Newsletters

With our routines now well established, this is a wonderful time to fully settle into learning, using these set goals and making the most of every opportunity. As the days gradually become warmer and brighter, it is wonderful to see confidence, maturity and academic progress developing in our students. Their enthusiasm and commitment continue to make our school a vibrant learning community.

This year, our Strenna theme, "Believers Free to Serve," invites us to reflect on how we can live our faith through action. It reminds us that we are called to use our gifts to help others, build strong communities, and make a positive difference in the lives of those around us. Through simple acts of kindness, generosity and service, we bring this message to life each day.

There is so much to look forward to this term as we continue to grow as a faith-filled learning community.

A HOME that welcomes

We are delighted to be hosting OzBosco, which is an annual Salesian youth gathering that brings young people together to deepen their faith, build friendships, and celebrate the spirit of Don Bosco. Participants will grow as leaders through prayer, workshops, reflection and fun community activities. Their presence will enrich our community and strengthen the bonds we share within the wider Salesian family.

We will also acknowledge R U OK? Day across all precincts, encouraging meaningful conversations and reminding our community of the importance of checking in, staying connected, and supporting one another's wellbeing.

A SCHOOL that prepares for life

A vibrant calendar of learning and cultural experiences awaits our students, including National Science Week, Book Week; Free Dress Day 7-10 and the K-6 Book Week Parade. Students will also showcase their talents through the Talking Heads Senior Drama performances and our much-anticipated Music and Dance Showcase.

A PLAYGROUND where friends meet

We will meet and acknowledge the contributions of our wonderfu Volunteers with a casual breakfast. Students can look forward to a range of memorable experiences, including Kinder Pirate and Fairy Day, the Year 6 Canberra Trip, the Year 9 Camp, and our winter sports rosters covering basketball, soccer and netball. These special events provide opportunities for fun and friendship to flourish.

Parent Resources from the E-Safety Commissioner 

As children and young people spend increasing amounts of time online, it is important that families are equipped with the knowledge and tools to support safe and responsible digital engagement. Recent Australian research highlights that most parents are already taking an active role in their child's online safety through regular conversations, guidance and clear expectations about internet use. The resources linked below provide practical advice, tips and conversation starters to help families support children in developing safe and positive online habits at every age and stage.

Growing up online: Parenting young children in the digital age | eSafety Commissioner

Balancing risk and reward: Parenting in the digital world | eSafety Commissioner

 
We look forward to a busy and rewarding term filled with faith, learning, community, and celebration and thank you for your continued support as we work in partnership to help every child thrive.

Steve Casni

Dominic ​​​​​College Principal

Term 3 is traditionally a busy and important time in the school year. Students are building on the foundations established during the first semester while preparing for upcoming assessments, projects, and learning experiences. We encourage all students to maintain good study habits, stay organised, and seek support when needed. Consistent attendance, punctuality, and engagement in class continue to play a significant role in student success.

Parent Teacher Interviews

We sincerely thank all families who took the time to participate in our Parent Teacher Conferences. These conversations are an important opportunity to celebrate student achievements, discuss areas for growth, and strengthen the partnership between home and school. We encourage families to continue maintaining open and regular communication with teachers throughout the year. By working together, sharing insights, and supporting one another, we can provide the best possible learning environment for every student and help them achieve their personal and academic goals.

NCCD Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year.  This document (NCCD Fact Sheet) provides facts for parents, carers and guardians around this collection.

Dental Awareness Week 

Dental Health Week runs from 3-9 August. This is a great opportunity to remind children and families about the importance of caring for their teeth and gums. This year's focus encourages healthy habits such as brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, eating nutritious foods, drinking plenty of water, and visiting the dentist regularly. Developing good oral health habits from a young age helps children maintain healthy smiles, supports their overall wellbeing, and promotes lifelong dental health. Further information around accessing dental health care for children can be found at Dental health for children | Tasmanian Department of Health

Uniform Reminder

With the continuation of colder weather in Term 3, there is often a need for students to wear more uniform layers. In order to avoid uniform items being lost, families are reminded to check that all items of the uniform are clearly labelled with your student’s name, year level and class group.

Car Park Reminders

Towards the end of Term 2 and already this term, there has been an increase in unsafe driver behaviours on College grounds. This is particularly noticeable during the afternoon pick-up time and puts the safety of our students, families and staff at risk.

Compared to many schools in the Hobart area, we are fortunate to have so many spaces to park within the College grounds and surrounding streets. We ask for your support in ensuring the safety of all of members of our community by adhering to the following expectations:

• Stick to the 10km/h speed limit in the College car parks and driveways.
• If using the Pickup and Drop Off Zone located in the pulana precinct, do not leave your vehicle.
• Please move forward as space becomes available in the dedicated bays. This area is supervised of an afternoon for Prep – Year 10 students from 3.10-3.30pm.
• Do not park or stop in the turning circles in the pulana car parks (clearly identified by the yellow lines painted on them). These areas are required for cars to safely turn around and exit the car parks when they are full.
• Park in the dedicated parking spaces in the K-2 and 3-6 Carparks. Do not stop in drive ways for your child to enter the car.
• Do not park over Zebra Crossings, even if waiting in traffic.
• Follow all directions provided by College staff managing traffic and supervising the pickup zone.
• Use the footpaths when moving around the car parks and always use the dedicated crossings to cross.
• Do not park in any staff parking areas – even if a parking spot appears free. These spaces are used by staff throughout the day.
• Be courteous and respectful to other drivers.

If you do observe or experience any unsafe driver behaviour on College grounds, please contact our business services on dominic@dominic.tas.edu.au

The College has a number of cameras on site with license plate recognition technology that assists in investigating any reported incidents. The safety of our students, families and staff is our highest priority. Unsafe driver behaviour on College grounds will not be tolerated.

Please be patient when leaving the College. We understand the buildup of traffic on Tolosa Street of an afternoon and recognise the impact this has on arriving at and leaving the College.

We ask that you share this information with any member of your family who may be collecting your child (such as Grandparents, friends or extended family).

Important Information regarding the Australian Government Schools Census Data Collection

Please follow the link to view School Census Privacy Collection Notice: Census Privacy Collection Notice

Thank you for your support in keeping our community safe.

Allison Lowe - ​​​Deputy Principal (Primary)

Janet Marcenko - ​​Deputy Principal (Secondary)

Our sports teams representing the College this term are:

• Year 7–8 Girls Basketball
• Year 9–10 Girls AFL
• Year 9–10 Girls Basketball
• Year 7–10 Boys Soccer
• Year 9–10 Boys AFL
• Representative Netball (Seconds Roster)

We encourage everyone to sign up, challenge themselves and give a new sport a go, particularly starting to think about a Term 4 sport to try. Sport is about much more than winning, it is about building friendships, developing teamwork, showing resilience and representing your house with pride.

One thing that continues to stand out at Dominic College is our incredible sporting spirit. Across every competition, students consistently demonstrate respect for teammates, opponents, officials and staff. We celebrate great plays, support one another through challenges and always strive to compete fairly. These values make our sporting community something special.

Whether you're aiming for a premiership, representing the College, or simply enjoying the chance to be active with your friends, we encourage everyone to get involved this term. We can't wait to see the energy, passion and house pride on display throughout the upcoming competitions.

See you on the courts and fields!

Savannah Rice, Luke Bromfield, Megan Browne and Halle Heggie - Sports Captains (Secondary)

Over a child's schooling journey, those missed days can quickly become months, and even years, of lost learning opportunities.

Every day at school gives children the chance to learn new skills, build friendships, strengthen routines, and grow in confidence. While the occasional absence is sometimes unavoidable, regular attendance helps students stay connected to their learning, their friendships and keeps them on track with their peers.

As a community, we all have a role to play in valuing and supporting school attendance. By working together, we can help ensure every child has the opportunity to be present, engaged, and successful.

SchoolTV

As a reminder, Dominic College families continue to have access to SchoolTV, a valuable online resource available through the ‘School’ and then ‘Learning & Wellbeing’ tab of the College website.

Home Page SchoolTV | Dominic College

Parenting and supporting young people can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also present challenges as children navigate an increasingly complex world. SchoolTV is designed to support families by providing trusted information, practical strategies and expert guidance on a wide range of topics relating to student wellbeing.

Topics include mental health, resilience, cyber safety, school refusal, friendship issues, sleep, anxiety and many other areas that impact children and adolescents. Each topic features insights from leading experts, along with carefully curated resources and support materials for parents and carers.

If you haven't explored SchoolTV recently, we encourage you to take a look and see what resources may be relevant to your family. To stay up to date with new content, you can also register for ‘Get Alerts’, which will notify you when new topics and resources become available.

Qustodio

We would also like to remind families that Dominic College provides access to Qustodio, a powerful online safety and digital wellbeing platform available through our partnership with Linewize.

As technology continues to play an important role in our children's lives, Qustodio offers families practical tools to help support safe, balanced and responsible use of devices both at home and on the go.

The Qustodio Parent App gives families access to a range of features, including:

• Content Filtering – Manage which websites and content categories children can access.
• App and Game Blocking – Restrict access to distracting or inappropriate apps and games.
• Custom Routines – Create different rules for different times of the day, such as homework time, family time or bedtime.
• Internet Pause – Temporarily disable internet access on school-managed devices outside school hours.
• Activity Reports – Access insights into online activity, including websites visited and search activity.
• Expert Advice – Receive guidance and support from online safety professionals directly within the app.

In addition to helping protect school-managed learning devices, families can also use Qustodio to protect one personal device per enrolled child, such as a mobile phone or tablet.

Whether or not your child regularly takes a school device home, we encourage all families to take advantage of this free resource and create a Qustodio account. It is a simple way to strengthen your child's digital safety and support healthy online habits both at school and at home.

How to Get Started

Click the link below to create your Qustodio Family Account: 
Create your Free Qustodio Family Account

Need Help?

Watch the videos below to help you successfully create your Qustodio Family Account:

• Introduction to Qustodio parent tools video to find out how these tools will help you keep your child safe online
• Part 1: How to create a Qustodio Account & Connect with my child's school account
• Part 2: Inviting an additional parent/guardian to join your newly created Qustodio parent account

Vanessa Young - ​​Director of Learning and Wellbeing (Early Primary)

Hayley Joyce - ​​​Acting Director of Learning and Wellbeing (Upper Primary)

Adam Lapolla - Acting Director of Learning and Wellbeing (Secondary)

Here are a couple of ideas for young people and families looking to embrace the chill by enjoying the great outdoors and through those important social connections.

Glenorchy Youth Hub is now open from Monday to Friday with an after school drop in from 3pm-5pm.

They also offer activities throughout the school holidays including craft, basketball and 8 ball.

This is suitable for young people aged 12-17 years and supported by Youth Workers through Glenorchy City Council.

Access to the centre is via the entrance from the Glenorchy Council lawns.

Glenorchy Youth Hub is open! - Glenorchy City Council

Youth Arts and Recreation Centre (YARC)

YARC is run by the Hobart City Council from Market Place in Hobart. They offer a drop in/hang out zone afterschool as well which is available from Tuesday to Friday from 3-6pm.

It’s a terrific space with art and music studio’s, kitchen, basketball, 8 ball, table tennis – all available indoors and staffed by the Council Youth Team.

YARC offers school holiday programs, most of which are free. See their website for current activities: Home - Youth Arts & Recreation Centre

Pulse Youth Health Service is open from Monday to Friday from 9am -5pm.

They offer support for young people across all health and wellbeing related issues.

Pulse is free, no appointment is necessary and you’ll meet with experienced staff with a range of experience and qualifications. It is suitable for young people aged 12-24 years.

For those who enjoy a winter walk in nature, what a fantastic time to visit some of our family friendly waterfalls: Russell Falls, Snug Falls, Strickland Falls, Myrtle Gully Falls and Silver Falls are all right on our doorstep.

If you haven’t ventured past the College on your drive up Tolosa Street recently, the changes to Tolosa Park would be worth a visit. As an added bonus, you can stop by and catch a glimpse of our College animals during your walk. Its an exciting time in Animal Husbandry with our new spring babies arriving.

Cooinda Park (West Moonah), Benjafield Park (Moonah) and Giblins Reserve (Goodwood) have all been updated and are great options for family picnics and BBQ’s.

For those willing to brave it, a beach walk on a winter’s day can be a wonderful place when the sun is out and the breeze is low. There’s always something different happening at the beach and it's a great place to unwind.

And finally, as spring approaches, there’s something exciting to look forward to: the reopening of the Glenorchy Pool. The grand opening is scheduled for 1 October, with an official community celebration to follow on 3 October during the school holidays.

Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful Term 3!!

Belinda Dooley and Anushani Tilakaratne - College Counsellors

Yet I assure myself and others be still and be at peace. There is a Power greater than all of us combined who is in charge. A Power whose love brought creation out of chaos, who brings joy out of sorrow, success out of failure, light out of darkness, and even life out of death.

Our faith in a loving God enables us to dare and to hope. Our task is to do our bit and trust.

He assures us as He assured His disciples after His Resurrection: 'Peace be with you, do not be afraid. I am with you always, until the end of time.' He also told them, 'I call you friends, and I make my home in you.'

That is why we journey inwards. We need to grow from the inside out. That is why we need to listen to our heart and our soul. That is why the prophet Jeremiah tells us, 'We will all know God, from the least to the greatest, for He has written His law in our hearts, and we are His.' This truth can only be experienced as we go deeper and deeper into ourselves. That journey becomes mystical and magical. We are then truly born again.

Have a great semester.

Fr John Muphy - College Rector

During our visit, we gathered around the fire pit to acknowledge Country and reflect on the importance of caring for the land on which we live, learn and play. The children were fascinated as they explored a collection of animal skins, using their senses to look closely and feel the different textures. This provided a wonderful opportunity to learn more about native animals and deepen their connection with the natural environment.

A highlight of the day was celebrating International Mud Day. The children delighted in exploring the bush and creek, splashing, digging, creating and engaging in imaginative play surrounded by nature. Mud play offers many important benefits for young children, supporting creativity, problem-solving, sensory development and physical wellbeing. Time spent in natural environments also helps children build confidence, resilience and a sense of wonder about the world around them.

It was a fantastic day full of fun, discovery and learning. For many children, the excursion provided new experiences and opportunities to challenge themselves in a natural setting. We returned to Kinder with muddy clothes, happy smiles and many wonderful memories to share.

Evie Oates, Rachel Mackonis and Linda Douglas - Kindergarten Teachers

The day was filled with fun, learning, and lots of smiles as we explored the number 100 in many different ways.

Students enjoyed creating a 100 biscuit, colouring creative 100-day pictures, and making crowns to mark the occasion. We sang songs, counted to 100, and completed a range of hands-on activities that helped us reflect on how much we have learned since starting school.

It has been wonderful watching our Prep students grow in confidence and independence.

Celebrating 100 days together was heaps of fun for everyone!

Kylee Terry, Jessica Duggan and Nicole Shanny - Prep Teachers

Throughout Semester 1, students explored topics including healthy eating, nutrition, positive relationships, emotional regulation, hygiene and the benefits of physical activity. These learning experiences have encouraged students to develop healthy habits and make positive choices that support their wellbeing.

Students have also been strengthening their fundamental movement skills through games, fitness activities and Cross Country preparation. A highlight has been the opportunity to participate in collaborative lessons with students from Guilford Young College, strengthening cross College connections while learning alongside positive role models.

This semester has started with students enjoying specialist AFL Tasmania sessions, while many are also proudly representing the school in the JSSATIS basketball roster, demonstrating commitment, resilience and excellent sportsmanship.

Looking ahead, Athletics Carnival preparation will begin across the school later in the term. Students in Years K-6 will continue developing their skills in readiness for their carnivals, which will be held early in Term 4. Our younger students look forward to working collaboratively with Year 9 and 10 HPE students, and health lessons will also focus on friendships, relationships, emotional literacy, conflict resolution, and the health benefits of physical activity.

We look forward to seeing students continue to challenge themselves, support one another and celebrate their achievements throughout the year.

Vanessa Young - ​​Director of Learning and Wellbeing (Early Primary)

Hayley Joyce - ​​​Acting Director of Learning and Wellbeing (Upper Primary)

Years 7–10 Health & Physical Education

Students across Years 7–10 have enjoyed a productive Term 2 and have made an exciting start to Term 3 in Health and Physical Education.

Our Year 7 students completed their Active Play and Minor Games unit, developing teamwork, communication and fundamental movement skills through a variety of engaging activities. In Health, students have been exploring Nutrition, building an understanding of healthy eating and wellbeing. This term, students have begun a Dance unit, while continuing their Health learning.

Year 8 students finished their Invasion Games unit, applying tactics, teamwork and decision-making in game situations. They are now participating in Sport Education in Physical Education Program (SEPEP), where students take on roles such as players, coaches and officials to experience sport from multiple perspectives. In health, students are exploring Puberty and Respectful Relationships.

In Year 9, students completed their Components of Fitness unit and have now commenced Self Defence, focusing on movement skills, confidence and personal safety. Health lessons are centred on Safety and Risk-Taking, helping students make informed decisions in everyday situations.

Year 10 students concluded their Lifelong Physical Activity unit and have begun a Dance unit, developing choreography and performance skills. In Health, students are investigating Healthy Lifestyles and National Health Priorities, examining factors that influence the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Kiera Farr - Acting Lead Teacher HPE (Secondary)

Working with a variety of resources and staff members allows students to engage with new concepts in different ways while consolidating their understanding and building confidence. Regular assessment and ongoing monitoring ensure that individual learning needs are identified and addressed, with students benefiting from frequent, timely feedback that promotes growth, celebrates success, and guides their next steps in learning.

In the Secondary School, diverse learning needs continue to be supported across both core and elective subjects by a dedicated team of Learning Support Assistants (LSAs). Our LSAs provide personalised support tailored to individual student needs, while also encouraging students to develop greater independence and confidence in their learning.

In Year 7, additional Intervention Programs such as MacqLit and Flourish support students as they transition to Secondary School, strengthening literacy skills while fostering personal and social development.

All teachers work collaboratively to plan and implement learning experiences that cater for the diverse needs of every learner through the practice of differentiation. This may include providing additional time, scaffolding tasks into manageable steps, offering alternative ways to demonstrate learning, or modifying tasks to match students' capabilities and goals.

The Learning Diversity Team at Dominic College is committed to ensuring that every student can access learning at their point of needs. Above all, we strive to create opportunities for all students to experience success, build confidence, and actively engage in their learning journey.

Bridget Taylor, Louise Zegveld, Kate Le Rossignol and Kylie De Calmer - Lead Teachers: Learning Diversity Team

Secondary Netball

The Term 2 SSATIS Netball roster saw Dominic College field five teams across Years 7–10. There were significant improvements across all teams, with plenty of enjoyable moments, great sportsmanship, and competitive matches throughout the season.

Several divisions were highly competitive, and we were delighted to see both our Year 7 and Year 9–10 Representative Teams earn places in their respective Grand Finals.

Year 7 Grand Final

The Year 7 Team faced the undefeated MacKillop White, who had previously defeated us convincingly earlier in the season. Entering the match as underdogs, Dominic made a strong start and competed with determination throughout the game. The entire game was a tight contest, with only a few goals scored throughout. Dominic’s six-goal fourth quarter sealed the game, with Dominic winning 18-16.

A special thank you to Miss McDevitt for generously giving up her time to coach such a wonderful group of girls. Your guidance and encouragement throughout the season have been greatly appreciated.

Year 9–10 Representative Grand Final

Our Year 9–10 Representative Team came up against Sacred Heart Blue in a fitting Grand Final. Having met twice during the season, with each team claiming one victory, the decider promised to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched sides.

The game did not disappoint. Dominic scored first and managed to hold the lead the entire game, winning in the smallest of margins 22-21.

Thank you to Miss Farr for always sharing your netball antics with the team.

Congratulations to both teams on becoming SSATIS premiers for 2026.

Primary Netball

The JSSATIS Netball Roster encourages students to step outside the classroom, have fun, stay active, and build new friendships through sport. It was wonderful to see the improvement across all four of our Year 3–6 netball teams, along with the outstanding encouragement and support shown by families and coaches throughout the season.

The students' commitment to Term 2 sport was incredible. Watching them develop their skills, build confidence, share plenty of smiles, and enjoy being physically active was a highlight of the season.

A sincere thank you to our dedicated coaches: Ms Millikan, Paul and Gabe McMaster, Renee Godfrey, and Mr Scharvi. Your time, enthusiasm, and commitment made this season such a positive experience for our students.

Year 5–6 Hart Netball Championship

This year, Dominic College proudly entered its inaugural team into the Year 5–6 Hart Netball Championship. The team worked exceptionally well together, finishing second in Pool B to earn a place in the finals. They were defeated 15–6 in the quarter-final by a strong Sacred Heart Team, but should be extremely proud of their efforts and achievements.

We are excited to see this championship become an annual event in our netball program.

A special thank you to Renee Godfrey for stepping up to coach the team. Your knowledge, encouragement, and dedication to the players is greatly appreciated.

Secondary Hart Netball Championships

Term 3, netball continues, with our representative teams taking part in the annual Hart Championships. The Year 7-8 team will be announced soon.

• Tuesday 25 August (7-8 Girls)
• Thursday 27 August (9-10 Girls)

Good luck to our Year 9-10 Representative Team who will also play in the 2nd College Roster.

Kylee Chivers - ​​​Sports Administrator