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

As we conclude the 2025 academic year, I would like to thank all students, staff and parents/carers for their commitment and contributions to our community this year. It has been an exciting year as we settled into new facilities and created many experiences that enriched the learning and wellbeing of our students.

As this is my final newsletter, it’s an opportune time to also express my gratitude to all students, staff and families for the support you have provided me over the last ten years. It has been a real privilege to serve you as Principal of Our Lady of Sion College during this time. The warm welcome I experienced when I commenced in 2016 has continued to be enriched by the many conversations, events and relationships I have enjoyed with you and for this I am very grateful.

There have been many highlights during this time and it is difficult to encapsulate them all here. However, some of the standouts include:

the annual College themes which renewed our commitment to being authentic people who engaged with the issues confronting our global and local communities
Our Top Achievers Assembly, Night of Excellence and the many, many assemblies where we celebrated the achievements and participation of students in College life
Sion Day which is always the happiest day of the year for students. Each Sion day, we celebrated Eucharist and who we are as a community, worked hard to improve the lives of those less fortunate and enjoyed healthy House spirit
The generosity of our community and how we responded when there was a need to support others. Our engagement with organisations such as Ozanam House, Days for Girls, Handover HeARTwork, St Vincent de Paul, Caritas Australia, and supporting students attending Bethlehem University and schools in Jerusalem to name a few
The Day of Dialogue which over the last ten years has brought together more than one thousand students from Islamic, Jewish and Catholic schools in a moving experience of inter-faith dialogue and friendship
The manner in which our students developed through leadership opportunities in school based projects, and events such as R U OK? Day, Significant Women’s and Men’s breakfasts
The many ensemble evenings and drama performances where students showcased their learning and shared their talents and hard work. The awards they attained on an annual basis at the Victorian Schools Music Festival and various Eisteddfods
Our Sion First Band program that supported Year 6 students to learn an instrument, play in an ensemble and begin their early transition to Our Lady of Sion College
The many successes of our GSV program but more importantly the thousands of students who have participated during my time at the College and the friendships they forged through our Sport Program
The creativity of our students as witnessed in the collaborative art installations in the piazza, the many art displays and our wonderful Creative Arts exhibitions
The Indigenous Immersion, Student Partnership Program with Notre Dame de Sion in Paris and Kansas City, and the Language tours that contributed to broadening cultural awareness, fostering relationships and building community
The outstanding success and celebration of student talent witnessed at our College Musicals - Anything Goes, Shrek the Musical and this year, Mamma Mia! and the many junior and senior plays
Our much valued programs such as the Denise O’Hara Science Academy, AYIN, L’Chaim, Shatal and Gadal, Year 7 Horizons and Year 8 Beyond Horizons that all expanded students’ knowledge and skills
The successful completion of the Notre Dame Centre, Ratisbonne Discovery Centre, Colmar Centre and Ein Karem Centre and the work which has just commenced to create a new and expanded Learning Resource Centre
The relationships forged with past students through annual reunions, the Mentors Breakfast and the support they have offered students
The extraordinary support of the Parents' Association whose love for and commitment to the College will be something that will always remain with me.

I could go on and am conscious that I have not mentioned anywhere near all the wonderful experiences I have enjoyed over the years.

One of the most valued experiences I will take with me is the opportunity to deepen my understanding of scripture and the wisdom it offers us. The passage that encapsulates our Catholic and Sionian identity is Ephesians, the passage from which our school motto is taken. It calls us into community, to support each other to grow into our full humanity, into people of love, justice and peace. It is a passage I know I will return to in the future to remind me of the community that has come to mean so much to me.

'The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about with every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But, speaking the truth in love, we must grow up into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself in love'. Ephesians 4:11-16

Finally, my sincere thanks to the Leadership Team, all staff, students and parents/carers for the opportunities and the memories we have created together over the years. Thank you to the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion for their support and inspiration, and to the Members of Our Lady of Sion Ltd, and more recently to Mercy Partners, and the College Board of Directors for their governance and the strategic directions they have set over the years. Much of their work may not be seen but it is critical to the ongoing success of our College.

I wish all members of the College continued success, much health and joy and many blessings for the future.

Tina Apostolopoulos

As the school year is coming to a close, we give thanks to God for the many ways our College community has lived out our College theme ‘Live a life worthy of the calling you have received’, through the learning that has taken place, the friendships that have grown, and the joy and successes that have been found in participating in the many extracurricular activities. We especially give thanks that, as a Catholic and Sionian school, we helped bring hope into the lives of others through the many social justice initiatives we embraced this year, supporting those in need both locally and around the world.

Our rich and meaningful liturgical celebrations throughout the year, have also provided precious opportunities for students and staff to come together to deepen our shared sense of community and inspired a renewed commitment to living out the Gospel in our daily lives.

Year 10–11 End of Year Eucharist

Our Years 10 and 11 students gathered on Wednesday this week for their End of Year Eucharist. It was a special time for them to reflect, pray and give thanks for all they had achieved and experienced throughout the year and for their family, friends and staff at Our Lady of Sion College who have given them continual support and encouragement.

Father Mark Reynolds also invited all present to reflect on important messages for us today, found in the readings from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians (Col 3:12-17) and from Matthew's gospel (Matt 22:36-40) - to love God, love self and love others, through compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.

Advent

The Liturgical Season of Advent begins this Sunday, 30 November. Advent calls us to embrace its messages of hope, peace, love and joy, and to consider its significance within our Catholic faith community. Our Year 7, 8 and 9 students will be invited to reflect on the true meaning of this sacred time during their End of Year Eucharist on Friday 5 December, where they too will give thanks.

Australian Catholic Youth Festival

This Sunday also marks the beginning of the Australian Catholic Youth Festival which is being held here in Melbourne. With over 5000 young people attending from around Australia, it should be an amazing experience for our school group- Ananya D (11 Silver), Lorena G (11 Blue ), Sarah M (11 Gold), Claire M (11 Purple), Molly P (10 Purple) and Diya P (11 Gold), along with other Sion students attending as a part of their Parish groups. As ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ may they have many fruitful opportunities to embrace powerful moments of encounter with God and with others and we look forward to hearing about their experiences early next year.

Thank you

Finally, I wish to acknowledge and thank Mrs Apostolopoulos for being an outstanding faith leader of Our Lady of Sion College for the past 10 years and wish her many blessings in her retirement.

Wishing all members of the Our Lady of Sion College community a very happy Christmas and safe start to 2026.

A Year of Excellence!

Wednesday 26 November saw the Years 10 and 11 students celebrated for a year of success and growth. The Academic Awards ceremony saw over 100 students receive recognition for either achieving one colour or academic awards. What a great achievement.

Of course, we will celebrate our Years 7, 8 and 9 students next week during their final day and we look forward to recognising the significant contributions of all our students at the annual Night of Excellence to be held on Thursday 4 December. This is always a highlight of the College calendar where we name the students that have earnt multiple colours or have been nominated for the perpetual awards. Families will have received their emailed invitation and we encourage everyone to RSVP so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

BYOD for Years 7, 10-12

2026 is a big year for technology as we expand the BYOD program to Year 7 and enable the Years 8 and 9 students to also use a laptop. A few reminders for students and families:

Year 10 students will be sent details outlining how to book in for a time on the 30 January to install networks/printers etc on their laptop. This ensures a smooth start to the school year for them
Year 7 students will spend time on Friday 30 January learning about cyber safety and safe and effective use of technology. This must be completed prior to them using their devices on our network and is part of the ongoing ICT learning program
Students in Years 8 and 9, who would like to use a laptop, must still have their iPads with them as a learning tool. A reminder that these devices are owned by the College. Certain tasks, including the Year 9 NAPLAN assessments, will need to be completed on the iPad.

Social Media Delay and Digital Literacies

Our teachers have always been mindful of what resources they ask the students to access as part of the learning process. Youtube, a significant source of video tutorials and guides, is still available to teachers so long as the students do not require an account to access the video. Safeguarding has always been, and will continue to be, a key part of the selection of any relevant resource.

Digital Literacy is considered a foundational skill within the Victorian Curriculum and while this has strong connection with the Digital Technologies curriculum, Digital Literacies are considered cross curricular learning, which means that all teachers and learning areas are required to explicitly teach and guide students in developing strong digital literacy skills. The Digital Literacy continuum is divided into four key elements; Practising Digital Safety and Wellbeing, Investigating, Creating and Exchanging, and Managing and Operating. Each of these is divided into three further sub-elements and each area is mapped against the appropriate year level.

Combined with parent/carer guidance, and explicit wellbeing education through the pastoral program, the foundational skills of Digital Literacy are intended to match the gradual exposure of young people to social media such that they are skilled in the appropriate use prior to full access.

If you would like to learn more about the VCAA Foundational Digital Literacies please follow this link.

Student Assembly

One of the ideas to emerge from the Leaders Retreat was a desire to celebrate parts of school life that are often recognised in separate forums. Timing made this challenging, with final assessments, the examination period, and a student-free day all falling before the assembly. Despite this, the College Captains brought together a vibrant showcase featuring students from across the school.

The assembly highlighted Creative Arts Week award recipients, Term 4 Social Justice initiatives, Sports achievements, and insights from recent Drama workshops. A standout moment was the launch of the first edition of Voices and Visions, an anthology created by Year 9 and 10 students. A short public reading from one of the stories captivated the audience and encouraged many to borrow the book afterwards.

Adding to the energy of the morning, the College Rock Band performed throughout the assembly, finishing with an enthusiastic encore that included a memorable rendition of the school song.

I extend my sincere thanks to our College leaders for their creativity and commitment, and to the student body for being such an attentive, warm, and supportive audience.

The Challenge of December 10

In a previous Newsletter, the focus was on the impending changes with the upcoming ban on social media and our young people under 16. We also need to be honest that the removal of something our children already have is far harder than never allowing it in the first place. Many young people have built their social identities around their online lives. For them, social media is where their friends are and how they connect with the world and in particular, the social aspects of their respective friendship groups. We need to approach this change with empathy, recognising their real sense of loss, while also being realistic that some will try to bypass the new rules. The legislation provides a framework, but it cannot replace active parenting. Our role is to keep talking about digital citizenship, staying involved in our children’s online lives, and using the law as support, not a substitute, for guidance at home and school.

Perhaps you can ask why your child uses social media. Are they seeking connection, reassurance, distraction, or support for anxiety? Wherever possible, meet those needs offline through more in-person friendships, affirmation at home, engaging activities as suggested in the previous Newsletter and, when needed, professional help.

Expect 'everyone else is still on it' and 'you are ruining my life.' Acknowledge their frustration, stay calm and consistent, and remind them that the law applies to all under 16s and that you support it because you love them. Offer alternatives for staying connected and keep pointing to the bigger picture: this is temporary, and when they are older, they will have greater maturity to manage these spaces.

Looking Forward with Hope

This legislation gives us space to rethink how technology serves our children. Yes, there will be tears and arguments, but there will also be rediscovered hobbies, deeper friendships, and hopefully stronger family bonds.

The eSafety Commission Website has great resources you might like to access over the break. One that might be of great interest is a free Webinar for parents and carers.

The next two are on December 2 and December 8. Click here to access the booking page.

Another great resource is the 8 Step Action Plan for Under 16s. Here is a link to that page. There are so many others, including videos, FAQs, and ways of talking to your young person about the changes ahead. They can all be found at this link. There are also many information sheets on algorithms, deep fakes and many other topics, which can be accessed here.

At Our Lady of Sion College, we are committed to walking alongside families. We are reviewing our digital citizenship curriculum, staying up to date with advice from the eSafety Commissioner, preparing our pastoral care teams to support students in 2026, and continuing to offer many offline opportunities for connection and engagement. Please seek support early if your child is struggling and remind them, it is not a life long ban, but a constructive delay.

And it feels like yesterday that we commenced our 2025 Year 10 journey, and here we are today, farewelling the Year 10 class of 2025.

Enthusiasm, joy, kindness, friendship and looking out for the other; this is how I describe our Year 10 cohort. Throughout this year they have displayed these qualities each day. In the moments when it was easy, and certainly in the moments when it was hard. The growth that we have seen this year is amazing. The person they started as, is not the person you will see at home tonight. By being curious, asking questions and positively investing in all opportunities presented, your daughter has evolved into a new ‘best version’ of herself.

Our College prayer says:

'You have blessed us as a community with a love of learning, passion for justice and respect for our sisters and brothers'.

This speaks directly to what the Year 10 cohort lives out, each and everyday. The students are able to do this thanks to the ongoing love, care and support of parents/carers and family members. So I say with a grateful and thankful heart, well done Year 10 families, you are to be very proud of the journey you have fostered.

An important element of our Year 10s’ final day was the opportunity to thank our current SRC, Portfolio and Class Captains, as well as our Peer Support and Talk and Tour leaders. Each group has represented themselves and the College exceptionally well throughout the year. We also acknowledged and farewelled the students and families who will be leaving our community at the end of this year to explore new horizons. I take this opportunity to sincerely thank them for all they have contributed during their time as members of our College community.

I take this opportunity to thank the Pastoral Team:

10 Blue - Mr Allan Kerr

10 Gold - Miss Hannah McLean

10 Purple - Mrs Renae Prendergast and Ms Morgan Chandler

10 Red - Mr Terry Tan

10 Silver - Ms Laura Malone

10 White - Ms Cara Callum

Thank you for their continual support, encouragement and guidance they have given to all students in their Homeroom each morning this year. It is thanks to their professionalism, care and generosity that our Year 10s have thrived throughout this year. I also take this opportunity to thank Mrs Christine Kralj, Mr Paul Kerr, Mrs Allison Stott and Mrs 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 Sofia Stagnitta and Ms Vanessa Cheng, our College Counselling Team, for their continued support of our Year 10 students.

I wish all Year 10 families the very best for the Christmas break. I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved rest with your family and loved ones. Thank you for your ongoing support, which has enabled the College to continue guiding and nurturing your young person. Please know that every Year 10 student has achieved so much this year, and they are exceptionally well prepared to embrace the new horizon that awaits them in Year 11 in 2026.

Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh

So far this term we have spoken of the importance of working together and embracing new opportunities as a part of our Duke of Ed journey. Over the upcoming break I encourage 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.This may be as simple as assisting with household chores, taking up a new activity such as a sport or musical pursuit, or even picking up that book they haven’t yet finished.

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 2026.

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 2026 with our Duke of Edinburgh program.

It is astonishing that our time with the Year 9 cohort has come to a close. This year has been one filled with laughter, enthusiasm, challenges and growth. Each student has taken up opportunities to participate, to think deeply and to consider who they want to become as they continue through their school journey.

This year’s Year 9 cohort has consistently lived out our Year Level theme of Curious, Kind & Courageous, demonstrating character and authenticity in both their classrooms and co-curricular pursuits. As a Year 9 Homeroom team, we see this reflected each week through their engagement in Snapshot, their participation in our fortnightly Year Level Assemblies and Chapel, and their involvement in Pastoral sessions and Homeroom. It is also evident in the many pastoral conversations we have with them. I am continually so proud of the young people they have become throughout 2025.

Thank you to the 2025 Portfolio and Class Leaders for their enthusiasm across the year. The team consistently met and communicated ideas and feedback from the cohort to ensure that student voice is heard.

I’d particularly like to thank Ava R (9 Purple) and Alice D (9 Red), our Year 9 Student Representative Council team, for the amazing amount of work they have put into their roles this year. From hosting Year Level Assemblies, leading SnapShot activities, planning Year Level competitions and so purposefully advocating for their year level - they are such passionate leaders who have achieved so much.

I would also like to thank the wonderful Year 9 Homeroom team: Ms Hannah Muller, Mrs Leanne Anderson, Mr Joshua Lake, Miss Jemima Stafford, Ms Kim Elliott, Miss Courtney Madeira and Miss Yuxi Liu for their support of the Year 9 cohort (and me!) this year. This wonderful team of educators have continually created classroom environments that are safe, supportive and encouraging. They have encouraged all students to reach their potential, the aspire to achieve their goals and to support them when they were facing challenges.

I look forward to seeing this group of students continue to flourish through their senior years at Our Lady of Sion College.

This week, our Year 8s had an amazing experience on camp! Every single student should be extremely proud of the resilience they showed. The weather was lovely for the most part, 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.

So we are at the end of another year! I couldn’t be prouder of the way the Year 8s have grown 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, I 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 role and should be very proud of yourselves. Leaders throughout the year:

SRC: Lila E (8 Red) and Maia F (8 Silver)

Liturgy: Anna M (8 Silver) and Charlotte T (8 Silver)

Social Justice: Emily B (8 Gold) and Evdoxia S (8 White)

Visual Arts: Emily H (8 Gold) and Zoe S (8 Gold)

Drama: Sienna C (8 Gold) and Sophia Z (8 Purple)

Music: Ava M (8 White) and Grace T (8 White)

Debating: Lola M (8 Red) and Eliza N (8 Red)

STEM: Aashirya M (8 Blue) and Sofia T (8 Blue)

Environment: Sophie K (8 Blue)

Sports: Annie M (8 White) and Carla P (8 Red)

Carmel: Tiffany E (8 Purple) and Chloe G (8 White)

Fatima: Diaz C (8 Silver) and Evelyn T (8 Silver)

Loreto: Hailey C (8 Gold) and Emma R (8 Silver)

Lourdes: Tessa C (8 White) and Issy E (8 White)

Class Leaders

Year 8 Blue
Siena E and Charlotte G

Year 8 Gold
Elodie B and Lessi G

Year 8 Purple
Sherise B and Ellie B

Year 8 Red
Ella K and Sofia M

Year 8 Silver
Olivia M and Milla R

Year 8 White
Sophie D and Emee L

Thank you, Year 8s for a wonderful year as your Wellbeing and Growth Leader. It has been a pleasure to work with you all.

Finally, I wish you and your families a happy and safe Christmas holidays. Best wishes for 2026!

This year, our Arts Learning Area has once again demonstrated the extraordinary depth of talent, passion, and creative spirit that thrives within our school community. The impressive range of work showcased across the year is something we can all be proud of, reflecting a program that continues to grow in excellence and opportunity.

Our students are driven, imaginative, and deeply committed to their crafts and they have embraced every chance to explore, experiment, and express themselves. Through their participation, they have not only developed artistic, creative, and collaborative skills that are essential in our modern world, but they have also formed meaningful connections with peers, mentors, and the wider community. These connections are at the heart of what makes the Arts such a powerful and transformative part of school life.

Throughout the year, students engaged in a vibrant calendar of events and experiences. From competitions, workshops, and installations to Visual Arts Open Studios and Creative Arts Week, each activity offered a unique space for growth and discovery. The Senior Art Showcase highlighted the exceptional talent of our graduating artists, while Drama Week, Theatre Sports, and performance evenings brought storytelling to life on stage. Our production of Mamma Mia! was a joyful celebration of teamwork and creativity, and lunchtime workshops and excursions provided further inspiration for students to expand their artistic horizons.

These rich and varied experiences have allowed our young artists to explore new ideas, express their individuality, and contribute to a flourishing creative culture within our school.We extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible Arts Faculty for their energy, enthusiasm, and unwavering passion for their subjects. Thank you also to our students for the phenomenal work they have shared with our community. We are truly fortunate to be part of a school where creative expression is celebrated, nurtured, and encouraged in the artists of tomorrow.

2025 has been an energetic and memorable year for the Languages Department at Our Lady of Sion College. A diverse range of interactive programs and events has encouraged students to extend their language skills, deepen their cultural understanding, and nurture a genuine passion for the languages they study. Among the standout moments were the unforgettable study tour to Italy, our vibrant Languages Week, a series of stimulating incursions and excursions, participation in various competitions, including the Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition, La Famiglia Siciliana Scholarship Competition, Language Perfect in School Competitions, and the Alliance Française Berthe Mouchette Competition, the use of the Language Perfect learning platform, and many other valuable opportunities.

French Exchange Program

On Saturday 29 November three of our French students, Holly Y (11 Purple), Ruby M (11 Gold) and Elana V (11 Blue) will embark on an exciting overseas adventure for a period of three weeks as part of our international partnership program with Evry, France at our sister school, Notre Dame de Sion. We sincerely thank Mrs Miotello for supporting and accompanying our students throughout this experience, and we hope the journey ahead is both rewarding and unforgettable for everyone involved.

We thank our Italian Language Assistant, Noemi Lacirignola, for the wonderful contribution she has made to our school community over the past seven months. Her support in our Italian classes has helped students grow in confidence, offering authentic, engaging, and meaningful language experiences. In such a short time, she made a remarkable impression, students quickly warmed to her and loved having her in the classroom. As she now prepares to return to Italy after her Australian adventure, we wish her every success and warmly thank her for all she has shared with us.

2026 VCE Students

Over the past two weeks, our 2026 VCE students have been fully engaged in the Smart Start Program. Their dedication and enthusiasm have laid a solid foundation and created a positive outlook for their language studies in the year ahead.

We extend our appreciation to all our students who embraced language learning with such enthusiasm this year. Our VCE students have demonstrated outstanding dedication, especially in their preparation for their end of year exams. Their steady effort and determination reflect a deep commitment to achieving their best. We hope their perseverance is rewarded with excellent results and that they carry this passion for languages into all their future endeavours.

Thank You

We sincerely thank our Principal, Mrs Tina Apostolopoulos, for her vision, leadership, and steadfast support of our languages program for the last ten years. We also thank the Leadership Team for their guidance and encouragement, fostering a positive environment where our language students and staff can thrive.

2025 has been an amazing year for our Languages Department! Thanks to the passion and dedication of our students and teachers, learning languages has been fun, inspiring, and full of achievement. We can’t wait to see what the new year brings!

Wishing everyone a Merry and Holy Christmas and a New Year filled with joy, laughter, and well deserved rest!

Merry Christmas! Shèngdàn kuàilè! Joyeux Noël! Buon Natale!

Another year of the College Sport program has concluded. Over 400 students successfully participated in at least one sport this year. If we were to include strength and conditioning, well over 50% of our students would have participated in our sport program in 2025.

On the topic of statistics, a pleasing result was given at the final Head of Sport meeting last week. Out of all 23 GSV member schools, Sion had increased its ranking the most across all carnival sports in 2025. I would like to congratulate all students and staff involved in the Carnival programs this year on a sensational effort! In particular, I would like to thank Mr Rieusset who provides great guidance and growth to not only the students, but to the staff who work alongside him in delivering our high-quality Carnival Sport experience to our students.

I would like to thank our amazing GSV staff and past student coaches who put in great effort, support and dedication into the sports they oversee. I would also like to thank our Sport Administrator Mr Armstrong, for the incredible work he does behind the scenes to ensure our sports run smoothly.

Finally, to you the students. On behalf of all staff involved in Team Sion, it has been an amazing experience watching you grow and thrive in your chosen sports throughout the year. We hope you cherish the memories you have made this year, and continue to participate in our great sporting program in the years to come.

Finals

It has been a sensational finals week with one intermediate team and all Junior teams qualifying for finals. Congratulations to all our teams who participated. You have come a long way since the start of the season in sports that some of you have participated in for the first time.

Results

Intermediate B Basketball: Top 6 Finish

Junior A Basketball: Top 6 Finish

Junior B Basketball: Top 4 Finish

Junior C Basketball: Top 4 Finish

Junior D Basketball: Top 4 Finish

Junior A Touch Football: Top 4 Finish

Junior B Touch Football: Top 4 Finish

Junior B Cricket: Runner Up (by 4 runs)

Orientation Day Trials

We are expecting a big afternoon of sport on Orientation Day with 102 of our 2026 Year 7s expected to participate in a GSV trial.

For our new Year 7s, make sure to check out the 2026 Welcome Video in your Orientation Day packs!

Individual Sport Captains

We had over 40 students apply for Individual Sport Captains this year, which was fantastic to see. It was great to hear our students write about why they are passionate about the College sport program and how they would lead in their individual sport.

We wish to congratulate the following students on being selected as Individual Sport Captains for 2026.

Term One

Softball: Violet D (10 Silver) and Anastasia K (9 White)

Tennis: Cecilia B (11 Red) and Mikayla E (9 White)

Volleyball: Olivia O (11 Purple) and Olivia R (10 Purple)

Triathlon: Claire R (10 Silver)

Golf: Adele P (8 Silver)

Swimming: Zara O (11 Gold), Viva M (10 Gold) and Elaina H (9 Purple)

Diving: Ella R (11 White), Liv M (11 Gold) and Aliarne S (9 Blue)

Term Two

AFL: Christina A (11 Blue) and Olivia R (10 Purple)

Netball: Natasha G (9 Silver) and Zara L (9 Blue)

Hockey: Jessie M (11 White) and Natalie R (9 Purple)

Cross Country: Erin M (11 White), Sophie F (10 Red) and Asha Q (10 Blue)

Term Three

Badminton: Yvonne S (10 Silver) and Dahamsa J (9 Purple)

Indoor Cricket: Zara O (9 Blue) and Mia S (9 Blue)

Soccer: Chelsea P (10 Blue) and Isabella M (9 Red)

Track and Field: Sam O (11 White), Sophie F (10 Red), Claire R (10 Silver)

Term Four

Basketball: Christina A (11 Blue) and Sienna M (9 Purple)

Cricket: Mia M (9 Red)

Touch Football: Penelope B (9 White)

Multi Term

Aerobics: Mia H (11 Gold) and Harper H (9 Gold)

Strength and Conditioning: Olivia O’F (11 Purple)

Christmas Appeal – Toiletry Bags

As we enter the season of giving, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all families for their remarkable generosity throughout this year’s annual appeal. This week, the Year 10 and 11 bags were presented at their End of Year Mass, and the Year 7–9 bags will be offered during their final Mass on Friday, 5 December.

Because of your thoughtful donations of toiletry items, we are able to bring comfort and care to those in our community who are doing it tough this Christmas. These essential items, though simple, carry a powerful message of kindness and solidarity. All bags will be gifted to the St Vinnies Box Hill Conferences, where they will directly support families and individuals experiencing hardship.

St Vincent De Paul School Conference

Christmas Wishing Tree Appeal

Thank you to all families who have already contributed to our Christmas Wishing Tree Appeal. Your generosity is deeply appreciated. If you are still hoping to donate, there is still time. This Christmas initiative will continue until Monday, 1 December 2025.

On behalf of the College Conference, we extend our sincere gratitude to the entire Our Lady of Sion College community for your kindness and support of the St Vincent de Paul Wishing Tree Appeal. All donated items will be passed on to the Ringwood Conference, where they will be thoughtfully assembled into hampers. These hampers will provide direct support to individuals and families, helping to bring joy, comfort, and hope to their Christmas celebrations.

FIRE Carrier

Wominjeka everyone

My name is Ananya D S (11 Silver), and I am honoured to be the Fire Carrier Leader for 2026. I along with the Fire Carriers of Sion met last week to begin our aspirations for 2026. We look forward to doing as much as we can to encourage more involvement within the Our Lady of Sion College Community and are determined to learn about this beautiful culture.

Our New Treaty

As your FIRE Carrier Captain, I’m proud to share an important milestone for our community and for the future of Victoria.

Victoria has recently made significant progress on the road to reconciliation with its First Nations people. The signing of our first statewide treaty. An important step towards truth, respect and reconciliation. This treaty includes the establishment of a new representative body; the Gellung Warl. Said group will ensure the government considers Indigenous perspective when making future decisions and oversees truth telling in Victoria. Australia is one of the only colonised countries that does not have a formal treaty with the traditional owners of the land. Which is why this first step, taken by Victoria, is so significant. The treaty includes a formal apology and a commitment to teaching the true history and perspective of our Nation’s First Peoples. It is important that as a Sion community, we too work towards truth, respect and reconciliation. I encourage everyone to stay informed, participate where you can, and walk with us as we continue this important work together. Ananya D S (11 Silver)

Thank You

Finally, as we come to the end of another busy and inspiring year, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful community for your ongoing support of our Social Justice program. Whether you volunteered your time, contributed resources, participated in events, or simply helped spread awareness, your commitment has made a real and lasting difference.

As we prepare to pause and reflect over the holiday season, we wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a safe, restful break. May this time bring joy, connection, and peace to you and your families.

Thank you for walking alongside us this year. We look forward to another year of meaningful work together in 2026.

Supporting Your Teen’s Mental Health Over the Summer Break

The summer holidays can be a wonderful opportunity for teens to relax, reset and reconnect. However, with the change in routine, some young people may notice changes to their mental health. As parents/carers, it can be helpful to know what to look out for and how to support your teen if things feel a little off.

Signs that a young person may need extra support include losing interest in activities they normally enjoy, seeming unusually stressed or 'flat', or finding everyday tasks harder than usual. You might also notice irritability, withdrawal, difficulties concentrating, increased risk-taking behaviours, or changes to sleep and eating patterns. Persistent negative thoughts or feelings of overwhelm can also be indicators that it’s time to check in.

There are simple habits that can support positive mental health over the break. Encourage regular exercise, healthy meals and plenty of sleep. Staying connected with friends and family, spending time outdoors, and making space for enjoyable activities can all boost wellbeing. Remind your teen that it’s okay to talk about their feelings and to reach out for help if they need to. If concerns continue, seeking professional support is an important next step.

Community services that can support your family and teen include:

Kids Helpline: available 24/7 via phone or online chat – 1800 55 1800

eheadspace: available 9 am-1 am via phone or online chat – 1800 650 890

Parentline: available 8 am-12 am for phone counselling/support for parents – 13 22 89

Beyondblue: available 24/7 via phone or online chat - 1300 224 636

Family doctor/GP: if your teen needs more support, speak to your GP about a referral to a psychologist or counsellor. In an emergency, always call 000.

headspace – Range of in-person, one-on-one counselling and support services available

CYMHS Box Hill - available 24/7 should your teen need immediate, urgent mental health and wellbeing support over the break - 1300 721 927.

You can find further information on this Department of Education Factsheet.

If you are concerned about support over the holiday break, please contact the Counselling Team before Friday, 5 December and we can discuss this further - 9890 9097 or counselling@sion.catholic.edu.au.

The Counselling Team would like to wish all families a restful and joyful holiday season. Thank you for everything you have done to support your teens throughout the year. We hope the break offers time to recharge and reconnect, and we encourage families to prioritise rest and positive routines over the summer. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2026!

Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

Sofia, Vanessa and Claire – College Counselling Team

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

Important Dates

What's On

2026 Dates

From the Principal

Principal's Message

From the Deputy Principals

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission – Anna Gionfriddo

Year 10–11 End of Year Eucharist

Advent

Australian Catholic Youth Festival

Thank you

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching – Allison Stott

A Year of Excellence!

BYOD for Years 7, 10-12

Social Media Delay and Digital Literacies

Acting Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing – Paul Kerr

Student Assembly

The Challenge of December 10

Looking Forward with Hope

In Remembrance

Year Level News

Year 12 – Kathryn Steward, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Year 11 – Beth Amos, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Year 10 – Adam Rieusset, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh

Year 9 – Jennifer Tilley, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Year 8 – Chris Wilkes, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Class Leaders

Year 7 – Jade Goss, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Learning Area News

Art – Alex Bleazby, Arts Learning Area Leader

Languages – Gail Amato, Learning Leader

French Exchange Program

2026 VCE Students

Thank You

Co-curricular News

Music – Martin Macaulay, Head of Music

Instrumental Music Private Tuition 2026

Christmas Open Mic

CVE and Senior Jazz Ensemble – GIJ 2026

Upcoming Music Department Dates

Sport – Liam Cox, Head of Sport

Finals

Orientation Day Trials

Individual Sport Captains

Term One

Term Two

Term Three

Term Four

Multi Term

Social Justice – Lucy Miotello, Coordinator

Christmas Appeal – Toiletry Bags

St Vincent De Paul School Conference

FIRE Carrier

Our New Treaty

Thank You

Parent News

College Psychologist – Claire Jenkins

Supporting Your Teen’s Mental Health Over the Summer Break

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

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