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

Sion Day - Saying Yes to Making a Difference!

Earlier this year, during our Term 2 assembly, students were invited on a journey to space as we explored the remarkable perspective astronauts gain when looking back at Earth. From that distance, the things that often divide us seem to disappear. Instead, we see one extraordinary blue planet, one shared home, and one human family.

Building on this idea, Sion Day encouraged us to adopt the same perspective. Amid the busyness of school life, students were invited to step back and remember that they are part of something greater than themselves; a community built on relationships, care for one another, and the belief that everyone has something meaningful to contribute.

In my address to the College community on Sion Day I asked an important question: How will you contribute?

Students were encouraged to consider the example of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Before she became one of the most significant figures in Christian history, Mary was a young woman faced with uncertainty and important choices. Her story continues to inspire because of the way she responded with courage, trust, and generosity.

Mary's example reminds us that extraordinary things often begin with an ordinary person saying 'yes' to an opportunity to make a difference. She did not have all the answers, nor did she know what lay ahead. Instead, she was willing to contribute what she could, where she was, with what she had.

That same opportunity was reflected throughout Sion Day. Earlier in the day, students learnt about the impact of the school's fundraising efforts and the real difference these contributions will make in the lives of others. Through fundraising, participation in activities, encouragement of one another, and acts of generosity, every student had the opportunity to contribute something meaningful.

A key message of the day was that no single person carries Sion Day. Its success is built through the collective efforts of the entire community, with each individual bringing their own energy, talents, and generosity.

As students enjoyed the celebrations and activities, they were encouraged to get involved, support one another, and embrace the spirit of generosity. The day served as a powerful reminder that, just like Mary, extraordinary things can happen when people choose to say yes to making a difference.

Sion Day was a wonderful celebration of community, contribution, and service, highlighting the positive impact that can be achieved when we work together for a common purpose.

Sion Day 2026

Last Friday 14 August, we celebrated one of the most significant days in the College calendar, Sion Day.

The day began with a beautiful Eucharistic celebration, marking both our special day and the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, honoured each year on 15 August.

As an ‘Our Lady’ school, we gathered in gratitude for Mary’s enduring example of faith, hope, and love. Her courageous response to God’s call invites us to see reflections of our own journeys in hers, inspiring us to live with purpose, strength, and grace.

Fr. Mark Reynolds led our community in prayer and reflection, helping us to enter more deeply into the significance of the feast and the sacredness of the occasion. His words encouraged us to reflect on Mary’s example and the values that continue to shape and strengthen our College community. The music and singing throughout the Mass certainly added to the celebration, and it was a joy that some of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion were able to join us.

At the end of Mass, Ms Cetrola officially launched Sion Day and to celebrate their final Sion Day, the Year 12 students sang and danced to Cold Play’s Viva La Vida.

The Carnival after Mass, created a vibrant and festive atmosphere, filling the College with music, colour, and excitement. Students enjoyed a variety of food and drinks, browsed the Op Shop for hidden treasures, and spent time making friendship bracelets.

One of the highlights of the Carnival was the staff-student debate, with the topic 'students should get paid to go to school'. There was plenty of laughter, cheering, and friendly rivalry. The celebrations continued with the disco and karaoke, where students enthusiastically sang, danced, and enjoyed the opportunity to come together in a spirit of fun and community.

The energy carried into the House Spirit Competition, where creativity, talent, and House pride took centre stage. Events such as Guess the Staff, Masked Singer, Karaoke, and Just Dance showcased a great mix of humour, enthusiasm, and performance skills. Every House embraced the challenge, working collaboratively to earn points, impress the judges, and encourage one another. The competition was a wonderful display of teamwork and school spirit, highlighting the strong sense of belonging that makes our College community so special.

Once the students departed the College, staff gathered to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea. Our annual silent auction featured an array of wonderful items, which were donated by staff, their families, the Parents Association, our College business partners and local businesses. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated items and to the staff who purchased these contributions.

We are so grateful for all of the efforts made to make Sion Day such a special day for all involved. We are especially moved and give thanks for the generosity of all in our College community who supported our fundraising efforts which will once again go to support Ilaria, Tal and Saliba through the Our Lady of Sion Educational Fund in Jerusalem for children who attend Christian primary and secondary schools, to Christy and Dana who attend Bethlehem University, a Catholic university in the West Bank led by the De La Salle Brothers and to the Caritas Australia Gaza Appeal.

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

We are excited to announce that our school will soon be participating in the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools - School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS) for 2026. This annual initiative is a vital part of our commitment to continuous improvement, as we actively seek to understand the thoughts and feelings of our students, families, and staff on how we can enhance the educational experience at our school. MACSSIS allows us to gain valuable insights from the community, empowering us to make informed decisions that will benefit everyone within our school.

The primary objective of the family survey is to identify both the strengths and areas for improvement in our educational environment. By engaging with the MACSSIS survey, our school community plays a central role in shaping the future of our College. The feedback we receive from parents/carers is invaluable as we endeavour to create an exceptional learning environment for our students.

What is MACSSIS, and why is it important?

MACSSIS is an integral part of the Archdiocese of Melbourne's commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Catholic schools. This comprehensive survey enables schools to listen and respond to the needs and aspirations of students, families, and staff. It provides us with a platform to understand how we are currently performing and what improvements we can make to achieve excellence together.

The online survey is designed to be accessible and user-friendly. Starting from Monday 31 August 2026, parents/carers can access the MACSSIS survey through a secure link provided by the school on the day. Students will undertake the survey on Tuesday 8 September 2026 during Homeroom.

We encourage each family to take the time to complete the survey by Friday 18 September 2026. Your participation is important as it ensures that the survey results truly represent our school community's collective voice.

By participating in the MACSSIS survey, parents/carers have a direct hand in influencing the direction of our school's development. The feedback will not only help us identify areas that require attention but also recognise and celebrate the aspects of our school that make it special and effective.

Please remember, that the survey can only be completed once per family, so make sure to share your thoughts and insights in this unique opportunity to shape the ongoing improvement of our school. We value your contribution and are eager to hear from as many families as possible.

We look forward to embarking on this journey of growth and progress together.

Wishing all members of the College community many blessings.

The Value of Getting Involved in Co-Curricular Life

Part of Sion Connect’s focus for 2026 is to strengthen student connectedness by supporting improved attendance and encouraging greater participation in the co-curricular life of the College. One of the most meaningful ways students can enrich their school experience is through participation in co-curricular activities. Beyond the classroom, these opportunities help young people build confidence, resilience and friendships - often with students from different Year levels who share similar interests.

Students are encouraged to become active contributors to community life in many ways. This includes involvement in GSV sport, whether as a team member or in student coaching and leadership roles, as well as participation in our music and bands program, debating teams, visual arts competitions, senior and junior drama productions, and literacy initiatives run by our Veritas Learning Centre staff. Students may also choose to engage in Social Justice activities, volunteer in Student Representative workshops, or take part in student surveys and focus groups that shape College decision-making.

These activities foster student voice and agency. When students share their talents, ideas and perspectives, they not only develop a stronger sense of belonging, they also help create a culture where every student feels seen, valued and included.

Participation also supports the development of important life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication and perseverance. Students learn to manage commitments, celebrate success, work through challenges and recognise their capacity to contribute to something bigger than themselves.

We remind families that involvement does not need to be competitive or performance-based. Trying something new, exploring an emerging interest or taking on a small leadership role can be just as rewarding as long-term participation.

A more connected College community is a happier, more positive and welcoming one, strengthened by the generosity, spirit and skills students bring when they get involved.

We encourage families to speak with their daughters about the opportunities available throughout the year and to support them in taking that first step into co-curricular life.

Upcoming opportunities to participate in:

Significant Men’s Day Breakfast Workshops at lunchtime
Book Week
Loreto Feast Day
Student Planner Front Cover Competition
Sport Week

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families resource

The Happy Families article for this edition is: Timing is everything

Your Teen’s Emotional Backpack

The first half of Term 3 has been another busy period at Sion. Often it’s not one big thing that causes young people to feel overwhelmed. Instead, it can be lots of small things piling up. While each individual stressor might seem manageable, together they can start to feel like a very heavy emotional backpack.

Young people are still developing the skills they need to recognise, understand and manage their emotions. When their 'backpack' becomes too full, they may become more irritable, withdrawn, tearful, or overwhelmed. As parents/carers, we can help by noticing when the backpack is getting full.

Some ways you can help your teen to lighten their emotional backpack:

Break big problems into smaller pieces: focus on what needs to happen today rather than everything that needs to happen this week.
Ask what can be put down: is there something that can wait, be changed, delegated, or simply let go?
Rather than immediately trying to solve the problem, start with curiosity: 'It seems like you’ve had a lot going on lately. What’s feeling hardest at the moment?'
Encourage regular 'unpacking': build in time for sleep, movement, hobbies, friends and downtime, rather than waiting until feeling overwhelmed.
Help to prioritise: sometimes three important things feel better than a list of ten things that feels impossible.
Offer practical support without taking over: 'Would you like me to help you work out a plan, or would you prefer to do it yourself?'
Model it yourself: talk about how you manage your own busy periods and recognise when your own 'backpack' is getting too full.
Remind them that they don’t have to carry everything alone: encourage them to identify trusted adults to turn to when things feel too heavy.

Supporting your young person does not mean taking the backpack off for them. Instead, help them learn what is inside it, identify what they can put down, and understand when it is okay to ask someone else to help carry it.

It is incredible to think we have passed the halfway mark for Term 3!

Thank you so much to all students for their collective effort in baking for the Year 11 Sion Day Cake Stall. Their time, commitment and generosity was greatly appreciated. The Year 11s are to also be commended on the positive spirit they brought to the day and their willingness to get involved in the activities. Sion Day always marks a special celebration on our school calendar.

This term our VM students have been making regular visits each week to Opal Aged Care on Dorking Rd. It is so uplifting to see the natural caring manner in which our students interact with the elderly residents and the joy they bring to them during our visits.

As we continue through Term 3, students are working towards another assessment period for their Unit 2, Unit 4, VM and VET subjects. As the year has progressed it has been pleasing to see the ongoing commitment of students to value their learning and to view their studies as a priority. Many have set up excellent study habits and are encouraged to continue this dedication across their learning.

Sometimes it is difficult for students to maintain consistency and they may need support either at school or home to keep them on track. A few questions we encourage the students to ponder are listed below.

Are they using their time to the best of their abilities?
Are they using their time at home for homework and study? They may spend time at the library or another setting to assist their focus.
Are they using their time to reconnect, rest, and reset?
Are they fuelling their body and brain, stopping to eat, hydrate and move?
Are they intentional and effective in their time dedicated to study?
Are they committing large amounts of time to study in their room? Or are they out of sight?
Do they know their upcoming assessments and deadlines? Have they shared this with you, to assist with their time management?

It is always good to keep in mind that each student is different in the way they approach their learning but please reach out to your child’s subject teachers, Homeroom teachers or myself if you feel they need support in any area of their school life.

Thank you for your continued support in helping your child reach their potential in both their personal and academic development.

Another terrific fortnight from our Year 10 students and we are very much looking forward to what our next fortnight holds. I hope that our Year 10 community will take up all the opportunities that are being presented to them over the next two weeks.

Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom continues to be a highlight of the week for our students and I can’t believe that we are very close to our Presentation Evening.

Monday 24 August – Whitefriars College, 4.00 - 5.15 pm
Monday 31 August – Box Hill Town Hall, 4.00 - 5.15 pm
Thursday 3 September – Our Lady of Sion College, 4.00 - 5.15 pm (this is a venue change for this date)
Thursday 10 September – Box Hill Town Hall, Presentation Evening (times below).

On our Presentation Evening, all students will participate in a final rehearsal from 6.00 - 7.00 pm. Our Presentation Evening will commence at 7.00 pm.

Community members will be able to enter Box Hill Town Hall at 6.30 pm. The evening is an occasion for our students to showcase all they have learned throughout our program. Upon completion of the dances, community members are invited to stay and chat and share in some finger food that will be provided.

Due to the popularity of this program, only two family members can attend to watch the presentation.

Duke of Edinburgh Presentation Evening

Our Duke of Edinburgh Presentation Evening will be held on Tuesday 1 September and I appreciate the support from all families with the delay of this evening.

Student Progress Meetings

Thank you to all Year 10 families that participated in the Student Progress Meetings earlier this week. These meetings provide the opportunity to continue to cultivate grit and persistence towards all elements of learning for the students. By developing these skills, self and learning confidence will be enhanced. It will lead to a positive outlook with taking on new and challenging tasks that require the use of new skills, by applying knowledge learned. Sometimes it's not easy, it takes time and practice. Our Year 10s are persistent and manage their workloads well, but need encouragement and understanding around building confidence and maintaining motivation with all elements of learning.

It has been a busy and exciting time for our Year 8 students, with opportunities to reflect on their futures and come together as a community.

A recent, important task for the Year 8s was the subject selection process. It was wonderful to see students taking the time to reflect carefully on their interests, strengths and future goals as they considered the subjects they will select. Students were attentive throughout the process and engaged in many important conversations about the opportunities ahead. I particularly enjoyed speaking with a number of students individually and hearing about what they hope to achieve through their chosen subjects and how these choices may support their future career aspirations. It was encouraging to see our Year 8s thinking ahead, asking thoughtful questions and beginning to make connections between their learning now and the pathways they may wish to pursue in the future.

We also recently celebrated Sion Day, and it was fantastic to see the Year 8 cohort get involved and show such wonderful community spirit. Students enthusiastically supported the activities throughout the day and embraced the opportunity to have fun while contributing to our wider school community. The SRCs, Despina C (8 Blue) and Sierra P (8 Orange) and I were proud to organise the Slide and Win stall, which proved to be a great success! We were incredibly grateful for the support of many kind Year 8 students who volunteered their time to help run the stall and generously donated lollies for the prizes. There was plenty of excitement, friendly competition and encouragement as students took part in the challenge. Congratulations to Gemma K (8 Orange) who won the big jar of lollies!

It was lovely to see students working together, supporting one another and bringing such positive energy to the day. These moments of teamwork, connection and school spirit continue to strengthen our Year 8 cohort and the wider school community.

Melbourne Holocaust Museum Excursion

A core principle of the Sion charism is a commitment to interfaith dialogue, fostering understanding and respect among people of different faith traditions. This principle is expressed through the values of justice, peace and reconciliation, which guide our relationships and our response to the world. In Religious Education, students across all Year levels engage in learning experiences that explore different faith traditions, perspectives and lived experiences.

Each year, Year 10 students visit the Melbourne Holocaust Museum as part of their Humanity unit. The experience deepens their understanding of Jewish history and the devastating experiences of Jewish communities during the Holocaust. Through historical accounts, engaging activities and personal stories, students reflect on compassion, human dignity, respect and the importance of standing against injustice and prejudice.

Hearing firsthand from Holocaust survivor Vivienne Spiegel was particularly moving for the students. Born in Paris in 1934, Vivienne was six when German forces invaded France. In July 1942, she, her mother and two siblings were caught in the Vel d’Hiv Round Up. The family was released before being transported to Auschwitz. Vivienne’s mother subsequently made the heartbreaking decision to separate from her children to protect them. Vivienne and her siblings were eventually placed in hiding with a family in the countryside, where they remained until the end of the war.

Vivienne shared a message of hope, encouraging students to stand against injustice and prejudice. Upon returning to school, students reflected on the significance of the experience and its impact.

On Thursday 6 August, Year 10 was given the opportunity to attend the Melbourne Holocaust Museum in Elsternwick as part of our Religion studies for this term. During our time there, we discussed the history of the Holocaust and the impacts of antisemitism. We then toured the museum itself, viewing various historical items and images. Finally, we were lucky enough to get the chance to meet a Holocaust survivor, Vivienne, who shared her experience of living in France during the Second World War. It was a very moving and eye-opening experience, and is not only valuable to our learning, but for our general understanding of the Holocaust and its impact on humanity. Jessica P (10 Silver)

Our Year 10 excursion to the Melbourne Holocaust Museum was a meaningful opportunity to deepen our learning about our current topic of Humanity. We had the opportunity to explore the museum and view many artefacts related to the Holocaust. We also analysed replicas of significant artefacts such as passports and photographs. One of the most meaningful parts of the day was hearing from a Holocaust survivor, learning her story, and being able to ask her questions about her life as a child who lived during the Holocaust. Sophie J (10 Purple)

Have you noticed how much we are hearing about AI? From data centres and workplace efficiency to conversations about which jobs may exist in the future, we are constantly asking the question 'How do we best prepare our children for a rapidly changing world?'

While technical knowledge will undoubtedly remain important, the skills that make us uniquely human may become even more valuable. This is where Drama has so much to offer.

Drama is far more than learning lines and performing on stage. It is a subject built around collaboration, communication, creativity, problem-solving, resilience and adaptability, these are the very skills employers increasingly value. It was interesting to hear parents/carers discussing these types of 'soft skills' more on the VCE Expo evening and recognising that development of these skills is a fundamental part of Drama.

Our students demonstrate this beautifully across every Year level. Year 7 students have recently created sophisticated vocal performances combining voiceovers and foley, requiring exceptional teamwork, timing and communication. Year 8 students are developing tightly rehearsed duologues, learning to listen, support one another and respond to challenges as a team. Year 10 students are independently taking an idea from initial stimulus through writing, editing, rehearsal, feedback and refinement to a finished performance, developing initiative, self-management and perseverance along the way.

Our Year 11 students are currently tackling the demanding VCE Drama ensemble, negotiating ideas, delegating, compromising and navigating different working styles while drawing on the strengths of every member of the group.

These are not simply Drama skills. They are life skills. They are employability skills.

We cannot predict exactly what the workplace of the future will look like. But we can prepare our students to enter it as confident communicators, creative thinkers, resilient problem-solvers and effective collaborators.

Drama isn't just preparing students for the stage. It's preparing them for a future we cannot yet imagine.

CVE win back-to-back titles at Royal South Street Eisteddfod in Ballarat

A year after their historic victory at the Royal South Street Eisteddfod last year, the Our Lady of Sion College Vocal Ensemble again won the prestigious A & K Young Secondary Choir section last week in Ballarat. The section was extremely competitive, and our choir sang their repertoire so well. Congratulations to all the students involved, the wonderful CVE choral director Jane Murone and accompanist Adeline Han.

Musicians light up Sion Day

It was excellent to see such a large number of student musicians participate in the combined choirs and orchestra for the Sion Day Mass. A highlight was the celebration song of Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’. Also, additional students participated in one (or more) of the Sion Day Karaoke and Open Mic sessions - too much music is never enough!

Senior Concert Band at VSMF

Congratulations to the Senior Concert Band and their Director, Ryan Parks, for their Gold award at the recent Victorian Schools Music Festival in the secondary school concert band section, held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre earlier this week. More ensembles are participating over the next few weeks:

Intermediate Concert Band: VSMF, Tuesday 25 August, departing Sion 12.00 pm and returning 3.30 pm, Hawthorn Arts Centre
Jazz Club: VSMF, Tuesday 1 September, departing 11.15 am and returning 3.00 pm, Hawthorn Arts Centre
Senior Jazz Ensemble: VSMF, Friday 4 September, departing 11.45 am and returning 4.15 pm, Hawthorn Arts Centre
College Vocal Ensemble: VSMF, Tuesday 8 September, departing 12.00 pm and returning 3.00 pm, Box Hill Salvation Army Hall

Term 3 Instrumental Music Soiree – Save the date!

Instrumental students will have another opportunity to perform solo and chamber ensemble material at the Term 3 Music Soiree on Monday 7 September at 5.00 pm. Students can sign up via their respective instrumental teacher.

VCE Music Performance class Unit 4 Recitals

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

Track and Field - Prelim A

A record 95 Sionians headed down to Albert Park last week to compete in the GSV Preliminary A Track and Field Carnival at Lakeside stadium. We finished 6th in Juniors and Intermediates and 7th in Seniors against strong competition.

In addition to achieving Sion's highest turnout for a Carnival sport, our students performed exceptionally. Our squad achieved College PBs in over 50% of events (PB in 83/157), with many more coming within 10% of their College best. Congratulations to everyone who competed! We wish the Track and Field team all the best in the Division 3 Championship on Tuesday. We are in a terrific position to compete well and improve on times, lengths and heights. Our final training is on Monday morning before we head into Lakeside for our final GSV Carnival Championship for 2026! We will share the results on our Instagram page (@sion.sports) and in the next edition of the Newsletter.

A big thank you to all of our Year 12 students who will be competing as a Sion student for the final time at a GSV Carnival. Their commitment since Year 7 has been fantastic, we have enjoyed supporting you on your sporting journey and watching you grow into leaders on and off the track. Hopefully we can celebrate on Tuesday with our first ever Track and Field trophy!

GSV Weekly Sport - Term 3

Our Badminton, Indoor Cricket and Soccer teams have been having achieving some great results so far! Next week only our Senior teams will play on Monday. There will be no Intermediate and Junior training or matches as we have a bye for GSV Track and Field Championships. The final round of home and away matches will commence week beginning Monday 31 August with finals the following week.

National Aerobics - Sunshine Coast

Our three Senior Aerobics teams will be departing next Saturday 29 August for the Sunshine Coast to compete at the Schoolaerobics. The squad of 27 students will arrive midday on Saturday and prepare for the competition on Sunday morning before returning on Monday afternoon. This will be the final competition for six of our Year 12 students, Emma D (12 Purple), Alice H (12 Purple), Mia H (12 Purple), Paige M (12 Gold), Ruby M (12 Purple) and Olivia P (12 Gold). We are so proud of your commitment over the years with countless early mornings and multiple events we wish you the very best of luck!

A big thank you to Ms Macdonald who has been terrific in organising the logistics and overseeing the program and coaching the team since February. We would like to also thank Ms Gurcillo, Ms Cetrola and Aerobics coaches Bella and Alyssa who will be supporting the teams on the inter state trip.

Sports Awards Night

On Monday 14 September, we’ll celebrate everything Sion Sport at our annual Sports Awards Night in the LHC, from 7 – 9 pm. It’s always a highlight on our College calendar!

This year, we’re thrilled to welcome past student and professional basketballer Alice Kunek as our guest speaker. With strong family ties to Sion, Alice has represented Australia and played in leagues around the world. Off the court, she is also an ambassador for LifeChanger Foundation and United for Girls.

The first batch of invitations for award recipients have been distributed. Term 3 award winners will be sent invitations in the coming weeks. We will then open the event to students interested in attending the night.

We look forward to celebrating the achievements, dedication and passion of our Sion athletes!

GSV Rep Cross Country - Friday 21 August

Erin M (12 Red) and Sophie F (11 White) have been selected to participate in the GSV Representative Cross Country 4km race at Caulfield Grammar in Wheelers Hill. A squad of 14 GSV students representing the 23 schools were selected from results in the GSV Championships in Term 2. A special mention to Erin, who has qualified for her fourth consecutive GSV Representative Cross Country Team. An incredible achievement highlighting her dedication, talent and consistent performances over many years.

It has been a busy two weeks for Social Justice at Our Lady of Sion College, with our students and staff involved in a range of initiatives.

St Vincent de Paul School Conference Networking Event

We were delighted to host the St Vincent de Paul (SVDP) School Conference Networking Event at Sion, welcoming students and staff from Catholic schools across the region. The event provided an opportunity for students to connect, share ideas and learn more about the important work of the St Vincent de Paul Society and how young people can make a difference in their communities. One of our students has also written a reflection about her experience of the day, sharing what she learnt and how the event has inspired her to continue contributing to social justice initiatives.

The SVDP event was such an incredible experience that I felt so lucky to be involved with. The opportunity to connect and collaborate with other schools such as Aquinas College, Killester College, Padua College and many more was such a rewarding experience. Not only that, but it was fascinating to hear about initiatives and perspectives that other schools have put to action in their Social Justice programs. Hearing the passion and hard work of others to make a difference in life has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to make a positive impact in our world.

The day was incredibly engaging, having a range of interactive activities and time to chat and connect with others. It was such a positive environment where I felt as though everyone could share their questions and ideas freely and confidently. Overall, this event has taught me that there are many injustices in the world, but all it takes is one initiative, one group of people and a shared purpose to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Evie W (8 Gold)

Homelessness Week

We marked Homelessness Week with our Origami House Challenge. Students and staff came together to fold approximately 430 origami houses where each folded house symbolised hope, compassion and our shared commitment to raising awareness of the need for safe, secure and affordable housing for all. As a community, we reflected on the fact that Victoria needs more than 60,000 additional social homes to meet current demand, reminding us that everyone deserves a place to call home. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped us turn a simple activity into a powerful symbol of solidarity.

Handover HeARTwork Project

Our Year 8 and 9 students participated in hands-on outreach opportunities through the Handover HeARTwork Project and Days for Girls Workshops. Our Year 11 students also continued their commitment to service through their monthly visit to Ozanam House.

Sion Day

We celebrated Sion Day, with the Social Justice Team and our wonderful student volunteers getting into the spirit of the celebrations by running the Sion Mc Flurries stand. A huge thank you to everyone who helped serve, organise and support the stand. It was wonderful to see our students working together, volunteering their time and contributing to the sense of community that makes Our Lady of Sion such a special place.

FIRE Carrier Program

Recently, our FIRE Carriers had the opportunity to participate in the FIRE Carrier Forum at Avila College. The forum provided students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, learn about reconciliation and explore practical ways they can contribute to positive change. Below is a reflection from Ananya DS (12 Gold), who attended the forum and shares her experience and key learnings from the day.

At the forum, we listened to Lionel, an indigenous man, who taught us about Indigenous culture and the importance of respecting Country. He introduced us to native plants and explained their purposes as well as indigenous tools such as boomerangs and drinking cups. He also informed us that the word 'Didgeridoo' was created by English speakers and its traditional name is Yidaki. Lionel showed us kangaroo and possum skins and explained how possum skins are a gift to Indigenous babies. As they grow older, more possum skins are added. When they pass, they are buried and wrapped in what would be expected to be a possum cloak. He also taught us the saying 'two ears and one mouth', reminding us that we should listen both to others and the needs of the land. One story that stood out to us was that as a tour guide, if he pulled out plants that resisted at the first tug, it was common to get injured. When discussing with his aunty, she mentioned that it was important to respect the plants and only take when they were willing to give. Ultimately showing us why caring and respecting Country is important.

We also learnt about the Open the Doors Foundation', which we are proud to support at Our Lady of Sion College. We worked collaboratively to develop fundraising ideas to support educational opportunities and provide essential items for First Nations students in Victoria. The experience encouraged us to think creatively about how we can promote reconciliation, build community and make a meaningful difference within our school and beyond. We are grateful to Mrs Miotello and Ms Gurciullo for this opportunity and look forward to sharing our ideas with the Sion community. Ananya DS (12 Gold)

Wurundjeri Seasons Calendar

As part of our Wurundjeri Seasons series, we are exploring the seven seasons of the Kulin Nation and learning how each season is connected to changes in Country, plants, animals and weather. This month, we focus on Guling, or Orchid Season, which signals the transition from winter to spring.

Student Reflection Below – Guling Season

The Guling Season, or Orchid Season takes place during August, running from approximately late July to early September. It is an important transitional period as it marks the end of winter and the start of warmer weather with longer days.

Indigenous people know when the Guling season has begun by observing natural signals, such as slighter warmer weather, less rain, and sunnier days. Other signs are plants and animals, with native orchids beginning to pop up, and silver wattle blooming across bush land. Plants such as the murnong (yam daisy) begin budding in fields, thriving in the slightly fuller sunshine. The Guling Season also marks the beginning of the mating season for koalas, whose males can be heard calling through trees at night to show dominance. Common brown butterfly caterpillars start to emerge to eat in the evening, species of birds begin to build nests and kangaroo joeys start appearing from their pouch. Historically, Aboriginal people would also start to move towards lower ground to trap wild birds and gather the earliest bird eggs. Eloise H (8 Gold) and Olivia W (8 Silver)