Term 4, Week 6 2024

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It is hard to believe that we have already reached the end of Week 6. Term 4 has been exceptionally busy, with a wide range of activities including excursions, incursions, camps, new learning opportunities, community events, and many other enriching experiences.

This year it has been so lovely to showcase our school to so many prospective parents through various Principal tours, and I have been extremely proud of how our students and staff have showcased their learning so beautifully and articulately.  All families in attendance were impressed with our commitment to learning, our welcoming community and the sincere sense of care shown by our students and staff.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

It's hard to believe that our Carols on the Green event is just around the corner! There has

been a real sense of excitement throughout the school as both students and staff diligently prepare, refining their songs and dances for the big night. It promises to be an evening filled with exceptional entertainment.

Families and friends are all invited to attend and share in the Christmas cheer.  Families are also encouraged to bring along a picnic dinner to share on the oval before the concert begins. A sausage sizzle, ice-blocks and drinks will be available for purchase on the night, as well as 125 year Dominican School memorabilia. I sincerely thank our P&F for their hard work in organising the sausage sizzle.

I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday night.

• Where: Oval and Court Area
• 5pm:     Dunn Street Gate Open 

Please Note:  Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children until they meet with their teacher at 5:45pm.

• 5:45pm: Children meet their teacher in the MFC in preparation for the performance.
• 6:00pm: Concert Begins
• 7:30pm: Concert concludes (approximately)

Please Note:  All students must be signed off by their class teacher at the end of the concert.  Please do not leave without doing this.

LITTLE DOMINICAN TRANSITION PROGRAM

Over the past two weeks, our school community has had the pleasure of welcoming 36 new Little Dominican students, who will be joining Reception in 2025. They have all settled in wonderfully, and I’m confident that they have felt warmly welcomed by everyone. The feedback I’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive, with some of the Little Dominican students already eager to start school. Let’s continue to greet them with smiles, waves, and open arms as they become part of our fantastic school community.

2025 CLASS PLACEMENTS

Staff are well underway in the rigorous and thorough process of class placements.  Our ultimate aim is to create a balanced learning environment within all classrooms, taking into consideration the social-emotional needs, academic capabilities and wellbeing of all students.

The class structures for 2024 are as follows:

• 3x Reception Classes
• 2x Year 1 Classes
• 2x Year 2 Class
• 2x 3/4 Classes
• 2x 5/6 Classes

On Monday 9 December (Week 9) all students will take part in a whole school transition where they will get to meet and become familiar with the other students in their class, as well as their 2025 class teacher.  This is always an exciting, but nervous time for students, so please continue to be positive and reassure them.

Reports will also be available for families to access via SEQTA engage on Monday afternoon. Please make sure you have access to SEQTA engage so that you can access your child’s report.

2025 STAFFING

At the conclusion of last term, the school leadership team conducted a comprehensive and rigorous recruitment process for the 2025 academic year. We are pleased to announce the following teaching staff at Dominican for 2025: Hayley Manning, Lauren Bennett, Sky Van der Vlies, Chelsea Fiore, Matt Kosta, Julia Nofi, Genevieve Spencer, Sofia Agnello, Lisa Osborne, Sophie Teakle, John Mazey, Mayumi Wong, Matthew Annetta, and Louisa Martino. A few positions remain to be filled in preparation for 2025, and further announcements will be made once these appointments are finalised.

We will be saying farewell to the following staff in 2025.  Each of these staff have made a positive contribution to our school community.

• Alison Tanti-Clark
• Sue Brogden
• Michael Hunjet
• Lisa-Marie Siviglia (maternity leave)
• Olivia Andrew
• Sally Guthrie
• Karlee Cave

On behalf of our Dominican School community we thank Alison, Sue, Olivia, Lisa-Marie, Michael, Sally and Karlee for their contributions and wish them all the best for 2025.  They will be formally thanked and farewelled at our End of Year Thanksgiving on Friday 6^th December at 9:30am.

2025 SCHOOL BOARD

At the conclusion of 2024, several positions on the School Board will become available. Those interested in learning more about the role of a board member are encouraged to contact Tanya Weber - tweber@dominican.catholic.edu.au. Formal calls for nominations will be made in the coming weeks.

YEAR 6 CAMP

On Wednesday last week, 30 excited Year 6 students embarked on their last camp as leaders of Dominican School.  There was a buzz of excitement in the air as they drove off making their way to Belair for 3 days of adventurous fun.

They all represented Dominican so beautifully. This camp was one that developed the skills of teamwork, resilience, perseverance, and challenge. It required students to step out of their comfort zone to try new things. What an opportunity to ‘Ínspire hearts and minds to be the best they can be’. 

QUIZ NIGHT

In Week 4, our dedicated Parents and Friends (P&F) hosted a highly successful quiz night aimed at raising funds for our school community. The event was attended by nearly 100 enthusiastic participants, creating an atmosphere filled with energy and excitement. The evening was a perfect blend of fun and laughter, with teams tackling a variety of challenging questions, engaging in light-hearted banter, and even some playful “cheating” to keep the competitive spirit alive. Beyond the entertainment, the night served as a wonderful opportunity for community building, bringing together parents, staff, and friends to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the vibrant spirit of our school. The P&F’s hard work and creativity ensured a memorable and impactful event for all involved. A special thank you to Greer Tappert for being an amazing Quiz Master and to Sue Barrett for all her hard work and organisation behind the scenes. A total of $1970 was raised on the night.

Wishing you a lovely week ahead.

Many blessings,

Angela Scodella
PRINCIPAL

ADVENT: We wait in joyful hope for the coming of Christ, the Light of the World

We will soon be coming into the Church Season of ADVENT.  The word Advent means ‘to come’ and during this time we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. 

The duration of this season is four weeks and begins on Sunday December 3.  At Dominican School, it has been our tradition to begin Advent early so that we experience the full cycle.  Our theme for Advent this year is Light, which centres on Christ as the Light of the World.  During Advent, we prepare for the coming of Christ, and as followers of Jesus, we are all called to shine God’s Light of Hope and Love on Earth.

We will mark the beginning of our Advent journey with community prayer as part of our whole school assembly this Friday 22^nd November.

Jesus said, ‘You are the light of the world... let your light shine for everyone.’  Mt 5:14-16

One of the ways we can be a sign of the light of Christ in our world is by supporting those in need in our local community.  Each year at Dominican, we commit to helping those less fortunate by providing donations for Christmas Hampers to support the Vinnies Christmas Appeal.  

We will have a Giving Tree in the Front Office and a Christmas box in each classroom for the collection of goods. We invite all students to contribute an item so that together we can bring some comfort and cheer to the needy this festive season.  Such items might include: packaged foods such as pasta, noodles, and biscuits; tinned foods such as vegetables, soups, baked beans, and spaghetti; Christmas items such as bonbons, decorations, puddings, and tinned hams; long life products such as tea, coffee, milo, milk, juice, jam, and honey; and small gift items such as puzzles, toys, books and stationery. We will be collecting donations until Week 8 Wednesday 4^th December.

Our Dominican community is always very generous in giving at this time, and we thank you in advance for your support.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

The next cycle of the Sacramental Program will commence early next year and we are seeking expressions of interest.  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.

For further details access the Sacraments Brochure. 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 Smith at familyfaith@catholicparishes.com.au or 8449 6378.

END OF YEAR THANKSGIVING AND BLESSING MASS

On Friday 6^th December, we will gather as a school community for our End of Year Thanksgiving & Blessing Mass, at Sacred Heart Church at 9.30am. This is always a special time for us to celebrate and give thanks for the blessings of the year that has been. It is a particularly significant occasion for our graduating Year 6 students, as well as for those staff members who are leaving our school community. Our Mass will provide us with the opportunity to acknowledge these members of our school community and bless them on their journey ahead. All families are warmly invited to join us for the special celebration.

Martina Kovacev
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATOR

CELEBRATING SUCCESS: CHILDREN'S UNIVERSITY GRADUATION

Our students recently took part in a remarkable milestone, attending the prestigious Children's University graduation ceremony at Bonython Hall, hosted by The University of Adelaide. This event celebrated the dedication and achievements of students who have embraced learning opportunities beyond the classroom. 

Children's University is an inspiring program that encourages students to engage in a wide range of extracurricular learning activities, fostering curiosity, self-confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Participating students log their hours of learning through activities like workshops, museum visits, and community events, building up to the completion of their learning passports. 

The ceremony was made even more memorable by the distinguished guest presenters, including: 

- Professor Jessica Gallagher, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (External Engagement) from The University of Adelaide, 

- The Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Former Governor and Head Patron of Children's University Australasia & Africa, 

- The Honourable Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills. 

These notable leaders took the stage to award our students their certificates of achievement, a fitting recognition of their commitment to growth and learning. 

The event was a joyous occasion, with proud family members in attendance to cheer on the students as they crossed the stage. Seeing their hard work and perseverance celebrated in such a grand setting was truly uplifting for all involved. 

We are incredibly proud of our students for their achievements through the Children's University program. They are wonderful ambassadors for our school, showcasing the value of curiosity, resilience, and dedication. 

Congratulations to all our graduates! We look forward to seeing even more students participate in this fantastic program in the future. 

More information about Children's University and how your child can get involved will be circulated early in 2025.

EXPANDING MINDS AT THE GATEWAYS EUREKA PROGRAM

Last week, our school proudly hosted the GATEWAYS Eureka Program, an engaging enrichment opportunity designed to challenge and inspire our students. The workshop, ‘Mind: Blown!’, provided a dynamic learning experience that fostered creative and critical thinking, encouraging students to tackle complex problems with innovation and insight. 

GATEWAYS is renowned for its programs that extend students’ learning beyond the traditional curriculum, catering to curious and motivated minds. The ‘Mind: Blown!’ workshop was no exception, offering activities that stimulated imagination, problem-solving, and collaboration. 

Our students joined like-minded peers from Catholic schools across the west, creating a vibrant and diverse community of learners for the day. Together, they explored thought-provoking concepts and worked on challenging tasks, making new connections and sharing ideas in an atmosphere of curiosity and enthusiasm. 

This enrichment opportunity not only stretched students' cognitive abilities but also nurtured important skills like teamwork, resilience, and adaptability. We are incredibly proud of their positive engagement and determination to embrace these challenges. 

We thank GATEWAYS for bringing this exciting program to our school and providing our students with the chance to shine. We look forward to future opportunities that inspire a love of learning and foster excellence. 

Nick Ryan
LEADER OF LEARNING

PERFORMING ARTS

It has been a busy couple of terms in Performing Arts! Our focus for term 3 was on music. We worked our way through different contemporary and classic songs with various types of percussion. These included body percussion, bucket drumming, cups and chair drumming. At the end of term 3, we had Kaboom Percussion present us with an interactive and engaging incursion.  They had us hooked from the first bar of music!

In term 4, our focus has been on creative movement and singing, in the lead up to our Carols on the Green. Each class has been working on their own boppy carol as well as a religious year level carol. We have been increasing our knowledge of coordinating and sequencing movement, learning lyrics and developing our vocal techniques.

It has been a pleasure to see students grow their skills and passion for Performing Arts. We look forward to Thursday evening with great anticipation. We can’t wait to see you there!

Louisa Martino
PERFORMING ARTS TEACHER

IMPORTANT REMINDER  

Please note that Friday, 13 December (Week 9) will be a whole school closure day. This includes OSHC, meaning there will be no OSHC service available on that day. We kindly ask families to make alternate care arrangements for this date.

Thank you for your understanding and support!

TERM 4 VACATION CARE

Get ready for a ton of fun activities planned to keep everyone entertained. Spaces are filling up fast, so make sure to book soon!

Paula Northeast
OSHC DIRECTOR

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ATHLETIC CARNIVAL

On Monday, 4 November, our school participated in the highly anticipated Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival at the SA Athletics Stadium, Mile End. Competing in Section 4 against a strong field of other metropolitan schools, our students showed incredible determination and sportsmanship throughout the day.

We sent 32 students from Years 3 to 6, who enthusiastically participated in a variety of track and field events, including sprints, long jump, shot put, and relays. The competition was fierce, but our students rose to the occasion, with many achieving excellent results in their events.

A special congratulations to the Year 4 Girls, who showcased exceptional skill to win their age group! Their achievement was a standout moment of the day. Overall, the girls finished 4th, while the boys placed 7th in their respective competitions.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the parent volunteers who generously gave their time to help on the day: Amy C, Clare M, Troy J, Colin H, and Rebecca K. Their support in officiating, marshalling, and supervising our students ensured the day ran smoothly, and we are deeply grateful for their involvement.

REMINDER: DOMINICAN SPORTS ASSEMBLY WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER (WEEK 8)

We would like to remind all families about the upcoming Dominican School Sports Assembly, which will be held on Wednesday, 4 December (Week 8) at 9.00am in the MFC. This special event is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work, commitment, and sportsmanship of our students who represented the school with pride and determination in our after-school sports program.

It is also a time to show our appreciation for the incredible support of our parent volunteer coaches, who generously gave their time and expertise to guide and mentor our teams.

All are welcome to attend, and we look forward to celebrating our students' achievements and the strong sense of community that makes our sports program so special.

Matthew Annetta
PE TEACHER AND SPORTS COORDINATOR

Our guard dog (amygdala) reacts when we perceive something to be a problem.. We have a right to feel whatever we want to feel. We have a choice in how we react. Sometimes our guard dog acts bigger than it needs to when we are faced with a problem. Building perspective and space between how we feel and how we react can help us to match our reaction to the size of the problem. Asking ourselves if something is a threat, a challenge or a new opportunity can help us to calm our guard dog. When we are calm we can practice matching situation to the size of the problem can help us to build perspective. For example, the house burning down and someone being significantly injured would be a huge problem and not having something we need for class would be small or teeny tiny.

Lisa Osborne
SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

PARENTS & FRIENDS

Thank you to all the parents for your wonderful involvement in the Parents and Friends (P&F) Committee throughout 2024. We value your input and would love to hear your thoughts on how the P&F has been run this year. Your feedback will help us shape an even better experience for the future. All responses are anonymous, and we welcome your honest and constructive insights.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE P&F FEEDBACK FORM

Please complete by Sunday 24^th November.