From our Principal

Our Commitment to Action: Catholic Identity and Mission

We activate identity and mission through Catholic Social Teaching and affirming the dignity and inclusion of all.

Catholic Primary Schools Sports Day

The Catholic Primary School Sports Day was a massive success. Despite the wind, the students had an awesome day developing new friendships and playing the sport of their choice. The Grade 5 and 6 students were keen to know if I knew their older siblings and it was a delight to welcome them to the College.

Thank You for Your Support with the Severe Weather Event

Due to continued power outages we recently needed to enact a full School Closure Day. Thank you to the parents and guardians who reached out to affirm the College on our proactive work in this area. It was a dynamic emergency management incident that required careful coordination and communication. I appreciated the support of the staff who were onsite that day. 

Election of our 2025 College Captains

On Tuesday, we listened to our aspirant College Captains as they spoke to their hopes and dreams for our awesome community. Twelve students have applied and the field is strong. These will be announced to our broader community via Facebook.

Australian Bishop’s Conference released their 2024 Social Justice Statement

Last week the Australian Bishop’s Conference released their 2024 Social Justice Statement, Truth and Peace – A Gospel word in a violent world. This important document reflects on the current state of the world and the conflicts ravaging peoples in many countries. The denial of God as the source of truth, and the erosion of truth in what is described as “post-truth culture” is characterised by competing claims to truth especially through social media, partisan journalism, and the persuasion industry. The effects of the “post-truth culture”, in which there is no agreement about basic facts, are highlighted as eroding democracy and informed debate. The 2024 Social Justice Statement can be read here: Social Justice Statement - 2024

Marist Cricket Carnival

Teams are training for the Marist Cricket Carnival in Term 4.

Mass is Celebrated Every Friday at 8.10am

Mass is celebrated in the College Chapel every Friday at 8.10. The Mass goes for 20 minutes and provides space for prayer and reflection. All community members are welcome to attend this Mass.

Meeting with the Kurnai Elders

On Monday, I met with the Kurnai Elders to discuss symbols and markers of recognition that will be built into the landscape architecture of the College Master Plan. Marist-Sion College Warragul students and staff have been granted permission by the Kurnai Elders to reproduce various images. We will recommit to looking after the land that our College is built on, and all of creation respectfully.

Marist Connect Night

Our next Marist Connect Night was held on Wednesday 4 September 2024 at Marcellin College, Bulleen. Marist Connect Nights are great ways for students to connect with other Marist schools to participate in faith-based conversation.

50 Years – Marist-Sion Alumni Project 

This project aims to identify and celebrate significant contributions Marist-Sion College educated women and men have made to our community over the past 50 years, echoing the dream of Saint Marcellin Champagnat for Marist education, “to form good Christians and good citizens” and Father Theodore Ratisbonne’s intention for Sion education, “You must have hearts bigger than the world; it is the fire of love that expands the heart.”

We hope to create an Anthology of Outstanding Marist-Sion Alumni. The Anthology is a way of recognising those alumni who have made a significant and outstanding contribution to Australian life. Many ex-students who have gone on to become highly productive, influential, and honourable citizens of this country. The intent of the Marist-Sion Alumni Project is to capture some of those who have truly made their mark on society.

A Project Team has been formed to gather and collate alumni information and ultimately produce a tangible historical product not just for the golden anniversary but for the continued future of Marist-Sion’s presence in our region.

You can nominate past students via this link: Click Here to Nominate a Past Student Now 

Tegan Svetina – Representing Australia at the Dodgeball Championships

Ms Tegan Svetina (Classroom Teacher) represented Australia at the Dodgeball Championships. 

Our Commitment to Action: Learning and Teaching

We build expert teachers, adaptive teaching teams and collaborative expertise.

Learning Leaders Exploring New Frontiers with Generative AI

Learning Leaders continue to plan for the release of the Victorian Curriculum 2.0. Part of this planning includes AI technologies in various fields. It is an exciting time for the College.

VCE Exam Audit – Congratulations

We received positive feedback through the VCE Exam Audit. It was a great experience coming together to audit our VCE processes. Our results are due to the strength of your leadership and attention to detail in this area. The VCE Exam Audit has assisted us to audit and review exam practices across the College. I enjoyed talking through the various aspects of this work and hearing about various innovations that had been adopted leveraging Mrs Jenna Dore (Director of Senior Learning) experience and the Chief Assessor’s experience in previous learning communities.

ACCE Career Benchmarking Success

The ACCE provides a consultancy service to schools wishing to benchmark their careers service against the quality indicators for good practice in careers. The ACCE has produced the Career Development Quality Benchmarks for good practice (CDQB) a measurement tool, to assist schools to establish a framework for the delivery of career services to their students and the school community.

• Leadership and Management
• Strategic Planning Processes
• Data and Analysis
• Resources
• Client Focus
• Processes and Services
• Outcomes

These seven categories reflect the eight principles in the Guiding Principles for Career Development Services and Career Information Products, the national guidelines designed by the Career Industry Council of Australia (2007).

Congratulations to Mrs Elly Martin (Careers and Pathways Leader) with support from the broader Careers Team: Mr Mark Paynter, Mrs Tammy Barnes, Mrs Lexie Fenton, Mrs Michelle Lilford, Mrs Jenna Dore, Mr Ben Gaze and Mr Tim Morrison.

2024 Unit 2 VCE Drama Solo Performances of 'The Neighbour'

The Unit 2 VCE Drama Solo Performances were staged in front of an intimate audience last week. The students were well prepared and showcased many dramatic elements. Thanks to Mrs Sharryn Marshall (Classroom Teacher) for supporting the students in their formal assessment.

Bertie Pugh (Year 7 – Sion House) – VicSpell State Finalist

Bertie Pugh (Year 7 – Sion House) represented Marist-Sion College at the VicSpell State Finals. An outstanding effort representative of a brilliant mind.

Xavier Borthwick – Walks the Kokoda Trail

Xavier Borthwick (Year 8 – Lourdes House) returned to school after completing the Kokoda Trail with his father Jeff. I had lunch with Xavier to hear about the experience when he returned. I have absolute admiration for his stamina and grit.

Marist-Sion College Gippsland Secondary Regional Winners

Well done to our awesome athletes and coaches on their recent success. Read all the results here.

Winner – Girls 15 Year Olds 1500 Meter Run

Congratulations to Grace Graafsma who ran 5:16.28.

Winner – Boys 18- 20 Triple Jump

Congratulations to Leigh Effenberg who jumped 11.14m.

Winner – Boys 12-13 Year Olds Javelin Throw 600 g 

Congratulations to Mitchell Copley who threw 25.03m.

Winner – Girls 14 Year Olds 100 Meter Dash

Congratulations to Zaria Dalton who ran 13.10.

Winner – Girls 15 Year Olds 100 Meter Dash

Congratulations to Olivia Barr who ran 13.73.

Winner – Girls 17 Year Olds 100 Meter Dash

Congratulations to Shae Langley who ran 13.93.

Winner – Girls 18-20 Year Olds High Jump

Congratulations to Sarah Sutton-McLellan who jumped 1.45m.

Winner – Boys 18-20 Year Olds 800 Meter Run

Congratulations to Leigh Effenberg who ran 2:45.68.

Winner – Girls 14 Year Olds 200 Meter Dash

Congratulations to Zaria Dalton who ran 27.36.

Winner – Girls 17 Year Olds Shot Put 3 kg

Congratulations to Reagan Joyce who shot 9.13m.

Winner – Girls 17 Year Olds 200 Meter Dash

Congratulations to Shae Langley who ran 28.41.

Winner – Boys 18-20 Year Olds 200 Meter Run

Congratulations to Leigh Effenberg who ran 26.14.

Winner – Girls 14 Year Olds Long Jump

Congratulations to Zaria Dalton who jumped 4.61m.

Winner – Girls 14 Year Olds 400 Meter Run

Congratulations to Zaria Dalton who ran 1.03.58.

Winner – Boys 15 Year Olds 400 Meter Run

Congratulations to Wally Phillips who ran 55.06.

Winner – Boys 18-20 Year Olds 400 Meter Run

Congratulations to Leigh Effenberg who ran 56.47.

Winners – Girls 14 Year Olds 4x100 Meter Relay

Congratulations to Marist-Sion College.

Winners – Girls 15 Year Olds 4x100 Meter Relay

Congratulations to Marist-Sion College.

Winners – Boys 15 Year Olds 4x100 Meter Relay

Congratulations to Marist-Sion College.

Parent Student Teacher Interviews

Parent Student Teacher Interviews facilitate communication and collaboration between parents, students, and teachers. I have appreciated hearing about all the parents who have come along to support our young learners. These interviews serve multiple purposes:

1. Building Relationships
   Parent Student Teacher Interviews help foster positive relationships between parents, students, and teachers. Face-to-face interactions provide an opportunity to establish rapport, develop trust, and strengthen the partnership between home and school. Building these relationships can lead to better collaboration and support for the student’s educational journey.
    
2. Reporting on Learning Progression and Growth
   Parent Student Teacher Interviews provide an opportunity for parents, students, and teachers to exchange information about the student’s progress, strengths, weaknesses, and overall academic performance. Teachers can share insights into the student’s behaviour, classroom participation and study habits, while parents and students can provide additional context and raise any concerns they may have.
    
3. Addressing Concerns
   Parent Student Teacher Interviews offer a platform to address any concerns or challenges related to the student’s academic, social, or emotional well-being. Parents can raise concerns they may have noticed at home, while teachers can share observations from the classroom. By discussing these concerns, all parties can work together to identify potential solutions and provide necessary support.
    
4. Celebrating Achievements
   Parent Student Teacher Interviews also provide a chance to celebrate the student’s accomplishments and acknowledge their hard work and progress. Recognizing achievements can boost the student’s self-esteem, motivation, and overall engagement in their education.
    
5. Establishing Goals
   Parent Student Teacher Interviews allow all parties to set academic and behavioural goals for the student. By discussing the student’s strengths and areas for improvement, parents, students, and teachers can work together to establish realistic goals and strategies to support the student’s development.

VCE Exam Navigator

The Exam Navigator for 2024 has arrived. This resource includes the end of year timetable and information relating to permitted items and expectations. I wish the Year 12s well as they prepare for these exams over the holidays.

Health and PE Week

Various activities and events were held for Health and PE Week. A highlight for me was the Staff versus Students Volleyball Match. Although we lost these games consistently, a spirit of connection and belonging was present on the day.

Our Commitment to Action: Leadership

We are impactful leaders, building capacity and driving school improvement.

Positions of Leadership Advertised and Short Listed

We are excited to plan for a new Positions of Leadership (POL) Model for our College community, which is set to take effect in 2025 and beyond. We are now interviewing applicants for the middle leadership roles.

Teacher Appraisal and Recognition Process

Mrs Georgie Beekhof (Deputy Principal – Professional Culture and Growth) sought staff feedback on this process and how it is impacting the work of our teachers. Work has now commenced to support this process this term.

Our Commitment to Action: Child Safety

We commit to sustaining and improving our child safe practices and culture.

Child Safety Week “Every child in every community needs a fair go”

Wellbeing and Child Safety Week is now in its fourth year at Marist-Sion College. Wellbeing and Child Safety Week aims to encourage us all to think about our mental and physical health and wellbeing, to build our wellbeing toolkit and take practical steps to look after ourselves and each other.

Student Breakfast Club

Our popular Student Breakfast Club was held again Tuesday morning in the Champagnat Courtyard before school thanks to Mr Daniel Yamada (Director of Student Wellbeing) and team.

RUOK Day 

RUOK Day activities were held last Thursday, staff and students wore a touch of yellow.

Personal Safety

Mrs Stephanie Rogan (Wellbeing Learning and Data Leader) organised for Sonya Karras from Whole New World, to address the Year 11 and 12 students in the Marian Theatre with a focus on Personal Safety as a part of Child Safety and Wellbeing Week.

Liquor Licensing Victoria: www.consumer.vic.gov.au

Provides information regarding licensed venues and Responsible Serving of Alcohol courses. etc.

The Youth Substance Abuse Service: www.ysas.org.au

YSAS provides drug and alcohol services for people aged between 12 and 21.

Child Safety and Wellbeing – Community Consultation

Over the course of this term, we have held a series of Child Safety and Wellbeing consultations with students and families. These have aimed to raise awareness of how to raise a concern and where to access support.

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.

Ms Lisa Harkin

Principal