Tuesday 3 December
Year 9 Mind, Body, Soul Day (all day)
Thursday 5 December
Night of Excellence
Friday 6 December
Years 7–9 students final day of classes (1.00 pm dismissal)
Tuesday 10 December
Semester 2 Reports released
Friday 20 December
College office closes
Monday 20 January
College office opens
Tuesday 28 January
Staff return
Friday 31 January
Years 7 and 12 return
Year 12 Retreat
Monday 3 February
Years 8–11 return
Final examinations have now concluded for our Years 10 -12 students and in the last week, Years 10 and 11 have undertaken their Smart Start classes in readiness for their VCE and VCE VM subjects in 2025. On Wednesday, they concluded their academic year with a Mass and awards assembly and are now enjoying a well-deserved summer holiday. I thank them for all they have contributed to our school this year and for the way they have engaged with their learning and the broader life of the College.
Last Thursday, we honoured the Class of 2024 with the last formal event of their time at Our Lady of Sion College. Fr Mark Reynolds celebrated our Eucharist which was followed by a Valedictory Dinner with their families at Marvel Stadium. It was heartening to see the Class of 2024 and their parents come together for this significant milestone. Thank you once again to all families and a warm farewell to those families for whom this is the end of their formal relationship with our school. I was humbled by the number of families who thanked me for the support our staff have offered their children. It has been a real privilege to be part of your lives during your children’s formative years.
This week our Year 8 students travelled to Myrniong for their Year 8 camp. By all accounts, it was again another successful experience, building skills that should stand them in good stead as they begin the middle years of high school.
Over the next week, we look forward to acknowledging students who have participated in our Colours program with some awards being presented at our Years 7 - 9 final assembly and at our Night of Excellence. One of the things I value about our program is that four out of the five Colours are awarded for participation, namely House, Arts, Sports and Community Spirit. This ensures that every student is able to achieve this recognition simply by participating in the broader life of the College. So thank you and congratulations to those students who have made this contribution. It has enriched the experience for all.
As we approach the end of 2024 and prepare for the holy season of Christmas, it is an opportune time to reflect on the year that we have experienced and witnessed. While there were many moments of celebration and achievement, there have been countless moments of conflict, tragedy and despair. I hope this year’s theme Hear the call of Jerusalem; expand your horizons reminded us that beyond our relatively secure and happy lives, there are many in our world who suffer terrible deprivation because of where they were born or as a consequence of war.
We may feel powerless to make a difference in the lives of those who suffer but as we prepare to join our loved ones in our Christmas celebrations, I encourage families to speak about the hope that remembering the birth of Christ can bring. His life exemplified God’s love for humanity and provided a role model for what it means to be a good person.
Let us also be encouraged by the fact that “every act of goodness, every word of truth, and every glimmer of shared humanity” (David Halliday Editor, Eureka Street) brings light to our world, and as Pope Francis has told us recently, let us remember to "work so that weapons give way to dialogue, and conflict gives way to encounter."
This coming Sunday, Christian churches all over the world celebrate the beginning of Advent, not the commercial advent calendars we see in our shops but the true celebration of what it means. Advent is a time of anticipation, not for gifts or beautiful lunches we will soon enjoy but of expressing our gratitude for the life we have been given because of the birth of Christ and the opportunity we have to make a positive difference in our world, even if it is one very small step at a time.
O sweet Child of Bethlehem,
grant that we may share with all our hearts
in this profound mystery of Christmas.
Put into the hearts all people the peace
for which they sometimes seek so desperately
and which you alone can give to them.
Help them to know one another better,
and to live as children of the same Father.
Reveal to them also your beauty, holiness, and purity.
Awaken in their hearts
love and gratitude for your infinite goodness.
Join them all together in your love.
And give us your heavenly peace.
Amen.
Pope John XXIII
Finally, I acknowledge and thank the following staff who will conclude their time at the College this year: Ms Fiona MacDonald, Mrs Tricia Smith, Ms Cristina Cardaci, Ms Laura Teicher, Ms Serena Bellotti, Ms Jordyn Frood, Mr Jarryd Black, Ms Melinda Savino and Ms Loretta Kitch. I thank them for their support of our students and the significant contributions that have made to our school community.
I wish all staff, students and family a very Happy Christmas and a safe and restful summer break, and I look forward to welcoming you all as we return for the 2025 academic year.
Tina Apostolopoulos
As we reach the end of the school year, we should give thanks to God for all that has been achieved, not just academically but also new friendships that have been made, the music, art, drama and sporting opportunities that have been embraced and in particular the ways that as a College community, we have lived out our College theme – “Hear the Call of Jerusalem: widen your horizons”, to seek to bring justice, peace and love to our world.
On Thursday 21 November, our graduating Year 12 students celebrated a beautiful Mass just prior to their Valedictory dinner. This Mass, which they had prepared in their RE classes, was truly reflective of all that the girls had achieved not only this year, but during their past six years at Our Lady of Sion College.
At the commencement of the Mass, the students brought forward symbols to acknowledge each year of their secondary schooling. As a symbol for Year 7, the students brought forward the College hat which represented the beginning of their secondary school journey and joining a new community. A mask was brought forward to represent Year 8 and challenges experienced due to COVID. For Year 9, a map of the city of Melbourne, used on their city experience, to symbolise stepping towards independence and maturity. During Year 10, the students faced new challenges and bonded further with their year level not only during the Duke of Ed Camp but also through L’Chaim when the students began to deeply consider their career pathways. A compass was chosen to symbolise this. The pot and packet of seeds presented for Year 11, symbolised a year of change, growth and resilience and the beginning of the Shatal program, which means “to plant” in Hebrew. Finally, for Year 12, a lotus flower was chosen to symbolise the students’ transformation and growth into young adults. Through their Pastoral program and the Gadal program, which means “to grow” in Hebrew, the students embraced many opportunities to prepare them for life after Year 12.
As a part of the Sign of Peace, families were presented with a bookmark which had been designed by students in 12 White. The chosen Scripture from Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future," also served as the first reading and contained a message for the students to have faith in their paths ahead and to trust in God's plan for their lives.
On Wednesday, we celebrated the Years 10 and 11 End of Year Eucharist. This too was a lovely occasion for the students to reflect and give thanks for all they had achieved throughout the year. As a Catholic and Sionian school we are called to live out our vision and mission to sow the seeds of hope and to have a commitment for justice. As a part of the offertory, students brought forward Christmas bags filled with donated toiletries which will be presented to St Vincent de Paul through the Fitzroy and Box Hill Conferences. We give thanks for the generosity of our Sion community.
With the Liturgical Season of Advent commencing this Sunday, 1 December, the Year 7, 8 and 9 students will be taking the time to reflect on its true meaning, with its messages of hope, peace, love and joy and its significance for us as a Catholic faith community during their End of Year Eucharist on Friday 6 December.
Wishing all members of the Our Lady of Sion College community many blessings for a very happy Christmas and safe start to 2025.
There are many highlights of 2025 in the field of Learning and Teaching. I enjoyed every minute of teaching my own class, Year 12 English Language, and if the students are reading this, please know that it has been a pleasure to support you in your skills and knowledge of linguistics and to watch you develop into adults that we are proud of. Thank you for putting up with me losing my voice and whispering to you, thank you for asking questions and making me think about how I am explaining things, thank you for making me work so hard before any assessment so that you had the feedback that you deserve and thank you for making me laugh every lesson.
Working closely with the Curriculum Team means that I get to hear about the exciting things happening in different classrooms too. The extension Maths activities have been great, getting students to be curious about the ‘why’ of maths rather than being focussed on the how. The open-ended application tasks of Year 9 Steam: Science by Design and Year 10 STEAM and Forensics, where the students have been able to present their learning in ways that have real-world application and have really captured their imaginations. The English team’s response to the new VCE outcome, 'framework of ideas’ has meant changes to the junior curricula where the students are asked to grapple with really important social ideas; being called to be informed and critical in their consumption of media and social media, and to apply the values that are instilled in them at school and at home to take a clear position. The oral presentations were so impressive. More linking theory to real life, the Health and Physical Education Curriculum consistently calls the students to set and and achieve it. They are being taught life long health messages (and we could all do with a reset on this) as well as challenging mindsets about how we see ourselves and what our internal voice is communicating to us. Just fabulous learning. I would like to thank all of our very skilled teachers and support staff for providing these rich learning experiences.
There is lots to look forward to in 2025. Our pedagogical framework, The Rose, will continue to inform how we approach learning. We will extend our use of the new functions in the Ratisbonne Discovery Centre, integrating the new facilities across a range of learning areas and allowing students to transfer their skills and knowledge.
I wish everyone a happy, restful and safe Christmas and January break and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2025.
As the year draws to a close, it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the many achievements and highlights that have defined 2024.
Our student leaders across all year levels have done an outstanding job inspiring and guiding their peers. Their commitment, creativity, and energy have been instrumental in fostering a sense of community and belonging within our College.
This year, students embraced challenges and new experiences with enthusiasm, especially during the Year 7 and (our very recent) Year 8 camps, and the Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey. These camps saw students step outside their comfort zones, trying activities many had never encountered before. It was inspiring to witness their determination, courage, and the strong bonds they formed as they supported one another.
The camaraderie among our students was equally evident in the arts and sports. Whether during band practices or performing at the Generations in Jazz competition in Mount Gambier, students demonstrated exceptional teamwork and talent. Similarly, in the sporting arena, their dedication shone through in GSV sports, and our House Athletics and Swimming Carnivals, showcasing school spirit and resilience.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated Pastoral Care team, from Homeroom teachers to Wellbeing and Growth Leaders, and our compassionate Counselling team, for their unwavering support of our students.
To our parents and carers, thank you for standing alongside us, especially during challenging times. Your support and appreciation for our work has been invaluable.
Finally, I wish you and your daughters a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season.
Our particular thoughts and prayers go to Mrs Tania Purser, our College Learning Support Officer, for the recent passing of her father.
We remember Mrs Purser and her family in a special way at this sad time.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.
After a marathon effort in completing their final year of secondary schooling our final farewell to our Year 12 cohort of 2024 took place last Thursday evening at Marvel Stadium. It was a very special celebration whereby students were able to relax and enjoy the night with their families and staff who have supported them throughout their journey at Our Lady of Sion College throughout the past six years.
The sun setting over the Docklands provided a perfect backdrop for the students to take some memorable photos with family and friends. Everyone enjoyed a three-course meal and then danced the night away to a great selection of music played by our DJ Fabian.
Again, I congratulate all of our Year 12 students on their efforts throughout 2024. Completing Year 12 requires commitment, perseverance and hard work. Each and every one of our students demonstrated this and should be so proud of their individual efforts. This incredible group of young people also need to be acknowledged for the personal growth they experienced in various aspects of their life.
I wish our Year 12 graduating class of 2024 every happiness and success in whatever they choose to do and hope they carry the values and charism of Our Lady of Sion with them into the next phase of their life.
You may wish to click on the link to view a video created by four of our Year 12 students Paige H (12 Red), Bella P (12 Red), Sienna H (12 White) and Natalie K (12 Gold) as a memento of the experiences and memories shared by this cohort throughout their time together at Our Lady of Sion College.
What a massive end to 2024: having finished up with exams in Week 7, and continuing with Smart Start for Week 8, we are now referring to the cohort as Year 12s.
During the last day on Wednesday, we were able to spend time reflecting on the school year.
The Year 11s stepped up and into the challenges of being a senior student. These young people approached their studies with resilience and perseverance to do their best. It has been an incredibly exciting and rewarding opportunity working with and alongside your child throughout 2024.
Thank you to the Year 11 Homeroom team, who have been an integral pillar of support for your child’s experience at Year 11, alongside all teaching staff who have facilitated your child’s learning. Thank you to all the families who reached out this year for further guidance, support, and feedback. Have a restful, enjoyable break. Stay safe, hydrated, sunscreen-ed and well! We look forward to your return for 2025.
And just like that, we have farewelled the Year 10 class of 2024.
Wednesday was a real celebration of all that has been accomplished this year for our students. To see nearly 100 of our cohort be recognised because of their involvement in our Colours program was very pleasing. Throughout the year we continually discussed the importance of accepting new challenges and turning up each day and doing our best. To see so many Year 10s being recognised for accepting these challenges was a celebration of growth and paves the way for what the future will hold for this group.
In our Mass today, one of our hymns had the following words:
‘Gentle woman, quiet light,
morning star, so strong and bright,
gentle Mother, peaceful dove,
teach us wisdom; teach us love.’
And as I sat and listened to these words, they reflected for me what the Year 10 cohort have demonstrated and leaned into all year. They continue to be young women who have developed many strengths that will ensure they have a very bright future ahead of them. Although Year 10 is an active year, always something on the go, our cohort have gone about their daily interactions in a calm and peaceful way. We only need to look back at our recent Semester 2 exams for proof of that. And, as much as we teach them, they continually teach us. The students have shown us what is possible both academically and through personal growth. Each day our Year 10 students have shown kindness, love and compassion to all of those around them and it is because of this attitude, collectively they have achieved so much. I am very proud of them.
One element of the final day for our Year 10s is that we thank all our current SRC, Portfolio, Class Captains, Peer Support and Talk and Tour leaders. Each group has represented themselves and the College exceptionally well this year. We also thanked and acknowledged those students and families who will be leaving our community at the end of this year to explore new horizons and I take this opportunity to thank those students and families for all they have been a part of whilst being a member of our College.
I take this opportunity to thank the Pastoral care team for the continual support, encouragement and guidance they have given to all students in their Homeroom each morning this year:
10 Blue - Ms Fiona McDonald
10 Gold - Miss Jemima Stafford
10 Purple - Miss Isabelle Rebecca
10 Red - Ms Laura Malone
10 Silver - Miss Cristina Cardaci
10 White - Mr Terry Tan
I also take this opportunity to thank Mrs Christine Kralj, Ms Allison Stott and Ms Anna Gionfriddo for their continued guidance and support of the wellbeing, academic and faith development of our cohort. To Mrs Brooke O’ Hara for her guidance with careers and pathways and thanks to Ms Claire Jenkins, Ms Pam Ioannidis and Ms Vanessa Cheng, our College Counselling team, for their continued support of our Year 10 students.
I would like to wish all Year 10 families all the very best for your Christmas break. I hope you have the opportunity to spend well deserved time with your family and loved ones. Finally I thank you for your ongoing support that has allowed the College to further guide and nurture your young person. I want you to know that each student in Year 10 this year has achieved much and they are very well placed to take on the new horizon that is Year 11 in 2025.
Until 2025, stay safe, thank you and remember to keep exploring and taking up all challenges that are presented before you.
It has been a true privilege to work with this year's Year 9 students as their Wellbeing and Growth Leader. I have seen so much growth in all of them as well as resilience and grit in facing the various challenges that have come their way, both in an academic and personal sense.
I would like to thank and congratulate the Year 9 leaders, specifically our SRC Biddy B (9 Blue) and Amelie P (9 Silver) for their collaboration throughout the year. We have seen so much enthusiasm and authentic leadership in all portfolios and each student should feel proud of all that they have achieved in 2024.
Across the year we have used Pastoral as a time for personal growth, for students to consider the various ways that they can 'Have Courage & Be Kind'. This has seen them consider who they go to for advice, the importance of equality in friendships, the qualities of positive relationships as well as more practical sessions related to safe partying and goal setting. As a Pastoral team, we have been so impressed with the way our students have engaged with these topics; always open to learning new things and consider how it applies to their daily lives.
I have been so proud to be the Wellbeing & Growth Leader of this cohort and know them to be young people who aspire to reach their full potential, who are respectful of each other and who are kind and courageous. I wish them all the best for the years ahead and hope they know my door is always open.
Earlier this week we spoke the importance of working together as a team and embracing new opportunities as a part of our Duke of Ed journey. Over the upcoming break I have encouraged the Year 9 students to look at ways that they can embrace opportunities that allow them to develop skills that will support their continued journey. It can be as simple as helping around the house with a variety of chores. It could be trying a new activity be it sporting, musical or reading that book you may not have finished yet.
By being willing to try, it allows all students to see what new learnings they can bring into their day to day life. These new learnings will also be transferable skills that they will bring into our adventurous journey in March of 2025.
We also reviewed our online record books to ensure that we are up to date with all elements and we discussed what are the qualities we look for in a supportive, inclusive team member and group.
I take this opportunity to wish all the Year 9 students and community members all the very best for your Christmas break and look forward to journeying with you in 2025 with our Duke of Edinburgh program.
This week, our Year 8s had an amazing experience on camp! Every single student should be extremely proud of the resilience they showed and they way they experienced things for the first time. The weather was lovely for the most part, with a sample of all four seasons over the three days but they all soldiered on, and I am so proud of each and every camper! A final thank you to all staff who were involved with our camp; without them, these opportunities wouldn’t be possible. Here are some student reflections from camp:
Camp was a really good opportunity to learn more about how to set up tents, cook on trangias and make new friends and connections. The food was incredible and I enjoyed all the activities we were able to complete. Zara H (8 Blue)
It was the best camp ever! The food was amazing and the activities were so good. Mabel D (8 Gold)
The Year 8 camp has been one of my favourite camps of all time as it was super fun, we all spent so much time with our friends and we could participate in all of the fun activities on land and on water. My favourite activities were the stand up paddle boarding and the jetty jumping as I felt very safe and knew that I was in good hands so that made me enjoy those activities so much more. Overall this camp so super fun and I would do it all over again if I could! Amani I (8 Red)
And just like that, we are at the end of another year! I can’t believe that yet another year has flown by. I couldn’t be prouder of the way the Year 8s have taken on this challenge and grown so much as a result. Through events like our Friendship Day, Homeroom dance competition, year level basketball and netball competitions and camp (just to name a few) they have been able to make new connections and push themselves outside of their comfort zones.
On behalf of the Homeroom team and myself, we would like to thank all students for their enthusiasm and involvement in all that Year 8 at Sion has to offer. A special thank you to all students who held leadership positions this year. You have brought great enthusiasm to the roles and should be very proud of yourselves. Leaders throughout the year:
SRC
Davina C (8 Blue) and Sophie J (8 Gold)
Liturgy
Mietta L (8 Red) and Jocelynn P (8 Gold)
Social Justice
Clare N (8 Gold) and Zara O (8 White)
Drama
Pene B (8 Silver) and Ella M (8 Blue)
Debating
Jacinta B (8 Red)
Environment
Katia C (8 White) and Tash G (8 White)
Music
Alice D (8 Blue) and Ava R (8 Blue)
Sport
Tiana A (8 White) and Zara L (8 Red)
Visual Arts
Ruby N (8 Purple) and Paris X (8 Purple)
STEM
Ashanti C (8 Gold) and Kate L (8 Gold)
HOUSE REPS
Carmel
Katelyn C (8 Purple) and Ruby W (8 Silver)
Fatima
Elaina H (8 Blue) and Tilly M (8 Silver)
Loreto
Brianna G (8 Red) and Shanelle K (8 White)
Lourdes
Miranda K (8 Red) and Nilushca N (8 Silver)
CLASS LEADERS
Blue
Claudia F and Zara H
Gold
Kiran I and Mia S
Purple
Angelina R and Ashley T
Red
Amani I and Claise S
Silver
Cassidy H and Jasmine T
White
Ruby J and Georgia M
Thank you, Year 8s for a wonderful year as your Wellbeing and Growth Leader. It has been a pleasure to work with you all and it is with great sadness that I now need to pass you over to a new Wellbeing and Growth Leader, but please don’t hesitate to come and see me if I can help with anything or just to say hi! I am so proud of each of you and the growth you have all made since the start of the year and know you will continue to do the same next year and beyond.
Finally, I wish you and your families a happy and safe Christmas holidays. Best wishes for 2025!
As we approach the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible achievements of our Year 7 cohort. It has been an absolute pleasure to witness your growth and development throughout this year.
Your intelligence, persistence, and enthusiasm have been truly inspiring. From tackling new subjects to embracing extracurricular activities with gusto, you've consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence. Your active participation in sports, clubs, and community events has not only enriched your own lives but has also positively impacted those around you.
I've been particularly impressed by your ability to adapt to challenges and setbacks. You've shown resilience, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. These qualities will undoubtedly serve you well as you continue your educational journey. As you transition to Year 8 in 2025, I encourage you to continue to be curious, kind, and be your best selves.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the parents and carers for your support on behalf of myself and the Year 7 Homeroom Team. Your communication, encouragement and guidance have played a crucial role in your child's success over the course of 2024.
I wish you all the best for a safe and enjoyable summer break. I look forward to seeing what you will accomplish in the years to come.
As we prepare to celebrate the season of giving, I would like to thank all families for their incredible generosity this year for our annual appeal. The Year 10 and 11 bags were presented this week at their End of Year Mass. The Years 7 – 9 bags will be presented on Friday 6 December during their final mass.
Thanks to your donations of toiletry items, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. Your contributions will provide essential care and comfort to families and individuals experiencing hardship this Christmas. These simple yet vital items remind us of the power of community and compassion. The bags will be donated to the St Vinnies Fitzroy and Box Hill Conferences.
Thank you for embodying the spirit of our Sion values and making this season brighter for others. Together, we have shown that small acts of kindness can create lasting impacts.
Christmas Wishing Tree Appeal
Thank you to families who have already donated items for the Christmas Wishing Tree Appeal. There is still time to bring in your donations as this Christmas initiative will be running to Thursday 5 December 2024.
In advance, the College Conference would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Our Lady of Sion College community for your generous donations to the St Vincent de Paul Wishing Tree Appeal. All donated items will be given to the Soup Van Program which will be assembled into hampers that will directly support individuals and families and provide them with a Christmas filled with joy and happiness.
Finally, as the year comes to a close, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all our Social Justice representatives for their incredible dedication and hard work. Their efforts have brought awareness, compassion, and action to important causes, making a real difference in the lives of others. From organising appeals to raising awareness, their leadership has been an inspiration to our community. They have embodied the values of justice, kindness, and service throughout the year.
I hope you all have a joyful Christmas and restful break. We look forward to 2025 and continuing the great work of the Social Justice team.
Recently the Year 9 Geography class visited Phillip Island to complete their fieldwork studies. This is what they had to say about their learning experience:
On the trip to Phillip Island, our main focus was to learn about tourism. We were to investigate the environmental, societal and economical impacts of tourism on Phillip Island and to find out how these impacts are managed at the different locations around Phillip Island. We went to many different locations to interview and survey locals about eco tourism. Indi G (9 Gold)
The focus was related to what we had been learning in class because we visited Phillip Island and went to Nobbies Boardwalk, Amaze N Things and the Koala Conservation Centre. These are all examples of the different types of tourism we learnt about, for example the Koala Conservation Centre is a natural tourist attraction and promotes ecotourism and Amaze N Things is a man made tourist attraction. I really enjoyed being able to explore and visit Phillip Island and its unique tourist attractions. Lili T (9 Blue)
On the trip to Phillip Island we learnt about the boxes at the Nobbies that they have made for the penguins to make sure they are safe from all the different animals there. I also learnt about how koalas have to eat 1500 eucalyptus leaves to receive the nutrients we get from one bowl of cereal. We also learnt that in some states around Australia touching or holding koalas is becoming illegal since when we hold them they grind their teeth and if they do that too much they can no longer eat since their teeth have been ground too much. Freya B (9 Red)
We have had such a brilliant year in the world of Drama at Sion this year and we are so excited for what's to come next year! Thank you to the many staff members who have supported our productions, the parents, carers and friends who have supported students in the audience and cheered for all of their successes and of course to our wonderful students who we are always heartened to work with witnessing their passion, collaboration and growth every time we work with them.
Learning in Drama is so much more than performing, it's about problem solving, flexibility, teamwork, critical thinking, interpersonal intelligence and communication. These are the skills that are going to assist students to deal with challenges after they leave our cherry red gates. We are proud of all of the work in and outside of the classroom that our students have achieved this year.
Launching our 2025 College Production 'Mamma Mia' was such a highlight. We have had wonderful feedback from students, parents, carers and staff members.
The audition process has been so valuable and a wonderful learning experience. We will be releasing our cast list very soon. We have been thoroughly impressed with the great talent our students displayed during this process.
Auditioning for a musical can be a thrilling yet nerve-wracking experience. As with any competitive process, it's important to recognise that disappointment may be part of the journey. Not every performer will land the role they hope for, and that’s okay. Resilience is about bouncing back from disappointments and using each experience to grow stronger. We can encourage resilience building by ensuring our students know that missing out on this opportunity doesn't mean that they will miss out on the many opportunities to perform at Sion in the future.
Our planning for our 2025 Drama program is well underway and I am pleased to say that we will be continuing to build and diversify our offerings in Drama and will be providing many rich learning experiences within classes and extra-curricular opportunities. Have a safe and happy holiday break!
Last Week Year 11 DOHSA students attended a special function to celebrate their involvement with this program. Grace N (11 Red) and Lydia R (11 Gold) share their reflection from the day.
The Girls in Stem Mentoring Program as a part of the Bionics Institute required us to meet with a leading female STEM professional to learn all about what areas they specialise in. We learnt all about the Auditory System, particularly hearing loss and detection methods. We did this mainly via online meetings to gather research, however we also had the opportunity to visit the Bionics Institute Laboratory in the city. At the end of the program, we presented our research to our mentor and to some students and teachers.
After our induction session, we were assigned a task about the human ear. We researched the differing parts of the ear, the ways to detect hearing loss and the ways in which hearing loss can be treated. Over three scheduled sessions, we researched these different topics and reported our findings to our mentor at the conclusion of the sessions. Finally, we presented our findings to the younger year levels in the Denise O'Hara science academy, Mrs Apostolopoulos and Julia our mentor. This was a great opportunity to present our hard work and research to future students in the STEM program at Our Lady Of Sion College.
Through this mentoring experience, it has widened our knowledge of issues that not only affect the world to this day, but also issues and potential solutions that will develop in future years. It has allowed us to see first hand what working in a research lab is like, as well as analysing data and creating potential solutions to world wide issues. This opportunity has allowed us to engage with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, as well as educational levels. In future years, skills such as communication, teamwork and how to accurately research things will be highly applicable because science is all around us. Grace N (11 Red) and Lydia R (11 Gold)
The Languages Department at Our Lady of Sion College has experienced a wonderful and dynamic year in 2024. Through a wide array of engaging activities and programs, students have been inspired to enhance their language ability and cultural knowledge and develop a love for their chosen language. Highlights of the year include the unforgettable study tour to France, Language week, Chinese, French and Italian lunchtime club sessions, interactive incursions and excursions, involvement in exciting competitions, the 'Language Perfect' program, and many other enriching experiences.
As the school year draws to a close, seven students are preparing for an exciting journey overseas during the summer holidays as part of this year’s international partnership program with the USA.
On Friday 27 December, Macy C (11 White), Zoe F (11 Blue), Hannah G (11 Blue), Tarlissa H (11 Purple), Indi M (11 Gold), Natasha N (11 Blue) and Ava V H (11 Red) will depart for Kansas City, USA, where they will reunite with their host sisters and attend our sister school, “Notre Dame de Sion,” for three weeks. We extend our gratitude to Mr Larkins for accompanying our students on this journey, and we wish them an enriching and memorable experience.
For the last two weeks, our 2025 VCE students have been actively participating in the Smart Start Program. Their dedication and enthusiasm throughout the program have established a strong foundation and an optimistic outlook for their language studies in the upcoming year.
We thank all our students who have shown a genuine passion for language learning this year. The dedication of our VCE students studying Chinese, French, and Italian has been truly remarkable. Their consistent efforts, particularly in preparing for the end of year exams, highlight their strong commitment and determination to excel. We hope their hard work and perseverance in language studies will be rewarded with excellent final exam results. We wish them continued success and fulfilment in all their future endeavours.
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the departure of two valued members of our Languages Department, Ms Laura Teicher and Ms Cristina Cardaci. While we are saddened to see them leave, we are immensely grateful for their contributions to our languages department and school community. Both will be greatly missed by colleagues and students alike, but we wish them every success as they embark on the next chapters of their professional and personal journeys.
We sincerely thank our College Principal, Mrs Apostolopoulos, for her ongoing support of the Languages Department. A special acknowledgment also goes to the Leadership Team, especially Mrs Stott; for their guidance and assistance throughout the year, as well as to all staff members who have supported our programs and activities.
The successes of the Languages Department in 2024 reflect the dedication and enthusiasm of both students and teachers. We look forward to building on these achievements in the coming year, continuing to nurture a love for languages and striving for academic excellence.
With the festive season upon us, we would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a joyful, peaceful new year filled with happiness and relaxation!
Merry Christmas! Shèngdàn kuàilè! Joyeux Noël! Buon Natale!
Enrolments are now open and available online for Instrumental Music lessons in 2025. All the details including fees, instrument hire charges and conditions are available via the link here. Confirmation of enrolment needs to be completed here. Please note that charges will be applied to your college fees statement in early 2025. Address any enquiries to the Head of Music at: mmacaulay@sion.catholic.edu.au
Many thanks to 2025 Music Captain Ava D (11 Red) who organised a fantastic Christmas themed Open Mic earlier this week. Even though it’s still November, plenty of Christmas spirit was on show in the piazza.
Families of members of the College Vocal Ensemble and Senior Jazz Ensemble have been forwarded an Expression of Interest form for students to attend the ‘Generations in Jazz’ Competition, held at Mt Gambier, South Australia in May 2025. I’m hoping families please respond to this ASAP to assist with the planning of this tour.
Next week we have our final sport sessions for 2024 with the Junior trials for current Year 7 students on Monday 2 December (rescheduled from Friday 22 November due to heat) and Intermediate trials (current Years 8 and 9 students) on Tuesday morning.
It has been another big year of sport at Our Lady of Sion College, especially when it comes to participation. Each year we track how many students participate in interschool sport. We are pleased to announce that 45% of students participated in at least one interschool sport this year, up from 40% in 2023. This was largely driven by greater participation among the senior year levels, which is fantastic to see.
I would like to thank our wonderful team of GSV staff and casual coaches who make trainings, matches and carnivals possible for our community. Without the coaches’ commitment and energy our sport program wouldn’t be the same. Shout out to Mr Armstrong on ensuring every box is ticked for each sport event that happens in our calendar.
Our Intermediate B and C teams headed to the finals on Wednesday 27 November. Our B team lost their first final in a tight seesawing encounter against Star of the Sea. The C team was successful in the first final however went down in the preliminary final. The team bounced back with a strong performance in the bronze medal match and was awarded 3rd place out of the 24 schools which is a great result! We are super proud of their commitment and would like to thank Ms Cardaci, Katia T (11 Gold) and Jorja Livingstone on a great season as coaches.
Three of our four Junior Basketball teams qualified for finals in convincing style with our B, C and D teams progressing through the home and away season undefeated. Finals were held at the State Netball Centre on Thursday 28 November. Both our B and D teams won their first final progressing through to Preliminary stages. Unfortunately, our C team came up against a strong OLMC outfit. Our B and D teams lost to OLMC in the preliminary finals going down in tight contests but were able to bounce back and secure the bronze medal in their final game. It was a great way to finish off the season with wins! I'd like to give a special mention to our Junior coaches Christina A (10 Gold), Niamh R (9 Silver), Ava R (9 Silver) and Olivia O (10 Blue) who were fantastic mentors for the Junior students.
It certainly has been a busy year in the Learning Resource Centre. With hundreds of new resources integrated into our catalogue, it has given us a chance to weed out those resources that are no longer meeting our teaching and learning needs.
Our VPRC students celebrated with a morning tea a few weeks back; we had a total of 127 students completing the challenge between Year 7 - 10. 7 White was the first Homeroom where every student completed the challenge by reading at least 15 books across two school terms. Congratulations to the following students who won our annual Top Readers Awards:
Year 7 Top Reader: Emily H (7 Red)
Year 8 Top Reader: Gabby Z (8 Red)
Year 9 Top Reader: Alannah V (9 White)
Year 10 Top Reader: Alyssia R (10 Red)
The following Homerooms won the Homeroom challenges for each year level and were rewarded with a morning tea: 7 White's Mrs Smith’s English Class, 8 Blue's Mrs Benke’s English Class and 9 Blue's Ms Stewart’s English Class. Top Reviewer Aashirya M (7 Red) submitted the most reviews (150 words each) into the Library Management System for other students to read while they contemplated which book to read next. A sterling effort by every student.
As we approach the break, our hearts have swelled with the number of students stocking up on reading for the break. Students are encouraged to read five books over the break and not take a break from reading.
These can be ANY books; old friends, short books, graphic books, audiobooks. If students are taking Sion books on holiday with them, we encourage them to store them in a plastic bag as damaged books will need to be replaced.
At the start of 2025, students can fill out a Summer Reading Challenge postcard, chat with their English teacher and gain their first community spirit point for the year. Postcards have been distributed through our Wider Reading classes and students are encouraged to pop in at recess and lunch to grab a card.
We wish Ms Serena Belotti all the best as she leaves Sion to join another school as their Library Manager. We have enjoyed her humor, professionalism and presence in the Learning Resource Centre this year.
As we approach the end of the year, the way in which we are integrating Edrolo into our subjects for 2025 has changed. In the past we have included the cost of this resource on the Campion Resource List, but going through Edrolo directly has benefited parents in a cost reduction for these digital resources and the flexibility at VCE to purchase a physical copy of the textbook where needed. However, there are still some gremlins that are being sorted out. Thank you for your patience throughout this process.
As we approach the start of 2025, students will receive an email saying that they have been enrolled in an Edrolo subject. Once students login, they will see a “pay now” button where parents can directly pay Edrolo for the resources on the resource list. We anticipate that payment for these resources will be completed by the start of the 2025 school year.
Our Edrolo Code for Sion is : rqt-zxw
Any queries about the Resource List can be sent to LRC@sion.catholic.edu.au, where the Learning Resource Centre staff will assist in resolving problems for you.
Margaret Lawson
Resource List Coordinator
As we approach the end of the year, it is important for both students and parents/carers to remember the value of rest and rejuvenation over the holidays.
During the summer holidays, you can support your teen to take a break and recharge in a number of ways. The holidays are an excellent opportunity for families to reconnect and spend quality time together. Encourage your teen to participate in outdoor activities, spend time making memories with family and friends, or just have simple moments of relaxation.
Additionally, it is important to maintain healthy habits even when on holiday. Ensuring teens get adequate amounts of good quality sleep, maintain a healthy and balanced diet, and engage in regular physical activity will ensure they will have good routines ready to start the next school year recharged and well-prepared.
If you notice your child struggling with their mental health during the holidays, please remember that support is available. Community services that can support your family and teenager include:
Lastly, we would like to acknowledge and thank Pam Ioannidis, College Counsellor. Pam will be taking on a different role in the College next year and so will sadly no longer be a part of the Counselling Team. We thank Pam for her contributions and to the team and her incredible dedication to all students she has supported.
We will be welcoming Mrs Sofia Stagnitta back to the team next year from leave and look forward to continuing to work with staff and families to support our students. Wishing all our families a restful and joyful holiday season!
As we reach the end of the year, I wanted to share that I will be concluding my time at Our Lady of Sion College. It has been a pleasure engaging with many families throughout this year, working in collaboration to ensure every child has the opportunity to achieve success. In 2025, Sarah Chalmers will be taking on this role, and is currently engaging in a thorough handover with me. Sarah will continue to work closely with teachers and parents through regular PSG meetings, and implement adjustments where required to support the needs of students.
I will be available until the conclusion of the year, so please do not hesitate to reach out.
On behalf of the Learning Support team, we wish all our families a safe and happy holiday break.
