From our Principal
Our Vision
At Marist-Sion College, students experience an education where they are known and loved, grow as life-long learners and live as active citizens inspired by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
Our Commitment to Action: Learning and Teaching
We build expert teachers, adaptive teaching teams and collaborative expertise.
Endeavour and Excellence
We are excited to introduce the Endeavour and Excellence Awards at Marist-Sion College. The Endeavour and Excellence Awards celebrate student effort and achievement across all aspects of College life. Over the last twelve months, significant planning and consultation with students, staff and parents have shaped the awards program to what we have today.
These awards span three domains:
- Learning
- Co-curricular
- Spirit and Service
Students earn commendations for both Endeavour (recognising effort, engagement, and commitment) and Excellence (acknowledging achievement and leadership).
Commendations accumulate over time, leading to Bronze, Silver, and Gold certificates and badges in each domain, as well as combined shield awards.
Students earn commendations through the SIMON system, which accumulate as points:
- Tier 1: 1 point (e.g., participating in a liturgy or club)
- Tier 2: 2 points (e.g., strong work habits or regional-level sport)
- Tier 3: 3 points (e.g., distinctions in competitions or major leadership roles)
As students reach milestones in each domain, they receive:
- Bronze Certificate at 10 points
- Silver Certificate at 25 points
- Gold Certificate at 50 points, along with a special badge for their blazer
When students achieve Bronze, Silver, or Gold across all three domains, they are awarded the corresponding Endeavour and Excellence Shield, with the Gold Shield also earning a place on the College Honour Board.
You will receive notifications of your child’s commendations and awards via PAM (Parent Access Module), and they will also appear on semester reports.
To stay informed, we encourage all parents to download the SIMON Everywhere App. This app provides real-time updates on your child’s commendations, attendance and academic progress. It’s the easiest way to stay connected with your child’s achievements and receive timely notifications from the College SIMON Everywhere is available on both the Android Play Store and Apple App Store.
Successful 2026 Subject Selection Interviews
The 2026 Subject Selection Interviews were a great success, providing a valuable opportunity for students, families and staff to engage in meaningful conversations about future learning pathways. Thank you to all who contributed to the smooth running of this important process, your support ensures our students are well-positioned to pursue their chosen pathway and aspirations with confidence.
School Sports Victoria – AFL State Finals
On Tuesday 12 August, our Year 7 and 8 Girls played in the SSV AFL State Finals in Melbourne. The girls did extremely well to win their first game to progress to the Semi-Final and placed third best in the State. A huge effort – congratulations girls!
Our Commitment to Action: Catholic Identity
We activate identity and mission through Catholic Social Teaching and affirming the dignity and inclusion of all.
Warragul Mass and Community Gathering
Marist-Sion College student leaders contributed to the Prayers of the Faithful at a recent St Vincent de Paul celebration at the Warragul Parish. It was a special celebration affirming the place of the St Vincent de Paul society in Warragul and Drouin over the past sixty years.
Celebrating 50 Years – Heritage Day
Heritage Day presented an opportunity for all students and staff to join to celebrate the history of our College, to connect with the charisms of Marist and Sion, to have fun as a community, and build on positive relationships. In our 50th year, it also provided us with an opportunity to reflect on what we value and appreciate about our vibrant learning community.
Like the founding Marist Brothers and Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, our staff take great interest in the lives of the young people in their care. Today, through their presence and role modelling, they are demonstrating the values of truth, charity and constancy.
Students will have seen from the photos in the library; many former students of Marist-Sion College have chosen to return to serve in our community. What is it that draws people back? Many of these staff talk to me about the strength of community connections and enduring friendships. Some speak about a calling to continue to make meaning of our mission as Marists. For me, being a Marist means that I bring Marist values into the way I work; authenticity, being genuine and allowing others to feel safe, comfortable; loved by God.
Being Marist enables me to connect with other Marist people and communities. When I first went to Ltyentye Apurte – Santa Teresa it changed my life. What was it that made that experience so powerful? I think it was the heat of summer, the red earth, the joy of the students and the genuine connection between the Marist Brothers, the staff and students. It was about making the lives of the students better and in the process, my life was made better as well.
It is great that we will be afforded the opportunity to reconnect with the Ltyentye Apurte – Santa Teresa community again this year – an opportunity extended to only two schools (Marist-Sion College, Warragul and Clonard College, Geelong) this year.
Arriving at the Sale Railway Station, the French Sisters of Our Lady of Sion were welcomed like heroes in the community by a cheering crowd. As French speakers, they had a limited knowledge of the English language. Yet they had the responsibility of navigating a foreign country to establish a school in the heat of summer.
It must have been a whirlwind for the seven Sisters of Our Lady of Sion. Yet, Mother Raphaela’s writings from the time focused on the joy and happiness that was present in the students and the sense of welcome she received from the community. Mother Raphaela’s inspired a commitment to justice in the community she served.
In his writing, Pope Leo offers us guidance on our work enabling the Church’s mission today when he said, “Our work is to enlarge the tent and to let everyone know they are welcome inside the Church.” Today, Marist-Sion is more than just a place of work – we are a proud community of welcome and that is our point of difference.
Celebrating 50 Years – Tedd E Bear – Artist Statement – Sue Haeusler
If you’ve visited the College Reception, you might have noticed a special bear on display. The bear, Tedd E Bear was made by former teacher, Sue Haeusler and recently donated to the College. Sue wrote:
“Tedd E Bear is a tribute to place, memory, and identity, stitched together with intention and care. Made from tan, clay-coloured pure wool, the bear’s body speaks directly to the landscape of our region—its clay-rich earth and deep agricultural roots. Wool was chosen deliberately, reflecting the local farming industry that has shaped both community and livelihood for generations.
Tedd E Bear wears the full school uniform of Marist-Sion College, rendered with careful attention to authenticity and respect. The uniform is not only accurate to pre-2000s design, but deeply personal – it mirrors what my own children wore each day, anchoring the work in both collective and familial memory.
The pure wool, bottle green blazer is symbolic of the college’s tradition, but also practical in its warmth, just as it was for the students who wore it through brisk morning starts. The pale green cotton shirt, collared and formal, is paired with a grey tie striped in blue and gold, tied in a proper Windsor knot, emblematic of care, effort, and pride in one’s presentation. A hand-knitted jumper, also in bottle green with v-neck ribbed detail in matching stripes, echoes the blazer while offering handmade warmth and texture.
His trousers – actually grey shorts – match the grey school socks worn by so many students of that time, and on his feet are small black leather shoes, once belonging to my son in his primary school years. These are not props, but objects imbued with lived experience.
Tedd E Bear wears a bottle green cap with the school crest and carries a matching backpack – ready to shoulder the weight of books, ideas, and high expectations. He is a student who takes pride in his appearance, shows respect for tradition, and reflects the values of diligence and excellence.
This bear is more than a soft sculpture. He is a portrait of childhood, discipline, and belonging; a homage to a school, a community, and the quiet rituals that shape who we become.”
Our Commitment to Action: Leadership
We are impactful leaders, building capacity and driving school improvement.
New SIMON User Interface
We’re pleased to share that SIMON has launched a refreshed user interface designed to enhance usability and streamline navigation. The new design offers a cleaner layout, improved accessibility, and more intuitive workflows for staff, students, and families.
These updates aim to support more efficient communication and engagement across our school community. We encourage everyone to explore the new interface and take advantage of the enhanced features that make working within SIMON even more effective.
Our Commitment to Action: Child Safety
We commit to sustaining and improving our child safe practices and culture.
Congratulations to Henry Allsop (Year 10 – Joseph House)
Congratulations to Henry Allsop who has been selected by Cricket Victoria as part of the 2025/2026 Victoria Country U17 Male Emerging Players Squad. Henry has been in training over the last month at CitiPower Centre and is on the pathway to be selected for the Cricket Australia National Championships in January 2026.
Accessing Support through the College
The College has a support network for all students to assist in managing their mental health and wellbeing. Students are encouraged to seek wellbeing support from the Counselling and Wellbeing Services Team. Mrs Joanna John (Director of Counselling – Psychologist) and a team of counsellors are available five days a week to meet with students and families.
Additional support is available by contacting Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Parentline Victoria on 13 22 89 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. We encourage any student who feels unsafe to confide in a trusted adult or contact the College’s Child Safety Champions by emailing: ChildSafety@mscw.vic.edu.au.
Our Commitment to Action: Stewardship of Resources
We provide a vibrant and sustainable future for generations to come.
DOSCEL Board Visit
I had a series of meetings last week that had me off-site a couple of days attending the Principals' Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools (PAVCSS) General Meeting today. On Wednesday, we welcomed the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd (DOSCEL) Board to Marist-Sion, after which we accompanied them on visits to our local feeder primary schools.
Later that afternoon, I aimed to attend the transition ritual of the governance of Our Lady of Sion College from The Sisters of Our Lady of Sion to Mercy Partners Limited. This was a significant event in the history of the Sisters and Our Lady of Sion College. Finally, on Thursday, was at Sion House for the Diocese of Sale Secondary Principals’ Association (DOSSPA) Meeting.
We are proud to be part of the network of DOSCEL schools. The DOSCEL Board visit provided a meaningful opportunity for our senior leaders to engage with the Board Directors and DOSCEL leaders and to showcase the learning, leadership and faith that shape daily life at our College. We were honoured to host:
- Mr Garry McLean (Chair)
- Ms Cathy Jenkins (Deputy Chair)
- Very Rev Francis Otobo
- Rev Jeff Kleynjans
- Dr Dominic Thomas
- Hon. Martin Dixon
- Mr John Swan
- Ms Mary Winter, Business Manager, Diocese of Sale
- Mr Paul Velten, Director of Catholic Education and CEO
- Ms Kirrilly Bridger, Chief Financial Officer and
- Mr Shane Doyle, General Manager Information Technology.
Pilgrims of Hope – Look beyond.
Ms Lisa Harkin
Principal