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

Monday 16 March

• NAPLAN
  

Tuesday 17 March

• Open Day, 2.30 – 6.30 pm (Students to be in Homeroom at 2.00 pm and will be dismissed at 6.30 pm)

Wednesday 18 March

• Project Compassion Voices for Change concert (Lunch)
• NAPLAN catch-up

Thursday 19 March

• NAPLAN catch-up

Friday 20 March

• Year 8 Retreat
• NAPLAN catch-up

Saturday 21 March

• Generations in Jazz rehearsal (CVE and Senior Jazz Ensemble, 9.30 am - 12.30 pm)

Monday 23 March

• Drama Week
• Project Compassion Casual for a Cause and Bake Sale (Recess and Lunch)
• Term 1 Music Soiree, 5.00 pm, Miriam Theatre

Friday 27 March

• Class of 2025 Reunion, 3.30 - 4.30 pm

Saturday 28 March

• French Trip departs

'Strength and dignity are her clothing... She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue' (Proverbs 31:25).
These words speak to the wisdom and courage of women across generations. Last week, our community joined people around the world in recognising International Women’s Day and this year’s theme, Balance and Scales. This theme invited us to reflect on the need for fair, inclusive, and accessible justice for every woman and girl.

Such reflection draws our attention to the women who have shaped our community across time, those whose leadership and example formed our story in the past, and those who continue to guide and inspire us today. International Women’s Day offers us a meaningful moment to honour these women: the ones who have lifted others with courage, led with hope, and opened pathways that make it possible for new generations to flourish.

At Our Lady of Sion College, this reflection finds meaning in our founder's story. The influence of Louise Humann, whose insight profoundly shaped Theodore Ratisbonne and the founding vision of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, reminds us of the transformative impact of a woman’s wisdom. Louise Humann’s life reminds us that wisdom is not only taught but shared in ways that shape the lives and choices of those we guide.

It is in this same spirit that we recognise the women who continue to embody this legacy within our community today. Our community is blessed to learn from the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, remarkable women whose intelligence, courage, and strength guide and inspire us. I have loved getting to hear their stories, listen to their wise words and advice, and witness the way they live with such authenticity and grace.

As we reflect on the wisdom and example of the women who have shaped our story, we also turn our attention to the young women learning and growing at Sion today. By choosing an all‑girls education at Sion, families give their daughters the opportunity to learn in an environment where they are encouraged to discover their voice, step into leadership, and pursue excellence with confidence. Our aspiration is clear: to nurture a dynamic learning culture that equips young women for a rapidly changing world, empowering them to lead with courage, integrity and hope. In this setting, our students come to understand themselves as leaders, thinkers and change-makers, supported by a community that believes deeply in their potential and walks beside them as they rise.

As we mark International Women’s Day, we hold together the richness of our story and the bright promise of the young women who are shaping the future. We honour the women who came before us, the women who walk beside us, and the young women rising with possibility.

May we continue to build a community where every girl is supported to lead with courage, compassion and hope.

Open Day

On Tuesday 17 March we have our 2026 Open Day scheduled. Students and staff are looking forward to welcoming visitors to our College. Details of the day have been sent to families. A reminder that students should arrive on time for Homeroom at 2.00 pm and remain at school until dismissal at 6.30 pm. The structure for our Open Day will be:

2026 Open Day Schedule

Tuesday 17 March 2026

2.00 – 2.10 pm: Homeroom

2.10 – 3.10 pm: Period 1

3.10 – 4.10 pm: Period 3

4.10 – 4.30 pm: Break (Students should bring a snack and drink)

4.30 – 5.30 pm: Period 4

5.30 – 6.30 pm: Period 5

6.30 pm: Dismissal

Please note:

• There will be no Period 2 class (Pastoral Lesson)
• Year 7-12 students must attend all classes
• Full academic summer uniform is required, including blazer and hat. PE uniform (including track pants) should be worn if students have a timetabled practical PE class
• Please make sure your child is aware of their transport arrangements to and from school and has lunch before arriving. They should bring a snack and water for their break as Dot’s Café will not be available on Open Day.

Year 7 Family Mass

Our Year 7 students are settling beautifully into secondary school life and already have so much to be proud of. This was clearly reflected in our Year 7 Family Mass held last week. The theme of the Mass, Celebrating the Family and our Sion Family, made it a joyful and meaningful occasion for the many families who gathered together. Our College Chaplain, Fr Mark Reynolds, celebrated the Mass, and Sisters of Our Lady of Sion were also in attendance. Our Year 12 Captains warmly welcomed families as they arrived, helping to make the occasion even more special and reinforcing the strong sense of community that is so central to life at the College.

In preparation for the Mass, students worked closely with their RE teachers to prepare the different parts of the Mass including the Acknowledgement of Country, writing prayers and reflections on the scripture readings, sharing a dramatisation of Our Sion Story and bringing forward the gifts during the offertory. It was wonderful to see so many Year 7 students involved, and together with the beautiful music and singing by our Year 7 Choir – who were supported by some senior vocalists from the College Choir and CVE – it was a joyful and meaningful celebration.

During the Communion Reflection, the students spoke about their time at the College so far where they have been made to feel welcomed and supported by their teachers, other staff and the older students and how this helped them settle into the community. They were excited that they already had opportunities to take part in activities and events and were really looking forward to the many new experiences to come during their time at Our Lady of Sion College.

Another important symbol of being a part of our College is the wearing of the House badges. These badges were blessed by Fr Mark and were then presented to our Year 7s by our Year 12 House Captains.

The evening concluded with a lovely supper which the Parents' Association provided and it was a great way for families to get to know one another and to feel a connection with our College community.

Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) 2026 Survey

Recently families received a broadcast inviting parents/carers to participate in the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) 2026 Survey. This survey will assist us in better understanding how our Catholic identity is expressed in work and practice here at Our Lady of Sion College.

We believe that the voices of our students, staff, and families play a vital role in driving continuous improvement. The insights gathered through this survey will help us reflect, plan, and further strengthen the experience of everyone in our College community.

Staff have completed the survey, and students will be doing the survey in the next two weeks. We also very much value parent/carer input and invite all parents to participate in the survey. Thank you to those who have completed the survey.

Please see below the website, password and codes to access the survey.

1. To access the ECSI surveys please click here.
2. Enter the password: Ghj654
3. Click NEW USER
4. Enter Survey Access Code: z2N2fJ
5. Scroll down and find Our Lady of Sion College Box Hill and register in this research group
6. You are now logged in. Displayed on the screen is your unique User-ID and Password (case sensitive). Save this information (write, print, or email it) to access the website at a later time
7. From this point forward, please follow the on-screen instructions to complete the survey
8. You may wish to copy and save your three graphs.

If you require any support please contact Ms Anna Gionfriddo. We appreciate your ongoing support as we work together to enhance the College for our students.

Wishing all members of the College community many blessings.

Anaphylaxis Risk Minimisation: Keeping Students Safe at School and Beyond

At Our Lady of Sion College, the safety and wellbeing of students at risk of anaphylaxis is a top priority. To minimise risk, each student has an Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan (IAMP), which is easily accessible in the Sick Bay and other key locations across the College, including the LHC, PE First Aid bags, Science and Music rooms, Dot’s Café, the LRC, and Year Level offices. General use adrenaline autoinjectors are also strategically located to ensure rapid access in an emergency.

In classrooms, teachers encourage non-food treats where possible. When food is used, students at risk of allergy may have their own food, and all utensils and preparation areas are thoroughly cleaned. Staff are mindful of hidden allergens in cooking, science, or art activities and follow guidance from Allergy Facts here.

Dot’s Café staff are trained in food allergen management, aware of students at risk, and follow strict cleaning and food-handling practices. Across the school grounds, staff trained in adrenaline administration are on yard duty, able to identify at-risk students, and prepared to respond quickly.

If your daughter has been diagnosed with anaphylaxis and is going on a camp, inter-state or overseas trip, we are likely to arrange a pre-camp/trip meeting to discuss careful risk assessments and further strategies to put in place including alternative food arrangements, supervision by trained staff, and ensuring the IAMP and adrenaline autoinjectors are readily accessible.

Dr Justin Coulson’s Happy Families resource

The Happy Families article for this publication is:

• What schools and families need to know about the Social media age ban

Supporting students to build Pedagogies of Courage

There has been significant research which highlights the importance of how we support young people, particularly girls. As parents/carers and educators, our instinct is often to protect students from difficulty. While this often comes from a place of care, too much protection can unintentionally prevent young people from discovering what they are truly capable of.

Confidence is not built by removing challenges. It grows when students face something difficult, work through it, and realise they can manage it. The kinds of risks that matter in education are not reckless ones, but everyday challenges such as presenting an idea to peers, working through disagreement in a team, attempting something that might not work the first time, and persisting through setbacks.

Research also tells us that girls are often more likely to internalise setbacks and interpret struggle as a sign they are 'not good enough', rather than recognising that success often comes through persistence and adapting strategies. Because of this, it is particularly important that schools create environments where girls can experience challenge in a supportive and structured way, learning that setbacks are part of the process rather than something to avoid.

Schools can deliberately design experiences that help students develop the internal skills they need to navigate difficulty. This includes building emotional awareness, learning strategies to regulate stress and frustration, developing communication skills, and learning how to work through conflict and disagreement with others. Many of these concepts are captured in the College Pastoral program at different year levels. These skills can be practised in real situations where the outcome is uncertain and students must rely on their own judgement and resilience.

This idea connects closely to many of the experiences our students have at school. For example, our Year 10 students completed the Duke of Edinburgh's Adventurous Journey this week, where they navigated new challenges, built independence, supported each other, and stepped outside their comfort zone. Camps provide a valuable environment where students can try new things, solve problems together, and discover strengths they may not have realised they had.

Similarly, our upcoming Year 7 Camp provides an important early experience for students beginning their secondary school journey. For some students it is one of the first opportunities to spend time away from home with their peers, build friendships, and develop confidence in a new environment. It is normal for some students to feel nervous beforehand, but these experiences often become significant moments of growth as students realise they can manage challenges and adapt to new situations.

At times, your daughter might come home saying something was hard, frustrating, or perhaps a little uncomfortable. This is not necessarily a negative experience. Often it means they are being stretched and learning something valuable about themselves. These moments of challenge are often where the most meaningful growth can occur.

Mandy Cooke in her article, Conceptualising risk-taking in educational settings for enabling pedagogies of courage (2024), proposes the ideas of 'pedagogical risk-taking' and 'pedagogies of courage,' suggesting that schools should intentionally design learning experiences where students face uncertainty, challenge, and the possibility of failure as part of meaningful learning. She argues that developing a culture that supports thoughtful risk-taking in education can help students build confidence, creativity, and the capacity to respond to complex challenges in society. Our classroom programs and co-curricular programs aim to do just that.

Parents also play an important role in reinforcing this process. When a child says something feels too difficult, responding with curiosity rather than immediately solving the problem can help build independence and resilience. Asking questions such as 'What have you tried?' or 'What do you think you could do next?' communicates a powerful message of belief in their ability to work through challenges.

Ultimately, our goal as educators and parents/carers is not to shield students from difficulty, but to equip them with the skills, confidence, and resilience to face challenges and grow from them. When young people learn that they can navigate discomfort, solve problems, and persist when things are hard, they develop a deep and lasting belief in their own capabilities.

Reference: Mandy Cooke, Conceptualising risk-taking in educational settings for enabling pedagogies of courage (2024)

In each newsletter, we will feature Student Leaders at our College. We are proud to nurture confident and empowered young women who actively contribute to our community.

In this issue, we are delighted to introduce our 2026 College Captains, Cecilia B (12 Red) and Elana V (12 Red).

Cecilia B (12 Red):

Within my role I get to work with all the younger SRCs from each Year Level, as well as work with my teachers and Year Level leadership team to ensure we are working towards a cohesive and thriving community at the school. Within my Sion journey, I have done almost every extra curricular activity out there. I've been an active member in the schools, swim and dive, netball and tennis team, also being this year's tennis captain. As well as this I have been fortunate enough to be a part of both the Senior Concert and Senior Jazz band playing the baritone saxophone. Something that is extremely important to my life at the College is fostering a community where all girls from different year levels feel comfortable to bond and form friendships, and this is something that through both sport and music I have been able to benefit from. My favourite experience at Sion would have to be our Year 9 Days for Girls campaign. In Year 9, as we fundraised for this charity, raising money for sanitary products for underprivileged youth in developing countries, it was my first time seeing my year level come together and work towards a greater cause. We were able to break the record for any year level initiative at Sion, and this is what inspired me to pursue my leadership goals. This year I am most looking forward to building a stronger relationship with all of our year levels, as well as enacting initiatives that Elana and I have recently been working on. One impactful moment that I have experienced with a past College Captain was with last year's College Captain Zoe F. Last year in Senior Concert Band Zoe and I were the very loud baritone saxophones, and for me it was these early morning starts every Tuesday that showed me just how committed I would have to be if I applied for College Captain, but also realise the strong and compassionate leader that I wanted to be, just like Zoe.

Elana V (12 Red):

In this role, I work with students and teachers, acting as a bridge for student voice and initiatives while ensuring Sion’s values remain at the core of every decision. Within our beautiful Sion community, I have thrived, grown and become the young woman I am today. Sion has nurtured many of my passions, including music, drama, languages, debating, social justice and my favourite—leadership. Over my years at the College there have been many memorable moments, but participating in Mamma Mia in 2025 was truly unforgettable. I had the opportunity to work with students of all ages, alongside our brother school and our incredible teachers. As someone who loves theatre, this experience meant a lot to me, but what stood out most was the strong sense of community. The support, shared challenges, guidance and constant laughter made it an experience I will always cherish. I was inspired to nominate for this role by watching previous College Captains and the legacy they left behind. Their leadership encouraged me to give back to the community that has given me so much. I aspire to support and uplift our students through initiatives, conversations and simply being someone others can turn to. In this role, I hope to strengthen the sense of sisterhood at Sion. I am excited to encourage conversations with our peers, particularly around women’s health, and help create a community where every student feels safe, supported and known. I was also fortunate to know the 2025 College Captain and Dux, Sara K, since primary school. She once reminded me that leadership is about serving your community and empowering the young women around you which is what I continue to aim for everyday.

As we reached the halfway point of Term 1, our Year 12 students appreciated a well-deserved long weekend. They continue to show a dedicated approach to their studies and school life, completing a number of assessments and participating in a range of events.

Year 12 Gadal Program

The Gadal program at Year 12 offers students a valuable opportunity to attend masterclasses in specific subject areas, engage in micro-credential courses or to undertake School-assessed Coursework when scheduled.

English Masterclass

This week during Gadal, the Year 12 English staff hosted a Q&A session on the text We Have Always Lived in the Castle, giving students a valuable opportunity to hear the teaching team share their different perspectives on the novel. Students were invited to submit questions in advance, which the teachers then discussed and debated live during the session. The Q&A was also filmed for those unable to attend due to RSA commitments. We are grateful for the expertise and time given generously by the Year 12 English teachers.

Responsible Serving of Alcohol Certificate

On Tuesday, as part of the Gadal program, many of our Year 12 students participated in the Responsible Serving of Alcohol course that was on offer and are to be commended for taking up this opportunity. This was provided by RSA for Schools and allows Our Lady of Sion College to support post-school student options. Participating in such a program enhances a student’s opportunity to gain employment and educate students about the Hospitality Industry.

Upcoming Events

The students have also been given the opportunity to complete a Food Handling course in May and they may like to attend the Mentors Breakfast in Term 2. If students are keen to participate in either of these opportunities, it is important they have completed the expression of interest via the Google form that was sent to the students by Ms Brooke O’Hara.

Open Day

A reminder that Open Day is scheduled for Tuesday 17 March and students will have an altered timetable for this day with a later start and finish. It is important for students to look ahead in case alternative plans need to be made for part time work or sporting commitments.

As we continue on the Year 12 journey, a reminder that we are here to support your daughter, so please reach out if there is a need.

Last week I had the opportunity to gather at lunch time with our Year 11 leaders for 2026. This involved the SRC and portfolio leaders. I was extremely impressed with the enthusiasm and initiative demonstrated by the representatives at this meeting. As the voice of Year 11, I will be working with these young people throughout the year to seek their feedback, ideas, wants and needs as a Year 11 student. We thank them in anticipation for their leadership throughout the school year.

This week, we had the opportunity as a school community and year level to celebrate International Women’s Day! The senior students were able to discuss topics and prompts during Conversation Cafe.

International Women’s Day Breakfast – Rotary Club

Year 11 students were invited to attend the International Women’s Day Breakfast hosted by the Rotary Club, Box Hill. Eight of our Year 11 students volunteered to attend the event at Box Hill Town Hall. The morning consisted of gathering for an early breakfast and listening to four keynote speakers. It was a delight to see some other schools attending as well as other significant figures in our community, all striving to learn how to break down gender inequalities and ‘accelerate action’.

As a group we heard from three keynote speakers:

• Natalie Foeng, Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water
• Ashley Belteky, Non-Executive Director Tradeswomen Australia, Heavy Diesel Mechanic
• Dr Helen Keleher, Consultant, Board Director, Author and Adjunct Professor at Monash University
• Anouk Van Oirsouw, Basketball Player and Referee, Illustrator

By attending the event we were able to understand how we can contribute to ‘Balancing the Scales’ to close the gap of gender inequality and respond to our calling as the young women of today. The roles of the women who presented were diverse and highlighted how all women can play a significant role in promoting gender equality across all facets of life.

Engaging young people in these types of conversations and attending events such as this is exciting and insightful to hear about their observations and experiences in the world. Thank you to all students who were involved in the International Women’s Day celebrations at Sion last week.

In continuation of our Lobster theme, the Year 9s spent last week being acknowledged and affirmed with Lobster Tickets. As the week progressed, Staff were able to give out a ticket to students who stepped out of their comfort zone, tried something new or pushed through a challenge. Students then came to share their affirmation with me for a small prize. It was so wonderful to see the display of tickets continue to grow as the week went on, with students proud of their affirmation and encouraging each other.

We will have another Lobster Week later in the year to continue acknowledgement of growth.

In Pastoral this week, the Year 9s were keen to welcome Year 12 students to assist in their study skills. The Year 12s shared their schedules, ideas for juggling school and commitments, apps they use for study and other advice for thriving in the years to come. Some of the Year 9s explained:

• I loved that they gave us 'Big Sister' advice for what to do now for preparation of the years to come
• We liked hearing about the subjects that they do and some of the mistakes they made
• It was good that they spoke with us about what they did find helpful and what they didn’t find helpful.

Year 9 Class Leader

We were also able to acknowledge our Year 9 Class Leaders this week. I look forward to working with them and the portfolio leaders to build a community where student voice is prominent and leaders are able to grow in their confidence throughout the year. This year, class leaders will serve for one semester (rather than the year) to allow further opportunities for other students to take up leadership roles.

Congratulations to the following students:

• 9 Blue: Sherise B and Olivia M
• 9 Gold: Lessi G and Elodie B
• 9 Purple: Miranda C and Isla O
• 9 Red: Sophie O and Scarlett D
• 9 Silver: Milla R and Anna M
• 9 White: Ivy B and Holly N

Part of our Year 8 theme this year is 'Choose Kind'. While kindness may seem like a simple idea, it has a powerful impact on the way we learn, work and connect with one another each day.

Recently in one of our Pastoral lessons, our Year 8 Students explored what it means to ‘choose kind’ in their everyday school lives. As part of this discussion, Year 8 students set themselves a simple but meaningful goal by completing the sentence:

‘One small act of kindness I will try this week is:..’

The responses were thoughtful and encouraging, with students suggesting actions such as including someone who might be alone, helping a classmate with work, offering encouragement, or simply greeting others with a smile. These small acts remind us that kindness is often shown through everyday choices.

Equally important is learning to be kind to ourselves. For our Year 8 students, this can mean speaking to themselves with encouragement rather than self-criticism, recognising the effort they put into their work and understanding that mistakes are a normal and important part of learning. It can also mean taking care of our wellbeing by getting enough rest, managing schoolwork in an organised way and asking a teacher or friend for help when needed. When students practise self-kindness, they build confidence and resilience, helping them approach learning with a more positive and motivated mindset.

When we choose kindness, both towards others and ourselves, we build respectful and positive relationships, helping create a supportive and connected Year 8 community.

As our Year 7 students navigate the transition into secondary school, some concerns around managing homework and preparing for their first summative assessment tasks is to be expected. We appreciate the support that you as parents/carers are able to offer the students at home.

Ways that a supportive study environment can be created at home include:

• Creating a designated quiet, well-lit study area free from distractions. If space allows, it is best that this area is outside of the bedroom.

• Removing devices from the study area that may be a distraction during homework/study blocks.

• Helping your child break assignments into smaller tasks.

• Encouraging your child to follow up areas of uncertainty with their Subject teachers/ Homeroom teacher. Students are welcome to do this by emailing their teachers or discussing the concern with teachers face-to-face.

• Checking student planners with your child each morning and each evening to ensure they are ready for the day and know the homework that needs to be completed.

• Allocating breaks to prevent burnout and encouraging physical activity/ mindful activities for a mental recharge.

• Reinforcing the idea that mistakes are part of learning. Acknowledge their hard work and remind your child that doing their best is what truly matters.

• Ensuring that a balanced sleep cycle is being maintained. For teens, this should be about 8-10 hours a night.

By offering emotional support and creating a balanced environment, you can help your child manage stress and thrive in high school. We will continue to remind students of the support available to them at school, including their subject teachers (for questions and concerns about specific content areas), their Homeroom teacher/s (for questions and concerns about wellbeing), the Counselling Team and myself as Wellbeing and Growth Leader.

NAPLAN

Well done to Years 7 and 9 students who made a strong start to their NAPLAN assessments this week. Despite being affected by the nationwide disruption, students remained positive, calm, and approached sessions with focus, effort and readiness. The remaining NAPLAN Assessments will take place on Monday 16 March 16 and Wednesday 18 March.

NAPLAN is an adaptive assessment that measures the literacy and numeracy skills students have been developing through their English and Mathematics learning over the past two years. While assessments can sometimes bring a degree of nervousness for students, it is important to remember that NAPLAN provides just one snapshot of learning. Here at Our Lady of Sion College, we use this information alongside many other measures to understand students’ strengths and identify areas for further growth.

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) expects to release results to schools later in the year. Once received, families will be provided with further information about their child’s results.

Students who may have missed one or more of their NAPLAN assessments will have the opportunity to complete a catch up session next week once the main assessments have concluded.

If you have any questions or concerns about the NAPLAN assessments, please feel free to contact me via email here.

This year, our Year 8 students enjoyed a meaningful and engaging excursion to the Jewish Museum of Australia. The visit gave students the opportunity to move beyond the classroom and experience Judaism as a living and vibrant faith tradition.

Throughout the day, students explored exhibitions that traced Jewish history from ancient times through to the present day. They learned about important sacred texts, key festivals, and family traditions that shape Jewish life. Students also visited a synagogue, the Jewish place of worship, where they discovered how it serves as a special space for prayer, learning, and community gathering. A highlight of the day was observing elements of a Shabbat blessing, which helped students see how faith is celebrated in everyday life.

Viewing significant religious artefacts such as Torah scrolls, Tefillin and a Menorah brought their learning to life. These experiences deepened students’ understanding of the Jewish world in which Jesus lived, helping them better appreciate his teachings and ministry within their original context.

Importantly, the excursion also emphasised the value of interfaith dialogue; a central component of our Sion Charism. By encountering Judaism as a living faith rather than simply a historical background to Christianity, students were encouraged to approach religious differences with respect and openness. Experiences like this help build understanding, challenge misconceptions, and promote peaceful relationships within our diverse community.

Sion Young Archies

At Our Lady of Sion College, the spirit of creativity and personal connection has been on full display through the Sion Young Archies. Inspired by the prestigious competition at the Art Gallery of NSW, our students were invited to create a portrait of someone special, someone who knows them personally and plays a significant role in their life.

From capturing the subtle warmth of a grandparent’s smile to the familiar spark in a friend's eyes, the entries this year were a testament to the deep relationships within our community. We are incredibly proud of the artistic talent and emotional depth shown by all participants.

We are thrilled to announce our 10 Finalists, whose works have been sent to the Art Gallery of NSW for exhibition consideration in the Archibald Prize. Congratulations to:

• Poinciana N (7 Gold)
• Erin P (7 White)
• Lucy Y (8 Blue)
• Eloise H (8 Gold)
• Sierra P (8 Orange)
• Linh-Chi N (8 Silver)
• Elizabeth Z (8 White)
• Elli N (9 White)
• Maya L (12 Blue)
• Amy F (12 Silver)

Their entries are below:

Our fantastic team of Drama teachers, Drama Representatives and our brilliant Drama Captain, Georgia D (12 Blue), are busily preparing for Drama Week in Week 8, beginning Monday 23 March. It promises to be a vibrant celebration of creativity, talent and performance across our College community.

During the week, our VCE students will attend the Top Acts Drama performances, showcasing the outstanding VCE Drama solo performances from 2025. This is always an inspiring opportunity for students as they begin developing their own work.

On Wednesday 25 March, we will host a Drama Breakfast in the RD Drama Room. Students can sign up to attend, enjoy a grab-and-go breakfast, and take part in some fun Drama games to start the day. Georgia and the Drama Reps will also be running a lunchtime workshop, alongside a Homeroom Kahoot challenge and two exciting competitions that will be launched soon.

To finish the week, Ruccis Circus School will visit on the Friday 27 March to run workshops with selected junior classes and present a lunchtime performance in the Miriam Theatre. This event will be open to all students and is sure to be a highlight of the week.

It is also a joyful and energetic time in our Drama classrooms as students' progress through their performance units. Our Year 8 students have been passionately debating their perspectives in the Jason and Medea debates before moving into their Greek Tragedy duologues. Year 9 students recently participated in a directors’ workshop inspired by Wicked, exploring the characters of Glinda and Elphaba as preparation for their upcoming monologue performances. Our Year 7 students have been enthusiastically, and sometimes noisily, developing their radio play performances, while our VCE students are busy researching, brainstorming and scripting their solo and ensemble works. Our classrooms are truly buzzing with creativity and innovation.

We have also been thrilled by the response to our lunchtime Drama workshops so far in 2026. The RD Drama Room has been packed with enthusiastic students, including some fantastic dancers, and there are many more Drama-themed workshops to come. Keep an eye out in the Daily Bulletin for announcements about upcoming workshops, locations, and the exciting Drama Week competitions that will be launching soon.

Music Representatives 2026

Congratulations to the following girls who were appointed as Music Representatives for 2026. This group meets each fortnight and offers initiative and support to the range of musical events throughout the school, such as Open Mic's, Liturgies, Soirees and Concerts.

International Women’s Day Open Mic

Last Friday, it was great to see many singers and audience members participating in the International Women's Day Open Mic. Congratulations to all the performers, especially the students who are new to the College.

Year 7 Junior Choir

Congratulations to members of the Year 7 Junior Choir who performed so wonderfully at the Year 7 Family Mass last week. They have only been rehearsing for a couple of weeks and despite the limited time to prepare, they sang so beautifully at the Mass. They were well supported by senior vocalists from the College Choir and the College Vocal Ensemble.

Term One Music Soiree – Monday 23 March, 5.00 pm

The first opportunity for students in the Instrumental Program to perform in concert is the Term 1 Music Soiree, which will be held on Monday 23 March at 5.00 pm in the Miriam Theatre. Girls involved in the Instrumental Music program and some chamber ensembles will feature at this first public concert for 2026. Interested students gain Arts Colour Points and can sign up via their instrumental teacher.

Year 7 Music Program – Tuesday Concert Band and Junior Strings started this week!

All but one of the Year 7 Music program ensembles have begun their weekly rehearsals. The final Year 7 ensemble (the Year 7 Monday morning Junior Concert Band 1), start their first session next week on Monday 16 March at 7.30 am in the Miriam Theatre.

Big Sound Sisters

If any Year 8, 9 or 10 girls want to be a ‘Big Sound Sister’ to be a mentor in one of the Year 7 ensembles, please see Mr Macaulay for details. This counts towards your Arts colour and can help with hours needed to complete the Duke of Edinburgh program.

Swim and Dive Preliminary Carnival

Our Swim and Dive Squad competed at PLC in Week 4 against a strong pool of GSV schools. Our divers competed on Thursday 26 February and did amazing! We finished the Prelim in 3rd place, behind MLC and Star of the Sea who were the top ranked schools in Division 1 last year. We are so proud of our squad for being so consistent with training at Aquanation, a number of students have signed up to Ringwood Dive Club as a result. We can't wait to see our divers compete in Division 2 on Tuesday 17 March (PM event) for the Championship Carnival!

Our swimmers competed on Friday 27 February at PLC. It was an extremely strong preliminary carnival with some very fast times. Our students rose to the challenge and gave it 100% effort. Finishing the day we had 22 personal best times in events and qualified in 3rd position in Division 3 for the Championship Carnival on Tuesday 17 March (AM event).

Shoutout to our swimmers who finished in the top 3 in their events, with our final training at Aquanation on Monday morning we are super excited to watch our squad compete next week!

Following our Championship Event, our attention will quickly turn to the upcoming Cross Country season. Sign ups have been sent to students, we will be meeting with the squad next week before commencing training on Monday and Wednesday mornings in the last couple weeks of Term 1.

Triathlon Results

Results for the Triathlon were released to GSV schools. We had a number of top ten placings across our squad. Below are our top results from the day:

Claire R (11 Gold) and Emma R (9 Blue) competed in the individual event and placed 30th and 8th respectively in their age group.

Weekly Sport Update

There are only a couple more rounds of GSV Softball, Tennis and Volleyball in Term 1! The season has flown by and we have placed ourselves in qualifying positions for finals across majority of sports.

Trials for Term 2 sports (AFL, Hockey and Netball) are scheduled for the remaining weeks in Term 1, keep an eye out on Year Level Google Classrooms for all dates. Junior Netball and AFL trials will be Friday 20 and 27 March to squeeze in before Year 7 camp in the final week of term.

Project Compassion

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our families for your incredible generosity in supporting Project Compassion. Thanks to your donations and kindness, we have reached our online fundraising goal of $6,000. This is a wonderful achievement and a true reflection of the caring spirit within our community.

Reaching our online goal is certainly something to celebrate, but our fundraising journey does not have to stop here. We have set a grand total goal of $11,500, which includes donations made through our online portal as well as the various initiatives run at school. One of the initiatives held during the week was a Hot Cross Buns Sale, which was a great success and a wonderful way for our community to come together while supporting Project Compassion.

If you still wish to donate online, please click here or scan the QR Code below. Remember to donate via your daughters House. The House the raises the most money will be awarded 200 points towards the House Cup.

Let's keep the momentum going and continue supporting Project Compassion!

Ozanam House

Recently, we had our first visit for the year to Ozanam House to volunteer as part of their meal service. Ozanam House is a homelessness support centre run by the St Vincent de Paul Society. It provides accommodation and support services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Year 11 students Chole H (11 Silver) and Kaelyn F (11 Silver) were accompanied by Mrs Lynne Shaw who had the opportunity to assist in serving meals to members of the community who rely on this important support. It was a meaningful and humbling experience for everyone involved. The visit allowed them to witness firsthand the impact that small acts of kindness and service can have on others. As a school community, we are grateful for the chance to contribute in this way and look forward to continuing our partnership with Ozanam House as we support those in need within our local community.

Handover HeARTwork Project

We also held our first Handover HeARTwork Project workshop for the year with a number of Year 8 students. This is an initiative connecting secondary schools with Hospitals and Palliative Care Units. The projects mission is to bring compassion, dignity, and comfort to the delicate moments when individuals pass away in healthcare facilities. At the heart of the project is the idea that a small act of kindness can make a world of difference in some of life’s most challenging moments. The project believes that every individual deserves respect and dignity, not only throughout their lives but also in their final moments.

Students decorated paper carry bags which will be provided to healthcare facilities to be used in the process of returning a patient’s belongings to their loved ones when they pass away. These personalised bags replace the clinical and impersonal plastic 'Patient Clothing' bags, offering a more compassionate and dignified approach to this sensitive task.

Students and families can find the fortnightly Careers newsletter here.

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

• Upcoming Events – Swinburne – A Day in the life of a Swinburne student; Monash Information Evening – Discover Monash
• Careers Industry in the Spotlight – Market Influencer
• Things to Consider – Mentoring Women Program; Australian National University (ANU) Open day
• Researching options – St Kilda Career Pathways, Australian National University – News from ANU.

Watch your daughter thrive in a learning environment that knows her, nurtures her, and ignites her curiosity. At Sion, we create a learning community where every student can flourish, pursue her interests with curiosity, and embrace learning in ways that help her thrive.

Join us for our 2026 Open Day on Tuesday 17 March and experience:

• Student-led tours showcasing learning in action
• An address from our Principal
• A glimpse into the opportunities that support each girl to grow, stretch and shine

We look forward to welcoming you to our College and sharing how your daughter can embrace life at Sion.

Applications for Year 7, 2028, close on Friday 14 August 2026.