5february 2015 issue1 newsle ©er theourladyof … · cational system ... may ournew students feel...

IMPORTANT DATES Week B

Newsle er 5 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5 - I S S U E 1

Dear Members of the Our Lady of Sion College community, Welcome to the first newsletter for the 2015 school year. The atmosphere on the first day, Friday 30th January, was fabulous. Students seemed genuinely pleased to be back at school amongst friends, or for our new students, excit-ed about being in a new environment and beginning a different learning ad-venture. I hope all our families enjoyed Christmas and the summer holidays, relishing the opportunity for family time and a change of routine. One of the benefits of being part of the international family of Our Lady of Sion is that we have wonderful student exchange opportunities. Each year, our students get the opportunity to travel abroad and live with a “Sion family” on the other side of the world. For one month from 27 December, we had ten students travel to our sister school, Notre Dame de Sion, in Kansas City, USA, and seven students travel to our sister school, Notre Dame de Sion, in Evry, Paris, France. Students stay with a host family where they have one week of Christmas holidays with the family and then three weeks at school (these schools have their long summer holidays in July and August). The exchange is a rich learning opportunity for our students. They learn to live with another family, experience a very different culture, attend a foreign edu-cational system and practice speaking another language. It takes our stu-dents out of their comfort zone and challenges them to embrace a new expe-rience with openness and optimism. In May this year, school leaders will attend the third international Our Lady of Sion schools meeting to be held in Brazil. There will be over 20 schools rep-resented at this meeting and it will continue to forge the close relationships we are building with the international family of Our Lady of Sion schools. In addition to Australia, we have Our Lady of Sion schools in England, Canada, USA, France, Turkey, Brazil and Costa Rica.

The Our Lady of Sion College

1065 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, 3128 Tel: 9890 9097 Fax: 9899 1456

Email: [email protected] PRINCIPAL: Ms Karen Jebb

IMPORTANT DATES

From the Principal

Week B

Mon 9 Feb College Talk & Tour @ 9.00am

Tues 10 Feb College Photographs

Wed 11 Feb Year 12 Retreat College Uniform Shop 8.00am to 4.00pm

Thurs 12 Feb Year 12 Retreat

Fri 13 Feb Year 12 Retreat

Week A

Mon 16 Feb College Talk & Tour @ 9.00am

Tues 17 Feb Top Achievers’ Assembly Wed 18 Feb Ash Wednesday

College Uniform Shop 8.00am to 4.00pm

Thurs 19 Feb Brue Visual Arts Exhibition Launch @ 6.00pm Box Hill Community Arts Centre

Fri 20 Feb Lourdes Celebration Day

The following Charter for all Our Lady of Sion schools was developed last year. All schools have adopt-ed this charter and will strive for its ideals within the context of their culture and educational system. Our students are certainly blessed to be part of such a wonderful family and Sionian Charism. Faithful to the values promoted by the Ratisbonne brothers, Sion schools promote themselves as “spaces of dialogue”. On the spiritual level:

x To affirm and esteem the richness of differences while respecting human persons and their funda-mental rights. This implies that all students are welcomed with their cultural and religious traditions.

x To help Christians become aware of the Jewish origins of their faith in order to foster their discovery of Jesus Christ. The catechesis proposed opens each young person to an understanding of and respect for Judaism past and present.

x To offer everyone a biblical culture so as to question together the meaning of life.

x To help each one move beyond appearances and the immediate so as to ponder the mystery of one’s own being, of life, and the mystery we call God.

On the educational level:

x To encourage openness to learning, not only to ensure success in exams, but above all to situate oneself in the world and in history;; to be open to others, overcoming the fear that can come from encountering differences, to understand them, to work against all forms of injustice, discrimination, racism and in particular anti-Semitism.

x To affirm the richness of a multicultural world and recognize, through education, the universality of humankind.

x To emphasize joint projects and exchanges of students and teachers within our family of Sion.

x To remember always: human beings carry with them a personal and collective history. A person cannot construct a future without remembering the past and without being reconciled to it.

x To insist on formation which develops an ability to question and to think critically so as to foster discernment in religious and secular spheres.

x To regard each young person as being part of a history that neither begins nor finishes with his/her time at Our Lady of Sion. Their past is important. Their future is beyond the plans of educators, parents and teachers. In the present, the adults who accompany them owe them trust, kindness, listening, forgiveness and respect.

May our new students feel the warmth of the Sion welcome as they begin their journey at the College. Please know that we appreciate the opportunity to work closely with our parents and guardians to ensure each student’s learning experience is one of growth and development. With every blessing, Karen Jebb Principal

From the Principal...

Welcome to Year 7 students and their Familes As is the wonderful tradition, our staff and senior student leaders welcomed our new Year 7s at the front gate and took a family photo before they moved to their Homeroom classes. Our Parents’ Association wel-comed parents and other members of the family in the Theodore Staffroom for a morning tea and short presentation. This year, the Parents’ Association Vice President, Mrs Debbie Hamshaw, welcomed all fam-ilies and encouraged new parents/guardians and current parents/guardians to get involved in the life of the College through the work of the Parents’ Association. Mrs Franca Bearzatto, Parents’ Association Secre-tary, was also present to extend a warm welcome to all families. I, together with all members of staff, look forward to working with our new families and getting to know them better over the coming years. The Par-ents’ Association Committee is a fabulous support for the College and I encourage involvement from all parents. Our Parent/Guardian’s Information Evening has been scheduled for this evening, Thursday 5th February. It will be a 7.00pm start for Year 7 to 9 parents/guardians and a 7.30pm start for Years 10 to 12 parents/guardians. This ‘Parent Information Evening’ will provide you with important College information for 2015 and give you a chance to meet your daughter’s Year Level Coordinator and Homeroom teacher. On Friday 6th February, all students and staff will gather for our Opening College Eucharist in the Louise Humann Centre. I look forward to gathering as a whole College community to celebrate Eucharist and launch of the College theme for 2015. New Staff We welcome the following new teachers to the College: Ms Ingrid May, Years 7 to 10 Curriculum Leader, teaching Religious Education and Humanities and a member of the College Executive Team;; Ms Erin Con-nolly, teaching Media and English;; Ms Natasha Borg, teaching Media, Visual Communication and Design and Art;; Ms Monique Davey, teaching Physics, Science and Mathematics;; Ms Lauren Amalfi, teaching Art and Visual Communication and Design;; Ms Rebecca Bennett, teaching Religious Education and Humani-ties;; Mr Chris Wilkes, teaching French, Italian and Humanities;; Mr Daniel Bartlett, teaching Mathematics and History;; Ms Ellie Van Der Westhuizen, teaching Physical Education, Religious Education and Science. We welcome Mr Ming Liu and Mr Ben Terrell who have joined the Information Communication and Tech-nology Team in providing assistance to our students, staff and parents/guardians. We also welcome Miss Bayley Stephenson and Miss Rosie Dillon in the role of AFL trainee;; they will provide support for the Sport program and the College Administration. We welcome back Mrs Sarah Chalmers and Mrs Jenni Eury from Parental Leave;; they are both returning to their teaching role on a part-time basis. Once again our Year 12 class performed extremely well in their final examinations and therefore received outstanding results. A summary report will be provided at the ‘Parent Information Evening’ tonight and in the next newsletter.

Karen Jebb Principal

From the Principal...

Other News...

I personally welcome all students, parents and families to the 2015 school year! The College has so many learn-ing opportunities to offer the students and so I hope that your daughters recognise this and grow and develop through the learning journey that they are on this year. My role at the College has changed from Deputy Principal – Learning and Teaching to Deputy Principal – Catholic Identity and Learning. I remain responsible for the Learning and Teaching sphere of the College, but I now also lead the Catholic Identity element. I am really excited about this new role and am looking forward to continuing to working with students, staff and parents in a broader sense. The Catholic Identity aspect of my responsibilities have already brought much satisfaction and I am enjoying this work. As part of this change, Miss Ingrid May has been appointed to the College in the new position of Years 7 to 10 Curriculum Leader. Ingrid will be responsible for the Years 7 to 10 Curriculum and so students and parents will liaise with Ingrid on matters such as subject se-lection and learning programs for Years 7 to 10. It is wonderful to have Ingrid join the College! Prayer Students and staff have gathered for prayer on occasions and I share with you one prayer we have offered for the beginning of the school year. You may like to also pray this prayer for our learning community.

God, at the beginning of this school year bless our school community, our students, our teachers, our support staff, and our parents, so that this place will radiate learning and love. We especially welcome all those who are new to this place of learning. Lead all here to do their best to guide and help each other. May the classrooms be places of hospitality, compassion, excitement, blessings, and joy. May our minds and hearts be filled with knowledge of you, our world, and all that will help us grow in faith. Amen.

Liturgical Celebrations The College staff gathered for Eucharist on Wednesday 28th January and the entire College will gather as students and staff tomorrow morning. We thank Fr Mark Reynolds, College Chaplain, for leading our Eucharists. Much planning and preparation has gone into tomorrow’s Eucharist and we look forward to launching the College theme for the year and to praying for the year ahead. We have lots of students involved in leading prayers or other sym-bolic elements of tomorrow’s Eucharist as well as being members of the College Band and the Choir. Thank you especially to Marie-Therese van Rensburg, College Liturgy Captain, for her support with liturgies this year. Social Justice The College Mission Statement calls us to “actively seek” and this underpins our Social Justice Policy. I thank in advance Miss Holly Johnson and Miss Michelle Rudd for supporting me with the Social Justice Program this year. Shortly, students in Year 11 will have the opportunity to support Ozanam House and Year 12 students will have the opportunity to support the St Vincent de Paul Soup Van. In Term One we will also be supporting Caritas with Project Compassion. We will launch this at the College Assembly on Tuesday 17th February. Thank you especial-ly to Christina Morabito, Social Justice Captain, for her support with social justice initiatives this year. Lent We begin Lent with Ash Wednesday on the 18th February. Students will participate in a morning liturgy for Ash Wednesday to mark the start of this important season within the Church’s year. We will also gather for a College Lenten Liturgy on Friday 20th March. Year 12 Retreat We wish Year 12 students all of the best for their retreat which will take place next Wednesday to Friday. The theme of the retreat is “Who am I called to become?” The aim of the retreat is to provide students with the oppor-tunity to take time to explore, challenge and reflect on the many issues integral to this theme. Students will ex-plore their identity and growth by canvassing components of their lives and reflecting on the choices they make and the challenges they face in the future. As the Year 12 students prepare for the year ahead, they will be en-couraged to reflect on the support available to them.

Deputy Principal Report

Catholic Identity & Learning

Curriculum Team The Learning Program of the College is well lead by an excellent group of staff. The following teachers form the Curriculum Team. You are welcome to contact these staff for advice and support but please remember that your first point of contact for curriculum related matters should be the classroom teacher.

x Deputy Principal – Learning and Teaching – Mr Timothy Newcomb x Years 7 to 10 Curriculum Leader – Miss Ingrid May x VCE/VCAL/VASS Coordinator – Mr Adam Rieusset x Religious Education Learning Leader – Ms Anna Gionfriddo x The Arts Learning Leader – Mr James Le Fevre x English Learning Leader and Literacy Coordinator – Mr Michael Calmer x Health and PE Learning Leader – Ms Erin Gustus x Humanities, Civics & Citizenship Learning Leader – Ms Melinda Savino x Languages Learning Leader – Mrs Gail Amato x Mathematics Learning Leader – Ms Helen Mulvogue x Science Learning Leader – Ms Nicole Murnane x Student Learning Support Coordinator – Mrs Clare Tipping x Ayin Coordinator – Mrs Leanne Anderson x Careers & Pathways Coordinator – Ms Margaret Rooney x Gifted and Talented Coordinator – Mr Chris Zuccala x College ICT Manager – Mr Brett Bastian x College Librarian – Ms Talei Valucava x Numeracy Coordinator – Mrs Joanne Daly

Professional Learning Coaching Program The College Coaching Program will continue to run this year and we look forward to implementing this engaging professional learning opportunity for teachers. The aim of the program is to improve student’s learning outcomes and we look forward to supporting staff with their reflective practice and the action research that they will carry out as part of this program. College Learning and Teaching Charter and Work Habits On Tuesday afternoon, teachers reviewed the College Learning and Teaching Charter in light of the recently de-veloped Charter for Our Lady of Sion Schools worldwide. We amended elements of our charter to enrich it and to ensure that it is the best statement we can make about what we believe in relation to values and behaviours relat-ing to student learning. From this reflection we then reviewed the College ‘work habits’ that we report to. This review will continue as we strive to ensure we are placing value on the most important learning behaviours for our students. School Improvement - Annual Action Plan A number of initiatives for school improvement are planned for this year and I will provide you with information about them throughout the year. The two main goals relating to Catholic Identity and Learning are:

x To continue to live and develop our Catholic identity and tradition in its best and richest sense, within the context of the Sionian values

x To ensure the College engages, excites and challenges students to maximise their learning through a dynamic learning and teaching culture.

We Remember... We pray for Lola Voss (Year 10) and Ruby Voss (Year 12 2014) following the passing of their mother Toni Voss, earlier this week. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Voss family at this difficult time. Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding matters associated with the Catholic identity or learning and teach-ing program of the College. Timothy Newcomb Deputy Principal – Catholic Identity and Learning


Catholic Identity & Learning cont...


Welcome to 2015. And what a start it has been! Our new Year 7s have settled in beautifully, guided through the opening days by their dedicated Homeroom teachers and their Year Level Coordinator, Miss Briannah Walsh. The College has also welcomed the community another 11 students across Years 8 to 11. On behalf of the Our Lady of Sion community we wish you a warm welcome and hope that your years with us are filled with great experiences. Having a single day to begin the school year enabled everyone, staff and students alike, to get their bearings before a full assault on the week this week. And it has been a busy week. Students are coming to know their classmates and new Homeroom teacher and are being introduced to new subjects. The first assembly for each level took place in the new and exciting Miriam Performing Arts Centre, and on top of that there has been the commencement of the first lot of GSV Sport, the opening of Dot's Cafe, the first Pastoral session for the year, discussions and applications for Class Leaders and SRC student leadership positions, preparations for the College's Opening Eucharist tomorrow and the announcement of the College theme for 2015. Certain-ly a busy time for all, but the energy and enthusiasm around the College is magic! Some reminders for the coming fortnight:

x It is not too late to attend tonight's all important Parent Information Evening.

x College photos will take place next Tuesday 10th February. The usual expectations with presentation are applied for this day (these are outlined in your daughter's ‘Student Expectations’ document) - in-cluding the expectation that hair be tied back neatly off the face, that there is no make up, concealer or tinted moisturiser, that the only jewellery worn is a maximum of two plain (silver or gold) sleepers or studs in each lobe, long white socks and that the dress length is 'at knee level'. Your support with this message will enable us to continue to maintain the excellent standards of presentation that makes us the envy of so many other schools.

x We ask all families to complete the Medical Update Form that was sent home today and return it to the College as soon as possible. Please complete the form regardless of whether there have been any changes. Keeping these records accurate and updated annually is vitally important to our ability to keep you informed and best support you and your daughter through the year.

Jeremy Wright Deputy Principal - Wellbeing

Wellbeing

From the College Counsellor... Hello and welcome back to 2015, I hope you all had a lovely time over Christmas and the holidays. While the start of a new school year can be an exciting and fun time, for some individuals the experience of change and transitioning into a new year lev-el, class, electives, etc., can be a somewhat overwhelming experience. Even for adults the process of change and transition can be difficult and uncomfortable at times, and it’s important that we share and discuss these experiences with the young people in our lives. If you are a parent or guardian with a daughter who is finding the new school year to be a challenge, I would encourage you to engage in an ongoing conversation about this and even to share your own experiences of change and the strategies you may have found useful in dealing with this. Communication is a really valuable tool, so I would encourage you to turn off the TV, put the mobiles/iPads/tablets away and focus on establishing regular family time such as eating dinner together as a family, to allow time to discuss the challenges and successes of the day together. Just a reminder that I am available at the College Monday to Friday, and can be contacted via email at [email protected] or phone on 9890 9097. Lisa Birch College Counsellor (Clinical Psychologist)

Year Level News

Year 7 Welcome to the 2015 school year and to an exciting year ahead for our Year 7s. The students have made a very positive start to the new school year, and it has been so pleasing to hear the exciting conversations and witness the smiles of the students as they become familiar with new routines and environment. We have an outstanding team supporting your daughter as she commences her journey here at Our Lady of Sion College. The Year 7 Homeroom teachers are:

7 Blue Mrs Clare Tipping 7 Gold Miss Jennifer Merle

7 Purple Miss Lauren Di Guilmi 7 Red Miss Katrina Gurciullo 7 Silver Mr James Le Fevre 7 White Miss Ellie Van Der Westhuizen

We are all very excited to support and get to know your daughter as she begins her journey here at Our Lady of Sion. Please do not hesitate to contact your daughter’s Homeroom teacher or myself at any time if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to meeting you at our Parent Information Evening tonight. Brianah Walsh Year 7 Coordinator

Year Level News

Year 8 Welcome to the new school year and to an exciting and dynamic Year 8. Students have returned full of enthusiasm and are working with a positive attitude and approach while continuing their Our Lady of Sion journey. This year we have adopted the theme of ‘Choose Happiness’ as our Year 8 mantra. We invite all students and parents to join us in our quest to take action for happiness. The Year 8 Homeroom teachers are committed to guide your daughter this year to be the best she can be in all aspects of her life. I welcome the Year 8 Team of 2015:

8 Blue Mrs Jennifer Middlin & Ms Joon Tan 8 Gold Mrs Kathleen Bolger

8 Purple Mrs Jennifer Kerby 8 Red Mr Christopher Wilkes 8 Silver Mr Daniel Bartlett 8 White Miss Michelle Rudd

These teachers are contactable during the day if you have any questions or concerns. Also, please do not hesitate to contact me as Year Level Coordinator at any time. Open and clear communication between home and school are the key to schooling success. To assist with this communication you are warmly invited to attend our Parent Information Evening tonight. Year 8 has been fun and I have enjoyed all the classes. Meeting new friends has been challenging, but is worth it. Emma Rigo 8B

So far there have been many opportunities in Year 8. It’s fun, interesting and new subjects too. Emily Naguib 8G

Year 8 is awesome! Ella Connolly 8P

It’s good to not be the youngest students at Our Lady of Sion. It is more relaxed because I know more people. Nina Hughes 8R

Year 8 is fun because we meet new people in our Homerooms. Bronte Sherwen 8S

Year 8 has challenged me to meet new people. I have really enjoyed meeting all my new teachers. Victoria Iori 8W I am looking forward to this year and sharing the Our Lady of Sion journey with your daughters. Moira Patten Year 8 Coordinator

Year Level News

Year 9 The Year 9s are off to a great start to the year and have had a very smooth and focused beginning to 2015. We welcome some new students to the College: Genevieve Crane (9 Gold), Coco Hu (9 Purple), Zoe Hamilton (9 Red) and Jessica Smithies (9 Red) and we are pleased to have them join our Year 9 community. We are also very lucky to have an enthusiastic and experienced team of Homeroom teachers allocated to this year level: 9 Blue Mrs Leanne Anderson 9 Gold Mr James Smith 9 Purple Miss Lauren Amalfi 9 Red Miss Rebecca Bennett 9 Silver Ms Renate el Shataly 9 White Mr Paul Whitely This year there is so much in store for the Year 9s. The Duke of Edinburgh Award provides students with oppor-tunities to develop new skills, volunteer in the wider community and take part in physical recreation. The dynamic Ayin program has been developed and expanded over many years and provides opportunities such as: The City Experience, mock job interviews and job application skills, and Mind Body Soul Day, just to name a few. They will be focusing on the themes of optimism, purpose, gratitude and resilience during Pastoral sessions and the Active Pastoral Program, all of which are important qualities for students to value and hold. I look forward to meeting many parents of our Year 9s at the Information Evening and working in partnership with you all to ensure that our students have a wonderful year. Jac Cannning Year 9 Coordinator

Year 10 I would like to warmly welcome all Year 10 students and their families to the 2015 school year. I hope that you have had a relaxing and enjoyable break and that you feel rested and ready for a busy and exciting year. We have a strong group of Homeroom teachers who will be supporting our Year 10 students this year, and I thank them in advance for their guidance, care and assistance. There will be ample opportunity to meet with them at our Parent Information Evening tonight. The Year 10 Homeroom team consists of:

10 Blue Ms Margaret Rooney 10 Gold Miss Amy Proctor 10 Purple Miss Stephanie Mainwaring 10 Red Mr Luke Brewis 10 Silver Ms Monique Davey 10 White Miss Natasha Borg

Year 10 is a year filled with opportunities and challenges: from camp in the first week of Term Two;; Ballroom Dancing and Work Experience;; the introduction of the BYOD program at Year 10;; Careers Testing;; Big Sister, Little Sister program and the first formal examination experience. The students have made an impressive start to the year;; they are already showing signs of great leadership, enthusiasm and commitment to their learning. We are currently asking students to nominate for Class Leaders who will make their speeches to their respective classes in the coming week. I will announce the successful candidates in the next newsletter. On Tuesday of this week, we began our study skills program in earnest as part of our overall Pastoral program. This session will set up the students with valuable skills that can be utilised throughout the year.

Year Level News

Year 10 cont... Ozanam House Christmas Boxes In December, Amy Simonella, Dana Gibb and Emily Tainsh took time out from their Christmas break to come back to school and help with delivering 80 boxes full of a range of gifts the Year 10 students had put together during Term Four. I would like to thank these students for their assistance in what was a really rewarding day. Work Inspiration In December a number of our students from Years 9 to 11 participated in the National Australia Bank ‘Work Inspiration’ program, hosted at the new NAB building in Docklands. The aim of ‘Work Inspiration’ is an additional work experience program that helps make a young per-sons first exposure to the world of work more meaningful and inspiring. The three day ‘Work Inspiration’ framework covers the following insights:

x ‘All about me’ – Students discover their talents, passions and interests as a starting point to turn work experience into work inspiration.

x ‘Look behind the scenes’ – Students select a mentor to shadow, helping them to gain exposure to potential roles that exist via workplace tours, attending meetings and having discussions.

x ‘Careers happen’ – Concept where students spend time with mentors to understand their career journey, often highlighting that careers are not always linear.

The students found this program very beneficial. Yin Meng reflects... ‘Work Inspiriation’ at NAB was sensational! For me, the most valuable lesson I received would be that the corporate world is not grey, repetitive and dull as I would have expected. Instead, I saw employees working in an enjoyable, different manner every day, and the interior design was amazing! Everything appeared colourful. In the end, the three days ended too quickly and my time with my mentor was excel-lent. I had the opportunity to work with students from other schools, so plenty of new friends were made! The students involved were: Michelle Dihn, Jacqueline Poon, Danielle Choy, Charity Wong, Yin Meng, Chloe Tucker, Christina Morabito, Charmaine Wong and Nathalie Rosales-Cheng. I am very much looking forward to working with our Year 10s in partnership with their teachers and fami-lies this year. Please don’t hesitate to contact your daughter’s Homeroom teacher or myself if you have any questions or concerns throughout the year. Paul Kerr Year 10 Coordinator

Year Level News

Year 11 Welcome to the 2015 school year and an exciting year ahead for our Year 11s. The students have returned full of enthusiasm and have made a very positive start to the year. We have an outstanding team of Homeroom teachers who will be working with your daughters as they commence VCE here at Our Lady of Sion College. The team consists of: 11 Blue Miss Laura Begley 11 Gold Mr Andrew McLeod 11 Purple Ms Helen Mulvogue 11 Red Ms Melinda Savino 11 Silver Miss Erin Connelly 11 White Ms Victoria Stats Our first pastoral period for the year focused on ‘planning and time management’ and students have prepared a two-week schedule to assist them in their transition into VCE. I encourage you to look over this with your daughter and support them as they settle into a routine that balances school, homework/study, social activities, part time work and other commitments this term. I am really looking forward to working with our Year 11s in partnership with their teachers and fami-lies this year. Please do not hesitate to contact your daughter’s Homeroom teacher or myself if you have any questions or concerns throughout the year. Hannah Lindschau Year 11 Coordinator

Parents are requested to report student absence by 9.00am. Please report absences via either of the following methods:

Student Reception Phone: 9856 0303 Email: [email protected]

The College Office is unable to pass on messages or deliver items to students during the day, except in the case of an emergency. Parents are advised that unless students have been given prior warning to come and collect items that are left at Reception we are unable to guarantee the delivery of the articles A reminder: please label your daughter’s items of clothing and personal belongings to ensure that they are returned should they be misplaced.

To all Year 12 parents, students and family members, I welcome you back to Our Lady of Sion College for the commencement of the 2015 school year. This year will move very quickly with many challenges presented before each and every year 12 student. The support network of home, friends and school will hold our Year 12 students in good stead for this year. Year 12 is a demanding year, and a year that should be shared by many. The Year 12 students are to be proud of the level of commitment, communication and enthusiasm that they have shown so far. Even in this very short period of time the students are starting to make sure that they reach their full potential with each and every step they take. The vision and focus that has been set for the Year 12 students for the next month is summed up in... ‘Vision – Valued and Worthy’ and our goal is: ‘Personal responsibility’. I hope that all families can assist by reinforcing these values so that the students enjoy a successful start to the year. The Year 12 Homeroom teachers and myself are also looking forward to seeing as many parents/guardians as possible tonight at the Parent Information Evening. We see this evening as a great opportunity to continue the association with you. We look forward to walking each and every step with the Year 12s over the next cycle. Welcome to our Year 12 Homeroom Teachers On behalf of the College I would like to introduce our Year 12 Homeroom teachers for 2015: 12 Blue Ms Anna Gionfriddo

12 Gold Miss Holly Johnston

12 Purple Ms Erin Gustus

12 Red Ms Nicole Murnane

12 White Mr Robert Steward Communication between our students and their Homeroom teacher’s is an essential ingredient for a successful final year. As Year 12 students hold a special place within our community, they are all College leaders. As College leaders we look to them for guidance and support of all expectations that the College has in place: uniform, make up, at-tendance, punctuality and how they interact amongst the wider College community are all very important. Year 12 Retreat – Wednesday 11th February to Friday 13th February Next week our Year 12s will embark on the Year 12 Retreat. The retreat will explore many aspects of what it means to be a member of the Sionian community, we ask the students to reflect upon their past years at Our Lady of Sion College and to then question, “Who am I called to become?” I ask that parents and students ensure that all permission forms and associated forms are returned to the College as soon as possible. Curriculum Matters Year 12 is a challenging year with the demands of SACs, work placements and class work. I strongly encourage all parents to take a proactive approach toward their daughter’s studies this year to help them to be organised and disciplined at all times. I encourage all students to ensure that they seek help early if they need it and I remind them that what they put in is what they will get out. Also, please take the time to visit the VCAA website for plenty of helpful information: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/index.aspx Special Examination Arrangements – Unit 3/4 Exams Student’s who believe that they may be eligible for special consideration due to health, learning ability, physical ability or the need to take special medication into an exam are required to see me as soon as possible. All special exam application forms need to be completed and returned to the VCAA by Friday 6th March. If students applied for special consideration in 2014 and were granted their request they still need to re-apply for 2015. The 2014 application does not carry forward into this year Adam Rieusset VCE/VCAL/VASS Coordinator Year 12 Coordinator

Year Level News

Year 12

Once again it was a busy and exciting summer holiday period for many of our students who travelled over-seas to participate in Exchange Programs to France, Italy and the USA. Endrea Botfa, Alexandra de Lacy, Aimee Kempinski, Eilish Leonard, Amelia Murtagh, Laura Randall and Nathalie Rosales-Cheng, visited Notre Dame de Sion in Evry, Paris while Elise Ciavarella, Caitlin Iacobuc-ci, Ivana Rea and Madeleine Wyatt attended the Liceo Scientifico Statale Scorza, in Cosenza, Italy. Likewise, Michaela Beninca, Grace Cairnduff, Katelyn Clark, Grainne Dalton, Ruby O’Dea, Lily Pryn, Bri-anna Quayle, Madeleine Schoffelen, Sarah Toal and Lucy Wallbridge–Hall, travelled to Kansas City, USA, to visit their host sisters and attend our sister school ‘Notre Dame de Sion’. Some of the students who participated have shared their reflections below: FRENCH EXCHANGE In January I was lucky enough to stay in Paris for a four week exchange. It was the first time that I had been overseas which made the experience new and very exciting to me. The family of my host sister, Mari-on, was kind and welcoming, just like my own family, which helped me feel at home very quickly. I asked them to speak to me only in French which helped me greatly improve my comprehension of the language, especially in conversation. I loved seeing the history of Paris in the old buildings and the chateaus (especially the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte). I adored the view of Paris from the Dome of Sacre Coeur, which was in my opinion, better than the view from the Eiffel Tower. Notre Dame de Sion in Evry is very different to our school, however, the biggest change for me was the fact that my host sister was the only girl in a class of 14 boys! The students at the school asked us many questions with my favorite being “Is there a cemetery at your school too?” The experience in France was amazing and I can’t wait for Marion to come to Australia in July. By Alexandra de Lacy

Domain News

Languages

ITALIAN EXCHANGE The exchange to Italy in December was an experience that is not possible to forget. There was not a single bad moment or even an absolute highlight, as the whole journey with the Italians and adventure to Italy was an amazing experience. I have made so many friendships that I know will last forever, I have learnt so much about the Italian culture and improved my language skills. I have formed great bonds with those who shared the experience with me. Thank you to everyone who made this unforgettable experience a possibil-ity, especially to Ms Jebb, Mr Newcomb, and Mrs Amato for organising the exchange. By Elise Ciavarella USA EXCHANGE On the 27th December, ten of us from Our Lady of Sion landed in Kansas City for our month long ex-change. I stayed in Lees Summit, Missouri with my host family. After already one day I had become close friends with my host sister, Emmie, and her family. Emmie, took me to many places and events within Kan-sas including a football game, basketball game, ice skating, shopping and out to a lot of typical American places to eat. The family also took me on a trip to Colorado where we went snowboarding in the freezing cold mountains. The weather was very different to Melbourne. It reached almost minus 20 degrees on a few days which is much colder than what I was used to. During my time in Kansas I spent two weeks going to school at Notre Dame De Sion where I took part in some classes and met a lot of new people. It was an amazing experience and the time we had flew by so quickly. By Lily Pryn Thank you to all of the staff, students and parents who were involved in the organisation of the Exchange Programs. We hope that through strengthening links with our sister schools we will be able to continue providing this fantastic opportunity to our students in the future. Gail Amato Languages Learning Leader

Domain News

Languages cont...

One Girl Exhibition A number of our very talented College artists have been creating works to raise awareness and funds for the social justice project ‘One Girl’. ‘One Girl’ focuses on empowering women and girls through education so that they can create and lead change in their communities. Education and economic empowerment are vital when it comes to tackling the issues that women and girls face in Sierra Leone and ‘One Girl’ are currently working on four awesome projects which you can learn more about at:

http://www.onegirl.org.au/ Congratulations to the students who have volunteered their time and talent to produce pieces that will be for sale at the exhibition of both student and professional works being held at the Box Hill Community Arts Centre 16th February to 1st March 2015. This exhibition will coincide with International Women’s Day 2015. James Le Fevre The Arts Learning Leader

Domain News

The Arts

Spreading the festive cheer… Christmas is commonly known as the season for giving and our attention is regularly drawn to those less fortunate who can find it a difficult time. It can also be a busy time with many competing priorities, but a gen-erous group of our Sion musicians made time to spread the festive cheer and fundraise for two charities. Kristen Catsamas, Claire Towns, Alexandra de Lacy, Lauren Penefather and Lucy Barker can often be found attending early morning school rehearsals for their own band, ‘Full Lung Capacity’. Not only do they organise their own rehearsals and perform to a high standard, but they also write their own arrangements and make their own band shirts. They regularly perform out in the wider community and are developing quite a reper-toire including a number of Christmas Carols. This band spent a number of Saturdays busking at a local shopping complex and managed to raise $1650 which they generously donated to two charities: Youth Off the Street and St Peter's Orphanage in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Congratulations to Kristen, Claire, Alexan-dra, Lauren and Lucy on their commitment and initiative in the field of Social Justice! James Le Fevre Director of Bands

Music Department

ENSEMBLES CONCERT EVENING

Please save the date for our two evening concerts featuring all of our College Ensembles on both nights in our spectacular new Miriam Theatre. Ensembles Concert Night One: Wednesday 24th June @ 7.00pm Ensembles Concert Night Two: Thursday 25th June @ 7.00pm Details regarding sea ng alloca ons will be released closer to the event, as will details regarding Year 7 student involvement.

Parent No ces

Applica ons for Year 7 2016 close on Friday 27th February 2015

To ensure your daughter’s applica on is considered, it must be received on or before this date. Both new families and families with daughters already at the College must lodge an applica on by this closing date. Applica ons are available from the College Recep on or www.sion.catholic.edu.au

For further informa on about our College, enquiries about enrolments or requests for a Prospectus, please contact the College Registrar, Karen Morris on 9856 0348.

Supervision of Students Outside School Hours The College provides supervision of students on College grounds before school from 8:10am, with the teacher on duty supervising students entering the College at the front entry gate. Students are supervised after school until 3:40pm, with the teachers on duty supervising students at the front entry gate, the public bus stops on Dorking and Whitehorse Roads. Students are discouraged from being at the College before 8:10am or after 3:40pm as staff supervision is not provided outside these times, except if they are in-volved in a before or after school activity that the parent has previously been advised of and consented to. The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) is open from 8.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and from 8.00am to 4.00pm on Fridays. Students can go to the LRC before and after school for private study and will be supervised during these times. Driver Awareness Within the Vicinity of the College We understand that parking around the College can be difficult at times, but please do not double-park when you drop off or collect your daughter from school. In particular, please do not stop in the middle of the service road out the front of the College but rather park where there is a spot or arrange for pick up in Dorking Road or Graham Place. Please obey the road rules to ensure the safety of all students. Parking inspectors from the Whitehorse City Council patrol Graham Place and Dorking Road and will fine any driver not obeying the road rules. School Photographs Please refer to the notice in this Newsletter about the upcoming School Photo Day. Students are to be in correct school uniform, as always, and must return their envelope to the photographers, even if they are not purchasing photos. There will be an opportunity for family photos to be taken during recess and lunchtime. Family photo envelopes are available from Student Reception. Leanne Whiteroad College Daily Coordinator

http://www.sion.catholic.edu.au

Parent No ces

Monday 9th February Kylie McKeown (Extra volunteer required) Tuesday 10th February Mandy Rudeforth Dennis Ting Wednesday 11th February Jacqueline Nettur (Extra volunteer required) Thursday 12th February Anna Adamo Kim Merton Friday 13th February Lisa Leonard Jo Reid Jackie Sloan Monday 16th February Lisa Jackson-Calvert Marie Sinni Tuesday 17th February Jessie McIldowney (Extra volunteer required) Wednesday 18th February Janine Regan (Extra volunteer required) Thursday 19th February Franca Bearzatto Karen Woods Friday 20th February Kerrin Barassi Kelly Dixon (Extra volunteer required)

Parent assistance in the canteen is greatly appreciated. If you are able to assist on any of the above dates, please contact:

Mrs Anne Bustard Phone: 9890 9097

[email protected]

Educa on Maintenance Allowance From 1 January 2015, the government will provide extra financial support only to Victoria’s ‘neediest’ schools. Not all schools will be receiving the funding. As a result, parents at the College will not be able to apply for the Educa on Maintenance Allowance in 2015. For more informa on: h p://www.educa on.vic.gov.au/school/principals/finance/pages/ema.aspx

Canteen Roster

Parents’ Association 2015 Meetings & Events

All members of the Sion parent community are also members of the Parents’ Association. We welcome parent involvement at any PA activity or meeting.

Any contribution of time is greatly appreciated.

2015 PA OFFICERS

President - Voula Vallianatos

Vice President - Debbie Hamshaw

Secretary - Franca Bearzatto

Treasurer - Youssy Naguib

Meetings for 2015

All meetings are held in the Ratisbonne Board Room (park in the front car park and enter through reception)

Term 1: Meeting Tuesday 10th March at 7.00pm Term 2: Meeting Tuesday 19th May at 7.00pm Term 3: Meeting Tuesday 11th August at 7.00pm Term 4: AGM Tuesday 20th October at 7.00pm

PA Supported Events for 2015

Thursday 4th June Year 7 Family Mass at 7.00pm PA provides and serves supper

Friday 16th October Year 12 Graduation Mass PA organises Sion roses for presentation Sunday 18th October Working Bee 9.00am – 12.00 noon Wednesday 28th October Sion Open Day 2.30pm – 6.30pm PA organises the sausage sizzle.

Many volunteers needed. !

To add your name to our email contact and volunteer list, send your details to: Franca Bearzatto (PA Secretary) [email protected]

Please indicate your daughter’s year level.

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