Sr Patricia Barrett OP

13 August 2022

Ex-students

Margaret Ryan (1956) 19 March 2022

Betty Watson (Flannery 1951) 10 July 2022

Marea Stenmark OAM (1952) 1 August 2022

Cecily Elizabeth Backhouse KC (1947)

10 September 2022

Marguerite Egan (1985) 23 September 2021

Jeanette McGloin (1948) September 2022

M. Germaine Innes OP 80 years

Sr Frances Caine OP 75 years

Margaret (M. Mildred) Hill OP 70 years

Sr Kathleen Maher OP 70 years

Sr Maureen O’Connor OP 70 years

Sr Marie O’Regan OP 70 years

Sr Marie Weeks OP 70 years

Sr Diana Woods OP 70 years

Sr Geraldine O’Sullivan OP 60 years

Sr Sheila Flynn OP 50 years

Santa Sabina family Kathleen Meleady (Board member, past parent) 12 August 2022

Eric Azizian (son of staff) 16 July 2022

Sr Catherine Peter OP 50 years

Sr Maria Tom OP 50 years

Sr Veronica Boki OP 25 years

NIGHT PATROL IS BACK!

Night Patrol has been part of the College’s commitment to work towards a more just society for several decades. After three years off the road, Night Patrol is back and there are several different ways that your family could be involved in this outreach program. You do not need to commit to a regular roster, but help out when asked, if it suits you. There is something for everyone.

YOU

COULD

MAKE a few loaves of sandwiches (if you involve your children, they can put the activity in their service record).

DONATE some of the snack foods (such as muesli bars, chips, popper juices) or cash to buy fresh fruit on the day we go out. BE PART of the seven-person crew.

DRIVE the Night Patrol truck.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST PLEASE CONTACT JANE SULIS

EMAIL: J.SULIS@SSC.NSW.EDU.AU PHONE: 9745 7034

TRUCK...

THINGS

PRE-COVID we visited rough sleepers in the CBD, but now the focus has changed to supporting people on the margins of the city: Waterloo, Surry Hills, Balmain, Glebe. WE GO OUT on Saturday and Sunday nights, from 6:009:00pm, approximately once a month.

SPENDING TIME CHATTING is an important part of the night for people who are isolated and lonely. One lady in Ward Park calls her visitors ‘the family’.

NIGHT PATROL is once again open to students 16 years and over, parents, and staff. It has been wonderful in past years to see a parent and daughter working together. Many enjoy it so much they come back as ex-students and ex-parents.

HERE ARE A FEW

THAT WILL GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT NIGHT PATROL INVOLVES, TO HELP YOU DECIDE HOW YOU WANT TO GO OUT IN THE