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

Monday 28 September – Friday 2 October

• VCE Units 3 and 4 Trial Exams, Notre Dame Centre

Monday 5 October

• First day of Term 4
• VCE Unit 2 Music Recital, Music Room RD 1.22, 5.00 pm

Wednesday 7 October

• College Assembly – Investiture, House Cup and Year 12 Final Assembly

• 2027 Student Leaders Camp

• String Soirée, Miriam Theatre, 5.00 pm
• Duke of Edinburgh Presentation Evening, Miriam Theatre, 7.00 pm

Wednesday 14 October

• Year 12 Mass and Graduation, Louise Humann Centre, 5.30 – 8.30 pm

Thursday 15 October

• Final day of Year 12 classes

Friday 16 October

• Year 12 Celebration Day

Sunday 18 October

• St Luke's Primary School Fete – Intermediate Concert Band Performance, 11.00 am

Growth and Excellence Across the College

Recently, I attended the ACER PISA Forum, which examined the findings of the latest PISA 2025 assessment and their implications for Australian education. Australia remains a high-performing education system, performing well above the OECD average in science, reading and mathematics. The PISA findings highlighted the importance of focusing on achievement growth and reducing disparities in student outcomes. The data reinforced the importance of evidence-informed teaching, strong instructional practices and a sustained focus on improving student learning outcomes

These themes resonate strongly with the 2026 NAPLAN results at Our Lady of Sion College, which provide compelling evidence of the value-added impact of an education at the College. Our students achieved results above both State and National benchmarks across all five NAPLAN domains: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar & Punctuation, and Numeracy, reflecting the strength of teaching and learning across the school.

Our Year 7 students have commenced their secondary education with outstanding success. Between 78.3% and 89.5% of students achieved in the top two proficiency bands across all domains, demonstrating strong foundations in literacy and numeracy and a readiness to embrace the academic opportunities of secondary schooling. Particularly encouraging were the achievements in Writing, where students continue to demonstrate increasingly sophisticated communication and thinking skills.

The Year 9 results provide particularly powerful evidence of student growth over time. By Year 9, more than 90% of students achieved in the top two proficiency bands in both Reading and Writing, with Reading reaching 93.5% and Writing 93.3%. Numeracy outcomes also remained exceptionally strong.

What makes these results especially significant is not simply the level of achievement, but the growth they represent. The progression from strong Year 7 outcomes to exceptional Year 9 performance demonstrates the cumulative impact of three years of evidence-informed teaching, targeted intervention, personalised support and high expectations. Students are not merely maintaining achievement; they are continuing to grow in their knowledge, skills and confidence as learners.

These results affirm that an Our Lady of Sion College education delivers significant value by developing capable, confident and successful young people. Importantly, this growth extends beyond academic achievement. Through leadership, sport, music, social justice initiatives, co-curricular programs and service opportunities, students develop the resilience, character and sense of purpose that enable them to flourish both at school and beyond.

As we approach the end of Term 3, we reflect on a semester rich with opportunities for learning, growth and participation. Our students have embraced a wide range of academic, co-curricular, leadership, and service experiences, all of which contribute to their development as capable and confident young people. These achievements are only possible through the strong partnership between students, staff and families, and we thank our community for its ongoing support and commitment.

As we head into the term break, we encourage all students, staff, and families to take the opportunity to rest and recharge. We also acknowledge our Year 12 students, who now enter an important and exciting phase of their final year. We wish them every success as they prepare for their upcoming exams and celebrate the culmination of their secondary education.

Congratulations to our 2027 Student Leaders

Over the last few weeks, many students from Year 11 have participated in the process of applying for College Leadership positions for 2027. Throughout the application process, students demonstrated courage, commitment and a genuine desire to serve our College community. We were impressed by the high calibre of applicants and the thoughtful way students reflected on the qualities of leadership, service and community. We are delighted to announce our 2027 College Leaders and congratulate them on their appointments.

We look forward to working alongside these students as they lead with integrity, inspire their peers and contribute to the ongoing growth and success of our College.

As we have reached the conclusion of Term 3, we give thanks to God for all that has been achieved and celebrated over the past 10 weeks. Term 3 asks a lot of our students academically, relationally and personally. St Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians reminds students to look for grace in every aspect of school life — in their classrooms, extracurricular activities, friendships and quiet moments of rest.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Alongside our Chapel gatherings, this term has been filled with other opportunities to celebrate our Catholic and Sionian identity. Our Year 7 students shared special time together during their Retreat Day, reflecting on what it means to belong to our Sion family. Meanwhile, our Year 9 students explored the rich history and faith of Melbourne’s Catholic precinct, and our Year 10 students opened their hearts and minds during the Day of Dialogue. On their Spirituality Day, our staff continued to develop their understanding of the Sion charism, and Sion Day filled our school with celebration and joy.

It has been a truly special term, filled with moments that brought our College community closer together.

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

Thank you to our students and families who participated in the MACSSIS survey for 2026. Your participation will provide valuable feedback on the strengths and areas for improvement for our school as we move forward into 2027.

Wishing all members of the College community many blessings.

SEQTA Feedback

The end of term is always a busy time in learning and teaching as students conclude a learning and assessment cycle. This is especially true for our VCE students as assessments and SACs become more heavily weighted and feedback more important for growth than ever. Please reach out to the subject or Homeroom teacher if you feel that the workload is too heavy, or if your daughter needs additional support. This is all part of the learning process.

For families, this is a good opportunity to check in on learning progress by reading the SEQTA results and feedback together. Having conversations at home about what went well and what your daughter is proud about, is a really good way to show support and engage in the learning process in a positive way. It can then lead to other questions like; what goal did you set for yourself? What study strategy did you find useful? Or how did technology help/hinder you in your focus?

Having these chats at home now, allowing for changes in practices, can be a really good way to finish the year with positive growth.

Planning for 2027

We are currently working towards the 2027 timetable and student programs. To facilitate this, we have closed the opportunity for students to make changes to their subject requests. Once we have more clarity around the timetable, students will have their 2027 subjects confirmed and a process for requesting changes outlined.

We are also working with the learning resources provider, now operating as Officeworks for Education, to ensure a smooth delivery of the 2027 Learning Resources. More information with specific details will be communicated shortly, however families can read about updates on the Officeworks for Education website.

The Manosphere: Why This Matters for All of Our Young People

Recent conversations sparked by Louis Theroux’s documentary on the manosphere have brought renewed attention to a complex online world that is shaping how young people understand relationships, gender and identity. While often framed as an issue for boys, it is equally important that girls’ schools engage in this space.

The 'manosphere' refers to a network of online communities and influencers discussing masculinity and gender, often promoting narrow and harmful ideas about what it means to be a man, including dominance over women and resentment towards gender equality. These messages are not confined to boys; they influence the expectations, safety and experiences of girls, particularly in friendships and emerging dating relationships.

For parents/carers, open conversation is key. Talk with both sons and daughters about what they are seeing online. Ask curious, non-judgemental questions: What messages are being promoted? Who benefits from this idea? Does it show respect for others? Young people are more likely to engage when they feel heard rather than corrected.

You can also coach your child to recognise manosphere content. Common signs include:

• Language that blames women or portrays them as inferior

• Rigid ideas about gender roles or 'alpha' behaviour

• Content that frames relationships as power or control

When your child encounters this material, encourage simple, practical actions: pause and question it, avoid engaging or sharing, use platform tools to block or report, and speak with a trusted adult. Reinforce that if something feels uncomfortable, that instinct matters.

Importantly, support young people to build respectful, healthy relationship expectations. This includes modelling empathy, equality and communication at home.

The eSafety Commissioner provides clear, practical guidance for families, including how algorithms can draw young people into these spaces and how to respond constructively. You can read more here.

By engaging proactively, families and schools can work together to ensure all young people are equipped to think critically, act respectfully and navigate the online world with confidence.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families resource

The Happy Families article for this edition is: Three Questions to Ask your Son

Partners in Parenting Opportunity

Spots are filling fast for free program access in 2026 for parents/carers who want to support their teen’s mental health.

Partners in Parenting (PiP) is an evidence-based, online program designed to help parents/carers build skills and confidence in supporting their teenager’s mental health. More than 5,000 families across Australia and the UK have already benefitted from the program.

Monash University researchers are running a study with two versions of the program, plus parents/carers get $40 e-gift vouchers for completing surveys after the program.

Sign up now to secure your spot:

• Register here
• Learn more about Partners in Parenting here.

Spring into Movement

As spring arrives, bringing longer days and warmer weather, it can be a lovely time to reconnect with the outdoors and build movement into our everyday routines.

We know that physical activity plays an important role in the wellbeing of young people. Alongside supporting physical health, regular movement can contribute to improved mood, concentration, sleep, confidence and social connection. Importantly, the benefits don’t require our young people to be elite athletes or highly competitive - the key is finding ways of moving that they genuinely enjoy.

For adolescent girls in particular, it can be helpful to shift the focus away from exercise, appearance or achievement, and towards how movement makes us feel.

Some ways that parents/carers can support this are:

• Encouraging enjoyment: walking, dancing, swimming, cycling, yoga, sport or simply playing outside all count.
• Making it social: a walk with a friend or family bike ride can make movement more enjoyable.
• Creating opportunities rather than pressure: invite rather than insist, and allow your daughter to find activities that suit her interests.
• Modelling a positive relationship with movement: let her see that being active can be a way of caring for our minds and bodies, not something we need to 'earn' or compensate for.

This spring, perhaps the question isn’t 'How much exercise are we doing?', but 'What helps us feel good and energised?'

Hi, we are Ava and Liv, the 2026 Carmel House Captains.

As Carmel Captains, we feel incredibly lucky to have shared such a memorable year together.

We were inspired to nominate for the role because we wanted to give back to the Carmel community and create the same sense of belonging, excitement and pride that we had experienced throughout our time at Sion. We have always loved being involved in school life, particularly sporting events and House competitions, where the whole school comes together and the Carmel spirit is at its strongest.

Our favourite experience at Sion has definitely been the House Swimming Carnival. The atmosphere, cheering, competition and seeing everyone support one another made it such a memorable day and perfectly captured what Carmel means to us.

One of the things we enjoyed most about being Captains was getting to know students from different Year levels and encouraging everyone to get involved, whether they were competing, cheering from the sidelines or simply supporting their friends.

We loved seeing the excitement on students’ faces during House events and being able to contribute to creating those memories.

A moment that has particularly influenced us was seeing previous College Captains and Student Leaders make an effort to include younger students and encourage everyone to get involved. It showed us that leadership is not just about having a title, but about being approachable, setting a positive example and making others feel valued.

This is something we have tried to carry throughout our own leadership.

Looking back, we are incredibly grateful for the friendships, memories and experiences this role has given us. Representing Carmel has been a highlight of our time at Sion, and we will always be proud to have been part of such a special community.

I noticed the first blossom on my cherry blossom tree this week. It seems a little late this year, but there it was, one small flower appearing on a tree that has otherwise remained bare.

It was a small reminder that spring is on its way, even if it doesn't quite feel like it yet. The days are getting longer, the light is changing and the seasons are beginning to shift.

For our Year 12 students, there is a similar sense of change as we move towards the end of Term 3. With the final stretch of the year now approaching, the next stage is beginning to come into view.

Term 3 has been a busy one for our students, with plenty of opportunities to come together, celebrate and enjoy being part of the Sion community, alongside the increasing focus on their VCE studies.

RUOK? Day

RUOK? Day provided another important opportunity to focus on connection and looking out for one another. In what can be an increasingly demanding time of the year, the simple act of checking in with a friend, having a conversation or being there for someone can make a significant difference.

Year 12

Sion/Whitefriars Netball Match

The Sion/Whitefriars Netball match was another great opportunity for our Year 12 students to come together. There was certainly plenty of competition and school spirit, but also plenty of laughter, friendship and support. These moments matter. They give our students a chance to step away from their studies and simply enjoy being together as a cohort.

Our Year 12 students have also continued to contribute to the wider life of the College through leadership, sport, the arts, House activities and the many small ways they support their peers. Their contribution is an important part of what makes Year 12 more than simply the final year of schooling.

At the same time, the world beyond Sion is beginning to come into view. VTAC and early entry options have encouraged students to start thinking about what their next chapter might look like. For some, the pathway ahead is becoming clearer; for others, there are still questions to explore. There is no need to have everything worked out just yet. The important thing is that students are beginning to look towards the horizons ahead.

The upcoming holidays will also provide an important opportunity for our students to prepare for their Trial Examinations in early Term 4. These exams will give students valuable experience of the examination environment and help them identify areas to consolidate before the VCAA examinations.

There is still work to do, challenges to meet, laughter to share and memories to make. The light is changing and new horizons are beginning to emerge, but our students still have time to enjoy where they are right now, finding the balance between the demands of Year 12 and the many opportunities to connect, contribute and celebrate together.

So, as we head into the holidays, I encourage our Year 12 students to prepare well, rest well and look after one another.

I’d like to congratulate all Year 10 families on navigating what has been a very busy and fast-paced Term 3. Thank you for continuing to journey with us, and you should be really proud of what your young person continues to do.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Our Awards Night will now go ahead on Tuesday 13 October, commencing at 7.00 pm in the Miriam Theatre. All our certificates have arrived from the Duke of Ed Head Office, and we are very much looking forward to celebrating this evening with our 86 recipients for this year.

Ballroom Dancing

I would like to thank all families who attended our Ballroom Dancing Presentation Evening last week. It was wonderful to see the joy and enthusiasm that everyone brought to the evening.

Another term down and now we move towards the end of 2026 and the Year 9 students entering the senior phase of high school. We continue to be so proud of the range of ways that the Year 9s engage with opportunities at the College and the enthusiasm with which they do this.

In Pastoral this week, our Sport Representatives, Amy H (9 Blue) and Emma R (9 Blue), led Homerooms in two rounds of our Netball Competition. This is a crucial square of the Homeroom bingo sheet and saw Homeroom teams get involved and cheer each other on regardless of the scores. We will continue into finals early next term before crowning the winners!

I would like to particularly acknowledge the work of Amy and Emma in their leadership of this activity; they have shown enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to leading an activity that all students can be a part of. Amy and Emma have also led a number of SnapShot sessions this term and are to be commended for doing so – organising 140 peers is a feat in itself.

As we move into Term 4, we will begin to look ahead at the opportunities available to students in Year 10, as well as working more closely with Adam Rieusset, the Year 10 Wellbeing & Growth Leader. These opportunities include College Ambassadors, Peer Support Mentoring and completion of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Students should be working towards completion of the Service, Physical Recreation and Skill sections of the award by the end of the year.

The Year 9 Pastoral Team wishes all Year 9 families a happy and safe school holidays.

A Wonderful Term of Growth

As we reach the end of another busy term, it has been wonderful to reflect on the growth of our Year 8 students. Throughout the term, students have continued to develop greater confidence, maturity and independence. We have seen students step outside their comfort zones, take on new challenges and increasingly demonstrate the values of our Year 8 theme, Choose Kind, Try Brave.

As we head into the holidays, I would like to wish all Year 8 students and their families a safe, restful and enjoyable break. I hope students take the opportunity to recharge, spend time with family and friends, and return ready for another exciting term.

There is certainly plenty to look forward to in Term 4, including our Dance and Cheer Homeroom Competition, Year 8 Camp and a range of other activities and opportunities. We look forward to beginning the term with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

When we return, we will also recommit to the small things that make a big difference: wearing our uniform correctly, being prepared for learning, and consistently demonstrating kindness and consideration towards others.

Adolescents will often face conflicts with friends, family, and classmates. These conflicts can be challenging to navigate, especially during periods such as the term breaks, where regular contact is not always guaranteed. At Year 7, we have discussed different strategies and scenarios that students may experience when dealing with conflict.

Students should consider the following strategies:

• Take a break. When a conflict arises, it's important to take a break and cool down. This will help prevent the situation from escalating.

• Remove technology. Putting away phones and other devices and instead having a face-to-face conversation when they are trying to resolve a conflict allows for more clear and effective communication, as well as privacy for those involved.

• Compromise. Sometimes, it's necessary to compromise to reach a resolution. Even though the solution may not be the one we specifically wanted, it is often best to reach middle ground instead of continuing the argument.

• Have a restorative conversation. Restorative conversations are a positive way to repair relationships after a conflict, with the assistance of an adult. The Homeroom Team and Wellbeing and Growth Leader at each Year Level are always willing to help students to work through issues that may arise in the lead up to/following the break.

Here are some additional things parents/carers can do to assist:

• Model positive conflict resolution. Demonstrate and model how to handle conflicts calmly and respectfully.

• Encourage them to express their feelings. It's important for adolescents to be able to express their feelings in a healthy way. Our feelings may not always be happy, but they always have a place.

• Provide them with support. Let them know that you are there for them and that you will support them through any challenges they face, even when they have done the wrong thing.

We have had a very busy Term 3 across all of our subjects and, as we come to the end of this term, it’s important to share some of the growth and successes our students have been a part of, particularly in Junior Art.

From our Junior classes, there has been a flurry of practical activity throughout the term.

Many little ceramic pinch-pot faces have been created and finished with beautifully glazed pots fired in the kiln. Students have explored designing their own pots, learning to handle earthenware clay and finishing their pots with a choice of cool-toned glaze. The sculptures are then fired, and this has been quite a learning process for our students. The results have been amazing, as these photos show.

There continues to be much interest in the timetabled Art Competitions throughout the Term, and the Bookmark Competition delivered once again, with an array of creatively designed artworks responding to the theme of Symphony of Stories. The bookmarks were made available in the Library, and a selection of students were presented with their awards at year-level assemblies to recognise their outstanding creative efforts.

We currently have the Annual Diary Competition open for entries, and this will close on Monday 5 October.

Our Annual Creative Arts Exhibition is being held in Term 4, and there will be so many artworks curated beautifully for you to enjoy and to celebrate our students’ successes in the Visual Arts. As always, you will be invited to a morning tea as part of this extensive exhibition. We will keep you posted!

Term 3 Music Soiree

Congratulations to the 15 students that performed solo and chamber music items at the Term 3 Music Soiree last week. It was a great occasion to show off some of the hard work that has been happening in the practise room!

Sion Ensembles at Victorian Schools Music Festival (VSMF)

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

• Senior Jazz Ensemble directed by Martin Macaulay received a Gold Award
• College Vocal Ensemble directed by Jane Murone and received a Gold Award.

VCE Music Unit 4 Class recitals

Congratulations to Chantelle A (12 Silver), Tiana K (12 Purple), Sarita T (12 Red) and Amy F (12 Silver) who presented their final Unit 4 Music Performance instrumental/voice recitals earlier this week. It was great preparation for their upcoming externally assessed VCAA performance examinations early next term.

Sion Intermediate Concert Band – St Luke's Primary School Fete

Our wonderful Intermediate Concert Band have been invited to perform at the St Luke’s Blackburn South Primary School fete on Sunday 18 October. Information will be sent to those involved in the coming days.

2027 Instrumental Music lessons at Our Lady of Sion College

Enrolments are now open and available on-line for Instrumental Music lessons in 2027. All the details including fees, instrument hire charges and conditions are available at the link here. Confirmation of enrolment needs to be completed here. Please note that charges will be applied to your College fees statement in early 2027. Address any enquiries to the Head of Music at: mmacaulay@sion.catholic.edu.au

Instrumental Music Lesson Scholarship Applications

A limited number of instrumental music lesson scholarships, lasting two years, will be made available in 2027 to students currently in Years 7 and 8 for the following instruments:

• Viola
• Cello
• Double Bass
• Electric Bass
• French Horn
• Euphonium
• Trombone
• Percussion
• Guitar

Interested students/families should email Mr Macaulay for an application form: mmacaulay@sion.catholic.edu.au

Term 4 Music Events / Soirees

There are many opportunities for students to perform at the upcoming events early in Term 4. The VCE Music Unit 2 Recital is Monday 5 October, followed by the Vocal Soiree on Monday 12 October and the String Soiree is scheduled for Tuesday 13 October at 5.00 pm.

Year 7 Junior Concert Bands – Monday and Tuesday Concert Bands

Both Year 7 Concert Bands (the Monday morning group and the Tuesday afternoon group) will be representing Sion at the Victorian Schools Music Festival to be held on Monday 9 November at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. This event is open to the public, free and live-streamed, with more details to be announced in coming weeks. String and voice students will have a special program on-site at Sion on that day.

Year 7 Spring Concert – Save the Date

All Year 7 musicians, 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 Louise Humann Centre. A TryBooking link for your free tickets will be sent to you next term.

Sion First (Year 6) Music Program 2027

Those families with students currently in Year 5 (Year 6, 2027) are invited to the Sion First Music Program launch on Wednesday 11 November 7.00 pm in the Miriam Theatre. This is an opportunity to find out about this terrific program – students can trial a bunch of string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Please see below for further information and details on how to register.

Sports Awards Night!

The 12th Sports Awards Night was a fantastic night of celebration and recognition, with over 470 people in attendance, including over 200 Sionians.

Thank you to professional basketballer and past student, Alice Kunek, who spoke to our community about her sporting journey, both on court and commentating, spanning over a decade across many leagues and countries. Alice also shared her work in the mental health space through her contributions to LifeChanger Foundation and United for Girls.

A huge well done to our Sports Leaders, headed by Sports Captains Erin M (12 Red) and Samantha O (12 Blue), for presenting the awards and putting together content for the evening, including some very entertaining videos! The Sports Leaders have been active contributors to our program this year, and it has been fantastic to watch them grow as leaders.

It was also the final time our Year 12s in our aerobics squad performed as Sion students. Thank you for sharing your final performance with our community!

Congratulations to our 2026 Sports Women of the Year:

• 🏅 Year 7 Recipient - Felicity W (7 Red)
• 🏅 Year 8 Recipients - Despina C (8 Blue) and Phoebe D (8 Blue)
• 🏅 Year 9 Recipient - Annie M (9 Red)
• 🏅 Year 10 Recipients - Elaina H (10 Blue) and Mia M (10 Blue)
• 🏅 Year 11 Recipient - Claire R (11 Gold)
• 🏅 Year 12 Recipient - Samantha O (12 Blue)
• 🏆 Sports Woman of the Year - Samantha O (12 Blue)

Well done to all our award recipients and our coaches who have led teams this year. It has been a pleasure to have you all involved with Team Sion this year! Bring on Term 4, 2026!

Sports Week!

Sports Week has been a fun, fast-paced celebration, with Staff versus Students at lunchtime and morning workouts available for everyone to start their day moving. Netball, Dodgeball and Soccer were played in great spirit, with the Staff Team playing the Year 12s and All Stars (Years 7–11 students). It is always the highlight of Sports Week and draws a big crowd who are in favour of the student teams!

Over 40 people attended our Zumba session on Wednesday morning, led by our instructor Tara. It was great to see the Louise Humann Centre full of movement for an hour, with plenty of smiles. We encourage students to keep signing up for activities and getting involved to experience the social, physical and mental benefits of staying active and being an active member of our community.

GSV Term 3 Finals

Well done to all our teams who participated in the Term 3 finals last week! We had 4 of 5 teams in Intermediates make the finals and 5 of 6 teams in Juniors, which is a great strike rate! Matches were very close across all grades. Regardless of the results, we are so proud of our students’ commitment at training and matches this term.

Below are the results from the teams:

• Inter Badminton B - Top 8
• Inter Indoor Cricket A - Runners Up
• Inter Indoor Cricket B - Premiers!
• Inter Soccer B - Top 4
• Junior Badminton A - Top 8
• Junior Badminton B - Top 8
• Junior Indoor Cricket A - Runners Up
• Junior Indoor Cricket B - Top 4
• Junior Soccer A - Top 4

GSV Track and Field Finals

Well done to our Track and Field Finals team that competed at Lakeside Stadium on Tuesday 8 September against the top talent from GSV schools. Our students competed so well in an extremely high standard of competition on the night. Thank you to Mr Rieusset and Ms Cetrola for supporting our students and their families at the event.

Well done to the following student on making the podium in their event!

3rd Place : Alex P (7 Red) in the Year 7 Discus

2nd Place: Olivia W (8 Gold) in the Year 8 90m Hurdles

1st Place: Sophie F (11 White) in the Year 11 1500m (Back-to-back Champion!)

Drama has been a hive of activity as we finish up an exciting term.

We have seen many lunchtime workshops focussing on various skills. These have been well attended and led by our very capable Drama Captain, Georgia D (12 Blue), and our fabulous Drama Reps.

Thank you, Georgia D (12 Blue) Drama Captain 2026!

We thank Georgia for her fine leadership and promotion of all things Drama at Sion. This year we have had so many fantastic workshops and events facilitated by Georgia and she has mentored many younger Drama Reps throughout the year when creating their own Drama lunchtime activities. Georgia has been incredibly organised and proactive and made the extra-curricular Drama space at Sion that much better for her presence and leadership in it. We would like to welcome Leticia G (11 G) as our 2027 Drama Captain, we are certain that she will shine brightly in this important role!

Our Year 12s are busy preparing their final self devised Solo Performances in preparation for exams early next term and will present these at school at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 16 September.

Year 11 students attended a wonderful professional theatre performance of Six the Musical at the Comedy Theatre. The performance was highly energetic and very positively received by the student audience. Our students will analyse the performance as part of their end-of-year exam.

Year 10 Drama students are collaborating up a storm preparing an ensemble performance to be staged at The Malthouse Theatre next term as part of The Suitcase Series. The work is themed around climate change and the class is shaping up to present a very powerful performance piece!

Robin Hood

Our Juniors have been rehearsing with great enthusiasm and impressive talent for their performances on October 22, 23 and 24. We are very excited for this major event on the school calendar.

Tickets for this exciting and fun Production will be available early next term for performances in week 3.

The school was buzzing with vibrant green energy on Wednesday 2 September, as we celebrated Loreto Feast Day, our final House Feast Day of 2026. Dedicated to honouring Loreto House, the festivities kicked off with a spirited morning House Homeroom where students gathered in prayer, looked ahead at the Term 4 House program, and were quizzed on their House knowledge.

The fun continued into recess with an intense 'Guess the Lollies in the Jar' competition exclusively for Loreto students, sparking plenty of friendly debate and eager estimates. By lunchtime, the celebrations were in full swing. Loreto members were treated to a delicious BBQ lunch followed by a creative cookie decorating station, where students showed off both their artistic skills and their sweet tooth!

The excitement extended to the entire school community during lunch as well. Students from all Houses joined in on the action, lining up for the popular green-themed photo booth - complete with fun props and costumes - or testing their skills in a lively table tennis tournament.

It was a fantastic day filled with laughter, community spirit, and proud Loreto tradition. A massive thank you goes out to all the dedicated staff members and enthusiastic students whose hard work made this final feast day such an overwhelming success!

Vinnies to Vogue Fashion Show

Our Vinnies to Vogue initiative was a wonderful celebration of creativity, sustainability and the incredible talents of our students. Students were challenged to transform pre-loved materials purchased from St Vinnies Op Shops into unique fashion creations, showing that fashion can be creative, fun and sustainable. It was fantastic to see the students embrace the challenge and bring their ideas to life on the runway. The event highlighted the importance of reusing and recycling, while also encouraging students to think about the impact of our choices and the way we can make more sustainable decisions.

A huge congratulations to all of the students who participated and helped make Vinnies to Vogue such a successful and memorable event. We also congratulate our prize winners and thank everyone who supported the initiative.

Top 3 – Whole Look Transformation

• Harriet A (8 Purple)
• Eliza N (9 Red)
• Hannah L (8 Red)

Colour Explosion Award – Isabelle M (9 Silver)

Best Team Collaboration – Eloise N (7 Silver) and Clare N (10 White)

Wearable Wonder Award – Lola M (9 Red)

Best Garment Transformation – Kitraa S (7 Purple)

Best Use of Unexpected Materials – Tahleya D (9 Red)

Sports Colours Day and Ozanam House

Our commitment to supporting others within our community continued with Sports Colours Day, where students and staff wore their favourite teams colours. All money raised will be added to our Sion Day fundraising total, with the final amount to be announced next term.

Our Year 11 students also continued to put their commitment to service into action by assisting with the monthly Dinner Meal Service at Ozanam House. Students helped prepare and serve meals, providing practical support while also having the opportunity to connect with and support members of our community experiencing disadvantage. It was wonderful to see our students living out our commitment to service and putting our Sion values into action.

FIRE Carrier Commissioning

This term, we proudly commissioned our 2026 FIRE Carriers, recognising their commitment to walking together in the spirit of reconciliation and justice. Through a special commissioning ceremony, our students pledged to listen, learn and lead by promoting greater understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our College community.

As FIRE Carriers, these students will play an important role in supporting reconciliation, promoting First Nations perspectives and initiatives, and helping to foster a culture of inclusion and cultural responsiveness at Our Lady of Sion College. We congratulate our newly commissioned FIRE Carriers and thank them for their willingness to lead with compassion and respect as we continue our shared journey towards reconciliation.

Wurundjeri Seasons Calendar

Students recently participated in an engaging workshop exploring the Wurundjeri seasonal calendar and developing a deeper understanding of the changing seasons on Wurundjeri Country. During the workshop, students explored how First Nations peoples have developed a deep knowledge and understanding of Country through observing changes in the weather, plants, animals and environment throughout the year. They considered how these seasonal changes influence cultural practices, food sources, animal behaviour and the ways people care for and connect with Country.

One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the creation of a Wurundjeri Seasons Calendar, which will be displayed at the College. The calendar will provide our community with an opportunity to learn more about the rich knowledge and cultural perspectives of the Wurundjeri people and to recognise the importance of caring for Country.

We thank Lisa Maloney from Connecting with Country for facilitating this meaningful workshop and sharing her knowledge with our students. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to listen, learn and develop a deeper respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture and connection to Country.

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 and 2026 Year 12 VTAC timely applications
• Careers Industry in the Spotlight – Occupational Therapist
• Things to Consider – Monash University – VCE Science Examination revision events
• Researching options – La Trobe University – Undergraduate on-demand webinar series, La Trobe University – Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation course.