Monday 10 June
Tuesday 11 June
Monday 17 June
Tuesday 18 June
Wednesday 19 June
Thursday 20 June
Friday 21 June
The past two weeks have been filled with high-quality learning and teaching, both inside and outside the classroom. While, our co-curricular offerings have further enriched students' experiences and learning, providing activities that align with their diverse interests.
Vocational Major students visited Blue Cross aged care facility, gaining invaluable vocational experience and understanding the importance of compassionate care. Similarly, our community outreach program with Ozanam House allowed students to engage in meaningful service, reinforcing the value of community support and empathy.
The Year 8 Lunchtime Basketball competition showcased the vibrant spirit and camaraderie within the year level, while Year 7 students participated in Chesed Day, focusing on skill and relationship-building to foster quality connections. Additionally, our students participated in the Secondary Schools Parliamentary Convention, deepening their understanding of civic duties.
At our recent College assembly, Social Justice Captain, Maddie S (12 Blue), announced the launch of the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. We encourage families to get involved by donating blankets and good-quality second-hand coats and jackets, which their daughters can bring to school. This is a wonderful opportunity to model care for others.
Amidst these activities, some of our students and their families are also preparing to welcome students from our sister school in Kansas City USA for an exchange program. We sincerely thank these families for opening their homes and helping to foster a deeper understanding of the global interconnectedness of Our Lady of Sion schools and the Sion charism.
On the sporting front, our GSV cross country team celebrated notable victories, with the Intermediate team bringing home the Cup and individual students achieving remarkable results. Congratulations to Emma R (3rd in the Juniors), Carla P (4th in the Juniors), Erin M (1st in the Intermediates), Sophie F (3rd in the Intermediates), Olivia M (9th in the Intermediates, Sam O (10th in the Intermediates) and Hannah G (8th in the Seniors).
Last weekend, our three Aerobic Teams also shone at the Aerobic State Finals, resulting in our A and B Teams going through to the Nationals. Finally, I am excited to announce that after competing in the CGSAV AFL on Tuesday our Senior AFL team has qualified for the Herald Sun Shield.
Academically, our senior students are focusing on revising and consolidating their understanding of the skill and knowledge of Semester 1 units of work. This is a time for a focussed approach and I encourage students to reach out to staff, even out of class time, to seek clarification and direction. Last week, many of our senior students took part in a trial GAT, emphasising our commitment to preparing students thoroughly for assessments that moderate VCE scores.
As Term 2 progresses, students are undertaking a variety of academic endeavours, exams and summative tasks. We recognise the increased stress levels during exam time and encourage parents and carers to foster a warm, loving, and tolerant home environment. A realistic, balanced, and positive outlook helps our students become resilient, providing them with a sense of control and confidence in their abilities.
Wishing you and your family the very best in the coming weeks as we move towards the winter break.
The prayer life of our College is a very important way that we can celebrate who we are as a Catholic and Sionian school and, as is our custom, each year level gather fortnightly in our Chapel to pray together.
Our College Liturgy Captain, Emma G (12 Blue) along with the Liturgy Representatives create the prayers for Chapel which are based around particular ideas or themes, and for the last two weeks the message of ‘Hope’ was the focus. All students were invited to place their hope in God in both the good and challenging times. This message was very much reflected in the scripture shared:
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:24
“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
For personal reflection, the students were asked to write down something that they hoped for and these were displayed in the Chapel. Some of these “hopes” included:
I hope that I can make a difference in the world.
I hope that it becomes a good thing to be kind, not a cool thing to put others down.
I hope for peace in everyone’s life.
I hope to live a happy fulfilled life with no regrets.
I hope to enjoy the beauty in every day.
The Year 12 students also gathered in the Chapel last week for a prayer service which they had prepared, to mark the end of Semester One.
The students reflected upon our 2024 College Theme- Hear the Call of Jerusalem: widen your horizons, and gave thanks for the many wonderful opportunities that they have embraced so far this year. Also, with a focus on Reconciliation Week, the students were called to recognise the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their long standing histories, and to pray for reconciliation, justice and peace.
Wishing all members of the College community many blessings, especially our Year 10 and 11 students as they sit their Semester One exams.
The end of Semester 1 is a very busy time for our Year 10, 11 and 12 students. The Year 10s are experiencing their first ever exam period, the Year 11s are working really hard to finish assessments in their classes whilst studying for exams and the Year 12 students are juggling the commitment of scored assessment tasks plus the GAT is not far away. A few reminders that are good for all our students as we race towards the end of semester:
Families and students will shortly be invited to the relevant parent evenings and the Subject Selection Expo (aimed at our Year 9 and 10 students). More information will follow but it is good to be having conversations at home about what selecting subjects means for pathways. Year 10 is still a ‘taster’ year and while the elective subjects do connect to a VCE pathway, students are not locked in. Having conversations about passions, strengths and weaknesses is a great way to start thinking about what subjects to select in 2025.
The Year 7s participated in ‘Chesed’, a day for us to respond to different aspects of our current wellbeing, and delivered three workshops, balanced with two sessions of energetic activities as a class and in House groups. The themes we explored were Perseverance and Self-Care, Emotional Regulation and the Power of Communication in supportive friendships.
Self-Care and Persistence
Looking at their week, the Year 7 students had a number of assessments in Maths, RE and Science and I am aware that most levels have a similar number. With that in mind, we focussed on creating a self care journal and utilised strategies for self care to become more persistent in approaching busy areas of life, focusing on assessments they are currently working towards .
Self-care means different things to different people, and different age groups. Essentially, it is not a one-size-fits-all scenario, but describes different approaches into different areas of their lives and with the final thoughts coming in a video from Aurelia H (10 Silver), I think they can apply to anyone.
Looking after Ourselves Physically
Self-Care for Learning
Social Care
By incorporating some of these self-care practices into your routine, you can better manage stress and maintain your wellbeing during a demanding assessment week. Over time, these practices can become habitual and will assist you all year round as well as greatly support you in not giving up on achieving the best you can be.
We would like to begin by congratulating the students on their efforts throughout the past two weeks. It has been an extremely busy period for all the students with multiple SACs and assessments being sat. Although the workload is proving challenging for some of the students we admire the way they are approaching each assessment diligently and have been well prepared.
Alongside supporting our Year 12 students from both a wellbeing and learning perspective we would like to remind students and parents/carers that attendance is very important for optimal learning. Can we please ask that you copy us into emails sent to Student Reception regarding absences, late arrivals or early departures so that we can reach out and support students who are not in attendance at school. The school day commences at 8.35 am and we have the expectation that unless unwell, all students should be in Homeroom ready to begin the day at this time.
When absent we also ask that students access work missed via the google classroom to keep pace with the ongoing workload. It is also helpful if students communicate with their subject teachers. We always emphasise to the students that their health is of paramount importance and understand that they may need to stay at home to recover, but a gentle reminder that a medical certificate is required when a student misses a SAC or their absence is for three or more consecutive days.
Although Homeroom teachers are endeavouring to maintain a high standard regarding the school uniform, we have witnessed an increase in students wearing their PE uniform on days when they do not have a PE practical class or when they are not studying PE as a Year 12 subject. We ask that students wear their academic uniform unless they are involved in GSV or have a PE practical class on a particular day. As part of the academic uniform students should be wearing their blazer, and the correct black socks/tights and shoes. We ask for your support in students adhering to these ongoing expectations.
Hopefully your daughter’s have been communicating the different activities that have been conducted during our Gadal lessons. As we have travelled through the busy SAC period throughout the past fortnight, students who have not had a scheduled SAC have been able to go home for private study. The upcoming Gadal sessions are going to have a strong focus on VCAA and VTAC processes so it is really important for students to hear the information presented during these sessions.
Although a calendar was shared at the start of the year with key dates for our Year 12 students, we would like to remind you that the GAT is scheduled for Tuesday 18 June. All Unit 3 and 4 students will be required to sit the GAT on this day and as a result there will be no Year 11 or 12 classes scheduled. Further information regarding the GAT was sent out via EdSmart on Monday. Students will be receiving feedback for the trial GAT this Friday in Gadal.
We know Term 4 is still a way off but we would like to remind you that the Year 12 Graduation Evening will take place on Wednesday 16 October. On this evening all students will gather in the LHC at Our Lady of Sion to receive their graduation certificate. Extended family members are most welcome to attend this evening. The Valedictory event will then take place on Thursday 21 November at Marvel Stadium. This is a ticketed event, and students and their parents are invited to attend this celebratory event at the conclusion of the Year 12 exams. More information relating to these special occasions will be shared in Term 3.
We understand that there can be a lot of pressure on students and their families during Year 12 so would like to thank you all for your ongoing support of your daughter as they draw closer to completing their secondary schooling at Our Lady of Sion College.
Our Year 10 exams have commenced with all students engaging positively in our first two days of the exam period. I remind all Year 10 families to keep this exam period in perspective. This is the first set of exams that our Year 10 students have sat. During the exam period I encourage students and families to foster the habits and skills of planning, organisation, and practice. Creating a study schedule that allows ample time for review and revision, breaking down complex topics into manageable chunks, and make use of a variety of study techniques to reinforce understanding.
Developing a positive study routine is key to maintaining motivation and productivity. Find a study environment that works for you, establish a consistent study schedule, and incorporate regular breaks and self-care activities into your routine. Cultivating a positive mindset and attitude towards learning will empower you to overcome challenges and achieve your goals.
Embrace feedback from teachers, peers, and mentors as an opportunity to learn and grow. Use constructive criticism to identify areas for improvement, celebrate your successes, and continue to strive for excellence in everything you do.
Embracing the above principles will set you on the path to success academically and beyond. Should any families need any support during the semester exams, please make contact with your daughter's Homeroom teacher or myself.
Ballroom dancing and finalising the Duke of Edinburgh's International Bronze Award are two opportunities that are currently available to our Year 10 cohort. Both are fantastic opportunities to connect, grow and learn, and I encourage all families to ensure that the actions and deadlines are met. If you need any support with either, please contact your daughter's Homeroom teacher or myself.
On Sunday 26 May, 60 Minutes highlighted the impact that social media can have on teenagers. It also highlighted that teenage girls are at a higher negative risk when it comes to their use of social media.
Teenagers should approach social media with caution due to its potential negative impacts on their well-being and development. Excessive use of social media can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression as teenagers compare themselves to idealised images and curated lifestyles presented online. Moreover, the prevalence of cyberbullying on these platforms can subject teenagers to harassment and emotional distress. The addictive nature of social media further exacerbates these issues, often leading to sleep disturbances, decreased productivity, and a disconnection from real-world interactions. Additionally, the lack of privacy awareness among teenagers can put them at risk of sharing sensitive information and encountering online predators. By limiting their time on social media and fostering a healthy balance between online and offline activities, teenagers can safeguard their mental health and well-being in today's digital age.
Should you or any member of your family experience any negativity in the online space please ensure to reach out for help.
On Tuesday 28 May our SRC and Class Leaders attended a Middle Leaders Network Meeting at Assumption College in Kilmore. This annual event provides Year 9 leaders with an opportunity to learn about leadership, to meet Year 9 leaders from other Catholic schools and consider the initiatives that they wish to lead to promote change in their schools.
Our SRC, Biddy, discusses her experience below:
We were very fortunate to be able to attend Assumption College and participate in activities that showed us how we can utilise different skills and strengths to perform better in our roles. I found it very fun and enjoyable, being able to listen to other leaders the same age as myself and listening to what guest speakers had to say about being a past leader. Biddy B (9 Blue)
This week we have also launched our Year 9 fundraising ideas for Days for Girls. The Year 9s will hold a Bake Sale later in the term and are also creating Period Pamper Packs for a Year 9 raffle. Students are welcome to donate goods and products to our raffle which will be drawn early next term and will also work with the class leaders on who will donate baked goods to support the cake stall.
Finally, as we move through a busy assessment season, the Homeroom Team continues to remind students of the support networks that they have around them. Students also have the ability to empower themselves through the challenges they face by seeing these as opportunities for growth and learning. If we are determined in the face of challenge (and sometimes failure) we allow ourselves to come back stronger and better equipped to deal with the next challenge that we may face.
During our Pastoral session last week, the students explored the concept of empathy and how it can impact positively on developing respectful relationships with their friends and anybody else they interact with. The following questions could be conversation starters between you and your child/ren:
We also discussed the ‘emotions iceberg’ metaphor and how it is used as a way to explain the way in which some emotions can be happening close to the surface, while others may be buried, but are still affecting us. The emotions that are deeper below the surface may even be causing the ones closer to the top. For example, fear, hurt or shame often cause anger and jealousy, though it might be just the anger that shows.
Finally, I would like to thank all Year 8s for their involvement in the Homeroom Basketball Competition, especially our Sport Reps Tiana A (8 White) and Zara L (8 Red) for their organisation and leadership in this tournament. Congratulations to all players for getting involved. Finals will take place over the coming weeks, with the grand final to take place in our next pastoral lesson with the whole year level coming along to create a great atmosphere and cheers on their peers!
It was fantastic to see how each student participated and enjoyed Chesed on Tuesday 4 June - previously known as Friendship Day. Chesed is a Hebrew word meaning 'goodness and kindness'. Staff developed three workshops for students, Tuning into Emotions, Wellness and Self Care and Making Connections. Tuning into Emotions focused on the Zones of Regulation, and helping students understand the variety of feelings we can have in a day, as well as what clues we have (and what we might see in others!).
Wellness and Self-care with Mr Kerr and Mrs Steward looked at persistence, perseverance and how students can look after their own physical and mental health. Students were all given a small wellbeing journal with prompts and coping strategies to use moving forward. Making Connections with Ms Vanessa Cheng and Ms Claire Jenkins from our Wellbeing Team had students discussing friendships and connections with their peers. Each workshop focused on how we can have a positive impact on those around us by consciously choosing kindness everyday in our words and actions. In between sessions, we had the first games of the annual Year 7 Netball Competition! The LHC was full of enthusiasm and cheering as the Homerooms put together teams to verse each other. This competition will continue throughout the term, and we encourage all students to get involved where they can - through organising teams, playing or creating signs.
To round out the day, we had House Team Games in the LHC - bowling, giant jenga and races saw the four Houses battle for points - with Fatima claiming victory. The day was a great opportunity to take the time to learn some new emotional and social skills as we move towards the end of Semester 1.
While the support of our students is a year-round process, we are once again preparing for the collection of data for the NCCD.
The NCCD data informs funding and work by schools and sectors, which every school in Australia participates in. It ensures that support for students with additional needs becomes routine in the day-to-day practice of schools.
There are four levels of adjustments that schools are expected to make to accommodate the learning and wellbeing needs of students: Quality Differentiated Teacher Practice, Supplementary, Substantial and Extensive within the categories of Socio-Emotional, Cognitive, Sensory and Physical.
If you would like to learn more about the NCCD and the process, please follow the link here.
Language Week at Our Lady of Sion College was a resounding success! Students had the opportunity to taste delicious foods, participate in a Homeroom Kahoot and competitions, attend incursions and excursions, and more.
Students had the chance to participate in three competitions, which showcased their creativity and linguistic talents through captivating performances, stunning artworks, and impressive language skills.
In the Art Competition, participants created stunning visual pieces highlighting the beauty and diversity of languages. For the Language Performance competition the students were given the opportunity to perform a song, poem, skit in a particular language and lastly, the Language Perfect competition which challenged students' language skills, emphasising proficiency and accuracy in a fun and engaging way.
We congratulate the winners and all the participants for their outstanding contributions demonstrating the unifying power of language and the diverse talents within our community.
It has been such a busy Term in Drama from the hugely successful Senior Production of The 39 Steps, Performance Excursions, Drama Week, House Theatre Sports, Drama Club Workshops, The Year 10 Ensemble, The Year 11 Solos and The Year 12 Ensembles. Phew! What next? The Junior Play!
We held a Senior performance evening showcasing the work of our Year 10 students performing their self-devised ensemble piece themed around climate change. The Year 10 students were polished and passionate performers and engaged the audience beautifully. Our Year 11s performed their self devised solo works with confidence and brilliant characterisation, these were pieces to be very proud of and will hold them in good stead for the VCE performances they will have over this year and next. Our Year 12 students performed their ensemble pieces which were themed around the seven deadly sins and the heavenly virtues. These were highly non-naturalistic and creative pieces which the Year 12s performed with great professionalism. Congratulations to all our fabulous performers, the evening was a fantastic showcase of talent that we have at the College.
After the great success of our Senior Production of 'The 39 Steps’, we launched the Junior Production for 2024 at our lunchtime reveal on Thursday 30 May.
We will be performing ‘The Wind in the Willows’. Students from Years 7 – 9 have embraced this exciting opportunity applying for Cast auditions and Crew roles.
The Junior Play will be presented in Term 4 on October 24, 25 and 26 in The Miriam Theatre. We look forward to the auditions this term and the Rehearsal process that begins next term. Rehearsals for Cast will be after school from 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm on Mondays and Thursdays until October.
We are very happy to bring this delightful story and fabulous characters to life on stage at Sion.
Recently we had the opportunity to participate in the Secondary Schools’ Parliamentary Convention at Parliament House. The topic of debate was “Should social media platforms be held responsible for the spread of misinformation and fake news?” We listened to keynote speakers who displayed both sides of the argument in the Legislative Assembly. Sion argued negative to the topic due to the main reasons being, that there are a multitude of content on these platforms to be monitored, misinformation has been present throughout history and has been spread through media including magazines and that a consumer who is able to access social media platforms should have access to the internet and therefore access to relevant education for them to be aware of misinformation. The Parliamentary Convention enriched my knowledge on our legal system, and on the use of spreading misinformation on social media. Bani K (10 Purple) and Alyssia R (10 Red)
Something I learnt at the convention that surprised me was when Jen Beckett, the representative for the affirmative side, informed us that social media platforms are developed under section 230 in the US constitution. This rule allows social media platforms to not be held accountable for the media their users produce. Elana V (10 Red)
Participating in the Parliamentary Convention enhanced teamwork skills and broadened our understanding of issues facing our generation. Listening to diverse opinions developed our perspective on the complex issue. Overall, it was a great opportunity to meet new people and experience firsthand the parliamentary chambers where our laws are constructed. Chiara H (10 Gold)
Today's session encouraged us to utilize the public speaking skills we acquired, not only for future debates but also to strengthen our confidence in our day-to-day interactions. Most of us spoke in the soap box session and this fortified our understanding of how a parliament debate would proceed, as well as enhancing our public speaking skills. As many of us are involved in debating, this strengthening of our confidence in public speaking will help in our future debates. Lizzy W (10 Red)
The culmination of the recent Year 7 Ancient Civilisations Research Task was a Museum Expo where students presented their findings to each other and had the opportunity to teach each other about their civilisation. This allowed them to demonstrate their creativity in making a replica which represented a key part in the history of their chosen civilisation.
We are beyond excited for the Ensembles Concert on Thursday evening 27 June commencing at 5 pm. Please book here for Act 1 and here for Act 2. Be quick as they are certain to be snapped up.
The Music department will be very busy early in Term 3 representing Our Lady of Sion College at both the Monash Youth Music Festival (MYMF) and the Victorian Schools Music Festival (VSMF). The VSMF events will be live streamed and the schedule of participating groups, dates and venues are as follows:
Instrumental students will have another opportunity to perform solo and chamber ensemble material at the Term 3 Winter Music Soiree on Monday 9 September at 5 pm, in the Miriam Theatre.
The Cross Country students were AMAZING at GSV Champs! It is the first time we have taken home a trophy for the Intermediate Age Group which was a fantastic reward for their effort. Mr Rieusset and his team of coaches were extremely proud of everyone that participated on Friday 31 May. A special mention to our Sport Captain Pippa L (12 Red) for representing the College in her final Cross Country event. Her leadership through the early morning trainings and at events set the tone for younger age groups.
GSV Cross Country Championship – Division 3 - Overall 4th
Age Group Results - Juniors 5th, Inters 1st & Seniors 6th
Top 10 Results
Juniors - Emma R (7 Silver) 3rd & Carla P (7 Gold) 4th
Inters – Erin M (10 Blue) 1st, Sophie F (9 White) 3rd , Olivia M (10 Blue) 9th and Sam O (10 Purple) 10th
Seniors – Hannah G (11 Blue) 8th
Congratulations to Erin M (10 Blue) who has qualified to represent GSV in the Representative Cross Country team competing against APS and AGSV squads at Caulfield Grammar on Friday 9 August. Erin finished 8th overall fastest out of all Senior and Intermediate competitors at the Championship Carnival which was a magnificent achievement.
Our Aerobics Captains, Mia H (10 White) and Macy C (11 White) have some exciting news from the School Aerobics State Championship held on Saturday 1 June at Rowville Secondary College. Hear from them below:
Over the weekend, our three aerobics teams competed in the School Aerobics State Championships. This effort was achieved through many rehearsals, morning trainings and lunchtime trainings. We are delighted to announce that two of the three aerobics teams have qualified for nationals, which will be held in Adelaide this August. A big congratulations to our C team who have achieved so much these past two competitions and have put a lot of effort into their routine. We are looking forward to seeing what you can do next year!
We want to say a big thanks to our amazing coaches, Scarlett Mansell, Alyssa Moran, Bella Panagios and Lilly Bruhn who have been incredible over the past few months and a big thank you to Mrs Macdonald for all of her support and time she gives to our teams each morning and behind the scenes to make these competitions run smoothly for us all. Again, we are so proud of all our teams and can’t wait for Nationals this year. Bring on Nationals! Mia H (10 White) and Macy C (11 White)
Vic State Championship Finals Results:
One Step Ahead – 3rd in Senior Division (4th Overall)
Step It Up! – 5th in Senior Division (6th Overall)
Sions On My Mind – 3rd in Junior Division (10th Overall)
Three teams (Junior, Intermediate and Senior) competed in the CGSAV Division 1 AFL Tournament on Tuesday 4 June at Parkville. It was a cold day but the rain stayed away creating perfect winter conditions to play.
Our Junior teams rallied all day and had a big win against Mater Christi. Our Intermediates and Senior teams both made the Grand Finals with dominant performance in the group stages.
The Intermediates went down by a goal in the final minutes to narrowly lose to Our Lady of Mercy College in their Grand Final.
Our Senior team remained undefeated with a strong win against Kilbreda College Mentone in the Grand Final earning a spot in the Herald Sun Shield held in Term 3.
Niamh R (9 Silver) and Chloe T (11 Gold) were awarded Best on Ground medals in their respective Grand Finals which is a great achievement.
Our Senior Netballers competed at the GSV Finals on Monday 3 June. Our A team were award division premiers after a fantastic home and away season. Unfortunately, they lost to Loreto in the Semi Final after defeating Sacre Coeur in the Quarter Finals. The Senior B team lost in the Quarter Finals to Sacre Couer going down by 7 points. Well done to all the students involved and to our Senior coach, Ms McLean for a fantastic season!
Project Compassion – total raised
At our recent Term 2 Assembly, Maddie S (12 Blue) our Social Justice Captain announced the grand total raised for our Term 1 initiative, Project Compassion. The total raised was $4,889.10. A sincere thank you to all families, students and staff who made this total possible through donations and participation in the various opportunities provided
Please see the reflection from Paige H (12 Red) our FIRE Carrier Captain.
Reconciliation Week lasts from Monday 27 May - Monday 3 June. During this week, our nation recognises the injustices and mistreatment that Australia’s First Nations people have been confronted with.
The beginning of the week marks the anniversary of the most successful referendum in Australian history. The 1967 referendum that changed the Australian Constitution to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the national census. The week concludes on Monday 03 June which recognises the anniversary of the Mabo decision, where in 1992, the High Court of Australia recognised that a group of Torres Strait Islanders, led by Eddie Mabo, held ownership of Mer (Murray Island).
This year’s theme is Now More Than Ever. The theme served as a reminder that, despite progress made, there is still much work to be done to address historical injustices and promote understanding. We encouraged the school community to talk with your friends and families as to how they can take action to embrace the theme, Now More Than Ever.
To commemorate Reconciliation Week, we implemented different learning experiences around the school. To begin the week, each year level was shown a video made by the Social Justice team, explaining Reconciliation Week and its' significance. At lunchtime on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we played the documentary ‘The Last Daughter’. This was an opportunity for us to gather together to learn more about the impact of the Stolen Generation on the Indigenous Australian community. Additionally, there was a beautiful display of Indigenous authors and their books in our library. We ended the week with a prayer reflecting on Mabo Day. Paige H (12 Red)
This issue of the SnapShot provides an overview of the founder of the society, Frederic Ozanam.
Frederic Ozanam was born in French-occupied Milan on 23 April 1813. His family were people of faith, committed Catholics. At the age of 18, Frederic Ozanam went to Paris to attend university; while studying, he and his friends were disturbed by the poverty he saw. With no firsthand experience of poverty himself, Ozanam felt the desire to put his faith into action and alleviate the suffering around him.
On the 23rd of April 1833 the first St Vincent De Paul meeting was held where Frederic and his friends visited the homes of the poor, bringing practical assistance of food and firewood, as well as something less tangible, empathy and love. From then on, they met every week in order to provide support to those in need
In its first decade the Society spread to 48 other cities in France and Italy and numbered over 9,000 members. The group gained recognition, spreading throughout the world reaching Rome (1842), England (1844), Belgium, Scotland, Ireland (1845), USA (1846) and Australia on 5 March 1854, eventually turning into the St Vincent de Paul Society that we know and support today. Frederic Ozanam passed away in 1853, but his legacy still lives on in this day and age, through Vinnies stores, soup vans, school conferences and many more. Clare N (8 Gold) and Sophie J (8 Gold)
Winter is upon us again which means the start of the Winter Appeal to support St Vincent De Paul. We are asking for your help in donating new or good quality blankets, jackets and coats for distribution by the Society to those who desperately need it during the cold winter days and nights on the streets within our community. We ask that all donations are placed in baskets which will be located at student reception. Collection ends on the second last day of term, Thursday 26 June, so please bring in your donations before then.
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. Mae West (Actress)
Students and families can find the fortnightly Careers newsletter here.
In this fortnightly Newsletter there is information relating to:
A key concern for parents and carers of teens is how to navigate social media use, so you’re not alone if this is something that you are worried about or finding difficult. Here are some tips and resources that might help you in this difficult time.
Here are some resources for further information and support:
As always, If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing that you would like to discuss, please contact the Counselling Team (counselling@sion.catholic.edu.au)
