Newsletter | Live a life worthy of the calling you have received

Student Achievement

The holistic education we aim to provide at Our Lady of Sion College is centred on our Vision statement: Sowing the seeds of hope, uncovering excellence within and inspiring a commitment to justice. Accordingly, we work to provide learning experiences that promote the spiritual, cognitive, social and physical needs of students and assist them to develop the skills and personal attributes that help them to live a good life. In the last fortnight we have celebrated many events that we hope have provided this holistic experience.

Student Progress Meetings

All students and families recently had the opportunity to participate in our Student Progress Meetings. As we know, ongoing feedback and parent engagement in their daughter’s learning are some of the most effective ways that support students to progress. While this was the final round of SPMs for 2025, families and students are reminded that feedback on formative and summative assessment tasks will continue to be published on SEQTA for the remainder of this year. We hope this ongoing reporting supports the home-school partnership that will see each student achieve her best.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

In recent weeks we have also offered students the chance to participate in Language, Mathematics and Music Competitions as well as extension experiences through our Denise O’Hara Science Academy program. Congratulations to students who have availed themselves of these activities to enhance their learning and ‘stretch’ themselves.

Aerobics Team

Congratulations to our aerobics teams who recently competed in the School Aerobics National Competition in Hobart. Our Junior team – Supernatural placed 3rd with a number of students competing in this competition for the first time. Our Senior team – Spellbound won Silver. Achieving at this level comes after many months of practice twice each week. Congratulations to the students for their commitment and perseverance.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Last week, we also acknowledged 107 Year 10 students who attained their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Throughout Years 9 and 10, students developed important life skills that may support them in accessing further education and ultimately gaining employment. It was a real privilege to present them with their Award which provides international recognition and reflects their commitment to personal development and contribution to their community.

Social Justice

This week, Year 8 students continued to serve the broader community through the Handover HeARTwork Project social justice activity and Our Lady of Sion College also hosted the St Vincent de Paul School Conference Networking Event for Secondary Schools attended by 70 students from seven different secondary schools including Sion.

Market Day

Today the Year 11 Business Management students hosted their annual Market Day. The event is a culmination of Area of Study 3 designed to promote entrepreneurial skills and real-world learning through student-led initiatives. Well done to the Year 11 students for a very successful event.

Thank you to the many staff who organised this extensive range of opportunities for our students.

Staff Spirituality Day

On Friday 22 August, staff participated in our annual Spirituality Day. Facilitated by Dr Alice Dunlop from an organisation called Little Earthies, staff explored Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si.

Part of the day included viewing a documentary titled The Letter which challenges us to reflect on our lives and consider the ‘cry of the earth and the poor’ and how we and our students can become agents of change for a better future. Staff then spent time looking at what they and our school can do to strengthen understanding of the issues and support students to do the same. I invite students and families to watch this video which can be accessed here and perhaps also engage in dialogue about what it means for you and your family.

With every blessing for the fortnight ahead.

Tina Apostolopoulos

Continuous Feedback!

Feedback is an important part of The Rose, our pedagogical framework.

Thank you to everyone for engaging in the recent Student Progress Meetings last week, and for the Notre Dame families in Week 1 of term. We stagger these meetings as it is essential that feedback comes in a timely and actionable manner.

As we are now more than half way through the term, formative and summative feedback will be appearing in SEQTA. Again, this is intended to ensure that the students (and families) have the guidance they need to move forward in their learning at a point in time that it can be acted upon. Remember that feedback can take many forms, and that all assessment should include assessment for, of, and as learning. No matter how well we achieve, we can always grow in our learning.

Some feedback strategies commonly used at Our Lady of Sion College:

Comments on written and submitted learning tasks
Quick quizzes and short exit tasks where students can identify their gaps
Consultation or verbal feedback one on one
Comparing ideas/answers with a peer
Working in small groups to develop a response that is drafted and edited
Comparing a student’s own work with a sample response from the teacher
Student self reflection against a rubric or learning goal
Worked examples or scaffolded tasks/explanations
In class questions and answers and discussions

Often students ask teachers for a score or grade to guide them in their learning. This can often be detrimental to learner growth, as the focus moves away from what to do next in their learning, to how well they are performing.

Conversations at home can be about short term goal setting focussed on core and transferable skills. A great strategy is to ask the student to rephrase the teacher feedback into their own words and then to determine the next three steps for growth. Families can then check in to see how the student feels that they are travelling, including what support may be needed.

In schools, homes, and life in general, we all want our young people to flourish, grow, and thrive. We carefully create environments where they can achieve academic success, build strong emotional wellbeing, and develop the tools they need to navigate challenges with confidence. But the truth is, life will always throw them curveballs.
'That’s where resilience comes in. Resilience isn’t about never falling, it’s about learning how to get back up, stronger than before. It’s that inner ability to bounce back when things don’t go the way we expected' (Connor & Davidson, 2003). Whether it’s missing out on a sporting team, getting a disappointing grade, or not landing that part-time job, they’re all moments where character is tested.

Why Internal Locus of Control Matters

How our students see these setbacks matters more than we often realise.

'I didn’t make the team because I didn’t train hard enough' - internal locus of control
'I didn’t make the team because the coach doesn’t like me' external locus of control

'Research tells us that students who develop a strong internal locus of control—the belief that their actions influence outcomes, are more likely to have better mental health, higher self-esteem, and stronger resilience' (Jain & Singh, 2015).
The goal isn’t to make young people believe they control everything, that is simply too difficult, however, we can guide them to recognise the many areas where they do have influence:

How they prepare for challenges
The friends they choose
The effort they give
How they respond to disappointment
How they treat others.

When students feel in control, they take more pride in their achievements, reflect more deeply when things don’t go their way, and develop healthier, more adaptive coping strategies.

Building Self-Esteem & Emotional Intelligence

This links directly to self-esteem and emotional intelligence.

Students with higher self-esteem are better able to handle failure because they don’t see it as defining their worth.
Those with strong emotional intelligence can manage frustration, adapt when plans change, and seek feedback without feeling defeated.
Both self-esteem and emotional intelligence are strengthened when students believe their actions make a difference and that’s exactly what internal locus of control provides and our pastoral programs encourages.

Research shows that when we teach emotional regulation skills alongside reflective thinking, students become more resilient, more engaged, and more open to setting personal goals that stretch them without overwhelming them.

Practical Ways We Can Help

Here’s how we can nurture this mindset in our young people?

Praise the process, not just the result: 'I can see how hard you worked on this' rather than 'You’re so smart'
Encourage reflection: 'What might you try differently next time?'
Normalise setbacks: 'Everyone has days when things just don’t go to plan.' 'What can we take from this?'
Build confidence through choice: Let students make decisions, even small ones, so they practise managing consequences of their actions.

These approaches help young people understand: 'I can’t control everything, but I can control my choices, my attitude, and how I respond.'

Building resilience and an internal locus of control isn’t about removing struggle, it’s about equipping our students to navigate it. When young people believe they have power over their actions and trust their ability to adapt, they grow into more confident, emotionally intelligent, and self-directed individuals.

Dr Justin Coulson – Three Conversations Every Family Should Master

I invite you to read another great Happy Families article by Dr Justin Coulson. The article is linked here.

Year 12s Celebrate Sion Day in True School Spirit

Our Year 12 students embraced Sion Day with joy and a deep sense of school spirit. After gathering together for the Sion Day Mass, the Year 12s launched the festivities with an energetic performance of High School Musical’s We’re All In This Together, setting the tone for a day full of unity and fun.

The Senior School Disco was a crowd favourite, featuring our very own Year 12 Homeroom teacher, Mrs Southey, stepping up as DJ and keeping the dance floor alive with hit after hit. The festivities continued with the Open Mic session, where Year 12s showcased their singing talents and shared memorable moments with friends.

The highlight of the day came when the Year 12s received their Class of 2025 rugby tops; a symbolic and exciting moment that united the cohort and captured the spirit of the day. It was a fitting finale to Sion Day.

Pastoral Session: Self-Care & Stress Management

Last week, our Year 12 students participated in a valuable session led by our school counsellors, focusing on the importance of both mental and physical self-care during this demanding final term. The sessions offered timely reminders about maintaining balance through healthy habits in nutrition, sleep, and physical activity. A calming mindfulness meditation rounded out the rotational sessions, giving students a chance to pause and reset. We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support our counselling team provides throughout the year.

VTAC Applications

All Year 12 students should be underway with their VTAC applications for course preferences. It is important they submit their preferences online through VTAC by Monday 29 September. For more detailed information click here.

Equity Scheme (formerly SEAS) Applications

Applications for the Equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarship applications and supporting documentation, must be submitted by Friday 10 October through VTAC.

To make sure you have enough time to re-submit in case of any problems, submit your documents by Friday 5 September, and VCAA guarantee they will review them before the official closing date on Friday 10 October.

Please note, Ms Brooke O’Hara has posted a number of session times on the Year 12 noticeboard where she will be available to help students with VTAC related questions.

It continues to be a busy time for the Year 9s with so many opportunities to embrace community and build a sense of belonging.

I continue to be so proud of the efforts students make, whether it be in their learning, their involvement in extracurricular activities or their authenticity with the Year 9 Pastoral team in what supports they need from us.

This term in SnapShot, the cohort is learning a dance together. This provides a high energy way to start the day, a point of connection for students and the creation of a shared year level memory. I have been so impressed with their enthusiasm and sense of fun in learning the steps.

We also look forward to holding a Homeroom netball competition and seeing Homerooms complete their bingo cards - an initiative that requires the Homeroom to complete a range of activities related to connection and inclusivity.

In Pastoral we have also focussed on various aspects of respectful relationships and choices that students can make within their relationships with others. This has included participating in a shared year level session where all students were welcomed to 'cross the circle' if a statement applied to them. These included statements such as:

I feel that there are unwritten social rules that dictate my behaviour at school
I have felt that a TikTok was directed at me
I have made mistakes
I struggle to apologise in person or accept an apology and know what to do next.

The purpose of this activity was for the year level to build a shared consciousness that they have the power to combat these negative experiences, but that it also requires responsibility from them - they have the power to create the culture of their year level.

This session was followed by one that focussed on online behaviours and the impact that these have on us and others, through use of E-safety Commissioner resources.

We will continue to support students understanding of Respectful Relationships throughout Pastoral for the remainder of the term.

Denise O'Hara Science Academy (DOHSA) - Future Leaders Program

On Tuesday 19 August, ten Year 10 students from Our Lady of Sion College participated in the first part of RMIT’s Future STEM Leaders program, which supports female and gender diverse students in developing leadership skills through STEM.

Students explored what it means to be a STEM leader, met industry professionals, heard from guest speakers, and strengthened their presentation and public speaking skills. They also learned about pharmaceutical science and will return in September to participate in a practical pharmacy workshop for younger students. A big thank you to Tara, Lily, and Sarah from RMIT for facilitating the program.

Student Reflection

On Tuesday 19 August, Year 10 students from DOHSA participated in the first instalment of the RMIT Future Leaders Program run by student ambassadors currently studying at RMIT and a program facilitator.

After some icebreakers we heard from an Aerospace engineer from Boeing, who spoke to us about what she does and why she loves her job and then we had the chance to engage in conversations about our experiences and hopeful future careers in STEM. We then practised our presentation skills by delivering practice presentations. We had to research and create posters on a woman in STEM, such as Mars Addison-Butfield (astronomer) and Christina Maher (neuroscientist).

In the second session of the day, we prepared short 'how-to' presentations (2–3 minutes) with some memorable presentations being how to tie a reef knot, how to protect your scientific discoveries from being stolen by white middle aged men and how to get away with murder.

The highlight of the day was by far the experiments. We conducted four experiments, including Alka-Seltzer rockets and a simple titration, testing how much vitamin C is needed to turn iodine clear.

We finished by discussing how to present these experiments in engaging ways for Year 7 students at Sion, as the next part of the program involves running a similar program for the Year 7 students next month. Molly P (10 Purple) and Claire R (10 Silver)

In the Arts some of the most amazing experiences come from viewing the works of other artists enhancing our understanding of artistic techniques, materials, and historical and social contexts. These opportunities broaden students' understanding of art and inspire their own future work.

Recently our VCE Making and Exhibiting students have been treated to some wonderful experiences at the Martin Grant exhibition at the NGV and the Annemieke Mein exhibition very close by at the Box Hill Town Hall.

Thank you to our Making and Exhibiting teacher Sarah McLaughlin and Textiles teacher Jennifer Schwab for supporting these wonderful experiences for our students!

Student Reflections

The Martin Grant Exhibition was incredible; it displayed many of his brilliant clothing designs from over the past decade. The intricate and clever layout of the exhibition that showcased Grant's work from a child to his present day design, has led this exhibition to now be the best one I have ever been too! Hannah G (12 White)

The Martin Grant exhibition was absolutely gorgeous. It showcased a range of intricately made pieces of clothing, with a highlight definitely being the final room which left us all in awe. It was really inspirational to see his evolution and passion for fashion design and was a great experience overall! Evangelia C (12 Red)

Year 12 Making and Exhibiting Display

Our Year 12 Making and Exhibiting students sample artworks are currently displayed within our Arts Precinct. These pieces explore different subject matter and techniques such as machine embroidery, disperse dye and gel plate printing. Later in the year students will present their final artworks that show the progression of the work from the initial sample pieces. At the Senior Art Show in Term 4 you will be able to view the final works. There will be more information about this event in the coming newsletters!

Alex Bleazby

Textiles – Annemieke Mein Exhibition

What an eventful and inspiring few weeks it’s been for our students studying Textiles. Our years 9-12 students have been so privileged to view the textile artworks of Annemieke Mein first hand at the Box Hill Town Hall, Whitehorse Art Space Gallery, just across Whitehorse Road.

Annemieke Mein OAM is famed for her exquisitely made and incredibly detailed appliqué and embroidered textile artworks. Her depictions of Australian fauna and flora, insects and often overlooked aspects of nature have cemented Annemieke Mein’s place as one of Australia’s most popular artists.

Seeing the works in real life increased the students' understanding of the artist's techniques, working methods and the minute details.

Sarah McLaughlin and Jennifer Schwab

Melbourne Holocaust Museum Excursion

This year, in Religious Education classes, as part of our ongoing commitment to dialogue and the promotion of justice, peace, and love, students have participated in valuable learning experiences that explore different faith traditions. The Year 8 students have visited the Jewish Museum of Australia, Year 9 students have participated in an educational program at the Islamic Museum of Australia, and most recently, our Year 10 students explored the Melbourne Holocaust Museum as part of their unit on Humanity. This opportunity allowed students to engage in meaningful activities that enhanced their knowledge of Jewish history and the tragic experiences of Jewish communities in Europe during the Holocaust.

One of the most significant moments for the students, was hearing first-hand from Holocaust survivor, Dr Jack Leder. His parents fled Vienna for Belgium in 1938. In 1940, when Germany invaded Belgium, Jack’s father was arrested and sent to camps in France, while Jack, his mother, brother, and grandmother were forced to remain in Brussels. After Belgium’s liberation in 1945, Jack migrated to Australia in 1948 with his surviving family. He later learned that his father had been deported to Auschwitz in 1942. Jack continues to share his story to honour his father, celebrate his mother’s courage and ensure the suffering and resilience of his family are remembered. Jack also shared his messages of hope with the students and his firm belief in the importance of educating the next generation about the need to fight against all forms of hatred and intolerance.

Upon their return, the students had the opportunity to share their reflections on the significance of the day and the impact it had on them.

My experience at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum was both inspiring and moving. We were given the opportunity to hear from Holocaust survivor, Dr Jack Leder. His story was so interesting but shocking to hear how inhumane he and his family were treated. We were also taken through the museum and had the opportunity to look at the artifacts. This was a great experience and it gave us all the opportunity to reflect on how lucky we are. Emily B (10 Red)

Experiences like these provide our students with valuable opportunities to deepen their understanding of different faith traditions and the importance of interfaith dialogue. They encourage respect and empathy but also reflect our commitment to fostering a community built on compassion, justice, peace, and love

National Aerobics Championships – Hobart

On Saturday 16 August, our Senior and Junior Aerobics Teams proudly represented the College in the Secondary Stage 2 Large Team division at the National Aerobics Championships in Hobart.

Both teams achieved their highest scores of the season, showcasing exceptional energy, focus, and intensity from start to finish.

Senior Team – Spellbound, 2nd Place | Score: 89.45
Junior Team – Supernatural, 3rd Place | Score: 81.80

We are incredibly proud of our students for their commitment and performance. A heartfelt thank you to Ms Macdonald, Ms Gurciullo, and our dedicated coaches Alyssa and Scarlett for their leadership and support throughout the season.

We look forward to Nationals returning to the Gold Coast in 2026—and to returning even stronger next year!

Track and Field – Championship Event

Following a successful Preliminary Carnival on Thursday 14 August, our College qualified for the Division 2 Championships—an achievement we've only reached a handful of times in the past.

In preparation for the event, the team set both personal and collective goals, driven by student leadership. A special initiative, led by Sam O (Year 11), involved creating a "goal chain"—a visual symbol of unity and strength.

Junior Result: 5^th
Intermediate Result: 6^th
Senior Result: 5^th
Overall Result: 5th (Our highest result in Division 2 to date!)

Many students recorded personal bests on the day, a testament to their hard work and consistent effort at training. Although he couldn’t be there on the day, we extend a huge thank you to Mr Rieusset, whose preparation and inspiring messages, including 'Live in BIG HOUSES,' helped fuel the team's confidence and spirit.

Several students delivered standout performances and may qualify for GSV Finals Evening on Tuesday 9 September at Lakeside Stadium. Details will be shared with the team once confirmed.

A special shout-out to our Year 12 athletes, who competed in their final event as Sion students—thank you for your dedication to the program over the years!

Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships

Congratulations to Erin M (11 White) and Sophie F (10 Red), who competed at the Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships in Ballarat over the weekend.

On a challenging, muddy course, both athletes represented Victoria with pride:

Sophie placed 29th in the U17 final
Erin won bronze in the U18 final for Victoria in a tightly contested finish

The girls also teamed up with two fellow Victorians boys in the 4x2km mixed relay, where the team secured another bronze medal. A fantastic weekend of racing—well done to both girls!

Sports Awards Night – Monday 15 September

We’re excited for our upcoming Sports Awards Night, where we’ll celebrate an incredible year in sport across the College in the LHC.

This year, we are honoured to welcome Jo Weston—Melbourne Vixens player and Australian Diamond netballer—as our special guest. Jo will present awards and share insights from her professional journey and the lessons she's learned along the way.

Our Sport Representatives and Individual Sport Captains have been working hard in preparation, and we can’t wait to see the night come together. Families are warmly invited to attend.

Sports Week Activities

Sports Week will follow our Awards Night and features a range of fun and engaging activities:

Staff vs Student Matches – Lunchtime on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Pilates Workout – Wednesday 17 September
Zumba Session – Friday 19 September

We look forward to seeing students and staff get involved and celebrate all things sport! Keep an eye out for sign-ups!

The past fortnight has been a vibrant time for Social Justice at Our Lady of Sion College, with students and staff engaging in initiatives that embody our mission of service, compassion and community.

Our monthly visit to Ozanam House once again provided an opportunity for students to connect with people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. These visits continue to be a reflective experience, fostering empathy and awareness while offering practical support to those most in need.

On Sion Day, our Social Justice team, alongside a number of dedicated volunteers, ran the always-popular Sion McFlurries stand. The laughter and smiles that surrounded the stand highlighted the joy that comes from giving, as every ice cream served contributed to raising funds for the international social justice projects led or supported by the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion and the Carita's Australia Gaza Emergency Appeal, to provide humanitarian assistance to affected communities.

We also celebrated the continuation of our commitment to the Handover HeARTwork Project, with the third workshop for this year taking place this fortnight. Year 8 students decorated paper carry bags which are then provided to healthcare facilities to be used in the process of returning a patient’s belongings to their loved ones when they pass away.

FIRE Carrier – Days of National Significance

Estella F (12 Purple), our FIRE Carrier Captain, continues her exploration of days of national significance for Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.

Anniversary of the Gurindji Wake Hill Walk Off – August 23

In 1966, Gurindji workers at Wave Hill cattle station, led by Vincent Lingiari, walked off the job in protest of poor wages and working conditions. What began as an industrial strike grew into a powerful demand for land rights. After nine years of resistance, the Australian Government returned a portion of their land in 1975. Gough Whitlam’s symbolic gesture of pouring soil into Lingiari’s hand became an iconic moment in Australian history. This anniversary is a reminder of the courage and resilience of the Gurindji people, and it continues to inspire ongoing movements for Aboriginal land justice and sovereignty today. Estella F (12 Purple)

Newsletter | Live a life worthy of the calling you have received

Important Dates

What's On

From the Principal

Principal's Message

Student Achievement

Student Progress Meetings

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Aerobics Team

Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Social Justice

Market Day

Staff Spirituality Day

From the Deputy Principals

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission – Anna Gionfriddo

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching – Allison Stott

Continuous Feedback!

Acting Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing – Paul Kerr

Why Internal Locus of Control Matters

Building Self-Esteem & Emotional Intelligence

Practical Ways We Can Help

Dr Justin Coulson – Three Conversations Every Family Should Master

In Remembrance

Year Level News

Year 12 – Kathryn Steward, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Year 12s Celebrate Sion Day in True School Spirit

Pastoral Session: Self-Care & Stress Management

VTAC Applications

Equity Scheme (formerly SEAS) Applications

Year 11 – Beth Amos, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Year 9 – Jennifer Tilley, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Year 7 – Jade Goss, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Listen, Guide, and Empower

Learning Area News

Denise O'Hara Science Academy Future Leaders Program – Francis Nguyen, Science Learning Leader and Brooke O'Hara, Careers and Pathways Coordinator

Denise O'Hara Science Academy (DOHSA) - Future Leaders Program

Student Reflection

Ayin Suffragette’s Campaign – Joshua Larkins, Director of Innovation and Learning

Suffragette’s Campaign

Arts – Alex Bleazby, Arts Learning Leader, Sarah McLaughlin, Making and Exhibiting teacher and Jennifer Schwab, Textiles teacher

Student Reflections

Year 12 Making and Exhibiting Display

Textiles – Annemieke Mein Exhibition

Religious Education – Amy Garnham, Learning Leader

Melbourne Holocaust Museum Excursion

Co-curricular News

Music – Martin Macaulay, Head of Music

Intermediate Concert Band at Victorian School Music Festival

VCE Music Class Unit 4 Recitals

Sport – Liam Cox, Head of Sport

National Aerobics Championships – Hobart

Track and Field – Championship Event

Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships

Sports Awards Night – Monday 15 September

Sports Week Activities

Social Justice – Lucy Miotello, Coordinato

FIRE Carrier – Days of National Significance

Careers and Pathways – Brooke O'Hara, Coordinator

Parent News

College Psychologist – Vanessa Cheng

Balancing Perfectionism

Important Dates

From the Principal

From the Deputy Principals

Year Level News

Learning Area News

Co-curricular News

Parent News

Important Dates

From the Principal

From the Deputy Principals

Year Level News

Learning Area News

Co-curricular News

Parent News

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