Newsletter | With a Grateful Heart - Our Lady of Sion Newsletter

As Term 3 draws to a close, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey we've embarked on during these past few months. Our school community has once again demonstrated its incredible spirit, resilience, and commitment to learning and growth. I am grateful for the unwavering support of our dedicated staff, parents/carers, and the infectious enthusiasm of our students, which have contributed to the vibrant atmosphere that defines our College life.

A signature part of College life is the multitude of themed weeks that infuse excitement and diversity into our daily routines. This term, our students actively engaged in a series of enriching experiences, including Library and Information Week, Maths Week, STEM Week, Science Week, Book Week, Humanities Week, and HPE & Sport Week.

Feast days for Carmel and Loreto Houses provided students with the opportunity to come together over delicious food and joyful games. The perennial favourite, the House Cup Cake competition, showcased the creative talents of our students as they designed, baked, and decorated cupcakes with flair. Meanwhile, the House Maths Competition put our budding mathematicians to the test, inspiring a spirit of healthy competition and academic excellence.

Our commitment to our faith and social justice initiatives are equally impressive, with events catering to a wide range of interests. The Day of Dialogue brought together Year 10 students from various schools and faith backgrounds to engage in meaningful conversations about respect, belief, and understanding another's perspective. Additionally, students engaged in our retreat program, including the pilot Year 11 shared Charism Day with Whitefriars College, while our staff participated in outreach activities during the Staff Spirituality Day.

Our College is not confined to the boundaries of our cherry-red gate; we aspire to be outward-facing and inclusive. This term, we hosted students from our sister school in Kansas City, USA, and welcomed prospective families who toured the school, guided by our dedicated Tour Guides. These guides not only warmly welcomed primary school students and families but also shared their personal experiences of College life. This week, as a school community, we came together to reflect on our own well-being and that of others on RUOK Day, fostering a culture of care and support.

In celebrating the journey of our 2022 graduates, we recently held an afternoon tea reunion, during which we heard about their experiences since leaving school and witnessed their excitement at seeing their teachers, reconnecting with one another, and witnessing the development of our impressive STEAMD building. Our Year 10 students ventured beyond the classroom to undertake Work Experience, while the Year 11 students took to the dance floor at the formal, creating cherished memories.

Significant Men's Day was a heartfelt celebration of gratitude, with over 200 significant men in attendance, showing their unwavering support for our girls throughout their secondary school journey. The moment that touched our hearts the most was when Year 12 student Ella C (12 White) sang Fleetwood Mac's 'Songbird' accompanied by her father, Andrew, on guitar.

A reflection on this term would be incomplete without acknowledging the recent successes of the Year 10 Ballroom Dancing program and our Aerobics teams, who qualified for the National Aerobics Championship in Adelaide.

Sion Day remains a beloved tradition in our calendar. Staff and students gathered for mass to celebrate our feast day, followed by a variety of fundraising activities. The return of the Sion Disco brought immense joy to our students, and it was heartwarming to witness our community coming together to support this special day.

As Term 3 comes to a close, we recognise that this is a time of transition for our Year 12 students as they prepare for final classes, Graduation, the Celebration Breakfast, VCE exams, or the completion of their Vocational major tasks.

Thank you 2023 Student Leaders

On behalf of the College community, I would like to sincerely thank our 2023 student leaders, whose dedication and leadership have left an indelible mark on our College:

Ava S (12 Silver), Bettina Z (12 Silver), Charlotte P (12 Blue), Chiara P (12 Blue), Ella C (12 White), Sofia F (12 Blue), Scarlett H (12 Silver), Megan M (12 White), Lara H (12 Blue), Alice L (12 Blue), Chloe L (12 White), Ella M (12 Blue), Zoe B (12 Blue), Niquita B (12 Silver), Laura D (12 Silver), Tahlia M (12 Red), Scarlett M (12 Red), Lexi G (12 Silver), Ciara D (12 Silver), Kate B (12 White) and Mia P (12 White).

As we approach the term break, I wish all students, staff, and families a restful and safe holiday. I eagerly anticipate celebrating further successes with you all in Term 4.

With kind regards

Christine Kralj

Self-Care Practices

With the holidays approaching, there is the opportunity to rest and change students' activities in preparation for Term 4. Building self care practices is not a particularly new idea but certainly a term I did not think about earlier in my life. I did spend time at our annual caravan park every year and looking back I know it was without question, a place where my parents loved recharging after a year at work.

There are many ways you can define self-care. From referring to practices that tend to one’s own energy and needs, to being anything you do to take care of yourself so you can stay physically, mentally, and emotionally well. I see it as part of the answer to how I cope with the daily stresses and it provides me with the opportunity to unwind and escape my email 'inbox'.

Self-care is important for teenagers as it helps them manage stress, build resilience, and maintain overall wellbeing. There is an array of practical self-care activities you can explore to improve a teenagers health and overall wellbeing. Dr Pooja Lakshmin, a psychiatrist and an advocate for mental health and self-care, makes recommendations in her book; Real Self Care - Powerful Practices will nourish oneself from the inside out. She believes there is not a one size fits all solution, in fact, It is essential to tailor these practices to your individual needs and preferences to create a personalised self-care routine. Here is a summary of some of the activities she suggests:

Regular exercise: Engaging in physical activity releases endorphins, which can help reduce stress and improve mood
Healthy eating: A balanced diet is essential for physical and mental health. Encourage teens to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
Adequate sleep: Teens need about 8-10 hours of sleep per night for proper cognitive and emotional functioning. Help them establish a regular sleep schedule and create a comfortable sleep environment
Mindfulness and meditation: Teaching mindfulness techniques and meditation can help teenagers manage stress and anxiety. Apps like Headspace or Calm offer guided sessions
Creative outlets: Encourage artistic expression through activities like drawing, painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument
Social connections: Spending time with friends and family is important for emotional wellbeing
Limit screen time: Excessive screen time, especially on social media, can contribute to stress and anxiety
Time management: Teach time management skills to help teens balance their responsibilities and leisure activities
Nature and outdoor activities: Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing
Hobbies and interests: Encourage teens to pursue hobbies or interests they are passionate about
Self-reflection: Journaling or keeping a diary can help teenagers process their thoughts and emotions. It's a valuable tool for self-discovery and problem-solving

I used this to audit what I might currently utilise and decided to attempt a creative activity. The art work may not end up on my wall, but I did really love the experience and felt very relaxed afterwards. See what might appeal to your teenager over the break.

R U OK? Day

This year’s theme, I am here to hear, has been emphasised all week and will continue to be throughout the year. A video was created by our own students, and detailed the steps on how to ask if someone is okay. Importantly, it highlighted that you may be an expert in many areas of life, but you don’t need to be an expert to ask if someone is travelling well.

We invite you to watch the video here.

Each day this week has started with music in place of bells with the theme around wellbeing and friendship. R U OK? Day started with the distribution of student-made badges given out by our SRC students and volunteers, attired with their own R U Okay badges, wristbands and bandanas. Many students wore yellow in their hair and began Homeroom with the next song in the playlist and a prayer delivered to the whole school.

Just before lunch, the student-created R U Okay video was shown, followed by a netball game against Whitefriars College senior students, organised by our Sport Representatives. Students wore wristbands and were involved in interviews of students during the breaks on appropriate help seeking behaviour. A wonderful occasion for the school.

Change Over to Summer Uniform – Term 4

As of Monday 2 October, students should be wearing the summer academic uniform to and from school, this includes wearing the College hat.

Students are also reminded that the College blazer is the outer garment of the uniform when travelling to and from school. On particularly hot days, College staff will let students know if it is a blazer-free day.

Please ensure that all items of uniform are in a presentable state and that the school dress is worn at the knee and no higher.

I ask that shorter dresses are lengthened over the holidays and students return to school in Term 4 with alterations already made to the uniform.

PE Uniform is to be worn only on days when a student has a practical PE class or GSV. The PE uniform is to be worn without a scarf and track pant and jacket must be worn as outer garments when travelling to and from school. On hot days the students will be notified if they may leave the college without the track pant and jacket.

A reminder that any lash-extensions, fake nails, hair colour, or extra piercing that students may have enjoyed over the holidays are to be removed before the commencement of Term 4.

In wearing the College uniform correctly, students display a sense of self-discipline and school pride that benefits the school community as a whole.

Having travelled nearly a full school year with this incredible group of Year 12 students, I have such admiration for the outstanding support they have shown one another. Not only supporting and encouraging one another with their academic studies but also helping with the organisation and actively participating in a vast array of activities and events that have taken place this term.

I would like to acknowledge our Sports captains Ally L (12 Blue) and Lara H (12 Blue) who played a significant role in organising the Sports Award Night on Monday evening, as well as a number of staff vs student matches and a Sion vs Whitefriars match which have been held at lunchtimes throughout the week. The girls have done a fantastic job and I know they have been strongly supported by their peers.

I would also like to congratulate the students for the money they have raised through three different fundraising events. The money raised will go very close to covering the cost of the printing of a special memento a group of students have been working on throughout the year. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the De Vincentis family who kindly donated the strawberries for the Strawberries and Chocolate sale that took place last week.

The students have managed to achieve all of this while completing their final SACs and involving themselves in other events. I have encouraged all the students to take a complete break this weekend before doing some preparation for the trial exams that will be taking place from Monday 25 September - Thursday 28 September. I have also highlighted the importance of keeping a balance across work and wellbeing throughout the weeks that lie ahead.

Information regarding the upcoming end of year events for our Year 12s was emailed to all parents and carers early last week. I have attached a summary of the dates and times for these significant celebrations. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any queries regarding any of the information sent out.

Oh what a night...

I congratulate all Year 10 students who participated in our Ballroom Dancing Program, which concluded last Thursday night. The presentation was first class but for me it was more than that. The way in which the students from both Our Lady of Sion College and Whitefriars College have grown over the past term in this program has been a pleasure to watch. The way they danced, the social interactions, the joy and wanting to do their very best was so clearly evident. The willingness of all students to participate in their special person's dance and then for all community members to embrace the opportunity to spend some time together over a light supper was inspiring.

What I saw on Thursday night was a collective understanding of the importance of being given an opportunity and then acting upon it. I saw the community's understanding of and appreciation for belonging. Belonging to like minded members within our community that when given the opportunity, a joyful celebration of life occurs. Finally I saw active engagement to our school, to our families and to ourselves. It is moments like these that authentically allow us to express our inner excellence with freedom, hope and enjoyment.

Fortnight's study skills focus

Over the past term I have been sharing specific foci that will support our Year 10 cohort in relation to their study skills. For our final edition of the term, I share the following three resources from ReachOut Schools. The term breaks gives an opportunity to reflect on the practices that all students and families have that will support the growth and development of these skills.

On behalf of the Year 10 Pastoral team, I wish all members of the Year 10 community a safe and happy term break. I hope the next few weeks give you the opportunity to slow down, reconnect and enjoy each other's company. Until our next newsletter, explore those intrinsic strengths that support you to develop and cherish your #innerexcellence.

It’s been a busy few weeks in the Humanities Learning Area. Sion hosted a local Parliamentary Convention which included students from Whitefriars College, Donvale Christian College and Kingswood College. In addition to the Convention, the Unit 2 Business Management students also ran a very successful Market Day, making a total of $1,656.30 profit, which they have donated to the Sisters who will use this to support the San Luis Lumad community high school in the Philippines. This is what the students had to say about their experiences.

Parliamentary Convention

The focus of the Parliamentary Convention was to make an informed vote at the end of the day based on the question 'Should a Treaty be prioritised over the Voice?'. Guest speakers from both sides of the argument included Members of Parliament and members of the community who identified as Indigenous Australian were brought in to inform students of their views and to answer questions to further clarify and solidify their decision making. From there, groups of students were asked to discuss and brainstorm their point of view and arguments amongst one another and come to a decision which would then be presented to the rest of the students to be debated in a Parliamentary style question time hosted by Dr. Matthew Bach, the Liberal state member for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region and Deputy Leader in the Legislative Council. Overall, the day was very intriguing and a very educational and beneficial experience especially leading up to the upcoming referendum on the 'Voice to Parliament'. Sienna A (11 Red)

The focus of the day was to form an opinion as a group and create a report based on our question 'Should a Treaty be prioritised over the Voice?. This particular question relates back to what we’re learning in our Year 10 classes, as we have recently focused on Treaties and the constitution. I enjoyed today’s activities, especially at the end when the Miriam Theatre was set up in the setting of parliament. It was really interesting, beneficial and fun to be in the seats of politicians presenting our viewpoint on the question ,and counter others opinion with questions. I feel like everyone attending really learnt a lot from our guest adjudicator Dr Matthew Bach, the Liberal state member for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region and Deputy Leader in the Legislative Council. As an experienced member of parliament he ran this activity and explained the whole process to us while making it fun and interactive. Ava D (10 Purple)

This event opened my eyes to a variety of views and perspectives on the topic 'Should a Treaty be prioritised over the Voice?' and helped me gain a better understanding of something that could soon change Australia's future. This new knowledge and understanding can be implemented in many areas, such as listening to different opinions in order to make an informed and educated decision on various subjects and how the Indigenous peoples have a great contribution to our land and home, and what the Voice to Parliament will mean for them now and in future generations. Ava K (10 Silver)

Business Management Market Day

From participating in the business market stall we were able to gain lots of experience from preparing and coming up with ideas for our business to the actual day where we sold our items. Once our group had come up with a business concept we started to figure out the cost of everything. We began to make our products, which took much longer than expected and we hoped someone would buy from us. Overall this was a great way to gain knowledge about how to run a business and all the steps involved with it. Liz C (11 Red)

From running our business market day stall, our group learnt the importance of conducting market research before establishing and running a business. Conducting market research in the form of a survey (which was sent out to the whole school) allowed us to understand what students were interested in purchasing from our stall and the price they were willing to pay for our product, which allowed us to cater the product towards our target market’s expectations, and ultimately contributed to the success of our business. We learnt the importance of working as a team and clear communication through this process, which are also significant factors for running a small business in the future. Michelle Y (11 Purple)

Year 9 Food Studies - Tastes of the World

During Term 3, the Year 9 Tastes of the World students have been working on their Design Folios. The Design Brief required the students to cook a dish that would be suitable to be served from a food truck at a seaside festival.

Each student selected a different country, and they had to work their way through the Design Process. This involved investigating, generating, producing, evaluating, planning and managing.

The assessment task challenged the students’ creativity, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of global flavours. Students especially enjoyed creating a visually appealing collage, producing their own labelled, sustainable package, and using digital tools to create an annotated drawing.

The day of the production was filled with excitement. The students worked safely and hygienically to produce amazing dishes that were authentic to their selected countries. They should be very proud of their achievements.

Student Reflections

In Year 9 Food Studies, Tastes of the World, we recently completed our design brief where we were given the opportunity to research a cuisine from a country of our choice and cook a dish from that country. I chose Pakistan as my country and was keen to try cooking a chicken rice dish commonly eaten in Pakistan called Chicken Biryani. During the cooking process, I was in awe of the aroma created by the mixture of whole spices. I enjoyed learning about other cuisines and it was an overall great experience. Bani K (9 Blue)

The design brief process was challenging but exciting as we carefully considered the requirements and guidelines. We focused on creating a visually appealing dish that was authentic to our chosen country and that could be prepared within the given time frame. I started by exploring the sweet and savoury dishes of Brazil as that was the country I chose and after much research and indecision, I chose Pao de Mel. This is a sweet made with honey, spices, and chocolate, with a dulce de leche filling. It was a very different experience when I made it, definitely not something I tried before, so I had lots of fun cooking the dish. Many people made lots of different dishes from around the world and they all looked really amazing. Cassie B (9 Blue)

Our Assignment in Food Studies this term was to compile a design brief for a recipe from a different country. It was really interesting and fun to research foods from different countries and think about how different those foods are from our own cultures. We were then asked to modify a recipe and create it in our practical class. Anria A (9 Blue)

Please see some of the delicious meals created by our students. These include (clockwise from top left) Babka (Poland - Abbey S, 9 White), Kaiserschmarrn (Austria – Alyssa R, 9 Silver), Raspberry Kiflice (Croatia – Sarah M, 9 Red), Coconut Pandan Rolls (Indonesia – Zara T, 9 Gold), Gozleme (Turkey – Sienna S, 9 Gold), Spicy Gochujang Fried Rice (Korea – Ashley W, 9 Silver), Empanadas (Spain – Emma D, 9 Gold) and Fez Kefta (Morocco – Ava M, 9 White).

2023 Sports Awards Night

The annual College Sports Awards Night was held on Monday 11 September. It was a night focused on celebrating our student athletes, and their contributions to Sport over the past year. We had the privilege to hear from our Guest Speaker, Ashleigh Brazill – Australian Diamonds World Cup Champion and Collingwood AFLW star. Ashleigh shared her insights about persistence, legacy, and attitude, which she has learnt over her illustrious career.

Throughout the evening Most Valuable Player Awards and Coaches Awards were given out in recognition of individual achievements. We also celebrated and acknowledged all our Premiership winning teams, students who were selected in representative teams and students who have represented the school in all three carnival sports. Congratulations goes to Sophie F (8 Blue) who was awarded as the Carnival Champion for 2023.

To conclude the night, we presented our Sportswomen of the Year who were selected for their commitment, skill and sportsmanship shown over the year. Congratulations to the following students:

Congratulations to all the Sport Reps and Individual Sport Captains who worked tirelessly over the past month to develop the evening into the celebration it was. A special mention to the College Sports Captains, Ally L (12 Blue) and Lara H (12 Blue), who organised and hosted the night with great success.

GSV Volleyball Finals

We had two Volleyball teams qualify for GSV Finals this term with our Intermediate C team and Senior team competing for the Premiership. Both teams displayed great enthusiasm and sportsmanship throughout the final’s day finishing 4^th and 3^rd respectively. Congratulations to players and coaches for their efforts.

GSV Track & Field Finals Night

Sion had great success at the Track & Field finals night. With many students qualifying for finals, the College was well represented over many different events. All students involved produced brilliant performances with many finishing in the top four of their events.

Congratulations to our medallists:

Erin M (9 Purple) – Gold in 800m, Bronze in 1500m
Grace N (10 Silver) – Silver in Shot Put

Another successful term of Sport at Sion! We look forward to seeing our Basketball, Table Tennis and Cricket teams in action during Term 4!

Managing stress

Towards the end of this term you may have noticed your young person's stress increasing. This can often happen at this time of year as topics are wrapping up and a number of assessments can all be due around the same time. Combine that with fatigue and a lack of motivation which can also be common around this part of the term.

It is important to remember that not all stress is bad, some stress is good. Stress is a normal part of life and without it we’d often struggle to get things done. Good stress is usually short term and can help to motivate us, and being stressed about something can show us that that thing is important to us. When we harness this good stress, it can help push us to do something and encourage us to rise to the challenge we are facing. Bad stress on the other hand can last for longer and tends to drain a person's motivation and energy, which can make it difficult to complete things and stay inspired. We often see this when there are a number of stressful things occurring at once.

How can you tell if stress is good or bad? There are a number of ways to do this, but the most helpful thing to do is look at what is causing you to feel this way. For your young person, a way to do this might be having a chat about it, or writing a list of what they have to do. If the stress has been more long term and doesn’t appear to have many reasons or triggers behind it, it could also be an issue with anxiety.

Here are a number of strategies (and discussion points) that can help with managing stress:

Make sure you have a balance: this includes balancing school, exercise, sleep, social and family commitments
Learning how to prioritise and manage time
Problem solving: understanding how to tackle a problem is really important in knowing how to manage the stress around it - ensuring you have the resources, information and right support etc
Learning how to relax when things do get stressful: this includes taking time out, practising mindfulness
Understanding when there is ‘too much’ stress: this can be a hard one even for adults, so it is a skill we need to help young people have. Looking at how their life is being affected (eating, sleeping, exercise, moods, emotions and motivation) is usually the most helpful way to tell if there is too much stress or good stress is turning into bad stress
Knowing when to seek help: this can be from teachers, from peers or from parents and carers.

Please find below some links which may be helpful to look at. If you have any questions or concerns about your young person, please feel free to get in touch with the Counselling Service via counselling@sion.vic.edu.au.

Newsletter | With a Grateful Heart

Important Dates

What's On

From the Principal

Acting Principal – Christine Kralj

Thank you 2023 Student Leaders

From the Deputy Principals

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission – John McInerney

Yr 11 Charism/Retreat day with Whitefriars College

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching – Allison Stott

Acting Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing – Paul Kerr

Self-Care Practices

R U OK? Day

Change Over to Summer Uniform – Term 4

In Remembrance

Year Level News

Year 12 – Leanne Anderson, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Year 11 – Beth Amos, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Year 10 – Adam Rieusset, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Oh what a night...

Fortnight's study skills focus

Year 7 – Stephanie Jones, Wellbeing and Growth Leader

Learning Area News

Science – Cassie Marsden, Learning Leader

Science Gallery Melbourne – DOHSA Excursion

Ayin – Rebecca Bennett, 7 – 10 Discovery Learning Leader

Discovery Learning

Student Reflection

Humanities – Sarah Chalmers, Learning Leader

Parliamentary Convention

Business Management Market Day

Suzanne Smith, Food Studies Teacher

Year 9 Food Studies - Tastes of the World

Student Reflections

Co-curricular News

Music – Martin Macaulay, Head of Music

Feeder Primary School Fete Performances

Year 7 Spring Concert – Save the Date!

Term 4 Music Soirees

AMEB External Instrumental Examinations

Upcoming Term 4 Music Department dates:

Sport – Naomi Linossier, Head of Sport

2023 Sports Awards Night

GSV Volleyball Finals

GSV Track & Field Finals Night

Learning Resource Centre – Margaret Lawson, Head of Library and Information Services

Careers and Pathways – Brooke O'Hara, Coordinator

Parent News

College Psychologist – Sofia Stagnitta

Managing stress

Parents' Association – Wrapping of the Roses volunteers needed

Parents' Association AGM Invitation

Sionians Spring 2023 Edition – Past Students' Magazine

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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