Tuesday 17 February
Wednesday 18 February
Monday 23 February
Wednesday 25 February
Thursday 26 February
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for people to dwell together in unity. (Psalm 133:1) This beautiful verse captures the heart of our Sion charism, where community, relationship, and shared purpose shape who we are. As I begin my first year as Principal, I have already experienced the strength of this unity in the warm and genuine welcome extended by students, staff, and families.
Over the past fortnight, I have had many opportunities to meet our students. This has included greeting them at the gates each morning, connecting during recess and lunchtime, visiting classrooms, and joining year level gatherings. Their openness, kindness, and willingness to engage have shown me what a remarkable community I have joined.
This spirit of welcome and unity was especially evident during the Year 12 Retreat, where our senior students welcomed me with sincerity and enthusiasm.
The retreat offered a valuable moment to witness their maturity, their care for one another, and their readiness to step into their final year with purpose. Presenting them with their Year 12 badges was a meaningful moment, symbolising their leadership within our student community and their commitment to modelling the values of Our Lady of Sion College. I look forward to supporting them as they lead with integrity, compassion, and purpose throughout 2026.
Another highlight of last week was welcoming our Year 7 students and families to the College. The students' enthusiasm and readiness for this new chapter have been evident as they form new connections and settle confidently into life at Sion.
As I come to know this community, I am increasingly aware of how important our partnership with families truly is. Australian research consistently shows that parent engagement has a strong and positive impact on students' academic achievement at all ages. We know that students thrive when schools and parents/carers work together, and at Our Lady of Sion College, this spirit of community and collaboration underpins all that we do. Our commitment to this partnership is unwavering, grounded in trust and shared aspirations for your children. Thank you to all parents/carers who attended our Parent Information Evenings. Your involvement helps strengthen our shared commitment to your children's learning.
I look forward to the year ahead with gratitude and great optimism as we continue building this wonderful community together.
Last week we gathered as a community to celebrate the 2026 Opening of the School Year Eucharist. This was an important milestone for us, marking the first time we came together as a College community for the year. It is a tradition for our Principal to launch the College theme during this celebration. Below is my address:
Good Morning Students, Staff, and Guests
It is a privilege to stand before you today for the first time, in a community grounded in the spirit and mission of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion. From its foundation, Our Lady of Sion College has invited each of us into a way of seeing the world: a way rooted in truth, in compassion, and in the belief that every person carries dignity and light. This is captured so beautifully in our motto Veritas in Caritate, truth in love. It is not simply something we say. It is something we are called to live.
This year, our theme invites us to live this call in a new and urgent way: Work hand in hand, be the light that heals the Earth. This theme is inspired by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, which reminds us that the earth, our common home, is calling for our care.
But Laudato Si’ also reminds us of something profoundly hopeful: that healing begins with relationship. Relationship with creation, relationship with one another, and relationship with the truth of who we are called to be. Scripture echoes this same invitation. In the first book of Genesis, we are entrusted with the care of creation, not as owners, but as stewards. And in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we hear the words: 'We are co‑workers in God’s service' (1 Cor 3:9). Co‑workers. Partners. People who build and heal together. This aligns perfectly with the first part of our theme: Work hand in hand.
And Jesus himself calls us to be people of light. In the Gospel of Matthew, he says: 'You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others' (Matthew 5:14–16). This is not just a comforting image. It is a responsibility. A call to be a presence that brings compassion, clarity, and hope wherever we go. So when we speak of being 'the light that heals the Earth,' we are embracing the Gospel call to shine, to illuminate what is good, to challenge what harms, and to bring warmth and healing to our world.
This connects deeply with our school vision: sowing the seeds of hope, uncovering excellence within, and inspiring a commitment to justice. Hope is not passive; it is something we plant. Excellence is not a competition; it is something we uncover, within ourselves and one another. And justice is not an idea; it is something we enact with our hands, our decisions, and our voices.
So as we begin this new year together, and as we gather for this first Mass of the year, I invite each one of you to see yourselves as part of this shared mission.
Let us commit to small daily acts of stewardship, of kindness, of environmental responsibility.
Let us seek truth with love, courage, and humility.
And let us remember that each of us has the capacity to be light:
light that guides,
light that comforts,
and light that heals.
May this year be one where we truly work hand in hand.
Where we discover deeper purpose, strengthen community, and create hope not only for our school, but for the world beyond it.
Ms Rebecca Cetrola
Principal
Term 1 has started very well, with beautiful Eucharistic celebrations and the commissioning of our College Principal, Ms Rebecca Cetrola, having already taken place over the past two weeks. These moments of prayer and thanksgiving have set a joyful and faith-filled tone for the beginning of the academic year.
The Year 12 students began with fresh energy and optimism when they gathered at the Foothills Conference Centre in Mooroolbark for their Retreat Day on Friday, 30 January. The theme of the retreat was ‘Who am I called to become?’, and throughout the day, the students had great opportunities to connect with one another and explore the importance of seeking ways to be actively involved in building a strong, supportive community within their Homeroom, their Year Level group, with other members of our school.
The students examined God’s call to be people of service, voices for justice, and agents of change in today’s world. Louise and Garry from Ozanam House, an accommodation and homelessness resource centre located in North Melbourne, spoke to the students about the work that is done to support their clients. They also expressed their gratitude and thanks for the donations made by our College community and the significant impact they have had over the past few years. The Year 12 students continued this important mission through creating 80 toiletry boxes for males and females, which will be distributed to some of society’s most vulnerable.
Through guided prayer, activities and shared reflection, the retreat provided valuable opportunities for personal growth, strengthened relationships, and deeper spiritual awareness. Beginning for their final year of school, the students were invited to carry their experiences of the retreat day with them throughout the year. This happy day concluded with a beautiful liturgy where the students received their Year 12 badges.
The Australian Catholic Youth Festival held late last year was a faith-filled experience for the students from Our Lady of Sion College who attended. Our College Liturgy Captain, Lorena G (12 White) reflects on her experiences attending the festival.
Student Reflection
Last year, from 30 November - 2 December I attended the Australian Catholic Youth Festival with Ananya D (12 Gold), Sarah M (12 White), Claire M (12 Blue), Molly P (11 Gold) and Diya P (12 Gold), along with other Sion students attending as a part of their Parish groups.
To begin the festival, we took part in a pilgrimage from St Patrick’s Cathedral to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre - a 5.2 km walk during which we battled a strong downpour of rain. Despite this, we all persevered and made it to the Exhibition Centre, spreading key messages about our faith along the way.
This was such a faith-enriching experience and a key part of this was the plenaries where each day, we collectively listened to presenters who discussed key ideas about the Catholic faith and what it meant to be a Pilgrim of Hope, which was the theme of the festival.
We also participated in adoration where the Eucharist was on display within a room and music was played. This was a great way to step away from the busy festival and take a moment to reflect with God as you could really feel his presence within that sacred space. Another key part of the festival were the workshops which were presented simultaneously by different presenters and covered a range of topics that were relevant to the youth of today. The topics featured were: friendships, how to pray, how to make the most of mass, how to find your calling and purpose and even how to write your own worship music.
The live worship music was a key highlight of this festival as all of us felt connected during the songs played at each plenary and pre-plenary performance and it didn’t matter if you were young, old, a priest or nun, we were all dancing together and singing and it was a truly wonderful moment to have over 5,000 of us celebrating in one space. I think all of us who participated in the festival can agree that we came back with a stronger sense of faith and a feeling of hope and we can’t wait to go again! Lorena G (12 White)
Next week we will be entering into the Liturgical Season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday on 18 February.
Wishing all members of the College community many blessings.
A warm welcome to the 2026 Academic Year. It is wonderful to see the students return rested and with big smiles on their faces! Students have settled very well into the routines and rhythms of the timetable, meeting their teachers and new classmates.
While many families have not been impacted, we are very mindful that the delivery and response times for Box of Books has not been what we expected and that students have a number of items on back order or not delivered. Please be assured that teachers are very aware and are making provisions for any student that needs access to learning resources. The LRC has been supportive during this time. As is our normal practice, but expedited through parent contacts, we are in the process of creating a feedback mechanism allowing families to provide feedback in a coordinated way. This will allow us to have an informed discussion with Box of Books and help us to determine our next steps.
The onboarding of laptops for our Year 10 students has once again been a very smooth process. The Year 7 students have also had a successful start, and are now in the process of learning how to set up their drives, access printers, etc. This will be an ongoing process. If your child encounters a technical issue, please encourage them to visit the IT department, or if they have questions about how to use their devices, their teachers will be able to guide them.
A reminder for families with students in Years 8 and 9, they can also utilise a laptop here at school (as long as it meets the minimum requirements) however they must also have their iPads with them. Teachers are still planning lessons that incorporate the technology of an iPad and so students must have it with them, charged and ready to go.
All new families will now have been sent information to log into SEQTA Engage. SEQTA allows families to connect with the activities of the whole school (via the calendar), student timetables, class learning information, and upcoming assessment and learning feedback. Using this information can be a great conversation starter at home (e.g. How is your preparation for your Humanities assignment going?) and can also guide you on when to contact the College and who to connect with.
A highlight of the calendar is celebrating our Year 12 students’ success. We are so proud of our young people and know that they are going to live the Vision and Mission of the College, forever Daughters of Sion. Sara Kolovos' (Class of 2025) Dux speech really spoke to the importance of girls’ education and this was echoed in the presentation of our guest speaker, Louise Alexander (Class of 1995), who spoke about the challenges of being a female leader in health care, the mentors who support her, and how she balances family life. It was wonderful to learn of Louise’s journey and the reflections along the way.
As we step into the 2026 school year, we recognise that each student, regardless of year level, experiences some form of transition. While our new Year 7s are learning to navigate secondary school life, students in other years are also facing fresh expectations, academic goals, and social changes that come with progressing through school.
Transition is not just for our new Year 7 students, every year level brings new challenges, expectations, and opportunities for growth. A successful transition is built on clear communication, consistent expectations, patient support, and structured routines that promote both learning and healthy relationships.
To support this transition:
We encourage parents to stay engaged and informed by reading all school notices and Newsletters, as these provide essential updates and insights. Staying informed allows you to support your child effectively and, when needed, to reach out to Homeroom teachers or relevant staff with any queries. This shared approach ensures the 2026 school year begins as smoothly as possible for all.
Finally, I am pleased to introduce our 2026 Student Wellbeing Team. This dedicated team, along with Homeroom teachers and myself, play a vital role in supporting students' wellbeing for learning and academic growth.
Wellbeing and Growth Leaders
Director Pastoral Care
College Counselling Team
We look forward to working closely with students, parents/carers, and staff to ensure a positive, enriching, and supportive school year for all.
From 1 January 2026, children and teenagers aged 17 and under can travel for free on all Victorian public transport services (trains, trams, and buses) using a Youth myki card. This initiative replaces previous concession fares, allowing free travel to schools, including in regional areas, provided the card is tapped on and off.
For more detailed information please see website here.
Wishing everyone a positive start to 2026!
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The Our Lady of Sion College Parents’ Association is proud to announce the renewal of subscription to Dr Justin Coulson’s Happy Families School Membership, owned and run by Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading parenting experts. This provides families with access to Dr Justin Coulson’s Happy Families resources, including four LIVE parent webinars and a range of written materials designed to support parents.
A new Insights article is released in each publication of the school newsletter. Insights articles are written by Dr Justin Coulson and provide parenting education and support for a wide variety of traditional and contemporary parenting challenges.
The Happy Families article for this publication is:
We encourage parents/carers to explore this resource and make the most of the expert advice available through our Happy Families subscription.
Our particular thoughts and prayers go to Sienna S (12 Gold) on the recent passing of her grandmother. Also, to Mr Frank De Melis, Accounting Teacher, on the passing of his father.
We remember Sienna, Mr De Melis 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 souls and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.
Starting at a new school is both exciting and, at times, overwhelming. As a parent, I recall my own children transitioning to high school, each with a very different perspective, ranging from calm and unfazed to eagerly anticipating the change, while another felt nervous and full of questions about what lay ahead. The way we, as parents/carers, respond during this time plays an important role in shaping how confidently and comfortably our children settle into their new environment.
Our Orientation and Transition program is designed to support this journey by fostering meaningful connections and promoting a strong sense of belonging. Through a focus on relationship building, we aim to ensure every student feels welcomed, supported, and at ease as they begin this important chapter.
Meeting new people can sometimes make young people feel anxious; however, preparing them with simple conversation ideas can help build confidence and ease those nerves. Encouraging your child to show courage and take the first step in starting a conversation can have a meaningful impact. Consider the following strategies:
Participation in co-curricular opportunities such as Sport, Music, Drama, Art, and all the House activities offers a wonderful pathway to building friendships. Who doesn’t want to win the Cup Cake House Competition? Shared interests often form the basis of strong connections, and many students discover their first sense of belonging through these experiences, relationships that can often last well beyond their school years.
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 child 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.
I would like to extend a warm and formal welcome to all Year 12 families as we commence the 2026 school year. Our Year 12 cohort has already made a positive start to their final year, beginning with the Year 12 Retreat Day held at Foothills Conference Centre in Mooroolbark.
The Retreat provided an important opportunity for our students to come together, reflect on their journey, connect with peers, and collectively build supportive relationships for the year ahead. The central theme, ‘Who am I Called to Become?’, encouraged self-reflection. Reflecting on their journey and considering what it means to be a Daughter of Sion, the Year 12 students wrote letters to the new Year 7s welcoming them to our community and encouraging them to embrace life at Our Lady of Sion College. Furthermore, students engaged in a meaningful social justice initiative to create thoughtful care packages for those in need at Ozanam House. We are very grateful for the generous donations from the Year 12 families of men’s and women’s socks that were added to the care packages. A highlight of the day was the visit from our new Principal, Ms Rebecca Cetrola, who took the time to meet with the students and chat informally about the exciting year ahead. The day culminated beautifully with Ms Cetrola presenting the students with their official Year 12 badges.
Ms Cetrola also visited the Year 12 students this week as they commenced their studies and delivered an inspirational address, reminding our Year 12s of the profound importance of the year ahead and the need to lift one another up with kindness as they navigate their final school year.
Thank you to all families who were able to attend the recent Year 12 Information Evening. For those who were unable to attend, the presentation was distributed to you via EdSmart. This document contains details, key dates, and contacts specific to the Year 12 program. The evening also provided the opportunity to formally introduce the team of Year 12 Homeroom teachers who will be supporting our students throughout the year.
We are looking forward to partnering with you to support our Year 12 students and in sharing the events and experiences of their final year at Our Lady of Sion College.
Welcome back to all Year 11 students and their families for 2026! My name is Leanne Anderson and I am the Year 11 WAGL. The Year 11s now start the new year as senior students residing in the Notre Dame building. Returning from the summer break always brings a sense of hope and excitement for the year to come, but also can bring a lot of worries regarding the ‘unknown’. The unknown of VCE and VM will soon become familiar to our students, but for now, there are new routines, processes, and plenty of questions to be asked. I have been very impressed by this group of young people, stepping into a new space with new teachers and peers. Their approach has been one of confidence and energy, ready to engage in their learning.
During this transition period, the Year 11s have the opportunity to develop new relationships with their peers, find their feet in Homeroom and their new subjects. Moreover, they will be working closely with their subject teachers to navigate their approach to learning and engaging in subjects that they enjoy.
The Year 11s also have the support of their Homeroom teacher throughout the year. We thank them in anticipation for their ongoing support, assistance, and guidance for your child.
The support and care for your child rely on a partnership between the College and the broader community. Please get in contact with your child’s Homeroom teacher or myself if you have any concerns or questions throughout the year. We are happy to help and redirect you or your child to facilitate further conversations with the relevant staff.
I am very much looking forward to working in partnership with you throughout 2026.
Welcome all families and community members to the 98th, Year 10 cohort of Our Lady of Sion College.
On behalf of the Year 10 Pastoral Team, Ms Tracy Le Fevre, Mrs Tahlia Addesi, Ms Lefterica Verghese, Miss Isabelle Rebecca, Ms Cara Callum, Mrs Lucy Miotello and Mrs Lynn Shaw, I also extend a warm welcome to all our new students and families who have joined us this year. I’d like to share with you all that the Year 10 cohort have made an excellent start to the year. Some of the feedback that we have heard about this cohort so far:
We have already been working hard to ensure we maintain high standards in uniform and presentation. Attendance is also an area of focus, with students being supported to develop strong organisational skills. Overall, it has been a very positive start for our Year 10s, and we can see their strong work ethic and willingness to try new skills and take on new opportunities.
Over the next few weeks we will continue to develop and create skills that will support our Duke of Edinburgh, Adventurous Journey and continue to cultivate our learning and personal strength in our subjects. It will be action packed and I cannot wait.
Finally, I would like to thank all families who were able to join us at our Parent Information Evening. It was lovely to see and meet you all and the Year 10 Pastoral Team and I look forward to working with you this year.
Until the next edition be curious and inquisitive.
This is the theme we explore with our Year 9 students and it provides an opportunity for them to reflect on the way they exist, not only as students at our College, but as young people preparing for life outside our Cherry Red Gates.
We call them to be people of curiosity (Proverbs 16:16), kindness (Ephesians 4:32) and courage (Joshua 1:9), with these being the guiding principles of, not only our pastoral care program, but also in the ways staff interact with students and how we encourage them to interact with each other. We will use these pillars to measure our decisions, actions and intentions, and provide us with an opportunity to affirm the Year 9s when they are living these things in our classes and in their interactions. We will acknowledge this through community spirit points and also through Term Awards to acknowledge those we have seen particularly live out the theme. This has been shared with Year 9 teachers so that they are also able to affirm the positive connections they see to the theme as well.
I would like to introduce and thank the Year 9 Pastoral Care team for their positivity and enthusiasm in the first week of term, and look forward to our shared passion for our middle years pastoral care continuing throughout the year:
I would like to welcome students who are new to our College in Year 9: Emma C (9 Blue), Jadee F (9 Blue), Zara L (9 Silver) and Lillian W (9 Silver).
Year 9 is an exciting year of opportunities for the students who have the courage to participate wholeheartedly. As a year level we provide connection points through our SnapShot program (which begins in week 5), mixed classes for the AYIN program, mixed electives, Days for Girls charity support and a range of programs implemented by the Year 9 student leadership team. These opportunities promote a sense of connection and belonging, which are so crucial in these middle years of schooling.
Thank you to the parents/carers who were able to attend the Parent Information Night. Please do not hesitate to contact myself or your child's Homeroom teacher should you have any questions about the information presented. We look forward to journeying with you in 2026.
Welcome back to a new school year to all our Year 8 students and families. I hope the break provided time to rest, reset and prepare for the exciting year ahead. My name is Laura Malone, and I am delighted to introduce myself as the Year 8 Wellbeing and Growth Leader for 2026. I am very much looking forward to working closely with students and partnering with families to support growth, wellbeing and connection throughout the year.
Our Year 8 theme for 2026 is 'Choose Kind, Try Brave'. This theme will underpin our approach to learning, relationships and personal development. ‘Choose Kind’ encourages students to act with empathy, respect and compassion in their everyday interactions, towards peers, staff and themselves. ‘Try Brave’ invites students to step outside their comfort zones, whether that means attempting new challenges, learning from mistakes, or showing courage in unfamiliar situations. Together, these values aim to foster a supportive and resilient year group.
We also welcome a fantastic Homeroom team this year that will be the first point of contact for our families.
Welcome to Our Lady of Sion College! I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest members of the Sion community, our Year 7s and their families. The new school year is officially underway, and our Year 7 students have made a fantastic start to their Sion journey. Over the past few days they have settled into their classes, made new friends, and are excited for the challenges ahead.
As discussed at the Parent Information Evening, the Year 7s have begun their Pastoral Program by learning about and exploring the Zones of Regulation. The idea of this program is to give students a common language around their emotions. Emotions are categorised into four groups: Blue being slow and low, Green being ready to learn, Yellow being fidgety and distracted, Red being losing control. We encourage families to use this language at home to increase student familiarity with these terms and allow for greater awareness and self-reflection.
We also welcome a fantastic Homeroom team this year that will be the first point of contact for our families.
The Year 7 2026 Homeroom teachers:
Welcome back to all students and a special welcome to the new families and students joining our community this year.
The beginning of the school year is an important time to establish positive learning routines and behaviours. It is an opportunity to set clear expectations and help students feel ready for the year ahead. Setting aside time for regulated practice such as reading a novel for pleasure and allowing for a consistent period of study each day, creates good practices for success. This period of time is also an ideal opportunity for students to revisit and consolidate learning from the previous years. Families can support this by encouraging students to read and reread their set English novels and by engaging in discussions with them about texts and what they are learning. This helps build understanding and confidence for class discussions and assessments. Revisiting key Mathematics and Science concepts from previous years can also help students feel more confident as they move into new learning.
At this time of year, families may notice an increase in communication as routines and processes are established. Teachers have now begun sharing assessment notifications and will continue to do so throughout the year. These are designed to support organisation and planning rather than create concern. We encourage parents/carers to talk with their children about upcoming tasks and timelines and to support them in managing their learning with confidence. Naturally, at times, families may have questions or concerns about learning. If students have questions or concerns that may be causing concern, families are encouraged to contact subject teachers early so that support and clarification can be provided.
At the end of last year, students in Years 8 -10 completed PAT assessments, while Year 7 and Years 11–12 students completed these earlier this week. Teachers have now begun using this information to prepare for the year ahead. The insights gained from these assessments, support teachers in planning lessons, setting clear learning goals, and adjusting learning to meet the needs of all students. Throughout the year, teachers will continue to use this information to support student growth and development.
Students experience success when schools and families work in partnership with one another. We encourage families to be in contact with staff should circumstances or learning routines differ at home. Working hand in hand with families, ultimately supports student wellbeing, growth, and success and we look forward to working with you in the year ahead.
At Our Lady of Sion College, we are proud to offer exchange programs that provide our language students with valuable international learning experiences. In 2025, three Year 11 French students travelled to France, and in July this year their host sisters will visit the College for a three week period.
At the end of November 2025, Ruby M (12 Purple), Elana V (12 Red) and Holly Y (12 Red) participated in an exchange program with our sister school, Notre Dame de Sion Évry, located near Paris. Accompanied by Mrs Lucy Miotello, the students represented the College with distinction, demonstrating enthusiasm, respect and intellectual curiosity throughout this enriching cultural and educational experience. We extend our sincere thanks to the students for their commitment and engagement, and to Mrs Miotello for her professional guidance and support.
One of the students reflects on her memorable experience of living, learning and immersing herself in French culture and lifestyle.
At the beginning of the summer holidays, we had the incredible opportunity to travel to France and complete an exchange program. This was done with our sister school Notre Dame de Sion Evry, a co-educational, Catholic school close to Paris. We each stayed with our host sisters’ families and thoroughly enjoyed immersing ourselves into the French lifestyle. We attended school for three weeks on our visit and were able to sit in on many different classes, not only seeing how the French schooling system works but also having the chance to share with the French students what school and life in Australia looks like. We had an incredible time spending every day with our host sisters and their classmates, who made us feel incredibly welcomed in their school.
Every Wednesday, one of our host sisters would also take us on an exciting excursion, giving us even more opportunities to embrace French culture. We were able to visit chateaus, classic French landmarks like the newly rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral, explore Paris, do a lot of shopping and enjoy lots of delicious French food. Having the opportunity to communicate in French every day also greatly improved our French speaking skills and has motivated us to continue working hard in our VCE French studies.
We are eternally grateful for this special opportunity, and we will never forget the incredible memories that were made on this trip. We would also like to thank Mrs Miotello who joined us on our trip, we could not have done it without her. Overall, we had an amazing experience and look forward to welcoming the French students of Notre Dame de Sion Evry in July this year. Ruby M (12 Purple)
We are certainly looking forward to another fantastic year of music-making in 2026. Please note the following times for all ensemble rehearsals throughout the week. Permissions to attend before and after-school rehearsals have been sent via EdSmart to respective families. Instrumental teachers will have been in touch regarding first lessons for those taking private lessons.
It is not too late to apply for private instrumental music lessons for 2026. Singing, strings, brass, woodwind, percussion, drumkit and guitar tuition is still available.
During the first weeks of Music classes, the Year 7s will be trialling a range of instruments. The next step will be to complete the instrument preference form, which you will receive in an email at the end of week 3. This process needs to be informed by her availability for one of the following compulsory ensemble rehearsals, which will begin in late February or early March:
Congratulations to the following students who successfully completed their external instrumental music assessments at the end of 2025 and received their certificates for their respective AMEB instrumental music examinations – an outstanding achievement!
Welcome back to a new school year! I hope the break offered time for rest and reflection. A special and heartfelt welcome goes to our new families joining the College community this year. As the year unfolds, we are excited about the many initiatives, programs, and opportunities planned for the months ahead.
Congratulations to our 2026 Social Justice Captain, Anria A (12 White) and FIRE Carrier Captain Ananya D S (12 Gold). Here are a few words of their hopes and aspirations for 2026.
Social Justice
Hello everyone, my name is Anria, and I am excited to be your 2026 Social Justice Captain. I am passionate about promoting justice, peace and compassion within our community and beyond through acts of service and spreading awareness.
It brings me great pleasure to present the Social Justice representatives for this year:
With the support of these representatives along with support from the school community, I am confident we will be able to achieve great things this year. Our team already has so much planned, especially for the upcoming annual Lenten fundraiser, ‘Project Compassion’ as well as our ongoing support for our St Vincent de Paul School Conference. I hope our school community will continue our generosity and ongoing commitment to supporting those experiencing hardship by offering dignity, solidarity and hope . I look forward to bringing the Social Justice program to life in the College for another year in 2026 and offering opportunities for students to make a real difference in the community. Anria A (12 White)
FIRE Carrier
Hello everyone! My name is Ananya and I am so thrilled to be your FIRE Carrier Captain for 2026. This role is especially meaningful to me because it provides the opportunity to work with the FIRE Carrier Ambassadors and Social Justice team towards reconciliation within Our Lady of Sion College. It is our responsibility as Sionians and families of the school to have an open heart; honouring members of the Indigenous community who have lost family, culture and access to basic human rights in their own country. It is our responsibility not to turn a blind eye. As a FIRE Carrier, I hope to inspire our school to embrace the Sion charism; to live in justice, peace and love. To implement this in the way we respect the Indigenous peoples of Australia, their culture and acknowledge all the wrongdoings of our past. Throughout the year, I will be consistent in taking steps towards positive change whether big or small. Dedicated to my goal of fostering a community that values and celebrates Indigenous culture as deeply as I do. Motivated to turn reflection into action, I look forward to seeing the Sion community come together in the spirit of reconciliation and continue to grow throughout the year. Ananya D S (12 Gold)
At the end of 2025, the Year 11 cohort generously donated funds to support Ozanam House, with their contribution going towards the publication of the One Pot Cookbook. This special cookbook was inspired by a dedicated volunteer who runs monthly cooking classes, with the focus on simple recipes using only one pot, a few ingredients and basic cooking skills. The project is a wonderful example of how our students’ generosity can make a tangible and lasting impact in the wider community.
The 2026 sporting year has kicked off with huge energy and even bigger participation. It is great to see the courts, fields and pools being used for trainings and competitions. We look forward to sharing all things sport each week. We encourage students to share their sporting success with the Sport Department so we can share news within our community to congratulate and inspire the next generation of Sion students. Below is a small insight to what the first couple of weeks have looked like from the Sport Department.
Trials for Junior, Intermediate and Senior Volleyball, Softball and Tennis wrapped up recently with great enthusiasm. A special shout-out to Junior Volleyball, which recorded over 130 students trialling, a fantastic sign of the strength and excitement around the program. It was quickly into matches with seasons officially underway last week. There are plenty of positive signs and great momentum heading into the rounds ahead. All ladders and results can be found on Clipboard (GSV Website).
GSV Swim and Dive training is currently running at Aquanation Ringwood on Monday and Wednesday mornings, with athletes putting in strong, consistent sessions. Training meets so far have been a great preparation for the upcoming GSV Preliminary Carnivals:
It’s not too late to sign up! If you’re keen to get involved, jump in and be part of a fantastic team environment. Come down to the Sport Office if you are interested in participating.
I travelled with our Sport Captains, Erin M (12 Red) and Sam O (12 Blue) to the annual GSV Sport Leaders Breakfast at Fintona Girls’ School. There were captains from all 23 participating GSV schools in attendance. It was a fantastic chance to connect with fellow student leaders and share conversations about sport, leadership and future aspirations. Below is our Sport Captains recap from the event.
The GSV Leaders Breakfast featured four inspiring guest speakers, all heavily involved in the AFLW program and GSV alumnae: two current AFLW players, an AFLW umpire and an AFLW analytics manager. Each speaker shared their unique journey post-school, offering valuable insights into mindset, resilience and the importance of perseverance in sport and beyond. While their pathways were all different, a common theme emerged: setbacks and challenges are not barriers but stepping stones that contribute to success.
One quote that particularly resonated was 'Goal posts don’t move, but they are in the distance - it is the drop of the ball that matters first.' This highlighted the importance of setting high goals while focusing on the smaller steps along the way, tackling one challenge at a time rather than feeling overwhelmed by the end result.
Overall, the breakfast was an incredibly inspiring experience. It reinforced the idea that everything happens for a reason and encouraged all leaders to continue chasing what they believe in and leave no stone unturned. It was also a great opportunity to meet new people and form connections with athletes we may one day compete against, whether on the court, the field or in the pool.
A huge thank you to GSV and Fintona Girls’ School for hosting such a motivating and memorable event. Erin M (12 Red) and Sam O (12 Blue)
Students and families can find the fortnightly Careers newsletter here.
In this issue of the Newsletter there is information relating to:
Welcome back to 2026! We hope everyone had a lovely and restful summer break.
We wanted to take this opportunity to re-introduce the Counselling Team at Our Lady of Sion College. The Counselling Team offers support to all students for social and emotional issues and works with students to improve their overall wellbeing.
Over the coming weeks, the Counselling Team will visit each individual Homeroom to introduce themselves and the service to all students. Although many students may not need counselling immediately, situations can arise throughout the year where students can benefit from additional wellbeing support. Support may be needed for mental health issues, school and learning, stress and time management, family and friendship concerns, social skills, and any other personal issues they may be facing. Being aware of the available service at Our Lady of Sion College provides students the opportunity to connect with the service if the need arises. Students can self-refer or be referred by a staff member, or by parents/carers. The service is voluntary, confidential and personalised to the needs of each student.
The Counselling Service is available Monday-Friday and appointments are offered before and after school, during recess and lunch time, and during classes throughout the day. There are three College Counsellors in the team, Vanessa Cheng (Educational & Developmental Psychologist), Claire Jenkins (Clinical Psychologist) and Sofia Stagnitta (Clinical Psychologist).
If you would like to contact us, please email Counselling@sion.catholic.edu.au or phone us on 9890 9097.
