Newsletter | Work hand in hand, be the light that heals the Earth

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Throughout Term 3, the College is participating in three important review processes: the ACER School Improvement Review, a Faith & Mission Review, and the VRQA School Compliance Review. While each review has a different focus, together they provide a thorough examination of our educational programs, operational effectiveness, compliance obligations, and commitment to our Catholic mission.

Last week provided an important opportunity for reflection and evaluation as our College participated in the ACER School Improvement Review. Conducted every four years, this review examines our progress, performance and future directions, helping to ensure we continue to provide the best possible learning opportunities and outcomes for our students. Following a desktop review of key College documentation, three reviewers spent four days on site, meeting with teaching staff, support staff, parent/carers and student representatives, and the College Leadership Team. These conversations offered valuable insights into the strengths of our College and opportunities for future growth.

I would like to thank our staff, students and families who contributed to the review. Your willingness to share your experiences and perspectives demonstrated the strength of our community and our collective commitment to continuous improvement. We now look forward to receiving the final report, which will help inform our future planning and ongoing improvement journey.

Alongside the ACER review, the College is also participating in a Faith & Mission Review, which examines how effectively we are living our Catholic identity and mission across all aspects of College life.

The review includes a desktop analysis of College documentation, consultation with our Mission Team, and the development of a review tool that will support both the current process and future evaluation. Feedback has also been gathered from teaching staff, Religious Education teachers, support staff, senior leaders, and parents/carers and students, ensuring a broad range of perspectives is represented. The findings and recommendations from this review will help strengthen the faith life and mission of our College community.

The third review taking place this term is the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) School Compliance Review, which occurs every four to five years. This review focuses on ensuring that the College continues to meet all legislative and regulatory requirements. It involves a comprehensive desktop review of documentation across all College portfolios, demonstrating how we meet the standards required for school registration.

While reviews require a considerable investment of time and preparation, they are an important part of our commitment to providing a high-quality education and ensuring ongoing improvement. They offer an opportunity for external validation, professional reflection and constructive feedback that supports future growth.

I am incredibly proud of the way our staff, students and families have engaged with these processes. Their commitment, professionalism and willingness to contribute reflect the strength of our community and our shared desire to provide the best possible outcomes for every student.

As we receive the final reports over the coming months, we look forward to sharing key findings and using the recommendations to guide the next stage of our journey as a thriving learning and faith community. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to these important reviews and for your ongoing support of our College.

Day of Dialogue

Last week we held our annual Day of Dialogue at the College. This significant day, now in its twelfth year, was once again a wonderful opportunity for our Year 10 students to participate in inter-faith dialogue with Jewish students from Mount Scopus Memorial College, Muslim students from Ilim College and students from our heritage schools- Catholic College Sale and Marist- Sion College Warragul. It was also wonderful that our exchange students from Notre Dame de Sion Kansas City, USA and Notre Dame de Sion, Evry, France were able to participate in the day.

This year, the students had the opportunity to reflect and dialogue about the important environmental theme: Care for our common home, and ways that it is expressed and lived out in their faith traditions. They were then invited to decorate a mural with some phrases: a short prayer or a personal commitment they would make to bring positive change to our world.

Student Reflections

The most significant part of my day was getting to have profound and comforting conversations with students of other religious backgrounds and being able to share our own thoughts and opinions without feeling judged. My group was very eager to find out more about everyone’s individual religious beliefs, and we ended up realising we had more in common than we thought. This day gave students an opportunity to converse with others and be able to understand and learn more about the different religions that are practiced around the world. Not only was it a good time to be intrigued about other religions, but it was also an incredible opportunity to meet new people and make friends along the way. My experience of Day of Dialogue highly exceeded my expectations and was an eye opening experience which I definitely recommend being a part of. Ella M (10 Gold)

What really stood out to me about the Day of Dialogue was the way everyone was able to find something in common and connect with one another. In my group, I found that even given our religious differences, conversations flowed easily and everyone got along well. My group had a lot in common including hobbies, music, tv shows, and movies. I think that having this day to communicate with people of other religions is very important because it helps us to understand the faith and traditions of others without making assumptions. It also demonstrated that religion is just one aspect of a person’s identity, and it is important to treat everyone with respect regardless of their differences from you. I loved the way that the different schools were able to form friendships and everyone was open to the idea of having constructive conversations together. The Day of Dialogue is something that I would highly recommend taking part in, and I believe that it is very valuable to have for the wider community. Gabby Z (10 Blue)

It was so pleasing to see all the students participating embraced this opportunity with great enthusiasm and interest and we look forward to hosting this wonderful and important day again in 2027.

Sion Day

A reminder that Sion Day tickets are available to purchase through TryBooking until Wednesday 12 August. They are $12 and we ask that everyone joins in by purchasing a ticket, which covers:

Casual clothes for the day
A sausage sizzle and a drink (dietary requirements will be fully catered for)
And a donation toward our school fundraising efforts

Sion Day Ticket TryBooking link

Please note that the ticket will now be in the form of a wristband which your child will receive from their Homeroom teacher on the morning of Sion Day.

Carnival Tokens will once again be used instead of cash at each of the stalls. Each token is valued at $1 and will need to be purchased using credit/ debit card or cash, prior to Sion Day at lunchtime in Student Services on the following dates:

Years 7, 8 and 12: Monday 10 August
Years 9, 10 and 11: Tuesday 11 August
All Year levels: Wednesday 12 August
All Year levels: Thursday 13 August

Tokens will also be able to be purchased on Sion Day.

Sion Day fundraising which will once again go towards international social justice projects led or supported by the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion through two scholarship programs via:

Bethlehem University
Our Lady of Sion Education Fund in Jerusalem for Primary and Secondary Students.

Also, in response to the crisis in Gaza, we will once again be donating money raised from Sion Day to the Caritas Australia's Gaza Emergency Appeal, to provide humanitarian assistance to affected communities.

We are looking forward to celebrating this very special day.

Wishing all members of the College community many blessings.

Supporting Your Daughter When Friendships Change

It is very common for childhood friendships to change or come to an end as students move through adolescence, particularly during the transition to secondary school, when social circles widen and friendship choices expand significantly. If your daughter decides to step back from a friendship, regardless of the year level, it is important to listen to her reasons and support her to do so with kindness towards the other student or friendship group.

Encourage your daughter to treat others in the same way she would hope to be treated if the situation were reversed. Remind her that this friend or group has, at some point, been an important in her life and deserves respect, understanding, an explanation of what is changing, and where appropriate some time and space to accept the change.

Sometimes students believe that the only way to move friendship groups is to completely cut the other person off. This approach can cause unnecessary hurt and may lead to others “choosing sides,” turning a private change in friendship into a public drama. If possible, support your daughter to maintain a reduced but courteous friendship, one that may involve less time together at school, but perhaps the occasional catch-up outside school.

It is rare that an abrupt end to a friendship is helpful, and ending a relationship without explanation often leaves lasting confusion. Practising “what if” situations at home and developing a few calm, respectful scripts can help your daughter express herself honestly while avoiding conflict with the other student or group.

During adolescence, kindness and clarity are protective skills and help young people grow socially without harming others. If matters feel complex or tensions are emerging, please let your daughter’s Homeroom teacher or her Wellbeing and Growth Leader know, so we can support a positive and respectful transition.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families resource

The Happy Families article for this edition is: Your Kids Don't Trust You

More Than Winning: Helping Girls Develop a Lifelong Love of Movement

Over the past few months, we have enjoyed watching sport on the international stage, from the FIFA World Cup to the recently concluded Commonwealth Games. At Our Lady of Sion College, we too have celebrated outstanding sporting achievements, with recent successes in diving, aerobics, netball and many other sports.

Australia has long celebrated its sporting success. Yet beneath these achievements lies a growing challenge. Research from the Australian Sports Commission shows that participation in organised sport declines significantly during adolescence, with the most noticeable drop occurring between the ages of 12 and 17. Participation continues to decline into early adulthood (15–24 years), with young women disengaging from organised sport at a greater rate than young men.

For schools and families, this raises an important question: How can we help girls develop a lifelong love of movement as they progress through secondary school and beyond?

Research tells us that the reasons girls leave organised sport are rarely because they no longer value being active. Instead, adolescence often brings new challenges. Sport can become more competitive, academic pressures increase, friendship groups change, confidence may decline, and concerns about body image or "not being good enough" can become more pronounced. Many girls are also looking for greater flexibility in how and when they are active.

Perhaps the most interesting finding emerging from recent research is that girls are not necessarily asking for less opportunity; they are asking for more choice. Choice in how they move, choice in how they participate, and choice in what success looks like.

Interestingly, these same principles underpin the youth sporting philosophy in Norway.

Despite having a population of just 5.5 million people, Norway consistently produces world class athletes across a wide range of sports. Their success is not built on identifying elite athletes earlier than everyone else. Instead, their philosophy is remarkably simple:

"As many as possible, for as long as possible."

Perhaps our challenge is not simply to encourage girls to play more sport. Perhaps it is to continue to provide greater choice in how they experience movement.

When a girl participates in sport, she is developing far more than physical skills. She is learning resilience through setbacks, regulating emotions under pressure, making decisions in the moment and adapting when circumstances change. Most importantly, she is building a quiet confidence that comes not from being told she is capable, but from discovering her own strength through experience.

At Our Lady of Sion College, we believe that success in physical activity is about far more than winning competitions or developing elite athletes. We actively celebrate and encourage those successes; however, it is about helping every young woman discover a way of moving that brings her confidence, enjoyment and a sense of belonging.

That is why we place such importance on offering choice. Through our extensive GSV program, House sport, Physical Education, camps and co-curricular opportunities, students can choose from a wide variety of activities that reflect different interests, abilities and aspirations. We recognise that while some students thrive in competitive team sports, others find their passion through fitness, outdoor education or recreational activities.

One example is our Friday morning Strength and Conditioning sessions, which continue to attract large numbers of students each week. Their popularity reflects what the research is telling us many girls value opportunities to be active in environments that are social, supportive and focused on personal growth rather than competition.

Our hope is that every Sion student leaves the College not only with fond memories of school sport, but with the confidence, skills and motivation to remain active throughout her life. If we achieve that, we will have contributed to something far greater than sporting success, we will have helped nurture healthy, resilient and confident young women.

Perhaps Norway's greatest lesson is not that it produces exceptional athletes. Perhaps its greatest lesson is that it creates environments where young people want to keep moving.

Further Reading

Australian Sports Commission. (2017). AusPlay: Focus on women and girls participation
Australian Sports Commission. (n.d.). Youth participation: Barriers and motivation
Australian Sports Commission. (n.d.). Youth participation
Australian Sports Commission. (2025). AusPlay publications
Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports. (n.d.). Children's Rights in Sport

We are Sam and Erin, your 2026 College Sports Captains!

It has been a busy year so far, with many achievements, premierships and most importantly the friendships made along the way. Sport at Sion has been nothing short of opportunity, whether you are a swimmer, a runner or simply someone wanting to cheer and support, Sion has it all. So far this year, our school has participated in a range of GSV carnival sports which have been swimming and diving (Term 1), cross country (Term 2) and now the squad are beginning their Track and Field training and competition season for Term 3. As a school we have participated across 20 different weekly GSV sports, and there has been lots of success so far.

Recently we celebrated a victory in the Division 2 GSV cross country carnival. This is the first time in many years since we have come out as champions in cross country. It is a reflection of the efforts and participation that everyone put into the season. A special thank you goes to Mr Rieusseut, Mr Cox and other supporting teachers for their continued dedication to waking up in the early mornings and helping us all train hard throughout the term.

Later this term, we will be hosting the annual Sports Awards Evening, where students will receive awards based on spirit, participation and dedication to their chosen sports. Well done to everyone who will be recognised. We are also hosting a special guest, so keep an eye out for who it will be. This term, we have Sports week. Where students will be able to participate in daily quizzes with prizes to be won for the winning Homeroom and a range of staff vs student games (basketball, volleyball, netball, dodgeball). Everyone get involved as it is going to be an exciting term and end of year ahead!

As we head towards the end of the year, we encourage everyone to continue getting involved in sport, whether that means joining a team, supporting your friends from the sidelines, or giving something new a try. Sport at Sion is about much more than winning; it's about building confidence, showing resilience, creating lasting friendships and making memories that will stay with you long after the season ends. We cannot wait to see what the rest of the year has in store and hope to see everyone getting involved in the exciting events still to come!

Go Sion!

Last week we commenced our next series of seminars in our Pastoral Care session. Our seminars are focusing on Gratitude, Friendships and Feedback, Goal Setting, Study Techniques and looking at our intrinsic growth. Each seminar aims to challenge the way our Year 10 students think, to disrupt what they know and challenge them to think differently moving forward. Semester 1 saw many positives from our Year 10 cohort and Semester 2 aims to see continued improvement in all areas of development.

On Tuesday I was lucky enough to spend a Pastoral session with one of the Year 10 Homerooms and what I saw was a group of students who were happy to engage with questioning who they are, what they see in themselves and in others. I saw an open willingness to hold open conversations around this topic. Then later in the session, I saw our Year 10 students working collaboratively, attempting a task, they knew they would not finish, but they got as much done as they could. By collaborating, they found solutions, worked the problem, knew it would not be perfect, but acknowledged that what they did was enough. I want all families to know that in the messiness of Year 10, these are the skills, habits and traits we see being developed each and everyday.

Ballroom Dancing

The students participating in our Ballroom program (both Sion and Whitefriars) are doing so well. So far we have had four sessions and the students have learned two dances, the Mirange and Tango. What is also exceptionally pleasing to see is how the students are developing a good rapport with each other. Conversations are starting to flow, with a little more ease and we are seeing more of the students looking at each other than at their feet and counting.

Please see the schedule of the next two weeks below:

Monday 10 August: Whitefriars College
Thursday 13 August: St. Johns
Monday 17 August: Whitefriars College
Monday 24 August: Whitefriars College

There is some work still to be done! However, our Presentation Evening on Thursday 10 September at Box Hill Town Hall is shaping up to be a fantastic example of what our Year 10s can achieve.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards Evening

There is still much work being done to secure many Bronze awards for our successful students. I ask that all families recheck their daughter's Online Record Books to ensure that all is in order and that your award has not been returned by the National Head Office for items to be corrected or fixed. Should you need any support, please reach out.

This week we have been fortunate to acknowledge the work of our Semester 1 Class Leaders and welcome new leaders for the remainder of the year. Class leaders are instrumental in supporting their Homerooms in a range of ways. They lead initiatives, such as our Homeroom Bingo Challenge which encourages the classes to work together to achieve a bingo line or completed sheets with challenges related to the life of the school. Class Leaders also attend a fortnightly meeting with myself and our SRC to discuss the successes and challenges that their Homeroom are journeying through. Their voice is an important source of information to ensure that the Year 9 Homeroom teacher team are informed and that we are also able to adapt our Pastoral Program to the emerging needs of the Year 9s. These opportunities allow students to build a sense of connection and belonging with their peers - regardless of whether they are in friendship groups or not.

The term ahead will continue to be one full of opportunities for the Year 9s to engage with including:

The Year 9 AYIN Suffragette Campaign
The Year 9 Sion Day Raffles
Term 3 Days for Girls session
Snapshot Dance and Sport Rotations
The Homeroom Netball Competition

These opportunities allow students to build a sense of connection and belonging with their peers - regardless of whether they are in friendship groups.

This week our Pastoral session focused on important aspects of relationships with others. Students were encouraged to consider pillars of relationships including Safety, Fairness, Respect, Independence, Trust and Support and were given articles and scenarios to reflect on and discuss the importance of these pillars. This Pastoral session allows students the opportunity to reflect on their personal understanding of these pillars, while also exploring the ways they present across a range of relationships. There are further resources available to students to support their learning in this space, which can be accessed through their Homeroom teacher, myself or the Google Classroom.

The Importance of being on time

Being on time is an important habit that supports student success, wellbeing, and positive engagement at school. Arriving at school promptly allows students to begin their day feeling prepared, organised, and ready to learn.

When students are late, they can miss important instructions, classroom conversations, and opportunities to connect with their teachers and peers. Consistent punctuality also helps students develop valuable life skills, including responsibility, independence, and respect for the learning time of others.

As part of our Choose Kind, Try Brave focus in Year 8, we encourage our Year 8 students to practise positive routines that help them feel organised and ready to succeed. Being on time is one of these routines. Small actions such as packing their bag the night before, checking the timetable, preparing their uniform and allowing enough time to get to school can make a big difference. Support from home in reinforcing these routines is an important part of helping students develop confidence, independence, and positive habits.

We recognise that there can be many reasons why arriving on time may sometimes be challenging. If your child is finding it difficult to establish a routine, we encourage you to have a conversation with their Homeroom teacher or myself. The Year 8 and Wellbeing Team are available to provide support, discuss strategies, and work collaboratively with families to help students develop positive habits.

The Year 8 Basketball competition

Our Year 8 Basketball Competition continued this week, with students entering the second last round of fixtures. It has been wonderful to see students embracing the competition while demonstrating teamwork, communication and respect for their teammates and opponents. Beyond the scoreboard, students have shown great sportsmanship and a willingness to support one another. Thank you to all students for their enthusiasm and participation.

Dante Alighieri Poetry Recitation Competition

The following 11 students participated in the finals for the 2026 Dante Alighieri Poetry Recitation Competition on Tuesday 14 July, at the University of Melbourne: Maia F (9 Silver), Issy M (9 Silver), Evdoxia S (9 Silver), Daniela D l (10 Blue), Isabella M (10 Blue), Mietta N (10 Red), Gabby Z (10 Blue), Lauren B (11 Silver), Alessia G (11 Blue), Elouise P (11 Gold) and Lara R (11 Blue).

Congratulations to Maia F (9 Silver), who was awarded third prize in the competition. This is a wonderful achievement. Maya will be presented with her prize at a presentation at CoAsIt on October 24 starting at 2.00 pm.

We are delighted to announce the overall results of the competition.

The following students were awarded a High Distinction for their outstanding performance: Olivia R (9 Red), Sefina G (9 Purple), Suz T (9 White), Zara C (10 White), Anastasia K (10 Blue), Chloe T (10 Red), Ilia P (11 Gold) and Charlotte R (11 Purple).

The following students were recognised with an Honourable Mention for their achievement: Tanalee M (9 White), Alyssa Z (9 White), Sophia T (9 Red), Chloe G (9 Silver), Sylvia P (9 Purple), Juliet A (10 White), Zoe A (10 Blue), Erica B (10 Gold), Alyssa C (10 White), Eve H (10 Red) and Evelyn I (10 White).

The following students were awarded a Merit Certificate: Mariah E (9 Blue), Maria H (9 Gold), Caitlin L (9 Silver), Maggie L (9 White), Olivia W (9 White), Ruby Kent (10 Red), Zara Leys (10 Purple), Dayna P (10 White) and Ava T (10 Blue), Viva M (11 Gold), Remi P (11 Gold) and Angela S (11 Red).

We celebrate the achievements of all the participants and congratulate them on their excellent results.

Student Reflection

Our third prize winner, Maia F (9 Silver), would like to share her experience with us.

Participating in this year's Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition was a rewarding and enriching experience. The competition is a wonderful way to celebrate and preserve the appreciation of Italian language, literature, and culture within the Melbourne community.

For the competition, I chose to recite a short excerpt from La Divina Commedia by Dante Alighieri. I was particularly drawn to the poem because of its use of Old Italian, a form of the language I had never encountered before. My main goal while learning the piece was to convey its emotion and meaning. Spending time to understand the rhythm, pacing, and significance of each line gave me a much deeper appreciation for this classic piece of writing.

After the competition, we visited the Italian Museum exhibition at CoAsIt, which made the experience even more memorable. We finished the day by enjoying a delicious gelato from Brunetti together. Maia F (9 Silver)

International Partnership Program

Last Saturday marked the conclusion of our USA and French Partnership Programs as our students, teachers, and host families gathered to farewell our visitors. It was an emotional occasion, with many tears shed as new friendships were celebrated and goodbyes were said after three unforgettable weeks together.

Our visitors enjoyed a wonderful stay, and the program was an outstanding success. We are incredibly grateful that our students had the opportunity to live, learn, and form meaningful connections with young people from across the world who share the same values and Sion charism that are at the heart of our community here at Box Hill. These experiences foster understanding, lifelong friendships, and a genuine appreciation of our global Sion family, while giving our French students the opportunity to enhance their language skills.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our host students and families for their incredible generosity, warmth, and hospitality in welcoming our visitors and making their experience so memorable. The families are: Batten, Gallagher, Gumley, Janssen, Knight, Merton, Pearson, Vais, Van der Lit, Walters, Whitely and Young.

We are now eagerly looking forward to the next stage of the USA program, when our students will have the opportunity to visit their new friends in USA in December 2026 – January 2027.

Student Reflections

One of our hosting sisters, Molly P (11 Gold), who hosted an USA student, has shared her reflection of the partnership program with us:

Over the last three weeks we have had so much fun with our exchange students. Introducing them to Australian culture, foods (like Tim Tams, Vegemite and Milo) and what life is like as a Year 11 student at school in Australia. Eleanore came to classes with me, participated in after school activities and embraced life at Our Lady of Sion College in Box Hill. With Eleanore, we went to footy games, Phillip Island, Sovereign Hill and the Mornington Peninsula. We took Eleanore to see kangaroos and got to hold a koala. I am so excited to see her again later this year and can't wait to make many more memories with her! Molly P (11 Gold)

Prior to their departure, each of our new friends wrote a reflection on their time with us. We'd love to share a selection of their thoughts with you.

This exchange has been an extraordinary experience that I will always be grateful for. I made amazing memories, such as visiting Melbourne, Phillip Island and Sovereign Hill, but also the time spent with my host sister and her family, who made this trip even more special. I also loved going to school here, especially classes like Media, Food, Physics, English and History that were really interesting. I will cherish the memory of this month in Australia forever, but I hope to delete the horrible taste of Vegemite from my mind. Audrey M – French Exchange Student

I have loved my time here in Australia! I have learned so much about the Australian culture and life which I am very grateful for. I had so much fun with everyone at the Formal and I am so glad I got to experience it. The excursions were amazing bonding opportunities; made us all so close and I learned a lot. Thank you so much for this opportunity, I am so glad I got to live this experience at the school and with my host sister and family. Ally C – USA exchange Student

I truly enjoyed my time here at Sion and in Melbourne. One thing that stood out to me the most was how much we have in common. The charism of Sion is obvious between the Sion schools and that was really touching to see. The all-school assembly (Principal’s Assembly) was very much like our Grande Assemblée. We also celebrate our academic achievements in the arts, sports and service work. The Day of Dialogue was another wonderful example of who we all are as Sion. I cannot forget to mention meeting the Sisters. Hearing their stories, listening to them speak in multiple languages, and feeling their dedication to the Charism of Sion was absolutely beautiful. It reminded me just how I love our interfaith mission, and to see others who have dedicated their lives to that mission was uplifting. Thank you for making us feel welcome. Thank you for sharing your beautiful school, land and culture with us. It was a magical three weeks! Elizabeth Mulkey – USA Accompanying Teacher

GSV Rep Netball

Olivia McD (12 Gold) and Ava M (12 Blue) represented the GSV against AGSV last week. Both Olivia and Ava have contributed to our GSV program since Year 7 and played in our Premier Netball season this year.

Student Reflection

On Wednesday 29 July, the GSV team competed against the AGSV team for the third year in a row at the Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School Sports Fields in Keilor. Students from nine different schools came together for a highly competitive and exciting match that came down to the final minutes, with GSV narrowly losing by just one goal. A special highlight was Ava M (12 Blue) representing GSV for her fourth consecutive year, while Olivia McD (12 Gold) competed for her third year in a row. Ava played a key role in the shooting end with strong attacking pressure and accurate finishing, while Olivia made an important contribution through the mid-court, providing drive, transition, and strong defensive pressure throughout the game. Olivia McD (12 Gold) and Ava M (12 Blue)

GSV Rep Soccer

It was a wet and windy day out in Keilor for GSV/AGSV Soccer. Katie D (12 White) and Tiana A (10 Gold) represented our community on the day and were fantastic. Katie scored 2 goals and created several scoring opportunities for her team mates in the forward half. Tiana worked tirelessly through the midfield, contributing in both both attack and defence. 11 goals were scored in a high scoring match, GSV ended up winning 7-4.

School Sport Australia Championships - Diving

We had three students compete at School Sport Championships last week. Ana C (9 Blue) wore the Big V in the U14 Girls AFL, Ella R (12 Purple) and Olivia McD (12 Gold) represented Victoria in the diving.

Student Reflection

Last week Olivia and I competed in the School Sport Australia Championships at MSAC representing Team Vic as team captains. Olivia and I competed in the 17-19 girls knockout on the Monday, Olivia came 7th in this and I came equal 3rd. Then on Thursday we had our main springboard event where Liv placed 2nd and I placed 3rd. We then competed together on Friday in the 17-19 girls and mixed synchro which we came 2nd in. The week was filled with fun and learning experiences both in and out of the pool. We got to meet so many new people and learn lots through the team synchro event and the MCG excursion day. The competition was a very successful and enjoyable experience for us both and we look forward to competing at MSAC again this year at the Australian Junior Elite Championships in September. Ella R (12 Purple)

ACC Mixed Netball

Our Intermediate A Netballers headed into State Netball Centre on Wednesday 5 August to compete in the ACC Mixed Netball competition with our brother school Whitefriars. In the first half, only three girls are allowed on the court, in the second half only three boys are allowed to play. Both A and B teams showed great improvement throughout the day.

Our A team won 5 out of 5 matches and qualified for the Grand Final. Our B team won 5 out of 5 matches and qualified for the Grand Final.

Track and Field - Prelim A

We are looking forward to our Preliminary Carnival on Tuesday 11 August at Lakeside Stadium. We have averaged over 50 students for morning training and 60 students at our three Box Hill training meets. Our training on Monday morning will have both jumps and throws along with sprints and middle distance to give us the best preparation heading into the Carnival. Championship Carnivals will be in Week 7, we are aiming to qualify for division 2 which is on Wednesday 26 August.

GSV Coach / Past Sport Captain joins AFLW

Jorja L(Class of 2021) has been drafted by Melbourne in the AFLW after impressive performances in the VFLW for Western Bulldogs. Jorja was our Sport captain in 2021 and has played a key role in our Carnival and Strength and Conditioning sessions over the years. Her dedication and resilience has been inspirational and we can not wait to see her in the red and blue!

Winter of Giving Appeal: Supporting St Vincent de Paul

Our school community once again demonstrated the true spirit of compassion and generosity through this year's Winter of Giving Appeal in support of the St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Box Hill Conference. Throughout the final weeks of Term 2, students, staff and families enthusiastically embraced a range of initiatives, united by a common goal of supporting those experiencing hardship in our local community.

Highlights of the appeal included our Soup, Sip and Support initiative, where students and staff enjoyed a warm cup of homemade soup while raising funds for a worthy cause. Beautiful handmade scrunchies, lovingly created by members of our College conference, were also available for purchase and proved to be incredibly popular. Our Casual Clothes Day encouraged students to wear their favourite outfits while making a donation, and the stunning hamper raffle, organised in conjunction with the Significant Women's Breakfast, generated wonderful excitement across the College.

Together, these fundraising initiatives raised an outstanding $2,128, which allow us to buy $20 and $50 Essential Gift Vouchers that will be donated to the Box Hill Conference and will provide practical assistance and hope to individuals and families doing it tough.

Our support extended beyond fundraising. Students and staff generously donated a significant collection of non-perishable food items through our Food Drive, helping to replenish food supplies for local families in need. These were all donated to the SVDP Box Hill Parish Pantry located at St Francis Xavier Parish. Students also decorated a collection of reusable tote bags, which were presented to the St Vincent de Paul Box Hill Conference. These colourful, thoughtfully decorated bags served as a tangible reminder that every donation carries not only practical support but also a message of care, dignity and hope.

We extend our sincere thanks to every student, staff member and family who contributed to this year's Winter of Giving Appeal. Your generosity reflects our commitment to living out the Gospel values and reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

It has been a busy year this year for Sion Library Services, and particularly so as we have moved into our newly refurbished Veritas Learning Centre (VLC) space adjacent to the Piazza right in the heart of the school. After being in our temporary accommodation for over three years, we can spread our wings and focus on supporting our learning community.

We had our soft opening on the Wednesday 20 May, and since this time we have borrowed out over 2,200 books to our community of readers. With Book Week occurring in the week starting Monday 24 August, we encourage all students to come and check out what activities are happening during that week for chances to gain Community Spirit Points.

Makerspace Update

For the first time, Sion has a dedicated Maker space in the VLC. It is a practical workroom where students can gain access to tools and materials not normally available in their regular classrooms. Library staff are available to teach students how to use the equipment and also support the teacher if they bring their class into the space. Our Makerspace is decked out with tools, fabrication equipment (3D Printers, Cricut) and consumables that students can use to make and create.

With the weather being a bit cold, many Sion students are spending their lunchtime learning how to crochet or knit. If you have any of the following at home, we would gladly take donations:

Crochet hooks
Knitting needles
Wool
Embroidery thread

Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge

Students in Years 7 to 10 are into the full swing of the VPRC and we have already had 52 of students complete the challenge. When we challenge ourselves to read, we give ourselves permission to stop and focus. Students who set themselves a small goal, such as reading a chapter a night, benefit from the cognitive exercise that comes with silent sustained reading; increasing their focus and concentration skills.

Challenges allow us to set goals and then get the benefit of the dopamine when we meet them.

A reminder that the Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge closes on Friday 4 September, 2026.