We would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we learn; the Dharug people of the Wangal Clan. We pay our respects to their elders past and present. We ask the ancestors of this land to be with us in spirit as we seek to learn and understand, to grow in knowledge and compassion.
Inspired by St Catherine of Siena, who described the way of life shaped by St Dominic as ‘very spacious, gladsome and fragrant, a most delightful garden’, this Strategic Plan reflects our commitment to a holistic education grounded in faith, scholarship, community and service.
Education has always been about preparing young people for the future. While the world our students will inherit continues to change at an extraordinary pace, our purpose remains constant: to equip them with the knowledge, skills, character and confidence to flourish in a complex and ever-changing world.
At Santa Sabina, we believe this preparation extends beyond academic achievement. It is equally about nurturing young people who are reflective, compassionate and courageous; young people who can think critically, build meaningful relationships, embrace innovation and respond generously to the needs of others. In a world that often values speed and distraction, we seek to cultivate wisdom, presence and discernment.
Guided by our Dominican Charism and Holistic Learning Framework, this Strategic Plan sets a clear direction for the next five years. Developed in partnership with our Board, staff, students and wider community, it reflects both our enduring mission and our confidence in the future.
As we continue to seek Veritas, we remain committed to educating young people who will not only succeed in their chosen paths but also contribute with integrity, compassion and hope to the communities they will lead and serve.
Elizabeth Brooks College Principal
Santa Sabina College, a Catholic school in the Dominican tradition, educates students to achieve personal excellence, to act with justice and compassion, and to embrace the future with an optimistic global vision.
To prepare every student to be Ready for Learning, Ready for Action, Ready for Adventure, Ready for the Stage, Ready for Grace and Ready for Life.
VERITAS – Truth
As a Dominican community, we live in accordance with the core Dominican pillars of community, service, prayer and study.
1. Faith
2. Scholarship
3. Wellbeing
4. Community
5. Momentum
We nurture our community to embrace the Gospel teachings and the Dominican Charism by living out their faith through their actions and their words.
EMBRACE THE GOSPELS:
• Enhance understanding and appreciation of Catholic Gospel teachings to foster the virtues of faith, hope, love, and compassion.
LIVE THE CHARISM:
• Embrace our Dominican Charism by fostering Disputatio, engaging in Formation, and embracing the love of the beautiful.
CELEBRATE LITURGICAL LIFE
• Honour and elevate our liturgical practices to deepen spiritual life, celebrate our faith, and enrich the communal worship experience.
CHAMPION JUSTICE:
• Commit to social justice, guided by ethical principles and moral integrity.
• Encourage meaningful service and outreach programs that engage the community and cultivate inclusive partnerships.
EMPOWER LEADERSHIP:
• Develop leaders who uphold the Dominican values of service and foster collaboration.
We inspire our students to pursue academic excellence by striving for their personal best. We respond to an ever changing world by ensuring our programs are future focused so that our students are world ready.
• Foster a culture of scholarly inquiry rooted in ethical and reflective practices.
• Encourage the pursuit of academic and personal excellence with a focus on holistic development.
• Develop students’ ability to discern truth and make informed, thoughtful decisions.
• Personalise learning experiences to individual student needs.
• Diversify teaching methods to accommodate various learning preferences.
• Offer specialised programs for gifted students.
• Ensure inclusive education for equal access to learning opportunities.
• Stimulate creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Expand horizons with global study tours.
• Utilise Lumination Labs for hands-on, exploratory learning.
• Provide strategic guidance for career development.
• Implement reading initiatives to foster curiosity and knowledge.
• Strengthen analytical abilities.
• Develop disciplinary expertise.
• Develop capacity for deep thinking and extended concentration.
ADVANCE TECHNOLOGICAL PROFICIENCY:
• Boost technological literacy to prepare students for the digital era.
• Ensure ethical teaching is incorporated into technological literacy.
We choose for our students to enjoy an holistic education, one that advances the whole person. We aim to provide an environment that develops responsibility and resilience where students gain selfawareness and manage self-regulation. We nurture this development by exposing students to a broad range of co-curricular and outdoor educational experiences while delivering an evidence based wellbeing program to help students flourish.
STRENGTHEN CONNECTIONS:
• Build a supportive and inclusive community.
DELIVER HOLISTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCES:
• Offer a well-rounded educational experience that nurtures all facets of student growth.
PROVIDE OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING:
• Enrich education with experiential learning and outdoor activities to facilitate personal growth.
BUILD SELF-EFFICACY:
• Foster self-reliance and confidence in students. Build resilience, self-regulation, responsibility and independence.
We create an inclusive place for our community where everyone feels welcomed. We value our alumni and seek to strengthen our connections with all stakeholders and the broader community in an effort to work together to sustain our school.
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY:
• Recognise and value the diverse backgrounds and cultures within our community.
ENCOURAGE DISPUTATIO:
• Promote respectful dialogue and engagement through thoughtful discourse.
EXPAND NETWORKS:
• Build broader connections and improve communication channels with industry and educational partners.
SHOW APPRECIATION:
• Celebrate and express gratitude for the contributions of all community members to enhance our reputation and build a strong national profile.
ENGAGE ALUMNI:
• Connect with former students to strengthen relationships and facilitate networking opportunities for students.
ADVANCE PHILANTHROPY:
• Cultivate philanthropic efforts to bolster community projects.
We encourage our community to be responsive to the signs of our times – this is at the heart of our Dominican Charism. We aim to preserve our heritage and traditions while committing to sustain social, economic and environmental resources. Our desire is to retain and attract a dedicated and dynamic workforce where people feel valued and have opportunities to engage in meaningful professional learning in a collegial and collaborative environment.
ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY:
• Enhance information technology; systems and processes to streamline operations and drive innovation.
DEVELOP STAFF:
• Recruit and inspire dedicated and dynamic individuals who are driven by a strong sense of moral purpose and committed to the College values.
GOVERN EFFICIENTLY:
• Implement effective governance to ensure strategic and operational excellence.
PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY:
• Champion environmental sustainability to reduce our ecological footprint and promote green practices.
MANAGE RESOURCES PRUDENTLY:
• Grow enrolments and oversee financial resources with prudence and transparency to ensure long-term stability.
IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN FACILITIES:
• Modernise facilities to provide a conducive, safe, and contemporary environment for learning and collaboration.