St Dominic's Priory College eNewsletter

PRINCIPAL'S WELCOME

As we move into our final term for 2023, we embrace the important end time rituals and obligations across the College community for students and staff. For students in Reception to Year 11, learning becomes more focussed as we strive to lift our grades and demonstrate our growth across the year. I encourage all students to keep up the momentum, stay engaged in all activities, and finish the year strong. Our staff are available to guide and support all girls, ensuring every student is successful. Whilst it is the final stretch for the Year 12 Class of 2023, there is much we still look forward as they are acknowledged by the school and wider community. As they prepare for their last few days, we celebrate accomplishments and wish every graduate a bright and promising future. We are confident they will shine wherever they go, carrying with them Dominican values, confident in their future. Our whole school Mass and Farewell on Thursday was a time of ritual, song and prayer as we offered gratitude to all Year 12 students.

We ended Term 4 with a wonderful evening at the Festival Theatre where St Dominic’s showcased their musical talents at the Catholic Schools Musci Festival. Our many parents and staff who attended the evening enjoyed the performances, the discipline and commitment of our Year 6 Choir and the presence of so many St Dominic’s students on stage. We all left feeling very proud and uplifted by all that we saw that evening. Congratulations to Anna Sordillo and Courtney Day for their excellent contribution to this most wonderful occasion.

A very sincere thank you to all the parents and graduating students who completed our recent survey. Your feedback is invaluable as we strive to be a community of reflective practice leading to school improvement.

Last week our Year 5 and 6 students attended their school camp and by all accounts it was a well organised, fun filled few days with just the right amount of sleep to ensure the girls returned exhausted. As per the camp’s intentions, the girls welcomed the opportunity to connect, learn new skills, and make lasting memories. Many thanks to the teachers who supported this wonderful experience.

Also last week, I was pleased to join students Alexandra Calica-Chavez (L) and Zashka Gunson (R) at Government House, where The Governor of South Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC hosted a special reception for South Australian students selected to attend the 2024 National Youth Science Forum. The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is designed to give students interested in the sciences a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in STEM-related fields. The Year 12 Program, for which our students have been selected, is held in both Canberra and Brisbane each January, and the selection process is robust. Well done to both girls for following their passion and pursuing this immersive opportunity - we look forward to hearing about it next year!

The other big event this week is the College Fete & Auction this Sunday 29 October, and I am pleased to share that the 2023 Auction Catalogue is now live! [CLICK HERE] We are incredibly grateful to the Auction Committee, so capably led by College parents Emilia Pace and Alison Boyd-O'Reilly, and the team at Whoyou Creative, who have done such a tremendous job collecting and putting together an impressive 130+ items to be Auctioned. The Year Level Hampers, in particular, look fantastic; the students should all be very proud of themselves for what their classes were able to collect.

Our Fete Ambassadors have been busy promoting the Fete, wrapping surprises for the Lucky Dip, and setting up stalls. An all-important community letter drop is in the hands of the primary school Ambassadors. I am so very grateful to all Ambassadors who have taken on their responsibilities with great enthusiasm. We are set for beautiful weather and I am very confident the day will be wonderful. A massive thank you to all parents who have volunteered, to help with and convene stalls. Your time, effort, and dedication truly make a difference in our St Dom’s community.

I look forward to seeing all families on Sunday.

Dr Helen Steele
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

YEAR 12 FAREWELL LITURGY

As we farewell our Year 12 cohort and offer them our blessings for the journey they embark upon, we trust that they draw inspiration from the gospel reading proclaimed at their farewell mass. May they continue to abide in the truth that they are of infinite worth, made in the image and likeness of God, and each tasked with a mission to bring about a world that God desires. May the abiding love of God that guided Jesus, so too be a guide for them all.

"Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit because apart from me, you can do nothing ... You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another."
- John 15:4-17

CHAPEL, CLOISTER and MUSEUM DISPLAY

10:30 - 11:30 DURING FETE | SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER

HIDDEN BEHIND A HEDGE on the south side of our Molesworth Street campus was a house purchased by the Dominican Sisters of North Adelaide; a house which they named “St Philomena’s” because it was sold to them in 1908 on the Feast Day of the martyred Saint Philomena. This year, it has been given a fourth life as the site of beautiful new Library, and learning spaces for the middle school students. As you know, it retains its name as the Adams – Mayo Building. When it was St Philomena’s, the rooms were needed for many different purposes: music rooms, bedrooms, senior classes. In recent years, we have discovered that one room is entitled to be given the name Atelier. This is a place where serious artistic work was done by the Sisters in embroidery and illumination, and all kinds of needlework.

The Sisters who worked there left behind a unique and amazing legacy. Their renowned works were commissioned by the Church, the State, and the general public. This included the illuminated address sent from the people of South Australia for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. While we have been unable to find out which palace or gallery now holds this work, we do have a wonderful display of the unbelievably beautiful and still fresh looking vestments and illuminations done by these gifted woman. Also on show this Sunday will be some interesting photos from the past 140 year history of the North Adelaide Dominican Sisters and their mission within Adelaide Schools.

An extra special addition to Sunday's display is some of the illumination work done by our 2023 Year 7s.

Sr Jill Havey OP

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

Welcome back!

I hope everyone had a peaceful and restful term break. It’s a pleasure to welcome you back as we look ahead to a term filled with learning, growth, and community spirit.

First and foremost, our thoughts are with our Year 12 students who are preparing to sit their examinations. This pivotal time marks the culmination of many years of dedication. We had many celebrations this week, to show our Class of 2023 that each girl matters. As you face this challenge, remember that you have the full support of our school community.

As we farewell the Year 12s we welcome new Leadership opportunities for students in 2024. Our 2024 Student Leadership Team was announced to students at the end of Term 3; we are plaeased to share the faces and names of these girls with you below.

**HEAD PREFECT**
Kha Doanh (Vanessa) Phung

YEAR 12 PREFECTS

YEAR 11 PREFECTS

Reflecting on the end of last term, our students showcased immense talent at the Catholic Schools Music Festival on the final day. The commendable performances of our Year 6 students, alongside our choir, musicians, and comperes from both the Primary and Secondary sections, were a source of pride for us all. Congratulations to all involved! More recently, our Year 5 girls embarked on their camp journey from last week from 18 to 20 October. Such experiences away from home, beyond their fun and camaraderie, instil in our girls the values of independence and team spirit.

Additionally, we’ve extended our usual Primary swimming program this term to our Year 7 students. Swimming safety is paramount, and our dedicated staff, in particular Lyndall Pratt and Anastasia Markou, deserve special recognition for organising this program for approximately 85 girls, ensuring each one had both a safe and enriching experience.

On the near horizon is our community event, the 'Fete and Auction', scheduled for Sunday, 29 October, from 10am until 3pm. Community involvement is a hallmark of St Dominic’s Priory College and plays a crucial role in shaping our young students, instilling in them a sense of belonging and responsibility. The many community events we host, not only strengthen our community bond but also provide our students with a broader understanding of their role within this world. I encourage all families to attend and immerse themselves in this annual experience.

As a reminder, for those girls who assist at the Fete, there will be a late start the following day, Monday 30 October, with classes commencing at 10:50am.

As we step into this term, let us celebrate our collective achievements and eagerly anticipate the promising opportunities that lie ahead.

Muriel Noujaim
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

YEAR 12 COORDINATOR's REPORT

The time had begun to begin saying goodbye to the Class of 2023.

The last tests have been taken, final essays written and those last minute touches on art pieces, investigations and folios are all ongoing. For some students, their studies are nearly finished and for others, they begin the process of preparing for final exams; a culmination of all they have learnt.

Exams can bring a different kind of stress for students and the families who support them. Recently the International Coalition of Girls Schools shared some excellent articles that may be of interest.

How to manage exam season: don't forget to take regular breaks and breathe (theconversation.com)

Calls for national overhaul to career advice to tackle uni-centric focus for school students - ABC News

This past week has been filled with some lovely events for the cohort to remember. A final Chapel Mass, the annual Think Pink Day and a visit from the Junior Primary classes for a range of activities; exploding volcanoes, camouflage butterflies, stories, craft and a shared ice block.

We hope the Year 12s take with them into this next stage a shared understanding of the legacy they leave behind and cherish the memories they have made here at St Dominic's. It has been a privilege to see these young women flourish over the past five years. Gone are the hesitant Year 8 students boarding the bus for camp at Victor Harbour and in their place are accomplished young people ready to make their mark in the world.

Ms Victoria Sayner
YEAR 12 COORDINATOR

AI USE AT ST DOMINIC'S PRIORY COLLEGE

As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) become more prevalent, St Dominic’s Priory College is proactively developing principles to guide the safe, effective, and responsible use of these tools for student learning.

Our Academic Honesty Policy acknowledges that AI may be thoughtfully used to support learning outcomes for students. Examples of student use include, but are not limited to clarification of concepts, personalised tutoring, research guidance and developing ideas.

The Policy clearly states that to maintain academic integrity, students will produce original work and properly credit sources, including AI tools. Recommended methods of acknowledgment of use of generative AI tools are outlined in Appendix 3.

AI will provide support, not replace educator and student discretion in decisions. Our staff will set parameters for each class and assignment for when and how AI systems can be used.

Teachers play a key role in explicitly teaching students how to protect their privacy, security and safety when using AI. Students should avoid sharing personal information and sensitive information. When browsing they should use Incognito/private browsing mode to ensure that browsing history and session data are not stored. You can open an Incognito window using the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + n, or for Mac, press ⌘ + Shift + n.

We remind parents and guardians that AI tools may have age restrictions. For example, ChatGPT currently requires users to be at least 13 years old and requires parental or legal guardian consent for students between the ages of 13 and 18. The website warns that “ChatGPT may produce output that is not appropriate for all audiences, or all ages and educators should be mindful of that while using it with students or in classroom contexts.”

In partnership, students and teachers are developing AI literacy and AI algorithmic literacy skills. AI literacy comprises both data literacy, or the ability to understand how AI collects, cleans, manipulates, and analyses data. AI algorithmics literacy is the ability to understand how AI algorithms find patterns and connections in the data, which might be used for human-machine interactions.

Our goal is to create a learning environment where AI technologies empower rather than replace the human aspects of education. We embrace these technologies cautiously to prepare students for a future where these technologies are everywhere.

As acting Technologies Learning Area Leader, I have been working with Ms Nankivell to introduce new engaging units for primary students. A new unit on data, allowed Year 4 students to explore how and why data can be represented in different ways to meet different purposes. They began by delving into cryptography. Cryptography is derived from the Greek word ‘kryptos’, which means “hidden” or “secret” and graph meaning “writing”. So, cryptography is all about hiding messages to create secure communication. This was explored through the Caesar Cipher, a method of encoding text by replacing a letter with a letter that is a certain number of places away in the alphabet. Then they explored Morse Code and Braille. Braille is a system for representing text and other characters using combinations of flat and raised dots so they can be read by touch. To make learning interactive, students used Lego bricks to create Braille letters!

A new unit for Year 5 students allowed students to develop coding skills using Dash Robotics. Using an app, students were able to represent algorithms involving branching and iteration and implement them as visual programs that include variables and respond to input. They were presented with a range of challenges or scenarios, some of which included programming Dash to present a play, investigate whether Dash travels different distances at different speeds, create a maze for Dash to master and many more!

A new unit for Year 6 students involved students developing digital literacy skills. Students developed skills using Paint 3D where they created 3D superheroes. Then they explored Adobe Firefly, a program which uses generative artificial intelligence (AI) and simple text prompts to create an output, whether it be images, text effects or a fresh colour palette. Using this, they used text prompts to generate a background image for their 3D superheroes!

Ms Joanne Villis
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY ENRICHMENT

NEWS FROM YEAR 4

2023 has been a very busy year in Year 4 and it continues to be!

We recently celebrated the Year 4 Sustainability Movie Night when the girls premiered their sustainability concept in an iMovie. A great deal of work went into the production of the movies, including hours of research and planning as well as creating their movies complete with voice overs and background music. Each girl excelled in this task and the rewards were reaped when their families attended the premiere and viewed their daughter’s hard work. We are certainly very proud of the girls.

Last term, on a Thursday, some girls spent time with Mrs Sordillo, rehearsing songs for upcoming special events and if not in choir, students learned how to thread a needle, do a basic stitch, and tie a knot. Using a running stitch and a lot of patience, the girls created a framed butterfly. We look forward to sharing these soon.

This term we have much to look forward to in Year 4. We will be attending the “Zoo Snooze” at the Adelaide Zoo in Week 5, which will be the girls’ first school camp. This exciting camp provides the girls with valuable team building skills and a chance to bond in an environment other than school. The girls will complete tasks whilst engaging with the animals both in the daylight and at night. The girls are very excited about this event, and we are sure they will remember their first school camp.

Ms Cate Zanetti & Mrs Georgina Fenton
YEAR 4 CLASS TEACHERS

GROWTH MINDSET
REFRAMING YOUR THINKING

What sort of things do you say to yourself when you are learning something new?

Your self-talk can have a much greater impact on the way you see yourself than you may realise. Self-talk can be positive or negative – and paying attention to which you most often sway towards, can help you start making proactive changes about how you take on life’s challenges.

2024 SCHOOL UNIFORM FITTINGS

SPORT NEWS

SPORTING SUCCESS

Congratulations to Elisabeth Smith (11W), who succeeded in reaching the semi-final for the Doubles in the Hills Spring Open Roach in Castle Hill, Sydney. Elisabeth enjoyed the experience of playing Tennis in Sydney, and it was an extremely competitive playing standard. Well done, Elisabeth.

We congratulate Morgan HIllman, who represented South Australia at the National Water Polo Competition in Canberra in September and, after a great tournament, was selected in the Australian Development Squad. This squad was invited to a camp for the week after the Competition.

During the October holidays, Zashka Gunson (11N) participated in the Oceania Para Badminton Tournament held in Mandurah, WA, winning a Silver medal in Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Zashka also battled hard in the Singles competition, but lost in a Quarter Final. She then participated in the West Australian International, also reaching the Quarter Final stage in Singles; losing to the World Number 8 player in her class. A tremendous effort!

Saturday Morning Sports

SATURDAY MORNING SPORT REMINDERS

If your daughter is unable to play a game or attend a sport training it is important that she sends me a quick email. I have a ‘duty of care’ for all girls at sport and must know where they are.
If your daughter is car-pooling to sport training (Water Polo or Touch) she will need to have written consent and inform me via email.

Mrs Lyndall Pratt
SPORTS COORDINATOR

SAPSASA BADMINTON CARNIVAL

On Wednesday 26 September, 16 Year 6 students attended a Badminton carnival at Northfield Primary School. The carnival consisted of doubles matches against various other teams.

The students all had opportunities to put their knowledge and understanding of the skills, concepts and rules of Badminton into practice in a game situation.

Although the focus was on participation, the structure of the round robin competition saw one double pair emerge as the winners of the carnival. Congratulations to Leah and Anita and to all of the students who participated.

SAPSASA 3v3 BASKETBALL CARNIVAL

On Thursday 27 September, 13 Year 5/6 students attended a 3v3 Basketball Competition at Vale Park Primary School. The students all immersed themselves into the challenge of participating in a new learning experience and gained new skills. Congratulations to all of the students who attended for their fair play and for exhibiting a growth mindset.

Mrs Michelle Richter
JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORT

ISSUE 15 | Week 2, Term 4 - Friday 27 October 2023