ISSUE 6 | Week 2, Term 2 - Thursday 9 May 2024

PRINCIPAL'S WELCOME

Dear Families

Welcome to Term 2. The sunshine is a little deceptive of the season, but the tree-lined streets tell the true story of Autumn as the colours of red and gold fall like confetti. I hope that you managed some enjoyable time with your daughters and families over the mid-semester break. The girls have returned with energy, smiles and enthusiasm for their studies – in this shorter Term of 9 weeks.

I was most pleased last week to welcome Natalie Cameron to the College as the Director of the Junior School. Natalie is becoming known to parents and students through the parent-teacher Learning Conversations, the Commissioning Liturgy, and of course at the gate in the afternoons, learning our infamous car park ritual.

Following on from news in last term's Newsletter, we also welcome Daisy Campion as Year 5 teacher, replacing Deb Osborne while she is on Long Service Leave, and Taylor Huynh who is replacing Tim Grant as he welcomes his new baby daughter.  Additionally, we welcome recent graduate Jennifer Truong, who will be assisting in the College Library.

I am pleased to share good news following parent feedback regarding an on-site St Dominic’s Priory OSHC and a private bus service. Beginning with the OSHC, survey results were very strong, and the College is now working towards having our own OSHC on-site, beginning (hopefully) September 2024. We will work with YMCA, who will be the third-party provider for this service.  The College will inform parents of further details in due course, so that any changes to your current arrangements may be made a term in advance. Make sure you have downloaded and activated notifications on the School Stream app, so you do not miss further information as it becomes available in the coming weeks.  Our Deputy Principal, Ms Muriel Noujaim, is the key College contact for the OSHC initiative.  Let us celebrate that we are able to offer this (often talked about) service to our families.

Additionally, the College is pleased to start a private bus service for St Dominic’s students who live in the vicinity of the Adelaide Metro 252/251 bus route, to/from Port Adelaide along Torrens Road, via Arndale.  A Grants bus will be branded with a St Dominic's sign and will mirror the path of the public bus route, exclusively collecting St Dominic's girls from Years 5 and up (and any accompanied younger sisters), before and after school.  It will service yellow bus stops along the prescribed route.  The College is finalising the details of tickets, etc and we look forward to communicating details with you in the next two weeks.  Again, our Deputy Principal will advise the families of the progress.

During the April break, I found myself in Sydney when tragedy struck Bondi. The subsequent week was inundated with news reports, analyses, and commentaries as we collectively attempted to comprehend the unfathomable violence. Among the myriad of voices, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during a radio interview, uttered a phrase that resonated with me amidst the cacophony of opinions: "We are a peace-loving nation." These words struck a chord, emphasising our inherent desire for peace. We love peace. As people of faith, this speaks volumes as it aligns with our values and beliefs. But where does this peace originate? It begins in our everyday interactions; in the way we engage with one another, with our work, and our environment. Let us find ways to build relationships with peace at our core. We are a peace-loving nation.

Speaking of peace and love, we wish all families a special weekend with their mothers and mother figures.  Happy Mother's Day!  Wishing you peace and love.

To close, are you a past student or staff member?  If the answer is YES, I draw your attention to our 140 Year Celebration Dinner, to be held on Friday 5 July.  Tickets are on sale now (details below).  

Dr Helen Steele
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

140 CELEBRATION DINNER

For more information about this event, please visit Humanitix here.

PRAYER & LITURGY

CONDOLENCES

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Josephite community; family and friends of Sr Catherine Ellen Clark RSJ OAM, who passed away during the April school holidays, aged 84.  Sr Catherine was former Principal (1986-1989), Teacher and Student (1952-1956) of Mary MacKillop College, Kensington.  Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday 6 May in St Joseph’s Convent Chapel, and can be viewed online here.

Amongst the many tributes paid to Sr Catherine, we include one from Nichii Marden, Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Port Pirie:

No words can capture Sr Catherine’s enormous influence and contributions She was born, raised and served communities in our Diocese.

Catherine was a strong and faith-filled leader who has influenced culture, shaped leaders, and inspired generations of staff in our schools.

She stood for and alongside those experiencing vulnerability, understood and inspired high-quality Catholic education, led with humility and a commitment to justice, and was deeply present for whoever crossed her path.

Her contributions to Catholic education across South Australia in many ways, including through her long term as Chair of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools, and her advocacy and leadership at national level, were unprecedented.

Catherine lived a life inspired by Jesus, living out a contemporary expression of Mary MacKillop’s spirituality in ways relevant for the generations she served so devotedly. She gifted us through her inspiration to do likewise.

May Catherine rest peacefully in God’s loving care.

MOTHER'S DAY 2024

Sunday 12 May is Mother's Day, a day for giving thanks and celebrating the loving mothers and special mother-figures in our lives, who support and inspire us everyday.  To our mothers and grandmothers; angel mothers watching over us from Heaven; bonus mothers, godmothers, special aunts, and mothers-to-be: Happy Mother’s Day!

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

A WARM WELCOME TO NEW STUDENTS & FAMILIES

As we embark on Term 2, we extend a heartfelt welcome to two new students and their families, who have joined the St Dominic's Priory College community. We are delighted to have Emika (Emi) Ichinohe in Year 5 and Nina Consalvo in Year 10, as part of our school family. When we welcome new students, we also embrace their support network of family members; including parents, siblings, and sometimes even grandparents. We hope you feel a sense of belonging and connection in no time!

THE WINNING FORMULA: A STRONG AND CONNECTED COMMUNITY

At St Dominic's Priory College, we firmly believe that our strong and connected community is a winning formula for success. Psychologists have long debated the impact of nature versus nurture on a child's development. During our Term 2 Learning Conversations, we welcomed hundreds of parents and guardians through our doors to connect with staff and learn about their daughter's progress. These Learning Conversations are precisely that – opportunities to discuss, discern, learn, and lean into our partnership. This collaborative approach helps our girls learn, belong, thrive, and strive; tapping into both nature and nurture, which profoundly impact their psychology and wellbeing. Thank you for making time for these connections. Your daughter is the beneficiary, and you will see a return on your investment of precious time.

EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY: BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND RESILIENCE

Continuing our trajectory of welcoming our parent community on campus and strengthening our partnership, we are privileged to host Clinical Psychologist Dr. Judith Locke for two evenings in May. The College is flying Dr. Judith Locke over from Brisbane, where she will present exclusively to the St Dominic's community on how we can effectively guide and build confidence in our girls through Resilience, Self-regulation, Resourcefulness, Respect, and Responsibility. For more information and to register your attendance, please click here. We strongly encourage our community to attend the night(s) that correlate to their daughter's age(s). This is another event where your daughter will gain from your presence and openness.

UNIFORM

As we continue to review our College uniform and work with vendors, I remind families that the uniform has not changed.  Please refer to your daughter's College Planner, or our website, for specifics if unsure.  There is still a long way to go in our uniform review, and our current uniform remains.  The winter uniform is of course the most recognisable, with our beloved French Navy, beret and blazer.  Thank you all for wearing the uniform with pride.

As Dr Helen Steele shared in her Principal's Welcome, we have been busy behind the scenes, working on two projects: OSHC and a dedicated bus service. Stay tuned via our new School Stream notification system. More details to come. 

Ms Muriel Noujaim
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

SCHOOL OPERATIONS UPDATE

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY IS FRIDAY 17 MAY

On Friday 17 May, students in Reception to Year 12 will be having their school photos. These photos will include class photos, student leadership photos and extra-curricular photos (other than sport photos).

In Week 1, your daughter/s came home with an envelope from Academy School Photography; your daughter's name should be printed at the front of this envelope. Please contact your daughter's home class teacher if they did not come home with their envelope. There is a wide choice of photo packs that you can purchase, either by cash, credit card or online ordering. Every student must return their envelope, even if you are not purchasing any photos. 

Family/sibling envelopes can be collected from the College Office

Your daughter will need to be correctly attired in their formal Winter Uniform, as per College policy:

• Blazer
• Tie / top shirt button done up
• Jumpers to be worn under blazers
• Hair tied back with correct black or navy blue ribbon
• Correct brown socks pulled up or grey stockings
• Clean shoes
• No makeup, acrylic nails, coloured nail polish, fake eyelashes/lash extensions
• One small stud earring in each ear only. No other body piercings.

Thanks for your support with this event.

Ms Olivia Couch
SCHOOL OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

PARENTS & FRIENDS

PARENTS & FRIENDS MEETINGS IN TERM 2

The next Parents & Friends meeting will be held on Thursday 16 May, from 7:30pm until 9:00pm in the Adams Mayo Library.  This will be followed by a second meeting on Thursday 13 June.  All parents and/or guardians are welcome.

REMINDER - SCHOOL STREAM ROLLOUT

Families are reminded to ensure they have downloaded and activated their access to the School Stream app by the end of Term 2, in order to continue receiving vital communications from the College.  

To find out more about School Stream, and to download the app from either Apple Store or Google Play, visit: https://www.schoolstream.com.au/download/ and then follow the prompts below.

SCHOOL UMBRELLAS - $25ea

Don't find yourself caught off-guard by unexpected Autumn showers!!  Get in ahead of the winter rush and grab an SDPC Umbrella for your schoolbag or car today.  They are available to purchase directly from the College Office.

Payment can be made in person via cash or EFTPOS, or else ordered over the phone from the Finance Office (08) 8331 5100 and collected during school hours.

MULTI-ARTS UPDATE

DRAMA

Tonight and tomorrow night, the Year 12 Drama Class present their Group Production, "When The Rain Stops Falling," penned by esteemed South Australian playwright, Andrew Bovell. This poignant piece delves into the intricate dynamics of family, concealed legacies, betrayal, and the profound act of forgiveness, unfolding across four generations from 1962 to 2039.

Continuing to ignite a deep appreciation for the art of performance, the Drama curriculum is focussed on encouraging students to engage in analysis. For instance, Year 8 students are currently delving into the realm of Physical Theatre, exploring how nuanced body movements can intricately convey thematic depth within a performance. The unit commences with an in-depth study of the works of various Professional Theatre Companies, with a spotlight on the techniques of the esteemed FRANTIC ASSEMBLY.

Congratulations to Maddy Saunders (8B) and Katrina Alejo (9G) for their finished run of The Lion King Jr for The Parks Theatre. The process started with auditions back in December, and since January, they have spent many weekends, evenings, and school holidays rehearsing.   

MUSIC

Following a successful music introduction with an engaging African Drumming unit, the Year 7 cohort embarks on a journey to explore the complexities of Rap music. This individual exploration will include the creation of original Raps accompanied by backing tracks utilising digital software such as 'Groovepizza' and 'Audacity'.

Term 1 witnessed a remarkable display of talent and altruism among Music students, who dedicated their break times to busking, and raising funds for Project Compassion, a testament to their commitment to both artistry and social responsibility.

Congratulations to Teresa Kennedy (11G) who, at a ceremony in Elder Hall on Saturday 6 April, was presented with the Certificate of Performance in Piano as part of the 2023 AMEB SA & NT Awards. Here, Teresa is pictured being presented her award by Professor Jennie Shaw, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Adelaide.

VISUAL ARTS

The Year 12 Visual Art and Design students, under the guidance of Josie Revesz and accompanied by Dr. Steele, recently attended the 2024 SACE Visual Art and Design exhibition. Notably, the exhibition showcases the exemplary works of 2023 graduates Minh-Nghi Nguyen and Livia Truong, who received accolades for their outstanding contributions to Visual Art.

Reflecting on the exhibition, SACE Board chief executive Michaela Bensley commends the profound resonance of the artists' creations, which eloquently explore themes such as mental health, cultural and gender identity, adolescence, body image, and the pervasive influence of social media.

The Year 11 Fashion Design Class has finished their first charity sewing project, creating headwraps for people who have lost their hair through medical treatments. This term they will be creating a sewn piece from their capsule collections.

Anticipation mounts within the Multi-Arts faculty for the upcoming annual research excursion to Melbourne, where students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant arts scene, including visits to the renowned National Gallery of Victoria and an eagerly awaited production of "WICKED."

Ms Annelise Johnson
LEARNING AREA LEADER - MULTIARTS

YEAR 4 CLASS NEWS

We have had a very productive start to 2024 in Year 4.

We were immersed in learning about Rainforests throughout Term 1, learning all about the nature, animals and people living in the Amazon Rainforest and comparing it to Australian Rainforests. We went to the Botanic Gardens for a class excursion, visiting the Adelaide Conservatory, which gave us a real-life rainforest experience. The humidity in the Conservatory allowed us to understand the types of trees, plants, flowers, and animals that can survive in such an environment. This excursion was invaluable as we gained a hands-on experience of being in a rainforest.

Back at school in Art lessons, we created our very own versions of the rainforest. We focussed on what we saw including the different layers in a rainforest. We created our rainforest art using various collaging techniques. We are very proud of these, and they will become a part of our Arts Showcase display later this term.

In Science, we learnt about the food chains of animals within a rainforest and developed our research skills by finding out about rainforest animals to create a PowerPoint presentation with our findings.  The students are enjoying using technology more often and are learning more about using their laptops as an important learning tool.

Mrs Georgina Fenton
YEAR 4 CLASS TEACHER

YEAR 9 TECHNOLOGIES

Year 9 Architecture and Product Design students have been developing their proficiency in Sketchup by crafting their dream bedroom. Students used the design thinking process and documented their learning along the way. Using Virtual Reality (VR), students were able to immerse themselves in their intricate 3D models to identify and refine any slight imperfections.

The Year 9 photography class had an excursion to explore street art around the city. They wandered through urban landscapes, capturing colourful graffiti and murals. Amidst the city hustle, they also took time to appreciate the natural scenery, incorporating elements like trees and parks into their shots. It was a hands-on opportunity for them to practice their photography skills and learn how to frame different subjects in diverse environments.

Ms Lana Weller
LEARNING AREA LEADER - TECHNOLOGY

YEAR 12 REPORT

As we stride into the second term of the 2024 school year, it's a nice time to reflect on our Year 12 journey so far.

Already, our Year 12 cohort has enjoyed several significant events, from Wellbeing Day to the Formal, House Assembly, Marching, Sports Day and various excursions. Ahead of us this term lies our highly anticipated Retreat, and of course, the Senior Jumpers.

Academically, our seniors have been diligently tackling tests, completing folios, and writing essays, demonstrating their commitment to their learning. Balancing multiple subjects remains a challenge, but the girls continue to lean on each other and their teachers for support.

In addition to their academic pursuits, our Year 12 cohort is gearing up for an important initiative. We are launching a Period Poverty drive supporting the ‘Kickstart for Kids’ initiative, encouraging students to donate sanitary items for less fortunate women in our community. According to a survey conducted by the South Australian Office of Commissioner for Children and Young people (2021) 1 in 4 girls had missed out on attending school due to not having access to feminine hygiene products and 1 in 2 reported not having access to products or not knowing how to get access to products at school. This act of kindness embodies the spirit of compassion and solidarity that defines our school community, and I encourage the girls to support this initiative in any way that they can.

Maintaining strong communication between home and school is vital. If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to your daughter's subject or class teacher for clarification or support.

As we navigate the remainder of the year, let's continue to support and celebrate our Year 12 students as they strive for success and make a positive impact, both within our school and beyond.

Ms Melissa Fiacchi
YEAR 12 COORDINATOR

CONGRATULATIONS, ZASHKA!

The College Community extends its congratulations to Zashka Gunson (12W).  On the weekend of 3-4 May, Zashka competed in the Australian National Para Badminton Championships, held in Melbourne.  We are proud to report that Zashka won GOLD in both Mixed Doubles and Women's Doubles, placed 3rd in Singles, and helped South Australia finish 4th in the Teams Event.  Well done, Zashka on this commendable achievement - a testament to years of dedication and hard work!

INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY

Monday 29 April was International Dance Day, which celebrates the history of dancing and the continued importance of dancing as an art form in our modern society. This is a special occasion, to recognise the power of movement and expression as a universal language. It is observed to highlight the diversity of dance forms, and to promote inclusivity and accessibility.

Our Language and Culture Club invited students to watch and learn some of our community’s talented dancers including Guneet in Year 6, Yuanyuan in Year 10, and a few of our skilled teachers!

Ms Kirsty Nankivell & Sr Hieu Tran
STUDENT LEADERSHIP COORDINATOR & VIETNAMESE LIAISON OFFICER

SPORTS NEWS

WINTER SEASON SATURDAY MORNING SPORTS 

Consent2go must be finalised before the first game.

Fixtures for sport are live, and therefore changes can be made at anytime. Please bookmark the following link https://sacssgsa.cesa.catholic.edu.au/sports and double-check your time and venue each week.

Teams can be found on the Sports Noticeboard and St Dominic’s Sport Portal on SEQTA.

REMINDERS

• Girls are to arrive 20 minutes before the official start time of each game, to meet their coach and warm up.
• Please ensure your daughter has the correct uniform for the particular sport. These can be purchased from the Uniform Shop.

Good luck to all our teams.

Mrs Lyndall Pratt
SPORTS COORDINATOR

COMMUNITY NOTICES