Monday 30 March
Wednesday 1 April
Thursday 2 April
Friday 3 April
Sunday 5 April
Monday 6 April
Monday 20 April
Thursday 23 April
Friday 24 April
Saturday 25 April
This fortnight our community gathered for an Open Day that surpassed all expectations. With record breaking attendance and a palpable sense of warmth from the first welcome to the last conversation, the day became more than an event; it was a living expression of who we are together. The generosity of spirit shown by students guiding visitors, staff opening their classrooms, and families sharing stories created a welcoming and uplifting atmosphere that lingered long after we farewelled our final visitors for the day. It reminded me that community is not simply something we describe. It is something we make visible through how we welcome, accompany, and invite others into our story.
This fortnight that same spirit has continued to unfold across our school community in countless ways. I have seen it in the uplifting Voices for Change concert where students sang with conviction while their peers offered unwavering support. It was present in the vibrant creativity of Drama Week, in the enthusiasm of our Pi Day activities, and in the steady perseverance of our Year 10s during their Duke of Edinburgh camp. I saw it too in the commitment of our swimming and diving squads whose shared effort speaks to what collaboration can achieve, and in the thoughtful preparation of our DAV and Monash Asian Studies debaters. It was also evident at our Term 1 Music Soiree as students supported one another throughout the performances. Our Year 8 Retreat brought meaningful reflection on relationships, and through our Caritas initiatives, students have turned compassion into action, recognising that even small gestures of solidarity can make a meaningful difference.
What we have witnessed within our school over these two weeks has also found expression in the broader communities we belong to. Gathering for the Archdiocese of Melbourne St Patricks Mass on Friday 20 March drew us into a wider family of faith, reminding us that we are part of something larger.
As I reflect on all that our students have engaged in this fortnight, I am reminded of Pope Leo XIVs address to educators in 2025, where he invited us to place interiority, unity, love and joy at the centre of our work with young people. He also reminded us that teaching is a human endeavour carried by love and connection, a truth we have seen come to life in our community over these weeks.
This understanding finds a beautiful resonance in Father Theodores invitation to have hearts bigger than the world, expanded by the fire of love. These words call us, staff and students, to move beyond our own needs, to see the other, and to be the kind of community where generosity, openness and compassion take root. Looking back on our fortnight, I see that call lived out everywhere, in welcome offered without reservation, in creativity that lifts others, in service that looks outward, and in commitments that endure. This is the gift of community we share, received with gratitude, nurtured with intention, and offered freely to all who walk through our Cherry Red Gates.
As we step into the final weeks of Term 1, may we continue to expand our hearts, to notice the ways community takes shape, and to celebrate the grace that emerges whenever we gather, learn and grow together.
Last Friday 20 March, Year 8 students gathered at Holy Cross in Templestowe for their Retreat Day. The theme of the retreat was Building Positive Relationships, and the students seemed to embrace all of the different opportunities offered to them throughout the course of the day.
Through participating in the workshops, the students considered the significance of building positive relationships with others and what they could do to ensure that their relationships stayed strong and healthy. Identifying qualities of healthy relationships such as trust, good communication skills and teamwork, were especially highlighted, along with the importance of being authentic with one another.
The College theme for 2026: Work hand in hand, be the light that heals the Earth was discussed and reflected upon and the students shared ways of how the theme could be lived out in their daily lives and through their relationships with others. They created Homeroom banners, which will be displayed in their Homerooms for the remainder of the year.
To conclude the day, a beautiful Mass was celebrated by our College Chaplain Fr Mark Reynolds and students from across all seven Homerooms led different parts of the Mass. The first reading from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Phil 4: 4-9) and the gospel reading from John (Jn 15: 9-17), reminded all present about the importance of being kind and loving to one another, which is such a timely message in our challenging world today.
'Let your gentleness be known to everyone' (Phil 4:4)
'This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you' (John 15:12)
Also last Friday, eight of our Year 9 student leaders, accompanied by Ms Cetrola, Mrs Miotello and Mrs Garnham, attended the Mass of St Patrick for Schools at St Patrick’s Cathedral. This was part of the celebrations for this year’s Catholic Education Week for Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. The theme of the Mass was Christ beside me: Walking in the footsteps of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of our church in Melbourne. It was a very joyous occasion.
The most sacred week in the liturgical calendar is Holy Week. This will be commencing this Sunday which is called Palm Sunday and culminates with Easter Sunday. As is our tradition, students and staff will gather on Holy Thursday for our special student led Lenten reflection on the Stations of the Cross. This will be a very special time for all to pray and reflect on the significance of Christ's love and sacrifice for humanity.
Wishing all members of the College community many blessings and peace this Easter season.
As we approach the end of the term, many students are feeling the pressure of completing assessment tasks and finalising assignments. As tasks are being completed, feedback is provided to the students and families through SEQTA and within the classes.
The goal in all of this learning is growth and it is always important that students read through the feedback (whether it be on SEQTA, on the assessment itself, in a sample answer, etc) and really unpack what it is the teacher thinks can be changed to move forward.
Some tips to help with feedback:
If anyone is feeling overwhelmed with the volume of tasks, or is feeling deflated about not achieving a goal, speak to someone. The Homeroom teacher, subject teacher or Wellbeing and Growth Leader is perfect for this. There are always things we can do to ensure that everyone is experiencing success.
Families will shortly be receiving details about the Term 2 Student Progress Meetings and how to make bookings.
As we move into the holiday period, students often have more opportunities to gather socially and strengthen their connections with others. This may include spending time with new Sion friends following recent Homeroom changes, as well as maintaining friendships outside the College. For some younger students, this can also be the first time when they begin to explore mixed-gender friendships and early dating relationships.
It is reassuring for parents/carers to see their child developing positive social connections. During the early teenage years, it is also common to find yourself either hosting a gathering or supporting your child to attend one. At times, families may notice their expectations differ from those of others, which can create pressure to agree to arrangements outside their comfort level. Clear family boundaries can help young people make safe choices.
If hosting a gathering, we strongly encourage parents/carers to ensure events are alcohol-free, drug-free and vape-free. Open communication, appropriate supervision and thoughtful planning can help ensure holiday social experiences remain positive and support student wellbeing.
Here are some tips to help you plan a responsible and enjoyable gathering:
By providing guidance and setting clear expectations, you can help your teen and their friends make responsible choices. If you need additional resources or support, the Victorian Police have helpful resources linked here.
We hope you find these suggestions helpful in ensuring a safe and enjoyable gathering for your young teens.
The Happy Families article for this publication is:
Our particular thoughts and prayers go to Sethumli J (10 White) on the recent passing of her grandmother, and to Mietta G (12 Silver) who recently lost her grandfather. Also, we extend our sincere condolences to the family of Junemarie Mason, a former staff member who worked in the Library during the 1990s, on her recent passing.
We remember Sethumli, Mietta and their families, and Junemarie's family in a special way at this sad time.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace, Amen.
The early half of the school year is a great time for students to pause, reflect, and reset. In particular, it’s important to consider which healthy habits supported them well last year, which ones may have slipped over the summer break, and what their priorities should be for their health and wellbeing in 2026.
Before students can thrive academically or emotionally, they need strong pillars of physical health. When sleep, nutrition, movement, and self‑care are balanced, young people do far better in managing their workload, maintaining focus, regulating stress, and staying engaged socially and emotionally. Some things for students and families to consider include:
Revisiting these habits now will help students build a strong foundation for the year ahead and support their overall health and wellbeing.
If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing that you would like to discuss, you can speak to their Homeroom teacher, Wellbeing and Growth Leader, or email the Counselling Team here.
In each Newsletter, we 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 Liturgy Captain, Lorena G (12 White).
Hello everyone, My name is Lorena and I am so grateful to have been selected for the role of Liturgy Captain.
In my role, I am able to collaborate with members from different year levels about faith based activities and Chapel sessions. I love the faith life at Sion and over the years, I have participated in every Lenten Liturgy I could! I have also been a Liturgy Representative twice and I loved presenting at Chapel sessions and school masses.
Outside of liturgy, the Sion community has allowed me to explore other interests such as Drama, Visual Arts and Social Justice.
My favourite experience at Sion so far has been volunteering at Oznam House. This was such an unbelievable enriching opportunity for me as I was able to give back to the community while also following Catholic Social Teaching principals such as human dignity and solidarity, I had so much fun talking to the lovely staff members of Oznam house and encourage everyone to put themselves forward for this opportunity as it is an invaluable learning experience.
I was inspired to be Liturgy Captain due to my strong faith background. I have always been deeply connected to the Catholic faith and I felt inspired to apply for this experience to share my passion with the greater community.
I am most excited to showcase the Lenten Reflection we have currently been working on. It will showcase a series of interconnected Aboriginal artworks and will be very different from previous years. I am looking forward to restarting the dialogue groups and potentially begin with a rosary making workshop.
A memorable experience that influenced me in this role was with the 2023 Liturgy Captain Charlotte P. Charlotte was such a lovely Liturgy Captain and truly made me feel welcome as a Year 9 Representative. She took the time to get to know me on a personal level and her joy and passion for liturgy was contagious! I aspire to follow in her footsteps and foster an environment for faith at Sion to be a welcoming space.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Year 12 students on their efforts in completing the first term of their final year at secondary school. The commitment they have shown towards their studies and their involvement in school life is to be commended.
I am proud of the leadership and initiative they have shown in supporting school events and social justice initiatives. Their enthusiastic participation in activities such as Casual for a Cause and the Bake Sale in support of Project Compassion reflects a strong sense of compassion and social responsibility. Through these efforts, they have not only contributed to meaningful causes but have also embodied the values we strive to nurture within our school community.
I would also like to acknowledge and extend my gratitude to the Year 12s for their participation on Open Day. Some students led activities while others attended their scheduled classes. I extend heartfelt gratitude to our talented Vocational Major students for their amazing skill and dedication as they worked tirelessly running the Cherry Gates Cafe coffee cart serving coffee and hot chocolate to our visitors.
During the term break, it is really important that our Year 12 students adopt a balanced approach to having some much needed rest while also revising and studying. This is to ensure they return to Term 2 with a renewed energy and a sense of being up to date with their work.
I would like to thank you as parents/carers of our Year 12 students for your open communication and support throughout the term and I wish you and your families a very happy Easter.
As a Vocational Major class, we really enjoyed serving coffee on Open Day because it gave us the chance to build our teamwork skills while working through real challenges together.
It was a fun and fast-paced experience that helped me build confidence when communicating with others. I liked being part of a team and working together to keep everything running smoothly. It also felt rewarding to contribute to the atmosphere of the day and make visitors feel welcome.
Overall, it was a highly positive experience that involved everyone and provided us with valuable, real-world skills that will benefit us in the future. Holly L (12 Silver) on behalf of the Vocational Major students
We invite you to read the Term 1 reflection by Year 10 SRC representatives, Erin Y (10 Gold) and Sienna P (10 Silver):
Year 10 has been a highly rewarding experience thus far, representing a significant progression from Year 9, particularly the increased availability of elective subjects. This enhanced choice fosters a greater sense of autonomy compared to the Year 9 Homeroom structure. Furthermore, this year has facilitated opportunities for broader social engagement, allowing us to connect with individuals beyond our immediate Homeroom and established peer group.
Preparation for the upcoming work experience placement, through the L’Chaim program, has been insightful, exposing us to diverse career pathways and prompting consideration of post-Sion opportunities.
Year 10 has proven to be an exciting and independence-building experience through electives, work experience preparations, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award program. This term has been particularly enriching and enjoyable, especially through participation in the SRC, which has cultivated increased responsibility within the College environment. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has encouraged all Year 10 students to embrace challenges and build resilience.
The consistent support provided by our teachers has been instrumental in assisting us to navigate these new responsibilities and opportunities effectively. Year 10 is a year marked by substantial growth and opportunities to expand beyond established comfort zones. Erin Y (10 Gold) and Sienna P (10 Silver), Year 10 SRC Representatives
What an incredible experience our Year 10 students shared during their recent Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey at Lake Eildon. It was truly an adventure they will not forget any time soon.
Throughout the trip we encountered a range of weather and environmental conditions, which certainly kept everyone on their toes. Our students embraced every opportunity that came their way and fully immersed themselves in the experience.
Across our Adventurous Journey they challenged themselves through a variety of activities including mountain biking, white water rafting, canoeing, hiking the many tracks around Lake Eildon, setting up camp, and cooking their own meals using Trangia stoves. Each activity required teamwork, perseverance and a willingness to step outside of their comfort zones.
What stood out most was the way our students supported one another. They encouraged their peers, worked together through challenges, and demonstrated that success is often achieved when we lift those around us. Time and again they showed determination and resilience, discovering that they are capable of more than they may have first believed.
This journey was undoubtedly one of the most demanding experiences our Year 10 students will face this year. While there will always be new challenges ahead, the Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey was a true test of grit and resilience. Every student rose to the occasion and should feel extremely proud of what they accomplished.
Over the coming week, I will share with students the final step required to complete their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. This involves writing two short reflections in their Online Record Book (ORB). The task should take approximately 15–20 minutes to complete. Your support in encouraging your child to finish this before the end of the term break would be greatly appreciated. Completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award provides Year 10 students with valuable experiences that extend well beyond the classroom.
These experiences can be highly beneficial when students begin applying for part-time jobs. Employers often look for young people who can demonstrate reliability, initiative and the ability to work well with others. The Duke of Edinburgh Award gives students concrete examples of these qualities that they can include on résumés or discuss during job interviews.
The award is also recognised by many post-secondary institutions and training providers, making it a valuable addition to applications for apprenticeships, university pathways and other future opportunities. Completing the program shows a willingness to challenge oneself, contribute to the community and commit to personal growth, qualities that are highly regarded by employers and education providers alike.
Congratulations to all of our Year 10 students who successfully completed their Adventurous Journey. We are incredibly proud of your resilience, teamwork and determination throughout this experience.
We look forward to celebrating with families in August as we recognise those students who have completed all elements of the award.
I would like to thank the following staff members who accompanied the Year 10s on our Adventurous Journey. We thank you for your guidance and support: Miss Stafford, Mrs Macdonald, Mrs Prendergast, Miss Rebecca, Ms Gurciullo, Ms Muller, Ms Callum, Mr Steward and Mr Lake for their support on our Adventurous Journey. I also thank both Mrs Kralj and Ms Busacca for their constant support throughout our Duke of Edinburgh program.
As we complete our final week of Term 1, I wish to ask all Year 10 families to reflect upon what has been achieved, both as a family unit and for your child's journey at school. The three questions I’d like you to consider are:
1 - What went well? What is it as a family and as a student that has gone well during Term 1?
2 - Even better if? Think along the lines of, if I had done X then Y would have been better.
3 - My next brave step is... No more than one to two things, what is the action, habit or behaviour you see that will serve you to continue to move forward in Term 2.
On behalf of the Year 10 Pastoral team, thank you for partnering with us to allow your young person to see what is possible throughout Year 10. Until next edition be curious and inquisitive and open to sharing your experiences that have both challenged and positively changed you.
Our upcoming Year 7 Camp at Lake Dewar Lodge promises to be an exciting and transformative experience for our students. In the lead up over the weekend, there are a few important areas where parents/carers may be supporting their child in order to have the best camp experience possible.
Preparation Recommendations
Emotional Preparation
We encourage you to discuss the camp with your child, focusing on:
Key Insights from Previous Camp
Students reported:
We’ve been having a brilliant time celebrating Drama Week as it's our favourite time of the year! There is still time to get involved in the three Drama Week competitions. See the posters in Homerooms, as well as detailed information on the Drama Week Classroom and in the School Bulletin if you would like to get involved in these. Entries will earn valuable Drama Colour points and may even score a prize, so don’t miss out!
In our next Newsletter, we’ll be sharing plenty of Drama Week highlights along with photos from the events, we can’t wait to showcase all the creativity and enthusiasm that we have enjoyed over the week.
Meanwhile, our Senior Play cast has been hard at work rehearsing The Importance of Being Earnest. Laughter has been echoing through the rehearsal rooms every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, a sure sign of the joy and energy this production will bring to life in mid-May for audiences. Please see some photos from our wonderful set painters, headed up by Mrs Jennifer Schwab who have been busily working away to create the world of our play. We are so excited about the creative work they are doing!
Ticket information will be released in our next issue, so stay tuned. If last year’s Mamma Mia!, which sold out every single show is anything to go by, you’ll want to be quick! Be sure to grab tickets for yourself, your family, friends, neighbours, basketball teammates….and anyone else who enjoys a fantastic night of entertainment.
It’s an exciting time for Drama, watch this space!
It has been a fantastic start to the year, with many opportunities offered to our Language students and we are so impressed with how they have dived into their Language studies. Here are a few highlights from across the year levels:
Our newest Year 7 linguists have settled in beautifully. They have adapted to secondary school life with ease and are already pros at using Education Perfect to sharpen their skills.
Our Year 12s are working hard on their fluency, showing great commitment and confidence during their oral conversation sessions.
Across all other year levels, students are making wonderful progress, consistently picking up new vocabulary and cultural skills that broaden their horizons.
On Tuesday 10 March, our Year 10, 11, and 12 French students had the opportunity to attend the prestigious French Film Festival at Balwyn Palace Theatre. This immersive excursion offered a fantastic opportunity for our linguists to engage with authentic French culture and sharpen their listening skills in a vibrant and real world setting.
The highlight of the day was a screening of Les Misérables: The Story of Jean Valjean.
From the very first scene, this powerful version of Victor Hugo’s classic story led our students into the tough, restless streets of 19th century France. They followed Jean Valjean, a man who spent 19 years in prison just for stealing a loaf of bread, as he struggles to leave his past behind and find a better life. It is a profound tale of sacrifice, justice, and the resilience of the human spirit. These themes sparked insightful discussions among our senior students.
Student Reflection
On Tuesday 10 March, the French Year 10s, 11s and 12s had the incredible opportunity to watch ‘Les Misérables: The Story of Jean Valjean’ at the Balwyn Palace Theatre. These experiences of French culture are such a celebrated opportunity among us students as they allow us to broaden our comprehension of the language. We are always encouraged to observe international film and television to further develop our language skills. Events such as these allow for a shared experience in different cultural perspectives and art. Elizabeth W (12 Purple)
On Friday 13 March the Mathematics Learning Area celebrated Pi Day. Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter and is infinite in nature.
In Year 8 Maths we study Pi as a part of the Measurement topic which includes learning about the perimeter and area of circles, a Pi/circle themed scavenger hunt, learning a song about Pi and a Pi recitation competition which includes a free Pie for lunch.
Year 8 student competed enthusiastically to memorise Pi to as many decimal places as possible. All of their attempts were recorded and collated to decide the winning students and the winning class overall.
Results:
The Top 6 students (all over 100 decimal places – an amazing effort!) were as follows:
The overall winning Year 8 class with a total of 937 decimal places was 8 Silver. Congratulations to all winners and participants!
Thanks very much to all of the Maths staff who helped organise the day and all staff and students who helped out on the day. A great team effort!
Congratulations to all the soloists and small groups that performed last Monday evening at the Term 1 Music Soiree. A particular mention of the Year 7 students who performed in a Sion uniform for the very first time. There were many outstanding moments from all the performers, and it was terrific to have support from a very appreciative audience.
Music filled the air as Our Lady of Sion College opened the doors to many visitors at the annual Open Day earlier this week. Our ensembles and soloists performed all day in the Miriam Theatre and the Ratisbonne Discovery Centre Music Classroom. A special thanks must be extended to the Music staff and Music Representatives who supported the girls throughout the day.
Year 7 parents/carers are warmly invited to attend open rehearsals of their child’s respective ensemble. Please see the flyer below for dates, times and venues:
It has been another big fortnight in the Sport Department with our Aquatics program coming to an end, Term 1 finals and Term 2 weekly sport trials beginning to ramp up.
Our Cross Country squad is back training with over 50 students at both Monday and Wednesday morning training. Our consistency and momentum will continue to put us in great positions for events and matches.
Our GSV Swimming and Diving squads competed in their respective championship carnivals at MSAC, which was our final aquatic championship carnival for 2026.
Diving – Division 2:
Our diving squad finished 2nd overall and only missed out on 1st place by 3 points. Our Senior divers, Olivia M (12 Gold), Ella R (12 Purple) and Claire R (11 Gold) won the senior division. Our Intermediates placed 3rd and our Juniors placed 6th.
Our 2nd overall is our highest diving result we have had and something we are very proud of. There are holiday sessions coming up for experienced and new divers at Aquanation, details are below.
Swimming - Division 3:
Our swimming squad finished 3rd overall. Our Seniors came 3rd, our Intermediates came 7th and our Juniors came 3rd. This is the second best result our swimming squad has had since joining GSV and this is a substantial improvement on our 2025 result, which saw us finish 6th. We are very proud of our swimmers.
At Champs, our students competed in a total of 149 events (Diving, Individual swim events + relay events). Of these 149 events, our athletes obtained 41 Personal Best results, and another 73 results within 2 seconds of their PB (swimmers) or 5% of their PB point score (divers). Meaning that an outstanding 76.51% of our combined swimming and diving results were a PB or very close. A great way to finish off the season and celebrate our commitment to the early mornings and training meets.
We are pleased to announce that we have eight students invited for Finals Evening next Tuesday 31 March at MSAC. We would like to acknowledge Olivia M (12 Gold), who is seeded 3rd in Senior GSV Diving and Ella R (12 Gold) who is not only seeded 1st in Senior Diving, but scored the highest result of any student in GSV at the Diving Championships this season. Olivia M (9 Blue) will also be diving at Finals with a fantastic performance at Champs.
We would also like to acknowledge Erin P (7 White) who recorded the fastest 100m freestyle time, and the second fastest 50m breaststroke time of any Year 7 in GSV at the Swimming Championships this season.
A big thank you to our Diving Coach Olivia Kloss from Ringwood Diving Club for overseeing our training sessions at Aquanation again this season, her leadership and knowledge has excelled our Aquatics program to new heights! Below are dates for diving programs over the school holidays.
For those who are intermediate divers or have a strong gymnastics/dance/cheer background, we suggest the Beitzel or squad training classes. For those who feel they want to master the basics a bit more, we suggest the Learn to Dive holiday classes.
Week 1: Tuesday 7 April - Thursday 9 April
Squad (Beitzel) 8 - 10 am and 11 am - 1 pm
Learn to Dive 10 - 11.30 am
Week 2: Monday 13 April - Thursday 16 April
Squad (Beitzel) 8 - 10 am and 11 am - 1 pm
Learn to Dive 10 - 11.30 am
Otherwise during term time Ringwood Diving Club offer:
Learn to Dive: Tuesday - Friday
Silver (Intermediate): 5 – 6 pm
Gold (Advanced): 6 – 7.30 pm
Beitzel (squad)
Monday - Friday 6 - 8 pm
Sunday 7.30 - 10.30 am
To secure a spot in the Holiday Program or enquire further, please come down to the Sport Office or contact Olivia at admin@ringwooddivingclub.com.au.
We are pleased to announce we have nine teams (42%) competing in GSV Weekly Sport Finals, with nine teams qualifying for Finals. Congratulations to the teams and coaches on a fantastic season. Special mention to Miss Rebecca and our Junior Volleyballers with all 6 teams making finals, our best result ever for Volleyball!
In other Netball news, a big congratulations to the below students who represented Chisholm at the Netball State Titles over a massive three days of competition over the March Long Weekend.
Well done to Alannah V (11 Gold) for representing Dandenong Valley in the U17 competition.
Our Social Justice team has been hard at work this past fortnight. During our recent Open Day, the team proudly engaged with visitors at the Social Justice display, sharing insights into our many initiatives and programs. From raising awareness about global issues to supporting local causes, it highlighted the meaningful impact our students continue to make.
Alongside this, we have been actively continuing our fundraising efforts for Project Compassion. It has been wonderful to see such strong support from across the school community through a range of events, including our annual Voices for Change concert, a delicious bake sale, and a casual clothes day. Each of these initiatives has contributed to making a real difference in the lives of others.
There is still more to look forward to! We are currently selling tickets for our Easter raffle, which features an incredible 11 hampers to be won. We encourage everyone to get involved for a chance to win while supporting Project Compassion.
There is still time to donate to Project Compassion via our online portal. We are proud to share that we have already exceeded our goal of $6,000, however, this does not mean we stop here. Every additional contribution helps extend our impact. Donations can be made by clicking on this link or scanning the QR code below.
Thank you to all students, staff, and families for your ongoing generosity and commitment to social justice.
During our Open Day, FIRE Carrier Ambassadors were proud to host our own display, where we spoke with families about what it means to be a FIRE Carrier school.
FIRE stands for Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education, and we shared how this initiative helps our school promote respect, understanding, and awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
In the lead-up to Open Day, the FIRE Carriers worked together to prepare keyrings that visiting students could braid at our display. This activity drew many families over and created great opportunities for conversations about the work we do, opportunities available such as the Indigenous Immersion and how we take pride in spreading awareness of these communities. It was also a chance to explain how we aim to make our school a more inclusive and informed place for everyone.
I am proud to have had ambassadors from a range of year levels volunteer to help run the display throughout the afternoon. Working together not only helped the day run smoothly but also fostered a strong sense of community among students who share similar values and a commitment to reconciliation. Open Day was a wonderful opportunity to represent our school and highlight the important role the Indigenous Ambassadors play in promoting understanding and connection within our community. Ananaya DS (12 Gold)
As we continue our series on Indigenous Seasons, we move into the next season, Yuk, with our FIRE Carrier ambassadors, Sierra P (8 Orange) and Hailey C (9 Purple), sharing their insights.
In March, we move into the second of the seven Wurundjeri seasons, Yuk, the season of the eel. During this season, short-finned eels migrate towards the ocean to breed. Yuk marks the transition from the hot, dry summer, into cooler autumn months. This is triggered by the reduction of warm northerly winds, as well as the appearance of the new moon.
During Yuk season, fully grown female eels (and few males) migrate downstream after spending 10-35 years in the freshwater, journeying towards the sea for breeding purposes. They embark on about a 3,000km long adventure to the ocean! As a result, eels undergo the process of transforming into ‘silver eels’ in order to adapt to their descent into the deep sea. These changes include the development of larger eyes, and the shutting down of their digestive system. After their descent into the ocean, these eels have offspring, their lives end and the cycle repeats.
The "genetic memory" of eels returning to their birthplace to spawn serapes as a mirror for the Wurundjeri's own connection to Country and the importance of returning to one's roots.
Eels are a regular part of consumption when indigenous people use eel traps to manage harvestation. Like the reasoning behind controlled bushfires, the indigenous community believe in taking care of the environment and ensuring all that is taken from nature is done sustainably. Therefore, the harvesting of eels and use of traps are regulated to ensure there are plenty of eels to migrate and reproduce for the next cycle.
This time is incredibly significant for the Indigenous people as it portrays the sacred tradition, growth of eels, and sustainable harvesting, marking the beginning of Autumn. Furthermore, eels are viewed as spiritual protector, who serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds, representing the deep ancestral memory and resilience of the Wurundjeri people. FIRE Carrier ambassadors, Sierra P (8 Orange) and Hailey C (9 Purple)
On Wednesday 11 March both our A grade and D grade DAV debates were held at Tintern Grammar for round 1 of DAV. These debates profoundly encourage growth of confidence and the bonding between teams offers friendships built on passion and trust. These debates were extremely close and while we may not have brought home the wins, the expansion of life-long public speaking skills is what really matters. On Sunday 15 March, Year 9 students, Sophia Z (9 Blue), Lila E (9 Gold), Eliza N (9 Red) and I attended the Monash Asian Studies Competition in which schools all across Melbourne competed in three rounds of debating. Sion took home the win for Round 1, with Eliza N and I as Best Speakers in Rounds 1 and 2.
Debating is so significant to be involved in as young women, it’s certainly difficult to compose yourself and speak eloquently in front of an ensemble of individuals you may not know. However, in order to grow we must continue to take the chances to grow our voice in the development of beliefs and passions.
A special recognition to Sophia Z and Eliza A (12 White) who challenged themselves by being involved in debating with such short notice. This is what debating is all about – absolutely commendable!
Round 2 of DAV is on Wednesday 6 May. I encourage all to get involved in these opportunities that we are so lucky to have. For any questions, Debate Club is on Thursday B in EC 1.1 or you can email me or Mrs Addesi. Elizabeth W (12 Purple)
Students and families can find the fortnightly Careers newsletter here.
In this issue of the Newsletter there is information relating to:
