The 39 StepsSenior Production (matinee and evening)
Sunday 12 May
Mothers Day
From the Principal
Principal's Message
Welcome
A warm welcome to staff students and families for what I hope will be a happy and productive Term 2. Over the last fortnight students appear to have settled in well to school life and there are many activities and opportunities to which we can look forward this term.
At the end of Term 1 we farewelled the following teachers who began a period of Family Leave: Ms Jordyn Frood, Ms Sharon Thomy, Mrs Laura Geilings and Ms Morgan Chandler. We wish them all the very best as they await the birth of their children. This term we have welcomed the following staff who are replacing staff on Family, Long Service and Personal Leave: Mrs Despina Filippidis, Ms Sarah Parkinson, Ms Renae Prendergast, Ms Laura Malone, Ms Caitlyn Bosch, Mrs Marlene Weberruss, Mrs Angela Pane and Mr Arjun Kunwar. I also thank Ms Jennifer Tilley for accepting the role of Year 9 Wellbeing and Growth Leader.
Pray for Peace
As we are all aware, events in recent weeks highlight the ongoing need in our local and global communities for wisdom, compassion, justice and peace. As I highlighted in our newsletter late last year, we can feel a sense of helplessness when we are confronted by the tragedies we have witnessed. In such times, prayer, reflection and speaking about what has occurred can help us to process what we see and hear. If our students need additional support, I encourage families to contact their child’s Homeroom teacher who can provide assistance.
Wellbeing
As someone who enjoys the long days of summer and early autumn, the end of daylight savings is always accompanied by a sense of sadness for me. At this time of the year, the days always feel gloomier and while there are no fewer hours in the days, they do seem shorter. As this will be a ten-week term, it is important that our students remain socially connected, supported, and physically active. Recently I read a relevant article published by the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools of which Our Lady of Sion College is a member. In the article (click here for the entire article), the ICGS advocate that being outdoors can bring many health benefits. It highlighted:
“Researchers from the UK, USA and Sweden investigated the benefits of the outdoors and exposure to nature and found that even 120 minutes spent in nature each week can improve health and wellbeing … that’s less than 18 minutes a day … The benefits of time spent in nature apply to children, adolescents and adults … It enhances productivity by improving creativity, problem-solving skills, improving sleep and even reducing stress. And there are plenty of creative ways to find 120 minutes a week – a quick walk, eating lunch outside or even walking part of the way to work, [school].”
While the weather is becoming cooler and there are fewer hours of sunshine, it is even more important that we take measures to maintain good physical, mental and social health habits. We all took long walks with family when we were under lockdown. I know the parks in my area were buzzing with families and I am sure yours were too. Let’s resume that habit for everyone’s wellbeing.
Congratulations
Last Friday evening, Mrs Bleazby, Mrs Catherine Bennett, Mr Martin Macaulay and I attended the 2024 VCAA Season of Excellence - Top Class Drama and Theatre Studies performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre. We were joined by a number of Year 12 students from last year to support Ella C (Class of 2023) who was one of 25 students across the state to be selected to perform their exceptional performance piece which they developed last year for their examination. Ella is the third Year 12 Sion student in recent years to be invited by VCAA to be part of their Top Class program and it is with great pride that we congratulate her on this achievement.
Thank you
I would like to thank the many families who recently met with their child’s teachers for our Student Progress Meetings. While students’ learning programs and assessment outcomes are now accessible to all families on SEQTA, the conversations between student, parents/carers and teachers are invaluable. I also spoke with many students and families, and it was evident that students were walking away with affirmation for their effort and improvement, and advice for the next steps in learning. Thank you to the numerous families who also provided me with positive feedback for how teachers were aware of their daughter’s learning needs and helping them work towards their personal best.
Information Night
After a very successful Open Day and several Talk & Tour mornings for prospective families so far this year, I would like to invite families who are seeking enrolment at Our Lady of Sion College for Year 7 2026 to our upcoming Information Evening on Wednesday 15 May at 7.00 pm, in our Miriam Theatre. If current families have a daughter in Year 5 this year or know someone who is interested in a place at Sion for their child, please register via our website.
The evening will provide important information about the College and introduce a number of key people within our community including students sharing their experience of what a Sion education has provided them. The evening concludes with a light supper and an opportunity for families to ask questions. We hope our prospective families can join us.
With every blessing for the fortnight ahead.
Tina Apostolopoulos
From the Deputy Principals
Deputy Principal Faith and Mission – Anna Gionfriddo
At the end on Term 1 the school community gathered for our annual Lenten Reflection. This year, 31 students from different year levels presented the Way of the Cross, in which we travelled with Jesus along his path to the Crucifixion through dramatisation, music and singing.
Powerful teachings and messages of Pope Francis, particularly from his encyclical Laudato Si’, were featured with each station of the cross. We were invited to think deeply about the harm we are causing our planet and the impact that this has especially on the poor and marginalised in our world. We were asked to consider how we can care for our environment and take action to support those who are most vulnerable. There were also clear messages of the special hope that Pope Francis places in young people today.
Box Hill RSL Schools ANZAC Day Service
On Tuesday of this week I had the privilege to accompany our Year 8 SRC Reps Sophie J (8 Gold) and Davina C (8 Blue) and Social Justice Reps Clare N (8 Gold) and Zara O (8 White) to the Annual Box Hill RSL Schools ANZAC Day Service which was held at the Cenotaph in the Box Hill Gardens. As a part of this moving service, the ANZAC story was shared and students were invited to lay floral wreaths.
During our own ANZAC Day prayer service which was held on Wednesday morning during Homeroom, the College community honoured and prayed for the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have died and gave thanks for the freedom we enjoy and beauty of our land, Australia. We also prayed for those who continue to be affected by war and prayed for peace in our world today.
As we come to the end of the fourth week of the Easter Season, where we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, may we be agents of justice, peace and love through our thoughts, words and actions.
Wishing all members of the College community many blessings.
Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching – Allison Stott
Learning Outside of the Classroom
I had the absolute pleasure of finishing Term 1 with a trip to France. The Years 10, 11 and 12 students outdid themselves as they negotiated the metro system, ordered food and followed instructions, all in French. It is a good reminder about the value of learning when it is applied in real time and helps us to look for practical applications to the skills and knowledge of our curriculum.
A huge thank you to Mrs Gail Amato who organised the trip, and to Mr Paul Kerr, Ms Laura Teicher and Mr Chris Wilkes for accompanying the students with me. The students were a credit to their families and the College and should be congratulated for the way that they conducted themselves.
Staff Professional Learning and the Pedagogy Framework
While the students rounded off their Easter break, the first day of term for staff was spent in professional learning. Part of our normal practices of unpacking the quantitative data, staff spent time looking at the patterns within the classes, then deep diving into individual student profiles to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each student.
The second session saw the staff exploring and providing feedback on the Our Lady of Sion College Pedagogical Framework. Some families may be familiar with pedagogical frameworks, MACS released their Vision for Instruction during Term 1, but they are a guideline for the way that learning and teaching is approached in any one setting. While we have been working on this since April 2023, the Sion version is about to go out for student voice input and has already helped to clarify the ‘why’ as well as the 'how’ of teaching and learning at Sion. A most invigorating process.
The final session saw staff working in their faculty groups reviewing the rubrics for each subject. Rubrics and quality teacher feedback are key to student learning and getting these right is crucial to student success long term.
Student Progress Meetings
All of these experiences lead to the connections that are made in the Student Progress Meetings. This is where teachers can offer specific feedback to each student, indicating how each is named and known, and encourage them to take the next steps so that they grow even further.
Once again, the number of families making appointments has been very strong, with an equal balance between the online and the onsite sessions. Thank you to everyone who attended.
Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing – Christine Kralj
Do we have what we need to support your child?
Updating your information via MyPortal
Updating your information via
MyPortal is crucial for the College to quickly contact parents/guardians/carers, especially regarding students' physical and mental health. It's essential that we have your most current contact details and information about your daughter's health. Despite the busyness of daily life, I urge parents to ensure this information is up to date.
MyPortal offers a convenient online method to update your daughter's medical details and inform the school of any changes to contact information. It reflects the College's current database. Please take the time to review the information on the portal and update it as needed, following the provided instructions.
If you're updating us about a student's health that requires medication at school, please also call Student Reception. Some health concerns, such as diabetes and anaphylaxis, require a meeting with a member of the Pastoral Care team to ensure we have the correct information and medication to support your daughter. If your daughter has serious allergies, please notify us immediately. If an EpiPen is necessary, we ask that you provide one to the school to be kept in Student Reception in case of an emergency.
To access MyPortal, simply log in to SEQTA. On the SEQTA Engage Landing page, you will find a link called 'MyPortal.' Once you log in, there is a User Guide available.
Information Sharing Schemes play a vital role in reducing family violence and promoting child wellbeing and safety, as highlighted by three key reforms introduced by the Victorian Government. Our Lady of Sion College participates in these schemes as an Information Sharing Entity (ISE), enabling the sharing of information with other ISEs when specific thresholds are met.
These thresholds consider the necessity of the shared information to enhance wellbeing and safety, to inform actions, and to exclude legally restricted information. The College can share and request information with various other ISEs, including Child FIRST, CYMHS, General Practitioners, community-based child and family services, and primary schools. While consent is not mandatory to share or request information under these schemes, Our Lady of Sion College will seek or consider the views of those involved when it is safe, reasonable, and appropriate to do so.
In Remembrance
Our particular thoughts and prayers go to Isobel F (8 Gold) whose mother recently passed away. Also, to Milla R (7 Gold) whose grandmother passed away.
We remember Isobel, Milla and their families 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.
Year Level News
Year 12 – Leanne Anderson, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
A big welcome back to our Year 12 students who returned looking refreshed and ready to continue with their Year 12 journey. In different conversations the students have told me they cannot believe how fast the year is flying by.
Volleyball Competition
It was lovely to conclude the first term with a Homeroom volleyball competition during our Pastoral lesson. There was lots of hype and competitive spirit around the event and congratulations needs to go to 12 Silver who were the overall winners of the competition and celebrated with a pizza lunch.
Student Progress Meetings
As you would be aware Student Progress Meetings have been conducted during the past two weeks and we are thrilled to see that the data has indicated that around eighty percent of our Year 12 students and their parents/carers have embraced this opportunity to make appointments to receive valuable feedback from subject teachers. The support of parents/carers in this manner sends a very clear message to your daughters that you are supporting and travelling this phase of their education with them. We encourage the girls to actively respond to the feedback given to further enhance their learning and success in each subject.
Pastoral program: Life Skills
As part of the Pastoral program this term, the students will be participating in a range of presentations on life skills which will be conducted by our Year 12 Homeroom teachers. The Homeroom teachers have paired up and students will complete three rotations. Some of the content or areas covered include: Medicare, insurance, HECS, enrolling to vote, cooking for yourself, party safe, moving out of home and budgeting. We hope the students gain some knowledge and tips around these aspects of life that they are likely to encounter as they finish their schooling and enter into young adulthood.
I wish all students and their families a safe and happy term. Remember we as the Year 12 team are here to help and support your daughters in any way we can, so don’t hesitate to reach out if there is a need.
Year 11 – Beth Amos, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
Welcome back Year 11s (and to our parents and carers)! We hope you had a restful break, and that you were able to stay well and reconnect with the things that bring joy and love into your life.
After week one we are back in business for our VCE and VM students. There are some key events for the Year 11 cohort: Semester 1 Exams and Formal.
Exams: will be taking place during Week 8-9, of Term 2. Students will be working towards finalising content, key knowledge, and skills over the next few weeks. In the lead-up to the exam period, students will be completing final assessment tasks, alongside the preparation and revision for their exam. This will challenge our students regarding their time management and ability to prioritise study. This will be an ongoing focus throughout Term 2.
Year 11 Formal: will be taking place Friday 19 July. We had an assembly earlier this week, to share some of the details the student leadership team and I have been working on during Term 1. The venue, theme, potential ideas for decorations, and styling for the night. I shared some of the expectations and requirements, to attend the event. More information and documentation will be communicated throughout Week 3.
I would also like to introduce the following staff members who have joined the Year 11 Homeroom team:
11 Blue:Sarah Parkinson (Monday–Wednesday) and Renae Prendergast (Thursday–Friday), have replaced Jennifer Tilley after her appointment to Year 9 Wellbeing and Growth Leader for 2024. Jennifer Tilley will continue to teach 11 Blue Unit 1 Texts and Traditions throughout 2024.
11 White:Despina Filippidis, has replaced Sharon Tomy whilst on her family leave.
We welcome and thank them in anticipation for their time, care and service to support your child throughout Year 11. Please contact these staff members by email.
We hope the Year 11s are excited to take part in these opportunities offered by the College. We also look forward to supporting your child throughout the completion of the Year 11 exams for VCE and final deadlines for VM.
Year 10 – Adam Rieusset, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
Welcome to Term 2, our wonderful Year 10 community. We certainly hope that you had a great term break. Term 2 sees the Year 10s continually involved in many opportunities at the College. These include: House Cross Country, House Athletics Carnival, Generations in Jazz, Senior Play, Year 10 Retreat Days, Year 10 Exams, commencement of Semester 2 subjects, subject selection information for 2025 and the Ensembles Concert. And, this doesn’t include the regular house based activities that happen at lunchtime, the occasional open mic and continued involvement with our peer support and Talk and Tour programs.
Connection and belonging are a vital part of ensuring that all Year 10 students thrive throughout the year. Consistent attendance at school and actively seeking out and participating in events such as the above will support our students to:
make connections
ensure growth in learning (both within and outside the classroom)
increase a feeling of safety
understand the importance of community
feel and experience success
share thoughts and feelings.
As a reminder, the Year 10 Homeroom teachers are here to support the journey of the Year 10 community. If you have any questions, concerns or general information you would like to update us on, please make contact with your daughter's Homeroom teacher.
Study, Organisation, Preparation
A big part of Term 2 for Year 10 students is that they will sit their first series of end of Semester exams at the College. This time period can be a challenging one. Exams elicit many responses from fear, to nervousness and everything in between. Collectively, the role that parents/carers and teachers play in this space is to normalise what an exam is and the purpose it serves.
It is perfectly ok that our young people are nervous prior exams, this shows that they care. We all sit exams each and every day. For adults, driving a car, making decisions at work and ensuring the family has all they need each day, all of these tasks are exams. We take our learned experiences, apply them to the current situation to make our best decision. Most times we get it right, sometimes we get it wrong (we are all human), but either way we learn. Our students (like adults) make their way to and from school, engage in class work, answer questions and challenge themselves with their extra curricular activities. Each of these is an exam. Apply new or prior knowledge to the current situation to get the best result possible.
Earlier this week, we took the Year 10s through a seminar on how to ensure that they can be organised to support their productivity and sense of control and achievement over their learning journey.
We displayed the following image and asked the question, “Are you organising your week in a similar way? Are you just trying to remember what you need to do? And how are you tracking your little wins (success) along the way?”.
We then took a bigger picture approach and asked each student to ‘find the gaps’, that is, write down all the commitments you have during the week and look for those opportunities where you can be studying. Once students can see ‘their gaps’, they are (usually) surprised by the number of opportunities they have.
Each student has completed this activity and I have asked them to place this in one of two visible places. Either, on the inside of their locker at school, or on their bedroom door (facing out, where everyone can see it). By making this commitment, seeing what is possible and by being accountable (making it visible to all), our Year 10 students will have a good opportunity to develop the skills that are needed to:
be organised
feel prepared
develop the habit of consistency
complete all tasks, without procrastinating
reflect and ask, 'What is my next step?'
have confidence with exams
It won't be an easy road, it might be two steps forward, one step back but by being persistent and having a growth mindset, I have no doubt that our Year 10s will thrive throughout Term 2.
Year 9 – Jennifer Tilley, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
It has been wonderful to welcome the Year 9s back to their space as their Wellbeing and Growth Leader for the remainder of the year. We have already engaged in a SnapShot session which focused on the importance of recognising what makes us unique and living as that person enthusiastically and authentically.
This week in Pastoral Care, students focused further on this through considering those around them who form their ‘Board of Directors’ – that is, the people they go to when they are making important decisions in their lives. The Year 9 Pastoral Team also encouraged students to challenge the negative feelings that can come with asking for help and to rather consider the way they think about this; the challenges with life are made less challenging when we share our burdens with others.
I was also able to meet with the Year 9 SRC and Class Leaders this week where we shared some ideas of what the year ahead looks like, what they want to get out of the year and the ways we can continue to be a connected year level. One of these will be through our fundraising initiatives for the Days for Girls, which Mrs Lucy Miotello will discuss in her newsletter article.
As always, if there are supports that I or the Year 9 team can provide our cohort, students only need to ask.
Year 8 – Chris Wilkes, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
Welcome back to Term 2. I hope you all had a wonderful Easter period! With this change of term also comes a change into the winter uniform; please continue to monitor skirt length in particular as students continue to grow the skirts can become short over time.
During our Pastoral lesson this week, we did a refresher on the zones of regulation in a simple and straightforward way and then had a discussion about why it is normal and okay to experience all zones at different times. We also made links to AIR (Autonomy, Independence and Respect) by highlighting the importance of understanding emotions and how to respond to them, taking ownership and asking for support if needed rather than avoiding or letting somebody else solve the issue for them.
Then, linking to the concept of respect, we addressed the following questions to underline that we are all different in our own ways, which is a great thing for our world.
Why is it important to be different from others?
Why do others want to conform to the ‘popular’ things/opinions?
Why do people sometimes put others down for their differences? Is this okay?
What is the best way to respond to others' differences?
These could be great conversation starters to continue with at home to emphasise that in our current climate, it is vital that we appreciate, respect and celebrate our differences that make our world so vibrant and move away from using them as a way to separate or divide us.
On that note, it is common for young people to build new connections and friendships as they learn more about who they are and the people that they want to surround themselves with. This could mean that old friendships may fade as they grow into their own identity. In our next Pastoral session, we will be discussing this along with how to respectfully manage this complex dynamic. Kindness and respect are essential in these situations. Remaining friendly with those that they may no longer be ‘friends’ with as they have been in the past is important.
Year 7 – Stephanie Jones, Wellbeing and Growth Leader
During this week's Pastoral session, each student was asked to consider their place and impact on the digital world. Students were first asked to develop a list of all applications that could be used to speak with or communicate with others.
Roblox
YouTube
Snapchat
Instagram
Messenger
Messenger kids
TikTok
WhatsApp
Facebook
Discord
Facetime
Zoom
Skype
Minecraft
X (Twitter)
Reddit
Among Us
Email
Classroom
Hangouts
Google Meets
House Party
Pinterest
Steam
Microsoft Teams
It is certainly impressive to see how many ways are available for us to connect and communicate with each other, however this then poses the question: how are we ensuring that we are all partaking in respectful relationships in the online world?
Using examples of past viral videos we explored how uploading, following, commenting, and sharing content of or about others can have a negative impact. In the current cyber world, it is common to share content of our friends and family doing funny things or pulling ‘pranks’ on each other, then post on our social media profiles. All students were given the opportunity to understand that sharing or interacting with this content could be distressing for the subject.
With reference to the ICT policy we have here at the College, students were asked to reflect on what advice they would give to others who may be experiencing a disrespectful online experience, or have their image shared without consent. It was fantastic to hear so many students discussing how to seek support from their peers, friends, and trusted adults such as parents, carers and extended family and staff members. If you are looking for resources to continue this discussion at home, please see more information here.
Learning Area News
Humanities – Sarah Chalmers, Learning Leader
Year 9 History
Last term the Year 9 History class visited Ballarat to further their learning about the Gold Rush era. Here are some student reflections to share.
Student Reflections
On Monday 12 March, my History class was lucky enough to travel to Sovereign Hill to learn about the Gold Rush in Victoria, and the lives people lived in the 1850s. During this experience, I learnt about how early colonisation impacted Victoria’s First Nations people, and how it affected the build-up of society and Victoria as a state. It was interesting to view such an important aspect of time frozen in place, narrating the story of the past. I already had an understanding of the importance of the Gold Rush on our world, but I feel that I interpret it differently now, seeing the true impact and significance it had. Life on the Goldfields was harsh yet exciting, the whispers and buzz in the air of possible fortune.Aria D (9 Blue)
It was interesting to see what the mines would have looked like during the times of the Gold Rush and how narrow they were. I learnt more about women’s fashion during this time and the lack of accessibility they had to things such as toilets. Being at Sovereign Hill built on my knowledge of the Industrial Revolution that happened here and just how quickly the methods of doing things, such as building houses changed. Life on the gold fields was difficult and very unhygienic, they had little access to medicine and dentistry which could contribute to the shortening of their lifespan.Jade S (9 White)
On Monday 12 March, my History class was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to go to Sovereign Hill. Through this experience, I learnt about how the Industrial Revolution affected the daily lives of those on the Goldfields, as well as how this benefited and disadvantaged others. I found the interactive aspect and the accurate representation of houses, settings and goldmines really interesting. It felt as though you were living the lives that people did 200 years ago. Life on the Goldfields was harsh, but the possibility of fortune and a better life for the family fuelled their drive. Not only this, but it built on my knowledge and understanding of colonisation and the importance of gold in our world.Elouise P (9 Gold)
Health and Physical Education – Tabitha Southey, Learning Leader
In Year 9 PE – Play The Game, students complete an assessment called Game Design Challenge. Year 9 students over the last term were busy creating and designing their own minor games to ensure they are interactive, engaging and creative.
This year we have partnered with our neighbours at St Francis Xavier Primary, where students had the invaluable opportunity of teaching primary school students the games they have designed. This experience has fostered development in our Year 9s leadership and coaching skills and we have seen all our students rise to the occasion. Here is a reflection from a Year 9 student on their experience of teaching and coaching:
We had to create our own original game to present to some of the St Francis Xavier students. The experience was really fun and helped me to develop more skills such as focusing on my explanations to ensure that it is understandable for people of all age groups. The students that played our games came up with great strategies and overall they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was a very fun assessment, everyone enjoyed it and the skills that developed from it. Jade S (9 White)
Well done to all of the Year 9 Play the Game students on demonstrating fantastic leadership and creating engaging games that the primary students enjoyed. Thank you also to the Year 9 Play the Game teachers – Katrina Gurciullo and Hannah McLean and St Francis Xavier PE and Sport Coordinator, Stacey McCabe for organising this opportunity and experience for both St Francis Xavier and our students.
Languages – Gail Amato, Learning Leader
Languages Report
During the last week of Term 1 and the first week of the holidays, 21 students continued their study of their French Language in a practical way by taking part in an Educational Study Tour to France. This tour was a valuable and memorable experience for our students which has deepened their enthusiasm for the French language and culture. We would like to thank Ms Stott, Mr Kerr, Mr Wilkes and Ms Teicher for their commitment and hard work during the trip ensuring that all our students had a very happy and successful experience.
Two of the students who participated wish to share their feelings with us all.
Student Reflection: Elizabeth W (10 Red)
The France trip was something that many of us students, parents/carers and teachers alike were equally excited and nervous for.
After goodbyes and a few tears, our long hall to Paris all seemed worth it when we saw the enchanting cobblestone streets near our hotel.
Four jam-packed nights in Paris saw incredible sights such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, Louvre, Musée d'Orsay and the Champs Elysées. Most memorable, on our last night in Paris we saw the beautiful streets of Montmartre, where we were able to shop, gaze at the incredible view of the city and go into Sacre Coeur.
Tours was next. On our way we visited the Notre Dame De Sion school in Evry. There, after having lunch in the school's impressive cafeteria we attended a class where we spoke in both French and English to the students. Seeing the school as well as learning about its history gave us a more in depth understanding of Sion’s interconnections and significance.
In Tours we had a bus guide of the beautiful Loire Valley, seeing two magnificent chateaus rich with history. After our night in Tour, we were off again, on our way to Mont Saint Michel, a magical island topped by a gravity-defying abbey. That day, to continue our historical enlightenment we went to see the Bayeux tapestry. We stayed in Bayeux for two nights, the highlights being the beaches that held so much history in both WW1 and WW2.
Nest stop- Normandy’s capital, Rouen. In Rouen we attended three language classes, focusing on conversational and grammatical improvement of our understanding of French. The classes were incredibly helpful and insightful. We also attended a cooking class that was entirely in French, making macarons. Rouen’s beautiful streets held many shop fronts, and a highlight was strolling the streets and engaging in the amazing atmosphere.
For the last two nights of the trip, it was back on the bus to Paris. Disneyland! A major highlight for everyone on the trip. Paris’ Disneyland is filled with so much magic and we all enjoyed its' incredible rides, foods, and shops.
Honourable mentions- Mont Saint-Michel, a most unique island topped by a gravity-defying Abbey, Mont Saint Michel was certainly a stunning stop on our tour of Normandy. More incredible sites were the two stops in the beautiful Loire Valley, seeing two magnificent chateaus rich with history. The last highlight was the conversations and interactions that were completed in French. Conversing in French while ordering lunch everyday emphasised the importance of learning the language and enriched both personal experience and intercultural understanding. This meant that the purpose of this trip, to deepen our understanding of the language, did not go unnoticed.
All in all, the French study tour was not only incredibly beautiful and exciting, the students' connection to the culture around the language they are studying and having us engage in that language, reinstated the intent of the whole trip. Its immersive and enlightening nature encouraged us to continue the language and have an appreciation for both French culture and our own.Elizabeth W (10 Red)
Student Reflection: Samantha O'D (10 Purple)
The French study tour was an absolute trip of a lifetime. It was filled with so many memories that I will never forget. We visited so many places such as Paris, Évry, Tours, Bayeux, and Rouen. Each place was so beautiful, and I am so glad that we were able to visit so many places. A highlight for me was visiting Mont Marte, it was a beautiful village and there was the Sacré Cœur at the top of the hill. Another highlight of course was trying snails, they were amazing and better than I expected. Overall, the trip was just unforgettable, and I will go back again soon. Samantha O’D (10 Purple)
Food Studies — Kirsty White, Teacher
Students in Year 9 Nutritious and Delicious were set the task of creating a Wellness Bowl suitable to sell at the school canteen. They explored the history of different types of Wellness Bowls and their nutritional value. The design brief required students to use whole grains, raw and cooked vegetables, a protein ingredient, extra ingredient/s for crunch & flavour and a dressing. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating was also to influence their design decisions. Students created a wonderful array of colourful and creatively presented dishes with a punch of flavour.
Edee G (9 Blue)Sophie P (9 Silver)Alice B (9 White)
Students were asked to describe the sensory properties of their dish:
My wellness bowl had a good balance of flavours. There was a bit of spice from the chilli sauce used in the rice and cucumber dressing. The cucumbers were also a bit sweet as well from the sugar. The chicken had a nice smoky flavour from paprika and the dish had a tang from lime juice and rice wine vinegar used throughout.Amelia H (9 Silver)
My bowl had many different textures. The meat and rice was warm and almost grainy. The lettuce and avocado added some coolness to the bowl and was very smooth to eat. The mayo added extra flavour and helped all the ingredients stick together. The chips added crunch to every bite, again keeping all ingredients together. Edee G (9 Blue)
Different parts of my bowl had different aromas, mostly quite similar to their taste. The Japanese mayo had an overpowering smell even though there wasn’t much of it. The corn had a buttery aroma like popcorn, the salmon smelt sweet like honey, the rice smelt slightly sweet and the edamame, cucumber, carrot and radish didn’t have much of an aroma. Olivia O (9 Gold)
Co-curricular News
Music – Martin Macaulay, Head of Music
Generations in Jazz – Mt. Gambier South Australia
On the weekend of 3-5 May, two ensembles are representing Our Lady of Sion College at the Generations in National Jazz Music competition held in Mt. Gambier in South Australia. The music students from CVE and the Senior Jazz Ensemble have been working hard and we look forward to performing at this amazing event. Tomorrow, both ensembles have an extra Saturday morning rehearsal session on-site to fine tune their skills.
Year 7 Ensembles Open Rehearsals
Parents/carers of our newest Sionians are invited to attend one of the rehearsal sessions of the group your daughter is involved in. Go behind the scenes to see how an ensemble practice session runs! Please refer to the poster below for specific times for each group.
Term 2 Music Soiree
I encourage as many instrumental and classroom students to sign-up to perform solo music items at the Term 2 Music Soiree, to be held on Monday 13 May at 5.00 pm in the Miriam Theatre. Interested students need to talk to their instrumental/classroom teacher, or email mmacaulay@sion.catholic.edu.au
VCE Music Unit 1 and 3 Recitals
VCE students studying Music Performance at Years 11 and 12 are presenting their semester recitals on Monday 13 May at 5.00 pm in the Lower Notre Dame Centre. Parents/carers and friends of these students are most welcome to attend.
Ensembles Concert Thursday 27 June 2024 – save the date!
We are very excited to be able to present the annual Music Department Ensembles Concert this year as part of Music Week. All OLSC ensembles, large and small, will be performing. It will run in two ‘acts’ according to the schedule below:
Act 1: 5.00 – 6.30 pm: Year 7 Junior Concert Band 1 (Monday morning group), Brass Ensemble, Jazz Club, Year 7 Junior Strings, Flute Ensemble, Intermediate Strings, College Choir, Senior Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra and Combined Choir
Act 2: 7.00 – 8.30 pm: Year 7 Junior Concert Band 2 (Tuesday afternoon group), Rock Band, Jazz Club, Year 7 Choir, Senior Strings, VCE Music Class, Intermediate Concert Band, College Vocal Ensemble, Senior Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Combined Choir
Tickets are free and will be available to book through TryBooking closer to the event.
Sport – Liam Cox, Head of Sport
We are gearing up for another big term of Sport! There is plenty on this term with weekly sports (Netball, AFL & Hockey) GSV Cross Country and Strength and Conditioning.
Before we look too far ahead, we would like to congratulate Junior, Inter and Senior teams on a fantastic Term 1 weekly sport season. Special mentions to a couple of our Junior teams for doing our community proud at the Term 1 finals!
Junior Indoor Cricket - Zone Winners (Coaches - Sienna Shacklock and Mr Stewart)
Junior Softball B - Premiership (Coaches - Megan Green and Ms Stafford)
House Carnivals
A reminder to highlight the two upcoming House Carnivals in Term 2, sign up instructions can be found on the Year Level Classroom.
House Cross Country (Tuesday 30 April)
House Athletics (Friday 10 May)
We encourage all students to participate in the events and score points for their houses!
AFL
Georgie B (12 Blue)
Our CGSAV and GSV AFL teams are set to commence next week, if you’d like to trial for our CGSAV team please head to your Year Level Classroom under the Sports tab.
Congratulations to Georgie B (12 Blue) who recently participated in the Under-23 All Star Team against the Marsh AFL National Academy Girls at IKON Park on Saturday April 6. The U23 team was made up of VFLW and Coates Talent League players nominated by the AFLW clubs with the intention of taking a closer look at potential draft talent. Well done Georgie!
Aerobics
Three of our Aerobics teams are ready to compete at the State Qualifier on Friday 3 May at Doncaster Secondary College. We are wishing all three teams the very best at their first competition after hours and hours of training (including a full day session during school holidays). We will recap their performances and hopefully celebrate qualifying for State following the event.
Basketball Captain - Katia T (11 Gold)
Basketball Captain, Katia T (11 Gold)
Our Basketball Captain, Katia T (11 Gold) is doing amazing things on and off the court. Katia’s latest achievement is being selected for the ‘She Hoops Leadership and Confidence Scholarship’. Hear from her below as she shares her experience.
I have been given the opportunity to take part in Basketball Australia and Lauren Jackson’s ‘She Hoops Leadership and Confidence Scholarship’ over a five month period. With applications nation-wide, I was so excited to have been selected. The scholarship involves 30 young, female basketballers from across Australia, learning skills beyond the court, with a focus on mindfulness, mindset, resilience, leadership and confidence. We are guided by our WNBL/Aussie Opal mentors and EQ Minds. Alongside undertaking courses to become eligible in receiving coaching and officiating accreditations.
To date, I have completed four online zoom sessions and I love every minute of it; I have met so many amazing like-minded girls and I obtain valuable insights from my mentors. Some of my favourites are Lauren Jackson, Nyadiew Puoch and Tess Madgen. They are very knowledgeable; sharing their own stories and experiences with us, and they are such an inspiration to me. Mental health organisation, EQ Minds, has taught me valuable skills, some of which are to maintain a positive mindset and to improve mental toughness. These skills are not only applicable as an athlete but also in my everyday life.
I am most excited to travel to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra for a three-day camp in June. I will be able to meet with the girls and mentors in person to complete hands-on activities and receive in-person mentoring to further develop my skills!
I am so blessed to be involved in this scholarship and learning from Australia’s best female basketball players to further broaden my horizons and acquire new knowledge to allow me to spark the change that I want to see in girls' basketball! Katia T (11 Gold)
We are very excited for Katia to share learnings with our sport leaders in our sport leader meetings and especially in the GSV Senior Basketball Tournament on Wednesday June 12.
If you have any sporting achievements you would like to celebrate with our community we would love to hear about them, please contact sport@sion.catholic.edu.au.
Drama – Alex Bleazby, Drama Teacher
Tickets are now on sale for our Senior Production of The 39 Steps. We'd like to welcome you to come and be a part of all of the action. The play is a comedy, spy, thriller, chase, drama! There are plenty of wacky characters to entertain! Our performances are held in Week 4 in our very own Miriam Theatre Thursday 9 May 7.00 pm, Friday 10 May 7.00 pm, Saturday 11 May 12.30 pm Matinee and 7.00 pm.
You can book your tickets from TryBooking here. All are welcome! Don't miss it! Please note, hazers, strobe lighting and other special effects will be employed within the show.
The start of Term 2 has been jammed packed for Drama. As well as fine tuning our Senior Production, we are working towards Drama Week in Week 3. During this special week, we have many junior classes being treated with circus workshops, a wonderful House Theatre Sports program at lunchtimes for all levels, a Drama Breakfast for Years 8-12 students and some wonderful Homeroom activities through the week. Listen out to the bulletin for details.
Last week our Unit 1 and 3 classes went to the Recital Centre to see Top performing students from the 2023 Solo examinations. This was a brilliant experience to inspire the work of our VCE students. That evening we also saw one of our very own perform at the Recital Centre. Ella Curry (Class of 2023) was chosen for the honour of performing and speaking to the audience for the evening Top Class showcase. Congratulations Ella, we are very proud of you and your work!
Social Justice – Lucy Miotello, Coordinator
Project Compassion
At the end of Term 1 we saw the conclusion of another Project Compassion campaign at Sion. We finished the Term by selling Hot Cross Buns which was a great success and held our annual Voices for Change concert. Hayley B (12 Silver), our Music Captain planned and ran the concert where several of our talented students entertained students and staff during lunchtime. At the conclusion of the concert, Mrs Tina Apostolopoulos drew our successful Easter Raffle.
Congratulations to the following winners:
1st Lucy P (9 White)
2nd Daisy (prospective parent)
3rd Paul Kerr (staff)
4th Liv A (8 Purple)
5th Lucy (prospective parent)
6th Clare N (8 Gold)
7th Jen Tilley (staff)
8th Coco L (10 Red)
9th Fiona Maddern (staff)
10th Chrissie (prospective parent)
11th Josh Larkin (staff)
12th Dani B (8 Red)
13th Kiny (prospective parent)
Thank you to the Sion community for your continued support for Project Compassion. We ran a number of initiatives, and your generous contributions will empower the world’s most vulnerable communities to grow stronger and lift themselves out of poverty. During the Term 2 assembly, I will be able to announce the grand total raised; however, I can tell you that it can provide a 10,000 L water tank installation to a school with a standalone water harvesting system so that students can access clean, safe water in Samoa.
Days for Girls
Over the years, the Year 9 cohort have supported Days for Girls, a global movement dedicated to empowering women and girls throughout the world by improving access to menstrual care solutions and health education by participating in workshops and fundraising. During the last week of Term 1, Jane Pennington from North Balwyn Rotary Club spoke to our Year 9 students of the reach of Days for Girls, the communities they work with and how the kits that they assemble, consisting of washable and reusable sanitary items, allow girls that could not afford sanitary products, resulting in many of the girls missing school, the opportunity to go to school/work all year round and not miss days during menstruation because of a lack of access to appropriate period products.
Last week the Year 9s were given the opportunity to participate in the first workshop of the year where they assisted putting together items to go into the kits. Tasks that they assisted with included tracing patterns and cutting material. The second workshop will take place later on this term.
Ozanam House
We continued our support of Ozanam House with our monthly visit. I accompanied two Year 11 students Sarah W (11 Purple) and Tarlissa H (11 Purple) who were given a tour of the facilities and then assisted with the dinner meal service.
St Vinnies School Conference – SnapShot
From our next newsletter, students from our school conference will start a series on the St Vincent de Paul Society. Every fortnight, they will write a piece on an aspect of the work and services that St Vincent de Paul provides to the community along with how these connect with Catholic Social Teaching principles. Stay tuned to learn about the great works of St Vincent de Paul Society.
Careers and Pathways – Brooke O'Hara, Coordinator
"If an opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door".Milton Berle (Comedian)
Students and families can find the fortnightly Careers newsletter here.
In this fortnightly Newsletter there is information relating to:
Upcoming Events: Collarts Open Day, VCE and Careers Expo, Defence Force Open day – Simpsons Barrack, Focus on Melbourne Information Sessions, University of Queensland Medicine Information Evening – webinar, Access Monash Online Seminars
Career Industry in the Spotlight – Nuclear Medicine
Things to Consider: Residential Colleges Open day - University of Melbourne
Parent News
College Psychologist – Claire Jenkins
Effective Communication with Your Teen
Navigating the intricacies of parent-teen communication can be challenging. However, fostering open and effective dialogue with your teen is crucial for building trust, understanding, and a strong parent-teen bond. Here are some tips to help you navigate these challenges:
Listen actively:
Show genuine interest in your teen's thoughts, feelings, and experiences by giving them your full attention without interrupting or judging. Sometimes, teens just need someone to listen without offering immediate advice or criticism.
Be patient and empathetic:
Understand that adolescence is a tumultuous time filled with rapid changes and emotions. Validate your teen's feelings even if you don't necessarily agree with them. Empathy goes a long way in fostering a sense of connection and understanding.
Choose the right time and place for important conversations: Avoid discussing sensitive topics or addressing conflicts in the heat of the moment. Instead, wait for a calm and private moment where both you and your teen can engage in a meaningful dialogue without distractions.
Be mindful of your body language and tone of voice: Non-verbal cues can speak volumes and impact how your message is received. Maintain eye contact, use open body language, and speak in a calm and respectful tone to convey sincerity and understanding.
Be willing to compromise and negotiate: Recognise that effective communication is a two-way street that requires both parties to listen and be flexible. Find common ground and work together to find mutually agreeable solutions to any disagreements or conflicts.
By implementing some of these communication strategies, we hope that you can strengthen their relationship with your teen, foster mutual respect, and create a supportive environment where both of you feel valued and understood.
As always, if you would like any further information or advice, please don’t hesitate to contact the counselling team at Counselling@sion.catholic.edu.au.
