Principal’s Update 2016 – 1

February 10 2016

We have got off to a sizzling start in more ways than one. Lightning storms have directly impacted on Santa Maria Del Monte, Mary Bailey House, and the Santa Sabina campus, ‘frying’ control panels, switches and so much else that we depend upon. As well as sizzling, we were also inundated with water during the heavy rains, affecting particularly the classrooms under the hall. Our Property and Facilities Manager, Adam Pilarowski, and his staff have been working tirelessly to address these problems, as has the Head of IT Infrastructure, Craig Paris, and his team. It is a great reminder of how much we depend upon all of our support staff, and we are most appreciative of their efforts.

Our opening House liturgies for parents, students and staff have been warmly received by the community. They have provided opportunities to make connections with teachers, and with the House. The Lenten season begins very early this year, with Shrove Tuesday yesterday, liturgies marking Ash Wednesday today, and our Caritas campaigns continuing from now till Easter. Throughout Lent, students across the College will acknowledge acts of kindness and justice, aiming to demonstrate 800 such acts as part of our Jubilee celebration. The Project Compassion theme for 2016 Learning More, Creating Change has direct implications for us as a Catholic educational community. We are called to help change the world in the light of the Gospel. In Australia at this particular time in our history, we need to challenge injustices, including the threatened return to offshore detention of asylum seekers, particularly children. It may be legal but is it just?

A Santa Sabina education involves helping students develop their critical thinking skills from an early age, so that they are equipped to engage in debates about issues of justice and fairness. From the earliest inquiry units in Prep and Kindergarten, to the sophisticated intellectual endeavours of our senior students, we need to encourage students to ask good questions, to listen respectfully to those with whom they disagree, and then to make discerning choices. The International Baccalaureate is an excellent vehicle for encouraging such inquiry-based learning, and aligns therefore with Dominican intellectual tradition. We now have a date in early April for final authorisation of the Primary Years Programme, while our secondary teachers have begun their professional training for the Diploma Programme during our candidacy phase. As indicated last year, we will hold regular sessions for parents who wish to know more about the IB Diploma, as well as student sessions, beginning with Year 9 this year.

Thank you to all of the families who made the trek to Tallong last Sunday for our open day. It was reminder of how lucky we are to have such a great resource for outdoor education and retreats. Years 6 and 7 will be there for camp next week to be followed soon after by Year 5. Our director of Tallong, Brad Griffiths, has taken a fresh, innovative approach to the look and feel of Tallong, including holding our first January holiday camp. He will conduct the next one in the September holidays, and is making strong connections with the local Tallong area, as well as Canberra.

A big congratulations to Year 12 student, Lauren Donellan who won the NSW Junior Javelin Title last weekend, and to Nicolette Donofrio (Year 9) who won Silver in the U/15 200, hurdles, and Bronze in the U/15 90m hurdles. Both of these talented athletes are off to the National Junior Championships in Perth at the beginning of March.

“On this Ash Wednesday, let us reflect on our shortcomings….we are called to open ourselves to God’s love.. and this will change us”. (This is an extract from the daily reading available on the Caritas, Project Compassion App.)

Yours sincerely,

Dr Maree Herrett

College Principal