Principal’s Update 2016 – 5

April 6 2016

I thank all of those families who so generously supported the Dominican Jubilee Ball through their attendance at Doltone House last Friday night. It was a wonderful community celebration expertly organised and supported by the P&F, Ex-Students Association and Ex-Parents. Guests were shown the first viewing of the Dominican story celebrating the 800 Jubilee. The link to this video has now been shared with the whole community. I also thank those members of the community who generously donated gifts for auction and raffle, helping us to realise projects for the broader College community.

Term One concludes on a very high note as Del Monte completes the authorisation process for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Visitors from the IBO spent two intensive days at Del Monte engaging with children, parents, teachers, Executive staff and College Board representatives. They observed classes, meetings, learning spaces and displays throughout the campus in their deliberations. We will learn in approximately 6-8 weeks the outcome of the process but are very confident from the feedback that Del Monte will be authorised as a PYP World School. Congratulations to all the staff – teaching and non-teaching – on their collective efforts and preparation. Particular congratulations to Sharon Portlock and Emma McAulay for their outstanding leadership.

Meanwhile on the Secondary campus subject teachers have begun their training for the IB Diploma Programme. Some are completing online courses, while other have face-to-face workshops. All teachers will participate in a school-based IB workshop later this year. We will continue to keep students and parents informed about the progress of candidacy.

This term also saw the launch of the Veritas Centre for Justice, Ethics and Interfaith Engagement with the forum on Tuesday night, ‘Not in My Name’. Our guest speaker, Phil Glendenning from Australia’s Refugee Council, along with two refugees from Afghanistan and Burma, engaged us all with their stories. This opportunity to listen to real people facing unbelievable challenges reminds us of our Christian Catholic Mission, particularly in this Year of Mercy. Santa Sabina College has always had a particular commitment to the promotion of and education for justice, as well as for academic excellence. The idea of The Veritas Centre is to encapsulate the many and varied ways that the College lives out this commitment.

I hope that all students have a relaxing holiday over the next two weeks, and wish the Italian language students and their teachers a very safe and productive immersion experience in Italy. Just a reminder to families that students do not wear their winter uniform until the beginning of the third week of Term 2 (May 9), straight after Mother’s Day.

Let us close this term with this beautiful prayer of St Francis, keeping those members of our community who are facing difficult or sad times, very much in our hearts.

 

‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace

where there be hatred, let me sow love;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.’

 

Dr Maree Herrett