Year 11 Formal (Year 11 students dismissed at lunch)
Monday 17 July
House Cupcake Competition
Year 10 Ballroom Dancing Program commences 4.00 pm - 5.00 pm, Our Lady of Sion College
Parents’ Association Meeting
Wednesday 19 July
Carmel Feast Day
Thursday 20 July
Year 7 Retreat
From the Principal
Principal's Message
Our Lady of Sion College celebrates its 95th
Birthday
This week, each student and staff member was presented with a 95th anniversary badge. According to our archival records, Our Lady of Sion College opened on 5 June 1928. Given our Year 10 and 11 students were in the midst of their semester exams last week, we chose to delay the distribution of our commemorative badge until all students were back onsite this week.
The College began with six Sisters of Our Lady of Sion and 15 students. At that time the College started in a stable block which was part of a homestead. Box Hill was a small hub within a fairly rural area with market gardens making up most of the surrounding area. The Sisters had come from Sale to establish the school and were well used to rising to the challenges of starting a school from scratch. The Sisters displayed great faith, hope and tenacity in refurbishing the stables into classrooms for the children of the local area.
Archival documents and media reports from the time tell us a great deal about their courage and vision. Some snippets from the House diaries tell us:
'Archbishop Mannix had mentioned to the Sisters while visiting in Sale that they should have a presence in Melbourne as their work would be much appreciated there. Towards the end of June of 1927, Fr Lonegan advised the Sisters to visit Box Hill, a new suburb of Melbourne which was soon to be established as a parish. On their first visit, the Sisters were impressed by a fine property situated near the church, with spacious grounds. The buildings they saw could be converted into a convent and classrooms.'
In the Advocate of 1928, we read 'this is the first secondary school to be established in the archdiocese of Melbourne by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion and it is expected that parents who appreciate a good convent education will avail themselves of this excellent opportunity of securing for their children a thorough training – spiritual and educational – that will adequately fit them to take their place in the world'.
And finally in 1936 after the construction of a new building (that currently faces Whitehorse Road), Fr Clack the Parish Priest at that time doubted if many institutions would cheerfully face a heavy responsibility of 14 000 pounds as the Sisters were doing. When he asked one Sister how much money she had in hand, she replied she had no more than two pence. He said, ‘you cannot do much with two pence' to which she replied, 'God will do the rest' and he did.
I think Fr Theodore who founded the congregation would also be amazed to know what he established in France in the 1800s has been as far reaching as it has. Fr Theodore died in 1884 and within six years, the sisters were already in Australia opening schools in Gippsland.
There is a great sense of pride that the Sisters and staff feel at this time. 95 years of Catholic education is a great achievement. The work and charism of the Sisters are as important today as they have ever been. The values of compassion, inclusion, welcome and love for the other and the pursuit of justice and peace have always been hallmarks of our school.
We are grateful to be continuing the legacy established in Box Hill 95 years ago and handed down through the contribution of past principals, hundreds of past staff and thousands of students and their families who have all enriched the story that is Sion.
There is a line in our Mission Statement that I find particularly inspiring and points to the many possibilities our work serves. It paints a picture of great hope when it highlights:
These young women will be offered opportunities that will enable them to become individuals filled with hope, who speak to the divine within themselves and beyond their imagining.
This year, we celebrate the 95 years of dedicated service of the Sisters, staff, students, and families who have come before us imagining a future of which we are now a part.
With a Grateful Heart
In the spirit of our 2023 College theme, I thank all who have made this another very successful term. We have certainly accomplished a great deal in the last few months.
Congratulations to all our students for the way in which they have approached the peak time for assessments and examinations. I hope the semester reports will provide you with the opportunity to acknowledge your achievements so far. I also hope the reports provide you with a chance to reflect and set meaningful goals for the remainder of the year so that you continue to achieve and progress.
I also extend my gratitude to our dedicated staff who create the opportunities for our students to learn and develop.
Finally, thank you to families who have let me know they have written to our Local MPs voicing their concerns about the proposed payroll tax. I am grateful for your support.
With every blessing for the remainder of Term 2 and I look forward to seeing our students and staff return on Monday 10 July.
Tina Apostolopoulos
From the Deputy Principals
Deputy Principal Faith and Mission – John McInerney
Earlier this term, a survey went to all parents from the three Deputy Principals and our Careers and Pathways coordinator. The survey was in relation to our current Parent/School partnership programs and invited feedback about what other parent forums may be of interest.
On behalf of Mrs Kralj, Mrs Stott, Ms O’Hara and myself, can I thank all parents and carers who completed the survey and provided us with such rich and important data. Feedback such as this is vitally important as we continue to focus on Student and Community growth.
The schools Leadership Team has recently spent time analysing the data and we are pleased to be able to continue to offer many opportunities for parents to engage in at the College, which have proven to be extremely beneficial and which families have told us they value. Some such areas are Student Progress Meetings, Parent Information Evenings, Formative and Summative Assessment Information on Seqta, Individual Student/Parent meetings with Careers and Pathways coordinator, Year 7 Family Mass etc.
Based on feedback received, we recently conducted a ‘Post School Tertiary EXPO’ afternoon that was open to students and families for Years 9 - 12 students and families. This was a wonderful initiative that gave our families the opportunity to gain information on a variety of post-school areas of further learning and career choices. Coming up we will have the Subject Selection Expo and the VCE/VM Subject Selection Evening on Monday 19 June and the Year 10 2024 Subject Selection Evening on Tuesday 20 June.
Next term, we will again offer parents the chance to be a part of the ‘Tuning in to Teens’ program which may assist parents in supporting the wellbeing and growth of their daughters.
We thank you again for your feedback and look forward to offering further opportunities in the future that can see our school working in partnership with our parents.
Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching – Allison Stott
Looking back over the Semester
The new semester is a great opportunity for a refresh and reboot after the feedback from the assessments or exams. Some questions to focus on at home might include:
What was the highlight of the semester? What made this so good?
What may have been the lowlight of the semester? How did this make you feel? What could you do differently to turn it into a positive experience?
Were there any times during the semester that you had questions and you didn’t know how to move forward? What could you have done?
Were there any points where deadlines and due dates got on top of you? Do you think this was to do with your forward planning? What could you do differently to assist with this?
How have you set up your physical and electronic notes? Do you feel like you have a file structure that works, can you find things easily?
Executive Function is a set of metacognitive skills that can be developed. Chatting about these ideas can be a great place to start these conversations.
2024 Subject Selection
Families will now have access to the 2024 Subject Selection Handbooks on our website, as well as the parent evenings and the Subject Selection Expo, which are all designed to support your planning at home.
While it is best to consider Years 11 and 12 as a two year program, the 8-10 selections are intended to provide students with a taste of what the subjects are like and so a breadth of subjects is a good idea.
If you have any questions about the process, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College.
Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing – Christine Kralj
Celebrating the Introverted Child
As we continue to support our students in their academic and social development, it is important to recognise and celebrate the diversity of personalities and learning styles among them. One such personality trait that we may encounter is introversion.
Introverted students tend to be more reserved, listen more and speak less, and are reflective in their behaviour, while extroverted students are more outgoing, share opinions and ideas, and are expressive. However, it is important to note that neither trait is superior to the other, and both have their own unique strengths and challenges.
Academically, introverted students often excel in subjects that require solitary work and focused concentration, such as reading, writing, and research. They may struggle in group projects and classroom discussions, as they prefer to process information internally before expressing their thoughts. Extroverted students, on the other hand, thrive in collaborative environments and may struggle with independent work.
Socially, introverted students may have fewer friends and prefer one-on-one interactions or small group settings. They may struggle with public speaking and large group activities but can be excellent listeners and empathetic friends. Extroverted students, in contrast, tend to be more comfortable in social settings and may struggle with solitary activities but can turn others off with strong sometimes unfounded opinions or actions that place them in the spotlight.
As educators, we strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their personality type. Here are some tips for supporting your introverted child at school:
Provide opportunities for quiet reflection and independent work
Affirm that the way they like to learn is ‘OK’ as long as they are understanding the schoolwork, make a contribution to the learning environment of their classes and getting the support they need
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and ideas in writing or through one-on-one conversations with teachers
Value the role of a few good friends in your child’s life rather than measure their social success by the number of friends they have
Practise the skills of self-advocating with your child so that they have a voice in group projects or classroom discussions
Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities that align with their interests, such as sport, art, or music
Celebrate your child's unique strengths and accomplishments and help them build confidence in their own abilities.
Thank you for your ongoing support in helping us create a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
Wishing you and your family a healthy and joyful fortnight ahead.
International Men’s Health Week – 12 -18 June
It’s International Men’s Health week – where awareness is raised about the importance of men looking after their general health, mental health and overall wellbeing.
Hereis a useful podcast for men and dads in our school community from ‘The Fathering Project’. Listen to Dr Jason Frishman discuss fatherhood, masculinity, and the importance of mateship amongst men, and especially fathers.
Year Level News
Year 12 – Leanne Anderson, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
As Term 2 draws to a close I would like to thank and congratulate the Year 12 students on their efforts in completing their Unit 3 studies. The students have made a smooth transition into Semester 2 and commencing their Unit 4 studies. I also wish to thank you as parents for the support you are giving your daughters and the Year 12 teachers who are working tirelessly to guide your daughters through their Year 12 journey.
The GAT was sat on Thursday 15 June and again the students approached it in a calm and diligent manner.
On Tuesday 20 June in our Pastoral lesson the Year 12s will be having a professional photo taken of the whole year level. I ask that all students are present for this important piece of memorabilia and that all students are wearing the college uniform in line with school regulations for this photo. Following the photo, the Year 12s will gather for a morning tea in the lower Notre Dame area to celebrate reaching the end of Semester 1. Each Homeroom has been allocated some food or drinks to bring along for this occasion. If your daughter was absent when this was announced at our last assembly the list has been posted on our year level google classroom.
During the holidays John McInerney and myself will be composing an informative email regarding the celebrations that take place for our Year 12 students in Term 4. In particular, the Valedictory Mass and Dinner that is calendared for Friday 17 November at Marvel Stadium.
As the students enter into the holidays, I understand time will need to be allocated to productive study, but it is also really important that the students find time to rest and recharge in preparation for a busy Term 3.
Thanks again for your ongoing support.
Year 11 – Beth Amos, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
What a massive achievement that the Year 11s have reached the end of Semester 1!
For VCE students they have undertaken their Unit 1 subjects and completed their assessments and coursework for their subjects. For VM students they have participated in a variety of subjects, developing work related skills, and completing work placements and VET subjects. We encourage the Year 11s to consider what their achievements were throughout Semester 1, what did they learn about their progress and potential in their subjects, skills, and learning. As well as their own personal achievements, to be proud of.
For the remainder of this term the Year 11s have started their Unit 2 subjects, some with slight changes to subjects and teachers. Others are continuing their learning for Unit 2 - with a strong consideration of subjects for 2024.
Subject Selection
With subject selection just around the corner, students have a few things to consider:
We encourage students to consider the subjects they are enjoying or what subjects they see as a valuable learning experience?
Are there any subjects they need as a pre-requisite for their anticipated post-school pathway?
Students can talk to their Homeroom teachers for general advice
Students can talk with their subject teachers about what the courses cover for 2024
Students can ask their subject teachers about their abilities, strengths and pursuit of the subject for Units 3-4
Students can book an appointment with Brooke O’Hara, via the Careers website to discuss potential options, as well as any necessary pre-requisites for tertiary settings
Refer to the Subject Selection handbooks, available via the College website.
Ultimately, we want students to feel they have made an informed decision for their VCE subjects. We hope that these decisions are made in a way that leads them with focus, continuity, and success in their learning throughout the remainder of 2023, and for 2024.
Looking ahead to Term 3:
Year 11 Formal (Friday 14 July, Week 1)
Student leadership 2024 applications
Pastoral with a focus on Respectful Relationships curriculum (more information to come).
We hope your child has had a successful Semester 1 and that your family has a restful term break! Stay safe and well.
Year 10 – Adam Rieusset, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
Congratulations to all Year 10 students for the way you conducted yourselves during the recent Semester 1 exam period.
Throughout this time we spoke about the importance of:
Being calm
Communicating in a clear and calm manner
Arriving on time to all exam sessions
Ensuring that all students had all the required materials for each exam.
And without a doubt our Year 10 students did all of the above exceptionally well.
We also continued to speak about:
The importance of preparation
Refining the strategies around study, sleep, exercise and nutrition, that supports optimal performance
Doing the little things well, such as, lining up for exams, going through our checks, walking into the exam room and settling in
Ensuring that we learn the skill of keeping to time during our exams.
What was pleasing about the above points was the way in which all students took these challenges on board. They learnt what works well for them. It has, and will continue to take, a trial and error approach, but these exams showed a genuine willingness from the cohort to discover what this will look like.
Over the next week our students will receive feedback on their exams. It is during this time I encourage all Year 10 students to discuss what the feedback is telling them. Look for the main topics and themes that they are presented with. It could be that they need to read questions more carefully, show their working out, ensure that they answer the question they are asked or to use more specific terminology. No matter the trend they identify, think of one action they can take to help improve this. It could be asking more questions in class, proactively engaging in class discussions, reviewing their class work each night or asking for more assistance when they are unsure of a topic. No matter what strategy, set that as a mini goal that they can work on for the first four weeks in Term 3.
New Beginnings
As the Year 10 cohort commence the Semester 2, I ask for the community's support to ensure that we (Year 10s) continue to hold each other to high standards by ensuring that we:
Wear our uniform correctly
Present correctly
Arrive to all classes on time
Have all required materials to each class
Treat each other with dignity, pride and respect
Actively engage in our learning
Seek feedback and act upon it
Are proactive in all that we do
Pursue and engage with continued development and understanding of our intrinsic strengths.
Upcoming events
Term 3 Week 1 - Monday 10 July - Friday 14 July - Work Experience
Monday 17 July Ballroom Dancing program commences, 4.00 pm - 5.00 pm at Our Lady of Sion College.
Just prior to wishing you a well deserved break, on behalf of the College and especially the Year 10 cohort, I would like to thank Miss Isabella Votsis for her time with us at the College and especially acknowledge the work she has done with 10 Red this year.
On behalf of the Year 10 Pastoral team, I would like to wish you all a well deserved Term 2 break. I hope that you have the opportunity to spend time as a family and with your friends. That you are able to rest and recharge and then look forward to Term 3 with renewed energy.
Year 9 – Jordyn Frood, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
During last week’s Pastoral session, a guest speaker from ‘Warner Youth Education’ came to discuss with the Year 9s the important topics of Party Safe, Alcohol and Vaping.
He discussed the risks and effects of underage binge drinking and this was delivered in an informative, educational but engaging way.
Some of the key messages that were delivered are below. I strongly encourage all families to discuss these in their own home.
Finally, the Year 9s also ran a Year Level Raffle to raise more funds for Days for Girls with ‘Period Pamper Packs’ able to be won. The Year 9s have been extremely dedicated and generous so far, with more volunteer packing days still coming up as well. After this raffle, the total amount raised this term actually surpassed the year level’s goal, with the total amount so far being: $2,085.12. An incredible effort!! The Year 9s have shown kindness, selflessness and passion when supporting this organisation and should be proud of their efforts.
We look forward to finishing the term strongly with elective subject change overs and the conclusion of Semester 1.
Year 8 – Chris Wilkes, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
Well, what a term it has been! I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Year 8s for their hard work this term. It has been wonderful to see them back for another full term; the Year 8 area has been buzzing with excitement and filled with smiles from everyone.
In our most recent Pastoral session, we had our final follow up session from the Thinking Traps workshop. Students were invited to work in groups and develop a scenario to demonstrate the effective application of steps to create a healthy and balanced new thought. The Year 8 area was filled with excitement and unique ideas to show their knowledge, from comic strips and posters to role-plays and even a dance! I hope that you have seen improvements in your children regarding challenging unhelpful thoughts that are common and normal but have potential to be detrimental to their growth and general wellbeing if allowed to take control over them.
In our Pastoral lesson next week, we will be reflecting on Semester 1 to celebrate successes and identify areas for improvement next semester.
I hope all of the Year 8s and families have a safe and restful holiday and are recharged and energised for the beginning of Term 3.
Learning Area News
Health and Physical Education – Natalie Hall, Learning Leader
Our HPE students have had a very active time in Term 2. Some of the learning experiences include:
The Year 8s have been learning a range of dance styles. They have had incursions on Hip Hop, Contemporary and Tap Dancing. With many new skills learnt and even a few challenging steps thrown in, the classes have now been working on creating their own dance routines.
Students studying the Yr 9 Elective Play the Game have just completed a Sport Education in Physical Education Programme. SEPEP is an approach towards teaching physical education that aims to maximise involvement and increase understanding of sports. It allows students to develop communication skills, leadership, social skills and also administrative skills through a range of roles.
The Year 10 Core PE students completed a Self Defence unit. The students were taught about staying aware and keeping safe in everyday activities. They learnt basic physical skills that will allow them to gain confidence and awareness of their own abilities.
We look forward to starting a range of new units and electives in Semester 2.
Co-curricular News
Music – Martin Macaulay, Head of Music
Ensembles Concert Night – some tickets still available!
We are beyond excited for the Ensembles Concert next Thursday evening 22 June starting at 5.00 pm. Some (free) tickets are still available – be quick as they are certain to be snapped up.
Year 12 Gold student (and VCE Music Performance Dux from 2022) Cady L represented Sion at two major external piano competitions over the long weekend. The Boroondara Eisteddfod, held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre, brings together leading educators and industry professionals to adjudicate each section. Cady performed the Edvard Grieg Sonata Opus 7 in E Minor and the JS Bach Prelude and Fugue BWV 874. In The Ringwood Eisteddfod, she performed the Chopin Ballade No.2. All these pieces are very advanced. It’s worth noting that Cady competed in the Open sections, against university graduates and accomplished adults. Congratulations Cady!
Term 3 Instrumental Music Soiree – Save the date!
Instrumental students will have another opportunity to perform solo and chamber ensemble material at the Term 3 Music Soiree on Monday 11 September at 5.00 pm.
Victorian Schools Music Festival and Monash Youth Music Festival – Term 3
The Music department will be very busy early in Term 3 representing Sion at both the Monash Youth Music Festival and the Victorian Schools Music Festival. The schedule for participating groups, dates and venues is as follows:
Intermediate Strings VSMFTuesday 25 July. Depart Sion at 9.15 am
College Vocal Ensemble Monash Youth Music Festival Monday 14 August. Departure time TBC
Jazz Club VSMF (20 students) Tuesday 15 August. Depart Sion at 12.15 pm
Senior Jazz Ensemble VSMFTuesday 15 August. Depart Sion at 2.45 pm
Intermediate Concert Band VSMFFriday 25 August. Depart Sion at 8.45 am
Senior Concert Band VSMFTuesday 29 August. Depart Sion at 12.45 pm
Sport – Naomi Linossier, Head of Sport
GSV Cross Country Championship Carnival
On Friday 26 May our Cross Country team headed to Cruden Farm for the Championship Carnival. This is a special event in the GSV calendar with all 24 schools competing on the same day.
With a focus on ‘running your own race’ and ‘finishing strong’, our students gave it their all. There was a high level of camaraderie and team spirit showed on the day, with lots of encouragement from the sides of the course, including some students running with their teammates after finishing their own race to get them to the line!
Sion finished third overall for division 3, a fantastic achievement.
A special mention to the following students who finished in the top ten for their age group:
Sophie F (8 Blue) – 1st, Junior A, Division 3
Erin M (9 Purple) – 1st, Intermediate A, Division 3
Olivia McD (9 Purple) – 5th, Intermediate A, Division 3
Samantha O’D (9 Purple) – 9th, Intermediate A, Division 3
Matilda K (12 Red) – 7th, Senior A, Division 3
Another congratulations to Erin M (9 Purple) who after finishing as the 7th fastest runner across all age groups, has been selected to represent GSV at the APS/AGSV Representative Meet, on Saturday 12 August.
Term 2 GSV Sport Highlights
After weeks of intense competition, we have had many teams make finals for our Term 2 weekly sport. Congratulations to the following teams who made it through to finals day:
Senior A Netball – Zone Pennant Winners
Senior B Netball
Intermediate A Netball – Zone Pennant Winners
Intermediate B Netball – Zone Pennant Winners
Intermediate C Netball – Zone Pennant Winners
Intermediate D Netball
Sion 1, Junior A Netball – Zone Pennant Winners
Sion 5, Junior C Netball – Zone Pennant Winners
Sion 8, Junior F Netball
Sion 9, Junior G Netball
Excitingly Sion 1, 8 and 9 took home the Junior Netball Premiership and Sion 5 finished runners up for the season. With 24 schools competing in each netball section, taking home the premiership is a brilliant achievement! The future of netball at Sion is looking as strong as ever!
Junior grand final results:
Sion 1 vs Star (24 - 19) PREMIERS
Sion 5 vs Star (10 - 19) RUNNERS UP
Sion 8 vs Sacre Coeur (16 - 23) PREMIERS
Sion 9 vs PLC (17 - 7) PREMIERS
GSV Representative Netball
Congratulations to Ava M (9 White) who has been selected as a member of the GSV Representative Netball Team for 2023. Ava will compete in the Premier Match on Thursday 20 July at Lauriston Girls’ School. We wish her all the best in this exciting opportunity.
GSV Senior Basketball Tournament
On Wednesday 14 June our Senior Basketball team headed into MSAC to compete at the Senior GSV basketball tournament. The competition was fierce, and they battled it out on court displaying a high level of skill and an even greater level of team spirit. This team epitomised sportsmanship and competitiveness going hard in every game. Congratulations to all involved!
Semester 1 Wrap Up
Wow, what a semester of Sport it has been at Sion! We are so proud of all our students who have shown commitment and enthusiasm to representing their school on the sporting field. With two terms to go and many opportunities to come, including Track and Field, Soccer, Badminton, Volleyball and CGSAV AFL, the Sion spirit will continue to shine through our sports program. Congratulations to everyone who has been involved in the program so far. Go Sion!
Careers and Pathways – Brooke O'Hara, Coordinator
'The only impossible journey is the one you never begin'.Tony Robins (Motivational Speaker)
Students and families can find the Fortnightly Careers newsletter here.
In this fortnight's newsletter there is information relating to:
Dates to diarise
Upcoming Events –Year 12 VTAC Information Evening, Photographic Studies College – holiday workshop, RMIT campus tours, A day at Melbourne, Monash – Art, Design and Architecture school holiday program, reminder – Discover ACU events
Career Industry in the Spotlight – Australian Border Force
Research Ideas – Studying Commerce at ACU
Parent News
College Psychologist – Vanessa Cheng
In Term 3, the Tuning in to Teens program will be offered once again to parents and carers of the Our Lady of Sion community. Tuning in to Teens is an eight-week program which aims to increase parents’ understanding of emotional intelligence and, in turn, support their adolescents’ emotional development.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and understand our own emotions, and to understand and respond with empathy to others’ emotions. Emotional intelligence is important because it helps us to have better awareness and control over our emotions, which makes it easier to manage relationship conflicts, developing stronger relationships, and leads to overall lower stress. In adolescents, stronger emotional intelligence skills have also been found to improve:
Social outcomes (e.g. stronger social skills and ability to manage peer pressure)
Behavioural outcomes (e.g. lower rates of school refusal)
Academic outcomes (e.g. improved attention and concentration to focus on work)
Physiological health (e.g. lower levels of physiological arousal/stress and better able to cope with the physical changes of puberty)
If you are interested in learning more about emotional intelligence and how to integrate this into your parenting/family, the Tuning in to Teens program may be able to help. We have already had lots of interest from the parent community, so spaces are limited. If the program reaches capacity, or you cannot commit to the face-to-face program, we will note your interest for the program if it runs again/online in future. For further details, please see the EdSmart Broadcast from Thursday 1 June, or register your interest here.
If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing that you would like to discuss, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your child’s Homeroom teacher, their Wellbeing and Growth Leader, or the Counselling Team (counselling@sion.catholic.edu.au).
