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

Monday 7 September

• Term 3 Music Soiree, 5.00 pm, RD 1.22

Tuesday 8 September

• Victorian School Music Festival (VSMF) CVE performance, 12.00 – 3.00 pm, Box Hill Town Hall

Wednesday 9 September

• Tuning into Teens, 6.30 - 8.00 pm (online)

Thursday 10 September

• R U OK? Day
• Year 10 Ballroom Dancing Presentation Evening, 6.00 – 9.00 pm, Box Hill Town Hall

Friday 11 September

• R U OK? netball game with Whitefriars College

Monday 14 September

• Unit 4 Music Performance Recital, 5.00 - 6.00 pm, Miriam Theatre
• Sports Awards Evening, 7.00 pm, Louise Humann Centre

Wednesday 16 September

• Year 8 Beyond the Horizon Program Day 1
• Tuning into Teens, 6.30 - 8.00 pm (online)
• Unit 4 Drama Solo Performance Evening, 7.00 pm, Miriam Theatre

Thursday 17 September

• Year 8 Beyond the Horizon Program Day 2

Friday 18 September

• Last day of Term 3 (students dismissed at 1.25 pm)
• Sports Colours Day

Recently, our staff gathered for our annual Staff Spirituality Day, which focused on our founding stories, the Sion charism and the generations of Sisters who have shaped our College and the wider Sion family. We were privileged to spend time with Sister Mary Reaburn, Sister Patricia Watson, Sister Pat Fox and Sister Mary Barbuto, whose stories brought our heritage to life. As we listened and reflected, it became clear that the Sion mission is not simply part of our history; it remains deeply relevant in today's world.

Central to the Sion story is the belief that understanding begins with encounter. In times marked by division, misunderstanding and prejudice, the Sisters challenged people to build genuine relationships, engage in meaningful dialogue and recognise the dignity of every person. Through education, faith formation and service, they carried this mission across the world.

This mission is reflected beautifully in the Gospel story of the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). As the disciples journeyed together, Jesus first walked alongside them, listened to their experiences and engaged them in conversation before revealing himself to them. It is a powerful reminder that understanding and transformation begin through encounter. This spirit lies at the heart of the Sion charism and continues to guide the way we seek to accompany others with openness, respect and compassion.

While we live in an increasingly connected world, meaningful dialogue can often be difficult. Communities continue to grapple with division, conflict and misunderstanding. The Sion mission offers a powerful response, calling us to listen before we judge, seek understanding before forming conclusions, and recognise our shared humanity.

As a Sion school, we are entrusted with continuing this mission through our everyday interactions and learning experiences. We strive to educate young people who are not only successful learners, but also compassionate, courageous and committed to justice. We want our students to engage respectfully with different perspectives, build bridges between communities and contribute positively to society.

This commitment was reinforced recently at the Family of Sion Day at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum. The experience highlighted the enduring importance of remembering history, challenging prejudice and promoting human dignity. It served as a powerful reminder that the Sion call to dialogue, understanding and reconciliation remains as important today as ever.

The stories shared during our Staff Spirituality Day reminded us that the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion are and have always been women of great faith, courage and hope. They do not simply identify the challenges of their time; they respond with action. Their example invites us to do the same.

The enduring legacy of Sion is not found simply in buildings or traditions, but in the daily choices we make to welcome others, seek understanding, stand against injustice and recognise the dignity of every person. These values continue to guide us as we work together to form young women who will make a positive difference in our world.

Significant Men's Breakfast

This morning, our community gathered for the Significant Men's Breakfast, a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the important role fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers and other significant men play in the lives of our students. It was a fitting way to mark Father's Day and to express our gratitude for their presence, guidance and support.

We extend our sincere thanks to Mr Bryan Kent from Munster Mustard for generously supporting our Significant Men's Breakfast through the provision of this year's gifts.

Thank You, Janine Enright

As Janine Enright concludes her service on the College Board, we extend our sincere thanks for her outstanding contribution to our community.

Janine joined the Our Lady of Sion Board in May 2021, bringing extensive experience as a secondary school leader, sessional lecturer, school reviewer, instructional coach and educational consultant. Her knowledge, expertise and commitment to educational excellence have been highly valued throughout her time on the Board.

During her tenure, Janine made a significant contribution to several important initiatives, including the development of the College's Strategic Plan 2024-2028. She also chaired the panel responsible for the appointment of the College's new Principal, bringing wisdom, insight and a deep understanding of Catholic education to this important process.

Janine's commitment, expertise and generosity of spirit have been greatly appreciated by the Board and College community. We thank her for her dedicated service and wish her every happiness and fulfilment in the years ahead.

Reflecting, Growing and Gathering in Faith

Over the past few weeks, our year level Chapel prayers have provided rich opportunities for reflection, hands-on expression and spiritual growth across our school community.

Students spent time thinking about what kindness really looks like in everyday life, turning those ideas into prayer by folding origami hearts. It was a simple, meaningful way to remind us all how small acts of care can make a big difference around our school.

We also gathered to explore what it means to grow in faith, taking heart from the Gospel of Matthew (13:31–32). Together, we listened to Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed, considering how something so small and tender can grow into a magnificent tree, offering shelter and rest to the birds of the air. Students shared personal perspectives on how small beginnings in their own faith journeys can flourish into meaningful action and community support.

That sense of togetherness carried over into lunch last week, where students from different year levels gathered in a welcoming space to craft their own decades of the rosary. It was a wonderful time of connection, shared stories and quiet devotion.

These gentle moments remind us that when we nurture the small seeds of faith with love, beautiful things can quietly take hold.

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Survey (MACSSIS) 2026

Thank you to those families who have already participated in the MACSSIS family survey for 2026. We encourage each family to take the time to complete the survey by Friday 18 September 2026. Your participation is important as it ensures that the survey results truly represent our school community's collective voice.

Wishing all members of the College community many blessings.

Anxiety, Perfectionism and Academic Pressure: Supporting Our Young People

Many young people today are striving to do their best, and in a high-achieving environment, this can sometimes shift into unhelpful perfectionism. For girls in particular, the desire to meet high expectations, both their own and others’, can contribute to increased anxiety and a fear of making mistakes.

Perfectionism often presents as a reluctance to take risks, avoidance of challenging tasks, or becoming overly distressed when things do not go to plan. While motivation and care in learning are positive qualities, it is important to help young people understand that growth comes through effort, setbacks and reflection, not flawless outcomes.

As parents and carers, one of the most powerful messages you can reinforce is that mistakes are a normal and necessary part of learning. When your child experiences disappointment, try to focus the conversation on what was learned rather than what was lost. Questions such as “What might you try differently next time?” or “What did this experience teach you?” can gently shift the focus from performance to progress.

It is also helpful to model balance. Encourage regular breaks, time for social connection, physical activity and rest. When young people see that their worth is not tied solely to achievement, they are more likely to develop a healthier, more sustainable approach to learning.

If anxiety is becoming more persistent, look for signs such as changes in sleep, withdrawal from activities, or heightened emotional responses to everyday challenges. Early support, both at home and through the school, can make a significant difference.

Our goal is to support each student to strive for excellence while also developing resilience, self-compassion and perspective. By working together, we can help our young people build the confidence to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks and maintain a sense of balance in their lives.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families resource

The Happy Families article for this edition is: Don’t Cry Over Spilled Smoothie

R U OK? Every Day

Each year, we set aside time to ask an important question, “Are you OK?”, and to remind ourselves that a simple conversation can make a real difference to someone who might be having a difficult time. Perhaps the most important part of R U OK? Day is what happens after the day is over. At Our Lady of Sion College, we deliberately extend R U OK? into a range of activities and opportunities to connect because we want to reinforce a simple message. R U OK? is not just something we ask once a year. R U OK? is something we can ask every day.

Why does connection matter?

There is a growing body of research reminding us just how important our relationships and sense of belonging are to our wellbeing. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) describes a student's sense of belonging as feeling connected, respected and supported at school. Research shows that a stronger sense of belonging is associated with higher academic motivation, achievement and self-esteem. Supportive relationships with peers can also provide emotional support and help young people navigate difficult times.

This is particularly important during adolescence, when relationships and friendships play such an important role in how young people experience the world around them. The AIHW identifies supportive relationships with family, peers and community as an important protective factor for young people's mental health. In other words, connection is not simply something that makes us feel good. It is an important part of wellbeing.

Sometimes it starts with a question

R U OK? Day encourages us to notice when someone might not be themselves, ask the question, genuinely listen, encourage appropriate support and then check in again. We don't always know what is happening beneath the surface for the people around us. Someone can be laughing with their friends, participating in class, playing sport or appearing to have a great day, and still be finding things difficult. We don't need to wait for someone to be visibly struggling before we reach out. Sometimes it is as simple as, “You don't seem quite yourself today. Are you OK?” “How are things going?” “Do you want to talk?” Or even just, “I'm here if you need me.”

R U OK? Day reminds us that we don't need to be experts to start a conversation. We need to be willing to notice, ask, listen and care. And importantly, asking once isn't always enough. Life changes. Circumstances change. People have good days and difficult days. R U OK? Day encourages us to check in again because genuine connection is ongoing.

At Sion, this isn't something we only do on R U OK? Day. Looking out for one another, noticing when someone might need support, showing kindness and making connections are already part of everyday life at our College. We see this in the small moments that can make a big difference. Our staff notice if students are not quite themselves and take the time to ask how they are going. Our students will sit beside someone alone at lunchtime. Our Homeroom Team notices a change in a student's mood or behaviour and checks in. It is also the student who recognises that their friend is having a difficult day and doesn't simply walk past. It is the conversation that happens after class, on the oval, in the piazza or while walking between lessons. It is choosing kindness in our words, our actions and in the way we treat the people around us.

These moments of connection matter in our classrooms too. A student who feels “Named and Known”, respected and supported is more likely to feel comfortable asking a question, contributing an idea, having a go when something is difficult and engaging with their learning. In this way, wellbeing and learning are not separate. The relationships we build and the culture we create help provide the conditions in which learning can flourish.

R U OK? Day allows us to pause and recognise the importance of these moments. It gives us a chance to celebrate the culture of care, kindness and connection that already exists across our College and to encourage all of us to keep looking out for one another, which vastly improves the learning experiences and outcomes in the classroom. The College wellbeing program isn't created through one event or one week. It is built through the everyday relationships, conversations, kindness and acts of care that happen across our community. The activities on different days next week are therefore not the beginning or the end. They are a reminder of something we already know.

Our particular thoughts and prayers are with Hannah L (8 Red), whose grandmother passed away recently.

We remember Hannah and her family in a special way at this sad time.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.

Hi everyone, my name is Diya and I am the STEM Captain at Our Lady of Sion College.

At Sion, I believe STEM is a great way to encourage curiosity, creativity and problem-solving. I am especially passionate about encouraging more girls to pursue STEM and other traditionally male-dominated fields by creating an environment where everyone feels confident, supported and excited to get involved.

One of my favourite experiences as STEM Captain has been organising STEM Week. From planning activities such as Escape Rooms, a Mario Kart Tournament and engineering challenges, to working alongside my STEM Representatives, it has been incredibly rewarding to see students from different year levels come together, participate and enjoy STEM.

I chose to apply to be STEM Captain because I have always enjoyed being involved in STEM and wider school events throughout my time at Sion. The role has given me the opportunity to collaborate with lots of different people, take on new challenges and make a broader contribution to our school community.

I was inspired by the STEM Captain from 2024, Alana B, who was always approachable and showed genuine dedication to making STEM inclusive. Her passion encouraged me to become more involved and motivated me to create the same welcoming environment for others. I hope that through my role, I can inspire other students in the same way she inspired me.

Looking ahead, I am most excited about working with the other student leaders to create experiences that bring everyone together. I’m also looking forward to making the most of our final year at Sion and continuing to contribute to our STEM community.

During this week’s Pastoral session, our Year 12 students participated in a powerful and thought-provoking presentation by Ms Gurciullo titled People, Power, Perspective. Drawing from her own remarkable journey of resilience, Ms Gurciullo shared a deeply personal story of overcoming a life-altering accident, transforming adversity into a platform to inspire and empower others.

Her message centred around key themes such as resilience, connection, perspective and the legacy we each leave behind. She encouraged students to reflect on how they respond to setbacks, manage negative self-talk and reframe challenges as opportunities for growth.

At a time of year that is both demanding and defining for our Year 12 cohort, Ms Gurciullo’s presentation served as a timely and uplifting reminder to stay grounded, connected and forward-thinking. Her words resonated strongly with the students and left a lasting impact on many.

Vocational Major

Our Vocational Major students continue to develop their barista skills, serving coffee to grateful staff while gaining valuable experience. Their commitment to diversifying their skills and helping others extended to sewing knitted squares into blankets for Vinnies, supporting those in need with care and creativity.

On Monday, students attended RSPCA Burwood to experience firsthand the work of this important community organisation and were inspired to be advocates for positive change.

School Aerobics

We are very proud of the following Year 12 students who participated in the National School Aerobics competition on the Gold Coast last weekend. Congratulations to Paige M (12 Gold), Olivia P (12 Gold), Alice H (12 Purple), Mia H (12 Purple), Emma D (12 Purple), Ruby M (12 Purple). Their dedication to their training whilst balancing the rigours of Year 12 studies is commendable, and we are grateful for their generous contribution to our school community.

Year 12 Important Dates and Events

This period of time is one filled with both excitement and anticipation for our Year 12 students. Amidst the completion of SACs, trial exams and preparation for final exams, there are many celebratory events coming up to acknowledge this important milestone.

Please note the important dates regarding upcoming events for Year 12 students. These will be communicated via an EdSmart Broadcast. A link to a summary table of events can also be found here.

Well done to the Year 11 cohort for their contributions and consistent efforts throughout Term 3.

Term 3 has provided several opportunities for the cohort, starting with the Year 11 Formal. What a great occasion this was to socialise with students and guests. Shortly after the Formal, students were invited to apply for the Year 12 2027 Leadership positions. Congratulations to all students who applied and have shown commitment to the process involved. Regardless of the final appointments, it is not always easy to step out of your comfort zone and take on a new challenge that requires planning, effort and positive energy. Thank you to all students for taking the time to put yourself out there as a representative of the cohort. Leadership can be pursued in a variety of contexts. Your strengths, talents and gifts are valued.

Thank you to all Year 11 students for their contributions to the Pastoral Respectful Relationships unit across Term 3. It is always so exciting to have meaningful conversations with young people about their observations and experiences that inform their worldview. We will conclude this unit in the final week of Term 3 with a visit from Eastern Community Legal Centre, who will give a presentation to the Year 11 cohort on Consent and the Law.

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Year 11 students who are currently studying Business Management for the innovative and entrepreneurial ideas they displayed on Market Day last Friday. It was a wonderful success due to the efforts of our Business Management students and their teachers.

A reminder that students who are accelerating in a Unit 3/4 subject will do a trial exam for their subject in the second week of the September holidays. The Trial Exam Timetable has been shared with students. If students have any queries regarding these, they are to see Ms Dale Hunter, Director of Senior Learning.

I encourage our Year 11 students to continue working hard with their studies and contributing to the spirit and community elements of our College.

The past month has continued to be a very busy time for our Year 10 students. Our students have participated in our recent L’Chaim excursion, where the cohort visited either ACU/RMIT or Deakin and Monash University. This was the second of our post-secondary excursions, providing students with a deeper insight into what post-secondary education might look like and what is possible. Students have also celebrated the Significant Men’s Breakfast and participated in the GSV Track and Field Championship Carnival.

Each of these opportunities has a common link: building and developing relationships and embracing new opportunities. Year 10 is a year of fostering relationships, both those already established and, just as importantly, new ones. Our Ballroom Dancing Program is a fantastic opportunity to develop new relationships, meet new people and have conversations that might not have happened otherwise, potentially leading to new lifelong friendships.

The past month has highlighted the importance of relationships and opportunities. For our Year 10 students, the skills, challenges and learning that come with these experiences are pivotal. Each opportunity allows students to question and explore who they are and what they might like to achieve. They may not always know the answer, and they may change their minds along the way. This is where the pivotal learning occurs – where they can be inquisitive, ask questions and begin to put into action what they think their next best step could be.

Ballroom Dancing

How quickly time has gone! Thursday 10 September is our Presentation Evening, which will be held at Box Hill Town Hall. Students are required to be at the venue by no later than 5.45 pm, in readiness for a 6.00–7.00 pm final rehearsal. The presentation to the community will commence at 7.00 pm. At the conclusion of the presentation, there will be some light refreshments shared.

I ask that only two family members attend this evening, in addition to your young person. Once you are in the auditorium, I ask you to fill every seat, as these will be at a premium.

As a final notice regarding Ballroom, there will not be a practice held on Monday 7 September, as Whitefriars have their Student Progress Meetings that day.

I look forward to seeing all community members on Thursday 10 September. You will be very proud of your young person and just how well they will dance!

With this thought, I’d like to encourage all families to embrace the power of making, creating and embracing new opportunities and relationships over the term break. Stay safe, everyone, and enjoy the final weeks of term.

As we move towards the end of the term, we have focused on the ways that we continue to experience growth, but also on the importance of creating opportunities for joy. In Week 7, students were encouraged to think about Book Week – the costumes they remember wearing in primary school and the joy they felt arriving all dressed up for the day. We discussed celebrating in joyful ways by recognising the accomplishments of peers in their participation in the National Aerobics, Victorian Schools Music Festivals, GSV Athletics and the completion of sections of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. All of these are opportunities to celebrate with joy.

Growth can also be celebrated through the development of particular social skills – this was the focus of our Pastoral lesson this week. Our session built on our previous learning about the ways in which our relationships change throughout our lives. Students were introduced to the ‘Fact, Story, Ask’ thinking process when faced with a challenging social situation. Students were given scenarios to focus their thinking and were allowed to determine what the facts of the scenario were (what was the black and white?), what the story was (what were the added emotions and interpretations?) and what question they could ask if they were in the situation. This process encouraged the students to consider that we all bring our story to an interaction and that, by developing confidence to have challenging conversations, we are able to positively work through these. We also extended on this to encourage the students to understand when to ‘pause and hold’, recognising that a response may show that a conversation now would not be well timed, or when to involve an adult.

We will continue to develop these skills as we move through the year.

The Year 8 Basketball Grand Final

The Year 8 Basketball Tournament has now come to a successful conclusion. After several energetic rounds of competition, 8 White and 8 Orange finished equal at the top of the ladder, resulting in a grand final to determine the Year 8 Basketball Champions.

The grand final saw members of 8 White and 8 Orange compete for the title. Both Homerooms demonstrated strong teamwork, determination and sportsmanship. After a closely contested match, 8 Orange secured the final victory and were crowned the 2026 Year 8 Basketball Champions. Congratulations to 8 Orange on this excellent achievement, and to 8 White for their strong performance throughout the tournament and for reaching the grand final.

A special commendation also goes to the members of 8 Blue, 8 Gold, 8 Red, 8 Silver and 8 Purple. Each Homeroom demonstrated enthusiasm and teamwork, contributing to the positive atmosphere across the year level. It was wonderful to see students giving their best, encouraging one another and representing their Homerooms with pride.

Congratulations once again to 8 Orange, our 2026 Year 8 Basketball Champions, and well done to all Homerooms on a fantastic tournament.

We are already looking ahead to our next Homeroom challenge – the Dance and Cheer Competition! Students have been working hard on their dances. We can't wait to see the creativity and energy each Homeroom brings to their performance!

Within the last fortnight, Year 7 students and families had the fantastic opportunity to engage with staff through the Student Progress Meetings (SPMs), providing a valuable opportunity for students, families and teachers to come together to reflect on learning, celebrate progress and identify areas for continued growth. These conversations are an important part of the Year 7 journey, particularly as students continue to develop the independence, organisation and learning habits needed to thrive in secondary school.

As we move through Terms 3 and 4, we encourage families who were able to join these SPMs to revisit the feedback and goals discussed with their child. Small, consistent actions can make a significant difference to student progress and academic confidence. This might include:

• Checking their timetable together to proactively plan times for homework and study
• Supporting the organisation of their school materials the night before they are needed
• Helping them develop routines and learning spaces beneficial for completing learning tasks at home.

For our Year 7s, SPMs are not simply a conversation about where they are now, but an opportunity to consider where they want to go next. We encourage students to use the feedback they received as a guide for the remainder of the year and to recognise that growth often comes through small, purposeful changes. Subject teachers remain an invaluable resource and can be contacted throughout the year if subject-related concerns or questions arise. With the continued support of families and teachers, our students can build on the progress they have already made and finish their first year of secondary school with greater confidence, independence and readiness for Year 8.

Indigenous Literacy Day

Wednesday 2 September was Indigenous Literacy Day. As organised by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, this day was a national celebration of First Nations peoples’ stories, cultures and languages. This year, Indigenous Literacy Day celebrated the theme, ‘Country is our Teacher’.

The Indigenous Literacy Foundation has three book programs (Book Supply, Book Buzz and Community Publishing), which focus on access to quality resources including books in First Languages, publishing Community stories and supporting Communities to lead the entire process.

All students in Years 7-9 have received a bookmark that spotlights texts within the VLC collection and to acknowledge the day. The bookmarks can be used to support student time in the VLC as part of the Wider Reading Program.

We have an opportunity here to pause and reflect on the importance of building respect, understanding and knowledge. Further information about the Indigenous Literacy Foundation can be found here.

More Sion Ensembles at VSMF

Congratulations to the following ensembles who have performed at the Victorian Schools Music Festival in recent days:

• Intermediate Concert Band directed by Joel Dullard received a Silver Award
• Jazz Club directed by Joel Dullard and Elliot Lamb received a Silver Award

Results from the remaining two ensembles, Senior Jazz Ensemble and College Vocal Ensemble, will be announced in the next edition of the Newsletter.

Term 3 Instrumental Music Soiree – Monday 7 September

Instrumental students will have another opportunity to perform solo and chamber ensemble material at the Term 3 Music Soiree on Monday 7 September at 5.00 pm.

VCE Music Performance class Unit 2 and 4 Recitals

The final recitals for the students completing Unit 4 of their VCE Music Performance studies, in preparation for their external assessment, will be held on Monday 14 September, 5.00 pm in the Miriam Theatre. The Unit 2 VCE Music students' recital is on Monday 5 October.

Year 7 Spring Music Concert - Save the Date

All Year 7 ensembles, small groups, and those Year 7s in Intermediate-level ensembles will be performing at the annual Year 7 Spring Music Concert, to be held on Tuesday 10 November at 7.00 pm in the LHC. A TryBooking link for your free tickets will be sent to you next term. Congratulations to Nicole C (7 White) on winning the artwork design competition for the program!

National Aerobics - Sunshine Coast

Our Aerobics squad competed at Nationals on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday 30 August. The teams represented the College extremely well for the duration of the trip, making it a special one for our Year 12 students and first-time National athletes!

We competed in the Secondary Stage 2 Large Team Senior section at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort. The standard of competition was extremely high, with Groove Is in the Heart finishing 2nd on a huge 97.20 (our highest-ever competition score!), Disco Inferno in 3rd place with 95.35 and Blame It on the Boogie in 6th with 90.65.

Highlights from the trip outside of the performances included a walk from Alexandra Headlands to Mooloolaba and a meal on Sunday night at Alex Heads Surf Life Saving Club celebrating the season that was! A huge thank you to Ms Macdonald, Ms Gurciullo and Ms Cetrola for making the trip possible. Thank you to our coaches Scarlett, Bella and Alyssa for their guidance and support to our teams over the season.

GSV Track and Field 2nd Place!

Well done to everyone who contributed to our GSV Track and Field season for 2026! We finished our final Championship for the year 2nd overall, which is a fantastic achievement. We were consistent across age groups, with Juniors finishing 2nd, Intermediates 3rd and Seniors 3rd. We are so proud of the commitment students showed at training, meets and carnivals.

We also recorded our largest representation at GSV Finals Evening, with 18 students across 26 events who will compete against the best athletes across all GSV schools (23 schools) on Tuesday 8 September from 5.00 – 8.30 pm.

Sport Awards Night and Sports Week

A reminder that on Monday 14 September we will be celebrating our Sport Program in the LHC from 7.00 – 9.00 pm. Our Sport Captains, Erin M (12 Red) and Sam O (12 Blue), meet with our speaker, Alice Kunek, in preparation for her keynote and Q&A.

Our Sport Representatives and Individual Sport Captains have been working hard organising our Sports Week activities, including Staff v Student and morning workouts for Zumba and Strength and Conditioning. We would love to have big numbers to finish the term in style!

GSV Weekly Sport Finals and Term 4 Trials

Term 3 Finals for Badminton, Indoor Cricket and Soccer are next week! There are some early departures, so please note information that will be shared with teams who qualify.

It is also time for Term 4 trials to commence for Basketball, Cricket and Touch Football! EdSmart forms will be sent to families with all trial information for the last couple of weeks in Term 3 and the first week back in Term 4.

GSV Rep Cross Country

Congratulations to Sophie F (11 White), who claimed 3rd place in the GSV Rep team 4km race at Caulfield Grammar in Wheelers Hill against the top runners from GSV, APS, AGSV and CGSAV. Sophie backed up the following day at the Australian Cross Country Championships on Saturday 22 August, finishing 12th in the U18 4km event. Well done, Sophie!

Students and families can find the fortnightly Careers newsletter here.

In this issue of the Newsletter there is information relating to:

• Upcoming Events: September School holiday opportunities special bulletin 2026; Year 12 VTAC timely applications
• Careers Industry in the Spotlight – Medical Imaging
• Things to Consider – Nursing – Division 2 (enrolled) Diploma courses in Victoria, ACU guarantee reminder
• Researching options – Charles Sturt University – Bachelor of Health and Medical Science, Federation University – The Federation University Co-operative Model, Swinburne University – New Courses introduced in 2026.

The debating and public speaking scene has been in full swing, with the conclusion of the Debating Association of Victoria’s (DAV) Year 9-12 Schools Competition, the start of DAV's Junior Secondary Program (JSP) for Years 7-8 and the Rotary Model United Nations (MUNA), which was open to our Year 10 students and supported by Jemima Stafford.

On Monday 24 August, we were also joined onsite at Our Lady of Sion College by guest speaker and DAV adjudicator, Nathan Kong, at Captivate 22, who hosted a public speaking workshop in the VLC in Period 5. This was open to 30 students from Years 7-12.

Student Reflections

Below, Suzie Y (8 Silver) reflects on the JSP Training Night and Clare N (10 White) shares her experience participating in the Model United Nations. We look forward to all the exciting debating news still to come in 2026!

The JSP training night was a great experience and I believe that anyone who wishes to improve not only their debating skills, but public speaking skills, should give it a try! The night began with training where we were taught by certified adjudicators, essentially very talented debaters, on how to properly structure an argument, ways to rebut and overall how to make your debate ideal and effective. Once the training ended, we headed to an auditorium to watch adjudicators debate against one another. I really enjoyed it as watching people who debated occasionally at a high level showed just how well anyone could do in debating, and we could also visibly recognise when they used the skills that they showed us earlier. Suzie Y (8 Silver)

On Saturday 15 August, Phryne P (10 Gold), Alice D (10 Purple), Sophie J (10 Purple), Liv A (10 White), Niamh B (10 White) and I travelled to Lyndale College, where we participated in Rotary Model United Nations. We represented the delegation of Japan and debated on two prepared resolutions, 'International migration and development' and 'No first placement of weapons in outer space'. We then had another hour to prepare for our unprepared resolution, which was centred upon the implications of AI on human rights. This experience was inspiring; we had to be quick-thinking and use collaboration skills to make the most of each resolution. We would also like to thank our 2026 Debating Captain, Lizzy W (12 Purple), for her immense support in mentoring us through this process, as well as Miss Stafford for the time she took to coordinate the team and resources. Clare N (10 White)