Newsletter | With a Grateful Heart

The highlight of the last fortnight is undoubtedly our beginning of year School Eucharist celebrated at St Patrick’s Cathedral followed by a shared lunch in The Treasury Gardens. The occasion was a fitting celebration to mark the 95^th anniversary since our school was established.

I would like to sincerely thank all students for the way they embraced this significant milestone in the history of our school and hope they enjoyed the time to come together as a community. For our Year 12 students the occasion was familiar as they were in Year 7 when we celebrated our 90^th anniversary in a similar fashion. Our current Year 7 students have much to look forward to as they will be in Year 12 when the school turns 100!

Thank you to all staff for the contribution each person made to ensuring a successful experience but in particular I would like to acknowledge the dedication and leadership of John McInerney, our Deputy Principal Faith & Mission and his assistant, Ann Day, and Bernadette Anderson, our Director of Organisation. Without their commitment and that of the staff they led, which included our Year 12 student leaders, the day would not have happened in the manner that it did. Our CVE and musicians led by Martin Macauley, our Head of Music and Janine Jones, our Voice teacher also ensured the Eucharist was a truly joyful celebration.

I would also like to thank Sr Mary Barbuto, Sr Mary Reaburn, Sr Mary Lotton, Sr Marianne Darcy, the Chair of our College Board Andrew Maxwell, Board Director Carolyn Gorry, and Carmel Crawford and Mark Walsh, Mission Co-ordinator and Formation Leader respectively for joining us on this occasion.

We were blessed to have Fr Mark Reynolds our College Chaplain celebrate Eucharist with us. Fr Mark encouraged us to reflect on all for which we should be grateful. He reminded us that St Patrick’s Cathedral is a sacred and welcoming space for all and that we are part of a rich history that reflects the dedication of those who have come before us including the Sisters who came to Australia to begin schools such as ours and St Mary Mackillop who devoted her life to responding to the needs of her times.

A reading from our Eucharist included St Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. It is an enduring message that I hope sustains us in 2023 and beyond:

'always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.'

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18

Another fantastic community day was the Swimming Carnival held on Tuesday. Congratulations to all students and staff for the fantastic House spirit that was clearly evident. Well done Carmel House for taking out the 2023 House Swimming Cup.

Open Day Invitation

Next Monday we begin our 2023 Talk & Tour mornings. This is a chance for families to visit our school and to learn what Our Lady of Sion College may offer prospective students. I am often told by our visitors that one of the highlights of the morning is the way our Year 10 Tour Guides enthusiastically and proudly showcase their school. So, I also take this opportunity to thank them for the service they provide. Next month we will once again host our Open Day. While this is another chance for prospective families to visit our school, it is also a chance for current families to come along and see the school and classes in real time. Please know that all are welcome. Applications for 2025 Year 7 are now open. If you are aware of any families interested in seeking a place at our school, I encourage you to make them aware of our Talk & Tour mornings and upcoming Open Day.

For now, every blessing for the fortnight ahead.

Tina Apostolopoulos

95 years ago was when the first Mass would have been held to celebrate the opening of Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill.

Last Thursday 16 February, was a significant celebration day for our College. Celebrating Mass is an integral part of our Catholic Identity so fittingly we gathered to celebrate our 95^th anniversary, with a special occasion Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral.

We were blessed to fill the Cathedral with beautiful music and songs performed by our talented students of the College Vocal Ensemble and musicians.

After mass, all students and staff walked to Treasury Gardens and had lunch together under the shade of the trees – it was a lovely sight to see.

Thank you to all those involved in preparing for this occasion and especially to our student leaders who did a magnificent job leading the students.

It was great to hear what student and staff felt after such a significant celebration:

I really enjoyed the mass and the singing was so beautiful. Sienna H (11 Gold)

I remember going to St Patrick’s Cathedral in Year 7, but it was so much better coming back as a Year 12 student. Sara D (12 Silver)

It was really good gathering together with the whole school in the gardens. Emma G (11 Purple)

I really enjoyed the mass and Fr Mark’s homily was fantastic. Staff member

The 2023 academic year is in full swing and students are already thinking about long term learning and assessments. As part of our responsive teaching approach, teachers actively review student data, make decisions about the best ways to approach learning new skills and knowledge, and then reflect on the success of that approach. Meanwhile, there is a lot that students and families can be doing to complement this process.

Practice Makes Progress

Our neural pathways are elastic and constantly changing and when we practise in areas in which we are not developed (for instance the metalanguage specific to each subject), we grow neural pathways. Even just a few minutes of practice each day for a period of time leads to improvement.

Building on your skills

Learning to play to your strengths is a life lesson. If you are good at visualising diagrams, transform your notes into a flow chart. If you associate different facts with particular colours, colour code your work. If post-it notes chunk learning for you into manageable pieces, stock up! Teachers are often good at identifying studying skills, so if you are not sure, ask the question.

Procrastination and Anxiety

Everyone feels uncertain when learning something new, especially when we feel like we are being judged on it. Anxiety is a message from our brains that tells us to get ready for action and sometimes stress prevents us from converting these messages into movement. Noticing this, and reframing the message, is a really good way to chip away at the uncertainty. Setting smaller goals and timelines is another good way to feel a sense of achievement.

Knowing where you are headed

Teachers provide Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for each lesson or lesson sequence. Using these to guide you in what you need to learn, and what mastery of this learning looks like, allows students to set their own learning plan. Ask questions like, do I know what it means to have this skill? Can I apply this knowledge? And make personal changes to the answers and seek the specific support that you need.

To read more about this, consult the work of Andrew Fuller.

Do more than belong: participate!

My newsletter article this cycle draws from the quote by William Arthur Ward

'Do more than belong: participate.

Do more than care: help.

Do more than believe: practise.

Do more than be fair: be kind.

Do more than forgive: forget.

Do more than dream: work.'

Participation can be a significant contributor to students' wellbeing and sense of belonging. Students who are involved in the life of the College outside of the classroom build a wider range of friends (often over several year levels), are exposed to mentoring of older students in leadership roles, tap into their interests and skills, and learn the gift of service to community that benefits all. In short, participation helps our young people to prepare themselves for the world outside and after school; building a sense of what good citizenship can look like.

Parents and carers interest in the Colours program often heightens at the end of the year when their daughter talks about whether they have got the correct number of points to be awarded a Colour but I encourage families to take the time to read the Colours information document (please click here) and talk positively about participation from the start of the year. Not just for the sake of Colours but for the significant role that participation plays in our students’ personal growth and sense of connection. Please remember that staff are under no obligation to find tasks for students to participate in at the end of the year to make up for a short fall of points in Term 4.

Our colours program is a wonderful way to recognise student talents, commitment to making the College a better place and celebrating the effort students put in. While Academic Colours may not be easily achievable for all students, each year I remind our community that it is important to note that Sion Community Spirit and House Colours are achievable by every student, every year, they just need to participate.

Transitioning Smoothly to Secondary School

Much has happened since the beginning of the year. Each Year Level has held an Information Night, we have celebrated our 95th Anniversary at St Patricks Cathedral, Lourdes have celebrated their Feast Day and we held our first combined House Day with the House Swimming Carnival. This doesn’t include GSV or rehearsals for the College musical. We have been thrilled to have many welcomes this year: the Year 7 cohort and a range of new students from Year 8 to Year 11. I would particularly like to add my welcome to the Year 7 students, whom I have had much pleasure working with on their first day of school and during the Orientation Day at the end of 2022. Another special welcome to the Sion One students, who have made the solo journey from their primary school to Our Lady of Sion College. I was in a similar position when I started high school, so I completely understand the challenges of this new and exciting beginning.

It is natural for students to feel some level of anxiety about starting at a new school. We emphasise that moving to Our Lady of Sion College is a natural progression in their education. The expectations, both socially and academically are not an unreasonable jump for most students, and hopefully after Open Day, Talk and Tours, Orientation Day and the first few weeks of school under their belts, they have a familiarity with their physical space. You may like to share stories about your high school days. I certainly did last year with my Year 7 class and will do so again. I shared the positives and differences of my schooling and the camp stories and friendships I had made along the way.

They may not find close friends straight away; however, they will have many instant acquaintances in their homeroom and in the Emmanuelle Learning Centre, where many of their classes take place. As the year progresses and the students participate in: their classes, Friendship Day on February 28, the music program, sport, House activities, art and creative competitions and of course the annual camp, friendships will naturally develop within their classes and the array of other co-curricular activities we offer at the College. However, even with the array of activities, new friendships do take time. Some suggestions I outlined on Sion One Day in 2022 to help with this are:

• Encourage your child to keep in touch with their old friends, so they feel socially connected. Different friendship groups are important rather than just one best friend
• Talk to your child about how to introduce themselves and start a conversation. Some children may need more support than others, depending on their temperament and social skills. Encourage your child to take a risk and say hello!
• It is easier to make friends with individuals than with a group, so often, having a chat in class or on the bus is more productive than approaching a large group
• Encourage your daughter to explore new opportunities such as music, sport or other co-curricular activities where she will meet like-minded students
• Seating is changed every two weeks in class to help the girls meet many new friends.

Throughout this year, the team will strive to give our students the belief, resources and capabilities to manage challenging situations. One of the keys, will be teaching them to be organised for the day, managing a locker that is not in their classroom, and a timetable that may take time to get used to. If possible, maintain as many routines outside of school that are familiar to your daughter including social activities she is familiar with. It is positive to have a wide range of friendships and this can be reassuring for our students when they share stories of their own new beginnings in different settings with their primary school friends.

There is no question that some students may feel uncomfortable letting go of what they know and love. This is normal and we don’t ignore it, we acknowledge it as normal human emotions and encourage the growth that can come in such an exciting year.

As you would be aware, our school community celebrated its 95^th Anniversary last Thursday at St Patrick’s Cathedral, followed by lunch at the Treasury Gardens. I could not have been prouder of the way our Year 12s conducted themselves and were such natural leaders for the younger students. I highlighted to the Year 12 students the special role they played in being the graduating cohort on this commemorative occasion.

Our Year 12 students also entered with great spirit and participation in our recent House Swimming Carnival. Congratulations to all students who were involved in the event and a special shout out to our House leaders who ensured the vibe amongst all students was a positive, inclusive one.

In amongst these special events I have been extremely impressed with the focused, committed manner in which our Year 12 students are applying themselves to their academic studies. It is great to see our students making the most of their study periods, seeking the support of their subject teachers and attending the afterschool study sessions that are on offer four afternoons a week.

The Year 12 students are off to a great start and as previously mentioned please do not hesitate to reach out if your daughter is needing extra support in any facet of their school life.

Well done to our Year 11 students, on making a strong start to the school year. After a few weeks, students are becoming more familiar with the day-to-day movements, classroom expectations, and study requirements for each subject. With so much change and ‘settling in’ to still happen, the Year 11 Pastoral Program for Term 1 will have a focus on transition, study habits, and setting strong routines.

We hope these sessions will provide your child with some strategies and points to consider, to support their own learning and wellbeing. How they are able to navigate the balancing act of study, work, social and family commitments will continue to take time. Students have been provided with a Pastoral Journal to document their Year 11 Pastoral journey. Students are encouraged to use this journal in their own way to reflect on their own experiences, thoughts and feelings regarding the set intention for each Pastoral lesson.

Throughout Lesson 1 that commenced on Wednesday 15 February and will continue on Wednesday 1 March: we looked at life transitions and how to navigate them. We reflected on our learning experiences throughout Year 10, to then set an intention for Semester 1 of Year 11. With these Pastoral lessons in mind, I would encourage you to ask your child about the intention they set for themselves. Work with them to hold them accountable for their learning and focus for this semester.

Furthermore Dale Hunter (Senior Learning Leader) has been able to share with the Year 11 cohort, the Assessment Task calendar for Unit 1. Students are encouraged to review these set deadlines, and plan their study surrounding busy assessment periods. Throughout Shatal and Pastoral, we will continue to work with our students to support them during this transition. Should you have any questions regarding VCE please contact myself or Dale Hunter.

Another fortnight has passed and the Year 9 students are settling well into the new school year.

The Year 9 students have received their Duke of Edinburgh packs containing information and forms that are to be completed by both parents and assessors.

We highly recommend that students get started on completing these forms as soon as possible as there is quite a lot to get through.

If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your daughter’s Ayin teacher or Mrs Rebecca Bennett.

The College also participated in this year’s House Swimming Carnival, it was fantastic to see so many Year 9s involved and this was a great opportunity to connect with others and have fun outside the classroom.

On behalf of the Homeroom teachers and Year 9 teaching staff, I would like to thank all the Year 9s for their great start to the term. It has been clear that many students have been applying themselves in the classroom, getting to know new people, listening attentively and respectfully at assemblies and Chapel and have also been respectful of their peers and staff. We would like to see this continue throughout Term 1 and moving forward.

We look forward to what’s to come and continue to promote our Year Level Theme of ‘Have courage and be kind’.

It has been wonderful to see the Year 8 students beginning to feel more settled and confident in the classroom, as well as making new connections with those they didn’t really know last year. Now that they have had a year at Sion, we are aiming to provide the students with greater autonomy in their learning and extra-curricular activities. Using the bulletin via SEQTA, our year level wall calendar, as well as a list of all the opportunities available to them in Semester 1, they are able to plan ahead to see what events and activities are coming up that they would like to participate in.

Last Tuesday during our pastoral lesson, the students were refreshed on the Zones of Regulation, which is a wellbeing framework to support young people with recognising and regulating their emotions as well as impulse control. It is important to note that everyone experiences all of the Zones—the Red and Yellow Zones are not the 'bad' or 'naughty' Zones. All of the Zones are expected at one time or another. The Zones of Regulation is intended to be neutral and not communicate judgment.

Following on from this, we looked at what makes us who we are, embracing our individuality and celebrating differences. A key aspect of this is understanding that we are all different and will naturally get along with some people, whilst finding others more challenging to connect with. This is normal and will always be a factor, the important lesson is learning to still be respectful and cooperative with our peers.

In addition to addressing self-regulation, over the course of the year, students will gain an increased vocabulary of emotional terms, skills in reading other people’s facial expressions, perspective about how others see and react to their behaviour, insight into events that trigger their behaviour and problem-solving/regulating skills.

A critical aspect of this program is to create a comfortable and supportive environment for the student to practise their self-regulation skills. It also helps the student learn the skills more quickly and be more likely to apply them in many situations. In the email that I sent to parents and guardians, I have provided more resources and information on how you can support this program from home. It may be something they are familiar with from primary school or something completely new. Regardless, we have tailored the program to our students and their particular needs.

If you would like to do any further reading on the Zones, please click on the this link.

We are coming closer to half way through Term 1 and it is wonderful to see that the Year 7 students feel more confident to make connections in and out of the classroom. The enthusiasm for embracing life at Our Lady of Sion College has been fantastic, from participation in the events of the Swimming Carnival to receiving their instruments for the Junior bands and ensembles.

It is exciting to see new friendships forming and students developing the skills to build relationships with others. Just a reminder that for some girls these friendships are still forming/beginning and will take more time – several students have made comments to me that they’ve found ‘friendly people’ but not yet ‘friends’. This is normal and students should be reassured of this and encouraged to continue making small steps. Parents are asked to talk to their children about putting time into fostering these new friendships and encourage them to continue speaking to new people, a simple opening is ‘Hi, how are you? My name is …’. The more this is done the easier it becomes.

To help students continue to grow and make strong connections with their peers, we have Chesed on Tuesday 28 of February for all Year 7 students. Chesed is a Hebrew word translating to Goodness and Kindness and replaces what we called ‘Friendship Day’. During Chesed, students will have the opportunity to come together as a level to learn about our similarities and appreciate our unique gifts and talents, as well as work through three sessions with our Wellbeing and Pastoral Teams.

Ayin City Experience

It is with great excitement and anticipation that the Year 9 students and staff prepare for the upcoming Year 9 City Experience. The program, which supports the Ayin curriculum, will take place between Tuesday 7 and Friday 10 March and see students engage in various activities around Melbourne’s CBD.

They will explore Melbourne’s history, culture, transport, gardens, civic institutions and geography, and develop their skills of independence and problem-solving as they take responsibility for punctuality, personal organisation, using public transport and employing initiative.

Alongside two days of scheduled tours around museums, galleries and sites of significance, students will begin with a Race Around the City competition to orient themselves within the CBD and conclude with a self-planned inquiry day to discover more about a chosen element of Melbourne.

Details about transport, uniform, meeting places and times, and what to bring have been sent home via the EdSmart platform for parents and carers. Students and parents and carers are also reminded about the disruption to train services on the Belgrave/Lilydale lines during the week of City Experience and are asked to plan accordingly. This resource may assist.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

In Ayin classes on Monday this week, our Year 9 students were signed up to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and provided with information and forms to support them in getting started. Their involvement in the Award will see them design their own program for personal growth, physical challenge and community engagement through the three sections of the Award – physical, skill and service. As students work to determine suitable activities, parents and carers are asked to support their daughter in their endeavours and are reminded that the Ayin teaching team is available should there be any queries. Forms for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award are due on Thursday 23 March.

It has been a busy start to the year for Notre Dame students. During Shatal and Gadal students were presented with the key points from the 2023 VCE/ VCE VM Handbook. This document is essentially our ‘rule’ book for the management of VCE/VCE VM at Our Lady of Sion College. All students have this handbook and a copy is available via the following link.

I urge all parents to read through this document as it outlines the policies related to such aspects of VCE/VCE VM as attendance, special provisions and authentication of work.

A note on Special Provisions for Unit 3 and 4 Studies:

Your child may be eligible for a type of special provision called ‘Special Examination Arrangements’ if they have a chronic condition which has been diagnosed and currently under the management of an external medical professional. A successful application will approve varying conditions that will be applied to the GAT and final examinations and is a VCAA decision, not a school decision. The application for Special Examination Arrangements involves a report which must be completed by the treating medical professional and a report which is filled out by the school which cites school-based evidence related to the condition. The deadline for the lodgement of this application is 29 March. If you believe your daughter is eligible for this type of special provision and you do not have the required forms please ask you daughter to come and see me or email me at the College. If you have the forms can I ask that you have them completed and returned to me as soon as possible.

Whilst applications for chronic conditions close on 29 March, there is the provision to apply for Special Examination Arrangements during the year if a new condition or situation presents itself where there is no prior evidence. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time if you would like to discuss this further.

Science@Sion has had a busy start to 2023 with practical experiments well underway. Year 7 has been looking at science equipment, Year 8 at Space, Year 9 thermoregulation and neurons with the STEAM class looking at our Flipbots. The Year 10 students have looked at firework colours and the process of mitosis, 11s covalent bonding and 12s combustion, synapses and DNA and protein! We have been busy!

As part of resetting in 2023 we are instituting a Science laboratory safety and rules contract for all students. Should you wish to view the contract it can be found in the google classroom.

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is a traditional feast day that falls on the day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. The Social Justice team sold pancakes and Hot Cross Buns for a gold coin donation. It was a great way to begin our Caritas Project Compassion campaign for 2023.

Project Compassion

On Wednesday, the season of Lent began with Ash Wednesday, which also marked the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

Project Compassion is built around the theme of ‘For All Future Generations’. This theme asks us to reflect on the great yes that Mary said when the angel told her that she was to become the mother of Jesus. She freely accepted a unique place in the history of the human family. The great prayer she shared with her cousin Elizabeth, says ‘all generations will call me blessed.’ Her yes is ‘for all future generations.’ During Lent we encourage the Sion community to put your compassion into action by making simple lifestyle changes and taking action for social and environmental justice.

Social Justice representatives will visit Homerooms every Tuesday and Thursday during Lent to collect donations. Students are encouraged to give all they can, in donations and prayer throughout Lent, to assist in the work of Caritas around the world.

Seeking Donations for Project Compassion Easter Hampers

The Social Justice team are kindly asking for donations for Easter hampers which will be raffled off to raise funds for Project Compassion. Donated items could include:

• Easter eggs
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Tim Tams or other chocolate flavoured biscuits
• Anything chocolate

Your donations can be placed in a basket which will be located in student reception by March 10. Last year we raffled off six hampers and were very successful.

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase from the week beginning March 20. More details to follow shortly.

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

Save the ASRC Emergency Appeal

During Term 2, we support the ASRC by collecting non-perishable food items and donating these to their Foodbank in Footscray. ASRC is an independent human rights non-profit organisation whose programs support and empower people seeking asylum. They receive no funding from the government and are solely dependent on donations to run these programs. As with several organisations and groups within our society, due to increasing cost of living prices and inflation, their public donations have decreased by 45%. If your family would like to help the ASRC to keep their doors open, please donate by visiting their website.

Top Achievers' Assembly

It wouldn’t be a Top Achievers' Assembly without some awesome music and even with the short amount of rehearsal time, our musicians shone to make this assembly extra special. Congratulations to members of the Senior Concert Band (Mr Parks) who played the fanfare, CVE (Mrs Jones) who were great with their rendition of ‘Vertitas in Caritate’, and Ella C (12 White) and Sareana B (12 White) who performed a fantastic interpretation of ‘My Mind’, accompanied by Mr Gregory on guitar.

Opening School Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral

What a thrill it was to be part of such a special day to commemorate the 95th anniversary of Our Lady of Sion College. The Opening School Mass at St Patrick’s was such a special place and the senior musicians, singers and music staff all prepared and presented music throughout the duration of the Mass. It was great to hear so many students singing along during the Mass.

Music 2023 Ensemble Rehearsals – EdSmart Permission Forms

It’s fantastic to hear so much live music being played around the school. Parents with students involved in before/after school ensembles are reminded to please confirm their attendance by responding to the EdSmart email for the respective ensemble.

Year 7 Music Program

Over the last two weeks, Year 7 students have been trialling a range of instruments in their Music classes. Some of their reflections were:

• The teachers are really helpful (and expert) on the instruments and made it really enjoyable. My favourite was percussion. Bethany R (7 Blue)
• I tried some different instruments – violin and voice are really different, but super-fun! Cassidy H (7 White)
• I didn’t know what a euphonium was until I tried it – I’ve really enjoyed getting to know how to use it. Georgie S (7 Gold)

There is much excitement as all Year 7 musicians have received their instrument allocation for the year and have started learning their first notes. Please note the starting dates for the compulsory ensemble rehearsals:

• Year 7 Junior Concert Band 1 (Monday mornings 7.20 am – 4.20 am). The first rehearsal is Monday 6 March
• Year 7 Junior Concert Band 2 (Tuesday afternoons 3.25 am – 4.25 pm). The first rehearsal is Tuesday 7 March
• Year 7 Junior Strings (Wednesday afternoons 3.20 am – 4.20 pm). The first rehearsal is Wednesday 15 March
• Year 7 Junior Choir rehearsal time and first rehearsal date TBC.

Sion Sport has hit the ground running in 2023 with our indoor cricket, softball and tennis teams all beginning their seasons. There have already been many highlights during competition, including our Junior A Indoor Cricket team winning by one run on the final ball! Alongside our weekly sports, our swimming and diving squads have been putting in the hard work leading into their preliminary carnival on Friday March 3. Many members of our carnival teams will also be competing in the GSV triathlon on Sunday 26 February. We look forward to seeing how they go!

House Swimming 2023

On Tuesday the House Swimming Carnival was held. There were many opportunities on offer including House cheering, diving, swimming and novelty events. There was much excitement leading up to the day, especially for the Year 12 students in that they were able to showcase their costumes. Although the day was cloudy to begin with, the sun came out just in time for all the relays where the teachers took out the staff vs student race.

This year we had the closest scores in history with Fatima coming second to Carmel by only 43 points, allowing them to take out their 23rd consecutive win. Lourdes came away with the House cheering cup.

A massive thank you to all the sports staff, especially Miss Linosser who put in the time to organise the day, as well as the House Captains and Ms Tilley who organised relays, novelty events and house cheering during the carnival. Ally L (12 Blue) and Lara H (12 Blue), Sport Captains

GSV Golf

Congratulations to Layla N (9 Red) who represented Sion at the GSV golf tournament where she competed against students of all ages and finished a fantastic 5th place. Layla has shared her thoughts on the day:

GSV golf could be something I’ll never forget. It was one of the best experiences in my life of golf. The course had beautiful, grass and a well-maintained garden. The golf group I was competing against were so supportive, we cheered for each other. I wish I could get to know them more. Our amazing staff members who walked the 9-hole course with us (Miss Linossier and a coach from Siena) made great entertainment for the group which made our experience so much better and less nerve-wracking. I had so much fun. It will be so great for others to try out because it's worth the experience (not that I am forcing anybody) but I just loved it and came home having a nice feeling in my heart. Layla N, 9 Red

Key Sport Dates

Last Tuesday 14 February, we had a wonderful Library Lover’s Day Celebration. You might have seen the photos on the school’s Instagram or Facebook page.

We had our 'Blind date with a book' event, where students could borrow a book based on the description on the front of the book. We had over 80 books borrowed in one lunchtime.

Students are encouraged to take a risk and borrow a book based on the keywords on the front of the book. We also asked students why they loved their Sion Library …

… I love my Sion Library because they encourage my love of books. Grace B (9 Red)
… I love my Sion Library because you can get lost in a book, into another world, to escape the negativity around you. Addison W (7 Red)

Community Spirit Points for reading

Students who borrowed a book during the 'Blind date with a book' event are encouraged to read the book and then write a book review about the book. If the student has made an effort to read and properly review the book, they will receive a community spirit point for their participation.

When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening. That’s where your power is. Author unknown

Students and families can find the fortnightly Careers newsletter at https://olsccareers.com/important-information/school-newsletters

In this fortnightly Newsletter there is information relating to:

• Upcoming Events: Year 12 RSA course, Year 10 Work Experience assistance, Discover Monash Seminar Series
• Career in the Spotlight: Non Emergency Public Transport
• Things to consider: Year 12 Careers Appointments, Year 10 Work Experience, UCAT
• Research ideas: ICanMed - Free online student guide.

Welcome to 2023!

Do you enjoy writing for fun? Do you wish you had more time to do it at school? Do you fancy yourself as a budding author?

Well then, have we got the club for you! Come along to Sion Writers Club for 2023. Meetings will occur Friday Week B in the Learning Resource Centre. Meet new people, make new friends, and share a love of writing!

Our first writing competition is the 500 word Summer Time writing competition. A piece of writing that has to have three words within the body of the piece. Join up to the 'Writer’s Club' Google Classroom and submit your story. Check the Bulletin for the Google Classroom Code.

Keep an eye out on the bulletin for notices regarding our writing meetings where we will have opportunities to write, explore and talk about what it means to be a writer.

We look forward to seeing what you write!

House and Student Leadership Report

What an energetic start it has been to the House and Student Leadership program in 2023! We kicked things off with the Lourdes Feast Day, seeing Lourdes Captains and Representatives lead the College in a celebration of their House. It was beautiful to see the Houses each meet in the morning for House Homerooms to hear about the history and values of Lourdes.

Our next House event was the House Spirit Day which is a new initiative created by the 2023 House Captain team. This lunchtime event saw students from Year 7 pair up with Year 10s to get to know each other, then participate in a rock, paper, scissors competition – with Carmel’s finalist being the ultimate champion.

Finally, a key event in the House Calendar – the House Swimming Carnival – was held this week. It was a day full of House Spirit, made even more energetic through the enthusiastic cheering that returned this year. Congratulations to Lourdes for winning the House Cheering Competition, and to Carmel House for continuing their 23-year streak of winning this event.

Students across the leadership portfolios have begun meeting and creating initiatives with their Captains and supporting teachers. Year 7 students will be introduced to leadership opportunities in the coming weeks.

We hope that everyone is starting to settle into the routine of being back at school.

Adolescence is a time when young people may experience challenges, and sometimes these challenges cause concern and distress. During these times, students at Our Lady of Sion College are able to access the Counselling Service. The Counselling service is available to students seeking support for mental health issues, school and learning concerns, stress management, family and friendship problems, bereavement, social skills and any other personal issues they may be facing. Students can self refer, be referred by their parents and/or by staff members at the College. The Counselling Service is voluntary, personalised to each student and offered on a confidential basis.

The Counselling Service is available Monday to Friday and appointments are available before and after school, during recess and lunch time, and during class throughout the day. There are four College Counsellors in the team, Vanessa Cheng (College Psychologist), Sofia Stagnitta (College Psychologist), Pamela Ioannidis (College Counsellor) and Claire Jenkins (College Psychologist).

If you would like to contact us, please email Counselling@sion.catholic.edu.au or phone us on 9890 9097.