ISSUE 11 JUNE 2021 WELCOME: ISSUE 11 WELCOME: Welcome back Greetings to all Old Scholars of Dominic College near and far. As we share with you the 11th edition of Veritas, there is much happening at the College. The commencement of a new K-2 precinct has been an exciting development and our Kindergarten and Year 1 students have started the 2021 academic year in their vibrant new classrooms. Old Scholar Elvio Brianese (Class of 1982) continues to be our College architect, bringing vision and flair to our spaces. We have introduced a new model of Learning Support Assistants (LSAs), formerly known as Teacher Aides/Assistants. These LSAs are mostly young people who are in the last phase of their education degree at UTAS. Six of these LSAs are Old Scholars of the College. They bring a new dimension to our Learning Support and the College is also actively shaping some of the next generation of educators in Salesian Pedagogy. This year we mark and celebrate 75 years since the Salesians of Don Bosco arrived in Tasmania to establish a school. They began with 26 children entrusted into their care. Today we have over 1,000 students at the College, with a significant waitlist for enrolment. As we look back to 1946, it is with gratitude we recognise that today we enjoy an amazing school carved out of the hard work and selfless dedication by both the Salesians of Don Bosco and later the Dominican Sisters. Schools however are about students, and it has always been our students who have shaped the culture and life of Dominic. The students are always our greatest achievement. This is the foundational reason why Old Scholars are deeply valued by our College and held in high esteem in our Salesian tradition. Maggie Baker was a special speaker at the As I retire from Principalship at the end of this year, some of my most treasured memories are of the Dominic students from 2009-2021. I also pay tribute to Dominic College 2020 Mental Health Week. the many Old Scholars who have and continue to contribute so generously to Dr Louise Hodgson visiting the school. Matthew the College in many different ways. Stolp discussing the 2020 Men’s Day Breakfast. Cassie McLoughlin at the 2020 Awards Dominic College continues to grow and is a truly dynamic educational Ceremony. endeavour in the name and tradition of St John Bosco. May you and your family always feel that you are an integral part of the Dominic family. Beth Gilligan, Principal, Dominic College 2 VERITAS: JUNE 2021 Our newest old scholars: the Class of 2020 Year 10 students celebrated their graduation with Mass and presentations in the Savio Centre at Dominic College on Wednesday 25 November 2020, then on Friday 27 November they partied in style at their graduation dinner at the Function Centre at Elwick Racecourse. Although the Mass had to be held at school due to COVID restrictions at St John’s, the venue change worked well and the group are to be congratulated on a fantastic if very disrupted final year at Dominic College. Principal Beth Gilligan said the College would always remember the year of 2020. ‘Remote Learning, special Liturgies missed, Assemblies abandoned, and the cancellation of sports, school carnivals, drama productions and creative arts events has made the year hard to carry. However, our Class of 2020 did not become disheartened and showed strength and courage in the face of being a community despite the challenges. As our Year 10 students depart and we bid them a fond and heartfelt farewell, we thank them for their wonderful leadership, loyalty and especially their outstanding perseverance this year, continuing being a force for good in the lives of others in so many ways. It is a special legacy they leave to us.’ ‘I would like to especially acknowledge our wonderful 2020 College Captains, Jackie Van Lierop and Alex McMillan, and Vice Captains, Cassie McLoughlin and Ilar Flynn as well as our Year 10 House Captains for their fine leadership.’ The Captains said the Year 10s decided to raise money to enhance the area outside of the Library, soon to be called the Valdocco Deck, as their Leavers Gift. They said: ‘Many students like to use the library as a place where they can spend their lunchtimes with friends, study or even just relax. But we also know that you are not allowed to eat there, so we wanted to create a friendly space for people to sit at lunch and study, with beanbags and artificial turf. We have decided to make this our gift.’ We salute the Class of 2020 and welcome them as old scholars into DOSA. VERITAS: JUNE 2021 3 The Dominic Old Scholars Association Scholars Old The Dominic the Dominic Old Scholars Association The Dominic Old Scholars Association classmates, share some news or simply DOSA membership is free, and there are (DOSA) represents ex-students from need to update your details, please no commitments or rules or compulsory Dominic College and its forerunners, contact the Old Scholar Coordinator on meetings. DOSA members connect with Boys’ Town, St John’s, Savio College and (03) 6274 6000 or email each other and the school community at Holy Name School. Dominic College [email protected] regular events and celebrations including helped re-form the group to maintain the Dominic College Community Fair, The College supports DOSA by allowing contact with Old Scholars and to make historical occasions, class reunions, the use of the historic Basil Fox Room, it easier for ex-students to keep in touch sports events and the traditional DOSA in Grantleigh, for each official Old with one another. Christmas Eve Mass in the College Chapel. Scholars reunion, and supplies The DOSA Committee in 2020 was complimentary snacks and drinks, and a Above: Leesa Baker runs the DOSA Uniform made up of Dominic College Principal, guided tour of the school on a Saturday Raffle draw; Diane Cerritelli and Maryanne Ms Beth Gilligan, DOSA Coordinator, afternoon. The College promotes DOSA Jackson presenting graduating Year 10 students Mr Mark Dillon, Dominic College through the school’s weekly newsletter, with a DOSA keyring inscribed Class of Rector, Fr Peter Rankin SDB, and Old website, Facebook and the annual 2020; DOSA Committee members celebrating Scholars, Mr Tony Webb (Savio College Veritas magazine. at end-of-year dinner. Below: a DOSA 1963), Maryanne Jackson (nee Delany, Committee meeting. Holy Name 1968), Ms Diane Cerritelli (1971), Ms Leesa Baker (1986), Ms Nicole McKay (nee Glover, 1994), Mr Michael Webb (1971), Mrs Michele Guy (nee Cleary 1981) and Mr Matthew Taylor (1998). The Committee normally meets every second month for a meal at the College while discussing College activities, alumni in the news, and planning events. Requests to visit the school are warmly welcomed. If you want help to organise and publicise a reunion with past 4 VERITAS: JUNE 2021 FANCY MEETING YOU HERE MEETING YOU FANCY DOSA presents each Year 10 student 10 student who has achieved overall with an engraved commemorative academic excellence supported by key-ring at their Graduation Mass in an active school spirit in leadership, November as a symbol of their induction community service or sports success. into the Association. In 2020 this was awarded to Cassandra McLoughlin and there is an article on DOSA sponsors and presents the Cassie in this magazine. Br Peter Dezani Award to the Year The DOSA Committee farewelled Fr Peter Rankin SDB and welcomed Fr Bernie Graham SDB to the DOSA Committee from January 2021. Fr Bernie has returned to Glenorchy as the new Rector of Dominic College. Many old scholars will recall Fr Bernie from his time as teacher Above: Old scholar DOSA Committee members, and as Principal last century. as they once were. Leesa Baker speaking to students at the Awards Ceremony. Fancy meeting you here At the new uniform launch fashion show: Leesa BAKER (1986) and Nicole McKay (nee GLOVER 1994); Maryanne Jackson (nee DELANY 1968) with Sr Pam Davis OP; Sarah FITZPATRICK (2019), Cameron GOLDING (1999) and Lachlan ROWLANDS (2019); Michele Guy (nee CLEARY 1981) and Melissa Atkin (nee HALL 1994); Kirsty Schulze (nee REZEK 2001) with Danni QUINN (1987); Libby BAKER (2019) with Annalise MOASE (2019). VERITAS: JUNE 2021 5 From top, left to right: Year 6 Captain, Daisy Lincoln with mum, Ruth SCANLON (1989) and grandparent and past parent Pat Scanlon. Mr Paul WILLIAMS (1968), retired teacher and old scholar, with members of his 9 Orange home room from 1989, at the 1990 class reunion. Clinton BAKER (1982) “rings in” the staff during the staff week, with one of Dominic College’s oldest bells. Mr Michael WEBB (1971) works with Dominic each year for school photos. Amy RAINBIRD (2012) and friends at a DOSA Football game. Kate WEBB (1989) with dad, Tony WEBB (1963), and his mum Mrs Gwen Webb. Leesa BAKER (1986) congratulates her son Ewan BACON (2020) upon graduation. Ex-teacher, Mr Chris Hatch, with Ann-Marie Wheller (nee FAGAN 1980). Ex-teacher Mr Pat Naughtin, with Tony CERRITELLI (1980). Mr Aaron DAVEY (1999) farewells Dominic College as he looks forward to continuing to help young people mature, on the Eastern Shore. Patrick CARROLL (1999) with wife Cat and daughter, Maddison Carroll, a Year 6 leader for 2021. Ex-teacher Judy Wegener (nee Gray) visited Dominic last year. Judy was Sports Mistress and PE teacher for 7-9 girls 1977-1979. She was married while at Dominic and then left in 1979 to have her first child. Her treasured memories include the happy students in the mornings offering to help carry the sports equipment from her car and the very special friendships on staff, including those in the DOSA netball team which she enjoyed.