Monday 26 August Victorian School Music Festival Senior Concert Band performance, 3.15 pm –7.00 pm Ballroom Dancing Program, Box Hill Town Hall 4.00 pm – 5.15 pm
Tuesday 27 August 2025 VM Parent Information Evening 7.00 pm–8.00 pm
Wednesday 28 August Year 9 Days for Girls Tuning into Teens Parent Forum, 7.00 pm–8.30 pm
Friday 30 August Significant Men's Breakfast, LHC, 7.30 am - 8.30 am Year 11 Business Management Market Day
Sunday 1 September Father's Day
Monday 2 September Chesed Day (Year 8 Friendship Day) Ballroom Dancing Program, Box Hill Town Hall 4.00 pm – 5.15 pm
Tuesday 3 September Year 11 Retreat
Wednesday 4 September Indigenous Literacy Day Tuning into Teens Parent Forum, 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Thursday 5 September Loreto Feast Day Year 12 Group Photo Ballroom Presentation Evening, Box Hill Town Hall 6.00 pm - 9.00 pm
Friday 6 September Victorian School Music Festival Intermediate Concert Band performance, 8.45 am –12.00 pm Year 10 L’Chaim Tertiary Excursion 11.00 am – 3.15 pm
From the Principal
Principal's Message
The College concluded last week with our traditional Sion Day celebrations. For families that are new to the College, the day is always held close to or on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary which is marked by the Church on 15 August. It is a feast day which honours Mary the mother of Jesus and exemplifies her as a true Daughter of Sion. As an Our Lady school, we celebrate this feast with great pride and joy, and with a commitment to those who do not have the same opportunities that our students enjoy.
The day commenced with Mass celebrated by Fr Mark Reynolds, Episcopal Vicar for Catholic Schools. We are grateful for Fr Mark’s ongoing chaplaincy and support of our school community for more than twenty years. Thank you to Mrs Gionfriddo, Mrs Garnham, Mr Macauley, Ms Murone, student leaders, choir and musicians, and those who served in numerous ways to ensure we experienced a wonderful celebration.
The Mass was followed by our traditional carnival where students were able to buy food and drinks, play games, buy raffles tickets, and sing and dance (thank you for the Year 11s for inviting me to join in their disco – I really appreciated this invitation!). I would like to sincerely thank all students who participated in the carnival for the fantastic atmosphere that pervaded this part of the day and for their generosity in the fundraising elements of the carnival. We will announce the amount raised for our scholarships as soon as possible.
The third part of the day included our House Spirit Competition. Thank you to Mrs Jenn Tilley and House Leaders for creating such a fun filled and competitive experience for students and staff. Congratulations to our winning House – Lourdes who gained 250 points towards the overall House Cup which will be announced in the not too distant future.
The final element of the day occurs once students are dismissed. The day concludes with an afternoon tea for staff during which staff are invited to bid for items in our annual Silent Auction. Thank you to staff, the Parents Association, other families and businesses who so generously donated items for our auction and to the staff who secured many lovely items.
As communicated with families by Mrs Gionfriddo recently, all our Sion Day fundraising efforts will go towards educational scholarships for young people in the Holy Lady who attend Bethlehem University, a Catholic university in the West Bank led by the De La Salle brothers, and via the Our Lady of Sion Educational Fund in Jerusalem for children who attend Christian primary and secondary schools. The families of the younger children are well known to the Sisters in Jerusalem and we are working with Bethlehem University to select two tertiary students who will be supported to complete their education. I would like to share with families the messages of gratitude that I have received and subsequently shared with students and staff at the end of our Mass.
I thank all students and staff for their wonderful support of our social justice efforts not only on Sion Day but throughout the year when we also support local needs through our work with St Vinnie’s, Ozanam House and Caritas Australia to name a few. This coming Friday, staff will once again participate in our Spirituality Day designed to enhance our awareness of social justice needs and to offer practical support within a number of local organisations.
While there are many needs within our world which can leave us feeling overwhelmed and disempowered, it is important to remember that each small contribution that that we can offer with compassion and love does indeed assist in opening up opportunities for those who are less fortunate and which in turn may one day also support a world of justice and peace.
Once again thank you to all.
With every blessing for the fortnight ahead.
Tina Apostolopoulos
From the Deputy Principals
Deputy Principal Faith and Mission – Anna Gionfriddo
It is hard to believe that we are coming to the end of week six and that so much has taken place recently including our wonderful Sion Day celebration last Friday.
We are excited to announce that our school will soon be participating in the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools - School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS) in 2024. This annual initiative is a vital part of our commitment to continuous improvement, as we actively seek to understand the thoughts and feelings of our students, families, and staff on how we can enhance the educational experience at our school. MACSSIS allows us to gain valuable insights from the community, empowering us to make informed decisions that will benefit everyone within our school.
The primary objective of the family survey is to identify both the strengths and areas for improvement in our educational environment. By engaging with the MACSSIS survey, our school community plays a central role in shaping the future of our College. The feedback we receive from parents and carers is invaluable as we endeavour to create an exceptional learning environment for our students.
What is MACSSIS, and why is it important? MACSSIS is an integral part of the Archdiocese of Melbourne's commitment to enhancing the quality of education in all Catholic schools. This comprehensive survey enables schools to listen and respond to the needs and aspirations of students, families, and staff. It provides us with a platform to understand how we are currently performing and what improvements we can make to achieve excellence together.
The online survey is designed to be accessible and user-friendly. Starting from Monday 2 September 2024, parents can access the MACSSIS survey through a secure link provided by the school on the day. Students will undertake the survey on Monday 9 September 2024 during Homeroom.
We encourage each family to take the time to complete the survey by Friday 20 September 2024. Your participation is important as it ensures that the survey results truly represent our school community's collective voice.
By participating in the MACSSIS survey, parents/carers have a direct hand in influencing the direction of our school's development. The feedback will not only help us identify areas that require attention but also recognise and celebrate the aspects of our school that make it special and effective.
Please remember, that the survey can only be completed once per family, so make sure to share your thoughts and insights in this unique opportunity to shape the ongoing improvement of our school. We value your contribution and are eager to hear from as many families as possible.
We look forward to embarking on this journey of growth and progress together.
Wishing all members of the College community many blessings.
Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching – Allison Stott
The Role of AI in Education and at Our Lady of Sion College
Consistent with our focus on research-based best practice and full engagement in our world, the staff and students of Our Lady of Sion have long been playing with different AI tools, and for a variety of reasons. From setting goals based on teacher feedback, to note taking and extracting key information, our students are very adept at finding ways to integrate new technology into their daily practice. Likewise, teachers come to me to show me how ChatGPT has assisted in converting a scriptural passaage to the text of a play for performance, or to create formative quizzes based on the study design or even the first draft of a rubric.
Last week MACS released an advice paper called ‘Professional Learning for Teacher Use of Artificial intelligence’ that echoed much of our position. Consistent with the Catholic approach to always educate with discernment, MACS is encouraging school staff to think about the why, the how and the what of AI and to focus upon the skills that students will need in the future in order to use the emerging technology with discernment and discretion. Pope Francis, in his 2023 ‘Message of the Holy Father for the 57th World Day of Peace’ encourages us to be critical of the source and processes behind any technology and to apply it with discretion for the benefit of humanity. While exploiting AI for all the positive outcomes, Francis asks us to question all technology to ensure that it respects the dignity of all people, encourages us to be worldly and mindful of the voices that we privilege and to seek the opinion of those that do not have access to the same privileges, ensuring that we are not stifling creativity and the uniqueness of human creation. More secular discussions remind us that AI is developed from a body of knowledge that is predominantly white, western and male, and to ensure that what is created, and becomes obsequious and accepted ‘knowledge’ does not influence us to only accept that perception.
What are our next steps?
That is a lot to take in all at once! What we do know is that AI and associated technology is only going to increase. Our role in this is to educate our young people to know when they are using AI, what influence and impact it has on our thinking and what we produce and to ensure that our unique human gifts, our authenticity, are not compromised. As teachers, we need to work with students to understand when the technology is supporting them, when it is useful but also when it is not an expression of their own skills and knowledge.
Positive students uses could include:
Generative AI requires clear instructions and quality directions. Articulating what you want the software to produce is often part of the clarifying of learning that students actually need. Moreover, critically reviewing what AI suggests is key to a quality output and these two skills combined lead to higher order thinking
AI can be a great sentence starter writing prompt. Throwing in loose ideas and asking for a topic sentence is a great way for a student to overcome the hurdle of commencing or the mental block of a creative task
AI can produce sample answers or worked examples. These can guide a student in their own practice and help them understand what a good piece can look like and what changes they can make in their own versions
AI can find resources in providing a list of further reading
AI can be given a bank of text and asked to make a quick summary or to change to language that is more easily understood.
Of course, teenagers are the highest users of different AI platforms and can give even better examples. Conversations around what they produce and how they are using AI are great to have and challenging the students on the authenticity, and any biases it may have produced.
Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing – Christine Kralj
Supporting Your Daughter Through Friendship Changes
Navigating friendships is a significant part of your daughter’s school experience, and there will be times when she may want to distance herself from certain friends, set boundaries or even change friendship groups altogether. While these decisions are a natural part of growing up, they can be challenging for both your daughter and you as a parent/carer.
As parents and carers, it’s crucial to approach these conversations with a level-headed and compassionate mindset. Remember that you are the adult in the situation, and your guidance should model the behaviour you want to see in your child. Avoid engaging in negative talk, labels, or put-downs about your daughter’s friends or classroom peers. Instead, encourage her to approach any changes with kindness and respect. Remind her that the way she handles these situations should reflect the way she would want to be treated if the roles were reversed.
When it comes to difficult conversations about friendships, guide your daughter towards a respectful approach. Perhaps seeking the advice of a teacher, parent/carer or school counsellor so that she can practise conversations or situations before they happen.
Encourage her to communicate her feelings honestly but gently, ensuring that she is considerate of the other person's feelings. The goal should be to maintain mutual respect, even if the friendship is changing.
Birthday parties and social gatherings can sometimes exacerbate these situations. A good rule of thumb is to either invite everyone in the group or Homeroom or keep the gathering small and intimate. Excluding just a few peers can lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings, which can strain relationships unnecessarily.
Finally, encourage your daughter to build compassion and empathy by being kind to everyone she meets, not just those she is close with. Helping her to see the value in every person’s feeling and experience will not only strengthen her character but also foster a more inclusive and supportive community.
By guiding your daughter through these social challenges with empathy and respect, you’re helping her develop into a thoughtful, considerate young adult.
In Remembrance
Our particular thoughts and prayers go to Ms Natasha Borg, our College Arts Learning Leader, for the recent passing of her grandmother and great aunt.
We remember Ms Borg and her family in a special way at this sad time.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.
Pastoral Care
Director of Pastoral Care – Paul Kerr
Whitehorse Youth Forum
Earlier this month, the College had the privilege of supporting the Whitehorse Youth Forum, organised by the Whitehorse City Council. The day featured an opening keynote, followed by various sessions focused on student well-being, health, and future pathways. Eighteen students from Years 7 and 10 represented our college at the event. Lila E (7 Silver), Alina C (7 Silver), and Zoe S (7 Silver) shared their experiences.
Our time at the Whitehorse Youth Forum was unique, informative, and enjoyable. Students from several local secondary schools attended, with over 150 participants in total. The event kicked off with a keynote speech by Abraham Kuol, a South Sudanese refugee who earned a PhD in Criminology from Deakin University. Kuol's research focuses on the post-settlement challenges faced by African Australians, particularly in relation to the justice system. He spoke candidly about his experiences with racism, how it impacted him, his schooling after moving to Australia, and his belief that Australia is undoubtedly one of the greatest countries in the world.
We also attended workshops on various topics, including drug and alcohol safety led by staff from the YSAS program, mental health and young people presented by Headspace Box Hill, and an exceptional meditation workshop by Helen Zee. The meditation session took us on a spiritual journey of relaxation through meditation and yoga, helping us achieve a state of calm and inner peace. The soothing sound effects Helen used deepened our sense of tranquility.
In the mental health workshop, we created self-care boxes filled with items like lollies, tea bags, bubbles, colouring sheets, affirmation cards, and scratch-and-sniff stickers. The discussion also covered self-harm and suicide, shedding light on the surprisingly high rates among Australian teenagers. This eye-opening session emphasised the importance of openly discussing these issues and knowing the best ways for young people to seek help.
During the drug and alcohol session, we had fun trying out the 'drunk goggles,' which simulated the effects of a 0.5 BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration). Most of us struggled to catch a ball while wearing them, which vividly illustrated the dangers of drinking and driving. We also learned about various harmful substances and why they are so dangerous.
Overall, our experience at the Whitehorse Youth Forum was both educational and enjoyable. We connected with students from other schools and gained valuable insights into important topics. We would like to thank the College for allowing us to attend. Lila E, Alina C and Zoe S (7 Silver)
Year Level News
Year 11 – Beth Amos, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
We are over halfway through Term 3!
Thank you so much to all students for their collective effort in baking for the Year 11 Sion Day Cake Stall! Their time, commitment and generosity meant another successful Sion Day, and the Cake Stall is always a massive hit.
As we continue through Term 3, students are working towards another assessment period for their Unit 2 and Unit 4 subjects.
Accelerating students will be working towards final outcomes and thinking ahead to their final VCAA exams.
Right now the Year 11s, have made significant progress in their VCE journey. Settling into the pace of VCE and VM classes, finding their own way to study, get organised and prioritise their work. Students have regular study sessions provided during the Shatal program and opportunities for master classes to workshop key skills for their subjects.
From an academic perspective, these movements are happening. However, at home, your child may present differently?
Are they using their time to the best of their abilities?
Are they using their time at home for homework and study? They may be spending time at the library or another setting to assist their focus.
Are they using their time to reconnect, rest, and reset?
Are they fuelling their body and brain, stopping to eat, hydrate and move?
Are they intentional and effective in their time dedicated to study?
Are they committing large amounts of time to study in their room? Or are they out of sight?
Do they know their upcoming assessments and deadlines? Have they shared this with you, to assist with their time management?
As parents and carers, you may want to monitor and assist where you can. Sometimes these young people will want to figure this out for themselves. Continue to be curious and ask your child about their progress, their successes and pursuits.
Should you need some support and clarity regarding supporting your child through VCE/VM, please contact myself or the Homeroom team.
Year 10 – Adam Rieusset, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
Another terrific fortnight from our Year 10 students and we are very much looking forward to what our next fortnight holds. I hope that our Year 10 community will take up all the opportunities that are being presented to them over the next two weeks.
Ballroom Dancing
Ballroom continues to be a highlight of the week for our students and I can’t believe that we are very close to our presentation evening.
Monday 26 August - Box Hill Town Hall - 4.00 pm - 5.15 pm
Monday 2 September - Box Hill Town Hall - 4.00 pm - 5.15 pm
Thursday 5 September - Box Hill Town Hall - Presentation evening.
On our presentation evening, all students will participate in a final rehearsal from 6.00 pm - 7.00 pm and then our presentation evening will commence at 7.00 pm.
Community members will be able to enter Box Hill Town Hall as of approximately 6.30 pm and will be invited to come and have a seat at approximately 6.55 pm. The evening is an occasion for our students to showcase all they have learned throughout our program. Upon completion of the dances, community members are invited to stay and chat and share in some finger food.
Duke of Edinburgh Awards Evening
Congratulations to our 83 students who were presented with their Duke of Edinburgh - Bronze award last week. I would like to thank all students and their parents who attended our presentation evening. I would also like to thank Ms Rebecca Bennett for all the work and guidance she has shown over our students' Duke of Ed journey. This award is a true reflection of service, gaining knowledge and a reflection of persistence required to obtain the award.
What I’d like you to know…
This week's section focuses on learner confidence and ability to be persistent, to show grit with learning.
I feel that since I write things down and set timers I have been able to stay on top of things, but every now and then I fall behind.Year 10 student reflection
Student progress meetings are the perfect opportunity to continue to cultivate grit and persistence towards all elements of learning. By developing both of these skills, self and learning confidence will be enhanced. These skills will lead to a positive outlook when taking on new and challenging tasks that require the use of new skills and applying knowledge learned. Sometimes it's not easy, it takes time and practice. The data above shows that our Year 10s are persistent and manage their workloads well, but need encouragement and understanding around building confidence and maintaining motivation with all elements of learning.
Year 9 – Jennifer Tilley, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
This week in Pastoral the Year 9 cohort came together to participate in a session about the Journey of Friendship. This session encouraged students to consider the ways that their friendships can change, some of the current challenges and attitudes they have towards friendships and the power they have to be change makers in this space. It was great to see students participating authentically and contributing to the various discussions that came as a result of the activity. We will continue to promote positive connections and skills to establish these in the remaining Term 3 Pastoral lessons.
Slides of the Key Takeaways from the session are shown below.
Sion Day also saw the generosity of our cohort in its fullest, with the Year 9 Raffle earning over $2000 towards the Sion Day total. I would like to thank the Year 9 SRC and Class Leaders for their promotion and organisation of two raffle prizes each and for the students who were able to donate towards the prizes.
As students progress through the term they are encouraged to seek assistance when needed. This can come from their subject teachers, Homeroom teachers, College counsellors, Mr Kerr and/or myself. It is often easier for us to assist in breaking down challenges in a proactive way, before the stress or challenges seem too big. Open communication allows us to support the Year 9 students in the best way.
Year 8 – Chris Wilkes, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
Last week, we celebrated Sion Day which was a fantastic celebration! A massive thank you to all the Year 8s who donated items or volunteered their time on the day to assist with the Slide & Win…it was a very popular stall and we raised a lot of money for a worthy cause.
The corridors are buzzing with rehearsals for the Homeroom Cheer & Dance Competition and there is much enthusiasm to work together to do the best performance possible. This will be performed at the end of Chesed Day (Friendship Day), which has now been moved from Tuesday 27 August to Monday 2 September due to GSV Track and Field now taking place on the original date. This means that scheduled classes will now take place on the original date and no classes will be held on the new date to facilitate the ChesedDay workshops.
Finally, your support with the following expectations would be greatly appreciated:
Sport uniform should only be worn on days where students have practical PE or an event that may require it (e.g. GSV or Strength and Conditioning training). Homeroom teachers are aware of their practical PE days and will be following up with students who appear to be out of uniform.
Through recent iPad audits, we have discovered that students are using their school-provided devices inappropriately. They should only be used for educational purposes and they should not be taking selfies or filming themselves/others in class without teacher permission. Please reinforce this message with them at home and it could also be worthwhile to discuss appropriate use of their personal devices as well. This link
also contains a variety of resources to support you in navigating these conversations.
As always, please reach out to your child’s Homeroom teachers or myself if you require any further support.
Learning Area News
Duke of Edinburgh Award Evening - Rebecca Bennett, 7-10 Discovery Learning Leader
Duke of Edinburgh International Award – Bronze Ceremony
On Wednesday 14 August we were thrilled to host our first Duke of Edinburgh International Award Ceremony Evening to celebrate and recognise the achievement of 83 of our Year 10 students.
These students met each of the requirements of the Award, which saw them engage in 52 weeks’ worth of activities to develop themselves across three sections: physical, skill and voluntary service, as well as preparation and practice for their 3-day Adventurous Journey.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is held in high esteem, not just within our community or even within Australia, but on an international level and will be something that the awardees will be able to carry with them for life. It has already seen them grow as individuals and rise to the challenge on many occasions. As awardees this will help open doors for them in job opportunities, tertiary education and the everyday where they take confidence from their experiences to work towards their goals, learn new things, give to the community and work together to achieve success. As a College community we are so proud of the students and their accomplishment in achieving the Bronze Award.
Year 8 Beyond the Horizon Program – STEM Design Award Winners
Kate L (8 Gold), Ashanti C (8 Gold), Eliza F (8 Gold), Ava R (8 Blue), Carine A (8 Silver) and Elouise H (8 Silver) reflect below on their project from the Beyond the Horizon Program which saw them selected as the winners of the STEM Design Award, chosen by our senior STEM Captains Alana B (12 Silver), Gaby R (11 Blue), Nada A (11 Silver), Andrea G (9 Red) and Sophia B (9 Red).
Over the Beyond the Horizons program, our group chose to design a solution for the issue of eutrophication, a problem where the excess amount of nutrients in the water causes a chain reaction involving the overabundance of algae, and causing 30 million fish to die in the Murray-Darling river each year. We thought about the main cause of this issue, and decided to create a prototype of a robot involving STEM related features to remove algae from a body of water. Our robot used STEM elements including science to convert algae into fuel, and technology and engineering to design a robot that could move through the water while filtering out algae. We designed this robot on paper, and then converted this into a 3D printed design using a 3D printer. Our presentation included a larger version of the filter where we demonstrated how it would filter out algae represented by leaves and bark. This process was thrilling, and we all extremely enjoyed it. We can’t wait to see what the next groups of Year 8s come up with!
Last week our College celebrated STEM Week, a dedicated time to immerse our students in the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
The week included engaging activities designed to spark curiosity and a love for STEM. The Bridge Building Challenge was a test of creativity and engineering prowess. The goal was to create a bridge that could hold the most weight but due to our paper straws being quite strong we had to also consider the look and structure of the design.
Congratulations to Kiera D (12 White), Georgia N (12 Silver) and Aanya G (7 Red) for a job well done.
In the Tallest Tower Activity, students competed to build the highest freestanding tower using only straws and tape. It was inspiring to see the innovative approaches and the collaborative spirit as teams worked together to achieve their goals. The tallest tower reached an impressive height of 143cm by the girls from 8 Red Elsie E, Harper H and Claise S.
The Robotic Hand activity built a functional robotic hand using everyday materials to introduce basic robotics and biomechanics.
The Paper Plane Challenge brought out the inner aeronautical engineers in our students, who experimented with assorted designs to create paper planes that could fly the farthest distance. Congratulations to Natalie R (7 Red).
STEM Week was a great success, thanks to the enthusiasm and participation of our students. A special thank you to teachers, support staff and the STEM leaders who made this week possible.
Co-curricular News
Music – Martin Macaulay, Head of Music
CVE compete at Monash Youth Music Festival
Congratulations to members of the College Vocal Ensemble who competed at this years' Monash Youth Music Festival on Monday. It was testament to those in VCE who led this group, Hayley B (12 Silver), Tianna D (12 Blue), Mieke V (12 Silver), Ava D (11 Red) and Amber G-P (11 Silver) who have been strong leaders pushing the standards of this group over the last few months.
College Vocal Ensemble (CVE) Auditions
Please note auditions are now open for all to try-out to be a part of the College Vocal Ensemble. We are looking for the next generation of awesome singers. Please refer to the poster attached and please email Ms Murone for further details jmurone@sion.catholic.edu.au. Rehearsals for this groups are each Tuesday after school.
Music: An integral part of Sion Day
Congratulations to the CVE, the Year 7 Choir, senior musicians, Karaoke & Open Mic participants who really captured the essence of Sion Day last Friday. These performers made meaningful and skilled musical contributions to the Sion Day Eucharist and other events throughout the day.
Term 3 Music Soirée – Monday 9 September 5 pm
The Music Department is looking forward to the Term 3 Music Soirée, which will be held on Monday 9 September at 5 pm in the Miriam Theatre. Instrumental music students are encouraged to perform and all are welcome. Any student who wishes to present an item to be included in the Soirée is encouraged to sign up via their instrumental teacher. For more details, please email: mmacaulay@sion.catholic.edu.au
VCE Music Unit 4 Recital evening – Monday 9 September 7 pm
Students enrolled in the VCE Music class are presenting their Unit 4 recitals in the Miriam Theatre on Monday 9 September at 7 pm. Students will present their solo and small group items before their VCAA external assessment in Term 4.
Sion First – Year 6 Music Program Winter Concert
46 future Sionian string, woodwind, brass and percussion students performed at their Winter Concert last week. Both the string group and the concert band have come such a long way and were very well received by an enthusiastic audience in the LHC.
Senior Concert Band works with Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Jeffrey Spenner
Earlier this week, the Senior Concert Band were fortunate enough to have a special rehearsal with Chief Warrant Officer Jeffrey Spenner, who is the director/conductor of United States Coast Guard Band based in Connecticut. CWO Spenner is in Australia as one of the adjudicators for the Victorian Schools Music Festival and is an advocate for the excellence of music tuition in schools. He worked on the Senior Concert Band’s repertoire for VSMF, fine tuning the details of balance, articulation, dynamics, style and intonation. The girls also gained a valuable insight into his career as a professional musician in the US military system.
Upcoming Dates
Monday 26 August Senior Concert Band VSMF Hawthorn Arts Centre 3.15 pm-7.00 pm
Friday 6 September Intermediate Concert Band VSMF Hawthorn Arts Centre 8.45 am – 12.00 pm
Monday 9 September Term 3 Soirée 5.00 pm Miriam Theatre
Monday 9 September VCE Unit 4/Year 12 Recitals 7.00 pm Miriam Theatre
Sport – Liam Cox, Head of Sport
National Aerobics
Our two Our Lady of Sion College Aerobics teams were amazing at Schoolaerobics National Championships on Saturday 10 August. The squad performed in front of a large crowd at Adelaide Entertainment Centre after countless morning, lunchtime and school holiday trainings. It was an extremely close division with ‘One Step Ahead’ finishing 4th (87.70 total) in Australia narrowly missing a podium finish and ‘Step It Up’ finishing 7th with a total of 85.90.
A massive thank you to our Staff members Bridie Macdonald and Katrina Gurciullo for accompanying the squad with Aerobics coaches Alyssa Moran and Scarlett Mansell who were fantastic role models for their teams throughout the year. We could not achieve these results without you!
Our Aerobics Captains, Macy C (11 White) and Mia H (10 White) recount their experience of Nationals below.
Last weekend, our two aerobics teams competed in the Schoolaerobics National Championships. Getting to nationals wasn’t easy; it took many morning and lunchtime trainings and getting through previous competitions such as Prelims and States. It was so amazing to see that all of our hard work had paid off. Congratulations to “One Step Ahead," who placed 4th, and to “Sion’s on My Mind," who placed 7th out of all the teams in Australia. This is a significant accomplishment, especially for the students competing in aerobics for the first time. We also wanted to thank our coaches, Alyssa and Scarlett, who have made competing this year possible and also to Ms Gurciullo and Mrs Macdonald for making this trip so enjoyable, especially when they took us to Yochi. We are so proud of our teams! Bring on next year!Macy C (11 White) and Mia H (10 White)
GSV Track and Field Prelims – Thursday 15 August
Year 7 – 12 students took part in the GSV Track and Field Preliminaries at Lakeside Stadium on Thursday 15 August. Our Juniors finished in 7th
place, Intermediates in 6th and Seniors in 7th. Overall we finished 7th, qualifying for the Division 3 GSV Championship on Tuesday 27 August. Our goal is to finish in the top 3 overall which is achievable with our squad. Only one more training session before our final event, let’s go Sion!
We were allocated hosting duties at Prelims and 16 Year 9 and 10 students assisted in roles including medals, results runner, hurdles, refreshments and ensured the event ran to time. We received positive feedback with praises of our students' ability to complete tasks on time and display leadership qualities going above and beyond. Big thank you to everyone who helped out!
Below our Track and Field Captains provide a recap on the day:
On Thursday 15 August we all had the pleasure of being involved in the Prelim Athletics Carnival at Lakeside. It was an awesome day and we had great numbers of participation, everyone did a great job in a wide range of events. Special mention to Grace N (11 Red), Sophie F (9 White), Abbey H (12 White), Carla Parris (7 Gold) and Erin M (10 Blue) who placed 1st in their events. It was a huge effort from all of you! Next Tuesday we will be competing in the Division 3 Championship Athletics Carnival and wish all athletes competing the best of luck. We would like to see big numbers in attendance and lots of cheering and participation.Erin M (10 Blue), Maisy B (11 Gold) and Abbey H (12 White)
Herald Sun Shield – Senior Squad
After a dominant performance at CGSAV AFL Tournament, our Senior AFL squad is building for our Herald Sun Shield Tournament on Wednesday 4 September. If we perform well and move to the next stage, we will be playing in the Grand Final on Thursday 12 September. The squad has been training at Box Hill City Oval on Tuesday afternoons preparing for the event. Very excited to see the continual improvement from the team!
AFL 2024 Marsh Under 18 Girls Championships
Congratulations to Georgie B (12 Blue), Vic Metro co-captain in the AFL 2024 Marsh Under-18 Girls Championships, who defeated back-to-back reigning premierships South Australia on Sunday 11 August to win the tournament. Georgie has been quietly competing at home and interstate since the championships kicked off in June, and we are proud she could be part of Vic Metro's first premiership since pre-Covid.
Social Justice – Lucy Miotello, Coordinator
For Sion Day, the Social Justice team ran the Sion Flurries stand. If the queue was any indication, Sion Flurries continues to be a favourite amongst the Sion community. Staff and student helpers worked tirelessly scooping ice cream and sprinkling crushed Tim Tams, Oreo’s and mini M&Ms to help raise funds to support two scholarship programs through Bethlehem University and the Our Lady of Sion Education Fund in Jerusalem for Primary and Secondary Students. Money raised from the stand will support five students who are at different stages of their education.
St Vincent De Paul School Conference
This week’s SnapShot is on the ever-growing struggle of families to provide for food to support their families and how St Vincent De Paul Victoria provides assistance to those in need.
Food Insecurity and St Vincent De Paul
Food insecurity is a lack of regular access to enough healthy, nutritious and sufficient food that meets an individual’s dietary needs for a healthy lifestyle. This is of increasing concern within many countries. On any given day in Australia, more than half a million households are struggling to put food on the table. St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria stands as a supportive ally, who’s ready to assist and is already working towards combating this.
Last financial year, 58.9% of people called their welfare line and requested assistance with food. St Vincent De Paul provided $9,479,151 in assistance to Victorians. Their conferences (local volunteer groups), soup vans and mobile pantry volunteers, and their homelessness accommodation centres – all delivered groceries, vouchers, meals and comfort to Victorians in need. These include:
776,329 meals served by soup vans
63,000 meals served to residents and drop-ins at Ozanam House
264 tonnes of food distributed by soup vans
The St Vincent de Paul society is actively supporting those in need, and we are proud to be supporters of such an impactful organisation. Bani K (10 Purple)
Indigenous Immersion – Alice Dawes, Teacher Drama, English, History and Humanities
Sion students from Years 9–11 recently returned from our 2024 Indigenous Immersion Program through Central Australia. Sienna P (11 Blue) reflects:
Our trip to Anangu and Arrernte Country was a memorable Immersion that taught us much about the Northern Territory's history and culture. We saw amazing natural sights like Kings Canyon, Uluru, Simpsons Gap, and Ormiston Gorge. Each place had its own story to tell about the land and its people.
What we learned at Yipirinya Primary School and Yirara Secondary College in Alice Springs was one of the most interesting parts of our trip. We got a look into the school lives of Indigenous students, which showed us both differences and similarities to our school life at the College. These interactions gave us a greater appreciation for the diverse ways education can be tailored to reflect cultural values and community needs.
Another highlight was our trip to the Wanmarra Aboriginal Community, where we were able to help with their agricultural programme. This hands-on experience allowed us to contribute to the community’s efforts to sustain their traditional practices and build a deeper connection with the land.
We learned about the spiritual meaning and connection of Uluru and Kata Tjuta at the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park and Cultural Centre, learning about their profound importance to the Anangu people.
Beyond discovering the land, this trip fostered friendships among us. As a group, we bonded through this experience, learning from one another and gaining valuable memories that will last a lifetime. The entire trip was a journey of self-discovery, leaving us with a deeper understanding and respect for the rich cultural heritage of these lands. Sienna P (11 Blue)
To celebrate Book Week this year, our students were invited to design original artwork for bookmarks for the Learning Resource Centre. This year’s theme is “Reading is Magic”.
We’re thrilled to share that the following students’ bookmark designs have been selected to be printed and available for everyone in the LRC. Congratulations to these talented students! The quality of entries was exceptional, making the judges' decision quite a challenge.
During Book Week, The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Winners and Notable books will be on display for students to borrow.
Careers and Pathways – Brooke O'Hara, Coordinator
I was once afraid of people saying, “Who does she think she is?’ Now I have the courage to stand and say “This is who I am."Oprah Winfrey
Students and families can find the fortnightly Careers newsletter here. In this fortnightly Newsletter there is information relating to:
Upcoming Events: 2024 Tertiary open days
Careers Industry in the Spotlight – Veterinary Nurse
Things to consider: Graduate Entry Pharmacy, Federation University – Coop Model
Researching options: Swinburne University – Changes to entry requirements, Deakin University – New Engineering Facilities Burwood campus
Parent News
College Psychologist – Vanessa Cheng
Adolescence is a period of significant change and growth when they begin to assert their independence and explore new experiences. Risk-taking is a normal part of adolescence and is important in their journey in finding their identities and becoming independent young adults.
While risk-taking can sometimes lead to negative outcomes, it also has the potential to be a powerful tool for personal development. The challenge for parents and carers is to help their child navigate this phase effectively, distinguishing between harmful and beneficial risks.
Recognise the Signs of Negative Risk-Taking
Teenagers are more likely to make quick and impulsive decisions because their brains are not fully developed yet. Peer connections/approval also become incredibly important, and teenagers are often more focused on the reward they feel from their peers and friends.
Because of this, teenagers often don’t foresee the full consequences of their actions or understand how negative risk-taking could potentially harm their wellbeing or future. It’s important to be aware of signs of negative risk-taking (such as experimenting with alcohol and other drugs, skipping school, or engaging in illegal activities) and to address them promptly and calmly.
Foster Positive Risk-Taking
Positive risk-taking on the other hand involves stepping out of one’s comfort zone in ways that encourage personal growth and development. A supportive home environment is crucial for fostering positive risk-taking.
You can support your child to take positive risks in the following ways:
Encourage New Challenges: Such as trying new activities, clubs, or sports. These experiences can help them build confidence and develop new skills.
Promote Safe Exploration: Support their interests and hobbies, whether they’re academic, artistic, or athletic. Positive risk-taking often involves exploring passions that can lead to new opportunities and successes.
Set Realistic Goals: Help your teen set and achieve realistic goals that challenge them without overwhelming them. Celebrate their progress and encourage perseverance.
Model Positive Behaviour: Be a role model in taking risks in a positive way. Share your experiences of stepping out of your comfort zone and what you learned from those situations.
Discuss Consequences: Engage in open discussions about the potential outcomes of their decisions. Understanding both the risks and rewards can help them make more informed choices.
If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please contact their Homeroom Teacher, Wellbeing and Growth Leader, or the Counselling Team (counselling@sion.catholic.edu.au)
