Catholic Identity and Mission

Report

The Year 9 Reflection Days took place over two days on 9 and 10 September. Gen Bryant, a musician from Melbourne brought her band to work with our students, entertaining them with song and extending them to think about the way they live in the world. 

Gen is a singer/songwriter who has performed for Pope Francis and in front of 1.5 million Catholics at World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal in 2023. She is a gifted performer and inspiring presenter, speaking to the students about how she battles her naturally shy disposition to embrace her talents and take her place on stage.  

One of her band members is past student Jessica Bertacco (Class of 2017), a talented musician and performer who was excited to be back at Marist-Sion College. Jess shared some of her experiences since graduating from our College, in particular her journey from university to being a member of Gen’s team. 

Many of our Year 9 students really engaged with Gen and her team and enjoyed the day, in particular working in small groups to compose a song or poem about social justice issues confronting our world today. 

Interfaith Day of Dialogue

In what was a busy week, myself and Monique Segafredo accompanied a group of twenty Year 10 students to Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill to attend the Interfaith Day of Dialogue. This event celebrates the Sion Charism of interfaith dialogue, bringing students from the three Sion schools together with students from Mount Scopus Memorial College and Ilim College. In preparation for the day students put together videos entitled “You can’t ask that’, addressing stereotypes and misconceptions about the different faith practices. 

Students formed dialogue circles to speak about their respective faiths, their responses as young Australians to the world they live in and to explore the similarities and differences of their traditions. The students mixed really well, and our host school provided welcoming hospitality for all of us. As a first-time participant in the event, I came away really inspired and grateful that our charism prompts us to engage in and be comfortable with difference. 

I am really proud of our students. This event was an optional experience and came with a great deal of unknowns. The students who attended embraced the unknown and brought enthusiasm and humour to the day, making friends easily and contributing to the dialogue sessions with maturity. Here’s what some of them had to say: 

“The Day of Dialogue was an extremely fun and informative experience. I enjoyed meeting with students from other schools, particularly from the Jewish and Islam schools, and learning more about their religions. I was surprised at how many similarities we had and I know so many people left with new friends. I would recommend this experience for everybody because you learn so much about people in general.” 

Ciele Towb  

“The Day of Dialogue was a unique experience for our little Year 10 cohort that went. It was interesting to learn about different cultures and religions, and how this affects young student’s upbringing and schooling. Through this day we got to make friendships and a new insight to knowledge that we probably wouldn’t have been exposed to.” 

“On the 10th of September I was fortunate enough to attend the day of dialogue hosted by Our lady of Sion in box hill. This was something completely different to anything I have experienced as it was a day filled with love and happiness, I know that’s such a cliché to say but it was genuinely such an incredible experience. Everyone who went to the day of dialogue was so honest and it was beautiful to see everyone be so passionate about their religions as well as experiences in their religion. I enjoyed hearing and asking questions about others religion which included Muslim, Judaism and Christianity.”

Jemma Maloney  

The end of Term 3 brings about the opportunity for senior students to apply for Leadership positions. I would like to encourage students to consider the roles of Social Justice Captains and Liturgy Captains. There is a lot of opportunity for these students to develop and display leadership skills, introduce and run Social Justice activities and fundraising for the College and increase their profile in the community. They are important leadership roles and are open to students in Year 11 and 12 in 2025. Parents and Carers, if you could have an encouraging word to your children there are some really exciting opportunities for them if they take up the challenge. 

I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday. 

Mrs Jacinta Johnston

Deputy Principal: Catholic Identity and Mission