Term 3, Week 8 2023

Dear Parents/Caregiver,

This term has been extremely busy, with so many rich learning experiences, ranging from inquiry units of work, incursions, excursions, guest artists, sports carnivals and much more. We are very fortunate to have such dedicated teachers, who plan for and provide each and every student with such amazing learning opportunities.

PBIS - POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT

This semester, Dominican is implementing a new Positive Bahaviour Framework that is proactive and supports students in knowing the expectations required to be able to ‘be the best they can be’, both socially, emotionally and academically.

Many kids struggle with behaviour in school. When schools react only with punishment, students don’t learn the skills they need to improve. That’s where positive behavioural interventions and supports (PBIS) comes in.

PBIS is a proactive approach schools use to improve school safety and promote positive behaviour. The focus of PBIS is prevention, not punishment.

With PBIS, schools teach students positive behaviour strategies, just as they would teach about any other subject. All students learn about positive behaviour.

PBIS recognises that students can only meet behaviour expectations if they know what the expectations are. Everyone learns what’s considered appropriate behaviour, and they use a common language to talk about it.

According to research, PBIS leads to improved student behaviour, they also thrive academically, and there’s evidence to show that PBIS leads to less bullying.

This initiative will be a whole school approach, and as such we want to ensure the voices of all stakeholders and listened to and heard- students, parents, teachers, and the wider Dominican community. Further information about PBIS will be shared throughout the coming weeks with the community, so please keep an eye out for this.

FEE FREEZE FOR 2024

We are pleased to inform you that there will be no increase in school fees for the 2024 school year.

Dr Neil McGoran, Executive Director of Catholic Education SA has announced that CESA will freeze tuition fees at its 84 Diocesan schools for the 2024 school year. This is in recognition of the cost-of-living increases which are putting significant financial pressures on families.

The fee freeze has been made possible by growth in enrolments across the State in our 101 Catholic Schools, together with prudent financial management and will not impact the quality of education. CESA is committed to keeping school fees as low as possible to ensure a Catholic education is affordable and accessible to all.

Further fee remissions are available to those who are experiencing financial difficulties. Families should contact our Finance Officer, Jo Freer, for more information.

DUNN STREET - DROP OFF AND PICK UP ZONE

Just a reminder about the importance of adhering to the drop-off and pick-up signs on Dunn Street, as student safety is of the upmost importance. We have been informed by the council that they will be doing some spot checks in the area.

YEAR 6 JAPANESE DINNER

In Week 7, all our Year 6 leaders were invited to a Japanese cultural dinner at the Nagomi Japanese Restaurant. The students got to experience a traditional Japanese Bento, which consisted of a variety of Japanese foods, including teriyaki chicken, tempura, sushi and rice. This was a great experience and the students enjoyed the cultural experience. They all very quickly learnt how to use chop sticks and had a lot of fun doing so. Thank you to Mayumi Wong and the year 6 teachers for organising and supporting this cultural night.