Saturday 3 June
Aerobics Finals
Monday 5 June
Year 10 and 11 exams continue this week
Tuesday 6 June
Talk and Tour
Friday 9 June
Correction Day (student-free day)
Monday 12 June
King's Birthday public holiday
Tuesday 13 June
Semester 2 classes start
Thursday 15 June
Year 12 GAT (General Achievement Test)
Year 9 Retreat
Friday 16 June
Social Justice Day
Our students have enjoyed a range of opportunities in the last fortnight including but not limited to our Languages Week cultural activities and competitions, the Year 10 Retreat which saw students deepen their understanding of the Jewish and Islamic faiths by visiting a mosque, the Jewish museum and a synagogue. Our Year 9 Music recital and VCE performance evenings where students showcased their learning for families and friends, our Year 8 and 9 Denise O’Hara Science Academy week long research project where Year 8 and 9 students bred fish and developed their understanding of genetics through the BioEYES program hosted by Monash University. Our inaugural Our Lady of Sion College Careers Expo which saw tertiary providers come to the College to offer advice and information to our Years 9 - 12 students and their families, and our Year 8 Retreat where students considered the important ways they can build positive relationships.
I hope that by sharing this information with families, parents and carers you can learn a little more about the experiences your children are offered at Our Lady of Sion College. Classroom learning is the foundation of school life, however as we know, learning occurs through a myriad of ways that can also effectively support personal development. In this regard, we see our role as one which works in partnership with our parents and carers.
As adults, we know that adolescence is a time that calls young people to increasingly make choices as they navigate their way in the world. Changing relationships, emerging challenges and to a certain extent, risk taking can define this time. It is a time when learning from one’s mistakes may also be a challenge. Within the context of the last few years, we recognise that our young people need additional support and guidance. As parents, carers and teachers we want the best for them. I firmly believe the best way forward is to face the challenges in a caring and pastoral manner that helps our young people to reflect on and learn from their choices. No one expects them or us to know everything or get it right all the time but together we can work towards a positive outcome. That is what an authentic community does.
At our Term 2 whole school assembly Chiara P (Social Justice Captain) announced that we had raised $3,713.40 for this year’s Project Compassion campaign. Congratulations to Chiara, our Social Justice student leaders and all students who contributed towards achieving this fantastic effort.
At the assembly we also welcomed Mr Kevin Crosato, current Secretary and Treasurer of the Sacred Heart Kew St Vinnies conference. Kevin presented and helped us to commission 25 students who will now form the inaugural Our Lady of Sion College St Vinnie’s conference. The students committed themselves to living out the Gospel message through their words and actions and making a positive difference in their world.
We also welcomed Uncle Glenn Loughrey, a Wiradjuri man who is a leader at the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University in Canberra as well as the chairperson of the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council, vicar of St Oswald’s in Glen Iris and artist in residence at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Melbourne. Uncle Glenn led us in the following beautiful prayer which he has written. He then engaged with Ella M (FIRE Carrier Captain) and Chiara in a Q & A reflecting on questions developed by our students.
God who listens,
Open our hearts to hear the gentle invitation of those without a voice;
Placeless and disposed of all that was theirs,
Instead of anger, revenge or blame,
They offer in their open hand absurd generosity,
An act of transformational forgiveness
From the centre of their being to ours;
May we sense the integrity of country speaking to country, body to body;
And find within ourselves the humility to accept and journey together,
To become our nation’s better future,
Resolving our colonial memory, Australia’s original sin.
As Jesus gave his body for ours,
Help us to receive and pass on this gift of new life,
for his name’s sake.
On Friday 26 May we also participated in the Whitehorse City Council Sorry Day Flag Raising Ceremony. Our FIRE Carrier Captain, Ella M reflected on this day.
On National Sorry Day, Friday 26 May, myself, Mrs Apostolopoulos, Ms Stott, Claudia R (11 Gold) and Isabel G (11 White) had the privilege of attending the Whitehorse City Council Sorry Day Flag Raising Ceremony at Nangnak Garden, in Nunawading. We attended this ceremony to recognise the impact of Australia’s historical practices, policies and attitudes towards Indigenous Australians. The ceremony was held to commemorate injustices and the survival of the oldest living culture in the world.
We were joined by Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Colin Hunter Jr, for a Welcome to Country and to hear his family's story of dispossession and the lasting impacts still seen today. The flag was then raised and we had the opportunity to walk around the gardens. This was an insightful day that highlighted the ongoing efforts for reconciliation and justice for Indigenous Australians. I am grateful to have been part of this important day and continued conversation. Ella M – Fire Carrier Captain
The theme for Reconciliation Week, which we have marked this week, is Be a Voice for Generations. My traditional Dialogue in the Principal session at our Term 2 assembly allowed me to speak with College Captains, Ava S and Bettina Z about their learnings at the College. They recently wrote the following:
Walking into the assembly, we felt nervous yet excited to share this dialogue with Mrs Apostolopoulos. Through discussing our growth and the changes that we have experienced, we learnt a lot about the importance of taking a hold of the vast number of opportunities that we see everyday and about the people that we surround ourselves with. Through lots of smiles and nostalgia, this experience was one that produced an outcome we couldn’t have predicted. With our topic being growth, we came to an unanimous conclusion that our main message for the community and for ourselves is that we are not alone. Change is incredibly scary, yet it’s so important as it provides each of us the chance to learn about who we are and who we are going to become. We are so grateful for this opportunity to share our thoughts with the College community and we hope that every person took something away from this. Ava S and Bettina Z – College Captains
I think you will agree that our students certainly have the capacity to be voices for generations.
With every blessing for the fortnight ahead.
Tina Apostolopoulos
So much work goes into the planning and preparing for our Retreat program at Our Lady of Sion College. As all would be aware, each year level participates in a Retreat Day once a year. We have recently conducted the Year 8 Retreat and last week, the Year 10 students participated in their Retreat Day – concurrently with their Jewish excursion.
As the person responsible for overseeing the Retreat program, I often go along and find myself wondering, 'Are the students getting anything out of this experience? Are they enjoying it? Are the outcomes that we were hoping for being met?'
Well, last Friday, Ms Tilley came into my office holding a large number of coloured post-it notes. She seemed very excited and wanted to know if I would like to read what had been written on the notes. (Apparently, the day before, when students had returned to the College Chapel, they had been invited to reflect on their Retreat and excursion and write down something that they felt they had learnt from the experiences. See the pictures below.)
Inter-faith dialogue is such a crucial part of the fabric of the Our Lady of Sion Charism. Our studies in Religious Education of the three monotheistic faiths support this – as does our Retreat to the Islamic Museum and Doncaster Mosque, together with the visits to the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, Jewish Museum of Australia and Synagogue.
So what did some of our students write on their post-it notes?
Outcomes met!!!
As an Educator, often the greatest learnings occur outside of the classroom. I was fortunate to attend the Whitehorse Council Sorry Day Flag Raising Ceremony with three of the students that I travelled with on the Indigenous Immersion in 2022. Clearly these students are applying their knowledge and understanding from this experience to their everyday lives. This is dialogue in action.
It has been fantastic in recent weeks to see learning in action both within and across learning areas. From the students in their Religious Education classes applying their Art and Design skills, the Science students applying their design thinking skills to solve problems, Ayin students applying their Religious Education skills to tackle social issues in a practical manner, this is curriculum in action.
I am not going to wish the Year 10 and 11 students luck with their exams, as luck has nothing to do with learning success. I do hope that they use their resources, reach out if they need support, and apply the feedback that they have received to take control of their own learning.
Families know that the process of subject selection is very rigorous at Our Lady of Sion College. A big thank you to the families (and students of course) who attended the 2023 Careers Expo which was a resounding success. Key dates for the subject selection process are outlined below. Please note that this does not include student focussed seminars as well as other opportunities.
We would like to bring your attention to an important matter regarding road safety for our students, particularly when crossing Dorking Road and Graham Place.
We have noticed some concerning behaviour among our students, as some of them have been attempting to cut across Dorking Road between cars instead of using the designated pedestrian lights. Sometimes our parents have been seen beckoning their child to cross before they get to the lights. This behaviour not only puts their safety at risk but also raises concerns among parents who have witnessed near misses.
Ensuring the safety of our students is paramount and we kindly request your assistance in reinforcing the importance of road safety with your children. When crossing Dorking Road, it is crucial for them to use the designated pedestrian lights.
Here's why it matters:
Additionally, I would like to offer some general road safety advice that you can discuss with your children:
By reinforcing these simple guidelines, we can collectively reduce the risk of accidents and create a safer environment for everyone. We appreciate your support in guiding your children to make responsible decisions when crossing Dorking Road.
Thank you for your cooperation. Let's prioritise the safety of our students together.
Our particular thoughts and prayers go to Erin K P (12 Blue) whose grandmother passed away, and to Jayde B (9 Red) whose grandfather passed away. Also, to Olivia D (12 Purple) and Emma D (9 Gold), whose grandmother passed away. Our thoughts also go out to Vanessa Cheng, College Psychologist, whose grandfather passed away.
We remember Erin, Jayde, Olivia, Emma, Vanessa and their families in a special way at this sad time.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.
Such a small word and yet so powerful.
The power to prioritise what matters, safeguard our values and health, and ensure safety lies in our ability to say no. As parents and carers of teenagers, saying no can be one of our greatest challenges. Adolescents naturally engage in risk-taking as part of their development, and our use of the word 'no' can guide them in the right direction.
I was considering times when I said no. For example; to buying an Xbox, attending a party, the use of social media, giving a mobile phone, going to a concert, or attending or having a sleepover. I know that when I was faced with the choice between denying my children’s requests and dealing with a potential meltdown or just saying yes, I may have at times opted for the easier path. I can certainly recall incidents when I should have said no and perhaps you can too.
I am sure you may well have experienced the constant nagging from your teenagers, the begging and pleading, and of course how every other parent in the world is saying yes! We want to be liked by our teenagers, but we also need to remember we are parents and carers, not their friends, and our role is to keep them safe and try and guide them on the correct path. Trust me, if you have teenagers at the higher end of teenage years, they will give you plenty of advice on saying no to their younger sibling.
From a teenager's perspective, hearing 'no' may mean missing out on exciting opportunities. At this age, they desire acceptance and the ability to participate in activities their friends engage in. The fear of missing out (FOMO) can become their greatest worry. They might worry about not conforming if the rest of their group are going.
So why do we need to say no? Adolescence is a period when young people try to find their place in the world. It's also a time when they are more prone to taking risks as they gain independence and test the boundaries we establish for their safety and wellbeing. 'No' becomes a valuable word when it is accompanied by teaching and learning about life. For example, some students have reflected in my office over how overwhelmed they are with school, and it is all too much. The cause is often their inability to say no as they are completely overcommitted in many areas of their lives. We can reinforce boundaries that give priority to their personal needs, which will reduce exhaustion and stress.
Saying 'no' to your teenager is essential for reinforcing your family values, boundaries, and expectations. As parents and carers, we must set limits to ensure their safety. How they react to these limits can vary greatly. Here are a few tips on saying ‘no’ to your teenager. Firstly, trust your intuition. I know I sometimes second guessed myself, and really, I needed to just stand firm. Always take a moment to consider and assess the situation before responding. Seek further information or advice if necessary. Be honest. It is important for adolescents to understand the reasons behind your 'no'. Share how you feel and if possible offer alternative options that are still acceptable. As our young people mature, they learn to make good decisions and in doing so, need the ability to negotiate and work with you towards compromises. There were times when my teens wanted me to say 'no' because it's the easier option and shifts responsibility onto me and not them.
We want our young people to be able to say 'no'. We want them to feel empowered to refuse friends who gossip, reject inappropriate social media posts, resist peer pressure related to alcohol, or drugs, and decline uncomfortable situations they find themselves in. We need to give them the language to say no when the need arises. For example, 'Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t right now, exams are around the corner'. The Vital Newsletter (No:15, May 2023), has examples, which could be adapted to suit young people’s situations.
Saying 'no' can be such a hard word to say, but eventually, your teenagers will work out that you are not trying to ruin their life.
As we draw near to the change over from the completion of Unit 3 studies to the commencement of Unit 4 studies, our Year 12 students are doing a fantastic job at working consistently to prepare for their upcoming SACs. It was lovely to hear from one of our Year 12 Maths teachers how this cohort have been extremely proactive in seeking out extra support from their teachers. I encourage students to continue reaching out for assistance when it is needed.
As part of the move towards Semester 2, the Year 12s gathered in the Chapel on Wednesday for a liturgy to reflect on the two units of school based RE they have been involved in: How can I be a true Daughter of Sion and How do I bring positive change to my world? The six Homerooms prepared a different part of the liturgy and it was lovely to listen to the common threads and values of the Sionian charism that the students have picked up on throughout their time at Our Lady of Sion.
Throughout the week you will have received an email outlining the process for ordering the Year 12 rugby tops. The details are all outlined in the email including a 'how to order' document from Reform Clothing. Could I please ask that orders be submitted by midnight on Wednesday 14 June.
I would like to conclude by thanking Brooke O’Hara, Careers and Pathways Co-ordinator, for her efforts in organising the Careers Expo on Tuesday afternoon. It was pleasing to see many of our students take up the opportunity to collect information and engage in dialogue with external providers from a broad range of institutions. In the conversations I had with students throughout the afternoon, it was great to hear the diverse ideas and pathways the students have in mind for moving beyond Year 12. Some students are still unsure and this is a perfectly normal feeling for students to have. We would just like to reassure our Year 12s that we are here to support them in any way we can.
Well done to those Year 11 students who have started their Semester 1 Exams this week. Throughout the past fortnight, the Homeroom team have worked with students in preparation for their exams. This has involved reviewing their overall study skills and reviewing the effective use of a variety of study habits.
Throughout the examination process, students must implement their own study skills - creating a study plan, learning how to prioritise their work, and overall time management to feel confident heading into each exam. The Homeroom team, subject teachers, and I have emphasised the importance of this process, as it is an opportunity to practice this Assessment Task format before the commencement of the Unit 3/4 exams.
We hope that students see this as a challenge and know that they are capable of success. The Year 11s get to determine how much effort they will put in, to meet their own goals or standards. Moreover, every student will have their own standard of what ‘success’ looks like to them. We have encouraged students to consider if their goals are realistic and achievable. What is something they would be happy with? Would they be proud of their efforts, to do their very best? We hope that Year 11 gives students the opportunity for trial and error, finding their place and to refine how they best learn. As parents/carers if you feel your child has not been able to study or prepare effectively for this assessment period, please reach out to the Homeroom team for further support.
For further information about the Year 11 Exam process, please refer to Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching Allison Stott’s communication (22 May 2023)
All the to best to the Year 11 VM students, who are commencing their work placement for the duration of the exam period. We hope this is a valuable and exciting experience at a new placement for Term 2.
We hope that your child goes well over the next week completing their final assessments!
Year 9 students are currently in the middle of assessment season and I would like to encourage parents and carers to talk to your child during this busy time and to remind them to use their College planner effectively to record homework and assessment dates.
I also encourage students to plan out their weeks. These are simple practices that will aid in supporting them with organisation and efficiency during these final weeks. Please continue to encourage your child to communicate with their subject teachers if they have questions before
it gets too close to the assessment being due.
I would like to take this opportunity to share an update about the ‘Days for Girls’ fundraising events taking place.
So far, Year 9 students have had an amazing Bake Sale event!
This saw over 70 Year 9 students bring baked goods, 20+ Year 9s assisting with the selling at recess and lunch and many many others bringing donations to purchase food on the day. The Year 9s have actually managed to break the all-time Sion Bake Sale record by raising $1,575,70. This is an incredible effort and a true display of teamwork, togetherness and community.
Our final two events will be a Period Pamper Pack Raffle, there are two hampers to be won and tickets have been sold throughout the week with the winners announced next week and a sausage sizzle will run towards the end of term for a final opportunity to raise much needed funds for ‘Days for Girls. It will be an exciting end to the term!
Finally, last Tuesday, Headspace came and spoke to students and addressed various issues.
I have listed the focus points from the session below:
I encourage all Year 9 parents/carers to have these important conversations at home with your child.
This week during our Pastoral lesson, we continued with the ideas raised in the Thinking Traps workshop by further discussing these traps and developing posters to display in Homerooms to summarise the key messages about each of these apps that send our brain notifications. Please refer to my last newsletter article for a summary of this content and how these conversations can be continued at home.
Staff have noticed that many Year 8 students are going to their lockers during class time to collect required materials. This should not be happening regularly, and we will continue to work with students in Homeroom to organise their materials for the day so that they are prepared for each lesson. Students leaving the classroom to get materials they have forgotten not only disrupts their learning, but also that of their peers. Please work with your child to ensure that they have their bags packed and materials organised for the following day each evening. The mornings are a mad rush at the best of times, so knowing this is under control can significantly reduce stress and the possibility of leaving something at home.
We are also working with students on being punctual to class, particularly Homeroom each morning. Homeroom is a busy time and there are often important messages being shared. Therefore, lateness can be disruptive and can mean they miss out on important information. Homeroom teachers will be closing the doors on the second bell and any student who arrives after this will be required to collect a late pass from student reception.
In doing this, we are hoping to build good learning habits that will benefit them in the future. Another way that we can foster positive learning behaviours is by being proactive when they are absent. Depending on circumstances, they need to do their best to keep up with learnings they have missed in a class by checking the Google Classroom, contacting a friend, or their teacher, ensuring that they don’t fall behind. This is particularly important when participating in extra-curricular activities like GSV.
Thank you in advance for your support and please reach out to your child’s Homeroom teacher or myself if you require any further assistance.
During last week's Pastoral session, each student was asked to consider their place and impact on the digital world. Students were first asked to develop a list of all applications that could be used to speak with or communicate with others:
It is certainly impressive to see how many ways are available for us to connect and communicate with each other, however this then poses the question: how are we ensuring that we are all partaking in respectful relationships in the online world?
Using examples of past viral videos, we explored how uploading, following, commenting, and sharing content of, or about others can have a negative impact. In the current cyber world, it is common to share content of our friends and family doing funny things or pulling ‘pranks’ on each other and then post these on our social media profiles. Students were given the opportunity to understand that sharing or interacting with this content could be distressing for the subject.
With reference to the ICT policy, we have at the College, students were asked to reflect on what advice they would give to others who may be experiencing a disrespectful online experience, or have their image shared without consent. It was fantastic to hear so many students discussing how to seek support from their peers, friends, and trusted adults such as parents, carers, extended family and staff members. If you are looking for resources to continue this discussion at home, please visit https://www.digitalthumbprint.com.au/parent-resources/
for more information.
Last week the VCE Legal Studies and Business Management classes had the opportunity to listen to guest speakers talk to them about aspects of their work, their career journeys and the relevance of their studies. Here are some reflections from the students:
Judge Liz Gaynor, is possibly one of the most accomplished, humorous yet just and perspicacious guest speakers that we had the honour of listening to as part of our Legal Studies content! To hear how her life, and her work, is transforming the foundation of judicial proceedings in the Victorian Justice System, is truly inspiring. Her anecdotes, witty comments, and ability to engage with a completely different generation, kept us all attentive and engaged in everything she had to say. It’s not every day that you get to hear from someone whose name is on the news, because of the important and life-changing achievements they do through their work, and for that, we are especially grateful to Mrs Miotello, and all those involved with inviting Her Honour here to Sion. To hear Judge Gaynor, a woman in what some may consider traditionally ‘a man’s job’, speak about her accomplishments, it teaches us to be people with voices and to define ourselves as individuals. We can all work towards bringing positive and fruitful change in our society, just like Judge Liz Gaynor. We thank Judge Gaynor, for making the time to speak to us, especially with a schedule as busy as hers. It is incredible how much motivation a simple incursion can stimulate. I even went home that night and told my family about how much I took out of the talk from Judge Liz Gaynor. Naya H (12 White)
It was a privilege to be able
to meet Judge Liz Gaynor and learn about her personal experiences and her
decade-long career in the criminal justice system. As an aspiring Legal Studies
student, it was so fascinating to learn about her career pathway, from working
as a barrister to becoming a judge in the County Court and how her perspective
of the law deepened and developed overtime. It was also really interesting to
learn about the processes she follows in order to reach a sentence and that
despite the challenges she has faced along the way, she is still incredibly
passionate about her job and her role in aiming to achieve justice for all. A
massive thank you to Judge Liz Gaynor and Mrs Miotello for this truly eye
opening experience! Amelia F (12 Gold)
Last week, Mrs Hill, Sion’s Director of Business Operations and Infrastructure, gave all the Year 11 Business Management students the opportunity to broaden our understanding of Sion and how it operates as a business. I really enjoyed listening to her background and learning about how Sion runs as a not-for-profit business. (Sophie McC, 11 Blue)
We can apply Mrs Hill's skills and experience in running a business to our future studies by linking the elements of Sion as a business to our research about what it takes to run a business. We can also recall what we've learnt from her as we look at future case studies and other businesses to apply our knowledge. (Tarlissa H, 10 Red)
On Wednesday 17 May, 26 Denise O'Hara Science Academy (DOHSA) students headed off to the Synchrotron in Clayton. It was an amazing experience being in such a unique facility and an example of Australian made technology. We learnt how it worked and the endless possibilities scientific research can accomplish when using the synchrotron.
I learnt a lot of new things about different kinds of x-rays and how fluorescent light and diffraction can be used for scientific research. I was especially interested in the story our tour guide told us about how light from the synchrotron was used to find treatment for a type of cancer. Marlee D (9 Blue)
Through this the possibilities of research are endless, and hearing some of the incredible discoveries of this project was inspiring, sparking my imagination of what I could achieve. Eliza A (9 Blue)
We conducted many experiments at the end of the lesson, which involved changing the magnetic field which had electrons inside, taking photos of lasers, and learning about magnetic fields. Overall, the synchrotron was a great experience, and I was grateful to have the opportunity to broaden my knowledge of synchrotrons and particle accelerators. Alyssia (9 Silver)
Our VCE Performance night was held last Wednesday 24 May with a wonderful turn out from community members to support our students. The Year 12 Unit 3 Drama class performed their ensemble performances based around a prescribed structure entitled The Divine Council of the Gods of Olympus.
There were three groups performing, each showing great focus and energy to a very complimentary audience. These works were the culmination of much dedication and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to the Year 12 class for their mature performance work!
Year 10 Drama students devised an original ensemble performance and presented their work to an invited audience on Thursday 18 May.
The girls responded to an existing script on Climate Change and impacts on the future.
Their 20 minute performance enabled our students to refine many drama skills such as researching, brainstorming, scripting and editing. Their application of dramatic elements, expressive skills and performance skills were very effective and appreciated by their audience. Well done Year 10 Drama students.
Year 11 Drama students responded to various character structures in the creation of solo performances presented at our VCE Showcase evening. Students chose the following characters to research, improvise, script and present to their highly appreciative audience.
Mary Poppins, The Concierge at the London Savoy Hotel, Santa Claus and The Eurovision song Contestant. The shared experience for Year 11 and 12 students created a strong and supportive environment and feedback opportunities. Well done to all VCE Drama students on a wonderful night.
Languages Week 2023 was a great success for the Language Department! It was fantastic to see students get involved and come together to celebrate the languages and cultures of China, Italy and France. All students embraced the three days of activities, and our Language students enjoyed a week of fun both inside and outside the classroom.
The winners of the 2023 Our Lady of Sion College Languages Week Competition are as follows:
Silver Award recipients
Bronze Award recipients
Students who scored first to third place will receive a voucher. Chanel T (10 White) will also receive a prize.
Congratulations to all students who participated in this competition and achieved excellent results, especially our prize winners.
During Languages Week, there were a number of different activities and opportunities for us to take part in, which enabled us to learn more about the culture, as well as the history of some of the languages offered at Sion. I was given the opportunity to partake in two incursions, as part of undertaking Year 10 Italian. The first incursion was based around an Italian cultural performance where we were told an inspirational Italian migration story and learnt various aspects of Italian culture, including 'La Tarantella' dance. The second incursion was for both the Year 10 Italian and French classes, where guest speakers from Melbourne University shared some of their experiences of studying languages at a university level and highlighted the importance of learning a foreign language in our world today. Overall, these two events were both fun and interesting, and we were able to learn a lot from them. Martina G (10 Red)
Languages Week is always a highlight of the school year and this week in 2023 did not disappoint! It provided students with the opportunity to immerse ourselves into learning about the Italian, French and Chinese cultures through their language, music, art and of course the food. The senior students were blessed to attend the Language Forum Incursion whilst the rest of the school engaged in activities such as Homeroom kahoots and buying donuts, gelati, crepes, croissants and fortune cookies. Overall, Languages Week was such an enjoyable experience, to be able to learn more about the languages offered at Sion, and it was a wonderful occasion for the whole school to get involved in! Amelia F (12 Gold)
Year 10 students had two special days last week where they had opportunities for meaningful dialogue with members from the Jewish and Islamic communities for both their Religious Education studies and for their Year 10 Retreat.
As part of the focus for Religious Education, students attended the newly renovated Melbourne Holocaust Museum and the Jewish Museum of Australia to support them with their important studies on the concept of Identity and Diversity and the concept of Humanity.
Whilst at their visit to the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, students participated in rich discussion about the events surrounding the Holocaust (1933 - 1945). Looking at artefacts, the students were encouraged to consider what life would have been like at this time for millions of European Jews and the devastating effect that anti-semitism had on them. Hearing the courageous stories and messages of hope from Holocaust survivors - Mr Abe Goldberg, Mr Joe Szwarcberg and Mr Paul Grinwald certainly had a huge impact on both students and staff who attended.
At the Jewish Museum, students spent time exploring various collections such as The Jewish Year Collection where students learnt more about festivals and events that take place across the Jewish year such as Shabbat, Pesach and Yom Kippur. They also spent time going through The Belief and Ritual Collection, and the Jewish History Timeline display. A highlight for the students was visiting the St Kilda Hebrew Synagogue which reinforced students’ understanding of Jewish ritual and sacred texts. The visit concluded with students participating in a Friday night prayer service where they enjoyed a special type of bread called challah and grape juice.
In his article this week, Mr John McInerney, Deputy Principal Faith and Mission, has reflected upon the Year 10 students’ retreat experiences at the Islamic Museum of Australia and the UMMA Centre.
Congratulations to the Year 9 Music class who last week presented the solo recital pieces on their respective instruments in a concert held in the Miriam Theatre. This formed part of their assessment for this elective subject.
I was a little nervous about performing in front of an audience, but the support from my peers and teachers brought out the best in me. Chantelle A (9 Blue)
The nerves at the start were definitely there, but there was a positive atmosphere given by the audience and the support from my classmates made it fun. Tilly R (9 Blue)
Members of the College Senior Concert Band have been working on a piece called ‘Salt March’ written by American composer Aakash Mittal. The piece, written for Wind Ensemble, musically reflects Gandhi’s non-violent protest against British colonialism in India in 1930. It weaves the rhythms of South Asian processional drumming with melodies from the Indian raga tradition telling the story of Gandhi’s march for freedom, which ultimately lead to India’s independence. Mr Parks arranged an on-line rehearsal via Zoom with Mr Mittal live from his home in New York.
Aakash gave me a new perspective on how to lead my section within Concert band – in my case the clarinets. His thoughts on breathing collectively to produce a musical phrase, which brought the individual parts more together. He also told us the significance of his inspiration in composing this piece – it really means a lot to him! Liv K (12 Red)
Last week’s rehearsal with Aakash Mittal gave the band some very interesting tips on singing our parts (before we play them on our instruments) and how that can help the overall rhythmic accuracy of the piece. Alessia D S (9 Silver)
Bookings are now open on Trybooking for the annual Music Department Ensembles Concert as part of Music Week. All OLSC ensembles, large and small, will be performing. It will run in two ‘acts’ according to the schedule below.
In Term 3, the large ensembles in the music department will be active at both the Monash Youth Music Festival and the Victorian Schools Music Festival. The schedule for each of our participating groups will be released shortly.
On May 26 the Sion community commemorated National Sorry Day where we remembered and acknowledged the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who were forcibly removed from their families and communities. This is especially relevant in reflecting upon our College theme for 2023, 'With a Grateful Heart'. Sorry Day allows us to reflect and understand the stories of those who are a part of the Stolen Generation and connect with our history.
During our Term 2 assembly, we commenced our celebration of National Reconciliation Week. This is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023, 'Be a Voice for Generations', encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise. The theme urges all Australians to use their power, their words and their vote to create a better, more just Australia for all of us. We welcomed Uncle Glenn Loughery, a Wiradjuri man and an Anglican Diocese of Melbourne's Educator and Advocate for the Voice. Uncle Glenn educated us on the significance of the Uluru Statement of the Heart and the importance of the upcoming referendum on the Voice for all Australians for many generations to come.
Some of our FIRE Carriers also attended the Aquinas College Long Walk for Reconciliation. Leanne Brook, the General Manager of the Long Walk Foundation and Cultural Affairs Officer at Essendon Football Club spoke of the importance of learning about our shared histories, connecting with our local indigenous communities and having conversations at home. Without acknowledgment and justice, there will be no reconciliation and we need to be proactive and encourage others around us to become allies in the quest for Reconciliation.
Ella M, our FIRE Carrier Captain organised the ball games, ‘buroinjin’ and ‘edor’ during lunch time. These games are played by indigenous communities around Australia. Students had the opportunity to test their skills and fun was had by all.
During our assembly, our St Vincent De Paul College Conference was welcomed into the St Vincent de Paul Society. Kevin Crosato from the Sacred Heart Kew Conference commissioned our local conference as members of the society. Kevin spoke of the determination of Frederic Ozanam who started the Society in Paris almost 200 years ago when he was a student himself and the impact that the Sion conference will have on the local community. Students read a pledge expressing their commitment to St Vincent De Paul to make a difference in the world by living out the gospel message through words and actions and by making a positive difference to their world.
We also launched our inaugural Winter Appeal to support St Vincent De Paul. We are asking for your help in donating new or good quality blankets, jackets and coats for distribution by the Society to those who desperately need it during the cold winter days and nights on the streets within our community. We ask that all donations are placed in baskets which will be located at student reception. Collection ends on the last day of term so please bring in your donations before then.
Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world. Roald Dahl (Author)
It was fantastic to see families at our inaugural Career expo this week. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to explore tertiary study, employment opportunities and have time to think about their journey.
Students and families can find the Fortnightly Careers newsletter here.
In this fortnight's newsletter there is information relating to:
Each year, one in four young people experience a mental health condition, and unfortunately most people in this group don’t reach out for support.
I want to draw your attention to some free webinars run by the Black Dog Institute.
For parents and carers of high school aged students:
Navigating your teen’s mental health: 45 minutes, Thursday 8 June at 5.00 pm. In this presentation, parents and carers will learn how to spot early warning signs of common mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. Parents and carers will also learn about when and where to seek help, how to have meaningful conversations, and how to support a young person they care about. Click here to register.
For high school aged students:
For other available dates for these webinars, click here.
