Term 1, Week 3 2025

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

Welcome back to another exciting school year! A special welcome to all our new families, students, and staff joining our wonderful school community. We are thrilled to have you with us and look forward to a fantastic year ahead.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

The first two weeks of term have been a great success. Students have been busy building positive relationships with their teachers and peers, establishing classroom expectations, and deepening their understanding of themselves as learners. Through the Grow Your Mind activities, students have explored character strengths, starting with respect. They have discussed what respect looks like in our school, classroom, and home environments, and how demonstrating respect can help them value others and foster a welcoming and caring community.

MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT

This Thursday, 13th February, we would also like to invite all families to our Meet the Teacher Night. This evening provides a fantastic opportunity to meet your child's class teacher, gain insights into classroom expectations and routines, and explore the learning environment. Please note that this event is not intended for individual parent-teacher conferences. If you wish to discuss your child's progress or specific concerns, please contact their teacher to arrange a separate meeting.

To support families, a creche will be available on the night for children aged 3 years and above.

Parents and students attending our Meet the Teacher Night are invited to enjoy a FREE sausage sizzle provided by our amazing Parents & Friends Committee from 5.30pm.

We look forward to seeing all families in attendance and working together to create a positive and successful year for our students.

PBIS

Last year we started the initial stages of our Positive Behaviour Intervention and Support journey, where we engaged our community in information sessions and working parties to establish our 3 core values.  The following are our 3 R’s:

Respectful: At Dominican everyone has a right to learn and be safe.  We treat others how we would like to be treated.  We show care for the feelings of others even if they are different from our own.  Respect means being kind and caring towards others, ourselves and our environment.

Resilience: At Dominican we have the ability to problem solve and bounce back and move forward when faced with challenges.  We make choices that help us to adapt to different situations with a positive mindset. We accept challenges, step out of our comfort zone and use feedback to help us grow in order to be the ‘best we can be’.

Responsible: At Dominican being responsible means being able to make good choices and taking accountability for our actions, learning and belongings.  We look out for the wellbeing of others and understand that we all work together to make our school a thriving community.

At the beginning of this year staff unpacked the behaviour matrix for expected behaviours in various areas of the school and this will continue to be taught to all students throughout the year. We are excited to see the positive effects of PBIS in creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all.

BEGINNING OF THE 2025 YEAR

In the first week we celebrated our Beginning of Year Mass, where our 2025 School Theme was launched ‘Living VERITAS with heart filled hearts and hands’ and where all our staff were commissioned. This was a lovely celebration where all staff committed to providing a high quality education to all the students at Dominican.

Last Friday at our Welcome assembly, all our new students and staff were welcomed, and the following leadership roles were presented: Year 6 Justice Leaders and Semester 1 SRC reps.  We congratulate all our student leaders and we have no doubt that they will rise to the occasion and enjoy the challenge and the additional responsibility their role brings them. 

Year 6 Justice Leaders

Semester 1 SRC Representatives

PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION

Please refer to the attached correspondence regarding the importance of work life balance for all staff, which in turn prevents burnout, and ensures that all staff have time to rest and recharge.

Parent Letter Re: Teacher Communication

STRATEGIC PLAN

A school strategic plan is a document that outlines a school's long-term goals.

The plan helps guide decision-making, resource allocation, and ensures that everyone is working towards common objectives.

Please find below a copy of our schools 2022-2025 Strategic Plan

It's wonderful to see students eager and prepared to tackle various challenges as we start the new school year, setting clear goals for what they aim to achieve in the months ahead. Ensuring that students feel supported both at school and at home is essential, and by working together and maintaining open communication, we can inspire both their hearts and minds, helping them reach their full potential.

Many blessings for the coming weeks.

Angela Scodella
PRINCIPAL

LIVING VERITAS WITH HOPE FILLED HEARTS AND HANDS

Welcome to 2025 at Dominican. A special welcome to our new students and families. Each year at Dominican School, we embrace a theme which guides us in our mission to live our motto of Veritas through our Pillars of Prayer, Study, Community and Ministry. 2025 is an extra special year as it is a Jubilee Year (observed every 25 years) and Pope Francis has called us to celebrate with the theme ‘Pilgrims of hope’. Therefore, in collaboration with this, our 2025 Dominican theme is to Live Veritas with Hope Filled Hearts and Hands.

Pope Francis has asked us to celebrate this Jubilee Year with a deep faith, lively hope and active charity. This means trusting in God, looking forward with hope, and showing love to others through kind and caring actions.

You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Mt 5:14-16)

We draw inspiration from Matthew’s Gospel to be people of HOPE and shine Christ’s light of love. In the Scripture, Jesus tells the disciples, You are the light of the world… Let your light shine before others. At Dominican, each of us is called to follow Jesus and be the light. 

CELEBRATING OUR FAITH

We are pleased to be able to share in Prayer, Liturgy and Mass celebrations with our school and parish communities. The dates for our Term 1 celebrations are outlined in our school calendar.

We will share in community prayer at the beginning of our assemblies at 9.00am in the Multi-Function Centre. For Masses, students will walk to and from the Church supervised by their teachers. Teachers will inform families of rehearsal dates and times in preparation for these celebrations. All families are warmly invited to join us for Prayer, Liturgies and Masses throughout the term.

OPENING MASS

On Friday 31^st January we celebrated our first school Mass for 2025. This was a special time for our students, staff, families and parishioners to gather with Deacon Tim and Father Joash, to ask God’s blessing upon us as we begin a new school year and our journey to Live Veritas with Hope Filled Hearts and Hands. 

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Our Family Faith Formation Program involves children from Dominican School, Our Lady of the Visitation School and the Lefevre Catholic Parish to prepare for and celebrate the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion. The program is for Catholic children who are 8 years or over.

The next cycle of the Sacramental Program begins next week. We invite and welcome all children who would like to be a part of this program to support them on their faith journey. To register your child in the program, please contact Bernadette (Parish Sacramental Coordinator) or myself by Friday 14th February:

Bernadette Smith - familyfaith@catholicparishes.com.au    ph: 8449 6378
Martina Kovacev - mkovacev@dominican.catholic.edu.au   ph: 8114 3600

For further details access the Sacraments Brochure.

Martina Kovacev
ACTING ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL RELIGIOUS IDENTITY AND MISSION

BRAIN BREAKS IN 3/4S

In 3/4S, we’ve been practicing whole-class brain breaks to help re-energise or calm our brains and bodies ready for learning. These short movement or mindfulness activities give us a chance to reset which supports focus, engagement, and well-being. Our favourite breaks so far are Pass the Bok, Imaginary Tennis, Popcorn, and Daisy Chain. Brain breaks support concentration, reduce stress, and foster a positive classroom environment—helping us all to be ready for our best learning!

Genevieve Spencer
CLASSROOM TEACHER

OSHC DECEMBER/JANUARY HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

The school holidays were packed with exciting activities in OSHC! Students enjoyed a variety of engaging programs, from creative arts and crafts to outdoor adventures and group games, making the holiday period a memorable experience for everyone involved. A big thank you to our OSHC team for providing such a fun-filled break!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW HIGHLIGHTS 

Paula Northeast
OSHC DIRECTOR

INTRODUCING OUR 2025 STUDENT LEADERS IN SUSTAINABILITY AND ECOLOGICAL CONVERSION

ECO-WARRIORS

Our Eco-Warriors will take the lead in promoting sustainability throughout the school, overseeing initiatives such as recycling, composting, gardening, and other key environmental strategies. They will organise and promote sustainability events that inspire both students and the community, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship. Additionally, the Eco-Warriors will visit classrooms to share valuable insights and practical strategies on how we can all contribute to caring for our planet.

Semester 1 Eco-Warriors

SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

These student leaders will serve as the student representatives on the Dominican Sustainability Committee, working alongside staff, parents, and Green Adelaide representatives, to discuss and implement the objectives outlined in the Dominican Sustainability and Ecological Conversion Strategic Plan. They will also collaborate with the Student Eco-Warriors to organise school sustainability events and initiatives.

Semester 1 Sustainability Committee

NUDE FOOD

Our school is proud to be a Nude Food School, promoting healthier eating and reducing waste. By encouraging students to bring food in reusable containers, we help cut down on single-use plastics and packaging. This initiative not only supports a cleaner environment but also fosters good habits in choosing nutritious, waste-free snacks. Let's continue working together to make our school a healthier and more sustainable place.

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

As part of our commitment to Living Veritas with Hope-Filled Hearts and Hands, we are excited to participate in Clean Up Australia Day on Friday, 28th February. On this day, each year level will be assigned a specific area within the school or nearby surroundings to help collect rubbish. We warmly invite families to join us in this important initiative to care for God’s creation and our Common Home. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Martina Kovacev
SUSTAINABILITY CO-ORDINATOR

This year as a school we are focussing on character strengths as part of our Grow Your Mind Program. Character strengths are our positive qualities that help us think, feel and behave. They make us who we are and help us to grow into kind, confident and successful people. When you know your best character traits, you can improve your life and thrive.

Each fortnight we will be focussing on a different character strength and at each assembly a class will present a short explanation and examples of the character strength. This fortnight’s focus is on kindness. We can show our kindness to others by noticing when someone is sad and look after them or by doing things for others without expecting anything in return. We can also think before speaking about three things, “Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”

Lisa Osborne
SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

We are excited to see Molly back at work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For those new to Dominican School, Molly is our school wellbeing dog and is a much loved and important member of our community.

The Dogs Connect program has supported us in implementing Molly into the community very gradually, thoroughly, and considerately. We encourage anyone who would like to know more about this program to look through the website using the link: https://dogsconnect.net.au

We have a team of staff who lead this program. We would also like to assure the community that this program will not involve anyone who does not wish to be involved. This work has a positive impact on many people in our community, and we acknowledge and respect that connection with our wellbeing dog will be offered on a great variety of levels.

All members of the school community are asked to help Molly feel relaxed and happy whilst she is working at the school by following the rules:

1. We say hello to the person, not the dog.

2. We give lots of space when we pass the dog.

3. We keep moving (we don’t stand around and stare).

ST CATHERINES 

House Captains - Elijah and Ella.

St Catherine of Siena was a great role model through her life, helping the sick and poor. She was one of the shining lights of the Dominican order and she was also named a doctor of the church. 

This year on St Catherine's feast day, our house team will be raising money for Heart Kids SA; helping the kids that have heart conditions and their families. This charity was chosen because St Catherine always helped the sick and injured, so its a great way to step into St Catherine’s footsteps and help.  

      ST PATRICKS

House Captains - Katie and Amelia

St Patrick is a saint chosen at our school because the Dominican sisters came from Ireland to build our community, and St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland.  

This year the St Patrick’s team will be raising money for the Animal Welfare League. The AWL rehomes lost animals and take them back to their owners. They treat the animals by providing medicine and love. AWL saves thousands of animal's lives. 

ST DOMINICS

House Captains - Estelle and Kyan

St Dominic loved helping others, and he donated all his books to the poor. He is the Saint of this team because he created our Dominican pillars and founded the Dominican Order. 

This year on our feast day St Dominics will be raising money for the Children’s Cancer Foundation because many young Australians have cancer and can’t afford proper support. This charity supports clinical research and trials and helps support families with cancer. 

ST MARYS

House Captains - Tiger and Isaac

St Mary was the mother of Jesus. The reason why St Mary is one of our school Saints is because she is the patron saint of the Dominican Order. She was also the first disciple of Jesus.  

This year on her feast day St Marys will be raising money for the Little Heroes Foundation. This charity supports kids with physical and mental health issues in South Australia and this links with our school focus on wellbeing.

2025 SCHOOL FEES

Statements for 2025 School fees were posted to all families last week.

Please complete and return the Payment Plan 2025 form as soon as possible.

Fees paid on or before 14th March 2025 will receive an early payment discount of 4%.

A friendly reminder that if you choose not to pay your fees in full, a payment plan must be in place, and we ask that you ensure that you are regularly meeting the payment requirements of your plan.

If you have any queries regarding your school fees, please contact Jo Freer, Finance Officer, on accounts@dominican.catholic.edu.au or phone 8114 3600.

Jo will also be in the office on Meet the Teacher Night, Thursday 13^th February if you wish to discuss your fee account.

All information and forms can be found on our website https://www.dominican.catholic.edu.au/enrolment/school-fees

Jo Freer
FINANCE OFFICER

For more information and resources for families, visit: https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/whats-on/sid/communities-and-families#resources-for-families

2025 MUSIC TUITION

At Dominican there are opportunities for your child to to learn piano, guitar, drums and singing.

Music lessons, incorporating music theory and harmonies, are run during school time. These lessons are taught by private tutors for a reasonable cost (Please note the following increase in costs, 30mins - $34.00 and 20mins - $25.00). Payment for tuition fees are made by the parents.

Please complete the attached form and return to the Front Office if your child is interested.

2025 Music Tuition Form

P&F MEET AND GREET NIGHT

Come along for a relaxed evening with drinks and nibbles provided.  It’s a great opportunity to meet other parents and learn more about how you can get involved!

We’d love to see you there.

Please RSVP by following the link below or scanning the QR code.

Click here to RSVP