From our Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers
Term One has been full of positive beginnings, with intentional transition processes helping students settle, connect and feel at home in their classes.
Guided by our commitment to nurturing each child spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and socially, we continue to create the conditions for every student to grow with confidence, care and a strong sense of belonging.
Our Purpose
Our work is focussed on improving the learning and life outcomes of the students in our care.
$1000 Scholarships through the Drouin and District Bendigo Bank
Four Marist-Sion students received $1000 scholarships from the Bendigo Bank Drouin & District Community Financial Services at a presentation this week.
Congratulations to:
Alana Rooney (Year 10)
Lenny White (Year 11)
Chad Carlsen (Year 10)
Mia Christian (Class of 2025)
Celebrating Student Success – Luke Rollinson (MacKillop – Year 12)
Congratulations to Luke Rollinson (MacKillop – Year 12) on an outstanding performance at the Bendigo Athletics meet over the weekend, achieving first place in the 120m Under 18 Boys Final.
Well done, Luke!
Celebrating Student Success – Bentley Turner (MacKillop - Year 7)
I loved spotting Bentley Turner (MacKillop - Year 7) making a special appearance in a recent AAMI advertisement... calm under pressure, perfectly timed and absolutely stealing the scene. Bentley’s Mum said, “Thanks to the team at Marist-Sion for helping make this possible for him.”
Well done, Bentley!
Watch the ad here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNdZChAibfc
Our Priorities
Our College Priorities centre on forming lifelong learners by placing student growth, belonging and excellence at the heart of everything we do. Guided by Student Voice and strong pastoral care, we prioritise child safety, wellbeing, inclusion and leadership opportunities, ensuring every learner is known, supported and empowered to contribute. Alongside this, we invest deeply in Staff Formation and Coaching, with a strong focus on professional learning, feedback and recognition, and formation grounded in the Catholic tradition. Our work is brought together through a clear Instructional Model and a coherent approach to Curriculum and Assessment, enabling staff to know their curriculum, practice and impact, and ensuring learning is purposeful, consistent and responsive.
Implementing a Consistent Approach to the Use of Student Planners
At Marist-Sion College, we are committed to helping students develop strong organisational habits that set them up for success throughout the school year. One of the most effective tools we use to support this is the Student Planner. The planner is a place where students record key dates, track their responsibilities and stay informed about important school expectations. As highlighted in our Student Commencement Programs, students are encouraged to use their planners to note timetables, uniform requirements, key policies and daily routines, helping them to begin each day prepared and confident.
Teachers regularly refer students to their planners during Tutor Group and class time, encouraging them to take ownership of their learning and stay accountable for managing deadlines and commitments. The planner also includes spaces for students to set goals, reflect on their responsibilities and understand the high expectations we hold for positive learning behaviours. By building consistent habits around planner use, students strengthen their organisation and readiness to learn.
Learning and Teaching
Year 11 and 12 Outdoor Education Camp – Grampians and Wilsons Promontory
The Year 11 Outdoor Education Camp was held at Grampians (Gariwerd) in February. Year 11 students undertook various hikes and activities through the Visitor Centre. While the Year 12 Outdoor Education Classes went to Wilsons Promontory, Victoria. I thank the staff who give so generously of their time so these experiences are available to our students.
Sporting success through School Sport Victoria (SSV)
Sporting success through School Sport Victoria (SSV) has been a significant highlight this year, with strong participation, progression and achievement across multiple sports and year levels. Students represented the College with distinction in cricket, athletics, AFL, Basketball, Netball, Hockey, Tennis and Cross Country, with several teams advancing to regional, Gippsland and state level competitions. Notably, the Year 7–8 Girls AFL team achieved a top three finish at the State Finals, Senior Cricket teams progressed to second rounds, and multiple teams advanced through Gippsland finals in Cricket and Hockey. In athletics, students recorded outstanding results at regional and state levels, including podium finishes, relay victories and record breaking performances. Across all events, staff reported exemplary student behaviour, teamwork and school spirit. There is a strong culture of participation, perseverance and pride in SSV representative sport.
College Musical – Peter Pan
The College is delighted to announce Peter Pan as our 2026 College Musical, an enduring and much loved Production that celebrates imagination, courage and the joy of believing in possibility.
Auditions and casting are now complete, and the enthusiasm shown by our students has been exceptional.
Student Engagement – 52nd Marist Boys Cricket Carnival
The College has formally confirmed its participation in the 52nd Marist Boys Cricket Carnival, hosted by Catholic College Sale. This significant event brings together Marist schools from across Australia and provides our students with a valuable opportunity to represent the College with pride.
Student Engagement – Northern Territory Experience
The Northern Territory Experience has been reintroduced as a significant and transformative learning opportunity for Marist-Sion students. Scheduled for September 2026, the program provides Year 10 and Year 11 students with the opportunity to engage deeply with Australia’s cultural, historical and natural landscapes, supported by a dedicated staff team.
NAPLAN Testing
Our NAPLAN completion rate sat above 90% and this year. I commend our Year 7 and 9 students on their preparedness and engagement across the testing period.
Implementing a Consistent Instructional Model
Throughout 2025, our teaching staff have been developing a consistent lesson structure that will form a key part of our whole-school Instructional Model - our shared approach to teaching and learning at Marist-Sion College. This model is designed to ensure every student can engage meaningfully in their learning, regardless of their needs or starting point.
Each lesson follows a clear and supportive learning cycle, as shown in the image below. Teachers begin by helping students connect to their learning - this may involve revisiting prior knowledge, checking in on wellbeing, or preparing the learning environment. The main learning cycle then includes teacher demonstration, followed by opportunities for students to collaborate and practise new skills. Students consolidate their learning by working independently to show what they have understood. Throughout the lesson, teachers regularly check for understanding and provide tasks that are appropriately challenging and supportive. Each lesson concludes with time for reflection and a focus on next steps.
This model is a new initiative for 2026 and will continue to be refined. Our intention is that every lesson, in every subject and year level, will follow this consistent and high-impact approach to learning.
Catholic Identity
Interring the Names of Staff and Students in the College Heart
During the Commencement Mass, we interred the names of all our students and staff in the Marist-Sion Heart, highlighting that we are held in prayer even when apart, and that we are called, like Jesus, to be known by the love we show through our actions … here and across Marist and Sion communities throughout the world.
Child Safety
Where to access support?
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 Mel Bradley (Student Counsellor) 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.
Stewardship of Resources
Sion – Foundational Beliefs in the Campus Heart
“I want you to have hearts bigger than the whole world. The heart expands in the flame of love and this flame must set other flames alight” (Theodore Ratisbonne)
The inclusion of the Sion Foundational Beliefs within the Campus Heart reflects the language and vision at the heart of the work of Sion, which consistently speaks of God as mystery, presence and love, encountered through attentiveness rather than certainty.
The Sion spirituality invites people to “see God in everything and everything in God”, holding together reverence for the Mystery of the Divine with a willingness to dwell in complexity, difference and questioning. By inscribing these characteristics into the physical heart of the College, the Campus Heart is a space that mirrors Sion’s conviction that faith is formed through encounter; with one another, with creation and with a loving God. The space quietly teaches that learning and belonging emerge when we remain open, reflective and attentive to the sacred unfolding in everyday life.
In the language of Sion, the truth that God is Love is not abstract but lived through relationship and dialogue. This conviction is expressed in the call to work for the Reign of God by building bridges, seeking reconciliation and honouring the dignity of every person within the Community of Creation. As Louise Humann reminds us, “The only imperative in life is to love. Love is for all times and all places. It is the most fundamental law because God is Love.” The Campus Heart embodies this vision by holding Diversity and Inclusion at its centre, signalling that difference is a gift. As students and staff gather in this space, they are formed by an environment shaped by Sion’s insistence that love must take flesh in the world through justice, hospitality and care for creation.
College Website Redevelopment
Over the past six months, the College has partnered with Carter Creative to undertake a comprehensive update of the Marist Sion College website. The redevelopment aims to improve accessibility, navigation and the way the College communicates with prospective and current families. The new website is currently in its final stage of development, with the staging site undergoing final review prior to launch on Tuesday of next week.
Social Media
Parents and guardians can stay connected with Marist-Sion College by following us on our social media channels:
Facebook: Marist-Sion College Facebook Page
Instagram: Marist-Sion College Instagram Page
Save the Dates
Significant Women’s Breakfast
The Significant Women’s Breakfast will be held on Thursday 7 May 2026 from 7:30am – 9:00am. Save the date!
Significant Men’s Breakfast
The Significant Men’s Breakfast will be held on Wednesday 9 September from 7:30am – 9:00am.
Old Collegian Mentor Breakfast for Year 12 Students
Old Collegian Mentor Breakfast for Year 12 Students will be held in Lesson 1 on Wednesday 3 August 2026. This was an outstanding event last year. If you would like to be involved in this event, please contact Mrs Elly Martin (Careers and Pathways Leader).
May this year ahead be our best one yet. Thanks for your on-going support of our work at Marist-Sion College. It is a privilege to serve this community.
Full of Grace – Transform the World with God’s Love
Ms Lisa Harkin
Principal