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.
PAT Testing – Success
Congratulations to everyone involved in the administration of the PAT testing last week. The process ran smoothly, and there was a noticeable sense of calm and engagement when I visited in the early afternoon. It was also encouraging to see the positive tone of the follow-up with the small number of students still learning the expectations of an exam. These conversations were framed as opportunities for growth, reinforcing our commitment to learning. I appreciated hearing exam administrators reflect on the development of the Year 9 cohort through to Year 11, noting the impressive level of engagement demonstrated by our Year 11 students this year. These practices are setting students up for success and reflect the dedication of our staff.
An Evening of Excellence
I congratulate all the students and staff who were recognised for their hard work, diligence, and commitment to all aspects of life at Marist-Sion. It was powerful having them step forward to shake hands knowing more of their stories, courage and resolve in getting to school each day and setting the bar high for themselves. With the support of teachers, support staff and classmates, these students are taking on every opportunity and challenge our great school has to offer.
Teaching Excellence Award – Chantelle Stokely
I am delighted to announce that Chantelle Stokely (Classroom Teacher) is the winner of the Teaching Excellence Award.
Chantelle is a reflective teacher who makes learning engaging and challenging. She addresses behaviour calmly while keeping students focused. Her strong relationships allow her to create materials tailored to student interests, supporting active learning. Chantelle’s planning and assessment reflect AITSL standards, and she adapts her teaching to meet individual needs. Through differentiation and creative group work, she fosters Catholic Identity and ensures every student feels supported.
Congratulations Chantelle, our Teaching Excellence Awardee for 2025.
Spirit of Marist-Sion Award – Harrison McConnell
I am delighted to announce that Harrison McConnell is the winner of the Spirit of Marist-Sion Award.
“St Marcellin Champagnat said, “The work of education is a work of love; it is a continuous act of self-giving.”
Harrison truly embodies the Spirit of Marist-Sion. He shows care, creativity and dedication, using innovative teaching methods to make learning engaging and meaningful. Harrison integrates faith, learning and life by encouraging kindness and respect. He treats everyone fairly, helps students reflect on their choices, and creates a welcoming classroom where every student feels valued and safe. Harrison leads by example, showing compassion and understanding in all he does.
One of Harrison’s students said, “Mr McConnell’s classroom is a space where people can be themselves, ask questions and feel safe to learn and grow.” We couldn’t agree more!
Congratulations Harrison, our Spirit of Marist-Sion Awardee for 2025.
Our Commitment to Action: Catholic Identity
We activate identity and mission through Catholic Social Teaching and affirming the dignity and inclusion of all.
Advent – A New Liturgical Year
This Sunday we began the new liturgical year, a time where we transition from cycle C to cycle A and where we will focus on the Gospel of Matthew as we begin the journey of Advent. The book of Matthew is one steeped in the richness of Jesus’s parables and sermons, providing rich pickings in discussing who and what we are called to be. The first Sunday of Advent (this Sunday) is where we witness for the first time the Advent Wreath and the lighting of the first candle, the candle of hope. The first candle takes us back to Isiah’s foretelling of the birth of Christ. May all in our community be a source of hope to those we meet along the Advent journey and beyond.
Pope Francis said it best:
“We want to be a Church that serves, that leaves home and goes forth from its places of worship, goes forth from its sacristies, in order to accompany life, to sustain hope, to be the sign of unity… to build bridges, to break down walls, to sow seeds of reconciliation”
Fratelli Tutti (Pope Francis, 2020)
About Advent
Advent marks the beginning of the Church’s new year and is a season of waiting and preparation. In fact, the season of Advent focuses on Christ’s threefold coming—past, present and future. We await and prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas. We hope and give thanks for Christ’s presence in us and in the Word and sacraments. We look to the future, waiting for Christ to come again. In the coming four weeks, we prepare with mounting expectation for the coming of Christ in a spirit of waiting, conversion and hope.
Thank-you and Best Wishes to Mrs Jacinta Johnston
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Jacinta Johnston who leaves us at the end of this year to take on the role of Deputy Principal – Faith and Strategy at Whitefriars College. Jacinta joined our community in 2023 and has been recognised as a highly relational leader whose faith and commitment to service shone through in every aspect of her work. These qualities, combined with Jacinta’s personal integrity, will be invaluable in her new role. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Jacinta for her significant contribution to Marist-Sion College and wish her every success as she steps into the position of Deputy Principal – Faith and Strategy at Whitefriars College.
Our Commitment to Action: Child Safety
We commit to sustaining and improving our child safe practices and culture.
Online Safety Amendment
From 10 December 2025, the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 will require social media platforms to:
- prevent children and young people under 16 from having a social media account
- deactivate or freeze existing accounts held by people under 16.
Delaying access to social media protects the health and wellbeing of young people and gives them extra time to build real world connections and digital literacy skills.
The responsibility will be on the social media platforms, not parents, carers, children or schools, to implement these new restrictions.
Most popular social media platforms will be age restricted. These include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Reddit and YouTube.
Messaging services and online games, as well as apps and platforms that support health and education, can still be used.
How to help under 16s prepare for the change?
Parents and carers play an important role in supporting their children to be safe online.
To help get under 16s ready for the social media minimum age requirements, you can go to the eSafety website to learn more about the social media age restrictions and find tips on how to talk about social media age restrictions with young people.
What the change means for our school
At our school, most age-restricted social media platforms are blocked for student use on the school network. Our school allows student access to YouTube in a logged-out state.
However, this access is restricted so mature content cannot be viewed.
To keep up to date about the new social media age restrictions, visit the eSafety website and subscribe to their newsletter.
Valedictory Dinner
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the Valedictory celebration for our Year 12 students such a meaningful and memorable occasion. It was a wonderful opportunity to honour a fine group of students who have been an exceptional cohort to work with. The students did us proud, and the sense of celebration was evident throughout the night.
Special thanks to Daniel Nisbet for his vision for the event and for working closely with our student leaders to create a thoughtful program. I also extend my appreciation to Kellie and Damian Jones, parents of Darcy Jones, for continuing the tradition of sharing reflections during the Valedictory Dinner. Kellie spoke with conviction about the gifts her children have received through their Marist-Sion education, it was a truly moving moment.
Thank you for all your support throughout the year. It is a privilege to work alongside such committed colleagues in service of this community.
Wishing you and your family the blessings of Christmas.
Pilgrims of Hope – Look beyond.
Ms Lisa Harkin
Principal