ISSUE 10 | Week 8, Term 2 - Thursday 19 June 2025

PRINCIPAL'S WELCOME

Dear Families,

The College has acknowledged Refugee Week with an invitation to reflect on the power of compassion and inclusion. As a nation and as a school community, we give thanks for the richness of diversity and reaffirm our commitment to the College Vision Statement, which proclaims:

In the spirit of St Dominic, we contemplate the possibilities and honour the sacred dignity of each person through word and action.

Term 2 is always brief — and even more so for our Year 10 and 11 students, who complete their coursework this week and move into exam mode next week. In a girls’ school, assessment periods like exams are not just about marks—they're about nurturing resilience, encouraging goal-setting, and affirming each student’s capacity to rise to a challenge. Exams also offer the opportunity to develop independence, focus, and the ability to manage pressure—skills that build confidence well beyond the classroom.

Meanwhile, our Year 8 students will return from Camp tomorrow, with stories of teamwork, courage, and plenty of laughter. Sincere thanks to the College staff who supported this event, and a special shout-out to our Daily Administration Officer, Erica Cristancig, who attended her first school camp as an ESO — thank you, Erica!

In the Junior School, families will gather for a joyful celebration of creativity at tonight's Arts Showcase. Thank you to all involved for making visible the growth in skill and knowledge across The Arts curriculum.

Although students conclude in Week 9, College staff will be involved in professional learning during Week 10, culminating in our 2025 Dominican Staff Formation and Reflection Day. This year, we look forward to joining with colleagues from Cabra Dominican College and St Mary’s College for this shared celebration of Dominican identity and purpose.

As Term 2 draws to a close, I’d appreciate your participation in a short survey about the College Newsletter. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/33N6BMB 

I trust the break brings good company and quality time with your daughters, family, and friends. 

Dr Helen Steele
COLLEGE PRINCIPAL 

PRAYER + LITURGY

VINNIES WINTER APPEAL

Each year, St Dominic's Priory College is proud to participate in the Vinnies Winter Appeal, supporting homeless and vulnerable persons around Adelaide and South Australia.  From now until the end of the Term, we invite families to contribute donations of the following: 

• WARM CLOTHES (jackets, jumpers, shirts, pants, scarves, new socks and undergarments)
  These can be deposited into the white wheelie bins with blue lids (and Vinnies signage), located around the College.
• NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS (meal-based jars, meal prep packets, pasta, dried legumes, tinned food)
  Each year level has been provided with a tub to collect these in their classrooms.

To make a financial donation directly to Vinnies, visit
https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-sa/winter-appeal-sa 

TECHNOLOGY ENRICHMENT

SUPPORTING YOUR DAUGHTER'S ONLINE ADVENTURES

As technology and online gaming continue to evolve, it is more important than ever for parents to stay informed about the digital worlds their children are exploring. Popular platforms like Minecraft and Roblox offer incredible opp­­ortunities for creativity and connection — but they also come with potential risks.

In this edition, I’m sharing two quick guides to help you understand these platforms a little better and support your child in making safe, positive choices online. Click the links provided for full resources from the Cyber Safety Project.

EXPLORING THE EVOLVING WORLD OF MINECRAFT

Minecraft has captivated young minds for over a decade, offering a sandbox environment where creativity and imagination thrive. With the release of the new Minecraft movie, interest in the game has surged, bringing attention to its various editions and spin-offs.​

Beyond the classic game, two notable spin-offs have emerged: Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Legends. Minecraft Dungeons is an action-adventure game that takes players through dungeon-style challenges, focusing on combat and loot collection. Minecraft Legends, on the other hand, introduces strategic gameplay where players lead armies to defend villages against invasions. Both games offer multiplayer options, allowing up to three additional players to join, which underscores the importance of monitoring online interactions.​

To ensure a safe gaming experience, parents are encouraged to:​

• Adjust game settings to control who your child can play and communicate with.
• Engage in open conversations about online safety and appropriate behavior.
• Educate children on the importance of keeping personal information private.
• Utilize features that allow blocking or muting of players exhibiting inappropriate behavior.​

By staying informed and involved, parents can help their children enjoy Minecraft's creative offerings while navigating its evolving landscape safely.​

For a more detailed guide, visit the full article here: Minecraft Movie Mania – What Else is New in the World of Minecraft?

KEEPING YOUR KIDS SAFE ON ROBLOX

Roblox is a popular online platform where users can create and play games, known as "experiences." These experiences range from role-playing and obstacle courses to adventure games and first-person shooters. While Roblox offers creative opportunities, it's important to note that the content is user-generated and not always age-appropriate. Some experiences may contain scary or violent themes, and children often interact with strangers during gameplay.​

To ensure your child's safety on Roblox, it's crucial to stay informed about the platform. Adjust the default settings to safer options by navigating to settings > privacy and content maturity, and selecting a suitable content maturity level (the "minimal" option is recommended). Engage in open conversations with your child about their online activities. Ask them about the games they play, if they've ever felt uncomfortable, and discuss strategies for staying safe online. Familiarise yourself with the reporting processes for inappropriate content to take prompt action when necessary.​

For a more detailed guide, visit the full article here: Keeping Your Kids Safe on Roblox: A Simple Guide for Parents

Joanne Villis
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY ENRICHMENT

A SEMESTER OF SCIENCE

The Science faculty has been productive this year, providing students with a wide range of engaging experiences that highlight the relevance of science in everyday life.

Our Year 12 Chemistry students began the year by attending a special breakfast at UniSA in February to celebrate Women in Chemistry. In May, they visited Flinders University to participate in analytical chemistry practicals and experience campus life. They also took part in the RACI Titration Competition, with two successful teams now advancing to the State Final in August. Congratulations to Annie Ngo, Lily To, Aaliyah Nguyen Giang, Aleisha Nguyen, Angelina Dam, and Jessica Vo.

Year 10 students explored the real-world application of Physics through a presentation from SAPOL, focusing on how physics is used to prevent car crashes.

In February, Year 11 Biology students visited Aldinga to study tidal pools and explore the biodiversity of marine organisms.

Year 9 students took part in a STEM Day at Flinders University, completing Chemistry and Physics practicals in cutting-edge laboratories and discovering future STEM career pathways.

Meanwhile, Year 8 students recently visited the museum to explore its crystal and fossil collections, and Year 7 students extended their learning in biological classification by completing a squid dissection in class.

These valuable excursions and hands-on activities give students the opportunity to see science beyond the classroom and to imagine where it might take them in the future.

The Science faculty is now planning for the National Science Week in August, which will be themed "Decoding the Universe" — an exciting opportunity to delve deeper into the mysteries of science and its role in helping us understand the world around us.

Ms Denise Kennedy
LEARNING AREA LEADER - SCIENCE

TERM 2 ACROSS THE JUNIOR SCHOOL

INSPIRING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH EXTENSION OPPORTUNITIES

At St Dominic’s Priory College, we believe in nurturing the full potential of every student by providing rich, purposeful extension opportunities across a wide range of disciplines. These programs are designed to inspire excellence, build confidence, and spark curiosity—hallmarks of an all girls’ education that empowers young minds to lead and thrive.

This term, our students have embraced a variety of exciting and challenging learning experiences. Our keen mathematicians in Years 5 and 6 are testing their problem-solving skills in the Maths Olympiad, engaging with complex tasks that extend far beyond the standard curriculum. In the realm of philosophy and debate, our Year 5 Ethics Olympiad team has tackled real-world ethical dilemmas with maturity, creativity, and critical thinking.

Leadership and civic engagement are also key to developing confident learners. Our Year 6 Charter Ambassadors have continued to embody and promote the values of the College, empowering them as role models within our Junior School.

Recently 8 of our Year 6 students represented the College at the Da Vinci Decathlon, a demanding academic competition celebrating diverse talents in art, science, engineering, codebreaking, and more. Their collaboration and resilience were on full display. Meanwhile, a select group of Year 4 students had another excursion as part of the Inspiring Women in STEM event—an opportunity to explore innovation and connect with other young women breaking new ground in science and technology.

These extension opportunities, along with the many other experiences afforded to our students are not only about academic achievement—they are about cultivating a love of learning, fostering confidence, and affirming each student’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the world around them. Through challenge and encouragement, each student is discovering that their potential is limitless.

At St Dominic’s, we remain deeply committed to Academic Excellence and Inspiring Confidence in every learner.

Go well.
Natalie Cameron
Director of the Junior School

RECEPTION CLASS UPDATE

It has been a joyous term in the Reception classroom. We have embraced the theme of “Fairytales” to springboard many of our learning opportunities. We have explored character descriptions, story settings and alternative endings during our writing lessons this term. We have worked hard at creating super sentences that start with a capital letter, have finger spaces between words and end in a full stop. This is not an easy task for early writers, but we have been proud of how far we have come in such a short time.

We brought a teddy bear into school for the day to be the subject of some still life sketching. The bears were well behaved and sat still for us to create some wonderful art pieces. You will be able to see these, and some other fairytale inspired visual art pieces at the Primary Arts Showcase.

Another favourite time in our school week is our Friday afternoon PALS (Play And Learn Session) with the Year 1 class. This term we have created a puppet theatre to use during these sessions. We have made our own puppets and have put on some wonderful shows for a captivated audience!

Francine Saint
RECEPTION CLASS TEACHER

GROWTH MINDSET
Good Learners Go Into the Pit!

Many learners think that if understanding or success does not come easily, they must be doing something wrong. But that is not true.

Struggle and persistence are what help us reach our goals. It is through challenge and effort that we develop a deep understanding of a subject or truly master a skill.

UK educator James Nottingham calls this journey the Learning Pit — a student-friendly way to describe what psychologist Lev Vygotsky called the Zone of Proximal Development.

So don’t be afraid of the struggle — it means you are learning.
The Pit is where the growth happens!

Watch James speaking about the Learning Pit CLICK HERE

MATHS FACULTY UPDATE

Term 2 has been a vibrant and hands-on period for mathematics at our school, with students across all year levels engaging in investigations that bring mathematical concepts to life.

HANDS-ON MATHS: REAL WORLD PROBLEM SOLVING

Our Year 10 students took their learning outdoors, launching rockets to explore the mathematics of parabolic motion. By collecting data from their rocket flights, students modelled the paths using quadratic equations, deepening their understanding of parabolas and real-world applications of algebra. Year 9 classes became surveyors, using trigonometry to determine the height of the handrail in the St Mary’s building. From the vantage point of the cloister courtyard, students applied their knowledge of angles and distances, demonstrating how trigonometry is a vital tool for measuring the world around us. Our Year 12 Mathematical Methods students have been hard at work designing and building Hot Wheels tracks to model real-life car tracks with the use of derivatives. This project provided an engaging way to see how calculus is used in engineering and physics.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES: COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY

Year 8 and Year 10 students also participated in enrichment activities, including the Year 8 Amazing Maths Race and the 10A STEM for Humanity excursion.

On Tuesday 13 of May (Week 3), the Year 8 students took part in The Amazing Maths Race.  From our winning team: Riya Vashisht, Chenuli Wattegamaarachchi and Rose Welden 8G;

“The race involved students to be in groups and race against each other, solving all the maths puzzles at different areas in the school. The challenges were both tough, but not so difficult that we couldn’t solve them.  It was incredibly engaging and a quick educational activity to help make math fun and interactive. The general atmosphere of it was amazing and having a prize made people want to engage in it more. Overall, it was an amazing experience, and we would love to do that again.”

Year 10 students studying 10A Mathematics participated in the STEM for Humanity excursion at Uni SA Mawson Lakes. Here, they explored how STEM and mathematics can be harnessed to address real-world issues and improve the lives of people in developing countries.

We are proud of our students’ enthusiasm and the creativity they have shown this term. These investigations and enrichment activities highlight the many ways mathematics is both practical and inspiring. We look forward to more mathematical adventures in Term 3!

Ms Stacey Matthews
LEARNING AREA LEADER - MATHEMATICS

CHILD SAFEGUARDING

THE INFLUENCE OF MASS MEDIA

Last term, Year Level Coordinators attended the Gabor Mate presentation at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Gabor Mate is a world-renowned Canadian doctor who has worked in Medicine for over 60 years, and written a number of books on Childhood Trauma and Parenting, including 'Hold onto Your Kids - Why Parents Need to Matter More than their Peers' with Gordon Neufeld; and 'The Myth of Normal.'  His talk was very insightful, and concluded with:

"...Our purpose as adults is to raise authentic and genuine kids.”

This is a very important aim, but I ask the question: “How do we do this, with the current onslaught of Mass Media?”

When I was young, my parents refused to own a TV as they did not want the influence of the television media in our lives.  Today, with your own daughters, the exposure to mass media is an even more overwhelming problem. Our students need to be critical thinkers when it comes to the media, and realise when they are being manipulated emotionally and psychologically. The influence of Mass Media is everywhere:

• Exposure to the internet
• Social media apps
• Television
• Glossy magazines
• Hollywood

And the overriding message is that if they do not conform to the commercial image, or buy a product that is being promoted, or emulate what they are seeing, their lives are less fulfilling.  This evolves into high levels of anxiety, depression, and low feelings of self-worth.

Children can’t “grow up being authentic and genuine” if they are constantly bombarded with the message that they are inadequate.  Please limit your daughter/s' exposure to the media and teach them to be critical thinkers and evaluate how they are being manipulated by Mass Media.

Mrs Georgia Meyer
STUDENT COUNSELLOR

FROM THE SECONDARY SCHOOL

YEAR 8 
PASTORAL CARE

On Thursday 15 May, Year 8 students engaged in a presentation during their Pastoral Care lesson as part of the Think U Know program, delivered by SAPOL. Think U Know is a nationally recognised initiative that raises awareness and provides education around preventing online child sexual exploitation. Presented by a SAPOL officer, students were equipped with practical knowledge and strategies to help them stay safe online.

This presentation complements our Child Protection Curriculum (CPC) in Pastoral Care, particularly aligning with our Term 3 theme: Inspiring Confidence Online.

A SAPOL Officer visited our school and gave us an informative talk about online safety. She covered topics like consent and how easily content can be misused or shared without permission. She also shared helpful resources and where we can go if we ever feel unsafe or need support. I really enjoyed it, and it was a valuable session that helped the Year 8s understand how to stay safe online. – Eva Hynes 8G

Something I learnt from the SAPOL presentation is that if someone online is not making you feel comfortable, you can report, block and get help from a trusted adult.  – Harriet Crisafi 8W

During the SAPOL presentation, I learned how important it is to stay safe online and to think carefully before posting or sharing anything. The police explained how your digital footprint can affect your future and how to protect your privacy. It really made me think about how I use social media. – Rose Calabria 8W

Should families wish to access resources created by the Think U Know program specifically for parents and carers - including fact sheets and conversation starters, please visit this link: https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/resources-tab/parents-and-carers. We encourage parents to actively engage in conversation with their daughters about how they spend time online.

Ms Anastasia Markou
YEAR 8 COORDINATOR

YEAR 9
PARENT BREAKFAST

On Thursday 5 June, Year 9 students had the opportunity to spend quality time with their parents at the Year 9 Parent Breakfast. This event provided a continued opportunity to build on the partnership that we encourage between school and families. We constantly hear in the media that good parent-school partnerships are one of the best ways to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing. We are grateful that most students were able to have their parents here on the day. They focused on developing effective communication skills by interviewing their parent with a series of questions that would perhaps uncover information that they may not have known before. Breakfast was provided to share during this activity.

ADELAIDE EISTEDFORD SUCCESS

Year 9G student Clara Cutri recently achieved outstanding success in the Adelaide Eisteddfod, a prestigious cultural festival that celebrates excellence in music, performance, and the arts. The Adelaide Eisteddfod provides valuable opportunities for students to gain performing experience through competitions held from May to September each year.

Competing in the highly competitive 17 and Under Contemporary Solo category, Clara earned an Honourable Mention, an impressive feat among older, experienced singers. Even more remarkably, she won 1st Place in the 15 and Under Classical Voice Solo (LOTE) category. Clara’s talents were also recently on show at Government House, where she sang at a memorial for Carl Linger. 

Congratulations to Clara on these incredible achievements! Her dedication to her music is inspiring. She spends many hours each week refining her voice and building her skills. At present, Clara is keen to pursue a career as either an opera singer or a policewoman. We look forward to listening to Clara at future school events and are excited to see where her aspirations take her.

The final few weeks of term will be busy as assignments are completed and submitted for assessment. We encourage students to remain healthy and focused on the habits that will support them to achieve the results that they want. Good nutrition, enough sleep, healthy and appropriate use of technology and devices will together help them to achieve positive outcomes.

Josie Revesz
YEAR 9 COORDINATOR

YLEAD ALTITUDE DAY

On Wednesday 28 May, the Year 9 SRCs participated in an educational leadership program held at the Adelaide Convention Centre called ‘yLead Altitude Day’.  On this day, we explored what it means to be ‘excellent’. We mingled with Year 9 students from other schools, and listened to inspiring guest speakers. They shared their personal stories and what it means to be a leader. The day was fun, and we appreciated the opportunity to develop our understanding of how we need to apply the skills we learnt to our leadership roles. We formed new connections, found confidence to step outside our comfort zones, and challenged ourselves to make a positive ‘ripple’ in our school. We are very glad we attended. We give thanks to yLead for planning such a wonderful event, as well as Mrs Revesz, who spent the day taking care of us!

Year 9 SRC

PARENT NOTICES

ARE YOU ON SCHOOL STREAM?

We kindly request that at least one parent/guardian in each household enable notifications and access the app regularly, so that their family does not miss receiving vital communications from the College.   

For our systems to recognise you as a parent/guardian of the college, we ask that your account be created using the email address or mobile phone number you provided to the school. Login attempts via Facebook or Apple ID will not link you to messages sent to your daughter's Class.   

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.To refamiliarise yourself with what platforms the College requires families to access, and why, please refer to the College Communication Policy. 

TERM 2 KEY DATES FOR THE DIARY 

• Monday 23 June: Year 10/11 Study Day
• Tuesday 24 June: Little Doms Welcome Evening from 5:30pm
• Friday 27 June: Last Day of Term 2. Students will be dismissed at the NORMAL dismissal time

TUCKSHOP VOLUNTEERS

We are calling for volunteers with adequate clearances to help in the Tuckshop from 10am until 2pm, on a couple of days per term. If you are available to lend a hand, we would greatly appreciate your support.  Duties include serving (no exp. needed), some stock filling/rotation, and packing lunch orders. 

Should you have any questions about volunteering or would like to register your availability, please contact Tuckshop Manager, Michelle Macri, on 8331 5108 or mmacri@stdominics.sa.edu.au.

Thank you for your continued support.

OSHC VACATION CARE PROGRAM

Onsite Vacation Care is available through the YMCA's OSHC for all three weeks of the July School Holidays.  To download the complete program, CLICK HERE.  For more information and to register, visit the YMCA website here, or book directly via the Xplor Home App.  

SPORT NEWS

SACSSGSA SPORT

Please note all fixtures are live and may have changes. Please bookmark and refer to the SACSSGSA website weekly for fixtures and results. 

If your daughter is unable to make a Sports Practice, she must let Mrs Pratt know by Recess on the day, as she has a duty of care. If your daughter is unable to attend her game, she must let Mrs Pratt know via email by lunchtime on Friday, and ask a friend to fill in for her.  It is not fair to her team, the opposition team, coaches and umpires to forfeit games.

SCHOOL SPORT SA SECONDARY INDIVIDUAL GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

The finals of the School Sport SA Secondary Individual Golf Championship were held at the Kooyonga Golf Club on Monday 2 June. 

We congratulate Elyse Kozlovic (10W) who was awarded the Bronze Medal on the day.

ADELAIDE MULTICULTURAL GROUP (APMG) BADMINTON TOURNAMENT

Ezah Atif (9W) has once again won first place in the 2025 APMG Badminton Tournament, held over the June long weekend.

This marks her third consecutive win. It was another memorable event, with Hon. Jing Lee, MLC, presenting the trophy, making the moment even more special for Ezah and her family.

A big thank you to all the coaches at St Dominic’s.

COMMUNITY NOTICES