Santa Dialogues

In this episode of Santa Dialogues, Principal Paulina Skerman leads a thought-provoking conversation exploring the experiences of women in male-dominated sports and the barriers, opportunities and pathways shaping change.

Joining the discussion are Santa Sabina alumna and respected sports administrator Lynne Anderson and Year 10 motorsport enthusiasts Zara Pritchard and Christiane Nikolaou, bringing perspectives from leadership, lived experience and student passion.

Together, they explore what it means to challenge stereotypes, create opportunities and redefine who belongs in sport.

Social media is a powerful part of young people’s lives — especially for girls. It can inspire creativity and connection, but also bring pressure, comparison, and anxiety. In this episode, we explore the digital world through the eyes of our students and experts. Joining College Principal Paulina Skerman are Aditi Kamath, a Santa Sabina alumna who serves on the eSafety Commissioner’s Youth Council (speaking in a personal capacity), Director of Student Wellbeing Ms Elise Whiley, and students Lily (Year 11), Louisa and Verena (Year 10), and Shanaya (Year 7). Together, they unpack the highs, lows and everything in between when it comes to life online.

Our latest Santa Dialogues Podcast – Santa Sabina: 130 Years of Connection and Community is now live. In this special episode, College Principal Paulina Skerman engages in conversations with members of our community about what Santa Sabina means to them. Together, they explore the College's sacred spaces, cherished traditions, and rich history, celebrating the joy, milestones, and the enduring Dominican spirit that defines our community.

Just a few weeks ago, hundreds of thousands of  Australians attended Taylor Swift concerts in both Melbourne and Sydney. Whether you were a Taylor Swift fan or not, she was difficult to ignore.  This episode discusses the Taylor Swift phenomenon. 

There is much research dedicated to the benefits of music education and they range from improving language and literacy skills, enhancing working memory, executive functioning capacity, self-regulation and academic attainment. This episode hosted by College Principal Paulina Skerman  features ex-student and current composer in residence Elizabeth Younan, Year 11 student Isabella Petersen, Year 4 student Aiden Curran and staff members Amy Richardson, Director of Music P-12 and James Pensini  Head of Music Performance P-12.  As a College, we value music education and there is a significant commitment to delivering quality, sequential and ongoing music education for every child because of its power to enhance learning outcomes, improve wellbeing, and bring joy! 

At Santa Sabina there has always been a strong emphasis on service to others and social justice. What drives us is a response to the Gospel and living out Jesus’ message. The Dominican Order teaches its members to serve others through compassion, care for the marginalised and by making a positive difference in the world through service. This episode features ex-student and current teacher Jane Sulis OAM, ex-student Sarah Dale, Principal Solicitor at the Refugee Advice & Casework Service and Year 12 students Ruby Bron, Olivia Nakhle and Sophie Way. They discuss with College Principal Paulina Skerman how their commitment to social justice and care for our earth and its people drives them to act justly, take action and speak their truth. 

The need to engage girls in more active lifestyles has never been more urgent. As they get older they step away from sport and physical activity for many reasons - when in actual fact, sport and physical activity should be the very thing that they should be doing. This episode will highlight the ways in which we are working to engage more students to form healthy habits for life by increasing their participation in sport and physical activities at Santa Sabina.

Reading is powerful in so many ways, it transforms the reader:  It improves our literacy, it takes people to other places, perspectives, times. It makes us feel, it takes us away from the everyday lives, our worries, our troubles, it relaxes us.  

Santa Dialogues is hosted by College Principal Ms Paulina Skerman. In this episode she is joined by Melina Marchetta, author of best selling Young Adult Fiction novel, Looking for Alibrandi, & Santa mother, Head of Library Services at Santa Sabina, Mrs Susan Lombardo and two of our students who are avid readers, Miss Molly Hoogland in Year 10 and Alicia Bouantoun in Year 5.