Newsletter | See as God sees

Applications for Year 7, 2024 are closing soon

Families already enrolled at the College still need to submit an Application of Enrolment Form for each additional child wishing to attend Our Lady of Sion College. If you have a daughter in Year 5, please ensure you submit her Application for Enrolment by Friday 19 August 2022.

For all enquiries, please contact Ms Robyn McCann, College Registrar, on 9890 9097 or registrar@sion.catholic.edu.au.

If someone had suggested a few years ago that we would experience a series of lockdowns and also witness the 2020 Olympics in 2021, we would have been excused for thinking there was something strange going on. Yet that is what has happened in the last two weeks.

While it was only for a brief time, I am pleased to say that over the last week, students resumed their classes well and as I walked around the College, they were engaged in their learning and understandably, they were also very happy to be back onsite. Their resilience and perseverance are amazing and they should be rightfully proud that despite the current context, they are managing the constant changes with a positive outlook. It is a real credit to them, especially in these uncertain times.

We may all have varying opinions regarding the hosting of the Olympics during a global pandemic. In many ways, bringing athletes from around the world together when physical distancing is one sure way to help us remain healthy, seems nonsensical and yet, we cannot help but be drawn to the athletes who have also persevered despite the obstacles. The IOC website states:

Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles. The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

The Olympics can inspire us and give us hope. They remind us that when we set our minds to something, we have the chance to improve and achieve. While athletes do compete against each other, in most cases they are competing against themselves; always working to improve their personal best times and so on. The Olympics also inspire us because of the way they bring together people from diverse cultures, languages and political backgrounds. Their differences disappear because they come together out of respect and camaraderie. They demonstrate great perseverance knowing that in the end, they work towards a positive outcome, a sense of personal achievement but not at the expense of others. We have all heard quotes along the lines of Nothing in this world that’s worth having comes easy and in many ways, overcoming hardship can at times help us to appreciate our achievements even more. Most importantly they can also give us hope.

In his letter to the Romans, St Paul also inspires and provides us with reassurance:

'...we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.'

5th International Sion Schools Conference

The third notable event that has marked the last week is the launch of the 5^th International Sion Schools Conference. Since 2009, the Sion schools across the world have gathered every three years to explore a theme of relevance at that time. This year’s theme is Educating for Hope. When it was chosen in 2018, the 22 Sion schools around the world had no way of knowing how pertinent the theme would be in 2021. Initially planned as a face to face conference in Melbourne, restrictions have resulted in the conference moving online and being extended over the next 10 months or so. All schools are looking forward to the dialogue, reflection and growth that can emanate for all Sion students and staff around the world. I look forward to sharing with our community the fruits of this experience in the future.

College Masterplan

Finally, we also draw great hope for the future as the next stage of our College Masterplan gets underway. In recent weeks, following the completion of our LHC extension, our architects have spent time with teachers and students gathering ideas for our STEAMD and Administration Centre. This is a significant undertaking and we want to ensure it meets the future needs of our students and staff as much as possible. Feedback from the ongoing consultative process will inform the design of our new building for which construction is expected to begin in 2023.

Over the recent term break, the College also completed the installation of additional external seating for students. The choice of seating was informed by feedback that I sought from students late in 2020 and judging by the high demand, the new furniture has been well received by students.

Even within our current challenges, I think it is important that we look for the moments of joy and hope; that we support each other and in particular that we offer our students opportunities to recognise their achievements and be inspired by our faith and the support we can offer them for their future.

With every blessing for the fortnight ahead.

Tina Apostolopoulos

I continue to read. I continue to learn. That’s why, I hope, I continue to grow.

Last week, I read an amazing article written by a priest in our Archdiocese, Fr Brendan Reed. He was reflecting on a piece of Scripture that talked about trusting in God, one day at a time. He said that the phrase reminded him of the popular 1974 song, 'One Day at a Time Sweet Jesus', by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson. As soon as I read it, I started singing the song. My parents used to sing it all of the time and so I knew it off by heart. You might like to listen to it here.

Fr Brendan’s article stated, 'It is perhaps a good phrase to have on our lips in these days as we find our regular rhythm of life and events so often interrupted. It helps us to put our lives into perspective and tune in to what really matters.

The Biblical text invites us to learn to trust that the God who, we claim, brought us to life, does not abandon us. Instead in small ways, God accompanies us through each day. To be aware of this usually requires of us a moment of silence and stillness. It is in those moments that we can be aware that we are not alone and that the God of life is with us and walking with us – one day at a time.

Living one day at a time can help to put our longer-term plans into perspective. It is great to have goals and ambitions to fulfil but being present to what is happening around us and within us will help in shaping and forming the decisions that we make for tomorrow.'

To conclude his article, Fr Brendan said he hoped that he would like to be able to do the same – live one day at a time.

Perhaps as this COVID-19 pandemic continues there’s a message here for all of us!

2021 GAT – Thursday 12 August

As soon as we have information from VCAA regarding the GAT, we will communicate with students and families. In the meanwhile, encourage your daughter to practise responding to multiple choice questions, read over some past papers and polish her point of view writing.

Semester 1 Principal’s Awards

The College looks forward to acknowledging and celebrating the learning successes of Semester 1, 2021. As we have not yet been able to join as a whole community, we will present the high achievers from Years 7-11 in a virtual assembly on Friday 13 August. A link will be provided to allow families to watch the celebration of learning success.

Student Progress Meetings

As usual, we are preparing for the Semester 2 Student Progress Meetings scheduled for Wednesday 25 August 2–8 pm and Thursday 26 August 11 am – 7 pm. Families will shortly receive the PTO information allowing them to login and make appointments.

Given the current restrictions, both sessions will be held online using Google Meet.

Subject Selection Process

The 2022 Subject Selection Process for Years 8–11 has now concluded. The students are to be congratulated for the way that they have approached their decision-making. It has been lovely to answer lots of questions about what is involved in each subject as well as looking at future pathways.

Current Year 7 students will shortly be sent instructions on how to submit their language selection for 2022. Students will be studying this language for the whole year. The Year 7 and 8, 2022 Curriculum Handbook can be found on the Our Lady of Sion College website. Like Year 7, the Year 8 Curriculum is designed to cover all aspects of the Victorian Curriculum and for students to explore and experience a taste of all the electives on offer.

COVID and the Rise in Anxiety in Students

I feel that it will be no surprise to parents and guardians that schools are noticing a significant rise in anxiety in our students. To be fair, their secure, fast and predictable world has been turned on its head over the last 18 months. No matter how supportive a home may be nor how effectively a school ‘pivots’ from on-campus learning to Online Home Learning, some students will feel the impact of COVID and restrictions in the form of heightened anxiety.

How anxiety presents looks different for every child; it might be a sore stomach, putting too much work into an assignment, staying too long in their bedroom or a very teary angry child.

Dayna Abraham, author of the bestselling books Superkids Activity Guide and Sensory Processing says, that if your child struggles with anxiety, it's challenging to find the right things to say when she is worried. You want to offer your support and encouragement but it is not easy to connect without making their fears worse. Rather than telling your child, 'You’ll be fine' or 'Don’t worry about it', try one of these phrases the next time your child is feeling worried:

• 'I am here, I will help, we can work on this together.' Anxiety has a way of making things look worse. These words can offer comfort and safety when your child is feeling out of control, especially if they are at the height of their worry.

• 'Tell me about it.' Give your child room to talk about their fears without interrupting. Often, young people need to have time to process their thoughts. Do not offer solutions or try to fix their problem. They sometimes do better with a set amount of time: 'Let’s talk about your worries for ten minutes.'
  
• ‘What do you find works when you are feeling like this?’ Sometimes your daughter will be so worried that they resist your encouragement to pick a calming strategy, especially if they have been taught a strategy by a health professional. You may even need to use the strategy with her.

• 'It won’t be like this forever.' It’s hard to see the young people in our lives suffer from worry. Many parents rush in to rescue their child from an anxiety-producing situation. All feelings pass eventually. It often feels like the situation will never end, they won’t make it through, or it’s too hard. Encourage your daughter to accept that stressful things come into everyone's life, but with support and time, they will pass.
  

• 'What do you need from me?' Instead of assuming that you know what your daughter needs, give them an opportunity to tell you what would help. They may just need you to listen, give a hug, or help them find a solution. If you can’t do it, give them their wish in fantasy: 'I wish grown-ups could go to kindergarten too!'

Not every one of these strategies will work for your daughter. If you try something and it makes their worries worse, don’t panic. Just pick something else from the list to try next time. Eventually, you will find a few phrases that are effective for sending a calm, encouraging and empowering message to your child.

Based on the writing of Dayna Abraham: https://lemonlimeadventures.co...

Our particular thoughts and prayers go to Mr Paul Whitely, teacher of Science, Physics and RE, whose father-in-law passed away recently.

We remember Mr Whitely and his family in a special way at this sad time.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.

The past two weeks have continued to present many challenges to the Year 12 cohort. To their credit, the Class of 2021 met these challenges with a positive and resilient mindset, which is a great credit to all families for the support you are clearly showing and modelling to your daughter(s).

During the past week, with the support of our College Counselling and Year 12 Pastoral Team, I have been talking to students, during Homeroom, about the importance of looking for opportunities that allow you to take the next step.

The Pastoral Team and I have been talking about the importance of writing down all upcoming events; both College events and home events, including sport and work commitments. To make these visible so that you can map out the time you have available to you. To proactively see when you can spend time completing homework, studying for SACs/tasks to be completed, ensuring you are getting some exercise each day, helping out at home, etc. By seeing what you can do across your week, we are breaking down the upcoming events into achievable, smaller tasks.

By scheduling what your week looks like, you can support and foster a calm, clear mind. Our hope is that all Year 12 students remain focused on the task in front of them at that time. Not multitasking, but spending the time truly engaged and focused on the task at hand.

The Year 12s continue to take many next best steps, ensuring a very successful final year of studies. Our collective next best step, is to support a calm mind that is focused and attentive to that task at hand at that moment. To draw upon our learned experiences and to know that whatever comes our way, we have seen it before, we will navigate around it and we will do it with a determined vigour to pursue our best possible result.

Stay safe, be proud and always push your boundaries each and every day.

Our Year 11 students have been working very hard and putting in a lot of effort with their studies lately. Jess D (a member of our SRC team) proposed the idea that Year 11 students should engage in a ‘Sion Olympics’ to celebrate the 2020 Olympic Games and have some fun with each other through participating in a range of ‘inclusive’ games. We were confined to a short, 40-minute lesson to participate in the ‘Year 11 Sion Olympics’ but from all reports it provided our students with some laughs, smiles and a way to engage with their Homeroom teacher and peers. Students were able to participate in a variety of activities, including musical chairs, paper plan competition, rock paper scissors competition as well as a variety of reaction speed games. Unsurprisingly, there were a lot of very competitive students in the year level!

Additionally, the College has locked in an alternate date for the Year 11 Formal, to now take place on Thursday 16 September. Students will be dismissed from school at 1.10 pm on Thursday but are expected to attend school on both Thursday and Friday. The College has permitted our Year 11 students to have a ‘late start’ on Friday 17 September; students must arrive for their Period 2 class (10.10 am). All students are expected to attend school that day and we ask for your support to assist with this. Updated permission forms will be distributed to students in the coming days.

With a very successful Work Experience program concluded, the students have been through the final process of subject selection and attended an interview with their parents/guardians and a staff member. Feedback has shown that the interviews were a reflective and consolidating experience where many questions about subjects and pathways were answered.

As our ballroom dancing program is not able to proceed in the current restrictive climate, the SRC Representatives, Class Leaders and the Sport Representatives have had three meetings to design activities for the year level for the remainder of term. These activities have been shared with each Homeroom and we are hoping to begin in the next week. More information to come in this space.

Term 3 is a very busy time with students getting back into a routine after Work Experience and holidays. As a team we are working with students on a daily basis to assist in improving their learning experiences and provide a positive space for dialogue, engagement and student voice.

It is a busy time in Year 9 with many activities taking place as part of the Ayin Program.

On Thursday morning, each of the Homerooms were given the opportunity to present their ideas around gender equality as part of the Suffragette Campaign. The speeches presented by the leaders of each political party were of an excellent standard and we look forward to announcing which party was voted in to lead us in the fight for equality.

As an ongoing project, the girls have also been working on composing their biographies in English for the Significant People Project. In the coming weeks, the girls will be given art materials to design a creative representation of their chosen person. Having been a part of this event for some years now, I take great interest in reading and hearing about the people who inspire and are significant in the lives of the girls at this point in their life.

As you would be aware, City Experience is scheduled to take place on Monday 6 September through to Friday 10 September. As a lead-up to this event, we will be running an online information evening for parents and guardians on Monday 16 August. Further details regarding this evening will be communicated to parents.

I am so pleased that on our return to face-to-face learning last week, the Year 8s were able to complete the final day of the Beyond the Horizons Program and in turn, their Rube Goldberg machines. The final results of the machines were inventive and the students’ enthusiasm and teamwork on the first day back was incredible. The Year 8s also participated in a trivia competition with various rounds and physical challenges. It was great to see so many involved and to witness their teamwork and competitive side.

At the beginning of Term 4, the Year 8s will hopefully experience their first Sion Day, where they will be in charge of the College Raffle.

Each year, the Year 8 level donates items to put towards hampers where tickets are sold and winners are announced in front of the whole school on the day. Each Year 8 Homeroom has a different theme, from stationery, beauty products, vouchers, chocolates/lollies just to name a few. If you check with the girls on what their Homeroom's theme is and either look around the house for unused items or purchase something small to contribute to their class hamper it would be greatly appreciated.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all parents and guardians for your support throughout the year so far, especially throughout Online Home Learning.

Here’s to another successful term.

It has been wonderful seeing how our Year 7s cope with the transition from onsite classes to Online Home Learning. I have been thoroughly impressed by their resilience and adaptability with our ever-changing landscape.

Last week, we celebrated 100 days of Year 7 with some Homeroom activities and competitions on Google Classroom such as our ‘cherry’ red food challenge and the red outfit challenge where they were encouraged to dress up in as much cherry red as possible and share their creations.

During our Pastoral lesson this week, the Homeroom teachers spoke about setting SMARTER goals and what they look like. In this session, students needed to decide on at least two goals to work towards and have been encouraged to discuss these with you. It could be a great conversation starter and a fantastic way to support them in achieving their goals and therefore hopefully further increasing their motivation.

Students from VCAL took advantage of Online Home Learning by cooking up a gastronomical feast for numeracy.

They were tasked with finding a recipe that would challenge them in the kitchen, working out quantities for a single person and then working out quantities to cater for the whole family. Their final step was to make their chosen recipe and take a photo of the final product.

Submissions included Potato and Pumpkin soup; a Miso Udon dish; Banana, Coconut and Chunky Chocolate Muffins; Gluten Free Chocolate Balls and Italian Amaretti. What a wonderfully mouth-watering way to showcase students’ math skills.

Amy and Francesca: 'What a relaxing and delicious way to do maths.'

VCAL at Our Lady of Sion College focuses on careers-based 'hands-on learning'. VCAL is an accredited secondary certificate issued by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Year 8 Beyond the Horizons Program

A huge congratulations to the Year 8s for their efforts in completing their Beyond the Horizons program last Wednesday.

After the announcement of the move to Online Home Learning saw us leave the program after just two days, it was wonderful to come back to complete their designs at school. The sounds of popping balloons and ringing bells in the presentation session was a testament to the success of the designs, trials and refinements in the students’ Rube Goldberg-inspired machines.

Students are encouraged to continue to use their collaborative, creative and problem solving skills across all their learning opportunities.

During the Beyond the Horizons program, I was exposed to communication, team effort and critical thinking, along with innovativeness to invent a Rube Goldberg machine. Although this project was similar to a competition, the Year 8s were so supportive of one another by giving each other guidance and feedback based on their designs. The Beyond the Horizons program is an experience that I will always cherish and want to relive again!

Maddison M, 8P

My experience of Beyond the Horizons was very positive. We all did competitive and non-competitive activities like trivia and origami which I enjoyed. I loved working with my group, building interpersonal and engagement skills. Overall, Beyond the Horizons was a great experience!

Chantelle C, 8P

You can’t stop the music!

We were delighted to have students back on campus playing in all sorts of musical settings.

All of our musicians also need to be congratulated on their commitment to continuing their high performance standards online, whether it be making a recording using SmartMusic, practising their band parts, participating in an online rehearsal for ‘The Wizard of Oz’, or sharing a solo performance piece as part of a class assessment.

We are slowly and carefully resuming our ensemble rehearsal programs and hope to present the fruits of their work at the Ensembles Concert – hopefully towards the end of Term 3.

Victorian Schools Music Festival

Dependent on school and government regulations, we are planning to have Our Lady of Sion represented at the Victorian School Music Festival this month. The schedule is as follows:

• Combined Intermediate/Senior Strings, Friday 20 August, 9.00 – 11.45 am
• Senior Concert Band, Monday 23 August, 9.00 – 11.45 am

Hopefully, we can add other groups into this program in the not-too-distant future.

Senior Concert Band Commissioned Composition

Senior Concert Band conductor Mr Ryan Parks has had a new work commissioned for this ensemble. Melbourne composer Robert McIntyre has written a piece called Rising specifically for the Senior Concert Band. The work is a musical commentary on the Earth’s rising temperatures, the rising sea levels and the rising stakes that we are faced with in our world. In a musical way, it presents the question ‘Will humanity make the right choice in terms of issues around climate change?’ We hope to present the world premiere of this thought-provoking composition at an appropriate time later in the year.

The Premiers' Reading Challenge is heating up with Homerooms battling for their year level prize. The LRC have organised some incentives:

• If students read five books (and have them verified), they will earn one Community Spirit point.
• If students complete the Reading Challenge (15 books in total), they will receive two Community Spirit points and an invitation to our pizza lunch (or the COVID equivalent). There is also a Certificate of Participation.
• The 'Top Reader' in each year level will receive a $50 book voucher from Dymocks and a prize pack.
• The 'Top Homeroom' in each year level will receive chocolates of their choice to share.
  

Top Homerooms Term 3 Week 3

• 7 Silver – 317 books read
• 8 White – 269 books read
• 9 Purple – 91 books read

Supporting Reading at Home

Parents can support their teenagers to build positive reading habits by encouraging them to read every day. We can encourage students to switch the TV off when there is nothing on or give them space to read on the weekends by having technology-free afternoons.

Not every student can read before they fall asleep and parents are encouraged to explore with their daughters a time when they can read each day, such as:

• during breakfast using a cold heat pack or packet of rice to hold the pages open
• after dinner as a way to wind down from the day
• an alternative to scrolling through Netflix for the next show to watch – stopping and reading for 20 minutes before recommencing browsing.

Reading the same book as your daughter is another way of encouraging them along, by asking them what part of the book they are up to.

We wish all the Premiers' Reading Challenge students all the best as we approach the final leg of the challenge, with the finishing date being in the last week of Term 3, 2021.

Bookmark Design Competition update

Join us in our annual Bookmark Design Competition. This year's theme is Out of this World. Pick up entry forms and templates from the Library and be sure to place your name on your entry. Artworks can use any medium on the provision they are 2D.

Student and staff entries accepted. Submit your bookmark entries to the library staff or via the Google form linked in the student bulletin. Entries close Wednesday 11 August.

In the Arts Classroom: Year 12 Visual Communication Design

The Year 12 Visual Communication Design Pitch afternoon took place on Monday 2 August. This is part of the students' SAT folio process and the afternoon is an opportunity for students to receive feedback from their peers and from the College’s Visual Communication Design (VCD) staff.

For VCD students, the pitch is a simulation of a marketing strategy to discuss and justify the design solutions to promote them to the 'client'. In this context, the pitch may be presented to peers, teachers, or a broader audience to gain constructive feedback during the design process. This feedback then informs the modifications to the design. Responding to this feedback is an essential part of the design process that students must undertake before reaching their final resolutions.

The students' work is looking great so far and we can’t wait to see their hard work demonstrated in their final designs in our 2021 Creative Arts and Technology Week exhibition on Tuesday 19 October at the College.

GSV Weekly Sport

Junior, Intermediate and Senior levels returned to courts and fields this week representing Our Lady of Sion in Badminton, Soccer and Volleyball. We would like to thank all students who participated in the trials in the final weeks of Term 2 and the start of Term 3. Congratulations to all students who successfully made teams. If you were unsuccessful, we encourage you to seek feedback from coaches and trial again next year with similar passion. Due to restrictions, the Term 3 season will be shortened to home and away matches with no finals. Please check Year Level Classrooms for updated fixtures and keep an eye out for weekly calendar emails. Good luck to all teams and coaches!

GSV Track and Field

This week was our first opportunity to train with the Track and Field squad at Doncaster Athletics Club. With over 40 students attending the morning sessions from all year levels, you would not have known it was the beginning to an interrupted season!

Unfortunately in line with current restrictions, GSV has announced our upcoming Preliminary (Tuesday 10 August) Carnival has been cancelled. We were so excited to see our squad compete against other GSV schools and represent our College with pride. Let’s harness the energy from our training sessions and carry the momentum across to our next carnival opportunity. Please keep an eye out in the Track and Field Classroom and in the bulletin regarding future Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings as we return to onsite learning. We will be back!

You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
Martin Luther King Jr

Students and families can find the fortnightly Careers newsletter at https://olsccareers.com/newsletter.

In this fortnight's newsletter there is information relating to:

• upcoming events – Year 12 2022 VTAC Information Evening, Inside Monash seminar series – webinars, 2021 Tertiary Open days – virtual

• Career Industry in the Spotlight – Environmental Science

• things to consider – Year 12 Melbourne Principals' Scholarship, key dates for tertiary application 2022 entry, CASPer entry for teacher qualifications

• researching options – Bond University, JP Morgan Sydney traineeship program, News from RMIT.

MyPortal is a convenient online method to enable parents and guardians to update their daughter's medical details and to advise the school of changes to emergency contacts. Your daughter's wellbeing and safety is paramount to Our Lady of Sion College and we take our duty of care seriously. Therefore, it is important that the College has accurate information regarding your daughter's medical details and emergency contact information. MyPortal reflects the College's current database. Using the instructions provided, please review the details on the portal and update the information as required if you haven’t already done so.

The MyPortal system can be accessed via the SEQTA Engage landing page:

Once you log in, there is a User Guide available. Please make any necessary changes to the student information as per the community portal by Monday 16 August 2021.

Resources for parents

I hope everyone has been keeping well over the last few weeks. I would like to remind you of some really helpful websites should you be concerned about your daughter’s wellbeing or mental health and want to do some further research.

https://parents.au.reachout.com/

ReachOut is a fantastic resource and one that I often refer parents to. On this website you will find plenty of information, resources and forum discussion about a range of topics. They also have a fantastic website with plenty of information for young people.

https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/

Healthy Families is all about giving you the information, knowledge and confidence to support the young people in your life – whether you’re a parent, guardian, grandparent, a favourite uncle or an awesome auntie. They also discuss ways to take care of your own mental health and wellbeing, especially if you’re a new parent or about to become one.

https://headspace.org.au/parents/

Feeling concerned about your young person, and wondering if they could be experiencing a mental health issue? Learn more about mental health, signs that it may be impacting your young person and how to respond. There’s plenty of great information on a range of topics.

https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents

The kids helpline is a fantastic resource, and not only for young people. There is some great information on a range of topics.

https://www.arcvic.org.au/

Anxiety and stress affect more children than you may think and can cause children to feel more worried and tense about things than other children their age. The website includes information about various anxiety disorders that can affect children and teens.

https://theparentswebsite.com.au/

This website often has some really interesting articles.