ISSUE 18 | Week 8, Term 4 Thursday 5 December 2024
PRINCIPAL'S WELCOME
Year 12 Graduation Ball | Tuesday 26 November
Dear Families
Thank you for joining us to celebrate the 2024 year at our End of Year Liturgy of Thanksgiving on Tuesday 3 December. With all the celebrations over the past two weeks, it was wonderful to gather with our whole community to tie together all that we give thanks for in song, word, prayer and ritual. It was a joyous occasion reflecting a joyous year.
As the school year comes to a close it is timely to pause and reflect. The words of the scripture readings and prayers of Tuesday night captured everything we understand to be our faith… light, truth, and love. For all that 2024 has brought us may we end the year with gratitude and with a sense of hope for each other, for our world and for our future.
I thank all families for their commitment to our College community, for choosing St Dominic’s Priory College and for entrusting your daughter/s to us. I offer my heartfelt gratitude to our College staff—extraordinary women and men who give tirelessly from the heart, surpassing expectations of excellence, and enriching our community with their joy, laughter, and steadfast professionalism.
Helen Capasso & Kirsten Maycock
On Tuesday night we acknowledged and farewelled a number of staff.
I also acknowledge our departing staff. Huaisha Teng, Isabella Reed, Victoria Renney, Megan Harpain, Tom Dawson and Clare Yeates – we thank you for your commitment to St Dominic’s over the past year or two and wish you every success in your next education adventure. I acknowledge Helen Capasso and Kirsten Maycock who have new plans for 2025. Helen has served at the College for 25 years and Kirsten for 9 years. Both women have worked in the English faculties and have extensive experience in teaching – Helen in the Senior years and Kirsten in the Middle years. The College acknowledges both women whose contribution to St Dominic’s has shaped the skills, knowledge and confidence of our girls as readers, writers and speakers. May the years ahead find you remembering St Dominic’s fondly.
Huaisha Teng
Isabella Reed
Victoria Renney
Megan Harpain
Tom Dawson
Clare Yeates
Additionally, I am pleased to share the following staffing for 2025.
YEAR LEVEL | TEACHER/S |
Little Doms | Clare Yeates |
Reception | Francine Saint |
Year 1 | Melissa (Mel) Lehmann & Theresa (Tes) Rodrigues |
Year 2 | Jane Delloso |
Year 3 | Savannah Gargiulo & Renee Edwards |
Year 4 | Jessica O’Connor & Georgina Fenton |
5B 5G | Belinda Baker & Deb Osborne Byron Mortimer & Deb Osborne |
6B 6G | Catherine (Cate) Zanetti Rachel Bolt & Amy Parker |
YEAR LEVEL | YEAR LEVEL COORDINATOR** |
Year 7 | Kirsty Nankivell |
Year 8 | Anastasia Markou |
Year 9 | Josie Revesz |
Year 10 | Jo Riccio |
Year 11 | Sara Nigro |
Year 12 | Jessica Spagnuolo |
**Class Teachers for Years 7-12 to be announced at the beginning of the 2025 School Year.
As indicated above the past two weeks have been packed with celebrations and our College Newsletter captures all of these events with an abundance of photos that I am sure you will enjoy.
As we close another year and approach the sacred seasons of Advent and Christmas, I extend my warmest and most heartfelt wishes to all our families. Advent — a season of anticipation — and Christmas —a time of profound joy and hope —invite us to reflect and celebrate together. May your holidays be restful, filled with cherished moments in the company of your daughter and loved ones. I look forward to journeying with you once again in 2025.
Dr Helen Steele
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
A MESSAGE FROM THE COLLEGE BOARD
Please see below for a message from Cate McGuire, Chair of the College Board:
END OF YEAR LITURGY
CELEBRATING 140 YEARS: IN THE LIGHT OF TRUTH
As we come to the close of this remarkable year at St Dominic’s Priory College, we celebrate the blessings of our 140th anniversary. Guided by the theme In the Light of Truth, this year has been one of celebration, reflection, and gratitude; marked by countless moments where our community’s shared commitment to Veritas — the pursuit of truth — has shone brightly.
Among the many significant moments of the year, this week's End of Year Liturgy of Thanksgiving stands out as a beautiful culmination of our shared journey. Together, we gathered as a community to give thanks for the blessings of the year, guided by scripture and inspired by the Dominican values of truth, compassion, and integrity. The Liturgy reminded us of the power of light to overcome darkness, as proclaimed in the Gospel of John: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Dr Steele’s reflection reminded us that at the heart of truth lies love. This theme was echoed in the College Head Prefects’ concluding speeches, where Jasmine Sewart and Vanessa Phung shared: "All of these little things and more draw back to the fundamental truth of our need to love and to be loved. Love is the greatest gift that can be given, and it starts and ends with the most humble, ordinary things life has to offer."
As we enter the first week of Advent, symbolised by the lighting of the candle of Hope, we are reminded that Light has come into the world in the form of Love. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus reveal an indwelling Love that flows in, with, and through all creation. Awakening to this reality brings profound Hope — a Hope that will inspire our guiding theme for 2025, Awaken to the Spirit of Hope. I look forward to sharing more about this theme in the new academic year.
In this holy season, may you find peace, joy, and renewal in time spent with family and friends. As we embrace the hope that Christmas offers, let us carry its light into the new year. I wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Mr Joseph Catania
DIRECTOR OF FAITH AND MISSION
FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
In this final Newsletter for 2024, I thank you for your continued support. Earlier this year, we were very fortunate to introduce OSHC (Out of School Hours Care) and a Bus Service between Port Adelaide and the College. These two projects initially attracted quite a bit of excitement, and we were very hopeful that both would be well supported by our community.
While OSHC has been successful and will continue to be offered by the College, in partnership with the YMCA, sadly our bus service has not gained the traction we hoped for. Consequently, this bus service will cease operating from 2025. The small number of families impacted by this change have been individually notified and I thank each of them for their understanding and support.
Given our convenient North Adelaide location, we are fortunate to be well-serviced with Adelaide Metro buses. As before, next year, students wishing to connect between Port Adelaide and the College can access Adelaide Metro buses 251 and 252. I also bring to your attention Adelaide Metro Journey Planner, which can help to map the quickest route to and from school, for those students wishing to access public transport.
I also write to share an important update regarding our School Uniform Policy, which has been revised to include the details of our new uniform set to launch in 2025, as well as the phased transition from our current uniform.
NEW UNIFORM LAUNCH IN 2025
After careful consideration and feedback from our school community, earlier this year we were excited to announce the introduction of a new uniform that reflects our school's values and identity. There has been much excitement from the girls. Many have visited College Reception to view display samples and have shared their positive feedback.
To ensure a smooth transition, we will implement a three-year phase-out plan for the current uniform. This has been previously communicated. This means that from now until the end of the 2027 school year, students will have the option to wear either the current uniform or the new uniform. We encourage families to gradually transition to the new uniform at their convenience.
We invite you to review the revised Uniform Policy by clicking here. It includes detailed information about the various uniform options available at the College from 2025. For further details about the St Dominic’s Priory College uniform, please visit our College website by clicking here.
As detailed on our website, the outgoing uniform can be dropped off to the uniform shop and they will be sent to those in need. Campus Schoolwear will only accept;
- Uniforms in good condition. They will not send uniforms in disrepair.
- All items must be clean/washed.
- Any items that are not in good condition and which do not contain a logo (all garments, with the exception of the blazer) can be placed in your nearest Vinnies Bin.
Should you wish to retain the existing uniform for the next three years, Ollie’s and Clark’s have plenty of brown shoes to service the College. We anticipate that students will be due for new shoes by the end of 2027 due to general wear or a growth spurt.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we make these adjustments.
Christmas is a time for family, joy, and reflection. I encourage you to spend quality time with your loved ones, cherishing the moments that matter most. Let us also remember those who may be struggling during this season and extend our kindness to them.
As we look forward to the new year, let’s carry forward the spirit of collaboration and positivity that defines our school community. I am excited about what lies ahead and am committed to ensuring that our school remains a safe and enriching place for all students.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with peace, joy, and love. Enjoy your holiday break, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back in January.
Warm regards,
Muriel Noujaim
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
A MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER
DIRECTOR OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
I began as the Director of the Junior School at the commencement of Term 2, and it truly feels like I’ve blinked, and here we are singing Christmas carols, wrapping up loose ends and making preparations for the new school year ahead.
Over the past three terms, I have witnessed many examples of each student’s dedication to being their best self; to learning and growing, both academically and socially. We have shared in many community events that have seen families come together to witness the immense talent of our students - your daughters. These events require sincere dedication from all the staff. I’m sure you will join me in acknowledging the unwavering commitment of the Junior School staff, which ensures all students experience success, both in the classroom and beyond. To say that I am proud to be the Director of the Junior School would be an understatement.
I look forward to the year ahead, and being here to support and work alongside the staff, students and families from the beginning of the new school year. We will host a Parent Information Evening on Monday 10 February (Week 3) which will look a bit different, and I strongly encourage you all to attend. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with staff and other families over some wine and cheese, as well as hear some important information that will set you and your daughters up for a successful transition into her new academic year.
In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all our families. The trust you place in St Dominic’s Priory College to serve in the best interest of your daughter/s is something we take very seriously. It is a privilege to walk with you on this journey, and your continued support is greatly appreciated. May God bless you over the Christmas season, and always.
Natalie Cameron
DIRECTOR OF THE JUNIOR SCHOOL
GROWTH MINDSET
SHOW A LITTLE KINDNESS
Making a habit of giving compliments helps us notice and appreciate the good qualities in others. Compliments are a simple yet powerful way to show appreciation and feeling appreciated is essential for our wellbeing.
We’ve all experienced the warmth that comes from kindness. Whether we’re giving or receiving a kind gesture, it often leaves us with that comforting “warm and fuzzy” feeling.
This feeling isn’t just emotional—it’s backed by science. Kindness triggers the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine, all of which boost our mood and overall sense of happiness.
If we want to raise kind children, we must teach them the value of kindness. Like any other skill, kindness can be learned and nurtured. Although it may seem like a simple quality, without intentional teaching, kindness may not become a natural part of a child’s character.
Additionally, kindness plays a crucial role in building and maintaining meaningful friendships. The two go hand in hand.
Adapted from: Big Life Journal
YMCA VACATION CARE
YMCA OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS CARE (OSHC) - VACATION CARE PROGRAM
OSHC is available onsite for all primary school-aged children (Little Doms to Year 6). In addition, students who are commencing Year 7 in 2025 are welcome to attend the January Vacation Care program (see below); however families are advised that a FULL fee will apply. This is because students completing Year 6 in 2024 are considered 'High School' from January 1 2025, whereupon the Childcare Subsidy will no longer apply.
Please CLICK HERE to enrol. For all enquiries, contact YMCA's Children’s Services Customer Support Team directly via 8200 2516 or oshc@ymcasa.org.au
COMMUNITY NOTICES
