Term 1, Week 2 2021

Dear Community Members

Welcome to Term 1 and to the beginning of the 2021 School Year. It is great to be amongst you once again!

A warm welcome to our 18 new students who have joined our Dominican Community this year;

Julian Borg, Eric Craig, Dylan Dworak, Annabelle Fickling, Oscar Fickling, Nidal Hoffmann, Elijah Ioakim, Evie Ioakim, Indianna Ioakim, Lennon Jamieson, Charlize Kitsos, Thomas McKay, Faith McNamara, Leonardo Mouveri, Alex Nguyen, Matilda Oaten, Elise Roberts and Maddison Yates.

It is great to have these students and their families with us here at Dominican School and we wish them all the very best as they embark on their learning journey.

2021 has started extremely well and I have been impressed with the way that all students have settled into their new learning environments. I would like to thank all of the staff who have worked so hard in preparing all aspects of our school in order for this smooth and calm transition.

Last week you received details about our Parent Information Night which will be held here at school next Tuesday 9 February. I ask that you make this night a priority in your diaries as we begin a new school year together. Teachers are well prepared for this important opportunity to share their teaching and learning programs with you. I look forward to seeing all of our families represented on Tuesday night.

This week we have attached a video message from the Director of Catholic Education South Australia, Dr Neil McGoran. I invite you to listen to his welcome message. Please see link below.

Also attached to our newsletter this week is our Term 1 Calendar. This calendar captures as many events as possible for the term ahead. I encourage you all to pop it on the fridge door for easy reference!

Our new boundary fence on Dunn Street and Swan Street will be completed this week and I am sure you would agree with me that it has made a significant difference to the school environment. Watch this space for more improvements that are not far away! Once again I am sincerely looking forward to leading our community in 2021. We have a lot to look forward to with a strong focus on excellence in teaching and learning.

Kind regards,

Phil Holmes
Principal

Welcome back to 2021 at Dominican.
A special welcome to our new students and families. Blessings to you all…

Celebrating our Faith

We are pleased to be able to once again share in prayer, liturgy and mass celebrations with our school and parish communities.

Please see below for this term’s calendar of dates:

Prayer, Liturgy and Mass

Friday February 5 – Opening Mass
R-6 Mass at Sacred Heart Church at 10.00am (Staff & Students only)

Wednesday February 17 – Ash Wednesday
R-6 Liturgy in the MFC at 9.00am (Staff & Students only)
Year 6 Mass at Sacred Heart Church at 12.00pm

Friday March 5 – Years 4/5H, 4/5S, 5/6K & 5/6OK Mass
Year 4-6 Mass at Sacred Heart Church at 12.00pm (Year 4-6 families invited to attend)

Friday March 19 – Years R/1N, R/1AB, 2/3C & 2/3D Mass
R-3 Mass at Sacred Heart Church at 12.00pm (R-3 families invited to attend)

Tuesday March 30 – Palm Sunday Liturgy
Led by the R/1s in the MFC at 9.00am (R/1 families invited to attend)

Wednesday March 31 – Holy Thursday Liturgy
Led by the 2/3s in the MFC at 9.00am (Year 2/3 families invited to attend)

Thursday April 1 – Good Friday Liturgy
Led by the 4/5s in the MFC at 9.00am (Year 4/5 families invited to attend)

Wednesday April 7 – Easter Sunday Liturgy
Led by the 5/6s in the MFC at 9.00am (Year 5/6 families invited to attend)

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.

These celebrations provide us with the opportunity to gather in faith, hope and love, and we look forward to sharing in these special prayer times.

Community Prayer

On Friday January 29, our staff led our school community in a Welcome Prayer and Blessing. This marked our first whole school prayer gathering for 2021 and was a special way to celebrate the beginning of our new school year together as we journey in faith, learning and love.

This term, we will share in Community Prayer to commence our Assemblies at 9.00am in the Multi-Function Centre in:

• Week 3 Friday February 12 – led by Year 5/6OK
• Week 5 Friday February 26 – led by R/1AB
• Week 7 Friday March 12 – led by Year 4/5H
• Week 9 Friday March 26 – led by Year 2/3D

Families of those classes leading the Assemblies will be invited to attend.

At the core of Physical Education is the acquisition of movement skills and concepts to enable students to participate in a range of physical activities – confidently, competently and creatively. As a foundation for lifelong physical activity participation and enhanced performance, students gain an understanding of how the body moves and develop positive attitudes towards physical activity participation. They develop an appreciation of the significance of physical activity, outdoor recreation and sport in Australian society and globally.

Movement is a powerful medium for learning, through which students can practise and refine personal, behavioural, social and cognitive skills. Physical Education provides students with an experiential curriculum that is contemporary, relevant, challenging and physically active.

SAPSASA/SACPSSA

In 2021, I continue my role as SAPSASA/SACPSSA Coordinator. A reminder that these events are open to students in Year 3 – Year 6 and or born between 2008-2011. At SAPSASA Carnivals, students participate in age groups (by year born) whereas at SACPSSA Catholic School Carnivals the students compete in year level groups.

Out of School Hours Sport

Thank you to everyone's timely response to registering for Semester 1 Out of School Sports.

We look forward to our students participation in the following:

• R/1 Basketball
• Year 2-6 Basketball
• Year 2-6 Netball
• Year 2-6 Cricket